Strategies for finding the missing number

Hello,

This morning, we continued to correct our work on algebraic expressions. We also discussed strategies to find the missing numbers in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division questions. It was great to talk about the various strategies people used to find their answers.

Next, we discussed our multiple choice responses for "the Discombobulator" and the short answer responses for "the Secret Cat." We discussed the key points needed for our summaries and our inferences regarding the author's intended message.

Tomorrow, we will have a small class, as many students will be attending "We Day". However, it should be a fun day, as I am planning to have some debates connected to topics that relate to texts we have read recently, and we will do some group problem solving for prizes! I'm looking forward to it, but I know everyone who is attending "We Day" will love it. It was a lot of fun last year!

As scheduled, we will have After School Basketball tomorrow.

Finally, don't forget to bring your money for the Easter basket raffle!

Easter Basket Raffle

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner  

The Secret Cat

Hello,

This morning, we continued to work on our questions for "The Secret Cat" story. The students answered three questions on a Google Doc, which required them to summarize, infer and make connections. If any students did not complete the three questions, they should be finished tonight for homework.

In Math, we continued to work on algebraic expressions, puzzles and problem solving. We corrected our work on variables and the students had some time to work on the puzzle questions. The first page of the problem solving questions is for homework tonight.

Finally, don't forget to bring in your money if you would like to buy tickets for the Easter basket raffle, which will be held this Thursday. Good luck!

Have a wonderful day.

Mr. Skinner

Books and equations

Hello,

This morning, the students exchanged their books in the Learning Commons.

Next, we continued to work on algebraic equations on the white boards. The students are really developing their skills.

Ask your child to show you at least two solutions for this problem.

5a - 3b = 9

Finally, we looked at the "Discombobulator" poem about roller coasters. The students were asked to read the selection and answer the multiple choice and short answer questions. If they were not completed in class, they should be finished for homework. The students are reminded to include specific examples from the text to illustrate their thinking in their responses.

I will be heading to the visitation this afternoon, to represent the class and to give the remaining cards to Isaiah, perhaps I will see some of you there.

Visitation and Service details

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

Beautiful cards

Hello,

This morning we discussed the sad news that I posted on the blog yesterday and then we made cards for Isaiah and his family. The students did a great job and created some caring and heartfelt cards, which included drawings, poems, scripture verses and inspirational messages.

Mrs. Campbell delivered the cards this morning and I am sure Isaiah was happy to receive them.

If your family is interested in attending the visitation and/or the service, the information can be found here.

In Math, we discussed equations and did some multi-step algebra questions on the white boards. Ask your child to solve the following problem:

a + 6 = 9
b - 2 = 5
abc = 105

What is the value of c?

Have a good evening.

Mr. Skinner

Some sad news

Hello,

This morning, we began the day by correcting our work on equations in Math.

Next, we went to the Learning Commons for our Hamburglar photo shoot. Go Sens Go!

Mr. Skinner's Hamburglars!

During second block, we finished our work on our March Break haikus, and our bitstrip comic for one of our selected haikus. If the students have not completed the haikus and the bitstrip, it should be completed tonight for homework.

Also, Jen, from the Hazeldean branch of the Ottawa Public library, visited our class to discuss some great new books that the students might be interested in reading. Each student should be coming home with a bookmark, which highlights Jen's recommended readings for this month.

Finally, some sad news. Isaiah's father was recently hospitalized, due to illness, and passed away over the March Break.

Anyone who wishes to attend the wake, or the funeral, can find the details provided in the link below.

Mr. Peart - Visitation and Service arrangements

Have a good night and keep the Peart family in your thoughts and prayers.

Mr. Skinner

We are all Hamburglars!

Hello,

It was great to see everyone today! I hope you all had a wonderful March Break.

Today, we started by sharing some of our March Break experiences with the students at our table groups, then we wrote five haikus related to our daily activities during the March Break. If the students did not complete the five haikus in class, they are for homework tonight.

In Math, we continued to work on order of operations and variables in algebraic expressions. The students worked on a double sided worksheet that needs to be completed before tomorrow's class. We also did some great problem solving on the whiteboards involving variables, and that led to each student getting their own Hamburglar mask, in honour of the Sens goalie, Andrew Hammond, as a prize!

The students are reminded to bring their masks to class tomorrow and to wear Sens gear, and/or red, black and white, for a class photo to show our Sens spirit, and to thank TSN 1200 and St. Louis Wings Bar and Grill for providing us with the masks.

Have a great evening! Go Sens Go!

Mr. Skinner

BEDMAS

Hello, 

Yesterday, we worked on an exit activity for our Measurement unit. The students used graph paper and google docs to solve questions involving metric conversion, area, surface area, volume and perimeter.

Today, I finished the math conferences with the students, while they completed their Haikus, which predicted what they will do on the March Break.

Lastly, we had a great Math block, exploring order of operations (BEDMAS) and algebraic expressions on the white boards. It was a lot of fun and it was wonderful to see the understanding of the group grow throughout the lesson.

Students are encouraged to show their parents what we worked on today by solving these problems:

6 x 3 + 9 x 2 =                       (8 - 2) x 4 =                          8 - 2 x 4 =

Also, students should also be bringing home a note about the Transition Day at Holy Trinity on April 8th. It's a very fun and interesting day because the students get to experience what they will be doing on a typical day at Holy Trinity next year.

Don't forget to write down an event from each day during the March Break, so we can write new Haikus when we get back to school.

Have a great March Break!

Mr. Skinner

Holy Trinity Parent Info Night

Hello,

This morning I wrapped up the majority of the Math conferences. All students who have completed their conferences will be bringing their test home to be signed. Most students were able to display a high level of understanding during the conferences, but they are reminded to read all instructions and explain their thinking when completing a test.

We finished correcting the EQAO sample problems as a group and had some interesting discussions about our solutions. Then we did some work on the white boards to display our understanding of area, perimeter and metric unit conversion. Tomorrow, we will be doing a wrap-up activity for the unit, where the students will show me what they know and if there are any areas I need to revisit, by completing a unit exit card for the major concepts of the unit.

In Language, we continued to work, on the chromebooks, on our March Break Haikus (one for each day) and making a bitstrip for their favourite poems.

Finally, a parent info night is happening next month at Holy Trinity about the transition to Grade 7. Follow the link below for more information.

Holy Trinity Parent Information Night

Have a good evening.

Mr. Skinner

Conferences, Haikus and Measurement Multiple Choice

Hello,

This morning I was conferencing with students about their understanding of our Geometry unit. The students I talked to today showed strong understanding and improved their marks. We discussed the importance of clearly explaining all of our thinking on our evaluation tasks.

While I was conferencing with students, the other students in the class were peer editing their ski trip comparative writing task and making changes to improve their work and prepare for their good copies.

They also began to work on a series of March Break Haikus. The students are making plans, describing what they think they might be doing from Monday to Friday and writing a Haiku for each day on a Google Doc. (They can include the weekends too, if they want an extra challenge).

In Math, the students worked on a selection of Measurement Multiple choice questions, which feature selections from past EQAO evaluations. The students were given the block to discuss and complete the questions. If the package was not completed in class, it is to be finished for homework. If you get an answer that is not included on the multiple choice answers, write down your response and we will discuss it tomorrow.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

The Hamburglar and Haikus

Hello,

Thanks to everyone who participated in Hats for Hope today. Also, thank you to all the students who brought in their French Pathway forms on time. I am still waiting on five forms, if those students could bring the forms in on Monday, that would be fantastic.

In Math, we had some great group discussions about area and perimeter in our table groups, as we corrected our work. We also worked with partners to begin to explore volume and surface area, using this problem about my new favourite goalie. The students worked very hard and did a wonderful job of explaining their thinking.

Hamburglar Volume and Surface Area problem

Finally, in Language, we worked on Haikus. The students came up with some energetic and entertaining pieces about summer ice cream cones, thunderstorms, sports teams and even chicken legs, following the 5 syllable, 7 syllable, 5 syllable format. Ask your child to share their poem with you this weekend, it might make you laugh.

Have a good weekend.

Mr. Skinner

Hats for Hope and Pathway Forms

Hello,

First, a reminder to all students to bring money to donate for Hats for Hope tomorrow. As well, all students need to return their French Pathways form by Friday.

This morning, we spent a lot of time working in the Learning Commons. First, we exchanged our library books, then we finished up our work on our bitstrip comics.

Next, we finished up our work on the area and perimeter packages. Finally, if students had finished both of those assigned tasks, they worked on the Measurement activities from Mathletics, or followed other measurement Links (bottom of the page) that Ms. Izsak and I worked with last year. The online activities are great practice, to help ensure the tasks are mastered.

For homework, the students need to have the six-page Measurement package on Area and Perimeter completed, as well as the myth bitstrip. If these are completed, the students can follow the links for some fun extra practice options.

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Back to the Blog

Hello,

I'm very sorry about my lack of posting over the last few days. Stella has been quite sick with strep throat and it has thrown off my regular routine.

First, some housekeeping items. Please make sure to return the French Pathway forms by Friday. A few students said that they could not find their sheets, so we printed off new ones for them today. Also, if you can return the report card envelopes, so that I can reuse them in June, it would be much appreciated.

Don't forget that our next Lenten fundraiser, Hats for Hope, is taking place this Friday as well. Bring in $1.00 or $2.00 and you can wear a hat throughout the day.

In class, we are continuing to work on our ski trip comparative writing pieces, our new endings to the Athena and Arachne myth, and our bitstrip comics to accompany our new ending. We have worked on these tasks for a block today and a block yesterday. If your bitstrip is not complete, it should be finished for homework tonight.

In Math, we continued to work on Perimeter and Area. Today we looked at some more Area problems in our table groups. Tonight's homework is p. 287, Comparing Area and Perimeter. Everyone should have this page completed for tomorrow. Some students have finished all six pages in the package and have started to look at surface area. If you have time tonight, you are welcome to move beyond p. 287 in your package.

Have a great evening.

Mr. Skinner