Guinea Pig Babies: Cycle of Life

So on Wednesday, our Chloe finally gave birth to 3 babies. Mom did great and we had a great lesson on understanding more about the wonders of birth (as part of our health curriculum).

This video was shot the day of the guinea pigs being born.  If you look closely enough, you can even see the placentas.

Unfortunally today, the smallest one, died.  On Friday we noticed that he was no longer latching on and so I started bottle feeding him.  He took to it until 6 am this morning, and then he seemed to give up.  Homer passed on around 1:45 p.m.  

The students have chosen to have a proper funeral tomorrow followed by their version of a feast in the afternoon.  Here are some pictures to share with you all of the babies:

The baby you see on the left is the one we lost :(

Mom Chloe

Chloe and Homer (now deceased)

Chloe and babies

Sorry It's Been So Long...

We've had major glips with computers at our school and things have been crazy!!!

As you might know, students now have agendas.  These are red duotangs that the kids take home every night.  Not only do these keep you informed what homework your child has, but what your child has learned that day.  Other notes may be included regarding school and community events and sometimes, a note from myself may be included.  I add my initials to say that I've check and looked over what your child has written.  Once you've read it, you sign your initials and have your child return it the next day.  Should a student forget it, it's 5 minutes of recess for each day that it's left at home.  Students are expected to write it on scrap paper if they have forgottten their actual agendas.

Homework is given when students have not finished their work in class.  The goal is for the student to get a little bit of work caught up without overwhelming them.  It shouldn't take any more than 15 to 20 minutes for students to do...

I have noticed that the format that I had the kids writing on has been a bit confusing, so I'll be redesigning a new format that should be easier for you all to understand!  Thanks for all of your support so far regarding these agendas!

Using a Cage to Learn About Perimeter

Recently, our students built the guinea pig cages and had a perimeter lesson along with it.  The cages turned out great and so did the pics!

Guinea Pigs Being Happy

So here is a video of our two guinea pigs in their brand new cage that we built them.  The girls were responsible for building the girl cage, and the boys were responsible for building the boy cage.  It was very interesting how the groups built their cage.  There was definitely a different way of thinking between the boys and the girls!  We used the opportunity to teach about perimeter.  Studies show that students do better when they can relate a concept to something personal.  It worked pretty well I think!

Right now our guinea pigs are in the same cage as Chloe is expecting (we're pretty sure-3 weeks today), but they will soon be separated.

This video is of when they are first put in their new cage.  The behavior they are exhibiting is called popcorning.   The guinea pigs pop like hot corn kernals, a sign that they are happy.

Enjoy

September Birthdays

So in September we had six birthdays!  Victoria, Torrance, Chaske, Hailey, Tanisha, and Emily all celebrated their birthdays.  I wish I could show you all the pictures of the students, but not all in have gotten their permission forms in yet...in the meantime, here's a couple pictures of the cake and one very blurry picture of the group (in which you really can't tell who is who)!

Updating

First of all, I apologize that it's been awhile.  Things have been crazy busy, and we can't as of yet actually log into our blog account at school.  That is soon to be rectified, but it has definitely made things a little slower!  Here are some pictures to show you of an activity that we did the first day of school.  Students had to decorate their t-shirts any way they wished, but did have to put on the left sleeve what they most were looking forward to in the school year and on the right sleeve, the best thing that they did all summer.  Here are their pictures:

Fall Feast and Open House this Thursday

Our Fall Feast and Open House are this Thursday!  We ask that all girls wear skirts for the feast.  You will be receiving a letter home on Wednesday from myself about the Open House.  It's below for you to read!

Dear Parents,

An open house is being held on Thursday, September 22 until 5:30.  I regret to inform you that I will not be there as I am in a conference for both Thursday and Friday about Universal Design, a conference designed to introduce new teaching methods to reach ALL learners.  I am available to meet with parents and guardians anytime before and after school.  Please refer to the welcome newsletter sent home and the www.wayway4.blogspot.com for additional classroom information.

Thank you!

Miss Julie Phillips

Strategies to Help Your Child Read Fiction

So here is a wonderful snippet I found that could be quite useful for parents really wanting to encourage their child in reading fiction (chapter books, short stories, and primary books).  Enjoy!

It's a Mystery!

Grade Five is involved in a mystery.  Not only are we studying mysteries right now, but it looks like someone tried to break into our room to get our guinea pigs  ; )   We get a clue every day from the police as we narrow down our suspects.   The first clue was that the person worked in the school so we made a complete list of suspects.  The 2nd clue was the culprit did not drive a truck.

While studying mysteries, we are going to be reading them in our reading groups, looking at writing, characterization, etc.  So far, the kids are enjoying it, so it's good!

In Math, we are just starting looking at numbers up to 1 000 000.  We are doing a bit of review of smaller numbers to review, and working up to 1 000 000.  Ways that you can help your child at home involved in this process including getting your child to read numbers aloud and asking about place value.

This month, we are studying science's weather.  We have literally just started the unit and will be starting to look at how humans and animals are affected by the weather.

The guinea pigs are a complete story unto themselves, so we will be posting about them later on!

Until later....

Birthday Cake Program

Something new this year in our class in a birthday cake program.  Each month we'll be celebrating our students birthdays on the last school day of the month.

Due to school not being in session the summer months, we celebrated the summer birthdays on the first day of school.  Kavinisha's was in July, and Monica's was in August.  We sang "happy birthday" and then we all ate cake-a pool cake to be exact!

Here's a picture of Monica with the cake...

A Brand New School Year!

Summer is over and I honestly don't mind.  I love my students and I'm happy that we're all back together (same group) to have a great year.  There are a lot of changes this year in terms of what to expect, so be prepared for a lot more postings this year!

Information for Parents and Families:

• Packages were sent out with each student today filled with book orders, blog permission slips, the classroom newsletter, and dental information.  Blog permission slips and dental forms need to be returned.
• Our first fundraiser will be on the 16th of September.  We will be selling Tim Hortons donuts again for $1.50 each.
• We will be planning an upcoming pizza lunch fundraiser to raise funds for an entire school conference that 5B will be hosting.
• We are now the proud owners of two male guinea pigs, only 8 weeks old!  Their names will be picked on Friday by students.
• Students are now earning "brownie points" by showing responsibility, good behavior, and caring attitudes.  Part of the responsibility is completing their jobs in the classroom.  By completing their jobs for an entire week, each student will earn one brownie point.  If students miss a day of school due to unknown reasons, they will not receive their brownie point.  If they have missed school due to illness, family emergency, or doctors appointment, please let me know as they will still receive their brownie point.  Brownie points are used together with their group to get rewards.
• A reminder - Grade 5 is no longer allowed on the "little side" of the playground.
• Hats, toques, and hoodies are not to be worn in school.  Hats are allowed on Fridays, if students pay $1.
• Locks may be rented from the office for $1.  Students MAY NOT bring their locks from home.

Here are a few pictures just to let you get an idea of things so far in our classroom!

The guinea pig on the right is ours (brown, black, and white).

This guy with the crazy hair is also ours

Part of our job center-the other part is velcroed on the board.

Our classroom library

The before board...precolored!

Field Trip Photos!

So, we had a blast on the field trip today.  In the morning, we went swimming at the town pool, followed by lunch at Pizza Hut, then play at a park, and then ice cream at Connie's.  Here are a few pictures (there are more, but I don't have permission for all kids)...Enjoy!

Isabelle

Playtime

Tanisha coming up from a head stand

Hailey, Jazmin, Celecia, Isabelle, and Antoine

Hailey and Lexie

Group shot

Eddy

Antoine

Hailey

Tanisha

Damien

Jazmin

Hailey

A group shot

Hailey with our youngest student along, Alistair!

Antoine and Jazmin enjoying ice cream and slushies!