Newsletter 1-5 April, 2019

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Date April 1 - 5

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for this Week:

Literacy: Students begin to learn about Social Issues and Human Rights through historical fiction, biography and autobiography texts. We will focus on Informational text throughout this unit.  Students will revisit informational and opinion writing in this unit.

Math: The students will begin the unit titled Order of Operations. We have been practicing this skill using daily warm ups, so they are familiar with these skills. Students will evaluate how to use numerical expressions with parentheses, brackets and braces. They will explain how to use these symbols in order to identify, write and describe simple numerical expressions.

Unit of Study: We are beginning our unit on Social Change. This will conclude with the famous “Night of the Notables” on Thursday 9 May.

This week we will:

• Start a historical fiction read aloud
• Begin reading historical fiction and social issue picture books
• Tune in to ‘Social Change’ learning about the ‘Human Rights’ UDHR and the Global Goals
• Review the presenters from our ‘Social Change Makers Conference’ in semester 1

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• First week of April - Inclusion week-April 1 is a day 6
• April 1-5, 2019,  Inclusive Schools Week. #kaleidoscopeoffriends. The ISKL Community Schoolwide will celebrate the progress that we have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. The week will also provide an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that ISKL continues to successfully educate all children. Events will be planned to engage the students, teachers, and parents.

• April 1, 2019: Coffee Chat & Resource Fair. To kick off Inclusive Schools Week there will be a Coffee Chat and Resource Fair in the Community Room from 8:15 - 9:45 am.  This is a great opportunity for your parents to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counseling available at ISKL, parents will also have the opportunity to learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family.  Coffee and snacks will be provided. Please RSVP - Click Here.

• April 2, 2019, Autism Awareness Day is World Autism Awareness Day. #LightItUpBlue The ISKL ES community is encouraged to support the Autism Speaks Light it up Blue Campaign by wearing blue to increase understanding and acceptance of Autism.

• April 4-10:30-12:30-Social Change Makers Conference (part 2)
• April 5, 2019, Diversity Day As Inclusive Schools Week wraps up, ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals. #kaleidoscopeoffriends

Highlight of the week:

• Students celebrated end of Fantasy Writing unit by sharing their stories with other Grade 5 students.
• It was great to meet and listen to Aisha sharing her story about Down Syndrome, and how she is growing and learning at ISKL.

Newsletter 19-22 March, 2019

Weekly Newsletter Grade 5

Dates: March 19-22            

Dear Parents,

Curriculum Information for this Week:

Literacy: Grade 5 students conclude the fantasy unit. They will be finishing up their fantasy book clubs and taking end of unit reading and writing assessment. Students will also be celebrating their writing by sharing it with other classes.  This will be an opportunity to share what we have covered during this unit, including wonderful examples of FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE, GREAT BEGINNINGS, INSPIRING DIALOGUE, LOTS OF FANTASY ELEMENTS, and an ENDING THAT WILL HAVE US WANTING MORE!

Math: The students continue working on Unit 5: Multiplying & Dividing Fractions. The focus continues to be on conceptual understanding of these skills using a variety of manipulatives and also drawing models to show their thinking. The assessment will be at the end of this week. After the break, the students will begin the unit titled Order of Operations. We have been practicing this skill using daily warm ups, so they are familiar with these skills. Students will evaluate how to use numerical expressions with parentheses, brackets and braces.  They will explain how to use these symbols in order to identify, write and describe simple numerical expressions.

Unit of Study: We are starting our Social Change unit by tuning in to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as looking at the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Classes will be researching a social issue to be presented at Night of the Notables on April 30th.

For more information and ways to support your child please visit the Parent Learning Connection page.

Important Reminders/Information: (also see GLC Updates)

• Monday, March 18-No school for students (teacher work day)
• Tuesday, March 19-School reconvenes (Day 2)
• Math, Science, Reading and Writing assessments will be conducted this week
• Friday, March 22-Writers’ Celebration
• March 24-28-No School-Spring Break
• Monday, April 1-School reconvenes (Day 6)
• Thursday, April 4 (10:30-12:30)-Part 2 of Social Change Makers’ Conference (parents welcome)

INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK PLANS

From the Inclusive Schools Week Planning Team:

There will be three special dress up days to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week:

March 21: Students are encouraged to wear odd socks with their school uniform on ‘Mismatched Sock Day’.

April 2: Students are encouraged to wear blue clothing for ‘Autism Awareness Day’.

April 5: Diversity Day - ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals.

There will be a Coffee Chat & Resource Fair happening on April 1st. RSVP is required Click Here for the invitation. There is more information about these days below.

March 21, 2019, Down Syndrome Awareness Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Awareness Day. #WorldDownSyndromeDay. The ISKL ES community is encouraged to wear mismatched socks to raise awareness and highlight that our differences are what make us great.

April 1-5, 2019, Inclusive Schools Week. #kaleidoscopeoffriends. The ISKL Community Schoolwide will celebrate the progress that we have made in providing a supportive and quality education to an increasingly diverse student population. The week will also provide an important opportunity for educators, students and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that ISKL continues to successfully educate all children. Events will be planned to engage the students, teachers, and parents.

April 1, 2019, Coffee Chat & Resource Fair. To kick off Inclusive Schools Week there will be a Coffee Chat and Resource Fair in the Community Room from 8:15 - 9:45 am. This is a great opportunity for parents to learn about the resources that the Student Resource Team (SRT) offers to support students in their learning and development at ISKL. In addition to learning about speech and language therapy, educational psychology, and counselling available at ISKL, parents will also have the opportunity to learn about additional supports that can be accessed outside of school to support their child and family.  Coffee and snacks will be provided. Parents need to RSVP - Click Here.

April 2, 2019, is World Autism Awareness Day

#LightItUpBlue The ISKL ES community is encouraged to support the ‘Autism Speaks - Light it up Blue Campaign’ by wearing blue to increase understanding and acceptance of autism.

April 5, 2019, Diversity Day

As Inclusive Schools Week wraps up, ES students are encouraged to dress in clothes that highlight them as unique individuals. #kaleidoscopeoffriends

Highlight last week:

• The middle school counsellor and peer helpers presented information to our grade 5 students about next year....and we are all excited about our course selections! (Due Tuesday, March 19th).