What we are Working on in September

Language-

Diagnostic Assessments that let me know what level your child is at.
Shared Novel Study/ Reading - City of Ember (see student websites for pdf of the book)
Writing - Summarizing
              Creating Writing Notebooks

Math-
Patterning (5)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycPd34cFX64


Social Studies-
Government (5)
Canada and its Trading Partners (6)


Gym -
Cooperative Games/ Safety/ Establishing Routines


Art-
Optical Illusions
Group of Seven/ Canadian Artists

Assessing often vs End of Unit Assessments

Every second Friday of the month I will be giving the students a very short quiz on the math units they have covered. In my career, and personal experience as a child who thought that math was something she could never master, I have seen how assessing often in smaller portions (AKA chunking) allows a student to feel less test anxiety and leads to greater success. Many teachers give end-of-the-unit tests that span up to 4 or 5 pages. I think any child sitting down to a multiple page test in Mathematics is bound to feel overwhelmed. I will give ample notice of all quizzes during the week ahead.

If you wish to have extra practice then check out the following amazing website:
 http://www.nelson.com/mathfocus/grade5/student/tryout.html#ch1

You can also click on the "Resources' tab above and use the Practice and Homework Book for sample questions.

Did you know...

I understand that often students have trouble with remembering. They often are so excited to go home, and the end of the day is always a rush, that they forget their homework. For that reason I have included links to our textbooks. If you click on the 'Resources' tab above, you will find a page that contains links to our math books and current novels. These are links that have been online but we rarely think to even search for them. I have also included links to the 'Homework and Practice' texts for math. These are great resources for parents who want their child to have extra practice.

Homework will also be listed on the Remind App. Now there is no reason why we can't finish our work!

I know that there are often circumstances which prohibit children from getting their work done. If this is the case a simple note in their planner will do. Thank you for your cooperation.

We are tweeting

Every week two students will be randomly chosen to tweet something they learned each day on Twitter. You can follow us by going to http://twitter.com/Miss_Bilton .

Our Classroom News

September Newsletter

5/6 Bilton

Dear Parent(s)/ Guardian(s), My name is Miss Barbara Bilton and welcome to the 2015-2016 school year.  I hope you and your family had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  The weather was just beautiful! I am excited to be partnering with you in your child’s education this coming year. I hope that your child is ready to work hard and have fun along the way. I am sending home a student information sheet and a parent survey. Please fill each out as they are important in helping me learn about your child, their needs, and your goals for this year. This school year, the daily schedules will continue to follow a 5 -day cycle. Tuesday September 8th  is Day 1. Monday September 14th   will be Day 5.

Here is some important information you will need to know:

Agendas: Home-school communication is a key to student success and the agenda planner is an effective tool to not only instill responsibility and organization but maintain on-going communication between home and school. Your child will complete his/her agenda every day, making note of any new homework, special events and other important information. Agenda planners can be purchased for $2. If you are unable to purchase one please let me know. I kindly ask that you read and sign the agenda nightly and to review your child’s homework to make sure that it has been completed. I will check the agendas each day as well as read and respond to any questions or concerns you may have. Thank you!

School Newsletter: Please read over the school newsletter with your child. You will find important information regarding school routines, student expectations, dress code, etc. A Media Release/ Photo Consent Form and SAFE USE OF TECHNOLOGY (computers) at school Form will also be sent home. Please send in this important form by the end of this week.

LUNCH: The lunch hour is from 12:20 pm to 1:00 pm. If your child regularly eats his/her lunch at school, he:/she MUST bring in a signed permission EACH TIME he/she is to leave the school property at lunchtime. Please meet with your child in the school office and sign them out when picking up your child at lunch. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated! If your child regularly goes home for lunch, please ensure the proper documentation has been sent into the office and that they arrive back at school prior to 1:00.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES ( SUGGESTED / OPTIONAL):

If your child would prefer to have his/her own personal set of school supplies, please refer to the suggested list of items that your child will find useful in our classroom (many items can be purchased at a reasonable price at the Dollar Store). Please keep in mind these are supplementary as I have purchased most needed supplies for the classroom.

l  a large pencil case or box- large enough to hold all pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, glue etc. but it MUST fit inside your child’s desk, please

l   pencil crayons- package of 24 “Crayola” or “Laurentian”, pre-sharpened (these are a better quality of pencil crayons)

l  large glue sticks- we use this throughout the year

l  pencil sharpener that catches/collects shavings

l  erasers

l  1 “double-pocket portfolio”- to use to organize loose sheets of paper

l  highlighters

l  a zippered pouch to transport agenda, money, and forms to school

Please send to school only a few pencils, erasers, highlighters and keep extras at home for homework and easy access to more as needed throughout the year. 

REGULAR COMMUNICATION:  In keeping up with the changing times, I have chosen to use the Remind App to send you information or reminders on what is going on in your child's classroom daily. In order for me to add you to the class list an email or cellphone number is required. I will send instructions on how to download and use this app further on in this newsletter. At the bottom of this form, please kindly fill out your e-mail address or cellphone # so future communication can be sent you.  I thank you in advance. I also have a classroom blog where I will be posting future newsletters, class pictures, important information, celebrations etc. I comprehensive list of excellent practice resources and websites is also available on the blog at www.missbilton.blogspot.ca

Gym: In order to safely participate in gym your child will require a pair of rubber-soled sneakers. These can either be left at the school for these days or worn the day off. Failure to have proper footwear will lead to not being allowed to participate. If you are having difficulty in providing these for your child, please let me know.

I look forward to a wonderful Grade 5/6 year with your child. 

                                   Yours in education,

                                         Miss Bilton

How to Subscribe to out Remind App.