Science Quiz:  Digestion -- Monday November 5th, 2012

Our class is working on the Human Body.  The basic goal of this unit is to give students a general overview on how the body systems work and how they must work together.

Students were sent home with a study guide dealing with Digestion.   On the quiz, students will need to be able to:

1.  Match vocabulary words to their definitions
2.  Complete Digestive Diagram
3.  Explain the path of digestion and how nutrients and waste leave our body.

Tomorrow our class will start learning about the Respiratory System.

Over the next five weeks, their will be a short quiz given.  After a discussion of options, the students chose this option to show their learning.


Math Quiz:  Front End Estimating, Adding/Subtracting with Regrouping -- Friday November 9th, 2012

We are working on adding six digit numbers with multiple regroupings.  Students will be expected to add with two numbers, three numbers and four numbers.  In addition, students will be expected to be able to subtract six digit numbers with regrouping.

Students will be expected to Front End Estimate their answers and prove they have an understanding of the concept.

If parents have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick

Fort Steele Overnight Trip

I will host a parent meeting in December regarding our upcomming trip to Fort Steele on Thursday May 31.   To help cover costs, the Grade 5/6 Class from Canyon/Lister Elementary School will be joining us. 

The students have chosen two activities they would like to participate in and I am in the process of booking them.  In addition, I am looking into visiting the Cranbrook Railway Museum. 

Food Preservation Description:  In the 1890's food preservation was crucial to the well being of the townsfolk.  In this program, students will prepare meat in a smoker and dry apples that they can take home.  They will also learn the important steps in canning, drying, and pickling.

The First Spike Description:  Hear the catastrophic effects on Fort Steele when the town was by-passed by the B.C. Southern Railway and the demanding work of a railway worker.  Then the students will build a section of track using authentic railway tools, and finish the program with a pump-cart ride on the tracks.

At this point, I am expecting the trip to cost $30.  This will cover all costs associated (programs, bus, overnight trip and food). 

I will be looking for parent volunteers to assist.  In particular, I will be looking to create a parent group to help purchase and organize the food.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Christmas Art Project -- Cost: $3.50

Starting in early November, our class has an unique opportunity to create a Clay Christmas Decoration through Pridham Studio.  Pridham studio will provide a tour and all the necessary tools to help our Christmas Decorations come to life!  In order to cover the costs of this project, I am asking that parents please send in $3.50.  Normally this activity would cost $5, but Mr. Giles was generous in offering to cover the additional $1.50.  If any parents have concerns about the cost, please let me know.  I will ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate.

Lastly, I would like to thank Mrs. Moore for setting up this Art Project!  Mrs. Moore has been donating her time to provide Art activites for the class and has organized the entire Christmas Decoration project. 

Health Test and Front End Estimation

Health:
Completed marking Health Test.  Very impressed overall with the effort.  Thanks to all the parents who helped their children study for this test!  Tests will be sent out Oct. 24th.  Please sign and return to school.

Math:
Our class is currently working on Front End Estimation.  It is important that students try to get an estimate (approximate answer) before attempting a question.  By having an estimate, students will be able to compare their answer to their estimate to see if their answer is reasonable.  We will use Front End Estimation for Addition, Subtraction, Multilication and Long Division.  In addition, we are looking at how to round numbers.  While not part of the curriculum, it can be an extremely valuable tool when trying to get a more accurate Front End Estimation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!

Novel Study -- Sadako

Our class will begin a novel study on Sadako. Students will each be given a book and are expected to read one chapter each day (nine in total).  Each day they will have a short assignment to complete. 

Focus of novel study:  Higher level thinking

Make two Meaningful Connections
Ask one meaningful question each chapter
Make regular predictions
Put thought into the Response Questions

Basic Overview:



Sadako is a Japanese girl who lives with her older brother, younger sister, younger brother, and parents in Hiroshima, 1955. She attends school, has a best friend, and participates with Peace Day, a celebration to honor those who lost their lives due to the atomic bomb that was dropped during WWII. She is also opinionated, competitive, strong, and courageous. She is chosen to participate in a race at school, and while running, feels dizzy. At first a secret, her symptoms soon are detected by teachers. In the hospital she is diagnosed with leukemia, "the bomb disease." Her best friend visits and reminds her of a legend that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, she'll be gifted by the gods with health. She sets to this task and with spirit, strength, and courage, folds an amazing 644 paper cranes.

Food Advertising:  How to Promote Healthy Living

Due Date for First Filming of Skit:  Monday October 22nd, 2012

Presentation:  To Be Determined -- Awaiting the arrival of two movies cameras as the school currently does not have that works

Problem:

Many factors influence youth food choices, including taste, preference, availability, family meal patterns, peer norms, price, and food advertising.  The role of the media in food promotion is more prominent today than ever before.  Much of the media is targeted to children is laden with elaborate advertising campaigns, many of which promote foods such as candy, pop, and salty snacks.  It is important for youth to be aware of these techniques that advertising companies use to influence our

Project:

Over the past month we have been learning about healthy eating.  In our learning, we have discovered that food advertising has a strong influence on the food purchasing patterns of individuals and families.   In class, we have looked at newspaper/magazine advertisements, read articles (pertaining to healthy eating) and watched cartoons that reveal many of the tricks advertisers use.

Your assignment: 

Develop a project that will enhance the awareness of the ways in which advertising can affect food choices.  Students will produce creative ads to encourage their peers and families to eat at least six food Guide servings of vegetables and fruits every day.

In small groups, create food packaging, advertisements and/or displays to encourage other kids and their families to eat at least six servings of vegetables and fruit every day.  Below is the list of ideas that we generated in class.  Be sure to include them into your project as they are proven techniques that work. When creating groups, students will be given an opportunity to share their areas of strength.  With this list, groups will be created to ensure a variety of skill sets exist within each group.

 Advertising Techniques:

1.  Appeal to health and happiness (it makes you healthier and happier)

2.  Appeal to your senses (it tastes good, looks good, smells good or feels good)

3.  Appeal to your pocket book (it saves you money)

4.  Bandwagon (everybody loves it and wants it)

5.  Testimonial (a famous person says he/she likes it)

6.  Comparison (it is the better choice)

How will your project look?  Students will present their project in a skit.  They will be allowed to act out their skit in class or have the option to film their skit (which will be shown in class).  The use of displays, costumes and props are highly encouraged to promote your ad.  Note:  You will need access to a movie camera.  One can be used at the school (within the next few weeks) but it cannot leave the school.  Therefore, check with your parents to see if they have one you can use at home if you are hoping to use a setting that is not available at home (example: dinner table, kitchen, etc..)

Presentation and Planning : Food Advertising Project -- Promote Healthy Food
Teacher Name: Mr. Blick
Student Name: ________________________________________
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Product Packaging Graphics	Graphics include some original material and are clearly related to the material being presented. Title of the product is easily identifiable. No spelling errors.	Graphics are clearly related to the material being presented, but none are original. Title of product is fairly obvious. One spelling mistake.	Graphics include some original material but are only somewhat related to the material being presented. Title of the product is somewhat noticeable. Two to three spelling mistakes.	Graphics are not related to the material being presented. No title for product is shown. More than three spelling errors.
Speaks clearly	Speaks clearly and distinctly all of the time and mispronounces no words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all of the time but mispronounces 1 or more words.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time and mispronounces no words.	Does NOT speak clearly and distinctly most of the time AND/OR mispronounces more than 1 word.
Enthusiasm	Facial expression and body language show a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic throughout the skit, but it is not overdone.	Facial expression and body language show a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic throughout the skit, but it is somewhat overdone.	Facial expression and body language show some interest and enthusiasm about the topic throughout the skit.	Facial expression and body language depict apathy or boredom with the topic.
Point of View - Purpose	Skit establishes a purpose at the beginning and maintains that focus throughout! Cohesive skit clearly promoting their skit.	Establishes a purpose at the beginning, but occasionally wanders from that focus and does not always relate to their product.	The purpose is somewhat clear but many apects of the skit seem only slightly related.	It was difficult to figure out the purpose of the skit.
Use of Props/Displays	Uses props and displays to effectively promote their product.	Uses props or displays to effectively promote their product.	While using props or displays, it not obvious why they are being used.	Does not use props and/ or displays for their project.
Includes Proven Advertising Techniques	Uses 3 or more techniques to promote their product.	Uses 2 techniques to promote their product.	Uses 1 technique to promote their product.	Does not use any techniques discussed in class to promote their product.
Group Work	The group functioned exceptionally well. All members listened to, shared with and supported the efforts of others. The group (all members) was almost always on task!	The group functioned pretty well. Most members listened to, shared with and supported the efforts of others. The group (all members) was almost always on task!	The group functioned fairly well but was dominated by one or two members. The group (all members) was almost always on task!	Some members of the group were often off task AND/OR were overtly disrespectful to others in the group AND/OR were typically disregarded by other group members.

Food Advertising: How to Promote Healthy Living

As parents are aware, we have been working extremely hard to complete our project on health living.  Below I have posted the assignment and the rubric on which students will be evaluated.  On Monday, students will have an opportunity to film their skit using the I-Pad.  Students will not be evaluated on this first attempt (unless they choose to be) and it is hoped that they will review their skit and make any changes that need to be made.  Once all the movies are complete, I will let parents know and I will show them in class.  If you cannot make the presentation, feel free to stop by and ask to see the skit.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick

Welcome Parents/Guardians,

To assist in communications with parents, I am creating this blog.  I will provide information on this blog in regards to what we are learning in class, upcoming quizzes, tests, and fieldtrips.  It is my hope that this will provide another avenue to keep the lines of communication open between the home and school.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick