Beginning of January

We are off to a great start in the New Year!  Here’s what we are up to:

Math

We have completed our Order of Operations unit (also known as: BEDMAS).  Students enjoyed problem-solving their way through complex multi-step problems.  We are now starting a new unit: Multiples and Factors.  What is that, you ask?

Multiples are jumps of a number. 

For example: Multiples of two are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc…  And multiples of three are 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 etc….

Factors are numbers that, when multiplied, give you the original number.

For example: The factors of twelve are: 1, 2,3,4,6 and 12 because 1X12 = 12 and 2 X 6 = 12 and 3X4 = 12

This is a simple unit for those students who have their multiplication tables memorized.  It can be a challenge for those who don’t.  Feel free to practice the multiplication table with your son or daughter at home to help ensure success and confidence in this unit.

 

Science

We have begun the electricity unit.  So far students have discovered the atom, electrons, protons and neutrons.  Using their atomic knowledge, students explored positive and negative charges and how they attract and repel each other.   We have uncovered some of the mysteries of lightning.   These subjects are all aspects as Static Electricity.   

We have done several static electricity experiments together in which students have learnt how to do the scientific process including: Hypothesis, Observations and Conclusion.  As students develop their ability in the scientific process, we will later (in the flight unit) explore controlled variables. 

 

Social Studies

Today, we started our unit on World War One (WWI).  So far students have looked at grade-appropriate pictures of both WWI and WWII in order to get a better sense of the differences in time, technology and fighting conditions of the two wars.  Next we will uncover the main causes of the First World War and take a look at what “trench Warfare” really means.   The nature of the subject material can be challenging for some students.   Please take the initiative to have a conversation with your son or daughter about the topics they learn in class.

 

ELA

We have started reading Red Wolf together in class – a novel about residential schools in Canada.  So far, we’ve read the first chapter.  Students are doing reflections based on the readings that will help them bring together their thoughts on the subject.  We will be doing a great deal of class discussion and reflection throughout the novel. 

 

We have reached the halfway point of Book Club.  Great work so far.  Feel free to take a look at your son or daughter’s book club booklet to see what they’ve been up to during Book Club.

 

Students have almost completed their Writer’s Workshop Fairytales.   We have two sessions of writing left before students input their stories for classroom publication.   For these stories, the focus has been effective editing techniques, writing with descriptive imagery and using “juicy” or interesting vocabulary in writing.  We will likely finish the Workshop early next week.

 

French

OH was an exciting adventure on Friday.  We had a large variety of presentations, lots of laughs and we learnt a great deal about many subjects.  Great work everyone!  This week we will not have OH but instead focus on Touchpebbles, our critical thinking and French speaking program. 

We have just completed an overview of verbs in the present tense.  Student wrote a test today.  I will likely finish marking the tests for tomorrow or Thursday. 

Our next focus will be reading comprehension and homophones. 

 

Health

We are looking at Stress.  What does stress mean?  Why do we have stress?  What types of stress are there?  What can we do to minimize our stress?  How can we cope with stress in a positive way?

These are all issues that we will be exploring together during our unit.

 

End of December

We had a wonderful end to our school year.  Here is what we were up to:

 Hamper

Our classroom showed incredible generosity and delivered a giant hamper to our family.  Thank you to everyone.  We were able to bring great joy to a family in need.

 

Musical Endeavor

Students used their holiday spirit to bring joy to the classrooms around Van Walleghem.  Through a student driven initiative, students toured the school with their band instruments playing holiday tunes.  Well done spreading joy 6M!

 

ELA

We have completed reading the Hatchet.  Students sat on the edge of their seats throughout the riveting final chapters.  It was a wonderful journey together. 

 

French

We have paired with a school from France as pen pals.  Students wrote introduction letters in both French and English.  Those letters were sent to France before the end of the holidays.  Once they are received, students will be matched with a buddy and we will receive a letter response.  The Pen-pal initiative will continue throughout the year.  It takes several weeks for the letters to travel from France and back.  Likely we will receive our responses early February.

 

Science

Invent an extra-terrestrial.  Students researched and applied their knowledge of the planets in order to build an alien that had adaptations allowing it to survive on their planet.  In 6M, we didn’t just imagine our alien, we build it!  Ask you son or daughter about their alien. 

 

Social Studies

The Prime Minister class-rap pieces are all gathered we simply need to piece them together.  Editing and assembling will happen in the New Year.  

End of November

Here's what we've been up to:

Our First Field Trip is Coming!

December 4th, students will have the opportunity to go to the Manitoba Museum for an all day field trip.  At the museum, students will explore the science gallery, view a science demo introducing our next unit: electricity, view a planetarium show that describes the planets and technology in space as well as the chance to view the historical section of the museum and learn about Canada's past.  It will be a very full day.

Please send students to school with a non-microwavable lunch.  There is nowhere to purchase lunch at the museum.

Here is the link to the permission click website if you still haven't given permission for your child to attend:

http://bit.ly/1PP6JbI

Sewing Success

All of the stuffed monsters have been completed in for our art project - and they look great.  Well done!

Mission Impossible

Last week students were tasked with a mission to build a prototype container strong enough to protect a rocket's fuel supply from impact on take-off.  The mission was made even more difficult, almost impossible, by limiting students building supplies to cardboard, popsicle sticks, toothpicks, glue and tape that they had to purchase with the limited budget of 10 class dollars.  Students used their adding and subtracting decimals skills as well as their problem-solving skills to overcome these challenges and build their prototype.  All structures were tested with our model rocket that same day!  Ask your son or daughter if his or her structure survived.

Warmed and Read

Reading Celebration Day was great fun.  Students spent the day lounging in their pajamas and snuggled in their blankets reading.  Students read to themselves, they read in groups, they read in French and English and they also listened to short stories and novels being read to them.  In the afternoon, everyone enjoyed a warm beverage (marshmallows included!)

READO - (the at home reading BINGO sheet) is due Monday

Mid- November

Here’s what we are up to:

Annie Bergen

A local artist, Annie Bergen, is coming to our school.  Annie specializes in creating large, elaborate murals with students.  All students in Van Walleghem will participate in both designing and painting a giant mural that will welcome those who enter the main doors of the school.  The kick off assembly for Annie is on Monday!

Math 

Students have now completed the unit on understanding decimal numbers.  We are now diving into adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimal numbers.  Students are learning multiple methods for each operation in order to build a large range of strategies with which to solve problems.

Science

Congratulations to 6M!  Students presented their space technology or astronaut last week.  Students were able to demonstrate their expertise and teach the class about their topic.  Students now have knowledge about the first man, woman and even animal in space as well as an understanding or many of the satellite and space ship technology that surrounds our planet.

Social Studies

We are beginning explore Canada’s heritage and it’s birth as a country.   We will tackle some large questions such as: How, why and when did Canada become a country?  How what did Canada look like at confederation? And, how has Canada changed over the years?

English

Writing:

Up to now students have been doing “quick writes” where they write for short periods of time, but continuously (and about various topics).  Quick writes help build students’ confidence in writing, helps stimulate students’ ideas for writing and also helps build writing stamina.  We have also been using an editing technique called RADAR (Reread, Add, Delete, And, Reorganize) with “quick writes”. Students are learning how to edit their writing not just for grammar, but also for their content and ideas.

Recently, students have started a Writer’s Workshop where they will use their new skills in a longer piece of writing that they will eventually publish in a classroom paper.  Ask your son or daughter what his or her title is for the fairy-tale newspaper article.

In addition, students have started a weekly journal.  Every week, I give students a new choice of topics to write about in their journal.  This is now a weekly homework assignment that will continue for the majority of the year.  Most topics involve critical thinking and correspond with what we are discussing in class.

Reading:

Reading month is going very well.  Most students’ crazy reading pictures are on the wall and we even have two students who have already finished their READO!  Book Club will be starting next week now that all the books have come in.  Stay tuned for more information about the end-of-the-month reading celebration.

TUSC/OH

The Totally Unbelievable Speaking Club (or OH in French) has started!  Hopefully you have already seen the Tusc/OH duo-tang.  Students are asked to prepare a presentation to the rest of the class approximately every two weeks.  Each time, the speaking role changes so that students have the opportunity to present on a wide variety of topics and in multiple formats.  Public speaking is an important life-skill and the best way to build confidence is to practice. The first OH (which means this time it’s in French), is Friday, November 20^th. 

November is Reading Month!

Reading Appreciation Month!

 

November is reading appreciation month!  There will be a plethora of reading activities this month to inspire the love of reading:

• I Love to Read Everywhere Photo Board – students take a picture of themselves reading in crazy ways (upside down, while playing hockey, under a table etc…) and we post it in the class to boost excitement for reading. 

• READO – similar to BINGO, students are asked to accomplish a number of reading tasks at home.  Once they’ve accomplished the task, please sign or initial in the space.  Students who fill their READO card by the end of the month get a prize.

• Extra free reading time in class – our 15 minutes a day per language is extended to 20 minutes!

• We will start Book Club – students will read novels in small groups and share their thoughts and ideas with each other.

• The end of the month will bring a reading celebration – we spend the day reading and doing reading activities while relaxing in our PJs and sipping on hot cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

End of October

We had an exciting end to October.  Here’s what we were up to:

 

The Trap Door

 Students wrote a short story describing, “What is under our Classroom’s Trapdoor?” On Thursday, students discovered the truth of the trap door. Ask your son or daughter what he or she saw. 

 

Monster Stories a Success

 Students wrote a story using the ideas from their grade one buddy.  On Friday, they had the chance to read their monster story to their partner.   It was an excellent demonstration of leadership. Even more, students left with the feeling of accomplishment in their French writing.   Good work 6M!

 

Dry Ice Halloween Surprise

 Friday, students donned their oven mitts and dove into the scientific world of experiential learning and exploration with dry ice (frozen CO₂).  We had volcanoes erupting, mist spewing and even rockets blasting!  

Mid - October

The Federal Election

 

Students had their electoral debate Thursday and participated in a StudentVote election.  The debate was filled with platform promises, speeches, arguments, counter-arguments, and of course, a lot of passion!

The outcome of the StudentVote election will be revealed publicly to media for broadcast on election night, October 19th.  Students will have the chance to see how they voted but also how students voted across Canada.

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

The WSO brass band came to Van Walleghem!  Students had a chance to learn about each instrument as well as hear some talented musicians play their favorite pieces.  What great inspiration for this year in Band!

Author Visit

We have the profound privilege of having a MYRCA novel author visit our school on Wednesday, October 21st.  Jennifer Dance is the author of Red Wolf, a beautifully written novel that describes the 8 year journey of a boy in the residential school system of Canada. 

Students will be learning about Residential Schools before the presentation as preparation.  If you would like more information about Jennifer Dance or Residential Schools, here is an excellent website:

http://www.jenniferdance.ca/