Friday, 15 November 2013

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







Thursday, 14 November 2013

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

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Chocolate Fever Flip Book Project -- Due November 19



Chocolate Fever Project
 
Over the past two months, our class has been working on several reading strategies.  While you have been practicing these skills, it is time to show what you have learned.  Please ensure that you follow the established criteria.  If you take the time to complete the assignment as laid out, there is no reason why you cannot achieve a higher mark.

Part 1
Title and Author:
·         Make a small and colourful title for your Flip Book.  Be sure to include the Title, Author and the type of book (fiction or non-fiction).  4 Marks

Part 2:
Theme:
·         Why did the author write this book?  What did Robert Kimmel Smith want you to learn?  Please ensure your answer is using complete sentences.  Please explain your thinking.
·         Type on the computer.  Change the font to fit the space in your Flip book.  Use Spell Check!

Part 3
Setting:
·         Where does the story take place?  Use pictures and words to show what you think the setting looked like in the story. 
1.      Images you might want to include:  his house, school, hospital, school yard where he was bullied, semi-truck, and the hideout.  You can either draw, print pictures off the internet or cut out of magazines.  Remember:  You only have so much room to make it all fit.   
·         You might want to type on the computer.  You have the choice.  If you struggle with your printing, it may be easier to type.  Use appropriate font.  Use spell check!

Part 4
Connection to Self:
·         One of the most important reading concepts we have focused on thus far deals with making Meaningful Connections.  If a reader is able to put themselves into the story, feel what the character feels, they are much more likely to understand and remember what they have read.
·         A Meaningful Connection MUST include:
1.      Name and Places:  Tell me who was there and where it took place.
2.      Details:  Tell me what happened.  Explain so anyone could understand.
3.      Feelings:  Use words/pictures to tell and explain your feelings.  (Extremely important)
4.      Bring it Back to the Book:  You have to show how your connection helped you with understanding the story.
·         Possible connections:  (Note:  You must not write about a connection that you have already made – if unsure, please ask).
1.      Have you ever had too much of a good thing?
2.      Have you ever had a problem that you did not want to deal with?  Did you tell the truth or did you run away from the problem (did nothing and hoped it would go away).
3.      Have you ever done something that you learned a lesson, just to repeat it again?  In Chocolate Fever, we are left wondering if Henry Green learned from this experience?
4.      Have you ever been scared?  If so, what happened and how did you deal with your fear.
·         Type on the computer.  Use appropriate font.  Use spell check!

Part 5
Summary of Events:
·         Throughout this book, you have been asked to Summarize your reading.  Unlike a retell where you tell everything that happened, a summary asks that you tell only what is important.  As you have already completed your notes summarizing the book, your goal is to now review what you have written and join it all together.  If you were not happy with the mark you received originally, here is your chance to make the necessary changes.
1.      Do not start sentences with Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and so forth.  It is understood that when reading your summary that each chapter is presented in the correct order.
2.      Include only big ideas or important events.
·         Type on the computer.  Use appropriate font.  Use spell check!

Part 6
Chapter 13:
·         The last sentence of Chocolate Fever leaves the reader wandering if Henry Green learned his lesson?  What do you think?  You have two options available:
1.      Write the final chapter of the book, clearly stating if Henry Green learns his lesson.
2.      Write the first chapter of the new book called “Cinnamon Fever.”  Will Henry Green get it?  Will someone else come down with it?  Be creative!
·         Type on the computer.  Use appropriate font.  Use spell check!

Part 7
Map:
·         Use your imagination to draw a map of Henry’s neighborhood, and try to chart the journey he takes during the course of the book.  Make sure you include all the places Henry visits, including his school, the doctor’s office, parking garage, where he was bullied, even the route that he and Mac take when their truck gets hijacked.  Draw a dotted line on the map to show Henry’s wild path around town.

 Saturday November 9th -- Thundercats versus Grand Forks
  Secret Code for Hockey Tickets:  Score!

Chocolate Fever Flip Book

Teacher Name: Mr. Blick


Student Name:     ________________________________________

CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Title
Title, author and type of book is clearly labeled and presented in a creative manner that catches one attention.
Title, author and type of book is clearly identifiable. Time was taken to make it appealing.
Title, author and type of book may be missing. Hard to read and is not presented neatly.
Two or more requirements are not present or was not completed.
Theme
The theme is clearly stated and the student has related this back to Chocolate Fever.
The theme is stated. No other explanation is provided.
The theme is not entirely accurate.
The section was not completed.
Setting
Excellent use of pictures and words to create a strong visual as to what they story may look like in real life.
Use of pictures and word give a very good visual for the reader.
May be missing pictures or words in their description. Somewhat creates a visual for the reader.
The section was not completed.
Connection to Self
Makes a meaningful connection that includes all the necessary components: Name and Places, Details, Feelings and BIB. Student clearly went above and beyond expectations.
Makes a meaningful connection that includes all the necessary components: Name and Places, Details, Feelings and BIB.
Student is missing one of the necessary components of a Meaningful Connection.
Students is missing two or more necessary components of a Meaningful Connection.
Attractiveness
The poster is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout, and neatness. All paragraphs are typed. Thought was put into what colour of paper to use.  Titles look attractive.
The poster is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness. Most paragraphs were typed. Titles look attractive.
The poster is acceptably attractive though it may be a bit messy. Some of the paragraphs were typed.
The poster is distractingly messy or very poorly designed. It is not attractive. No paragraphs are typed.
Summary
Student clearly went above and beyond expectations. Only big ideas and important events are included. The student used less than 30 sentences.
The student did a very good job mentioning big ideas and important events. The students used 30 to 40 sentences.
The student included most big ideas and most important events. May have included details that not overly important. Student used 30 or more sentences.
The student did not complete the assignment.
Chapter 13
The student clearly goes above and beyond expectations in their final chapter for Chocolate Fever/Cinnamon Fever. It is clear if Henry Green learns his lesson. Presented in an interesting and creative manner.
The student does a very good job in their final chapter for Chocolate Fever/Cinnamon Fever. It is clear if Henry Green learns his lesson. Presented in an interesting way.
The student writes and ending that does not always make sense. Does not address the fact if Henry Green does learn his lesson.
The student did not complete the assignment.
Map
Student clearly goes above and beyond expectations on their map. All important events are shown and are easy to follow. Journey marked in red dotted line.
The student does a very good job on their map. Most important events are included and are fairly easy to follow. Journey marked in red dotted line.
The student is missing important events in their map. Hard to follow at times.
The student did not complete the assignment.
Mechanics
Capitalization and punctuation are correct throughout the flip book. No errors. Included indenting.
There are 1-7 errors in capitalization or punctuation. Included indenting.
There are 7-15 errors in capitalization or punctuation. Indenting may not be present.
There are numerous capitalization and punctuation errors. No indenting is present. Student did not complete assignment.
Grammar
There are no grammatical mistakes on the flip book. Extra care and time was put in to ensure ease of reading.
There is 1-5 grammatical mistake on the flip book. For the most part, care was put in to ensure ease of reading.
There are 6-11 grammatical mistakes on the flip book. Some care was put in to ensure ease of reading.
There are more than 11 grammatical mistakes on the flip book.




 

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Grade 5 Halloween Party: Planned by Keiryn and Jada

Here are some pictures of the Halloween party.  Jada and Keiryn took Responsibility for all the planning and I am extremely proud of their efforts!  Activities included a movie, colouring contest (voted on by the class), dancing, music, games, and best costume competition (voted on by the class).  Please enjoy the pictures!

                                          Jada and Keiryn -- Great job on the party!

                                          Who will win the colouring contest?

                                          Not sure why Mrs. Wert didn't dress up!

                                          James and Heath

                                          Classroom shot.



                                          Looks delicous!  Thanks to all those who baked!

                                          Remind me not to use that phone.

                                          Mrs. Haworth was in for that day.

                                          Kate


Dr. Zelga Von Hunz from Sweeden -- world famous GARBOLOGIST

Our class was visited by none other than Dr. Zelga Von Hunz from Sweeden.  Dr. Zelga Von Hunz is a world famous GARBOLOGIST.  Her job is to go from classroom to classroom exposing all the garbage that is needlessly put into our landfills!  When the good Doctor went through our garbage, students quickly learned that we need to do more!  That said, students are reminded to reuse, reduce and recycle.  The key for this upcoming year is on REUSE AND REDUCE!

In the class, students have volunteered for certain jobs to help REDUCE our waste.  In addition, we are currently collecting all the candy wrappers to see how much waste is going into our landfills.

Classroom Goal:  To bring garbage free lunches.  This may include glass or plastic containers that will not use plastic bags, zip lock bags or saran wrap.  Please discuss with your child any ways that we can keep REDUCE our impact on the environment.

                                         Students were turned off at first by the site of garbage!

                                          Dr. Zelga Von Hunz hard at work!
                                        
                                          Classroom garbage before being sorted.

                                          Sorting out the garbage.

                                         We actually have a compost bin that is not being used
                                         all the time.


                                         That is a lot of plastic that is going into our landfills.
                                         This is only one day for one classroom in Canada.

                                          Can we bake without wrappers?




Halloween Art Project with Mrs. Oien

Mrs. Oien volunteered her time over two different days to help students create a Halloween craft project.  Students thoroughly enjoyed their time working on the project!  The class and I would like to give Mrs. Oien a big thanks for helping us with our Halloween Art!

                                         Short video clip going around the room.

                                          David and Heath.
                                         
                                          Rhyann and Tianna.

                                          Anika and Scott hard at work!
                                         
                                         Does Andreas even know?


                                          Nikita showing off her hard work!

                                         Mrs. Oien helping our class.
     
                                          Definitely in the Halloween spirit!

                                         Mrs. Wert helping with the Glue Gun!



                                      
                                          Two very happy girls! Amber and Keiryn

                                         Sydney, Jerrica and Tianna.