Must be Santa

One of our songs for the Winter Concert will be the Raffi version of "Must Be Santa."

Here are the words for students who would like to practice
Must be Santa

Who’s got a beard that’s long and white?
Santa’s got a beard that’s long and white
Who comes around on a special night?
Santa comes around on a special night
Special night, beard that’s white-
Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Santa Claus

Who’s got boots and a suit of red?
Santa’s got boots and a suit of red
Who wears a long cap on his head?
Santa wears a long cap on his head.
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white-
Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Santa Claus

Who’s got a big red cherry nose?
Santa’s got a big red cherry nose
Who laughs this way, “ho ho ho.”
Santa laughs this way, “ho ho ho.”

Ho ho ho, cherry nose,
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white-
Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Santa Claus

Who very soon will come our way?
Santa very soon will come our way?
Eight little reindeer pull his sleigh,
Santa’s little reindeer pull his sleigh,

Reindeer sleigh, come our way,
Ho ho ho, cherry nose,
Cap on head, suit that’s red,
Special night, beard that’s white-
Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Santa Claus
Must be Santa, must be Santa, must be Santa Santa Claus

Early next week I hope to post catch-up new from the class about the Bake Sale, the Green Apple Grant, the Concert and our field trip. Check back soon! In the meantime, enjoy the weekend.
Ms Napier

Have a Wonderful Day with Your Guest Teacher!

Good Morning, Grade Six!

This is what I am doing today.



This is what all teachers do when we aren't with you. We call it workshops (wink wink).

And on ped. days we run up and down the halls in our socks chewing gum. I shouldn't tell all our secrets, but hey, you won't tell, will you?

Seriously, though.

In all the excitement Friday I forgot to mention that I will be at a workshop today. I was too caught up in the discussion of tokenism, sexism, electoral tampering, what scientists know and might not know about gender differences, what we mean by representational government, and what we learn from the election process. What a day!

Today I am in Magog learning more about the "6+1 Traits of Writing" form Lynn Senecal, the mastermind behind the Soundprints program. She is an excellent, erudite speaker and I always enjoy her workshops. I know that I will come back to class feeling like this (see picture above) and just full of great ideas to help us all write more and better.


You, my little liebchens, will have a great day with Mrs Jacinthe. I hope to hear you were all wunderbar.
See you tomorrow!
Ms Napier

PS extra points to those who figure out the vocab.
Sidenote - this post is intended to be droll, not facetious or flippant

Disposable to Reusable: Green Apple Grants

Good News!
Our class was awarded a $1000 grant for a proposal made to Metro Groceries Green Apple Grant Program to fund an environmental project at our school. This project, based on our work and study of the problem of waste, will seek to eliminate disposable tableware at our school.
We are very grateful to have the collaboration of the Parent Participation Organization in carrying out this project, with whom we have been exchanging letters since September in an effort to find ecological solutions for our school. Metro, with this grant, has given us $1 000 to fund the project and develop educational presentations for our school community.
The next step for us is to elaborate a plan for carrying out our ideas. Hopefully, the students talk to you at home about this exciting project and how they are becoming responsible citizens working to improve their community.

My Fire Fighter Story

October 1st, 2009

!!!!! Fire fighters more than just putting out fires!!!!!


Hi my name is dots, I am a firehouse dog. I help by sniffing stuff and find clues. I am a big help to fire fighters. Everyone knows that fire fighters put out fires. They might put out a forest fire they might put out a fire caught in a building or a fire in a car. They risk their lives to save us from injury or burning buildings. But that’s not all.
-Fire fighters respond to medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents, they come to car accidents if there is something needed.
-They make fire safety practices for schools and shops (ect.) and they teach the public about fire preventions. By doing this they help to save peoples lives, just talking to them.
-They have conducting inspections, rescue operations and they emergency patient care.
-They respond to emergency hazardous material situations.
-They donate stuff and they create contests. They give Halloween candy all that by showing the example and being safe. Helping people is leadership. Being a fire fighter is a big job and it is a dangerous job at the same time.

From: Drummonville Elementary School
By: Chelsy Gill

A Friend Far Away

My name is Jesse and today is my last day at Drummondville Elementary. This school has taught me a lot over the past year. It has given me more confidence and gave me chances I may have never been able to do in the United States. I have made new friends that I will stay with me for a long time. I was able to learn a lot about Canada. I learned who discovered it and who lived there. I was able to use computers at school , improve and harden my math abilities. I will miss my amazing teachers Mme. Lucie, Ms. Napier, Martin, Mr. Robinson and of course Ms. Hodak. They all helped me in different ways. When i move back to the United States i hope to stay in touch with this school and to also bring a little bit of Canada to the United States

Firefighter for Day Contest

Our class is very proud that two of our students won the Drummondville "Firefighter for a Day" Contest.

Here is the winning entry from Elisee, our runner-up.

Fire Fighter

Hello my name is Elisee, and I would like to won the contest so this is my piece of writing. It is not a story but it is a little piece of what I already know about you, I hope you understand English. So here it is.
When there is a fire the fire-fighter risks their lives for us. Even if many risks are in that job we should respect them. It is not a 9 to 5 job it is a 24-hour a day, seven days a week public service that involves working weekends and holidays. They work about 42 hours per week over a four week period. They are very courageous to do all of this for us, if they weren’t there, many people would have lost their lives but because they are there they save lives from burning fires.

When they don’t put out fires they respond to medical emergencies and motor vehicle accidents, they educate the public about fire prevention and fire safety practices. They even get the cats that are in the trees. They always work none stop. So this is a job that requires courage, strength and intelligent people. Thank you and see you maybe on the week of October 6th.
The End

Elisee won a telephone for her room and her text was printed on a certificate presented to her by two members of the local Emergency Response team. Congratulations, Elisee!

Bullying and What to Do About It

Image taken from http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/tip-sheets/tip-sheet-27.aspx

Hello Families,
A very disturbing and disappointing situation has been brought to my attention, and I am asking for your help. Students in the class have come to me to let me know about a situation that has gone from teasing to bullying.
The student being targeted has not come to me.
I have spent some time looking for resources and strategies to deal with this in class, and we will discuss it to sensitize the student to the different types of bullying and what it looks like. We will talk about how to stand up for ourselves, and how to stand up for others (which is what research says really works). And we will be vigilant, and make an effort to look out for and care for each other.
The situation is remarkably complex. Confronting the bully and sidekicks isn't recommended, as it generally backfires. General work about bullying is easy to disregard. Parents will need to be contacted, and discussions will be long.
I need your help. Please review the information at the link below, and speak with your child about what they see and hear at school. Please talk with them about the difference between teasing and taunting, and how they can help make the school safe for all the students.
As always, I am available if you hear something I should know.
Thank you so very much for your help,
Kathy Napier

http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/adults/tip-sheets/tip-sheet-21.aspx

I can hear it from here...

I can.
You might think I can't, but I can.

It is the sound of 27 families kvetching about the weekend's homework.

I know I usually don't give homework on the weekend (save for reading, which I refuse to consider work). But I had to.

I did. I had to. And not only is it homework. It is the recorder. I can hear the groans from here.

Don't blame me. The Quebec Education Program says they have to learn an instrument. So off we go on a musical odyssey from "Mary Had a Little Lamb" to "Ode to Joy" in twelve weeks. So if we are going to get there, we have to start somewhere. This weekend it's the notes G A B and an overview of the sheets in their duotang.

If your sixth-grader is squeak-screeching around the house this weekend, check their fingering to make sure the air isn't leaking out the sides of their little fingers.

Then send them out to serenade the neighbors. ;)

Interesting Presentation on Motivation

Have you seen the TED talks?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and the talks are given by experts from around that world who are given 20 minutes to explain their research, findings, theories or new ideas. I am hooked on these talks, which are like a little "brain spa."

If you have 20 minutes, watch this. It is about motivation, and how reward systems backfire:



The speaker makes the point that there is a mismatch between what science knows and what business does. I couldn't help but think that the mismatch applies to schools as well. Often, kids are already in the "what's in it for me?" paradigm that reward systems can foster, and we have all seem scenarios in which the carrot and the stick are the only tools someone has for making someone do something. And I don't just mean with the students.

Autonomy, mastery and purpose not only work better, it seems, but allow everyone to keep their integrity.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Welcome Back!

Hello Families!

It has been a pleasure to have the students back these last two days. They have settled in remarkably well, gotten into the routine and adapted to the changes that we have brought. Everyone seems rested and healthy, and they seem anxious to do their work well (even if they are not happy about having homework).

You will be hearing more form me in the next few days, but I wanted to remind you that I am available my phone and email if you have any questions or concerns, and we can arrange to meet if you so desire.

A little information you need:
Physical Education class will take place on Thursday and Friday
Mr Rutherford will be teaching Science in French
Mme Lucie will be teaching French Monday through Thursday
I will be teaching all other subjects (schedule to follow)

All my very best wishes for a wonderful school year!
Kathy Napier

Plastics: What action are we prepared to take?

photo from the Alagita Marine Research Foundation.
Students have been investigating the issue of plastic and the effects of plastic trash on the environment, particularly the oceans. Right now they have mixed opinions about whether parents and other adults are prepared to act to change the way we depend on single-use plastic in our daily lives. Sadly, some students believe that parents and other adults are not prepared to sacrifice convenience in order to protect the environment.

This week students are challenged to present their opinions about the situation in persuasive essay. The essay must reference other texts and use quotes and data to support their opinions.

I look forward to reading their texts on Friday!

Ms Napier Absent: be good to your guest teacher!

Hello Class -
I am at home today because I have not been feeling very well and hope to get rid of a nagging headache. Sharon has PLENTY of work for you, so please do it well.

Below, you will find two podcasts about the environment. Please respond carefully and using details from the texts to support your opinions.

The mathfrog site is also listed it the same post; copy and paste to be able to practice long division.

Keep scrolliing down until you find the posts.

Also, I have posted an article I took from the RDS website. The interview with Guy Boucher was excellent and he seems to be a very motivational coach. There are a number of similarlities between teaching a class and coaching a team, and many leadership books use examples from sports. There are many lessons that can be drawn from this arcticle. Which do you find?

Work hard, class, and enjoy the weekend!
Affectionately,
Ms Napier

RDS Article on the Volitgeurs

Guy Boucher ému par ses joueurs
Jeudi 21 mai 2009
LA PRESSE CANADIENNE

Guy Boucher (Ghyslain Bergeron) RIMOUSKI - Si les Voltigeurs de Drummondville se rendent jusqu'au bout à cette Coupe Memorial MasterCard, leur entraîneur Guy Boucher aura l'air d'un génie. Car les champions de la LHJMQ ont beau s'être qualifiés pour la demi-finale, ils n'ont plus rien dans le réservoir. Il faudrait un petit miracle pour qu'ils atteignent la finale de dimanche et y battent les Rockets de Kelowna.

"Ce sont les joueurs qui sont les génies", a toutefois insisté Boucher, jeudi midi, en attendant de savoir si son équipe allait disputer la demi-finale de vendredi contre l'Océanic de Rimouski ou les Spitfires de Windsor. Ces formations devaient s'affronter jeudi en match de bris d'égalité.

"Ce sont les joueurs qui jouent et qui paient le prix, a ajouté Boucher. Moi, derrière le banc, je n'ai jamais de rondelle ou de coude en plein visage, pas de bâton dans le front. Je suis là pour leur donner une direction. Et la direction qu'ils prennent, c'est tout à leur honneur parce qu'ils sont tellement dédiés."

Boucher ne l'a pas caché. Il n'a aucun espoir de voir ses joueurs récupérer d'ici la demi-finale de vendredi, du moins suffisamment pour retrouver le niveau d'énergie qui leur a permis de dominer la LHJMQ cette saison. Les trois quarts de ses effectifs sont amoindris par les blessures ou la maladie, a-t-il indiqué.

"La récupération, on peut oublier ça. La seule chose en ce moment qu'on peut faire, parce qu'on a une journée de congé, c'est de conserver ce qui nous reste. On n'ira pas chercher du repos, on a trop joué de matchs.

"Des matchs rapprochés durant la saison, c'est difficile, mais ce n'est rien comparé à ce que les jeunes vivent en ce moment. Ils sont bien au-delà de ça, physiquement et émotionnellement. (Mercredi, contre Rimouski), il y a des joueurs qui avaient les larmes aux yeux, le visage ravagé. Ils étaient assis à leur casier, incapables de bouger. Ils sont complètement vidés."

Mais pas question d'abandonner, a précisé Boucher.

"J'ai toujours pensé que la tête va plus loin que le corps. Si tu commences à écouter ton corps, t'es cuit, a-t-il lancé. On est toujours en position, dans la vie, de trouver une solution. Cette saison, on avait préparé les gars en leur disant qu'ils allaient éventuellement devoir dépasser tout ce qu'ils ont jamais vécu dans leur vie en terme de limites personnelles et collectives. On en est là.

"A notre premier match (de la Coupe Memorial), on était encore sur l'adrénaline. Le deuxième, on a été bons, mais on était deux ou trois coches en-dessous de ce qu'on est d'habitude. Et l'autre d'après, trois coches en-dessous de notre match précédent. Plus ça va aller, pire ça va être. Je le sais, je l'ai vécu en 2005 avec l'Océanic.

"Dans la situation actuelle, on est obligé de réinventer des façons de jouer pour pouvoir s'en sortir."

Après Saint-Patrick, Saint-Marco?

Si les Voltigeurs ont pu battre l'Océanic et décrocher une place directe en demi-finale, mercredi, c'est grâce à leur gardien Marco Cousineau. Drummondville l'a emporté 3-2 en prolongation malgré une domination de 41-20 au chapitre des tirs de Rimouski.

"Durant la saison, on a eu très peu besoin de prestations extraordinaires de nos gardiens, a fait remarquer Boucher. Habituellement, on marquait assez de buts, et on avait assez de jus pour garder l'équipe adverse longtemps dans sa zone, ce qu'on ne peut pas faire en ce moment.

"De toute façon, si le Canadien a gagné (la coupe Stanley) en 1986 et 1993, c'est à cause de Patrick Roy. Dans un tournoi comme celui-là, à un moment donné, il faut que ton gardien t'en vole une."

On craignait, après le match de mercredi, que Maxime Frenette ait subi une fracture au pied, mais en fait il ne s'agit que d'une fêlure, a indiqué Boucher. Il était possible qu'il puisse jouer vendredi. Sean Couturier, malade, n'allait pas mieux jeudi, tandis que Marc-Antoine Desnoyers et Andrew Randazzo étaient simplement déshydratés et devraient être en mesure de jouer vendredi.

"Les autres bobos dont on ne parle pas s'aggravent tranquillement. Mais on n'a pas le choix, on est en demi-finale et il faut passer par-dessus", a ajouté Boucher.

Un entraîneur ému et comblé

L'entraîneur des Voltigeurs a répété, jeudi, qu'il avait été très ému par la façon dont ses joueurs ont résisté à l'Océanic la veille.

"De continuer et de croire encore... Sur le banc, c'était incroyable. Parce que je le sais, moi, de l'intérieur. On ne vous dit pas tout. Les gars qui sont blessés, il y en que ça n'a tout simplement pas de bon sens. Je ne peux pas croire qu'ils sont encore en train de jouer. A un moment donné, il y a une limite à ce que le corps humain est capable de prendre. Et on est rendu à la limite.

"Si mes enfants finissent par avoir le courage que ces jeunes-là ont, je vais être un père comblé.

"Aujourd'hui, on récolte ce qu'on a semé comme culture d'équipe, a ajouté Boucher. Et la culture d'équipe, c'est qu'on est toujours capable d'en faire plus, il y a toujours un moyen, on n'a pas le droit de se plaindre et il faut que tu fasses tout pour le gars à côté de toi.

"On n'a pas de jus, mais on va trouver une solution", a répété l'entraîneur.

So, this isn't just here because we love our hometown team, but because I think that this coach gave an excellent interview and described well that there are several elements that go into being a winning team.
Students, can you identify the quailties of a winning team from this arcticle?
How could the words of this coach transfer to your life?

Math Frog and Other Interesting Sites

Math Frog self correcting long division:

http://cemc2.math.uwaterloo.ca/mathfrog/english/kidz/div5.shtml

Plastic Interview with Charles Moore


Plastic Plague, from National Geographic's Strange Days on Planet Earth
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1glVFMej_3g

BBC World News

Plastic Plague

Our class has been looking at and responding to podcasts about the environment. This National Geographic video is worth a look.

Summer....Almost

Hello Families,

With the warm weather many (but not all) of the kids in my neighborhood have taken to the streets. It is wonderful to see everyone outside again.

I know that my students are also enjoying the nicer weather, and I want them to. I love to see kids outside, unplugged, and enjoying the fresh air and each other's company. Truely, I do, and I kick my own kids outside as much as I can. Princess Rollerblade over there can vouch for me.

As teacher, however, I have to ask for your help. The kids are tired, and many admit to later betimes so that they can 'profit' (sic) from the warm evenings. Today in class my audience was so sleepy it was like trying to teach multiplication of decimals to a bag of potatos.

The kids need to go to bed, and they need to do their homework. They may rush it, they may 'forget' work, but they have to read, to do their work for the time that is left in grade five. Please don't let them drag out the after-dinner games too late.

I hope to make the most of the few short weeks that are left, feel free to blame the early bedtime on me. I can take the heat, but they need their rest.

All my best for a beautiful week,
Kathy Napier

Vocabulary and Reading Strategies

Helli Families,

I am most of the way through a new round of reading evaluations and with few exceptions I am very pleased with the improvement that students have made this year. Many who were hesitant readers, had trouble recalling what they read and/or had trouble inferring information have gained in confidence and improved their recall and reading comprehension. It is wonderful to see all that hard work bear fruit!

Interestingly, but not surprisingly, single biggest need in terms of English skills and abilities is the need for greater receptive and expressive vocabulary. What do I mean?

Receptive vocabulary is the term used for the words that we understand when we encounter them.

Expressive vocabulary are the words that we can generate on our own in a given language.


Often we notice that students' receptive vocabulary is larger than their expressive vocabulary. Students are usually able to make meaning in context, but when the information is sketchy or the text complex, they are simply unable to figure out what a word means and at times this makes it hard or impossible to fully understand what they are reading or hearing.

Examples we have come across lately include nouns like attic, headlight, twilight, dusk, and webbed, but happens as often with other parts of speech.

Over the next few weeks your child will be coming home with vocabulary exercises. Please have a look at your child's work and help them name their world.

Warmly,
Kathy Napier

TeacherTube

Our class was visited a few weeks ago by Dale Mackenzie, one of the people in charge of ibook implementation in our school board. He interviewed me and some of the students, and filmed our class working on various projects (ComicLife and our Wiki). He put together this video together.

Kid's Site of Canadian Trains

The Last Spike Ceremony. Edward Mallandaine is peeking out from behind Donald Smith, who is holding the hammer
Source: Library and Archives Canada/C-011371
© Public Domain
nlc-4711

In our class with our student teacher we are discussing how the use of the train changed Canada. Visit this site

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/trains/kids

to learn more!
Have a great week,
Kathy Napier

What We Learned in Social Studies by Justine

In social studies we learned lots of interesting and important information. We learned about the war between New France and Great Britain in 1759. It was an important battle. General James Wolf and his troops defeated Marquis de Montcalm and his troops. Both, Marquis de Montcalm and James Wolf died in the battle. It only last 30 minutes. We also learned about the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies. There were two sides to the battle. One of them were the Rebels. The Rebels wanted independence because they thought the taxes were too expensive and that the king did not let them choose and express themselves enough. The other side of the battle was the Loyalist. They did not want independence. They wanted the protection of the British army. The Loyalist also thought it was reasonable to pay the taxes. The taxes were to pay the British army. This led to a war and the Rebels won. This is why the Thirteen Colonies are now called the United States of America. After the war, Loyalist settled near Lake Ontario and Lake Erie until 1791. In 1791, the province of Quebec got divided in two: Upper and Lower Canada. The Francophones were settled in Lower Canada and Anglophones settled in Upper Canada. The Ottawa River served as border between Upper and Lower Canada. We learned much more but it would take me trillions of pages to write it.

Spring Break!

Hello Families!
The students were ready for this break! Over the last week they have been getting more and more tired, and more students have been ill and missed school. Let's hope we can all rest up and be healthy for the next term!

Several families spoken to me about good English television for their children. Here are some of my recommendations:
Discovery Kids Channel
Discovery Channel
Animal Planet
PBS

Some shows that are good include:
Popular Mechanics for Kids
Cyberchase
Mystery Hunters
Get Outta Town
Timeblazers
How it's Made
Mighty Ships
Mythbusters
Project Earth
Postcards from Buster
Zoom!

Another strategy for improving vocabulary is to have kids watch a movie they have already seen in French and have them watch again in English. Since they already know the story and don't have to concentrate on the plotline they can pick up more words and expressions. One thing that some families enjoy is to watch the show with the closed caption display, which lets kids read the words as they are spoken.

If the kids are on their laptops over the break, they can always have access to the learning sites I have posted in the sidebar. Free Rice has interactive grammar drill that some students really enjoy, and don't forget the World Maths Day site is active until March 4th.

Enjoy the holiday, and see you on the 10th!
Ms Napier

Cross your fingers for me...

Just now, while procrastinating, I entered a contest to do something I have always wanted to do . I entered my name and hope to be chosen as an Olympic torch bearer.

I was in high school during the Calgary Olympics, and was very envious when another student was chosen to help carry the Olympic flame across the country. So this time I wanted to enter.

Anyone 13 years and over can enter, and they flame is coming through our city. All that is asked is a pledge for how you plan to make a better Canada. Here is my pledge:

I pledge to work to make stronger Canadians, one learner, one class of students at time. I pledge to renew my strength so I can enter the classroom each day ready to meet the challenges my students and I will face together. I pledge to help them to be their best, and to strive to be a model for them by working toward personal excellence, learning from mistakes, and taking risks. I pledge to try to show each person compassion, and respect their differences while encouraging their talents. And most of all, I pledge to show them that we have a responsibility to each other to work toward the common good, seeking excellence and building a better world in any and every way we can.

As a fifth-grade teacher with 29 learners, I have responsibilities to build a better Canada, and if it weren't too grandiose a goal it would be written in the job description! In essence, that is what my job is - to help instill the skills and values the children need to guide them, and to help us all guide this country in positive directions. I have the chance, every day, to make a positive impact on my country, one child at a time. That's why I get out of bed in the morning, not to teach reading and writing, but to teach kids.


It wasn't hard to write, it is just hard to live up to. So every day I make myself I promise that I will do one thing at a time, and do it as well as I can. My fingers are crossed that my pledge makes the cut....

World Math Day

Right now grade 5 is practicing their calculation skills by taking timed tests against other 11 year olds around the world. The site is called worldmathsday.com and it gives students calculation drills in the form of "face-offs" among 4 children. We can see the children's avatars, as well as their locations, and as the teacher I can see my student's scores, averages, and our class total of correct answers.

The students are really excited. The games are leveled so that the more a child is able to do, the harder the questions become. Individualized learning - everyone gets the math that challenges them, and all can practice at the same time and get instant feedback on right and wrong answers.

Students can log in using the passwords I gave them. The site closes after March 4th.

Hello from Laval!

Hello everyone,

I am writing from a CEFRIO workshop taking place in Laval. This morning we talked about different technology tools we can use to collaborate on educational projects.

What is interesting is that a number of the tools discussed are already in use in our classroom, but within the group. We aren't using the tools to reach out and work with other classes for larger projects.

For the rest of the month, we will be studying the Loyalists, and how the movement north after the American Revolution. I have asked the organizers of this workshop to send out a call to other teachers to see if there is someone in the former 13 Colonies willing to participate in a discussion about the conflict between the Patriots and the Loyalists, and to look at how the events of that period affected our respective countries.

I know that there are people following the blog who are teachers from afar. Anyone interested in having our students collaborate?

napierk@ped.etsb.qc.ca

History and Geography

So last week we had a short geography quiz on the provinces territories of Canada. Students had to identify the provinces and territories, as well as note (but not locate) the capital cities of each province. They also had to spell everything correctly (although I did not take off a point if students added a "u" to Iqaluit, since this word does not conform to the spelling rule the students have learned.

The results were not impressive, despite having had a week to study, having gone over the content in class, and having had a map in their duotang for 3 months.

So, this week we will be reviewing how to study, and the test will be given again, until each child masters the content.

Spelling included.

Have a good week,
Kathy Napier

Skype

Hello Families,

We had our first Skype call with a class from North Carolina this morning. It was very interesting - we were able to see each other, ask questions and discuss some of the similarities and differences between our schools and our locations. We also spoke with a school from Alabama and 2 teachers from Vancouver Island. There were things I would change about the way it all happened, but in general it was a good first experience.

Some of you have written me to ask about Skype. It works like a phone, but with the optionof having video as well, like th TV phones we imagined when we were little. It is an application that allows us to have video, audio and text communication, as well as send and receive files. It is free when you call computer to computer, but costs money if you call computer to a phone.

It has a great deal of potential, not only for personal but for school uses. Students who are absent could still participate using Skype from home, as could students away on vacation. I know of teachers who have used Skype for university courses, making it unnecessary to travel long distances or leave home in bad weather. It allows us to connect with people over any distance for any number of purposes, for free.

You can find more information at his site:
www.skype.com

If you join, let me know and I can add you to my contacts.

Best,
Kathy Napier

Comic Life +Ricky

This has been a big week in our class, as students have been completing their mini-project using the application Comic Life. The travel brochures they have made are very attractive - check back to see samples!

We worked on this project as a way to develop understanding of the research process. Copies of our research process time-line can be found in the front of the social sciences duotang. You can help your child by asking them to explain the process and why we need to proceed in a certain way.

As well, we finally have our Voicethread finished - it was hard to find time and help to get the audio recording done. I have tried to embed it in our blog, but could only get it to appear in the homework blog. Click on the homework image on the right, then hit the "play' arrow to have a look!

Enjoy the weekend,
Kathy Napier

Right back at work!

So, the first week back after the break was punctuated by snow, the hope of snow days, and many, many absences that kept us from getting on with a new project.

Hopefully your child has spoken to you about their mini vacation project. In teams, they have to put together a weekend getaway for a family of four in a city given to them at random. The project will be complied using the application Comic Life, and will have to include:

-the cost of airfare from Montreal
-the cost of a hotel for Friday and Saturday
-activities for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (including entrance fees, if applicable)
-total cost (food and souvenirs not included)

The presentation page must include:
-2 maps (country and city map)
-photos (with photo credit)of the activities or locations listed
-text
-details of the getaway

The students are very motivated, and are just beginning to identify what information they need and where they think they may find it. You can help at this stage by helping them pose relevant research questions and narrow down possible topics to be explored.

It should be fun to see what they find and what they choose, and we will look for a way to post their final products.

All my best,
Kathy Napier