Day 5 – Exhibition: Setting the Parameters

 

We did not have math today. Therefore, there is no math homework assigned for this weekend. Students participating in the Caribou math contest worked through a past test collaboratively today. They are asked to review more tests over the weekend as a way of preparing for Wednesday’s test. Those participating are asked to arrive at 7:15 am on Wednesday, April 4^th. The test will be written in our classroom, Room 8. Students need their devices. They will receive their access codes on this day. They will have 1 hour to write the test starting at 7:30 am.

We continued working on exhibition for the remainder of the day. I again met with each group to check on their progress and understanding of their issue. One group has changed their topic from light pollution to invasive species. Another has broadened theirs from suicide to a more general look at mental health issues. The deforestation group is already planning their first visit with an expert for early next week. The child neglect and mental health groups are using google docs to record their research and share this with each other.

Today we discussed how to set the parameters on each issue by creating conceptual questions about the issue and a central idea. We discussed the criteria for an acceptable central idea. Students worked on this collaboratively. I met with groups throughout the day to discuss and give feedback on their questions and statements. Later in the day we discussed to how write three lines of inquiry and many groups made good progress with these. The final versions of the concept questions, central idea, and lines of inquiry are due by the end of day Tuesday, April 3^rd. Students are required to discuss these with their teacher, mentor, and parents before finalising these.

Many groups met with their mentors throughout the day too. At the end of the day, Mr. Oliver joined our class and supported students in their work.

The Grade 6s attended gym and French class today.

April hot lunch orders are due Friday, March 30th. 

Tuesday is Easter Spirit Day. Students are asked to come to school wearing pastel colours.

Look out for a rock climbing trip form coming home today.

 

Term 2 report cards are coming home today.

 

Here are some pictures from the last week before the break and this week . Enjoy.

The Air Show

Travelling in Style

Snowy Conditions

Many got their blue sticker and got to go on the chair lift

Taking a Break

Exhibition Brainstorm

Exhibition Brainstorm

Exhibition Brainstorm

Exhibition Brainstorm

Narrowing down the exhibition topics

Narrowing down the exhibition topics

Ms. Chin's Workshop on Research Skills

Ms. Chin's Workshop on Research Skills

Ms. Chin's Workshop on Research Skills

 

Homework and Reminders

Math:  Caribou math practice for those participating in the contest

Exhibition:

·        Talk to your parents about your concept questions, central idea, and lines of inquiry

·        Find resources for your topic including an expert to interview and a site to visit

·        Bring a device to school with you

Friday, March 30

·        Good Friday – No school

·        April hot lunch orders are due

Tuesday, April 3

·        Easter Spirit Day – wear Easter colours

·        Good copy of exhibition concept questions, central idea, and lines of inquiry are due before the end of the day

Wednesday, April 4 – Caribou Math contest for some Grade 6 students at 7:30 am

Thursday, April 5 – PYP Student-Led Conferences

Tuesday, April 10 – Rock climbing trip

Friday, April 20 – Earth Spirit Day – wear earth colours (blue, brown, green)

Wednesday, May 2 – Caribou math contest for those participating

Friday, May 4 – Grade 6 PYP Exhibition

Day 4 – A Surprise Workshop with Ms. Chin

 

We then began the day with our measurement unit. Students learned that we can use the formula A = (b x h) ÷ 2 to find the area of a triangle. They learned to trust this formula by cutting out triangles within a rectangle and a parallelogram as a test. They discovered that the area of a triangle is one-half the area of a rectangle or parallelogram with the same base and height. The height of the triangle is the line from any vertex that touches the opposite side at 90°. Students are asked to complete practice work on pages 138 – 141 of the MMS 6 practice book.

We continued working on exhibition for the remainder of the day. Ms. Chin taught the Grade 6s a workshop on effective research and critical thinking to help boost their research skills for exhibition. Students learned how to

·        Use key words and search terms to effectively make use Google’s search algorithm,

·        find primary sources

·        find reliable and credible sources, e.g. academic and government sites

·        find file-specific documents, e.g. PowerPoint

·        determine if information is credible using criteria

·        narrow down the number of search results

Students then continued working on their research. Towards the end of the day, I met with each group to check on their progress. At this time students described their current understanding of their issue and their thoughts on the direction they would like to take with their project. Many groups met with their mentors today.

Tomorrow is Autism Awareness Day. Please wear blue in support of autism awareness.

April hot lunch orders are due Friday, March 30th. 

Homework and Reminders

Math:  MMS 6 Pages 138 – 141

Exhibition:

·        Keep talking to your parents about your topic

·        Find resources for your topic

·        Bring a device to school with you

Thursday, March 29

·        Term 2 report cards go home

·         Wear blue in support of Autism Awareness Day

·         Silent Dance for those participating

Friday, March 30

·        Good Friday – No school

·        April hot lunch orders are due

Tuesday, April 3 - Easter Spirit Day – wear Easter colours

Wednesday, April 4 – Caribou Math contest for some Grade 6 students at 7:30 am

Thursday, April 5 – PYP Student-Led Conferences

Day 3 - Beginning the Inquiries

 

We then began the day with our new measurement unit. We reviewed using the formula A = l x w to find area of a rectangle. We discussed how we can write this as A = b x h instead. Students cut out parallelograms that had the same base and height as a rectangle. This led them to discover that a parallelogram that has the same base and height as a rectangle also has the same area as that rectangle. Students understand that they can apply the formula A = b x h to parallelograms too. What is tricky for students to remember is to use the height of the parallelogram and not the width when applying this formula. The height is the perpendicular line that touches the base and the opposite side.  Students are asked to complete practice work on pages 136 – 137 of the MMS 6 practice book and pages 122 – 125 of the MMS 6 practice book.

We continued working on exhibition for the remainder of the day. First, students learned their topic, groups, and mentors. Then they set about reading about their role and the expectations of exhibition. Next, students worked with their group to create an essential agreement. Finally, groups began their initial inquiry. Before the end of the day tomorrow, students will share their findings and try to narrow down their topics somewhat.

Parents, please read the letter at the front of your child’s exhibition binder. Please sign and date this letter to acknowledge that you have read it. Also, please have a look through your child’s binder and talk to them about their topic. Specifically, ask them to tell you what they have learned so far. Share any resources or knowledge about the topic that you may have. Exhibition binders need to be brought to school daily. Students will also need their devices on daily basis.

Grade 6s did not get to go to gym as this was the time when they were called down for their graduation pictures. They attended French class. Mr. Oliver joined us during music class to provide exhibition support and mentoring to the Grade 6s.

Please look out for the PICK a Time form coming home today. You will need the code on this form to schedule an appointment with any teachers you would like to meet to discuss your child’s progress at next week’s student-led conferences.

Tomorrow is Casual Day. Oakwood is hosting a bake sale tomorrow.

April hot lunch orders are due Friday, March 30th. 

Homework and Reminders

Math:  MMS 6 Pages 136 – 137, MMS 7 p. 122 – 125

Exhibition:

·        Show your parents the exhibition letter & binder

·        Discuss your topic with your parents

·        Find resources for your topic

·        Bring a device to school with you

Wednesday, March 28 – Casual Day & Bake Sale

Thursday, March 29

·        Term 2 report cards go home

·         Wear blue in support of Autism Awareness Day

·         Silent Dance for those participating

Friday, March 30

·        Good Friday – No school

·        April hot lunch orders are due

Tuesday, April 3 - Easter Spirit Day – wear Easter colours

Wednesday, April 4 – Caribou Math contest for some Grade 6 students at 7:30 am

Thursday, April 5 – PYP Student-Led Conferences

Day 2 – Back to School

 

It was wonderful seeing everyone today. I was envious of students who looked like they spent March Break and in a warm sunny place.

We began our day discussing exhibition journals. It is a requirement that students are reflective throughout the exhibition process, and journaling is an effective way to reflect. The class is expected to complete one journal entry per week. Students decided on the criteria for their journals today.

We then began on a new math unit on measurement, beginning with a preassessment task which everyone said was challenging. We then began working on finding perimeter of regular and irregular polygons. Students are asked to complete practice work on pages 132 – 135 of the MMS 6 practice book.

We continued working on exhibition for the remainder of the day. Next up we reviewed the expectations for exhibition to ensure everyone is fully aware of what they are expected to do. We then looked at the topic brainstorm we worked on before March Break. Students considered each topic and asked themselves: Is this a local issue? Is it worth learning about? Is it age appropriate for my class? Can I take action on this topic? Students then voted to keep or remove topic options. This helped us to whittle down the many ideas students had. Students then had 10 votes on remaining topics and this whittled down the list even further. Students then chose 5 topics that they would be interested in learning about for exhibition. They will learn what their topics, groups, and mentors are tomorrow.

Finally in exhibition, students watched videos and read letters from students who have completed the exhibition at St. Jude’s in previous years. The class discussed what advice they found useful from these. They then worked on their first journal entry where they explained what exhibition is, what they learned from the videos and letters, what they are concerned about and what they are excited about for exhibition.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Tomorrow is picture day for Grade 6 students who are graduating the PYP Programme. Everyone is asked to come to school in full uniform. Sibling pictures will also be taken for those families who are interested in this.

Homework and Reminders

·        Math 6:  Pages 132 - 135

·        Tuesday, March 27 – Sibling & Grad pictures. Come to school in full uniform for graduation pictures.

·        Wednesday, March 28 – Casual Day & Bake Sale

·        Thursday, March 29 – Term 2 report cards go home, Wear blue in support of Autism Awareness Day, Silent Dance for those participating

·        March 30 – Good Friday – No school

·        Tuesday, April 3  - Easter Spirit Day – wear Easter colours

·        Wednesday, April 4 – Caribou Math contest for some Grade 6 students at 7:30 am

·        Thursday, April 5 – PYP Student-Led Conferences

Day 6 – Spirit Week: Sports Day

 

What a busy day today was.

We started the day with students reflecting on the plane they were entering in the Air Show. They then presented their planes, telling about the features they included that would help it fly farther. Next up was the contest. Well done to Mehar, Hersh, and Krish for the producing the planes that traveled the most. Once the contest was over, students again reflected on their planes, considering why they placed as they did in the contest.

Alex then presented her summative task about the solar system. She made a model which everyone enjoyed looking at.

Students then worked on their unit reflections, their report card comments, and prepared for their student-led conferences that take place early in April.

The class then headed to today’s house game which was hosted by Theta and involved a lot of team work.

Once back in class we worked on IB Portfolios. Students that have not yet completed their hot air balloon baskets worked on these.

Students attended French and gym class today.

Ms. Roe-Etter will be presenting an information session on the Diploma Programme (DP), this Thursday, March 8^th at 7 pm.

Our skiing trip takes place tomorrow. Students should arrive at school between 6:30 am and 6:45 am. As usual, students are asked to dress for the weather conditions on the day of our trip. Everyone should bring a change of clothes in case they get wet. Students need lunch, snacks, and/or money for food. We expect to be back at school by 4 pm tomorrow.

March hot lunch payments are due tomorrow.

February after-care payments are due on March 19^th.

Homework and Reminders

·        Thursday, March 8

o   DP Information Session at 7 pm

·        Friday, March 9^th

o   Skiing trip. Students should arrive between 6:30 – 6:45 am. The bus leaves the school at 7 am. We expect to arrive back at the school at 4 pm.

o   March hot lunch payments are due

·        March 19 – February After-Care payments are due

·        March 12 – March 25: March Break

·        March 26 – Back to School

·        March 27 – Sibling & Grad pictures

·        March 28 – Casual Day

·        March 29 – Term 2 Report Cards, Autism Awareness Day, Silent Dance

·        March 30 – Good Friday – No school

Day 5 – Spirit Week: Whacky Wednesday

 

We had a great day at the soccer tournament today. The SJA team’s playing was spectacular. We were sorry we had to leave and go back to school. The whole class wanted to stay and watch the final game.

 

Back at school we had lunch then got straight to work. There was a lot to do. Students had to start the testing of their planes from scratch again. We did this in the auditorium. Once they recorded the data, they calculated the average distance traveled and graphed this information. They looked for patterns and concluded by rejecting or accepting their hypothesis. Students then reflected on how they can apply this learning to other situations. Once this was done students were free to head to the house game which took place at the end of the day. A number of students did not get to attend the house game as they needed extra time to finish up their flight report.

Our Air Show takes place tomorrow. Students are asked to apply their learning through this unit and the final investigation and build a paper plane that flies far to enter in the Air Show tomorrow.

Students are asked to work on the paper basket for their hot air balloon. They are asked to get as far as they can independently at home and to return their baskets to school tomorrow.

 

This week is Spirit Week. Students are asked to come dressed in sports t-shirts and/or gear for tomorrow’s Sport’s Day.

Ms. Roe-Etter will be presenting an information session on the Diploma Programme (DP), this Thursday, March 8^th at 7 pm.

Homework and Reminders

·        Build the best paper plane you can to enter in the Air Show tomorrow

·        Do as much work as you can on your paper basket. Remember to return these to school tomorrow.

·        March 5 – March 9: Spirit Week

o   Monday - PJ Day

o   Tuesday - Superhero/Princess Day

o   Wednesday - Whacky Wednesday

o   Thursday - Sports Day

o   Friday - St. Patrick’s Day

·        Thursday, March 8

o   Grade 6 Air Show

o   DP Information Session at 7 pm

·        Friday, March 9^th

o   Skiing trip. Students should arrive between 6:30 – 6:45 am. The bus leaves the school at 7 am. We expect to arrive back at the school at 4 pm.

o   March hot lunch payments are due

·        March 19 – February After-Care payments are due

·        March 12 – March 25: March Break

·        March 26 – Back to School

·        March 27 – Sibling & Grad pictures

·        March 28 – Casual Day

·        March 29 – Term 2 Report Cards, Autism Awareness Day, Silent Dance

·        March 30 – Good Friday – No school