March 21st- Weekly Post

Hi Parents,

Math/Science
In math this week students finalized their "If Canada Were a Village" project by completing a data summary and title page to accompany their charts and graphs. These will be on display during conferences. After spring break we will be covering equivalent fractions and comparing fractions with different denominators.

In science this week students worked on their chemistry concept pamphlets. Students used their science folders and our online visual dictionary to summarize their understanding of the following topics; states of matter, acids/bases, chemical/physical changes and properties, mixtures and separating mixtures. After spring break we will start our next unit- Electricity and Magnetism.

Have an amazing Spring Break!

March 15th- Weekly Post

Hi Parents,

Reminders:
Student Led Learning Conference bookings are now open, the dates will be March 21-22

Math/Science:

This week in math we finished charting and graphing our last chunk of data, Education. Students completed a pie and line graph for this data independently. Next week we will finalize this project by adding data summaries for each chart and graph we constructed as well as add a visual title page to mathematically represent the information we collected. We will have this project on display for students to show you during the learning conferences next week. 

In science we completed our last chemistry experiment that looked at surface tension and cohesion. Students explored this concept by placing water drops on the surface of a penny to observe the cohesion (hydrogen bonds) within the water. During the end of this week and next week we will be completing Chemistry Pamphlets that will act as a summative review of the concepts covered within our chemistry unit. These will be on display during the learning conferences so students can show you what they have learned. 

Have a great weekend; see you next week! 

Humanities

In Humanities, we discussed the different perspectives of Confederation. We looked at who wanted to join and which voices were not included in the discussions at all. 

Homeroom 5-4 worked on their underground railroad letters that 5-3 completed last week. 

Today, the students answered two questions in their red journal that focused on confederation. 

1. Do you think confederation was a good idea? Why or Why not? 

2. Why is it important to hear both sides of a debate? 

Please discuss these questions with your student and see what their responses were. 

Next week, we will begin to discuss the North West Mounted Police and students will be creating recruitment posters. 

March 8th- Weekly Post

Hi Parents,

Reminders:

-       Student Led Learning Conference bookings are now open, the dates will be March 21-22

Math/Science 5-3

This week in math we looked at the different age groups within the 2016 Canadian census. Students put the data into three main groups and created pie and line graphs to represent the data collected. We also discussed rounding, and rounding rules, to improve understanding around this concept. Next week we will continue our work with this project, looking at Education within Canada.

As students start to learn more about fractions and decimals I would encourage them to practice what they have learned outside of school, a great online Fraction Matching game (with multiple levels) is: http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/fraction-matcher/latest/fraction-matcher_en.html

In science students selected, wrote and presented a science experiment of their choosing. We had so many amazing experiments showing everything from physical changes to chemical reactions. Students did a wonderful job applying their knowledge of lab write-ups and chemistry concepts to their work and I was so proud of all of them! Next week we will complete our final science experiment and start our summative Chemistry Concept Pamphlet task. This task will act as a Chemistry unit review for the students. These will be on display for our Student Led Learning Conferences on March 21/22.

Our Collective Understandings- Students need to upload a picture/artifact by March 11.

Have a great weekend!

5-4 Field Trip

Students in room 5-4 are over half way done their open minds field trip at Vivo. They have had a number of fun experiences so far this week. Today, they shopped at Superstore and created their own healthy snack while learning about nutrition and money.

Tomorrow, depending on weather we will be doing one of our activities outside. Students were reminded to bring proper outdoor clothing to stay warm.

Friday, students will be swimming. We will not be returning to the school until 2:40/2:45. Please let me know at clmalinowski@cbe.ab.ca if you will be picking your child up at school or if they are able to walk home.