September 21st, 2016

Today we started to use collected data from tables to create our own double bar graphs. Up until know, we have been discussing data collection, and examining the attributes of bar graphs: title, axes, legends, etc. We have also practiced interpreting single and double bar graphs. Students have now progressed to creating their own double bar graphs. We will continue to explore this concept in upcoming classes. 

In Language Arts today, we began the "My Writing" section of our "Writer's Notebooks." Today students were given a topic to respond to. The topic today was: If you could be guaranteed that one item you currently own would never break, wear out, or get lost, which item would you choose? Students are encouraged to write as much as possible; paying attention to their description and word choices. We had some really interesting choices! Many students chose a piece of technology, such as IPads and phones. Others chose their pets or family members - imagine them never getting old or dying. Students will sometimes be given a topic to write about, such as today. Other times they will be allowed to work in their notebooks during "Work on Writing" or if they choose Writing as a "WORD" activity when they have completed classroom work. During these times, students may free write in their books. Remember, an exemplar of our Writer's Notebook can be found on the Language Arts-Writing page. 

In Language Arts today, we also continued to practice Predicting; one of our ongoing reading strategies. Today we reviewed what we have discussed in previous classes: good readers make predictions using information from the text and information from their schema. In order to demonstrate how this works, we used the above Pixar video, "For the Birds." Even students who have not seen this video before are able to make accurate predictions about the ending. Using the information from the text: what they are observing about the telephone line, how it is stretched out, the weight of the birds, etc. and information from their schema: knowledge of elastics or slingshots, knowing what will happen when the heaviest bird is removed, etc. students are able to make a good prediction about what will happen. We will continue to practice this strategy in upcoming classes. 

In Art today, we started a new project using Colour and Line as our Elements of Art. We continued discussing and exploring how Line and Colour can be used together to create texture. Today, we used the direction of the lines to create an optical illusion. Check out the Op Art Snakes that we are currently working on in the pictures below, or visit the Art page for the full lesson. 

Agenda
Language Arts:
- Read 20 minutes
- Book Orders (due September 29th)

Math: 
- pg. 268 #1 (NOT FOR HOMEWORK)

Health:
- PEAK Basketball (Friday)
- Terry Fox Donations/Permission Forms (due Monday)

Spirit Week: Thursday - Crazy Hair Day ($2 or Fruit Snacks/Bars)

Terry Fox Walk - September 29th

Picture Day - October 3rd