Tinkering with curriculum to make learning fun!
Hello Everyone,
Sorry, but Ms. D was away today not feeling well, so there won’t be much of a post tonight! I hope you all had a good day, and I will see you bright and early tomorrow. Hopefully you all picked out some great pumpkins at the Pumpkin Patch activity? And you received some time for your project, which you can continue to work on at home, as well.
Have a great night! If you have any questions, please email me or respond to the blog.
Today we had some work time on our unit project. We have students who are creating PowerPoint presentations, posters, comics, and even a speech to communicate their ideas. Both general supplies and computers were available today to do this work, and if students are working on a computer it is highly recommended they use a USB to ensure their work is saved AND that they can work on this work between school and home. Part of homework tonight is to continue working on the project in any way they can, even if it is just finding images and saving them on their USBs. If anyone needs to print images, they can save them to their USBs and bring them to Ms. DeTerra tomorrow for printing at school.
In math today we continued talking about math vocabulary, as we reviewed subtracting and dividing decimals, place value, and reading decimal answers in the correct way. Then we split into two groups, with some students working further on their review of decimals and others continuing on their probability exercises.
In an example of taking action on your learning, Peter suggests we check out these websites to practice mean, median, mode and range. Try Common Core Sheets and Math Aids Worksheets. Thank you for the suggestion, Peter! Also, thank you Adrian for preparing a submission for the TedX Kids BC Speakers Invitation! It is great to see how students are taking action on their learning, in small or big ways. If you know of other ways students are talking about learning at home, please let me know. We can share them here!
Everyone has finished their stain glass pumpkins and they are displayed in our windows! Great work, everyone! The Halloween Party Committee spoke to everyone about their contributions, and the money is being used to purchase the decorations and cups/napkins we may need. If anyone is bringing something that would require a serving spoon or plates/bowls, we ask you also provide the items needed to serve and eat it! Thank you! We will be watching The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is not really a nightmare — it is a cartoon about Jack, the Pumpkin King, who decides he wants to do Christmas instead of Halloween, because he feels bored of having the same celebration every year. During the movie we will have snacks, and afterwards, as time permits, we will have games. Ms. D is also doing a costume contest. 🙂
Students also exchanged books during library time. Just a reminder that students need to bring ALL BOOKS every Tuesday back to school, whether they are finished or not, in order to get them renewed and be able to check out new books. The library is also open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1-1:15 PM to check out books, too.
Homework: Bring a plastic bag for tomorrow’s pumpkin patch! (and boots/raincoat maybe, as it is saying it is going to rain!) Finish Tuning In for Friday. Work on Unit Project.
Special challenge: This morning we had four individuals who came first to the classroom and received a special treat for looking up the top 10 most spoken languages in the world. We had a great discussion about languages, body language, and international differences. For tomorrow, the challenge is to find out all of the countries in the world where French is spoken frequently (does not have to be an official language, but it does need to be a regular part of the population that speaks it.) Good luck!
Have a great night!
Hello everyone,
Homework for tonight: (we did not get our agendas filled out today due to art clean up, so I am putting all notes here) Tonight:
Unit Project: Students have selected the format of their projects to show their understandings from our first unit. As a reminder, our focus statement for the unit was Our personal choices play a role in the interconnected system of the human body. The project’s purpose is to communicate information to the community about how to have good health and prevent disease.
During Math today (which was shorter due to photo day session), we focused on reviewing math vocabulary, decimals, fractions, etc. for data analysis in preparation for a test next Monday November 2nd. This test will cover mean, median, range, mode, and some probability. We practiced today by doing probability of specific characteristics of classmates. We will continue tomorrow with more probability talk and before end of week play Let’s Make a Deal (the class version, without lots of real money. 🙂
During PE today, we did some general fitness activities including running, stretching, sprints (bloods) and our military-style jumping jacks that we do as a group. Then we did some relay games together designed by Ms. D. Afterwards, groups of students designed their own relays. We reflected together on our group work skills, as we learn how to put our ideas forth without also ignoring those of the rest of the group. Ms. DeTerra reminded everyone that the best creativity happens when we say “yes”, listen and adapt ideas, as opposed to creating a group dynamic where ideas get shut down. After some good reflection, we had open time playing on the scooters to get our energy out!
Finally, to begin decorating for our Halloween Party on Friday, Ms. DeTerra showed everyone how to make stain glass pumpkins out of black construction paper, tissue paper, and overhead transparent film. We will be hanging them in our windows to provide a great atmosphere for Friday. A reminder that students can wear costumes (Ms. DeTerra will be!) and that all snacks brought in must be peanut free. We will be watching a movie together and having snacks to celebrate.
By the way, the TedX Kids post I made previously is completely optional. I sometimes put out ideas for students to try and make them aware of all the options out there. This does not mean they have to do them, but if they want to, I will support their efforts!
Have a great night!
Thank you to everyone who came to speak with me over the last two evenings, students and parents both! A reminder that there is no school tomorrow. Photo Day is on Monday. Next week has a variety of events, so please read the yellow notice sent home with details. Our Halloween Student Committee from class sent home a notice to try and organize our party on Friday the 30th, so please return for Monday so they can get that set up! Students are welcome to come in costume, and there is a Costume Parade around the school on that day.
Homework: Tuning In Booklet due on Oct. 30th in the morning, the entire folder. Right Stuff article questions were due today in class, so if you did not have them, please bring on Monday. If you are still working on your project proposal, please think about it over the weekend, as we will begin working on these IN CLASS on Monday. Students should do the majority of their work at school on the project. Thank you!
Have a great weekend!
Hello everyone,
Due to parent conferences, I won’t be making a long entry for tonight, but I wanted to remind everyone tomorrow is a late start up at 9:50 AM, and also an early dismissal at 2PM.
Also please be advised October 23rd is a Professional Development Day, with no school.
Have a good evening!
Ms. D
What a busy day! First, we had some open time to work on our Tuning In Booklets, which are due with reflections on October 30th. Some students also needed to finish their questions on the Right Stuff article, which had questions about the building blocks of food that are essential to our good health. Then, we used our iPads to do some research to fill in a cause and effect chart. We are nearing the end of our unit, and so I asked students to think about what happens to specific systems of the body when we don’t make the best personal choices and don’t get what we need in terms of daily sleep, diet, and exercise.
This was followed by two math activities related to data analysis. First, we worked to finish the math work we had on median, mode, range and mean, as well as some data work on heart rate that involved critical thinking and problem solving. Students chose whether they wanted to work in groups or individually. After this, we took a look at our data from the germ experiment, which we recorded on the board from all student groups in a large, visual chart. I asked everyone to think like a mathematician and do some data analysis. What could we do with the data presented? How could we organize it using numbers or our math skills in a way that we could use the data to communicate something to the community or the school? Students came up with many ideas of how they would attack the problem. One student began recording data on the computer, and several more volunteered to begin organizing the data so it made sense. Others suggested presenting the data in graph format and using numbers to show which area of the school had the greatest chance of having bacteria, mold or fungus. Tomorrow I will give everyone more time to work in groups and figure out ways to present the data.
For the afternoon, we were very fortunate, through a family contact of Sylvia’s, to have Dr. Lai and Nurse Jessica from Lion’s Gate Hospital’s Emergency Room Department present to us about their work there. Through an online Prezi presentation, short video clips and interactive demonstrations, they explained what life in the ER is like, who works there, what tools are used, why you would go there (and when not to), and what you could expect if you came to the ER yourself. Students were highly engaged and participated in an active question and answer session about ER visits at the end. Thank you to Dr. Lai and Nurse Jessica for coming in!
Homework tonight: There are four math pages total due on Thursday (the stapled three pages about mean, mode, etc. and the heart rate sheet.) I will give more time on these tomorrow. Tuning In Booklet due Oct. 30th. If you haven’t turned in your lab report or participation rubric, it is now late, so please get it in. If you haven’t paid for pumpkin patch, please do so. A blue notice went home today about family photo night, and it has a deadline of Oct. 27th. Remember the book fair is going on this week through Thursday.
Reminders: Early Dismissal Wednesday and Thursday at 2PM. On Thursday of this week we also have a late start, 9:50 AM. See you at your assigned parent conference time. Please wait outside until I open the door to ensure privacy.
Halloween Activities: Halloween is a busy time! Next Friday we will be having a Halloween Party in class, organized by the students. They have a notice prepared for students to take home tomorrow. We will also be making pumpkins for our windows, and Ms. D just found some great orange Halloween lights to hang in our windows! I am bringing them on Thursday. Feel free to start bringing in some decor for our classroom early (except spider webbing, please!) We have Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Carving during the week, and on the Friday, we have a costume parade through the school, as well. As you are considering treats, please remember peanut and seafood free, please, so that everyone can enjoy what you bring. Thank you!
Today we spent some time at the beginning of the day talking about homework and organization strategies, as this is an area of learning for many students. I asked the students what they thought they should do if they forget their homework at school, forget to do homework, or forgot to write things down in their agenda. The group came up with some good ideas to problem solve, and we agreed that it is better to look for solutions, find ways to finish the work, and make goals for improvement in terms of organization and listening, rather than doing nothing and continuing on the same path. Even adults are still learning these skills, but it is important to continue developing self management and problem solving skills to survive the pace of day to day work and activities. Use the agenda to keep track of assignments, and always check what folders need to come home. If you aren’t sure of something, ask questions, and remember that Ms. D’s policy is better late than never!
After completing some of our work around diet and nutrition, as one of the personal choices that affects our health, we did some fun, interactive activities about diagnosing disease. This time, we not only looked at symptoms, but we also looked at the person’s medical history, common traits amongst people who have the disease, environment/exposure, and time of year the disease appears. Then, I put the students in groups according to their expert specialties (body systems) and gave them 8 case studies to analyze and determine a diagnosis for the patients. This meant using our brand new iPads to do research based on the case study symptoms and medical history of the patient.
We also had an opportunity to finish artwork from last week, begin doing some French work on the website French Games. Net which will allow them to work at different levels (this will be one of several resources we will use online), and see the Book Fair Preview, as the book fair is going on all week through Thursday. We also put up a large chart of our results from the bacteria lab, which we will use during math to find the probability of finding bacteria in the school environment.
Reminder of parent conferences this week, early 2PM dismissals on Wed. and Thurs., and also a late start up on Thursday morning at 9:50 AM.
Have a great night!
Thank you to everyone for a great field trip on Friday! A special thank you to our parent volunteers, Emma’s mom, Amy’s dad and Naomi’s mom, too. We really appreciate your time. Students enjoyed the Body Works gallery that had some human organ specimens to look at, on loan from the UBC library. We enjoyed watching the 45 minute IMAX film Human Body which showed the complete workings of the human body, giving us all a very realistic glimpse of our insides. Everyone had an opportunity to enjoy all the other galleries, and I noted our group particularly enjoyed the Eureka Lab with the shooting water cannons and plastic ball mazes, as well as the KEVA block room where thousands of KEVA blocks were available for building complex structures. It was a beautiful day, with a gorgeous view of False Creek. Thank you for your support to allow the students to go.
Caribou Test results are available online. Congratulations to all who participated. The Caribou Cup is an ongoing competition through the year, such that scores, including time and points, are accumulated and ranked with all other students of the same age in the world. Grade 4 will continue to be free, but grade 5 has to pay for future competition dates. If your child is interested in continuing, we can make arrangements for this.
Have a great weekend!
REMINDER: Field Trip tomorrow. Please be on time to school, as we leave at 9:15 AM for the trip to Science World. Students should bring a disposable bag lunch and their jacket. Please do not send money with them, as they will not be able to go to the snack area or store at Science World. We will return to the school at 1:45 PM.
I have sent home parent conference notices with your assigned time for Oct. 21/22.
We have a Pumpkin Patch event on October 28, so see the yellow notice sent home.
Today we started by introducing the TUNING IN booklet I spoke about on parent night. We went over non-fiction features of articles that give us the information we need, what makes a good reflection, and explained the criteria for this language arts reading and writing activity. All of the articles are at reading levels appropriate to the group, and many come from kid science websites with vocabulary at the back of each article should it be needed. They can spread out the work on this booklet over time, and reflections for this round are due by October 30th. They have a letter in the booklet explaining the program. Please sign it so they can show it to me either tomorrow or Monday.
Then to continue our discussion about how personal choices impact the body systems, we read about food and diet choices and had a discussion about the types of sugars, GO/SLOW/WHOA, and food ingredients. I encourage all students to look more closely at the labels of their foods at home. Over the next three days they are to record what they eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had some great questions and discussion about strangely worded ingredients in the things we eat, such as cochineal extract, monosodium glutamate, sucralose, aspartame and more.
Students are finishing up their lab report on the bacteria, fungi and molds found at school sites. The last part of their lab is the write a conclusion with statements about what they think now that they have this data. We discussed how scientists have a responsibility to report on what they know. What will we do with this data? Who will we tell? What ACTION can we take on this learning? They are to record their ideas on the report and we will see which ones we may have time to do, as there was great interest in sharing their data.
The afternoon was music class, followed by an Earthquake Drill. Then we worked on an art project utilizing acrylic paint. We wouldn’t usually do art so much in one week, but there is a Burnaby City contest with entries due on October 20th for the grade four group, and this will give them an opportunity to participate. We will see what we have time for in terms of finishing projects, Math and discussing French tomorrow afternoon when we return. If not, back on track for Monday! Also, don’t forget that on Monday the Book Fair begins. There are posters up at the school with information, and we will get a preview as a class.
Thank you again for your support!
Today we had a full day of activity. First, we completed the Caribou Math Test. Some students had difficulty logging in due to receiving codes for the wrong grade level, but after solving our technical glitches, everyone was able to participate. If they use the code I provided today, they can log in tonight to see their scores.
Our second task was a class meeting dedicated to organizing details for our Halloween Party on October 30th, creating a Cards Club for free choice time and setting some parameters for participation, and discussing some concerns that have come up in class.
Afterwards we did a final check on our petri dishes and documented the results. Tomorrow we will discuss the results and see where the worst bacteria, mold and fungus could be found and what we will do with the data!
In preparation for an art project for the winter card competition in Burnaby, we went over the element of COLOUR and created a complex colour wheel with primary, secondary and tertiary colours. If anyone did not finish theirs today, it was homework. This will prepare us for working on a larger monochromatic painting of a winter scene using acrylics.
Finally, we had a session of PE in the Gym, with some fitness exercises and some volleyball time.
Tomorrow we will return back to our Math work begun on Tuesday, discuss what French learning will look like, talk about “Go, Slow and Whoa” as related to diet and its effect on our health, and finish the lab write up for our experiment with bacteria. The students will work together on diagnosing a disease in groups, as well.
A reminder to return any blue parent conference sheets, as I have already begun scheduling. If you still have the white blog permission slip, please get it in. The field trip is on Friday — please do not be late as we leave at 9:15 AM. We will not return until 1:45 PM. Be aware that students are not allowed to go and purchase lunch, snacks or souvenirs during our visit due to time and logistics. They should bring a bag lunch that can be easily disposed of after eating. Thank you for your help!