Monday 30 September 2013

Curriculum Night 2013!

Hello students & parents!

As many of you already know, Curriculum Night is this Thursday October 3rd,   6-7pm!

I am hoping that you are all able to make it as I will be briefly discussing the curriculum for the year, handing out a curriculum package and demonstrating how Edmodo works!

I would really appreciate it if you could confirm whether you plan to attend by emailing me at evita.massaro@tcdsb.org. Thank you!!

Hoping to see you this Thursday! Please note that a more detailed blog update will be posted about last week and this week soon.

Thank you,

Mrs Massaro

Sunday 22 September 2013

Welcome Fall!

Hello students & parents & all things pumpkin!

We have now completed 3 weeks and the students are getting more used to our daily routines. This week, we introduced Social Studies and Science, in addition to Language, Math and Religion, which we began the first couple of weeks. You will find that most of our work for the Social Sciences is done through Edmodo, so please check Edmodo often with your child. Many of the reminders below are from last week's post as they still apply, but there are a few new ones so please read through:

REMINDERS:

- There will be construction taking place in our schoolyard beginning September 30th, so for this reason, our dismissal and arrival procedures will be changed starting this week to prepare the students. During the morning recess from 8-8:30am, students will remain in the hallway area outside of our classroom as the field is not used during this time and the yard will be under construction. In terms of entry into the school after recess and dismissals, students will be asked to line-up near the field and we will enter or leave the school by the stairwell near the Community Centre.

- It would be greatly appreciated if you could provide exact change for pizza orders and any other times we need to collect money. Thank you!!

- Our school Terry Fox walk will take place this Thursday. Thank you to those who have donated $2! Please ensure your child has returned their permission form for the walk- I have written a reminder in the agendas of those students who need to return this form still.

- Curriculum Night is OCTOBER 3rd, 6-7PM! Unfortunately, the BBQ has been cancelled due to the construction. Please try to attend Curriculum Night @ 6pm!

- Dress Down Day is September 27!

- P.A. Day Friday October 11th & Thanksgiving Day is Monday October 14th.

- On Edmodo, there will be posts in every subject each week. Please note that there will be a weekly Media assignment to complete online and most other subjects will have weekly discussions and assignments so please check often!

- Nelson Online: students are to complete an online Nelson activity for Math most nights. These activities correspond to the lesson taught in class. I will post the Nelson links in the Math group on Edmodo.

- The students are now on Mangahigh, which is an amazing Game Based Math site! The challenges and games are linked to the ON curriculum. Your child was given a user name/password and will work on challenges each week in class and hopefully at home. So if you notice your child enjoying online Math games at home, this is a good thing!

- NUT FREE ZONE: parents, please ensure your child does not come to school with any nut products as we have a few serious nut allergies at our school. Also, please do not send your child with edible treats for the class, even if it is for their birthday, instead, if you wish to bring a treat for the class, please bring non edible items- thank you so much for your support!

- Uniforms: parents, please ensure your child is wearing the proper uniform at school. As the weather gets cooler, please make sure your child is dressed warmly in uniform appropriate colours- thank you!

- Food Bank @ Richview Baptist Church (1548 Kipling Avenue) every Sunday 2:30-4:30pm for any families in need. Food Bank items include fresh vegetables & fruit, milk, canned goods, pasta, rice and other items at NO COST. Please share the news!

WEEKLY UPDATES:

- The students are working towards their individual badges for great behaviour as we will be celebrating these badges during our Achievement Day at the end of the month. The students are also aware of our Strike System, which means that each month, students have a warning and 3 strikes available and if all are used by the end of the month, then parents will be notified and consequences will follow such as privileges taken away. Students can receive strikes for actions such as homework incompletion, inappropriate behaviour and not following school and class procedures. At the start of a new month, all previous strikes are removed and students have a fresh start.

- In Language, we continue to work on the DAILY CAFE, particularly the Read to Self station. I am super impressed with my students as they are doing really well with this station and they are building their reading stamina! We had a big honest discussion about what we sometimes don't like about reading and we tried to figure out ways to solve these problems so that we enjoyed reading more. The students are becoming very independent at choosing just right books for their book bins and logging what they have been reading on their reading log sheet.

The FAV reading spot in the class!

Busy reading!

Trying to solve reading problems!
- In Media, we continue to explore DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP through videos about being kind online and avoiding and reporting cyberbullying. We watch videos in class and on Edmodo on being a kind digital citizen and students discuss and work on assignments about this through Edmodo.

- In Math, we are completing Chapter 1- Patterns in Mathematics this week. Students had a quiz this past week so please look for a quiz to sign this week. Students should be on Nelson Online and Mangahigh most nights reviewing lessons in class through online practice and games!



- As mentioned previously, we have started Social Studies and Science this week! In Science, we are studying Biodiversity and the students watched an excellent 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' video all about biodiversity, which the students really enjoyed! In Social Studies, we looked at mapping and are beginning our unit on Canada's Interactions with the Global Community.

- In Religion, we are reflecting on the virtue Hospitality and what it means to be hospitable. The students are working on an 'I am from' poem and recently completed a letter to Terry Fox.

Popsicle treat on a hot Friday!


Thank you for reading our weekly blog post! Please remember to 'follow by email' on the blog so that the new blog updates are emailed to you- thanks!
Enjoy your week,

Mrs Massaro

Sunday 15 September 2013

Back in School Mode!

Hello students, parents & cooler weather!!

We are back in school mode and have officially started Edmodo! I am so happy that my students love going on Edmodo and are enjoying learning in a 21st century kind of way.  If you haven't done so already, please check out the Edmodo 'how to' videos, which can be found in a previous post on this blog so that you familiarize yourself with Edmodo and how it works. Parents, please also check your child's Edmodo account often so that you are aware of the work your child is doing online- thank you!

REMINDERS:

- Edmodo:  2 Media discussions and 1 Media assignment on Digital Citizenship is due tomorrow. I have extended the due date so that students who were unable to go online this weekend can work on these items in class tomorrow.

- Nelson Online:  students are to complete an online Nelson activity for Math most nights. These activities correspond to the lesson taught in class. I will post the Nelson links in the Math group on Edmodo.

- The students are now on Mangahigh, which is an amazing Game Based Math site! The challenges and games are linked to the ON curriculum. Your child was given a username/password and will work on challenges each week in class and hopefully at home. So if you notice your child enjoying online Math games at home, this is a good thing!

- NUT FREE ZONE:  parents, please ensure your child does not come to school with any nut products as we have a few serious nut allergies at our school. Also, please do not send your child with edible treats for the class, even if it is for their birthday, instead, if you wish to bring a treat for the class, please bring non edible items- thank you so much for your support!

- Uniforms:  parents, please ensure your child is wearing the proper uniform at school. As the weather gets cooler, please make sure your child is dressed warmly in uniform appropriate colours- thank you!

- Terry Fox Walk:  thanks to Ms. Huntley, we will be participating in a Terry Fox Walk on September 26th!  We are asking for a $2 donation- thank you. Please return the permission form by this week.

- Dress Down Day is September 27!

- Food Bank @ Richview Baptist Church (1548 Kipling Avenue) every Sunday 2:30-4:30pm for any families in need. Food Bank items include fresh vegetables & fruit, milk, canned goods, pasta, rice and other items at NO COST. Please share the news!

- Curriculum Night/Family BBQ:  October 3rd, 4-6pm. Please try to attend!

- P.A. Day Friday October 11th & Thanksgiving Day is Monday October 14th.


WEEKLY UPDATES:

- As mentioned above, we have officially started Edmodo! The students are learning about Digital Citizenship for Media, by viewing videos about how we should strive to be online:  being kind online, being safe online, knowing how to search online and how to be a good digital citizen.

Please check out this video on the ups and downs of a digital world. The students' Media assignment is on this video:



Using Edmodo in the classroom

- In Math, we have begun Chapter 1- Patterns in Mathematics. Students are using Nelson Online and Mangahigh, which are both online sites for Math, to help them reinforce the lessons taught in class.

 
Our Math Word Wall, which we are constantly adding to

Mangahigh multiplication challenge with another school- the students loved this!

Students taking charge of the tech in our class for a Math lesson!

- In Language, we have launched our DAILY CAFE, which is our Language program for the year. In the Daily Cafe, students visit different Language stations:  Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing and Word Work. While most students are at their chosen Language station, I work with small strategy groups and conferencing one on one for Language development.

This past week, the students and I discussed how to choose JUST RIGHT books, rather than too easy or too challenging books. The students chose their own books for their book bins, which they were really excited about. We also discussed the different ways we read books. Towards the end of the week, we discussed out first Daily Cafe station- READ TO SELF. I am super proud of my students as they did well with this station, especially for their first time!




 

Finding your own spot for Read to Self

Your own desk for Read to Self
 

OTHER PICTURES:

Getting ready for our Terry Fox Walk!

Religion activity on our kaliedoscope of feelings within us



Thank you so much for taking the time to read the blog! Please remember to 'follow by email' on the blog so that the new blog updates are emailed to you- thanks!

Have a wonderful week,

Mrs Massaro

Sunday 8 September 2013

Edmodo 'how to' videos!

Hello students & parents!

Please check out the following videos on how to use Edmodo. I will be showing these videos to the students in class, but it would be a good idea for the students to watch them again at home with their parents, so that both students & parents understand how to use Edmodo. As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Edmodo!

 
EDMODO SETTINGS & PROFILE

 
 
EDMODO POSTING REPLIES:
 
 
 
EDMODO ASSIGNMENTS:
 
 
 
 
EDMODO PLANNER 
 
 
 
EDMODO PROGRESS
 
 
 
EDMODO POLLS
 
 
 
EDMODO BACKPACK
 
 
 
EDMODO DIGITAL CITIZENS
 
 
 
EDMODO SMALL GROUPS
 
 
 
EDMODO APPS
 


Thank you for taking the time to view these videos!

Mrs Massaro

New Beginnings!

Hello students & parents,

I hope that you are enjoying your first weekend of the new school year!  We had a good first week reviewing and learning new class procedures and routines.  The students have started writing in their Journals, and our Daily Cafe, which is a Language program, has begun. We discussed how to choose JUST RIGHT books rather than easy or challenging books, and the students enjoyed choosing books to fill their individual book bins from the hundreds of books in our class library. The students are also working on an "I am from" poem, which is a poem all about them!

This week, I will be signing up the students on Edmodo, which means most subjects will begin this week. Please check your child's Edmodo account frequently to check out what they are working on. You will notice that your child will want to get on the home computer almost every night to work on Edmodo. Students will also be able to work on Edmodo at school, thanks to my brother who donated laptops for our classroom!! I will also be signing up the students on Mangahigh, which is an amazing Math site filled with Math games and activities, which link to our curriculum. Please encourage your child to get on Edmodo & Mangahigh this week to get some practice with these sites- I thank you for your support! I will be posting a video on how to use Edmodo & Mangahigh on the blog hopefully in the next week or two, so please look out for it!

Students will be participating in our initial Language assessments this week. We administer Language assessments in September and February to keep track of individual student needs and strengths.

We will also be discussing the concept of Digital Citizenship in class this week, which includes:

  • Being kind online- understanding your words are powerful online, just as they are offline.
  • Netiquette- how students can be clear and thoughtful communicators online.
  • Smart Searching- the basics of searching online and how to avoid false/inappropriate material.
  • Safety Smarts- protecting yourself and your personal information online.
  • Digital Citizen- what characteristics make someone a good digital citizen.
Please watch this video on your DIGITAL FOOTPRINT and discuss with your child:




IMPORTANT DATES/DETAILS:

  • Curriculum Night will take place Thursday October 3rd in the evening- please try to attend as I am looking forward to meeting you all and we would like to share how Edmodo works during this time!
  • Gym will take place on Mondays so please ensure your child brings running shoes and gym clothes if possible on Mondays. Ms. Rudy will be teaching Gym.
  • French will take place the first period of every day from 8:30am- 9:05am. Mme Orelana will be teaching French.
  • Violin will take place every Wednesday and Friday from 10:30am- 11:15am. Mrs O'Kane will be teaching Violin.
  • Library will take place every Thursday, the last period of the day. Mrs. Nicolucci will be leading Library.

Thank you to all parents for returning all forms so quickly! I appreciate your support! Please continue to check your child's agenda and Communication Duo frequently, especially in September.

Have a wonderful week and please 'follow by email' on the blog if you haven't done so already. Thank you to those who are already following!

Thank you for reading,

Mrs Massaro

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Badges & Achievement Day!

Hello students & parents!

This year, the students will be working towards getting BADGES on Edmodo to encourage a successful and enjoyable year. The badges will be awarded on Edmodo and at the end of each month, our class will celebrate ACHIEVEMENT DAY. Achievement Day will be a celebration of the badges earned by receiving free time. Please ask your child to explain each badge as we discussed them in class.

Please take a look at the possible badge options and the free time options:


BADGES/ACHIEVEMENT DAY!

Batting 1000!
Congrats! You had no strikes this month! (10 POINTS-Strikes are a result of incomplete homework and behaviour issues).

 

Brownie Point!
Congrats! Another adult had something good to say about you! (10 POINTS)

 

Random Act of Kindness!
Congrats! Your teacher noticed you did something extra special for someone! (10 POINTS)

 

Playground Protector!
Congrats! You looked out for someone in the playground! (10 POINTS)

 

Good Sport!
Congrats! You made sure everyone was included during recess! (10 POINTS)

 

Eco Icon!
Congrats! You began an environmentally-friendly initiative! (10 POINTS)

 

Cleaning Pro!
Congrats! Your desk, book bin and personal space were always tidy this month! (10 POINTS)

 

High Achiever!
Congrats! You took the initiative and asked for extra help! (10 POINTS)

 

High Flier!
Congrats! You were tops in the class on a test or assignment! (10 POINTS)

 

Mathlete!
Congrats! You improved your Math mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Wordsmith!
Congrats! You improved your Language mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Historian!
Congrats! You improved your Social Studies mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Einstein!
Congrats! You improved your Science mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Mozart!
Congrats! You improved your Music mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Bonchance!
Congrats! You improved your French mark this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Superhero!
Congrats! You spoke up against bullying! (10 POINTS)


 
E For Effort!
Congrats! Your teacher noticed you working extra hard this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Edmodo Idol!
Congrats! You consistently participated on Edmodo this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Participator!
Congrats! You frequently participated in class discussions this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Group Guru!
Congrats! You helped guide your group without taking over! (10 POINTS)

 

Lone Star!
Congrats! You were able to work well quietly and independently this month! (10 POINTS)

 

Law-Abiding Citizen!
Congrats! You followed all school and class rules this month! (10 POINTS)

 

 FREE TIME AWARDED:

10 points= 10 free minutes

20 points= 20 free minutes

30 points= 30 free minutes........

60 points= 1 hour!!

 
ACHIEVEMENT DAY OPTIONS:

Computer time
 
Painting/drawing

Library corner/reading

Board Games

Hang with a friend in our class

Personal electronics (must have parent consent)

Trade in for goodies

Visit another class (other teacher must ok it)


 Good luck to all students! Remember that your school year depends on the choices you make, your attitude and effort. Be positive, be honest, be kind, try your best and have fun!
 
A video to enjoy & think about:
 
 

Thank you,

Mrs. Massaro