December 18-22

Learning Outcomes

Math

-Students multiply natural numbers within 100 000, including with standard algorithms.

-Solve problems involving multiplication.

Wellness

-Reflect on how the results or consequences of personal actions and decisions can affect the well-being and self and others.

What Did Students Do?

This week, students continued their work with problem solving. They applied their understandings and found a strategy to work through an open-ended problem. Students had an opportunity to discuss their thinking and strategy. There were creative strategies and it was great to see how students engaged with the problem.

Students did an amazing job of their Winter Concert Performance! Wow! I am so impressed with their hard work! Special thanks to Mrs. Harris for her hard word and time in putting the two performance together!

This week, students also created artwork and gifts for their Grade Two buddy and a family member (if they chose this as an option). Their ornaments for their buddy and their family member turned out beautifully! Ask your child to tell you more about this. They also received a piece of art from their Grade Two buddy. This gift exchange was a wonderful way to bring our classes together and to share in the spirit of Christmas. The students shared some time together by reading Christmas stories and books.

We were able to do a little bit of follow up work with our City Hall School week. We will continue this work in the new year! But check out the chalkboard just outside of the Good Neighbor storefront! Students shared their ideas about ways to make Calgary even better. Their ideas have been written on the chalkboard for pedestrians and traffic along 5th Avenue to see. 

Have a very Merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a wonderful Winter Break! Happy New Year!

Coming Up:

January 8th First day of classes after the break  January 8th – 19th Alien Inline Skating residency (K-6)  January 15th – Professional Learning Day (no school for students)  January 17th – School Council Meeting – 7:00 p.m.  January 23rd – Fun Lunch

 

 December 11-15

Learning Outcomes

Wellness 

- Students reflect and relate life experiences to perseverance and well-being

- Students analyze responsibility and consider the impact on well-being

Wow! What a wonderful week we had at City Hall School. Each day brought rich learning opportunities, new experiences and conversations with experts. I am so thankful to all of our parent volunteers who helped make this week possible. Thank you for taking the time to volunteer and support the Grade 5s in their learning this week. See below for pictures and summaries of what each day looked like while we were downtown. Each day provided opportunities for us to consider our big question "How can I make a difference?" and to connect back to our mentor text, The Power of One.

Monday

On our very first day, students got to meet our mayor right away! Students asked questions ranging from what an average day looked like for Mayor Gondek to what the city is going to help those experiencing homelessness. Through a question about how students can make a difference in their communities, Mayor Gondek reminded students they have the power to make a positive impact by finding something they are passionate about and by volunteering their time in support of that cause. She reminded us that we don't need to make big gestures to make a difference. Simply shovelling someone's sidewalk, holding a door open, and showing kindness can have a huge impact. Students really enjoyed meeting her and many shared that this was the highlight of their week.

Students also had a chance to learn more about Calgary's +15 system. They were prompted to consider the space through the lens of another - called an Empathy Walk. They could take the perspective of someone with a physical disability, a senior, or someone new to the country as a few examples. Students drew and sketched their surroundings while in the +15. 

Students had an opportunity to visit the Residential School memorial in front of City Hall. They shared what the noticed, connections to Orange Shirt Day and they discussed how they felt looking at the many pairs of little shoes. 

Tuesday 

We started our day at Olympic Plaza and considered how we might redesign it. The plaza will be undergoing a redesign within the next two years. Students journalled about elements they liked and what they would like to change. Olympic Plaza was decorated for the holidays and it was lovely to see the ice rink full of skaters. 

After our time at Olympic Plaza, we ventured over to Good Neighbor, an innovative non-profit, pay-what-you-can thrift store. Click here to learn more about Good Neighbor. We also met with Alice Lam who is the Calgarian behind the project. Students had an opportunity to help the store by hanging up donated clothing ready to go on the floor and to fold up donated reusable bags. Students were so excited to help! Ask your child to tell you about how Alice Lam and Good Neighbor are examples of the Power of One and how this experience inspires them to make a difference.

In the afternoon, we spent time looking at and sketching tall buildings. We learned a lot about Telus Sky, Brookfield Place and the Bow Tower. We spent time exploring the art installation called "Wonderland". Ask your child to tell you one fact about one of the tall buildings or about Wonderland.

Wednesday

We began our day by attending a council meeting about Infrastructure Planning. Students were able to sketch and write about what they observed and heard during the meeting. During the meeting, Councillor Demong introduced the class and everyone clapped for us as a way to recognize our participation. It was such a great experience for students to see the council meeting processes. 

Terri, from Fair Entry, gave a presentation about the application process to the program. Fair Entry is a central hub located in City Hall that provides reduced rates to services to low-income Calgarians. Did you know that Calgary is the only city in Canada that has all central hub for residents to visit and apply for these services in one spot? 

In the afternoon, we walked over to the homelessness memorial. Click here to learn more about this permanent art installation. Students had an opportunity to sketch one of the elements part of the art installation. Students made very thoughtful observations and shared empathetic connections. 

Thursday

We spent our morning exploring East Village. We learned about historic buildings in the area. Students played in Bounce Park. We went over to a public art display. The 6.7-metre-tall piece of art, called Device to Root Out Evil, was created by Dennis Oppenheim. Students sketched this art and shared their thoughts about how public art can help make a difference. Students had an opportunity to play on the East Village Playground before heading over to the river to sketch. 

In the afternoon, we headed over to the Central Library. What a beautiful space! Students had a scavenger hunt to guide their exploration of the library's various spaces. Students were invited to find a CPL staff member to ask them how the library makes a difference. 

Friday

Students had an opportunity to explore the 3rd and 8th floor of the municpal building. Students learned about the architecture of the building. They also had an opportunity to observe and sketch the various art displays such as a collection of artwork and gifts from our Sister Cities, a Lego display of the Central Library and photos and artifacts from the 2013 Flood.

To close our week, we met with Councillor Demong. Students asked him questions. Students described him as funny and someone who cares about the city. Councillor Demong highlighted the power of working hard and putting effort towards projects that can help make a difference. He spoke about current projects underway and how these projects can help Calgarians. Councillor Demong is an example of the Power of One. We presented him with a copy of The Power of One that both grade 5 classes signed. He was very appreciative of the gift and spoke about the importance of volunteerism. 

What a wonderful and rich learning experience this week has been.  The students have learned so much beyond our grade five curriculum. They met with people and experts who are making a difference in our city.  During our week, students continued to learn how to be engaged, empathetic citizens and to see people for who they are, not how they appear.  They demonstrated kindness, empathy, curiosity, and amazement.  They have learned that they can make a difference and I am confident that the Grade 5 students will continue to make a positive impact in our classroom, our school community, Calgary and the world now and into the future. As our year continues, we will connect back to our City Hall School week and continue to dig into our big question and themes.

The students in the leadership group Student Voice have planned some festive Spirit Days for next week. Please see below:

Monday, December 18: Festive Hat & Hair Day  Tuesday, December 19th: Dress like an Elf Day   Wednesday, December 20th: Silly Sweater Day Thursday, December 21st: Dress like a Grinch Day  Friday, December 22nd: PJ and Bring a Stuffie Day

Upcoming: 

December 18th – 22nd Spirit Week   December 19th Winter Concert   December 20th Winter Concert   December 22nd Fun Snack    December 22nd Last day of classes before Winter Break   January 8th First day of classes after the break  January 8th – 19th Alien Inline Skating residency (K-6)  January 17th – School Council Meeting   January 23rd – Fun Lunch

 December 4-8

Learning Outcomes

Math

-Students multiply natural numbers within 100 000, including with standard algorithms.

-Solve problems involving multiplication.

English Language Arts

-Examine how the interests, experiences, or perspectives of a character might influence how that character thinks, feels, or acts.

- Analyze the actions or feelings of characters in stories, considering the context.

What Did Students Do?

We continued on with multiplication by learning and applying the standard algorithm to find products for two by two digit multiplication equations. Ask your child to show you how to work through the various steps involving the traditional method.

In English Language Arts, students considered perspective, character and character feelings/emotions through the book, Crumbs. It is a beautiful book about a girl, her dad, a bird and a man experiencing homelessness. Students wrote a summary of the story. They reflected upon the experiences of the characters and used pictures and words to show how the characters felt. Students also related to the book through writing about their own experiences that were connected to the events and characters of the book.

In our continued work to prepare for our week at City Hall School, students generated questions that they would like to ask Mayor Gondek and Councillor Demong. Students asked some really good, deep thinking, big questions. We are so excited to ask these questions of our Mayor and Councillor next week. 

We had a special opportunity to work with our Grade Two buddies this week. After collecting items as a school for the Warm Feet, Warm Hearts campaign, classes had an opportunity to pack baggies of the donated items. Students worked with their buddy to pack one bag and to make a Christmas card for their bag as well. As a school, we received many donations and it was truly remarkable to see. Thank you to the Andrew Sibbald School community's generosity. These bags will make such a huge difference. 

Ask Your Child:

- about how volleyball and how their team showed positivity and teamwork this week

- about the Christmas art we created that will be used to decorate the halls for our Winter Concert

Coming Up:

December 11th – 15th  Ms. Chen’s Gr. 5 Class to City Hall School

December 19th Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – 1:00 p.m. Evening Performance – 6:00 p.m.   December 20th  Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – 1:00 p.m. Evening Performance – 6:00 p.m.  December 22nd  Fun Snack   December 22nd  Last day of classes before Winter Break

  November 27-December 1

Learning Outcomes

Math

-Students multiply natural numbers within 100 000, including with standard algorithms.

-Solve problems involving multiplication.

English Language Arts

-Examine how the interests, experiences, or perspectives of a character might influence how that character thinks, feels, or acts.

-Compare and contrast the varied perspectives of main and supporting characters.

What Did Students Do?

We continued on with multiplication work this week by working with larger numbers. Students applied the lattice method and the grid method to work through two by two digit equations. For example: 35 x 56 =_____.

Students applied their multiplication skills to solve word problems. Students had the opportunity to choose from three different word problems with varying degrees of complexity. They are working towards representing or showing evidence of their math thinking. 

In English Language Arts, students examined Point of View and Perspective through the picture book Voices in the Park. The book is a great example to show a character's interests, experiences, or perspectives and how these might influence how that character thinks, feels, or acts. Students retold the four perspectives in the story. We also connected this back to our big question "How Can I Make a Difference?" in our visual journals. Students represented through pictures and words how characters made a positive or negative impact on someone else in in the story.

This also led us to discuss empathy and compassion and how these things motivate us to act and make a difference. To further build their ability to see things from someone else's perspective, students used their drama and acting skills to take on the perspective of a family member in an imaginary scene where they looked out the window to see a snowy scene. Ask your child to tell you more about this. 

In preparation for our week at City Hall School, students created visual journal pages noting what they already know about various elements of downtown Calgary, City Council and our Mayor. Students watched a video showing what a City Council meeting can involve. 

Ask Your Child:

- about the novel they are reading in their guided reading groups

- to show you how to use the lattice and grid method to solve multiplication equations

- about how volleyball has been going for them in Phys Ed 

Coming Up:

December 6th  Fun Lunch  December 8th  PD day – No school for students (Teacher Professional Learning)  December 11th – 15th  Ms. Chen’s Gr. 5 Class to City Hall School

December 19th Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – 1:00 p.m. Evening Performance – 6:00 p.m.   December 20th  Winter Concert Dress Rehearsal – 1:00 p.m. Evening Performance – 6:00 p.m.  December 22nd  Fun Snack   December 22nd  Last day of classes before Winter Break