Into Our Final Month

It's hard to believe we are in June already!

Monday was our final EQAO day. The students all made a great effort. We celebrated on Friday afternoon with Popsicles. 

Some positive thoughts before each section they did.

In Language, we read "Aghès l'araignée gagnante" for our shared reading. The "gn" sound is one of the hardest for reading and writing for French Immersion students. We continued with our grammar activities with our week 3 sentence. The students did a writing assessment showing me all they learned about writing this year. They picked their topic but needed to show me paragraphs and indenting, all the other conventions they know. Some had dialogue using either " or -. We learned about both this year. I was amazed by all the great writing pieces I saw. 

A little editing of their writing assessments

In Math, the students continued to finish up any unfinished math work for multiplication/division and measurement. They continued to work on their name projects and pixel person projects. On Thursday, they began a short booklet on fractions. 

In Science, we looked at particles in the soil. We looked at the difference between sand (le sable), lime (le limon), and clay (l'argile). I only had samples of sand and clay but they got to touch each to feel the difference in texture. 

In Social Studies, the students finished up the maps on Upper Canada pioneer communities. We then discussed how the First Nations who lived in this area helped the early pioneers with crops, wild foods, medicines, making maple syrup, and using hides to make clothing. 

In Music, the students continued looking at musical instruments. They used the SMARTBOARD and classroom computers to look up instruments to see in which family they belonged. 

Monday will be our trip to Upper Canada Village. Please have your child dress for the weather. They will need a hat, sunscreen, water bottle, lunch and snacks in their backpacks. They will be able to visit the gift shop before we leave so they may bring a small amount of money to spend. They are responsible for carrying their money around for the day so please make sure they store it in a secure place. We will be back at the school around 5 pm. 

Have a great weekend!

A Short Week For EQAO and Goodbye

It's been another short week, even shorter for me as I was at the school board on Tuesday for an Aboriginal workshop for French teachers. Wednesday was our last regular day before EQAO started. 

We've made it through the first two days of EQAO, two Language sections on Thursday, and one Language section and one Math section on Friday. After, we relaxed, had free time to draw, write or read, did some KETCHUP, and worked on weaving. 

A little something for the students to think on before starting EQAO on Thursday morning. 

It's been very hot in the class and we haven't always been able to have the windows open as the noise from classes outside would disturb the students while writing their tests. I had Mr. Brown find us a fan but it was in pretty rough shape. It looks much better now with a bit of duct tape to fix it and make it look nicer. 

Some thoughts to start Friday

There have also been Track and Field tryouts this week for the school team that will be heading to the regional meet on June 9th. Lots of running for some of the students, in spite of the heat. 

Friday was Mme Jones's last day of her first practicum. We were sad to say goodbye and we wish her well as she continues her degree in Education at Queen's.

Monday will be our last day of EQAO (Tuesday for anyone who needs to make up some sections). Then it will be back to normal although a bit quieter as the grade 6 classes will begin EQAO on Wednesday.  We will have to be extra quiet in halls and when going out so as to not disturb the grade 6s in Mrs. Murphy's class. 

It will be very busy over the next little while, please check the agenda daily for information. We have two trips planned in June. If your child is not attending a trip for some reason, please send a note in the agenda to let me know. 

Have a great weekend!

Jump Rope for Heart and Track and Field Packed Into a Short Week

We had a great start to our week with Jump Rope for Heart on Monday!

In Language, we read "Sophie la photographe" for our shared reading. We continued to work on grammar activities, learning about "l'impératif" and looking at types of words. 

In Math, we began our name projects on area, perimeter, and fractions. They students are also continuing to finish up their other activities on multiplication, division, and measurement. 

In Science, we watched a video about soil. We then looked at what soil is is composed of. We also planted seeds as a connection to our plant unit from the fall. Each student picked a type of seed to grow: tomatoes, carrots, beans, peas, or wildflowers. 

In Social Studies, students finished up their maps of the origins of the pioneers. They then completed some activities about the text they had read. 

In preparation of next week's EQAO, we reorganized the class so that each student is now sitting alone. I miss the space we had when desks were grouped so this arrangement won't last long. EQAO will take place next Thursday, Friday, and the following Monday. Please ensure your child arrives on time each of those days. 

Yesterday was our school Track and Field Day. We were lucky and it only rained during the second nutrition break. We got to complete all events. 

I hope everyone has a great long weekend!

A New Class Member and Learning to Weave

This week we had a new class member join us. Mme Brooke Jones is a Queen's University student doing her first Education practicum for three weeks in our class. We our very happy to have her helping us out. 

In Language this week, we read "Truffe la chatte" for our shared reading. The students continued to work on reading and writing narratives. Mme Jones worked with the guided groups on Thursday and Friday while I continued to do GB+ Reading Assessments. I'm very happy with all the great reading progress the students have made this year. We have reached the point where the challenge in reading is no longer decoding the words, but having enough French vocabulary to understand the text. 

Weekly grammar activities that we started this week

Looking up words in the dictionary 

In Math we finished up our cycle of centres on Measurement and we will finish up our written activities over the next week while starting a short hands-on unit on area, perimetre, and fractions. We also have done some activities on multiplication and division this week. 

Measuring

Telling time

Multiplication Bingo

Time Game

Explain Everything Question on money

Explain Everything Question on money

In Science, we have been looking at the components of soil. 

In Social Studies, we have been looking at where the pioneers came from. Today they completed a map on the countries of origin of the pioneers who settled in Upper Canada.

In Physical Education, we have been training for next Thursday's Track and Field Day. They have been practicing for the 100 meter run, 200 meter run, running long jump, triple jump, and baseball throw. 

In Visual Arts, we began to learn how to weave with our circle looms. This project will take a few weeks but is a great way to learn about one of the skills that pioneers were required to have. 

Monday is Jump Rope for Heart. Students should have hats, sunscreen, water bottles, and appropriate footwear for all the activities. Also, they need to return their envelope, even if they have not collected any money. 

Thursday is our Track and Field Day. Again, students should be dressed appropriately for outdoor activities for the entire day. Look for a letter early next week about Track and Field. 

Please remember that next Friday is a PA day and the following Monday is the Victoria Day holiday. It's an extremely busy time of year so please check agendas daily to ensure you are up to date on everything that is going on. 

Have a great weekend!

Star Wars, Road Races, Baking, and Jump Rope Kick-off Assembly

I can hardly believe we are now into May. The end of the school year is coming so quickly. In Literacy this week, we read "Des galettes pour Geneviève" with the hard and soft "g" sounds. And, as this story contained a recipe, the students asked me every day this week if we could make them. In guided reading, the students continued to read narratives. In guided writing, they began writing narratives with dialogue. I also began doing GB+ reading assessments. 

In Math, we continued to work on our measurement unit. We also had a mini-lesson on how to find missing terms in multiplication and division. We have been doing multiplication and division activities in our centres. The students have also been working on money questions in "Explain Everything" on the iPads. 

In Science, we began our final unit on soils. We looked at why sol is important. We also made connections to the food chain, which we learned about in our plant unit in the fall. 

We also began our final Social Studies unit on pioneers. We had a discussion on how North America was discovered by explorers (searching for shorter trade routes), why people decided to move to North America from Europe (overcrowded cities, poverty, disease, lack of land/resources), and what kind of conditions in which they had to travel. The class then completed a journal entry on how they would feel when land was spotted after crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a schooner for a couple of months. 

On Wednesday we celebrated Star Wars Day. We had lots of Star Wars themed costumes. Mme Jacques disappeared for the day and Siri Tachi took over the class. 

On Friday morning, we made the "galettes" (cookies) from our story. The recipe made a couple of dozen and the class seemed to enjoy eating them. 

We also had our Jump Rooe for Heart kick-off assembly. The even will take place on Monday, May 16th. 

Have a fabulous weekend and Mother's Day. I'd share what we did in Art, but it would ruin their surprise!