Month: May 2020

Activities and Assignments May 25 – May 29

Activities Update for Week of May 25 – May 29

  • This list is also available on MS Teams in the General Channel.
  • TOP PRIORITY Report Card Reflection, IP, MACC MALL, PODCAST. There are other assignments, but you can do them if you are DONE with top priorities.
  • Remember, some people are done with top priorities and need more to do, but all you need to worry about are the four priorities for June 10.
  • Do the NEED to DO items first, then do optional choices.
  • Need help, please ask.

__________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! 

Need to Do:

  • ADST/Financial Literacy – MACC Mall: Create a prototype of your product to present to our MACC Shark Tank with a brand name, slogan, and jingle. Product packaging needs to be aesthetic!  Prototype with photo due May 31st.
  • ADST/LA/Public Speaking – PODCAST:  Write, practice, and record your Podcast, with a commercial for your MACC Mall Product. When done, please finish rubric reflection for assessment. See MS Teams. Recordings due June 8th.
  • ADST/LA/Public Speaking – MACC Mall: You will need to present your product to the Shark Tank. Write and practice your speech. See assignment on MS Teams. Be ready to present by June 10th.
  • ART/Photography: A new assignment to play with photography will be posted each week through June. Finish them as you have time. This week: Foodie Photography. Post photos to your E-PORT and MS Teams to share. Ms. D is making a slideshow gallery of the best photos. All photos due June 19th.

Optional Choices:


FITNESS & HEALTH HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Physical Health – Heart Workout: Pick one fitness activity each day, either of your own or from the optional choices list, that gets your heart rate up!
  • Personal Awareness – Be calm: Use the APP CALM.  Find a quiet space, put on nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do deep breathing to calm yourself.

Optional Choices:


INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Read something fun and avoid news/current events.

Need to Do:

  • LA:  Read 30 minutes for fun, relaxation, or learning each day!
  • READ: On EPIC, the book Let’s Eat: Sustainable Food for a Hungry Planet and then comment and discuss what you learn on MS Teams under Sustainable Food Ideas, or bring your thoughts to our meetings next week.
  • Join Daily Read Aloud: Ms. D will read The Inquisitor’s Tale each day 2:30-3:00 PM. Drop in, listen to the story! Afterwards ask questions or speak one-on-one with Ms. D if needed.

Optional Choices:


SERVICE and CONNECTION (30 minutes) 
Clean and help others! Connect with classmates and family. Play! Be kind! 

Need to Do:

  • ZOOM Meeting Wednesday 10:00 AM:  Talent Show Day. Bring a “talent” you have that you can share. After our contestants have gone, we will have a vote as to who was the best. Bring your questions.
  • Contribute to our MS Teams channels.  Do the math and writing challenges, or participate in word games and riddles. Be part of your class community!
  • Connect with others!  Connect with a friend! Make sure you have contact with your class community and friends, which is important for your mental health!

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Do the class OPTIONAL BEST IN SHOW CHALLENGE! See MS Teams. Thank you to those who have already sent in entries! Now Due June 19th.

GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • IP Bibliography: Create a bibliography for IP. See MS Teams. Due June 1st.
  • IP Primary Research:  Finish primary research and post pictures and explanations on your e-port. See MS Teams. Due June 5th.
  • IP Presentation: Everyone is creating something Ms. D can post electronically. See MS Teams for your rubric and reflection to fill out when done. All items must be sent to Ms. D by June 10th to be included in class display online.
  • Typing: Practice when other assignments are done. Now due June 24th.

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Thinking about how to present your IP information? Learn how to use one of the Office 365 Tools. Here are tutorials on PowerPoint and other applications. Or, go try out Book Creator. Details for our class account are in your email.


UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • Unit Discussion, Small-Group Meeting: Check email for invite. Stay tuned for possible schedule changes if Ms. D has to be physically at school this week to prepare for the reopening of school.
  • Science – Minerals! : Match the minerals to their descriptions. Due May 29th.
  • Report Card Reflection:  Take a moment to reflect on your work for the whole year.Complete the self-reflection document in MS Teams and send me a paragraph for your report. Also do an e-port entry on core competencies, which will be attached to your report card via internet link. Due June 5th
  • Socials/Science/Inquiry – Choice Research & 3 Slide PowerPoint: Finish research on unit topic of choice. Create 3 slides with info to share. Write a script and practice so you are prepared. See MS Teams. Due June 12th
  • Socials/Science/LA – Geology/Resources/Economics: Each week I will post sections of online texts about geology, economics, and resources. Read and respond to questions on your e-port. Finish at your own pace. All due June 19th.
  • Math – IXL Financial Literacy and Decimals: Use IXL to do math related to decimals and financial literacy. Ongoing through June 19th.
  • Unit Socials/Science – Earth School: Continue watching Earth School Videos that appear on TED ED. Ongoing through end of June.

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • READ About Unit Topics: Go to EPIC and read any other non-fiction books about money, economics, and other topics. This may help you with your further group research in the required section.

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Activities and Assignments May 18 – May 22


Activities Update for Week of May 18 – May 22

  • This list is also available on MS Teams in the General Channel.
  • TOP PRIORITY Report Card Reflection, IP, MACC MALL, PODCAST. Monitor deadlines.
  • Do the NEED to DO items first, then do optional choices.
  • Need help, please ask.

__________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! 

Need to Do:

  • ADST/Financial Literacy – MACC Mall: Create a prototype of your product to present to our MACC Shark Tank with a brand name, slogan, and jingle. Product packaging needs to be aesthetic!  Prototype with photo due May 31st.
  • ADST/LA/Public Speaking – PODCAST:  Write, practice, and record your Podcast, with a commercial for your MACC Mall Product. When done, please finish rubric reflection for assessment. See MS Teams. Recordings due June 8th.
  • ADST/LA/Public Speaking – MACC Mall: You will need to present your product to the Shark Tank. Write and practice your speech. See assignment on MS Teams. Be ready to present by June 10th.
  • ART/Photography: A new assignment to play with photography will be posted each week through June. Finish them as you have time. This week: Elements and Principles of Photography 2. Post photos to your E-PORT and MS Teams to share. Ms. D is making a slideshow gallery of the best photos. All photos due June 19th.

Optional Choices:


FITNESS & HEALTH HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Physical Health – Heart Workout: Pick one fitness activity each day, either of your own or from the optional choices list, that gets your heart rate up!
  • Personal Awareness – Be calm: Use the APP CALM.  Find a quiet space, put on nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do deep breathing to calm yourself.

Optional Choices:


INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Read something fun and avoid news/current events.

Need to Do:

  • LA:  Read 30 minutes for fun, relaxation, or learning each day!
  • Join Daily Read Aloud: Ms. D will read the last of Orphan Island each day 2:30-3:00 PM. Drop in, listen to the story! Afterwards ask questions or speak one-on-one with Ms. D if needed. Our next book will be The Inquisitor’s Tale.

Optional Choices:


SERVICE and CONNECTION (30 minutes) 
Clean and help others! Connect with classmates and family. Play! Be kind! 

Need to Do:

  • ZOOM Meeting Wednesday 10:00 AM:  Pajama Day! Wear pajamas and have your favourite breakfast snack. Prepare ahead for periodic table element quiz (links posted on MS Teams under Unit Discussions). Bring your questions!
  • Contribute to our MS Teams channels.  Do the math and writing challenges, or participate in word games and riddles. Be part of your class community!
  • Connect with others!  Connect with a friend! Make sure you have contact with your class community and friends, which is important for your mental health!

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Do the class OPTIONAL BEST IN SHOW CHALLENGE! See MS Teams. Thank you to those who have already sent in entries! Now Due June 19th.

GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • IP Bibliography: Create a bibliography for IP. See MS Teams. Due June 1st.
  • IP Primary Research:  Finish primary research and post pictures and explanations on your e-port. See MS Teams. Extended, now due June 5th.
  • IP Presentation: Everyone is creating something Ms. D can post electronically. See MS Teams for your rubric and reflection to fill out when done. All items must be sent to Ms. D by June 10th to be included in class display online.
  • Typing: Practice when other assignments are done. Now due June 19th.

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Thinking about how to present your IP information? Learn how to use one of the Office 365 Tools. Here are tutorials on PowerPoint and other applications. Or, go try out Book Creator. Details for our class account are in your email.


UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • Unit Discussion, Small-Group Meeting: Check email for invite. We will discuss your independent project progress and making sure everyone is on track.
  • Science – Minerals! : Match the minerals to their descriptions. Due May 29th.
  • Report Card Reflection: Finish ASAP!! Hard deadline June 5th, but sooner is better. Take a moment to reflect on your work for the whole year.Complete the self-reflection document in MS Teams and send me a paragraph for your report. Also do an e-port entry on core competencies, which will be attached to your report card via internet link.
  • Socials/Science/Inquiry – Choice Research & 3 Slide PowerPoint: Finish research on unit topic of choice. Create 3 slides with info to share. Write a script and practice so you are prepared. See MS Teams. Due June 5th
  • Socials/Science/LA – Geology/Resources/Economics: Each week I will post sections of online texts about geology, economics, and resources. Read and respond to questions on your e-port. Finish at your own pace. All due June 12th.
  • Math – IXL Financial Literacy and Decimals: Use IXL to do math related to decimals and financial literacy. Ongoing through June 12th.
  • Unit Socials/Science – Earth School: Continue watching Earth School Videos that appear on TED ED. Ongoing through end of June.

Optional Choices:

  • See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • READ About Unit Topics: Go to EPIC and read any other non-fiction books about money, economics, and other topics. This may help you with your further group research in the required section.

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Division 5 Update May 12th — Remote Learning Summary

Hello Everyone!

I just want to say how proud I am of all Division 5 students for making the adjustment to online learning. While it isn’t the same as our classroom, everyone is making an effort to make it work and continue their learning. We are working away on projects and learning of key content from our unit about needs and wants.

And I have noticed the positive, kind ways students have been reaching out to both me and to one another. Thank you to everyone for your efforts and kindness during this strange time. Thank you, also, for your creativity, as everyone has been using their MAKER, SERVICE, and GENIUS hour in amazing ways each week to continue independent learning. Great work!

Each day, I am having conversations with students on MS Teams, as we discuss topics or students complete challenges in our MS Teams Channels. Everyone has been very respectful contacting me for help, and between 8:30 and 4:00 I spend the day responding to email requests, having one-on-one meetings with students who ask for them, providing feedback on work, and checking in to make sure everyone is on track. I meet daily with multiple small groups to go over curriculum content and to discuss inquiry questions from our unit. We meet as a large group once a week, as well as during our daily read alouds in the afternoon, to gain connection. I know that is the part we miss the most about school — the social connection with peers!

Language Arts / Literacy: 

Each week, students have been completing Quick Writes, as we were doing in class before the break. Our focus has been to keep practicing creative writing skills, adding descriptive vocabulary, and editing carefully for conventions. I have been giving a lot of feedback on how to use commas, punctuation in dialogue, and conjunctions in complex sentences. Students also watched an online lesson I created about commas, and they are participating daily in writing challenges designed to get their creativity flowing and to practice advanced vocabulary.

In connection with ADST, we have also been learning about PODCASTS. What are they? How are they used? What makes a good podcast? We experimented with SoundTrap online, and now we will apply creative writing and storytelling skills to create a Podcast of our own!

I am proud of how much reading students are doing in this challenging time! Whether using EPIC, Audible, or public library ebooks, everyone is finding something they can read for INDIE READING TIME!

Math / Numeracy:

Through our small-group discussions, we have discussed financial literacy topics and economics, covering things like supply and demand, budgeting, savings, taxes, having a job, doing math with money, percentages, and the impact of current events on our economy in Canada. Everyone was given a pretend job with a salary, and they had to create a personal budget, taking into mind the actual costs of the many things they would have to pay for if they lived on their own. Many students independently learned excel skills and applied those to their work, creating spreadsheets with formulas. We will continue our discussion about money topics each week, talking about interest, how to make a business, entrepreneurship, and other financial literacy topics.

In connection with ADST, students are making a product they will advertise on their podcasts, complete with a brand name, slogan, or jingle. They will also be presenting the product to our Sharks (like in the show Shark Tank), asking for an investment of cash to increase their distribution and sales. I look forward to their creative thinking and presentations!

Socials:

We have had great discussions about how we get our needs and wants fulfilled. Money is a key part of it! Also, where do we find the resources to make the things we need and want? We brainstormed needs and wants, identified key renewable and non-renewable resources, and then looked for these resources in our homes. After discussion we concluded minerals are one of the most used resources in our houses. Where do we get the minerals?

We also talked about our toilet paper shortage, which led to great discussion about supply and demand, the forces at play in an economy, and how government plays a role in making sure supplies are available and that everyone has the money they need to purchase supplies, too.

Students are participating in TED Ed’s Earth School series, which presents videos about our Earth. We are focusing on the videos addressing how we get our resources, how the availability of resources is inequitable, and how people in the world are using creative ideas to address resource shortages and sustainability.

Each student has now chosen a topic to research further from our unit. They are working in groups set up on MS Teams Channels, sharing resources and creating a mini PowerPoint together to present to other students. We are all doing different topics so we can learn from one another.

Science:

If we know we use a lot of minerals to make the things we need, how do we find them? We have been exploring geology, the science related to finding these important resources. What are the different types of rocks? What is the rock cycle? What is the geological history of BC and how does that help geologists find the minerals we need? What is the difference between a rock, mineral, and element? What happens when minerals are broken down with water into a solution? What happens when a solution with  minerals in it cools? Lots of science content around geology and chemistry to talk about!

Ms. D has been posting daily pictures of rocks from her own collection, as well as the geology-related photographs from her family, which is full of rock hounds. Students have to guess what the rock is, what type, where it is found, and what the geological story is. Thank you to everyone who has joined in these MS Teams discussions! We have also had great talks about rocks and the rock cycle in our small-group meetings, and students have read about geology concepts in Geology of the Pacific Northwest and other resources from EPIC or online resources posted on the blog.

Some students have chosen to learn more about topics in this area, so their inquiry projects in MS Teams are about minerals, mining, and the periodic table! We will all be talking about these things as a group over the next few weeks.

ADST, Music, The Arts:

One thing psychologists have said is important for this time in isolation is to CREATE and to do something MEANINGFUL. For this reason, many students have been continuing their learning of instruments or spend time making new things using our optional activities list.

We are also learning about photography techniques, and each week students are working on a specific challenge designed to help them see the different ways photography can be used to change our perspective or to tell a story. Thank you to students for your creative efforts!

Some students have created music on SoundTrap and have shared it with me, with other students, or with Ms. Fletcher. Some have tried out the many activities on Ms. Fletcher’s blog, as well. I look forward to seeing our creative thinking skills as we make a podcast on SoundTrap, add music and a commercial, and use creative voices to make it interesting. And our MACC Mall requires everyone to find some materials at home and think about how they can make a useful product to present to Shark Tank!

Independent Project:

Everyone is finishing their research on their projects, and everyone has informed me about what they would like to do for primary research (first-hand research). If anyone needs help with this research, please let me know. Some students have asked for one-on-one meetings, and I am also following up with any student I know is having difficulty making a decision about what to do. Remember, primary research can be an interview, a survey, the making of something (document it with reflection and pictures), the learning or experiencing of something (document it with reflection and pictures), or a science experiment (document it with a lab report like we learned to do earlier this year and pictures). If you can’t think of something or run into difficulties, I am here to help!

By the end of this week, I have asked students to let me know how they would like to present. We will not have an in-person presentation, of course, but we will present independent projects virtually. I will be creating a page only accessible to those we invite (parents, advanced learning, Suncrest teachers and staff, other MACC students) on the blog. Each student will be creating something that can be accessed via a link. Examples are: PowerPoint, Book Creator (we have a class account), Written Essay, Slideshow with audio, a speech recorded on video, a mini-movie, or anything the student would like to do that can be shared.

IP Bibliographies are due June 1st. IP Presentations are due June 10th.

Amazing work, everyone!

I think you are all doing great work as you adjust to online learning. I enjoy hearing your voices in MS Teams. Keep up your efforts to join in our discussions, to make contact with your classmates, and to use a schedule each day, so you can keep doing something with purpose and meaning. This is important for our mental health — the connection and the meaning. If you need help or want to talk, I am always here. You can always request a one-on-one appointment with me. Or, come to the daily read aloud and hang out for a bit afterwards, to ask questions. Thank you for everything you are doing. I know it is not the same as MACC was in the classroom, but you are showing some amazing personal awareness, critical and creative thinking, communication, and social responsibility through your daily participation in our online learning.

Many thanks from Ms. D.

 

Activities and Assignments Week of May 11th – 15th


Activities Update for Week of May 11 – May 15

  • This list is also available on MS Teams in the General Channel.
  • Turn in assignments in MS Teams. Deadlines are flexible.
  • Choose one activity from each category each day of the week.
  • Do the NEED to DO items first, then do optional choices.
  • Need help, please ask!

______________________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! 

Need to Do:

  • Art and Critical Thinking – Elements and Principles of Photography:  Finish. Post photographs to MS Teams to share with classmates. Due May 15th
  • ADST Skills – Soundtrap:  Make sure you are signed up. Overdue.
  • ADST Skills – How to Make a Podcast: Read NPR article on making a Podcast. Then, watch new video on making SoundTrap podcast. Only watch minutes 2:55 – 6:10, as the video has extra things for teachers you don’t need. Make a recording of your voice and using sound features. Due May 15th.
  • MACC Mall: You will need to create a prototype of a product you could sell, to present to our MACC Shark Tank in the future. First step? Make sketches and brainstorm ideas. Connect with classmates you may want to work with.  Details of assignment in MS Teams. Brainstorm Due May 15th, Prototype due May 31st.

Optional Choices:


FITNESS & HEALTH HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Physical Health – Heart Workout: Pick one fitness activity each day, either of your own or from the optional choices list, that gets your heart rate up!
  • Personal Awareness – Be calm: Use the APP CALM.  Find a quiet space, put on nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do deep breathing to calm yourself.
  • Gratitude: Add to our ongoing Gratitude List on MS Teams under Just Connect.

Optional Choices:

  • NEW:  See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks!
  • Walking Curriculum: Do something outside if possible, using one of these walking prompts to practice observation, perspective, and critical-thinking.
    • What is looking down on you as you walk?
    • What evidence do you see of weather on your walk (e.g. sun exposed, cracking, moss, ivy creeping, wetness, etc.)
    • What is growing on your walk? How do you know? What are the different ways in which growth appears to you?
    • What do you notice on your walk that is lovely or pleasing?


INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Read something fun and avoid news/current events.

Need to Do:

  • LA:  Read 30 minutes for fun, relaxation, or learning each day!
  • Join Daily Read Aloud: Ms. D will read Orphan Island each day 2:30-3:00 PM. Drop in, listen to the story! Look for the button to join in the General Channel of MS Teams. Afterwards ask questions or speak one-on-one with Ms. D if needed.

Optional Choices:


SERVICE and CONNECTION (30 minutes) 
Clean and help others! Connect with classmates and family. Play! Be kind! 

Need to Do:

  • ZOOM Group Meeting Wednesday 10:00 AM:  Unit discussion, science experiment, and open questions. See how your suggestions melted the PEEPS!
  • Contribute to our MS Teams channels.  Do the math and writing challenges, or participate in word games and riddles. Be part of your class community!
  • Connect with others!  Connect with a friend! Make sure you have contact with your class community and friends, which is important for your mental health!

Optional Choices:

  • NEW  See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Do the class OPTIONAL BEST IN SHOW CHALLENGE! See MS Teams for a Best in Show Pet, Stuffie, or Toy challenge that is just for fun and social-emotional connection as a class. We hope you will participate. Due on May 15th.
  • Escape Rooms: Here are some escape rooms you could do with friends online.
  • Random Acts of Kindness could be a great way to help improve someone’s day during our isolation at home. Here are 19 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Kids, and maybe just find ways to send random positive messages to family, friends, and adults in your lives. We all need some positive words right now!


GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • IP:  Read Ms. D’s feedback on primary research. Do primary research and make sure to document it with a lab report, pictures, notes, observations, or reflections. Due May 22nd, Friday.
  • IP: Tell Ms. D your idea for your IP presentation. Will you use Book Creator? Will you do a PowerPoint? Create a model at home and document it with pictures? Idea is due May 15th, Friday.
  • IP Bibliography: Create a bibliography for IP. Due June 1st.
  • Typing: Do typing practice when other assignments are done. Due June 10th.

Optional Choices:


UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • Unit Discussion, Small-Group Meeting: Check email for invite. We will discuss MACC Mall Ideas, Economics, Simple/Compound Interest.
  • Unit Group Inquiry: Choose unit topic to research further. You will work in a small group on MS Teams to make a mini presentation during a video conference to another group through a shared PowerPoint. Topic due May 13th on MS Teams Unit Discussions Channel.
  • Socials – Resources in BC/Mining: Watch Port of Vancouver video on key economic activity in BC, Mining, and one about mining all over the world, Ground Rules. Since we couldn’t go to Britannia Mines, watch their video on mining history in BC Groundbreaking. Take a few notes for later discussions. Due May 15th.
  • Science: Rock Guess! Fun activity, see if you can figure out the different names of common minerals, matching pictures to their names. See MS Teams. Due May 15th.
  • LA – Podcast: Decide on a PODCAST theme/topic. What kind of Podcast do you want to have? Brainstorm ideas and then make a draft script of what you might talk about. See the MS Teams Assignment for steps. Due May 19th.
  • Unit Socials/Science – Resources and Geology: Watch videos on TED Education’s Earth School program, review websites on blog about geology and resources, and contribute to discussions in MS Teams. Due May 15th.
  • Math – Personal Budget: Finish personal budget. Due May 13th.
  • Math – IXL Financial Literacy and Decimals: Use IXL to do math related to decimals and financial literacy. Ongoing through May, so do at your own pace.

Optional Choices:

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Activities & Assignments List Week of May 4 – May 8


Activities Update for Week of May 4 – May 8

  • This list is also available on MS Teams in the General Channel.
  • Turn in assignments in MS Teams. Deadlines are flexible.
  • Choose one activity from each category each day of the week.
  • Do the NEED to DO items first, then do optional choices.
  • Need help, please ask!

______________________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! 

Need to Do:

  • Art and Critical Thinking – Elements and Principles of Photography:   Learn about the history, as well as the elements and principles of photography. Create a photo collage of letters you find in your every day environment. Instructions are included in the MS Teams Assignment. Due May 15th
  • ADST Skills – Soundtrap:  Stay tuned for information this week about how to join Soundtrap using our class account. This is the tool we will use for a Podcast.
  • Music: Go see Chrome Music Lab. Also visit Ms. Fletcher’s Music Blog for ideas about making music.

Optional Choices:


FITNESS & HEALTH HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Physical Health – Heart Workout: Pick one fitness activity each day, either of your own or from the optional choices list, that gets your heart rate up!
  • Personal Awareness – Be calm: Use the APP CALM.  Find a quiet space, put on nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do deep breathing to calm yourself.
  • Gratitude: Make a gratitude list of the things you are grateful for! When Ms. D asks you about it on MS Teams, add to our ongoing list of things that bring us joy.

Optional Choices:

INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Read something fun and avoid news/current events.

Need to Do:

  • LA:  Read 30 minutes for fun, relaxation, or learning each day!
  • Join Daily Read Aloud: Ms. D will read Orphan Island each day 2:30-3:00 PM. Drop in, listen to the story! Look for the button to join in the General Channel of MS Teams. Afterwards ask questions or speak one-on-one with Ms. D if needed.

Optional Choices:


SERVICE and CONNECTION (30 minutes) 
Clean and help others! Connect with classmates and family. Play! Be kind! 

Need to Do:

  • ZOOM Group Meeting Wednesday 10:00 AM:  Watch a science experiment, get ideas for Mother’s Day, and join in discussion!
  • Contribute to our MS Teams channels.  Do the math and writing challenges, or participate in word games and riddles. Be part of your class community!
  • Connect with others!  Connect with a friend! Make sure you have contact with your class community and friends, which is important for your mental health!
  • Do the class OPTIONAL BEST IN SHOW CHALLENGE! See MS Teams for a Best in Show Pet, Stuffie, or Toy challenge that is just for fun and social-emotional connection as a class. We hope you will participate. Due on May 15th.

Optional Choices:

  • NEW  See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • Escape Rooms: Here are some escape rooms you could do with friends online.
  • Random Acts of Kindness could be a great way to help improve someone’s day during our isolation at home. Here are 19 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Kids, and maybe just find ways to send random positive messages to family, friends, and adults in your lives. We all need some positive words right now!

GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • IP:  Read Ms. DeTerra’s feedback on last week’s IP research when you receive it. Think of new questions. Decide on your primary research method and begin working on it. If you are doing an interview, please run questions by Ms. D. Turn in new questions, added research, and primary research idea by May 8th, Friday.
  • TYPING: Do All the Right Type when you have time after other assignments are all done. Ongoing assignment. We will finish all practice sections by June 10th.

Optional Choices:


UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • Unit Discussion, Small-Group Meeting: Check email for invite. We will discuss your job budget, rocks and minerals, economics, and MACC MALL ideas.
  • LA – Quick Write: Practice brainstorming a story structure, careful editing aloud, and the use of proper spacing and punctuation in dialogue. Read the feedback from Ms. D from last week on your writing. Watch videos and choose to Create a Superhero Lair or Talk about How You Were Shrunk. Due May 11th.
  • Unit Socials/Science – Resources and Geology: Watch videos so far on TED Education’s Earth School program, review websites on the blog about geology and resources, and contribute to discussions in MS Teams under the Unit Discussions Channel. Due May 8th.
  • Math – Financial Literacy: In EPIC, read Getting Your Money’s Worth: Making Smart Financial Decisions and take the attached quiz in MS Teams. Due May 8th.
  • Unit Project – Living On Your Own, Personal Budget: Create a budget with the information we discussed in last week’s small-group meeting. Due May 13th.
  • Math – IXL Financial Literacy and Decimals: Use IXL to do math lessons and practice related to decimals and financial literacy. Ongoing through May, so do at your own pace and level.

Optional Choices:

  • NEW  See the Optional Daily Activities Page for activities from past weeks
  • LEARN EXCEL!  To help with making budgets, learn how to use Microsoft EXCEL. Here are tutorials on all the features. Or, a basic lesson on how to make a simple chart. Here is another one on basic math in Excel. And, finally, one more that has a basic introductory tutorial.
  • READ About Unit Topics: Go to EPIC and read any other non-fiction books about money. Read the rest of the Secret Life of Money from last week.
  • I will be posting less optional activities under this category. Take time to participate in MS Teams and do assignments so we can have great discussions.

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Geology and Resources Websites for Research

Please use these websites during our ongoing unit discussions about Geology and Resources:

BBC Rocks

BBC Rock Cycle

Geography for Kids Earth Structure

EarthHow Inside Earth: The Crust, Mantle, and Core

EarthHow A Guide to the Geologic Timeline of the Earth

EarthHow What is Earth’s Geologic Time Scale?

EarthHow Plate Tectonics

EarthHow 3 Types of Faults

EarthHow 7 Major Tectonic Plates

EarthHow Pacific Plate

EarthHow How Mountains Are Made

EarthHow Pangea Ultima

How Gemstones Are Formed

How Minerals are Formed

How Minerals are Identified

TED Ed  Four Ways to Understand the Age of the Earth – video

OneGeology  What is Geology? Reading and Activities

Kids National Geographic Geology 101

DK Find Out Types of Rocks

DK Find Out Structure of the Earth

DK Find Out Tectonic Plates

University of Waterloo Minerals for Kids

TED ED  How North America Got Its Shape

PBS Digital Studios  How the Grand Canyon Was Formed

You Tube Animation of Plate Tectonic Movement Back in Time

Crash Course  GEOLOGY

Crash Course Kids Landforms

Sci Show Kids Be a Rock Detective

Caterpillar Video on Mining Around the World Ground Rules

Britannia Mines History in BC  Groundbreaking

Crash Course Making Diamonds

Geography for Kids How is Coal Formed?

The Most Amazing Pit Mines in the World

Extreme Mining Machines That Will Blow Your Mind

Clarendon Fossil Fuels for Kids

Clarendon Fossils for Kids

Clarendon Earthquakes

Clarendon Natural Resources for Kids

Natural Resources Canada Our Resources, Our Strength

Crash Course Specialization and Trade

Crash Course Series of Videos ECONOMICS

Crash Course on TAXES

Mineral Identification Websites:

BC Mining Mineral Identification

Mineralogy 4 Kids Mineral Identification Steps

Mindat Physical Characteristics Mineral Search

Mindat Mineral Library

Mineralpedia

Geology.com Common Minerals