Mischievous Monday

General:

1. Calgary Safety Expo forms due Monday, March 7th.  Field trip down to City Hall on Thursday, March 10th.  Please note the Parent Volunteer Section.  We are looking for 7 volunteers in total.  Once we have 7, we will let you know.
2. G.P. Vanier Open House on Wednesday, March 2nd.

Social

1. Iroquois Confederacy title pages are officially overdue.

Language

1. Propaganda Advertising due Wednesday.  Students will have one more period to finish  their ads.  Those who have completed their ads will be working on creating a propaganda skit that can earn them two extra marks towards this assignment.

Fun Lunch

Fun Lunch: February 29th.

Friday

Language Arts

1. Students received half an LA period to plan out their propaganda posters yesterday. Two key questions they should be asking at least two other people: "What form of government am I representing?" AND "Am I for it, or against it?" To be on track, students need to have received their good copy paper from Ms. Cheng (The paper is just an 8.5x11 blank sheet of paper).

• It was announced in class that students can expect the propaganda assignment to be due either Wednesday or Thursday. Students will receive parts, if not all, of the LA periods on Monday and Tuesday to finish up.

Social Studies

1. Title pages are due on Monday. Many students have done well to complete their title pages, to the point that they only have to color in their illustrations over the weekend.

Thursday

General

1. Early dismissal Friday (11 a.m.)
2. Fun Lunch is February 29th.

Language Arts

1. Yesterday we went over the propaganda assignment in detail and students were asked to identify their goals for this assignment. 
2. Students received half an LA period to plan out their propaganda posters. Two key questions they should be asking at least two other people: "What form of government am I representing?" AND "Am I for it, or against it?" To be on track, students need to have received their good copy paper from Ms. Cheng (The paper is just an 8.5x11 blank sheet of paper).

Social Studies

1. We have begun our next government simulation: We moved from the absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.
2. Title pages were assigned today. Students will receive a half hour to work on them tomorrow. They are due on Monday.

Wilting Power Wednesday

General

1. Early dismissal Friday (11 a.m.)
2. Fun Lunch is February 29th, NOT tomorrow (the 25th).

Math

1. Complete the practice sheet.
2. Test tomorrow.
3. Some students signed out textbooks (Math Makes Sense) for extra practice.  The page numbers are 168-169 (Questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10) and 172-173 (Questions 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 12)

Language Arts

1. We went over, in detail, the propaganda assignment and students were asked to identify their goals for this assignment. 

Science

1. Science projects were handed back (Canada's National Tree) yesterday. There is no green sheet as it was just an evaluation of what students can do and who they can work with or struggle to work with. It was meant as a learning experience for students. That being said, students demonstrated the same skills and areas for growth as the Social projects: Claim and evidence was done well. The explanation ("So, what?") was where a large majority of the students struggled. Next Science day, Mrs. Tam will be showing an example of a Level 3 and 4 project. These projects were completed by students this year and they have given us permission to show it.  

Social Studies

1. We have begun our next government simulation: We moved from the absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

"Tank" You Tuesday

General

1. Pink Shirt Day
2. Early dismissal Friday (11 a.m.)

Math

1. Complete the practice sheet.
2. Test on Thursday (word problem questions in a previous blog post to practice CUBES with).

Science

1. Science projects were handed back (Canada's National Tree). There is no green sheet as it was just an evaluation of what students can do and who they can work with or struggle to work with. It was meant as a learning experience for students. That being said, students demonstrated the same skills and areas for growth as the Social projects: Claim and evidence was done well. The explanation ("So, what?") was where a large majority of the students struggled. Next Science day, Mrs. Tam will be showing an example of a Level 3 and 4 project. These projects were completed by students this year and they have given us permission to show it.  

Extra Fractions Practice for Thursday's Test

Monarchy Monday

General

1. Pink Shirt Day next Wednesday. Try to wear a pink shirt, or have any item (e.g. a wristband, headband, etc.) that is pink to wear on that day.
2. Early dismissal next Friday, February 26th. School ends at 11 a.m.
3. Calgary Reads book exchange: In the library, students will be able to borrow a book from a box, so as long as they donate one for the communal collection. If families have books that they are no longer reading, they are encouraged to bring them in to add to the collection.

Science

1. Bring 2L pop bottle.
2. During Science today, we went into detail about the parts of a lab write-up - i.e. Problem, hypothesis, etc. Students were shown what a "Level 4" write-up would contain. 

Social

1. With the de-brief about the Social Studies Ancient Athens project, we did not get to the title page. However, parents/guardians can expect a green sheet to sign today. The sheet is to be returned by Wednesday, February 24th. 
2. We have completed four government simulations: direct democracy, indirect democracy, dictatorship, and oligarchy.

• We started our round of absolute monarchy today. Ask your child what an absolute monarchy is and how it differs from the constitutional monarchy.

Math

1. Math Quiz Thursday; topics were given out today in class. They have also been posted onto our blog (see the previous post).

Fractions Quiz Topics (Thursday, Feb. 25)

• Fraction vocabulary (e.g. numerator, denominator)
• What are fractions?
• Fractions in a set
• Fraction in a whole
• Comparing and Ordering Fractions with like and unlike denominators
• Equivalent Fractions
• Simplifying Fractions
• Adding and Subtracting Fraction with like and unlike denominators
• Three Types of Fractions
• Proper
• Improper
• Mixed
• Writing and drawing an improper fraction and mixed number
• Converting an improper fractions to mixed numbers and vice versa
• Fractions on a number line

Friday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP. 
2. Patrollers: Gift Card entry forms are due. Hockey game on Sunday is open to you; tickets are $10.
3. Pink Shirt Day next Wednesday. Try to wear a pink shirt, or have any item (e.g. a wristband, headband, etc.) that is pink to wear on that day.
4. Early dismissal next Friday, February 26th. School ends at 11 a.m.
5. Calgary Reads book exchange: In the library, students will be able to borrow a book from a box, so as long as they donate one for the communal collection. If families have books that they are no longer reading, they are encouraged to bring them in to add to the collection.

Science

1. Bring 2L pop bottle.
2. During Science today, we went into detail about the parts of a lab write-up - i.e. Problem, hypothesis, etc. Students were shown what a "Level 4" write-up would contain. 

Social

1. A title page assignment will be given out next Social Studies class. 
2. We have completed four government simulations: direct democracy, indirect democracy, dictatorship, and oligarchy.

• Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss with their children the advantages and disadvantages for each of these types of government. 
• Next week, we will be conducting simulations for absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy.

Math

1. Math Quiz Thursday; topics will be given out in class for students to write down into their notebooks. A separate online post containing these same topics will be posted later today for those who wish to get a head start for next week's quiz.

Thursday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP. We are missing envelopes for a handful of students in each class.
2. Fun Lunch Forms: Due Friday, February 19th, 2016.
3. Patrollers: Gift Card entry forms are due. Hockey game on Sunday is open to you; tickets are $10.
4. SJAM Orientation (Grade 6s): Tonight from 6:30 - 8:00.

Science

1. Bring 2L pop bottle.

Social

1. A title page assignment will be given out next Social Studies class. 
2. Ask your child about a major question that came up today in class while we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a representative democracy (AKA Indirect democracy):

• In a representative democracy, the elected representative has two jobs: listen to voters and listen to their political party. What happens when what the political party wants is different from what the voters want? Who does the representative side with, and why? 

Math

1. Ask your child about how to represent mixed number fractions and improper fractions. Extension question: How are the two types of fractions related?

Dance Mat Link

Please begin with Level One.  Fingers need to be on the home row.  It should look like this:

Click Me!

Wednesday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.   We are missing envelopes for a handful of students in each class.
2. Fun Lunch Forms: Due Friday, February 19th, 2016.
3. SJAM forms for GRADE 6s: DUE ASAP - orientation will take place February 18th, 2016.
4. SJAM TRIP TOMORROW: If you have food allergies, you must bring your own lunch. Lunch will be eaten later than our usual time, so please bring a small snack to eat before we head to SJAM.

Science

1. Bring 2L pop bottle.

Social

1. Scavenger Hunt: Due Thursday; students are encouraged to use homework club tomorrow to work on this assignment.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Tuesday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.   We are missing envelopes for a handful of students in each class.
2. Fun Lunch Forms: Due Friday, February 19th, 2016.
3. SJAM forms for GRADE 6s: DUE ASAP - orientation will take place February 18th, 2016.

Language Arts

1. Valentine's Day ad is due tomorrow; we will be sharing in small groups.

• Is the message clear?
• Are at least one of the following used: pathos, logos, and/or ethos?
• Other?
• Any symbols? This includes colours, as well.

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue for the Trees and Forest Quiz #2.

Social

1. Scavenger Hunt: Due Thursday; students are encouraged to use homework club tomorrow to work on this assignment.
2. Social tests were returned yesterday and green sheets were filled out. 

• Please see the previous blog entry for general feedback about the test results.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Wowzers Wednesday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.   We are missing envelopes for a handful of students.
2. No school Thursday and Friday (due to Teachers' Convention) and then the following Monday, February 15, 2016. 
3. Fun Lunch Forms: Due Friday, February 19th, 2016.
4. SJAM forms for GRADE 6s: DUE ASAP - orientation will take place February 18th, 2016.

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue for the Trees and Forest Quiz #2.

Social

1. Social tests were returned yesterday and green sheets were filled out. 

• Please see the previous blog entry for general feedback about the test results.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Real-Talk Tuesday - Class Meeting

Today we (Mrs. Tam and Ms. Cheng) led a discussion to de-brief the incident that occurred at COP over the weekend where two young men lost their lives. We centred our discussion around making good choices and not getting caught up in group mentality (where poor choices are more likely to be made).

We encourage all parents/guardians to have a follow-up discussion about this event, and to continue discussions around current events in general, so that we can use these events to teach us about how to make good choices.

Real-Talk Tuesday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.   We are missing envelopes for a handful of students.
2. No school Thursday and Friday (due to Teachers' Convention) and then the following Monday, February 15, 2016. 
3. Fun Lunch Forms: Due Friday, February 19th, 2016.
4. SJAM forms for GRADE 6s: DUE ASAP - orientation will take place February 18th, 2016.

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue for the Trees and Forest Quiz #2.

Social

1. Social tests were returned today and green sheets were filled out. 

• Many students did well with the "recall" and "identify" questions about Ancient Athenian democracy and could generally compare the similarities and differences between Ancient Athens and Canadian democracy.
• In class, we spent time on outlining the "Claim, evidence, and 'so, what?'" questions (there were two). For this test, students received marks for "claim" (the students' opinions), evidence (an example that supports or is related to the opinion), and 2 marks for the explanation for a total of 4. This concept of developing an informed opinion will be used continually in Science and Social Studies for the remainder of the year. Having a claim and evidence is not enough for full marks on long answer questions.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Moldy Monday - A Call for Magazines

If anyone has spare magazines lying around at home, please send them in (2-3) with your child for an advertisement analysis activity we have planned for Wednesday's LA lesson.

Thank you!

Moldy Monday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.   We are missing envelopes for a handful of students.
2. No school Thursday and Friday (due to Teachers' Convention) and then the following Monday, February 15, 2016. 

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue for the Trees and Forest Quiz #2.

Social

1. Social tests will be returned tomorrow. A green sheet will be sent home at that time.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Foreign Friday

General:

1. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.
2. No school next Thursday and Friday (due to Teachers' Convention) and then the following Monday, February 15, 2016. 

Language Arts

1. We have done a lot of work around advertisements (e.g. what are they, what do effective ads have, symbolism in western and eastern cultures, and how all these aspects are put together to make a truly convincing advertisement).  

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue for the Trees and Forest Quiz #2.

Social

1. We had a great first debate today. Many students participated and presented valid (and informed) opinions. 
2. Social tests will be returned Tuesday. A green sheet will be sent home at that time.

Math

1. Using our knowledge of equivalent fractions, the next lessons will involve adding and subtracting fractions that have like and unlike denominators.

Prodigy Game

This is a great website for students to practice foundational math skills.  Mrs. Tam and Ms. Cheng may also change game questions to match on the topics we're covering in class.  Please encourage your child to visit this site regularly.   The best part is, they're learning AND it's fun! :)

Each student has a personal login and password.  This allows teachers to track their progress and concepts they may require a little more assistance on.

Prodigy Games

Thorn-in-my-Side Thursday

General:

1. Scholastic Orders due TOMORROW (Cheques only). 
2. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.
3. No school next Thursday and Friday (due to Teachers' Convention) and then the following Monday, February 15, 2016. 

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz are overdue.
2. Approximately 8 students from each class owe us Air and Aerodynamics/Flight title pages.  The title page was due on Tuesday.

Social

1. Four arguments for your side of the debate due Thursday.  "Be It Resolved: The voting age should be lowered from 18 to 16".

Math

1. We have spent the last week working on comparing and ordering fractions.  We have used different tools such as the number line, fraction circles and fraction strips. Student should know the three different scenarios when comparing fractions:
1. Fractions with the same denominator
2. Fractions with the same numerator
3. Fractions with unlike denominators and numerators.

Wanted Wednesday

General:

1. Scholastic Orders due Friday (Cheques only). 
2. Report Envelopes signed and returned ASAP.

Science

1. Green sheets for quiz due tomorrow.
2. Approximately 8 students from each class owe us Air and Aerodynamics/Flight title pages.  The title page was due on Tuesday.

Social

1. Four arguments for your side of the debate due Thursday.  "Be It Resolved: The voting age should be lowered from 18 to 16".

Math

1. We have spent the last week working on comparing and ordering fractions.  We have used different tools such as the number line, fraction circles and fraction strips. Student should know the three different scenarios when comparing fractions:
1. Fractions with the same denominator
2. Fractions with the same numerator
3. Fractions with unlike denominators and numerators.

Grade 6 - GP Vanier

Late French Immersion Orientation

We received additional GP Vanier brochures today and had another conversation about the late Immersion programme at the school.

The orientation session is for students only and will take place March 2nd. Students will have to be signed out at lunch time and driven to GP by parents/guardians if they are attending the daytime tour. Lunch will be provided. If students wish to attend, please contact GP Vanier, so that enough food can be ordered/prepared that day to accommodate the number of people attending. The daytime tour will include being shown the various options that students can sign up for in Grade 7.

The parent/guardian open house will take place later that evening (March 2nd) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday

General:

1. Report cards went home Friday.  Please review it along your child at your earliest convenience.  Sign the white envelope and return it as soon as possible.  As a reminder, marks are based on the concepts covered this term.  To understand what a 1, 2, 3 or 4 constitutes, please refer to the front page of the report card.
2. Scholastic orders due to Mrs. Tam by  Friday, February 5th. Cheques only.

Language Arts

1. 'A Dream Deferred' good copy is due TOMORROW.

Science

1. Air and Aerodynamic/Flight title page is overdue.
2. Students filled out a green sheet for their recent Trees and Forest quiz. 

• These green sheets are important as it allows parents/guardians at home to know how students are progressing along in their academic achievement and highlights topics that they struggle with. Please review these carefully, sign them, and return them as soon as possible.