Wednesday 21 February 2018

Wed, Feb. 21 - Homework Board


The countdown to Spring Break is here!  Lots of big things happening!  Your child should be hard at work on their Lit Circle newspaper articles.  Each student will be submitting 1 larger article, 1 news reporter article, and 2 smaller articles.  The group will consolidate all their articles into one newspaper!  Here's the assignment sheet for your information:

Final Newspaper Assignment 

All the novels in our Literature Circles this year related to the themes of Friendship & Trust.  With those themes in mind, each Literature Circle group will create a 3-page newspaper about your novel.  All the articles should relate to the characters, events, setting, and theme of the novel   

When creating your newspaper think about the important symbols or images from the bookand even voice of the author and style of the book.  Your newspaper should imitate and celebrate different aspects of your novel. Don’t forget to   MAKE CONNECTIONS, INFERENCES, AND TRANSFORMATIONS! 

Your newspaper must include the following types of articles: 
  • “News Reporter” role article from each group member on an event from your reading, 
  • At least one large article about the local political scene 
  • At least one large article about each main character, 
  • At least one large editorial or opinion piece from a minor character’s perspective, 
  • One large travel or geography article about your setting. 

Please do not duplicate the topics of your articles.  (For example, only one person can write about Ivy finding the secret door.) 

Your newspaper could include, but are not limited to, the following types of articles: 
  • Weather report, 
  • Birth, marriage, and obituaries,  
  • Advertisements, 
  • Other sections or articles common to newspapers (crosswords, comics, etc.) 

Please make sure these additional articles are relevant to the story and say something about the character, setting, theme, events, writing, or symbols of the story.

Wednesday 14 February 2018

Homework Board - Wed, Feb. 14


Just a reminder that students need to hand in their 2 best Lit Circle Role sheets, and their 1 best Reading Power tomorrow! 

Miss Kelly & Mrs. Soper

Tuesday 13 February 2018

Homework Board & Thesis Statements


Hope everyone had an amazing long weekend! 

Tomorrow is skating and Valentine's Day.  Just a reminder that if you are bringing Valentines, make sure there is enough for every student (27).  For skating, bring your skates, helmets, mitts, etc. if you have them.  If you don't they are available at Hillcrest.  We will be skating with our buddies in Ms. Nordman's class and Miss Andrew's class will be joining us.   There will be no hockey this time.  Instead our focus will be getting to know our little buddies and practicing kindness! 

Notes and bibliographies for the Heritage Fair were due today.  They should now be thinking about a thesis statement.  The thesis statement can be one or two sentences.  The first should be a strong statement about their topic that they can prove.  The second should outline how they are going to prove it.  We have been very impressed with the ones we've seen so far! 

Lit Circles are coming to an end on Thursday.  At that time they will begin working on their newspapers.  They are done as a group, to be completed on Feb. 26.

It should be a fun week! 

Mrs. Soper & Miss Kelly 

Thursday 8 February 2018

Homework Board - Thurs, Feb. 8

Sorry to Emma for taking yesterday’s photo!  I forgot to post it! Oops.

Please note, the Heritage Fair notes and bibliography are due on Tuesday!



Monday 5 February 2018

Heritage Fair Dates & Skating

Just wanted to remind everyone that we have the first of our 3 skating afternoons tomorrow.  Get your child to dress appropriately and don't forget a ski and skating helmet if you have one.  Parents are welcome to join us!  We are at Hillcrest from 1:30 - 2:30. 

I've also included some information about the Heritage Fair assignment in case you haven't seen it yet:

What is a Heritage Fair?
"A Heritage Fair is a nation-wide, educational initiative that encourages the exploration of Canadian heritage in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment. Fairs bring together schools, communities and more than 200,000 students, gr. 4-10, across Canada each year." -BCheritagefairs.ca
How does it work?
Students will develop an inquiry question, research their topic fully, compile information, and create a presentation to share their findings at our school fair and maybe even beyond.
Your Heritage Fair Project should include:
A Written Report
·       5-Paragraph essay that proves a thesis statement
·       Cover page – take your time and make it unique! Include (at least) the title, topic, and your name
·       Bibliography – list all sources and include as last page
·       Use a minimum of 1.5 spacing
·       Typed in a simple, standard 12-point font
·       Be thorough – Capitals, punctuation and spelling are important
·       Proofread your work, then proof it again
·       Have a strong reader/writer proof your work for you

A Fair Exhibit
·       A 3-dimensional display that includes a central image – take your time and make it unique!
·       A title that includes the topic
·       Your name & school
·       Bibliography
·       Information that answers your inquiry question.  Can be presented in paragraph form, lists, timelines, diagrams, bullets, video, audio, plays, historical fiction, children’s books, memoirs, diaries, costumes, dance, models, maps, dioramas, creative writing, a game, original art work, computer display, etc.  Get creative and do what works for you! 
·       Proofread your work, then proof it again
·       Have a strong reader/writer proof your work for you
·       Try to capture the audience’s attention!

A Fair Presentation
·       Know your stuff! 
·       Be prepared to discuss your topic with the visitors to your display.
·       Plan out a 2-3 minute presentation. Think about what information is most important for the audience to learn.  How can you deliver that information in an informative and interesting way?
·       Do not read from cue cards or from your display
·       Be ready to answer questions

·       Practice your presentation with your classmates, family, and friends 

Timeline:
To Do:
Completed by:
Completed:
Step 1: Narrow down topic ideas
Wed, Jan 17

Step 2: Exploratory Research
Thurs, Jan 18

Step 3 & 4: Create Inquiry Question
Thurs, Jan 25

Step 5: Research & Preliminary Bibliography Completed
Tues, Feb 13

Step 6: Create your Thesis
Thurs, Feb 15

Step 7: Essay Outline
Thurs, Feb 22

Step 9: Display and Presentation Plans
Tues, Feb 27

Step 8: First Draft of Essay
Wed, March 7

Final Draft of Essay
Thurs, March 15

Step 10: 3-D Display Check In
Thurs, March 15

Step 11: 3-D Display Final Product
Thurs, April 5

Step 12: 2 – 3 min Presentation Creation
Thurs, April 12

Step 13: Self Assessment & Last Minute Improvements
Thurs, April 19

Step 14: Heritage Fair
Tues, April 24

Step 15: Final Reflection
Thursday, April 26