Thank you to the Books for Kids program for the generous book gift to each student in our school! Our school began a week of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) where all students and teachers in the school are encouraged to stop what they are doing during assigned times and read! Share with a family member the different material you read (or were read) today. We will be participating in DEAR all week. What books do you recommend Mrs. Calvert read for DEAR? Why is this a great book to read?

Homework: 
Continue to read a fiction novel for your next Best Book Project.

Reminder:
-March calendar coming home today.
- We are having a pizza lunch on Wednesday March 16! Notice and order forms are being sent home today. Please return your order and money to the school by March 10.

Thank you to the Books for Kids program for the generous book gift to each student in our school! Our school began a week of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) where all students and teachers in the school are encouraged to stop what they are doing during assigned times and read! Share with a family member the different material you read (or were read) today. We will be participating in DEAR all week. What books do you recommend Ms. Makowski read for DEAR? Why is this a great book to read?

Homework: 
Continue to read a fiction novel for your next Best Book Project. This project will be introduced in class shortly!

Terrific job completing your swimming lessons this week! You showed excellent perseverance in the pool.

Have a wonderful weekend!
 

Terrific job completing your swimming lessons this week! You showed excellent perseverance in the pool.

Have a wonderful weekend!
 

In our novel study, The Breadwinner, we have been discussing how to identify and infer reasons for a character's actions or feelings based on evidence from the story.  In your opinion, share with a family member why the family did not leave Afghanistan when they were able to. What do you think they should have done? Be sure to support your thinking with specific examples from the story.

Homework: 
Play Betweeners with a family member.  Use playing cards instead of dice. How do you know that your decimal is 'between'? Explain your strategy.

Reminder: 
- Sports Club is today from 3:15 to 3:45.
- Last day of swimming lessons are tomorrow (Friday Feb. 26).

Room 2 has a classroom compost! Share with a family member the different items we are composting for this science experiment. What observations have you made in this experiment? How has the food items changed over the past couple weeks? What did you notice about the temperature of our composted items?

Homework: 
Play Race to Zero subtraction game with a family member! What strategies do you have for subtracting?

Reminder: 
- Sports Club is today from 3:15 to 3:45.
- Last day of swimming lessons are tomorrow (Friday Feb. 26).

Room 5 has been engineering our electricity projects!  Our project proposals and budgets have been submitted and approved.  Explain to a family member what you have learned about the perspective of an engineer in the planning phase of a project. Be sure to share your posted proposals from D2L. What challenges are you encountering now you are in the construction phase?

Homework:
Please go on the following websites posted on the blog, under Grade 4/5 Fractions. You will be comparing and ordering equivalent fractions, decimals and percents:

http://www.mathplayground.com/Decention/Decention.html

Reminder:
Sports Club is tomorrow, February 25, 3:15-3:45
 

In math, we have been working with reading and writing decimals smaller than hundreths. Please share with a family member your understanding of how to read and write decimals.  How does reading decimals connect to reading numbers larger than millions?  Why is the decimal read using the word 'and'?  What strategies do you use to be able to read decimals?

Homework:
Play Face Off or Pico, Firmy, Bagel with a family member.  Be sure to use decimals in your game. How do you know which decimals are the greatest? Least? Can you explain your thinking.

Reminder:
Sport Club is on Thursday, February 25 - 3:15-3:45.

Swimming started today!  Please share with a family member what are your strengths in swimming? What goals are you working on this week?  What strategies do you have to achieve your goals?  How can your instructor assist you to be successful with your goals?

Homework:
Please go on the following websites posted on the blog, under Grade 4/5 Fractions. You will be ordering decimals and finding equivalent fractions, decimals and percents:

http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/ordering-game.php


Reminder:
We swim everyday this week.  Come prepared with your bathing suit, towel and a plastic bag.

Your Engineering Projects reflect your creativity and diligence!  Be proud of your accomplishments.



Reminder:
Swimming begins on Monday, February 22 - Friday, February 26.  We swim right before lunch.  We will return from the pool at 12:15. Remember to bring/wear your bathing suit, bring a towel and a plastic bag.

In our novel study of the Breadwinner, we have been discussing the different types of government. Share your understanding of what type of government is in our novel, which takes place in Afghanistan in the 1990's. What are some of their decrees?  What is your opinion of these rules? How is the government of Canada different from this type of government? What could you do if you knew that a rule or a decree was unfair?

Homework:
Go the the decimal websites posted under the fraction hyperlink on the blog.

Reminder:
-Swimming begins on Monday, February 22 - Friday, February 26.  We swim right before lunch.  We will return from the pool at 12:15. Remember to bring/wear your bathing suit, bring a towel and a plastic bag.
-Sports Club is today, 3:15-3:45.

We are in the planning stages of our Engineering Projects using electricity.  Share with a family member your illustrated diagram and your proposal, which are posted in D2L. Why is a budget important from the perspective of an engineer? Do you have all the materials you need to begin your construction?

Homework:
Where do we use decimals and fractions?  Where are they used in your house? In our community? Be prepared to share.


Reminder:
-Swimming begins on Monday, February 22 - Friday, February 26.  We swim right before lunch.  We will return from the pool at 12:15. Remember to bring/wear your bathing suit, bring a towel and a plastic bag.
-Sports Club tomorrow, Thursday, February 18, 3:15-3:45.

Today, we shared our Best Non-Fiction Book projects with another class.  After listening to the persuasive writing of your peers explain to a family member what was your first choice for the Best Non-Fiction Book Ever.  Be sure to support your thinking with specific examples. Which non-fiction books are you planning to read after our sharing?

Homework:
Read a new non-fiction book this week.
Complete book cover designs for Best Non-Fiction Book Ever.

Reminder:
Swimming begins on Monday, February 22 - Friday, February 26.  We swim right before lunch.  We will return from the pool at 12:15. Remember to bring/wear your bathing suit, bring a towel and a plastic bag.

Celebrate your learning journey.
Have an amazing long weekend! See you on Tuesday, February 16.

Reminder:
- Colonel Macleod School notice is being sent home with the youngest student.

Today we had a peer assess and provide us with feedback on our Best Non-Fiction Book Projects. Share with a family member what you are celebrating with this project.  What will you do to move your learning forward and ensure that your project is completed to a standard of excellence?

Homework:
Our Best Non-Fiction Book Ever Projects are due tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10.  Check D2L for the criteria and assessment.

Reminder:
No school on Thursday, February 11 or Friday, February 12.  It is Teacher's Convention.
No school on Monday, February 15.  It is Family Day.

Our design projects representing our understanding of electricity will begin shortly. Our study will be from the perspective of an engineer.  Which problem will you choose to solve? What type of engineer would be consulted? What materials do you think you will need? Please share with a family member your understanding of how current electricity works.  What are closed and open circuits? What is a short circuit? Be sure to demonstrate your learning by locating examples to support your thinking in your home.

Homework:
Our Best Non-Fiction Book Ever Projects are due on Wednesday, February 10.  Check D2L for the criteria and assessment.

Reminder:
No school on Thursday, February 11 or Friday, February 12.  It is Teacher's Convention.
No school on Monday, February 15.  It is Family Day.

Celebrate another fabulous week of learning!

We are listening to a new read aloud, called Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen.  This narrative is a sequel to The Hatchet.  Please share with a family member your ideas about Brian's character.  Has Brian's character changed since completing your Step-Inside from The Hatchet?   Which virtues does Brian demonstrate?  What evidence do you have to support your thinking?

Homework:
Complete your book cover design for your Best Non-Fiction Book Ever project.  Check the rubric in D2L for the criteria expected for excellence.

Reminder:
-Return swimming forms - Ability levels and Acknowledgment of Risk
-Please return report card envelopes

We started our novel study of The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis.  What are you ideas about the title and the image on the cover?  Predict what you think this novel is about.  Go on the Deborah Ellis link under content in D2L and read about the author.  What questions would you ask this author?  Post your questions in D2L under discussions. Be prepared to share in class tomorrow.

Homework:
Research Deborah Ellis.  Post your questions in D2L.

Reminder:
-Sports Club is tomorrow: Thursday, February 4 - 3:15-3:45
-Return swimming forms by tomorrow, February 4 - Ability levels and Acknowledgment of Risk
-Please return report card envelopes

Our class reflected on our report cards today. We completed a google doc explaining our most important learning for this term and why.  We also decided what we wanted to work on to move our learning forward for the rest of the year.  Please share with a family member what you need to support you to achieve your learning goal.

Homework:
Our Best Non-Fiction Book Ever Projects are due on Wednesday, February 10.  Please check D2L for the task criteria and assessment.

Reminder:
-February newsletter and calendar
-Please return report card envelopes
-Return swimming forms - Ability levels and Acknowledgment of Risk