Our second week was great!

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

-Nelson Mandela

Hello family members of Room 205s. I hope everyone is enjoying their second week back at school and enjoying the warm and cold September temperatures! The students in the grade 4/5 gifted class are adjusting nicely to the routines of our classroom and are hard at work every day. Thank you very much for purchasing the suggested school supplies on the list and sending in the required items. I really appreciate you doing this. It makes a big difference to your child and their overall organization for the year. 

Class Schedule - Each student was given a pink piece of paper with a weekly schedule for our class. This schedule shows the 5 day cycle and when each subject will be taught. Students can use this to prepare themselves for the school day. All students were asked to put this schedule in a plastic sheet cover and place it at the front of their binders. 

Biography Assignment - This week, the students were assigned a Biography Assignment in which they were asked to interview, gather and organize information about another student in our class. Student's are asked to write specific questions, gather answers, complete a written one page rough draft and finally, type a final draft of their report. I have asked the class to have their rough draft edited by either an adult at home or myself. Your help is much appreciated and welcomed. This written biography report will accompany a painted self portrait. I'm looking forward to reading and learning about all the students in our class! The biography assignment is due on Monday September 23, 2013. 

Quote Reflection - The quote at the top of the page was given to the class this week as part of our B.F.Y.B (Breakfast for your Brain) program. The students were asked to explain, in writing, what they thought this quote meant. They were encouraged to write ideas such as why education is a powerful weapon, why this quote may have been written and knowledge they have on Nelson Mandela. Responses were shared with the class and an excellent class discussion occurred. We watched a short biography on the life of Nelson Mandela and the significant contributions he made to South Africa and the rest of the world. Please ask your child to fill you in on what he/she learned during this discussion.

Math Congress- Every Friday, students will have an opportunity to do Math Congress. Math Congress is a challenging multi step word problem.  In small groups of 2-4, students are asked to solve this problem (sometimes they will choose their group and sometimes I will choose it for them!) using pictures, numbers and words. Students are strongly encouraged to engage in discussion and 'math talk' while solving the problem. Congress is culminated with the class meeting in front of the smart board and the groups sharing their strategies and problem solving methods with the class. The students had their first Math Congress problem this Friday and were quite challenged by it! Please ask them to share the problem and the solution with you.

Curriculum Night - Forest Hill's Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday September 26, 2013. On that evening, I will be sharing some important aspects of the gifted program with you as well as showing you examples of our daily work and what a 'typical' day in the gifted program looks like. Looking forward to meeting many of you that evening. More specific information about timing of the evening will follow in a school newsletter. 

Friday Reports - Every Friday, students will be given a Friday Report that they are asked to complete over the weekend and hand in to me on Monday. The purpose of this report is to reflect, in writing, on the week that passed. This is an excellent way for the students to look back at their week and describe what they liked, learned and were proud of.  It's also an efficient and non threatening way to open up the lines of communication between myself and each student. I'd appreciate your help by encouraging your child to fill in this one page report every weekend and return it to school on Monday morning. There is a section for your comments as well. Thank you!

QSP Magazine Drive - Forest Hill will be holding a magazine drive until September 24, 2013. Students are asked to sell magazines to family, friends and neighbours in order to win prizes and raise money for our school. This is a great fundraiser and I hope you will enjoy participating in it.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thank you for all your support.

Mrs. Mendelson