French 5

Bonjour,

We are bringing a close to our unit on My Classroom a unit test test on Wednesday November 18, 2009. On Tuesday we will be having a review period. Students will be given the option to write the test using Smart Response Technology. Each student, if he or she chooses, will receive a Senteo to take their test. This is a handheld devise that allows students to input their responses to multiple choice, true or false, yes or no, or numerical response questions. The Senteo offers students instant feedback on their assessment. Each student also has the choice to fill in their responses with the traditional paper style as well.

For more information on Senteo and Smart Response please visit this website:

http://www2.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Response/SMART+Response/default.htm

Merci à tous,

Monsieur Pivert

Math

We're focusing on the 2 and 4 times table. The next one we'll work on is the 8's. We'll review the idea of doubling. We've also reviewed the basic addition facts. Short practice sessions on the basic facts still help at this level.

Once a week they get a review sheet. It is always given on Friday and is due on the following Wednesday.

We're also working with place value and doing things with big numbers. They need to be able to work with numbers up to 1 000 000.

test

just trying this out from my igoogle page

Final Thoughts

Dear Parents and students,

I want thank all of you for what has been a very special year for me. As I leave for this place that has been my second home for the last 11 years I have mixed emotions much like the students who are leaving one grade and moving to the next one. I have many questions such as: What will it be like not be around all these great people every day? How will I feel when the new year starts not going into my grade 5 classroom? and many others but I know that just like the students I teach must go on and learn and try new things I too need to take on this new challenge.

I am looking forward to a wonderful summer of travel, lots of running, time in the coulees taking pictures and spending time with family.

Of course you will always be part of my family and I will come and see you next year from time time and if God wants me to return to St. Joseph's the following year I will gratefully come home.

May God Bless you all this summer and next year!

Ken Hakstol

Year end

Hello

I'm copying the text of a letter that will be going home with students tonight!

June 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

On Tuesday, June 23 the grade 5 students will be cleaning out their desks, lockers and classroom storage area taking their belongings home for the year. As this always involves a lot of "stuff" please make sure that they have enough bags or backpacks. If it's possible it might be a very good idea to pick them up at school that day. Riding a bike and carrying everything could be very dangerous.

The grade 5 class will be having a "Last Day of School Fun Day" Thursday, June 26th. This will be a day of fun with outdoor activities, weather permitting, and a chance to enjoy some time as a class as the school year draws to a close. In the morning is fly some kites and/or play some kickball. I have a few kites that students can fly in groups but if students want to bring flyers from home that would be fine. I will be bar-b-cueing hot dogs and providing drinks for the kids at lunch that day so you won't need to pack a lunch. Mrs. Mullin and her committee of helpers (thank-you so much for everything this year) may contact you to provide some treats for the afternoon. We will be enjoying a film until about 2:30 when I will give out report cards and placement certificates.

On a personal note it has been my privilege to teach these wonderful children of yours this past year. They truly are a great example of "community" for the school and the world. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be their teacher. As I take on a new challenge for next year, as I will not be at St. Joseph's, I know I will miss seeing these students as they go through grade 6. My wish is for the students and you to have a wonderful, restful, summer and come back refreshed for what I am sure will be another amazing year.

Kind regards,

Ken Hakstol

Band Homework for April 29

Hi everyone,

Here is the homework for Wednesday, April 29:

1. Fire Caves - please practise measures 9 - 36 with accents and staccatos (short notes with dots over them)
2. Pageantry for Band - please try to learn the notes for measures 1 to 12.

Also, Dr. David Renter from the U of L was the saxophone clinician for our headstart clinic back in September. He's got a great website that you can hear him playing and his compositions. I've attached the link so have a look and have a listen!

Miss Christie

Math April 20

Finish R 177 &178 for tomorrow.

Math April 9

Do the measurements on R184

Tuesday

Office- Some of the the students have had trouble working on Language Arts Assignments at home because they do not have the Microsoft Office on their home computer. A simple economic solution is to use the free Open Office program. I have included a link on the right which will allow you to save the program to your computer and should work fine.

Friday

Language Arts - Students have a Mystery story to complete for April 9th. Use Edmodo to edit and comment on your work.

Reminder Arrow Orders should be in Next week so maybe we can get the books before Easter.

wednesday

Language Arts - students are to complete their to responses to chapters 6,7 and 8 on the Graffiti Ghoul for tomorrow. Log in to edmodo and post your reply.

Our Friends from St. Martha will join us on edmodo and we will have a chance to get to know some students form another school.

We presented our Jonas and the whale skits to the grade 5s at St. Martha's today.

Math March 25

Finish math venn diagrams.
Test on Friday

Wednesday

Language arts - Well we're moving on to the next in the Marty Chan series "Mystery of the Graffiti Ghoul. Students should have the first three chapters and have responded to them on the Edmodo blog. See the link on the right.

Tomorrow is the Feast of St. Joseph so we will be at mass tomorrow AM and enjoy our Loonie Toonie lunch at noon.

Friday morning the students will be receiving a presentation on the safe use of All Terrain Vehicles from Mr. Don Peters.

Monday

Language Arts - Students have completed "The Mystery of the Frozen Brains" and the film editors will be working hard this week to get the films looking the way they want. In the meantime we are going to start another novel by Marty Chan " "The Mystery of the Graffiti Ghoul.

I have set up a secure collaboration site for students to safely post their work. They can access assignments turn them in and share ideas and thoughts. Please have them show you.

The site is: http:// edmodo.com

Thursday

Language Arts - Well I haven't posted here in awhile as students have been avery busy working on creating new endings for the story. Now they are experiencing first hand the challenges and joys of movie making.

Health - Our Power For Bones project is under way. Students are encouraged to go online and take the web challenges each week. Today they will be coming home with skipping ropes to help them strengthen their bones.

For next week's class on Tuesday please complete the second worksheet.

Math March 4

math test on decimals

math March 3

Work on REview of decimals. Test Thurs.

Math March 2

Assignment on division.

Math Feb. 25

Multiplying decimals. In the booklet the 1st column on the first two multiplication pages.

Tuesday

Language Arts - Students are now working in groups on making a combined script screenplay for their endings for the story. We are also getting ready for the Ash Wednesday celebration tomorrow afternoon.

Cupcake sale Thursday - grade 5 class to bring goodies

Math Feb. 23

Tests were handed back from before the break.
Addition questions in new booklet on adding decimals due for tomorrow.

Math Feb. 11

Math test tomorrow on add, subtract, mult and divide.
Review skills due.

Math Feb. 9

We'll review add, subtract, mult and divide, Tue and Wed. Test is on Thurs.

Social Brochures and Science Quiz

The Science quiz has been sent home, parents please sign and return to school. There will be a retest for students on Wednesday at lunch for those who would like. Students also recieved their social brochure assignments back today, parents please sign and return to school. Students always have the option to redo their assignments if either parent or student is unhappy with the mark.
Mrs. Friesen

Sunday

Special Edition - I don't usually post on Sunday but next week Mrs. Friesen and I are beginning a new Health unit that I registered the class for last summer. See the letter below. I will be adding the link to the blog on Tuesday so that students may work on this at home as well.

Dear Parents,

Over the next couple of months, your child is going to be participating in an innovative, educational program called Power4Bones. Power4Bones teaches students in Grade 5 about bone health and encourages them to take care of their bones through nutrition and physical activity. It responds to research that shows Alberta kids aren’t eating well enough, or getting enough physical activity, to keep their bones strong. Having good bone health habits now may reduce kids’ immediate risk of fractures and their longterm risk of osteoporosis. In fact, some experts call osteoporosis a kids’ disease with long-term consequences. Beyond health, the program is an excellent education tool for students to apply and further develop their language, communication and technology skills. Power4Bones is fun, stimulating and designed to make learning meaningful for Grade 5 students. I hope you and you child will benefit from the program and that you will extend it to the whole family.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hakstol

Friday

Language Arts - Students are working on writing endings for "The Mystery of the Frozen Brains". They should be done a final copy for class on Thursday February 12th.

Religion: We will be working on our skits for the next few classes. I have the link for Father Catfish's weekly sermons on the blog. Please enjoy.

Valentine's Party will be next Friday. If its your turn one of the parent helpers will be in touch.

Math Feb. 5

R 107 & 108 due for Monday.
New review skills given out tomorrow.

Thursday

Language Arts - Reminder that tomorrow is our Spelling Test. Tomorrow we begin our project to write the ending to the story "The Mystery of the Frozen Brains" Students will be doing a video project of their work for the end of the month.

I'm still waiting for some signed papers for Language Arts and Science.

Arrow book orders are due this Friday.

Check out the new link to the Father Catfish videos. His sermons and entertaining and challenging for all.

Math Feb. 4

R 104 & 106 for tomorrow.
Review skills due.

Math Feb. 3

Division R 102 & 103

Monday

Language Arts - Students will be working on writing different endings for some famous fairy tales and fables this week in preparation for their final assignment from the Frozen Brains novel.
Reminder letters to and from a character in the novel is due for Wednesday and the spelling test is on Friday.

Arrow orders must be in by then as well.

Math Feb. 2

Working on division with remainder.
R101 and posssibly R102 for homework.

Canadian Shield Brochures due Tuesday

Just a reminder that the grade 5 social studies brochures on the Canadian Shield will be due on Tuesday. The class will have periods 3 &4 on Monday to finish on the computers. After that everyone's brochures will be printed and students will have to do whatever they didn't finish by hand.

In addition, the students had a science quiz today and overall the class did very well, the test will be handed back on Tuesday. Any students wishing will have the opportunity to write a re-test.

Have a good weekend

Friday

Language Arts - We've completed Spelling Idol V and it was the best one ever so the students are really getting good at performing their words, working in groups to accomplish a goal.

Their spelling test is this Friday February 5.
The students have a letter from the Frozen Brains novel to write that is due on Wednesday.

I have favour to ask: As final project to the Frozen Brains novel I'm going to ask the students to create their own endings to the story in film format. The school has only one usable mni-video camera so I'm going to ask if you have a digital video camera at home that you consider allowing us to use it to film the students work.

Please have the Arrow book orders in by next Friday.

Allow me to introduce myself

Dear Parents and Guardians,

My name is Caitlyn Friesen and I have the priveledge of teaching your child for the next few months. I am an intern teacher completing my final teaching practicum, PSIII. I have been teaching at St. Josephs for about three weeks now and I have been having an absolutely wonderful time getting to know all of the students. In Grade 5 I have been teaching Science, Social Studies and Health. In Science we are learning about simple chemistry and mixtures. We have been having a great time experimenting with mixing different liquids and solids. In Social Studies we are currently learning about the Canadian Shield, this is fitting because I grew up in Canadian Shield. The students are creating brochures for their own imaginative camp held in the Canadian Shield. The brochures include different information about the areas as well as the students are able to invent their own adventure camp such as a hunting camp, cross-country sking or nature camp. In Health the class is working in groups to create information pamphletes they will give to the grade four class about how to live and eat healthy. I have thourougly enjoyed these last three weeks and I have found the grade 5 class to be a joy. I look forward to meeting each of you and working with you in the future. If you have any questions or concerns about anything please feel free to contact me over either at the school, on the phone or over email: caitlyn.friesen@holyspirit.ab.ca. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach your children.
Caitlyn Friesen

Science Quiz Friday

Hello Parents,



The grade fives will be having a Science Test on Friday, January 30th. I've sent out a review sheet, but just in case it doesn't reach you I am also posting the information here.
We will be reviewing this information on Thursday.



Science Quiz Study Sheet: Mixtures of Solids and Liquids (Friday, January 30th)

You should study all of the experiments that we have covered in science class so far:
· Sweet & Sour Experiment (mixing lemon juice, sugar and water)
· Mixing Liquids (mixing liquids together)
· Liquid Layers (demonstration done by Mrs. Friesen)
· Designing a Fair Test (dissolving a lifesaver)
· Solution to Recovery 1&2 (mixing liquids and solids)

Definitions to know:
Mixture: a number of pure substances brought together, the molecules or atoms are different
Pure substance: all of the atoms or molecules are the same. Example/ gold, pure water, salt
Solution: a homogeneous (even) mixture in which the molecules are evenly dispersed. Example/ when sugar dissolves in water and you can no longer see it.
Suspension: A heterogeneous (uneven) mixture in which the molecules are unevenly dispersed, very small particles of a solid remain suspended without dissolving. Example/ when we mixed corn starch in water and the cornstarch eventually sank to the bottom.

There are 3 ways (covered in class) of separating solids and liquids:
1. Filter - when a mixture forms a suspension it can be poured into a filtering system. The water will pass through the filter but the insoluble(won’t dissolve) substance will collect on the filter
2. Evaporating - when a mixture forms a suspension or solutions, the solid can be recovered by evaporating the water. The water is lost into the air as it evaporates while the solid remains behind forming a residue
3. Decanting - when a mixture forms a suspension the solid can be recovered by allowing it to settle to the bottom and then pouring off the water and letting the wet residue dry out.

There are 4 ways (covered in class) of separating solids:
1. Sieve - various gauges of sieves can be used to separate different sizes of solid particles
2. Magnets - magnetic substances can be separated from non-magnetic substances
3. Wind - lighter substances that can be moved by a light breeze can be separated from heavier substances that fall straight down
4. Water - floating materials can be separated from materials that sink in water

Scientific Method:
1. Question (what will happen if…?)
2. Hypothesis (make an educated guess of what you think will happen)
3. Materials (what will you need?)
4. Procedure (how will you carry out the experiment?)
5. Observations (what happened?)
6. Inference/ Conclusion (why did it happen that way?)

Questions:
· Why is it important that scientist follow the scientific method?
· How many variables (temperature of the water, liquid) are scientists allowed to change in an experiment?
· Why is it important that scientists share their research and experiments with other scientists?

Grade 5 Band for the week of Jan. 26

Hello everyone,

Because of our professional development day, I won't be seeing the Gr. 5 band until next Monday. I thought I'd update you on what they need to work on over the week:

1. No. 43, 46 49 in their books
2. There will be a test on the "7 note scale" on Monday
3. Slip and Slide, measures 9 to 17
4. Popcorn Prelude, measures 5 to 13

Each band class, I ask the students to indicate whether or not they have practised and I've noticed a trend lately that shows that some are following behind. I'll do whatever I can to encourage them to get their instruments and to help them here at school. I would ask parents to encourage their child to attempt even 10 minutes a day. Thanks for your support!

Ms. Christie

Math Jan 26

No math today. We'll start division and mark the multiplication homework on Thurs.

Math Jan 21

Double digit multiplication & word problems.
R87 due tomorrow.
Review Skills due tomorrow.

Tuesday

Hello from Mr. Hakstol.

First I want to tell you I am fine and if all goes well I should be back before the end of the week.

Some of you are probably wondering about the kayaking  this Saturday.  It's still on and hopefully all of you who brought back  your forms will be there.  I'm hoping that students will be able to arrange for transportation to and from Lethbridge.   Of course I will be at the pool to watch and keep things organized.    

Here's the itinerary for this saturday January 24th .

• 9:45 - Be at the Fritz Sick Pool 420-11th Street South by  so you can get changed and ready.  
  
• 10:00 - 12:00 noon - Instruction from High Level Canoes and Kayaks.  
• 12:45 - As Montana's is still closed I've arranged for us to go to Streatside Eatery 317-8th Street South  for lunch.  They very generously will honour your Montana's minutes for a free meal.  Sorry parents but you'll have to pay for your own lunch.
• 1:30 - Students are free to go.

 

Math Jan 20-1

R86 is homework.

Math Jan 20

Review skills due Thurs.

In class we're working on multiplying. I've shown them 2 different ways. They can use what works best for them.

Band - January 12

This week, the Grade 5 Band is working on the first 8 measures of "Slip and Slide" and are also asked to take a look at the beginning of "Popcorn Prelude". These two songs are going to be played for the festival in late March (exact time and date to be announced).

Wednesday, January 14 is a "medal" day so students can choose medal songs to play for me to be marked off on their charts. These are forms of testing.

Students and parents are reminded that they are expected to practise the assigned songs and to record their practising by moving their practise picks at the beginning of each class.

Math Jan 9

Worked on review skills. Due on Thurs.
Math unit test on Tues.

Math Jan 8

Finish booklet 6 by Monday. Test on Tuesday Jan. 13th.
Tomorrow we do review skills. They are due next Thursday.

Thursday

Language Arts - As stated yesterday we are working on writing those stories so the kids will have some stories to show you.
Spelling Idol V is under way and students are planning a beginning to formulate plans for the project.
Social - Chapter 4 test on Monday don't forget to review your Amazing Race Questions and the webs you made on Wednesday. License plates will be due on Monday as well.

Wednesday

Welcome back to school. I've been remiss in getting info out but now that we're into the swing of things I will begin posting regularly again.

Language Arts - Students are working on a story where they are emphasizing the use of descriptive vocabulary to communicate their ideas. I'm looking for a good draft from all of the students by Monday Jan 12.
We are continuing to read the novel "Mystery of the Frozen Brains" so students may be doing a bit of detective work around the house soon.
Spelling Idol V begins tomorrow

Social - Test on Chapter 4 is scheduled for Monday Jan 12th.

Notes and Reminders

Permission slips for the Kyaking field trip should be in by this Friday.
Ski trip forms are out today and please get those in quickly.
Arrow Book Orders will be due in on the 16th of January.

A big welcome to Mrs. Friesen from the University of Lethbridge who will be teaching Science and Social to the grade fives.

Math Jan 6

Finish I chart question.