December 13, 2019

Parents,
What a busy and outstanding week! The students have been digging deep into their learning. Below are the subject areas and some key learning notes about what we have learned so far, and where we are going. All the best, and have an outstanding weekend!

Mathematics:
We have been learning about pattern rules in math. For this, students have been looking at input/output charts. There are additional practice questions available within our class google drive.

Essentially, the students are learning to think algebraically. For example, if we look at the expression 2 x n + 5, we can input any number for n and arrive at an answer. If the value of n is 3, we would multiply 2 x 3 = 6. Then we would add 5: 6 + 5 is 11. In the upcoming week, students will continue unpacking the difference between an expression (2n + 5) and a pattern rule (the output is increasing by 2).

Literacy:
The students have been learning how to create engaging and impactful lead sentences. They learned a few strategies including using a question, using a quote, and using strange or unusual facts. We practiced through examining the book we are reading as a class, The Giver, and writing headlines for different important parts.

In the upcoming week we will continue with this work. I have noticed that many students are writing in run-on sentences still, and so we will need to take a step back and look at different types of sentences. We'll connect this to coding, to The Giver, and to newspaper writing in general.

Science: The grade 5s have been researching clouds for their upcoming cloud guide project. They are looking at different ways to classify clouds. This week, they will begin creating their cloud guide and they will learn about different ways clouds are created.

The grade 6 students are continuing to learn about air and aerodynamics. They have been studying Bernoulli's principle, and they have been learning about oxidation and the carbon cycle.

Social Studies: This is the work that came home today. The students have been constructing and understanding about democracy in Ancient Athens (grade 6) and building a Canadian Identity (grade 5). For this, the students have been constructing "Chap Books".

Have an outstanding weekend, and be sure to check the school website for all of the amazing events planned by the leadership club!
All the best,
Mr. MacKenzie