Reminders

Here's a copy of the note I sent home on Monday, just in case it didn't make it to Mom and Dad! :)

One thing I forgot to remind you about today was to bring your digital camera for our photo rally!

We will be leaving the school at 10AM.  It will take approximately 30 minutes to get to Candy Cane Park from the school on our bikes.  If you are planning to meet us at the park, please let me know ahead of time so that I can connect with you about our meeting place. We will be playing games until about 11:30 or so, and then we will eat lunch.  We will plan to leave between around 1PM (depending on how we're feeling!), making a stop at DQ on our way back to school.

Here is a reminder checklist for things to bring:
•     Bike (please check to see that your bike is in good riding condition and your tires are filled with air!)
•     bike helmet (a must)
•     running shoes
•     bug spray
•     sunscreen
•     water
•     picnic lunch
•     light rain jacket
•     up to $5 for a treat at DQ

Welcome Back!

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful spring break!  It's hard to believe that we have less than two months left in our school year!  Let's aim for an awesome finish!
Don't forget about our field trip to Crooked Valley on Wednesday.  Please remember to return the consent form and $4.50 for bus money.  Also, refer to the checklist sent out before the break to remember what to bring for our day. 
See you tomorrow! Pics of Ukrainian Easter Eggs and the Smartie Party coming soon....;)

Field Trip

Hi, everyone!  Just a reminder that this week we have TWO science field trips!  The first one is on Thursday afternoon, when we will go to the Science Center to explore exhibits, and then watch Hubble 3D at the IMAX!  Our Winter Ecology field trip has been rescheduled for FRIDAY!  We are lucky because it was the last possible day to have trips reschedule for the year.  Let's hope for good weather! 
Please remember to return the $14.50 required for our trips- including swimming, our trip the U of R this past week, and the trip to the Science Center.  Thanks!

Field Trip Today Canceled :(

We announced it at the end of yesterday, but in case someone has forgot...today's field trip is canceled due to the crazy cold weather.  We're hoping to reschedule and I will let you know as soon as I find out.  If it is not rescheduled, I will return the $4.50 paid for the trip.  Thanks!

Update

(this was sent home in a note on Friday)

Dear Parents,                    

               
It is a busy time of the year for Grade 6!  We have many different activities happening in our classroom and around the school.  This note is just an update to remind you of what is coming up, as well as a request for money to fund some of the different activities!

Important Dates

•    Tuesday, March 1: Science Field Trip to Boggy Creek (see previous note for more information; consent form and payment should have already been sent to school)
•    Wednesday, March 2: Rough Draft for Speech is due
•    Thursday, March 3*: Afternoon field trip to the University of Regina.  The cost is $1.50 for the bus ride.
•    Thursday, March 3: Be ready to share your story with the class!  Students should have practiced their reading fluency, expression and reading strategies in preparation for this.  (This is the “Storybook Project”)
•    Friday, March 4: No School for Students (Teacher Convention)
•    Wednesday, March 9: Final Draft for Speech is due
•    Thursday, March 10*: Afternoon Science (Space) Field Trip to the Science Center.  We will be exploring the exhibits and then watching the IMAX movie, Hubble 3D, at 2:30pm.  The cost for the admission and the bus ride is $9.  The concession will be available for the movie.
•    Tuesday, March 15: Classroom Speakoff (Speeches must be on cue cards and students should be ready to share with the class)
•    Swimming Dates*: We swim for one hour in the afternoon on the following dates: Feb. 25, Mar. 24, May 31 and June 24.  The cost for these 4 sessions is $4.

*The total cost for the activities starred above is $14.50.  Please send cash or cheque for this amount by the end of next week. 

Thank you very much for your support this year.  I am thoroughly enjoy this group of kids- they are so much fun to teach!

School Oratory

Each spring, our school has a school oratory.  Grade 6 is the first year that students participate in the oratory.  Each student is writing a speech on the given topic, "If I were leader of the free world, the first issue I would address would be...".  Our classroom speakoff is on Tuesday, March 15 and Wednesday, March 16.  I have divided the work up into three sections and due dates, as follows:
Wednesday, March 2- Rough Draft due
Wednesday, March 9- Final Draft due
Tuesday, March 15- Classroom Speakoff (Cue Cards Ready!)

Your child should have brought home a package outlining the assignment.  We will have limited class time to work on the speech, so students should definitely plan to work on parts of this assignment at home.  It will also be included on the report card mark in Language Arts.  The top two students in each class will be chosen to participate in the school oratory contest on Wednesday, March 23 at 1:00pm.
Parents are encouraged to help by suggest ideas, helping in the revision and editing process, and encouraging lots of practice!
Thanks for your support, everyone!  Happy speech writing!

A note from Miss McMillan...

Happy New Year!  I hope you enjoyed a relaxing and fun holiday with your families.  I had a great time with my family in Calgary, with plenty of nieces and nephews to enjoy!  It is good to be back into the routine of things at school, though, and it has been a good start to 2011 in Grade 6!  Yesterday we discussed "new beginnings" and the value in marking a new year.  Today we are going to look back at our "Top Ten Moments of 2010", and then we'll look forward to our hopes for 2011.

In math we are working on multiplying and dividing decimals.  Many students are having challenges with recalling multiplication and division skills, and I would like to encourage you to help your child spend time practicing at home.  I've included a page with links that students can you use to practice.  Go HERE for that link (you can always find this link on the sidebar of this page- "Miss M's Links").  Thanks for your support!

We are starting "Project 107" in our class this week.  There are 107 school days left, and we will be taking a photo per day to capture our favorite learning moments.  One student will be responsible for this job per week, and we'll post our photos on Fridays.  We hope you enjoy seeing what we're up to, from the eyes of students in our class.

We will be going cross-country skiing twice in the next month.  Our first session is on Tuesday afternoon, and the second is on Thursday, January 27, in the morning.  Please remind your child to dress warmly!  If you would like to join us, you are more than welcome!  I really enjoy these sessions- great exercise and lots of fun together outside.  You can meet us at Douglas Park or take the bus with us from school (on Tuesday we will leave the school at 12:45pm).  

Also, I wanted to say a BIG THANK YOU for your generosity before the break.  Thank you for the awesome gift card (you must be getting to know me- Sport Chek is certainly a favorite of mine!), and thank you for the thoughtful gifts sent by many.  I am very grateful.

All the best to you and your family as you start a new year!

Miss McMillan

Curling, anyone?!

Hello, parents and families!  We would love have to have you join us for our Curling GAME DAY on Tuesday morning!  It is from 10:30am-11:30am at the Tartan Curling Club (Broadway Avenue).  You can meet us at the club at 10:30am, or take the bus with us at 10am.  We hope to see a couple of you there!

Mini-Smartie Party #1!

We have reached the first line on our Smartie Jar, and we are celebrating with our first Mini-Smartie Party!  On Tuesday afternoon, students should bring sleds to school as we will go sledding and then watch the movie, “Despicable Me”.  Students are also invited to bring treats to enjoy during the movie.  Way to go, Grade 6!  You have been so much fun to teach in 2010!! I’m proud of you!

Craft Supplies

Hello!  This week we are going to create some fun Christmas crafts, and we need a bit of help gathering supplies.  If you have the following around your house, we'd be glad to add to our pile:
-old Christmas cards (rectangular shaped)
-ribbon
-leftover fabric pieces (Christmas or wintery fabric is best)
-empty, clean pop cans (355 mL)
-old (but clean!) socks

Thanks for your help!

SWIMMING TOMORROW!!!

Don't forget to bring your swimming gear tomorrow!

Bye Bye Birdie- Date Change

Hello!  Campbell has asked us to change the date we will be attending their performance, Bye Bye Birdie.  We will now go the following day, on Thursday, December 2 at 1:15pm.  This works out better for us anyway, as band students will not miss their full band practice.  Thanks!

Our Tuesday Adventure

More to come on our learning experience/adventure today, walking to Ten Thousand Villages!  The grade six students showed such great effort and attitude.  Awesome!  I'm hoping to have some students write a bit of a reflection here- far more interesting than an update from me!  Until then, here are some pictures (click to enlarge).  A big thank you to Kim and Mrs. Kelly, who joined us...your help and participation was much appreciated!

Walking for Water

Hello everyone!  Just an update on what's happening in our class tomorrow!  After looking at some very surprising statistics and videos on the topic of carrying water in developing countries, we have decided to try our hand at it.  The distance to Ten Thousand Villages from our school is approximately 4.8 kilometers.  This is under the average distance walked by millions around the world, but it's a good start!  We are planning to carry water one way, and a partner will carry it back.  Please send two empty (and clean) 2L pop bottles, or a 4L milk jug with your son or daughter tomorrow to help with this learning experience.

Also, remember to dress warmly and wear good shoes for our walking adventure.  I am really excited about what we will learn tomorrow. 

Today we were also lucky to have a special guest teach us more about fair trade.

Here are some links that have proved interesting on the topic of fairness:
Engineers Without Borders (Fair Trade)
Charity:Water

(A Note Sent Home Monday)

Dear Parents,                                    

Next Tuesday, November 2, we will be walking to Ten Thousand Villages, a wonderful store located on University Park Drive and Quance Street.  We are going to explore the many beautiful fair trade products from all over the world and listen to a presentation from the store manager.  This venture ties in perfectly with our current study on “Fairness” in Language Arts.  We will leave right after lunch (12:45pm) and return between 3-3:30pm. 

A couple of things to note regarding this trip:
-Please ensure that your child is dressed warmly, as it is a fair distance to the store (our walk will be our fitness for the day!)
-Consider sending a bit of money along with your child.  It’s not necessary, but it would be nice for students to have $5 to shop with at the store!
-Consider coming along!  If fair trade is something you are unfamiliar with, this is a great chance to get out for a good long walk with a fun bunch of kids ☺, and learn something new. 
-Please sign the consent/waiver form.  I know it’s a pain, but it is now necessary for us to receive these forms for every out-of-school excursion.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Field Trip Coming Up! Parent Volunteers Needed! :)

On Wednesday,  October 27, we are going on our first field trip!  We are going to explore the diversity of life (that's SCIENCE!) at Flying Creek.  On Monday we will learn more about trip details and how we can prepare for the day.  I am looking for two (or more!) parent volunteers, so please send me an email or a send a note with your child if you are able to join us for this day of exploration!! Thanks!

The Attitude of GRATITUDE

This week we are focusing on the POWER OF GRATITUDE!  It's good timing because Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but being a thankful person is a way of life...not just a season!  So this week, we will aim to be people of gratitude! What are you thankful for today?

Our quote of the week:

Unit 1 Math Test

Hello!! A note to let you know that we need an extra day to prepare for our math test, so we will have it on Wednesday, October 6.  Page 40 on the Unit Review is due tomorrow, as well as Math Homework folders with Lessons 1-8 complete.  Some students also have "Extra Practice Sheets".  These are only intended to be extra help for studying and preparing- they are not homework. THANKS!

Also tomorrow, we have our third Word Work Test!  10 words...practice, practice!