Mrs. Middleton's Class Website Nurturing Life-Long Learners

Monday

3/2/2015

This morning the students began sharing out their created tableaus to the rest of the class. Each tableau showed a story or theme in 5 scenes that contained a beginning, middle, and end. Today’s presentations really showed how far the students have come in their learning and understanding of what can be done with tableaus.

After lunch the students revisited their first brainstorms of what poverty meant to them. In the same groups that they had at the beginning of the unit, the students rewrote their understanding of poverty with what they have since learned. Afterwards, we shared as a class one thing that we had each learned so far and one thing that we still have questions about. Each group demonstrated amazing growth. Way to go!

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6s – Geometry Re-quiz - Wednesday
Mr. Hong – p. 211-212 questions 7-17 – due Wednesday, Quiz Wednesday
Mrs. Farrell – Worksheet 5.3 – due Wednesday
2) Drama – 5 Scene Tableau – sharing on Thursday and Friday - think about possible props and costumes you can use (with Mr. Fourchalk’s approval).
3) French - Qui est-ce? assignment (good copy) - due Tomorrow (Mar. 3)
4) Reading - March Book Madness – look at the books in the middle school bracket (http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/mg-novel-bracket.html) - email your picks to Mrs. Middleton

Important Dates
1) Tuesday, March 3 (Tomorrow) - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
2) Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
3) Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
4) Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: Review your understanding of absolute poverty. Does Canada have absolute poverty, or is it just relative poverty? Explain your answer.

25 Comments

Friday

2/27/2015

29 Comments

We were off to a quick start this morning with the exciting return of Mystery Skype. There were many questions asked on both sides before we located the class in Oakville, Ontario, but the student’s showed great commitment and didn’t give up!

After recess we invited our little buddies to our class and learned out to make mosaics inspired by First Nations artist, Jerry White head. Our students were great role models for their little buddies and demonstrated excellent leadership.

Today was also the last day in class for our international student, Ryan. In honour of Ryan, the students took pictures and feasted on doughnuts (compliments of Mrs. Middleton). Best of luck back in Korea, Ryan – you will be missed!

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6s – Geometry Re-quiz - Monday
Mr. Hong – p. 211-212 questions 7-17 – due Monday
Mrs. Farrell – Worksheet 5.4 – due Monday
2) Writing – Finish expository essay draft (if you didn’t finish in class) and share with Mr. Fourchalk on Google Drive (adam.fourchalk@gmail.com) - due Monday
3) Drama – 5 Scene Tableau – sharing on Friday (Mar. 6) - think about possible props and costumes you can use (with Mr. Fourchalk’s approval).
4) French - Qui est-ce? assignment (good copy) - due Mar. 3 (Tuesday)
5) Reading - March Book Madness – look at the books in the middle school bracket (http://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/mg-novel-bracket.html) and decide which ones you would like to advance to the next round. We will discuss on Monday.

Important Dates
1) Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
2) Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
3) Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
4) Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
5) Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: You learned many different things this week. Discuss your biggest learning, takeaway, or moment that made you stop and think. Why was this thing the most important? Explain.

29 Comments

Thursday

2/26/2015

25 Comments

It was another busy day today! In the morning, the students started to write the first drafts of their expository essays. It will be great to the students' growth once we work on revisions in future lessons.

In the afternoon we managed to avoid the rain yet again and enjoyed some fresh air playing ultimate frisbee. Every time we play, the students are demonstrating a greater understanding and awareness of the game. Way to go!

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6 - p 268 #1-5
Mrs. Farrell - Check your teacher's website
Mr. Hong - Check your teacher's website
2) French - Qui est-ce? assignment (good copy) - due Mar. 3 (Tuesday)

Important Dates
1) Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
2) Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
3) Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
4) Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
5) Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: Today you began to write your expository essay. Did you find it easier to write because you had already made a plan? Would it have been easier to write without one? Explain.

25 Comments

Wednesday

2/25/2015

26 Comments

This morning, in preparing to write their expository essays, the students learned about the importance of planning what they write before they write it. They practiced putting a completed expository essay into an "expository pillar" plan to see that planning can help us organize our ideas and does not require a lot of writing.

In the afternoon, the students had some time to rehearsed their final tableaus (presentations will begin on Friday - remember to dress up if you can!). Everyone is looking forward to sharing and expressing their creations. We can't wait!

Homework
1) L.A. - have your thesis and main points prepared for tomorrow
2) Math - Grade 6 - tests signed (due tomorrow), find 3 triangles in your house - draw (with a ruler), measure and label
Mrs. Farrell - Quiz Tomorrow, check website for video and homework
Mr. Hong - Worksheet 5.5
3) French - Qui est-ce? assignment (good copy) - due Mar. 3 (Tuesday)

Important Dates
1) Thursday, Feb. 26 - Castle Fun Park notice due (tomorrow)
2) Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
3) Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
4) Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
5) Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
6) Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: Today we discussed the importance of having a plan before starting to write an expository essay. Why do think this is important? How might it benefit you as the writer? Explain.

26 Comments

Tuesday

2/24/2015

23 Comments

This morning the students took a trip down memory lane and attended the Grade 4 Science Fair in the gym. It was great to see the hard work of so many students put on display. It was informative and some of use even received gummy bears!

After lunch, we took advantage of the weather and practiced Ultimate Frisbee outside. Once again, it was an amazing showing of how quickly the students have picked up the game. Way to go!

We ended our day with another round of our cost of living activity. This time, instead of students calculating the cost for themselves, they were given 1 of 3 specific scenarios to try to budget their money for one year. Many students saw their budgets unravel as soon as the unexpected expenses were introduced (e.g. flat tires, broken windshield, unpaid sick days, double day care costs in the summer, late fees etc.).

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6 - quiz signed for Wednesday (tomorrow)
Mr. Hong - check your teacher's website (http://hillcrestdiv4.weebly.com/)
Mrs. Farrell - check your teacher's website (http://hillcrestdiv5.weebly.com/)
2) L.A. - Have your rough expository essay thesis ready for Wednesday (tomorrow)
3) Castle Fun Park - if you received it back today, bring your permission form signed for tomorrow

Important Dates
1) Wednesday, Feb 25 - Pink Shirt Day (tomorrow)
2) Thursday, Feb. 26 - Castle Fun Park notice due
3) Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
4) Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
5) Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
6) Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
7) Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: Today we came back to our cost of living activity with a different spin (different scenarios). Why do you think we did this? Was our purpose to only calculate the cost of living? Explain.

23 Comments

Monday

2/23/2015

26 Comments

Today was another busy day! This morning the students decided on the novels that they wanted to nominated for the upcoming March Book Madness. There were some great selections and it will be exciting to see where they end up.

After lunch, the students got a taste of what it's like to be an adult by having to estimate the cost of living on their own. They were given the wage of a full-time, minimum wage job and asked to budget their living expenses according for the month. It wasn't as easy as they thought!

We concluded our day with a presentation by author K. Jane Watt and illustrator Richard Cole (creators of The Boy Who Paints and The Girl Who Writes). After being inspired by random photographs, the students were given the opportunity to express themselves by painting on mini canvases. The artwork they produced in such a short time was phenomenal! Thank you so much to our presenters!

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6 - quizzes signed, measuring angles quiz tomorrow - bring your protractor
- Mrs. Farrell - measure 2 circles
- Mr. Hong - no homework
2) P.E. - Ultimate outside tomorrow - remember to have a change of shoes, socks, and warm clothing
3) L.A. - have your thesis statements ready for Wednesday

Important Dates
Monday, Feb. 23 - Lord Tweedsmuir Parent Night - Tours at 6:00, meeting at 7:00
Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Clayton Heights Parent Night - Meeting 7:00
Wednesday, Feb 25 - Pink Shirt Day
Thursday, Feb. 26 - Castle Fun Park notice due
Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: Today you got a small taste of how quickly the cost of living can add up, especially on such a small wage. What was your biggest take away from this? What connections can you make between this activity and our poverty unit so far? Explain.

26 Comments

Thursday

2/19/2015

25 Comments

In fear of the rain, we made a change to our schedule this morning so that we would be able to play Ultimate Frisbee outside for P.E. The students didn't mind because they still had a great time playing the game. It was wonderful to see everyone being so active and involved. Everyone displayed excellent sportsmanship, way to go!

After lunch the students worked on developing their expository writing skills by reviewed thesis statements. A thesis statement is a short, concise statement that summarizes the main point of an essay. After looking at a number of examples, students worked on putting their chosen expository topics into a thesis statement to serve as a roadmap for their upcoming essays.

Homework
1) LA - Website Comments *To find past website comments please see the right side bar under Archives. Each month can be accessed from there. Do not leave this assignment until Sunday night as it may take some time to find the comments you wish to use.
Step 1

Choose one of your comments from December or early January. This is your sample of before criteria was set.
Copy and paste it on to either google drive or a word document.
Include the date it was published on the website

Step 2

Choose two more website comments that showcase your best ones over the past 6 weeks.
Copy and paste these below your first one and remember to include the date they were published (they of course will be from two different dates)

Step 3 Reflection

Under the comments you have pasted on your page write 'Reflection'
Under the title explain how these to showcase your best work. Use direct evidence to explain your reasoning connecting the evidence directly to the criteria (see image below). Choose two or three criteria from the list we created on the board that you feel you have met, fully met or exceeded. DO NOT TRY TO USE ALL THE CRITERIA LISTED! For example:

I have improved my writing by explaining my thinking in more detail. In my first comment I did not share my opinions, my thoughts or ask questions. But in the one dated *** I have explained my thoughts on (how I feel about poverty in Canada by stating ....)

This is one example of how you might reflect on your writing using the criteria to guide you. The purpose is for you to recognize any growth that has occurred in this area and prove to me that there has been growth. You are communicating your learning.

Step 4

Share this document with me or send it via email as an attachment by Monday morning. Please clearly label this assignment "Website Comments Reflection' and include your name.

2) Math - Grade 6 - p. 285 #1-5
Mr. Hong - worksheets - check his website
Mrs. Farrell -t finish booklet - due Monday
3) Writing - complete your thesis statement draft for Monday
4) March Book Madness - please click on the link provided: March Book Madness. Read over the list of middle school novels that are up for being included in the pool for March Book Madness. Make a list of which books you want to see our class vote for. We will discuss these on Monday and submit our recommendation. It will be exciting and interesting how many we choose that end up in the actual pool for the first round.

Important Dates
Friday, Feb. 20 - Professional Development Day - students not in session
Monday, Feb. 23 - All Raffle Tickets due in to the school
Monday, Feb. 23 - Lord Tweedsmuir Parent Night
Tuesday, Feb. 24 - Clayton Heights Parent Night
Monday, March 2 - Report Cards sent home
Tuesday, March 3 - Castle Fun Park - Term 2 celebration field trip
Wednesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 6 - early dismissal - parent/teacher interviews
Friday, March 7 - last day before Spring Break
Monday, March 23 - school restart after Spring Break

Comment: What was your biggest learning this week? What made you stop and think? What would you like to know more about? Explain.

25 Comments

Wednesday

2/18/2015

28 Comments

This morning the students worked on their writing skills by examining paragraph structure in detail. They were able to identify that all paragraphs should include a topic sentence, followed by related supporting points, and a concluding sentence. After some practice, the students were invited to take on a teaching role and share with the class how they broke down example paragraphs.

The students ended their day with Drama by working in small groups to create their final Tableau presentations. Before getting into groups, as a class, the students helped established a list of expectations for appropriate work behaviour that were used as part of their evaluation criteria.

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6s – Study for Angle Classification Quiz Tomorrow
Mr. Hong – No Homework
Mrs. Farrell – Finish Booklet – due Monday
2) Writing – Finalize a topic for expository essay (with 3 points) – Mr. Fourchalk will approve tomorrow
3) Drama – 5 Scene Tableau – sharing will begin on Feb 25 (Next Wednesday) for groups that are ready. Think about possible props and costumes you can use (with Mr. Fourchalk’s approval).

Important Upcoming Events
1) Grade 7s - Parents Night - Clayton Heights - Feb. 24
Tweedsmuir - Feb. 23

Comment: Discuss the topic you are planning on writing about for your expository essay. What is the topic? What are your main ideas? Explain why it is a topic that you are passionate about.

28 Comments

Tuesday

2/17/2015

26 Comments

This afternoon, thanks to the wonderful weather, the students were able to get outside and start playing Ultimate Frisbee! It was great to see the students finally have the opportunity to let the Frisbees fly. In addition to warming up with some passing practice, the students got a taste of the game by playing a guided mini-scrimmage. It was amazing to watch just how quickly the students were able to pick up the rules and start playing. Way to go!

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6s – Page 260 Q 1, 2 and 3
Mr. Hong – No Homework
Mrs. Farrell – Bring a flat circular object, #10 or a question from yesterday
2) Writing – Bring in a topic that you would like to write an expository essay about – brainstorm some main ideas and be prepared to work on an outline in class tomorrow

Important Upcoming Events
1) Grade 7s - Parents Night - Clayton Heights - Feb. 24
Tweedsmuir - Feb. 23

Comment: Today’s discussion on poverty introduced a number of new terms and ideas for many of us. Choose one of these concepts and explain your understanding of it. How does it relate to poverty?

26 Comments

Monday

2/16/2015

26 Comments

This morning we revisited our exploration of expository writing. We use expository writing to explain, describe, give information and inform others. It is an important skill used not only in school but also in the workplace.

During band, the remaining students used their critical thinking skills (with the help of the CRAAP test) to evaluate the validity of Internet sources. As part of the exercise, the students watched a short clip on what seemed to be evidence of a functioning hoverboard and discussed whether they thought it was real (spoilers: it wasn't). Many students were fooled!

In the afternoon, the students watched a short video clip telling the story of Vickie Baier, a Canadian woman living in poverty. Vickie does not fit the stereotypical image of someone in poverty that most people tend to think of, and yet her story is not an uncommon one.

Homework
1) Math - Grade 6s - Drawing and Measuring Angles Worksheets
Mr. Hong – Worksheet 5.2 – back of 14 – possible quiz tomorrow
Mrs. Farrell – 5.2 Questions 1-5 + 8

Important Upcoming Events
1) Grade 7s - Parents Night - Clayton Heights - Feb. 24
Tweedsmuir - Feb. 23

Comment: After watching Vickie Baier’s story in class (see video below 3:40-6:18), how has your view of people in poverty changed? Does she fit the "typical" stereotype of someone in poverty? Explain.

26 Comments

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