September & October 2016 News

                            Grade 5 & 6 Blended - Teacher: Ms. K. Moorman

French Partners: Mme Grenier, Mme Corriveau, Mme Joly

Program Night will be held on: 

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 from 6:45 - 8:15

Welcome to

Grade 5 & 6 Blended

I would like to welcome all the students, and their families. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. This year, our School Board theme is "Sent to be the Good News”. We will integrate the Board theme into all subjects and our daily life.

Please continue to check the class Blog (http://mrsmoorman.blogspot.ca/) for important events and assignments. I encourage all families to purchase a St. Clare Agenda, this year, as we will be using it daily. The cost is $8.00 cash. Please sign your child's agenda daily; it will be used as a communication tool between parents, students and teachers. Throughout the year, please feel free to contact me at school (613-834-6334), if you have any questions or concerns.

Ms. Karen Moorman

Grade 5 & 6 Mathematics                               

To begin the year, the Grade 5 and 6 classes are working on the Number Sense and Numeration strand, followed by Patterning and Data Management. In grade 5 & 6, a BIG focus is placed on understanding math vocabulary and the relationship between strands and skills taught. Strands and skills are compared, contrasted, and linked to one another. It is very important for students to be able to make those links in order to succeed in more sophisticated Mathematics, at the upper levels. We will begin with a review of the basic skills (+, -,  X,  /,  of whole numbers and decimals), Place Value, Problem Solving, and Mental Math strategies. The students should complete their homework every night and memorize their multiplication tables to 12. Math vocabulary should also be reviewed regularly.

When the Ontario Math curriculum was updated, a strong emphasis was placed on Problem Solving as the basis of an effective Math program. Students learn by solving "multi-step / multi-strand word problems".  Students need strong language skills to decipher the word problems and they must be able to connect mathematical ideas and develop a conceptual understanding. Students will learn to select problem-solving strategies, make a plan to carry out the problem, solve the problem, look back and check the reasonableness of their answer, and finally communicate / describe the solution, and how it was reached. The Grade 6s will be working on Problem Solving, on a regular basis, with a focus on "EQAO like" questions. This year, Grade 5 and 6s will be using a variety of resources to meet the Revised Mathematics curriculum.

Grade 5 & 6 English Language Arts / Comprehensive Literacy:

Grade 5 & 6 is following the "Comprehensive Literacy Model":

- Oral Language (integrated into all subjects)

- Reading (Modeling, Shared, Guided, and Independent)

- Writing (Modeling, Shared, Guided, and Independent)

- Working With Words & Word Study

- Media Literacy

To begin the year, the students will be reading and writing texts from a variety of genres & forms. A major focus, this term, will be teacher Read-Alouds (teaching and reviewing reading strategies and examining literature critically) and Independent / Guided Reading (applying strategies and improving fluency). The students will focus on the following reading strategies this term: Pre-reading strategies, Fix-Up, Predicting, and Analyzing. Term 1 Writing will focus on developing ideas, organization, conventions, word choice, and presentation. Our oral language focus will be listening and asking questions.

Grade 5 and 6 Religion:

The Religion Program will be integrated into all subject areas and our daily lives. Many Religion lessons will revolve around the new School Board theme, " Sent to be the Good News” and the symbol for each grade (Grade 5 - the rock and Grade 6 - light). The major focus of the Grade 6 Religion program is "You are the light of the world". The grade 6 students are asked to be a "Guiding Light", develop their leadership skills, and act according to the Gospel. We believe that every person can be a light and this is the year to demonstrate their strengths and special talents.

First term, Grade 6 Religion will focus of Unit 1 and 2 - "You are my friends" and Unit 2 " I love you with an everlasting love". In Family Life, we will discuss "Created and Loved by God", Unit 1, in Fully Alive.

Confirmation information will be announced later in the Fall.

Agenda, Blog  & Homework:                       

The students will be asked to purchase an agenda to keep themselves organized ($8.00 cash). Please review and sign the agenda, on a daily basis, and ensure that all homework is completed well, and returned the following day. For homework, the students are expected to complete any unfinished class work, research projects, read novels, type writing assignments, study for tests,  and independently review/practise any skills they are having difficulty with. Completing homework and being prepared for class, on a daily basis, are 2 key items to ensure success in grade 5 and 6. Please check our class Blog daily.    http://mrsmoorman.blogspot.ca/

Grade 5s and 6s Special Events / Activities:               

- Many sports teams & School Play

- Scientist in Schools workshop

- 2 Social Justice Project

- Year-End Trips

- Grade 6  - Office Helpers

- Grade 6  - 2 ski trips (Feb. & March)

- Grade 6  - Retreat at Divine Infant Church

- Grade 6 - St. Peter's Catholic High School tour / visit

- Grade 6 Leave Taking Ceremony & Dance

- Grade 6 - EQAO Testing (end of May)

Key items and supplies to have a successful day:           

Lunch, snacks, water bottle, indoor shoes, pencil case with coloured pencils, markers, pens (red and blue), pencils, pencil sharpener, erasers, scissors, white glue, glue sticks, 1 Kleenex Box, 1 Box of Large Ziploc bags, agenda, calculator, variety of Highlighters, 4 pre-cut Tennis Balls for the feet of the chair, etc.