Trip to the ROC
On Friday February 16th we will be going to the Recreational Outdoor Centre in Georgina.
We will be doing outdoor team building activities in the morning and tubing in the afternoon.
It is going to be boatloads of fun!
You can sign up now on School Cash Online.
I also need one or two parent volunteers. If you are available that day - please send me an email.

Math
Today we discovered the magical number transformer machine.
Tell your family about it.
Homework - I gave you two visual patterns. Please figure out an expression for the pattern.
Remember! I'll be looking for:
1. input/output (x/y) chart
2. expression
3. equation to show proof that you are right.


Mini-Greenhouse Challenge
They are really coming together!
We will continue working on them tomorrow.
Please bring any extra materials that you may need.

Math
Today we used clothesline math to work on our understanding of algebra.
Please explain what you are learning to the folks at home.

Mini-Greenhouse Challenge
Building began today! It was great!

Hope to see everyone out to support your classmates at the poetry cafe tonight!
6:00 doors open - performances start at 6:30.

Mini Greenhouse Challenge
I'd like to start building tomorrow. In order for that to happen you need to make sure your have your signed safety contract to me. I will also be looking for your complete design before you begin.
Here are the success criteria we decided on together:
Does your greenhouse:

• sustain plant life? (for one month)
• provide protection for your plant?
• provide what your specific plant needs? (climbing structure etc.)
• have a creative design? (eye appeal)
• keep in heat?
• let in light?
• have air flow?
• provide a way to water the plant?
• allow for the plant to grow?
• make efficient use of materials (no wasted materials.)
• DDWLD!

Art

Today we created our own Still Life set up. 

Some great sketching happening!

If you would like something from the book order, please have it to me by Friday.

Remember your safety contracts for our Mini-Greenhouse Challenge.

We went on a chilly, but wonderful, sunny walk with our nature buddies this morning. Many of us helped the young ones to see food sources that are available to animals right now. Some of us also had a fun roll (or two) down the hill. I continue to be impressed with the leadership that many of you are showing each week as we get together with our buddies.

Mr. Terupt
We finished the book today. A happy ending!
Your final assignment for this book is due next Wednesday. Please see the assignment description on Monday's blog post.

Genius Hour
Tomorrow we present our 60 second elevator pitches. Please be prepared.
You will "pitch" your project to a small group and they will give you feedback.
Please see last Wednesday's Blog post for the expectations.

Math
We started algebra with the "Border Problem". Finish this sheet if you haven't already.

January book order is due Friday.

Tomorrow is day 2 - we will be going out on a neighbourhood walk with our nature buddies.

Today I introduced the Mini-Greenhouse Challenge!
Please bring back your signed safety contract.
Remember! - you will not touch any tools without a triple signed safety contract.
I can't wait to see what you will create with this:

Math 
Tomorrow we start ALGEBRA! Woo Hoo!

Mr. Terupt
As we near the end of the book. Start to consider your final assignment for this novel.
Here are the descriptions of the characters that we discussed at the start of the book:
Peter - the class clown
Jessica - the new girl
Luke - the brain
Jeffrey - the slacker
Alexia - the queen bee
Danielle - the pushover
Anna - the shy one

Your assignment is to consider to what we have learned about these characters and re-write the description of them. Your description itself has a maximum of 5 words, but you could (and should!) follow up your description with an explanation as to why you chose that description.  This tells me what you have learned from this reading.

Math
Geometry assessment tomorrow.

I am so extremely proud of each and every performance today.
You surpassed my expectations!!!
So proud.

Those of you who wish to move on to "try out" for the school team: keep practicing!
Talk to your families about the Poetry Cafe next Thursday.

Dates to remember:

• Jan 22 - Estimation 180 due
• Jan 24 music playing test
• Jan 30 - geography inquiry due
• Feb 5th - final dance performance

From Ms. Rickaby:

Our class Poetry Slam is tomorrow! 
Can't wait!

Genius Hour
Today we presented our guiding questions to the class and received some feedback. Next week we will present our 60-second elevator pitch.

In the business world, an “Elevator Pitch” is a quick, passionately delivered description of a product that an inventor/business owner has created.  

Your pitch must include:

• Your name
• What you want to create during your Genius Hour Project
• Why you chose this project?
• What materials/resources you’ll need
• What obstacles you anticipate and your plan to navigate those obstacles
• Why this project is worthy of a significant investment of time
• Graciously thank the audience for our time/consideration of your idea

Your peers and teachers will evaluate your pitch and grade it as a green (Ready), yellow (Possible), red (Need to re-evaluate) light.

Two days to our Poetry Slam!
I hope you are practicing like crazy!

Tomorrow is Day 3 - Genius Hour.
I'll be looking for your thick guiding questions.

This is a hint of what I was doing today.
Coming to a classroom near you soon!

We began the week with a fascinating communication activity called Number Squares.
What did you learn about your communication skills?
How would you describe your role in the group?

Math
Today we looked at rotational symmetry.
Please complete the assignment "Who's on the computer?" for tomorrow.

Art
Today was your last day to work on your "Flip 'o Rama" . If you did not complete it in class - it needs to be done for homework.

We started the day with the "hidden numbers" challenge. Tell your family about it.
What did you learn from this?

Through one of our community circle discussions, a class member suggested that we could use periodic "catch up" time. This morning was out first opportunity for this. We had time to work on all upcoming assignments:

• Poetry Slam - performance Jan 18th
• Ringo - next task due Jan 18th
• Math - Estimation 180 - due Jan 22
• Geography inquiry - due Jan 30th

Other dates to remember:

• Music playing test - Jan 24
• Dance Final assignment - Feb 5th

One week today! Poetry Slam!

Since this is a performance, we talked about performance techniques.
Use of voice - speed, volume and how to vary them to be effective.
Use of gesture - how can you emphasize what you are saying with your hands?
We looked at these two poems below, with this in mind.
As I told the class today - you should be practicing everyday between now and next Thursday. Perform for your family, perform for your stuffed animals, perform in front of the mirror...
I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Here is a copy of the assessment criteria that I posted back in December:

Writing

• Voice
• Distinctive, unique - your own
• Word choice
• Similes, metaphors, descriptors
• Fluency
• Rhythm, connecting words, phrasing

Oral Presentation

• Vocal skills
• Clear, easily understood
• Variety in pace, tone, volume
• Non-verbal cues
• Eye contact
• Facial expression
• Gesture
Math
1. Draw 3 or 4 (or more different triangles.
2. Measure and mark the side lengths and angle measurements. Notate as I showed you in class.
3. Write a statement (or multiple statements) about the relationship between the sides and angles in a triangle.



Dance

This is the song we settled on for your final assignments (performed Feb 5th). Here is the criteria we came up with together, that will be the basis of your assessment.
• use of levels
• energy/enthusiasm
• locomotor/non-locomotor
• original choreography
• creative opening/ending
• use of space/pathways
• unity/contrast
• ensemble
• rhythm/beat

We started the day with Genius Hour.
I met with each person and there are some really great projects shaping up!
By next day three, you need to have formulated a "thick" question. Remember - we are taking this further than simple research. What can you do with your research?
Thick Question Example: What is impact of single use plastics (straws, plastic bags etc.) on the environment and can I create prototypes for alternatives to single use plastics?

Math
Area assessments were returned today.

Reminders:
- Poetry Slam is January 18th
- Ringo is due next Thursday - January 18th
- Estimation 180 project s due Monday January 22nd
- Geography inquiry is due January 30th
- Music playing test is Wednesday January 24th

Tomorrow is day three - our first Genius Hour! Please meet me first thing in the library with your list of ten possible topics.

Remember our class poetry slam is next Thursday - January 18th. I have high expectations because I know you can reach them!

Music

Next playing test - January 24th

Math

We worked on estimating, measuring and bisecting angles.

Please complete the handout we worked on in class.

Today we made bird feeders with our nature buddies. It was a beautiful morning outside.

Welcome back!
Back in the swing of things!

• Remember tomorrow is Day 2 - we will be learning outside. Please dress properly.
• Our class poetry slam will be on Thursday January 18th
• Our estimation 180 project (see below) is due on Monday January 22nd
• Geography Inquiry is due Tuesday Jan 30th.

Math
Please bring a protractor and compass for class tomorrow.
Estimation 180 assignment:
Please remember this is a dual Math and Media assignment.
Check estimation180.com for examples.
Here is our brainstorming/requirements.

Genius Hour
Each Day 3 from 8:30 - 9:30 our class will have our genius hour. Please come to class on Wednesday (day 3) with a list of at least ten potential topics that could be your focus in Genius Hour. 

"Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school."

Happy New Year Everyone!
If you have a compass and/or protractor (or can get them) - please bring them to school on Monday. We will need them for math.

Starting tomorrow!