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.
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| 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.
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| Working on Book Covers. |
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| Typing pen pal letter- published version. |
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| Conferencing with a friend! |
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| Self Editing/Revising! |
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| 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
