Parent portal

Welcome Students and Parents of 6C!

I’m excited and pleased to be your child’s teacher this school year. 

Tomorrow upon arrival, after 8:05 am, returning grade six students will make their way directly up to their class.  For new students traveling on the bus or getting dropped off, find an adult on supervision to guide you in the right direction.  We are in room 105 on the ground floor. 

The classroom sink can be used for bottle refill, so please ensure that your child packs a water bottle among their other items (indoor shoes, lunch, snack,etc…).  The book(s) your child is/are currently reading will also come in handy those first few days.

Also on that first day, the students will be sent home with an information package for your review.  Please note that some documents require your signature and the office has asked that the forms remain stapled together in their original order.  Along with this package, the students will also receive a HPV consent form.  Kindly return the forms at your earliest convenience.

Pickup is common on the first day of school.  If your child is either walking or getting picked up, kindly include a note to avoid any confusion. 

Check out the class website for future information and posted updates: https://sites.google.com/cloud.edu.pe.ca/6c-mrbradley/home.  It currently reflects last year but it will be updated in the first few weeks of school when photo consent forms are returned and updated.

I look forward to meeting the students tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Bryan Bradley

Eliot River Elementary School

bpbradley@edu.pe.ca

Just a friendly reminder that Eliot River is a fragrance-free place. Thank you to all students for not wearing any of the following: cologne, perfume, perfumed hand lotion, fragranced hair products, and/or similar products. Our chemically-sensitive students thank you.

Accessing homework online - if you weren't already aware, I post homework online for both the parents and students viewing pleasure.  Some students reported difficulties accessing it so I provided the following link so that they could add the homework calendar to their Google Calendar, which we did on Tuesday: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Y181aXYzOHNwaWhlMTNua2IzOWhoNmtqOGdvb0Bncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t 

Over the past two weeks, the students were asked to review their multiplication facts and the verb avoir (présent, imparfat, passé composé).  Every Thursday, the students can expect a grammar test in French and they had their first one today.  They received instant feedback on how they did and their result was emailed to their school gmail account so that they can share that with you.  A number of them felt ready yesterday; however, those who haven't kept up with their reviewing didn't necessarily feel  a 100% confident.   For the first 4+ Fridays of school, they can also expect a multiplication fact quiz and growth is what is expected.  Not everyone is where they need to be at this point but improvements week to week is our aim.  Having a firm grasp of their facts going into our decimals, factors, and multiples units will certainly set them up for success.   When the students know their facts with speed and accuracy, they no longer need to complete these check-in quizzes.   Any at home practice of math facts is certainly encouraged and appreciated. 

It's the first of the year and a big part of it is establishing good practices and routines both in and outside of school.  We are organizing our materials, work space, and cubbies.  We are working at and talking about using classroom materials appropriately, staying on task, and working independently and cooperatively.  We are talking about how to best work indepently and in small groups.  With quizzes, we are talking about best practices: a little everyday goes a long way, don't leave things to the last minute, you should have an idea of the outcome before going into a quiz, etc.   In writing, I have been very impressed with their endurance, willingness to share, and motivation.  We spend/spent time talking about growth and fixed mindsets and what needs to be done to achieve success.  

Room change!!!  As you may know, the room in which you attended Meet the Teacher is no longer our classroom.  We're now upstairs in a newly renovated room that isn't quite the same size as the room we vacated.  There have been a few funny hiccups: sink drainage wasn't finished and my discarded coffee didn't end up where it was suppose to; no sharpener; there's a missing thermostat; the ceiling mounted speakers weren't plugged in so we missed some announcements; etc.  For the most part, a lot of these issues have been worked out but it provided a few laughs along the way.  The kids were super flexible.

English and French writing - for both subjects, the students have had lots practice using the following writing strategies: dialogue, dialogue tags to convey emotion, describing emotion without naming them (Show, Don't Tell), comparisons (similes and metaphors), five senses for description, etc.  Very soon they'll be developing and writing the rough draft for both their memoir (English) and realistic fiction (French).  At the beginning, we made success criteria for both projects and we've been working our way down the list to ensure that they have what they need to get to the next level in their writing.  I'll do my best to offset these projects so that they're not writing both at the same time, which would be too much writing in the same day.   Now it's just about time to show off what they've learned and to integrate these strategies and techniques into these projects.

Math - we've finished integers and they're being tested on this topic Friday.  Today, I showed the students the test so that they have an idea what to expect and for them to gage their level of understanding.  Some claim they were ready to write the evaluation today while others found that some of the questions were over their heads.  All agreed that there were no surprises.  They were all encouraged to get the help they need, review the questions previously taught, and seek clarification if needed.  Today, we did a reachback of grade five fractions in preparation for the grade six material.  Also in math, we're focusing on good work habits.  Not all students are completing assigned work and some are falling behind.  Students are encouraged to bring their homework challenges to me first thing in the am so that they get the answers, support they need.  During independent work, they're great at finding me at the round desk to get the support they need; however, there can sometimes be a lineup.  They're great at supporting one another so that nobody gets left behind.

English and French reading - as of tomorrow, I will have concluded reading evaluations, conferences with all students in both languages.  It was an opportunity to listen to their fluency and accuracy, as well as, conference with students in regards to their understanding.  Specifically with French, I got to listen to their oral language abilities and gage their second language abilities.  

Yesterday, I returned the math test on whole numbers that students wrote Friday.  We went over the test in class and they were asked put it in their backpack and show you.  The students were asked to post it on their fridge and there is no need to return it signed.  Overall, I'm very pleased with the class results.

Speaking of results, the students are really catching on to the grammar tests.  After each test, I'm immediately provided with a chart that shows how well the students did.  We have been looking at these charts since the initial test on 'avoir' and we are visibly doing better.   All that review is paying off and the students report that they're now seeing a pattern to the verbs.  I'm very pleased with the students' progress.  Well done 6C.

Math - over the last three weeks, the students have been reviewing basic operations from grade five to sharpen skills in preparation for what comes next in basic operations in grade six.  Over the course these three weeks, the students were asked to hone operations that give them difficulty so that improvement is measured over time.  This is a similar approach that we had with multiplication facts, which we also looked for improvements over time.  This week's check-in test was sent home for their review, your viewing pleasure and your fridge.  This provided us with lots of opportunities to talk about study and work habits that need to be in place for the next year.  Their last basic operations test for this term will be next week.  "I'm very pleased with today's mark," reported one student who was proud to discuss their progress.  We are into comparing fractions and will be into next week.  There could be a fraction test near the end of the week.

French - we have finished the rough drafts of our realistic fiction writing and will move on to the editing phase early next week.   Those who have not finished their rough drafts were asked to take them home over the weekend so that they don't fall behind as we are editing on Monday and Tuesday.  We'll have mini-lessons on finding and checking the verbs and plurals in our writing.   We are going to get rolling on our next Fr. project, which will be planned and coordinated with STEAM PEI and working in conjunction with 6B.  This is new and exciting as we will be exploring and learning about zero emission technologies covering areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. 

English - over the last two weeks, I have been conferencing students' memoir writing with them.  It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss their growth and celebrate the integration of the new writing strategies learned into their writing.  It was also a great opportunity to discuss next steps and areas for improvement moving forward.  Reading their writing was pretty exciting because the quality of the work is fantastic.  They know how proud I am of their work and I look forward to publishing examples on the class website.  

I mentioned this to the students and told them that I would post the link on the Parent Portal: https://steampei.jumbula.com/Fall2023/PDDayCampLesCrateurscolosdesFtes

Last week, it was a pleasure meeting a lot of you to discuss your child's progress.  If last week didn't work out, for whatever the reason, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or comments in that that regard. 

Here's what we're up to:

French - as you may already know, we're working on a unit on electricity.  As mentioned previously, the class hosted STEAM PEI who came to facilitate activities with the group.  They even left behind some goodies.  Among other things, we now have two sets of Snap Circuits.

English - we're going to get started on a massive research project for Diversity of Life.  I doubt that we'll get to the research component before Christmas but we will definitely hit the ground running with that in January.  It's always a big hit with the students.

Math - we're into ratios with multiplication and division of decimals right around the corner.

Hello!

Tomorrow, I will be covering the Personal Growth and Development part of the grade six health program.  It will take about 4-5 days to complete and we'll be talking about the changes that one goes through, among other things, during puberty.

Secret Santa - as you probably already know, the students are VERY enthusiastic about doing a Secret Santa.  I wanted to cap it at 5$ so that nobody is priced out of this optional activity; however, everyone voted on a 10$ limit.  I'm asking for everything to be in for December 19th-20th so that we can do it on the 21st.  Thank you for your support, the kids are really looking forward to it.  

Here's what up:

French - we're talking about Net Zero and Climate Change and we're plugging away at Fr. past participles (kindly prompt your child on how they did on their test last Friday).

English - health

Math - starting multiples and factors

Welcome back Students!

After a long vacation, I'm confident that everyone, including parents, are happy to get you back into a routine.  Hopefully the time off was an opportunity to recharge the battery and the New Year provided everyone with closure for 2023 and/or excitement for a new chapter: 2024.  I'm excited to see the students tomorrow and get the holiday update, gossip on what they got up to.

Parents!  On the last day of school in 2023, the students were asked to take their indoor shoes home.  It's a chance for parents to see if those shoes still fit or if they need a washing.  Kindly remind students to bring their indoors back tomorrow as it would be a long day in sock feet and quite unhygienic without them in the bathrooms.

Here's what going on in January and beyond for 6C:

French - we'll continue with our energy conservation unit but the lessons will be more spread out.  Our new focus will be on book clubs: reading, writing about our reading, and talking about our reading.  Lots of Fr. literacy over the next 8-10 weeks.  I really enjoy getting their conversations, writing, and reading to the next level and overserving their discussions.   Lots of fun!

English - now that the resources for our Diversity of Life unit will become available, we're going to get right into our HUGE research project.  Lots of reading, jot notes, writing about their animal, and yes!, class presentations.  This is a BIG until and will take us right up to March break.  They are really going to hone their presentation skills.  These skills learned this term will serve them well beyond grade six. 

Math - for the first part of Jan., we're going to have to reach back and review multiples and factors.  They asked to not be tested in December on this concept, much to my disagreement, so that has been pushed to the New Year.  So hear we are!  What about after that? The multiplication and division of decimal numbers.  A big one!

Here's what's going on in 6C :

In English and science, we are well into our Diversity of Life project.  The students are learning about the Tree of Life and its five branches.  We continue to focus on the animal kingdom learning about vertibrates and invertibrates.  Their also doing their own research with a focusing on the behavioural adpatations and the strutural features of their animal.  Very soon, they will be writing up their reports before we get talking about presentations.  We're loving it and learning lots!

Math - On Tuesday we were suppose to have a test on the multiplication and division of decimal numbers.  That test will be rescheduled to Friday.

In French we are deep into book clubs.  I'm reading them Winn Dixie in Fr. and I'm doing mini-lessons on what I would like to see in their writing and modelling how to have deep discusions on their novels.  They're learning about character development, comparing characters in their novels, sharing their opinions on the writer's craft, among other things.  Bref, they're reading a pile, using their oral French to talk about their reading, and writing their opinions.  When we first started, we could keep a conversation on our reading going for approximately five minutes.  Now, I cut them off after 25 minutes and most just want to keep going.   I get to listen to them read, observe their discussions, and read about their learning.  As you could imagaine, there's lots going on in a class of 27 and they're doing such a great job of arriving prepared, with their assigned work completed, and staying on task.  Great job 6C!

As you may have already noticed, we are preparing for our Diversity of Life presentations.  Their slideshows should be done and we are now focused on preparing our index cards.  The students aren't expected to memorize their reports, slideshows; rather, they are asked to speak freely on their topic.  They are encouraged to treat their index cards as a list that guides them.  This week, we went over the success criteria (eye contact, face your audience, interact with your audience, etc.) and viewed a few examples from previous years so the students know what's expected.   I hear that a number of them are practicing at home in preparation.  On Monday, we're starting with our volunteers.  There was a lucky draw to decide who goes when thereafter.  On a final note, the presentation schedule is posted on Google Calendar.

Be on the lookout, their angles test is going home with them today.  

What's going on in 6C?

It's that time of the year when I remind students of the importance of getting a good sleep, to keep up with their assigned work, and to have their best effort and attitude in class.   We have had and will continue to have such talks at it is only the beginning of the third term, not the end.   

English - the students and I have been looking at some persuasive texts to weigh the arguments of both sides.  Last week, we explored the following questions: should their be zoos and should teachers assign homework.  We also criticized the authors' writing to evaluate if they gave balanced views on their topics.  In an effort to expediate our French unit on persuasive, opinion writing, we took some English time to explore this text type.  In the very near future, we will be starting book clubs, which will be the first time in English this year.   That'll be a lot of fun!

French - well... I already gave away that we're working on persuasive writing.  I'm chomping at the bit to dive into space, which will be our next integrated unit that I'm excited to dive into.  I too want to do a research project but time does not seem to be on our side.  We'll see!

Math - we are working on patterns and relationships.  We are also doing lots of reach back reviewing past outcomes in preparation for the provincial math test they'll be writing early June.  Comparing fractions continues to be an outcome that we're struggling to master.  Generally speaking of course.  Any extra at-home review comparing fractions would be appreciated.  

Time is flying!  Here's what we're up to in 6C:

English - we are finishing up the good copy of our book reports.  We focused on character growth and what was the catalyst of their chosen character's changes.  This will conclude the first round of English book clubs.  What's up next?  A entirely new collection of titles for book clubs round two.   You may have noticed that some of kids are bringing in snacks for their respective book talks.  This is optional and not meant to add stress.  We're simply trying to emulate grownup book talks where food is sometimes central to meeting.  This being the first time that I've gone this route, I have to admit that it changes the atmosphere in a positive way.   They have certainly come a long way in regards to the quality of their conversations.  After talking about their novels for 25 minutes, most students are left unsatisfied that there wasn't more time to discuss.

French - I'm trying to conference with everyone regarding their persuasive writing.  They learn so much when I sit down and correct, edit, and grade their work with them.  Generally speaking, I'm very pleased with the quality of work completed and I am particularly proud of how far they've come in regards to correcting for grammar, spelling, and plural errors in their written work.  They've certainly come a long way since the first of the year.  Well done!  French time is also used for space exploration.  They have so many questions and they are really into this unit.  Kindly put aside a shoe box as they will be completing a diorama on how to colonize a planet in our solar system.  They will need this box in the next couple of weeks.

Math - provincial testing is around the corner.  We are working at learning new things (order of operations, drawing diagraphs, etc.) and reviewing the lessons of the past.  A few upcoming concepts to cover are: translations and that the sum of all the angles of a triangle equal 180 degrees.