Wednesday, January 8
Today in Health we spent time setting goals for the upcoming year, recording these in a combination of written and visual elements in our visual journals. In Math we reviewed our 1, 2, 5, 9, and 10 times tabes (and related division facts), with students sharing and discussing helpful strategies for each of these fact families. We also discussed important vocabulary for this unit (factors, product, dividend, divisor, quotient, and multiples), and completed a maze game worksheet for the 5 and 9 times tables. I've strongly encouraged students to continue practicing their basic multiplication and division facts at home, highlighting how much easier the more complex multiplication and division calculations will be if these facts are automatic or at least can be reached quickly. Ways to practice at home include the website I linked on yesterday's post (amongst a plethora of online games - just Google "multiplication and division fact online games"), reciting times tables, playing dice games, and playing multiplication war with cards. Different strategies will be effective for different students, so find what works for your child and family! Ideally this won't be a painful hassle for everyone involved.
We also spent time today planning out our decade writing, doing quiet reading/unfinished work, and continuing to read The Boundless in Language Arts. In Social Studies, we reviewed what we know about the Cordillera and Arctic regions of Canada, highlighting similarities and differences between the two (using a Venn diagram) as well as considering what makes each unique. Then we moved on to discussing the Interior Plains region, which is the region in which we reside. Students shared what they already know about our region and what they think makes it unique (particularly in comparison to the other two regions we've explored), and then they began exploring the textbook chapter about this region and taking jot notes of important information.
Today we also began discussing an exciting opportunity that two students from our class will get to participate in. These two students will get to attend the Young Writers' Conference on Saturday, April 25 at Robert Thirsk High School from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. This conference allows students from across the city to learn from published authors through a keynote (by Richard Van Camp) as well as registered sessions that highlight areas of interest and need related to writing. I attended YWC as a student, and it had a great impact on me. The cost of this conference is $50, which parents are responsible for paying, however if the cost would prevent students from attending who might otherwise benefit, the school may be able to assist to some extent. Parents are also responsible for transporting students to and from Thirsk on the day of the conference. Please discuss this opportunity with your child and decide whether this is something you would be able to participate in and whether they are even interested in this opportunity. Tomorrow I will be recording names of interested and available students, of whom only two may attend.
Science Fair Update:
All participating students should now have picked up their trifolds from Mrs. Leong in the school office and have their research and/or experiment well underway. A reminder that the Hawkwood School Science Fair is on January 22nd, coming up quickly. If students have any questions, or if their focus/topic has changed, they need to come and see either myself or Ms. Drummond.
All students need to bring their trifolds, log books, and other materials to the Hawksnest the morning of January 22nd, not before. Remember to make plans to get your trifold to school that day as they are not allowed on the bus.
A note that SignUp Genius invites have gone out via email for parent volunteers for our upcoming field trips (Winsport on February 5, 18, 20, 25 and the Glenbow Museum on March 11). We are still in need of volunteers with security clearance to join us on these trips, so please consider this opportunity!
Important Dates:
- Cordillera Region Brochure: *OVERDUE*
- Please hand in Winsport forms and signed report card envelopes ASAP if you haven't already
- The Boundless Storyboard (writing and drawing/colouring) for chapters 1-7: *DUE ASAP*
- December Quote Response (see quote below): *DUE MONDAY, JANUARY 13*
- Birch Tree Art: *DUE FRIDAY, JANUARY 17*
- Science Fair Projects (for participating students): DUE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22
