Ms. Bonar

Happy Monday Everyone,

I hope you had a lovely weekend. I would like to start off the week by trying to create a blog routine. Instead of emailing parents when I have posted to the class website, I will instead plan to regularly add content on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I am hoping to have it posted no later than 11am and if there is a delay, I will make a note on the website.

Here is a list of activities to work on over the next few days:

1. Read an Epic book. I can see that many of you having been reading up a storm already. Spend at least 20 minutes reading or listening to a book or video of your choice! For those of you that are still not able to login or if you are looking for a change, try visit, https://www.storylineonline.net/library/ for some amazing read-alouds. No sign-up or login is required.
2. Read 2 books on KidzA-Z, Level Up and take the quiz. Remember to use the “Kid Login” and type msbonar. You will see your name. The password is morley.
3. Write a journal entry. Here are a few prompts to help you get started:

If you could invent something, what would it be? Describe it in detail.  How would it be used and by who?

Or

Describe a party or celebration you went to where you had a lot of fun. It could have been your party or someone else’s. Describe the location, decorations, food, activities and anything else that comes to mind. If you have yet to attend something memorable, what are your ideas for a perfect party? Describe it in detail.

Please plan to write for a focused 20 minutes. You do not need to use these writing prompts if you already have a journal idea in mind. Please make sure you are using your green journal and not the response booklet. Don’t forget to start with the date.

4. Warm up our math brains. It has been a while since some of us have engaged in math. Try these fun games to help recall and strengthen basic math concepts.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/5-7-years/addition-and-subtraction

Please note, you can adjust the age and category depending on the type of math you would like to practice. Try not to click the ads on the top or side of the screen. This will bring you to another site.

5. Visit Ms. Raap’s and Ms. Yee’s blogs.

Ms. Raap has created a wonderful music blog with lots of activities. You can visit it here:

https://sd41blogs.ca/raapc/

Ms. Yee has added a couple of new read-alouds to her site about Earth Day. You can view them here:

https://blogs.sd41.bc.ca/morley-library/

6. Say hello to your classmates. It’s been while since you’ve seen everyone, and you might be itching to say hello. I invite you to make a sign or message and have someone take a picture of it for you. They can email it to me at marisa.bonar@burnabyschools.ca and I will post it on the blog for you. Please note that I am unable to post pictures of people so make sure it is just of your message. This is completely optional but I’m sure your classmates would love to hear from you!

Showing Me Your Learning

From time to time I will ask you to take a picture of your work and have it emailed to me. These documents will be kept private, unless you have given me permission to share it with the class. If you like, you may also make a short video of yourself discussing your work or reading a piece of your writing. In a few weeks, I will also put out a request for students who would like to video conference with me. This would be another time that you could show me your work and talk about it. If these options are not available to you, not to worry. Near the end of May, I will be contacting parents to drop off your work booklets for review. This way, I will be able to see all your wonderful work, whether you have shown it to me online or not.

Having Trouble?

If at anytime you are having difficulty with an assignment or are confused, please have your parents email me. I can give you a call or set up a video chat to help. Remember that this experience is very different than in the classroom and it might not always feel easy. Please, just try your best and let me know what you need.

Good luck over the next couple of days. Remember to visit again on Wednesday.

Hello Everyone,

It was good to see many of you yesterday. Thank you so much for picking up your packages. Inside you should have found:

• Your school supplies
• Your journal
• Your drawing booklet
• Your poetry book with several blank pages tucked inside (this will be used for future poems)
• A response booklet that looks very similar to your drawing book (we will use it for class activities)
• Seeds and a bit of soil

Your Journal

If you haven’t already done so, take some time to read through your journal today. It is bound to bring back happy memories. When you are done, start a new entry that includes answers to the following questions:

1. How are you doing or feeling?
2. How have you been keeping busy? (For example, watching TV, reading, going for walks, playing games, playing with your brothers or sisters, etc.)
3. Do you miss school? If so, what are some things that you miss?
4. What do you love about being at home?
5. Anything else you want to tell me.

There is no set number of pages that you must write, but instead aim for at least 20 minutes of focused writing. Not to worry if you don’t get through all the questions. Don’t forget to start your page with the date.

Your Poetry Book

Browse through your poetry book and see how many poems you remember. Pick your favourite and read it to someone in your house. Include the actions if you can! Keep the blank papers that I’ve tucked inside safe by securing them into your duotang. We will be adding a new poem shortly.

Your Seeds and Soil

Together we will be planting Bush Beans. Before you begin you will need to find a container to plant them in. What goes into a great a container? Watch the video below and we will discuss it.

Click here to see Ms. Bonar talk about planting and containers.

Once you have selected your container, you may go ahead and plant your seed. Remember to ask your parent’s help to put holes in it. Please note that when you decide to plant, you will need to complete an activity in your Response Booklet. When you are ready, follow these steps:

1. Make sure your container has holes in the bottom to let water drain through.
2. Carefully pour the dirt in. Make sure you don’t push down on it too hard. Let it sit loosely in the container.
3. Poke a hole in the soil with the top part of your finger. The hole should be 2 to 5 cm deep. Put the seed in and push dirt over top. Repeat for the next seed, making sure you leave space in between.
4. Get a tablespoon from your kitchen. Sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons of water over your plant.
5. Put it in the sunniest part of your house. Bush beans love the sun and the soil needs to warm up for the plant to sprout.
6. While you are waiting for your plant to sprout, turn your container around each day so that the sun hits different parts of it.
7. Keep an eye on your soil. It does not need to be watered everyday but if it starts to look dry, put a bit more water on it. Be careful not to put too much as it can hurt your plant. Use a spoon for control.

In your Response Booklet:

Write the date at the top.

Write the title: Today I Planted Bush Beans

Draw and colour a picture of what your plant looks like today.

Write these two questions and answer them in a complete sentence:

1. What type of container did you use?
2. What do you think a plant needs to live and grow?

Here is an example:

Dear Students and Families,

Welcome to the Division 10 Class Blog. It is wonderful having you here and I hope that together we can accomplish lots of learning and have some fun. Before we begin, I think it’s important to note that learning this term will look very different than in the classroom.  Instead of a daily schedule, a set of activities will be posted for the week. Every family is in a different situation, and it will not be possible for us to all follow the same schedule. You might also find that the workload is seemingly less. Remote learning is not intended to replicate what is in the classroom, but it will still offer students plenty of ways to build skill and think critically and creatively. The level of engagement in these activities will vary from one person to the next. I understand that this is a stressful time for many, and the health of your family comes before anything. Though it important to maintain an educational focus, there is also a need for flexibility. Please just do as much as you can. On the other hand, if you find you would like more activities than what is posted, I will provide supplementary web links to other learning sites.

I would like to wish everyone good luck in this process. This is definitely new to me and I will be learning alongside you in the use of technology. I know there might be a few kinks along the way, but we are in this together and I know we will come out successful.

I would now like to say hello via video. I had some difficulty uploading it, but hopefully it is now viewable.

Click here for a message from Ms. Bonar

Become an Epic Reader

Let’s start off our week by reading for enjoyment. I have set up a class account for an online library and sent an invitation to your parents. They will need to accept and create a password. I will ask that these passwords be short and easy to type so that you are able to access the library by yourself. If you have a tablet you will want to download the app. It looks like this:

(Image taken from: https://apps.apple.com/tt/app/epic-kids-books-and-videos/id719219382)

If you are on a laptop you can access the website from:

https://www.getepic.com/sign-in/parent

If you are logging in from an app, please make sure you select the line that says ‘Have an account? Sign in’. You do not need to register, as I already have a classroom membership. Once you are in, have fun exploring. There are books you can read by yourself and books that can be read to you. You might also want to watch a video or try listening to an audio book which has no written text or pictures.

There is no set number of books that I would like you to read but I would like you to take some time each day this week to explore and get use to the program.  I will be doing the same. I think you will find it quite fun. There are many popular books and each time you read, you earn points and badges. Give it a go and let me know what you think!

I’ve included a few screen shots from the Epic app  to help you log in:

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

 

Level Up with Kids A-Z

We will be using two reading programs this term. The next one you need to download is called Kids A-Z. If you are using a tablet, the app looks like this:

(Image taken from: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kids-a-z/id474207297)

If you are using a laptop you can visit:

https://www.kidsa-z.com/main/Login/

Once you are in, you will need to type in my username which is msbonar . It will look something like this:

It should bring you to a page where you will see your name. Click on it. Everyone has the same password for now. It is morley (use all little letters). We can change this later.

Once you are logged in, you might see two icons: one says Headsprouts and the other, Reading. Go into the one that says Reading,

and then Level Up.

(Screen shots were taken from KidA-Z App: https://www.kidsa-z.com/)

You will find assorted readers at your level. I will check in with you from time to time to make sure that it is not too hard or too easy. This program has a lot of features to help you become a great reader. It allows you to listen to the book first, and click on words you don’t know when reading it yourself. There is even a little quiz at the end to check for understanding. When done, check out the Reading Room for more book selections.

What’s Next?

On Thursday, parents will be coming to Morley to pick up a packet for you. Parents, you should have received an email with a time and instructions. Please let me know if you did not. Inside the packet will be school supplies and notebooks as well as some seeds for planting. I will be back then to explain the next part of our week.

Take care everyone. I am very excited to be here with you and look forward to waving to you on Thursday!