Just a reminder that myth posters are due on Wednesday.
Students will have period 2 on Monday to work on the computers and periods 3&4 on Tuesday to put their posters together.
Students need to have two written parts to their posters, a story told in their own words (ie/ from the perspective of a character in the myth) and an information section explaining where their myth came from. The criteria can be found on my January 22nd post (at the bottom).
Posters are due Wednesday and we will be presenting on Friday during period 1, parents are welcome to come and see the students' posters.
Have a good weekend!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Grade 6 Band for the Week of Jan. 26
Hello parents,
I just wanted to give you an update as to what is happening with the Grade 6 Band. We will be performing in the festival in March and many of the students are very excited about it. They all want another "Superior" rating like the one they got last year!
I have noticed something though that is keeping the group from being a truly great band. Each class, students are asked to indicate whether or not they have practised and then I track it in my records. It appears that only about 10 or so of the 24 students in the class are practising regularly and it is definitely affecting the rest of the group. I have to be honest, I'm not trying to turn each and everyone of them into professionals, but I would like all of them to reach a level which will help them to appreciate what they are doing. In addition to that, it is so important to the rest of the band "team" that all players pull their weight and learn their parts. Even 10 minutes a day is better than no practising at all.
As a result of a conversation I've had with the class today, we've decided to take some actions. Beginning on Thursday, if students haven't marked down that they've practised for two classes in a row, I will be contacting home. If this persists, they will be asked to put in extra time during lunch, recess or after school.
Any support from is greatly appreciated and if you have any questions, please contact me at the school or email me at karen.christie@holyspirit.ab.ca. Thanks and watch out for information regarding our festival trip in March!
Karen Christie
I just wanted to give you an update as to what is happening with the Grade 6 Band. We will be performing in the festival in March and many of the students are very excited about it. They all want another "Superior" rating like the one they got last year!
I have noticed something though that is keeping the group from being a truly great band. Each class, students are asked to indicate whether or not they have practised and then I track it in my records. It appears that only about 10 or so of the 24 students in the class are practising regularly and it is definitely affecting the rest of the group. I have to be honest, I'm not trying to turn each and everyone of them into professionals, but I would like all of them to reach a level which will help them to appreciate what they are doing. In addition to that, it is so important to the rest of the band "team" that all players pull their weight and learn their parts. Even 10 minutes a day is better than no practising at all.
As a result of a conversation I've had with the class today, we've decided to take some actions. Beginning on Thursday, if students haven't marked down that they've practised for two classes in a row, I will be contacting home. If this persists, they will be asked to put in extra time during lunch, recess or after school.
Any support from is greatly appreciated and if you have any questions, please contact me at the school or email me at karen.christie@holyspirit.ab.ca. Thanks and watch out for information regarding our festival trip in March!
Karen Christie
Math Jan 26
Work on Number Concepts Unit REview.
They have today and tomorrow to complete. It will be marked Friday with the test on Monday.
They have today and tomorrow to complete. It will be marked Friday with the test on Monday.
Friday, January 23, 2009
LA Outlines Due Monday
Today we worked on our writing for our myths in LA. I had the class organize their research and thoughts in a web and then we talked about taking those ideas and putting them into an outline.
An outline helps writers to organize their ideas before they start writing.
If students are still unsure how to create an outline they can follow this example, however, this is just a guideline, students should feel free to create their own outline.
1. Introduction (the introduction just introduces the ideas, it does not go into any detail, the purpose is tell the reader what they will be reading)
a. What is the myth/legend?
b. What is the History/background of the myth?
c. Is it true or not?
2. What is the myth/legend
a. Who
b. What
c. Where
d. When
3. What is the history/background of the myth?
a. Where did the myth come from?
b. When did it start?
c. Is there any culture surrounding the myth?
i. Festivals
ii. Traditions
4. Is it true? (I would like for students to explore both sides and then make a decision for themselves)
a. Yes
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. evidence
b. No
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. Evidence
5. Conclusion (the purpose of a conclusion is to summarize what has been written)
a. Is it true?
b. what is the history
c. what is it
* Remember to indent with every new topic (ie/ 1., a., i.,), blogger won't show the indentations
Remember, the point of an outline is to organize ideas before writing, therefore, these can be written in point form.
Please bring your outlines for Monday and hand them in first period for me to look at. We will be working in the computer lab for period 2 and you will need your outline.
Have a great weekend everyone and I'll see you on Monday.
An outline helps writers to organize their ideas before they start writing.
If students are still unsure how to create an outline they can follow this example, however, this is just a guideline, students should feel free to create their own outline.
1. Introduction (the introduction just introduces the ideas, it does not go into any detail, the purpose is tell the reader what they will be reading)
a. What is the myth/legend?
b. What is the History/background of the myth?
c. Is it true or not?
2. What is the myth/legend
a. Who
b. What
c. Where
d. When
3. What is the history/background of the myth?
a. Where did the myth come from?
b. When did it start?
c. Is there any culture surrounding the myth?
i. Festivals
ii. Traditions
4. Is it true? (I would like for students to explore both sides and then make a decision for themselves)
a. Yes
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. evidence
b. No
i. Evidence
ii. Evidence
iii. Evidence
5. Conclusion (the purpose of a conclusion is to summarize what has been written)
a. Is it true?
b. what is the history
c. what is it
* Remember to indent with every new topic (ie/ 1., a., i.,), blogger won't show the indentations
Remember, the point of an outline is to organize ideas before writing, therefore, these can be written in point form.
Please bring your outlines for Monday and hand them in first period for me to look at. We will be working in the computer lab for period 2 and you will need your outline.
Have a great weekend everyone and I'll see you on Monday.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Hello, my name is...
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 6 I have been teaching Language Arts. We've started a novel study on Jerry Spinelli's "Maniac Magee". The students have already dramatized some of the chapters and are currently working on creating a label for a chocolate bar and writing stories about Maniac's "lost year". Also, as a class, we have been reading David Jones' "Baboon", a novel about a boy who transforms into a baboon and has to learn to adapt to his new life as a part of a tribe of monkeys. The students have also been doing research on a myth or urban legend of their choosing, such as loch ness monster or big foot. The students seem to be really enjoying this assignment. Next week we will start putting our research together to create posters about the legends.
I have thourougly enjoyed these last three weeks and I have found the grade 6 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.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach your children.
Caitlyn Friesen
I am also posting the criteria for the lengend assignment and chocolate bar assignment
Design the Perfect Candy Bar (due Monday, January 26)
Your candy bar label must include:
· A creative name and logo (ie/ snickers, mars) (3 marks)
· a brand name (ie/ Nestle, Hershey) (2 marks)
· a slogan (ie/ “give me a break of that kit kat bar”, “melt in your mouth, not in your hand”) (2 marks)
· a list of the main ingredients (2 marks)
· Nutrition information (make it up) (2 marks)
· Creativity (2 marks)
· Overall design (will it attract buyers?) (2 marks)
Total: 15 marks
You may use any materials you want to make your candy bar wrapper attractive. You may wrap an already existing chocolate bar or something else that you feel is appropriate. The goal of this assignment is be creative and to create an attractive, saleable product.
“The Truth behind the Myth” Poster Assignment (no due date yet)
The Myth or Legend (must be written in story form, min 200 words) /10
The Explanation/History behind the Myth/Legend (min 200 words) /10
Pictures, Artistry and Creativity /5
References (min 3 different sources) /5
Total /30
Your writing will be assessed according to the Alberta Provincial Writing Standards for Grade 6 (the pink sheet I gave you)
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 6 I have been teaching Language Arts. We've started a novel study on Jerry Spinelli's "Maniac Magee". The students have already dramatized some of the chapters and are currently working on creating a label for a chocolate bar and writing stories about Maniac's "lost year". Also, as a class, we have been reading David Jones' "Baboon", a novel about a boy who transforms into a baboon and has to learn to adapt to his new life as a part of a tribe of monkeys. The students have also been doing research on a myth or urban legend of their choosing, such as loch ness monster or big foot. The students seem to be really enjoying this assignment. Next week we will start putting our research together to create posters about the legends.
I have thourougly enjoyed these last three weeks and I have found the grade 6 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.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to teach your children.
Caitlyn Friesen
I am also posting the criteria for the lengend assignment and chocolate bar assignment
Design the Perfect Candy Bar (due Monday, January 26)
Your candy bar label must include:
· A creative name and logo (ie/ snickers, mars) (3 marks)
· a brand name (ie/ Nestle, Hershey) (2 marks)
· a slogan (ie/ “give me a break of that kit kat bar”, “melt in your mouth, not in your hand”) (2 marks)
· a list of the main ingredients (2 marks)
· Nutrition information (make it up) (2 marks)
· Creativity (2 marks)
· Overall design (will it attract buyers?) (2 marks)
Total: 15 marks
You may use any materials you want to make your candy bar wrapper attractive. You may wrap an already existing chocolate bar or something else that you feel is appropriate. The goal of this assignment is be creative and to create an attractive, saleable product.
“The Truth behind the Myth” Poster Assignment (no due date yet)
The Myth or Legend (must be written in story form, min 200 words) /10
The Explanation/History behind the Myth/Legend (min 200 words) /10
Pictures, Artistry and Creativity /5
References (min 3 different sources) /5
Total /30
Your writing will be assessed according to the Alberta Provincial Writing Standards for Grade 6 (the pink sheet I gave you)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Math Jan 20
We're finishing percentages. Test tomorrow.
Review skills are due tomorrow. I don't have them for math on Thurs. and I like to have them marked so they can do corrections on Friday before they get the new one.
Review skills are due tomorrow. I don't have them for math on Thurs. and I like to have them marked so they can do corrections on Friday before they get the new one.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Band - January 12
This week, the Grade 6 Band is working on the Concert Bb major scale which is on P. 42 of their red books. There will be a test on this on Monday, January 19.
The group is already off to a terrific start on our Kiwanis festival music. This year, the festival will be held during the last week of March but I will let you know the exact date and time when it comes available. We will be playing "Ayre and Dance" and "Marching Grenadiers".
In addition to practising these pieces of music, I've also asked them to practise number 70 in their red books. We will begin charting our progress on our Standard of Excellence Achievement Charts. These are found in the back of the red books, but I'll be providing the students with photocopies of these. There are certain exercises throughout the book that are designated with a picture of a medal. When a student is able to perform these for me, they will be able to check them off on their chart and I will keep track of them too. We will start tracking these exercises at number 70 starting on Thursday, January 15.
The group is already off to a terrific start on our Kiwanis festival music. This year, the festival will be held during the last week of March but I will let you know the exact date and time when it comes available. We will be playing "Ayre and Dance" and "Marching Grenadiers".
In addition to practising these pieces of music, I've also asked them to practise number 70 in their red books. We will begin charting our progress on our Standard of Excellence Achievement Charts. These are found in the back of the red books, but I'll be providing the students with photocopies of these. There are certain exercises throughout the book that are designated with a picture of a medal. When a student is able to perform these for me, they will be able to check them off on their chart and I will keep track of them too. We will start tracking these exercises at number 70 starting on Thursday, January 15.
Friday, January 09, 2009
Math Jan 9
We worked on review skills today. We will do review skills on Fridays from now on. They will be due every Thursday.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Introducing Mrs. Friesen!
Happy New Year!
We're back at school in this new year, 2009, and we have a new student teacher!
Mrs. Friesen is a P.S.3 student teacher in her last round of student teaching before she receives her Bachelor of Education degree. She will be teaching Language Arts to the Grade Six class for the next four months. We are all excited to have Mrs. Friesen with us. Mrs. Friesen has a major in Language Arts and a minor in Social Studies, and is experienced in using new technology. She has several projects planned including creating and publishing student stories. Mrs. Friesen will be contacting each family in the next week or so to introduce herself and discuss her plans for our Grade Six students.
We're back at school in this new year, 2009, and we have a new student teacher!
Mrs. Friesen is a P.S.3 student teacher in her last round of student teaching before she receives her Bachelor of Education degree. She will be teaching Language Arts to the Grade Six class for the next four months. We are all excited to have Mrs. Friesen with us. Mrs. Friesen has a major in Language Arts and a minor in Social Studies, and is experienced in using new technology. She has several projects planned including creating and publishing student stories. Mrs. Friesen will be contacting each family in the next week or so to introduce herself and discuss her plans for our Grade Six students.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
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