June 15-19, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember
Writing: Narrative – publishing short stories
Math: Measurement – revisiting area & perimeter (from Term 1), Geometry integrated with Visual Arts
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Trading Relationships, starting of New France
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – physical & chemical changes
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): TBA
Visual Art: 3D Solid Sculptures
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): TBA

June 1-4, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember (Ch. 13-16)
Writing: Narrative – The Mysteries of Harris Burdick
Math: Measurement – displacement, mass, word problems, quiz/test on Wed.
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Influence & Consequences, Examining Points of View
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – physical & chemical changes
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Haiku & Composing Music
Visual Art: Escher Style Tessellations
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): TBA

May 25-29, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember (Ch. 8-14)
Writing: Narratives – planning using graphic organizer, describing setting & characters, using similes & metaphors
Math: Measurement – volume, capacity & displacement
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Motivations for Exploration, First Contact between First Nations and European Explorers
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – properties of liquids experiments
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Haiku & Composing Music
Visual Art: Escher Style Tessellations
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Basketball

May 19-22, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember (Ch. 4-7), reading strategy: visualization, metaphors & similes
Writing: Narrative – elements of s story, developing conflict, graphic organizers
Math: Probability – relating fractions & probability, unit review, test on Friday
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – European Explorer project presentations, motivations for exploration, first contact between First Nations & European Explorers
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – properties of liquids experiments
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Haiku & Composing Music
Visual Art: Escher Style Tessellations
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Basketball

Google Docs

Each TDSB student has a Google account, and we have been using Google Docs to publish our writing.  To access Google Docs, students can log on (using their student number and TDSB password) at:

http://aw.tdsb.on.ca

Once there, students can click on the Google Apps button and start a new Google Document to type up their Persuasive Letters.  We will consolidate all the letters into 1 document at school later this week.

May 11-15, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember (Ch. 1-5)
Writing: Narrative – launch & pre-assessment
Math: Probability – language & vocabulary, listing all possible outcomes; quiz Friday
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Glog Presentations
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – properties of liquids experiments
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Haiku & Composing Music
Visual Art: Escher Style Tessellations
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Basketball

May 4-8, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – The City of Ember
Writing: Persuasive Letters – publishing; Narratives (stories)
Math: Fractions – relating decimals & fractions, relating division & fractions, unit review & test
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France –Stage 4: finishing Glogs
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – Atoms & Molecules, experiments; Energy Festival Field Trip
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): TBA
Visual Art: Portraits – Final Pieces; Escher Style Tessellations
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Track & Field

Math - Fraction Homework

Here is the problem for tonight's homework:

Extension/Challenge:  

We started our Fractions unit this week, and will be investigating fractions of an area (e.g., half of a pie), a set (2/3 of 75 people) and a line (3/4 way to Buffalo 200km away).  Topics of study will include equivalent and mixed fractions, comparing and ordering fractions, relating fractions to division and decimals, and solving problems related to fractions.

This unit tends to be a challenging one for many Grade 5 students.  Most students are comfortable with the concepts related to fractions of an area (e.g., relating to pizzas, pies, circles, etc.) but have a lot of difficulties with fractions of sets.  

Here are some suggestions to help students with fractions at home:
- learn/practice multiplication & division facts!  
- real life fraction (provide opportunities for students to observe fractions in their everyday life - recipes, fractions of a toy set, 1/2 the distance to school)
- hands on practice (e.g., give students 40 coins or lego and have them find 3/4 of them by physically separating them into 4 equal groups and counting how many are in 3 of those 4 groups).

As always, I will be offering Tuesday after-school help sessions for students who need the extra assistance.

April 20-24, 2015

Reading: Voices in the Park – identifying missing voices, imagining their point of view
Writing: Persuasive Letters – Inquiry into a current issue/concern; Planning & Searching
Math: Fractions – Launch, equivalent fractions, fraction of a set
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – First Nations Inquiry Stage 3: Thinking & Processing information (Information Mapping); Stage 4: drafting Glogs
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Changes in Matter – Stages of Matter
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Animals & Adjectives
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Tafelmusik
Visual Art: Portraits – Final Pieces
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Track & Field

March 30-April 2, 2015

Reading: Points of View & Perspectives
Writing: Persuasive Writing – Revising & Editing
Math: Patterning – Tables of Value, generating patterning rules & formula
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Stage 2: Searching for Information (using jot notes, different sources of information)
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Forces acting on Structures – natural phenomenon
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Reading Comprehension
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Composing Music
Visual Art: Portraits – Lichtenstein
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Racquet Sports

March 23-27, 2015

Reading: Points of View & Perspectives of different characters
Writing: Persuasive Writing – Drafting (using complex sentences, making strong arguments, organizing ideas)
Math: Multiplication & Division – unit test this week; Pattering – Launch, Describing Patterning Rules
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – Inquiry Process Stages, Exploration of topics (brainstorming questions and subtopics), Searching for Information (using jot notes)
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Fashion Show Presentations
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Scales
Visual Art: Portraits – Lichtenstein
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): TBA

Prodigy - Extra Math Practice Game (March Break)

We recently signed up to use an exciting new educational game called Prodigy. The game is a fun way for your child to practice their math skills at home! Your child should have their login and passwords in their planners. Over the March Break, they can log in at home and continue working on their math skills.

Prodigy provides you rich, real-time reports on what your child is learning. You can track what math skill they've mastered, and where they may need help.

To access reports:
1. Click on the blue 'Parent / Teacher Login' button in the top right of www.ProdigyGame.com to access your parent account
2. Click on the 'Reports' tab on the top

Please note that there is an option for parents to “upgrade” the accounts. Please do not feel obligated to do so, as both “members” and “non-members” have access to the same education content. Upgraded accounts have access to new pets, items and other game play options. If you child is very interested and motivated by the game, this may be an option for your family. However, please do not feel that you have to make any in-game purchases. This resource was marketed to teachers as a “free learning tool”, and I don’t want any families to feel they are pressured to purchase the in-game upgrades.

I hope you and your family with have a fun and safe March Break!  School resumes on Monday, March 23!  

March 9-16, 2015

Reading: Historic Fiction – making inferences, using context clue to infer vocabulary meaning, quiz this week
Writing: Persuasive Writing – making strong arguments (appealing to logic, emotions, etc.), word choices, voice/tone; start inquiry for Persuasive letters
Math: Multiplication & Division – problem Solving, unit review, test this week
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Forces acting on structures - Bridges
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – inquiry process, Stage 1 - Exploring the First Nations prior to European Contact
French (Ms. Bordonaro): TBA
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Scales & notes
Visual Art: Portraits – Modigliani
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): TBA

Reading Marathon Follow-up Activity

As part of our Reading Marathon, students practiced using their reading strategies.  The follow-up activity is due on Monday.  Here is a reminder of the tasks required for each strategy/block:

Character Analysis - draw a picture of the main character from your book - identify 4 character traits that describes him/her - support each character trait with evidence from the book	Prediction - make predictions (at least 2) about what will happen next in the book	Visualization - good readers create mental pictures/videos of what they read - choose a scene from the book and draw your mental picture
Questions - ask 3 “juicy” questions from the book - remember “juicy” questions are ones that require more thinking and inferring (e.g., not ones where the answers that are “right there” in the book)	Connection - make 2 different connections (TTS, TTT, TTW) - remember to explain your connection using evidence from the text	Summary - once you have finished your book, write a summary of the book - remember to include the main idea and important details

Art - Face Proportions

In Art, we are drawing self-portraits.  Here are 2 images that may help you with the proportions (where your facial features are located):

Division Facts

In Math, we have moved onto the division portion of our unit. Yesterday, we looked at the relationship between multiplication and division, and how we can use our multiplication facts to help us recall division facts.

Here are some online games to practice division facts:
http://www.fun4thebrain.com/division.html

In Grade 5, students are expected to divide 3 digit numbers by 1 digit. Over the next several classes, we will be looking at a number of strategies (e.g., repeated subtraction, equal grouping, arrays/chunking, traditional algorithm) to solve division questions. Being able to recall division facts quickly will help students use these strategies to solve more complicated division problems.

February 23-27, 2015

Reading: Historic Fiction – unit launch, read alouds & shared reading
Writing: Persuasive Writing – Drafting (turning plans into paragraphs)
Math: Multiplication & Division – Division Strategies (facts, repeated subtraction, arrays/chunking)
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy
Social Studies: First Nations & European Explorers in early Canada & New France – historical (timelines) and geographical context (atlas scavenger hunt)
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Reading Comics
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): TBA
Visual Art: Portraits – van Gogh, oil pastels
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Dodgeball

Multiplication Facts Review Games

Here is the link again for the multiplication facts review games:

http://www.multiplication.com/games/all-games

Knowing your multiplication facts will help you with multiplying larger numbers and division.

Have a wonderful Family Day with your loved ones!

Reading - Marking Choices Articles

Here are the articles you may need to complete your homework:

February 9-12, 2015

Reading: Non-Fiction (Making Choices): Identifying the Main Idea & Supporting Details, Cause & Effect Text Patterns, Guided Reading
Writing: Persuasive Writing – Drafting (turning plans into paragraphs)
Math: Multiplication & Division – Multiplication strategies (e.g., place value, arrays, traditional algorithm)
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship – Current Issues, Stakeholders’ points of views, Action Plans
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Reading Comics
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Dance
Visual Art: N/A
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Gymnastic

February 2-6, 2015

Reading: Non-Fiction (Making Choices): Identifying the Main Idea & Supporting Details
Writing: Persuasive Writing – Brainstorming and Organizing Ideas (using Graphic Organizers)
Math: Multiplication & Division – Launch, Review Facts, Different Strategies
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy – building wind turbines
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship – Becoming a Canadian Citizen, Quiz this week
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Reading Comics
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): Time Signature
Visual Art: Paper Texture Fish, Positive & Negative Space
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Gymnastic

Kidblog Alternate

Here is the link for the Google Document:

http://goo.gl/6P25yO

We will try to transfer the writing back to Kidblog once their "Technical Difficulties" have been resolved (fixed).

January 19-22, 2015

Reading: Novel Culminating Task (Main Idea Belts) – Search for Delicious & Stone Fox
Writing: Procedural Writing – publishing (Kidblog)
Math: Geometry – constructing angles & sorting triangles
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy – building wind turbines
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship – Rights & Responsibilities of Canadian Citizens
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Reading Comics
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): musical notation (scale, staff)
Visual Art: Paper Texture Fish
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Volleyball

Colours!

In Art, we are learning to expressed ideas through colours and textures.  Here are some suggestions, but feel free to disagree and pick your own!  Remember you need to explain your choices.

January 12-16, 2015

Reading: Novel Study – Search for Delicious, Stone Fox
Writing: Procedural Writing – drafting, editing & revising
Math: Geometry – polygons (identifying & sorting), angles (identifying & measuring)
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy – designing & building wind turbines
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship – Bitstrips (assessment piece)
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Monster project presentations
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): musical notation (scale, staff)
Visual Art: Expressing Feelings & Thoughts through Art (i.e., colours, textures, shapes)
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Volleyball

Paper Texture Art Examples

January 5-9, 2015

Reading: Literature Circles – Search for Delicious, Stone Fox
Writing: Procedural Writing – Launch, Form, Structure & Detailed Instruction
Math: Measurement – Perimeter & Area of Rectangles, unit review, test this week
Science (Ms. Halliwell): Energy
Social Studies: Government & Citizenship – Bitstrips (assessment piece)
French (Ms. Bordonaro): Adjectives & Avoir (to have), “Monster” assisgnment due
Music/Drama/Dance (Mr. Kotyk): notation
Visual Art: Creating texture with paper
Phys. Ed (Mr. Mouratidis): Health - personal safety & wellness, test this week; Volleyball