Thursday, April 7, 2016

5W News for April

Here is a brief overview of what we are learning in class:
This week we have started a new Socials unit on government. We will begin looking at the various systems of government that exist (democracy, communism, dictatorship, monarchy, republic, anarchy) and then we will focus much of our time on how governments in Canada work at all 3 levels: federal, provincial, and municipal. Please read about our learning about Canada’s government in Kidblog.
Our study of government will connect with our much anticipated class trip to Victoria on June 9th will involve a tour of the legislature (details of this field trip will be sent home soon).

In Reading, we have started the novel, Underground to Canada.  You can hear a pin drop when we are reading this in class as students have been very engaged in the story right from the beginning.  
In Writing, we will be involved in the writing process.  Our writing assignments will be connected with learning in other subjects, such as descriptions of the levels of government or Underground to Canada book review.
In Bible, we have started reading I Timothy.  Students will learn about the apostle Paul, Timothy, and the early church.
In Physical Education, students are enjoying playing badminton.  We will be starting a track and field unit in preparation for the Swangard Stadium Track Meet on May 31st.

In HACE (Health and Career Education), we have begun a unit on Healthy Living where we went over various areas of wellness (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and social). As part of this unit, we will focus more closely on healthy eating, sleep, and relationships.

We are focusing on number operations (adding and subtracting with decimals, multiplication, and long division) in Math.  Today, students experienced the challenge of solving Math Magic squares.

And finally, in Art, we are learning about Emily Carr, a famous Canadian artist who captured the wonder of nature in her paintings.  Studying British Columbia’s landscapes connects well with our Science unit about renewable resources in our province.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Warm regards,


Mr.Wu

Monday, April 4, 2016

Types of Government in the World


We have started a government unit in Social Studies.  Here are some systems of government that students have learned about:
 







5W News April 5, 2016

Here is an overview of our class homework this week:

+ Due Tuesday, April 5th: Spelling Sentences, Current Events Questions, History of Government of Canada questions,

  Class Photos

+ Due Wednesday, April 6th: Decimal Math Package, Spelling Challenge Word Definitions,

Underground to Canada Chapter 1 Questions

+ Due Thursday, April 7th: Study For Spelling and BMV Tests, BMV questions

Current Events Package 

Science Worksheet 9.3 Forestry

+ Due Friday, April 8th: Spelling List 13 Test, Math IXL G.3 and G.4,

*Underground to Canada Chapter 2 Questions
*Water Science Handout 9.4

*Publish to Teacher "Three Levels of Government"

   Krispy Kreme Orders

   Scholastic Orders due Friday, April 8th

Weekend April 9-10
+ Study for BMV Quiz
+ Chapter 3 Questions, Underground to Canada, due Monday

+ Due Monday, April 11th: BMV Quiz I Timothy 1:1-5

Pastel Crosses by Grade 5's


As a class we drew pastel crosses in remembrance of Easter.


                 



                                                                            


                                                                        


Friday, March 11, 2016

Grade 5 Second Term Report Cards and

March 11, 2016

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

Today is our last day before Spring Break and report cards will be handed-out.   

As there have been changes to the report card this year, so there have been questions (understandably) among parents at VCS about what various levels/grades mean now and how we assess learning.  This is difficult to summarize in a short explanation as it depends on the subject area and the type of learning we are looking at, so we’ve included a chart that shows how we assess some of the types of learning that come up in a number of subjects.  (Please note, this chart is not exhaustive of every type of learning/subject we assess, but is a guideline for you). We are also on a journey as teachers, as a school and a province with our assessment and teaching.

Grade 5 Assessment
Guideline
I/1
Does not meet expectations or incomplete
C-/2
Minimally meets expectations
C/3
Meets basic expectations
B/4
Fully meets expectations
A/5
Exceeds expectations
Knowledge of content/
Understanding of concepts
Knows or  understands less than half of the content/concepts in a unit or
incomplete
Knows or understands a minimal amount of content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands some of the content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands most of the content/
concepts in a unit
Knows or understands almost all to beyond all of the content/
concepts in a unit
Comprehension/Application/
Working toward understanding basic ideas or
incomplete
Still focusing on literal, basic ideas without critical/higher level thinking
Beginning to demonstrate or work towards critical, higher level thinking
Demonstrates some critical, higher level thinking; proficient
Demonstrates higher level thinking; may be insightful or include new, unique ideas
Creative work/project displays
Work can be:
·        Inappropriate
·        Didn’t follow instructions
·        Incomplete
Work can be:
·        Quickly done
·        Messy
·        Little detail
Work can be:
·        Simple
·        Some attention to  detail
Work can be:
·        Detailed
·        Neatly done
·        Follows instructions/outline
Work can be:
·        Detailed
·        New ideas
·        Goes beyond
·        Wow factor

Please be aware that our goal is for students to do their personal best as they learn.  We would like to see students fully meeting expectations.  However, not every student is at that level yet in every subject for various reasons (we are complex beings!), so we continuously work with students to grow and develop, realizing that their learning is a process, not a means to an end grade.  Also, some students may exceed grade level expectations in some areas of learning, which could mean that they exceeded our expectations within the grade 5 level work we are doing, or they went beyond grade 5 level work.  

Lastly, if you have further questions, feedback for us, or any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us - we’d be happy to meet with you.

    Regards,


                      VCS Grade 5 Teachers

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

5W News for Wednesday, March 3, 2016

+ Complete Current Events Apple package by March 3rd

+ Study for Science Chapter 8 Test on MARCH 3rd

+ Map of British Columbia Quiz on March 4th

+ DEAR DAY (Bring Good Books only!) March 4th  
    

+ Theme Week Schedule next Tuesday to Friday Grade 5’s to be dismissed at 3:15 p.m.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Grade 5 Theme Week Schedule March 7th to 11th

Theme Week for Grade 5's this year.  We will join the grade 6's and grade 7's next week.
Students have signed up for their workshops and are excited to learn all about the 1800's.

Please note that next week March 8th to 11th Grade 5 students will be dismissed at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for Middle School Theme Week.

Regards,

Dave Wu