Spirit Day

St. Jude’s was buzzing with excitement today. Students were colourfully dressed in their costumes. We had a Halloween themed house game. Two of our class’ students participated and had to drink swamp water – uugghhh. Well done on being good sports, Carter and Abel! Ms. Goulart and “Mr. Sawatsky” chose students with what they thought were the best costumes. We heard that Kappa is in the lead for the house cup, with Zeta in second place. Theta students in Grade 6 are doing lots of jobs to help their house catch up.

Students attended Gym class with Ms. Lovan.

During writing time, students were again challenged to complete the first draft of their adventure story and to make it about 2 pages long. Students who did not get done stayed in during first recess to catch up. There are still students who are not done. We will keep using recess time to allow students to catch up. Students who have completed their first draft and have had it peer- and teacher-edited are asked to bring a device to begin typing up their second draft into a word document.

In math, Grade 6s were challenged to complete review questions 3 – 9 in class. I marked work and students corrected their work after it was marked. A number of students did not complete questions 3 – 9. They are asked to complete these for homework. Please return the review packages on Monday, as we will use class time to complete them then. The unit test will be written Tuesday, November 3.

Students met in groups to discuss chapter 9 of The Lightning Thief.  Students had class time and some used recess time to read chapter 10. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 9 using the role they were assigned today. We will have our next literature circles group meeting on Monday.

Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 3 by Monday at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Our inquiry time took place at the end of the day. We continued reading from The Greek Gods where we read about the birth of the twins Artemis and Apollo. We took up yesterday’s assigned activity pages on Greece. We did some planning to prepare for our symposium which will place on Tuesday. Students will be bringing the following for Tuesday:

 

Grapes – Titus, Bhavya, Audrey

Olives – Rachel

Bread – Titus, Abel, Justin, Calvin

Figs (dried) – Rohan, Dev

Grape Juice – Siheon, Ibrahim

Cheese (goat & feta) – Bhoovi

Honey – Carter, Gurjas, Zain

Greek yogurt - Alika

 

Students then sat with their new partner and researched ancient Greece using books and graphic organizers.

Look out for Polar Expression writing competition entry forms coming home today. Students are asked to NOT complete the title of their poem or story as we will be using this form twice. The poetry deadline is November 6. We will submit poetry entries before that date. Stories are still being written. They will be submitted at a later date.

Look out for Scholastic order forms coming home today.

Homework & Reminders

·         Bring a device to type up your adventure story if you have finished your first draft

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 3 done by Monday, November 2

·         MMS Review questions 3 - 9. Test on Tuesday, November 3

·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 10

·         Complete Greece activity pages 84 & 85

·         ROM trip forms and payment are past due

·         Monday, November 2 – Round 3 of electric car conferences

·         Tuesday, November 3 – Math test, Ancient Greece symposium

·         Friday, November 6 – PD Day – No school for students

·         Tuesday, November 10 – ROM trip

·         Wednesday, November 11 – Remembrance Day – No School. Students are encouraged to visit the cenotaph

Test Delayed

Today’s class time began with writing. Students were challenged to complete the first draft of their adventure story and to make it about 2 pages long. Students who did not get done stayed in during first recess to catch up. A number of students are still not done. Students who have completed their first draft and have had it peer- and teacher-edited are asked to bring a device to begin typing up their second draft into a word document.

In math, a number of students expressed experiencing difficulty in completing yesterday’s practice work. As a result, we took extra time and worked as a group to complete the practice work. Students used linking cubes to build the objects. They received extra triangular dot paper to retry some of the isometric drawings. We only managed to complete and correct the first 2 questions of the review package and will not be done by end of day tomorrow. The unit test is now postponed till Tuesday, November 3 to ensure that all students are prepared.

Students met in groups to discuss chapter 8 of The Lightning Thief.  Students had class time and some used recess time to read chapter 9. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 9 using the role they were assigned today. We will have our next literature circles group meeting tomorrow.

Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 3 by Monday, November 2, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Our inquiry time took place at the end of the day. We continued reading from The Greek Gods and finished up the chapter we began yesterday about Demeter and Persephone. Students found this story fascinating. We took up yesterday’s assigned activity pages on Greece. Students then sat with their new partner and researched ancient Greece using books and graphic organizers

Tomorrow is Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day. Students may come to school in their costumes. No toy weapons or scary masks please.

Homework & Reminders

·         Bring a device to type up your adventure story if you have finished your first draft

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 3 done by Monday, November 2

·         MMS -study. Test on Tuesday, November 3

·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 9

·         Complete Greece activity pages 82 & 83

·         Tomorrow – Halloween Spirit Day, ROM trip forms and payment due

·         Monday, November 2 – Round 3 of electric car conferences

·         Tuesday, November 3 – Math test

·         Friday, November 6 – PD Day – No school for students

Isometric Drawings

The grade 6 class went out of their way to spoil me for my birthday. I was blown away with the way students made me feel special. Thank you to all. As a result of the student-initiated birthday celebration, we did not get work on adventure writing today.

In math, we took much class time to take up yesterday’s homework on nets. An area of weakness for the class as a whole is using hatch marks to show equal sides. We then began a new lesson on drawing figures. They drew the front, top, and side views of figures on grid paper. They used triangular-dot paper to draw isometric diagrams. Students are asked to complete practice problems on p. 104 & 105 of the MMS textbook.

Students met in groups to discuss chapter 7 of The Lightning Thief.  Students had class time and some used recess time to read chapter 8. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 8 using the new role they were assigned today. We will have our next literature circles group meeting tomorrow.

I continued the second round of conferences with students about their electric cars. Three more students were ready to meet with me today.  There are still a number of students who have not brought their cars in this week. All students should bring in their cars and engineering design portfolios to show their progress. Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 3 by Monday, November 2, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Our inquiry time took place at the end of the day. Grade 6s took the first bit of class time to complete a self-assessment on the work they did on ancient Egypt. We continued reading from The Greek Gods. Today we heard about Demeter and Persephone. We will continue this chapter tomorrow. We took up yesterday’s assigned activity pages on Greece. Students then sat with their new partner and researched ancient Greece using books and graphic organizers

The fundraising bake sale continues tomorrow. $1 - $2 should be enough to buy a treat.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 3 done by Monday, November 2

·         MMS p. 104- 105. Test on Monday, November 2

·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 8

·         Complete Greece activity pages 80 & 81

·         Tomorrow -  Bake Sale

·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day, ROM trip forms and payment due

·         Monday, November 2 – Math test, Round 3 of electric car conferences

·         Friday, November 6 – PD Day – No school for students

Ancient Greece

Because half our class was away on a soccer trip, we had a bit of a different day in class. Students attended French with Mme. Villeneuve this morning. Instead of having gym class, they had an extra inquiry period with Ms. Kominek and Ms. Ymbang. During this time they began the KWL chart for ancient Greece, where they recorded what they already know about ancient Greece as well as questions they have about this civilization. They used devices and dictionaries to look up geography terms they will be encountering this week. Students that got all this work done began working on the Greek activity pages for today.

In math, students corrected the quiz they wrote last week to show their understanding of sorting figures. They then worked on a new quiz to show their understanding of constructing figures. Students are still finding this work to be challenging. Once they had completed this third quiz, students began work on the nets lesson we began in class yesterday. They cut out figures, folded them, and then explained if they were or were not nets. Students are asked to complete practice problems on p. 100 & 101 of the MMS textbook.

With half the class gone, we formed one super-group to discuss chapter 6 of The Lightning Thief.  With more students in the group, this took longer than usual. There was not enough class time to finish reading chapter 7. Students used recess time to read chapter 7. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 7 using the new role they were assigned today. We will have our next literature circles group meeting tomorrow.

I continued the second round of conferences with students about their electric cars. Two students were ready to meet with me. All students should bring in their cars and engineering design portfolios to show their progress. Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 3 by Monday, November 2, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

We had more inquiry time at the end of the day. We continued reading from The Greek Gods. Yesterday we heard about Poseidon. Today’s chapter was about Hades. Students shared what they know about ancient Greece and questions they have from what they recorded in their KWL charts this morning. They then were partnered up with someone different to begin researching and recording their findings.

Please note that there is a fundraising bake sale taking place tomorrow and Thursday. $1 - $2 should be enough to buy a treat. Students that were at school today had their pictures taken. Students who were away on the soccer trip will have their pictures taken on the re-take day.

Visit http://sjaparentguild.blogspot.ca/  for pictures about Movie Night.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 3 done by Monday, November 2
·         MMS p. 100 - 101 Test on Monday, November 2
·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 7
·         Complete Greece activity pages 11, 78 - 79
·         Tomorrow is Casual Day.
·         Tomorrow & Thursday – Bake Sale
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day, ROM trip forms and payment due

Reflections on Ancient Egypt

Our schedule was back to normal today. Students began their day working on their adventure story. Students did not get to go out to recess until they had produced a full page of writing.

Many students said they had difficulty with Thursday’s homework on constructing figures. We took extra time and care to go over the solutions to the practice problems. This took up most of our math class time. We started the new lesson on nets, but did not finish the lesson. As a result, there is no math homework assigned for today, and the unit test might be postponed till Monday.

Then students gathered in groups to discuss chapter 5 of The Lightning Thief.  Students were placed into new groups today. They had quiet time to read chapter 6. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 6 using the new role they were assigned today if they did not get done in class. We will meet again on tomorrow.

In inquiry time, we finished up the work on ancient Egypt. This included taking up Friday’s activity pages on Egypt. Students completed the ‘LEARNED’ portion of the Ancient Egypt KWL chart. They also completed a journal entry about Friday when we mummified King Troutenkhammen.

I began a new round of conferences with students about their electric cars. There were only 5 students ready to meet with me. All students should bring in their cars and engineering design portfolios to show their progress. Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 3 by Monday, November 2, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 3 done by Monday, November 2
·         MMS Test on Friday, October 30 or Monday, November 2
·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 6
·         Tomorrow is Picture Day – come to school in full uniform
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day, ROM trip forms and payment due

King Trout

We the passing of King Troutenkhammen early this morning, the normal schedule of his loyal subjects, the Grade 6 students at SJA, could not continue.

First we took up yesterday’s homework on ancient Egypt. Then students gathered in groups to discuss their novel study. They had quiet time to read chapter 5. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 5 using the new role they were assigned today if they did not get done in class. We will meet again on Monday.

In math, students considered how to convert a small rectangular prism into a sarcophagus.  They used their artistic talent to convert this into one worthy of holding the body of King Trout until he passes into the afterlife.  Other students transformed a larger rectangular prism into rectangular-based pyramid. This they decorated to be the tomb to hold the sarcophagus. Students made canopic jars, jewellery, an amulet, and a scarab beetle for King Trout to ta enjoy in the afterlife. The class, according to ancient Egyptian tradition, required Mrs. Troutenkhammen to accompany her husband in the tomb. Once everything was ready, we prepared his body before entombing it. We held a solemn funeral procession through the school to allow other students to pay their respects.

Students are to keep working on their cars. All students are asked to complete test 2 by Monday, October 26, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Please note that forms for after-school programs are due on Monday. Look out for a trip form coming home today. Forms & payment for the trip are due on Friday, October 30.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 2 done by Monday, October 26

·         MMS Test on Friday, October 30

·         Egypt activity pages 20 & 21

·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for Monday’s discussion on chapter 5

·         After-school programs forms are due on Monday

·         Remember to return Picture Day Forms

·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day

·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day

·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day, ROM trip forms and payment due

Athena

We have a good routine happening in Grade 6. Students came into class and immediately began working on their adventure stories.

In math, students wrote a quiz to show what they understand about sorting figures by their attributes and drawing a polygon with particular attributes. I have not yet returned this quiz to the class.  We learned how to construct figures using a ruler, protractor, and compass. We took a lot of class time to work together and ensure everybody understood how to do this.  Students who did not get done are asked to complete practice questions on p. 94 & 95 (not Q. 2) of the MMS textbook for homework.

After math, we had our third literature circle discussions about chapter 3 of The Lightning Thief. Following discussions, students had time to read chapter 4. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 4 using the new role they were assigned today if they did not get done in class. We will meet again tomorrow.

We began our UOI time with a read-aloud from The Greek Gods. Today’s was a very long story about the goddess Athena. The story included telling us where spiders come from. As your child to tell you about this story. Students then continued their work on researching ancient Egypt and recording their research notes. We took up yesterday’s homework. Students are asked to complete activity pages 18 & 19 on Egypt for homework.

Remember to look like an Egyptian tomorrow for the mummification of King Troutenkhammen.

Students are to keep working on their cars. Students who have conducted the second test and are ready to meet may do so tomorrow. All students are asked to complete test 2 by Monday, October 26, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Please note that November lunch orders are due tomorrow.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 2 done by Monday, October 26
·         MMS p. 94 & 95. Please return tests if you haven’t already done so.
·         Egypt activity pages 18 & 19
·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 4
·         Think about ways to look like an ancient Egyptian tomorrow
·         November Lunch orders are due tomorrow
·         Remember to return Picture Day Forms
·         Friday, October 23 – SJA Parent Guild Movie Night
·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day

Check & Reflect

Grade 6s are getting into the swing of our busy days. They worked on their adventure stories this morning. Students are at different places in their story writing. Some have a long way to go with their story planners, while others have completed the first draft of their story.

We continued with geometry work. First we took up yesterday’s homework. Students wrote a quiz to show their understanding of geometry concepts. All students received their quizzes back and corrected their work before going out to recess. In today’s lesson, we practiced check and reflect as a strategy to solve problems. Students were asked to use the problem to create a checklist of criteria that should be in the solution. Most students completed the practice work in class. Students who did not get done are asked to complete practice questions on p. 91 of the MMS textbook for homework.

After math, we had our second literature circle discussions about chapter 2 of The Lightning Thief. Following discussions, students had time to read chapter 3. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 3 using the new role they were assigned today if they did not get done in class. We will meet again tomorrow.

We began our UOI time with a read-aloud from The Greek Gods, where we heard about Hera. Students then continued their work on researching ancient Egypt and recording their research notes. We took up yesterday’s homework. Students are asked to complete activity pages 16 & 17 on Egypt for homework.

I have now met with everyone regarding their electric car progress. Students are asked to keep working on their cars. Students who have conducted the second test and are ready to meet may do so tomorrow or Friday. All students are asked to complete test 2 by Monday, October 26, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Grade 6s attended Art and Gym class this morning. Ask your child what they did in art today.

Thank you to students for supporting the fight against poverty by donating $2 to the Eden Community Food Bank today.

Homework & Reminders
·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car. Have test 2 done by Monday, October 26
·         MMS p. 91. Please return tests if you haven’t already done so.
·         Egypt activity pages 16 & 17
·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 3
·         Think about ways to look like an ancient Egyptian on Friday, October 23
·         Remember to return Picture Day Forms
·         Friday, October 23 – SJA Parent Guild Movie Night
·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day

Sorting Figures

Another very busy day started with story writing again. Students chose one of the topic ideas they came up with yesterday to write about. They are beginning the writing process with planning the story using a story planner. Students were asked to use the planner and record what they think will happen in the beginning, middle, and end of their adventure story using point form.

We continued with geometry work. First we took up yesterday’s homework. We reviewed terms from previous years and new terms, such as quadrilateral, polygon, regular figure, irregular figure, convex polygon, concave polygon, etc. As practice work, students used attributes to sort figures into Venn diagrams. We discussed how to answer a questions with good quality, grade 6 level information. When asked to describe the characteristics of a given figure, students should list the following:

·         Name the figure, e.g. quadrilateral, hexagon

·         Say if the figure is regular or irregular

·         Say if the figure is concave or convex

·         E.g. irregular concave hexagon

·         Say how many equal and parallel sides there are

·         Describe how many acute, right, obtuse, and reflex angles the figure contains

 

Students are asked to complete practice work on p. 88 & 89 on of the MMS textbook. Look out for the patterning unit test coming home today. Please review, sign, and return the test.

After math, we had our first literature circle discussions about chapter 1 of The Lightning Thief. Following discussions, students had time to read chapter 2. For homework, they are asked to reflect on chapter 2 using the new role they were assigned today. We will meet again tomorrow.

We began our UOI time with a read-aloud from The Greek Gods, where we heard about Cronos and Zeus. Ask your child to describe what they remember from this reading. Students then continued their work on researching ancient Egypt and recording their research notes. We discussed how to correctly cite a source. Students are asked to complete activity pages 14 & 15 on Egypt for homework.

I met with about another 1/3 of the class to discuss their electric car progress. These students may continue working on their cars. I hope to have met with everyone by Wednesday. Students are asked to complete test 2 by Monday, October 26, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Grade 6s attended French and Gym class this morning.

One of our MYP students is taking action to fight poverty by fundraising for the Eden Community Food Bank. Students who would like to support this cause are asked to bring $2 tomorrow and wear casual clothes. Please note, this is an additional casual day.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car if we met today or yesterday. Have test 2 done by Monday, October 26
·         MMS p. 88 & 89. Tests are coming home today.
·         Egypt activity pages 14 & 15
·         The Lightning Thief: Complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion on chapter 2
·         Help Kuruka fight poverty by donating $2 and wearing casual dress tomorrow
·         Think about ways to look like an ancient Egyptian on Friday, October 23
·         Remember to return Picture Day Forms
·         Friday, October 23 – SJA Parent Guild Movie Night
·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day

• Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit

Ancient Egypt

Our very, very busy day started with story writing. Students read about the characteristics of adventure story writing.  They then read a sample of an adventure story. Students then brainstormed topic ideas for their own adventure story.

We began a new math unit today – Geometry. We reviewed the learning goals for this unit and some work from previous grades, such as right, acute, and obtuse angles. Students learned about straight and reflex angles. We reviewed how to use a protractor to measure angles. The tricky part was measuring reflex angles. Ask your child for two different ways this could be done. We also learned how to use a protractor to construct an angle. We did not have much class left once we practiced these skills. Students are asked to complete practice work on p. 84 & 85 of the MMS textbook.

We began working on our new inquiry unit – Ancient Civilizations. Students were introduced to the central idea, lines of inquiry, and concepts for this unit.

Central Idea: Early civilizations have shaped how the modern world is today.
Lines of Inquiry: characteristics of different ancient civilizations, physical and social aspects of ancient civilization living, the contributions that ancient civilizations have made toward contemporary societies
Concepts: Form and Change
We discussed what needs to be accomplished in the next 6 weeks, including the final project.
We will be focusing on developing research and collaborative skills throughout this unit. Before we began working, students shared what they already know about our first ancient civilization – Egypt, as well as what they would like to know. Students were partnered up and began working with their partner to read a non-fiction text about Egypt and begin making jot notes about what they discover. Students will also be creating 2 artefact cards for each civilization. Students will continue this work all week. In addition, they are asked to complete activity pages 12 & 13 on Egypt for homework.

We began working on this term’s novel. The Lighting Thief is written by Rick Riordan and compliments what we will be learning about ancient Greece and Rome. Students received their books and response sheets. They had 20 minutes of class time to read chapter 1 and complete the reading response they have been assigned today. Students who did not get done in class are asked to complete this work at home. Students will be meeting in groups to discuss chapter 1 tomorrow.

I met with about 1/3 of the class to discuss their electric car progress. These students may continue working on their cars. I hope to have met with everyone by Wednesday. Students are asked to complete test 2 by Monday, October 26, at which point we will have conferences again to check on and discuss progress.

Grade 6s attended Art and Gym class this morning.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Keep working on your electric car if we met today. Have test 2 done by Monday, October 26
·         MMS p. 84 & 85
·         Egypt activity pages 12 & 13
·         The Lightning Thief: Finish reading chapter 1 and complete your literature circle response for tomorrow’s discussion
·         Think about ways to look like an ancient Egyptian on Friday, October 23
·         Remember to return Picture Day Forms
·         Friday, October 23 – SJA Parent Guild Movie Night
·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day

Math Unit Test

Our day started with descriptive writing again. Students used the brainstorm they created yesterday to write a descriptive paragraph that incorporates a topic sentence, and descriptive detail sentences using verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.

Students used today’s math time to write their unit test on number patterns.

Students that did not need extra time to write the test got extra time to work on their electric car. Cars are coming home today. Students are asked to work on them over the weekend and to try get to the stage where they can conduct the first test. Observations during the first test are to be recorded in the design portfolio. Students should think of ways to improve their car or solve issues they are having with their car. Please return cars on Monday, in order to conference with me to tell me about difficulties and successes that are being experienced as well as next steps.

We begin a new inquiry unit on Monday. If possible, students are asked to come to school dressed as an Egyptian on Friday. Suggestions are a plain bedsheet and eyeliner – for boys too.

Look out for after-school program letters coming home today. Picture Day forms are also coming home today. Finally, November lunch forms are coming home today. Please sign and return whole numbers tests if you have not already done so.

Grade 6s attended Art and Gym class this morning.

Homework & Reminders

·         Science Fair: Finish building and conduct first test on your car. Come up with solutions to your car’s problems. Return cars & portfolios on Monday
·         Monday, October 19: After-care payment is due
·         Think about ways to look like an ancient Egyptian on Friday, October 23
·         Friday, October 23 – SJA Parent Guild Movie Night
·         Tuesday, October 27 – Picture Day
·         Wednesday, October 28 – Casual Day
·         Friday, October 30 – Halloween Spirit Day