Thursday November 28th

Social/Art
Students continued to work on VSJ pages to depict the Seven Sacred Teachings. They chose one that they feel applies to them/one they need more of/important to them and started an individual art project using chalk pastels and silhouette techniques.

Math 
Using large numbers, students worked on deciphering word problems deciding on which operation(s) to utilize and worked through multi-step problems. We will be having a quiz at some point this week.

Science
Students looked at videos and pictures of animal tracks and used their evidence and investigation skills to determine directions, speed, etc. 

Literacy
Students finished up Tree Cookie Stories and Seven Sacred Teachings reflections.

Reminders:
-Bookings for PT Conferences opens this Friday November 29th. Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot.
-PT Conferences are Thursday December 5th 4:00-7:30 and Friday December 6th 8:00-11:30am
-Please pay the $6.00 field trip fee if you have not already done so.

Tree Cookie Story Rubric

I can organize and present ideas in my own writing.

I can add and organize details in my writing.

I can experiment with words and sentence patterns to create word pictures.

I can describe and explain the characteristics of the rings/markings in my tree cookie using science vocabulary.

I can explain the life of the tree/ possible events that happened in the life of my tree according to the rings/markings.

Traits	4	3	2	1
Organization	The beginning of the story does an excellent job at grabbing the reader’s attention. The information is in logical order and keeps the audience’s interest.	The beginning of the story does a good job at grabbing the reader’s attention. The information is in logical order and keeps the audience’s interest most of the time.	The beginning of the story does a basic job at grabbing the reader’s attention. The information is in logical order.	There is little or no structure and information is not in logical order.
Content	The reader has an excellent understanding and “knows” the life of the tree from reading your story. There are 8 or more excellent descriptions and explanations of each main part of the tree cookie.	The reader has a good understanding and “knows” the life of the tree  from reading your story. There are 6 or 7 good descriptions and explanations of each main part of the tree cookie.	The reader gets a basic “idea” of” the life of the tree    from reading your story. There are 4-5 basic descriptions and explanations of most parts of the tree cookie.	The reader has little or no “idea” of the life of the tree from reading your story. There are 0-3 descriptions and explanations of some parts of the tree cookie
Sentences	Uses a variety of sentence types. Sentences vary in beginnings and length. Writes in an engaging manner.	Most sentence types vary. Most sentences vary in beginnings and length. Writes in an engaging manner.	Some variety in sentence types. Sentences do not vary in beginnings and length.	Sentences are incomplete or repetitive.
Science Vocabulary	Correct and consistent use of science vocabulary is used for all descriptions and explanations.	Correct and consistent use of science vocabulary is used for most descriptions and explanations.	Correct and occasional use of science vocabulary is used for some descriptions and explanations.	There is little or no use of science vocabulary.
Grammar and conventions (capitals, punctuation,)	There are minimal errors.	There are some errors.	There are several errors.	There are many errors.

Check list of things to include in your story:

Parts of the tree cookie (science names)

Function of each part of the tree

Photosynthesis

Nutrient Cycle

Age of tree

What events/conditions happened in the tree’s life?

What type of tree is it?

How did its life end?

Where did this tree live?

Tuesday November 26th

Social/Art
Students continued to work on VSJ pages to depict the Seven Sacred Teachings. They chose one that they feel applies to them/one they need more of/important to them and started an individual art project using chalk pastels and silhouette techniques.

Math 
Using large numbers, students worked on deciphering word problems deciding on which operation(s) to utilize and worked through multi-step problems. We will be having a quiz at some point this week.

Science
We looked at unique objects today to practice making a hypothesis (I think...because...).
Literacy
We are writing about why we chose one of the seven sacred teachings. Some students have homework on this tonight if they need to think about more ideas. They have a dark yellow sheet with questions to answer. Please note that we are focusing on the teaching and how it applies to our life or where we may need more of the teaching.

Reminders:
-Bookings for PT Conferences opens this Friday November 28th. Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot.
-PT Conferences are Thursday December 5th 4:00-7:30 and Friday December 6th 8:00-11:30am
-Please pay the $6.00 field trip fee if you have not already done so.

Monday November 25th

Social/Art
Students worked on VSJ pages and depicted the Seven Sacred Teachings. They chose one that they feel applies to them/one they need more of/important to them and started an individual art project using chalk pastels and silhouette techniques.

Math 
Using large numbers, students worked on deciphering word problems deciding on which operation(s) to utilize and worked through multi-step problems. We will be having a quiz at some point this week.

Literacy
Some students are still finishing up their Tree Cookie stories. We will be sharing these at Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Reminders:
-Bookings for PT Conferences opens this Friday November 28th. Please sign up for a 15 minute time slot.
-PT Conferences are Thursday December 5th 4:00-7:30 and Friday December 6th 8:00-11:30am
-Please pay the $6.00 field trip fee if you have not already done so.

Tuesday November 19th

Literacy
Students continue to work on writing tree cookie story. They will be writing their final copy on the computer.

Science/Math/Art
Today we took 'mug shots' and used the cartesian plane coordinates to draw our pictures. 

Social Studies
Students are creating a VSJ page on the seven sacred teachings. 
Reminders:
-Youthlinks field trio tomorrow (please send in your $6.00 fee for the field trip)
-Special Lunch Thursday November 21st.
-No school Friday November 22nd

Friday November 15th

Literacy
Students continue to work on writing tree cookie story. They edited work for proper paragraphs and punctuation today.

Math
We are working on a train engine/car  math problem where students need to create a visual and chart to help with identifying the pattern rule

Finish up:
Student had time to finish up any outstanding work today.


Reminders:
-Youthlinks field trip next Wednesday November 20th (please send in your $6.00 fee for the field trip)
-Special Lunch next Thursday November 21st.
-No school next Friday November 22nd

Thursday November 14th

Science
Students learned about DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and how detectives use it in solving crimes. Students identified where DNA could be found and watched video about its function in the human body.
Literacy
Students continue to work on writing tree cookie story. They edited work for science vocabulary and descriptions/explanations about their tree cookie.

Math
Today we looked at multiplying decimals numbers less than a whole with a whole number and used calculators to find answers and identify patterns and state the pattern rule.

Social Studies
Students were reading about Charter of Rights and Freedoms and individual and collective rights. We discussed vocabulary/concepts: equity, equality, accommodations.

Buddies
We had leadership time to work with and teach the grade 1s a new game in gym.


Reminders:
-Youthlinks field trip next Wednesday November 20th (please send in your $6.00 fee for the field trip)

Wednesday November 13th

ScienceToday we worked on the identifying the difference between class characteristics and accidental characteristics. We also learned about the importance of fibre and hair when working on collecting evidence.

Literacy
Students continue to work on writing tree cookie story. They are working on including their knowledge of trees and demonstrating their writing skills. Students did a peer edit today gave and received feedback on their work to date.


Reminders:
-Youthlinks field trip next Wednesday November 20th (please send in your $6.00 fee for the field trip)

Tuesday November 12th

Science
Trees and Forests test were handed back today and students recorded their marks. Please look at and sign the sheet and return tomorrow. Science tests will be available to view at Parent-Teacher Conferences. 

As part of our Evidence and Investigation, we learned about how forensic scientists use fingerprints and shoe prints to assist in solving crimes. 
Literacy
Students are writing a story about a tree cookie. They are working on including their knowledge of trees and demonstrating their writing skills. Ask your child about the rubric and checklist that accompany the task.



Reminders:
-field trip from due

Thursday November 7th

Science
Students completed their Trees and Forest test.  We also did our next lesson for Evidence and Investigation.  Students learned about the work of the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and the steps involved in solving a crime. 

Literacy
Today we continued our reading of the book 'Feathers'. Students will complete a reflection in the next few days. 



Reminders:
-field trip from due
-Remembrance Day assembly tomorrow at 10:45am
-no school Monday

Wednesday November 6th

Science
Tomorrow is our Trees and Forest test.  Students have been working on science/literacy centers the past few weeks. They have completed work in their visual journal, science books, and graphic organizers. They have done group work, partner work and independent work. Today we did a class review/study page altogether. Students were encouraged to take home their books along with the study page to study this evening.

Literacy
Today we began reading the book 'Feathers'. Students used their reading comprehension skills to contribute to discussion and think about inferencing, questions and connections.

Art
As part of our reflection and honoring of Remembrance Day, the students created a water colour painting of poppies. We watched videos and read a book about Remembrance Day and discussed the importance of the day.  Students also took time to write a letter of gratitude to a veteran.

Reminders:
-field trip from due
-Science test tomorrow
-Remembrance Day assembly on Friday
-no school Monday