ArtsSmarts 2017

Hi Everyone,

A very belated Happy New Year, and a very belated thank you to emails and Christmas gifts received! I am slowly getting over some health issues.

I am attaching the ArtsSmarts information regarding our current project with artist Lucie Bellemare. I wanted to give you some sense of the purpose of the project and the outcomes that we hope to address throughout the project.

A huge thank you to Ms. Fitzpatrick for carrying out the project with the artist. We didn’t want the children to miss out on this wonderful opportunity for learning. There will be a celebration of the children’s work held at the Confederation Centre in May.

Ms. Lanigan

Stratford Learning Experience Description 2016-2017_FINAL[1]KL2

ArtsSmarts Outcomes 2017(1)

 

December News

 

Here are a few updates:

ArtsSmarts

I will be posting the second portion of the ArtsSmarts application process,to give you some understanding of the outcomes addressed with this competitive program. Eight to ten classes are approved across the province each year. Fortunately, my previous classes have been approved four times in the past. Depending on circumstances, this program will begin after the new year.

Bake Sale

I want to thank everyone for sending in treats for our grade 5 bake sale. It was a huge success. Our final total was $1,555.29.

Substitute

Unfortunately due to my continuing illness, I will be off until the end of December 2016.Susan Fitzpatrick will be replacing me; please welcome her.

Have a safe December.

Ms. Lanigan

November News

Here are a few updates from this past month:

Remembrance Day Speaker

Our class was fortunate to have a retired peacekeeper (Mr. Bill Henry) to speak about his military experiences, and explain his various pictures, medals, and memories. He also communicated the importance of remembering our veterans and keeping the peace. Children  wrote thank-you notes in appreciation of his visit.

In Writer’s Workshop students have been exploring procedural writing.   The students typically find this text form the least challenging.

This is what we have discussed about a procedural piece of writing:

Form: Instructions/Procedures (Ex: recipes, and directions)Purpose: to tell how to do something Goal or aim- identifies topic by title or opening statement(s) Materials/ingredients- lists materials Method/process- includes key steps in correct order with adequate details focusing on how/when Conclusion or Evaluation- includes a closing statement or an evaluation Special Features -may include headings, illustrations, diagrams or labels ·         numbered steps or words showing sequence (first, next, then) ·         point form or full sentences starting with sequence words or verbs present tense ·         may be written in second person (You…)

 

Reader’s Workshop

We are half way through the book Fish In a Tree. Students are enjoying the book and the comprehension booklet that we are doing with it.

Math

Students are continuing work on fractions and their relationship to decimals (N8 & N10). We will also be working on N11, adding and subtracting decimals. We will be doing a journal review in the upcoming weeks.

Social Studies

5A participated in a “Mass Blanket Exercise” this past Tuesday. This exercise raised awareness and understanding of Aboriginal people in Canada. An aboriginal leader engaged the students in a historical and holistic activity, focusing on the past. They saw on the maps, and through the experience of walking on the blankets, how many First Nations and Inuit communities existed and how their overlapping territories covered the entire land mass. This exercise will compliment the next unit in our Social Studies book.

Science                                           

We continue to explore systems of “The Human Body” : digestive, excretory, respiratory, circulatory, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. We are each drawing a human body diagram of the systems as we discuss them.

Health

We have been continuing work on the unit in Health titled, “Wellness Choices”. Students will make responsible and informed choices to maintain health and to promote safety for self and others.

Personal Health

Students will be expected to

• Examine the impact of physical activity, nutrition, rest, and immunization on the immune system
• Assess the importance of regular hygiene practices during adolescence
• Examine the impact that changes in interests, abilities, and activities may have on body image
• Examine ways in which healthy eating can accommodate a broad range of eating behaviours
• Examine and evaluate the impact of caffeine, alcohol, and drugs on personal health/wellness

Art

We are currently working on different types of lines to create texture in pictures. Here are the initial outcomes relating to our art program:

Elements of Design
–  develop an understanding of the elements and principles of
art and design in creating and viewing artwork
line: linear and curved hatching and cross-hatching that add a
sense of depth to shape and form
shape and form: convex, concave, non-objective shapes
space: atmospheric perspective; microscopic and telescopic
views
colour: complementary colours, hue, intensity (e.g., dulling,
or neutralizing, colour intensity by mixing the colour will a
small amount of its complementary hue)
texture: textures created with a variety of tools, materials, and
techniques; patterning
value: gradations of value to create illusion of depth, shading

ArtsSmarts

An artist named Lucie Bellemare and I, have put through a project intention for the ArtsSmarts program we called “Art En Movement” (Art In Motion). It is a very competitive program to enter, but I am pleased to announce we have passed the initial stages. We now move forth to stage two, and enter our proposed budget and what outcomes the project will meet. It is an excellent program which allows a “real artist” to work with students on integrated cross curricular outcomes. Cross our fingers!

 Ms. Lanigan & the Grade 5A Class 

October at a glance…

Happy October Everyone!

Here is some information regarding work being accomplished in the classroom:

Math

We are continuing work on N2 using estimating strategies such as front-end rounding, compatible numbers, and compensation.  I plan on giving a “check in” next week to see how the children are doing with the strategies. They are working hard and appear to be doing well, but because this outcome is foundational, we will be revisiting it on a regular basis. The goal is awareness of all the strategies, but to choose one and have confidence using it.

Reading:                  

We have been practicing self-monitoring as a reading strategy as we read A Fish in a Tree as well as in our guided reading groups.  Students have been practicing and discussing the importance of stating an opinion about our reading and backing it up with proof from the text. Students are working through a novel study booklet, which provides a nice guide line for discussion.

Writer’s Workshop

Most students have finished a Recount of their visit to Orwell Corner.

This text form includes the following:

Form: Recount

Purpose: to tell about past events (personal or others’ experiences)

Orientation- identifies when, where, who and what with appropriate focus/main idea

Key Events in Time Order- has key events in logical order with sufficient relevant details

Concluding Statement- includes a personal response or evaluation (We drove off thinking we would visit again some day. Boston rocks!)

Special Features

-may include a title

-linking words and phrases (later that afternoon, as I walked out)

-past tense

-first (I or We) or third person (She or They)

-action verbs

-may include dialogue

🙂 Students were exceptionally interested and well behaved on this field trip. Orwell staff were praising the children for their respect and attention. I was very proud of them!

Most students have passed in their Oral History projects. We will be presenting the material they learned about the person they interviewed.

Special Guests

Jason MacNeil, Site Director from Orwell, was in to share many artifacts from Orwell Corner and again to talk about the nature of the work archeologists do.

A second guest, Bill Henry, also visited and shared some artifacts, such as “party line” telephones. Students again were very engaged! It is so nice to see the appreciation and interest with the young people about the past. I think we have some budding archeologists and historians in the class!

Susan Fitzpatrick is a guest teacher who is often in our school. I have been experiencing some health issues, so she will be my main replacement for various appointments I need to keep. Thank-you for your understanding with this.

Humanities continued…

Our next focus is in Health & Science.  We will be studying health goals and the human body.  We will learn about body systems and how they function to meet our basic needs. The systems we will be studying are digestive, excretory, respiratory, circulatory, skeletal, muscular, and the nervous system.

Art

I just bought 10 new books for students to read and study regarding art and sketching. As with the other humanities, art is incorporated into our daily schedule, usually at the end of the day. Below is for your information taken from stepstohealth.com.

5 Benefits of Drawing for Our Health

Communication Benefits

Drawing helps our communicative range as it allows us to express in a different way what we feel, what we want, what our vision for something is, etc.  Through drawing, we are able to demonstrate multiple feelings, emotions, and thoughts.  This form of communication is especially relevant in people with disabilities who have communication deficits, or shy people who are not capable of verbally communicating in a fluid and natural manner.

Motor Skills Benefits

The use of different utensils to draw, like pencils, charcoal, or brushes helps us to develop our fine motor skills, especially in children.  Manipulating and grabbing with the hands goes perfectly with this medium that works in this capacity.  In adults, fine motor skills are reinforced.

Cerebral Benefits

Our brain actively participates in the activity of drawing.  The left hemisphere of our brain, responsible for logical tasks, is present, just as is the right hemisphere, responsible for creativity and imagination.  Therefore, when we draw, we are working with our brain and developing its capacity.

Mental Health Benefits

Drawing clearly benefits our mental health.  On one hand, drawing favors concentration and helps us to acquire it, as when we draw, we can be focused on what we want to get across, and not on other things.  Also, it helps to distract us from difficult problems or difficult situations that we may be going through, while we do something relaxing and which allows us to go our own pace and create unhindered pieces of art.

Pleasure and Fun Benefits

Drawing is something that we can do in the company of others, promoting friendships and spending good times with friends.  It is a way of being clear-headed, calm, working with our brains, and having fun all at the same time.

🙂 Please note yellow agenda work will go home Tuesday (Oct.18^th) of this week.

Thank-you & enjoy the fall colours of October….

Ms.Lanigan & the Grade 5A Class

September 2016

Students, Parents, & School Community,

Welcome back to another school year! I am really looking forward to working with you all this year. I will be using this blog on a monthly basis to update you on some of the curriculum outcomes studied and events in the classroom. September is all about routines and review. We are “clearing out the cob webs” so to speak, and getting set to begin another year of learning and growing together.

For your information, in September we have:

Important Dates: 

Friday, Sept. 23 – No School (PD Day)

Tuesday, Sept. 27 – School Picture Day

Thursday, Sept. 29 – Orwell Corner Field Trip (no microwaveable food please!)

Agenda Homework:

-read 20-30 minutes each night

-editing & math sheet (in yellow agenda folders to be passed out Monday, Sept. 19^th and returned on Thursday Sept. 22^nd )

-it would be beneficial for students to review + and – facts to 20, for speed and accuracy. I plan on giving them some more review this week, along with a little quiz or “check in”

Reader’s Workshop: We have begun read alouds with stories from authors such as Patricia Polacco, who write about real life experiences. This is to have students become prepared as we begin our writing on the Recount text form.Students have already begun some short writing responses this week about memories from childhood, to warm them up!

Math: We have  begun our Number Sense unit with representing numbers to 1 million. The students have been learning about place value and reading and writing numbers to one million.

Health: We are continuing our “All About Me” program, and have almost completed sharing our personality bags. I was impressed with the presentations, and questions asked by the children. I feel I am getting to know each of their personalities already!

Social Studies: We began our first unit called “How Do We Learn About the Past?”  Students will learn about the roles of an archaeologist and a historian and how artefacts help us understand the past.  This unit will be followed by a class trip to Orwell Corner.  (more details will follow)

Library: We have library on Day 5, children are encouraged to get at least one novel to read for silent reading time in class and/or for home.

Ms. Lanigan & the Grade 5 Class