Book Reports are buzzing!

Hello families of room 205s. We had a very busy and exciting week in our class. We finished our science unit, we began our new social studies units (Canada and it's Provinces and Territories & Canadian Government), the student's received a new book report, we learned about Vincent Van Gogh and in health, we read some detailed information about smoking and its detrimental effects on our bodies. To top if off, we watched some very interesting smoking commercials from the 1960's and had some good laughs!

Book Reports - I hope  you have seen your child's pink book report assignment sheet and spoken to them about the book they will be reading for this book report. They are all very excited to complete this and present their work to the class.

The grade 4's are asked to read a biography and complete a newspaper report given the specific criteria discussed in class. Here are a few that are being read: Leonardo da Vinci, Marco Polo, Abraham Lincoln, Laura Secord, Sam Watterson (the creator of the Calvin and Hobbes series), Steve Jobbs, Harriet Tubman and Pablo Picasso. I have asked the students to choose their biography by this Monday March 3rd.

The grade 5's are asked to read a fictional novel that they have not read before and complete 3 out of the 4 creative activities from their assignment sheet. They are very excited about this assignment as well. I would also like the grade 5's to choose their book by Monday March 3rd. Many of the grade 5 students have chosen their book and they have begun reading it in class.

I do not want the students working on this over the March Break. I'd like them to relax and enjoy the break from school. The due date for the book report and presentation is Monday March 24th, 2014. 

Hana's Suitcase Letters - The letters that the students wrote to the characters in the book, Hana's Suitcase, have been put together into a book. This book is being passed from family to family in alphabetical order. Your family will have an opportunity to read through the book and then comment on the letters. Please keep the book for 2 or 3 evenings and then return it with your child .I hope you enjoy reading the book and seeing the hard work and effort that the students' put into this assignment.

Canada Map Assignment - The grade 4's were introduced to Canada this week and given a map of Canada to label and colour. The were given specific criteria to use when doing this. I have gone over the criteria with them in class and I'd like them to work on this assignment in class only for now. I may ask them to take home their maps next week to complete the colouring aspect; however, for now they will be labelling the provinces, territories, provincial capitals, national capital and bodies of water in class. The will require a ruler and a very fine black marker for this map. I'd appreciate you purchasing your child both of these supplies if you do not have them. Thank you.

Government - The grade 5's had a brief introduction to Government this week. They read about the different types of government in countries around the world and answered some questions. If there are any parents or family member who would like to come in and be a guest speaker on anything referring to the government, that would be great. Please email me.

Reminders:

• Friday Reports are due this Monday March 3rd
• Friday March 6th is a PA Day
• March Break begins on Monday March 9th to Friday March 13th 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AND STAY WARM!