If
you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t been in bed with a
mosquito.
-Anita Roddick (1942-2007)
Hello families! I hope everyone has had a good week and is staying nice and warm. Please remember to label all clothing items sent to school. We already have many jackets and bags left behind in the locker area of our classroom that do not have a name on them. Thank you.
Quote Reflection - The quote above was used this week for our Quote Reflection (B.F.Y.B). The students were asked to explain what it meant and give examples of people they know who have made a difference in their life or the world around them. The expectation was for the students to connect this concept or idea to a personal situation. Those that shared their reflections, really understood how each of us can make a difference in the world, even if it's just one at a time. One student connected the concept to Terry Fox and how he made a real difference for cancer research all over the world. Another student talked about how she raised over $500 on her own for the homeless. She explained that the money made a real difference for many homeless people. These are all such great ideas and they tie in very nicely with our theme of Acts of Kindness as well as the concepts that will be discussed in Project Give Back.
New Social Studies Project
Grade 4 - The Scrapbook Project for Medieval Ages was handed out to the grade 4's this week. They are all very excited, to say the least! One student exclaimed, "Wow, Mrs. Mendelson, this is going to be the best project I have ever done!" The enthusiasm and positive comments are so rewarding to hear. I hope you have read and signed the contract in their purple booklet by now. If you haven't had a chance to read and sign it, please ask your child to see it this weekend. I am strongly encouraging them to use the Tracking Sheet provided at the front of the book in order to help manage their time and progress.
The grade 4's were shown many examples of scrapbooks from previous students in the gifted program and this allowed them to see what my expectations are. It also gave them some ideas of how they may want to present their information. I have told the students to purchase a scrapbook which can be bought at the Dollar Store. There is no reason to spend a lot of money on this scrapbook. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please email me. I appreciate your assistance.
The due date for the Scrapbook is: November 14th, 2013.
Grade 5 - The grade 5's are asked to choose a European explorer that interests them. The requirements are that this explorer must have travelled
to Canada to discover unknown lands. Some of the explorers that have been chosen so far are: Henry Hudson, George Vancouver, Samuel de Champlain, James Cook, Alexander Mackenzie and Humphrey Gilbert. The assignment requires the students to research the explorer and write a children's book describing this person's adventures. The target audience for the book is grade 2. The students are very enthusiastic about writing and illustrating their first children's book! I hope you have read and signed their yellow assignment sheet by now. If you haven't had a chance to read it, please ask your child to see it this weekend. Thank you for your assistance.
The due date for the European Explorers project is: November 18th, 2013.
Exciting News! - We will be listening to a presentation from an incredibly talented author, Kate DiCamillo, on November 7th, 2013 at The Bishop Strachan School (BSS). This presentation will take place in the morning and it is free of charge. We will walk over to BSS as soon as the student's arrive at school. The students are most excited to meet Kate as she is the author of the book we are currently reading in class, The Tale of Desperaux. This is a very exciting and unique opportunity for us and we are all really looking forward to it!
Recorder - Mr. Ungvary handed out the recorders and books this past week to the students. They are all enthusiastic to learn how to play this instrument. He encourages them to practise at home for approximately 5 minutes a night to reinforce the fingering and the notes learned in class. This week, the students learned how to use fingers 1, 2 and 3 on their LEFT hand for the notes B,A,G and fingers 5,6 on their RIGHT hand for the notes E & D. Please ask your child to show you these notes and remind them that their left hand is always on top as many of the students are not used to this arrangement. Thank you!
Math - The students completed a math test this week on Number Patterns. They received their tests back and I am asking you to please sign your child's test so you can monitor their progress on each math unit. We will begin our unit on Geometry next week. Please send in a protractor with your child for this unit. Thank you!
Math Congress - Here is today's congress.
MATH
CONGRESS
Friday
October 25, 2013
A total of $13.45 is collected
from a parking meter which takes only dimes and quarters. If 85 coins are
collected, how many dimes and how many quarters are there?
Use
pictures, numbers and words to show how you solved this problem.
Project Give Back - This week, Michelle recorded the name of the charity each student has chosen to do a presentation on. She also reviewed, step by step, how to phone the charity and ask for pamphlets, information, buttons, stickers, etc. that can be used on their Bristol board for their presentation. This phone call should be made at home, preferably with an adult in the room, for guidance or questions. It should be done before next Wednesday October 30th. Here is Michelle talking to the students this week...
Reminders:
- Friday Reports are due this Monday October 28, 2013
- PA Day - Friday November 15, 2013 (parent/teacher interviews on this day)
- IEP'S should be signed and returned immediately
- Please send in a protractor for our Geometry Unit
- Project Give Back homework - students should make the phone call to their charity and ask for information to be sent to their house
- FOOD DRIVE - Forest Hill is holding a Food Drive. Please bring in non-perishable items any time over the next 2 weeks. These will be donated to the food bank.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!
Mrs. Stacey Mendelson
