We spent the week in Humanities looking at different current events sources and information. Students were given a user name and password for the website, Currents4Kids, and they explored the site and read various articles. We learned how to find the 5 W's of an article and form our own opinion about the topic. Students will be looking at events happening around our school, city, province, country and world throughout the year and can hopefully share some of this news with their families.
We also focused on things that we value, as individuals and a society, and students shared their values with others in our class and compared them with one another. We finished the week by introducing democracy and learning what democracy means to us. We talked about the pillars of democracy and added some new words and definitions to our glossary. Here are the terms if you did not finish your list: Government – an organization or body that rules, controls or directs a country, province or other political unit. The government provides services for citizens, makes decisions, creates laws and protects our rights and freedoms. Values - principles about how people should act, or standards we consider important and just. Justice – fair treatment of individuals and groups. Equity - individuals and groups have the same opportunities in life. Freedom - people have the right to think and speak as they wish Representation - elected representatives act on behalf of citizens We came to a bit of a standstill in Math this week. We found that we needed to go back to the basics in how to solve 3 by 1 digit multiplication and 2 and 3 digit dividends by 1 digit divisor questions. In grade 5 students learned how to multiply 2 digit by 2 digit multiplication as well. We will continue to work on this in class as it is integrated into problem solving. Practice on these types of questions and basic facts is recommended as well. It is highly encouraged to practice and review at home as much as possible. There are many resources available on the "additional resources" page. On a regular basis students will be adding vocabulary words that we use in each subject area to a glossary that they are creating at the back of their visual journal. Here they are to write the word, definition and draw a picture, diagram or give an example of the word. This week we added the following in Math: Sum The result of addition. For example: Product The result of a multiplication question. For example: Difference The result of a subtraction question. For example: Quotient The result of a division question. For example: Billion One thousand million. The billions place value comes after the millions. For example: Trillion One thousand billion. The trillions place value comes after the billions. For example: Period point When we read large numbers, we say the period name after each period except the units period (draw the period point diagram) We also talked about the numbers around us and how often we use math in our daily lives without realizing it. Students are working with numbers in the millions and are using all operations to problem solve. When they are dealing with larger numbers beyond the size mentioned above, they are being taught how to use a calculator or device to calculate as well. Next week the focus will be on multiples, factors and prime and composite numbers. In Science we learned the different layers of the forest and the plants and animals that live within those layers. We also discussed how trees affect and are affected by those living things. The first focus we have started with in math is Understanding Numbers. We began by reviewing place value and remembering how to write and read numbers to
100 000 and learned how to do the same with numbers larger than 1 000 000. We have also started weekly speed drills in multiplication. We will be working on division questions as well throughout the year. They are given 30 questions (basic facts to 9x9) and they are to answer as many as possible within one minute. Students are highly encouraged to practice each night for a few minutes. There are several resources on the "additional resources" page to help students do so. Working towards automaticity (ability to easily recall) will help students solve problems more efficiently. In Science our first unit is "Trees and Forests." This past week we talked about the importance of trees (raw resources, photosynthesis, recreation/jobs, habitats for living/non-living things) and added them to a journal page they started in Humanities. We watched a Bill Nye video on forests and took notes two different ways. One in jot note form and one focused on drawing pictures, asking questions, writing quotes, making and labeling diagrams. These were very powerful. This week we will learn the different levels within a forest and about the plants/animals that live within those levels. Several resources have been added to the "additional resources" page of the blog including some printable ebooks for extra practice and review in math at home. The first units we will be working on until February have been added. We are getting back into writing, by doing some personal journal entries and writing what we know about trees. We have also started discussing rules and society and introduced why we have government. We looked at different types of governments and what government looks like in Canada. We started adding vocabulary words into a glossary at the back of our visual journals to help us remember important terms. Monday- 11th –“Pink Pop Day” – Bring a loonie and get a cream soda.
Tuesday-12th –“Pink Hair Day” – Come to the main foyer in the morning and get your hair sprayed pink for FREE. Wednesday- 13th – “Dare to Wear Pink Day” Top Homeroom Classes with the most pink will win prizes. Thursday- 14th – “Dance for the Cure” Concession and bake sale. Dance $2.00 – Baking $1.00 *Students may choose alternate activities if they do not wish to attend the dance. Friday - 15th – “Caps for the Cure” Day Donate a loonie (get a button) for Breast Cancer and wear your hat all day. All Proceeds Go To The RUN FOR THE CURE Team. THANKS KODIAKS!!!! Students in Grade 6 will not be using agendas. This is a big transition year and we are working with them to build more independence. We will be giving them blank calendars for each month that they can keep in a binder or duotang. Students can choose to use these to record when assignments are due, for important dates etc. We will also be posting a message each day that students will have the option to write down if they find that to be a helpful strategy. Bigger projects and important dates will also be posted on our blog.
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blogCheck back here to learn more about what is happening in our classes and to find information and links to help with projects and assignments that we are currently working on. Archives
June 2018
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