Happy Halloween

Day 7

We began the day with a Halloween costume competition with each house represented by one upper school and one lower school student.

Once in class, students began work on the geometry unit test. This was interrupted by gym class and then students continued the test. Some students even used recess time to complete the test. Students who had completed the test worked on their electric cars.

Because of the assembly this morning, we lost some class time. We unfortunately did not have a novel study meeting today. Please come prepared to meet with your group tomorrow instead.

We began work on the video project on Canada’s exports during UOI time. Students were notified of the export they will be learning about and the partner they will be working with. Everyone received a package (including a checklist) that will guide them in successfully completing this project. We discussed the components: research, storyboard planning, and creating a video and the criteria (as in the self-assessment chart). The class viewed a couple of samples of videos that were created by students last year. Everyone is reminded that devices are needed every day this week and that they need a YouTube account to upload the video.

The class went to French with Mme. Stella. They began their research when they returned to class.

We ended the day with a Halloween dance in the auditorium.

 

Look out for a letter about a basket auction being organised by the parent guild coming home today.

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   Return geometry sets

·         UOI 

o   Study

o   Test on Wednesday, Nov. 2 (includes map work)

·         Novel Study

o   Literature Circle Discussions take place on Tuesday

o   Read Chapter 3

o   Complete your response using your assigned role

·         Tuesday - Music

·         Wednesday, November 2 – UOI test

·         Thursday - Music

·         Friday

o   ArtReach forms and payment is due

·         Christmas themed item or $10 donation to the Grade 6 Christmas basket

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair

Portfolios

Day 6

We began the day with an awards assembly. Congratulations to Alffino for receiving the knowledgeable award in grade 6.

It is my birthday today and I was expecting a regular work day at school. The Grade 6s however, made sure that it was not a regular day. Thank you for making me feel special, Grade 6s. You were all super sneaky.

Once the festivities had died down we had our next literature circle discussion. Students met in their groups to discuss chapter 2 of The City of Ember. I sat in with one of the groups to grade them according to their participation and work contribution. Students used remaining time to begin reading chapter 3. Everyone should complete their reading of chapter 3 for homework if they did not get done in class. Everyone has been assigned a new role for Monday’s discussion. The role response needs to be completed so everyone can contribute during their group’s discussion time.

While students read through chapter 3, I worked on correcting math in the review package. Students were then called to further complete and correct their review packages. Students who were waiting on me to check their work worked on their electric cars. Review packages are coming home again today. The geometry unit test will be written on Monday, October 31.

We used today’s UOI time to complete our IB Portfolios for our electricity UOI. Students received all their assignments abck today. Those who had not already done so completed their reflection on this unit. Students then chose 4 pieces of work to place in their IB portfolio: their best work, something they worked their hardest on, something they need to improve on, and a way they showed a learner profile attribute.

Students ended the day attending music class with Mr. Andrei. They also had French class today.

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   Study

o   Geometry sets need to be returned to school daily

o   Geometry unit test on Monday, Oct. 31

·         UOI  

o   Study

o   Test on Wednesday, Nov. 2 (includes map work)

·         Novel Study

o   Literature Circle Discussions take place on Monday

o   Read Chapter 3

o   Complete your response using your assigned role

·         Monday, October 31 – Geometry unit test, Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day & Dance Party

·         Wednesday, November 2 – UOI test

·         Friday, Nov 4

o   Music

o   French spelling test

o    ArtReach forms and payment is due

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair

Imports and Exports

Day 5

Students began their day attending French class with Mme. Stella.

Next was math time. Students worked on completing and correcting their review packages. Students who were waiting on me to check their work worked on their electric cars. We did not get to complete the package today. As a result, we are postponing the math test. It will now be written on Monday, October 31. We will use tomorrow’s math time to try our best to complete and correct the review work.

The class then had gym with Mr. Slyk.

We had our first literature circle discussions today. Students met in their groups to discuss chapter 1 of The City of Ember. I sat in with one of the groups to grade them according to their participation and work contribution. Students used remaining time to begin reading chapter 2. Everyone should complete their reading of chapter 2 today. Everyone has been assigned a new role for tomorrow’s discussion. The role response needs to be completed today so everyone can contribute during their group’s discussion time tomorrow.

During UOI time we reviewed some concepts covered yesterday, such as barter, trade, domestic, international, import, export. Students worked on completing the reading and questions on imports and exports on their own. Any incomplete work should be completed as homework. The UOI test has been postponed too, because the math test is now being written on Monday. The UOI test will now be written on Wednesday, November 2.

After-care fees are due tomorrow.

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   Complete & correct the review package

o   Geometry sets need to be returned to school daily

o   Geometry unit test on Monday, Oct. 31

·         UOI – Canada in the World

o   Read p. 23 – 26 and answer questions if you did not get done in class

o   Study

o   Test on Wednesday, Nov. 2 (includes map work)

·         Novel Study

o   Literature Circle Discussions take place tomorrow

o   Read Chapter 2

o   Complete your response using your assigned role

·         Friday, October 28

o   Music

o   French spelling test

·         Monday, October 31 – Geometry unit test, Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day & Dance Party

·         Wednesday, November 2 – UOI test

·         November 4 - ArtReach forms and payment is due

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair

Imports and Exports

Day 4

Students began their day attending Music class with Mr. Andrei.

We had a short math period today. Students used this time to begin review work for Friday’s math test. They are asked to complete as much of the review as possible for homework today. The unit test will be written this Friday.

The class then had gym with Mr. Slyk.

Ms. Fryer was a guest teacher in our class today. She led the UOI classes. Students reviewed the acronym PEPS with her. They repeated yesterday’s Fun with Photos sorting into PEPS activity. This activity went much more smoothly today, meaning the class is developing in their understanding of these terms.

Students then worked on a vocabulary list and matching activity that will help them through this unit on Canada in the World. They took this work up with Ms. Fryer. Finally, the class worked on understanding exports and imports and the reasons why we export and import goods and services. Students searched the internet to learn what Canada's top ten exports are. I checked everyone’s map work homework. Most students have completed this task. There are a few who have not labeled the capital cities and lakes. These will be included on Monday’s test. Be sure to add these to your map if you haven’t already done this.

We had debate club today. The topic, cafeteria lunches, was a much more heated discussion than I was expecting.

 

Below are the electrical safety posters the class made after Michael Neumann's visit.

 

Please remember that tomorrow is Picture Day. Students must be in full uniform. No hoodies please.

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   Complete the review package

o   Geometry sets need to be returned to school daily

o   Geometry unit test on Friday, Oct. 28

·         UOI – Canada in the World

o   Study

o   Test on Monday, Oct. 31 (includes map work)

·         Novel Study

o   Literature Circle Discussions take place tomorrow

o   Read Chapter 1

o   Complete your response using your assigned role

·         Thursday, October 27 – Picture Day, Work on electric car (first recess), Bake sale continues

·         Friday, October 28

o   Geometry Unit Test

o   Music

o   French spelling test

·         Monday, October 31 – UOI test, Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day

·         November 4 - ArtReach forms and payment is due

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair

Isometric Drawings

Day 3

Students began their day attending French class with Mme. Stella.

We had math right after that. We took up the homework on nets. Today’s lesson was about isometric drawings.  We used snap cubes to help us. We worked together at first. Students learned some of the tricks to doing this successfully on triangular dot paper. We used grid paper to draw the front, side, and top view of the solid we built. Students are reminded to use rulers when they do this work. Students are asked to complete practice questions on p. 104 - 105 of the MMS textbook. The unit test will be written this Friday.

We used first recess to work on electric cars.

The class then had gym with Mr. Slyk.

After lunch we began work on this term’s novel study. We are reading The City of Ember by Jean DuPrau as a class. Everyone has been assigned their own book. I have asked students to NOT to read ahead – even if they are dying to know what happens next. We examined the cover of the book and students made predictions based on their observations. We then read the prologue and students responded to this by recording and discussing what they thought was important. Students then wrote a paragraph describing what they thought the book was about. Everyone has been given a graphic organiser that they will use to record important information as they read each chapter. Students will write a summary of the book once we are done. The graphic organiser will help them write the summary. We will use literature circles to discuss each chapter. Students have been assigned a literature circle role for chapter 1. They are to read chapter 1 and respond to the chapter using their assigned role for today.

We continued working on our new UOI, Canada in the World, at the end of the day. Students participated in an activity to help them understand what is meant by physical, economic, political, and social features. They worked with their group to organise pictures under each category without understanding what the terms mean. Through trial and error and some feedback they began to better understand these terms. We will finish up this activity tomorrow. The map work assigned yesterday is due tomorrow.

Please remember that the after-school program registration is due tomorrow.

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   MMS p. 104 - 105

o   Geometry sets need to be returned to school daily

o   Geometry unit test on Friday, Oct. 28

·         UOI – Canada in the World

o   Map work due tomorrow

o   Test on Monday, Oct. 31 (includes map work and all work covered this week)

·         Novel Study: The City of Ember

o   Read Chapter 1

o   Complete your response using your assigned role

·         Wednesday, October 26 – Map work homework is due, Casual Day, Music, Bake Sale, Debate Club (second recess)

·         Thursday, October 27 – Picture Day, Work on electric car (first recess)

·         Friday, October 28 – Geometry Unit Test, Music

·         Monday, October 31 – UOI test, Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day

·         November 4 - ArtReach forms and payment is due

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair

Nets

Day 2

Students began their day attending music class with Mr. Andrei.

We had math right after that. We took up the homework on constructing figures. Today’s lesson was about nets. We reviewed geometric solids and how they are named, e.g. square based prism, triangular-based prism, hexagonal pyramid, etc as well as the features of these solids. Students learned that a net of a geometric solid has no gaps and no overlaps in any of the faces. Students were given figures. They predicted if the figures were a net of a solid. They cut out and folded the net to form the solid. They then could see if their prediction was correct. We practiced the ‘Show how you know component’ of this exercise. Students now know just how much detail they need to include in their answer. It is not sufficient to say ‘It is a net because it has 2 squares and 4 rectangles”. The correct level of detail sounds like this: “It has 2 congruent squares and 4 congruent equilateral triangles”. Students are asked to complete practice questions on p. 99 - 101 of the MMS textbook. The unit test will be written this Friday.

 

We began working on our new UOI. Students were introduced to the theme, title, central idea, concepts, and lines of inquiry for this unit.

Transdisciplinary Theme: How We Organise Ourselves

Title: Canada in the World

Central Idea: A nation’s foreign policies influences how it interacts on the international stage.

Concepts: Causation, Connection

Lines of Inquiry:

·          Our country’s economic, political, social, and physical links with other countries

·          The role and impact of our significant people and leaders in the world

·          Our role in the international community

Students learned that during this unit they will produce a video, a brochure using software such as Microsoft Publisher, and an RSA Animate. Students should ensure they have the required software such as Movie Maker, iMovie as well as a YouTube account. Students worked on a diagnostic assessment that tested their knowledge of the physical, economic, political, and social aspects of Canada. They have been assigned map work as homework. This is due on Wednesday. They are to label a map of Canada with its provinces, territories, capital cities, oceans, lakes (HOMES only), and bays. The map must be coloured in pencil. Students will be writing a UOI test on this map work as well as concepts we learn about the rest of this week on Monday, October 31. It turns out it will be a really scary day after all.

Grade 6s attended Gym and French class.

We had two power slideshow presentations today on wind and wave energy. That completes the power presentations for the electricity unit.

St. Jude’s Academy is excited to welcome back to our school the talented artists from ArtReach Mississauga to lead exciting art workshops for our students.  Students will have a chance to join the ArtReach professionals for a two hour workshop at SJA that focuses on engaging and comprehensive visual art activities. ArtReach will be joining SJA on November 30^th, December 1^st and December 2^nd. The cost of the workshop is $15.00.  This cost includes the workshop fee, and all materials.  Forms and fees are due back to the school by November 3^rd, 2016.

Look out for an ArtReach letter coming home today.
 

Homework & Reminders

·         Math

o   MMS p. 99 - 101

o   Geometry sets need to be returned to school daily

o   Geometry unit test on Friday, Oct. 28

·         Read for 30 minutes and record your reading in your log

·         UOI Map work due on Wednesday

·         Tuesday, October 25 – Work on electric car (first recess), Bake Sale

·         Wednesday, October 26 – Map work homework is due, Casual Day, Music, Bake Sale, Debate Club (second recess)

·         Thursday, October 27 – Picture Day, Work on electric car (first recess)

·         Friday, October 28 – Geometry Unit Test, Music

·         Monday, October 31 – UOI test, Halloween/Harvest Spirit Day

·         November 21 – Curling Trip

·         November 23 – Curling Trip

·         November 24 – Science Fair