Hello students & parents,
I can't believe that we only have one week left before Christmas holidays!
As a Christmas treat for my students, my husband Paul & I will be making a big CHRISTMAS SPAGHETTI LUNCH for the students on Friday so there is no need for students to bring a lunch, but they should bring snacks for the day. The lunch will consist of a big bowl of hot, yummy spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce, bread, drinks and a sweet treat!
Thank you to my husband Paul for making the yummy tomato sauce and to my Mom for bringing in the sweet treats :) What a team!!
Parents, please confirm that your child can participate in this lunch treat by emailing me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org or sending a note- thank you!
Some REMINDERS for the week:
- Social Studies group presentations will take place on Tuesday.
- Social Studies unit test is on Wednesday- students are to review the study guide posted soon on Edmodo carefully.
- Please bring in your Secret Santa gift ($5-$10 value) by Wednesday UNWRAPPED as we have been creating our own Christmas boxes to put it in. If there are any questions regarding this activity, please email me!
- We will be celebrating Christmas on Friday with our Secret Santa, Spaghetti Christmas Lunch & a Christmas movie!
- Please continue to support our charity, 'Just Cause' by purchasing candy cane grams- 25 cents for 1 or 5 for $1.00! ALL proceeds go to the children and families in Uganda for nutritional, medical and educational supplies- thank you!
I will be sending our usual weekly update combined with this coming week, later this week.
Thanks,
Mrs Massaro :)
Sunday 16 December 2012
Thursday 6 December 2012
For the love of BYOD & snow!
Hello students & parents!
Christmas is just around the corner- are you ready?? It was amazing to see a couple of our new students' reactions to seeing snow for the first time! The first snowfall is always so beautiful!
I want to begin this post with a congratulations to the students for successfully participating in our first BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) day! They were amazing! The students used the technology appropriately and were on task the entire time- so much so that I extended our BYOD period. The students were researching for their Social Studies Trading Partner project and working on PowerPoints, bristol boards etc. Thank you as well to the parents for ALL supporting this initiative! We will definitely book another BYOD session in the near future. Check out the pictures below of our BYOD session:
REMINDERS:
- Please bring in your Subway form & $5 by Thursday this week if you wish to order- healthy yum!
- Student Council will be selling candy cane grams for $0.25 each or 5 for $1.00 starting Monday! Students will be able to send a student, teacher or staff member a special Christmas note! Proceeds will go towards 'Just Cause', a charity focused on helping the children and families in Uganda who are in need of nutritional, medical and educational supplies. Thank you for your support!!
- Secret Santa for our class will take place the last school day before Christmas holidays- December 21st. Students are asked to bring in a $5-10 gift on December 19th so that we can ensure all gifts are ready. Students received their top secret Secret Santa name & a wish list this week so that they have a few gift ideas. During Art class this coming week, students will be able to decorate a Christmas box to place their Secret Santa gift in so please bring in a box no smaller than a shoe box by Thursday. Please feel free to email me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org or call me at school if you have any questions regarding this activity.
- Social Studies Trading Partner group presentations will take place on Wednesday! Students will need to let me know if they will require a projector for their presentation by Monday. Each group will complete a self evaluation and will also be evaluated by their peers. Good luck students!
- Math Ch. 5 final test will take place on Wednesday. Please review your notes & the links/videos I posted on the last blog update. I will also hold a Math lunch workshop on Tuesday.
- Social Studies final Economics unit test will take place Wednesday December 19th. Students will receive a study guide this week & it will also be posted on Edmodo.
WEEKLY UPDATE:
- In Math, we kicked off our measurement chapter with some great videos about polygons, thanks to Khan Academy! We are trying to use the projector as much as we are able to get our hands on it since it is so much better to get a full screen view versus all crowding around a laptop screen! Students are investigating how to calculate perimeter and area for various polygons and are encouraged to practice metric conversions and drawing polygons of different perimeters using a ruler.
- In Reading, we have started to share class reads on various holidays celebrated around the world, using the comprehension techniques VISUALIZING and MAKING CONNECTIONS. During Daily 5, students choose a holiday book and practice visualizing and making connections in their notebook.
- In Writing, we have completed narratives and we are moving on to PERSUASIVE writing! Students are really excited about this unit, as am I! We discussed what a persuasive argument is and the different techniques used in successful persuasion. Students are brainstorming ideas for a new technology or video game and will eventually create advertisements and a persuasive paper for their product.
- In Media, we continue to explore mixed media messages- particularly the follow-up commercial created by GreenPeace after the Dove Evolution commercial was released. On Edmodo, the students discussed the meaning behind the follow-up commercial and their thoughts on the original Dove commercial as a result.
- In Health, we studied advertising techniques using a milk ad.
- In Social Studies, students participated in their first BYOD research day as mentioned above. In Science, students wrote their final Biodiversity unit test- results coming soon!
- In Religion, we are exploring what Charity means and how we can connect this virtue to our personal lives, especially during the Christmas season.
SECRET SANTA DRAW & WISH LISTS:
Congratulations to our student of the week, ALEX V & to all raffle winners! Enjoy your day off tomorrow students! I will be attending a 21st Century Symposium and will be eager to share what I have learned with you all next week.
Have an amazing weekend & thanks for reading!
Mrs Massaro
Christmas is just around the corner- are you ready?? It was amazing to see a couple of our new students' reactions to seeing snow for the first time! The first snowfall is always so beautiful!
I want to begin this post with a congratulations to the students for successfully participating in our first BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) day! They were amazing! The students used the technology appropriately and were on task the entire time- so much so that I extended our BYOD period. The students were researching for their Social Studies Trading Partner project and working on PowerPoints, bristol boards etc. Thank you as well to the parents for ALL supporting this initiative! We will definitely book another BYOD session in the near future. Check out the pictures below of our BYOD session:
REMINDERS:
- Please bring in your Subway form & $5 by Thursday this week if you wish to order- healthy yum!
- Student Council will be selling candy cane grams for $0.25 each or 5 for $1.00 starting Monday! Students will be able to send a student, teacher or staff member a special Christmas note! Proceeds will go towards 'Just Cause', a charity focused on helping the children and families in Uganda who are in need of nutritional, medical and educational supplies. Thank you for your support!!
- Secret Santa for our class will take place the last school day before Christmas holidays- December 21st. Students are asked to bring in a $5-10 gift on December 19th so that we can ensure all gifts are ready. Students received their top secret Secret Santa name & a wish list this week so that they have a few gift ideas. During Art class this coming week, students will be able to decorate a Christmas box to place their Secret Santa gift in so please bring in a box no smaller than a shoe box by Thursday. Please feel free to email me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org or call me at school if you have any questions regarding this activity.
- Social Studies Trading Partner group presentations will take place on Wednesday! Students will need to let me know if they will require a projector for their presentation by Monday. Each group will complete a self evaluation and will also be evaluated by their peers. Good luck students!
- Math Ch. 5 final test will take place on Wednesday. Please review your notes & the links/videos I posted on the last blog update. I will also hold a Math lunch workshop on Tuesday.
- Social Studies final Economics unit test will take place Wednesday December 19th. Students will receive a study guide this week & it will also be posted on Edmodo.
WEEKLY UPDATE:
- In Math, we kicked off our measurement chapter with some great videos about polygons, thanks to Khan Academy! We are trying to use the projector as much as we are able to get our hands on it since it is so much better to get a full screen view versus all crowding around a laptop screen! Students are investigating how to calculate perimeter and area for various polygons and are encouraged to practice metric conversions and drawing polygons of different perimeters using a ruler.
- In Reading, we have started to share class reads on various holidays celebrated around the world, using the comprehension techniques VISUALIZING and MAKING CONNECTIONS. During Daily 5, students choose a holiday book and practice visualizing and making connections in their notebook.
- In Writing, we have completed narratives and we are moving on to PERSUASIVE writing! Students are really excited about this unit, as am I! We discussed what a persuasive argument is and the different techniques used in successful persuasion. Students are brainstorming ideas for a new technology or video game and will eventually create advertisements and a persuasive paper for their product.
- In Media, we continue to explore mixed media messages- particularly the follow-up commercial created by GreenPeace after the Dove Evolution commercial was released. On Edmodo, the students discussed the meaning behind the follow-up commercial and their thoughts on the original Dove commercial as a result.
- In Health, we studied advertising techniques using a milk ad.
- In Social Studies, students participated in their first BYOD research day as mentioned above. In Science, students wrote their final Biodiversity unit test- results coming soon!
- In Religion, we are exploring what Charity means and how we can connect this virtue to our personal lives, especially during the Christmas season.
SECRET SANTA DRAW & WISH LISTS:
Congratulations to our student of the week, ALEX V & to all raffle winners! Enjoy your day off tomorrow students! I will be attending a 21st Century Symposium and will be eager to share what I have learned with you all next week.
Have an amazing weekend & thanks for reading!
Mrs Massaro
Sunday 2 December 2012
We are on the technology train!
Hello students & parents,
Happy December!
We have a busy and exciting month ahead so please ensure you check the blog often- a reminder that you can put in your email address on the blog where it says 'Follow by Email' so that you receive the blog update to your email account when I update the blog, instead of having to check weekly.
Our week was a bit shorter for me as I was absent on Wednesday, presenting Edmodo at our board's Tech Innovator's Day. I had the opportunity to share some of the amazing features of Edmodo and I was happy to see how many teachers have started their own Edmodo classroom. Students, you have really embraced the concept of an online classroom and I am very proud of your hard work!
I must admit that I was very happy to be back with the students business as usual on Thursday. There is no place like room 206!!
REMINDERS:
- Final mystery narrative with book cover due Monday. Students are able to upload to 'backpack' (virtual storage) on Edmodo and can print in class on Monday.
- Pen Pal letter due Monday so that we can send out to school. We are hoping to set up a Skype (video interaction) session between pen pals in the future! Students are able to upload to 'backpack' (virtual storage) on Edmodo and can print in class on Monday.
- I am hoping to set-up a BYOD (bring your own device) session on Wednesday during Social Studies, which means, students would be able to bring in their personal electronic devices IF they have access to a data plan (internet) and wireless so that we can have a research session on the Trading Partners project. Parents, please stay tuned for more information about this!
- Science Biodiversity unit test will take place on Thursday. Students are strongly encouraged to review the study guide (parents please sign this!!) posted on Edmodo in the Science group and to look over the post on Study Tips on the blog. Students should review their Science notes and watch again the videos on kingdoms, vertebrates, invertebrates and biomes- all posted on Edmodo in the Science group.
- Students have been asked to bring in a box (with a lid if possible) this Thursday, no smaller than a shoe box for an Art project we are working on this week- thank you!
- Our community Christmas Mass will take place this Thursday at Transfiguration Church at 6:30pm.
- PD Day on Friday= NO SCHOOL
WEEKLY UPDATE:
- In Math, we have begun Ch.5-Measurement! Students are investigating perimeter- the distance around an object and are practicing conversions between different units. Parents, it would be very helpful if you could ensure your child has the following for Math: calculator, ruler, protractor. We use these items almost everyday in Math so it would help if every child has their own set of Math materials- Christmas wishlist?? haha. This week, we will be focusing on calculating the perimeter of polygons.
Please visit the following links to help with this chapter:
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=62 Video on Conversions
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=161 Video on Polygons Part 1
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=162 Video on Polygons Part 2
http://www.nelson.com/nelson/school/elementary/mathK8/math6/studentcentre/studentcentre.html Nelson Math- check out Chapter 5 activities
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/review-of-2-and-3-dimensional-figures Review of 2 and 3 dimensional figures
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/estimate-metric-measurements Estimate metric measurements
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/convert-and-compare-metric-units Convert and compare metric units
- In Reading, we continue to explore different biographies and work on the comprehension strategy-'Asking Questions'. I encourage students to continue to think of rich, reflective questions while reading and try to ask questions which also make connections to their life or world around them. The students participated in their first 'Cookies & Books' and I was happy to see how many amazing books were shared! We will post the book list on the blog soon!
- In Writing, students are completing their final published version of their mystery narrative and book cover for Art and are also completing their pen pal letter. As mentioned above, we are hoping to set up a Skype (online video) session with our pen pal partners! Many students were able to conference with me prior to working on their published version, but for students who did not, it is very important to remember to conference with an older sibling or adult after you have self revised and edited and conferenced with a peer.
- In Media, we continue to explore mixed media messages and persuasive advertising. We are currently looking carefully at the Dove Evolution commercial and reflecting on its message and target audience. I am so impressed with the students' reflective responses!!
In Social Studies, students are working in groups on a Trading Partners project. As mentioned above, I am hoping to have our first BYOD (bring your own device) day on Wednesday so that students can work on researching their project while in class. I feel confident that we have a responsible group of students who are able to take BYOD seriously. No worries to students who are unable to bring in an electronic device (smartphones, laptops, netbooks etc..) as we have 3 computers they can use in the class. Please note that the electronic devices would ONLY be used for research purposes and that except for BYOD days, students are not encouraged to bring in their electronic devices.
- In Science, we have completed the Biodiversity unit and students have also completed 2 experiments. As mentioned above, students should carefully prepare for the final unit test this Thursday by reviewing the study guide (on Edmodo) and Study Tips blog post, re-watching all Science videos on Edmodo and reviewing Science notes. Good luck students! Students also completed their first online Edmodo quiz- it went really well, except for some wireless issues at times!
- In Health, we continue to investigate what it means to be active versus sedentary. Students are reading articles on Edmodo and responding to polls and assignments online.
- In Art, students have been asked to bring in a box with a lid this Thursday so that they can decorate their box for their Secret Santa partner! For our class Christmas Secret Santa this year, students will be given a class name secretly with a wishlist and will be asked to bring in a small gift ($5-$10) for their class friend. Please feel free to email me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org or call me at school if you have any questions regarding this activity.
- In Religion, we are beginning to reflect on the new virtue for December- Charity. I am hoping that our class can help our Student Council work on charitable ways to give back to those in need for Christmas.
Thank you for reading our weekly update! Please check back this week for a post on our Cookies & Books list and more info on our BYOD day. Have a great week!
Mrs Massaro
Happy December!
We have a busy and exciting month ahead so please ensure you check the blog often- a reminder that you can put in your email address on the blog where it says 'Follow by Email' so that you receive the blog update to your email account when I update the blog, instead of having to check weekly.
Our week was a bit shorter for me as I was absent on Wednesday, presenting Edmodo at our board's Tech Innovator's Day. I had the opportunity to share some of the amazing features of Edmodo and I was happy to see how many teachers have started their own Edmodo classroom. Students, you have really embraced the concept of an online classroom and I am very proud of your hard work!
I must admit that I was very happy to be back with the students business as usual on Thursday. There is no place like room 206!!
REMINDERS:
- Final mystery narrative with book cover due Monday. Students are able to upload to 'backpack' (virtual storage) on Edmodo and can print in class on Monday.
- Pen Pal letter due Monday so that we can send out to school. We are hoping to set up a Skype (video interaction) session between pen pals in the future! Students are able to upload to 'backpack' (virtual storage) on Edmodo and can print in class on Monday.
- I am hoping to set-up a BYOD (bring your own device) session on Wednesday during Social Studies, which means, students would be able to bring in their personal electronic devices IF they have access to a data plan (internet) and wireless so that we can have a research session on the Trading Partners project. Parents, please stay tuned for more information about this!
- Science Biodiversity unit test will take place on Thursday. Students are strongly encouraged to review the study guide (parents please sign this!!) posted on Edmodo in the Science group and to look over the post on Study Tips on the blog. Students should review their Science notes and watch again the videos on kingdoms, vertebrates, invertebrates and biomes- all posted on Edmodo in the Science group.
- Students have been asked to bring in a box (with a lid if possible) this Thursday, no smaller than a shoe box for an Art project we are working on this week- thank you!
- Our community Christmas Mass will take place this Thursday at Transfiguration Church at 6:30pm.
- PD Day on Friday= NO SCHOOL
WEEKLY UPDATE:
- In Math, we have begun Ch.5-Measurement! Students are investigating perimeter- the distance around an object and are practicing conversions between different units. Parents, it would be very helpful if you could ensure your child has the following for Math: calculator, ruler, protractor. We use these items almost everyday in Math so it would help if every child has their own set of Math materials- Christmas wishlist?? haha. This week, we will be focusing on calculating the perimeter of polygons.
 |
| Calculating the perimeter of different objects in classroom |
Please visit the following links to help with this chapter:
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=62 Video on Conversions
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=161 Video on Polygons Part 1
http://www.adaptedmind.com/v.php?vId=162 Video on Polygons Part 2
http://www.nelson.com/nelson/school/elementary/mathK8/math6/studentcentre/studentcentre.html Nelson Math- check out Chapter 5 activities
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/review-of-2-and-3-dimensional-figures Review of 2 and 3 dimensional figures
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/estimate-metric-measurements Estimate metric measurements
http://ca.ixl.com/math/grade-6/convert-and-compare-metric-units Convert and compare metric units
- In Reading, we continue to explore different biographies and work on the comprehension strategy-'Asking Questions'. I encourage students to continue to think of rich, reflective questions while reading and try to ask questions which also make connections to their life or world around them. The students participated in their first 'Cookies & Books' and I was happy to see how many amazing books were shared! We will post the book list on the blog soon!
- In Writing, students are completing their final published version of their mystery narrative and book cover for Art and are also completing their pen pal letter. As mentioned above, we are hoping to set up a Skype (online video) session with our pen pal partners! Many students were able to conference with me prior to working on their published version, but for students who did not, it is very important to remember to conference with an older sibling or adult after you have self revised and edited and conferenced with a peer.
 |
| Working on Book Covers. |
 |
| Typing pen pal letter- published version. |
 |
| Conferencing with a friend! |
 |
| Self Editing/Revising! |
 |
| Consulting the dictionary :) |
- In Media, we continue to explore mixed media messages and persuasive advertising. We are currently looking carefully at the Dove Evolution commercial and reflecting on its message and target audience. I am so impressed with the students' reflective responses!!
In Social Studies, students are working in groups on a Trading Partners project. As mentioned above, I am hoping to have our first BYOD (bring your own device) day on Wednesday so that students can work on researching their project while in class. I feel confident that we have a responsible group of students who are able to take BYOD seriously. No worries to students who are unable to bring in an electronic device (smartphones, laptops, netbooks etc..) as we have 3 computers they can use in the class. Please note that the electronic devices would ONLY be used for research purposes and that except for BYOD days, students are not encouraged to bring in their electronic devices.
- In Science, we have completed the Biodiversity unit and students have also completed 2 experiments. As mentioned above, students should carefully prepare for the final unit test this Thursday by reviewing the study guide (on Edmodo) and Study Tips blog post, re-watching all Science videos on Edmodo and reviewing Science notes. Good luck students! Students also completed their first online Edmodo quiz- it went really well, except for some wireless issues at times!
- In Health, we continue to investigate what it means to be active versus sedentary. Students are reading articles on Edmodo and responding to polls and assignments online.
- In Art, students have been asked to bring in a box with a lid this Thursday so that they can decorate their box for their Secret Santa partner! For our class Christmas Secret Santa this year, students will be given a class name secretly with a wishlist and will be asked to bring in a small gift ($5-$10) for their class friend. Please feel free to email me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org or call me at school if you have any questions regarding this activity.
- In Religion, we are beginning to reflect on the new virtue for December- Charity. I am hoping that our class can help our Student Council work on charitable ways to give back to those in need for Christmas.
Thank you for reading our weekly update! Please check back this week for a post on our Cookies & Books list and more info on our BYOD day. Have a great week!
Mrs Massaro
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