Sunday April 22, 2012

Dear Friends,

To acknowledge the end of National Poetry Month, I thought I'd share a poem with you.  Remember, if you have a poem of your own that you've discovered, bring it into class.

The Red Wheelbarrow

By William Carlos Williams

(Published in 1923)

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white 

chickens.

What is most important about this poem?

Some say the thing that is most important about this poem is the subject matter.  A wheel barrow seems like an ordinary object, plain and simple.  Perhaps the simple things are actually the most important and to be celebrated!  What "ordinary" thing can you write a poem about? 

Here's a glimpse at the week ahead:

*P.P.T Presentations - Talk about something you know and care in a 3-4 minute presentation.  Speak from what you already know about.  Use appropriate language, practice speaking loudly and clearly, make eye contact and have a visual aid.

*Folk Tales - Read, write and extend!

*Fractions - In-class investigation with Tangrams!
(review concepts: equivalent, improper and mixed fractions)

*Talk Show - The topic is Alfie, The Little Werewolf

*Social Studies - "Why do some civilizations die while others survive?"

Satyam's Armour

Think about what you've learned about civilizations through stories, textbooks, artifacts and innovations seen at the ROM.


*Panfest - Tuesday morning we're taking a field trip to celebrate steel pan (music appreciation!) For more information, check out:

http://www.tdsb.on.ca/about_us/media_room/room.asp?show=allNews&view=detailed&self=25331

*Art - Answer your 'big' question from our Yorkville Gallery Art Walk.  Can you give each artwork below a different title?  

'Big' Questions

The Inside-Out Clock

Abstract: "Acting Wild"

Realism: "Airport"

Contemporary: "Fractured World"

Realism: "Urban Nights"

Realism: "East Coast"

Aboriginal: "Healing"

Aboriginal: "Nunavut"

Abstract: "Colour Flash"

Mixed Media: "Shipwrecked"

Aboriginal Canadian Artist

Abstract & Sculpture

Friday April 13, 2012

The week ahead:

Monday
- hand in field trip form.  The only cost is for the TTC.  Please bring 2 bus tickets OR your bus fare ($) on the day of the trip.
-hand in good copy of Cookbook Cover Page and Poem (Fractions of Me)

Tuesday
-Math quiz : FRACTIONS - equivalent fractions, mixed and improper fractions

using cuisenaire rods

adding fractions

in pictures and numbers

 

 For extra practice, you can find online games and activities to try.

*I randomly came across this great math idea: MY LIFE IN NUMBERS.

What would YOUR life in numbers look like?

Wednesday

-field trip to the Toronto International Film Festival Lightbox cinema located at 350 King Street West for FREE screening of Alfie, the Little Werewolf.  The film's themes include: family, identity, acceptance and anti-bullying.

The Learning Goal:

-explain how a person's actions can affect the feelings and reputation of themselves and others

Film Synopsis:

When the full moon rises on the night of his seventh birthday, strange things begin to happen to shy little Alfie: he suddenly grows sharp claws and white fuzzy hair, and begins to howl at the moon.  Alfie soon realizes he is no longer a regular kid - he has turned into a werewolf!  Only his brother Timmie knows, but with Alfie attacking his neighbour's chickens and biting a bully in the leg, it won't be long until his secret is revealed.  Alfie just wants to be an ordinary boy again, but with the help of his loving family and a mysterious, hairy stranger, he may learn that what makes each person different is also what makes them special.

A Scene from the Film

Understanding Perspective (Point of View)



TIFF Bell Lightbox on King Street West

 Friday
-house league kickball

*Running club is offered every day.

Thursday April 5, 2012

Dear Friends,

I want to wish those of you celebrating Easter "Happy Holidays" and to all a wonderful long weekend!  I will be celebrating Passover, a Jewish holiday; in fact, it was always one of my favourites growing up.
Also, it is with a heavy heart that I must remind some of you to behave better.  Take a look at the Class Contract again, the Four Agreements and the Jesse Ketchum Code of Conduct.  Think about the kind of person and student you would like to be. What does it mean to be respectful? In the class and out?

Reminders for the week of April 9thTuesday - Measurement Retest
              - Running Club starts (give signed forms to Mr. Costa)
Wednesday - PPTs can be done in the library for those using power point
                   - wear pink to raise awareness against bullying and intolerance
Thursday - PPTs in the classroom

Social Studies - Early Civilizations and Medieval Times ('Why do some civilizations die and others survive?')
We are visiting the ROM this Thursday morning to continue exploring ancient civilizations.

For those who missed the ROM trip, your learning task will be to describe 3 artifacts or innovations from 1 specific civilization.  In your journal, explain how these artifacts or innovations influenced their civilization. 

Thank you to the students who have worked hard to describe an artifact/innovation by a civilization and post it on our class' Early Civilizations Timeline!



Egyptian Math Symbols



Egyptian Fractions

For discussion:

What types of cultural artifacts do you expect to find at the ROM? 

What civilization might you best most interested in? 

What time period in history are you most interested in?

Civilizations create new things, or innovations, that improve the quality of life or better people's understanding of the world.  Think about innovations, ancient or modern, in the following categories:

-written language (communication)

-mathematics

-astronomy

-warfare

-tools (meet the needs of daily life)

-customs and rituals (religion/spirituality)

-medicine

Math
*Measurement retest is on Tuesday.  Tests will be sent home to be signed on Wednesday April 4. 
The topics covered:
-estimate and measure linear dimensions
-relate units of measure (for example, 5 cm = __ mm)
-estimate and measure perimeter and area of polygons and irregular polygons
-solve problems related to length, perimter and area
*Fractions of Me  - you will get descriptive feedback on your math poems.  Read below for an example:

1/6 of me is a player

who doesn't give up

and challenges myself

to do it, take the chance

and shoot or score it.

*Factors and Multiples - review your multiplication skills and ability to find number patterns using a hundreds chart.  These concepts will help you in while studying fractions.


Reading
*Social studies textbooks - can you find the answer to the question you asked on your literature circle poster?

*Poetry - April is National Poetry Month! Find your favourite poem and bring it in to share at the end of the month.

*Health - what new words did you learn while reading about conflict, feelings, perception and bullying?

Media
*Continue watching Public Service Announcements (P.S.A.s).  You will be creating one in a group to send a message about any topic related to Personal Safety and Injury Prevention (i.e. bullying, conflict resolution)

*Jesse Ketchum Cookbook!  We will complete the cookbook, to be donated to the school's library, by the end of next week.  Everyone will make a cookbook cover - individually or in pairs.