Lockdown Practice

Hello,

This morning we used the Chromebooks to work on our fictional interviews with a character from our Literature Circle novels. Each student is writing a one to two page script, where they are the host of their own television show and they are interviewing a character of their choice from their novel. The first draft of the interview needs to be completed by Monday.

Next week, we will get together in our groups to give feedback about the questions and to start filming theatrical presentations of the interviews.

We also looked at the Language packages the students completed earlier this week. We looked at exemplars for the short answer questions about Gordon Lightfoot, and self-evaluated the quality of our own responses. We looked at how we could improve our work by providing more detailed examples. We also looked at levelled exemplars for the Book Sale announcements they wrote, and self-evaluated this work as well. We discussed the importance of including all relevant details and using techniques to get the attention of the audience and convince them to attend.

We were also scheduled to spend some time exploring parallel lines, but we had a practice lockdown, which caused us to adjust our plans. We will correct this work on Monday. The students should continue to work on the "Properties of Shapes" sheets, which were handed out earlier this week.

I was very impressed with the class during the lockdown practice. Everyone took the exercise very seriously.

A reminder to complete the Literature Circle Week 3 jobs by Tuesday. Also, don't forget to bring in After School Basketball permission forms and the ski trip forms.

If you're watching the Superbowl, pick an advertisement that was your favourite, and be ready to discuss what made it effective, in the class.

Have a good weekend!

Mr. Skinner

Parallel Lines

Hello,

Today, the students received permission forms for the after school basketball program and the ski trip.

The basketball program will begin next Wednesday, so all students who are planning to participate need to return their signed forms before then.

The ski trip forms and cheques need to be returned by Monday, February 9, 2015. The ski trip is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2015, and it will be here before we know it!

Yesterday, the students worked very hard, while I was coaching the boys floorball team. They read a biography and answered multiple choice questions, as well as short answer questions. They also started to write an announcement that advertised a book sale at the school. We continued to work on this task and improve our writing today.

In Math, we corrected our work on triangles and started to look at parallel lines. The students need to have the double sided sheet with parallel lines and properties of polygons finished for homework tonight.

Finally, two students showed some interest in registering for the Masc Young Authors and Illustrators Conference in April. Katie and Eden, don't forget to register tonight if you're still interested! The deadline is tomorrow.

Masc Conference Registration

Have a good evening.

Mr. Skinner

Literature Circles and Triangles

Hello,

This morning we completed our second Literature Circle sharing sessions. Now, the students will start to work on their jobs for next week. The students are reminded to include examples and to explain their thinking, when answering the assigned questions.

If anyone misplaces their sheets, please access the job sheets that I shared with the students on their Google Drive.

In Math, most students finished the Naming Angles activity. Tonight, the students need to complete the Classifying Triangles activity, which looks at angle size and side length. Both sheets will be corrected tomorrow.

Finally, we have a confirmed date for the Pakenham ski trip - Tuesday, February 24, 2015. The forms for the trip will be sent home later this week. It should be a lot of fun!

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Group Feedback

Hello,

This morning, each Literature Circle group received feedback from me, regarding how they could improve for this week's presentations. Most of the feedback involved giving more details and examples. Basically, we need to explain our thinking more thoroughly and clearly.

Everyone needs to make sure they have their assigned jobs completed for this week, as we will be presenting our Week two Literature Circle tomorrow.

In Math, the students need to have the "Naming Angles" sheet completed.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

Using Protractors

Hello,

This morning, we took out new library books in the Learning Commons. Then, we corrected our introduction to angles and sides and vertices in Math.

Next, we used protractors to measure and create acute, obtuse and right angles. We also explored the properties of a triangle. The students were working on two double-sided sheets, both should be completed for tomorrow.

In Language, we finished the job we selected for the "Mona Lisa Caper" and shared our work with a partner, in preparation for next week's literature circle.

I will be giving the students some time to prepare for next week's literature circle, tomorrow in class, so all students should bring their novel and their job description sheet to school in the morning.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Sharing in our Groups and Looking at Angles

Hello,

This morning, we shared in our Literature Circles for the first time. Most of the students did very well and it was a good learning experience for everyone. We talked about how we could improve our work and the importance of time management, to ensure that we have our work completed, and we aren't letting down the other members of our group.

The students should now be reading their assigned pages for week two and completing their new jobs for next Tuesday. Today, three students did not have their work finished and two students were absent. Hopefully, we can have perfect attendance and task completion for our second literature circle, which we will present on January 27th.

In Math, the students are examining acute and obtuse angles and they are starting to construct angles. The double sided sheet that I handed out yesterday (sides and vertices, and acute and obtuse angles) is for homework tonight. I also gave out two other sheets dealing with angles, so the students are welcome to work ahead.

Two more days to bring in your pizza order forms.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

Literature Circle Time!

Hello,

This morning we read a short story and each student practised the job they would be doing for tomorrow's literature circle. All students need to make sure they have read their assigned chapters and completed their assigned tasks, so they can share at the appropriate time. They can complete their answers on the front and back of the job description sheet I provided, or they can write it on the computer and print out their responses at home. All students need to explain their thinking and include examples and page numbers in their responses.

In Math, most students finished their graphing display boards. If you have not finished your answer sheet, please complete it tonight and we will put the finishing touches on your display in the morning.

Finally, we started to work on angles. The students need to complete both sides of the sheet that explores sides, vertices and acute and obtuse angles.

Please remember to bring in your order forms, if you want pizza for the second half of the year.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Enjoy the PD Day!

Hello,

First, a reminder that tomorrow is a PD Day, so there is no school tomorrow.

Today, we went over the expected duties for each Literature Circle job, so the students will be prepared for our first group literature circle on Tuesday.

Then, we continued to work on our Graphing poster boards. Most groups have mostly completed their tally chart and three graphs. However, there is still work that needs to be done on the answer sheet that I shared with each students.

The students will get some time to put the finishing touches on their display board on Monday, but it would be very beneficial if the collaborated with their partner on their shared Google Doc, to complete the answer sheet this weekend.

Thanks.

Have a great long weekend.

Mr. Skinner

Hard at work on our Graphs

Hello,

Today we spent the entire morning working on our Graphing projects. The students found some great sites that they could use to display their data in interesting ways.

We had some printing issues, but in the end, I was able to print all of the graphs that were shared with me (including Eden's group, I finally was able to print it after school, using another format).

If anyone wants to print in colour, they are welcome to print their graphs at home. I will continue to print the final graphs tomorrow morning in black and white and the students can colour their graphs.

In the morning, the students will finish their tally charts, their three graphs and their response sheet. Then they will place all of their work on the display boards.

In Language, I will reveal the winners of the debate (thanks for your patience) and I will give each student a hard copy of their job sheets for the literature circles. We will also go over the expectations for each job to ensure there is no confusion.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

Surveys and Debates

Hello,

This morning, the students filled out a survey for a Grade 7 student at Holy Trinity, about their upcoming transition to that school.

Then, we had a spirited debate about Dream Box and Mathletics. Both sides made some great points and I will be making my final decision about the winners of the debate tomorrow.

Next. we finished our job schedules for the four-week cycle of the literature circles. Each student should know how much they need to read, and which job they are responsible for completing, each week.

Tomorrow, we will focus on our surveys and graphs for our end of unit task. Please make every effort to be at school on time, as each pair will have the entire first block to work on this task.

Also, don't forget to bring in your forms if you want to order pizza from February to June.

Thanks.

Have a good evening.

Mr. Skinner

Literature Circle Jobs and Data Management Task

Hello,

This morning we began to work on our culminating task for our Data Management graphing unit. The students will be working in pairs on this task, in class, this week. They are welcome to collaborate at home as well, by using Google Docs.

Data Management - Survey and Graphing Task

I shared the outline with each student today as a Google Doc.

We also continued to prepare for our Dreambox vs. Mathletics debate, which will be held tomorrow. I hope everyone has their best points ready.

In Language, I reviewed the requests the students made over the weekend and placed them in their preferred Literature Circle Groups. We have six different groups who will be reading four different books over the next month. Each student should be bringing their book home nightly, reading and working on their weekly job.

Each group decided on how much they will read each week over the month and who will complete the five jobs - discussion director, word wizard, connector, literary luminary and illustrator. I have also shared a google doc with the students, which explains the duties for each of the jobs.

Literature Circle Jobs

Have a great night. Enjoy your reading!

Mr. Skinner

Debate Prep and Pictographs

Hello,

This morning the students continued to prepare for their Math debate - Dreambox vs. Mathletics - which will be held next Tuesday. They also began to work on pictographs. I shared a question on a google slide about the musical tastes of the students at an imaginary school and they were asked to work in pairs and produce an accurate pictograph to represent the data. We will complete this task tomorrow and create questions that will challenge another group in the class.

In Laguage, we continued to present our recounts and give feedback on the work. We also went to the Learning Commons and signed out new books.

Students are welcome to continue preparing for the debate by researching and playing the two games at home. As well, I will be asking the students about their favourite genres of books to read, so if each student could brainstorm 3 to 4 of their favourite books, that would be very helpful.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

A Special Guest

Hello,

First, I wanted to thank the Grade 6 students for setting a good example on the two delayed buses yesterday. I waited with both the blue bus and the brown bus yesterday afternoon and I was impressed by the patience and understanding shown by all of the students, but especially the Grade 6 students, who set the tone for all of the younger boys and girls.

Today, we worked with our debate groups to research and discuss our ideas about Mathletics vs. Dreambox. The students should continue to work on this task by sharing ideas on their group's padlet wall.

Mathletics Padlet Wall

Dreambox Padlet Wall

We also continued to share our letters to Team Canada and our Christmas holiday recounts. It sounds like the kids had some incredible experiences over their holidays. As they have been sharing, I have been giving them feedback about what they did really well and suggestions for how they could improve their writing.

Finally, we had a very special guest from the Ottawa Public Library, who highlighted a variety of books that Grade 6 students might enjoy and she showed some book trailers, which sparked a discussion about effective advertising. She also encouraged the students to visit our local library in Glen Cairn and discussed the steps for getting a library card. Hopefully, this talk will get the students excited about exploring some interesting new books.

Have a good evening.

Mr. Skinner

Sharing about our Holidays

Hello,

This morning the students began to share their recounts about their Christmas holidays with the class. If any student has not finished their recount, they must complete it tonight, so it is ready to be presented.

Some students also shared their good luck letters for Team Canada. I was able to share the three letters with a contact from Hockey Canada and they were forwarded to the players on the team. The letters must have given the players the boost they needed, as they were able to win the Gold medal!

We also finished up our Scatterplot graphs, put up our Kiva poster boards in the hallway, and began to research for our online Math program debate. So far, more students have chosen Mathletics than DreamBox, but if anyone changes their mind, just let me know. The students are encouraged to continue brainstorming ideas for the upcoming debate.

Finally, we had a good discussion about digital citizenship and emphasized how we must all treat each other with respect online. We also discussed how the students should talk to their parents and their teachers if they ever see any discussions or activities online that they are not comfortable with. Hopefully, this will help keep the lines of communication open when students are online.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Happy New Year!

Hello,

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and that you enjoyed our videos posted on the blog on Christmas Day!

Thanks so much for the kind words and the amazing gifts. None of which were necessary because the true gift is getting to teach your children each day. It might sound a little cheesy, but it's totally true.

Now that we're back at school, the work has started. The students continued to work on their Scatterplot graphs in groups and we will prepare for our Math debate by researching and discussing our online Math activities tomorrow.

In Language, the students had a choice of writing about their Christmas holidays or writing a good luck letter to the members of the Canadian World Junior hockey team. The Canada letters that were completed were sent to the team this afternoon. Anyone who is not finished their recount or letter needs to complete them tonight, as we will be presenting them to the class tomorrow.

Have a great day. Go Canada Go!

Mr. Skinner