Week 21

Dear parents and students,

Semester 2 has started off in fine style, with Literacy Week adding an element of fun and novelty to our daily routines. Literacy is always a focal point in class, but this week we emphasized the many facets of literacy, and how important literacy is in all subjects.

Our Reading and Writing Workshop this week included two contests: a Door Decoration Contest, and a Alternate Book Cover Design. Awards were given out at the assembly today, along with awards for our Book Promotion project that we have been working on for the past few weeks.

The Door Decoration Contest was held school-wide. Each class decorated its door, and the doors were judged by a panel of experts. Congratulations to the winners, Grades Pre-K, 1S and 5. Although we didn’t win, I was very pleased with the group effort that went into decorating our door. Everyone participated, and the entire class was represented on our door.

Winners for the Alternate Book Cover are Hannah, Bill, and Momoko, and the winners for the Book Promotion Project are Moe, Hannah, and Ayden. Pictures of the winners are included below, along with the Students of the Week for December and January.

In Science, we have been studying rapid surface changes on Earth, including volcanoes, landslides and earthquakes. As we further our investigations, we are creating Earth Science Booklets, which will contain all of the important facts and illustrations required for a comprehensive understanding of our planet and the way it changes over time. We also performed a Readers’ Theatre play about John Wesley Powell and his expeditions along the Grand Canyon.

In Maths, we completed a topic test on Monday, and then on Tuesday, we began Topic 12, which introduces decimals, and how they relate to fractions and mixed numbers. We will continue with decimals next week, with another topic test to take place on Wednesday.

It has been an outstanding week, full of  activity and creativity. Next week will be “back to normal”, before we celebrate Chinese Week, beginning on February 9.

Enjoy your weekend, and see you all on Monday!

Dates to Remember:

·       Mon, February 2        – Spelling Test List 16

·       Tue, February 3          – Reading Skills Test 3.3

·       Wed, February 4         – Maths Test – Topic 12

·       Mon, February 9-13   – Chinese Week

·       Wed, February 11       – Dress in Red

·       Fri, February 13          – Valentine’s Day

Students of the Week: December and January, and Literacy Week Award Winners:

Top: Moe, Maria, Antonio, Hannah, Bill, Momoko

Front: Abigail, Ayden, Shunta, Julia

Well done, everyone!

Student of the Week, Week 21

Congratulations to Antonio!

With all of the excitement of Literacy Week, everyone tends to get a little carried away and will sometime drift off task. Antonio consistently keeps his focus on the task at hand and keeps working until he gets the job done. Well done, Antonio. Your strong work ethic is the reason you keep improving!

Homework, Friday, 30th January

Maths: Practice 12-4 Fractions and Decimals on the Number Line; Enrichment 12-4 A New Measure
Spelling: Review List 16 - Test on Monday  Click here for lists and links
Complete unfinished work
Don't forget to add your preference for International Week

Homework, Thursday, 29th January

Maths: Practice 12-3 Fractions and Decimals; Enrichment 12-3 Shady Spots
R&W Workshop: Finish your book covers (both). These will be judged tomorrow!
Last chance to bring books for the auction!

Science: Watch this! Bill Nye explains volcanoes.


If you enjoyed that, you can watch the full episode here:  Bill Nye: Volcanoes (Full Episode)

Still hungry? Here's Bill Nye's program about earthquakes: Bill Nye: Earthquakes (Full Episode)

Homework, Wednesday, 28th January

Wear a Hat Tomorrow!

Maths: Practice 12-2 Comparing and Ordering Decimals Enrichment 12-2 Do We Decimal?
R&W Workshop: Work on your book covers.
Science: Think about ideas for your Earth Science Booklet

International Week - Which Country Should We Be?


Which country should we be for International Week?... at AnswerGarden.ch.

Homework, Tuesday, 27th January

Maths: Practice 12-1 Decimal Place Value; Enrichment 12-1 Decimal Patterns
R&W Workshop: Finish your sketch for the door decoration contest. We will create our final product tomorrow.
Work on your alternate book cover.

Week 20

Dear parents and students,

It is hard to believe that we have completed the first semester, and that next Monday will be the beginning of Semester 2.

As next week is also Literacy Week, we have been working hard in our Reading and Writing Workshop, preparing our Book Promotions. These will be on display in the library throughout Literacy Week. We are also preparing oral presentations to accompany our Book Promotions. I hope that parents and family can find some time this weekend to listen to your child practicing his or her oral presentation.

In Maths, we have continued our study of fractions, and will have a topic test on Monday. On Tuesday, we will begin Topic 12, which introduces decimals, and how they relate to fractions and mixed numbers.

In Science, we have continued our study of rocks and the rock cycle. Next week we will be focusing on rapid surface changes and what causes them.

We have a number of special activities taking place next week, please take note of the following important information:

·      There will be no clubs next week, except for Rollerblading.  Students will therefore be ready for collection at 3:10 pm on Monday and Wednesday.

·      Rollerblading will still take place on Tuesday.

·      We will be conducting a Book Exchange and Donation throughout the week. Please bring in books you would like to swap or donate on Monday. If you don’t have any, that is ok, but you will not be able to exchange for another.  Books that are not traded will be donated to a charity.

·      An HIS Book sale will be taking place in the foyer from Monday to Friday (but not Wednesday). Vey cheap books! Parents are welcome to browse and buy. Children may also bring money in to buy books. Please be responsible with your money.

·      The Caves Book Sale will also take place in the foyer on Wednesday, from 8:30-5:00.  15% Discount. Once again, parents are welcome. Orders will be taken for any items that may sell out on the day.

·      Hats Off for Reading! On Thursday, we are having a wear a hat to school day to promote reading. Please wear a hat to school. The more interesting and exciting the hat, the better.

See you all on Monday!

Dates to Remember:

·       Mon, January 26        – Literacy Week

·       Mon, January 26        – Maths Test – Topic 11

·       Wed, January 28         – Caves Book Sale

·       Thu, January 29          – Hats Off for Reading!

·       Fri, January 30            – Monthly Assembly. Parents welcome!

Student of the Week, Week 20

Congratulations to Maria!

Everyone has been getting very excited as we approach Literacy Week and the new semester.  Maria has been able to stay focussed and on task throughout the week. She has also shown great awareness of her environment and everyone else around her.

Well done, Maria, for setting a good example for your classmates!

Homework, Friday, 16th January

Maths: Review Topic 11 (test Monday!) Practice Test pp.262-263 Answers at the bottom of this post.  If you need extra practice: Reteaching pp.264-265  Answers also below.
Practice 11-4 Problem Solving; Enrichment 11-4 Crazy Quilt (Give it to a classmate on Monday)

R&W Workshop: Practice your oral presentation.

Literacy Week: Begin thinking about a design for the two book competitions:

1. Individual competition: Design an alternate book cover for one of your favourite books.
2. Class competition: What kind of book would you like to attach to our door? Think of the title, type of book, and what you would find inside. remember our theme: A book is a door to another world.

Topic 11 Practice Test Answers

1. B      2. A      3. D     4. D     5. C      6. B      7. C      8. B      9. D     10. A   11. C   12. A  

Topic 11 Extra Practice Answer Key

Set A 1.      3/7 2.      2/5 3.      ¾ 4.      3/10 5.      ½ 6.      1/3 7.      1 8.      2/13 9.      1/3 10.   5/6

Set B 1.       11/12 2.       14/15 3.       4/9 4.       5/12 5.       7/8 6.       7/9 7.       1 8.       ¾ 9.       ½ 10.    7/12 11.    7/12 12.    5/6

Set C 1.      3/8 2.      ¼ 3.      1/6 4.      1/5 5.      3/10 6.      2/3 7.      ¾ 8.      4/9 9.      1/5 10.   1/6

Set D 1.     ¼ - 1/8 = 1/8 mile farther 2.    9/12 – 2/3 = 1/12 foot taller