We Are Getting Into Shape

As we review the attributes of figures, we are also reviewing how to use Venn diagrams correctly.  We have worked collaboratively with our peers to sort and classify using Venn diagrams.  We reviewed all work and commented on them.  Check it out!

Don't forget:  Monday we will take our class photo and all of the students who missed the school photos due to the Cross Country meet will have theirs taken then as well.

We Did It!

Congratulations to our whole class who supported our Scare Away Hunger canned food drive.  Our class brought in a whopping total of 451 items which earned us the win in the junior division!  The whole school combined brought in 3749 items.  Those who rely on these types of donations will sure be pleased, since cupboards are often bare at organizations that provide food for the needy, at this time of year.  As a result of our hard work, we will participate in a Hallowe'en dance on Friday.  In addition, our class has the permission to wear their costumes to school on Friday.  Please do not bring/wear/send anything that is of the gory or violent nature. Masks are not recommended.  Thank you for understanding.  In addition, if you would like to bring treats to share with the class that is fine.  Please be aware that all treats must be peanut free, and we have some friends who cannot tolerate dairy, so dairy free (ie. chocolate free) treats would be best.  There are 25 students in our class.

Hallowe'en Message

Halloween Reminds Us of Central Christian Messages

by Christine Way Skinner

(Catholic Register October 30, 1995 pg. 5 reprinted from the October 1995 issue of Companion Magazine.)

As we prepare to celebrate yet another All Hallow’s Eve (the eve of All Saints’ Day), we might want to ask ourselves what our culture’s celebration of this night of ghosts and goblins has to do with our Catholic faith. Little kids dressing up as their favourite character, going door to door asking for candy and families carving jack-o-lanterns and placing them in their windows seem to have nothing to do with the heart of the Christian message.

Or do they? On a closer look, Hallowe’en reminds us of some of the central Christian messages.

On Hallowe’en, we open our doors to every stranger that knocks. Furthermore, we even invite them in for something to eat. This sounds very much like the ancient and central action of welcoming and extending hospitality to the stranger. Throughout Christian history there is a long tradition of people meeting Christ in the guise of a stranger. When the disciples met a stranger on the road to Emmaus, it turned out to be the Risen Lord. When the legendary St. Christopher helped a little child across the river, this too was found to be Christ. Indeed, Jesus Himself told us that whenever we encounter those in need, whenever we feed or give drink to someone who asks us, we are doing this to Christ Himself.

However, the strangers we meet in costume on Hallowe’en are traditionally nasty rotten creatures – ghosts, witches, and monsters of all sorts. One wonders what these wicked creatures have to do with our celebration of All Saints’ day. But another important Christian lesson is hidden in this ghoulish tapestry. Christianity says things are not always as they appear. Indeed, much of Jesus’ teaching is about reversals; a tiny mustard seed grows into a great tree; the last shall be first; the one who dies for others truly has life. Most of all, in sinners we encounter God.

It was the worst of sinners, not the apparently righteous people, with whom Jesus associated. This is not because the righteous did not need Jesus, but because they did not think they did. Those who appear to be sinful may, in fact, be able to teach us more about Christian living than those who claim to have their moral lives in perfect order. A glimpse of the exterior of a person does not necessarily equip us to judge the interior of the heart.

Finally, our Hallowe’en celebrations always end with everyone taking off their masks and revealing their tried and true selves. This is really what we are all about as Christians – living authentically as God calls us to live. Although it is difficult to live without hiding behind masks, we have the power to do so because we believe we are created in the image of the Creator. This is something we ought not to hide.

Perhaps this Hallowe’en we might reflect on these three lessons: our vocation as Christian people to welcome the stranger in our midst, the danger of judging people by what we see on the outside, and finally, the call to throw off masks and reveal our true selves to the people we love.

Parachute Fun!

Deskercise!

For the last few gym classes, we have been exploring warm ups and games using the parachute.  We are starting to see that to be successful, a strategy and teamwork has to develop.  Check it out!

Good News, Good News, and More Good News!

Congratulations to those students who won last week's Good News ticket draw:  Katarina, Matt (2), Justin, Robert, and Tori.  Keep up the great work!

Here is the evidence from our "Scare Away Hunger" can drive so far!  We are doing a fantastic job!  This is the last week, so let's make a strong finish!


As of Friday, students from our class have reported selling approximately 20 items in total for our school fundraiser.  That is a fine start, but let's work toward earning the incentives that we voted on!  Keep selling Guardians!

Please continue to review the seven geometry pages that can be found on the Numeracy Anchor Chart Archive page of our site.  We will be using this information daily in math and the more schema you have in this area, the better you will do!

IMPORTANT NOTE - This is a friendly, but important, reminder that all students are responsible to catch up on all work in all subject areas that is missed due to an absence.  They can certainly ask me, or anyone in the class, and must catch up as soon as possible.  It is possible for a sibling/ classmate/ friend/ neighbour to bring missed work to an absent student.  If a parent calls the school and requests the work, it will be left at the office so that the parent can pick it up before the end of any given day.   Some work must be completed at school, so in that event recesses will need to be used when the student returns.  Responsibility is an important learning skill to teach our students, in addition to the curriculum expectations. 
I realize that some absences are not planned, such as an illness, but when they are, I would appreciate knowing in advance.  Anyone who told me in advance of Friday that they were not going to be in attendance, wrote the math test on Thursday.  Those who did not will have to use recess time to complete it.   Thank you for your assistance and understanding in this manner.

Time to Get "In Shape"

                                              
Since out latest math unit is coming to an end today with our summative evaluation, it is important to already look ahead to the next topic of study.  Beginning next week, we will be studying geometry.  From past experiences, students come to grade six with either an inferior bank of knowledge, or they have forgotten the many things they have learned in the past.  This weekend the homework is to review and study the seven resource pages that are attached to the bottom of our Numeracy Anchor Chart Archive page.  You can view each one by clicking on the title of the resource, or you can download them and print them for a hard copy.  The items that are new to grade six will be taught, but the information that has been learned in previous years should be in your schema so that when the terms and concepts are used in class you understand what is being said.  Please be sure to have your geometry set at school on Monday because we will use it daily in math for this unit!
                                                    

Follow-the-Leader Warm-up, European Handball, and Cool Down

Follow the Leader Warm-up                                                                    European Handball

Follow the Leader Warm-up

Our class has really been working hard in the gym these days.  Check out the evidence of the work... and fun!

Follow the Leader Warm-up

European Handball

Cool Down

 In your agenda tomorrow, please have your parent record the number of items that you have sold so far for our fundraiser, so we can get an idea of how things are going.  Thanks!

Math Games

This latest math unit is a short but important one.  We have been working on a variety of types of patterns, and some algebra involving equations and variables.  Make sure to check out the anchor charts on our web site.  Here we are playing some algebra games.  It is also important to note that our textbook does not match the grade six curriculum precisely, so we are skipping some things and adding others.  Integers, for example, are in the grade 7 curriculum, so the students will not be tested on that.   They will also not be tested on the divisibility rules.  A significant portion of algebra that deals with variables had to be added, so the students will be tested on that as well.  Feel free to check their yellow duo tang, workbook, and of course the anchor charts.

One Million Children Praying the Rosary

On Friday our class, along with the entire WECDSB, participated in the initiative titled:  One Million Children Praying the Rosary.  We were praying for world peace and health.  Special thanks to the grade sevens who led us over the P.A. System and in our classroom. October is the month of the rosary, and we have been learning about a variety of prayers in our religion classes which supports this initiative.

Good News and VIP!

Congratulations to last week's Good News ticket winners:   Robert, Joey(2), Helena, Brooke, and Matt.  Keep up the great work!

Last week Staff Sergeant Mizuno visited us and we got our VIP program off the ground.  She explained her role on the Windsor Police force, her uniform, and all of the equipment that she carries on her uniform.  She answered many questions from the students, then we were able to tour her supervisor's vehicle.  Anyone who wanted to sit in it could.  It was great fun!