Dear parents,
Just a reminder that Thursday evening is curriculum night at Dewson. I will be giving two identical presentations, at 6:10 and 6:40, and your student will be prepared to give you a guided tour of the classroom and answer lots of questions about our routines and current projects.
While much of what I plan to talk about was included in my first day letter, I do find that it is sometimes helpful to hear about initiatives in person. In particular, I will be talking about how I will be assigning learning skills marks on our report cards, as I don't want any surprises at reporting periods. Curriculum night also offers an opportunity to meet our other teachers, particularly our social studies teacher, Ms. Peek, as she sees our students for 4 periods each week and is likely the only other teacher to be assigning homework. If you can't make it and/or would like to meet with me before November, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
Hope to see you Thursday evening!
Tuesday 24 September 2019
Monday 23 September 2019
First Trip Pics!
Dear families,
Our first trip to High Park with our guides from TUSC was great!
The most memorable moment of the day MAY have happened almost right away when, during a circle activity, a hawk flew right by us with it's breakfast. We got an up close view of the circle of life.
In the morning, we observed two environments: a Black Oak Savanna, and a maintained picnic area. We shared our observations and reflected on which environment is more diverse. We talked about how environments can change when affected by humans or other factors.
We learned about 3 categories of living things (producers, consumers and decomposers) and what living things need in order to survive. We also played a super fun invasive species game. Over the three rounds, we saw how an invasive species (such as Garlic Mustard) can really take over an environment, making it difficult for other native species to survive. Please ask about how this game worked!
In the afternoon, we hiked down to Grenadier pond, coming across two invasive species on the way - ask your scientist if they remember the invasive plant species shown in the next two photos:
At the pond, we did a fantastic investigation looking for living things in the muddy water bank. In groups, students picked through big scoops of mud looking for anything moving. They placed any living things in their water bucket and tried to identify it using a guide. One group actually caught a little fish!!
In the end, we determined that Grenadier Pond currently supports a high level of biodiversity, since we identified species that can survive in a range of water qualities.
We had a fairly long walk back to the streetcar, but nobody complained and I think everyone enjoyed the day. Thanks so much to all the parents who came and made this first trip so easy for me!
Wednesday 18 September 2019
Field Trip Info
Dear Students & Parents,
In preparation for Friday's trip, please read the following instructions sent to us by our guides at TUSC.
1. Bring a litterless lunch and enough water for the day. Please avoid pop, soft fruit and sweets as they attract wasps.
2. Please dress for the weather. You should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sleeves, layers if it's chilly and a hat.
3. Bring only one backpack, containing your lunch, sunscreen if you need it and insect repellent, if you have it (our guides will teach us how to correctly apply this). Please do not bring valuables.
If you are volunteering, please don't forget a lunch for yourself and your TTC fare.
On Friday morning, please meet me in front of the school at 8:55 am. We will take attendance and leave promptly at 9:00. On Thursday we will review behaviour expectations for this trip, including safety during public transportation. Please take a moment to review with your student what you expect from them during a school outing.
Thanks a lot!
Tamara
In preparation for Friday's trip, please read the following instructions sent to us by our guides at TUSC.
1. Bring a litterless lunch and enough water for the day. Please avoid pop, soft fruit and sweets as they attract wasps.
2. Please dress for the weather. You should wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sleeves, layers if it's chilly and a hat.
3. Bring only one backpack, containing your lunch, sunscreen if you need it and insect repellent, if you have it (our guides will teach us how to correctly apply this). Please do not bring valuables.
If you are volunteering, please don't forget a lunch for yourself and your TTC fare.
On Friday morning, please meet me in front of the school at 8:55 am. We will take attendance and leave promptly at 9:00. On Thursday we will review behaviour expectations for this trip, including safety during public transportation. Please take a moment to review with your student what you expect from them during a school outing.
Thanks a lot!
Tamara
Friday 13 September 2019
You DID Pay!! Disregard!!!
Dear parents,
I sent several kids home with a note in their agenda to check-in with you and make sure the trip payment went through correctly on Cash Online, since it didn't show up on the report I received from the office. However, with so many students telling me they paid, I figured there must have been an error, and there was. We received your payments - no need to call or email to check!
Only two families have truly not paid, and I'm sure you know if it's you. Thanks a lot.
I also have good news. The grade 6s were able to go out for lunch today and NOBODY, in any grade 6 class, was late getting back to school. We are all very pleased with how it went today!
Let me give you a very brief update of what we have started working on at school.
In French, our first unit is to write a personal narrative. This will tell the story of a specific event in our life that may have been special, a turning point, a learning opportunity, disappointment or something else. You may have already been asked to help with some brainstorming for this project. Now, we are using a graphic organizer to test out some of our ideas to see if we can expand them into a full story that has a beginning, middle, end, dialogue, detail and feelings.
I've also looked over students' Bilan de Lecture (reading log) in Google Classrooms, and many students are regularly noting what they've read and writing a short response. Yay! Others have yet to add to their log, despite the fact that they have reading time each day at school. I've reminded them to start doing this more regularly.
In math, our first unit is around place value. We have been working with whole numbers and decimals and will be adding fractions soon. We are working on representing these numbers (some quite large) in different ways, ordering them and comparing them. We have had some opportunities to explore open questions in small groups, and also to do some practice questions from our texts. Most students have already completed their first bi-weekly math homework assignment on GC, which is due Monday. I have been writing comments back to students to acknowledge that it's complete, or give them a hint of what they can correct.
In Science, the grade 5s are just beginning a unit on Human Organ Systems and the grade 6s are starting a unit on Biodiversity (linked to our upcoming trip). Both groups will have an independent or partner project to tackle over the course of this unit. I will be done almost entirely at school with just some finishing up at home in order to stay on track. Please ask about this later next week!
You will have to ask your students exactly what they have started in Social Studies with Ms. Peek, but I know that the grade 5s will be running a mock election that lines up with the real one, coming up very soon, and I think the grade 6s will be participating in this amazing activity as well. Ms. Peek is very excited about this!
In art, we began learning about the Group of 7 - their contribution and their inspiration. We have done some sketching already, and will be aiming to create a painting in their style. In drama, we have some some fun activities such as mirroring, short skits on a given theme and turning a story book into a play.
As you know, curriculum night is coming up on September 26th, 6-7 pm. I will be giving two identical presentations outlining some important routines and initiatives. I hope you can make it either at 6:00 or 6:30. Next Friday, the 20th, is our trip to High Park, and TUSC has sent some very specific information as to what to wear and what to bring. Please check back next week for this info!
With all media forms received, I am able to start taking more pictures to share with you. Here are a couple from the first week of school...
Have a great weekend!
I sent several kids home with a note in their agenda to check-in with you and make sure the trip payment went through correctly on Cash Online, since it didn't show up on the report I received from the office. However, with so many students telling me they paid, I figured there must have been an error, and there was. We received your payments - no need to call or email to check!
Only two families have truly not paid, and I'm sure you know if it's you. Thanks a lot.
I also have good news. The grade 6s were able to go out for lunch today and NOBODY, in any grade 6 class, was late getting back to school. We are all very pleased with how it went today!
Let me give you a very brief update of what we have started working on at school.
In French, our first unit is to write a personal narrative. This will tell the story of a specific event in our life that may have been special, a turning point, a learning opportunity, disappointment or something else. You may have already been asked to help with some brainstorming for this project. Now, we are using a graphic organizer to test out some of our ideas to see if we can expand them into a full story that has a beginning, middle, end, dialogue, detail and feelings.
I've also looked over students' Bilan de Lecture (reading log) in Google Classrooms, and many students are regularly noting what they've read and writing a short response. Yay! Others have yet to add to their log, despite the fact that they have reading time each day at school. I've reminded them to start doing this more regularly.
In math, our first unit is around place value. We have been working with whole numbers and decimals and will be adding fractions soon. We are working on representing these numbers (some quite large) in different ways, ordering them and comparing them. We have had some opportunities to explore open questions in small groups, and also to do some practice questions from our texts. Most students have already completed their first bi-weekly math homework assignment on GC, which is due Monday. I have been writing comments back to students to acknowledge that it's complete, or give them a hint of what they can correct.
In Science, the grade 5s are just beginning a unit on Human Organ Systems and the grade 6s are starting a unit on Biodiversity (linked to our upcoming trip). Both groups will have an independent or partner project to tackle over the course of this unit. I will be done almost entirely at school with just some finishing up at home in order to stay on track. Please ask about this later next week!
You will have to ask your students exactly what they have started in Social Studies with Ms. Peek, but I know that the grade 5s will be running a mock election that lines up with the real one, coming up very soon, and I think the grade 6s will be participating in this amazing activity as well. Ms. Peek is very excited about this!
In art, we began learning about the Group of 7 - their contribution and their inspiration. We have done some sketching already, and will be aiming to create a painting in their style. In drama, we have some some fun activities such as mirroring, short skits on a given theme and turning a story book into a play.
As you know, curriculum night is coming up on September 26th, 6-7 pm. I will be giving two identical presentations outlining some important routines and initiatives. I hope you can make it either at 6:00 or 6:30. Next Friday, the 20th, is our trip to High Park, and TUSC has sent some very specific information as to what to wear and what to bring. Please check back next week for this info!
With all media forms received, I am able to start taking more pictures to share with you. Here are a couple from the first week of school...
Have a great weekend!
A silly game we played on the first day!
Running a circuit for DPA.
One of our students reading morning announcements for the whole school.
Wednesday 11 September 2019
Grade 6 Lunch
Dear Grade 6 parents,
Most students have returned their school package which includes their permission to go off-site for lunch on Fridays. We will be starting THIS Friday.
The procedure is simple, and different than in previous years. There is no office sign-out or sign-in. I will dismiss students to lunch recess as always. Students that have weekly permission (option 2) are free to leave once dismissed. Students whose parents selected option 3 must present me with a note EACH time they wish to go off-property. Students who do not have weekly permission or a note must bring their lunch and drop it off on our shelf and must stay on Dewson property throughout recess and lunch.
When students return from lunch, they will simply line up with their class and have attendance taken in their first class. No need to check-in at the office. We expect students to be back on property by 12:40 so that they are not late for afternoon classes. I encourage students to wear a watch, or stay with a friend who has one, so that they can keep track of time.
Please remind students, as I will, that going out for lunch is a privilege. They must conduct themselves respectfully when out in the community and always return to school on time.
Happy BBQ day!
Most students have returned their school package which includes their permission to go off-site for lunch on Fridays. We will be starting THIS Friday.
The procedure is simple, and different than in previous years. There is no office sign-out or sign-in. I will dismiss students to lunch recess as always. Students that have weekly permission (option 2) are free to leave once dismissed. Students whose parents selected option 3 must present me with a note EACH time they wish to go off-property. Students who do not have weekly permission or a note must bring their lunch and drop it off on our shelf and must stay on Dewson property throughout recess and lunch.
When students return from lunch, they will simply line up with their class and have attendance taken in their first class. No need to check-in at the office. We expect students to be back on property by 12:40 so that they are not late for afternoon classes. I encourage students to wear a watch, or stay with a friend who has one, so that they can keep track of time.
Please remind students, as I will, that going out for lunch is a privilege. They must conduct themselves respectfully when out in the community and always return to school on time.
Happy BBQ day!
Sunday 8 September 2019
Classroom Jobs
Dear parents,
I had a great first week with your kids! They have been very helpful to each other and me as we establish routines and get up to speed with Google Classroom. Many of the kids have way more experience with this than I do!
Thank you for all the mail. I've enjoyed reading your letters and I have just about all the forms we need. I hope to start posting pictures on this blog soon! Thanks also for your patience with the unfortunate changes of information that have been outside my control. I've sent the kids home with detailed messages for you, and since I'm not getting a bunch of confused emails, I believe they are doing a great job of communicating everything to you.
I have been watching excitedly as the kids quickly started joining Google Classroom and began adding to their reading log and Me Voici slide. When I've given them math questions to ponder in their groups or with a partner, they are on-task and engaged in figuring out strategies. On Friday when we visited the library for silent reading, it was quiet and everyone was focused on something they were interested in. It seems like our class is enthusiastic and eager to learn. I could wish for nothing more!
On the first day, we defined our class and school rules together. Each group worked to outline and present one rule (we only have 4), and we signed a contract signifying that we will do our best to abide by these agreements. They were mentioned in my first day letter, so feel free to review that and ask how we might show through words or action that we are respecting each rule.
On the first day, we also assigned our first round of classroom jobs. Some jobs need to be done every day, others are done as needed, others might be done only once a week, or when time allows. Some students don't have a job yet, but will get their turn. Please ask your student what they are helping with right now. One job is to be our journalist. This student gets to use any spare time they have to write a little blurb for this blog, so that I'm not the only one you hear from. Impressively (since it's the weekend) I've just received a message from our first class journalist, who has written a recap of our first week. I'm very pleased to share that with you now. Merci Finn!!
Last note: If you haven't yet checked out this blog from a computer screen (as opposed to your phone), please consider doing so. You can input your email address in a field at the top right of the screen and sign-up for emails each time there's a new post. This is super handy! As I've told the kids, this blog is primarily information for YOU - to keep you involved and updated, and Google Classrooms is primarily for them - although they are welcome to read this, and I will invite you to check out GC as well.
I had a great first week with your kids! They have been very helpful to each other and me as we establish routines and get up to speed with Google Classroom. Many of the kids have way more experience with this than I do!
Thank you for all the mail. I've enjoyed reading your letters and I have just about all the forms we need. I hope to start posting pictures on this blog soon! Thanks also for your patience with the unfortunate changes of information that have been outside my control. I've sent the kids home with detailed messages for you, and since I'm not getting a bunch of confused emails, I believe they are doing a great job of communicating everything to you.
I have been watching excitedly as the kids quickly started joining Google Classroom and began adding to their reading log and Me Voici slide. When I've given them math questions to ponder in their groups or with a partner, they are on-task and engaged in figuring out strategies. On Friday when we visited the library for silent reading, it was quiet and everyone was focused on something they were interested in. It seems like our class is enthusiastic and eager to learn. I could wish for nothing more!
On the first day, we defined our class and school rules together. Each group worked to outline and present one rule (we only have 4), and we signed a contract signifying that we will do our best to abide by these agreements. They were mentioned in my first day letter, so feel free to review that and ask how we might show through words or action that we are respecting each rule.
On the first day, we also assigned our first round of classroom jobs. Some jobs need to be done every day, others are done as needed, others might be done only once a week, or when time allows. Some students don't have a job yet, but will get their turn. Please ask your student what they are helping with right now. One job is to be our journalist. This student gets to use any spare time they have to write a little blurb for this blog, so that I'm not the only one you hear from. Impressively (since it's the weekend) I've just received a message from our first class journalist, who has written a recap of our first week. I'm very pleased to share that with you now. Merci Finn!!
Last note: If you haven't yet checked out this blog from a computer screen (as opposed to your phone), please consider doing so. You can input your email address in a field at the top right of the screen and sign-up for emails each time there's a new post. This is super handy! As I've told the kids, this blog is primarily information for YOU - to keep you involved and updated, and Google Classrooms is primarily for them - although they are welcome to read this, and I will invite you to check out GC as well.
FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL A SUCCESS!
Hello 317 parents. I’m a student in Mlle Mitchell’s class
and I will be writing about the first week of school. The
class journalist will continue to write about the school week
until the end of the year. I hope you will be able to see what
your child will put on the blog this year.
On Tuesday, the school had set up a new system for finding your
teacher on the first day of school. Each teacher had a bright pink
balloon with the room number on it, and if you needed help you
could just walk up to a teacher with a help balloon. However,
since the balloons had helium, one of them escaped and floated
away, never to be seen again. We went inside, hung our stuff up
and chose our spots for the year. Then Mlle Mitchell told us the
rules and gave us a tour of the class while telling us the
routines. Then after we were done she gave us jobs such as the
doorman, secretary, assistant and of course the class journalist.
The general feeling in the class was probably happiness that
Mlle Mitchell was the teacher.
On Wednesday, we received our writing cahiers which we will keep
in our binders. In the afternoon, Mlle Mitchell had an appointment
and we had a nice supply teacher who ranked each table on a scale
of 1-4 for quietness. Mlle Mitchell left us with two different
pieces of work to do with the supply teacher and one of the was
making a postcard with one fun scene from summer break and the
other was writing letters to Mlle Mitchell about our interests,
what we did during summer break and our favourite subjects.
On Thursday, Mlle Mitchell handed out our math cahiers and we
worked on a math problem in our groups. Then inflation hit the
class and the price of the TUSC field trip to High Park increased
by almost 100%. At gym and in class we practised two fire drills
and a lock down and I believe that we did well in the three practice
drills.
On Friday, we had an assembly for school rules and almost got to
go out for lunch. Just one more week!
All in all, I think the class is getting along well. Thanks
for reading.
Finn
Thursday 5 September 2019
Agenda Issues...
Dear students and parents,
Thankfully things are going well in class because we're experiencing some disappointments in other areas. First our field trip cost, and now agendas.
At our staff meeting this evening, it was made clear that there has been an issue with the TDSB's agenda provider and there is a 2 month delay in getting agendas for this year. It doesn't make any sense to wait that long, so our school has opted out and each teacher has to find an alternative solution.
I feel it's very important that I teach my students how to manage their assignments and important dates using a planner. I know that I am a more organized person for having used one, and I still rely on my calendar for absolutely everything.
I will explain to our students that, since we are not receiving school agendas, they have the choice of whether to provide their own, or ask me to get them one. You can get decent agendas from most dollar stores or school supply stores, maybe for less than the $5 you would have spent for a school agenda. Please look for an agenda that has a large enough space for each weekday to write down our homework and other reminders. A monthly calendar won't work as there isn't enough space in each day's square, but on the other hand, a blank notebook won't allow us to put notes on future dates. I will pick up agendas for students who choose not to select their own, using our classroom budget. I will, of course, return the $5 to those who already paid for a school agenda. It would be great if we could have our agendas at school for Monday so that we can write in the upcoming important dates.
Thanks for your understanding with all these last minute changes.
Tamara
Thankfully things are going well in class because we're experiencing some disappointments in other areas. First our field trip cost, and now agendas.
At our staff meeting this evening, it was made clear that there has been an issue with the TDSB's agenda provider and there is a 2 month delay in getting agendas for this year. It doesn't make any sense to wait that long, so our school has opted out and each teacher has to find an alternative solution.
I feel it's very important that I teach my students how to manage their assignments and important dates using a planner. I know that I am a more organized person for having used one, and I still rely on my calendar for absolutely everything.
I will explain to our students that, since we are not receiving school agendas, they have the choice of whether to provide their own, or ask me to get them one. You can get decent agendas from most dollar stores or school supply stores, maybe for less than the $5 you would have spent for a school agenda. Please look for an agenda that has a large enough space for each weekday to write down our homework and other reminders. A monthly calendar won't work as there isn't enough space in each day's square, but on the other hand, a blank notebook won't allow us to put notes on future dates. I will pick up agendas for students who choose not to select their own, using our classroom budget. I will, of course, return the $5 to those who already paid for a school agenda. It would be great if we could have our agendas at school for Monday so that we can write in the upcoming important dates.
Thanks for your understanding with all these last minute changes.
Tamara
Wednesday 4 September 2019
CHANGE of information
Dear Salle 317 parents,
We are off to a great start, and I'm loving everything I see happening already on Google Classroom. I will be sending you your invites soon, using the emails you're giving me on your pink letters (which I also love reading).
Unfortunately there has been a change to the cost of our upcoming field trip. I hate to do this after sending the information home (I thought I was so organized getting it out there on the first day). This afternoon I received an email from TUSC, informing us that due to provincial budget cuts, the fee structure for TUSC trips has changed. Without the subsidy, we now have to pay the full amount of $11/student. This still isn't bad, considering it's a full day trip, and we are lucky that we got in at all. Many classes who applied still haven't heard back. Fortunately, our OA, Kathryn, hadn't posted the trip on Cash Online yet, so she has updated the cost and it should be available to you online now or shortly. For the couple families that sent in cash today, I will send back your cash tomorrow so that you can complete it and send it back.
Again, deepest apologies for having to up the price after communicating the previous information. Should the cost of school trips ever pose a hardship for your family, please email me directly.
See you soon, Tamara
We are off to a great start, and I'm loving everything I see happening already on Google Classroom. I will be sending you your invites soon, using the emails you're giving me on your pink letters (which I also love reading).
Unfortunately there has been a change to the cost of our upcoming field trip. I hate to do this after sending the information home (I thought I was so organized getting it out there on the first day). This afternoon I received an email from TUSC, informing us that due to provincial budget cuts, the fee structure for TUSC trips has changed. Without the subsidy, we now have to pay the full amount of $11/student. This still isn't bad, considering it's a full day trip, and we are lucky that we got in at all. Many classes who applied still haven't heard back. Fortunately, our OA, Kathryn, hadn't posted the trip on Cash Online yet, so she has updated the cost and it should be available to you online now or shortly. For the couple families that sent in cash today, I will send back your cash tomorrow so that you can complete it and send it back.
Again, deepest apologies for having to up the price after communicating the previous information. Should the cost of school trips ever pose a hardship for your family, please email me directly.
See you soon, Tamara
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