Sunday, March 29, 2020

Blog Post for Monday, March 30th, 2020, Day 6


The exhibition work you do this week will focus on writing many drafts of the essay. It can be tedious work. Keep going even when you don’t feel like it. Monday is the last day dedicated to doing research. That does not mean that the research component is done. You will be expected to keep asking questions and learning about your issue in depth as you go.
You will begin today’s class with Mrs. Haag on the Grade 6 Discord Server. Be ready for class to start at 9 a.m. It is best to login at least 5 minutes earlier to deal with technical difficulties. If I am not there, I may be experiencing Wi-Fi issues. Please be patient. We will follow our daily schedule as closely as possible. 
During the exhibition process, specialist teachers (Mr. Orr, Mr. Oliver, Mme. Stella) with help facilitate learning for each of the exhibition groups during their scheduled class times.
Time
Location
Topic
9:00 – 9:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Attendance
Announcements (SJA Email, ManageBac)
General Discussion (Catch-up, Pandemic and our new way life, etc.)
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Reflection on how last week went
  • What have you learned about your issue? What are some of the troubles you are facing?
Focus for this week
·         Today is the last day to finish your essay research – Complete Section 9 by the end of today. Add this due date to your schedule.
·         Write the various drafts of the essay (Sections 10 – 15 in the exhibition planner). The final draft/good copy of the essay is due on Tuesday, April 7th.  Add this due date to your exhibition schedule.
·         Mentor meetings - does everyone have their next mentor meeting scheduled? Your second meeting must be done by the end of day, Friday, April 3rd.  (Suggestions for the mentor meetings - ask for advice on your essay)
·         Begin to think about other components (We will talk about this after second recess today)
·         Tutorial on ManageBac
Today’s Schedule and Learning Goals
9:30 – 11:00
Grade 6 Discord Server

Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discussed last week.
  • Note-Taking. Ensure you and your group members have a balance of information for each line of inquiry by the end of the day.
  • Complete the self- and peer-assessment on research and note-taking by the end of the day.
  • Discuss adding parent Gmails to the exhibition planner for feedback purposes - ‘can comment’
Today’s Learning Goal # 2: Mme. Stella will continue meeting with groups this week to support you in translating your issue, central idea, and lines of inquiry into French from 9:30 – 10:00. Don’t worry if she does not get to you today but be mindful that this must be completed by the end of day on Friday, April 3rd. She will continue doing this all week. Once the translations are done, paste the French versions of these statements into your ‘Exhibition Planner’ under the English versions in Section 7.

Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.
Take a break from your device. Move around in some way.

Recess and Lunch
12:00 – 1:00
Grade 6 Discord Server

Group (meet in ms_josephs_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Ms. Joseph will teach today’s math lesson at this time.
1:00 – 1:40
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discussed last week.
  • Note-Taking. Ensure you and your group members have a balance of information for each line of inquiry by the end of the day.
  • Complete the self- and peer-assessment on research and note-taking by the end of the day.
  • Discuss adding parent Gmails to the exhibition planner for feedback purposes - ‘can comment’
Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.
1:40 – 2:20
Take a break from your device. Move around in some way.

Recess and Lunch
2:20 – 3:30
Grade 6 Discord Server

Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Exhibition Planner’ Section 16 - 19. via Google Docs by exhibition groups and ‘Task Tracking Sheet’ shared with the class via Google Docs.

Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Today’s Learning Goal # 3: Begin to think about other required components of exhibition.
·         Refer to the ‘Task Tracking Sheet’ (via livestream) and to Sections 16 – 19 in the schedule of the exhibition planner shared with the class via Google Docs and begin to brainstorm ideas for other required components in your exhibition planner. Create your own goals and criteria in collaboration with peers, teachers, and mentors. Determine who will do what and what is needed. Set your own due dates.

Continue with Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discussed last week.
Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.

Please let me know if you need help with anything.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Blog Post for Friday, March 27th, 2020, Day 5


Dear Grade 6s. I am so happy and proud of the way you have all been working. We are accomplishing as much online as previous Grade 6s have accomplished face-to-face in the classroom.
We had another busy and productive day on Thursday. I managed to meet with each exhibition group to review their central idea and lines of inquiry. Students made good progress on their research and note-taking. Several groups met with their mentors. We also had a fantastic workshop with Ms. Hayward on how to cite our sources using MLA formatting. Ms. Hayward reviewed how to cite articles on a website, books, videos, and photos. She also showed us how to organize sources on the ‘Works Cited’ page of the essay, how to use an ‘in-text’ citation in the essay, and to format the sources on the ‘Works Cited’ page using a ‘hanging indent’. Students can visit Ms. Hayward’s Write It – CITE It page to review the content she discussed during her workshop.
You will begin today’s class with Mrs. Haag on the Grade 6 Discord Server. Be ready for class to start at 9 a.m. It is best to login at least 5 minutes earlier to deal with technical difficulties. If I am not there, I may be experiencing Wi-Fi issues. Please be patient. We will follow our daily schedule as closely as possible. 
During the exhibition process, specialist teachers (Mr. Orr, Mr. Oliver, Mme. Stella) with help facilitate learning for each of the exhibition groups during their scheduled class times.
Time
Location
Topic
9:00 – 9:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Attendance
Announcements
General Discussion (Catch-up, Pandemic and our new way life, etc.)
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Reflection on how the day went yesterday
  • What did you learn from Ms. Hayward’s workshop on citing your sources using MLA formatting?
  • What questions do you have about the workshop or citations?
  • Did each of you complete 1 ½ pages of research notes?
Today’s Schedule and Learning Goals
9:30 – 11:00
Grade 6 Discord Server

Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discussed yesterday.
Today’s Learning Goal # 2: Mme. Stella will begin meeting with groups starting today to support you in translating your issue, central idea, and lines of inquiry into French from 9:30 – 10:00. Don’t worry if she does not get to you today. She will continue doing this next week. Once the translations are done, paste the French versions of these statements into your ‘Exhibition Planner’ under the English versions in Section 7.

Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.
Take a break from your device. Move around in some way.

Recess and Lunch
12:00 – 1:00
Grade 6 Discord Server

Group (meet in ms_josephs_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Ms. Joseph will teach today’s math lesson at this time.
1:00 – 1:40
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels

Exhibition Journal’ via Google Docs by individual students

Learning Goal # 3: Reflect on the exhibition project.

Open your ‘Exhibition Journal’. Look at the comments I made about your last journal entry. How could you improve your writing for this week’s journal entry?
On the next available page, record Day ‘5’ and today’s date.
When writing your daily journal entry, try to answer 3 or 4 of the questions provided in the paragraph below.
In the space provided for daily journal entries, write a journal entry that describes what you have learned in the past week about your issue. What are some of the challenges and successes you have experienced What are your areas of strength as an IB learner? What are your areas of weakness? What will you do to address these areas? Do you and your group members have any ideas on how to take action? What are you worried about and what still needs to be done?
Limit each journal entry, so that it does not flow over to the next page.
Include an image that represents something about today’s journal entry. Use what you learned in Ms. Hayward’s workshop to cite your source for your image.

Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.
1:40 – 2:20
Take a break from your device. Move around in some way.

Recess and Lunch
2:20 – 3:30
Grade 6 Discord Server

Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 

Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discussed yesterday.
Attend your mentor meeting if it is scheduled for this time.

Please let me know if you need help with anything.
Great job on completing our first week of online learning.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Blog Post - Thursday, March 26th, 2020, Day 4


You will begin today’s class with Mrs. Haag on the Grade 6 Discord Server. Be ready for class to start at 9 a.m. It is best to login at least 5 minutes earlier to deal with technical difficulties. If I am not there, I may be experiencing Wi-Fi issues. Please be patient. We will follow our daily schedule as closely as possible. 
During the exhibition process, specialist teachers (Mr. Orr, Mr. Oliver, Mme. Stella) with help facilitate learning for each of the exhibition groups during their scheduled class times.
 Time
Location
Topic
9:00 – 11:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Exhibition Planner’ Section 9. via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
Attendance
Announcements
1)      Blogs will be discontinued soon. We will be using ManageBac moving forward. More information coming next week.
2)      Discord use will continue.
3)      We will try using Zoom soon. More information coming soon.
4)      We will continue using Google Docs
General Discussion (Catch-up, Pandemic and our new way life, etc.)
Reflection on how the day went yesterday
·         Did you have a meaningful discussion with your parents regarding yesterday’s information session? Are there any new questions that you or your family now have?
·         Did you complete your concept questions, central idea, and lines of inquiry?
·         Are you ready for your mentor meeting?
Today’s Schedule and Learning Goals
Schedule Change: Ms. Haywards workshop takes place today at 1pm in Ms_Haags_Class on Discord
Today’s Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discuss.
We will look at the next steps in the exhibition planner (via live stream) – Section 9 research and note taking:
Once this is done, we will have breakout groups to allow individual groups and students to begin their research. Try to be quiet in your groups as you do this work. Use the curated database on our library blog as their source. Make a note of the source of your information using MLA formatting in the Research Organizer that is in your exhibition planner You will also record all your notes in this organizer.
I will be meeting with individual exhibition groups to review your central idea and lines of inquiry.
11:00 – 12:00
Recess & Lunch
12:00 – 1:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Group (meet in ms_josephs_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Math lesson Skills You’ll Need & Lesson 8.1.
Ms. Joseph will teach today’s math lesson at this time.
1:00 – 1:40
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
‘Exhibition Planner’ Section 8. b) via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Attend Ms. Hayward’s workshop on Meaningful Research.
Learning Goal #2: Understand how to correctly cite your sources using MLA formatting for ‘in-text citations’ and on your ‘Sources Cited’ page.
Take notes about the workshop in section 8. b) of your exhibition planner.
1:40 – 2:20
Recess & Lunch
2:20 – 3:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
 ‘Mentor Meeting Records Sheet’ via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Meet for a brief whole class discussion before heading to breakout groups to continue with Learning Goal #1: Produce 1 ½ pages of typed research notes that meet the criteria we discuss.
Attend mentor meetings in your exhibition breakout groups if they are scheduled for this time.

Remember to visit Ms. Hayward’s library blog for more information about researching. Below you will find the databases she spoke about in this Tueday’s workshop.
Title 
URL 
Global Issues In Context
Gale Canada In Context
Academic OneFile

Message from Mr. Oliver:
Hello everyone,
Please make sure to clean your instrument thoroughly before using it. You can find detailed instructions by going to this link: How to Clean Musical Instruments
Work that is not completed during class time will need to be completed as homework. Students should put more focus into reading at this time, ensuring they are reading for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
 If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out so I can clarify and assist.
 Mrs. Haag

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Blog Post - Wednesday, March 25th, 2020, Day 3


We had another successful online learning day yesterday.
You will begin today’s class with Mme. Stella on the Grade 6 Discord Server. Be ready for class to start at 9 a.m. It is best to login at least 5 minutes earlier to deal with technical difficulties. If Mme. Stella is not there, she may be experiencing Wi-Fi issues. Please be patient. We will follow our daily schedule as closely as possible. 
During the exhibition process, specialist teachers (Mr. Orr, Mr. Oliver, Mme. Stella) with help facilitate learning for each of the exhibition groups during their scheduled class times.
 Time
Location
Topic
9:00 – 9:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
(meet in mme_stellas_french class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Mme. Stella will teach a French language lesson at this time.
Bonjour mes amis de 6iรจme annรฉe!
Aujourd’hui c’est mercredi, le 25 mars 2020
I’m so happy that we could maintain our connection through Discord. I will recommend you to watch this video; it will help to keep the exposure to the French language, and also learn about some precautions to stay away from viruses.
Your teacher will send you a worksheet to practice “Le Passรฉ Composรฉ”
Faites attention ร  vous!๐ŸŒˆ “S’en sortir, sans sortir”๐ŸŒˆ
9:30 – 10:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
‘Exhibition Planner’ Section 7. a) via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
Technical Difficulties
Attendance
Announcements -Exhibition Parent Information session, Wednesday, March 25th at 4 pm
General Discussion (Catch-up, Pandemic and our new way life, etc.)
Reflection on how the day went yesterday
·         What did you learn from Ms. Haywards workshop?
·         What have you learned from the yesterday’s preliminary readings about your issue?
·         Did you email your mentors to set up a meeting time? When are you meeting your mentor?
Today’s Learning Goals
Learning Goal #1: Develop your groups concept questions.
We will look at the next steps in the exhibition planner (via live stream) – 7. a) Focus the inquiry
Once this is done, we will have breakout groups to allow individual groups to compose their concept questions.
10:30 – 11:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
‘Exhibition Planner’ Section 7. b) via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
Learning Goal #2: Develop a central idea for your issue
We will look at the next steps in the exhibition planner (via live stream) – 7. b) Focus the inquiry
Once this is done, we will have breakout groups to allow individual groups to compose their central idea.
11:00 – 12:00
Recess & Lunch
12:00 – 1:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Group (meet in ms_josephs_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Math lesson Skills You’ll Need & Lesson 8.1.
Ms. Joseph to take up answers from yesterday’s homework. A pdf with solutions will be emailed to students.
After answers have been take up with the class, students will be provided a link to complete an online quiz. This is a completely formative assessment and is only being used to provide feedback as the unit progresses so we can ensure understanding of concepts taught.
1:00 – 1:40
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
‘Exhibition Planner’ Section 7. c) via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
Learning Goal #3: Develop your group’s 3 lines of inquiry
We will look at the next steps in the exhibition planner (via live stream) – 7. c) Focus the inquiry
Once this is done, we will have breakout groups to allow individual groups to compose their 3 lines of inquiry.
1:40 – 2:20
Recess & Lunch
2:20 – 3:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
 ‘Mentor Meeting Records Sheet’ via Google Docs by exhibition groups

Learning Goal # 4: Set goals for your mentor meeting:
When you meet with your mentor this week, ask them to:
  • Give you advice on how narrow your inquiry focus
  • Give you feedback on your concept questions
  • Give you feedback on your central idea using the criteria that are provided
  • Give you feedback on the lines of inquiry
Ensure that group member participates in completing the ‘Mentor Meeting Records Sheet’
Learning Goal # 5: Ensure all of today’s learning goals are completed

Remember to visit Ms. Hayward’s library blog for more information about researching. Below you will find the databases she spoke about in yesterday morning’s workshop.
Title 
URL 
Global Issues In Context
Gale Canada In Context
Academic OneFile

Message from Mr. Oliver:

Hello everyone,

Please make sure to clean your instrument thoroughly before using it. You can find detailed instructions by going to this link: How to Clean Musical Instruments
Work that is not completed during class time will need to be completed as homework. Students should put more focus into reading at this time, ensuring they are reading for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.
 If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out so I can clarify and assist.
 Mrs. Haag

Tuesday, March 24th, 2020, Day 2


We had a successful online learning day yesterday.
For today’s class, start the day by joining me on the Grade 6 Discord Server to be ready for class to start at 9 a.m. It is best to login at least 5 minutes earlier to deal with technical difficulties. Click on our text and voice channel (ms_haag_class). We will begin each day this way. If I am not there, I may be experiencing Wi-Fi issues. Please be patient. We will follow our daily schedule as closely as possible. 
During the exhibition process, specialist teachers (Mr. Orr, Mr. Oliver, Mme. Stella) with help facilitate learning for each of the exhibition groups during their scheduled class times.
 Time
Location
Topic
9:00 – 9:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
(meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Technical Difficulties
Attendance
Announcements -Exhibition Parent Information session, Wednesday, March 25th at 4 pm. School closures
General Discussion (Catch-up, COVID-19, etc.)
Reflection on how the day went yesterday
9:30 – 10:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in Grade 6 General Meeting Room VOICE channel and grade_6_general TEXT channel
Ms. Hayward’s workshop on meaningful research. Ms. Hayward will show Grade 6 students how to conduct research using an online database and how to take good notes. Students will take notes in the Exhibition Planner section 8a.
10:30 – 11:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Specific Discussion (Today’s schedule, Revisit the expectations of exhibition, Daily learning goals and tasks assigned
11:00 – 12:00
Recess & Lunch
12:00 – 1:00
Grade 6 Discord Server
Group (meet in ms_josephs_class VOICE and TEXT channels)
Math lesson Skills You’ll Need & Lesson 8.1.
Ms. Joseph to go through lesson – pdf copy provided to students for following along and for their own notes.
1:00 – 1:40
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in ms_haags_class VOICE and TEXT channels
Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
‘Exhibition Planner’ via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Learning Goal #1: Getting a General Idea About the Issue. Using the information from Ms. Hayward’s workshop, students will work on doing preliminary research about their topics to gain a heightened understanding of the topic being researched.
Learning Goal #2: Preliminary Readings: Students will read through researched information to learn more about their chosen topics.
Learning Goal #3: Meet Your Mentor. Students will reach out to their mentors via email to thank them for being a mentor and set up a meeting time.
1:40 – 2:20
Recess & Lunch
2:20 – 3:30
Grade 6 Discord Server
Meet in Exhibition Breakout Groups via Discord 
‘Exhibition Planner’ via Google Docs by exhibition groups
‘Mentor Meeting Records Sheet’ via Google Docs by exhibition groups
Learning Goal #2: Preliminary Readings: Students will read through researched information to learn more about their chosen topics.
Learning Goal #3: Meet Your Mentor. Students will reach out to their mentors via email to thank them for being a mentor and set up a meeting time. See the table below for mentor names and email contact information for your mentors. Your mentor will meet you in your exhibition breakout group on the Grade 6 Discord Server.
Learning Goal # 4: Prepare to meet your mentor by ensuring your group received the ‘Mentor Meeting Records Sheet’. Look over this document and think about how you will fill this out during your meeting with your mentor.




Issue
Homelessness
Neglected or Homeless Children
Deforestation
Climate Change
Viruses
Organic Food & Pesticides
COVID-19
Social Media
Members
Aanika & Emana
Aamna & Sofia
Jaiden, Daniel, & Charlie
Emaan & Yashmeen
Jasmeet, Mahhdi, & Himmat
Divyansh & Vishva
Khooshali
Pooshne & Eva
Mentor
Ms. Hughes
bsmith@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. Samuel
nsamuel@stjudesacademy.com
Mr. Foster
bfoster@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. Bannon
jbannon@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. Autio
mautio@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. DiMascio
sdimascio@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. Bancud
dbancud@stjudesacademy.com
Ms. Coldwells
ncoldwells@stjudesacademy.com
Work that is not completed during class time will need to be completed as homework. Students should put more focus into reading at this time, ensuring they are reading for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.

Remember to visit Ms. Hayward’s library blog for more information about researching. Below you will find the databases she spoke about in this morning’s workshop. Ms. Hayward can be contacted via email at hhayward@stjudesacademy.com.

Title 
URL 
Global Issues In Context
Gale Canada In Context
Academic OneFile


 If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out so I can clarify and assist.
 Mrs. Haag