Welcome to winter!  Just in time for our ski trip tomorrow!

Since we finally have some snow, our trip tomorrow is a definite GO! Mild weather and some rain is in the forcast, so students should definitely dress in layers and have extra mitts and socks in their bag.  Snow pants, hats and a waterproof jacket are strongly recommended.  Nothing will make a skier more uncomfortable than being wet and cold due to inappropriate clothes.  I am suggesting students bring a water bottle and extra snacks as well.  Lunch is served around noon, and we are used to eating a little before that.  Also, they tend to be hungry after all that fresh air and exercise.  Parents planning to join us will also be provided a yummy hot lunch of soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.  Cost for volunteers is $15.  Mrs. Turek's class is joining us, so the bus may be a little crowded, but there should be enough room for parents coming.  You are welcome to meet us there or follow the bus if you prefer a quieter ride!!

Once all students have finished their math tests (some absences last week), I will send them home for signatures.

Speeches are well underway.  I sent home an updated schedule last week (pink sheet) with a new timeline.  Because the school competition is on Feb. 17th, we have a little more time to prepare in class.  Most students are working on rough drafts and a few are ready for revising, editing and good copies.  Once they are ready for the oral practice/cue cards, they will be coming home in the backpack.  Please refer to the rubrics on the green sheet outlining speech preparation when assisting your child with their oral presentation.  These will begin Monday Feb. 13th and continue until the end of that week.

We are starting our geometry unit of angle, triangles and parallelograms this week.  Students should have a protractor to use.  I have extras in the classroom to borrow if necessary.

Please remember to send in curling forms this week.  Our trip is coming up next Thursday.  Parents are welcome to join us at the Fergus Curling Club, no experience necessary! We curl from 1:00 to 2:00. Kids need a large milk bag to put over their clean running shoe as a slider.

Our school wide letter writing program is beginning this week.  I have volunteered our class to be the mail sorters/carriers for the next 2 weeks.  We will also be getting lots of practice writing to our school pen pals in Grade 3/4 and others around the school.

C.H.

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a wonderful holidays.  The students came back a little tired, but ready to work!

We are starting several new units.  In math we are currently working on adding and subtracting strategies with both large and small numbers (decimals), and improving mental math strategies. Next we will begin a unit on geometry, focusing on angles, triangles and parallelograms.

In language, we are looking a persuasive pieces of writing, in essays, advertisements, letters and speeches.  Students will be asked to write a speech in the persuasive form.  They will be asked to take a position on a topic of their choice and try to convince their audience that their opinion is the best.  We will be doing the writing at school.  In a few weeks, students will bring home their speech to practice and polish their oral delivery.  I will send home a rubric and further explanation of the assignment with timelines for completion next week, once students have chosen their topics.  Because I am assessing their writing, I am asking that students do not receive help at home on this aspect of their speech.  Your assistance can come nearer the end of the process with the practice of the oral component.

In science we are working on electricity.  Students typically find this unit interesting, as there is lots of hands on opportunities to explore how electricity works in a safe way.

Thanks to those of you who have returned tests, rubrics and ski forms recently.  For anyone wishing to join us on the ski trip, please do so.  I believe there is some cost for the rentals and lunch.  Curling forms will come home soon for our curling trip in February.

CH