Mr. Barrett's Grade 5 Classroom

Dear Parents,

Christmas is around the corner and I wish all families festive greetings.  The students are very excited about Christmas. Just a reminder to book your student-led conference for  December month. It will be nice to talk to you all. If you would like to talk on a different day that works better for you, please let know and we will choose a date. The students have had an awesome first term and we look forward to the next one. Enjoy your family and have a wonderful holiday. There is no school on December 4. Christmas holidays start December 18! Back on January 4. Report cards will be sent home Monday, November 30.

Course Material Update:

Math- students learned to:

1. Add/ Subtract Decimal Numbers
2. Estimate and calculate the above.
3. Next unit is ‘Multiplication’ for December.

Science-

1. learning included designing and constructing simple circuits
2. learning ways of using electricity safely

Social Studies-

1. examining and analyzing regions of the St. Lawrence Lowlands, Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Appalachian region
2. examining how we use our resources (eg. Cod fishery debate)

Language Arts- students were able to:

1. read and respond to independent and shared texts.
2. Recollect and create for novel assignments (map and timeline)
3. Finishing up novel study Hatchet and spelling units
4. Some Christmas Writing

Art-

1.  students worked on Remembrance Day posters, silhouette art project, Picasso Portraits, Artolazzi art, dragon eyes, etc
2. Creating Christmas crafts and Paintings this month

Health- students have been learning about dealing with stress and having a healthy lifestyle, we are now looking at being a good listener

Religion- students will further their understanding of Advent this month

Review over Estimation of Adding/Subtracting of Decimals so far (Unit 3) 

Science: Safety Rules Sheets due Tuesday

Social: St. Lawrence Lowlands Brochure due Tuesday (work on it over the weekend if needed)

Spelling Unit 8

1. shelter
2. moose
3. honesty
4. bravery
5. energy
6. Lawrence Lowlands
7. safety
8. hydroelectricity
9. facts
10. porcupine
11. smoldered
12. charcoal
13. miserable
14. roaringly

LANGUAGE ARTS

Students will be completing a variety of reading and writing activities related to the following themes:

*  Growing Up

*  A Shiver of Mysteries (mystery stories, real life mysteries)         

*  Larger than Life

*  Friendship

*  Worlds to Discover (different cultures, places, etc)

• Three novel studies –Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
• Number the Stars -Lois Lowry
• Harry Potter -J.K Rowling

Students will demonstrate language skills with increasing confidence and will improve their abilities to use language to explore, construct and communicate meaning.  Students have a spelling test to complete most weeks. Words given Mondays, tests written Fridays.  Monthly Grammar activities will also be completed.  POETRY and various types of WRITING will occur throughout all units.  Writing stories, poems, journal entries, and book reports will be a big part of the writing program throughout the year. They will be working on their reading/comprehension skills weekly. We will have D.E.A.R (silent reading) daily. We will buddy read once a week with the grade one class.

MATH

 The following topics will be the focus through the math curriculum:

 Four Strands of Mathematics 5

1. Number (Chapters 2,3,6,7,9)
2. Statistics and Probability [Data Analysis, Chance and Certainty] (Chapters 4,10)
3. Shape and Space [Measurement, 3D Objects, 2D Shapes, Transformations] (Chapters 5,8,11)
4. Patterns Relation [Patterns, Variables and Equations] (Chapter 1)

 We will be using the Nelsen textbook and resources.  This new program focuses a lot on group work, use of manipulatives, and theory and strategy. Many of the new strategies in this program will be just that. This math has changed a great deal over the last few years. Please parents’, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. You could even write a note to communicate with me in your child’s agenda. The good news is that the answers are all in the back of the textbook. You can use this to check over your child’s homework.  This new program involves greater detailed explanations of everyday math concepts.

 SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will examine how the ways of life of peoples in Canada are integral to Canadian culture and identity. They will explore geographic vastness of Canada and relationships between the land, places and people.

General Outcome #1:  Students will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of how the physical geography and natural resources of Canada affect the quality of life of all Canadians.

General Outcomes #2:  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the people and the stories of Canada and their ways of life over time, and appreciate the diversity of Canada’s heritage.

General Outcome #3:  Students will demonstrate an understanding of the events and factors that have changed the ways of life in Canada over time and appreciate the impact of these changes on citizenship and identity.

SCIENCE

 The following units will be covered in the Science program:

*  Electricity and Magnetism – Students learn about electricity by building and testing circuits. Using batteries, bulbs, and wires, they construct simple circuits and test the effects of various modifications. Danger and safety are examined.

*  Mechanisms Using Electricity – Students construct simple circuits, and apply an understanding of circuits to the construction and control of motorized devices.

*  Classroom Chemistry – Students describe the properties and interactions of various household liquids and solids, and interpret their interactions.

*  Weather Watch – Students observe, describe, and interpret weather  and relate it to the heating and cooling of Earth’s surface.  As well, they investigate relationships between weather and human activity.

*  Wetland Ecosystems – Students describe the living and non-living components of a wetland ecosystem and the interactions within and among them.

Note: one or two of our fieldtrips are always based on science.

The grade fives usually host a science fair in May for all the other classes. There will be more to come on this later in the year.

RELIGION

 This year we will be focusing on how the church is a gathering, a communion of people from all nations in and through the spirit of God .The aim is to explore how young Christians are witnesses of God’s justice and love and how they come together as a community. Various topics will include love, friendship, forgiveness, faith, and understanding. We will look at the lives of various individuals throughout the bible like Jesus and his disciples, Moses, etc. We will be having masses throughout the year. You are always welcome to attend. 

 HEALTH AND LIFE SKILLS

The following topics are to be covered in the Health curriculum:

*  Relationship Choices – Students will demonstrate effective interpersonal skills that demonstrate responsibility, respect and caring in order to establish and maintain healthy interactions.

* Wellness Choices – Students will make responsible and informed choices to maintain health and to promote safety for self and others.

* Life Learning Choices – Students will use resources effectively to manage and explore life roles and career opportunities and challenges.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION                                                                                    

The Grade Five physical education program consists of the following components:

*  Physical Fitness

*  Games and Sports (tag rugby, soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, badminton, fitness games, etc.

*  Dance

*  Outdoor Pursuits

*  Track and Field

LUNCHTIME INTRAMURALS may also be an option for students throughout the year. Kick ball, swamp ball, and soccer are some of the sports we may be organizing. The TERRY FOX RUN and JUMP ROPE FOR HEART are some other fabulous programs that we may take part in. These activities have yet to be decided. 

Mrs. McNair will be teaching P.E three times a week in the gym or outside, while I will be organizing physical activities 2-3 times per week with the students in the classroom or outside.

ART

Students will continue to expand the concepts of painting, printmaking, sketching, drawing, and weaving.  Many projects will be integrated with the various themes we are studying in other subject areas.

MUSIC

Mrs. Mullin teaches the music program.       

COMPUTERS

Computers will be integrated regularly into all subject areas.

Every classroom has a Smart Board and document camera. Students will be using

Chrome Books and Laptops daily throughout the curriculum.

 FIELD TRIPS:  There is a good chance that there will be no field trips this year due to covid 19.