Tuesday November 30th

 I'm back!

Here is the plan for today. 

Period 1 - Mr. Butt -I think he's doing book fair buying today.

Period 2 is Reader's workshop.  Mini lesson is about checking the beginning and the end of a word.

Period 3 and 4 is math.  We're going to be looking at in/out machines (e.g., function machines).  We'll play these games:

https://ca.bigideasmath.com/protected/content/dcs_ca/tools/function_machine_8_4_1/function_machine_8_4_1.html -game as class

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Flash.aspx?f=FunctionMachinev3 -another game

Then do this work:

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/in-out/in-out-boxes-basic1_TWRNM.pdf

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/in-out/in-out-boxes-basic2_TWRNN.pdf

Period 5 is Writer's workshop.  Mini lesson will focus on using phrases we here over and over to make poems.

Period 6 is gym.  Hoping to conclude our basketball unit with some more scrimmages.

Thursday November 25th

 Thursday November 25th..

Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 - Reader's workshop.  We will look closely at blends and diagraphs (e.g., the 'sl' sound in slide).  We'll play this game: https://www.abcya.com/games/consonant_blends

Period 2 is Writer's workshop.  We'll talk about borrowing a 'spark line' (e.g., a writing prompt) to get us started.

Period 3 and 4 is math.  We'll continue to work on patterning.  We'll look a little closer at pattern rules and make our own patterns with rules...Writing Rules

Period 5 is music with Mrs. Haynes. 

Period 6 we will head to the library to create our 'wish lists' for the school book fair.

Remember...tomorrow is a PA day.  No school for kids.

Tomorrow!

 To my two devoted readers...tomorrow is dress up as your favourite literary character!

Wednesday November 24th

 Here is the plan for today...

Period 1 We will read a bit from the Tale of Desperaux.  Then we are going to attend a 'virtual' assembly about electrical safety.

Period 2 is French with Mr. Woolley.

Period 3 and 4 we will use the chrome-books (after a mask break) to log onto knowledge hook and do a few more class 'game shows' to practise our patterning skills.

Period 5 We'll do social studies.  We'll look at the 3 landform regions of Ontario (e.g., Great Lakes/St. Lawerence, Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Canadian Shield) and where they're located on a map.

Period 6 I'm going to leave open.  Hopefully finish up any 'unfinished work' and maybe enjoy a little free time.

Tuesday November 23rd

 Here is the plan for today.

Period 1 is Mr. Butt for technology.

Period 2 is reader's workshop.  Mini Lesson focus on 'using what you know' to solve words.  

Period 3 and 4 is math.  After a mask break we'll play a quick 2 person game on calculators.  Then we'll do the work from last Friday (that we didn't get to yesterday either).  

Period 5 is writer's workshop.  Our mini lesson will focus on "Getting Sparked by Setting".  

Period 5 is gym.  A little Ham, Chicken, Cheese and some basketball!

I look forward to video chatting with some of you tonight!

Monday November 22nd

 Happy Monday...

Here is the plan for today.

Period 1 we'll do a red light activity.  Then we'll share the highlights from our weekend (e.g., Weekend Round UP)

Period 2 is student choice reader's/writer's workshop.

Period 3/4 is art.  After a healthy mask break we'll begin working on some maps.  Designing our own cities.  We're going to start to familiarize ourselves with the parts of a map (e.g., legend). 

Period 5 is math...we'll do the work form Friday that we never got to.

Period 6 is music with Ms. Haynes.

Friday November 19th

Wow...I was so busy hammering out the google meet invites yesterday I completely forgot to post my daily blog.  My apologies.  I know both of my regular readers were probably worried.  Fear not, I'm here and ready to post.

Period 1- We'll do a patterning activity for 'RED light'.  Then we'll move into reader's/writer's workshop, student choice.  

Period 2- we will discuss our current knowledge of Ontario...gearing up for our social studies unit (living and working in Ontario).  We'll look at the 3 different landform regions in Ontario (Great Lakes/St. Lawerence lowlands, Hudson Bay lowlands and Canadian Shield).  

Period 3 and 4 is math.  After a mask break we'll create our own patterns with pattern blocks.  Then we'll do some patterning work: https://www.math-aids.com/cgi/pdf_viewer_8.cgi?script_name=skip_counting_easy.pl&range=0&use_2=1&use_3=1&use_4=1&use_5=1&use_6=1&use_7=1&use_9=1&use_10=1&use_12=1&blanks=1&language=0&memo=&answer=1&x=121&y=17

https://www.math-aids.com/cgi/pdf_viewer_8.cgi?script_name=patterning.pl&pattern_type=0&pattern_size=3&language=0&memo=&x=103&y=18

Period 5 Mr. Butt has them for technology/library.

Period 6 We will cruise into the weekend by enjoying the older animated version of the BFG.

I hope everyone has a terrific weekend and look forward to seeing/meeting everyone next week.

Wednesday November 17th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 -reader's workshop - mini lesson focusing on 'making attempts that make sense'.

Period 2 -French with Mr. Woolley.

Period 3 and 4- we are going to use the chormebooks to do a little 'self assessment work' on our learning skills.  After that we'll hopefully get some time to do some patterning questions on Prodigy.

Period 5 - is writer's workshop - we're going to do a fun joint writing exercise called 'alphabet antics'...we'll try to come up with lists using every letter of the alphabet (e.g., Foods A-Apples, B-banana's...). Something to try engage some of the more reluctant writer's.

Period 6 we'll watch a Bill Nye video on flowers and enjoy a little free time.

Tuesday November 16th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1-Mr. Butt for library/technology.

Period 2 -reader's workshop.  We will focus on 'Thinking while we read the read words'...going back when it doesn't make sense.

Period 3 and 4 we'll have a mask break.  Then we'll begin our next unit in Math on Patterning.  We'll do some work on the smart board then we'll do this work (you'll get a preview to see the kind of questions):

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/pattern/repeating-patterns-2-hard_WNTMZ.pdf

https://www.superteacherworksheets.com/pattern/repeating-patterns-4_WNTNB.pdf

Period 5 -writer's workshop.  Our mini lesson will focus on Persuasion....'writing to change the world'.  We'll look at how we can write to persuade people.

Period 6 is gym.  We'll play a little more ham, chicken, cheese to warm up.  Hopefully get in some basketball scrimmages.

Parent Conferences

 Wow...this blog is going viral.  5 people checked last Friday's post!

I had a great question from a parent about the conferences next week.  "Are the kids supposed to be present?".

To both my regular 'followers', I thought I'd answer that question here:

Totally up to you!  The board's 'official' stance is that they are led by the student.  I have found from past experience (and my own children's interviews) sometimes it runs smoother without the student present.

I can appreciate both having the student there and not having the student there.  I will let you decide what works best for you and your family, I can adapt!  

Monday November 15th

 Happy Monday everyone.  

Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 we are going to share highlights from our weekend and read some Tale of Desperaux.  We also check in with our stem experiment (pretty cool)

Period 2 is student choice to read or write.

Period 3 and 4 we are going to try our hand at a little pointillism (like Georges Seurat) for art.

Period 5 we'll use the computers to finish up our last bit of work on Money...I'm hoping to conference during this time.  

Period 6 is Music with Mrs. Haynes 

NOTE:  Progress Report Cards will be coming home today.  

Friday November 12th

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 we'll do a brain teaser activity for RED light...then we'll going to switch things around and do a little Science experiment (celery in coloured water to observe the function of the stem). 

Period 2 is reader's/writer's workshop.  We'll talk about being responsible and making good learning choices as we work (with or without partners).

Period 3 and 4 we'll have a little mask break.  Then we'll do an ESTI mystery.  Then after that we'll do some work making change for $20, $50 and $100 dollars

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KOncR2GTedhVcd5AK_fQvObNC317t_69FRXVov2PY7k/edit#slide=id.p19  (pages 5 and 6).

Period 5 Mr. Butt has them for library/technology.

Period 6 we'll cruise into the weekend with a free time...hopefully get a couple of kids a little closer to solving the rubik's cube.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone (both of you that read this blog).

November 11th

 Here is the plan today.

Period 1 and 2 we have the chrome books.  We'll do a little reading (on Spark) and a writing activity about Remembrance day on Google Classroom.  At 10:30 we'll do our 'virtual' assembly.

Period 3 and 4 we are going to do a little art activities.  Using watercolours to make our own poppies.  

Period 5 is Drama and Dance with mrs. Haynes. 

Period 6 is Gym.  We'll play a little Ham, Chicken, Cheese and some basketball...hopefully!

Wednesday November 10th

 Here is the plan for today.

Period 1 we're going to have the Grade 6's come in and tell us about 'World Kindness Day.  Then we'll have a quick little discussion about 'fidget toys and Pokemon/Hockey Cards'...that are sort of taking over our classroom....and if all goes well, maybe even teach a little 'reader's workshop'.

Period 2 Mr. Woolley has them for French.

Period 3 and 4 we have the chromebooks.  We'll be continuing to work on 'financial literacy'.  They'll be doing this assignment I posted on Google Classroom:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r_MORRmPEo3eHy7agsbEfOB-FqPqUMJtp0OMsOc4o7M/edit#slide=id.p18

Any extra time they can do the activities I've posted on Prodigy.

Period 5 is Writer's workshop.  We'll talk about 'mapping our hearts' (finding things we're passionate about to help us write).

Period 6 I forgot to buy celery to do our stem experiment...so I have a Bill Nye video all about flowers instead!

(Note to self...buy celery on my way home today)

Tuesday November 9th

 Here is the plan for today.

Period 1 -Mr. Butt for some technology.

Period 2- Mr. Cross for some reader's workshop.  We'll focus on using many different strategies to help us solve unfamiliar words.

Period 3 & 4 -Mr. Cross for a healthy mask break outside, then we'll come in and do some math.  Today we'll be looking at making change from $1 and $2 (loonies and toonies).  Page 1 and 2 from this slide deck:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KOncR2GTedhVcd5AK_fQvObNC317t_69FRXVov2PY7k/edit#slide=id.p19 

Period 5 -Mr. Cross for some writer's workshop. We're also going to do a video call with our classmate Esa, I'm hoping to sing him a song and have the kids write some funny verses to 'down by the bay'...to try and cheer him up as he recovers from his hip surgery.

Period 6- Mr. Cross is going to review some of the fundamentals from basketball that we've already covered and ideally get some practise games in.

Monday November 8th

 Happy Monday.

Here is the plan for today.

Period 1 we'll do a brain teaser to start the morning (how many handshakes would take place in the class if everyone shook hands?).  Then we'll start our new read aloud 'Tale of Desperaux'.  Then we'll share highlights from our weekend.

Period 2 is Reader's/writer's workshop.  Student choice.  We'll talk about making good learning decisions and being good coaches to our partners.

Period 3 and 4 we'll have a mask break then start some symmetrical aliens.  Like this: https://www.deepspacesparkle.com/symmetrical-paper-cut-aliens/

Period 5 we'll do math on the chromebooks.  I've put a 'making change' assignment up on google classroom.  It looks like this: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UoCluiTRnsft-dgFjlDscuW9JivzrSXOZqr3FFAQi9o/edit?usp=sharing

Period 6 Mrs. Haynes has them for music.

*I'll be away this afternoon (Period 4-6) for appointment, but Mrs. Reddon will be coming in for me to finish the day.  

Friday November 5th

Phew...I'm exhausted...TGIF.

Luckily I was able to swing by Giant Country on my way to school today and I picked up a bottle of 'Frobscottle'.  Today is going to be great....mostly because I'm still in my pyjamas.  

Period 1 we're going to do reader's/writer's workshop...student choice.

Period 2 we'll start our movie, The BFG and see how it compares to the book.

Period 3 and 4 we'll finish the movie (and enjoy our 'Frobscottle').  

Period 5 Mr. Butt has them for library/tech.

Period 6 we'll hold on to the chrome books and most likely play a little math prodigy!  

A perfect way to end the week.  Our good friend Esa has made it out of surgery and is now recovering.  I'm hoping throughout the day to get the kids to film a little message that we can send to him, wishing him a speedy recovery!  

Have a great weekend everyone.

Thursday November 4th

Good morning to all 3 parents who read this blog!

Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 is reader's workshop...our mini lesson will focus on using words you know to help you solve unfamiliar words.

Period 2 is writer's workshop...our mini lesson will focus on using moments with strong feelings to help us generate ideas.

Period 3 and 4 we'll have a nice healthy mask break then keep banging out some math.  I managed to conference with everyone yesterday and almost everyone was able to count up money correctly, both bills and coins!  Awesome.  We'll do these sheets today...shouldn't be easy after what I saw yesterday:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tc7J7-QGeaLanm5hQzPMNZHwmA4Ppp79kIxGKpehrso/edit?usp=sharing

Period 5 is Drama/Dance with Mrs. Haynes.

Period 6 is Gym...we'll continue on with our basketball skills.  Today we'll look at shooting.  

NOTE:  tomorrow I plan on watching the BFG movie (we just finished the book this week).  I told the class they could wear their PJ's and bring a (small) stuffy if they'd like...it might be fun?

Wednesday November 3rd

 Here is the plan for today:

Period 1 is reader's workshop.  Mini lesson focuses on going slow, to ensure comprehension. 

Period 2 is French with Mr. Woolley.

Period 3 and 4 is math.  We're going to look at counting up change.  I have some work for them to do on Google Classroom....then they can play some of the 'money' games I posted on Classroom as well.

Period 5 is Writer's workshop...our mini lesson will focus on using important people to help us write.

Period 6 is probably going to be science.  I've got a great Bill Nye video that dives deep into flowers.  

Tuesday November 2nd

 Here is the plan for today...

Period 1-Mr. Butt - Library/Tech.

Period 2- Reader's workshop -we have the Chromebooks...I've assigned books on Spark reading (the new 'raz kids' online reading program).  A parent has very graciously donated headphones to the class...we're going to try it all out!

Period 3 and 4 is math.  We're going to start financial literacy ($) today.  Just looking at some coins and bills...practising counting up money.

We'll do the these worksheets:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gCjF-CMhHfmCChc1IPc_HLbaWTDnJxjKBs16ZWXOLps/edit?usp=sharing

Period 5 is Writer's Workshop, I also need to show them a short 'bus safety' virtual presentation this period....

Period 6 is gym.  We'll continue work on basketball...practising throwing and receiving passes.  We'll look at bounce pass, chest pass and overhead passes...

Monday November 1st

 Happy Monday / Day after Halloween.  

I'm looking forward to seeing all those smiling faces of kids who stayed up late eating lots of candy...I'm so scared!

We'll try and keep it a little low-key today.  Here is the plan.

Period 1 -we'll get adjust to our new seating plan (could today get any crazier?).  We'll share highlights from our weekend in 'Weekend Round Up'.

Period 2 -the kids can choose to read or write for Reader's/Writer's workshop.

Period 3 and 4 is art.  After a healthy mask break, we'll collect some leaves and attempt to create our own 'Leaf-people'.  Like this:

https://www.kidssoup.com/craft-and-resource/story-time-leaf-man

Period 5 I have 'math' on the books.  I was going to start looking at Money...specifically just counting bills...but by this point in the day...we'll see!

Period 6 is Mrs. Haynes for music.