Arianna Lambert - January 2021

January 8th, 2021

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your support of your child this week during online learning. We made it through our first week together and although we are somewhat disappointed that we won't be going back on Monday, please know that I am doing everything that I can to keep the learning going. It's definitely a different experience for us all.

This week we started off learning about Social Issues and their impact on people and the world. We each have been researching an issue of interest and answering questions (the 5Ws and how) about our issue to understand it on a deeper level. From there, we started to plan out a graphic text that we will be writing - using Pixton - with the goal of creating awareness about the issue and helping others to understand the impact. On Monday, I will be sending out password information for students to access their Pixton accounts.

This learning in Literacy ties into our learning in Social Studies about government. This week we learned that there are 3 levels of government - Federal, Provincial, and Municipal. Students were tasked with learning about the responsibilities each of these groups has in terms of services to communities. We did some learning online as well as in Google Slides and will continue to learn about the role of government in society.

In Math, we took some time reflecting on the differences between needs and wants and learned about balancing and adjusting a budget through lessons with me and in IXL. We also learned a little about budgets with Enzo and life in the Gig Economy, driving Uber. At the end of the week, students were tasked with evaluating purchases using different payment types. They learned about processing fees and interest. On Monday, we will be continuing this work and we may have a task or quiz next week to check for understanding.

In Science, we started a new unit on Matter and Energy. Students were given an online notebook with links to articles and videos as well as websites. This week we learned that everything is made up of matter - molecules that combine to create everything in life. We also learned that there are 3 states of matter that we see here on earth - solids, liquids, and gases. We also learned that there is another state - plasma - that refers to stars and the sun. We started to learn about some of the properties - boiling points, melting points, the spacing of molecules. This is all learning that we will be continuing again next week.

In Physical Education, we had the chance to participate in challenges and also started creating short videos or workouts that we will be incorporating during our day to break up some of our time sitting down, and on the screen.

In Visual Arts today, we took some time to create vision boards. Students were asked to think about 4 areas - personal, academic, joy, and family - and to add images, creating a collage to speak to what they wish to cultivate in 2021. It was really great to see and hear all of the great things that bring students joy and what they look forward to this year. We didn't quite get the chance to finish sharing all of them and we will be continuing to share on Monday.

We ended today with suggestions on what we should stop, start, and continue as we will be having 2 more weeks online. I asked students to justify their ideas and hope to incorporate these in next week's learning. Next week we will have a shorter week as Friday is a P.A. Day.

Have a safe and restful weekend!

January 14th, 2021

A shorter week, filled with tech issues, and yet, the students rocked it! Week 2 of virtual learning is in the bag, and a number of weeks that remain, I feel like we're getting into the swing of things. A huge, "Thank you", to families once again for all that you are doing at home to support our learning. Without you, none of this would be possible. Thank you!

In Language this week, students had the opportunity to complete their research for their social issue and many have started their story outlines. We also had the opportunity to test out Pixton and students were able to create their avatars. Once finished, they tested out the tool and created a short comic describing what they hope for 2021. We used our Art from last week to help support us in writing about our personal and academic goals; what brings us joy; and what we hope for in our relationships with friends and family. Next week, we will be using Pixton to start writing our stories about our social issues.

In Math, we continued to look at budgets and methods of payment with 2 questions related to twins who are saving up to buy a car. This seemed to be a more challenging activity than I thought and we took an extra day to go over how we might organize information from a chart to create a budget and how we might use operations to solve problems related to money. Today, students were given a culminating task for our unit on Financial Literacy. They have been tasked with creating a poster, infographic, or slides presentation that would teach another Grade 5 student about the concepts that we have learned over the last couple of months. In Google Classroom, students were given a list of what we have learned so far. Some students have asked for the review of some of our earlier concepts and I will be providing mini-lessons next week to help with this.

In Science, by watching videos and using the links in their digital notebooks, students continued to learn about Matter & Energy with a focus on the properties of matter. Next week we hope to have a "field trip" to the Ontario Science Centre and my hope is that we will be able to see some of this Science and understand its application in real life.

In Physical Education, students have been hard at work, completing their challenges for one another. Today, we had virtual workouts in Zoom! It was so amazing to see 2 students leading their peers through a workout in small groups and we will be continuing this next week.

In Music, we learned a new song with Mrs. Hunt. Students are encouraged to see if they can find some musical equipment to help them in performing the song. While signing the song, students are to use the items to play the rhythm.

Shaker - plastic water bottle or container filled with rice or small beans
Wood sound - sticks or wooden spoons
Metal sound - small metal pot or bowl
Drum sound - plastic container

Pepperoni (shaker) Pizza (metal sound)

Eat it while it's hot! (wood sound)

Pepperoni (shaker) Pizza (metal sound)

Eat it while it's hot! (wood sound)

1 slice, 2 slice, 3 slice, yum! (drum sound)

4 slice, 5 slice, 6 slice, gone! (drum sound)

Pepperoni (shaker) Pizza (metal sound)

Eat it while it's hot! (wood sound)

Next week we will be performing the song and I can't wait to hear it!

Let's face it. Virtual learning is challenging and I know that it is not ideal. I know that students have been feeling a variety of emotions and this week we read a book about emotions as we try to identify some of what we might be experiencing during this time. I asked students to continue to consider how they might be feeling throughout the day and to start talking about what they are feeling with a caring adult. Emotions are tough, even for adults, and being able to voice what we are feeling, helps to manage some of these emotions. I hope that as virtual learning continues, we will continue to consider how we are feeling and tools we may use to help support our mental health and wellbeing.

Thank you once again for your support. I hope that you have a safe and restful long weekend.

January 22nd, 2021

We managed to be successful in yet another week of virtual learning. I'm so proud of everyone's effort because I know that this has not been easy and yet every day, we're showing up and doing incredible things!

In Literacy this week, we continued to talk and learn about social issues. On Monday was MLK Day and we spoke about the fact that while his message rang true in 1963 in his "I Have a Dream" speech - a speech with which many were familiar - it still rings true today. The need for racial justice continues decades later. We also took some time to listen to a Kids Book About Racism and spoke about the need for change.

We also discussed that while writing our stories in Pixton, it's important to make sure that we are including factual information about our social issues based on our research and also that it's important to leave the reader with a moral and action steps that they can take to make a difference. Some students finished up their story plan graphic organziers and others were ready to jump in and get going in Pixton. We also read A Kids Book About Covid-19 which gave readers some key information about the virus and staying safe. Click on the link above and sign up if you are interested in getting your own copy of the free e-book. The students are working on some great graphic novels that should be completed in the next week or so.

In Math, we continued to review for our unit on Financial Literacy and we extended the due date on our culminating activity until Tuesday. Students are encouraged to make sure that they review the list of key concepts that we have discussed and reviewed so make sure that these items are included in their posters, infographics, or Slides. Next week we start a unit on Patterns!

In Phys. Ed. this week, we continued with amazing student-led workouts! From dance routines to grueling full-body workouts, I'm so proud of how the students have been leading the way with their peers! Next week we wrap up our student-led sessions and we will be getting into Dance.

In Science, we continued to work in our Matter & Energy notebooks with a focus on physical and chemical changes. Students were tasked with thinking about and evaluating the environmental impacts of processes that change one product into another product through physical or chemical changes. We looked at a variety of everyday items around us and discussed how they come to be and what happens with them once we're finished using them. We also thought of some of our favourite foods and the processing, packaging, and transportation that goes into so much of what we consume. Today, students were asked to turn in their notebooks after completing their KWL chart. They will be returned shortly.

This week, we were lucky to be able to go on 3 virtual field trips to the AGO through the AGO Schools Program.

Wednesday - Art & the Senses - In thinking about how our brain processes the world around us, students mindfully looked, mindfully listened, and mindfully experienced art while building observational skills in a joyful and engaging way. After discussing Daedalus and Icarus by Anthony Van Dyck and Floor Burger by Claes Oldenburg, we were impressed by how artists used colours and media to evoke emotion. Blown away by the sheer size of the Floor Burger and the idea of creating a large food item that would fill a room, for our activity, were asked to think about a food item that would represent 2021. From a Coronavirus cake to incredible poutines, the students got creative in drawing their representations of 2021.
Thursday - Indigenous Art & Artists - Starting with the land, how do we hold conversations around Indigenous art and artists? In this experience, students looked at and discuss specific pieces of art that capture themes of Indigeneity. During this visit, we were introduced to Brian Jungen's Prototype for New Understanding and Daphne Odjig's Mother and Child - Playtime. For our first activity, we created images of 2 things that we would mesh together to create a hybrid. The first was one item that was from the past or of cultural significance to us and the other, something modern. There were many combinations that highlighted the diverse backgrounds from which we come and items we consider modern and of interest to us. For our second activity, students created a 1 line portrait and in the background, drew items using continuous lines that represented things that brought safety and comfort.
Friday - Students explored the works of Black artists in the collection and consider concepts of identity through the history and presence of the African diaspora nationally and globally. After looking at Denyse Thomasos' Dismantle #2, students were tasked with creating their own version of their neighbourhoods and layering in the animals seen in their neighbourhoods and lines and colours that represented their feelings about their neighbourhoods. Students were also introduced to printmaking by looking at Julie Mehreta's Algorithms, Apparitions, and Translations.

These 3 visits allowed us the opportunity to consider and discuss Art in different ways and this may be something that we try again in the future so that students have the opportunity to experience a variety of artworks from a variety of backgrounds.

In Orff, we continued with our song from last week and learned a little more about music notation. Students are encouraged to take a look at the handouts in Google Classroom and to make sure that they're practicing our song, Pepperoni Pizza 🍕.

It was another full week and we accomplished so much! Again, I'm super grateful for the support of our families and I hope that you have a safe and restful weekend!

January 29th, 2021

What a week! It flew by quickly and there was a lot that was new. Here's what we were up to this week.

In Literacy, we continued to work on our stories for our social issues in Pixton. We also had the opportunity to get feedback from peers in small groups using Zoom. Students offered advice and areas for improvement and then it was time to dig back in to make our stories even better. We also continued to tie this work in with what we are learning about government for Social Studies. Students this week learned more about the levels of government and the portfolios of federal and provincial ministers and the roles of city councillors. As we continue to consider our social issues, the goal is to define ways in which people can take action and one way is by writing to our government officials. Next week, students will be taking the time to learn about letters and the art of persuasion.

In Math, students continued to work on their culminating activity for Financial Literacy and have submitted their work. I am super impressed by their learning! Assignments will be marked and returned shortly.

We also started a new unit on Patterns. Students have had the opportunity to explore a variety of different patterns this week and will notice links in Google Classroom that they can use for continued practice. Students are asked to really sit with these problems as sometimes describing and communicating what is happening in a pattern is challenging. The question below was our question for today. Students were encouraged to use colour tiles to be able to solve the next phases of the pattern and to complete a chart to help them see what was happening. If you have a few minutes, check in with your child and see what they came up with.

Toni noticed a pattern when she added consecutive odd numbers together (starting at 1). What was the pattern?

What are the 4th, 5th, and 6th phases of the pattern?

Complete the chart. How might this help you to see what is happening with the pattern?

What do you notice?

How many tiles will there be in the 10th phase? How do you know?

In Physical Education, we had the last of our student-led workouts today. They have been so amazing! I enjoy watching them lead their peers as they get moving, which we all know is so important. Next week, we will be starting Dance and considering how movement tells stories.

In Visual Arts, we took a trip this week to the McMichael Art Gallery and learned about the amazing Art of Christ Belcourt and how she uses her art as a means of activism. We learned a little about her technique as well as the use of symbolism in her works of art. It was an incredibly moving experience and we had a great time learning about how shape and colour - in particular - can evoke emotions.

In Music we learned a new song from Zimbabwe and it was yet another opportunity for us to get up and to get moving! We continue to use our percussion instruments to help us play the rhythm. Students are encouraged to continue to practice their songs during the week in preparation for our sessions on Friday. We had 2 incredible performances today and it's nice to see how students are using the elements of Music to create.

This week we had a Grade 5 Parent meeting about middle school. If you were unable to attend, please reach out to me if you have any questions about next steps. We are also in the process of planning for our final celebration for the Grade 5s as they move onto middle school. Although it's always an emotional time, we're really hoping to make it a lot of fun and most of all, memorable for the students.

Week 4 of virtual learning is done! Thank you once again for all of your support. I hope that you have a happy & safe weekend. See you in February!

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