Making Recycled Paper

Based on a video our class watched last week, students were learning how to replicate the process of making recycled paper into new paper.  Please enjoy the pictures and videos.  If you have any questions, ask your child to explain it.

                                   First students ripped up the paper in small pieces.

                                 Second, students then mixed the small pieces of paper with
                                 water in the blender.

                                  Thirdly, students spread out the paper.  Students were careful
                                  not to squeeze the water out.

Lastly students dried out the new paper.                         

                                     Jada, Keiryn, Tiana, Scott and Andreas

                                    Amber and Anika

                                      Tyson and Lauren

                                     Kimberly, Kelsey, Jerrica and Syndey

Fort Steele Trip: May 28 and May 29

Our date to visit Fort Steele has been set.  Our class will be going with Mrs. Walker's class on Wednesday May 28th (stay over night) and Thursday May 29th, 2014.  A meeting will be held in January to discuss costs, programs and volunteers.

Important Note:  Friday May 30th is a school planning day (no school).

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

Thanks,

Mr. Blick
ARES -- Grade 5
mblick@sd8.bc.ca

Novel Study -- Sadako

While many parents saw this novel at the Student Led Conferences, I thought I would include a brief outline of the book.  This book will completed by Christmas.

Below is a picture of memorial in Japan recognizing all the young children lost to leukemia.  It is hoped that our exchange teacher Mitsuya will be able to come to our class and teach us how to make Paper Cranes.  Notice all the paper cranes!

Thanks to Google for the image.
 

Basic Overview:


Thanks to Google for the image.

 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.

Important Dates

Christmas Holiday Train:  10am on Wednesday December 11th.   
If possible, please bring one non perishable food item.  All the food that is donated stays in Creston.

Swimming at the Rec Centre:  Monday December 16th from 10am to 11am. 
Cost:  $2.50
All students will need to bring $2.50 to cover the cost.  Unfortunately, students will not be able to use their Swim Pass as the Rec Centre gave us a group rate.  If cost is an issue, please let Mr. Blick know.

Cross Country Skiing:  Friday February 14th and Friday February 21st.
Cost:  $30 for both trips
Please see newsletter that was sent home.  While we do not need payment before Christmas, we do need to know which students will be attending and which parents can volunteer.

Intermediate Christmas Concert:  Thursday December 19th at 6:30pm
All students are encouraged to attend.  Tentatively, rehearsals will be on Thursday afternoon of December 19th for any parents who cannot make it at night.

HO HO HO Assembly:  Friday December 20th at 2pm. 

Fort Steele Trip --  Wednesday May 28th and Thursday May 29th
Our class will be going with Mrs. Walker's Grade 5/6 class.  Parent meeting to follow in January regarding costs and possible fundraising.

 Important Upcoming Fieldtrips:

 

Hydro Dam in Castlegar -- Date to be determined.  Part of the Beyond Recycling Program.  No cost.

Tour of the Dump --  Date to be determined.  Part of the Beyond Recycling Program.  No cost.

Tour of Waste Disposal Plant (Sewage Treatment) -- Date to be determined.

Tour of the Water Management Plant (town reservoir) -- Date to be determined

Note:  Looking for at least one male chaperon.

Swimming Program:  Tuesday and Thursday -- June 3 to June 19th.  There will be six sessions (40 minutes) in total.  Time:  1:15pm to 1:55pm.  Cost to be determined.  That said, we are look currently looking at ways to help subsidize the costs.  Last year, parents were asked to pay $10.

Making a Lung

Students had a fantastic time building their lungs.  I could explain the process but it's more entertaining if we let Madison and Jada explain it!

  

 

 

What Does It Take To Make Something?

In Beyond Recycling, students have spent the past two weeks learning what is required to make certain products.  Students examined how they make pencils, basketballs/soccer balls, aluminum cans, light bulbs and a pair of jeans.  In particular, students examined what raw materials were needed, the country each of these raw materials where found and the overall impact that each product has on our environment. In the end, student had to present their learning and create a poster for the bulletin board.

Each purple sign represents: raw materials, country of origin and the environmental impact.

                               Cheyann, Jada and Heath presenting on the pencil.

                                    Kimberly, Tiana and Anika presenting the soccer ball.

                                   Keiryn, Rocco and Amber presenting the basketball.

                                     
                                Lauren, Tyson and Sydney.  Rhyann and Mackenzie had to help hold
                                the signs due to the large number of raw materials needed to create a
                                light bulb. 

                                Mackenzie, Andreas and Logan presenting on the aluminum can.

                                   Working on their poster for the bulletin board.

                                   The bulletin board found at the landing for going upstairs.
                                   Trying to bring awareness to students, parents and staff.

                                     Logan found this can in the recycling bin to help enhance
                                     their poster.

The Digestive System

 In this activity, students were learning about the different stages of digestion.  First, students were asked to place a cracker in their mouth for 3 minutes.  Within that time, the cracker disappeared due to the saliva.  Students then mimicked the mouth by using a fork (teeth) and water (saliva) to break down the food creating a suspension.  Lastly, students transferred the suspension to a plastic bag which was designed to mimic the stomach and turn the suspension into a solution. 

Christmas Concert, Cross Country Skiing and Report Cards

Cross Country Skiing at the Nelson Nordic club.  Our class will be going on Friday February 14 and Friday February 21.  More information to follow in the new year.  Will be looking for parent volunteers.

Report Cards are nearing completion and will be sent home Friday December 6th.  If parents have any questions, concerns or would like to set up a meeting, please indicate on their report card or in their agenda.

By Friday, I hope to have a few more blog posts showing our learning. 

ARES Intermediate Christmas Concert

Thursday December 19^th at 6:30pm

 

Dear parents/Guardians,

This year the intermediate students (Grades 4-7) at Adam Robertson Elementary School will be performing a Christmas Concert.  Starting at 6:30pm, the Intermediate students will be performing a variety of songs.  Performances will be by individual Grades and will showcase what students have been learning in music recently in term one. All intermediate students are expected to attend as 'performance' is part of the music curriculum.

 

Students: please try to wear black pants and a white shirt for the performance.

Staff and students are excited about this event and look forward to seeing family and friends attend.

Thanks,

ARES Intermediate Staff and Mr. Simon 

Student Led Conferences for Term 1 -- Monday Dec. 2 and Wednesday Dec. 4

Student-Led Conference Schedule

Dear Parent(s),

          We are scheduling student-led conferences for Monday December 2^nd and Wednesday December  4^th.  Please look at the times listed on the next page, choose your time and send back the form as soon as possible.  Three families will be scheduled for every 30 minute block of time on a first come first basis.

          For those of you who have never been part of a student-led conference, here is what you can expect.  Your child will use a “conference guide” to show you through his/her school work and activities.  When you arrive, your child will have an agenda for you to follow as well as work samples your child has chosen.  During the meeting, you will list your child’s strengths and areas needing improvement resulting in one goal per child.  If you would like a follow-up interview with the teacher without your child present, you can make arrangements at this time.

Why is a student-led conference important?

1.    It provides your child with an opportunity to feel proud about all the work he/she has done.

2.    It places the responsibility for learning on the student (where it belongs) while providing lots of support from parents and teachers. 

3.    It allows you, as a parent, to gain a better understanding of your child’s school activities.

4.    It helps to make teacher comments clearer and more meaningful because you have seen your child’s work first-hand.

5.    It gives parents and teachers a chance to meet informally.

If you can’t make any of the times listed below, please let me know and we will find an alternate time.  It is crucial that each child has a conference.  As mentioned earlier, three families will be scheduled for every 30 minute block of time on a first come first basis.

 Note:  The section below needs to be returned to the teacher as soon as possible.  The sooner you hand it in, the more likely you are to receive your preferred time.

   

Student-Led Conference Schedule

Write your name beside your preferred conference times and return to the school as soon as possible.  Please choose two times, giving a preference for your first choice.  Times will be booked on a first come first serve basis.

  

Mon. Dec. 2       3:30 – 4:00   ____________________________

          “        “        4:00 – 4:30   ____________________________

“        “        4:30 – 5:00   ____________________________

“        “        5:00 – 5:30   ____________________________

“        “        5:30 – 6:00  ____________________________

          “        “        6:00 – 6:30  _____________________________

          “        “        6:30 – 7:00  _____________________________

          “        “        7:00 – 7:30  _____________________________

Wed., Dec. 4     3:30 – 4:00   ____________________________

          “        “        4:00 – 4:30   ____________________________

“        “        4:30 – 5:00   ____________________________

“        “        5:00 – 5:30   ____________________________

“        “        5:30 – 6:00  ____________________________

          “        “        6:00 – 6:30  _____________________________

          “        “        6:30 – 7:00  _____________________________

          “        “        7:00 – 7:30  _____________________________

Support for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief -- Bake Sale

 Kate, Anika and Kesley approached me in class today asking if they could set up a fundraising activity to help support those affected in the Philippines.  Here is the letter below that we will be sending out.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.

Support for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief --

Bake Sale or Donation

We are planning on having a bake sale to raise money to help support the victims of Typhoons Haiyan in the Philippines.  If you would like to donate money or make food for the bake sale, please let Kate, Anika, and Kelsey know in Mr. Blick’s class.  Once we have a number of volunteers to assist with baking, a date will be set and notices sent home.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Blick.

Thanks for your time and support,

Kate Page                             Anika Hanson                                  Kelsey Mather

National Addictions Awareness Week -- Nov. 18, 2013

National Addictions Awareness Week 2013

Dear Parent/Guardians,

Our class will be participating in the upcoming National Addictions Awareness Walk being held on Monday November 18, 2013 at 10 a.m.  In total, four Intermediate classes from Adam Robertson Elementary school will be participating in the event to help bring awareness to this important cause.  The walk will start at the Rec Centre and will end at the Lower Kootenay Band.  That said, the Grade 5 and 6 classes will only be walking from the Rec Centre to Centennial Park.

This initiative is under the direction of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.  The focus for this year’s initiative is targeted towards youth drug prevention.  Below is a brief explanation provided by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse:

Every November, CCSA and organizations across Canada mark National Addictions Awareness Week (NAAW).

NAAW plays an important role in highlighting issues and solutions to help address alcohol- and drug-related harm. Substance abuse costs Canadian taxpayers more than $40 billion a year. It is a contributor to diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

In 2013, CCSA’s focus for NAAW will be on youth drug prevention. One of CCSA’s key priorities for action is children and youth - specifically, how do we prevent our young people from developing substance abuse issues? To help achieve this goal, CCSA focuses on providing research-based, evidence-informed tools to promote healthy living and help prevent Canadian youth - our country’s future - from experiencing the harms of substance abuse.

National Addictions Awareness Week is an opportunity to learn more about substance abuse and addiction, to talk about the complex problem of substance abuse and to bring forward solutions for change from all those touched by it. Please, join the dialogue to help create a healthier society, free of the harms of substance abuse!

For further information and links, please feel free to visit the website:

http://www.ccsa.ca/ENG/NEWSANDEVENTS/INFORMATION_SHARE/NAAWDAW/Pages/default.aspx

Included below is are the learning outcomes as outlined by the government of British Columbia as to what educators are responsible for teaching in his/her classrooms.  If at any time parents have any questions or concerns, please let the teacher know.

Grade 5:

·        analyse factors that contribute to the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (e.g., social influences, curiosity, feeling alienated or awkward, stress, media, dealing with emotions such as sadness and grief)

Grade 6:

·        demonstrate appropriate skills related to the prevention of the use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs (e.g., assertiveness, refusal skills, avoidance, choosing healthy alternatives)

·        describe the potential consequences for themselves and others if they use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs (e.g., altered judgment and decision making, addiction, potential harm to fetus)

Grade 7:

·        Healthy living C1 - Analyse factors that influence personal health decisions

·        Healthy living C11 - Describe healthy alternatives to substance misuse

All parents are welcomed to join us in the walk!  As mentioned earlier, if parents have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Thanks,

Mr. Blick

ARES – Grade 5