Good Morning parents,

Here is the weekly update for January 28-31, 2013.

General:
-6.4 will be at Winter Camp from Tuesday to Thursday. The forecast calls for cold weather so be sure to pack the necessary warm cloths. 
Please make arrangements to get students and their bags to school. The bus leaves at 9am. 

- Interested in Judging this years CSS Science Fair? If so please contact Kevin Sonico: [email protected]  

- No School Friday, February 1st - PD day.

- 6.3 Will be going skating Thursday afternoon. Students will need to bring skate and helmets. Hockey equipment is also welcome. Please check with bus drivers regarding sports equipment on your child's bus. 

Humanities:
Students will continue to work on their provincial government presentations this week. Presentations will begin on February 4th when 6.4 returns from Camp. Students will also work together to create a rubric for government using the 4 pillars of democracy (freedom, justice, representation, equity). They will use this rubric to compare different government structures found in their upcoming novel study. Students must also hand in their chapter 1 novel reflections for each of the 5 novel study books and consider the two novels they are most interested in reading. The assignment, as well as the rubric development activity, can be found on Edmodo.

Math/Science: 
This week students will be presenting their Explorer projects to their classmates. See below for more information on the School Wide Science Fair and the Grade 6 Open House. Students in 6.3 will have the 5th math computation quiz later this week. We will also be learning and working with Adobe Photo sip to create infographics that help to represent the data from the SETI problem. 

School Wide Science Fair Selection:
Based on my assessment, along with peer feedback, 6 projects will be selected from our pod to participate in the School Wide Science Fair on Feb 6th.   Students selected will be provided with a tri-fold on Thursday, January 31st, and will have five days to assemble their information onto the tri-fold before the School-Wide Fair.   Selection will be based on a long list of factors, but please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this process, as I am happy to explain.    

Science Open House:
On the afternoon of February the 6th, we will be hosting a Grade 6 Open House at the same time as the School Wide Science Fair Open House.  Parents will be invited to drop by our classrooms in order to see the work created by the Grade 6’s.  At the same time, you will be able to visit the gymnasium in order to see the projects included in the School-Wide competition.   A separate invitation will be sent out by email closer to the time with specific times and details. 

Have a great week, 

Jody Pereverzoff & John Cadman
 
Hello Parents, 
Here is the weekly update for January 21-25, 2013.

General:

-6.3 will be at Winter Camp from Wednesday to Friday. Please make arrangements to get students and their bags to school. The bus leaves at 9am. 
-Parent volunteers have been selected and contacted for Winter Camp for both classes. 
Thank you to all the parents who volunteered!
-Please have Scholastic orders handed in by Thursday, January 25, 2013.
-Please contact Kevin Sonico: [email protected]  if you are interested in being a science fair judge this year. We still need about 10 judges. 

Health:
In the coming months some time in Health class will be spent educating students about body changes during adolescence and other human health related topics.
Prior to winter camp, we wish to have a health lesson on personal hygiene for adolescents. 
Please read the form carefully as there are three options to choose from with regards to your child's participation in these lessons. 
Please return the consent forms Monday, January 21st.

Humanities:

This week, students will continue to work on their provincial government assignments. Students should complete their handouts and begin to develop their lesson for the class in a creative and engaging way early this week. 
We will also begin to look at writing an effective newspaper article. Students will use this knowledge to write an article for the Spectrum about their experience at Winter Camp. 
Please have students share their constellation stories with you at home before attending camp.

Math/Science:
- 6.3 Explorer projects start on Monday. Those students that expressed interest in presenting on Monday should be ready to present. 
The Rubric for the presentation is on Edmodo so presenters may see how they will be assessed.
- 6.4 Explorer Project presentations start on January 28th. 
- If all goes according to schedule, those students selected to go to the CSS Science Fair will be chosen by January 31st, if not sooner.
- Before camp we will finish creating our Recipe for Habitability, which looks at the factors that allow for life on earth…and possible other planets. This is part of a larger Math/Science problem which has students using real numbers and data to select the best options for discovering life outside of our solar system. 

 
Have a great Week, 

John Cadman & Jody Pereverzoff
6.3/6.4 Teaching Team
 
Good morning parents,
Here is the weekly update for January 14-17th, 2013. 

General:
- No school this Friday, January 18th, as it is a PD Day. 

-Camp is just around the corner! Please be sure to try on all winter gear before departure. They are growing fast and may be in need of larger mitts, snow pants, boots etc.
- 6.3 Winter camp: January 23-25, 2013
- 6.4 Winter camp: January 29-31, 2013

- CSS Science Fair is February 6th. 
- We are looking for Judges for the CSS science fair. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Mr. Cadman

Humanities:
This week, students will be peer assessing their comma comics before handing them in. Students will also be working on their provincial government group assignment. Using the Program of Studies, each group will be responsible for teaching an element of provincial government in an informative and engaging way. In preparation for camp, students have chosen a constellation myth they will share with the class during the evenings. They may need an audience at home to help them prepare for this.  
Camp is just around the corner! Please be sure to try on all winter gear before departure. They are growing fast and may be in need of larger mitts, snow pants, boots etc.

Math/Science:In Math/Science this week we will be working on a problem that revolves around the search for Intelligent Life in Space. This problem involves learning about our own solar system in order to choose the best habitable planet from a list of 5. The problem is on Edmodo. PLease take a look with your child and discuss what they have learned so far. We are also starting to work with fraction in Math. Student will have time to work on their explorer projects this week. 

Explorer Projects and Science Fair:
Due some complications with scheduling around winter camp we have had to make some subtle changes to the explorer project timeline. 
- Class presentations start on Jan. 21(6.3 Only), Jan, 28 (6.4/6.3), Nov. 4 (any remaining).
students must have a presentation to share with the class. This can be a Power Point, Keynote, poster, etc. The rubric is on Edmodo.
Students must also hand in their research and bibliography to me, on Edmodo. 
Only students who go to Science Fair must make a Tri-fold, but any and all are welcome to do so. 
In order to allow preparation time for Science Fair, students trying to go to the CSS fair will present first. This way those  groups chosen should know before they go to camp.
- There are spaces for 5 groups to go from the 6.3/6.4 pod. 
There will be a Grade 6 Science Show case: February 6th, 2pm - 3:20 pm
This is a chance for parents and other students to see all the projects from grade 6 (project in science fair will be in the gym).
At the show case student may re-show their presentation, use a try-fold, poster, etc. 
Please contact Mr. Cadman if you have questions regarding any aspect of the Explorer project. 

Have a great week, 

Jody Pereverzoff  &  John Cadman
6.3/6.4 Teaching Team


 
Hi Parents, 
Here is the weekly update for December 3-6, 2012 .  

General information:
- The Grade 6 Winter Concert is this Wednesday, December 5th, 7pm - 8:30pm. 
- Friday December 7th is a PD Day - No School

Humanities:
This week students will complete their Weaselhead tree story and hand it in for assessment. Illustrations and stories must be complete by Wednesday.We will also continue to focus on the use of commas during our Learning Strategies period. After reviewing the rules of commas, students will create a comic book to demonstrate their understanding. Finally, we will continue to discuss municipal services and responsibilities this week. We will use the Shady Acres simulation to introduce how decisions are made at the local level, and also learn about how bylaws and taxes support our city. 

Math/Science:  
In Science we will be starting the Sky Science unit with a look at the people, ideas and technology that have brought us to where we are today in our view of the cosmos. Students will have Explorer project time on Tuesday. Any groups doing experiments should have started their experiments by now. In math we will be working on 2 questions involving math from space. 6.4 has already looked at "moons" as fractions  in relation to Earth. 6.3 will start the week on this problem. From now until the winter break we will also be looking at the Math involved in gift giving from the song "the 12 days of Christmas". There will be some homework early this week focusing on the math from the computation quiz. This will be review of basic operations. Expect to see this work arrive home on Monday or Tuesday. 

-Weekly Math practice is available on the class blog every Tuesday and Thursday.

 
Hi Parents, 
Here is the weekly update for November 26-30, 2012 .  

General information:
A huge thank you to all parents who were able to attend the Term 1 Student Led Conference. 
-For those that could not attend, the Student Led Activity is on EDMODO. 
-You can complete this with your child at home. For Math, you will need a copy of the Oxygen Problem rubric (also posted on EDMODO).

-Report Cards: Please sign the parent comment sheet and return it with the report card folder. 

Winter Camp: Call for Volunteers
We require 4 parent volunteers for each homerooms winter (see dates below).
6.3: January 23-25
6.4: January 29-31

If you are interested in volunteering please email your child's homeroom teacher. All volunteers must have a valid police record check, and have filled out the school volunteer application. All volunteers should be comfortable participating in winter activities. We are looking forward to having you!!!!

Humanities:
This week, students will have an opportunity to polish their stories and their illustrations. A significant amount of time was provided for peer feedback today, so I will be collecting these stories Tuesday, November 27th.The completed storybook project will be due on Friday, November 30th. Students will also examine the rights and responsibilities of local and provincial government and begin our Shady Acres simulation. In this activity, students will work through the process of municipal government to decide on the future of Shady Acres; they decide whether to preserve the Shady Acres natural area, an untouched forest that provides shade, peace, and homes for animals; or to create the Shady Acres subdivision, providing much-needed economic development and affordable housing for humans.   

Math/Science:  
We will be reviewing operations with decimals and working with fractions and mixed numbers this week  in math. Trees and Forests will end this week and we will be starting the Sky Science unit. To start this unit, we will be looking at the history of human fascination with the starts, technologies used to observe and study space as well as some important thinkers from various cultures on the topic of Astronomy. Students will have time to work on Explorer projects on Thursday. 

Weekly Math practice is available on the class blog every Tuesday and Thursday. This is a chance for students to work with parents or Tutors to solve math questions and problems related to the math we are doing in class. The problems posted may also be taken from old Provincial Achievement Tests (PAT). Practice work sheets and books beyond this are available at:

 Chapters:  http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/home/search/?keywords=math+practice&pageSize=12

 Class website: http://www.adaptedmind.com/Sixth-Grade-Math-Worksheets-And-Exercises.ht

Have a wonderful week!

 
Weekly Update:
Hi Parents!
Here is the weekly update for the Week of November 19th to 23

General:
-Report Cards go home on Monday. Please sign them and return the covers to school as soon as possible

-Student-led conferences are on the 22nd (4-8pm) and 23rd (8am-1pm ). Please email if you are unable to attend and we will send the activities home for completion.

- Bean Bag Chair …. experiment: 
Mr. C and Ms. P are in need of some material to be re-purposed for use in bean bag chairs for 6.3 and 6.4. 
Mr. C will be accepting donations of the following materials at Student Led Conferences:
- Styrofoam packing peanuts
- Styrofoam packaging (like the kind that comes protecting new appliances)
- Unwanted spools of thread (any colour, strong type is best but all accepted)
- Unwanted fabric 1 yard sections or longer.
- Zippers 80cm in length
- Other clean soft materials which would make good filler. 

Humanities:
This week students will continue to work on their creative stories and on their book cover pages. We are lucky to have Eveline, our expert artist, in for both Monday and Tuesday. These covers are looking wonderful and the project will be presented at the student-led conferences this week. Students will also begin an independent novel study to accompany quiet reading periods. In Social Studies, we will continue to discuss the roles and responsibilities of government at the local and provincial level.

Math/Science:
The Weaselhead Oxygen problem is in its final stages. Students will finish this problem early this week and then spend time reflection on how they approached and tackled this massive problem. They will be compiling what they learned in order that communicate what they did with you. Students in both classes were given 5 period of time to work on explorer project last week. Students will have 2 periods on Tuesday or Wednesday to continue working. At this point they should have a clear idea of their main question, minimum 3 sub-questions, and should be well into researching their topic. Any groups/student doing experiments should also be working on their experimental design. 

Jody Pereverzoff and John Cadman

 
Weekly Update: November 12 -16, 2012.

Hi Parents! Here is the update for the week of November 12th to November 16th.

 General:

·      Report Cards go home on November 19th

·      Student Led Conferences are the 22nd and the 23rd

·      We are in need of parent volunteers for our upcoming artist visits:

1. Thursday, November 15th from 12:40 to 3:20
2. Monday, November 19th from 9:00 to 11:55

If you are able to help on this day, please email Jody at: [email protected] and let her know what periods you can be available.

Humanities:
Students will continue to develop their plot for their Weaselhead tree stories. After working with Cathy Beveridge last week, students are now flushing out their plot diagrams and beginning to add life to their stories. Students will also begin their book covers with the help of a mixed media artist on Monday and Thursday. Using drawings, images, stamps, and tree rubbings, students will develop creative covers for their stories.

In Social Studies, we will begin to discuss the structure and responsibilities of local government. Students will discuss our basic needs as a society and decide if and how the government supports these needs.

Math/Science:
This week student will be compiling, sorting, and using the data they collected while visiting the Weaselhead on November, 6th. We will be using the data collected to determine the average tree coverage/density, type and size of the trees within the area we are studying. This information will allow us to determine if the Weaselhead provides more or less oxygen production than the “average” forest. In Science, students should be finishing their Forest Issue Paragraph. I will be looking at both their Paragraph and the Background Research. The paragraph has a Rubric which is posted on Edmondo. The Background Research has a framework of 7 questions to be answered, which are in a Word doc., also posted on Edmodo. If you do not know what Edmondo is, please have a conversation with your child.

On a side note, Mr. C and Ms. P are looking for a parent with some sewing skills. Please email Mr. C: [email protected]  if you would be interested in helping out with a special project. 

Have a great week:
Mr. Cadman and Ms. Perevezoff
 
Hi Parents, 

Here is the weekly update for November 5th to the 9th.  

General information:

Photo Retakes – Monday, November 5th.

Friday, November 9th - No school for students: Organizational Day.

Report Cards Go Home: Monday, November 19th

Student-Led Conferences: Thursday, November 22nd, 4 – 8pm and Friday, November 23rd 8am – 1pm.

Surveys:  Students will be completing a survey this week that is designed to measure their engagement at CSS! It is called Tell Them from Me. The information gathered from this survey will help to inform future decisions at CSS.

Tuesday Nov 6th: Weaselhead Trip – On Tuesday afternoon, we will be returning to the Weaselhead to take pictures (bring cameras) of our adopted trees, to collect some artifacts (bring Ziplocs) and to do some work related to our Weaselhead O2 problem.  Volunteers would be appreciated… just email your child’s teacher if you can join us!

Math/Science:  Students will receive feedback on their Explorer project proposal tomorrow, via Edmodo.  Students should read the feedback and use it to help them improve their project ideas or guiding questions. Students will have time this week to start/continue their Explorer project research on Wednesday. We will also continue our work on what we are now calling our Weaselhead O2 problem.  Volunteers needed: Mr. Cadman needs a few volunteers to trim laminated material for Tuesday's field trip. The cutting can be done at CSS or at home. Thanks in advance.

Humanities:  
Students have officially completed their Historical Change projects. I should have received:

1. Research with a Bibliography

2. Presentation (in class) 

3. Self Assessment  

4. Peer Assessment (completed during presentations)

I will also be providing students with the assessments of their Historical Change projects. Please review these with your child and initial them to indicate you have discussed the project and its assessment with them. Please return by Monday, November 12th.  

This week, students will complete their story plans for our cross-curricular illustrated story on their Weaselhead tree. Published author, Cathy Beveridge will be coming in again this Thursday to continue to work with the students on this project. Next week we will have our expert artist in to help students create their mixed media covers.

Have a wonderful week!

John Cadman
Grade 6 Math/Science Teacher

Jody Pereverzoff
Grade 6 Humanities Teacher
 
Hello Parents,

Here is the update for October 29th to November 2nd. 

General:
 ***Tuesday October 30th we will have a Halloween Bake Sale and on Wednesday October 31st there will be a Halloween Dance in the gym at lunch for Grades 4-6 students.  All of the proceeds collected from these events will be donated to UNICEF.  Students will be encouraged to bring quarters, loonies and toonies that week in order to participate in these events.  We also need some donations of Halloween Candy and baked goods.  If you enjoy baking and/or feel that you can spare some Halloween Candy, please send it our way! 

Also,
1.      "Trick or Treat" Wednesday, October 31. We will be having an October gathering on Wednesday afternoon. Feel free to bring in PEANUT FREE treats to celebrate this day. 
2.      PD Day, November 9th - No School
3.      Term 1 Report Cards go home on November 19
4.      Student Led Conferences take place on November 22nd and 23rd. 

 Humanities:
This week we will continue to present our ‘Significant Stories of Change.’ Once these are complete, I will be sending the rubrics home for review. We will also continue to work on our Weaselhead tree illustrated stories. Cathy Beveridge, our expert author, will be in again on Friday to assist students with their story development and characterization. We will also be working with a mixed media artist to create the visuals for this project.  Please see the website under Humanities (Social Studies term 1) for activities on character development I have also provided the scientific outcomes they must incorporate into their stories.

Math/Science:
This week we will be focusing on developing an understand of the Weaselhead. Students will be looking at all the things living in, on, and around their adopted tree. We will also be looking more deeply into the roll of trees in the nutrient cycles and issues surrounding human needs and the needs of the environment. This week will have a large focus on Science in order to help students be prepared for the incoming artist on Friday. Last weeks quiz will be coming home shortly. Please look it over with your son or daughter, sign it and return it. 

Have a great week!

Jody Pereverzoff
Grade 6 Humanities Teacher

John Cadman
Grade 6 Math/Science Teacher

 
Dear Parents, 
We hope you had a fantastic weekend.
Here is the weekly update for October 22 - 25, 2012.

General:
There is no school on Friday, October 26th.

6.3/6.4 field trip all day Thursday, October 25th. Student need to be prepared for the possibility of cold or rainy weather. 

Bake Sale! - "We Scare Hunger" Bake sales this week will be held on October 23 and October 25 In the IAC. 
Students may bring in however many non-perishable food items to trade in for treat (one treat for one item), but they will only get a maximum of five treats each. 

Mr. Neil is accepting donations of Halloween candy which will be used as prizes for a UNICEF fundraiser. The fundraiser starts October 29th. If you or your child wish to contribute, please bring your contributions to Mr. Neil this week. 
For more information please contact him at: [email protected]

Humanities:
This week Students will peer edit their projects and begin to share their "Creating Change" presentations with the class. Students  will also have the opportunity to work with Cathy Beveridge, our expert writer,  on character and story development. Students will use facts and research they have developed in Science to write a creative, illustrated story about their Weaselhead tree. These two activities will be the focus of our week. Students will also be away on a Field trip on Thursday, and it is a PD day on Friday. Students may be required to bring home some story writing homework this week. Please check the daily blog on our website for updates. 

Math/Science:
There will be a Quiz later this week that covers the Math Concepts we have tackled so far this year.  The purpose is to get a sense of where students have developed their skills and where we need to concentrate more of our efforts.  We will also be reviewing our Mathematical Communication Skills and building some rubrics that will target these specific skills.  In Science, we will be learning more about the physical properties and structures of trees and leaves, along with a review of nutrient cycles and photosynthesis!

Jumping Pound Demonstration Forest:  We will be heading to Kananaskis this thursday, October 25th. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the elements and also has a bagged lunch and water bottle, as we will be away from the school all day.  Students will be back in time to take the school bus. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. 
Jody Pereverzoff
Grade 6 Humanities Teacher

John Cadman
Grade 6 Math/Science