Coming to a Close

Term two comes to an end this Friday.  Miss Kelly and Mrs. Soper have been feverishly writing reports for the last couple weeks.  It's a lot of work, but actually is one of our favourite times of the year.  It's nice to see the progress that students are making, to set goals together, and to have the opportunity to share successes!  Be aware that term two is the most challenging of the year and your child's marks will reflect that.  When you get the reports next week, we encourage you to discuss the results with your child.  Is there anything they are surprised about? What are they most proud of?  


Just because this term is ending, doesn't mean we are resting though.  There are a bunch of projects on the go at the moment.  In social studies 7, students are working on a map of Africa and beginning their study of Egypt.  In language arts, we are beginning A.C.E. Reports.  A.C.E. is short for "A Current Event."  Every second week, students will summarize and present a current event article to the class.  The first group starts on Monday!  We are also researching micro-organisms for our non-fiction narrative.  Research is due the week before Spring Break. 


Just a reminder about a few things coming up this week:
Wednesday, Feb 25 - Pink Day
Wednesday, Feb 25 - SPCA Bake Sale
Thursday, Feb 26 - Skating


Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Everybody's Behind!

Sorry for my late post this week.  The focus this week is Math Reflex.  Term 2 is almost over and we still only have 3 students out of 28 who have achieved fluency for basic addition and subtraction facts!  Yikes!  We continue to encourage students to practice Math Reflex at least 3 times a week.  The practice will pay off and you will see the results reflected in all aspects of mathematics and even beyond.  The newest neuroscientific research reinforces the importance of the connection between memorizing math facts, and creating more sophisticated connections between different areas of the brain.  Those connections mean big thinking in all areas!  It's pretty cool stuff - and is great motivation to get online!    


Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Stressed Out!

Hope everyone had a restful Family Day! Division 2 needs it!  I have had a number of emails and conversations with students and parents in the last week about how stressed out everyone is feeling.  We definitely have a lot of things on the go right now.  It is not your imagination that the work seems harder this term.  We are no longer reviewing concepts from last year like in term one.  Term two is all about new information, critcal thinking, and hard work!  But rest assured, there is lots of class time provided for projects; lots of opportunites to ask for help; and lots of consideration behind each project assigned.  You can do it!  Here are a couple of tips to help coach your child through this period:

• Get enough sleep!  As puberty hits, students need more sleep.  Experts recommend 8-10 hours.
• Time Management!  Every student should have no more than an hour of homework everyday.  This should be more than enough time to complete the day's unfinished work, the assigned math homework, and work on a chunk of an upcoming larger project.  If your child is doing more or less than this - investigate!
• Follow-up! Check in with your son or daughter about on-going projects.  Ask them to show you what they are doing.  Review due dates together, especially if your family has a busy schedule.
• Relax.  Spend some time doing something fun just for nothing.  (After your homework is completed, of course.)

Upcoming Dates:
Wed, Feb 11 - "Grease" at Hamber
Thurs, Feb 12 - Rough Copy of Lit Circle Newspaper Articles Due
Thurs, Feb 12 - Gr. 6 Graphing Math Test
Fri, Feb 13 - Gr. 7 Mesopotamia Project Due
Fri, Feb 13 - Friday Folders
Mon, Feb 16 - Lit Circle Newspapers Due
Tues, Feb 17 - Aquarium Field Trip
Tues, Feb 17 - Gr. 6 Country Project Part 2 Due
Thurs, Feb 19 - Professional Development Day: No School
Wed, Feb 25 - Pink Day
Thurs, Feb 26 - Skating

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly

Skating Day!

Just a reminder that tomorrow is our first skating day!  Students must wear helmets on the ice.  There are some provided, but we encourage students to bring their own as well. Both ski and hockey helmets are allowed.

Grade 6s have the first section of their country projects due on Tuesday.  Hopefully you have supported your child in their research.  There is also a science lab due this Wednesday. I have embedded the lab template below.

As Div. 2 starts to really investigate the complex world online, your child may come home with questions, some of which will be hard to answer.  There is an interesting conference being held for parents entitled the "Weird Wired World" on the evening of Thursday, February 19th.  It's at Gladstone High School and is free.  For more information check out this link: http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/weird-wired-world-conference-tickets-6715372861

Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Title (given in the textbook)

Question: (usually written right in the textbook)

 

Hypothesis: If….then… I think…because…

 

Materials: (listed)

 

Procedure: (step by step, numbered is great)

 

Observations: (drawings in pencil – dated if more than one- labelled is always good)

Chart

 

Diagrams and Notes

Analysis:

 

Conclusions:

 

Application: