October 24, 2012 Grade 5W News Update

Good luck to all our Grades 4-7 students at the Bear Creek Run in Surrey today

Fort Day morning till lunch, this Friday, October 26th. After lunch, students will still have their weekly spelling test and Bible memory quiz.

Fort Langley field trip on Monday, October 29th.

Early Dismissal Day on Wednesday, October 31st.

 

by dwu on ip4

Parent-Teacher Conferences Thursday, November 1st

I have emailed parent-teacher conference schedules.  Please let me know if you did not receive one.  If you are unable to make the scheduled time, please let me know as soon as possible.  Please note that conference times are fifteen minutes. Thank you, Mr.Wu

Parent-Drivers For Fort Langley Monday, October 29th

5W parents, please confirm with Mr.Wu by email dwu@vancouverchristian.org  if you can still drive for our Fort Langley field dtrip.


On a related note, we would like to request that parent chaperones drive to and from the school without stopping for treats for your group on the way home.  It is a very kind gesture, but we would prefer that all students have equal opportunities on the field trips, and some feel left out when they see other students returning with goodies.  We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.

We thank you all for being willing drivers and chaperones for our field trips! 

Fort Day Friday, October 26th

Grade 5's Fort Day


On the morning of Friday, October 26, students will be participating in baking bannock and other activities related to our Socials unit about forts and the fur trade.  It would be helpful to have a couple of parents helping out in the kitchen for the morning (from approximately 9:00am-12:00pm).  If you are able to volunteer, please contact Mrs. Gysbers.

Students will have the option to dress up like a person living or working in Fort Langley or like one of the main characters in Cariboo Runaway.

Check out the websites for further information about forts, the fur trade and Fort Langley:

 http://www.canadiana.ca/hbc/intro_e.html

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index.aspx
 

http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler05/frames/buildbc.htm
 
http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler05/frames/buildbc.htm

October 15th Weekly News for the 5W Class

 Dear Grade 5 Students and Parents:

I am leaving this afternoon for a five day workshop in Victoria learning about the government.  Until then, my class is left in the capable hands of an experienced and enthusiastic teacher, Mrs.Wasik.

Blessings,

Mr.Wu


Here is a summary of what students are learning this week:

Spelling	The students received their first spelling list today. They will take be taking a list home every Monday and the test will be on the Friday. They will be two marks given; one for the correct spelling and one for the correct markings. There will also be two sentences dictated to them where they will be marked for punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Five phonograms will be tested each time as well.
Writing	We are beginning a poetry unit this month.  We will be focusing on making the best word choices
Math	We are now working with decimal numbers and fractions.  Students will be learning about equivalent fractions.
Social Studies	We have started a BC history unit on Fur Trading and we will be learning about Fort Langley. Our field trip to Fort Langley is on Monday, October 29th.  Also, we discuss current events like the tainted beef scandal in Alberta.
Science	The next chapter of our Forces and Simple Machines unit will focus on the simple machines and how they use force to help us work.  Students should review chapter one of their science textbook in preparation for their test on Monday, October 22nd.
Reading	So far this year we have been applying the Smart Reading strategies to various short stories.  This week we will continue reading Cariboo Runaway, which is a historical fiction novel that shares an adventure story during the Cariboo Gold Rush (coincides with our Social Studies unit).  Students are enjoying reading aloud the novel in class.
Bible	This week we are learning about Noah in Genesis.  Students have received Genesis 9:12-15 as their memory work this week.  I ask the students to think what these verses teach us about God, his creation, and Noah.  Students will have a memory work quiz on Friday, October 19th.
French  and Music	Mrs.Kawa teaches French on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays;  Mr.Kwong teaches Music.on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Physical Education	We are learning about volleyball this month.  We will have PE on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
H.A.C.E.	We want to build positive relationships with one another and with bullying in the news recently, we want to "bully-proof" our students by teaching empathy and understanding.

October 2012 Grade 5W Newsletter

English Bay  August 2012 taken by dwu on ip4

Dear Parents,

We are pleased with the progress that students have made in Grade 5 since the beginning of the school year. Some routines are becoming habit and others we continue to work on. Friendships and unity are being built and the atmosphere is one where learning takes place.   Areas needing improvement are less talking during teaching times, faster transitions and paying close attention to instructions.  Students are working hard to follow our class rule to treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Last Friday we have had our first field trip of the year to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery Natural Historic Site in Richmond.  Students learned how different cannery machines processed salmon many years ago.  A big thank you to all the parent-drivers.  

Class Schedule:  As of this week our schedule will generally remain the same. Students will be given a copy of the schedule in their home-school binder by the end of next week.

Homework: Now that we are entering into October, more of the regular homework load will begin. After Thanksgiving, we will begin our weekly spelling dictations with quizzes taking place on Fridays.  Students will also be given regular Math homework and weekly Bible Memork work.

Bear Creek Cross Country Race (TBA in October): This year not all students will be automatically going to Bear Creek. If your child qualified for the run you will receive a permission form and details about the day. On October 11th Grade 5 students will run at VCS to qualify for Bear Creek.

In general, students should be prepared for the weather, whatever that may be. This may mean wearing layers, bringing rain gear, maybe even extra shoes! Their lunches should contain healthy snacks they can eat 45 minutes before it is their turn to race. Excellent behavior is expected throughout the entire day.

Fort Day (Oct. 26): This event allows students to participate in various activities associated with life as a fur trader.  

Field trip to Fort Langley National Historic Site (October 29): Students will have the opportunity to experience what it was like for fur traders to work at Fort Langley during the winter months as we participate in the “Fur Trade to Colony” program.  More details will be provided on the permission form that will be sent home in a couple of weeks.

Class blog:  Please check for weekly updates regarding homework, important dates, field trips, and learning in the Grade 5W class.  The blog may be accessed through our school's website.

What we are doing:

Spelling	The students will have their first spelling list the week after Thanksgiving. They will take be taking a list home every Monday and the test will be on the Friday. They will be two marks given; one for the correct spelling and one for the correct markings. There will also be two sentences dictated to them where they will be marked for punctuation, capitalization and spelling. Five phonograms and a spelling rule will be tested each time as well.
Writing	We are focusing on the ideas component of our writing.  We will be using the Six Traits method with more emphasis on writing catchy beginnings and good endings. We are generating creative, original and focused ideas as we begin our Writer’s Workshop.  At times, students will be asked to share their writing with their parents.
Math	We have been reviewing place value and various ways to represent numbers. We are now working with decimal numbers and fractions.
Social Studies	We will be starting a  BC history unit on Fur Trading and learning about Fort Langley.
Science	The next chapter of our Forces and Simple Machines unit will focus on the simple machine and how they use force to help us work.
Reading	So far this year we have been applying the Smart Reading strategies to various short stories.  This month we will begin a novel study titled Cariboo Runaway, which is a historical fiction novel that shares an adventure story during the Cariboo Gold Rush (coincides with our Social Studies unit).
Bible	We are focusing on creation in Genesis.  As you are probably already aware, we have already started learning memory verses.
French  and Music	Mrs.Kawa teaches French on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays;  Mr.Kwong teaches Music.on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Physical Education	We have completed our soccer unit and will begin volleyball after Thanksgiving.  We will have PE on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
H.A.C.E.	To begin we reviewed the qualities of a successful student. Next , we will be moving into building positive relationships and learning about bullying.

Thank you for your involvement in your child's life at school.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions about your child.

In Christ,

Mr.Wu

dwu@vancouverchristian.org

P.S.  Give thanks for the Lord is good...Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Fall has arrived,...Bear Creek 2011
by dwu
ip4