Letters

This week I had students write letters to Santa as well as letters to family members.  While in many of the letters to Santa, students asked for "stuff", I asked them to take a different approach in their letters to family members.  I asked them to think about things that perhaps don't cost any money, like visiting a special spot, or having some one-on-one time.  We watched an Ikea commercial from Spain (the link is below) which helped remind us all that the holiday season is not just about presents.  We had a nice discussion about how the holidays are a wonderful opportunity to spend time with those we care about.  While most students felt that they have lots of quality time with their parents, many came up with great ideas to have even more!  We hope you enjoy the letters!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ3ePGr8Q7k

Red, White and Green Day Friday

Red,

Craft Afternoon

The grade 1-8 classes will be having a craft afternoon in the primary wing on Thursday, December 17th at 2:10. The students will be visiting their choice of a couple of classrooms to make a holiday craft. Parents are welcome to join in the fun and accompany their children from class to class.  Hope to see you there!

MCS Art Show

The MCS Art Show opens tonight at 7pm at the Deep River Library.  The work of students from Grade 1 to 12 will be showcased.

Respect Award

Congratulations to Xavier and Brooke who were recognized at our character trait assembly for demonstrating Respect!  Next month, we will be focusing on Caring. 

Report Cards

Please be aware that report cards went home today.  Please return the signed, bottom portion of page 2, as well as the envelope, once you have reviewed the report.

Hour of Code

Today our students took part in the Hour of Code.  The students were completely engaged, and excited to learn a new skill.  Coding!  Check out the videos below for more information on the Hour of Code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DxWIxec6yo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC5FbmsH4fw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laZZEcL44sc&list=PLzdnOPI1iJNfpD8i4Sx7U0y2MccnrNZuP&index=8

Santa Claus Parade

Thank you to all the students who came out to participate in the MCS float at the Santa Claus Parade this weekend and also to all the students who offered their support watching from the street.  We had a wonderful time and MCS was awarded the Spirit Award!

Google Drive

Google Drive Instructions

Your child has been working on Google Drive for their Ontario Landform project.  This project is due on December 16th. Some of the students had prior knowledge of Google set-up while others are learning their way around this format for the first time.  Here are some instructions for you so that you can see what your child has been creating and offer support if needed.

username:  <<lastnamefirstinitial>>@student.rcdsb.on.ca

password:  three digits (repeated)

Logging In

There are various ways to access your child’s Google Drive.

1. Download the Google Drive app on your mobile device (e.g., iPad, cell, etc.,)
2. Go to the Google search engine from your computer and click on the Sign In icon, sign in with the username and password above that your child already knows
3. Search Google Drive on the Google search engine

Drive

Once logged in, you can view your child’s work in My Drive, and other work previously completed.

If you would like to see items I have sent them, look under Shared With Me.

Santa Claus Parade

On Saturday, MCS will be entering a float in the Santa Claus Parade.  There will be a few students on the float, but the majority will be walking alongside singing carols.  We would love a great turnout from students, so anyone is welcome to join us.  Students are asked to meet at the arena at 5:00-5:15pm.  The parade will begin at 5:30pm.  Don't forget to wear purple and gold!

Spirit Day

This Friday, the 27th of November, will be a spirit day. Children are encouraged to wear plaid or camo. We will also take part in a fundraising activity for "Movember" on that same day. Students who wish to participate are asked to bring some money (a loonie) to buy tickets for the fun activities in the gym.  There will also be a bake sale. 

Number sense math package

Yesterday I sent home worksheets from our previous math unit. They do not need to be returned to school.  You can go over the concepts with your child and have them complete any unfinished work at home.

Spelling

This week a sheet with spelling words was sent home for your child to review.  We are working on words that are most common in English writing.  Once the first 60 are mastered by the majority of the class, we will move onto the next 60.  The first 100 words occur in 50% of adult and student writing, so if students can master these, and apply the spelling in their writing, they will see a great improvement in the readability of their work.  Please practice the misspelled words with your child.

Social Studies Project

Students have been learning about the landform regions in Ontario.  They have started a project about one of the three regions on Google Slides.  I have shared the project outline, as well as an example, with them in the Google Drive.  They will be provided with lots of time in class to complete the project, but they can also do work at home if they wish.  Below is the project description.

Research one of Ontario’s three landform regions:

1. The Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Lowlands
2. The Canadian Shield
3. The Hudson’s Bay Lowlands

Create a Google Slide show containing at least all of the items listed below:

1. One map showing where the region is located (you may need to use a map of Canadian landform regions)
2. A map showing the larger communities in the region.
3. Labelled images of the natural environment
4. Labelled images of wildlife you would find in the region
5. Labelled images of people at work in the region (what jobs do people do in this region?)
6. Labelled images of recreational activities in the region.
7. A description of how humans have had a negative impact on this region.
8. A description of how humans can reduce the negative impact they are having on the region.

• You may add additional slides if you like.

You need to have a minimum of 7 slides.  The slide headings could be:

1. Landform Region Map
2. Political Map
3. Natural Environment
4. Wildlife
5. People at Work
6. People at Play
7. Human Impact
8. How to Reduce Human Impact

Diabetes

Today we had Erica Ogilvie, a Registered Dietitian at the Deep River Hospital, into our class to speak about Diabetes.  The students were very interested, and eager to learn, although a little chatty!
Thank you Mrs. Ogilvie!

Library

Our library day will now fall on Tuesdays until the end of January.  Please remind students to return their books.

Diwali celebration

Yesterday I attended the Community Dinner celebrating Diwali. It was a wonderful evening of great entertainment and fabulous food. Two of our classmates performed in the show. Happy Diwali Sitara and Aarush!

Place Value Assessment

We have been working on place value in math. This includes expanded form like:

437=400+30+7 or 437= 4 hundreds + 3 tens + 7 ones 

Students have constructed numbers using base ten blocks, identified where numbers belong on various number lines, and learned how to round numbers to the nearest ten or hundred. 

They will have a an assessment activity tomorrow to consolidate their knowledge. 

Remembrance Day

Today we had a brief assembly to recognize Remembrance Day. Some of the students read a poem they had written. Here are a few of their pieces. 

Book fair

Our class will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair on Thursday.  

Book Orders

Just a reminder that book orders are due tomorrow. 

Windy Day!

Today was a difficult day to do any kind of desk work!  Instead we watched the storm in awe as a number of trees came crashing down in the school yard. Once we were given the all clear, we headed out to investigate the damage. Students discussed why certain tress fell, while other taller ones remained standing. They were able to make connections with our science unit on structures.  Some are wondering how the bend in the swing set will effect its stabilty. Most figured it would collapse if heavy students went on the swings.  We had an interesting rest of the day with no power!

Poppies

To support the Legion, student council will be selling poppies and stickers by donation.  They are also selling "Lest We Forget" bracelets for $2.00.

X Marks the Spot

On our way in from an outdoor science class, students looked up and discovered this unusual cloud formation in the sky.  Here were their thoughts:

 

• There is treasure up there!  Pirates travelled the seven skies to find it because they found a riddle.  

• It looks like the moon in the middle.

• Was it clouds doing something cool, or the paths of two jets crossing?

• If you were doing something but you did it incorrectly, then you saw a giant “x” in the sky, if you did it correctly would there be a giant check?

• It reminded me of a plane that passed by my house early in the morning.  It made a curve like an arch bridge.  

• Maybe it was an optical illusion or natural gases.

Class Photo Day

Reminder:  Tomorrow is class photo and photo retake day.

Agreement Reached

Great news!  The Elementary Teacher's Federation of Ontario has reached a tentative agreement with the Ministry of Education.  This means that our work-to-rule has ended and we can return to our normal teaching practices. You will probably receive a number of blog posts in a short period of time as all of my saved posts update to the site.  I look forward to corresponding with everyone again!

Cooperative cup stacking

Reflex math

Students have embraced Reflex math!

Land Art

Fall "land art". 

Terry Fox Run

Our class participated in the Terry Fix Run by running laps of the school track. Some students did almost 10 laps!

Art outside

The students created structures from Lego and then used shadows to transfer the structure to paper! 

Building challenge

This week, local scientist John Wills, joined our class to challenge the students to build a structure. They were given 16 foam cubes and 30 toothpicks.  Their structure had to be 20cm tall and support a 500ml container of water. We had two groups that were successful!  

Patterning

We have been working on more complex patterns in class. Students were encouraged to build patterns where not just colour or shape change, but where the number of items, the position and/or the direction changes.  We are also working on growing patterns. 

Natural structures!

After a discussion about the natural materials in our woods that we could build structures with and a lesson on safety, the class headed outside for some building. Groups used different strategies (collecting first, etc) and design techniques to construct a structure of their choice. We had bridges, shelters, and animal homes. They did an amazing job.