Mr. MacKenzie - Curriculum Newsletter

Introduction

This has been a very busy year to this point. The students have improved in their mathematical reasoning and in their ability to craft engaging writing for a specified purpose and audience. This newsletter is divided into sections for the various content areas. Each section presents a brief description of our journey so far, followed by our next steps.

As always, if there are questions, concerns, or comments please call or email.

Sincerely,

Mr. MacKenzie

MHMacKenzie@cbe.ab.ca

(403) 817-3576

Mathematics

Grade 5: The students built an understanding of measurement. They used rulers, measuring tapes, and measuring cups. Through hands-on learning opportunities, they converted areas of measurement. Furthermore, students began thinking ‘algebraically’. For this, they used input/output tables (patterns) to create rules and expressions. Knowledge of the operations were required for this, as were problem solving skills.

The students will be using the CUBES strategy (above) to solve word problems and to aid in their test-taking skills. In the upcoming term, students will examine the relationships between operations and will practice multiplying/dividing large numbers. Furthermore, students will explore decimals and fractions in a variety of contexts.

Grade 6: The students constructed 3D shapes of varied types and sizes. Through measurement, they calculated volume, area, and perimeter. Students were challenged balance equations and to conserve equality (6t = 10-4 is the same as 6t-1 = 10-4-1). They also used patterns to deduce expressions with two operations.

In the upcoming term, students will explore the operations in depth. They will also learn about prime numbers and factoring. As they do, the CUBES problem solving strategy will be used to help them understand the connected and relevant parts of a question. They will also be taught to review their work and to check their answers.

Science

Grade 5: The grade 5s studied electricity through creating an electronic game and a flashlight. They also studied weather in depth through researching cloud formation and exploring the movement of air within our troposphere. The students then constructed weather measuring devices (an anemometer for wind speed, for example). Through measuring the local environment, students were able to draw conclusions between Earth’s systems and the world they experience daily.

Chemistry and wetlands await the students as we carry on with our scientific investigations. The students will explore different types of mixing, and will experience a number of chemical reactions. The biologically diverse wetlands are nature’s filtration system. Students will examine the animals and plants that thrive there, and will explore their necessary adaptations.

Grade 6: The grade 6 students have been studying air and aerodynamics, as well as flight. For this, they explored the properties of air and constructed a range of airplanes. We used experiments and demonstrations to explore Bernoulli’s principle. Through exploring air as a fluid, students were able to draw conclusions about why things float or fly through the air. This topic will be reviewed as the Provincial Achievement Tests approach.

The upcoming unit of study is Sky Science. Students will expose constellations and the interactions between the sun, the moon, and the Earth’s systems. They will also construct an interactive video game for a planet that they choose to research. After Sky Science, the students will study Evidence and Investigation.

Social Studies

Grade 5: The grade 5s have been studying the stories and people who contributed to the construction of Canada. Beginning with confederation, the students examined the impact of the Canadian Pacific Railway, The Fathers of Confederation, and the Famous Five - to name a few topics. They have created beautiful books detailing this learning journey. Through the lens of “Power”, the students have also had incredible, in-depth conversations.

We will continue exploring the building of Canada’s identity, and we will look closely at the physical geography of Canada. Namely, why do we have national parks? The students will take on the role of marketing specialists, as they create advertisements for different regions and parks within Canada.

Grade 6: The grade 6 students have examined politics in Canada and within Ancient Athens. During the federal election, students engaged in a number of debates and persuasive writing tasks. They examined each party’s platform and took a deep dive into varied current events. Afterwards, the students constructed exceptional books where they took a close look at Athenian Democracy - which is where democracy began.

Students will now examine the Iroquois Confederacy. This will provide interesting discussions as they compare and contrast the democratic models they are familiar with. Afterwards, the students will begin analyzing their Local Government, and we are hoping to have a city councilor swing by for a visit!

Literacy

Literacy was integrated between the grade 5 and 6 students. Each group examined texts through the lenses of ‘power’ and ‘empathy’ and wrote newspaper articles connected to various topics. For example, they wrote a newspaper report on the Giver and  the Australian wildfires. Further, they managed information and ideas through developing venn diagrams, timelines, and cause and effect visualizations. This was beneficial as they synthesized their learning.

After looking at persuasive language and debate, the students began looking at functional (newspaper) writing. Through constructing effective lead sentences and practicing organization, the students became more intentional with their writing.

Students will now look carefully at narrative writing. To improve their writing skills, they will engage in the writer’s cycle. The writer’s cycle includes planning, drafting, revising, editing, and ends with publication. We will publish through printing our work and binding books of our own. We will also construct a digital portfolio, in which to share our writing.

Conclusion

It has been an exciting school year so far! There is a ton of learning to come. Please make sure to check Iris regularly, as it is a forum for communication between teachers, students, and parents.

Also, don’t forget that Feedback Friday is going home every Friday! And while we want the students to take ownership, they may require assistance and reminders to complete their assigned tasks.

All the best in 2020!

Mr. MacKenzie

Week of November 11th

Math:
This week we focused on measuring angles (grade 6). The students found it challenging to measure reflex angles (greater than 180 degrees). Once we found that 180 is a straight line it became easier. The students can now draw, measure, and use angles.

The grade 5s continued their work on volume. They are strong when volume is in cubic centimeters and when each face of a rectangular prism has a clearly labelled grid. When the grid is not there, they found it to be challenging. If you are working with them at home, feel free to practice their multiplication.

In literacy we began our unit on Indigenous Studies. For this, each group is reading about a different topic. For example, we are learning about Treaties, Land Claims, and Stereotyping. The students are focusing on setting a purpose for reading and on the Main Idea. They also engaged in some writing practice. If you are working with your children at home, I encourage you to read the metro with them and to talk about the basics of who, what, where, when, why in each article.

In Social Studies we continued our work on Mapping. The students have generated a glossary for map features. They will be exploring grid systems (latitude and longitude) next week. This should help them when they create maps of their own and when they are scanning for visual information.

In Science the 6s continued talking about the properties of air. The 5s took a pause from electricity as we work on maturity and meaningful use of classroom materials. Next week, they will begin a unit on weather.

It has been a great week! I hope that all is well. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send me an email!

All the best,
Mr. MacKenzie

What a great week of learning. The students discussed, debated, observed, and grew in their understanding across all content areas.

Mathematics: The students continued learning about volume and formulas. This upcoming week will see students push their comprehension of volume and multiplication. We have also begun using the strategy CUBES. The students will be able to define it by the end of next week.

Social Studies: We will be using maps to express our understandings and connections of curriculum content. In order to accomplish this, we must think like geographers and cartographers. The students have begun learning about the basic building blocks of maps, with the central idea that they communicate information in a clear and manageable way to viewers.

Science: The grade 6 students completed an experiment that proved that air takes up space. Next week we will look at the different variables in our experiment and discuss what we might control for.
The grade 5 students built their own flashlight and found solutions to creating a button/switch on their own. There were many surprising solutions.

Literacy: This week we engaged in free-writes and wrote outstanding artist statements for their reflection on Among the Hidden and its connections to isolation and connection.

Next week will be very exciting. Please remind the children that they are not to wear scary costumes or have masks that cover their faces.

All the best,
Mr. MacKenzie

Weekly Update - September 27, 2019

What a busy couple of weeks it has been!

This past week we have:
- Written, practiced, performed, and recorded Terry Fox Spoken Word poetry
- Explored measurement through building lines, rectangles, and solving a number of challenges.
- Studied and discussed the election
- Built airplanes or circuits
- Set up a Rosetta Stone account through the Calgary Public Library in order to practice French and another language of their choosing
- Discussed and (hopefully practiced) "maturity" in more depth

In the upcoming week there is lots to be excited about, and our focus will be on taking responsibility for ourselves and on taking chances!

In Mathematics, the students will have their first "unit test" in measurement. If you would like additional practice I encourage you to create a Khan Academy account, so that students can practice at home. If not, you might have students estimate how long/short things are. All of the students are prepared with this unit test, and it will be sent home on Tuesday to be reviewed, signed, and sent back.

In Science, the 5s have been discussing safety in electricity and have constructed a number of circuits. After discussing conductors and insulators, the students have begun constructing a game of their own in the style of "Operation". This game is being documented through a sketch and a circuit diagram that demonstrates the flow of electrons.

In our literacy/social studies integration, all students will begin their next iteration (second try) at Spoken Word Poetry. We are also going to begin improving our writing 'stamina'. This means that students will be given a prompt on a daily basis, and they will be asked to write about the prompt for a given time each day. The writing time will increase as their stamina increases. The expectation is that their pencil does not stop moving. I have noticed that many students are tired after only a short time of writing. If you are concerned about this, have them complete a journal at home. Nobody needs to read what they write, but they need to write!

In Physical Education next week we will begin Soccer. For this, it is hoped that students come prepared to work on their kicking, throwing, passing, and running skills. As a reminder, they require indoor shoes that are suitable for these skills!

The first full week is finished!

This learning this week included an examination of measurement in different ways. For example, students were challenged to think about what might be measured with millimeters, centimeters, and meters. They reflected on referents for estimation, and they completed an assessment so that I could see where they require additional practice. The students are now able to recognize 90° and 45° angles. They used this understanding to begin thinking outside of the box!

Students learned 2 tactics for constructing models to practice and represent their learning. First, they learned about inserts (tic-tac-toe) and scoring (wearables). Ask them what each is - they are beginning to see the possibilities of things they might be able to create!

In literacy we brainstormed elements of story. What do all novels have? What should we look for as we read "Among the Hidden". Going deeper still, the students are examining the concepts of 'isolation' and 'connection' through the lens of Luke's experiences (the protagonist).

This is just a taste of the learning we engaged in last week! For more, be sure to click the link below to see our work on twitter (no account required!).

https://twitter.com/RonSouthernsch5

Next week, the students will dig deep into the election issues and will begin learning the art of persuasive writing. The 6s will continue their work on Air and Aerodynamics, while the 5s will begin constructing circuits from circuit diagrams.

I hope you have an outstanding weekend!

Mr. MacKenzie