Tuesday, December 8, 2015

December 7th-11th

Hello Families,

The annual Christmas Baskets are being filled and we are counting on your generosity to help provide D.E.S. families in need with a little extra this holiday season.

This week and next there will be less homework as we spend time on special holiday activities and outings. You will find details in the newsletter sent to your and your child's email.

This week, please remember there is a strike day this Wednesday. Hopefully it will be the last!

This week's assignments

Math: working with fractions, students will continue review in JUMP math at home and will be working on new skills and problem solving in class.

Music/response: students need to complete a response on the song of their choice from Annie  for next Monday.

Social Science: the summative text on the first module will come home this week, along with the Places in Time text for the next unit (to be read over the next month).

Science: students should read the book "Energy Sources: Pros and Cons" for Friday

Music/Concert Preparation: students should memorize the lyrics to the songs we will be performing next week.

Have a wonderful week!


Monday, November 16, 2015

November 16th-20th

Hello Families,

This week I look forward to meeting with most of you for a progress meeting this Parents' Night.
Interview times went home today and report cards will follow tomorrow. In an effort to respect parents' time and the schedules of the other teachers, I will be attempting to keep the interviews to the scheduled 10 minutes. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Wednesday cycle 3 will be visiting RRHS to view a play about Remembrance Day. It should be an excellent opportunity to visit the school and view a dramatic work - thank you for returning permission slips quickly.

This week's homework:

Social Science sheet due Thursday

Math: pages in JUMP each night on the topics of Prime and Composite Numbers, factors, multiples, factor trees, and exponential notation. A quiz is coming up before we move on to fractions - it's a great time to review with your child.

Reflex math is a must  - please have your child show you their pyramid - They should be fluent in all the multiplication tables.

ELA: A response rubric and the last completed response will come home to be signed.
Students will need to read the digital book Energy Resouces (our next topic in Science)
RAZ Kids should be used several times a week.

Have a wonderful week!


Monday, November 2, 2015

November 2nd to November 6th

Hello Families,


Parent Interview forms have been sent home - please return them as soon as possible.

Math: Please sign the quiz on exponents and long division and supervise the corrections
           Expect 1 page of homework per evening.

ELA: Students should read the English portion of the Remembrance Times for Friday

Science: A short quiz will come home tomorrow,  students will need to correct it and have it signed by a parent.


The work that stays the same, all year, week in and week out:

Home reading: every evening

Reflex 3 times a week until you have the green light

RAZ Kids: 2 books and their quiz each week




Monday, October 19, 2015

October 19th - 23rd

Hello Families,

A few pieces of housekeeping before we move on to the homework:

*Ferme des Voltigeurs Fundraising campaign ends this week. Please send in your orders for Thursday the 22nd. The funds collected go to activities for all the students, but also pay for the Graduations T-Shirts our class will receive. Thank you for your help!

*The holiday show permission form is also due this Wednesday. This outing is part of the Arts program and we look forward to having all the students participate.

*Friday is a pedagogical day - if you need childcare, please contact the office.


Homework:

Math: continuing with division and calculation of decimals, it is very important that all students us the Reflex Math app several times a week to help them develop fluency in their calculations. There will be a short calculation test this week as well as continuing work with word problems (green duotang and JUMP math book)

Social Science: Students have their first test in their backpacks to be signed by a parent, and corrections are due Thursday. We are using this work as an opportunity to strengthen study skills while learning about Quebec Society around 1980 (orange duotang)

Science: Students began in class a comprehension exercise that they will need to complete at home for Thursday (purple duotang and text on iPad)

Language Arts: Students should spend 15 to 20 minutes per night reading in the novel they chose from the class library. Students also have their first response in their blue duotang  - to be signed by a parent.

Have a lovely week!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

October 13th

Hello Families,

Here are the highlights of this short week:

Social Science Quiz Wednesday

Math: Calculating Decimals practice, as well as multiplication and division practice.

Science reading: section on Thunderstorms from ebook sent to students over email.

Fundraising Campaign is going strong - please send your orders for October 22nd

Permission slips for the Holiday Show due as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful week!

Kathy Napier

Monday, October 5, 2015

Week of October 5th

Hello Families,

* A special note - we have a family with hamsters to give away to a good home. Please email me if you are interested.*

In math this week we will be moving on to the study of decimals and decimal computation. You can expect one or two pages of homework each night in the JUMP math exercise book, and students are asked to write the date at the top of the page and fold the corner to find the page more easily when the get home.

In Social Sciences we are combining our study of the economy in Quebec with an investigation of the coming federal election. Students can use the Pollenize app to get more information on each party. The homework this week is to study Adventure 1, focusing on the sector of the economy each team was asked to read to find the main ideas and details. This work will be shared with the class Wednesday and an evaluation of the concepts in Adventure 1 will follow at the end of the week.

For our Science class Wednesday students are to bring in photos they have taken (using the iPad)
of cloud formations.

If you have not yet done so, please review and sign the class Technology Code of Conduct, found inside your child's ERC duotang.

Students should be using the apps
Reflex ( 3 times a week)
RAZ Kids ( twice a week)
* students without an Internet connection at home can borrow A-Z books instead.

Home-reading: some students have not changed their book since borrowing it at the beginning of last month. If they aren't reading it, please send it back: we have plenty of others from which they can choose.

Fundraising information comes home Monday - please check your child's bag.

Have your seen our school's Facebook page? Like the page to get updates on what's happening at school.

https://www.facebook.com/drummondvilleelementary

Have a wonderful week!

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

September 28th- October 2nd

Hello Families,

This week students will be doing an error analysis of their first math quiz. Please sign both the test and the corrections, and ask your child what mistakes they made and how they will avoid these in the future.

In Social Science, we will soon be having a short quiz on the Quebec economy around 1980, the subject of the first section of the text. Students should revise their class notes and review the vocabulary sheet assigned this week.

In Science, we are studying weather systems and clouds. Students need to use their iPads to take photos of different cloud formations and bring these to class next Wednesday.

Home-reading books are beginning to be changed, but many students have been reading the same novel for the whole month. If they do not enjoy the book, or is it is too hard, please have them bring it back and we will choose another together.

iPads are now going home. Our class Code of Conduct was produced after a great deal of discussion. Please sign the code and talk about the different sections with your child.

iPad homework: Reflex math a minimum of 3 times a week
                           RAZ Kids books and Quizes twice a week.

Have a lovely week!
Kathy Napier

Monday, September 21, 2015

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Hello Families,

 As mentioned during "Meet the Teacher" Night, I will do my best to update this blog weekly with the assignments and important information that will help the students organize their week. You can subscribe to this page on the sidebar and will receive this information directly in your email.


Picture Day Tuesday, September 22nd




Math: 1 to 2 pages per night in JUMP 6.1, focusing on calculation
           Assessment this week on Number Sense work done this month.

Social Science: reread pages 10 and 11 in Places in Time and complete the chart on the natural resources of Quebec. Due Friday.

Science: finish corrections to "Lightning Can Strike Twice" started in class, for Friday

Homereading every night


Scholastic Orders due Friday 

Have a wonderful week!

Friday, May 15, 2015

May Update

Hello Families,

The English Exam is now behind us, and we have an exam-free week is ahead of us. We will be revising for the Math Exam, due to begin May 25th and continue through June 4rth with segments of the test undertaken each day.

Over the coming weeks students will be reviewing key concepts in class and at home. I am correcting much of this work myself and we will correct the rest in class. All of this review will be contained in a light-blue duotang (coming home daily) and the JUMP 6.1 and 6.2 exercise books. These exercise books also have explanations, examples, and additional practice.

While I will be directing the lessons toward the areas in which we most need revision, it is important for students to ask questions and to help self-identify places where they have difficulty. If you find your child struggles, please help them, and refer them to the notes they have in these places for the strategies and processes we have studied in class. Then make sure your child is asking me for clarification in class as well.

As well as the materials above, there is math concept practice at Mathfrog (http://cemc2.math.uwaterloo.ca/mathfrog/)

Thank you for the help you give your child!

Kathy Napier


Important Dates:

May 22nd      Visit to RRHS

June 5th         Pedagogical Day

June 10th       Class Trip to Quebec City

June 18th      Graduation at 1p.m. in our gymnasium

June 23rd      Last Day of School


Monday, March 30, 2015

March 30th - April 1st

Hello Families,

We have two short weeks broken by the Easter Break, and as a result there is some studying but less homework and paperwork than usual.

Please note that the end of year trip will take place June10th and the Graduation will take place June18th at 1pm.

Homework:

Math: review of fractions, decimals, percent, and ratios, last week's test will come home Tuesday when the students finish their error analysis.
New unit on transformational geometry will begin soon.

Science/Reading: Students will complete the concept web began in class on the topic of Energy Sources for Wednesday, April 8th.

Lit Circles: students must complete their summary and read the agreed-upon chapters for Thursday, April 9th.

Students should change their home-reading before the break.

Have a lovely Easter!
Kathy Napier

Sunday, March 15, 2015

March 16th - 20th



Hello Families,

It is shaping up to be a busy week in grade six this coming week - here are the highlights:

Tuesday is Saint-Patrick's Day - students are invited to wear green to celebrate and will be offered green ice cream at lunchtime.

Wednesday is our class Bake Sale to raise money for our trip to Quebec City on June 10th.
We hope to raise enough to cover part of the transportation and our walking tour of the city.
Thank you for your support and please remember items must be nut-free.


Thursday students will have "cap and gown" graduation photos taken during the morning. Bring your brightest smile!

Friday is Hawaiian Day! Tropical dress (over warm clothes, of course) is encouraged as we try to celebrate the coming sunshine.

Please remember that Portfolio Night will be March 26th  - watch the agenda for paperwork to select the time-slot most convenient for you.



The GRADUATION Ceremony will be help June 18th at 1pm in the gym, where out school community will mark the end of your child's time here at Drummondville Elementary. We hope to see you there.

Have a wonderful week,
Kathy Napier

Thursday, February 26, 2015

March Sprouts

Hello Families,

On March 13th we will be welcoming Caroline Couture to the class for a special project on sprouts and their heath benefits. Madison's mom has offered her time and expertise, as well as the materials needed, to help students grow their own sprouts.

Students will need to bring to school a small, square, shallow container in which to grow their sprouts. (see photo). We'll need this container for the Friday of the week we come back from the break.

Have a wonderful March Break, and I hope to see everyone in good health when school restarts!
Kathy Napier

Monday, February 23, 2015

February 23rd- 27th

Hello Families,

In this last week before Spring Break there are many students absent with various viruses including a virulent strain of gastroenteritis. Please keep ill children home to prevent the spread of these infections.

This week is full of wonderful activities.

Today students saw the Geordie Production "Game Changers." Geordie is a Montreal-based theatre troupe that offers traveling productions for schools. Ask you child about what they saw and whatthey thought of the play.

Tuesday we have a Basketball Tournament at A.D.S. Elementary. Students need to bring a lunchbox, water bottle, and gym clothes. It is always a really fun day, with the emphasis on participation and teamwork - there is a place for everyone, even those students who don't feel gifted players.

Thursday students will need to be prepared to discuss their Literature Circle book with their team.
We will also have a short math quiz on relating Ratios, Percents, and Fractions.

Friday we are scheduled to have our Plaisirs d'Hiver activities. Due to the Jeux du Quebec taking place this coming weekend, we will no longer be able to ski. Students will need to bring skates and helmet (bicycle helmuts, hockey or ski helmets are all fine) - we will be skating and playing broomball in the morning, and will be playing Katag and other games in the afternoon.

I hope that your family has the opportunity over the March Break to be outdoors and to enjoy time together. I hope to see you all in good health in March!

Best,
Kathy Napier

Monday, February 9, 2015

February 9th - 13th

Hello Families,

This week I am excited to be attending a two-day conference in Laval on the work of a researcher from New Zealand - I hope to bring back many new ideas about how best to help your child learn!

This week we begin a new term - report cards will be coming home next week. Though there is no Parent Night in term two, I am available if you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, and I look forward to seeing you in March for Portfolio Night -it  will be our first experience presenting Digital Portfolios and the students have been working hard.

This week, there will be lessons and practice in several subjects:

ELA: Your child should be reading from RAZ Kids or changing their home-reading regularly. As well, we have begun Literature Circles, and you child has (or shortly will have) a book to read from at home and the task of writing discussion questions and collecting interesting words in a shared Google document. Please make they bring the book back on days we're working together.

Math: we are continuing our study of fractions and doing more work with longer word problems. Your child will have work to do each night and is asked to practice their calculation using Reflex math.

Social Sciences: last week's test will come home to be signed. The new module will be short and include classwork on the Voices! audio and video your child is in the process of creating.

Science: we will begin a mini-unit on energy from plants shortly  - as well as a unit on other energy sources. It should be interesting - ask your child to tell you about what we're learning!

Have a wonderful week!
 





Monday, January 26, 2015

January 26th-30th

Hello Families,

End of term is here and many projects and assignments are wrapping up. As our Internet connection here at school has been wonky, your child may be asked to turn in work from home using Google Classroom. Have them show you how we do this - the process is really neat.

This week we are also asking for the Registration papers for the 2015 school year to come back, whether or not your child is staying with our school board next year.


Interesting connectiosn to our unit on Space, if you can get your child outside after sunset with a pair of binoculars:

An Asteroid will pass by tonight - the closest asteroid until 2027




Comet Lovejoy: A green comet is visible in the sky during January




Assignments:
Math: 
Reflex math app practice 3 times a week is helpful to have fact fluency and be able to calculate quickly and with confidence. In our current fractions unit, students who know their times-tables by heart have an easier timer learning new concepts (such as equivalence and calculating with fractions.

Social Studies:
continuing with the changes in Quebec Society between 1905 and 1980, wee are exploring the consequences of changes to transportation and of urban sprawl to our society. Students should be reading in their text and making visual notes.

As well, our Voices! project is ongoing, and your child should be using their ipad to collect photos from the websites and documents given to use in their short film.

Science/ reading:
This week your child received an e-book they need to read for Friday, when they will have a short comprehension evaluation.
Your child is also responsible for posting their infographic and their video to heir Kidblog account.

ELA:
There will be a response begun and completed in class, but students will have the text to reread at home Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Have a wonderful week!

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

January 12th-16th

Hello Families,

The end of term approaches, and for this reason attendance is very important. A number of projects and presentations are taking place, and summative evaluations and assessments are essential to the report card preparation. When a student is absent, it is not possible to recover all the material covered and strategies learned. When an absence is forseen (such as for a sports event or appointment) providing me with advanced notice is not only greatly appreciated, but it helps us plan for your child to complete their work.

This week's homework and lessons:

Math: Quiz Wednesday on mixed operations with decimals
Daily calculation homework, as well as some application problems that will need to be corrected and signed.

Social Studies:
Read Adventure 1 and be prepared to discuss it in class.
Practice the "Voices!" text and be ready to record when a time and space is available.

ELA:
Read form RAZ Kids and/or Reading A-Z, as well as homereading book
Playground Assignment: create a winter playground game
Sign last text response.

iPads are needed for French class - extra important that they come to school charged.

ERC team presentations on Places of Worship to take place this week.

Have a wonderful week!


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

January 6th, 2015

Welcome Back!

I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday, filled with special moments with your family.



Homework and Paperwork for this Week:

Caisse Scolaire deposits are due this Wednesday.

Math
Calculation with decimals practice, 9 mixed equations per night and a short quiz next Wednesday

Social Science
1) be ready to record your "Voices" text
2) experiment with imovie to be able to make your film.
3) read Adventure 1 and complete sheets 58 and 59 in the duotang

ELA
change home-reading, continue to read 2 books and complete 2 quizzes in RAZ kids each week.

Have a wonderful week!