Presentations and signed math test for tomorrow

All remaining students will be presenting their Family Tree and Country assignments tomorrow. Presentations so far have shown great preparation and effort, I am very pleased with student's work.

Signed math tests are due back tomorrow. Students know if they forget to bring in their test, they will rewrite the test. This is a part of our grade 6/7 commitment to responsibility and organization. Our math tests for geometry, measurement, data management and patterning and algebra will always go home for signing and revision. I like to keep families in the loop about math grading and areas of growth but also keep tests for documentation of work and progress.

Thank you for your continued support.

Valentine's Day

Some have asked about our class plans for Valentine's Day and if students could bring in cards or treats. We have decided if students are interested in doing Valentine's Day cards they are more than welcome, but it is not mandatory.

We may have a party last period on the 12th. This is also a cross country skiing day for us so we will be away for the morning. One thing we are asking is that if students wish to bring Valentine's Day cards, they bring in one for everyone. I will send a class list home next week if needed. Treats are also welcome but not necessary, please be aware of allergies in our class and school.

Thanks.

Hello - Walk off the earth

Music is all around us!

Geometry and Caring Hands

Students have been working hard in geometry this term. They are now skilled in measuring and bisecting angles, investigating and classifying triangles, and building and classifying quadrilaterals. Below is a snap shot of our math wall. Next week we will be investigating polygons, perpendicular and parallel lines, and rotating shapes using the coordinate system.

This month's theme is caring hands. As a division we came up with 10 caring things we do with our hands. Below is a picture of all our caring hands. We are skiing on February 11th and will unfortunately miss our "caring hands" assembly. Our two class winners will be awarded and celebrated at the following assembly.

Trappers and Traders

The First Nation trappers and European traders have both made an important contribution and impact to the development of Canada. The European settlers discovered the First Nations people hunting and gathering for sustenance. Most importantly they were hunting beaver. The beaver pelts were an important commodity for the Europeans as they were used to make top hats for wealthy citizens. Having trapped the beaver to the point of near extinction in Europe, the Europeans started to trade goods with the first nations in exchange for beaver pelts.

Students learn about the development of this fur trade in Canada before becoming the First Nations trappers. As a trapper they must hunt and trap beaver on simulated trapping routes. When trapping, students use their orienteering skills to gather information on First Nations people and how they used their environment to survive. CMES staff man a trading post so that students can trade and barter beaver pelts for European trade goods, such as axes, beads and metal pots.

Our debrief focuses on your students' understanding of the impact of the fur trade on both the First Nations and European settlers plus what life was like for those who were involved.

Valentine's Day craft with our buddies

Rotational Symmetry Homework due Tomorrow

Students took home a piece of graph paper today to complete homework. They were asked to include what was asked of them on the graph paper.

In case some didn't, they were told to check the blog. Their job is to create a shape (any shape, regular or irregular) and show me its rotational symmetry. They are drawing the shape at a 90 degree turn, a 180 degree turn, a 270 degree turn and a 360 degree turn. If the shape overlaps itself at all in the 360 degree turn, it has rotational symmetry.

*Just a reminder, students will not be required to bisect a reflex angle.

Upcoming dates

January 20th - Geometry quiz
(This quiz will be on measuring/bisecting angles, classifying/identifying triangles, building/classifying quadrilaterals- test prep is going home today)
January 18th -ODSS students tutoring band students after school (optional)
January 22nd - P.A Day
January 25th -ODSS students tutoring band students after school (optional)
January 27th - Grade 6 Trappers and Traders trip
January 28th/29th (AM) - Grade 6 Family Tree Assignment and Grade 7 Country Presentations
January 29th - Art afternoon with Maggie Petrou (Veronica's mom)
February 3 - 5th - Speech presentations
February 8th - Grade level speak off
February 11th - Select students present speeches in the gym
February 11th - Avalon visit (PM)
February 12th - Cross Country skiing and Caring hands assembly
February 14th - Legion Competition

We understand grade 6/7's have their plates full this month, with speeches being main priority. In saying this, we are offering work periods in the following 3 weeks to work on different assignments. Hopefully this alleviates any stress or unavailable evenings to complete assignments. Feel free to email me if you have any questions, jbonter1@ugcloud.ca

Please refer back to this calendar throughout February for further due dates. They will be added to this post. Have a wonderful weekend!

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
				JANUARY
				1
4	5	6	7 Avalon visit PM	8
11	12	13	14 Cross Country Skiing	15
18 Band tutoring (optional)	19 Geometry Test Work period	20 Work period	21 Work period	22 P.D Day
25 Band tutoring (optional)	26	27 Grade 6 Trappers & Traders Trip	28 Family Tree and Country Presentations Work period	29 Family Tree and Country Presentations ART afternoon
FEBRUARY	2	3 Work period Begin presenting speeches	4 Students present speeches to class	5 Students present speeches to class
1
8 Grade level Speak off	9	10	11 Speeches in the gym Avalon visit Reports go home	12 Cross Country Skiing  Caring hands Assembly
15	16	17	18	19
22	23	24	25	26

Grade 6 - More Information for Family Tree Assignment

Grade 7's are still working on their country assignments - requirements on blog post from Dec. 2nd. Some grade 6's have had questions in regards to their family tree assignment.

Students can be as creative as they please with this assignment. I have posted my personal tree below to give you an idea. Students are to gather as much information about their family history as possible (to great grandparents). Pictures are helpful but not necessary. There are three questions they have to answer once the assignment is completed. These are posted below in BOLD.

Some leading questions to ask parents:

What are your grandparents (this will be YOUR great grandparents) names?
Do you know the year they were born?
Where do/did they live?
What did they do for a living?
Did they always live in Canada?
What memories stand out?

What are your parents names?
Do you know the year they were born?
Where do/did they live?
What did they do for a living?
What memories stand out?

Add YOUR parents names...
What year were YOUR parents born
Where do/did they live?
What do they do for a living?

Your siblings...
What year were your siblings born?

What countries did your family originate from?
Add any symbols/flags/pictures that help represent your family.

Questions after completing Family Tree (typed and printed on the drive):

1. Share one interesting story you learned while working on this assignment 
2. How did this assignment change the way you think about your family?
3. Why do you think it's important to learn about your family history?

Feel free to email if you have any questions, jbonter1@ugcloud.ca

Cross Country Skiing

It was the perfect day for cross country skiing. The class had a great time and we look forward to returning the morning of February 12th.

Speech information

As in the past, the month of January will be used to prepare and present speeches. By now, it is hoped that you have selected a topic. You must make sure there is enough information available for you to use to write your speech. Time will be spent in the library and the computer lab to assist in the gathering of information. However, you will need to spend some time working on your speech at home. 

All students will be reading their speeches to the class February 3rd - 5th. Three students will be chosen from our class to compete in a grade level “speak off” on February 8th and this will determine who goes to the next round.

Feel free to email me with any questions- jbonter1@ugcloud.ca

Basic requirements of the speech:

1. It should be between 3 and 5 minutes when presented
2. Students choose between an informative, entertaining, or persuasive topic
3. It will be presented in class
4. The speech should be memorized. You will be allowed to use cue cards that have key points on the cards, not the entire speech. This avoids the problem of “reading” the speech

Guidelines:

1. The topic- It is helpful if your topic is one that you are interested in. Your speech may present an argument for or against a topic.
2. Researching - you should locate information from a number of sources relating to your topic. Once all the information is gathered, you should be able to organize it under smaller topics or subheadings. These subheadings or smaller topics should then be organized into logical order.
3. Writing the main body of the speech- The information from the subtopics will be put into sentences.
4. Introduction/Conclusion- You should create an introduction and conclusion for your speech. The introduction should grab the audience’s attention and clearly present the topic. Try to avoid “The topic I have chosen to speak about is…” The conclusion should remind the audience of the topic and summarize the major argument of key points.
5. Rehearsing the speech- You should rehearse the speech (probably in parts first) until you feel you can say it entirely. You should then either practice with an audience, to a mirror, or with an ipad recording yourself so you can gather information about how you sound/gestures you use. Remember to time your speech to make sure it is longer than 3 minutes and shorter than 5 minutes (you will probably read faster in front of the class).

Parental Help:

Parents can be of tremendous help when students are preparing a speech

1. They can assist with the collection of information and  possible smaller topics or subheadings. They can help interpret and explain information that students do not completely understand
2. They can listen to the speech and offer suggestions on how to make it clearer or how it can have more impact.
3. Most important, they can listen to the student’s speech and help make sure the speech is said in a clear voice, with expression and at a proper speed.

Math/Science/Music with Mrs. Neal

Hello,
    Just wanted to send out a quick update about what we are working on and what is coming up. Please feel free to contact me with any questions! -Mrs. Neal

Music: Will be wrapping up the last of the playing tests on Friday and moving forward to learn some new notes. Currently the students know 5 notes. Trumpets/Clarinets know C D E F G and Flute/Trombones know Bb C D Eb F G. We will be adding 3 more notes to give us a complete scale and also working on more complicated rhythms and songs. There will be 2 more extra help sessions with the ODSS students on Monday January 18th and Monday January 25th. These will likely be the last two sessions as the high school term is coming to an end.

Math: We have been reviewing Prime and Composite numbers and working on finding factors, multiples and and solving problems using these concepts. Moving forward we will be working on powers(exponents), square roots and order of operations, as well as multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, 1000 and estimating quotients.

      Looking for extra practice?
       Grade 6 Chapter 6: Multiplication and Division
       http://www.mathk8.nelson.com/math6/studentcentre/studtryout.html#ch6s

      Grade 7 Chapter 1: Factors and Exponents
      http://www.nelson.com/school/elementary/mathK8/math7/studentcentre/studtryout.html

Science: We have just completed our unit test for flight and structures and will be moving into new units. The grade 6s will be studying Biodiviersity and the Grade 7s will be exploring Interaction in the Environment.

Grade 6 Social Studies Assignment

While Grade 7's are working away on their chosen country assignment for Geography (outline on the blog posted December 2nd), grade 6's will be completing their family tree. The outline for this assignment is posted below. Grade 6's are expected to have their family tree completed on a bristol board.

Both grades are welcome to bring in a snack for their presentation but this is not necessary and will not contribute to their final mark. Grade 7's can bring a popular food from their country to share with the class, and grade 6's can bring a famous family recipe. Students do not have to try these foods if they do not want to. These presentations will be taking place on January 19th, 20th, and 21st. Students will be given work periods over the next two weeks to complete assignments but work may also be done at home to prepare for presentation day.

Social Studies Assignment: Family Tree

Name: __________________________

Our “Where I’m From” poems before the winter break encouraged us, as a class, to look back at what has impacted our lives and created our identity. Most students found that family is a main contributor to who we are. Each family is unique. We are all different individuals based partially on the family connections we have, past and present. In this assignment, you will be looking further into your past and creating a personal family tree to share with the class.

Students will…

1) Identify different types of connections that exist within his/her family

2) Chart his/her family tree

3) Explain his/her family tree and create a personal legend/key for the family tree

Your job is to work at home, and school, to collect information about your family. Pictures are encouraged to include in your Family Tree. These pictures will be returned back after grading. Make sure to include full names, birth dates, weddings, anniversaries, ancestral flags, family recipes, and heirlooms. Share your ethnic background, or the country or countries your family came from. Any information pertaining to the identity of your family, is worth including! To receive full marks, you are encouraged to gather information up to your great grandparents generation. Examples of different family trees will be shared with you on the drive. Most of the decorating and designing will happen at school and research will happen, more likely, at home.

When it comes time to present, you will share about what you have learned through this assignment and share one personal family story. Grade 7’s will be preparing a slideshow presentation on a country of their choice. They are invited to bring in a popular cultural food depending on the country they have chosen. Grade 6’s are welcome to do the same if they wish, by bringing a family famous recipe. Presentation dates will be assigned later on this month.

Students will receive a level grade for this assignment. This mark will be based on creativity, using class time wisely, research and thought put into the assignment, and written work and oral presentation.

Avalon Visit

Yesterday we visited the Avalon for our second time this year. Students recognized some familiar faces from our last trip and spent time playing games and colouring with the residents. A permission slip with all dates up until the end of the year will go home next week. I am so proud of the way our 6/7's listened, made conversation, and took time to make someone else's day a little brighter! Definitely a great example of our school's theme of Caring Hands this month.

Our upcoming visits are on...

February 11 Rain date February 18th

March 10  Rain date March 24

April 5  Rain date April 13

May 3  Rain date May 24

June 9  Rain date June 16

Welcome Back!

We hope you all had a restful, safe winter break. Students will be starting into Geometry with Mrs. B and beginning to work on speeches in Language. Grade 6's are starting a family tree assignment and Grade 7's will continue working on their chosen country assignment. Both grades will be presenting at the end of January. In art, we will be integrating geometry and working on 3D perspective and in gym, we are doing basketball and creating and presenting dances in groups toward the end of Jan.
Agenda Items:

January 7th- Avalon Visit
January 11th- Science test and Playing test

January 14th- X Country Skiing in the AM (8:45 - 11:30) & Feb. 12

*Students should dress in layers and must know their shoe size

January 19th - Geometry Test

January 22nd - PA Day/ No School