Monday, January 18th, 2016

This morning Ms. Handlesman's class and our class worked together on creating our story through coding.  First students were required to pick a partner and then find a book together to read.  Students then created a visual storyboard and from their storyboard they will apply their knowledge and create a story through Scratch.  Please see below for some pictures about the project.

During math class students worked in small groups to answer one of the following questions below.  We discussed as a class the importance of answering the full question while showing their work.  Students were required to answer the questions with the following in mind; Think, Solve, and Answer.  Please ask your child what those headings mean and the importance behind them.  The following are the questions.

This afternoon students continued to work with either Mrs. Bowles or myself on the Mars Inquiry.  In my group students created a prototype of their water filtration system.  If your child required additional materials for their prototype they should inform you.


Also, students continued to gather information on their country of choice in order to find out the following; traditions, cultures, food, children's rights, quality of life, etc.  Please see below for a picturea of their Global Art Exchange project.  Also, please check out this website http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/funzone/

HOMEWORK: 
Students are required to answer the following question in their kidblog.  

How did Auggie feel being lost in the crowd, who found Auggie, and how do you think that made Auggie feel?

www.kidblog.org/class/mrs-quilleys-class/login

Have a great evening!

Thursday, January 14th, 2016

This morning we started a new lesson on telling a story through different means.  Students first selected a story, with their  partner, then created a visual storyboard.  Tomorrow students should be able to retell their story by coding it on Scratch.  Please ask your child about this project.

Also, this morning students played floor hockey in gym class and practiced their song for the assembly in music.

This afternoon students explored this website https://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3531 and this website https://illuminations.nctm.org/Activity.aspx?id=3530 for a greater understanding of balanced equations.  Please have your child practice this at home.  Students in Mrs Collins class is encouraged to practice their math skills as well on these two sites.

After math students explored their science inquiry in greater detail.  My group of students worked on their water filtration system and they are starting to create their first prototype of this system.  Please see below for a webcam of Mars.

https://round.me/tour/23908/view/57875/


At the end of day students practiced their Random Acts of Kindness assembly as tomorrow is when they will be sharing it with the school.

HOMEWORK:
Students are required to go onto kidblog and complete the following questions:
1) Explain what you have learned over the past week in your science inquiry group.    
2) Explain the purpose of the prototype and how it will work.  Make sure you include the different materials that will be used for your prototype.

NOTES:
1) Room 81 and 82 sharing assembly is tomorrow at 11:10 am.  Please come a bit early to find a seat as we will be starting the assembly at exactly 11:10.
2) Scholastic book orders are due tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 12th

Today flew by!!!!!

This morning we continued with our Daily 5 sessions, as well finished up the last of our Random Acts of Kindness as we will be presenting at our Showcase assembly this Friday at 11:10am.

After lunch, during Math, we worked on mental math, as well as communicating and collaborating different math problems.  After Math, students continued with our Science Inquiry project.  Students are in the process of creating/developing a water filtration system.  Students were asked to bring in the following products to help build the water filtration system:

Coffee filter

Empty water bottle

Clear plastic cup

Popsicle sticks

I will provide the remainder supplies.

Notes:

1) Scholastic book orders are due this Friday.

2) The following is a link for students to add their input for the new MiddleSchool name

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Naming_New_Cranston_Middle_School

Thursday, January 7th, 2016

Please see below for a couple of activities that we worked on during the day.

Inquiry:
During our Science Inquiry we watched a video of a space shuttle's launch going to the International Space Station.  Students are required to pick the specialist they would like to become in order to survive on Mars.  Once they pick the specialist they want to become they will be spending the next couple of months learning about this occupation.  Please see below for the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIoRWIgzvbM

During our Social Inquiry students explored the different pictures that came from all around the world and examined what the images portrayed and wrote about what they wanted to learn in more detail from that country.

HOMEWORK:  It is important for students to take the time to finish this. 

Students are required to pick the specialist they would like to become in order to survive on Mars.  They also need to write why they choose this specialist and how is it going to help them survive. This activity should be completed on this blog.  If students aren't able to complete this homework on this blog then they can bring in a piece of paper or complete it on the kidblog.

Mrs. Quilley

Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

This morning students worked on their "Random Acts of Kindness" project.  Please see below for an example of a stop motion animation of a random act of kindness.

Also, students enjoyed an exciting class of dance.

This afternoon students completed their four rotational cycle of Coding, French, Art, and Handwriting.  Please see below for a video of their code.

Written by room 82

January 5th, 2016

Today flew by!!!!

This morning we were able to work through three sessions of Daily 5, which included reading to self, writing, reading to buddy, or word work.

Also, this morning included music and gym.  Please ask your child what they did during this time.

This afternoon we started our Mars Inquiry again :).  Students reviewed the different specialists that are required to survive on Mars.  As well, what we need to survive for the first day on Mars.  Below is the homework students are required to complete.

Also, this afternoon some groups were able to complete their Random Acts of Kindness project.  There will be an assembly next Friday to showcase all the hard work your child has been doing.  Parents are invited to come to this assembly.

HOMEWORK:
Students are required to answer the following question....
How will our needs change between 1 day to 1 month to survive on Mars.  Make sure you talk about the different specialists, why they are important and how your needs have changed over time.
(This homework is to be completed on kidblog..... www.kidblog.org/class/mrs-quilleys-class/login)

Cranston News:

Little Warriors Presentation - Places on this January 21st workshop are limited. To register for a free place follow the below link to the Little Warriors website. Click on “register for an in person workshop.” Select Calgary from the drop down menu, you will then be able to select the above workshop and register.

http://littlewarriors.ca/prevention/workshop/  

January, 4th, 2016

We would like to wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

In the morning we worked on our Daily Five. Students had an opportunity to read to self, work on writing, word work, or read to a buddy.  After Daily Five we worked on an editing paragraph.  Please see below for an example.

During gym class students initially ran 5 laps of the gym while completing 5 star jumps after each lap.  We then worked as a group to try and get as much of the bean bags as possible.  Please ask your child about this game.  Also, during the afternoon we had a well deserved body break.

During my math class students were introduced, or reviewed arrays for multiplication.  Please review this strategy with your child tonight as we will be continuing to work with multiplication and division.  Additionally, students worked collectively and collaboratively to solve mathematical problems.  Mrs. Redwood's math class worked on their number of the day, which was 104, and completed a mental math game.

Later this afternoon students continued to work on the Random Acts of Kindness project.  Please see below for a couple of pictures and videos from the project.

Blog written by Students from room 82