How the world works

We started work on our last poetry form for the term. Before Midnight poems are spooky poems that do not rhyme. They use a time formula to count down to midnight. Each line in the poem describes one of the five senses. Grade 6s, by reading a sample, identified most of the form of this type of poetry. Well done. Students will be writing their own Before Midnight poems this week. To get everyone into a spooky frame of mind, I read a chapter from Roald Dahl’s The Witches. Students will be submitting one of the poems they have written to the Polar Expressions Poetry competition. In preparation, students are asked to complete the entry form for homework. Do not complete the title of poem or story. This will be done later.

We discussed Chapter 17 of The City of Ember during today’s novel study time. There was some time in class to read Chapter 18. Students who did not get this done are to complete the homework and the response for tomorrow.

Electric car building for science fair is taking place, but this is now happening during first recess when there is no class time to fit this in. We will do this until students complete their entire project.

We began our second inquiry unit today. Students became familiar with the theme, central idea, lines of inquiry, key concepts, and summative task for this unit.

An inquiry into How the world works

An inquiry into the natural world and its laws; the interaction between the natural world (physical and biological) and human societies; how humans use their understanding of scientific principles; the impact of scientific and technological advances on society and on the environment.

Central Idea: Air has many properties that can be used for flight and for other purposes.

Concepts: Form, Function, Connection

Related Concepts: Properties, System, Relationships

Lines of Inquiry:

·         The properties of air (Form)

·         The structures that produce lift (Function)

·         Societal and environmental impacts of flying devices that make use of the properties of air (Connection)

Students looked up definitions for ‘air’ and ‘fly’ that will help us as we work through this unit. We recorded this in our notes. Students then brainstormed all they know about air and flight and shared their ideas with the class. All these ideas got everyone’s minds thinking. It was a good time to generate questions about these topics. Students shared their questions. We discussed some. Some students have been directed to find answers to their questions and share them with us as we will not explore the answers in this unit. Other questions will be answered during the course of this unit.

We will be conducting many scientific investigations during this unit. We took time to review the steps in the scientific process, as well as variables.

Students learned that they will be writing a test on the properties of air on Tuesday, October 29^th. Look out for a trip letter coming home today. The trip takes place on Thursday, November 21^st. Do not order a hot lunch for this day. Forms and payment are due on Monday, October 28^th.

Grade 6s attended French math class today. In math, students wrote their unit test on ratios and rates.

November Lunches – Do not order for November 21^st as we will be on a field trip this day.

The lunch site is now open. It will close Wednesday, October 30th at 3:00pm.

Special of the month: Chicken Stir Fry which is available every Friday

All payments are to be made through QuickBooks by November 6th.

 

Homework and Reminders

·         Complete the Polar Expressions entry form

·         Look out for trip letter coming home today – we are visiting the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum – on November 21^st – do not order a hot lunch for this day

·         Read Chapter 18 of The City of Ember and complete the response for Tuesday

·         Remember to return Casual Day forms & $ if participating this year by Friday, October 25^th

Friday, October 25^th

·         Fall Fundraiser trip to Glow Zone

·         Casual Day forms and payment are due

Monday, October 28^th – Canadian Warplane trip form and payment are due

Tuesday, October 29^th

·         Picture Day

·         Bake Sale by

·         Properties of air test

Tuesday, October 29^th – Bake Sale

Wednesday, October 30^th –

·         Casual Day

·         Bake Sale

Thursday, October 31^st- Harvest/Halloween Spirit Day

Thursday, November 21^st – Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum