BBQ PowerPoint

For anyone that was unable to attend the BBQ, please find below the short PowerPoint that was shown.

BBQ Update

A quick note - the BBQ tomorrow (September 11) will begin at 5:30. Classrooms will be open from 6-7 for touring. I look forward to seeing those that can make it!

For those that are interested, milk program order forms will be sent home tomorrow along with a letter from the SCC.

First Week Recap

Well what a busy week we've had getting settled into our new classroom in Room 208! I've had a wonderful time learning more about each of your students and look forward to getting to know them better.

This week in the classroom, we've focused on teamwork. As a split class, students will need to feel comfortable working in small groups. Teams this week have talked about partner choice after the Solo Cup Challenge...

... and discussed the importance of planning and communication following the Marshmallow Tower Challenge.

In Math, the Grade 5s have begun to investigate patterning. First, we helped the queen grow her castle bigger and are now reviewing pattern rules. We will end the unit with the same castle investigation and a unit test in a few weeks' time. I'll touch on homework policies more at the open house, but any Math worksheets that are not finished during class time are expected to be done at home. Please contact me with any questions regarding this policy.

We have also begun the foundational lessons for the Daily 5 program, which focuses on daily writing, reading and word activities to build literacy skills. We have focused on several skills, including picking 'Good Fit' books using the I PICK acronym. Should you be interested in learning more, please click here for a Daily 5 Parent Pipeline about Good Fit books. Once we are settled, we will start our weekly Spelling program (September 15). Keep an eye out for more of Parent Pipelines in the future!

I feel that we have sent home quite a few notices lately. To summarize....

• The school's welcome BBQ & 'Meet the Teacher' will be September 11 at 6. The open house times has changed. The BBQ will be from 5.30-6.30. Classrooms will be open from 6-7.
• A 'Technology Contract' was sent home with students to be signed & returned as soon as possible. This outlines the general expectations for laptop/computer/iPad use at the school. 
• Scholastic book orders were sent home & are due back September 12. 
• Track & Field permission forms are due September 15 with $1.50 to cover the cost of the bus. Parent volunteers would be warmly welcomed to this event on September 23rd.
• The online payment system is now working. There is a $4 cost associated with the agendas which have been distributed. Please pay online or send cash with your student if you have not yet done so. 
• Lunchroom information sheets have been sent home (pink). Please complete & return.
• A media release form was sent home (green). Please complete & return.

I look forward to meeting with you at the open house. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to set up another time to meet. 

Have a lovely weekend!

Due Date Reminders

Good evening! Keep an eye out for an update about our first week's activities shortly. For now, though, a quick reminder about due dates that are coming up rather quickly:

• BBQ order forms for Meet the Teacher night are due tomorrow (September 4)
• Cross country permission forms (for those that are interested) are due Friday (September 5)
• Scholastic orders will be due next Friday (September 12)

Additionally, if you have not yet provided an email address for contact, please jot one down in your student's agenda. 

Many thanks! I am looking forward to meeting many of you next Thursday, September 11 at the BBQ!

Welcome to Grade 4/5!

Happy first day of school & welcome to Grade 4/5! I thought on our first day as a class you might like to know a little bit more about your teacher just as I would like to know more about you. 

I grew up in Ontario and just recently moved to Saskatchewan. I hope that you will share your favourite things to see & do in Regina with me so that I can get ideas! I like to try new things - but am a little afraid of heights. 

Before moving to Regina, I lived in Brisbane, Australia. It was a very lovely place to live - the coldest I remember it getting was -2 degrees Celsius one winter night - but it's nice to be back in Canada with my family (and putting golden syrup on pancakes just isn't quite the same as maple syrup). While in Australia, I worked with Grade 6/7 students doing things like designing healthy recipes for a cookbook, hosting a paper airplane building competition and making boardgames. This year, I am excited to try new things with our Grade 4/5 class. 

What else have I done? Here are a few highlights: 

• Snorkeled in the Galapagos Islands with sharks & marine iguanas
• Held a baby crocodile
• Listened to parrot fish crunching on the Great Barrier Reef while snorkeling
• Learned to kayak this past summer in Ontario
• Tried to snowboard in New Zealand (I'm not very good...)

Want to know more about me? Just ask! Have any ideas about what you might like to do this year? Let me know! I look forward to working with you to make this a productive, exciting and adventurous school year.

A short note to parents: My intention with this website is to provide a central location to organize our classroom information. Posted to the website will be things such as:

• Important dates (excursions, assessments, etc)
• Updates on classroom activities
• Assignment task sheets & rubrics
• Links to research sites, including online encyclopedias
• Links to online activities/games to reinforce classroom learning

If you have any specific questions relating to your student, classroom procedures or general expectations, please contact me directly.

I'm looking forward to working with you & your students in the coming months.

Sincerely, 

J. Foell