Category: General Update

Thank you to everyone who came to the parent night this evening. If you missed the presentation and need a copy of it, just have your child ask for one from me tomorrow.

Today we continued to work on the body systems project. This project is due on October 13th, Tuesday. If anyone has completed it tomorrow they can hand it in, but if they need more time, there will be some class time tomorrow and some on Tuesday. Just a reminder that students are to do the writing by themselves in class and not at home. The diagram can be done at home, though, to save on time.

We also continued our discussion about diseases. Students did a disease sorting activity, matching the name of a common disease with its symptoms. We created a T-chart on the board of SYMPTOM versus CONDITION/ILLNESS/DISEASE, to try and tell the difference between the terms. Students began to see that symptoms are the things a doctor or patient observes or feels, and they are the clues that lead to a diagnosis. The diagnosis leads to the doctor saying you have a particular condition or illness. We had some great discussion overall!

During math we continued working on problem solving related to median, mode, range and mean.

Ms. DeTerra handed back some work to students and we went over the check plus, check, and check minus marking system again. We also reviewed expectations in terms of communicating ideas well by finishing all questions assigned, providing enough detail to answer the questions, and being neat enough so all information can be read clearly. Students were able to say out loud themselves how this skill, of being a good communicator, can be important for the future (for example, scientists documenting their research.)

Finally, before we cleaned the classroom thoroughly in preparation for the presentation this evening, students checked their bacteria plates created last Monday. They documented what they could observe on Day 4 of the experiment by drawing pictures of the plate and writing details about what they saw (colour, shape, texture, etc.) We had some gross stuff growing in there already! Some had fuzzy white blobs (likely fungi), while others had some fuzzy green or black (molds). Some even had circular, flat white things beginning to grow, and these are likely bacteria. We will check them again on Wednesday morning.

Tomorrow we have some special visitors from the medical profession!

Have a great night!

Today, we began with some work time on our projects, quickly followed by a discussion about diseases. What diseases are genetic or out of our control, and which ones are impacted by our personal choices? We took a doctor quiz online to see if we could successfully diagnose some common conditions based on a set of symptoms. Students also shared some of the diseases they have been researching in connection with their expert body system project.

Ms. D shared a book (which we have four copies of in class) about 10 of the top most extraordinary diseases that generally do not have cures, which created a lot of great discussion.

During math, we continued looking at data analysis and wrote down a poem that will help us remember the definitions of median, mode, mean, and range. Please ask your child to share it with you. Students worked on some sample problems to ensure they understand these math terms, and if they didn’t finish the page, it was their homework for tonight. We also did some review of division involving decimals, as this is newer for some students. Work was done by hand; however, when finding the mean, at times calculators were used for higher number division.

In the afternoon, we continued our read aloud and then watched a video called Portion Distortion which was all about getting the right portions when we eat, as well as the stomach’s actual capacity inside for food. Afterwards we had a discussion around food portions as students reflected on what they eat at home and school. This will prepare us for next week’s discussions around personal choices involving food, sleep, and exercise.

Finally, we ended the day in the gym, getting great exercise through running and play. We played a relay game involving cards, and after playing we reflected on what parts of the game (with winning as our objective) we could control, such as running faster and strategizing, versus the things we couldn’t control, such as which cards we were going to pick up on each relay. Students discussed how this is related to real life, as well. We then played virus tag, which was great fun! Have your child explain the card relay game and tag to you. For next Wednesday, students have been asked to think of a relay game we could create that would involve both factors we can control and ones we cannot.

Thursday night is our parent night 6-7 PM in the portable. Hope to see you then!

This morning we had a class meeting where we talked about our upcoming Halloween Party, the Caribou Math Contest, and ideas for other field trips in the future. We decided that as part of our party decorations we will be doing Halloween Origami, and there is a committee of students in charge of finding origami examples and making samples the whole class can see. We will also do stain glass pumpkins later in the month, led by Ms. DeTerra. We also recognized Jay for winning an award recently for golf and celebrated Adrian providing us with the Caribou Math idea. Our next class meeting will be on Wednesday of next week.

Some time was given for working on the written part of our body systems project. Ms. D checked in with students to remind them to use the rubric and project outline to stay on track. We also talked about the writing process and how students were organizing their writing or doing rough and final copies. Afterwards, we watched several great videos on immunity and realized just how complicated the immune system is! We watched short videos from NOVA, GIZMODO, and Kids Health.

We have started a read aloud of the book End of Days by Eric Walters, which many seem to be enjoying. It involves the story of a gifted boy who works with a group of top mathematicians and scientists from all over the world to save the world from disaster!

The day ended with a new exploration of the art element of LINE, as well as SHAPE and FORM. We explored quilling, which is a scrolling, paper art. For information on quilling, you can see the pictures I showed in class at Dick Blick’s art lesson plan page.

Homework: Journal Entry needs to be finished on systems, bring field trip $ by Friday, work on diagram for project if needed, and reminder about Thursday parent night 6-7 PM in the portable.

Thank you and have a great night!

We started our Monday with an experiment all about germs! Students explored the question: What surfaces in the school, that we touch every day, would have the most bacteria and fungi? They each made a hypothesis about which four locations would have the most germs. Then, students visited those areas in the school, took samples of the surfaces using a wet Q-tip, and put the sample on homemade petri dishes Ms. DeTerra brought this morning. Each dish had food (a solid gel mixture of beef bouillon, gelatin, and sugar) to grow our germs into larger colonies, since at the microscopic level we have no idea if there are germs are not! Students took careful observations and wrote a detailed lab report. They also practiced lab safety by taking great care to wash their hands, not contaminate samples, label everything appropriately, and dispose of Q-tips afterwards with chemical to kill the germs. Now we wait! It may take the entire week to grow something visible, so we will need to take observations over time. By looking at shape and colour, we should be able to tell whether we have bacteria, mold or fungi.

After recess, we did some math designed to look at probability. Students created a 12×12 grid and played a game using two dice and playing chips. They looked at the strategy for winning the game and tried to determine the probability of getting particular results that lead toward winning. This was an introduction to talking about experimental and theoretical probability, which we will do more activities for tomorrow.

Ms. DeTerra began a read aloud of a new book called End of Days by Eric Walters, which the class enjoyed. She asked everyone to not go to the library and read this one, as that would mean less fun for them during read aloud; however, if anyone is interested in reading other Eric Walters books that are not the sequel, there are many options out there!

We then had physical education and started some fitness measurement through a kilometre club. Students ran 1.2 km outside, and we will chart their results over time. We also charted how many sit ups could be done in a minute. We can also use this data in connection with our main unit and math, looking at our results for the range, median, mode and mean.

The last part of the day was dedicated toward working on the body systems writing project, which is due on Friday.

Reminders:

• Science World Field Trip on October 16th, notice due Friday
• Blog/Social Media Consent Form was sent home today, due ASAP. This is so students can receive a user ID and password to work on this blog as well as other applications like google apps.
• Parent Night Thursday, October 8th, 6:00 – 7:00 PM in the portable. If you can’t make it, please let me know, and I can send you a photocopy of the presentation.

Have a great night!

We had another busy day of activity! Today, we began with some journal time, and students were asked to write about how their systems were interacting together as they were sitting and writing their journal entry. This gives us both writing practice and also allows me to see their thinking regarding systems.

Afterwards, we did some math! We started with a discussion about how to calculate the number of calories one burns in a day. They were given a sheet detailing the number of calories per pound used up for a long list of activities. To find the calories burned, they would multiply that number by their weight (in pounds), and multiply that by the amount of time they were doing the activity (expressed in hours). We discovered through this activity that many of the students did not know their weight, which made it difficult to make the calculations. So, as part of homework, students need to find out their current weight in pounds. They do not need to share this with anyone, as it is an individual activity of charting their calories. For those who do not have a scale at home, I recommended trying a friend’s house, a pharmacist such as London Drugs or Shoppers (they often have one if you ask at the desk), or a scale at home. I will also bring one on Monday if we have trouble finding one, so we can continue with this activity related to both math and our unit.

We then moved on to a math activity all about mean, median, mode and range. Students each received a small box of Smarties and had to do data analysis on their box and that of other students in the class. For those who needed an extension of the activity, I also asked for percentages and fractions related to our class’s data. Following the activity, we had a long conversation about how the class is made up of different levels of math strength, so we will be doing activities that allow as much as possible for everyone to feel challenged appropriately. Students also shared their ideas for activities the whole class could do related to data analysis and mean.

Our class is a very energetic and dynamic group of individuals, and we are learning how to work together as a classroom community. To this end, we did an activity related to the language we use to talk to ourselves and to one another, and we also discussed how creative ideas grow best within groups (versus getting shut down.) Students have a chart related to this activity, and we shared aloud our thoughts about the chart and ways we could communicate with one another. For homework I am asking them to go over this chart with you at home.

The latter part of the day was dedicated to music, read aloud (Ms. DeTerra bought some new books!), and our free-choice time on Fridays. Homework is to look at the chart with your parents, think about where we would find germs in the school for an experiment we are doing Monday, find out your weight so we can continue our math activity, and bring in a jar/YPC $ and Pizza $ for Monday.

Have a great weekend!

Reminder that we have our MACC Suncrest parent night on October 8th, Thursday, at 6:00 – 7:00 PM in our classroom space. It is a presentation designed for parents. Just to avoid confusion, this presentation is not for parents who are interested in the MACC program and would like to apply. That presentation is at Burnaby Central on October 8th at 7:00 PM.

We started the day by doing an experiment about how germs spread. Everyone was given a cup of water with their name on it, and Ms. D put a special chemical (Borax) into one cup (without telling the students who had it) that would represent a virus in that person’s system. Then, everyone was asked to choose three people in the room to exchange water with. With each exchange, person A would give person B five spoonfuls of their water, and then person B would give person A five spoonfuls of theirs. After three exchanges, Ms. D came around with chemical #2 (turmeric) and put it in the cup. Turmeric is a natural acid/base indicator and it turns red when exposed to a base like Borax, so anyone infected had their water turn red or pink. Students documented their experiment in a lab report including a title, hypothesis, question, materials, procedure, results/data, and a conclusion about how germs are spread. In our class you appeared to have a 25% chance of becoming infected if one person came in with the pretend virus.

Later in the day, we went over paragraphing as part of language arts, writing a paragraph about what we would do as principal for a day. We did this together, with Ms. D writing on her computer such that everyone could see the paragraph together on the projector. For journals, everyone had to copy the paragraph down and make any changes they wanted to its wording. The main purpose was to talk about how to make paragraphs more interesting with a hook and a strong concluding sentence. Ask your child what things they shouldn’t use for a concluding sentence!

Other time in the day was dedicated to MUSIC, a discussion together about relationships in class, and time to work on their Body Systems Expert research or writing. Homework is to continue working on any research needed. Also, I asked students to think about where the most germs in the school would be in preparation for another experiment either tomorrow or Monday, depending on how Ms. D’s kitchen prep goes tonight. Please also bring in a jar for art. Monies for YPC and Pizza Lunches are due on Monday.

Have a great night!

Today we went over the criteria for our first project together. Each student will be doing some research to become an expert on one system of the human body. They will use this expertise to help diagnose a patient! First, they will take notes while recording the resources they use to find information. Second, they will write a two-page report and provide a diagram of their system. Then, after they have this information, students will be placed in groups and given a case study of a patient with a medical problem, complete with notes about their condition and symptoms.

While notes on marked projects can be done in class and at home, the written report is only to be worked on at school. I should be able to see it in progress. Also, there should be significant notes, as the student is becoming an expert, not just providing superficial information on the body parts of the system. The criteria sheet along with a rubric is in their blue binder.

We also had an opportunity today to visit the school library. As a reminder, ALL books checked out need to return to school for Tuesday mornings to be either returned or renewed. Unfortunately, if students are missing a book, they may not check out new ones until it is brought in. In addition to our regular library time, there is an open check out time after lunch from 12:55-1:15 PM. Students should return to class after lunch break, check in with me, and I can give them permission to visit Ms. Ho and check out books.

We had another class meeting, this time led by one of the students, and with Ms. D as a guide. We agreed as a class to have a Halloween Party and to chip in together to provide decorations, food, and drinks. Students will be welcome to wear costumes. This party will likely take place on October 30th, Friday. Please stay tuned for more information as the student Halloween committee will be drafting a letter to send home about the event. We also discussed having a card club (for Pokemon lovers), a cookie-making day later in December, and a class movie of some sort. Committees were formed to discuss and propose ideas on these things at next class meeting.

In the afternoon, we did javelin throws using straws! This was for a math discussion on MEAN and also allowed for review of measurement skills. Students threw clear plastic straws from a given point in the room as hard as they could, and we recorded each person’s distance. Each team of eight found the mean of their distances, and then I asked the class to find the whole class’s mean distance. For homework they were asked to come up with an activity involving “mean” that we could do with other students in the class. They should have it written down briefly so they can share it with us tomorrow.

TOMORROW: Welcoming assembly and Terry Fox Run! Busy day tomorrow. Please wear comfy clothes! Bring donations for Terry, if you can. Also, there were three notices sent home for your review. Anyone who still has not turned in agenda money, the body packet, or the probability games packet, please get them in ASAP.

Have a great night!

Today we had a busy day with two major activities that were important community-building events. Every month we have a Celebration of Learning at Suncrest, and today’s assembly highlighted music! We all had an opportunity to hear the school song sung by the entire school for the first time. The students and I agreed that it is a catchy tune! In the afternoon, we had the Terry Fox Run. After a brief assembly to remember Terry and why we run every September, we celebrated the fundraising the school did over the past week to raise $500 toward cancer research. Then, students ran the route around the school, receiving house colour points (toward a year-long competition) for each lap. It was a warm afternoon, but our class ran hard!

Students continued to work on their body systems expert research. Some students asked, “How much note taking is enough?” To which Ms. D responded, “Well, it is important to make sure you have enough information to respond to the section headings I gave you in the project criteria. Also, remember when researching that you always want more than one perspective. I recommend at least three sources.”

Another question was, “Can we copy from the book even though it is copyrighted?” And I answered, “Yes, you can copy from the book for notes, but then when you go to do your report, it should be your own words, otherwise it becomes plagiarism. It is also important to say where the information is coming from. Give the person credit for their work.” As a reminder, all writing should be done at school, and I will need to see the writing in progress during class time. For homework, students were asked to continue looking for resources to further their research.

Another thing that came up is revisiting criteria for participation and work done in class. Even though there are not letter marks for formative assessment type work, including homework, it still should be completed if you want to do well overall in terms of marks. Please revisit the participation rubric that applies to all subjects. Also, please note that on projects such as our body systems expert report, I have provided a specific rubric for marks. Both participation throughout and projects are important.

We watched Bill Nye’s Brain Video to review the parts of memory and to introduce the scientific method and writing of lab reports, which is something they will learn this year and actively use this Friday or Monday in an experiment about germs! They completed a short experiment about brain/nerve/muscle reaction time using a ruler and then had to write out a quick lab report with a partner. Fun fact: Bill Nye went to my university! I think his story of how he became an educator and why is inspiring.

Finally, we had a discussion about pathogens as we will be discussing germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. They read a short article and began to answer questions about these things in class, and more time will be given tomorrow to complete these before we do some experiments.

Remember: YPC Concerts and Pizza Money due Monday. Agenda money due as soon as possible. Bring a jar.

I hope everyone had a great day!

As an update to my previous blog entry on Blood Types, we had a great discussion in class about how there are actually more than four blood types. For example, we had discussed during our experiment the presence of Rh factor, which means each of the main four types of blood can be positive and negative depending on whether you have Rh or not. While these four types, A, AB, B, and O, are the main marker types in blood, there are many other combinations. There are some combinations of markers together, such as AB and O, etc. One student said he also read that a new “K” type has been found, as well. We talked about possible reasons why blood types could become more complicated. Many students had asked their parents about their blood type at home. It was an interesting discussion in hematology! If you are an expert in this area, please do share with your child.

Please do discuss topics from class at home, as you have been doing already! You can encourage your child to take ACTION on their learning outside of class by having these discussions and asking them to share what they learn from you in class the next day. They could either tell Ms. D directly or ask to share with the whole class. If anyone finds articles in the newspaper related to our learning, students should bring them in. We will post them on our unit learning board. This is not homework, but if they are interested in the topic, bringing these things in will help deepen our conversation at school. I told everyone on Friday that the best part of being a MACC teacher is the amazing level of student discussion!

Outside of our main curriculum, I also like to support individual student passions and interests as time permits. For this reason, I try to build in one open choice time per week dedicated more to the student’s social-emotional development and independent projects. One group has really taken off with this idea! It started with our abstract art project, when two boys decided to turn the art into a marble maze (which really worked for the project, as they were supposed to produce something that represented their personalities and interests, and these mazes show some excellent builder abilities and creative thinking.) Now six different students have formed a mini marble maze club that originated in the classroom but also meets outside to play together. They have been using a variety of paper and building supplies I try to keep on hand.

We have many students in the class who are makers that enjoy building! If you have a maker at home, you may consider dropping by Urban Source, a shop on Main Street in Vancouver where I frequently pick up unique building supplies. The store is dedicated to crafting with reusable items that someone else thought were trash. For $5-20 you have free pick of items available and can fill bags of different sizes. See their website for more info.

Also, I found some new games for the program this weekend, including Maze Racers, that I hope the group will enjoy. Granville Island Toys is having their annual 25% off everything sale until EOD Sunday (lego excluded.) I find they have a great selection of critical thinking based games.

Enjoy the sunny fall weather!