Ms. Coutts' Class

Hour of Code

December 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Hour of Code takes place during Computer Science Education Week, which is this week!

The idea behind Hour of Code is to get everyone participating in a coding activity at some point throughout the week. Students have all different levels of experience with coding, and it has become part of our B.C. curriculum.

This photo is from when I visited UHE for Hour of Code in 2019 to teach some coding, back when I held a district position.

While we understand that not all students will grow up to become programmers, learning coding and computational thinking in school helps demystify the powers that drive our everyday technologies, broadens participation in the field of computer science, and nurtures problem solving skills. It is essentially a new literacy needed as our children grow up and navigate the world.

At school, I try to balance the amount of screen time with the technology tools and skills students are expected to learn. Students will continue to have access to some of the coding links I will show them today, but please feel free to limit/guide your child in their use of the links I provided (even if it IS “for school!”)

Speed Stacks

November 18, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Division 5 has just started learning speed stacking, and last week we participated in the Stack Up! annual event. This event aims to set the world record for the most stackers at the same time in different parts of the world. The goal this year was 775 000!

Speed Stacking is a relatively new sport that is based on… that’s right… stacking cups!

Sport stacking, also known as cup stacking or speed stacking, is an individual and team sport that involves stacking 9 or 12 (usually 12) specially designed cups in pre-determined sequences as fast as possible. The cups are specially designed to allow for speedier times, so the sport doesn’t work so well with regular cups. People of all ages and from all over the world compete in sport stacking.

Just as with any sport, there are particular rules that guide speed stacking. Division 5 is just beginning developing some basic skills around how we handle the cups, and some of the stacking fundamentals needed to be successful with this sport. Developing muscle memory is a big part of learning any new physical skill, and we are learning that we must start slow in order to achieve this. One of the rules of cup stacking is that the player must use alternating hands in order to set up each cycle of cups–this action of alternating hands actually strengthen the right and left brain connection.  There are also competition events such as partner stacking where each person performs the actions of either the right or the left hand. It’s important to start with the fundamentals of a sport before adding in speed and power.

If you want to learn more, check out these official speed stacking YouTube videos.

Families have the opportunity to buy their own set of stacks from Speed Stacks Canada. Just click on the  “Group Order” image to go to the ordering site. Purchasing a set through this link helps us get more speed stacking supplies for our school.

Ordering closes on November 30.

Happy stacking!

Math Practice – Boddle & XtraMath

November 13, 2024 / / 0 Comments

As students progress through the intermediate grades, math instruction focuses on increasingly complex processes and clarity of communication. A foundational skill for students navigating intermediate math is knowing their facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. While it is not a “requirement” to memorize math facts, as per the curriculum, it is very useful to be able to recall facts quickly and accurately when working through multi-step problems.

Division 5 is going to have access to a couple of different programs to support math learning. Ms. Sam is working with students to learn how to access Boddle, and I have set the students up with access to XtraMath.

XtraMath focuses on learning math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The idea is that they have about ten to fifteen minutes of “skill and drill” practice each day at whatever level is appropriate for them. Students can work on their skills at home and at school, and parents and teachers can have access to their progress. Students will bring home a form today explaining how to access this practice at home.

Here is a video explaining more about XtraMath.

Investigating Properties

November 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Division 5 has been learning about properties as one part of computational thinking in Applied Design Skills and Technologies (ADST). A couple of weeks ago, Ms. Gammon took us over to SFU to identify and compare some local plants and learn how they were/are used by Coast Salish people. Students had to examine the properties of the plants in order to identify them.

As part of our morning provocation discussions, we have been using a game called “Figure It Out” to practice identifying properties and giving evidence to back up our thinking. The great thing about this game is that there is no ONE right answer!

Check out these slides below for a fun discussion at home.

Halloween Fun!

October 30, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Division 5 is looking forward to dressing up and celebrating Halloween tomorrow! Please remember the costume expectations below, and that we will not be sharing sugary treats at school tomorrow. (I’m sure you will be enjoying plenty in the coming days!)

Zentangling Our Way Through October

October 9, 2024 / / 0 Comments

In Art, Division 5 is exploring line and pattern with Zentangles.

Use a pen to create your Zentangle and transform your “mistakes” into (what Bob Ross would call) “happy little accidents!”

Zentangles are structured patterned drawings with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, etc. They are drawn on small square papers called “tiles.” Zentangling is a mindful practice that is one of our options during quiet choice time. We work with a fineliner instead of pencil so when we create our patterns, we don’t fixate on making something “perfect.” Sometimes when we draw with pencil, we might get stuck in a cycle of drawing and erasing, trying to perfect a certain shape, line, or shadow. When we work with pen, we must move past “imperfections” and develop our ability to go-with-the-flow when plans are changed by an oopsie!

Here are some pattern ideas. Also, you can look for inspiration anywhere and everywhere! Where can you find patterns?

From the Zentangle website (yes, there is a website!): “Zentangle art is non-representational and unplanned so you can focus on each stroke and not worry about the result. There is no up or down to Zentangle art. If fact, you can most easily create Zentangle art by rotating your tile as you tangle — always keeping your hand in a relaxed position. You don’t need to know what a tangle is going to look like to draw it. You just need to know the steps. The result is a delightful surprise.”

Check out some of the student Zentangles so far!

Reconcili-action

September 27, 2024 / / 0 Comments

In Division 5, we have been discussing actionable ways to contribute to reconciliation in Canada. The goal of reconciliation is to rebuild and maintain a respectful relationship with Indigenous peoples. It is an ongoing process that requires active awareness and effort from non-Indigenous people across Canada. This week, each student wrote about an act of reconciliation they will pursue on an orange heart. The hearts are posted on the window near out classroom.

Through discussion, we also came up with ideas about how we, as a whole class, can contribute to reconciliation through reconcili-actions in our classroom. They are posted on our wall to remind us of our commitments.

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Orange Shirt Day

September 25, 2024 / / 0 Comments

 

Phyllis Webstad

This week Division 5 is talking about Orange Shirt Day and, more broadly, the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. Truth and reconciliation is an ongoing process that requires reflection and action. In an interview, Phyllis Webstad, the person whose experience inspired Orange Shirt Day, noted that there will come a time when the people who lived through the experience of residential school will be gone, and we are dependent on our youth to carry forward the knowledge of Canada’s history.

Many students already have some background knowledge about residential schools and are continuing to learn challenging truths of Canada’s past. Reconciliation starts with a willingness to listen and learn in order to restore positive relationships for affected communities.

The Honorable Justice Murray Sinclair, chief commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said that “education is what got us into this mess, and education is what will get us out of it.” On Saturday September 30, I hope you can take some time to learn and reflect.

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