Exhibition: The Essay & Primary Sources

Yesterday, was a professional development day for me. The Grade 6 class worked with Mme. Stella and Ms. Ymbang on the French & Drama component of Exhibition. I was very happy to see how much was accomplished yesterday. Well done Grade 6s!

We continued with our math unit on fractions, decimals, ratios, and rates. We took up last week’s homework on estimating percents. This was a difficult lesson for many students. Today’s lesson was on ratios, and it a nutshell, everyone found it easy peasy. A lot of the problems were completed in class. I checked everyone’s questions 1 to 3. Students are asked to complete any incomplete work on MMS p. 322 – 323 for homework.

It was then time to work on what has become the dreaded essay. They essay is allowing students to show how much perseverance they have. Everyone was challenged to have their solutions paragraph conference with me, write the second draft of the solutions paragraph, and write the first draft of the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. For those that got this far, students are asked to have parents and mentors write directly on the first drafts and offer suggestions for improvement on the introduction and conclusion paragraphs. All essay writing must be done in class. Because the writing is taking much longer than anticipated, the due date of the essay is being adjusted. Students will be informed at a later time of the new due date.

Students used gym class time and recess time to work on their essays.

Groups that accomplished today’s essay goals worked on finding primary sources for their projects. A primary source may be an expert in the field that students can interview. The interview could be face-to-face or by Skype for example. Students will need to plan interview questions that further inform them on their issue. These questions will be approved by parents, mentors, and teachers and put through the writing process. The questions should be emailed to the interviewee ahead of the interview. Students should make a video of the interview if possible. Parents and mentors are asked to help students find someone to interview. Parents are asked to drive students to interview locations and supervise the interview. Parents who are not accompanying their child on the interview trip will need to give their child written permission to go on the interview trip. The interview may take place during school hours.

Another primary source could be a survey. Some groups began thinking of their survey questions, their target audience, and materials needed. One of our Grade 6 parents suggested an on-line survey as a possibility.

Finally, students who completed assigned essay work were asked to review their action component. They may have new ideas about how to take action. Students worked to plan what needs to be done to accomplish their action component.

Some groups met with their mentors today.

Students attended French class today where they worked on the French component of Exhibition with Mme. Villeneuve.

Students are reminded to work on their digital portfolios. They are asked to select 4 items from “The Marketplace UOI” to add to their digital portfolio, one for each category below:

·         My Best Work

·         Something I Worked My Hardest On

·         Something I Need to Improve On

·         A Way I Showed a Learner Profile Attribute

The video, brochure, and RSA animate are items students may consider uploading. They will probably need to do some problem-solving to figure out how to do this. Students may need to scan paper items, save them with the appropriate document name and then upload them to their digital portfolio. Students who cannot scan items at home are asked to bring these in to school.  I will scan them and email them to students. Ms. Ymbang will be available to students to help them with any problems they have had with uploading items tomorrow. She will also be checking that digital portfolios are up-to-date at this time.

Remember to send in old batteries that you need to safely dispose of. The Grade 1 and 2 classes at SJA will take care of this for you as part of their UOI.

Please look out for the Spring Fundraiser Package coming home today. There are many fun fundraising activities coming up in the next few weeks.

 

Some students are bringing after-care payment forms home today.

Homework & Reminders

·         MMS p. 322 – 323

·         Exhibition:

o   Ask your parents to read your group’s introduction and conclusion paragraphs and ask them to write suggestions directly on the drafts on how you and your group can improve on in these paragraphs

o   Remember, you may NOT do any writing for the essay at home. All essay writing must happen in class

o   Ask your parents to help you and your group find someone to interview as your primary source

o   Keep thinking of ideas and planning to accomplish your action component

o   Keep your next mentor meeting in mind

o   Bring your device daily

o   Essay due date - TBD

·         Thursday – Forms and payment due for Spring Fundraiser Casual Day, Pancake Breakfast, and Dance Party

·         Friday – Forms and payment due for Spring Fundraiser Ice-Cream Sundae Treat

·         April  18 – 22 - Spring Fundraiser

·         Summer fiesta as well as wristband prices are now $25

·         Wednesday, April 20 – Squash, 2 – 3 pm

·         Friday, April 22 – Earth Day

·         Wednesday, April 27 – Casual Day, Squash, 2 – 3 pm

·       Friday, May 6 – Exhibition

·         May 16 & 17 – Spelling Bee

·         Friday, May 20 – PD Day, No School for students

·         Monday, May 23 – Victoria Day, No school

·         May 26 & 27 – Track and Field

·         May 28 – Summer Fair