Ruth King Division 2

Hello!

The intermediate team has decided to cancel the fair, apparently it was becoming too much for some of our students to handle as a home project. If your child still wants to complete a science fair project, I have told them it will be for extra marks this term.

Instead of a science fair, Ruth King will be having a heritage and diversity fair in March. Each student will research their own family history, discovering their country of origin, and discussing the reasons they immigrated into Canada. There will be a booklet detailing the information needed for this project. To conclude the project, the students will be creating a poster board/trifold on their country of origin, showcasing their country for the school. We will be going over the booklets next week in class.

In math this week we finished our two digit multiplication and three digit dividing with a unit test. Most students did very well at showing their understanding and learning of the steps involved to solving larger problems. We started our measurement unit this week, learning about mm, cm, and m, how to measure and convert our measurements. The students went around the class and measured objects (usually themselves) to find the length in cm.

In Language Arts this week we worked on a couple of writing prompts, building our ability to write on multiple topics. The students also worked on a funny group story, having 30 seconds to start a story, pass their story to someone else, and use another 30 seconds to continue the new story in front of them. By the end we had some weird and unusual stories that were entertaining to read.

In social studies this week we started researching our class timeline of Canada. The students used their chrome books to research important dates in Canada’s history, that they feel are important in showcasing our growth as a country. We also looked at the residential schools timeline for Canada, and started discussing the events and impacts residential schools had.

In science this week we finished our Rube Goldberg machines. The objective was to build a complex machine out of simple machines, with the purpose of popping a balloon. Below is a video of each machine built.

In French this week we started looking at French culture in Canada, and learned a little about Le Carnaval de Quebec, one of the world’s largest winter festivals. Next week we will be gathering information to create a brochure about the festival.

In art this week we created some aboriginal feathers, using traditional symbols and colours. They can be found on our cloak room door for viewing pleasure.

Next week we will be looking into perimeter and area in math, learning to measure and calculate things around the room. In Language Arts we will be starting our poetry unit, discussing poetry and creating a couple of fun poems. In science we will be starting our human body investigation, looking at cells and the building blocks of organs. In social studies we will be learning more about residential schools in Canada, working on our own timeline areas, as well as starting our family history booklets for the fair in March. Should be a lot of fun!

Have a good weekend!

Events coming up: Bottle drive Feb 17, Curling field trip March 1, Heritage fair March 14.

Hello and welcome back!

In math this week we started working on long division. We went over a couple of strategies, and by the end of the week most were able to do it. Next week we will continue long division, with a quiz on Friday.

In Language Arts this week we looked at ways to describe something, using our senses to describe objects and food. It was a small taste of the poetry unit we will be starting in February.

In social studies this week we looked at researching using the internet, and finding credible sources of information. We used the Ipads to research famous explorers, and comparing the information from multiple websites.

This type of activity will help us with our next socials unit, a Canadian Timeline about history, identity, and our culture.

In science this week we reviewed the simple machines by finding examples of them around the school. We also went through stations, using simple machines and observing how they make work easier.

In French this week we looked at the French alphabet, and sang ABC a couple of times. We also studied our numbers and colours, and had a quiz Thursday. Most did very well with their quiz.

This week we also went over the science fair. Most of the contracts have been handed back, and most of the students have picked their partner or chosen to work alone. On Friday I handed out the info booklet that students will have to complete. They were advised to take them home and go over them, researching some experiments to perform. Remember: it all starts with a question or a wonder.

Next week we will continue long division in math, practicing to get those steps down. In Language Arts we will look at different voice styles and structures in writing. In social studies we will look at the criteria of our Canadian timeline, and think about what themes we will need that showcase Canadian identity. In science we will look at complex machines, and work on building a Rube Goldberg in groups, with the mission to pop a balloon.

For the science fair, students will have to research and choose their science fair idea, coming up with the question that will guide their project. By Friday students should have checked with me about their project, and I will sign off on it if it is acceptable.

Have a good weekend.