I hope everyone is having a great week so far! We are certainly keeping busy in grade five!
For the field trip tomorrow, students are asked to bring a disposable lunch as we will be having a picnic in Queens Park. Students must be in full uniform for the trip (all blazers - no hoodies). We will be leaving promptly at 9:30 and will be back for our regular dismissal time.
A couple of quick reminders:
· Tomorrow we are going to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
· Permission forms for the rock climbing trip at the end of April are due this Friday, March 29th.
· Aftercare invoices were due on March 15th; if you are unsure if you have any owing amount, please email Ms. Chiappetta at echiappetta@stjudesacademy.com
· Re-registration is now open to the public; if you have not submitted your package – please do so as soon as possible and reach out with any questions.
· Spring Fundraiser forms were sent home yesterday – all money is due back by this Thursday, March 28th.
· Pick-a-time forms were sent home yesterday for the upcoming student-led conferences on Thursday, April 4th. The website opens on Thursday, March 28that 10:00 a.m.
Inquiry into Biodiversity – We started today by discussing biodiversity and separating living things and non-living things. We began to talk about what defines a living versus a non-living thing. This led us into a conversation regarding how living things have needs. We discussed the four basic needs of a human: air, food, water, and shelter.
We finished colouring our title pages for this new unit. We will be moving forward on Thursday with how we classify the different living things.
After this, we had reading buddies!
French – In the afternoon, we had French with Mme. Rawan, which you can read about on her blog (https://mmerawansja.blogspot.com).
Inquiry into Math – Today, we started a new concept in math. Up until now, we have been learning about equivalent fractions and conversion of mixed and improper fractions. Today, we learned how to add fractions.
When adding fractions, there are a few options you can use. One of them is using manipulatives such as pattern blocks. In this method, you use these blocks to create wholes between two fractions. This will leave you with a mixed fraction (i.e. ¾ + 7/8 will give you 1 5/8).
The second method is to use common denominators. This means that when you have two fractions that have different denominators, you write equivalent fractions with a common denominator. Then, you add the numerators together (denominator stays the same).
Example: 1/3 + 1/4
1. Find a common denominator. (1/3 = 4/12; 1/4 = 3/12)
2. Write your equivalent fractions. (4 + 3 = 7)
3. Add the numerators (the denominator stays the same!). (7/12)
4. Simplify if necessary.
And that’s all there is to adding fractions!
Inquiry into Language – We had a work period where students were given the chance to work on either their spelling lesson 24 or their literature circles for the week. A quick recap:
1. Summariser – Summarise the three chapters for the week.
2. Connector – Connect what is happening in the text to your own life, current world events, and other books, movies, or television shows.
3. Literary Critic – Choose a short passage from the book and analyse why it is important to the story.
4. Discussion Moderator – Come up with questions to fuel a group discussion.
5. Word Wizard – Define and explain new or interesting words.
Literature circles are to be completed independently by students as it is intended for them to show their own learning and understanding of the literature.
For homework:
· MMS Pg. 116-117 (due Thursday)
· Biodiversity title page (due Thursday)
· Literature circles week 1 (due Friday)
· Spelling lesson 24 (due Friday)
· Practice for spelling bee
· Rock climbing forms due Friday
· Pick-a-time forms sent home
· Spring Fundraiser money due Thursday
All homework for the day is placed here, but time may have been given in class to complete this work.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns by email, and I will respond as quickly as possible.
Mr. Conte