Science Fair Project Time!

Dear Parents,

It’s time to start working on our Science Fair Projects! Ample time has been scheduled and work has been spread out, so students can complete the work at a comfortable pace.

This is a major project and will represent a significant portion of your child’s grade for the next grading period(s). The primary objective of this project is to have students approach a problem scientifically. This includes:

1. Asking questions and forming hypotheses
2. Creating experiments to test those hypotheses
3. Organizing data and drawing conclusions
4. Writing about scientific research

The project must be experimental in nature as opposed to research oriented. In other words, students must do a test, survey, or experiment to determine the answer to their question instead of just looking it up in a book. We encourage students to pick topics that they are genuinely interested in, since they will be working on these projects for the next several months. Topics must also be “original” - something students do not already know.

Project guidelines state that all work must be done by the students; however, assistance may be provided by teachers, parents, etc. It is very difficult to work alone without the exchange of ideas, so we encourage you to brainstorm with your child on different ideas and possible topics your child may want to pursue. Please take a moment to review all the attachments with your child in order to generate topic ideas.

I am looking forward to working with you to make this a valuable learning experience for your child.

links for ideas:
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral/Getting-Started/idea-finder.html

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours, we hope you are enjoying this relaxing break from school.  All the best, and we'll see you in the new year!

Report Cards coming soon!

We have a whole bunch of work to do this week!  We need to do a French test on colours and clothes, get in our fully completed novel study project packs, and a bit of future job stuff.  Many novel study packs got handed back because they were missing assignments, or were not completed enough.  Now that we are really getting into the academics of the year, it has started to become harder as expectations go up.  Students should have work to do each night listed in their Agenda books.

Movember

Mr. Scott, Mr. Young and I have all gone in to participate in Movember. It is all in support of men's health. WHAT Movember is a month long global event in November where men grow moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues.
HISTORY The seed of an idea first sprouted over a few beers in Melbourne 2003, when two mates challenged each other to grow a moustache for the duration of November. Recruiting the support of 30 loyal friends, together they experienced a month of inquisitive conversation as a result of their newly acquired facial hair, and the power of the Mo as a conversation starter and awareness raiser was realised. This year, Movember will mark its 11th anniversary. A detailed history of the early years is contained in this HAIRY TALE.
WHERE Mo growth is seen around the globe each November. In 2013, official campaigns will be held in 21 countries across five continents. To view the full list and for live registration and fundraising tallies visit LEADERBOARDS HOW The growth of a moustache on an otherwise bare lip sparks both public and private discussion - Mo Bros effectively becoming walking, talking billboards for men’s health for one month. Mo Bros supported by Mo Sistas, register online at WWW.MOVEMBER.COM. Starting clean-shaven on November 1st, Mo Bros donate their face by growing and grooming the best moustache they can muster during November. Mo Sistas show their support by raising awareness, driving fundraising initiatives and recruiting others to join the hairy challenge.
WHY One of the biggest obstacles men tackle in regards to general well-being is a reluctance to discuss the health issues they face with their partner, family, mates or doctor. Movember was born from recognition that a fun and engaging initiative could help encourage men to become more actively involved in their own health. Movember aims to increase awareness and support for men's health by getting conversations started at a grassroots level, educating men about the health risks they face and raising vital funds for support programs. FUNDS In Canada funds raised go to our men's health partner Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC) and Movember Foundation programs.
(copied from the Movember website November 10, 2013)

Upcoming Socials Project

We will be working on this project starting in the next few weeks. It involves making a map and an island that shows some different features, and also learning about how maps relate to real life.

Parent Teacher Interviews Next Week!

Yes, they are here! On Tuesday to Friday school dismisses at 1:37 instead of 2:37 so that we can meet. You child has been given an invitation with the date and time. Parents with more than one student at the school have been arranged so that their appointment are consecutive. They are 15 mins long, so enough time to talk about: how they are doing so far, any concerns, and one or two goals for the year. Hope to see you all there.

Class Dojo - Got behind this week!

I lent my ITouch to my wife while she went to Vancouver for the weekend, and then she got stuck there (maintenance on the plane). So, I did not have it until wednesday, and then I forgot it! So sorry, but trying to get back up and on schedule again.

Mapping!

We have started our mapping unit. Students will be learning how to locate different places on the Earth using latitude and longitude, and the differences between pictures and maps. We will be watching this video next week:

Rubrics!

Each time we have an assignment, I will be marking the students one rubric so that they know ahead of time how to improve their mark, and what grade they will get. We did one today for our mapping title page: Mapping rubric click here!

Young Entrepreneurs Fair

I was thinking about doing this with the students. I have done it with grade five/ sixes in Campbell River, and the students really enjoyed it.

Fundraising

Dear parents, The students have expressed great interest in doing several field trips this year to various locations. I thoroughly love teaching outside and have taken classes camping, boating, kayaking, etc. I do not mind planning for instruction outside of the classroom, but will need help with fundraising in order for larger trips to happen. What I am looking for is 4 parents to take on the leadership of the fundraising; it is too difficult for any one person to do. If you are interested in helping in this area, then please send me a message, or drop in the school and find me! The students have suggested: Barkerville Ness Lake Swimming The new rock climbing gym YMCA

Here is our First Draft of our Weekly schedule!

I have not assigned any homework for the students yet, and will not for a week or so.

I am busy doing assessments with them to find out reading, writing, and math levels so that I can do the yearplans. I have informed the students however that they should be reading for about 30 mins each night. This can be a magazine, novel, comic book, or anything else they choose. If they are reading novels, they can log into the Accelerated Reading program at school and collect their points.

Welcome parents! I hope you like the website. We will be putting many of our experiences up on the site for parents to enjoy as well. The yearplans will be finished my the end of September, but I need to assess the students first to see their strengths. Any questions and you can either use the message box to the right, phone the school, or drop by in the morning.

Class Dojo

Yearplan

Parent Survey

Quizzes and Tests

Quizzes and Tests

School Calendar 2013 - 2014