Dear families,
I can't believe it's June already! So much to do, so little time.
Thanks again for all the help you have provided over the last month. You have made many trips and activities possible. Last Friday, 6 parents became math teachers for the afternoon and helped us play 7 fun probability games. They included flipping a coin, rolling dice, drawing playing cards, spinning a wheel, putting our names into a lottery, considering whether "roll up the rim to win" is a smart investment, considering how often you (used to) win and finally, the classic Price is Right game of picking the correct door. In each game, our teachers encouraged us to make a prediction using a probability term, or numbers, for the different outcomes in their game. They then invited us to play the game, note our findings, and then asked follow-up questions about the results. Students will bring home their little game booklet this week. Ask your student which game they liked best!
This week, we began our final unit on measurement. We started out by talking about why we measure, and what it means to measure. Some students already understood that we can measure using any tool, and that the smaller the tool, the more units you will need. We practiced using various objects to measure lengths in our classroom. For example, we measured across our desks using a paper clip, a tooth pick and a pencil. We shared some tips to measure accurately, such as measuring along the edge to make sure we don't zig zag, and using a finger to make sure we put our tools end to end.
We have wrapped up our social studies unit on the local community. Our large community map looks great, with all the businesses, TTC stops, houses, apartments, park, school etc. represented and placed in the correct locations. Students have also completed some writing about their special place - why it is important, and what might be different were it not there. One final assignment for this unit was to write about how we can be helpers in our community. Students brainstormed many good ideas, such as picking up garbage, riding bikes instead of driving, planting trees and being good bystanders. While working on this, it really struck me how their writing muscles have grown this year. They have the stamina to write much more and for longer periods than they did just a few months ago!
We are now back to science for one last unit this year. We are investigating the characteristics and needs of living things. Our park day with our teacher from Forest Valley was a fantastic introduction to this unit. Our teacher, Chloe, was excellent and very engaging. She helped us brainstorm what all living things need to survive: food, water, and shelter. We played a fun game where we each had to gather coloured pieces of styrofoam that represented each of these necessities. The game became more difficult when pieces were removed so that there was only JUST enough, or when a predator was added. Chloe also had us investigate nests. In small groups, students studied an information card about a particular type of bird. They learned what it uses to build its nest, and then tried to recreate it using what they could find in the park. They all did a fantastic job!
This week, we have been working on our poem good copies. Last week, we wrote our final few poems, trying out alliteration, onomatopoeia, and shape poems. Now, I have helped each student select one of their best poems, and I've given them a few corrections to make. The writers are copying this poem, neatly and making the corrections, onto nice paper and illustrating it. Next week, we will have a little
poetry café soon and listen to each poet read their selected poem aloud. Can you believe that, over the last few weeks, our class has collectively written over 100 short poems?? Amazing!
In art, last week we used our marbled paper to make a springtime collage - many artists chose to go 3D with this! This week, we had fun making tissue paper flowers, which have already come home. They always turn out beautifully, whether they are made from tissue paper, newspaper, or even paper towels (so fluffy!). Your student might like to make more at home now that they know how, and complete their bouquet.
Tuesday afternoon, we walked up to Dovercourt House to see the play "Camping Royale", presented by CORPUS. It was a satire about two 18th century queens who try to go camping. One brave parent and one extremely brave student (from Mme Potor's class) were called up to play important roles in the show! The kids found the play funny, and asked some interesting questions about the costumes. Thanks to Mme Potor and the Arts Committee for the invitation.
Finally, we ended this busy week with a very special morning honouring both the start of Pride month, and Indigenous Heritage month. Our school gathered outside to watch the raising of the Pride flag, followed by an assembly with special guest speaker, Blu Waters. Blu Waters is a member of the Metis Nation, and is a 2 spirit person. They helped us understand what the colours of the Pride flag represent, and told some stories about the importance of feeling that we belong. They talked about the importance of being brave and being proud of who you are, and of your family. We discussed these messages in class as well. We have a very understanding class that cares deeply about inclusion, which has been a theme this year.
Have a great weekend,
Tamara
- I hope you have received our invitation to our class concert. This will take place on Monday, June 27 beginning promptly at 12:45 pm. Details are on the purple invitation that came home on Tuesday (pictured here). We are working hard to get ready for this, and hope that each performer will have someone in the audience. I worry that it will be hard to hear outdoors, but it still seems like the safest way to gather in a large group so I am working on projection with the actors, and please be prepared to lean in!
In science, we have expanded on what we learned on our field trip with Chloe and are discussing the characteristics and needs of living things. We sorted living and non-living things and named several things that all living things have in common, for instance, needing food, reproducing and creating waste. Last week, we were excited to become plant parents! We each planted our little bébé haricot and are taking care of it. We've given it a good home, and are watering it regularly. To our delight, our babies started being born just before the weekend, and now everyone has beautiful, and quickly growing, bean plants! We will have to bring them home soon as they will need some support. We've been able to see the roots in some of the clear cups, and have talked about what is happening underground when a seed is planted.
