What an amazing learning journey we have had so far this year!  Celebrate your successes as a learner with your family.

Have a safe and happy holiday!
See you on Monday, January 4, 2016.

Reminder:
Class photos are being sent home today!

Tomorrow is pajama day.  Be sure to share with a family member what you know about our data and school wide graph made with the sizes of pajamas.  What questions can you think of about our data on pajamas?

Reminder:
No Sports Club Today
-Pizza lunch tomorrow, December 18 for all students.
-Our last day of school for this year is tomorrow, December 18.

 

All the pyjamas your children received today are from the Vista Heights Action Committee. We love our neighbourhood and wanted to find a way to give back. The Vista Heights Action Committee is a group of Vista Heights residents that are working together to create a strong neighbourhood. 

-If you would like to get involved or connected please contact vistaheightsaction@gmail.com

Our French Cafe Menus have been completed!  Please share your menu and the healthy options that you have chosen. Be sure to check the criteria.  How would you assess your project?  What reasons to you have to support your thinking.

Reminder:
Please remember to send  in your In-Line skating notice for your family.  Our family In-line skating night is tomorrow Thursday, December 17 from 6:00-8:00.

On Thursday, December 17, we will be practicing our oral French by having a French Cafe.  What questions and responses would you need to know if you are ordering from a menu in a restaurant? Our menu will consist of healthy options such as fruits, raw vegetables, rice cakes and cultural cuisine such as 'pain au chocolate'.  Please let Mrs. Calvert know if you have any allergies.


Reminder:
Please remember to send  in your In-Line skating notice for your family.  Our family In-line skating night is on Thursday, December 17 from 6:00-8:00.

We are beginning of last learning week of this year!  Our In-line skating lessons have been promoting a healthy lifestyle.  Please share with a family member your celebrations in skating.  What goals are you working on this week with your skating skills? Why is it important to lead a healthy lifestyle?  What do you do to ensure that you stay healthy?

Reminder:
Please remember to send  in your In-Line skating notice for your family.  Our family In-line skating night is on Thursday, December 17 from 6:00-8:00.

Thank you for another wonderful week of learning!

Enjoy your weekend!

Thank you to everyone in our class for ensuring that our Learning Assembly was a success.  A special bravo to the i-movie directors, producers and actors for sharing their experiences from Outdoor School in our Learning Assembly this afternoon! The drumming was amazing!  Another applause to the announcers and the students in charge of seating the class. The camp songs were outstanding. Teach a family member one of the camp songs that we shared with the school.  Why are Outdoor School and field trips important? How do these experiences help you learn?

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Our French Cafe projects are due tomorrow, Friday, December 11. Check D2L for task criteria and assessment.

Reminder: 

- Alien Inline Skating begins tomorrow (December 11). All students must have a pair of socks and returned their permission forms to participate. Please bring your own helmet if you have one!

The virtue for the month of December is joyfulness! What makes you feel joyful? How can we make others feel joyful at home and school?

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Our French Cafe projects are due on Friday, December 11. Check D2L for task criteria and assessment.

Reminder:
-Our learning assembly has been rescheduled to tomorrow, Thursday, December 10 at 11:00.  
-Our school begins Alien Inline Skating on Friday December 11! Please ensure your permission forms are handed in to Mrs. Calvert as soon as possible.

- Sports Club is tomorrow (December 10) after school from 3:15 to 3:45.

Our class has been excited to see our Plant Power seeds beginning to grow! Share with a family member the type of seed you chose to plant for this project. What observations have you made? Make a hypothesis for what you think will happen to your plant this week.

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Our French Cafe projects are due on Friday, December 11. Check D2L for task criteria and assessment.

Reminder:
-Our learning assembly has been rescheduled to Thursday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m. 

-Our school begins Alien Inline Skating on Friday December 11! Please ensure your permission forms are handed in to Mrs. Calvert as soon as possible.

- School Council is today at 6:30pm. Please invite your parents to attend!

We are busy preparing for a Celebration of Learning assembly on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 1:30 p.m.  We will be sharing our learning experiences from Outdoor School, some of our campfire songs and a few musical drumming compositions. The Division I choir will be singing and Gr. 4/5's will be persuading us to read their Best Book Picks.  Please join us if you can.

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Our French Cafe projects are due on Friday, December 11. Check D2L for task criteria and assessment.

Reminder: 

Our school begins Alien Inline Skating on Friday December 11! Please ensure your permission forms are handed in to Mrs. Calvert as soon as possible.

Return In-line skating family night notice. 

Celebrate another week of amazing learning!  We look forward to seeing everyone at Parent - Teacher conferences either tonight, December 3, from 4:15 - 8:00, or tomorrow, December 4, from 8:00-12:00.

Have a fantastic weekend!

We have started a new French project developing our vocabulary around nutritious snacks and Canada's Food Guide.  Please share with a member of your family the French Cafe project criteria and assessment in D2L.  What items are you going to include on your menu? Be sure to practice them in French by listening in google translate first.

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Reminder:
Book a Parent-Teacher Conference for Thursday, December 3, or Friday, December 4 by going to the following link:
https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/myaccount/Account/LogOn

No School Friday, December 4 -  Parent-Teacher Conferences.

No sports club tomorrow, Thursday, December 3 - Parent-Teacher Conferences.

-FREE PIZZA LUNCH – Friday, December 18^th

            -we have a generous &  anonymous donor who wishes to purchase a pizza lunch for our school

            -starting tomorrow, Mrs. McCrae will visit students to ask them for their choice of pizza (cheese, pepperoni, Hawaiian)

            -the lunch will also include juice and a snack

            -IF you do NOT want your child to be served the free pizza lunch please notify the teacher

-Purdy’s Order – Pick-Up – during conferences on December 3^rd & 4^th

We have been focusing on developing a variety of language concepts through Literacy Centers.  Please explain to a family member how Literacy Centers work.  What are you learning at each center? In your opinion, which center develops your strengths as a language student?  Which center supports you in an area of language that you are working on?


Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Reminder:
Book a Parent-Teacher Conference for Thursday, December 3, or Friday, December 4 by going to the following link:
https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/myaccount/Account/LogOn

No School Friday, December 4 -  Parent-Teacher Conferences.

- December newsletter is being sent home today

- Family Inline Skate Evening is Thursday December 17! An important notice is being sent home today. Please have your families complete the Family Inline Skate Evening form and return it to school as soon as possible.

-FREE PIZZA LUNCH – Friday, December 18^th

            -we have a generous &  anonymous donor who wishes to purchase a pizza lunch for our school

            -starting tomorrow, Mrs. McCrae will visit students to ask them for their choice of pizza (cheese, pepperoni, Hawaiian)

            -the lunch will also include juice and a snack

            -IF you do NOT want your child to be served the free pizza lunch please notify the teacher

-Purdy’s Order – Pick-Up – during conferences on December 3^rd & 4^th

What an 'Ant-tastic' presentation we had today from Kananaskis in the Classroom! Please share with a family member what connection you made to our big idea of 'interdependence'.  How are you interdependent on ants or other insects?  How are insects interdependent on humans?

Homework:
Go to the following link to practice your understanding of fraction values, equivalent fractions, ratios, percents, and decimals:
http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/maths/fractions/

Reminder:
Book a Parent-Teacher Conference for Thursday, December 3, or Friday, December 4 by going to the following link:
https://webapps.cbe.ab.ca/myaccount/Account/LogOn

-Letter home today re: Practice Lock Down tomorrow

We have been reflecting on our learning up to this point in our Grade 5/6 learning journey.  Please share with a family member what kind of evidence you are planning to share with them at conferences that support your learning strengths.  Looking at your learning, what evidence do you have to support some  goals you are going to work on?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reminder: 
Monday, November 30^th – Alien In-Line forms and $ due

 

Excellent job using evidence from our class read aloud, The City of Ember, to complete your Venn Diagram written reflection. Explain to a family member this writing task. Which book did you choose to compare to The City of Ember? What was similar between these two books? What was different?


Homework:
-Continue to work on the Best Book Ever project, including your cover design.  You can work at home on your persuasive writing and post it to D2L.  They are due on Friday, November 27.

Reminder: 
- Sports Club is today after school.
- Please remind your families to book a time to attend Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday December 3 and Friday December 4!

Today was Hat Day! Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated.

Share with a family member how you will represent your interdependence with nature on the plant pot we will be using in Science.

Homework:
-Continue to work on the Best Book Ever project, including your cover design.  You can work at home on your persuasive writing and post it to D2L.  They are due on Friday, November 27.
Reminder:
- Sports Club is tomorrow after school (November 26) from 3:15 to 3:45.

In math we have been discussing how important it is to slow down and to think deeper.  We have watched videos that connect this to our brain study. How many ways were you able to show 1/2? We have also been developing strategies to convince and support our math thinking. Share with a family member how you convinced your partner about our square paper folding activity. Ask them to try it, and you be the skeptic.

Homework: 

-Continue to work on the Best Book Ever project.  You can work at home on your persuasive writing and post it to D2L.  They are due on Friday, November 27. 

Reminder:

- Hat Day is tomorrow, Wednesday November 25!

Our class has begun discussing our big idea: How are we interdependent with our world?  Share with a family member what you think the word 'interdependent' means. What personal connections did you make? What questions do you have? Look for examples of our big idea at home and in the community. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class tomorrow!

Homework:
Continue working on your Best Book Ever design for your new book cover.  Be sure to check the rubric posted in D2L for the task criteria.

Reminder:
-In-Line Skating forms are due on Monday, November 30.
-Parent-Teacher Conference Information coming home today.

HAT DAY

-November 25^th students can choose to wear a hat during school

-if hats have writing on them please ensure it is appropriate for school

Thank you for another wonderful week of learning! Be proud of your hard work and determination in our Photo Power projects. Our virtue for the month of November is gentleness. How do you show gentleness at home and school?

Enjoy your weekend!

Our class will be working on a new project called the Best Book Ever!  Your job will be to select what you think is the Best Book Ever, that you have read or listened to.  You will be asked to write a persuasive piece to convince the rest of the class that your book is the Best Book Ever!  Discuss with your family member what are some possible choices you have.  Why is your choice the Best Book Ever? Please check D2L for the task criteria and assessment.

Homework: 

Continue working on your current events projects! Please check the schedule for when you are responsible to present. 

Reminder:
- NO School - Friday, November 20.  Professional Development Day.
-Sports Club tomorrow 3:15 - 3:45.

Our class is close to finishing our read aloud, The City of Ember. Share with a family member the main events that have happened in this story. How has the author utilized literary devices to create interesting writing? Similes? Foreshadowing? Descriptive language? Imagery? How has this author developed the characters? What personal connections do you have to the characters? Would you recommend this novel to other students? Be prepared to share why or why not.

Homework: 
-Be reading every night for at least 15-20 minutes.  Our book projects will begin shortly!

Reminder:
- NO School  Friday, November 20.  Professional Development Day.

We had a special guest visit in our classroom today: Constable Hoard! During his visit, we focused on our emotions scale. Share with a family member what you learned from Constable Hoard in our S4 lesson. What characteristics and virtues do you demonstrate?  What supports to you have when you need assistance?

Homework:

- Show your family the S4 website (http://startsmartstaysafe.ca/) to teach them about the Start Smart Stay Safe Program.

Reminder:

- NO School  Friday, November 20.  Professional Development Day.

Purdy’s Fundraiser

-no more orders will be accepted after Tuesday. November 17th

Thank you for another wonderful week of learning! You should be very proud of your artistic multi-media paintings of landscapes from Outdoor School.

Parents please call the office at 430-777-6000 and say the word 'nature' to be entered to win a gift certificate.

Monday, November 16^th

-please return Purdys Fundraising – order forms and money

-please return school photos – orders and money

In math, we have been engaged in a variety of mathematical problems connected to our experience at Outdoor School.  Please share with a member of your family what strategy you used to solve the problem of seating students at tables. Did you create a visual to represent your understanding?  Did you list the possible solutions utilizing numbers or equations?  How do you know if you included all possible solutions?

Reminder:
We are painting our Outdoor School landscapes with acrylic paint tomorrow.  Please wear older clothing or bring an old shirt to put over top of your clothing.


Homework:
Be sure to create your own Linking Numbers to the World and write it out, or post it on the discussion thread in D2L, or email it to Mrs. Calvert. You may complete more than one. They are due tomorrow, Friday, November 13.

Thank you to all the student leaders who participated in our Remembrance Day ceremony! Please discuss the importance of Remembrance Day and what it means to you. Do you have any personal connections to the meaning of Remembrance Day?


Homework:
Be sure to create your own Linking Numbers to the World and write it out, post it on the discussion thread in D2L, or email it to Mrs. Calvert. You may complete more than one. They are due on Friday, November 13.


Reminder:
NO School tomorrow, Wednesday, November 11.
Sports Club is on Thursday, November 12 from 3:15-3:45.

Welcome back after an amazing week at Outdoor School!  The Outdoor School staff and Mrs. Calvert and Ms. Makowski were very impressed by how engaged our Vista Heights students were in their learning.  Bravo, Grade 5/6's! Today we started a project called, Photo Power.  Please share with a family member the task criteria and assessment posted in D2L. Have you chosen to create a narrative of your photo, or compose a persuasive writing piece? How was your experience at Outdoor School important for your learning? How will Outdoor School change your thinking or your actions?



Homework:
Complete your Outdoor School Assessment survey online.  Please see the log in information sent home today.

Be sure to create your own Linking Numbers to the World and write it out, or email it to Mrs. Calvert. You may complete more than one. We will post them in our class for everyone to solve.  They are due on Friday, November 13.


Reminder:
Remembrance Day Assembly is tomorrow, November 10, at 10:45 a.m.

Alien In - Line Skating Information coming home today.

NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, November 11.  It is Remembrance Day.

Excellent job demonstrating the virtues at Outdoor School this week! Share with a family member what you learned at Kamp Kiwanis. Why is Outdoor School important for students? Be prepared to share your ideas with the class next week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Our class is off to Outdoor School today! We are excited to share our experiences when we return to school on Friday November 6.

Excellent job today creating your Nature Name and preparing for Outdoor School. Share with a family member the Nature Name you created and why. What are you excited about for Outdoor School? What worries do you have?




Reminder to parents:
-We leave at 9:15 tomorrow morning, after the bus is packed.
- Please ensure that all medications are packed in a plastic bag with your child's name and medication specifics (name of prescription, dosage) and given to either Mrs. Calvert or Ms. Makowski.
- We arrive back to Vista Heights on Friday, November 6 by 2:00 p.m.  Students may be picked up at that time.
- The emergency number for Outdoor School is posted in your parent information packages.

Our grade 5 /6 students go to Outdoor School tomorrow! Please remember to pack the following:
- LUNCH for tomorrow           
- sleeping bag
- extra blanket
- jeans or heavy pants
- underwear
- sneakers
- touque
- warm jacket
- backpack
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- sunscreen
- pillow
- shirts
- socks
- boots
- sweaters or sweatshirts
- hat
- waterproof jacket
- towel
- hairbrush
- water bottle
- toiletries
What NOT to bring:
-electronics, cell phones, i-pods, etc.
-food / candy
-curling irons, blow dryers
-jewelry
-knives, matches, any camping/survival items
-flashlights
-money
-anything that you would not want to get broken or lose


-November Calendar
-Purdys Fundraising

Thank you for another fabulous week of learning!  Be proud of your diligence and your positive attitude!

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Today we had a science presentation called 'What's the Poop?' by Kananaskis in the classroom.   What were your connections to the presentation? Please share with a member of you family?  What was the most important concept for you and your learning?  What change are you going to make in your lifestyle?

Reminder:
-No sports club tomorrow
-Halloween Information
On Thursday October 29, students can dress up in their halloween costume for the afternoon only. Please ensure the costumes are safe: no weapons and masks. Due to allergies and food restrictions, please do not send any food to distribute to classmates. For more information, please visit the Vista Heights School handbook by following this link:(under allergies)
http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b239/publications/pdf/Handbook%20Vista%20Heights%20School%202016.pdf

We have been working on our French Outdoor School packing list.  We have also shared which items not to bring to Outdoor School.  Please share which items we are not going to be taking to Outdoor School and why.  Discuss with your family what you think are the most important safety expectations for Outdoor School.  Be prepared to share as we will be discussing them in class.  We will also be adding them to our French presentations.

Reminder:
No school on Friday, October 30. It is a Professional Development Day.

Today we had our Outdoor School meeting with the camp manager.  We also had a compass points chalktalk to share our thoughts about Outdoor School.  Please share with a family member what are your needs at Outdoor School?  What are you excited about?  What are your strengths? What are you worried about? Be sure to talk about some strategies you could have to ensure that your experience at Outdoor School is a successful learning experience.

Reminder:
All Outdoor School forms MUST be returned by tomorrow at the latest, as we need to inform the camp in advance about any dietary needs or allergies.

There is no school on Friday, October 30.  It is a Professional Development Day.

We have been working on our French Outdoor School packing list.  We have also shared which items not to bring to Outdoor School.  Please share which items we are not going to be taking to Outdoor School and why.  Discuss with your family what you think are the most important safety expectations for Outdoor School.  Be prepared to share as we will be discussing them in class.  We will also be adding them to our French presentations.

Reminder:
No school on Friday, October 30. It is a Professional Development Day.

Celebrate another fabulous week of learning!

Reminder:

-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis by Monday, October 26
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015
-Picture Day is Monday, October 26

We have started our French Outdoor School Project.  Please explain to a family member the criteria for the project, which is posted in D2L.  Discuss what items you think you will need to bring to Outdoor School, which is from Tuesday, November 3 - Friday, November 6.  What do you need to keep in mind for safety expectations?


Today we presented our Trees/Forests/Wetlands science projects to a peer for assessment.  Explain to a member of your family what you earned on this project based on the criteria posted in D2L. What goal could you set for next time to achieve excellence on your project work?

Homework:

Practice your basic facts using one of many strategies that we brainstormed in math.  Are you improving your fluency and accuracy?  We will have a quiz on tomorrow.

Reminder:
-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis by Monday, October 26
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015
-Picture Day is Monday, October 26

We have been developing our ball skills in gym.  Share with a family member what you have learned about different types of ball handling skills. How does what you know about the brain connect to your ball handling skills?  Which part of the brain is responsible for movement?

Homework:

Practice your basic facts using one of many strategies that we brainstormed in math.  Are you improving your fluency and accuracy?  We will have a quiz on Friday.

Reminder:
-Winter jacket notice
-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis by Monday, October 26
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015
-Picture Day is Monday, October 26

We have been comparing our Student Vote Results with the National Election Results.  Open up D2L and share with a family member the charts and graphs posted in D2L under content.  What conclusions can you make based on the data? What questions do you have after taking a critical look at the data?  Be ready to share in class tomorrow.

Homework:
Practice your basic facts using one of many strategies that we brainstormed in math.  The practice strategies are posted in the pages category on the blog. Which strategy have we added to access our right brain thinking powers?

Reminder:
-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015

PICTURE DAY – Monday, October 26^th

-all students will be in the class photo and receive a free copy of the class photo

-if you wish to have an individual photo of your child please complete the notice your received yesterday

-write your child’s name & grade and choose a pose and a background

-your child will bring this notice to school on Monday, October 26^th and give it to the photographer

Today is an exciting day in the history of Canada as it is our federal election day.  We were able to have a tour our Vista Heights polling station. Please share with a family member what are the steps that happen at a polling station before each citizen votes.  Please share your ideas about the political party that you represented in our debate today.  What facts were you able to contribute to support your thinking about your political party?  Did you vote change after our debate?  Why? We will be sharing our Vista Heights Student Vote Results tomorrow after the election.

Homework:
Watch the election results for a few minutes as they come in starting at 8:00 p.m.  What do you notice is happening in the Eastern Canadian provinces?  Be prepared to share your ideas tomorrow in class.

Reminder:
-Picture Day notice Monday, October 26, 2015
-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015

Excellent job participating in the Vista Heights Student Vote! Share with a family member how you demonstrated your ideas about the different political parties for the upcoming federal election. Who did you vote for? Why? We will share our Vista Heights results on Monday!

Have a terrific weekend!

Thank you grade 5/6 students and parents for attending our Outdoor School Meeting last night! For those who were unable to attend, parent information packages and the 'Acknowledgement of Risk' forms are coming home today. Please have your parents contact Ms. Makowski or Mrs. Calvert if they have any questions about up upcoming trip to Outdoor School.

Share your ideas about your political party advertisement with a family member.  Do you have facts to support your thinking?  Do you have a catch phrase/slogan? What is the difference between positive advertising and contrast advertising?

Reminder:
-Return Acknowledgement of Risk form for Kamp Kiwanis
-$50 payment for Kamp is due by November 2, 2015
- Grade 5/6 Sports Club begins today after school from 3:15 to 3:45.

Excellent job this week researching the political parties for the upcoming federal election. Share with a family member who you going to vote for in our Student Vote. Why do you support this party? Be sure to share the pollinize.org website (posted as a hyperlink on the blog).  Our class votes on Thursday, October 15.

Homework:
Please continue to read at home every night for 15 minutes. Our class will begin our Book Talk Projects very soon.

Reminder:
See you tonight at the Grade 5 / 6 Outdoor School Parent Information Meeting! 
Wednesday, October 14: 6:30-7:30.

- Grade 5/6 Sports Club begins tomorrow after school from 3:15 to 3:45. Return your permission form.

Welcome back to school after a long Thanksgiving weekend!

Our class started publishing our Hero Persuasive Paragraphs today. Share with a family member your  copy posted in D2L. Be sure to explain what you learned about how to write an excellent persuasive paragraph! Examine the criteria checklist posted in D2L, where have you assessed yourself with this task?  What could you do next time to ensure excellence with your persuasive writing?

Homework:
-Copy the science vocabulary (green page) from the Pages section of the blog. If you know what the words mean, record in your own words, or draw a picture to show what you know.  If you don't know the meaning of the word, leave it for now.

Reminder:
- Grade 5 / 6 Outdoor School Parent Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 14: 6:30-7:30. Please see notice. 
- Pizza Lunch notice is being sent home today.
- Grade 5/6 Sports Club permission form is being sent home.

Thank you for another wonderful week of learning!
Be sure to share what you are thankful for with your family and friends.

Have a terrific long weekend!

Reminder:
- Egg coupons coming home today
- No school tomorrow (Oct. 9) - it is a Professional Development Day
- No school Monday Oct. 12 - Thanksgiving
- Outdoor School Parent Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 14: 6:30-7:30

Our class has been learning about Democracy.  Please share with a family member what is a right?  What is a responsibility?  What rights do you have at your house? What responsibilities go with those rights?  How do you earn responsibility? What do you know about the rights and responsibilities of Canadians?  

Our school virtue for the month of October is curiosity! Think about examples of how you show curiosity at school and in our community. Be prepared to share your ideas with the class tomorrow.


Reminder:
- Continue to practice your keyboarding skills for 15 minutes at home! Are you improving your speed and accuracy? Remember a goal is 90% accuracy rate with 20 wmp at each lesson. We will be having a quiz tomorrow.

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

NO SCHOOL Friday, October 9 - Professional Development Day

Outdoor School Parent Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 14: 6:30-7:30

Our class has been learning how to read and write large numbers! Show a family member what you know about place value, as well as writing numbers in expanded form. Be sure to teach them about how 'periods of 3' work in reading and writing numbers.  What is the largest number period that you know? Teach a family member how to play the game Face Off using cards to create large numbers! You can also play Pico, Firmy, Bagel, our version of number mastermind.


Reminder:
- Continue to practice your keyboarding skills for 15 minutes at home! Are you improving your speed and accuracy? Remember a goal is 90% accuracy rate with 20 wmp at each lesson. We will be having a quiz at the end of this week.

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

- Grade 5 Vaccinations are tomorrow.

NO SCHOOL Friday, October 9 - Professional Development Day

Outdoor School Parent Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 14: 6:30-7:30

Our class has been working on our persuasive writing skills in our Characters of Courage paragraphs! Share with a family member the person you chose to write about for this project. How did they demonstrate courage? Remember to use specific examples to support your opinion. Please check D2L for the assignment criteria and assessment.


Homework:
-Open the page for Social Studies on the blog and record all the vocabulary we are going to be studying connected to Democracy.  Use the orange vocabulary page. If you know what the word means record your understanding, otherwise leave a space to record your understanding at another time.

-Ensure that you have enough facts about your Character of Courage.  You need at least 3 specific facts of events, experiences, etc. that demonstrate characteristics of courage, as well as at least 5 or more facts about their life.  You may include some quotes.

Reminder:
- Continue to practice your keyboarding skills for 15 minutes at home! Are you improving your speed and accuracy? Remember a goal is 90% accuracy rate with 20 wmp at each lesson. We will be having a quiz at the end of this week.

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

NO SCHOOL Friday, October 9 - Professional Development Day

Thank you for another great week of learning!

Our class will begin current event projects next week. Share with a family member the project and rubric posted in D2L. What day are you presenting? Start looking for news articles you want to share with the class for this project. Look in D2L for great websites for you to use.

Enjoy your weekend!

*Letter from Board of Trustees

-letter coming home today with your only or youngest child

-please read

Our class began a new science project this week: Wetlands, Trees and Forest! Share with a family member the project outline, websites and rubric posted in D2L. You will be sharing your learning with the class! Which computer program will you use for your presentation?

Reminder:
- Continue to practice your keyboarding skills for 15 minutes at home! Are you improving your speed and accuracy? Remember a goal is 90% accuracy rate with 20 wmp at each lesson.

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

-October Calendar coming home today!

Our class has been learning Reading Powers this week! Share with a family member the different Reading Powers you have been working on in class (Knew/New, Turn It Into a Question). Try using a Reading Power in your home reading!

Reminder:

- Practice your keyboarding lessons for 15 minutes every night.

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

- Tomorrow is October! Which virtue do you think we will be studying next month? Why?

Hot Soup Program

-starts Thursday, October 1^st

-a small bowl of soup and crackers are offered to students

-soup is served every Tuesday & Thursday

-if you do NOT want your child to participate please contact your child’s teacher

Today was Virtues Activity Day! Great job on each of the virtue centers this morning. Share with a family member your favorite centre. Which virtues did you show today?

Reminder:
-Grade 5 Vaccination consent information coming home today. They are due Friday, October 2. 

-Please continue to practice your keyboarding skills on Dance Mat or Sense Language typing at home!

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

-This week we will be practicing another safety procedure called an 'off-site evacuation'.  Our evacuation site is Renfrew Education Center - 2050 21 Street NE.  Our class and one Educational Assistant will walk to Renfrew Education Center one morning this week. We will not enter the building during the practice.  We will review with the students the expectations and the purpose of practicing an 'off-site evacuation'.  If you have any questions please call Mrs. Calvert at 777-6000.

Our class enjoyed a delicious free lunch today from Kids World! Thank you Kids World!! The Kids World program begins tomorrow evening (September 29). You and your parents can enjoy a delicious free dinner and enjoy fun activities. Are you interested in joining? Ask Mrs. Calvert for a permission form.

Reminder:
- Our class has begun keyboarding practice at school! Please go on Dance Mat Typing or Sense Language Typing for fifteen minutes to practice each night this week.  See the links on the blog as well as in D2L. To pass into the next lesson, ensure that you are 90% accuracy and 20 wmp (words per minute).

Dance Mat Typing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr
Sense Language Lessons: http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/tutor/keyboarding.php

- Share with a family member the Pages Tab on our class blog. Explain how key subject vocabulary will be posted here. Which terms do you know already?

Terry Fox Run

-we will hold our Terry Fox Run during our Virtue Activity Day on Tuesday, September 29^th (weather permitting) from 9:00-11:45 am

-we will be collecting coins to donate to Cancer Research as a part of the Marathon of Hope started by Terry Fox

-please bring nickles, dimes, quarters, loonies or twonies to school on Tuesday, September 29^th

-any spare change will help

Celebrate another amazing week of learning!  Your Digital Citizenship brochures and presentations were outstanding and informative to our Vista Heights learning community.


Reminder:

* Please sign notice for free lunch on Monday, September 28, sponsored by Kids World Outreach Society.

Parent - Teacher Interviews are tonight Thursday, September 24 from 4:15 - 8:00 and tomorrow Friday, September 25 from 8:00 - 12:30. Please book a Parent-Teacher Conference by going to the following link:
                           Parent - Teacher Interviews

We look forward to meeting with all parents to start our learning journey together!

There is no school tomorrow, Friday, September 25: Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Today we began our study of 'Reading Power'.  Share with a family member what 'Reading Powers' you use when you are reading.  When you are reading, do you choose to read non-fiction more than fiction?  Do you prefer graphic novels? Explain to a family member how your choices are connected to what we know about our brains.  Be ready to share in class tomorrow.

Homework:
Where do we use large numbers?  Find 5 examples in your house.  Record the number and explain what it is used for.

Reminder:

Parent - Teacher Interviews are on Thursday, September 24 from 4:15 - 8:00 and on Friday, September 25 from 8:00 - 12:30. Please book a Parent-Teacher Conference by going to the following link:
                           Parent - Teacher Interviews

We look forward to meeting with all parents to start our learning journey together!
There is no school, Friday, September 25: Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Terry Fox Run

-we will hold our Terry Fox Run during our Virtue Activity Day on Tuesday, September 29^th (weather permitting)

-we will be collecting coins to donate to Cancer Research as a part of the Marathon of Hope started by Terry Fox

-please bring nickles, dimes, quarters, loonies or twonies to school on Thursday, September 24^th, Monday, September 28^th or Tuesday, September 29^th

-any spare change will help

We have been studying the brain and how to develop our 'Brain Power' and how to use specific learning strategies to assist us with our learning.  Explain to a family member the strategies that you know about right / left brain learners, as well as your understanding about the downstairs / upstairs brain.  Be sure to include the amygdala, and what strategies you use to be able to access your upstairs brain.

We have also been developing our 'Heart Power'.  What have you been doing to be a responsible citizen of our school community?  What has happened to your 'Heart Power'? Be specific when you share your examples with your family.


Homework:
Find 5 examples of math concepts in your house.  Record the example.  Compose a math problem connected your examples.  Try to make our brains sweat and make it challenging.  We will share in class tomorrow.

Reminder:

Parent - Teacher Interviews are on Thursday, September 24 from 4:15 - 8:00 and on Friday, September 25 from 8:00 - 12:30. Please book a Parent-Teacher Conference by going to the following link:
                           Parent - Teacher Interviews

We look forward to meeting with all parents to start our learning journey together!
There is no school, Friday, September 25: Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Our Digital Citizenship Projects are due tomorrow. Please share with a family member your project, either your brochure or your oral presentation, and the assessment rubric on D2L. Ask them for some feedback by comparing to the rubric. How can you ensure that your project is at a standard of excellence for Information, Presentation and Resources?  What is a goal you have? What do you need to do to achieve this goal for this project?


Reminder:
Parent - Teacher Interviews are on Thursday, September 24 from 4:15 - 8:00 and on Friday, September 25 from 8:00 - 12:30. Please book a Parent-Teacher Conference by going to the following link:
                             Parent - Teacher Interviews

We look forward to meeting with all parents to start our learning journey together!
There is no school, Friday, September 25: Parent-Teacher Interviews.

Today we began our lessons on 'Reading Power'.  How is 'Reading Power' connected to the brain?  What 'Reading Powers' do you use when your are reading?

Today our class had our first current events presentation! Explain to a family member our current events projects and your responsibility to present current events to our class this year. Share the project criteria, rubric and recommended current event links posted into D2L. The presentation schedule will be posted in the classroom next week! Please check which week you are responsible to present.

Thank you for another fabulous week of learning! 

Our class had our weekly book exchange today! Share with a family member the books you signed out, and why you chose these books. Our school is interested in your input! Please share with Mrs. Reimer any books you recommend to be added to our Learning Commons.

Reminder:  All Awa Taan and Outdoor School (Gr. 5 and 6) forms are due tomorrow.

We began a new research project on Digital Citizenship! Share with a family member the project criteria, resources and assessment posted in D2L. What tips have you learned about how to stay safe and be a responsible citizen when using the technology? Why is digital citizenship important?

Excellent job working on your self-portrait art projects! You have demonstrated creativity and perseverance with this project. Share with a family member how you are using collage techniques for your self-portrait. Please bring any paper supplies from home that will help you with your collage this week.

Reminder:
- Awo Taan Program notice is being sent home today. Please sign and return as soon as possible.
- Outdoor School notice is being sent home. Please return this notice to school by Friday September 18.

-SUTP coupon books fundraiser is due Wednesday, September 16^th

-please return your envelopes with orders and cheques or cash

Our class began our new citizenship project: Heart Power! Explain to your family how we will be using Heart Power in our classroom this year and the self-reflection you wrote on your strengths. Why is Heart Power important in our classroom? Try your own Heart Power activity at home with your families!

Reminder:
- Child Safe Canada and Kids Plus Accident Insurance are being sent home with the youngest student at the school.
- Parent Teacher Conference are Sept 24 from 4:15pm to 8:00pm and September 25 from 8:00am to 12:30pm! A notice with instructions for how to book a conference is being sent home with the youngest student today.

We have begun our first class read aloud, The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. Share with a family member how the author hooked you into this novel. What connections can you make to the characters and setting?

Over the weekend think about the novels that you enjoy reading. What recommendations do you have for a future class read aloud? Share your ideas with Mrs. Calvert on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

We have been busy researching and reflecting on the brain! Share with a family member what we have been learning about the different parts of the brain and how they are connected to your learning. Be sure to share which part of your cerebrum - right or left - is dominant, and how do you know?


Reminder:
- Meet the Teacher is tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 in the gymnasium! We look forward to seeing your families this evening!

Thank you for your perseverance in our Math Show What You Know today! Share with a family member your strengths as a math student and a goal you have for this year. What strategies can you use at home to support your math learning?

Reminder:
- Meet the Teacher Evening is September 10:
-all families welcome (students, parents/guardians)
-doors open @ 6:30 pm and the evening ends at 7:30 pm-meet all the teachers and others from our community-learn more about our school and your community

-Time Capsules are due tomorrow.  This includes the design, the letter to yourself and the list of items and what they represent to you.  Please check D2L for the task criteria and assessment rubric.

Excellent job today working on your learning goals for our school year! Share with a family member a goal you have and the strategies you chose to help you achieve this goal. Why is goal setting an important part of our learning journey? Be prepared to share your ideas with the class tomorrow.

Reminder:

- Our Meet the Teacher evening is Thursday September 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 in the gymnasium. We will be sharing important information and programs for our school year. We look forward to seeing your families there! 

Thank you for a fabulous first week of learning!


Our class introduced our first Brain Power Strategy: Remember to Remember. Please share with your families why this strategy is important for your learning. Try it at home!

Our school will be studying the virtues again this year! Make a prediction for what the virtue for the month of September is.

Have a wonderful weekend!