Walking Sticks, Common Denominators and Showing our Skills!

Hello,

This morning we explored common denominators for comparing fractions. We had some great class discussions. It was interesting to hear the strategies students used to solve problems at their table groups.

For example, if all students in a class cheer for either the Senators, Leafs, Canadiens or Oilers, and 3/5 cheer for Ottawa, 1/10 cheer for Toronto, and 4/15 cheer for Montreal, how many students in the class cheer for Edmonton?

Clearly, this is a smart class, as the majority of students cheer for the Senators. Feel free to ask your child to explain this question to you and solve it tonight at dinner.

We also worked on some multiple choice questions related to the last three units we have completed. I was impressed by the strategies the students used, their ability to explain and eliminate incorrect options, and how easily they could recall the important information needed to solve these problems.

In Language, we exchanged our books in the learning commons and continued to work on our responses for the "Walking Sticks" text. We will be discussing and evaluating the multiple choice and short answer responses tomorrow, so if they are not already finished, the questions should be completed for homework.

Finally, the students need to brainstorm their ideas for possible volunteer activities at the school. We will be working on completing our paragraphs on this topic tomorrow morning.

Have a wonderful evening.

Mr. Skinner

Travel Expo and Fractions

Hello,

Over the last few days, we have finished and presented our travel brochures and slide shows for our travel expo. I feel like I know so much more about Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Niagara Falls, Jasper, Calgary, and even Ottawa, that I will have to try and visit a few of these cities this summer!

In Language, we have started to read about the insects known as Walking Sticks and complete a paragraph about possible volunteer work we could do to help make a difference in our city.

I was also excited to share some of the resources I enjoyed at our technology workshop on Monday. This morning, the students explored Thinglink Education an amazing multimedia display board, which allows students to present information with links, on an interactive board. I also introduced the students to overdrive - an Ottawa Public Library program that allows students to borrow, and even listen to, a variety of e-books.

In Math, we continue to work on fractions, reducing fractions, finding common denominators and ordering fractions and decimals. Tonight's homework is to complete the word problems sheet. Each student should pick their favourite problem, so that we can all become experts and present and explain our favourite problems to groups of students within the class tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Mr. Skinner

Have a Great Weekend!

Hello,

I'm taking a quick break from our very interesting workshops this morning. I am learning some cool, new things, which I can incorporate into my Math and Language lessons.

For those of you who are finishing up your brochures this weekend, I have some good news for you! All groups will have one more day to get ready, as I will be attending a technology workshop at the Board Office on Monday. We will now have our travel expo on Tuesday.

Mr. Ullrich came to after school basketball on Wednesday and took some amazing footage! He told me that he would love to get more photos and videos from the students. If you're looking for something to do today, send your photos and videos to the address listed in the previous post. You could also spend some time on Mathletics, exploring fractions, percentages, decimal numbers, rate and ratio. If you've lost your log-in and/or password, send me a request via Google Docs.

Have a wonderful weekend! Go Sens Go!

Mr. Skinner

Slideshow Reminder

Grade Six slideshow needs your old photos/video!

Can you believe there are only about 10 weeks until the Grade Six class graduates?  Please help us make you laugh & cry at the Leaving Ceremony’s slideshow.

Most of the slideshow is from this school year, where we already have lots of photos, but we look to the parents for your ‘throwback’ shots.  Please dig through your old files or shoeboxes for any photos/video that would entertain the class/teachers/parents, particularly if it is:

1)     Old:  mainly from around 2007-2011, which is JK to Grade 2, for a real throwback

2)     Funny:  cute is good, but something universally funny is even better

3)     Little-seen:  it has more impact if the image has never/rarely been seen by the child – or maybe by the parent!  So in addition to shots of your own kids, see if you have something of your kids’ friends

4)     School-related:  from events at school, field trips, or getting dressed up at home for something like crazy hair day.  We don’t need much from Christmas concerts except for from JK/SK.  If your child only moved to Holy Redeemer recently, that’s ok, a shot from another school works too.

The throwback section of the slideshow is only about 2 minutes long, so with 45 students we can’t put in many shots of any given one.  So try to narrow it down to your one funniest photo or few best video scenes.  Apologies in advance that we won’t be able to fit in everything that’s submitted, but it’s good to have lots to choose from.  More details:

·           Video and photos:  video is great if you have it, even if it’s just a 5-second scene

·           Resolution:  please don’t shrink the file to submit it; send the full-resolution photo (ideally at least 1000 pixels high) or full-sized video (at least 480p)

·           Close-ups:  a wide shot of the class on stage is good, but a closeup of one child laughing or hugging a friend is better

·           Email files as an attachment, up to about 20MB per email to:  redeemerslideshow@bell.net  Please mention in the text who’s in the photo/video.

·           For larger files:  if you have an account onDropbox (free up to 2GB) or other service, email us the link to the file, or justsend in a USB stick to Mr. Skinner

Please submit what you can by Friday April 24.  Anything submitted will ONLY be used for this one slideshow.

Calculating Percentage

Hello,

This morning, the students put the finishing touches on their travel brochures and slide shows. We were missing six students today, due to the basketball tournament and illnesses, so we decided to do our presentations and travel expo on Monday.

In Math, we worked on equivalent fractions, lowest terms, and ordering fractions, decimals and percentages, from least to greatest.

Next, we did some problem solving, finding free throw percentages for two basketball players, by converting from fractions. Then we discovered if a local business had earned enough money to buy a lantern, using our knowledge of percentages. It was interesting to see the variety of strategies the students used to solve the problems.

Don't forget, it's a PD Day tomorrow.

Enjoy the game Friday night! Go Sens Go!

Have a great weekend!

Mr. Skinner

Happy Earth Day!

Hello,

This morning Mme. Helbecque hosted a school assembly to celebrate Earth Day. We heard some very interesting facts from students in the Earth Care Club and watched an interesting slide show.

Next, we continued to compare Mixed numbers and improper fractions, then we worked on the white boards to explore equivalent fractions and the relationship between fractions, decimal numbers and percentages. For example, 5% = 0.005 = 5/100 (or 1/20).

Finally, the students worked on their travel brochures. All groups are expected to have their information collected and sorted by 9:00 AM Thursday, so we can have our travel expo during second block.

Have a great night and enjoy the game! Go Sens Go!

Mr. Skinner

Fraction Relationships

Hello,

This morning we explored the relationship between mixed fractions and improper fractions (5 and 1/2 vs 11/2) through discussions and correction of previous activities. I also handed back the algebra evaluation activities. During our conferences, the students were able to show a great level of understanding, which most achieving a Level 3 or a Level 4. They should be coming home tonight, so the students can show their great work to you. If they didn't bring them home, they were probably at ambassador duty when I handed them back, and they will bring them home tomorrow.

In Language, we continued to work on our travel brochures for a Canadian city of our choice. Our goal is to finish this work in class tomorrow, so that we can hold our own travel expo, promoting these cities, in class, before the end of the week.

Have a good night.

Mr. Skinner

Travel Brochures

Hello,

Over the last few days, we have started a fun group assignment for our Language studies. After reading a passage about funny city names in Canada, the students were asked to get into groups of three or four to create a brochure, highlighting the tourist attractions in the city of their choice. The students will continue to work on this task tomorrow.

Over the last few days we have also had some great discussions about our responses for "Under the Rice Moon" and "Morning Girl." We continue to emphasize the importance of explaining our thinking, and using examples to prove our points.

In Math, we have been discussing adding and subtraction of fractions, ordering fractions (while examining relationships between fractions and numerators and denominators) and improper fractions and mixed numbers. Through discussion and the use of concrete materials, the understanding of the students continues to grow.

Please remember to send your photos to Mr. Ullrich. He is also planning to attend after school basketball this week, so that he can get some great action shots of the students playing. It should be a lot of fun!

Have a great night.

Mr. Skinner

Morning Girl

Hello,

This morning I continued my Math conferences with the students. They have shown great understanding of Algebra during our conferences, I have been quite impressed.

We also discussed and corrected some of our introduction to fractions work.

Tonight, the students should complete the page they started today, which looks at Mixed fractions.

In Language, the students read a story called "Morning Girl."  Next, they created three to four questions, with a partner, for another pair to answer. The questions and responses are on a Google Doc, so they can continue their work at home, or they can finish it in class tomorrow. All answers need to be completed by the end of second block on Thursday.

Have a good afternoon. It's time for after school basketball!

Enjoy the game tonight! Go Sens Go!

Mr. Skinner

Math Conferences

Hello,

This morning, I was happy to be back in the classroom. I did some basic review of fractions.

Intro Video to Fractions

Then, while the students were finishing their work from last week - the three fractions worksheets in Math, and Under the Rice Moon questions and Transition Day recount in Language - I started to conference with the students to review their understanding of last week's Algebra evaluation task.

I will finish the conferences tomorrow. The students need to make sure the work from last week, listed above, is completed for homework.

Lastly, don't forget about the McDonald's Night tonight and to send your photos for the slideshow to Mr. Ullrich!

Have a great evening!

Mr. Skinner

Two Posts today

Hello,

Sorry about the lack of posts over the last week. I have been at various workshops and meetings, but I will be back in class tomorrow.

Last week, we had a great Transition Day at Holy Trinity. I hope your child told you all about it. If they didn't, please have them read to you their recount of the day, which they shared with me on Google Docs.

Also in Language, we have been working on our questions for Under the Rice Moon. I shared the document with the students on their Google Drive and if they have not already finished it, they should be completing it for homework.

In Math, we finished our evaluation task for order of operations and algebra. I will be going over this task with the students on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Now, we are starting to explore fractions. For example if there were two identical sandwiches and one student ate 3/4 of his sandwich and another student ate 8/12 of her sandwich, who ate more of their sandwich. Ask your child to explain their answer and thinking to you.

Have a great night!

Mr. Skinner

Call for photos for the Grade Six slideshow!

Grade Six slideshow needs your old photos/video!

Can you believe there are only about 10 weeks until the Grade Six class graduates?  Please help us make you laugh & cry at the Leaving Ceremony’s slideshow.

Most of the slideshow is from this school year, where we already have lots of photos, but we look to the parents for your ‘throwback’ shots.  Please dig through your old files or shoeboxes for any photos/video that would entertain the class/teachers/parents, particularly if it is:

1)     Old:  mainly from around 2007-2011, which is JK to Grade 2, for a real throwback

2)     Funny:  cute is good, but something universally funny is even better

3)     Little-seen:  it has more impact if the image has never/rarely been seen by the child – or maybe by the parent!  So in addition to shots of your own kids, see if you have something of your kids’ friends

4)     School-related:  from events at school, field trips, or getting dressed up at home for something like crazy hair day.  We don’t need much from Christmas concerts except for from JK/SK.  If your child only moved to Holy Redeemer recently, that’s ok, a shot from another school works too.

The throwback section of the slideshow is only about 2 minutes long, so with 45 students we can’t put in many shots of any given one.  So try to narrow it down to your one funniest photo or few best video scenes.  Apologies in advance that we won’t be able to fit in everything that’s submitted, but it’s good to have lots to choose from.  More details:

·           Video and photos:  video is great if you have it, even if it’s just a 5-second scene

·           Resolution:  please don’t shrink the file to submit it; send the full-resolution photo (ideally at least 1000 pixels high) or full-sized video (at least 480p)

·           Close-ups:  a wide shot of the class on stage is good, but a closeup of one child laughing or hugging a friend is better

·           Email files as an attachment, up to about 20MB per email to:  redeemerslideshow@bell.net  Please mention in the text who’s in the photo/video.

·           For larger files:  if you have an account on Dropbox (free up to 2GB) or other service, email us the link to the file, or justsend in a USB stick to Mr. Skinner

Please submit what you can by Friday April 24.  Anything submitted will ONLY be used for this one slideshow.

The show is compiled by one of our school’s rocket dads, Mr. Bob Ullrich.  See last year’s slideshow here:  https://vimeo.com/99040966

Thank you!

Next Stop, Holy Trinity!

Hello,

No, it's not June yet, but we will be going to Holy Trinity tomorrow for our Transition Day.

All students will need to return their signed permission form tomorrow morning.

I know it's short notice, so if anyone forgot the form at school, here is a link to the document.

Transition Day Permission Form

This morning we went over our expectations for the day and we also prepared for the Algebra test that the students elected to take this Thursday.

We completed a study sheet in class. I shared it with all of the students on their Google Drive.

Have a great evening.

Mr. Skinner

A couple of fantastic days!

Hello,

The last two days have definitely been "fan"-tastic. Yesterday, with many of the students from the class attending "We Day," we held a spirited debate about whether people should be allowed to have pets, based on "The Secret Cat" story we read recently. Then, we worked in the same groups to solve some algebra problems. In the end one team won a fantastic trophy. Yes, it was a fan, which will be displayed proudly in the classroom.

However, all the participants were winners, as they all received some chocolate eggs today. I also made sure that the "We Day" participants received some eggs as well.

Today, the students who participated in the Stations of the Cross did an incredible job. It was clear that they took this performance very seriously. The audience was also very respectful. Congrats to all involved!

Stations of the Cross Performance

During second block, we exchanged our books in the Learning Commons, then we finished our discussions about the Secret Cat and read "Under the Rice Moon" as a class. Finally, we brainstormed some questions in our table groups, that we could ask about the text. On Tuesday, we will construct some questions together, which will require the students to use examples from the text and their own experiences to explain their thinking.

This weekend, the only homework is to enjoy time with your families over this important holiday.

Happy Easter!

Mr. Skinner