June Newsletter

June Newsletter
Room 20 – Mrs. Shields
http://www.mrsshieldsblog.blogspot.com/

I can hardly believe that we are into the month of June. I am excited for the summer but sad that the day is quickly approaching that I will have to say good-bye and good luck to a wonderful group of students.

Students will be swimming:
Monday June 15
Wednesday June 17
Friday June 19
Tuesday June 23
Wednesday June 24

Grade 5 Farewell will take place on Thursday, June 25 at 9:30 am. Please send in the numbers of people attending as soon as possible so we have a rough idea as to how many people to prepare for.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students for a wonderful year. I have enjoyed this year tremendously. The students have taught me a great deal, as I hope I have done for them. The year has flown by, partly because every day has been a joy for me. I wish you all the best next year as you enter another chapter of your lives.

Good luck next year!!



Language Arts
We will continue to work through our Guided Reading groups during Centers. Students have done a wonderful job this year working independently and responsibly.

We will also continue to work on pulling together the 6 traits of writing (ideas and content, organization, voice, word choice, conventions, and presentation). I am very proud of the writing the students have been able to present. They have grown tremendously as writers from the beginning of the year to now. Great job Grade 5.

Math
We are completing our Statistics and Probability unit during the first week of June. Students have had the opportunity to conduct experiments and discuss probability. We will complete our last unit, Transformations, throughout the last three weeks of school.

Students will write the Ministry of Education’s Assessment for Learning Monday, June 1 to Wednesday, June 3. I am confident that the students will do well on this assessment as they have had a wonderful year in math this year. Great job Grade 5 and thank you for working so hard to prepare for this assessment!

Social
We will continue to work on our Native American unit. Students have begun to work on an expository report in which they have chosen a group to focus on.

Science – Mrs. Gale
We will continue to work on our Resource Unit; students will work on an activity (of their choice) that is related to water, air, and soil pollution, or waste disposal practices. The topics of conservation and recycling will be a focus. Students will also be completing a ‘Something From Nothing’ project.

It has been a pleasure to teach this Grade 5 class science. They have exhibited a keen interest in science and learning! I wish them much success as they move to the High School next year.

French – Mrs. Orosz
Students will take home a portfolio of their work based on the play L’Arbre Ungali during the second week of June. At that time, they are to present the play to you with their paper puppets, and show you their “cahiers” or exercise booklets.

Please fill out and return the brief parent feedback form which they will give you then, about your child’s French presentation to you. Thank you for returning them by June 15 th (Monday).

The class will begin a class “written story re-telling” of L’Arbre Ungali . It is exciting for students to realize that they can tell the same story with different words.We may have time to perform selections from the play to each other in the class, in the final weeks of June. Each student has been making his or her own short slideshow of L’Arbre Ungali during our time in the computer lab. We look forward to adding details to, and sharing, this work with each other in our remaining classes.

Students have shown significant growth in their ability to understand, speak, read and write in French this year. It has been a pleasure to guide your child in these achievements.

Phys. Ed. – Mr. Leidl
Students will complete preparations for the school track and field meet during the first week of June. The year will end with school swimming, tennis skills, softball, and an introduction to the new Golf in Schools Program.

Health – Mr. Leidl
Students will complete the DARE program as instructed by Constable Jesse Nkwama. The year will end with students reviewing their personal wellness plans that they established at the beginning of the school year.

Arts Ed. – Mrs. Schentag
We are completing our Dance Unit with group presentations to both grade 5 classrooms. The students created wonderful dances that were well thought-out and entertaining.

We will conclude the year with a small Music unit focusing on music genres, instruments of the orchestra, and musical games and activities. Students will also practice the sign language song for their Grade 5 Farewell.

I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching Arts Ed. To all of the Grade 5 students and wish them the very best as they enter the High School.

Students worked on their Narrative creative writing story this morning. We will be posting these stories on their student blogs once completed.

Students worked in pairs to complete an experiment in math. The experiment focused on probability. Students then worked on a textbook assignment from pages 282-283 (1,4,5,6,7).

We completed Day 4 of Centers this morning. All Center activities are due tomorrow.

We spent some time reviewing for AFL's. We are writing this assessment Monday - Wednesday of next week.

Students then spent some time working on their Creative Writing drafts that were a part of this week's Center activities.

We revied yesterday's assignment in math, discussing the vocaulary of probability. We then conducted a small experiment using a 4 colored spinner and determining the likelihood of a certain color being spun. Students were assigned page 278-279 (2,3,6,and 7).

I will be collecting for the Esterhazy and Community Daycare hotdog sale tomorrow. Remember, it is $3.00 for a hot day and a drink.

Students worked on their Social Studies expository reports this morning. Most students are working on their first drafts. Some students have began the revision and editing process.
Students then completed a problem solver in practice for the AFL's. Please make sure that your son or daughter is at school for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We are writing the Math AFL on these days.
After lunch, we discuess last week's graphing assignment. Students completed a graph and handed it in. We then discussed how events can be likely, unlikely, certain, impossible, probable, and improbable. Students are working on pages 274-275 (1,2,5,6). This assignment is due for tomorrow.
To end the day, students returned library books.

Students completed Day 3 of centers. Group 1 is working on the vocabulary for The Noblest Knight (due Monday). Group 2 and 3 worked on their collages from yesterday. These collages are due on Monday. Group 4 worked on their final drafts of their insturctional writing piece (due Monday).
At folder table, students worked in small groups to complete math pages 263-265 (1,3,4,5). We will be working with bar graphs and double bar graphs over the next few days. Everything from interpreting the imforation to constructing the graphs.
Students worked in pairs today to complete a variety of double bar-graph activities. These graphs are due on Monday.
We spent the last hour of the day working on our expository pieces of writing for Social Studies.
Have a great weekend everyone! Don't forget the permission forms and money for our field trip on Monday!!

Students began the day completing Day 2 of centers. Group 1 read a short article pertaining to Knights and the process of becoming a knight. Group 2 and 3 began a new reader titled Exploring Heritage. Both groups began working on a picture collage that represents the poem we read today, "All The Colors of the Earth." Group 4 continued to work on their writing activity where they choose an event and have to provide the instructions for that event. Students worked on math page 260 (1-4) at folder table.

After recess, students wrote their Measurement unit test. We will be starting our Data Management unit next. Students will be conducting surveys and experimenting with probability throughout our next unit.

Students were given their permission form for our year end class trip. Please sign this form and return it to school by Monday, May 25. Students must also bring $10 to cover some of the costs of the trip.

We have also scheduled our swimming days for June. We will be going to the pool Mon. June 15 (2-3), Wed. June 17 (2-3), Fri. June 19 (2-3), Tues. June 23 (2-3), and Wed. June 24 (11-12). If weather does not permit, the date of swimming will not be rescheduled. Admission for swimming is $5.00. Please send this to school asap. If you have a family pass, this fee will be waved.

Great job to all Grade 5's for doing a wonderful job on the AFL Writing field test that they completed yesterday. Thank you!!

Students completed Day 1 of a new set of centers this morning. Group 1 will continue to work on Little Kay questions on Wednesday. Groups 2 and 3 will write their open book test on Wednesday to wrap up this unit. Group 4 is reading an instruction story called Cat's Craddle. They are working to follow the instructions and demonstrate the string art described.

After recess, we reviewed for our Math AFL that is quickly approaching.

Students have worked hard to earn a scamo goal of extra computer time. Students had an hour of free-time on the computers today to fullfil this goal.

After lunch, students completed one last activity for the Measurement unit in regard to displacement and volume. Students worked in pairs to complete questions 1,3,and 5 from page 157. Students also worked on the unit review on page 158-159 (2,3,4,8,9,11,13,14,15). The Measurement unit test will be given on Thursday, May 21.

Students completed the Draft portion of the Writing AFL this morning. We will complete our final piece of writing tomorrow concentrating on revisions and editing, and publishing.

Students then completed Day 4 of Centers after recess. All Center activities are due for tomorrow!!

Students worked through Math Pods today. Teacher Table had students estimating the mL capacity of a number of different containers. They then measured the actual capacity to check their accuracy. At the computers station, students completed a short, timed game and quizzes pertaining to capacity (L and mL). Finally, desk work included pages 153-154 (1-8). The textbook assignment is due for tomorrow.

To end our day, we corrected the Woodland Indian questions assigned last class. Students then watched a video, "People of the Longhouse," and began working on the Iroquois questions. These are due for next Social class, Thursday.

Both Grade 5 classrooms have been chosen by the Ministry of Education to participate in a field study for the 2010 Writing AFL. Students began this process this morning by completing the planning stages of either a narrative or an expository writing prompt. We will continue with this process for the next two days.

After recess, we reviewed Friday's math assignment about volume and cubic meters. Students then worked on page 149/150 (1,2,3,5,6,7) to complete the topic of using referents for 1 L.
Students then took some time to prepare for the math AFL that is quickly approaching in the beginning of June.

Day 3 of Centers was completed this morning.
After recess, students completed a Mosaic shapes activity with a partner. This activity was started a few weeks ago.
After lunch, students completed math pods. The computer station allowed for students to choose from a variety of math game options reviewing previous topics. Teacher Table had students exploring capacity and making estimations regarding volume of 3 different sized containers. Students will be working with using 1L referents on Monday. The third station had students working on questions 1-5 from page 147.
Students finished off the day by discussing our Barren Ground Indian questions. We then watched a short video on the Woodland Indians. Students began working on 5 short questions pertaining to this group. This assignment is due on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!!

Students completed Day 2 of centers this morning. Group 1 is working to complete Little Kay vocabulary for tomorrow. Group 2 read Noblest Knight today and will continue to work on the questions tomorrow. Group 3 is working to complete Noblest Knight vocabulary for tomorrow. Group 4 is working to complete a collage for the poem Colors of Earth.

Students enjoyed an art presentation from the MacKenzie Art Gallery that was hosted by the high school this morning.

After lunch, we corrected page 143 together as a class. We also built a cube with a volume of 1m cubed. We will be using this structure for tomorrows math class.

"The Climb"

Click on the following link to listen to and watch the music video of this year's Grade 5 Farewell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2zyeVRcbs

May Newsletter – Room 20
http://www.mrsshieldsblog.blogspot.com/


Hopefully Spring has come to stay!! We are edging so quickly towards the end of our journey in grade 5. These last two months will be action packed and very busy for Room 20!

Mrs. Gale and I will be in touch with those parents who signed up for the Grade 5 Farewell committee. If you are still interested in volunteering some of your time to help us out with the Farewell you can get in touch with either of us. We are always looking for an extra hand.

Math
Students have been working extremely hard in Math class. We are currently working on a Measurement unit that focuses on Area and Perimeter, Volume, and Capacity. Students have had the opportunity to work a variety of hands on activities. Some of these assignments can be seen on my blog. Students worked extremely hard to design a house and calculate the area and perimeter of each room in the house.

We have also been working on the Data and Probability unit to ensure this unit is covered by the time of the AFL.

We will continue to prepare ourselves for the Saskatchewan Assessment for Learning (AFL) that is coming up in late May, early June. We have been working on practice questions and will continue to work on these until the AFL is completed.

Language Arts
Students are continuing to work on their short stories reader: Tales Clever, Foolish, and Brave. Group 4 has come to the end of this book and will be moving on into the next reader in the series. We continue to focus on using part of the question in our answers as well the comprehension skills involved in reading these short stories.

We have begun to focus on editing skills in our writing class. Students have taken some past pieces of writing and began to use their editing skills.

Students have also posted some writing pieces online. Check out our blog to read some of the wonderful short stories that students are sharing.

Social
Students will continue to study the various Canadian Native groups from our past. We will focus on the Inuit, Plains, Eastern Woodland, Barren Ground, Pacific Coast, and Huron-Iroquios Natives.
Science – Mrs. Gale
During the month of May, students will continue to learn about the renewable and non-renewable resources of Saskatchewan.
Students have planted their tomato seeds and are observing them to determine whether space flown seeds will germinate as well or better than regular seeds. They have already sprouted!

French - Mrs. Orosz
Students are compiling a portfolio of their work based on the play L ’ Arbre Ungali. Good time management in class will mean more good work to show you.

We will practice the play with puppets to get ready for a solo presentation by your child to you at home, near the end of May. Since there are six scenes, they may present the play to you in several smaller sessions instead of one long session, and also spend some time showing you selections from their written work.

At that time, please fill out and return the parent feedback form which your child will give you, about your child’s play performance to you. Thank you.

It is great to have so many students trying their best to speak only in French in class! Thank you for encouraging your child to continue to comply with this goal.

Health – Mr. Leidl
Students will begin the DARE program as instructed by Constable Jesse Nkwama of the RCMP. Units on internet and cell phone safety will also be part of the curriculum as well.

Physical Education – Mr. Leidl
For the first week in May the students will participate in the WeMuv Pedometer School Challenge to increase physical activity and fitness levels. Physical education classes will focus on track and field, softball, tennis, and playground games.

Arts Ed. – Mrs. Schentag
We will continue on our Dance unit during the month of May. Students will create a story using a storyboard format and then will tell the story through dance and movement. At the end of May, we will move into our final unit of the year, which will be music. Students will become familiar with the instruments of the orchestra and learn about various music genres.

This morning we corrected our math assignment from yesterday. Students then explored volume using 1cm linking cubes. Students are working on page 140 (1 a,c,e, 2 a,c,e, 6, 9, 10). This assignment is due for tomorrow.

The rest of our day was filled with Art, French, and Phys. Ed.

Book orders for May were given out today. All orders are due by Friday, May 8.

Students began the day with SURF. Group 4 wrote the open book test for Tales-Clever, Foolish, and Brave. Group 1 completed Simply Ridiculous questions, Group 2 and 3 completed Little Kay questions.

After recess, students worked in small groups to design a Petting Zoo for PJ Gillen focusing on area and perimeter. The designs are in the hallway for all to see!! I will post pictures and video soon!!

After lunch we then worked on a Volume activity where students got to explore first hand what volume is. Students then completed p 137 (4,5,6).

In social studies, students worked to complete their totem poles from centers last week.

We have had a very busy week! Students participated in Day 2 of the DARE program this morning.
Yesterday, we completed Day 4 of Centers therefore all activities were due today. Group 4 completed Tales Clever, Foolish, and Brave and will be writing their open book test on Monday.
In Math, students completed the area and perimeter of their House Design. I will check these over and post their completed designs and calculations on the blog ASAP. They did a wonderful job and had fun being architects!! Students continued to work on page 134 (1 a,b, 2,3,4) from the textbook. This assignment is due on Monday. Students will be working on designing a zoo using area and perimeter on Monday to conclude this portion of the measurement unit.
We then reviewed the math multiple choice booklet after lunch. We are using these to prepare for the AFL that is approaching in late May.

Have a great weekend Grade 5!!