Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Exhibition: Writing the First Draft of the Body Paragraphs


We began our day with math. We took up yesterday’s lesson on percents. Today’s lesson was about relating fractions, decimals and percents. A large part of getting a better understanding of today’s lesson  concepts was using hundredths grids to show fractions that are not over 100, e.g. 3/50 or ¼. The goal was to have students understand that the whole has not changed, but has been divided into fewer but larger parts, e.g. 50 and 4 parts respectively. Some students caught on quickly, but others are having a harder time. To ensure conceptual understanding for all, I have asked students to represent the fractions in questions 1 – 3 using the hundredths grids they have been provided with. We also solved problems by writing fractions as an equivalent fraction over 100. This was much easier for students to do and made it very simple for them to then convert to percents and decimals. We completed questions 1, 4, and 5 in class. Students are asked to complete the remaining problems on p. 314 & 315 the MMS textbook for homework.

Students attended music and gym class today.

The remainder of our day was spent on Exhibition. Groups that have completed their research worked collaboratively on planning their essay using the graphic organizer and writing the first drafts of their body paragraphs. Students that got this far, were asked to review each other’s work and add evidence that they had in their research that could be used in a peer’s paragraph. Students are now asked to have others help them with suggestions for revisions. We are not correcting conventions (spelling, grammar, punctuation) at this point, but are suggesting changes to the main ideas and supporting evidence of the paragraphs. Peers, teachers, mentors, and parents are all asked to participate in the role of reading the first drafts and making revision suggestions. Please write directly on the drafts in pen. Students must not do any writing at home. All essay writing must be done in class.






 

Students who are still researching are working hard to collect information about their issue to ensure they can write a quality essay.

Some groups met with their mentors today.

I hope that your child showed you their digital portfolio yesterday. Students are asked to make another addition to their portfolio with less support this time around. They are bringing home their How We Organise Ourselves “The Marketplace” Duo-tangs. From this work, they are asked to select 4 items 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. I am asking that students try complete this by Monday, April 11 as homework. From Monday to Wednesday next week, Ms. Ymbang will be available to students to help them with any problems they have had with uploading items. 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.

Homework & Reminders

·         MMS p. 314 - 315

·         Exhibition:

o   Ask your parents to read your group’s paragraphs and ask them to write suggestions directly on the drafts on how you and your group can improve your ideas and evidence

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

o   Finish up any incomplete research for homework

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

o   Think of next steps for the French component

o   Think of ideas for the music component

o   Keep your next mentor meeting in mind

o   Bring your device daily

o   Essay due date April 11

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

·         April  18 – 22 - Spring Fundraiser

·         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
 
 

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