🍎 Friday Update: Final Preparations & Inspiring Biographies

We are ending the week on such a high note in 5B! Between the focus of our Writer's Workshop and the energy of our Neon Dance, the classroom has been buzzing with excitement.

🏛️ Heritage Fair: The Final Push

We have moved into the "Construction Phase" of our projects. All student work has now been printed, and during our Writer’s Workshop this week, students have been busy:

• Assembling Backboards: Mapping out where their typed work and photos go for the best impact.

• Drafting Responses: Fine-tuning the answers to the questions judges might ask.

• Practicing Presentations: Working on their eye contact and speaking voice.

Practice Over the Weekend: I am not sending formal homework home this week so that students can dedicate their time to practicing. Students can use their Google Slideshow and the "Judge's Cheat Sheet" below to practice at home!

Presentation Dates:

• Wednesday, April 1st: 5B presents to the judges!

• Thursday, April 2nd: Our Provincial Science Fair participants will present their Heritage Fair projects to the judges at school.

• Public Viewing: Families and friends are invited to come see the projects from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on the day your child presents. If you attend, you are welcome to take your child's project home at 12:00!

🚀 Literacy, History, & Engineering

We have been deeply immersed in an integration of Black History, Women's History, and National Engineering Month.

• The Stories: Following our look at Mae Jemison, we have been reading about NASA legends Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson.

• The Skills: These stories fit perfectly with our biography writing. We have been acting like detectives to find and use specific text features, such as Timelines to track milestones and Glossaries to build vocabulary with "Expert Words" like trajectory and aerodynamics.

• Movie Event: Next week, we will watch Hidden Figures! Please ensure you have signed the digital permission form so your child can join. We will be using a "Space Detective" viewing guide to look for engineering hurdles and math "superpowers" during the film.  (Link here: Permission form) 

🔢 Math: Rounding & Estimation (Outcome N2)

We have been "reaching back" to our work with fractions, decimals, and whole numbers to strengthen our estimation.

• The Number Line: We are refining our conceptual understanding of rounding. Instead of just a rule, we are looking at what rounding actually looks like on a number line to see which "benchmark" a number is truly closest to.

• Compatible Numbers: This helps us find "friendly" numbers that are easy to calculate mentally.

🎟️ Community & Fun

• QEH Coupon Books: Order forms went home on Tuesday. This fundraiser supports the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and school projects. Payments can be e-transferred to the address on the form.

• Neon Dance: This afternoon was our Neon Dance Party for Easter Seals. Thank you for the $2 donations; the students ended the week on great vibes!

📸 Photos: Check out the gallery below to see 5B in action - working on Heritage Fair projects and showing off their neon outfits!

Good luck to all our students participating in hockey provincials this weekend! Go get 'em!

Meredith

🍎 Sunday Update: Welcome Back & The Final Push!

I hope everyone had a wonderful, restful, and safe March Break! It was a well-deserved break for the students, and I am so excited to see everyone back in the classroom tomorrow. We are hit the ground running as we enter the final Production Phase of our Heritage Fair projects.

🏛️ Heritage Fair: The Final Countdown

With our presentation date of Wednesday, April 1st (and Thursday, April 2nd for our Science Fair participants) fast approaching, this week is all about bringing those digital slides to life on our backboards!

The Timeline for this Week:

• Monday & Tuesday: Students will have time in class to finish their typing and final digital edits.

• Wednesday - Friday: The expectation is that students will begin physically assembling and putting their boards together in class.

What to Bring to School:

• Backboards & Supplies: Please ensure students have their backboards in school. It is very helpful if they also bring Sticky Tack if they have it. I will provide glue and tape. 

• Color Printing: A reminder that I can only print in Black and White at school. If you and your child would like any photos or text to be in color, please arrange to have those printed at home or at Staples this week.

• Props & Artifacts: These can be collected and kept safe at home for now, but please have them ready to bring in for the presentations next week!

💻 Teacher Edits & Feedback

Over the break, I have been reviewing student slideshows. I have suggested several edits, adjusted font styles, and resized text boxes (especially on those tricky timelines!) to make sure everything fits perfectly. I have also prompted many students to elaborate on their great ideas.

These adjustments should help expedite our work tomorrow! I will continue to conference with students one-on-one throughout the week to help them polish their final drafts. I have attached their writing checklist, below. 

🗣️ Practicing at Home

Now is a great time for students to begin practicing their oral presentations in the evenings. Being able to explain their research clearly to the judges is just as important as the board itself!

🗓️ Open House Invitation

We would love for family and friends to join us for our Heritage Fair Open House!

• When: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM on April 1st (and April 2nd).

• Project Pickup: At 12:00 PM, students will take their projects back to the classroom. However, if you are attending the Open House, this is a wonderful opportunity to take your child’s project home with you once the viewing is over!

Looking foward to a fantastic, productive week, 5B! I can't wait to see hear about everyone's week and see these projects come together.

Meredith

It was wonderful to see so many of you over the past two weeks for Parent-Teacher Interviews. Thank you for taking the time to come in and chat about your child's progress. Your support at home makes such a difference, and I am so excited to see what we will accomplish together in our final term!

A Note on Today: I am quite disappointed that the snow day kept us apart today, as I was looking forward to one more day of learning and fun before the break. I hope you are all staying warm and safe at home (or on a beach)!

Literacy, Art, & Coding

We continue to integrate Women's History Month into our Biography and Integrated units. This week, we used the picture book, Mae Among the Stars, to learn more about an influential astronaut/dancer/educator, Mae Jemison. 

• Art: We used a "resistance" technique with tissue paper to create a beautiful watercolor effect for our space art.

• Tech & SEL: We tied the colors of the book to the "Emotions Wheel" and then coded those emotions onto Micro:bits (tiny, programmable computers!). This allowed us to meet our Digital Skills outcomes while discussing healthy habits and the choices that help us feel good. (Pictures below!)

Math: Estimation (Outcome N2)

In Math, we have been exploring the Front-End Rounding strategy.

• Next Week: We will dive into Compensation and Compatible Numbers.

• IXL: There is no formal homework over the break; however, if students are looking for extra practice, they are encouraged to work on the "Teacher Recommended" skills on IXL.

Science Fair Superstars!

I want to send a huge CONGRATULATIONS to our students who have advanced to the Provincial Science Fair! These students have dedicated an incredible amount of time and energy after school to work on their science projects while simultaneously working on their Heritage Fair research in school. We are so proud of your hard work and commitment!

Heritage Fair & Science Fair Dates

When we return from the break, we have a very exciting schedule for our presenters:

• Wednesday, April 1st: Most of 5B will present their Heritage Fair projects to the judges. At the same time, our Science Fair finalists will be away presenting at the Provincial Science Fair.

• Thursday, April 2nd: Our Science Fair finalists will have their turn to present their Heritage Fair projects to the judges here at school.
  
  

Working from Home (Optional)

Since we missed our school day today, some students may wish to work on their Heritage Fair Project over the break.

How to access the project at home: Students will need to log into their Google account by signing into Google using their school account (ex. meca1234@cloud.edu.pe.ca and their password). All students know their usernames and passwords. Their project can be found on Google Classroom by clicking on the waffle in the top right-hand corner or by typing in classroom.google.com in the URL.

March Break Checklist

• Backboards: If you are shopping over the break, project boards can be found at Michaels, Price Mart, or the Dollar Store.

• Supplies: Sticky Tack is the best way to mount work so it can be moved around as you design your board!

• Visuals: Collect any artifacts, props, or color photos to display. (I will still provide colored construction paper and B&W printing at school).

A Quick Reminder

Please save any old newspapers you have at home! We need them for a hands-on Math activity (Estimation) as soon as we return.

I wish all of 5B a wonderful, restful, and safe March Break. Enjoy the week off, and I look forward to seeing everyone back in class!

Meredith

Thursday, March 5th

Happy Thursday! Since there is no school tomorrow, I am sending out this week's update today. I am looking forward to connecting with many of you this evening. When you arrive, please take a moment to look above the lockers for our most recent Art project: The Aurora Borealis. I am so proud of the hard work and heart the children have put into this second term and I am looking forward to a wonderful 3rd term, together! 

A Note on Interview Times: To ensure that I am respectful of everyone’s busy schedules, I will need to strictly keep our appointments to the 15-minute time slots. If we find that we have more to discuss, or if you leave with any lingering questions or concerns, please know that I am more than happy to schedule a follow-up phone call or meeting at a later date. Thank you for helping me stay on track so that I can meet with every family at their scheduled time!

Scholastic Book Fair: The Book Fair will be open this evening for parents wishing to purchase books for their children. This is a wonderful fundraiser for our school library, and we appreciate your support in helping us grow our collection! 

Please note: EAL interviews will take place next week.

Heritage Fair: Moving into Production

We are officially in the "typing phase" of our Biography projects! Students are currently typing their work into a Google Slideshow that can be accessed via Google Classroom.

Important Resources: For more information on the PEI Heritage Fair, including the rubric and other important project details, please visit the official provincial site here: 👉 PEI Provincial Heritage Fair Information

March Break & Home Support: If you are not traveling during the upcoming break, it is a fantastic time to work on the visual part of the project. While students must do all writing independently, they can receive support at home with:

• Collecting artifacts, props, and pictures.

• Gathering supplies: backboards, sticky tack, cardstock, and lettering.

• Pro-Tip: Backboards are available at Price Mart, Michaels, and the Dollar Store. I suggest grabbing one ASAP, as there are over 200 projects being worked on at West Royalty alone!

Inquiry: Women’s History & Literacy

We have shifted our focus from Black History Month to Women’s History, learning about powerful women who have shaped our world. In Literacy, we are using "mentor sentences" from these stories to review Parts of Speech and Sentence Structure (fixing run-ons and fragments).

Math: Decimals & Estimation

We are finishing our review of Decimals and moving into Outcome N2: Estimation of Whole Numbers.

• Homework: Decimal worksheets are going home tonight and are due next Thursday.

• Request: If you have any old newspapers you are willing to part with, please send them in! We need them for a hands-on Math activity this Monday.

Thank you for meeting with me this week and for your continued support!

Meredith

Sunday, March 1st

A Busy Week Ahead: Parent-Teacher Interviews

Happy Sunday! I am looking forward to connecting with many of you this week for our Parent-Teacher Interviews. It is always such a highlight to celebrate your child’s progress and discuss their goals for the rest of Grade 5. Please note that our EAL interviews will follow next week.

Kindness, Identity, and "Living in a Good Way"

To mark Pink Shirt Day, we shared the story The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad. This book was a powerful bridge for our inquiry: "How can we live in a good way?"  As we are currently in the middle of Ramadan, this served as a real-time lesson in empathy - reminding us that "living in a good way" means protecting the dignity and belonging of everyone in our community, especially those observing their cultural traditions.

Heritage Fair: From Research to Writing

We are translating these big ideas into our Biography projects. To move from research to writing, students are using the SWBST Strategy (Somebody Wanted But So Then) to summarize the "bones" of their hero’s life. For their conclusions, they have the choice to use this summary or shift to Legacy Thinking - focusing on the long-term impact their hero had on the world.

Literacy: Polishing our Writing

In Reader’s Workshop, we continue to use the RACE strategy (Restate, Answer, Cite, Explain) and inferring (using our novel, Hiding Edith) to build formal reading responses.

To support our Biography writing, we are also back to basics with Grammar:

• Parts of Speech: Reviewing how nouns, verbs, and adjectives bring our research to life.

• Sentence Structure: Practicing how to identify and fix run-on sentences and sentence fragments to ensure our writing is clear and professional for the Heritage Fair.
  
  
  

Math: Decimals & Fractions

In Math, we have been busy exploring the world of decimals! Our focus has been on:

• Comparing and ordering decimals to understand place value.

• Relating decimals to fractions

• Adding and subtracting decimals to solve real-world problems

I sent home worksheets on Thursday and they are due back this Thursday. Students can also continue to sharpen these skills on IXL! They should look for "teacher recommendations" and start from the bottom up!

Please note, Scholastic Book Fair purchase times are indicated above under Important Dates!

Below are a few photos/videos from our sledding adventures on Friday. See you at interviews this week!

Meredith

Friday, February 20th

Hi Everyone,

What a fantastic way to end the week! We kicked off our Winter Wellness Day with some exercise alongside Gord McNeilly, and wrapped it up by cheering on the Canada men’s hockey team in their semi-final win against Finland. Between Olympic geography trivia and a perfect sledding day in Phys. Ed, 5B has been full of energy. All in all, a very successful week!

Heritage Fair: Research & Writing

We spent the week gathering the final "puzzle pieces" for our Biography projects. Students focused on the core pillars of their research:

• Obstacles & Accomplishments: How their hero persevered.

• Timelines: Mapping out the major events of their lives.

• Lessons Learned: What their hero’s life teaches us about the world.

These details will help us craft strong Introductions and Conclusions next week. My goal is for students to begin the typing phase by the end of next week!

Math: Decimals & Fractions

In Math, we are reaching back to past outcomes to build a solid bridge for our next unit. While we have done a lot of work with decimals already, we are spending the next week focusing on:

• Ordering and comparing decimals.

• Relating decimals to fractions.

• Adding and subtracting decimals.

This review is essential as we move into more complex decimal operations. If your child has extra time at home, IXL practice in these specific areas would be very helpful!

Integrated: DEI, SEL, and Healthy Habits

In my report card comments, I will be using two important acronyms to describe our work in the Integrated curriculum. To give you a better sense of what these look like in 5B, here is a quick breakdown based on our curriculum guide:

SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Social-Emotional Learning is the process through which we learn to manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, and make responsible decisions.

• What it looks like in 5B: Practicing skills like Self-Management (identifying and regulating emotions) and Social Awareness (learning how to be a good friend and disagreeing respectfully).

DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion skills focus on building a respectful community by examining our own identities and understanding the experiences of others.

• What it looks like in 5B: We are learning to examine identity and bias to ensure everyone feels they belong and are valued in our classroom.

Heritage Fair & The Seven Sacred Teachings

As we dive deeper into our biography projects, we have been using the Seven Sacred Teachings as a lens to analyze the lives of our chosen heroes. Rather than just looking at dates and facts, students are acting as "character detectives" to see which of these traditional Mi’kmaq values their hero displayed:

• Courage (The Bear): We are identifying the "ripple moments" where their hero had the mental strength to do what was right, even when it was difficult or scary.

• Honesty (Sabe/Bigfoot): We are looking at how these individuals stayed true to themselves and their missions, even under pressure.

• Respect (The Buffalo): We are discussing how their hero showed respect for the rights and dignity of others, often sparking major social change.

By using these teachings, students aren't just writing a report - they are learning how these core values drive impactful actions and help a person "live in a good way." This has been a powerful way to connect our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) with our history and writing goals!

Looking Ahead: Next week, we begin a new Line of Inquiry: "How can healthy habits and choices help us live in a good way?" This unit leverages our Science, Social Studies, and Health disciplines to engage students in developing these essential life skills.

News from the Library: Scholastic Book Fair

Our librarian, Ms. Read, is looking for parent volunteers for the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair (March 2–6)!

• Family Purchasing Hours: Thursday (3:00–7:00 PM) and Friday (9:00 AM–12:00 PM).

• Volunteer Perk: If you sign up to help, our class will be entered into a draw for a $50 credit to the book fair!

Sign up to volunteer here!

Parent-teacher & EAL Interviews

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up for our upcoming parent-teacher interviews during the week of March 2nd - 6th. I am very much looking forward to sitting down with you to celebrate your child's growth and discuss their progress in Grade 5 so far.

If you have not yet booked a spot, please ensure you sign up for a 15-minute slot at your earliest convenience. It is important that we get a chance to connect one-on-one to ensure we are supporting your child's academic and social-emotional needs as effectively as possible.

Sign-up here!

EAL Parent-Teacher Interviews For our families with students in the EAL (English as an Additional Language) program, please note that your interviews will take place the following week (March 9th & 10th) and you will be contacted by Ms. Davidson.

Have a wonderful, restful weekend!
Meredith

Hi Everyone,

My apologies for the slight delay in this week’s post! We have a busy four-day week ahead of us, which means we’ll be balancing some important academic milestones with a bit of winter fun. Here is what is happening in 5B:

Winter Fun: Snowshoeing & Sledding

To make the most of the season, I’m planning two outdoor excursions this week (weather permitting!):

• Tuesday Afternoon: Snowshoeing!

• Thursday: Sledding!

Action Item: I will be sending home a permission form for the sledding trip. Please indicate on the form whether your child has permission to sled with or without a helmet.

Note: If you wish for your child to wear a helmet, they must bring their own from home on Thursday.

Celebrating Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, we are honoring Black History Month by exploring the lives of remarkable individuals who changed the world through their courage and conviction.

We are using a variety of mentor texts to drive home our ideas about bravery, resilience, and persistence.

• Current Work: We have already been drawing inspiration from the life of Martin Luther King Jr. to understand how core values lead to impactful actions.

• Coming Up: We will be diving into texts like Before She Was Harriet to look at the many "lives" and roles Harriet Tubman took on in her journey toward freedom.

These stories are serving as the perfect backdrop for our own Heritage Fair work, as students look for those same qualities of heart and determination in the heroes they are researching.

Literacy: Inferring with Hiding Edith

We have officially transitioned from Front Desk to our new class novel, "Hiding Edith" by Kathy Kacer. This true story of Edith Schwalb is not only a gripping read but a vital teaching tool for our research.

• The Power of Inferring: Because biographies don’t always explicitly state a person's inner thoughts, we are practicing how to "read between the lines."

• In Class: We are inferring Edith’s emotions and motivations based on her experiences in Moissac, France, during the Holocaust.

• The Goal: Students are applying this to their own Heritage Fair heroes - using facts to infer how their hero felt during "ripple moments" or where they found the courage to overcome obstacles.

Heritage Fair: The "Author" Phase

This is a pivotal week in our Writer’s Workshop. Students are finalizing their "Author" work to ensure they have the best possible content for the digital version of their projects. This digital copy is what will eventually be printed for their backboards.

Last week, students focused on identifying obstacles and hardships, how their hero overcame them, and how they turned those challenges into accomplishments. They also worked on inferring how their heroes must have felt during these times.

Our focus this week:

• Drafting powerful Introductions and Conclusions.

• Selecting Text Features (maps, captions, diagrams) that best support their message.

• Polishing our skills in Word Work, Complete Sentences, and Paragraphing.

Math: Fractions & Review

We are continuing our deep dive into Comparing Fractions with both like and unlike denominators. I would like to wrap up this outcome by the end of the week.

• Focus: Placing fractions on number lines, ordering them from greatest to least, and using equivalent fractions as a tool for comparison.

• Check-In: We will have a Math Check-In on Thursday covering our fraction outcomes and a review of what we've learned so far this year.

Please refer to the Math Page for the work we've completed. Your child can use these resources to review!

Integrated: A New Inquiry

Last week, we used the start of the Olympics and a fun STEM activity to launch our new Line of Inquiry #4: "Which habits and commitments help us live in a good way?" It was the perfect way to kick off this unit, and I am excited to see where the students' curiosity takes them. I will be posting pictures in our Photo Gallery soon!

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Interviews are just around the corner! Please keep an eye out for school notices regarding online registration, which will open next week.

Have a wonderful week and stay warm!

Best,

Meredith

Friday, January 31st

Happy Friday, everyone! It’s been another high-energy week in the classroom. The students are becoming true experts on their chosen topics, and it’s wonderful to see their progress. Here is what you need to know for the week ahead:

Read Aloud: A Chapter Closes

We have officially finished our class novel, "Front Desk" by Kelly Yang. The students were so engaged in Mia’s journey, and it sparked some incredible discussions about perseverance, justice, and inclusion.

Top Secret: We will be revealing our new class novel this coming week! I’m keeping the title a surprise for the students until then to build a little mystery, but it is a powerful true story that ties in perfectly with our Heritage Fair and Writer's Workshop themes.

Heritage Fair: Research & Primary Sources

We are deep in the trenches of research! Students are currently hunting for details regarding their person’s childhood, support systems, major accomplishments, and the obstacles they overcame.

• A Note on Research at Home: Since we do not have access to YouTube at school, it would be very beneficial for students to spend time at home watching videos or documentaries related to their topic. This is often where they find the best primary source information (interviews, speeches, etc.).

• Tip: If your child is "stuck," watching a video together and having them jot down notes in their own words is a great way to help them paraphrase.

• Resources: I have posted the research templates on our Writing Page as a reference for the specific categories they need to cover.

Heritage Fair Backboards

Just a friendly reminder to pick up a backboard (close to 36" x 48") at your earliest convenience. Since schools across the Island are preparing for both Heritage and Science fairs right now, stock tends to fly off the shelves!

• Where to buy: Staples, Amazon, or local dollar stores.

• Pro-Tip: Backboards do not need to be foam (which is more expensive). A standard cardboard one is perfect. I would aim for something less than $14, if possible.

Math: Fractions & Multiplication Facts

I sent home Math homework yesterday that mirrors much of last week's work.

• The Goal: We are focusing on multiplication and division of basic facts, which is a foundational skill for the more complex fraction work coming up.

• The Challenge: Some students are finding this difficult because they haven't yet mastered their multiplication facts. I cannot stress enough how important it is to practice these at home! It makes math much smoother and more enjoyable for them. :)

• New Today: On Friday, we began using our knowledge of equivalent fractions to help us compare fractions with like and unlike denominators. I will update the Math Page as we progress; for now, the equivalent fractions slideshow remains available if needed.

Integrated Arts: Infographics

Students are putting the finishing touches on their Canva infographics! It’s been so great to see them translate their learning into professional-looking digital designs. Ms. Gena had a quick visit with us today and was super impressed with their hard work!

Have a wonderful, restful weekend!

Meredith

Friday, January 23rd

Happy Friday, families! It has been an incredibly productive week in 5B. From deep-diving into history to mastering digital design, the students are showing a lot of heart and curiosity. Here is a look at what we’ve been up to and what’s coming down the pipe.

Heritage Fair: Launching Our Research

This week, we officially kicked off our Heritage Fair biography projects. We’ve been using the stories of Viola Desmond and Martin Luther King, Jr. as "mentor models" to understand how a person’s values - their Heart - drive their actions.

Currently, students are in the "Information Detective" phase. To support them, I am teaching:

• The "Read, Cover, Say, Write" Strategy: This helps students paraphrase information in their own voices to avoid plagiarism.

• Source Literacy: We are learning to distinguish between Primary and Secondary sources and how to properly cite findings in project booklets.

• Next Week: We will begin looking for "ripple moments" - those specific events that empowered their chosen heroes to change the world.

Project Logistics & Backboards

As a reminder, students will present their projects to the class and judges in late March.

Important Update: While the school initially hoped to provide backboards, families will now be responsible for purchasing their own (as in previous years).

The 36" x 48" dimension is the best size to fit all the required information and text features. You can find these at:

• Staples (often the easiest local option)

• Amazon

• The Dollar Store (please double-check the sizing here!)

Digital Work: I am assigning a slideshow on Google Classroom for students to house their typed text, photos, and headings. While the writing happens at school, you can access this from home via their cloud account if you wish to help them print elements in color for their physical boards.

Integrated Arts: Digital Designers

Students have been honing their Canva skills to create infographic posters! Their goal is to teach others "how to live in a good way" based on our recent lessons. I am so impressed by how quickly they’ve mastered these digital tools. Feel free to have your child show you their Canva designs at home but similar to their Biography writing, please reserve the actual work on these for school. 

Math: Fractions

We have been busy learning various strategies to create equivalent fractions.

• Resources: I’ve included a slideshow below with lesson videos and activities if you'd like to review them at home. They can be found on the Math Page of this site. 

• Looking Ahead: Next week, we will apply this knowledge to compare fractions with like and unlike denominators.

• Homework: I sent a homework packet home today just in case we have a storm day on Monday. Students were informed that it is to be returned by Thursday.

Gymnastics Highlights

A huge congratulations to everyone who tried out for the gymnastics team! Your dedication to showing up for practices and judging was wonderful to see. We have several students from 5B who competed at Zones and are moving on to Provincials next weekend. Well done!

Stay warm and have a wonderful weekend!

Meredith

Hi Everyone,

I hope you’ve had a restful weekend! It has been a positive transition back to the classroom, and I hope everyone is ready for a big chunk of learning leading up to March Break.

Heritage Fair & Writer’s Workshop

Tomorrow (Monday), I will be introducing the mandatory Heritage Fair project to the students. Those of you who have older children know that this project is usually completed at home and is a big undertaking. To support your children and better unify our efforts as a whole, I am integrating this into our in-class Writer’s Workshop as a Biography unit. 

• The Focus: Students will research a person of Canadian heritage, specifically exploring our overarching question: "How did/does this person live in a good way?"

• In-Class Work: Since we are doing the writing in class, please do not work on the writing at home.

• Home Support: I can provide black and white printing and construction paper; however, any props, color printing, etc., will need to be handled at home.

• Backboards: The school will be ordering backboards for the class to purchase. These have historically been around $10.

• Judging & Visiting: We are currently tweaking what the formal presentation and public visitation will look like - stay tuned for details!

• Learn More: For more context, you can visit the PEI Provincial Heritage Fair website.

• Tonight’s Prep: It would be helpful to chat with your child tonight about a person of Canadian heritage they might like to research. I will also provide plenty of diverse options in class tomorrow.

Math & Integrated

• Writing: Most groups finished our Procedural Board Games and we will take the time this week to play each other's and provide peer feedback on our procedural writing. 

• Math: This week, we dive into Outcome N7: Comparing fractions with unlike denominators and equivalent fractions.

• Integrated: We are starting an Infographic project. Students will choose six key lessons from the past few months and use coding to make interactive posters showing how these lessons teach us to "live in a good way."

• Catch-up: If your child missed time last week, games and homework are posted on the Google Site.

Snowshoeing & Outdoor Ed

Thanks to a persuasive letter 5B wrote during COVID, we have a school set of snowshoes! Since the class is so good at dressing appropriately, we may head out for spontaneous snowshoeing sessions. Please let me know if you have any concerns.

Reading at Home

Guided Reading remains a priority in class. Continued reading at home is the best way to support your child’s progress as we head toward the spring.

See everyone tomorrow!

Best,

Meredith

Wow! It is hard to believe we've made it to the end of 2025 so quickly. It's been a wonderful few months in 5B with a busy last few weeks. 

Today we are ending off with 5B's Christmas Cafe Book Tasting. It is the perfect way to celebrate all of our hard work. I have included a few pictures and videos in our Photo Gallery if you would like to see how we are spending our last day before the break. We will have some hot chocolate and treats, watch a movie and have a little Christmas Around the World trivia to end the day. 

Thank you for all of your support so far this year. We have a fabulous group here in 5B and I'm looking forward to all the special things we will get to do together in the New Year.

I hope you all have a restful and rejuvenating break. Happy Holidays!

Meredith

Hi Everyone,

With the recent snow days, we have a lot to accomplish in the next 4 days. It will be a busy one! In the middle of it all, we are headed to the Islanders Game, tomorrow. Please have students bring a bagged lunch and snacks as we will be at the rink over lunch time. At this point, I am not sure if they will have access to the concession stand. 

We continue to plug away in Math. Homework is due on Thursday. The answers are on the Homework Page, if needed. 

We continue to work on our Procedural Board Games in Writer's Workshop, Genre Study and Predicting in Reader's Workshop, and we are finishing up our Line of Inquiry 1 in Integrated. We are a bit behind in our final projects with the interruptions in school days, so look for those in the New Year! 

As a reminder, the Dental Health clinic is operating in the school. The hygnesists working out of the school visit each classroom on a regular basis looking for students. If you haven't already, please visit the link to the online consent form so they know if you wish for your child to receive an assessment and/or treatment. Yellow forms were sent home to those who have not indicated consent.  
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/school-oral-health-preventative-program-sohpp

Have a great rest of the week,
Meredith

Hi Everyone,

I'm sure the children are sad to have woken up to another snow day, today!  For those in hockey/ringette tournaments, please wish them a successful weekend! 

Yesterday, I sent home Math homework. The resources we have used in class are linked on the Math Page. I have posted a few videos that we will be watching next week, as well. Students have received lessons in solving equations since Grade 3, however, in grade five, students have more challenging, in-depth tasks such as creating word problems. We will be correcting our homework together next Thursday so it is important the students have it completed and returned. I am not concerned if it is all correct - in fact, correcting mistakes is one of the most impactful lessons, however, if they do need some direction for a question or two, the answers can be found on the Homework Page. 

We have started creating our own board games in Procedural Writing. Students are tasked with integrating our Integrated lessons within their game and I am seeing a lot of creativity. Collaboration will be key to success and I am looking forward to seeing their ideas come to life.

In Integrated, we are nearing the end of our Inquiry unit. I have linked our lessons to the Integrated Page if you are curious about what we are learning in class. This last week focuses on Diversity & Identity, asking the question, "How does understanding yourself help you understand others?". It will be a well timed lesson as we work closely together in our other subjects. 

We are finishing up our Genre lessons in Reader's Workshop and will end with a special celebration towards Christmas. Stay tuned for details. We continue to work on Predicting and I'm seeing a lot of improvement in this area. I will continue to meet with small groups to discuss their thinking with self-selected books and give them an opportunity to work on their fluency. 

Thank you to those of you who sent in egg cartons. We have enough for our art project for next week. One thing that we do need is cereal boxes. If anyone finishes a box this weekend, we can put it to good use on Wednesday! 

The Dental Health clinic is operating in the school. Below is a link to the online consent form and additonal information that was sent out in the school's November newsletter. 
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/school-oral-health-preventative-program-sohpp

Stay warm!
Meredith

Hi Everyone,

It's been a fun and eventful week in 5B! We had our Author Celebration yesterday, sharing our Recount writing where students gave each other 2 stars and a wish. It was a great way to celebrate all of our hard work and learn from our classmates. On Monday, we will begin our Procedural Writing unit. This will be a fun one!

Students have been building on their knowledge of simple machines in Integrated this week, learning about forces on structures and using the Engineering Design Process to build their very own catapult. Today was test day where groups got to launch their designs. Ms. MacLean was in attendance and I was impressed with everyone's creations. Head on over to the Photo Gallery for pictures of their catapults!

In Math, we have wrapped up PR1 and are moving on to PR2, on Monday. Students went home with homework yesterday. It went home a day late for most people, but it is due Wednesday. I have posted the answers to the Homework Page if students/parents need to confirm the answers. I have also updated IXL, so when students finish the worksheets, they can spend 10+ each evening working on their math skills. PR2 requires quick recall of multiplication facts, so students can focus on those skills, as well. 

We continue to work on Predicting with our read aloud, Front Desk, in Readers Workshop. Students are improving on their ability to make predictions and support them with evidence from the text. We will continue to learn about genres leading up to the break.

West Royalty students have the choice to participate in a week of Spirit Days leading up to winter break. Please see the list under Important Dates above. 

Finally, if your home happens to have any empty egg cartons, we would gladly take them off your hands for an upcoming art project and math activity. 

Have a great weekend!

Meredith

Hi Everyone,

It was a busy week of learning and parent-teacher interviews. Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me to discuss your child's progress and next steps. Your kindness is very much appreciated and I am so grateful to have such a supportive group of parents. It is apparent that all of you are invested in your child's academic achievement and I am looking forward to continue working with you all to help each child reach their full potential in grade five. 

A common theme across all interviews was the need for more consistent reading outside of school. Students are expected to demonstrate significant growth as readers each year and the best way to support that is daily reading at home in the evenings and weekends. We dedicate independent reading time here at school each day and I meet with as many students as possible during that time, but consistent reading at home significantly supports their literacy skills and confidence as learners. I did a little research and spoke with our Librarian to try and find out what grade five and six students are drawn to these days. Below is a list which may include some titles your child might be interested in. Please note, some may be in the school or public library but I do not have them in my classroom collection. 

Next week, we will continue to work on predicting in Reader's Workshop, along with more Genre Study. Ms. Gena will be starting Procedural Writing with students leading up to Christmas. In Math, we will finish up PR1 lessons and move to PR2 where students are working with expressions and input/output tables. In Integrated, students will build on their knowledge of simple machines and apply that to forces on structures. It would be a great week of learning!

Thanks again for all of your support!
Meredith

Hi Everyone,

I don't have much to share with you this week as it was a short week and we are finishing up some things before Parent-teacher interviews. If you have not yet signed up for interviews, please do so before the end of the weekend. I hope to have student recounts for you to read during your visit and everyone should have seen their child's math assessments on N1 (whole number place value to 1 000 000) as well as N8 (representing decimals to the thousandths). We will also have our Thoughtbooks available for Integrated and a sample of an assessment in Art and Social-Emotional Learning. We will chat about your child's progress in reading and how they are transitioning into grade five. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to me prior to your interview so that I can address any pressing concerns. If at the end of the interview, you feel you would like more information about something we did or did not cover, do not hesitate to let me know. 15 minutes goes by very quickly and I want to make sure you have a strong sense of your child's progress and next steps. As a reminder, our pre-service teacher Ms. Gena may be present during your interview. If you would prefer our meeting to be private, please let me know beforehand or when you arrive. She understands the nature of interviews can be sensitive and does not want to impose; however, sitting in on conferences will be a valuable experience for her. 

Another reminder that the Scholastic Book Fair is set up for students to purchase, next week. Our purchasing time is slotted for Monday afternoon. It may be a good idea to send money in a labelled bag incase it gets misplaced. If your child forgets to bring money on Monday, I'm sure we can arrange another time later in the week. 

Lastly, a reminder that West Royalty Elementary will be sponsoring families in our community at Christmas once again this year. Your contribution is very much appreciated by our Christmas families. I neglected to send home the envelope at the end of the day today, so please look for it on Monday. 

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you all sometime next week!

Meredith

Hi Everyone,

I hope you've all had a relaxing and refreshing weekend. Please remember that school is closed tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday. We will return for a short, productive three-day week starting on Wednesday, November 12th.

Parent-Teacher Interviews: Please Sign Up!

A crucial reminder that Parent-Teacher Interviews are scheduled for next week. If you haven't already, please sign up as soon as possible. This dedicated time is invaluable for discussing your child's specific progress and setting goals for the remainder of the term. You can find the sign-up link directly on the West Royalty Elementary School website.

We were incredibly proud of 5B's respectful conduct during last week's special Remembrance Day assembly, which was beautifully led by Ms. Zink and the 4-6 choir. A big shout-out to the students from our class who are part of the choir; their hard work during morning practices (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 - 8:15 am) resulted in a truly moving performance.

In the classroom, 5B continues to demonstrate outstanding kindness and respect and is making excellent progress across all subject areas. Students are expected to complete the final, good copy of their Recounts by the end of this week, which they will be prepared to share with you leading up to your upcoming interviews.

Math Updates and Homework

Both Math tests have been sent home. Please ensure all corrections are made, the test is signed, and promptly returned to school. This week, we will continue to revisit and reinforce all learning outcomes while focusing specifically on PR1. To support ongoing skill development, students should practice their math skills on IXL (or another preferred method) for at least 10 minutes each evening. On Wednesday, I will also send home a worksheet package that is due the following Wednesday; students can work through this at their own pace.

I strongly encourage students to continue reading their "just right books" every evening. Incorporating a mix of fiction and non-fiction genres is a fantastic way for them to expand their vocabulary and develop stronger overall comprehension skills.

Integrated Learning & Report Card Changes

Integrated Arts with Ms. Gena

This past week, Ms. Gena has been facilitating Integrated Arts lessons, focusing on the connection between Art and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Students learned the foundational elements of art as they build towards using art to communicate messages and understandings visually. We are also leveraging art to develop skills that support positive relationships across diverse groups.

In recent sessions, students have created Sugar Skulls celebrating Mexican culture, coloured calming Mandalas as a strategy for emotional regulation, and studied how Indigenous groups like the Mi'kmaq used art to create the Wampum belt as a symbol of balance, equity, and mutual respect. We also integrated our Remembrance Day assembly by asking "How does remembering the past help us live in a good way, today?" This week, Ms. Gena and I will continue assessing student learning in Art, SEL, Social Studies, and Inquiry Skills as we move forward.

Understanding the New Report Card Terminology

Please note a change in how subjects are reported this year. Instead of separate categories for Science, Social Studies, Health, or Art, you will now see "Integrated Units." Within this section, "Disciplinary Knowledge" represents the learning outcomes from all the humanities subjects just mentioned. You will also see distinct assessment spots for SEL skills (Social Emotional Learning), Digital Skills (formerly Technology) and Inquiry Skills. Since we have not yet covered enough outcomes in DEI skills (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) this term for a fair assessment, I will be marking that column as N/A on your child's report card.

Have a wonderful and restful week. I look forward to seein you all very soon,

Meredith

Happy Halloween!

Well today wasn't as crazy as I was expecting, partly because Trick or Treating has been moved to tomorrow and partly because 5B is such a phenomenal class. We kicked off the morning learning a bit about Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and learning how diverse traditions can help us live in a good way. We designed/coloured Sugar Skulls and created our new bulletin board for the month, and watched the movie Coco. At the end of the day we ended with a Halloween Dance party to burn off the sugar. Another exciting end to the day was learning that we placed in the top 3 of the school wide Pumpkin Decorating contest. 5B came up with the idea of the Lorax and tied it to our work in Integrated. Two thirty-minute sessions later, we had a completely collaborative design totally led by the students. It was a team effort and I am so proud of how everyone of the students worked with each other. We were awared $25 towards the Book Fair to add to our classroom library!

Last Friday we ended the day with a bit of STEM, working with something called Makey Makeys - an invention kit that turns every day objects into keyboard keys and mice, allowing you to control a computer with conductive items like fruit, metal and in our case, play dough! We will be using technology like this throughout the year, specifically with Integrated, as we create an infographic for our 1st Line of Inquiry! Stay tuned for details! 

Our pre-service teacher, Ms. Gena, will continue our work in Integrated next week as she facilitates lessons in Art, building off our work with sugar skulls and symmetry. We will also continue our work on learning about diverse cultures and traditions, and focus on social-emotional learning and emotional regulation through art. 

Ms. Gena has also taken over the lessons for Grammar helping us with our writing skills, and Genre Study, exposing students to various genres. Students have been introduced to various novels in our classroom library and many have a list of "must reads" going. We also "Read & Bead" in 5B, wehere students get a bead for every Genre read. At the end of the year they get to string it into a keychain or a necklace as a momento from 5B and all their hard work! I am also encouraging students to read at home consistently, as it greatly improves their accuracy and comprehension. I am currently assessing 5B's skills and am asking the students to practice reading aloud when they are home in an effort to practice reading fluently. Reading aloud is different than reading in our heads, and it is often easier to identify our strengths and challenges when we hear ourselves read out loud such as our ability to decode, self-correct, and self-monitor. 

We are finishing up on our Recount Writing. Ms. Gena is blown away by the quality of the writing in Grade 5 and I must say I am super proud, myself. Students are taking each lesson and applying it to their craft. I can't wait for you to read their narratives. 

As mentioned in a previous email, I have corrected and sent home our N1 Whole Numbers assessment. The class did very well on this assessment. N8 Representing Decimals was more of a challenge for some. We will correct their tests together on Monday and I will send them home with some homework to support their success. Homework is due on Wednesday of the following week. You can check out my Math Page for supporting resources. We have started a new outcome PR1 - Patterns & Relations, and will continue to reach back to both N1 and N8 each day during Math. 

On another positive note, I wanted to share that Mr. Gordon, 5B's music teacher, expressed how much he enjoyed teaching your children. Just like 5B, he noted how keen they were with anything he presents to them and I couldn't agree more. They are truly a pleasure. 

I hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled weekend!

Meredith

Hi Families,

Apologies for not updating the Google Site last week! With Professional Development and a long weekend, I forgot to post! 

With report cards and Parent-Teacher interviews around the corner, 5B has been working hard to show you what we have been working on so far this year. We continue to work hard on the Recount text form, writing about a past, personal experience. Students will be expected to select a topic to write about independently by the end of this year and this unit is a great way to work on that skill.

In Reader's Workshop, we have been reading the memoir As Long as the Rivers Flow. A memoir about a young Cree boy who was taken away from his Northern home to a residential school in Canada. Students are expected to make reasonable predictions, adjusting and confirming along the way. Students should be able to support their predictions with evidence from the text along with their own ideas. Practing predictions while reading at home is a great way to improve on their skills.

We have moved to working with decimals in Math. We are building on our knowledge from last year and working with decimals to the thousandths. I will update the Math Page for students to refer to our checklists, anchor charts, worksheets and any videos we have watched in class. 

On Monday, we will have a UPEI pre-service teacher, Gena Ewens, join us for 6 weeks. Gena has lots of experience in the classroom as an EA and has worked with students in various settings. She is very keen and we are excited to welcome her to 5B! She may be present during parent-teacher interviews. If you would prefer her to not be present during our scheduled interview time, please let me know. In regards to interviews, I will be opening interviews up on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday after school on the week of November 17th for those who may need additional options outside of Thursday evening and Friday morning. Stay tuned for emails from adminstration about when registrations open up! 

A notice went home for the Halloween Dance on Friday, October 24th. Parents do not need to purhcase a ticket but most accompany their child(ren). Tickets will not be sold at the door and must be pre-purchsed through the school. 

Students are free to dress up in their Halloween costumes at school on Friday, October 31st. Masks and anything that resembles a weapon are prohibited. 

Below is the Orwell Corner footage from our field trip. If you would like to make your own copy, feel free.

Have a great week!
Meredith

Hi Families,

We had a great day today and I feel like we have been very productive this week. I don't have anything super new to report. I ask that you fill out the Student Information Form from the start of the year if you haven't already. You'll also notice that I am asking for headphones to be sent in if you haven't already done so. Thank you!

Please send in Orwell Corner forms/$ by Thursday of next week and cancel any lunch orders for that day, if needed. Students should bring layers as we will be outside for most of the day. It's one of my most favourite field trips and I'm looking forward to learning more about the past! 

Thank you for your battery contributions for the Battery Blitz, so far. We have quite a few more to collect if we want to be in the running for the class pizza party, but every little bit counts towards a greater school prize. 

Now that we are a month into school, hopefully students have settled into carving out about 20 minutes of reading before bed each night and are practicing their math skills for at least 10 minutes. That can be on their IXL accounts, math games, or basic multiplication practice. 

This week we have started Student of the Week, where one lucky student gets to create a Personal Poster to share with their classmates and have displayed on our classroom door. This is a great way to get to know each other and work on our Speaking & Listening skills. I'm looking forward to getting to know more about everyone in 5B over the next few months!

Below are a few pictures of 5B in the library. Ms. Read has done a wonderful job of reimagining the space and fostering a love for reading!

Have a great weekend!
Meredith

Hi Families,

If September is any indication of how fast the school year is going to go by, then we will have no time to waste! We have been working hard in 5B and I am proud of the student's work ethic, so far. 

Just a reminder, Monday is Orange Shirt Day at West Royalty. Also, if you have not yet filled out the Student Information form that is also linked above, please do so at your earliest convenience. Finally, I am collecting forms and $6 for Orwell Corner (due by Thursday) and batteries for our Battery Blitz Campaign!

Students have an opportunity to participate in a school-wide Orange Shirt Day design contest in honour of Truth & Reconciliation. The winner has their design printed on a t-shirt to take home! All entries are due by October 9th. I will send home the template today so students have the weekend to work on it, if they wish. I will devote some class time to it, next week, so students will need to make sure it is in their bags on Monday if they bring it home. We have been reading various picture books and engaging in rich discussions not only about what Truth & Reconciliation means, and we continue to ask ourselves "What important lessons we can learn from indigenous peoples, then and now, that can help us live in a good way?"

IXL is now up and running and your child has their previous username and password from last year (or a new one if they are new to West Royalty). It would be a good idea to spend at least 10 minutes per night refreshing their skills from grade 4 or tackling Grade 5 skills on place value as we move forward. I am pleased with the prior knowledge students are bringing to the classroom and I feel we are ready to move on to more challenging math, next week. The Math Page in the Student Portal has been updated with videos, pictures, and independent work. 

Thank you for your support during a very busy month. The students and I are lucky to have you all behind us!

Have a great weekend,

Meredith

Hi Families,

We have had a great week in 5B. We capped the week off with an Earth Rangers assembly. You may remember this is an event that kicks off our annual school battery collection, "Battery Blitz". The top classes receive a reward such as a pizza party, and the top school receives up to $3000. If you have any old batteries lying around the house, feel free to send them in. Additionally, if anyone works at an establishment that runs through a good amount of batteries and would like to send them our way, we can take care of them for you!

Next week we are running in honour of Terry Fox. We continue to collect monetary donations in support of cancer research. Thank you for your support!

In Writer's Workshop, we continue to add to our Writer's Notebook and gather ideas for our first Writing unit - Recount writing. The children have been working on strengthening their writing stamina, and I am impressed with their abilities so far! We will continue to explore student writing and mentor texts to deepen our understanding of what makes a good writer! 

This week, the students have been revisiting previous grade-level math outcomes. We have completed two check-ins that I will send home next week. Students now have IXL accounts that they can use (website or app) to practice their math skills. Some students need to work on subtracting and regrouping, while others need to revisit how to multiply and divide 2 or 3-digit by 1-digit numbers. Next week, we will begin N1 - Representing numbers to 1 million. 

Students have been thinking deeply about the important lessons we can learn from various groups of people to help us live in a good way. We will continue that learning next week when Julie-Pellishier Lush comes in to present in honour of Truth & Reconciliation. We will take that knowledge and try to answer the question, "What important lessons can we learn from Mi'kmaq Peoples then and now that can help us live in a good way?" Students are challenged to create an infographic at the end of this inquiry unit that teaches their peers the most important lessons they have learned along the way!

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

Happy weekend,

Meredith

Hi Families,

Well, the week has certainly flown by, and it feels like we have been together for months! September in the classroom is a bit more chaotic than I remember, but the students have been helping me get through it! I am so grateful for their leadership and kindness. 

Thank you for attending Meet the Teacher. It was great to reconnect with many of you and meet some of you for the first time. I hope your child is enjoying 5B so far. I know we will have a great year together!

I have received almost all of the student information forms that went home on the first day. If you could please return those by Monday, I would appreciate it. We are also collecting for the Terry Fox Run. If you are able, a $2 or more donation would help us meet our school goal of $1500! Thank you.

This past week, we have been building on our routines, procedures, and expectations while participating in various Getting to Know You and STEM activities. We have also started our Writer's Notebooks, planting seeds and gathering ideas for our first Writing Unit - Recount writing. We have kicked off our work in Integrated Arts with a History Box from the Canadian Museum of History. We are using artifacts from Early, Colonial and Modern Canada to help us answer the question, "What can we learn from diverse groups of people to help us live in a good way?" We are soft-launching into Math by reaching back to previous grade-level expectations. I plan to start our first unit on Representing Numbers to 1 000 000 next week. Yesterday we had our first Book Buddy session with one of our Grade 2 classes, and it could not have gone more smoothly. Kudos to 5B for being such great conversationalists, especially with the children who have limited English. 

I will be out on Monday and Wednesday of next week. Mr. Jamie Jones (one of our regular Guest Teachers) will be in for me. He knows the children and routines well. If you need to contact your child, please do so via the office.

Have a great weekend,

Meredith

Hi Families,

It has been a wonderful 2 days getting to know your children. I told them today I was worried and nervous about coming back to teaching after being out of the classroom for a year. Still, their kindness and respectful attitudes have helped make my own transition back to school a positive experience. I hope they are as excited about the year ahead as I am!

In an effort to get to know your child on a deeper level, I would appreciate it if you could fill out the Google Form, which is also linked above. Some of the required information is a bit redundant at the start of the school year, but it is helpful for me to access this information in a pinch. 

As in previous years, I am also asking students to bring in an inexpensive set of headphones/earphones to leave at the school for the year. 

Below are a few pictures of one of the collaborative activities we took part in today. It's called Heads Together and helps set the expectations for what group work will look like this year. The students had a lot of fun, and I'm sure they would be excited to tell you about it. :)

Have a great weekend,

Meredith