Wow! It's been a bit hectic around here to say the least. The dust is beginning to settle and I have finally found a moment to fill you in on some details.
Interviews: Thank you for your responses to my Parent Teacher Interview requests. It will be difficult to fit everyone in at a convenient time. Please know that I am at school most days until 4:00. If it works better to meet on another day or to arrange a phone conference, I am more than willing to make those accomodations. I am keen to meet with everyone and will do what I can.
Project: We have been discussing persuasive writing in LA. To consolidate some of this information, I will be assigning them an "At Home Project" on Monday. In this project, they will be creating a print advertisement persuading the public to make donations to a charitable organization that they believe in. Please look for the project outline on Monday. I will also send you an electronic copy via email. The final product will be due on Wednesday, December 17th. Please let me know if you have any questions once you've read the outline.
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, December 4: Interviews/Report Cards go home
Friday, December 5: PD Day/Interviews
Friday, December 12: Next Dulude Skating day, 9:20 to 10:00
Wednesday, December 17: School of Rock Holiday concert, Project due
Friday, December 19: Last day of school
Questions to Ask:
What is fanboys?
Do you think students should wear uniforms? Why or why not?
What is Bernoulli's Principle? (grade 6)
How did your E-Fly work? (grade 6)
What do you need to add in order to turn a solid into a liquid? What do you have to take away to turn a gas into a liquid? (grade 5)
Which friend of Tiiu's did you write a letter to and why?
Who is Channel X and what have they asked you to do?
What do contrasting colours have to do with shadow?
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Whew
Wow! That was quite the busy week. Our Haunted House was a great success. It was a long day and the kids did a great job at making each show as scary as the last. I will try and upload the pictures soon. Thank you so much to Matt, Sophia, Lise, Stephanie, Wendy, and Janine for helping us put everything together. Thank you also to all of the donations of boxes and extra props. The kids had a fabulous time.
I'd like to think that things will slow down and get back to a normal pace now but November seems busier than ever. Here are some upcoming dates:
November 10-Play at Summit
November 11-Rememberance Day and Ceremony and the Cenotaph
November 14-PD Day
November 21-Skating at Dulude (10:00 to 10:40)
Our student teacher Carissa will also be back next week for her 5 week placement.
We are wrapping up our unit on Conservation of Energy and Electricity. To do this, we will be having an open book test. Students will be given a worksheet to complete with the aid of the text we've been using in class as well as their notebooks. We will be preparing in class for this exercise.
I haven't received very much feedback on the new math routine of the homework. Please pass on any comments you have for me to my email address.
I am seeing a definite improvement in the reading responses that I have been getting back. Right now I am focusing on the structure of the responses so that the students get used to writing an introduction, a body with a minimum of 2-3 sentences, and a conclusion. I would also like the students to focus on editing their work.
Coming up, we are looking at Properties of and Changes in Matter (grade 5) and Flight (grade6). We will be studying volleyball skills, and persuasive writing.
Keep in touch!
I'd like to think that things will slow down and get back to a normal pace now but November seems busier than ever. Here are some upcoming dates:
November 10-Play at Summit
November 11-Rememberance Day and Ceremony and the Cenotaph
November 14-PD Day
November 21-Skating at Dulude (10:00 to 10:40)
Our student teacher Carissa will also be back next week for her 5 week placement.
We are wrapping up our unit on Conservation of Energy and Electricity. To do this, we will be having an open book test. Students will be given a worksheet to complete with the aid of the text we've been using in class as well as their notebooks. We will be preparing in class for this exercise.
I haven't received very much feedback on the new math routine of the homework. Please pass on any comments you have for me to my email address.
I am seeing a definite improvement in the reading responses that I have been getting back. Right now I am focusing on the structure of the responses so that the students get used to writing an introduction, a body with a minimum of 2-3 sentences, and a conclusion. I would also like the students to focus on editing their work.
Coming up, we are looking at Properties of and Changes in Matter (grade 5) and Flight (grade6). We will be studying volleyball skills, and persuasive writing.
Keep in touch!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Haunted House
Boo! Did I scare you? Well, if I didn't, our Haunted House is sure to. After analyzing the data from our Scary Survey, we have decided that we need to create a Haunted School and we also know a variety of methods for successfully scaring our customers. Tomorrow, we will be hammering out all of the finer details and we will begin to build our sets on Wednesday and Thursday. If you are available to help paint on either of those days, please let me know. We will likely be doing a lot of the work on Thursday from 10:30 until 12:10. I also know that we are in need of large cardboard boxes or other large pieces of cardboard. I am going to hit up the furniture store on Churchill but if you have any other sources, please pass them on to me. I will forward you more details of other items we're looking for before the weekend.
We started our new math routine and it seemed to go well on all fronts. The students have math homework in their duotangs from their math teachers and a few of them also have a cursive practice sheet from me. This homework duotang is due on Thursday morning. All students in my class also have a reading response which is due on Friday. We have done the first two in class so that I could model what I was looking for. All students are responding to the third question this week which asks them to make a prediction and to prove that prediction with evidence from the text. I asked them to use a t-table to help them plan. At minimum, I'm looking for an introductory sentence, 2-3 sentences in the body that uses proof from the text, and a conclusion sentence. I have also been stressing to the kids the importance of proofreading.
Carissa Papp, our student teacher from the University of Ottawa, began her practicum today. She will be with us all week and then will go back to the university for a week. After that, she will be with us for five weeks of placement. Welcome Carissa!
If you have any questions regarding the Haunted House, the new math routine, or the homework, please do not hesitate!
ps I am working on solving the email issues. I hope to have it fixed soon.
We started our new math routine and it seemed to go well on all fronts. The students have math homework in their duotangs from their math teachers and a few of them also have a cursive practice sheet from me. This homework duotang is due on Thursday morning. All students in my class also have a reading response which is due on Friday. We have done the first two in class so that I could model what I was looking for. All students are responding to the third question this week which asks them to make a prediction and to prove that prediction with evidence from the text. I asked them to use a t-table to help them plan. At minimum, I'm looking for an introductory sentence, 2-3 sentences in the body that uses proof from the text, and a conclusion sentence. I have also been stressing to the kids the importance of proofreading.
Carissa Papp, our student teacher from the University of Ottawa, began her practicum today. She will be with us all week and then will go back to the university for a week. After that, she will be with us for five weeks of placement. Welcome Carissa!
If you have any questions regarding the Haunted House, the new math routine, or the homework, please do not hesitate!
ps I am working on solving the email issues. I hope to have it fixed soon.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
This week
Hello
I thought I'd update you on a few things:
In art, we are going to be starting a new project that will require some searching at home. The kids should be looking for labels/packaging (cereal boxes, pop drinks, juice, milk). They need to choose a design where the name of the product contains the same amount of letters as their own name. They are to bring this packaging in to class ASAP (tomorrow if possible). They will be recreating this design, emulating the style (fonts, colouring, design elements) while advertising themselves rather than a product.
In language arts, we are wrapping up our look at procedural writing. To do this, the students are creating their own recipes (fake or real). The focus of this activity is the use of sequencing words, imperative sentences, and word choice (for interest and to help make directions clear).
Next week, we will be starting something new and exciting in math. With the support of Terra (a new teacher to Churchill), we will be dividing the classes of Maggie, Ray, and Tiiu into 4 groups. These will be our new math classes. This is something that the grade 3/4s have been doing with success. We are very excited to give this new idea a go. I will pass on new information to you as it comes.
This will mean a change to our homework routine. The likely scenario will be that the students' math teachers will hand out a homework duotang much like our old one. I will add cursive sheets to the duotangs of those who need it. This duotang will likely be handed out and due on the same day as it is now. Starting next week, the reading response will also become part of the homework routine. We have been doing them in class with my support for the past couple of weeks. Next week, I will let them fly solo.
We have also started to discuss our Haunted House. It has become a tradition that the students in my class have organized a haunted house for the entire school. This year, we have taken a new approach. We are looking at this project as a business. Our first task was to establish our goals for our haunted house. Next, we created a survery to assess what our customers are scared of and some of their thoughts on haunted houses in general. We will be analyzing this data and making decisions based on what we can infer. Then we will create a plan and move forward from there. I know that I will need help as the day approaches. We will definitely need some support to build our set and we will probably need a hand or two on the day of.
There is an upcoming field trip to the War Museum. I believe the field trip form will be going out this week. We will be going on October 30th. Please mark the date in case you'd like to volunteer.
I think that is it for now. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns
I thought I'd update you on a few things:
In art, we are going to be starting a new project that will require some searching at home. The kids should be looking for labels/packaging (cereal boxes, pop drinks, juice, milk). They need to choose a design where the name of the product contains the same amount of letters as their own name. They are to bring this packaging in to class ASAP (tomorrow if possible). They will be recreating this design, emulating the style (fonts, colouring, design elements) while advertising themselves rather than a product.
In language arts, we are wrapping up our look at procedural writing. To do this, the students are creating their own recipes (fake or real). The focus of this activity is the use of sequencing words, imperative sentences, and word choice (for interest and to help make directions clear).
Next week, we will be starting something new and exciting in math. With the support of Terra (a new teacher to Churchill), we will be dividing the classes of Maggie, Ray, and Tiiu into 4 groups. These will be our new math classes. This is something that the grade 3/4s have been doing with success. We are very excited to give this new idea a go. I will pass on new information to you as it comes.
This will mean a change to our homework routine. The likely scenario will be that the students' math teachers will hand out a homework duotang much like our old one. I will add cursive sheets to the duotangs of those who need it. This duotang will likely be handed out and due on the same day as it is now. Starting next week, the reading response will also become part of the homework routine. We have been doing them in class with my support for the past couple of weeks. Next week, I will let them fly solo.
We have also started to discuss our Haunted House. It has become a tradition that the students in my class have organized a haunted house for the entire school. This year, we have taken a new approach. We are looking at this project as a business. Our first task was to establish our goals for our haunted house. Next, we created a survery to assess what our customers are scared of and some of their thoughts on haunted houses in general. We will be analyzing this data and making decisions based on what we can infer. Then we will create a plan and move forward from there. I know that I will need help as the day approaches. We will definitely need some support to build our set and we will probably need a hand or two on the day of.
There is an upcoming field trip to the War Museum. I believe the field trip form will be going out this week. We will be going on October 30th. Please mark the date in case you'd like to volunteer.
I think that is it for now. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
overnight
Hello
Here are some notes about the overnight this week:
As I was only able to bring along 4 parents, I had to choose on a first come, first serve basis while also taking care of some other obligatory needs. Coming with us will be Emma's dad, Molly's dad, Ian's dad, and Michael's dad. There may be an opportunity for 1 or 2 other parents to come if some of the other classes cannot find volunteers. If you are interested, please email me back as soon as possible and I will confirm with you if you are needed by tomorrow evening. Thanks for all of the offers to help!
I have also secured some volunteers to help cook our hotdog lunch on Friday and Ailis's mom will be making us some muffins for Friday's snack. What great help you all are!
We will be meeting at the museum at 6:30. Please make sure that the students only bring what is necessary and that they have everything packed away into two packages (a bag of clothing and a bag of sleeping gear). As discussed in class, please leave your cameras at home. I will have a class camera there and take lots of pictures.
There are a few missing permission forms. Please return those to me as soon as possible.
Thanks again!
Tiiu Tsao
Churchill Alternative School
Grade 5/6
Here are some notes about the overnight this week:
As I was only able to bring along 4 parents, I had to choose on a first come, first serve basis while also taking care of some other obligatory needs. Coming with us will be Emma's dad, Molly's dad, Ian's dad, and Michael's dad. There may be an opportunity for 1 or 2 other parents to come if some of the other classes cannot find volunteers. If you are interested, please email me back as soon as possible and I will confirm with you if you are needed by tomorrow evening. Thanks for all of the offers to help!
I have also secured some volunteers to help cook our hotdog lunch on Friday and Ailis's mom will be making us some muffins for Friday's snack. What great help you all are!
We will be meeting at the museum at 6:30. Please make sure that the students only bring what is necessary and that they have everything packed away into two packages (a bag of clothing and a bag of sleeping gear). As discussed in class, please leave your cameras at home. I will have a class camera there and take lots of pictures.
There are a few missing permission forms. Please return those to me as soon as possible.
Thanks again!
Tiiu Tsao
Churchill Alternative School
Grade 5/6
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Overnight
Hello
I have not yet gone through the overnight permission forms so I do not know how has kindly offered to volunteer yet. As I can only take a limited amount of adults, please wait for my confirmation before packing your bags.
In science, we have been looking at energy and electricity. Here is a site that the kids might find interesting to look at: http://kids.everykilowattcounts.com/en/.
In language, we are continuing to look at procedural writing and we are also looking at word choice, one of the six traits of writing. Here is something you can ask the kids at the dinner table: What are the four different kinds of sentences and what actions did you learn for each of them?
In math, we are continuing to look at the four operations. Today, we took our first look at division. I will try and send home a primer on our lattice method and my new method for division so that you can help those students who choose to use these methods.
I have had some feedback on the homework. I will be taking another look at the spelling homework and see if I can change the layout or find something more appropriate. If your student comes home with certain questions circled with pen, please know that I am asking them to only complete those questions.
I want to remind everyone that this Friday is a PD Day and that tomorrow is photo day. Individual pictures will be taken tomorrow with our class photo being taken on re-take day.
I have not yet gone through the overnight permission forms so I do not know how has kindly offered to volunteer yet. As I can only take a limited amount of adults, please wait for my confirmation before packing your bags.
In science, we have been looking at energy and electricity. Here is a site that the kids might find interesting to look at: http://kids.everykilowattcounts.com/en/.
In language, we are continuing to look at procedural writing and we are also looking at word choice, one of the six traits of writing. Here is something you can ask the kids at the dinner table: What are the four different kinds of sentences and what actions did you learn for each of them?
In math, we are continuing to look at the four operations. Today, we took our first look at division. I will try and send home a primer on our lattice method and my new method for division so that you can help those students who choose to use these methods.
I have had some feedback on the homework. I will be taking another look at the spelling homework and see if I can change the layout or find something more appropriate. If your student comes home with certain questions circled with pen, please know that I am asking them to only complete those questions.
I want to remind everyone that this Friday is a PD Day and that tomorrow is photo day. Individual pictures will be taken tomorrow with our class photo being taken on re-take day.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Hello!
Just a few notes before we take off for the Terry Fox Run:
Yesterday, two students came in to speak with us about CISV and their experiences this past summer. I sent home a flyer about an information meeting taking place this evening. If you cannot make it to the meeting tonight, there will be another one scheduled later on in November. Please check the website for more information: http://www.cisv.ca/
In class, we have been looking at procedural writing as a text form. We have identified several common characteristics such as the use of sequencing words and imperative sentences.
I will be sending home a permisson form and letter about our upcoming overnight which will take place on the evening of October 9th. Please return the form as soon as possible.
I hope the first week of the homework routine went well. Please pass on any comments or feedback to me via email.
A reminder that next Friday is a PD Day.
Our group snack schedule begins next week. The schedule for next week is as follows:
Jordan-Monday, Nathan-Tuesday, James-Wednesday, and Rowan-Thursday.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Yesterday, two students came in to speak with us about CISV and their experiences this past summer. I sent home a flyer about an information meeting taking place this evening. If you cannot make it to the meeting tonight, there will be another one scheduled later on in November. Please check the website for more information: http://www.cisv.ca/
In class, we have been looking at procedural writing as a text form. We have identified several common characteristics such as the use of sequencing words and imperative sentences.
I will be sending home a permisson form and letter about our upcoming overnight which will take place on the evening of October 9th. Please return the form as soon as possible.
I hope the first week of the homework routine went well. Please pass on any comments or feedback to me via email.
A reminder that next Friday is a PD Day.
Our group snack schedule begins next week. The schedule for next week is as follows:
Jordan-Monday, Nathan-Tuesday, James-Wednesday, and Rowan-Thursday.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
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