Coding Showcase Monday

Hello parents and students,

I hope everyone is having a great day so far. We had a very busy day today.

UOI-Coding: 
We did a final showcase to the Grade 4 classes. It was amazing and I am so proud of the projects that the students have completed. You may see the projects here. Here are the pictures from today.

Math: 
Today, we reviewed adding and subtracting fractions and then completed our fraction check. Then we learned about changing fractions to percents and decimals. The key is to make an equivalent fraction with 100 as the denominator! Here is a great video that will help. 

Langauge:
Today, we started learning about the common mistakes that we all continue to make. Our focus today was on COMMAS. We started with learning the rules about commas, and then students completed a commas challenge. Tonight, for homework they have to complete practice comma sheets (iMessage conversations).

Homework:

• Math: Exploring percents and Relating fractions, decimals, percents 
• Language: Complete practice sheets on commas 
• Bring in promotion day forms if haven't already
• Sign-up for picnic potluck here!
• Please bring in all textbooks and novel study books by tomorrow 
• Please bring in extra bags to carry things from classroom home in (last day for uniforms so everything goes home!)

Schedule Next Week:

• Tuesday: Last day for uniforms, IB binders, pack-up class (take things home)
• Wednesday: Wear House Colours (HOUSE CUP), Play day in the afternoon #Thetaforthewin
• Thursday: World Cup day - wear your favourite soccer team colours!, Grade 5 Picnic Potluck
• Friday: Last day of school! Promotion ceremony 12:00-1:00pm 

Have a great night, 

Ms.Khan

Friday Frenzy

Hello parents and students,

I apologize for the Blog not being up this past week, it has definitely been a hectic week for us at school. Can you believe that there is only one more week of school!!! The year has flown by!

Here is an update from the week.

UOI-Coding: 
Students are now finishing up their projects. Over the course of this week, we have had peer feedback and three different UnFocus Groups (our own class, Ms.Wall's class and with Ms.Hocevar's class). I have definitely seen the projects get refined over the course of the week. The projects are due Monday! This weekend, the students need to fix any 'glitches' or coding errors and add to their projects based on the feedback. They also must review three DIFFERENT projects from the two classes. The links are in Google Classroom, but just in case here is the Google Form .

Math: 
In math, we have been working on Fractions and Decimals. This weekend, the students are working on adding and subtracting Fractions. Here is a video on adding fractions and here is a video on subtracting fractions.

Langauge:
Although, the required written components for grade 5 are finished, we taking this time to review and enforce common mistakes that the students make. Therefore, next week the students will be working on correct use of commas, how to avoid run-on sentences etc.

Pictures from the week: 

Homework:

• Math: adding and subtracting fractions 
• UOI: Finish Hackathon Project, Review atleast 3 Different students projects 
• Bring in promotion day forms by Monday!
• if haven't already, bring in Play Day forms latest Monday!

Schedule Next Week:

• Monday: Hackathon due - showcase for grade 4 students 
• Tuesday: Last day for uniforms
• Wednesday: Wear House Colours (HOUSE CUP), Play day in the afternoon #Thetaforthewin
• Thursday: World Cup day - wear your favourite soccer team colours! 
• Friday: Last day of school! Promotion ceremony 12:00-1:00pm 

Have a great weekend, 

Ms.Khan

Track and Field Friday

Dear parents and students, 

Today, we had a great day out in Track and Field. You can see some of the pictures below. Next week, we will find out the results of the competition! 


We were able to complete a math lesson in the morning about Improper fractions and Mixed number fractions (and how to switch between them). Many students did very well with this lesson, however, is they need extra help at home here are two videos that really describe the steps in detail:

Introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggYdPef3Nuk

Change from Mixed Number to improper Fraction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrutPJf9GmQ

Change from improper fraction to mixed number: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpumUOiGS6Q

 There are three worksheets for homework, one sheet has a game on it. 

Game Rules

1. There are two players, Player 1 starts by rolling a dice or by picking a number from 1-6
2. Move the number of spaces from start (in either direction). 
3. Change the mixed number you land on to an improper fraction. 
4. If the improper fraction is in your list, you cross it out with a marker, if it is in the player 2 section they get a chance to steal. 
5. First player to cross out all their improper fractions wins! 

We also introduced our last Coding summative: Hackathon. This is going to be a very interactive and creative project. For homework students are to complete the first page (Project Pitch) and come up with  ideas of what project they might like to make. 

On Monday, the students will write their OWA on narrative writing. Over the weekend, the students should practice writing their stories and marking it using the success criteria. They may also use the plot organizer, with setting and character to help them lay out their story. They will get around 30 minutes to complete their stories. Here are some resources to help them. 

 

Homework/Reminders

• Math: Complete improper/mixed fractions sheets (videos above)
• Language: Practice for OWA (narrative writing) 
• UOI: Share all 13 tutorials by Monday! Review Hackathon packet with parents and complete the project pitch page. 
• Bring in any Play Day forms latest MONDAY!!!!
• Make sure you double check your uniform every morning, especially socks!!

Have a great weekend, 

Ms.Khan

Tired Thursday

Dear Parents and students,

Today, we had a very tired day back to school after Arts' Nights. We began the day by starting with language. We continued from yesterday, since the students have now edited their stories, we reviewed the OWA rubric and created a success criteria for narrative writing. Here are the two anchor charts that we created.

Tonight, the students needs to:

1. Mark their stories using the success criteria (ex. knowledge: 3- because I had a great structure but struggled with my exposition). 
2. Create a story in 30 minutes (use the planning sheet to help you out- you DO NOT have to fill all of it) - The planning sheet is just a guide for structure and detail

For the rest of the day, we were in the inter-school spelling bee. The students' were an excellent audience. It took a lot of integrity and principle to watch the whole thing. Unfortunately, it was a late lunch, it was not predicted, but then we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and getting vitamin D outside. The students even practiced their triple jump for track and field tomorrow. 

For track and field tomorrow, the students must come in full-gym uniform and should bring water bottles, hats, sunscreen etc. 

Note from Hot Lunches:

You are now able to order for June Lunches. The deadline for June lunches is Thursday, May 31st.  After this date, our system closes and is unable to open for April ordering.  Please make sure your child is under the correct grade. http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja  
All payments are due on Friday, June 8th, 2018.

This month's special is French Toast with Vanilla Cream and Syrup for $3.50, which will be available every Friday!

Payment Instructions

• There are two options to pay for lunches. Cash and Freshbooks. 

• Shortly after completing your order, a Freshbooks invoice will be sent to your email.
• It may take one or two days to process your order to Freshbooks, so please be check your email diligently for the invoice.  

• We no longer accept cheque as a method of payment.

If you have any questions concerning the Lunch Ordering site or Freshbooks, feel free to email me at dbancud@stjudesacademy.com

A note from Hot Lunches:

Hot Lunch invoices for May are on Freshbooks and late fees have already been applied. Please go on to Freshbooks and pay as soon as possible.  

A note from SJA Summer Camp:

A note from the Parent's Guild:

Play Day is June 13, forms due June 1 

Have a great evening, 

Ms.Khan

Arts' Night!!!!!

Good afternoon parents and students! 

Today is the big day. Our Arts’ Night performance is finally here. All students are required to be back at The City Church by 6:15 PM in full costume for our evening performance, which begins at 7:00 PM. 

Tomorrow morning we will be having our Inter-School Spelling Bee! I wish luck to Chelsea who will be participating tomorrow!

There is a bake sale taking place tomorrow and Friday.

  
Friday is also track and field. Please ensure that students are in their full SJA gym uniform and are wearing sunscreen and a hat, as we will be outside all day. They should also bring a couple bottles of water. Freezies will be available for sale at the end of the day for $1.00

 Math:

Students began looking into fractions! Even though we were at the church today we were able to get in a new math lesson about equivalent fractions. Here is a video that can help students at home. Note: Reducing fractions means bringing it to the smallest possible numbers (simplest form). 

Language:
Students edited their short stories and peer edited. They are to go home and perfect their stories so that when I look at them I will see a higher level of thinking. This is in preparation for their OWA which will be this coming Monday (June 4). By tomorrow, students need to bring in a story that they are proud of and would consider a level 4!

Note from Hot Lunches:

You are now able to order for June Lunches. The deadline for June lunches is Thursday, May 31st.  After this date, our system closes and is unable to open for April ordering.  Please make sure your child is under the correct grade. http://mydigitalmailroom.com/sja  
All payments are due on Friday, June 8th, 2018.

This month's special is French Toast with Vanilla Cream and Syrup for $3.50, which will be available every Friday!

Payment Instructions

• There are two options to pay for lunches. Cash and Freshbooks. 

• Shortly after completing your order, a Freshbooks invoice will be sent to your email.
• It may take one or two days to process your order to Freshbooks, so please be check your email diligently for the invoice.  

• We no longer accept cheque as a method of payment.

If you have any questions concerning the Lunch Ordering site or Freshbooks, feel free to email me at dbancud@stjudesacademy.com

A note from Hot Lunches:

Hot Lunch invoices for May are on Freshbooks and late fees have already been applied. Please go on to Freshbooks and pay as soon as possible.  

A note from SJA Summer Camp:

A note from the Parent's Guild:

Play Day is June 13, forms due June 1

See you soon,

Ms.Khan

Testing Tuesday

Dear Parents and Students,

The students have worked super hard today! We started the day with going over the key things needed on our math test and then the students wrote the test. After the students finished the test, they continued their DRAs. This took the majority of the day. Most of the students were able to finish but some will be finishing tomorrow.

In language, we also reviewed plot and our stories. Tonight, the students use their organizers to write a story. The narrative stories are due tomorrow.

Remember to:

• add descriptions (using senses)
• add metaphors and similes
•  make sure that the plot builds to the climax 
• make sure that "problem" gets solved at the end 
• SHOW NOT TELL your story 

In the afternoon, we had a whole school dress rehearsal for Arts' Night. The students worked hard and got many praises from students and teachers! we are excited to show you the song tomorrow at 7pm for Arts' Night. Here are some pictures..

Who is watching who? :)

Homework/Reminders 

• Language: Complete the rough draft of your story using the plot, character, and setting sheet. refer to yesterday's blogs for more tips. 

• The scenario is the summer, so for example Carter is going to spend the summer at his Grandma's cottage, where things start mysteriously disappearing. (The setting is grandma's cottage, the character is Carter). 

Example of a scene descriptor

• Link to Slides about Characterization used in class
• UOI: Complete coding lessons for homework (all 13 are due Friday)
• Arts' night tomorrow - arrive in costume tomorrow please (event starts at 6:15pm for students and the show is at 7pm)
• Practice tonight, including all moves. Here is the link for the song again. Look at the pictures above to see if you were one of the people NOT watching the audience!!
• You may also bring extra accessories like sunglasses and hats that are black!
• Celebrate is the other song that the students should be practicing 
• Here is the link to the song 
• Here is Mr.Oliver explaining the steps
• Play Day is June 13, forms due June 1
• Inter-school spelling bee at 10:00am (maybe 10:30 depending on when the other schools are here)
• Friday is Track and Field, it starts at 9:30am and goes all day 
• Bake sale Thursday and Friday, Freezies are also available on Friday for $1.00

Have a great night,

Ms.Khan

Rehearsing Monday

Dear parents and students,

I hope that everyone had a great Monday so far. Today, we were super busy rehearsing at City Church for Arts' Night this WEDNESDAY. Before we went to the theatre, the students got a chance to code and problem solve with each other. At the theatre, we worked on language and math. In math, we went over equations and using the formulas correctly. Please review the review answers and any practice worksheets from Fridays blog. Tomorrow is the final test for this unit!

In Language, the students worked in partners to write stories about a character at a performance. The students had to add depth to their character as well as build their setting using the 5 senses. Afterwards, the students read their stories to the two classes and we gave feedback to the different groups (stars and wishes). For homework tonight, the students have to create a story by filling out a graphic organizer (front and back). The scenario of the story is summer. The students should start off with filling out the setting, then build their character and then finally fill in their plot. Tomorrow, the students will be writing stories with these sheets.

Homework/Reminders

• Math: Perimeter, Area, Surface Area, and Volume test tomorrow
• Math review copy
• Math review answers
• Extra prism worksheet
• Answers to extra prism worksheet
• Extra textbook worksheets
• Language: Complete the graphic organizer on Narrative Writing. Start with setting, then character, then finally the plot 
• The scenario is the summer, so for example Carter is going to spend the summer at his Grandma's cottage, where things start mysteriously disappearing. (The setting is grandma's cottage, the character is Carter). 



Example of a scene descriptor

• Link to Slides about Characterization used in class
• Play Day is June 13, forms due June 1
• Arts' Night Wednesday, May 30 (students at 6:15, starts at 7pm)
• Inter-school spelling bee at 10:00am (maybe 10:30 depending on when the other schools are here)
• Friday is Track and Field, it starts at 9:30am and goes all day 
• Bake sale Thursday and Friday, Freezies are also available on Friday for $1.00

Have a great night, 

Ms.Khan

Frenzy Friday

Dear parents and students,

We had a frenzy Friday getting everything done today. We began the day with math. The students checked answers with a review key. Here is a copy  of the review and here is a copy of the answers. Afterwards, the students completed an extra math practice on volume and surface area of prisms. Here is the link to the answers, the students must show their equations, step-by-step answers, as well as have their units in order to get full marks. I have also provided extra worksheets to the students for each concept. Here is the digital copy of the sheets.

Afterwards, we completed practices for Arts' Night. We have decided that except for the lead roles all students should wear completely black! This includes accessories as well, I would like sunglasses if possible. We are also practicing singing loudly, so please practice this weekend. You should use this video to practice with (it will be the one used in the concert). Unfortunately, because of the concert students did not get coding time in class today. Over the weekend, they should complete 8 (all together) of the tutorials. The information for getting on is on the blog from yesterday. Students also need to make sure to create a NEW project each time they finish a tutorial and to click share to that I can see the finished product!

In language, the students have started their DRAs, they will continue on Monday. Also, the students their setting description to a partner and then they nominated their favourites. Here are two of the ones selected.

We then learned about characterization and HOW to describe a character properly. Here is the powerpoint that I used today, it has great tips and examples. The students should use this to create their own character and fill out the character map sheet. Afterwards, they need to fill out how their characters and what he/she/it does in an emergency situation at school (scenario/cause).

Homework/Reminders

• Bring costume on Monday, Make sure to practice using this video (they can chose to wear it all day or change into it)
• All black for singers
• Math: study for test on Tuesday 
• Math review copy
• Math review answers
• Extra prism worksheet
• Answers to extra prism worksheet
• Extra textbook worksheets
• Language: complete the character map sheet (both sides) for any character
• Link to Slides used in class
• the scenario is a school emergency 
• UOI: complete 8 coding tutorials by Monday - look to yesterdays blog for link to step-by-step instructions.
• Arts' Night Wednesday, May 30
• St.Jude's Play Day June 1st

Have a great weekend, 

Ms.Khan

Together Thursday

Hello parents and students,

Today was our first day with almost all the students back in class! For more than a week, various students have been absent because of choir and soccer, so it was nice to have everyone back together.
We began the day by practicing our song for Arts' Night concert, the students should be practicing their songs and dances every night, we are less than 1 week away now!

In math, we checked our answers for surface area and then the students completed a review packet. The test will be next Tuesday.  Any students who needed extra help, due to absences were paired up with mentors. There is an anchor chart below with overviews of the concepts that the students have learned. The students may use other methods to solve surface area (such as nets) as long as they show all their work. The students will be provided with an answer key and extra practice tomorrow.

In the afternoon, we reviewed the setting in a narrative story and then the students shared their setting descriptions with the class so we could guess what picture they had from the board. Here are a few great examples of what a setting should be.

Tomorrow, we will continue from here, so students should complete their setting examples if they were away.

In UOI, we first completed presentations on Project 101. Afterwards, the students were introduced to Scratch, the software we will be using for coding. Here is the video we watched in class that introduced the topic. The students created accounts and starting practicing. For homework tonight, the students need to complete tutorials 1-4 in the guide menu. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Slides from today in case students were away or get confused.

***PLEASE NOTE: everytime you finish a tutorial, you MUST start a new project.***

Homework/Reminders

• Math: complete review packet, Test is next Tuesday
• Remember to use previous blogs and your homework sheets in case you get stuck, this is all REVIEW
• Language: Spelling test tomorrow (lesson 30), finish setting descriptions 
• UOI: Practice tutorials 1-4 in the guide menu of Scratch
• Practice Arts' Night song and get costume!!
• Concert is May 30 

Have a great evening, 

Ms.Khan 

Presentation Wednesday

Dear parents and students,

I hope everyone is having a great day so far. We had a very busy day at school today. We started our day with math; first the students completed their round table discussion for last nights homework. Afterwards, we learned our last topic for this unit, SURFACE AREA of rectangular and triangular prisms. Here is a video that explains each of the concepts. We also looked at examples in class today, here are some concept review examples.

The students may choose to use an equation, use a net or do both in order to solve the problem, however they must show their equations used, all calculations and final units with their answer in order to get full marks. The final test for this unit will be next Tuesday. 

In language, we looked into how to properly describe the setting of a narrative story. The students had to describe scenarios using all their senses. Here is an example below. 

For homework tonight, the students need to pick 1 picture from the selection below and describe it using 'senses; there must be at least 3-4 senses used in the description. Also, the students needs to use  at least 1 simile and 1 metaphor. Tomorrow the students will try to guess each others pictures, so do not tell anyone what you select.

In UOI today, we watched presentations for Project 101. The students have all done a great job of not only researching different coding programs and explaining them in their presentation but also of trying out a new software and creating beautiful presentations. The links to the presentations can be found in the Classroom. Please go and have a look at the different presentations (only copy and paste the link please). 

Also, throughout the day we practiced for our Arts' night concert. Today, the students discussed costumes with their partners and they must start putting the costumes together and bring them in for Friday. 

Reminders/Homework 

• Math: complete worksheets on triangular and rectangular prisms (2)
• Language: Spelling test # 30 on Friday, Take a picture and describe the setting using 5 senses 
• UOI: Please bring devices everyday 
• Arts' Night on May 30, forms must be in by tomorrow in order to attend concert!
• Casual day is this Friday!

Have a great evening, 

Ms.Khan 

Coordinating Tuesday

Hello Parents and Students,


I hope that everyone had a great day back from the long weekend, the first day back always seems the hardest. Today, we began the day with math where we learned two new equations:

Here is a video on finding the volume of a triangular prism for extra help. Tomorrow is our last lesson in this math unit. We will have a review on Thursday and the quiz is next Tuesday. 

After math, we practiced our choreography for our Arts' night performance. The students should be practicing this tonight. There is only 1 week left until the concert!!!

In UOI, the students practiced and finalized their presentations and then we began presentations. The students away on the trip will be presenting tomorrow. 

Reminders/Homework

• Bring in form for Arts' night 
• Math: complete worksheet on parallelograms and volume of triangular prisms, Test is next Tuesday
• Language: Bring in finalized Arts' night project (with written component), Spelling lesson # 30 due Friday 
• UOI: Practice presentation for tomorrow 
• Practice Arts' night song and choreography
• Casual Day is now FRIDAY! 

Have a great evening, 

Ms.Khan