Happy Holidays

Dear Parents:

I feel so honoured to be your child's teacher. These first few months as we grew to know a bit about each other have been a time of enrichment and amazement. I teach a wonderful group of skilled, mature, curious, enthusiastic and talented learners. I so look forward to the next term, where the learning will continue, confidence will increase, and leadership should bubble up.

I am very thankful for the lovely Christmas cards and gifts you sent my way, as well as for the baking and prep families helped with, in order to make our small party this afternoon such a success. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness and evident support; it means a lot to a teacher!

The snow outside our window was like frosting on the cake today... you couldn't have scripted it better if you tried. Just a few magical days left and then it will be Christmas! I hope yours is a time of family, relaxation, warmth, and ease.

See you in the new year!

TodaysMeet

This is an example of how students can share their thoughts collaboratively online, in a safe, closed "chat room". I typed a question about a novel we're reading, and students began to answer using the school's iPads. Not only can they see my question, they can see their own and everyone else's responses on their iPad. This "room" will delete in one week. Check it out! After clicking the link above, scroll down to view my first question, then the students' answers, and subsequent questions and answers.

This free collaborative space is called TodaysMeet, and requires no account or email to set it up. Great for backchannel conversations in the classroom.

Homework:

Math:
Gr 4: p. 76 # 1-6 (F) (except choir singers who are exempt tonight)
(Any Gr. 4s who re-wrote their 3 x tables quiz should bring it home for a parent signature, and return to Mr. Clarke (F)
Gr 5: p. 130 # 4, 6, 7, 8 (F)

Social Studies:
Gr. 5: Text p. 135 and Natural Resources chart (T)

Science:
Div 5 did their first "Genius Hour" today (and it was great! See pictures below), and will present next Tuesday.

Div 4 has their first Genius Hour tomorrow (Friday) and they will present next Wednesday.

Our first Genius Hour prep period with Ms. Reichert's Div 5 class:

Math Homework:
Gr. 4: p. 74 # 1-7 (Th)
Gr 5: p. 129 # 1-3 (Th)

Socials
Natural Environment handout coloured (T)

Science
Prepare for Genius Hour:
Div 4 (padlet.com/wall/clarkefirstname) (for Friday Dec 6)
Div 5 (Thursday Dec 5)

Reminder:
Vancouver Giants "Read to Succeed" draw will happen soon. Completed passports due asap

Report card *covers only* are to be returned to Mr. Clarke asap. You keep the report card.

3 x tables quiz ought to be signed by a parent and shown to Mr. Clarke. Next opportunity to write the quiz is this Thursday Dec 5)

Genius Hour!

Genius Hour

 Both Division 4 and Division 5 are getting ready for their first ever "Genius Hour" as part of our Science unit on Weather.

When?  Div 5 (Reichert) Thurs. Dec 5;  Div 4 (Clarke) Friday Dec 6, 2013.

What? Students need to come up with a topic of inquiry related to weather over the next few days. Any weather-related topic that lights up their enthusiasm and passion! Next week on their respective days, students will have an hour to get their presentation prepared. It is done in-class... it is not homework, although many will want to do their research at home so they are ready next week with an idea for their presentation.

I'll have paper, glue, sissors available for those who wish to make a poster about their Genius Hour topic, but if students wish to embellish, they'll need to bring in extra supplies from home. And they don't need to make a poster: their presentation could be in the form of a quick iMovie (made in-class next week), a skit, or a model they build (in class), or something they bake in our school's oven, or a voice-only recording (made at school), or whatever they can dream up. Head's up: our school does not allow internet access for devices from home, so plan accordingly.

Their burning question has to be something they can tackle themselves, and something they are passionate about. It's a chance to take a break from the teacher telling them what to study, and for an hour they get to follow their own interests.

Following their hour-long preparation class,  they'll actually present their topic during the next science class they have (Reichert's Div 5: Tues Dec 10; Clarke's Div 4: Wed Dec 11). They will have just 2 minutes to present their whole topic!

I don't mean to restrict thinking or imagination, but some typical questions students might want to find out about:

How do research planes fly into hurricanes?

Why are snowflakes crystals?

Why does cold air hold less moisture than warm air?

If the sun went out NOW, how long would it take for us to find out? 

What weather can you find on Mars?

Where is the windiest place in North America?

What animals, if any, would benefit from global warming?

What clothing would Canadians have worn 300 years ago to ward off the effects of cold winters?

What adaptations have polar bears made to withstand Arctic temperatures?

What happens in the desert when it rains?

Who was Anders Celsius, inventor of the temperature scale named after him?

What causes the 4 seasons?

Why can't scientists be better at forecasting the weather?