Independent Projects, Friday Folders, and Learning Skills

Independent Projects!!!

Throughout the year students will be provided with three times to do independent projects. The focus of these projects is to give students the opportunity to share a topic, or passion of theirs through a presentation (ie. art portfolio, biography on a sport hero, research on Free the Children, or a science experiment etc). It is very open ended in the sense that students choose what they want to do and how they want to present it.  The work is done at home, while at school throughout the month I will call meetings to check in on how students are doing, and help with any guidance. At the end of the month a period will be set-aside for students to share their projects with their classmates and other students in the school. This is a great opportunity for students to display initiative and share their love of learning. It is optional, however I find many students enjoy doing the project!

Learning Skills

Students have taken time these past few weeks to reflect on how they can show all 6 learning skills.

Responsibility

-I can follow classroom rules and show mutual respect to others

-I can use my agenda everyday

-I can return my homework and notes on time

-I can make good use of my time in class and finish my work on time

-I can use positive comments to show others I care

Collaboration

-I can speak politely to others

-I can share my ideas and listen attentively to the ideas of others

-I can use problem-solving strategies to resolve conflicts in a positive way

-I can participate fairly in groups by doing my share, sharing ideas and sharing resources

-I can include others and make them feel valuable and respected

I can speak politely to others

-I can share my ideas and listen attentively to the ideas of others

-I can use problem-solving strategies to resolve conflicts in a positive way

-I can participate fairly in groups by doing my share, sharing ideas and sharing resources

- can help others when they need help

Independent Work

-I can do my best work and check my work before handing it in

-I can follow instructions and listen attentively so that I know what to do

-I can find help when I get stuck

-I can focus on my work and let others focus on their work

-I can do my best work and check my work before handing it in

-I can follow instructions and listen attentively so that I know what to do

-I can find help when I get stuck

-I can focus on my work without being distracted

I can respect my peers by not distracting them from their work

 Organization

-I can keep my locker, desk, classroom and environment neat and clean

I- can bring agenda, notes, lunch, homework and supplies I need to school on time and everyday

-I can choose the best tools and steps to complete my work

-I can set priorities and use my time wisely to get my work done

-I can keep my desk and work books neat and tidy

-I can use the garbage and recycling correctly and I encourage others to do the same

-I can choose the best tools and steps to complete my work

-I can set priorities and use my time wisely to get my work done

Self Regulation

-I can use success criteria to help me reach my goals and improve my work

-I can choose activities that suit my learning style and that match my learning goals

-I can try my best before I ask for help

-I can try to solve problems using problem-solving strategies before asking the teacher for help

-I can keep trying to work on a task even when it is difficult

-I respect my learning space, my teacher and my peers

-I can use success criteria to help me reach my goals and improve my work

-I can choose activities that suit my learning style and that match my learning goals

-I can ask for help when I need it

-I can keep trying to work on a task even when it is difficult

Initiative

-I can try new things with a positive attitude

-I can find ways to improve my work and take risks by trying new things

-I can help myself, and others, to do their best

-I can encourage myself, and others, to make good choices and make a difference

-I can  think WE before ME

-I can use positive comments to show others I care

-I can use my time effectively and hand in my best work on time

-I can focus and stay on task without being distracted

-I can try my best and try new challenges

-I can listen  attentively to the teacher and my peers

-I can follow the 5 classroom rules

-I can use my agenda everyday

-I can return my homework and notes on time

-I can make good use of my time in class and finish my work on time

-I can use positive comments to show others I care

-I can try new things with a positive attitude

-I can find ways to improve my work and take risks by trying new things

-I can help myself, and others, to do their best

-I can encourage myself, and others, to make good choices

Friday Folders!!!

Starting today students will be coming home every Friday with a Friday Folder. These folders are a way to communicate with you on a weekly basis and an opportunity for your child to share some of the work they have done over the past few weeks.  The folders will be sent home on Friday’s and are to be returned the following Monday. There are two pockets in the folder. The first pocket is “Sign and return.” Please go over these items with your child, sign them and send them back in the folder, as these items will be filed into your child’s “Student Portfolio.” The other one “To keep at home” these items are ones that have been completed in class and can stay at home with your child.

Reflection Form: This form is a way for you to add a comment about your child’s work.  This could be something they did well, and/or a next step for your child.  Please fill this form out, every time you see them in your child’s Friday Folder and send it back in your child’s folder on the following Monday. 

Miss. Flett J

         Friday Folder Reflection Form    

Name: __________________________________

Date: ___________________________________

Parent Signature: ­__________________________

Comments: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

September has already come to an end!

Today is the last day of September and I cannot believe it! Last week students had their first field trip of the year to the Halton Water Festival and it was a huge success. The parents that were able to come along were a huge help and I know the students enjoyed having them there.

Math

Students should still be reviewing and practicing their addition and subtraction skills to improve their mental math abilities. We have also been focusing on whole numbers in Grade 4 up to 10, 000 and in Grade 5 up to 100,000. Students have been practicing ordering, comparing, rounding, and writing numbers in expanded form, and words. 

This week we are starting to take a look at time. Students have been reminded that I offer math help every Wednesday and Friday to practice or review any of the concepts we are learning in class.

Language

In Language we are continuing to stop and jot our thoughts while reading along with searching for new words to add to our vocabulary. Students are storing their new words in their expanded vocabulary list in their word work folders. Our focus has been comprehension and using different strategies to ensure we are understanding what we are reading. In writing we are continuing through the 6+ 1 writing traits. 

Reading Log Link

Link to Reading Log for Week of September 25 https://docs.google.com/a/hdsb.ca/forms/d/1vesxMhLkqg7xEw1SSmvJFcWltV9jsE0kDb5SYY4Wpcw/viewform

The Start of Week # 4

Wow time sure does fly! We have started to spend more time focusing on learning skills and how as a class we can set SMART goals to work on each month. Last week students created their first learning skills goal focusing on one of the learning skills (responsibility, organization, collaboration, independent work, self-regulation, and initiative).

Math

We have spent a week on addition and subtraction reviewing strategies to use and focus on solving word problems. Practicing mental math strategies for addition and subtraction are great to do at home. I found many students in Grade 4 and 5 needed the review.

Extra Math Help will be held every Wednesday and Friday at Nutrition Break for students who would like extra practice or help.

Great Math Practice

1. Create your own problem and go through the problem solving pencil to solve it!

2. Play addition around the world (add different amounts of groups).

Example start at 6 add 6 = 12, add 6 = 18

3. A free resource with lots of addition games all using a deck of cards

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-In-the-Cards-Math-Games-and-Activities-FREE-MATH-GAME-VERSION-492665

Language

Our reading Response books are set up and ready to go! Students will be stopping and jotting their thinking, writing me letters, recording new words in their expanded vocabulary list, practicing reading strategies, and reading aloud to work on fluency this year to enhance their reading skills.

In writing students did a great job decorating their writer’s notebooks. We will be working through the   6 + 1 writing traits (Voice, Ideas, Presentation, Conventions, Organization, Word Choice and Sentence Fluency) to enhance their writing skills.

What a Fantastic Start to the Year!

What a Fantastic Start to the Year!

5-1 and 4-1 FI have been working hard to create a class community! This past week students begun their first math unit Number Sense. Focusing on refreshing our addition, subtraction and problem solving skills. In Language we are setting up our Daily 5 program while focusing on reading strategies students can use to improve their reading skills (questioning, predicting etc.).

Updates

After talking to a few parents I realized we mentioned in our class note that went home the first day for students to be reading 20 min in English and 20 min in French every night. Right now to start off the year we are only expecting one or the other. If students finish their day in French (ie. period 4, 5, 6) they will read 20 min of French that night. If they finish their day in English they read 20 min of English that night.

Miss. Flett 

Week # 2

What a fantastic first week! We spent the week getting to know each other and worked collaboratively with other classes to learn about Irma Coulson and the qualities she possesses that make her a hero within our community. We also discussed the types of people that we want to be and the qualities that we have or would like to. Classroom expectations were created as a class and the frame work for the year as begun.

This coming week we are going to focus on discussing learning skills and what it looks like to display organization, responsibility, independent work, collaboration, initiative, and self-regulation. We will be starting our first math unit focusing on Number Sense and Numeration. We will be solving problems involving addition and subtraction of whole numbers using a variety of strategies.

In Language students have already filled out a survey to give me a picture of the types of genres and books that interest them. We will continue setting the foundation for our reading program.

Miss. Flett 

     Welcome to Grade 4-1, 5-1 FI!                     

            Welcome to Irma Coulson!  We are thrilled to be working with a great group of students in Grade 4-1, 5-1 French Immersion. This week will include taking care of administrative details; reading, writing and math exercises; the establishment of classroom procedures and etiquette; and a lot of “Get to know you” activities that will help build inclusive classroom environment.  We hope the following outline will familiarize you with the way we will assist your child(ren) to grow academically and socially this year.

Reading: Reading is extremely important, at home and at school. The more students read, the more they are exposed to new ideas, forms of writing and vocabulary all of which will help them to be better readers and writers. Students are expected to be reading every night 20 minutes in English and 20 minutes in French. Students will be recording their reading online (more details to follow) daily and submitting it on a weekly basis by the Thursday of every week. We will devote part of our Language periods each week working on a variety of different reading strategies that will help us with accuracy, comprehension, fluency, and expand on our vocabulary. It is important students read a variety of books and read about topics that interest them.

 Writing: Students will participate in directed lessons that focus on different forms of writing, and working through the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading/editing, and publishing).  

Math: The math curriculum is fun, but also challenging.  We will be working on a variety of math concepts through warm-up activities, mental math strategies, problem solving, journal writing, centres and group work. Students will be working not only on their comprehension skills, but also their communication skills.  Math is not just about memorization anymore, but rather problem solving, explaining their thinking, reasoning, and the application of strategies.

Physical Education: During their scheduled gym periods the students will participate in cooperative games, skill building, personal fitness, and a variety of other activities. Students must be prepared with gym clothes and proper running shoes on their gym days although keeping gym shoes at school is a great idea for our Quality Daily Fitness time.

Agendas/Communication: We will be using the school agendas as an organizational and communication tool between school and home (e.g., record homework and reminders). Please check and sign your child’s agenda every night so we know it has been read. We will use the agendas to send home notes throughout the year and we encourage you to use them to communicate with us as well. We will be updating our blog and website to keep you informed as much as possible.

Homework: While at school, the students are busy, and they are working very hard! Plus, a lot of students are involved in a variety of activities outside of school, which is important for their development. Most of the work in Grade 4, 5 will be completed in-class, in particular assignments and some projects, as it is important for us to see how they independently use and apply concepts/ideas/techniques/etc., learned in class.  There will be some homework assigned each week, such as reading and other homework will be assigned in accordance to the programming that is taking place in the classroom. It is very important that this work be completed on time in order for students to participate fully in the lessons that follow.

If you have any questions, or just want to chat, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for helping us get off to a great start! We are so pleased to be working with your child(ren) this school year and we look forward to meeting, or seeing, you soon!!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Flett and Francois Mayotte

English Blog http://jf05wh.blogspot.ca/

French Website www.chatt.hdsb.ca/~mayottef/

Email – flettj@hdsb.ca  mayottef@hdsb.ca

Please take the time to visit our websites along with the school website.  The attached website has the Junior  supply list as we are unsure of when we will receive our class materials. http://icp.hdsb.ca/Content/Menu/FOV1-001624B0/S14A92CEA?FormID=96&listview