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...

Congratulations, Conor!

Conor Borrill continues to dominate the track and field circuit! In a recent Norwesters meet, Conor won these impressive medals!

• 100 metres: Gold!
• Long jump: Gold!
• Shot put: 4th
• Discus: 6th
• 60 metre sprint: 2nd (by a hair!)
• 400 metres: 5th
• High jump: 5th
• 4 by 100 metre relay: 4th

Congratulations, Conor! We are very proud of you!

Big changes to the microwave situation

After months of disgruntled students in line for the microwaves, Ms. G. is laying down the law for lunch room order...

1) Ms. Gretzinger shall determine the order of students to use the microwave. No longer shall the citizens of 5G cut in front of others to beat the lunch time rush.

2) No student shall exceed 1 minute and 30 seconds of microwave time, unless they choose to reheat their lunch after all other children have finished eating. This practice is discouraged but will be permitted if the lunch is truly not heated in the time frame alloted.

This, I know, complicates how you can pack lunches. However, if every child used the microwave for 4 or more minutes to cook their noodles, we would still have children cooking lunches into academic time. Therefore, in the interest of being fair, and for my own sanity to no longer have to problem solve with frustrated and hungry children, the law is set in place. I would really appreciate your support and understanding of this matter. Any questions or concerns are gladly heard!

Sincerely yours,

The Lunch Lady

Problem Solving

Further to the news about the test next Monday, May 12th, I've just found out that there are several pieces of homework to accompany the review guide:

• Bookworm
• Stamp Collection
• Grandpa Tinkerman
• Rapunzella

are all due next Monday as well.

As always, to fully answer a Problem Solving question, the strategy must be clearly labeled with all work shown - make your thinking clear! Word problems always necessitate a word answer, so please be vigilant in completing your homework correctly! :)

Looking at the week ahead....

Welcome back from Camp Squeah! I took a total of 629 photos over three days, and the slideshow is in the works. I had a wonderful time with your wonderful kids - archery, rock climbing and nature hikes galore! Hopefully now we are all well rested and ready for an excellent week!

Coming home with your child today:

• Yellow Community Day Parade notice.
  
• Yellow Better Life coffee form.
  
• Green 2008 yearbook order form (for those students who have not yet placed an order).
• Grade 6 'Choir or Band' declaration form (for those students who are late in returning this).
• Kenneth Oppel permission form (for those students who have not yet submitted this).
  
• Scholastic book order form - please return on Monday, May 12th * check out the Canadian Trivia fact book!*
  
• Problem Solving review package - test next Monday, May 12th.
  

Upcoming events...

• Thursday, May 8th: Government Test (Chapters 5 and 6 in Connections Canada plus additional material in the package I prepared)
• Friday, May 9th: ISEA track meet
• Monday, May 12th: Problem Solving test
• Tuesday, May 13th: Kenneth Oppel field trip
• Friday, May 16th: Grandparent's Day
• Monday, May 18th: NO SCHOOL
• Thursday, May 22nd: Science World field trip
• Thursday, May 29th: Cafe Concert

Where we are headed in the curriculum (for all you keeners out there!):

• Having just completed our Decimals unit in Math, we are ready to dive into Measurement!
• When Government concludes on Thursday, we begin a fun and exciting unit with Simple Machines! (see interesting websites listed on the left)
• We continue to study 'Holes', analyzing the theme of injustice.
  

As the weather grows warmer and our hearts get lighter, I know that the remainder of our time together in Grade 5 will be fabulous - it's been a great year!