Multiplication Games

Today, we had a great discussion about what multiplication is.

Some students struggled to explain what multiplication is. Many had troubles drawing a picture of what it looked like in their minds.

Here are some great math games that will help them gain familiarity with multiplication.

http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/multiplication-games.html

Important dates: Code word

As a contest with our students to make sure they're checking our blog, there is a prize for the students knowing our codeword tomorrow.

The codeword is: "Growth Mindset".

Tomorrow we will work to define what that means. See you then!!

-Mr. Smith

Important Information - Week of September 20th

Here are some key dates to remember:

Thursday, September 22nd: Picture day

Friday, September 23rd: Professional Development Day -- NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS --

Monday, September 26th: Scholastic book orders due

Thursday, October 6th: Early Dismissal

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held Thursday October 6th and Friday October 7th. Please note that there is no school on the Friday, but there will be school Thursday morning. You can book your appointment here. If you require an interpreter, your interpreter will schedule your appointment for you. 

Ask your child about our Maker Challenge. Photos and videos to follow.

Lastly, please make sure you send back any forms and fees to the office as soon as possible. If you need to make payment arrangements, please drop by our office.

Week 2 Announcements

What you need to know this week:

-Sports club starts Monday.

-Many of our students will be away to celebrate Eid al-Adha on Monday. Eid Mubarak!!

-Pancake Breakfast on Friday, students must be accompanied by an adult.

-Start of school forms are due. Please let us know if you need to make arrangements to pay fees, or stop by the office.

-Fire drill on Wednesday.

-Indoor shoes: there are still a few students without these. Let us know if you cannot afford them and we will see if we can find some for you.

Week 1 - Recap

WEEK 1

It's hard to believe we've been working together for a week already!

Students began their year by organizing their lives here at school. This includes several forms which should be returned to the school as soon as possible. Also, don't forget indoor shoes!! If you have any problems or concerns, you can always call me at the school or email me.

We will be using binders primarily for all subjects. They have also been given subject dividers. There is no need for students to bring their own binders. We have also decorated our own take-home folders, so that we can take individual sheets home without having to worry about them getting wrecked in backpacks.

Students worked on some illustrated stories of their summer. It looks like many students had enjoyable holidays, and like to spend time outdoors.

Students have been exploring fractals, learning about reading strategies, and exploring our inquiry focus question for the year: "What is success?"

After learning to use a Frayer Model to build our vocabulary, students worked in groups to figure out what success means to them. We then looked at the life story of Albert Einstein, a successful academic, and used what we learned to refine our thoughts.

Finally we decided on the definition we will use as a class:

"Success is when you complete something as best as you can and ask questions so you can improve."

Daily At-Home Reading Practice

Reading at Home: The Most Important Thing We Do.

Much research has been done showing that reading at home is critical for children to succeed in every subject at school.

This week, we have been working on how to do a Five Finger Test, which helps students identify whether a book is too hard or too easy for them. Students in Grade 5 and 6 should be able to read for 15-30 minutes every night. Even weekends. 

To make that process easier, each student will be going home with a Five Finger Test bookmark today. Have them demonstrate this for you.

If your child needs more items to read, there are many options available:

They may want to visit the public library. You can get a free library card at any library location, but your child will need you to go with them the first time so you can sign their permission forms.

Our school Learning Commons offers book exchange throughout the day, however your child will not be able to sign out a book unless they bring a plastic bag to keep it in.

Lastly, you can access our Tumblebooks account. This website features online books, which students can read, or listen to and read along. 

To use Tumblebooks, head to http://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/ 

Username: cjfscott

Password:  reads

Reminder About Full Day on Friday:

Early dismissal starts next week. This Friday, we will have a full day of school. Students who stay for lunch will need to bring a lunch with them.

Welcome Back!!

If you're reading this, then you have successfully made it to our class blog.

This week, we will be going over routines and rules for our class and school. You should ask your child if they understand the rules, and if they don't, encourage them to speak to me.

In addition, please review the School Handbook below. You may also access it here. Once you've done that, please indicate you've read and understand it on the form that was sent home today.