Nov 21 - 24

I can summarize the connections among ideas, events, settings and characters in texts.

I can explain connections between this story and another book or my experiences.

We have really been enjoying our novels that we have been reading during our Guided Reading times. We are focusing on strengthening our comprehension skills by summarizing, predicting, and asking questions as we read. This week, we worked on an Open Mind activity. We had to choose a character from our novel to represent. We then drew any symbols, words, or images that are bouncing around in that character’s mind. After that, we had to explain our responses in writing.

Nov 14 - 18

We are journalists! This week, we looked into news article writing. We started by working with Mrs. Gordon to write an article together. We were given facts and information to read about Andrew Sibbald's Maker Space. We sorted the information into 2 categories: Andrew Sibbald Maker Space and Maker Spaces in general. We learned that the first paragraph in a news article needs to contain answers to the 5 Ws (who, what, when, where, why). Then, as a class, we wrote the following 2 paragraphs. On Thursday, we were given information on Trees and Forests. We worked with a partner to organize the information into 2 categories again. But this time, we organized it into important information and less important information. Next week, we are going to work on our peer editing skills and then revise our news article for 'publication'!

I can organize ideas and information by classifying and sorting according to subtopics and sequence 

I can organize and develop ideas and information into print texts with introductions that interest audiences and state the topic, sections that develop the topic and conclusions.

November 7 - 11

Math:

I can identify and plot points in the first quadrant of a Cartesian plane, using whole number ordered pairs. 

I can perform and describe single transformations of a 2-D shape in the first quadrant of a Cartesian plane.

I can perform a combination of translations, rotations and/or reflections on a single 2-D shape, and draw and describe the image.

I can perform a combination of successive transformations of 2-D shapes to create a design, and identify and describe the transformations.

We started by reviewing the elements of a cartesian plane. Even though there are four quadrants, in grade six, we only deal with the first quadrant. We learned that the vertical axis is labeled with a Y and the horizontal axis is labeled with an X.  Ordered pairs are written (X,Y) and we remember to run (move along the x axis) then jump (move up the y axis) when plotting points on the cartesian plane. Students practiced plotting and identifying points by playing Cartesian Plane Battleship.

After students mastered plotting and identifying points, we moved onto plotting 2D shapes on the cartesian plane. Students learned how to make sure all the vertices of each shape land on the intersection of a X and Y axis, and how to label their shapes. Drawing and labeling shapes on a cartesian plane requires precision so we practiced taking our time, using a ruler, and writing clear labels. After practicing with some triangles, students drew their first initial on a cartesian plane, ensuring they followed all the rules of precision plotting.

Next, students learned about transformations: translations (slides), reflections (flips), and rotations (turns). In grade five, students practiced general transformations whereas in grade six, students are learning how to perform transformations on a cartesian plane. To practice this skill, we used the tile floor as our cartesian plane and plotted triangles using tape. In groups, students performed a secret translation and marked the copy of their triangle. Students then moved around the room looking at other people’s work to figure out how to describe the translation that occurred (for example, translate 2 units to the right and 3 units down).

Next week we will spend a bit more time on reflections and rotations then we will learn how to combine them together to perform successive transformations.

Oct 31 - Nov 4

 Remembrance Day

We are hosting our school's Remembrance Day assembly on Thursday, November 10th. There are links posted in our Google Classroom to videos that we have been using to practice the song Highway of Heroes and the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae. If your child has time this weekend, please have them practice!

Oct. 31 - Nov. 4

Science Trees and Forests:

I can identify characteristics of at least four trees found in the Alberta

We really practiced our research skills this week! Since we did a tree study at Outdoor School last week, we took this a step further and did a tree research project. We were given a graphic organizer that we used to record important information on at least 4 trees of our choosing (2 coniferous trees and 2 deciduous trees).

We gave a description of the tree (height), habitat (e.x. boreal forest), leaf/need classification, human wood use, and interesting facts. Our teachers are blown away at our research skills and the information we found. 

After we completed our research, we were tasked with creating a Google Slide presentation on our 4 trees. We had success criteria to help us make sure we included everything we needed.