News

June 24th, 2021

This is our last full week of school and this will be my last update. It was a busy week! We researched the culture of a different country, built airplanes, carved soap, practiced plays, had a fantastic art lesson with Maurice Bernard, played outside, and had our final academic battle with West Kent! Please check out the art page and the inquiry page on this website to see the last photos of our work.

Today, students are bringing home all their notebooks and materials. They were also given a jump drive with photos on it. I have asked them to put it in their pencil case so they don't lose it, as I'm sure you will want to see it. Tomorrow, all the students will receive their report cards and they will bring home their indoor shoes.

When they return for the grade 6 closing at 4:00 tomorrow, students will receive their leaving certificates. (I briefly went through the format with them so they know what to expect.) We have covered a lot of material this year and the students are well prepared for grade seven. They seem confident and excited. I wish them all the best.

On Monday, students can take home any items they have left at school. I have an art project planned and some games.

It has been lovely working with your kids. Thank you for your support. Have a wonderful summer!

June 18th, 2021

In math, I went back over graphing one last time. We have finished our testing of the foundational learning units. We did some work with translation, rotation, reflection of 2D objects.

In reading, students presented their Jamboards. These presentations were quite lengthy and it was nice to hear their complex thoughts about books. We are just about finished our read-aloud, Gregor the Overlander.

In science we have finished our book work and students are making airplanes to show what they've learned in our flight unit. They seem very motivated. In social studies, we have been learning about world cultures through various media and discussions. We had our last Healthy Me lesson and students received t-shirts.

Next week, students will be getting ready for the end of the school year. Please make sure they bring all their library books back. On Monday, I will send the students to check the lost and found for lost items. If there is something in particular they are missing, be sure to remind them to look for it. I will have students bring home the contents of their desk except pens, pencils, and erasers on Thursday. Please make sure they bring a bag for this purpose. On Friday, they will take home their indoor shoes. If you know that your child will be absent at the end of the week, please let me know in advance, so I can have them remove their items earlier. We have some fun activities planned for the last full week of school.

June 11th, 2021

In math, the class has been reviewing what we have learned this year and exploring ratios while I met with small groups to go over questions from previous units. Today, we had our cumulative test. No names were attached to the tests and they have been sent away to be marked. I was impressed with their perseverance. Everyone finished the test and they reported that it "wasn't too difficult."

In reading, students have been working on their Jamboards every day for two weeks. I have met with individuals who had questions. If students are not finished, it is now homework and due before presentations begin on Monday. I am looking forward to hearing about the books from students next week. I've seen a wide variety of titles. Their presentation schedule is in their Google classroom.

In writing, we did some work editing and revising our stories so far. For many students this is their longest and most complex work yet. I am impressed with how much effort students have put into these stories and I encourage them to keep them going.

In science, we made parachutes to study drag. We also made helicopter toys out of Bristol board and played with balloon rockets outside to study powered flight. I put a few photos on the inquiry page. The mint plants we started from seeds for Earth Day are ready and I sent them home with any student who wanted one. They can be planted outside (provided there are no more frost warnings) or inside near a sunny window. I advised the students to tear off the fabric surrounding the soil before planting. If any student changes their mind, I have plenty more seedlings.

We had Corporal Melissa Craswell and Constable Tara Watts back this week with the Healthy Me lessons on substances (alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana.) Next week we will have one final lesson with them.

June 4th, 2021

In math we reviewed tables and graphs. We have now reviewed every foundational learning for grade 6 math. Next week, I will be meeting in small groups with individuals who would benefit from more review. I've noticed that some students need more practice in multiplying two 2-digit numbers as this affects their answers in a variety of units.

In reading, students have been making lengthy Jamboards to compare two books that they read this year. It is a way for them to show they understand and can use the language we learned this year for discussing narrative and informational texts. They will present this information to the class. In writing, we have continued to develop our stories. This week we are focusing on details. I've encouraged them to think about how their character talks and write the dialogue accordingly. We discussed including alliteration, onomatopoeia, the rule of three, simile, metaphor, and personification in their pieces. We learned these terms back in our memoirs and poetry units, and now we are bringing them into our fiction writing.

In science, the students presented their slideshows about a planet. I am impressed with how well they organized the slides and made them legible. Each time, they present, they are getting louder and clearer, as well. I encourage students to remember to practice before they give a presentation so they can learn how to pronounce any words they aren't quite sure about, for example, "Galileo" and "astronomer." We have now moved on to our last science unit, Flight.

May 28th, 2021

Year books went home yesterday.

In math, we have been reviewing the perimeter of any polygon, the area of a rectangle, and the volume of a rectangular prism. Students are having difficulty remembering the formulas. In particular, the perimeter of a rectangle is tricky. I have given them a sheet to study. There are videos and ways to practice on our website and on IXL. Our review slides are on our FLs Review Page. I am giving them a test on Monday.

In reading, students have continued to investigate how authors create a character's point of view. We had trials for the Big Bad Wolf in class. Students were either little pigs or the wolf. In writing, students are practicing going back and adding detail to their stories. We have been discussing adding backstories, thoughts, and feelings to create a strong point of view.

In science, students have been researching a planet as a final project for our space unit. They are making a presentation that they will present next week.

May 21st, 2021

In math, we had our polygons test. We reviewed angles and had our 5th FL quiz. We used our knowledge to design windsurfing sails and label the angles (a picture of the completed sails is in on our FLs Review page, under Math.) There are two more review units to go!

The speeches went well again this week. Students who had practiced were able to put emphasis into their reading. Students tried their best to respond to counter arguments and comments. They showed a growth in confidence (from their initial presentations this year) that was nice to see.

In reading we have been studying point-of-view. The students have been thinking about how authors create a point of view with their use of pronouns and descriptions. They were asked to look for evidence of this in the books they are currently reading and some fairy tales. We have been playing with different points of view in short writing activities.

In our writing class, we have finished the planning stage of our stories and started writing. I am encouraging students to really focus on the process of building their story through planning and rewriting.

In science, we learned about the relationship between the tides and the moon. I have shown students an online tide schedule so they can see the cyclical nature of the tides. I encouraged them to check it out when they go to the beach, especially on the south shore, where it tends to be more noticeable, due to the sandbars. We watched a video from the Hopewell Rocks and students were interested. We also started studying the sun and the planets. Students marked out the distance between planets using toilet paper. There is a picture on our Inquiry webpage.

May 14th, 2021

In math, we had our 4th FL quiz. Students did well with the multiplication and division questions, so I'm happy we took some extra time to go over that. We are currently working on polygons. Students are learning to identify regular/irregular and convex/concave polygons. We are learning how to compare shapes to determine if they are congruent. There are some games on our website for them to practice. The grade 6s in our school will be taking a cumulative math test on June 11th that will be submitted to the board. Although students should do their best, they do not need to worry about it having any affect on their grades.

I have been very impressed with how seriously students are taking their speeches. We have been listening to 2 or 3 a day and students have been debating or commenting on the issues each person presents. It has been fantastic. Although students are nervous, they are trying very hard to slow down, speak loudly, and not giggle.

In writing, we have moved on to our Fictional Narrative unit. Students are enjoying this form of writing already. We have spent time creating characters, collecting pictures of our settings for our mood boards, and thinking of our themes and sources of conflict. I have been hearing some very unique ideas. You may want to ask your child about what they are thinking of writing.

In science, we have been discussing the effects of the Earth's rotation (day/night) and tilt (seasons) as we orbit the sun. We traced our shadows at different points of the day and saw how they went from long to short to long and changed direction as the position of the sun in the sky changed. Then we reviewed this using the globe and a lamp. We demonstrated the phases of the moon with a ball and lamp and drew diagrams. Students were interested in talking about eclipses.

We had a visit from two Queen Charlotte students who were able to answer a variety of questions that students had about next year. We also had another visit from the police for our Healthy Me program. This week, they discussed the dangers of vaping (nicotine addiction, possible lung damage) and students were asked to think about how they would react if someone offered a vape to them. Students were very engaged.

May 6th, 2021

In math, we had our triangles test. For our FL review, we worked on multiplying and dividing with decimals. I have delayed the quiz until Monday to give them extra time to practice. I am finding that students need more practice with the steps for long multiplication and long division (with or without decimals.) Today, we used division to investigate the amount of sugar in drinks as compared to snack foods.

In writing, the students finished their test. It seems that many of them have written persuasive essays to ask for a movie day! I have printed the essays that they will deliver in front of the class and we have talked about marking them up to help them read aloud. I have suggested that they memorize the first few lines to help them get through their initial nervousness. There will be 2 speeches a day starting on Monday. I have put a list in the classroom so students can remind themselves which day they chose. In reading, students have been comparing two non-fiction books and thinking about how their organization and text features can enhance or distract from their messages.

In science, we are continuing our investigation into space. We have learned about how our understanding of space has changed over the years. We have started looking at the Earth's rotation and orbit. There is an activity you can do at home with your child that involves observing the movement of the moon. I posted the instructions on our Inquiry page, if you are interested. The activity recommends starting when the moon is in it's first quarter, which would be around May 19th.

In art, we completed a joint project with 6D for Principal Appreciation Day. Each student designed a footprint that show-cased an aspect of their personality. These were hung in the hall to thank the Principal and Vice-Principal for guiding our students on the right path.

We have begun the "Healthy Me" program. A police officer visited our classroom on Tuesday and Thursday. This program is 6 lessons long. The students have been engaged in asking and answering questions.

April 30th, 2021

In math we continued our learning about triangles by adding angle descriptors (acute, right, and obtuse) to our sorts. Students have been getting practice measuring sides and angles. For our FL review, we worked on multiples, factors, and prime/composite numbers. If a student has gotten a specific FL question incorrect two weeks in a row, I have given them some additional work.

In writing, students have been doing a test. They've been composing a response to the question, "What should we do in the last week of school?" Their job is to convince me to pick their idea using the persuasive techniques we have learned. We have also been learning tips and tricks to giving a good speech. On Monday, I will return the piece that they picked to say in front of the class with my edits and give them time to perfect it before I print them. Those who have not submitted their pieces must do so for homework.

In reading, students finished their ACRAR and did some reading about space. We also talked about how to summarize a whole novel in a few sentences. Some students are still getting mixed up between realistic fiction and non-fiction. We talked about the fact that, even if it could happen, it doesn't mean it is a true story. If it were non-fiction, there would be photos with captions, news clippings, bits from interviews, a list of references at the back, and (in the case of auto-biography) the author's name would be the same as the main character. Historical fiction uses real historical information, but at least part of the story is made up so it is fiction. When they read at home, please ask them if it is fiction or non-fiction that they are reading and ask them how they know.

In art, students spoke about the pieces they created. I asked them to reflect on their work using following questions: Which materials did you choose? What issues did you have and how did you solve them? How much time did you spend planning? What would you improve for next time? We will be working with found materials again for our final project in our space unit.

April 23rd, 2021

In math we reviewed fractions. Students needed the practice with converting mixed numbers to improper factions and vice versa. They also had some time to practice number lines, which they had found tricky before. On the FLs quiz, students generally showed a good understanding of fractions, however, many did not attend to the instructions on ordering greatest to least and therefore did the question backwards. We studied the order of operations and had a quiz. Students picked up on the rules quite quickly. I put a few practice questions up on IXL for anyone who feels they want more practice. We have started our unit on triangles and have been sorting them into equilateral, isosceles, and scalene by measuring their sides and angles.

In writing, students are finished or nearly finished our second persuasive writing piece. I sat with each student several times and enjoyed watching their progress. They are now to choose their favorite from the two pieces they have written and continue to revise and edit it. I am asking them to present their writing to the class. The class will be invited to ask polite and relevant questions about the topic or counter-arguments. In grade 6, they are expected to be able to defend their position (as we practiced during the social studies debates.) We will discuss this further next week.

In reading, we compared two novels from our read aloud time. It covered all the elements of narrative that we have learned this year, with a focus on how the writer's choices affect our enjoyment. This was done as an example of all the things they will need to include in their end of year book-talk in June. When you talk with your child about books, encourage them to use the terms we have studied and think beyond the plot. We also started an ACRAR. Now that it is closer to the end of the year, the texts are getting longer. Students asked for extra time to complete it on Monday.

We have started our science unit on space. The students have been very enthusiastic about this topic and are asking excellent questions. We played a game where they had to problem solve which items would be most useful on the moon and they used excellent reasoning. We planted some peppermint and aster seeds for Earth Day. When they germinate, the students will be free to take them and plant them where they wish.

In art, we talked about the mascot contest for the 2023 Winter Games. We started designing mascots in our notebooks and I sent the papers home. Students who want to submit, need a parent's signature. Thank you for sending in your reusable "garbage" for our Earth Day art project next week. I was happy that the students came up with this idea.

April 16th, 2021

In math we reviewed integers. We also learned about the preservation of equality. To practice this concept, we used equations (with and without variables) that we represented with counters and paper strips. We have now started learning about the order of operations.

In writing, we have been working hard on our second persuasive writing piece. With this piece, we are focusing on making our ideas clear and using the most compelling language possible through rewriting our sentences. In reading, we have continued to look at persuasive texts to practice our comprehension strategies. We have also started comparing the two novels we have read together using the terms we have learned.

We have finished our unit on PEI history this week. We wrapped up with a discussion of Island culture.

April 9th, 2021

In math, we had our coordinate graphing test. This was our last foundational learning. While we will still be learning new material, we will now be starting a 7 week review of our foundational outcomes. Please look at the new homework expectations on the main math page of this website. In anticipation of the review sessions, I gave a cumulative test today to see how much they remember. Many students did well. We also completed a financial literacy activity that was set up by Mrs Ralph in the library. Students enjoyed learning about budgeting.

In writing, we have finished up our first persuasive writing piece. Some of them may have a bit more work to do for homework. Students have been learning various techniques to persuade their readers and are using them to great effect.

In reading, we have also been looking at persuasive texts such as petitions, advertising, and emails. We are looking at how the writer tries to sway our thinking. It is good to show your child examples of small-print disclaimers and other ways that companies simultaneously hide and disclose information. I'm stressing the importance of reading everything and deciding for yourself what is important.

In social studies, we looked at different economic sectors throughout PEI's history and imagined what jobs will look like in the future.

April 1st, 2021

In math, we have practiced graphing points onto a coordinate plane. Students generally find this to be easy. They just have to remember that the first number is how far they move along the x axis and the second numeral is how far they move up the y axis. We are only working with positive numbers at this grade level. One thing to catch with your child is how they make their graph, starting at the origin point (0,0) and moving up in equal increments that are labelled on the line.

In writing, students have outlined their first persuasive argument, using an organizer. They are learning how to use persuasive techniques to make their argument stronger as they type up their ideas. Our spelling test was delayed until Tuesday, so students have a few extra days to practice if they want to.

In reading, we have been looking at petitions to see how they persuade the reader. We are working on analyzing the effectiveness of the author by identifying what is done well and telling how the author could improve. This kind of critical analysis is important.

In social studies, students have started debates. So far, the debates have been filled with good points and thoughtful rebuttals. Unfortunately, because of various presentations (Earth Rangers & QC Band), we did not get to everyone this week. We finish the last few pairs next week.

We had our second academic battle against West Kent today. This time we won! Students remembered their math, text features and structures, science, and social studies facts. We will have one last competition at the end of the year.

March 26th, 2021

In math, students completed their unit on input and output tables. They learned how to write the pattern rule by using variables to make an expression. Today, we had our test.

In writing, we have been generating ideas for writing persuasive texts. We read some mentor texts and watched some speeches. Then students started thinking of topics, both local and global that they thought they might be interested in writing about. Students developed ideas for 1-3 topics so they could get a sense of which topic would be best for them to write about. Today, we started learning about the format for writing a persuasive text.

In reading, we looked examples of different text structures found in non-fiction writing and identified them. We also talked about "reading" pictures for information. I focused on the difference between facts that can be said about an image, connections that they can make to it, and opinions as to what the picture was about.

In social studies, we have moved on to talking about laws and how they are created to meet the needs of the community. We discussed how people have different perspectives on issues and laws can affect different people in different ways. We considered how laws might need to change over time.

We had our second presentation from the Student Services Committee. It was about stress and mindfulness. I think it covered some important topics and the students were generally attentive and participating.

March 12th, 2021

In math this week, we have moved on to input and output tables. We started with the easiest ones that have a single operation and then moved into ones that have two operations. We are using the strategy of finding the gaps between the numbers in the input columns as well as the gaps between the numbers in the output columns to help us to find the rules for the tables. Students should be testing their rules thoroughly and not just assuming that if the rule works for the first row that it will work for the whole table. They have been successful with multiplication and addition/subtraction rules.

In writing, students went through the final edit that I gave their paper and made additions/changes to their pieces. Then they put their pieces into their websites and added non-fiction text features such as headings, photos with captions, lists with bullet points, diagrams, etc. Most students have finished, but some requested to work on them over the holiday. Feel free to ask to see them! Students also wrote their diagnostic test for our next unit which will be on persuasive writing. Students were asked to persuade me to do something new. I now have lots of recommendations for travel destinations, foods to try, and activities to pursue. There were also a few papers on why we should have longer recesses and no homework. I think they will like this unit.

In reading, we have been concentrating on evaluating and giving preference for text features in fiction and non-fiction. Students have been showing a greater understanding of how those features can influence their reading and writing experience.

In health, students were very engaged and asked good questions. I hope that they were able to communicate to you about what they were learning. In social studies, students finished their posters on the development of different methods of transport. Some groups were able to give a great deal of information. Students are getting better at presenting in a loud, clear voice and without giggles.

On Thursday, we went on a scavenger hunt that was created by Ms. Ralph, a grade 5 teacher. We got to enjoy the warm weather and work together.

March 4th, 2021

I just wanted to say that I am happy to be back in class with your children! With only one school day this week, there isn't much to report. I will be marking their math tests over the weekend. I'll be giving a final edit to student writing tomorrow and returning it to them in the online classroom. They may want to make the changes so they can update their websites.

February 25th, 2021

It has been a very short week! We had our first presentation from the Student Services Committee which was about respect for yourself and others. They answered some questions students had about grade 7. Badminton trials finished up this week, as well.

In math, students finished up their project. I hope it helped them to experience the differences in the measurements (perimeter, area, and volume) through a practical application. This unit was also about learning to use a formula. Students were expecting a test today. I will do some review of the unit and give them the test Monday.

Students started their websites in writing class. I also went through the evaluation sheets for their writing exam with each student individually. There are few students that I didn't get a chance to meet with so we will continue conferencing next week. I kept the papers back so you can see them in interviews before I return them to the students to keep. In reading, students have been giving lists of reasons they know a book is fiction or non-fiction based on the author's intention, text features, and a few other criteria. I also went through the answers to their ACRAR tests with them. Overall, students showed improvement. The most common mistake was not reading the whole question and thereby giving only half an answer. I will give students their spelling test on Monday.

February 19th, 2021

We have finished talking about volume of rectangular prisms and the formula we use: l x w x h. We have started a small math project that many students are enjoying. Students are designing a video game level or zoo or mall layout. They will have to calculate the perimeter, area, and volume for at least 4 rooms. Next week we will have a test in area, perimeter, and volume.

In writing, students tried to finish up their second informational piece. Some students asked for time to do it this weekend. We will edit and revise these pieces on Monday. Then, they will choose one of their informational pieces to make into a website. These websites will be restricted to members of the DELL (students and teachers) and the links will not be posted, except in our classroom.

In social studies, we are starting another group project. This time we are researching the history of different kinds of transportation. The students will make a poster to present their findings.

Next week, we will be getting a visit from the Student Well-Being team on the topic of grade 7 preparedness. The school sent home a notice about this with your child on Thursday. As part of getting students ready, I have been teaching the students how to use a padlock similar to those that will be on their lockers. Every student is getting one whole day to practice opening the padlock, then I sanitize it and pass it to a different student. So far, the students have been successful!

February 12th, 2021

Students have been working on perimeter and area this week. We just started volume today by using cubes to measure some boxes. We will get to the formula next week.

In writing, students continue to work on their informational piece, which I hope to have finished by mid-week. We have been talking about adding expert words and more description. I will be looking for these things in their final copies. In reading, we completed a non-fiction ACRAR test.

Students presented their research in social studies and reflected on how well the group work went. On Tuesday, I will be putting stickers of where our ancestors came from on the world map. Your child may ask you about this on the weekend as it is their homework to check. They do not have to disclose the information to the class if they would prefer not to. It would be fantastic if you could talk with them about people from PEI's history that you think contributed something to this island, especially if there are any family links. Students can share this information in our discussion later next week.

In art, students are now making their own drawings using 1-point perspective. I'm impressed with their efforts to use the technique creatively.

February 5th, 2021

Students did well on their angles test, showing me that they could recognize benchmark angles as well as measure and draw angles. We will revisit how to identify an angle as some students gave the name of an arm but not the whole angle. We have started perimeter. This is the first year that students are learning formulas. We started with the perimeter of a square (P=4l) and a rectangle (P=2l+2s). There are plenty of games on our webpage and I am starting to put up activities in IXL. There is a Quizlet on the webpage as well so students can review geometry terms.

In writing, students have chosen a second informational topic. We have been focusing on thinking about questions we want to answer with our writing so we can be purposeful in our research. We were having trouble with the internet this week so I have asked students to do a little reading on their topic at home for reading homework. That way, they will have the information they need when they sit down to write.

In reading, I have been asking students to select non-fiction books and write notes so they can discuss them with friends later. I am pulling students individually to read with them. Overall, I am finding that students are still struggling to settle down to read and then stay focused. It is affecting the level of detail with which they can recall a longer text. Today, we had a moment of breathing and listening to a tone before we started reading. I will be continuing this as it seemed to be helpful.

We have started studying the history of PEI. Students are being challenged to work in groups to research different time periods for our time-line. I am looking for students to show me good group-work skills.

In art, students have been learning to use one-point perspective to draw a railway scene. I was pleased to see their hard work pay off! We also made some Valentine's Cards for seniors. If students weren't finished their cards, they took them home. Completed cards must be handed in by Monday so they can sit for 72 hours before being delivered.

January 29th, 2021

We had a new student join our class this week! She was previously going to another Island school.

In math, students have learned to identify benchmark angles and name them (for example a right angle is 90 degrees and a straight angle is 180 degrees). We have been practicing using protractors to both measure and draw angles. We have also made and measured reflex angles (which are greater than 180 degrees) using our knowledge of circles. We will have a test on Monday.

In reading, we had our text features test. Many students did well, though there were quite a few spelling mistakes. Those students who got less than two-thirds correct will be asked to study again and retake the test next week.

In writing, students prepared for their test, wrote it, revised and edited it, and then made a good copy. I think you would have loved to see how much effort they poured into this test. They had so many great things to say about family members, friends, and other people who inspired them. I can really see the growth in their writing. I look forward to sharing these pieces with you at parent-teacher conferences.

This week, students worked hard on their informational videos for their health project. I think they had a lot of fun doing this one!

January 22nd, 2021

In math we had our factors and multiples test. I will return their test on Monday. Generally, the students were successful. A few students found the multi-step word problem to be challenging. We will continue practicing the steps for solving a word-problem. We are now studying angles and the students are learning about protractors. It can be a little tricky for the students to line the protractors up properly. I have found that this game is useful.

In reading, we continued to discuss text features in non-fiction books. In addition to them being on the website, I have put their vocabulary words into Quizlet so they can study them. The link is on their classroom assignments page. They do not have to log in to Quizlet to use any of the study links except the flashcards (which they should not use.) I will give them a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday.

In writing, student finished off their first non-fiction pieces today. The students seem very interested in this unit and have been putting quite a bit of effort into it. We will take a brief pause in the unit next week to take a mandatory writing test. I have posted in the topic in the requests section above. I have asked the students not to do any writing about it for homework, but I would like for them to think about the topic and choose the person they will talk about. It would help for them to chat with you about what they might write.

We have finished our health unit. Students will be working on a final project next week. Today, we had our visit from a police officer who gave the students information about social media. We heard a lot of facts and examples. She talked about safety and students limiting their public presence so their accounts are open only to trusted family and friends. As a part of protecting personal information, she recommended turning off the ability for apps to access your GPS location and to wait until you get home to post pictures of where you have been. Students volunteered examples of boundaries their parents have helped them set in terms of time spent on devices and how to deal with unwelcome comments online.

January 15th, 2021

In math we are continuing to practice factors and multiples. We will have a test next week. Students seem to have a good grasp of the concepts, but they should review the key vocabulary (multiples, factors, common, prime, and composite.)

In reading, we have been learning about text features in non-fiction books and how they help us access information. There have been a lot of new terms for them to learn in connection with this topic. Understanding text features is important as they continue to use more text books and non-fiction reference books.

In writing, students have been busily researching a topic of their choice. We are learning how to narrow down our topics, decide on subtopics (which will most likely become our paragraphs), find interesting facts, and then support those facts with details. Today, students tried three methods of writing an introduction

In health, we have been learning about nutrients and how they help our bodies. We also learned what a balanced meal looks like according to the new Canada Food Guide. We are fortunate that next Friday, a police officer will visit the class to talk about social media.

In art, we are learning about commercial art. Students are designing mascots for a company, team, or group of their choice. They have been asked to produce 4 designs, just as a graphic artist would be asked to do.

Students have been struggling a bit to get back into homework, so I have delayed putting up their spelling slides. Reading is my top priority for homework as it is a beneficial habit that helps them in spelling and writing as well.

January 8th, 2021

We welcomed a new student to our class this week.

We have started a unit of Health and students seem very interested in the different aspects of health (physical/mental/social.) I have talked to them about how their parents have been doing most of the work to ensure they are healthy, and that as they grow they will be taking more responsibility for themselves, which is challenging. You may want to share with them some of the goals (or intentional habits) you currently have for your own health and some of the struggles you have had.

In math, we are learning about multiples and factors. For example, common multiples of 4 and 6 would be 12, 24, and 36, with 12 being the least common multiple (LCM). The factors of 12 are 1 & 12, 2 & 6, 3 & 4. A prime number has only two factors, 1 and itself.

In writing, we are learning about how to write informational texts. This week, students wrote a diagnostic test and investigated a non-fiction text with a partner to see how it was written. Then we worked on generating ideas. Informational writing will become increasingly important in social studies and science as they continue their education.

In reading, we have been learning about how to use both paper and online dictionaries. We talked about using context to determine the correct definition when there is more than one definition for a word. I have provided links to the Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary and another dictionary/thesaurus website produced by the same company. If you have a paper dictionary at home, please encourage your child to use it.

I have changed the homework a little. I have spoken to the class about the changes, it is written on their homework logs, and it is on the math and language pages of our website. In math, their homework is dependent on how well they know their math facts. The recommended activities (with a yellow star) in IXL are review of what we have learned so far. Review is important in attaining mastery of a skill. In reading, students will be tracking the number of pages they are reading each night. Students will be encouraged to link their home reading to their writing topics so they can research information. Please note that the classroom account for Epic Books is only available as a free resource until 4:00 every weekday. Tumblebooks is freely available at all times.

December 18th, 2020

This week was a busy one as we wrapped up and reviewed all our units of study. I was particularly impressed with the students' poetry. We did some pop art, which turned out nicely. Everyone did very well in our academic competition. I hope your children enjoy their well-deserved break after studying so hard for 4 months under such unusual circumstances.

I have reminded all the students to continue reading every day for 20 minutes. If students did not meet the requirement for their math facts, I have advised them to practice over the holidays. Our next unit really relies on students being able to access their facts quickly.

I anticipate us being back on January 4th with in-person classes. If we are not, I will contact you regarding how to proceed with your child. Happy holidays!

December 11th, 2020

We had our percentages test this week in math. Students generally did very well with converting between fractions, decimals, and percentages. I have put more questions on IXL so they can continue to practice it. Next week, I will be retesting their math facts. Students who do not yet have 20 correct in a minute will be advised to study over the holidays. In January, we will be talking about factors and multiples so they will really need those facts.

In science, we are finishing up our unit on energy. We learned about how our school uses biomass for its heating and how PEI has several wind farms. In addition, we have learned that our energy coming from New Brunswick is hydro-electric, nuclear, and fossil fuel based. Students will be making a poster about reducing our electricity use. We will have quiz next Tuesday.

In writing we have continued learning about poetry. This week we wrote list poems, haiku, quatrains, and free verse. Next week, students will continue to concentrate on the 3 types of poetry they liked best and produce several more poems. I have been reading a lot of great poems about hockey, soccer, nature, Covid-19, feeling sad, and various other topics. On Friday, they will perform a selection of their poetry for the class. At lunch, we have enjoyed listening to the memoirs they recorded.

In reading, students presented their book advertisements. Some students had more pertinent detail than others.

Next week, we will be reviewing everything we have learned so far in preparation for our friendly competition against 6A from West Kent. Students have been placed into teams by our manager, Ty. I'm looking forward to it.

December 4th, 2020

In math we finished our decimals unit and had our test. Students showed me that they had a good grasp of how to multiply and divide with decimals. I was concerned that some mistakes were the result of students not knowing their math facts. We are now starting our final unit of 2020 which combines fractions and decimals with percentages.

In writing, we have started composing poems. This week we have studied acrostic poems, sensory poems, and cinquains. The students have been successful with each form and are deepening their use of description. Many have volunteered to read theirs to the class.

In reading, we watched some book trailers and I have asked students to make a short advertisement for one of the books they have read this year. They must briefly mention the genre, setting, characters, and give a few details about the plot. Most importantly, they must say why we should read it. They made a few slides and they will stand up and try to "sell" their book to the class next week. I would like them to practice this weekend.

In science, we connected wires to the Makey-Makey boards and made play-dough buttons. We were able to make sounds and move characters on the screen. We learned a little about electromagnets as well.

November 24th, 2020

In math, we have been learning to divide a whole number into a number with decimals. Today, we learned how to add zeroes to continue the division so we don't have a remainder. I sent home some practice work. We will be covering it again on Monday. We will be discussing what makes sense for money (rounding.) Next week, we will be finishing the unit and having a test. I updated IXL with more decimal work.

In writing, students have finished a good copy of their best memoir. I helped them with the final edit so they could polish them. This weekend, they will try to record themselves reading their work (like an audio book) and place that recording on a slide. We went over how to do this in class, and we did several practice recordings. I have attached a video to the assignment to explain the steps again. They may record more than one file if they can't get it all in one go. If they have problems, tell them not to worry. I can help them on Monday. The purpose of this is to make sure they know how to record themselves reading (in case we ever have to go to online lessons again.)

In reading, we discussed how to tell the difference between fictitious memoirs and real ones. Many books marketed at children appear to be diaries. It is important that they can assess for themselves which are based in truth. I also talked with them about sounding out words they don't actually know. We discussed some strategies such as breaking up the word into chunks and thinking about rules for sounds.

In science, we are continuing to learn about series and parallel circuits. We also learned about the standard notation for drawing circuits. Students were finding it challenging to work in groups this week. We will talk more about what makes a good group and keep practising.

In art, we started exploring the use of positive and negative space. Today, students tried to create the optical illusion of the two silhouetted faces with a cup in the negative space between them. It was quite successful!

November 19th, 2020

I've been so happy to talk to so many of you! Thank you for coming. It will just be a quick update this week.

In writing we are putting paragraph breaks in our memoirs and polishing our best work. As a note, I was late giving the spelling test this week, so I have moved the date of the next test (it is on December 4th).

In math, we worked on reading and understanding decimals. For example 8.53 is eight and 53 hundredths which can be written as 8 + 0.5 + 0.03. We represented them with base 10 blocks and used estimation to begin understanding how they might work in multiplication and division equations. We will continue this next week.

In science we learned about how switches work and every student was challenged to set up a circuit with a light and a switch independently. We also used little buzzers in our circuits to make some noise. In art, we are practising cross-hatching.

November 10th, 2020

It was a short week. In writing, I am continuing to meet with students to help them build their techniques. In reading, we went over the results of their tests so they could see how to improve their written responses. In science, students worked with simple circuits to test whether materials could conduct electricity.

Students learned to compare numbers with decimals and how to estimate by rounding to the nearest whole number. It was tricky for them to determine if their estimate would be low or high when used in a multiplication or division question. To practice, have your child look at costs in a grocery store flyer. Ask how much 4 of something would be and encourage the to estimate in their heads and then compare that result to what they get from calculating with the original numbers on a calculator. Or if there is a flat of tinned vegetables, use estimation and then division to determine how much one tin would be.

November 6th, 2020

In math, students had their fractions test. Their multiplying and dividing facts came into use when converting between mixed and improper fractions. Some students continue to find placing fractions on a number-line challenging, so we will be meeting in a small group to practice. I also gave a quick test of their math facts, and I am seeing more calculations per minute, which is fantastic.

I am definitely seeing improvements as students work on their newest memoirs. I am impressed by their efforts to use description and similes. Students generally understand that their work should have an underlying big idea that gives it meaning, but it is challenging for them to add that extra layer. I am meeting with them one-on-one to help them build their big ideas into the plot.

In reading, we have been discussing giving evidence from the text to answer literal questions and support inferences. On the reading assessment this week, I could see that many students are trying to do this. I discussed with them some test-taking strategies to improve their answers for the next test.

In science, we experimented a bit more with static electricity and we talked about lightning. On Friday, we made simple paper circuits with button batteries, LED lights, and copper tape. Everyone successfully completed this project.

Everyone worked hard to complete their art samples this week so they are ready to show you at the interviews. Many students expressed at the beginning of the year that they felt like they were poor artists, which is sadly common at this age. Now that they have had some success with implementing the techniques we are learning, I hope that they are gaining more confidence in their abilities.

October 30th, 2020

Our trip to Orwell Corner was fun and full of information. We learned about how farming, shopping, and school was different in the past. Students were able to drive a horse and help the blacksmith make a metal hook.

This week we learned how to put mixed numbers and improper fractions on a number line. We will continue this into a bit of next week as well. Students find chopping the number line into parts to be more challenging than shapes.

All the students have completed a two week project of writing, revising, and editing a memoir. Their stories have developed well. I have met with each student to give advice and they have consulted with each other as editors, too. In reading, we continued to work on making inferences. We have also identified causes for actions and the effect of them on the characters and plot of our novel.

Students presented their slide shows on plants and animals that are threatened, endangered, or extinct on PEI. We will continue to work on their presenting skills, so they can grow more comfortable speaking in front of their classmates. We also started our unit on electricity by investigating static electricity. Today, we made pieces of tissue paper float in the air with the help of charged balloons.

I realize that I haven't been updating you on what we are doing in art. So far this year, we explored colour blending, the use of analogous and contemporary colours, and stippling. We created art works in our sketchbooks based on the Eastern Woodland Style. Today, we explored form by drawing a simplified skeletal structure of people in various poses.

October 23rd, 2020

Your children did a fantastic job planting trees this morning. We planted 75 trees of various species, both deciduous and coniferous, in the field behind the baseball diamond. If you walk through there, they will be able to point them out to you. I was impressed as it was not easy to cut through the grass to dig the holes. They followed the directions well.

In math, we have been converting between mixed and improper fractions using mathematical steps instead of pictures. Students need quite a bit of practice to achieve mastery. We also reviewed long division with remainders and I gave them a test to see how they are doing with it.

The students are continuing to put a lot of thought into their memoirs. Our workbooks are showing documents in progress with lots of additions and things crossed out.

In reading, we have been practising identifying the big ideas or theme of stories. It can be quite challenging to distinguish big ideas from the plot at first. I think students are refining their ability to do this. We have started discussing how to use textual cues, context, and background knowledge to make inferences while reading. Most students are able to make inferences, but find it difficult to explain what cues lead them to that understanding.

In science we started our slide-shows about PEI plants and animals that are under threat or endangered. We talked about using useful search terms and paraphrasing information so we use our own words. They have been quite engaged. I was pleased with the scores on their final quiz for the unit.

October 16th, 2020

It was a short but busy week. The students were brave and made it through their HPV vaccinations.

In math, we went over their test from last week. Generally, students showed a good understanding of integers. I will be coming back to this unit throughout the year as it is a foundational learning. We have completed our review of division math facts and students did a timed test for multiplication and division. Many students were able to get at least 20 questions correct in a minute. As always, I encourage them to keep increasing their speed. We will now be going into long division.

In the main part of our lessons we have been working on improper fractions (greater than 1 whole). We have been converting between improper fractions and mixed numbers. This is challenging, so we have been using a lot of visuals. One thing that would be helpful is if you had your child experiment with measuring cups. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 1/3 cups, which measuring cup would you use if you only wanted to wash one cup? (1/3 cup) And how many times would you need to use it? (7/3 = 2 1/3 so you would need to use it 7 times) Students who were okay with converting fractions using pie charts had difficulty with the idea of measuring cups, and it is an everyday example of this kind of math in real life.

In writing, students wrote their first memoir. On average, students are able to write for about 30-35 minutes without taking a break. We started talking about ways to improve their story before they start writing by concentrating on the most important elements of their story. The students have been thinking deeply about the construction of their piece and have started revising as they go. In reading, we have been discussing the elements of plot, and students are identifying these elements in the books they read. On our spelling test, I could really see who had studied and who had not. We will be talking about that next week.

Students did quite well on science quiz #3. I brought in some fossils for them to take a look at, and our beetles are finally emerging from their pupae. We saw the growth of our yogurt bacteria. Next week is the last week for this unit.

October 9th, 2020

Thank you to those who have already returned the Orwell Corner forms! They are due on Tuesday. If you have any questions, please let me know. One of our main units in social studies will be the study of PEI's history, so this is a great way for them to access primary historical resources.

In math this week, we have moved into fractions. For the last few days, we reviewed basic concepts dealing with fractions. Next week, we will start the grade 6 expectations. When making equivalent fractions, some students were struggling with their multiplication facts, so I have reminded them to keep practising for our Math Minute tests.

In reading, we have been working on finding textual evidence to support our ideas about setting and character traits in the class novel and our individual novels. I have found that students are unfamiliar with the idea of making connections to a text while reading. When talking to your child about what they are reading, ask them if they can relate it to their life, to another book they read, or to something they know about the world.

The library has been cleaning out old books and students were allowed to choose some to bring home. Many of them chose a few novels and non-fiction texts. These books do not have to be returned.

In writing, we have been analyzing exemplar texts for our memoir unit. We have also been working on generating ideas for our own writing. I have been impressed with the students' focus during these activities. They all have very interesting memories to share.

Many of our science experiments have started getting results. I posted pictures on the inquiry page.

We had our first MVP draw today. Students were able to nominate each other for acts of kindness all week. There were several nominations. The winner will keep a trophy on his or her desk for the week. We will have a draw every Friday.

October 2nd, 2020

This week we studied arthropods in science and did some experiments to see the reactions of mealworms to stimuli (food, wind, light, etc.) Many of our mealworms have pupated and all of our caterpillars are in their chrysalis stage. They did very well on their first science quiz. We will have another one next week.

We also learned about the Residential Schools in Canada. Students co-created a slideshow about the Rights of the Child, which were created by the UN.

In math we have been looking at integers and when negative numbers are used in real life situations (such as owing money, cold temperatures, and depth.) We are now ordering numbers. It is tricky for them to recognize that -10 is less than -8. I did a test of their addition/subtraction math facts today. Most students were able to complete at least 20 correctly in one minute. I encouraged them to keep increasing their speed, particularly in subtraction.

In reading, we have started to look in their books for textual evidence. To begin, I asked questions and they found answers by highlighting some text. Then, they looked in their books and made questions for their friends. For the last few days we worked on finding evidence in our texts that told us what the setting was.

We had our spelling test today. The results were generally lower than I would have expected with two weeks to practise. If you wish to see your child's test, it is in their online classroom. For the next set of words, please encourage your child to use the activities posted on the slideshow in their online classroom or to practise the words in some other way.

In writing, we have been working on strategies to come up with ideas, set goals, and to stay focused. This has been our last week of completely free writing. Next week, we will fix up one of our pieces so we can share it and then move into writing memoirs.

September 25th, 2020

The third week of school is challenging for students. Our daily schedules and classroom expectations are set. The workload is increasing as we move out of review and into new areas. We are working on building stamina for longer periods of work without distraction.

There is a lot of enthusiasm for science and writing at the moment. I have put up some pictures from science class on our Inquiry page. Students are also embracing our read-aloud, "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli. It has some higher-level vocabulary and imagery that stretches their comprehension abilities.

In math, students are finishing up the chapter on large number place value. They have also become far more adept at the steps involved in long multiplication. I am still seeing mistakes in the higher multiplication facts (6-9 times tables), particularly 8x4. Encourage your child to keep practising, either on their own or in a game with you. We will be starting in on division next week. For those students who want more in-depth math work, there is a Problem Solving page on this website with links to problems that encourage mathematical thinking.

September 18th, 2020

All the students worked hard for their first presentations this week. They were nervous, but they did well! I think it was great for everyone to get to know each other a little better. I encouraged them to think about their audience when they were writing and how they wanted to present themselves. If you want to see your child's slide show, ask them to log into their Google account and show you.

In science class, we are studying diversity and classification. The students made terrariums and I started our mushroom growing kit. We have been learning how to take notes from informational videos and non-fiction books.

I have retested the students in multi-digit addition and subtraction, and they are doing much better after our quick refresher. I will be retesting from time to time to make sure they remember the steps. This week we started to do multiplication by a 2-digit number. We will practice this more next week. We have also been studying place value of numbers up to a billion. If you see large numbers (in sports news, the daily news, etc.), have your child read them to you out loud. Or ask them the value of a digit in that number. For example the 5 in 75 689 040 has a value of 5 million.

I am happy to see that the students are settling into reading. We spent time this week discussing how to maintain our focus when we read. The strategies we discussed are on the reading web-page of this site. I am encouraging students to write down new words or words they like from the books they read. If they learn a new word at home, they can always bring it in and add it to the "New Words" section of their reading book.

I was not able to get the spelling homework out this week as I had a few more tests to do, so that will be given out next week. Thank you for encouraging your children to do their homework!

September 11th, 2020

Your children have shown themselves to be resilient! They are adjusting back into school routines. I have been very impressed with their enthusiasm for learning and their commitment to doing things well.

By now, you will be aware of the nightly homework. Students are to read for 20 minutes a night (look here for more information) and to practice their math facts to increase their speed when using basic operations. I have a list here of songs, card games, and online games that they can use. We did our spelling placement quiz today and I will give them out their first words next week.

In math class, I gave them a test of multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Many students need to practice subtraction with borrowing, so they can apply the steps with more confidence. I will be reteaching the multiplication algorithm before starting them on long division.

In reading, we have been starting off with choosing a good book from the classroom library. Several students have told me they are basing their decisions on the cover. I am encouraging them to read the back and to read a page inside to help them check if they can comprehend the book, and to see if it might be enjoyable. If you take them to the library or the bookshop, please ask them how they are making their choices. On Monday, they will go to the school library so they can get books to take home.

In writing, the students are showing off their Google Slide skills to make a self-introduction. I am going to ask students to present their work over the next week. I will give students the option of playing short recordings on the slides if they are too nervous to talk in person.

As a class, we read a very complex book about emotions and the students have been doing a related art project. They have been learning about colour gradations and blending to make a leaf that will represent the things that make them happy. This has involved a lot of sketching, as maple leaves are tricky.

They started P.E., music, and French this week as well.

I am very pleased to be working with such eager students. Thank you so much for completing the survey for me. I found reading your comments to be helpful. And thank you for returning all the forms!

September 7th, 2020

I am so glad to be working with your children this year. I hope that you will take a look through this website, which is where I will be putting materials to support student learning throughout the year. I will regularly update this page to keep you informed. We also have a Google Classroom, which I will use to assign some student work.

Every day, students will bring home a yellow homework folder. If there are any papers for you to sign, they will be in there. Please make sure your child brings the folder back to school every day. Initially, our homework will concentrate on reviewing material and building your child's stamina. They will be quite tired at the end of the day for the first little while, I believe.

One of the key things for this school year and grade level is to make sure students feel invested in their own learning. It is more important than ever for students to develop a growth mindset. Instead of avoiding areas of difficulty, I want them to identify where they need help, work hard, and celebrate their personal achievements. I have high expectations, but I recognize we are not all starting in the same place.

If you would like to get in touch with me, you may email me at janewbold@edu.pe.ca or phone the school. I check my emails Monday-Friday before classes begin, at lunch, and after the students are dismissed.

It's going to be a great year!