Saying goodbye

Education is not preparation for life,
education is life itself.
JOHN DEWEY

It has been an amazing year. I will miss you all very much, and hope that you will come back to visit! Each one of you has left a deep and lasting impression on me, and I know that you will go on to make a difference in the world in a meaningful way. As your journey continues, remember that learning is not a nugget hidden in a textbook but is embedded in your desire to explore concepts with passion and enthusiasm. Learning does not stop today, or upon your graduation from Morven, or even after university - it continues forever and that is an exciting thing! So get out there in that world, and never lose your wild creativity, your philosophical musings or your gentle kindness.

And don't forget to say thank you to your parents for providing you with the opportunity to be educated at Collingwood, their support for you and their unconditional love! Being grateful will always fill your heart with everything you need.

Good bye, 5G!

5G wins the wooden spoon in the Tug-o-War, and Recess Fun

Here are some new pictures -- to save them, right click on the image you like and save to your computer from there!

Civvies Day Wednesday, June 11th

In celebration of our fabulous Grade 5 party on Wednesday afternoon, students are invited to wear Civvies all day on Wednesday. Because of the nature of our party, however, I ask that students please wear or bring gym shoes for our afternoon activities!

It's going to be great!

Community Day

Just a few reminders about tomorrow:

Please meet at 22nd and Inglewood at 9:15 am in gym shorts and the Collingwood grey t-shirt and the parade organizers will direct you where to go from there!

Thank you!

Graduation song

In the assembly on Thursday, the graduating class of '08 will sing the song Graduation Day (Friend's Forever) by a band called Vitamin C. I have sent home the lyrics to this song (slightly amended for our specific use) and hope that the children can review the lyrics and get more familiar with the song before Thursday.

Thank you!

5G Memories

Coming home with your child today is a DVD filled with photographs from throughout 2008-2009. There are many, many photographs and rather than making a slideshow, I wanted to save them in a way that allowed you to choose your favourites and save them for your personal use.

I have tried throughout the year to take as many pictures as your kids would allow (some were more resistant than others!), and you may find that only a handful are great shots for you. Either way, I hope you enjoy going down memory lane with your child when looking through these shots!

I have loved stepping into this role this year - 5G is an amazing class and they have made me look forward to work each and every morning. Next week will be a sad one as we say good-bye. I know that your kids are going to go on and do exceptional things in their lives!

Better late than never

It occurred to me early this morning that people may be banking on the hot dog lunch today, as per your Sports Day order. I have not made this clear and although it is late, I'd like to do so now: the hot dog lunch is for Sports Day, regardless of which day it is held. It looks miserable out there right now and my gut tells me it's off for today! Therefore, the hot dog order needs to be postponed until Monday.

Please send your child to school with a lunch today!

Since Monday is our only other option, if Sports Day is canceled again on Monday then the hot dogs will be served at that time (other hot lunch orders are not taking place on Monday).


Thank you.

Sports Day details

Overview of Day:

9:00am Bus loading begins

10:00 - 12:00 Organized stations (approx. 10:50 - 11:00 recess).

***12:00-12:40 tug-o-war 12:40-1:20 lunch/popsicles ***

12:00 - 1:20 Organized activities.

1:20 - 1:30 Teams gather for awards.

1:30 - 1:45 Awards.

1:40 - 2:00 Board buses, head back to Wentworth!

Please remember to inform me in writing if you wish to take your child home with you from Ambleside at this time.

Venue:
Ambleside
The events will take place on field B at Ambleside. This is a different field from last year. It is the grass field west of the artificial turf playing fields. There are washrooms directly beside this field.


Packing list:
Lots of water!
Hat/Sunscreen/Rain Gear (because you never know!)
Layers of clothes with your name labeled on each (Sports Day can be a tough time to keep belongings organized!)
Snacks to keep you fueled
Lunch if you did not order hotdogs
No valuables, please

See you there!

Calling all library books...

All library books need to be returned on Monday, please!

Thank you!

Graduation Day details

An invitation to all grade 5 students & parents
Mr. Rodger Wright, Headmaster
and
Mr. Muir Meredith, Head of the Junior School
invite you to attend a Grade 5 Farewell Celebration at the Lodge (Headmaster’s home) on
Thursday, June 12, 2008

Time: 11:15 - 12:45 pm

following Junior School Closing Ceremony.

Grade 5 students attending the celebration will be dismissed to their parents at the Lodge
at the end of the Celebration. Siblings of attending Grade 5 students will be dismissed to
parents from the Multi-Purpose Room after the celebration. Please pack a lunch for siblings of attending students.

RSVP by Friday, May 30 2008
to Wentworth Reception

Wrapping it all up...

Well, the time has come to wrap up this year, and it's hard to believe all we have accomplished together. These next two weeks will be busy ones, and I'd like to outline some of the dates, times and expectations to help us through it!

• Monday, June 2nd:
  
• Students come to school in Number One uniform (proper uniform - keep these white socks at home!) for a whole school photograph at Morven.
  
• Grade 5 drama rehearsal at lunch (12:50-1:30)
• Tuesday, June 3rd:
• 2:30 - 4:30 Grade 5 drama rehearsal
  
• Wednesday, June 4th:
  
• Simple Machines test
• 3:10 - 4:30 Grade 5 band rehearsal
  
• Thursday, June 5th:
  
• Grade 5 concert!
• 5:30 pm - every one arrives in black dress pants to 5G
• 5:40 pm - choir and band kids to MP room in costumes
• 6:00 pm - Band performs in Gymnasium
• 6:20 pm - Choir performs in Gymnasium
• 6:45 pm - 4/5 concert
• 7:45 pm - approximate closing time
• Friday, June 6th:
• Sport's Day! Please see green handout coming home with your child today! Drop your child off at school at regular time. We will travel down to Ambleside together on the bus. If you wish to take your child home from Ambleside at the end of the day, please inform me of this in writing so I can keep track of everyone! Thanks! :)
• Monday, June 9th:
• Sports Day Rain Day
• Assembly
• Wednesday, June 11th:
• Class party! Details to follow...
• Thursday, June 12th:
• Last day of school! Goodbye Wentworth!
  

Kids with Cameras: Collingwood Edition

I've just returned from the photo shop, and the quality of pictures 5G has taken is amazing! Some were breathtaking, others hilarious and many were thought provoking. I can't wait for Art class tomorrow!

And the answer is...

What Canadian author began writing a nature column in the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix by the age of 13?

Farley Mowat!

Canadian Magnetic Poetry

I picked up some magnetic poetry over the weekend (Canadian themed!), and the kids have been busy creating their own beautiful phrases at recess and lunch on my filing cabinet. Here is what they have come up so far...

• Canadians are a sea of hope beneath water
• freedom loves the lake
• beneath the tundra there is wheat
• Nunavut is none of it
• we live like a nation and we dream like one
  
• the thing about the ocean is it is free
• Ottawa is a beautiful province and I love to look at it (I'm assuming that there is some creative liberty in that phrase, and not just a bad Geography teacher!)
  
• Labrador girl laughs through the Yukon
• hockey is loonie as a boy
• the Prime Minister of Canada toboggans in a maple canoe in British Columbia's mountain praires
  
• here comes the sun with a national but liberal sky
• if my Ontario sings do I still hear (okay, that one was me)

As always, the creativity and gentleness of the kids of 5G astounds me.

Does your child lose things?

I know the answer is, of course, no - not your child! But, on the off chance that your little one may have misplaced something this year it is a good idea to stop by the ever-growing lost and found pile at the front entrance before it is shipped out to those in need.

Happy Monday!

What a day! The students were amazing today - kind little human beings with great questions and ideas in class! I am proud to be their teacher...

A few notices to guide the upcoming week:

• Cafe Concert on Thursday! We are excited to host you all in our class to see the culmination of the student's hard work. It is imperative that students memorize their lines - so make sure you have the words and the expression down pat!

• Hot pink notice for Sports Day lunches need to be returned by Friday. Please send cheques - not change!

• The class photograph is packed away in the agenda tonight - what a good looking group!

• The photography unit, and accompanying journal, is due on Thursday so that I can develop the rolls of film for Art class on Friday. No exceptions! The ideas thus far have been amazing, and we continue our daily study of interesting and powerful photographs. Check out the link to the left to the "Kids with Cameras" website inspired by the Zana Briski film 'Born into Brothels'. The art created by the kids is truly amazing, so go be inspired!

Tutors: We are continuing our Measurement unit in Math, Simple Machines in Science, essay composition in Language Arts and finishing up Mapping in Socials.

Notices....

• Cafe Concert is just over one week away and things are coming together nicely. Children should continue to memorize lines and work on embracing their character and giving their all in performances. I can't wait to see the final product on Thursday!
  
• Mme. Keiser would like the children to bring in the costume parts that they are responsible for (as per the notice she sent home several weeks ago) by Friday, May 23rd in a labeled plastic bag.
• Science World tomorrow! Please have the children come with a small day pack with a lunch and snacks for the day. Let's aim for as little garbage as possible, please! A book for the bus ride is welcome - electronics are not.
  

Thank you!

5G - proud to be Canadian!

And the answer is...1965!

Canada adopted its current red and white maple leaf flag in 1965. Congratulations to many of you who answered correctly!

Lester B. Pearson (a man who certainly got things done in Ottawa!) spearheaded the campaign to create a symbol of Canada that distinguished us as a country. George F. G. Stanley's design was chosen from many possibilities and the inspiring and welcoming flag flies proudly today as it did in 1965.

Did you know...in 1921, King George V proclaimed the official colours of Canada as red, from Saint George's Cross, and white, from the French royal emblem since King Charles VII? You learn something new every day...

Black pants needed for the Spring Musical

Hello all!

The Grades 4 and 5 Spring Musical is fast approaching, and the Music department would like me to send out a request for black dress pants for the performance on the evening of Thursday, June 5th. More details of the timing of the day to come, as soon as I find out myself!

Thank you!

A class of winners...

Here is a beautiful quilt Sophia and Olivia have made for a homeless person.


Our 5G track superstars (sadly missing Matthew, who is enjoying life on the ranch!)


Lasermaster Champion: 1st High Achiever!


Lasermaster Champion: 2nd High Achiever!


Lasermaster Champions: Participation Achievers!


Sibling love


Sherveen had a turn with the camera...


The MacRae's!

Kenneth Oppel's favourite books

The Author talk with Kenneth Oppel yesterday was so interesting, and I know that those of us who haven't yet read all of his books will certainly do so now! One question asked to Mr. Oppel was about his favourite books, and the three he recommended all sounded great (they are bolded on the list below). His website gives us an even better idea of the kinds of books he likes to read, so here you go!

• The Lorax; How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Dr Seuss)
• The Alfie and Annie Rose stories (Shirley Hughes)
• Night Cars (Teddy Jam)
• Emily of New Moon (L.M. Montgomery)
• The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
• The Wooden People (Myra Paperny)
• Danny the Champion of the World; The BFG; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Roald Dahl)
• The Golden Compass (Philip Pullman)
• Angel Square; Up to Low (Brian Doyle)
• The Sky is Falling (Kit Pearson)
• The Maestro (Tim Wynne-Jones)
• Dust (Arthur Slade)
• Everything on a Waffle (Polly Horvath)
• Skellig (David Almond)
• Mortal Engines (Philip Reeve)
• Feed (M.T. Anderson)
• The White Darkness (Geraldine McCaughrean)
• The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Michael Chabon)

Happy reading!

Homework tonight!

Welcome back for another great week! There are some homework announcements for tonight:

• Please return the bright orange permission form for Science World on May 22nd ASAP.
• Number One uniform tomorrow for Kenneth Oppel field trip tomorrow! (come to school in gym kit but prepared to change for the trip)
• Read up to Chapter 40 in Holes.
  
• Return any textbooks to school (Socials, Science)
• Problem Solving sheet handed out this afternoon
• Any remaining Math homework from Friday
• Outstanding library books

Happy Monday!

The motto of British Columbia is....

...splendor without diminishment!

Congratulations to those of you who answered correctly in our blog poll!

A few more photographs for your enjoyment...

We have the greatest view in the school!


When you pose for 50 pictures a day, you're bound to have your eyes closed in one of them. I still like this one, though...


Friends in 5G


I am not sure about the masking tape...


Aiming for success at archery!


Having fun at camp (more photos from camp to come, but on disk due to size!)


Riding the bus...


Clowning around in 5G


Indoor recess



Touring Morven


School is exhausting


It's not all fun and games in 5G (but it is sometimes)


Visiting the new Director of Middle School (and eating his jelly beans!)


What a pair!


Enjoying the sunshine at the end of the day.


5G is the greatest


Good luck at the track meet!


Hanging around with Ms. G at lunch means you have to have your photo taken...