The Merkley Monitor
March 2009
Greetings!
Greetings from Room 7! The students have worked hard during this term and are well deserving of their March Break. I hope everyone will have a great holiday!
February Highlights
On February 5th the students had a tour of City Hall where and skated at the outdoor rink in front of City Hall. We would like to thank Mrs. Westlake Lea and Tracy Stinson for accompanying us on this trip – and helping to tie skates!
On February 11th we went to MacArthur Auditorium to see The Kingston Symphony. For the students, this was an excellent introduction to the instruments in the orchestra. We also went to Cloverleaf Bowling Lanes where many students made lucky strikes! Many thanks to Lyn Rosebush who accompanied us for the whole day, and to Jessica Tizard and Tracey Stinson for meeting us at the bowling alley.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party on February 13th. Thank you to all the parents who provided the food. As well as party treats, we had healthy food items.
On Tuesday, February 24th we celebrated Pancake Tuesday with delicious pancakes.
Welcome
We welcome Miss Sydney Plavins and Mr. David Williamson, students from Queen’s University. They will be helping students with reading in our classroom for the next eight weeks.
We also welcome Miss Lauren Kidd, a student in the Behavioural Psychology program from St. Lawrence College. She is completing a practicum that will allow her to be working with us from February 23rd through to April 30th.
In addition to these students we have Miss Land and Miss Eamers who started placements during February. We are very fortunate to have so many volunteers helping the students.
Steps to Respect Program
During March, we will continue to focus on bullying. “Steps to Respect” defines bullying as follows: “Bullying is unfair and one-side. It happens when someone keeps hurting frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.” Bullying is more than just pushing, hitting or fighting. Bullying also includes things like putdown, rumours, verbal threats, gossip, and being excluded from groups.
You can help your child increase their awareness by pointing out the use of put-downs, rumours, and gossip you notice in TV programs. Discuss how these things affect the character in the story. Then talk about how people might feel if this behaviour occurred in real file – even between friends.
Participation
Congratulations to Josh J., Isaac, Eli, and Braydon for participating in Junior Boys Basketball that takes places after school on Tuesday nights. Congratulations to Ashley, Alexis V., Shawna, Mariana, Isra, Faith, and Alexis M. for getting involved with Junior Girls Basketball that takes place on Thursday nights after school.
Many thanks to the students who stay after school for the Wizard of Oz practices that take place after school on Wednesday. We encourage all students who can make these practises (as requested in a note the previous Friday) to be there.
Parents are reminded that all students have received a permission slip letting you know that there will be a rehearsal for Oz on Saturday, March 7th. We would like to have this returned by Tuesday, March 3rd so that we can organize the day and plan lunch for that day.
Pysanka
On Monday, March the 23rd, we will be working on a traditional Ukrainian Easter egg activity called pysanka, all afternoon. Since we will be working with raw eggs, candles, and dyes, I will be happy to have as many parents who want to help supervise, join us! I will supply all the materials but students, who can bring in old candles, soft paper towels, and egg cartons, are asked to do so. The yolk and egg white will eventually dry out so the egg may be kept indefinitely. If you wish, you may finish them with a nonsoluable varnish. Please note in your child’s students agenda if you can come into the classroom on this day.
Language Arts
Students are reminded that on Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read. These reflections should include facts from the story, make connections with other stories that they have read, make connections with their own lives, offer opinions, and make predictions.
While reading with your child and watching television during March help them to connect ideas that they view and read to their own knowledge, their own experiences, their own insights, and to familiar texts. This will help them understand the importance of making connections. Also point out to them the various features that a text uses to organize information. (e.g. chapters, glossary, index)
The focus for writing during March will be exposition writing. Exposition is a type of writing that is used to explain, describe, give information, or inform. You can help your child understand what this kind of writing is by pointing it out to them when you see it and by having him or her use words that clearly show what they are talking about when they are explaining something to you, in an organized fashion.
Our poem for March, Sticky Maple Syrup, is attached to the newsletter.
Mathematics
During February the students started mastering their multiplication facts to 100. We will continue doing so during March. It is critical that these facts are committed to memory in order to facilitate working with larger numbers.
The Grade Five students will finish the unit started on Transformational Geometry and work through a unit on Fractions and Decimals.
Science
During March we will continue a Science unit on Understanding Structures and Mechanisms. In Grade Four this unit explores Pulley and Gears and in Grade Five this unit explores the Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms.
Social Studies
After March Break we will start our second strand in Social Studies, Heritage and Citizenship. In Grade Four this unit explores Medieval Times and in Grade Five this unit explores Ancient Civilizations.
Physical Education and Human Growth
During March we will continue to work on a number of stability skills and developing a sequence of moves.
Snacks
I am delighted with the effort that everyone is putting into bringing garbageless lunches to school. I know it takes a little more effort and time to produce.
Special Upcoming Events
On March 5th the students will have the opportunity to watch “Belonging”, a play put on by the Limestone Teachers Theatre Company.
Parents are reminded that there will be a full day rehearsal at the school for The Wizard of Oz, on Saturday, March 7th and Saturday, March 28th. All students who are able to attend are encouraged to do so.
Reminders and Requests
Second term report cards go home on Monday, March 30th.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca).
Sincerely, Margaret Merkley
Saturday, February 21, 2009
January 2009
The Merkley Monitor
January 2009
New Year’s Welcome!
A warm New Year’s greeting to everyone.
December Highlights
On December 5th the students participated in the Jingle Bell Walk. We thank the many families who sent in items for the Food Bank.
On December 16th we had a Winter Workshop where students had the opportunity to make 24 different crafts!! It was a wonderful day and the students handled the open structure of the day extremely well. Many thanks to Ms Stinson, Ms Tizard, Mrs. Westlake, Mrs. Riel, Mrs. Mohammed, and Mrs. Martin who planned activities for the workshop and volunteered their time.
On December 17th our class and Mrs. Walker’s class attended the performance, Newton finds a Home: the Musical! The show was entertaining and inspiring.
On December 19th we went skating at the Wally Elmer Arena.
We would also like to thank the parents of the students in the Dynamite House League group for supplying the food for our Christmas party on Thursday, December 20th. We had lots of sweet and healthy treats!
Communication
Remember to check out Central’s new web-site. I’ll be posting the Merkley Monitor on it each month. In addition, the daily “Eco-announcements” will be posted. To access this site go to http://centralps.limestone.on.ca/. Please let me know if you will access this information on line and do not need a hard copy sent home.
Participation
Congratulations to Emily, Faith, Adora, Isra, Breanna, Ashley and Shawna for becoming involved with the French Improv Club. They put on an excellent coffee shop on Thursday, December 18th. Merci!
Congratulations to Eli, Breanna, Emily, Faith, Isabella, Alexis V., Summer, and Isra who auditioned for our school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Congratulations to Emily and Eli for earning leading roles. All students will have a role within the play.
Language Arts
Students are reminded that on Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read. These reflections should include facts from the story, make connections with other stories that they have read, make connections with their own lives, offer opinions, and make predictions.
While reading with your child and watching television during January, help them to identify the point of view of the person who wrote the text or script. This will help them understand the importance of having a point of view when writing. Also help your child interpret what they are reading and viewing by making inferences – reading between the lines and listening to what is not necessarily voiced.
The focus for writing during January will be report writing. The students will be asked to complete a short research project for Social Studies.
We have received our first set of penpal letters! We will work on writing return letters to our penpals at Amherstview Public School, during January.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for January, an excerpt from The Cremation of Sam McGee, is attached to this newsletter.
Mathematics
During December the students were working on mastering their subtraction facts from 100. They will continue to work on these facts during January. Parents can help their children master their math facts by giving them 5 or 6 facts each time you get in the car to travel somewhere. Remember to emphasize accuracy first as speed will come.
In January the Grade Five students will finish the unit started on Data Management. Data Management is interpreting, collecting, and organizing data in tables and graphs. This unit includes many concepts and themes your child already encounters in the world. Your child will be interpreting, designing, and conducting surveys, and displaying the results in graphs. Your child will also be introduced to the idea that data can be displayed with bias.
The students will:
· distinguish between discrete data and continuous data
· collect data by conducting a survey or an experiment
· collect and organize discrete or continuous primary data and secondary data and display the data in charts, tables, and graphs that have appropriate titles, labels
· demonstrate an understanding that sets of data can be samples of larger populations
· describe how a set of data is collected and explain whether the collection method is appropriate
· read, interpret, and draw conclusions from primary data and from secondary data presented in charts, tables, and graphs (including broken-line graphs)
· calculate the mean for a small set of data and use it to describe the shape of the data set across its range of values, using charts, tables, and graphs
· compare similarities and differences between two related sets of data plots, double bar graphs, or broken-line graphs
There are many activities you can do at home that will improve your child’s understanding in these areas. Consider:
· Encouraging your child to discuss any surveys you hear mentioned in the news.
· Asking your child to interpret data displayed in tables, charts, or graphs found in newspapers, magazines, or on the Internet.
Social Studies
During January we will return to a unit on Canada and World Connections. The Grade Fours will learn to use maps and charts to learn about Canada’s main physical regions. Grade Fives will be learning about some of Canada’s civic ceremonies and celebrations, identifying some current and historical political figures and their significance, and learning about the significance of some civic buildings and symbols.
All students will be asked to complete research projects relating to these themes. Please see the attached project sheets that outline the expectations and deadlines. As with all projects, students should identify the topic they want to research as soon as the assignment is given, gather materials, and bring to them to school to work on during class time.
Physical Education and Human Growth During January we will continue to work on age appropriate basketball skills and basketball type games. We will start a unit on Healthy Eating.
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack. Since Central Public School is aiming to be a “Garbageless Lunch School” by the end of January, all items not recycled or composted at school should be going home in your child’s lunch box.
Steps to Respect
During January we will be focusing on the importance of knowing how to join group activities in an appropriate fashion.
Special Upcoming Events
On Tuesday, January 27th we will be celebrating Family Literacy Day. If there are any parents who would like to join us in a special day of literacy events that day, please let me know by writing a note in your child’s agenda.
Reminders and Requests
Please remember to have your child complete the third page of their first term report card. Taking take to set goals for Term Two is an important step in the learning process.
Students are reminded to make sure that all winter clothing is labelled and that they bring everything home each night.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at 613-372-2026 or at merkleym@limestone.on.ca.
Sincerely,
Margaret Merkley
January 2009
New Year’s Welcome!
A warm New Year’s greeting to everyone.
December Highlights
On December 5th the students participated in the Jingle Bell Walk. We thank the many families who sent in items for the Food Bank.
On December 16th we had a Winter Workshop where students had the opportunity to make 24 different crafts!! It was a wonderful day and the students handled the open structure of the day extremely well. Many thanks to Ms Stinson, Ms Tizard, Mrs. Westlake, Mrs. Riel, Mrs. Mohammed, and Mrs. Martin who planned activities for the workshop and volunteered their time.
On December 17th our class and Mrs. Walker’s class attended the performance, Newton finds a Home: the Musical! The show was entertaining and inspiring.
On December 19th we went skating at the Wally Elmer Arena.
We would also like to thank the parents of the students in the Dynamite House League group for supplying the food for our Christmas party on Thursday, December 20th. We had lots of sweet and healthy treats!
Communication
Remember to check out Central’s new web-site. I’ll be posting the Merkley Monitor on it each month. In addition, the daily “Eco-announcements” will be posted. To access this site go to http://centralps.limestone.on.ca/. Please let me know if you will access this information on line and do not need a hard copy sent home.
Participation
Congratulations to Emily, Faith, Adora, Isra, Breanna, Ashley and Shawna for becoming involved with the French Improv Club. They put on an excellent coffee shop on Thursday, December 18th. Merci!
Congratulations to Eli, Breanna, Emily, Faith, Isabella, Alexis V., Summer, and Isra who auditioned for our school musical, The Wizard of Oz. Congratulations to Emily and Eli for earning leading roles. All students will have a role within the play.
Language Arts
Students are reminded that on Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read. These reflections should include facts from the story, make connections with other stories that they have read, make connections with their own lives, offer opinions, and make predictions.
While reading with your child and watching television during January, help them to identify the point of view of the person who wrote the text or script. This will help them understand the importance of having a point of view when writing. Also help your child interpret what they are reading and viewing by making inferences – reading between the lines and listening to what is not necessarily voiced.
The focus for writing during January will be report writing. The students will be asked to complete a short research project for Social Studies.
We have received our first set of penpal letters! We will work on writing return letters to our penpals at Amherstview Public School, during January.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for January, an excerpt from The Cremation of Sam McGee, is attached to this newsletter.
Mathematics
During December the students were working on mastering their subtraction facts from 100. They will continue to work on these facts during January. Parents can help their children master their math facts by giving them 5 or 6 facts each time you get in the car to travel somewhere. Remember to emphasize accuracy first as speed will come.
In January the Grade Five students will finish the unit started on Data Management. Data Management is interpreting, collecting, and organizing data in tables and graphs. This unit includes many concepts and themes your child already encounters in the world. Your child will be interpreting, designing, and conducting surveys, and displaying the results in graphs. Your child will also be introduced to the idea that data can be displayed with bias.
The students will:
· distinguish between discrete data and continuous data
· collect data by conducting a survey or an experiment
· collect and organize discrete or continuous primary data and secondary data and display the data in charts, tables, and graphs that have appropriate titles, labels
· demonstrate an understanding that sets of data can be samples of larger populations
· describe how a set of data is collected and explain whether the collection method is appropriate
· read, interpret, and draw conclusions from primary data and from secondary data presented in charts, tables, and graphs (including broken-line graphs)
· calculate the mean for a small set of data and use it to describe the shape of the data set across its range of values, using charts, tables, and graphs
· compare similarities and differences between two related sets of data plots, double bar graphs, or broken-line graphs
There are many activities you can do at home that will improve your child’s understanding in these areas. Consider:
· Encouraging your child to discuss any surveys you hear mentioned in the news.
· Asking your child to interpret data displayed in tables, charts, or graphs found in newspapers, magazines, or on the Internet.
Social Studies
During January we will return to a unit on Canada and World Connections. The Grade Fours will learn to use maps and charts to learn about Canada’s main physical regions. Grade Fives will be learning about some of Canada’s civic ceremonies and celebrations, identifying some current and historical political figures and their significance, and learning about the significance of some civic buildings and symbols.
All students will be asked to complete research projects relating to these themes. Please see the attached project sheets that outline the expectations and deadlines. As with all projects, students should identify the topic they want to research as soon as the assignment is given, gather materials, and bring to them to school to work on during class time.
Physical Education and Human Growth During January we will continue to work on age appropriate basketball skills and basketball type games. We will start a unit on Healthy Eating.
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack. Since Central Public School is aiming to be a “Garbageless Lunch School” by the end of January, all items not recycled or composted at school should be going home in your child’s lunch box.
Steps to Respect
During January we will be focusing on the importance of knowing how to join group activities in an appropriate fashion.
Special Upcoming Events
On Tuesday, January 27th we will be celebrating Family Literacy Day. If there are any parents who would like to join us in a special day of literacy events that day, please let me know by writing a note in your child’s agenda.
Reminders and Requests
Please remember to have your child complete the third page of their first term report card. Taking take to set goals for Term Two is an important step in the learning process.
Students are reminded to make sure that all winter clothing is labelled and that they bring everything home each night.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at 613-372-2026 or at merkleym@limestone.on.ca.
Sincerely,
Margaret Merkley
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
December 2008
The Merkley Monitor
December 2008
November Highlights
The students did an excellent job of their choral reading of In Flanders Fields at our Remembrance Day assembly. I was happy that several parents were able to attend this special event.
On November13th we had a special presentation by two people from the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. They explained to us what items can be recycled at home and in our community. It is important for students to remember that the recycling program at school is different from the one at home.
On November 19th we accompanied Miss Bulgin’s class to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. It gave us a greater understanding of what happens to the items that we recycle.
Also on November 19th we had a special guest presenter from Kingston Fire and Rescue. I hope that all students went home and did their homework by checking out the smoke detectors at home and by reviewing an escape plan in case of fire.
On November 26th we went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This was an excellent production put on by the students at LCVI.
We completed Social Studies units on Canada and Canadian Government, a health unit on Substance Use and Abuse, and Music Unit on Music Theory.
Welcome
We welcome Miss Jenny Lee into our classroom for four weeks. She started November 24th and will be in our classroom until December 19th. She is a teacher candidate from the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University and we are lucky to have her completing her second teaching practicum with us.
Thank You
We would like to thank Mrs. Lea Westlake, Eli’s Mom, and Mrs. Hyland for accompanying us on our trip to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre.
Citizenship and Personal Achievement
Each month we recognize student achievement during an assembly. This month we would like to congratulate Dexter for being an outstanding recycling volunteer, Mariana for exhibiting our character attribute of the month - courage, and Josh H. and Austin M. for carrying out excellent classroom campaigns when they ran for class president.
Communication
Remember to check out Central’s new web-site. I’ll be posting the Merkley Monitor on it each month. In addition the daily “Eco-announcements” will be posted.
Participation
Congratulations to Mariana, Isaac, Emily, Faith, Adora, Aydan, Isra, Breanna, Ashley and Shawna for becoming involved with the French Improv Club. What a neat opportunity for these students. We will be holding auditions during December for the school’s Spring musical. Encourage your child to try out!
Congratulations too, to the many students who wrote an application expressing their interest in becoming involved with student council at Central Public School. The staff read all of the applications and selected two students from each class. The two students from our class who were selected were Josephina and Eli.
Language Arts
Students are reminded that on Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read.
The Christmas season often presents opportunities to have children write letters to friends and relatives. Taking the time to apply writing skills to relevant situations helps children see the importance of being able to express themselves in written form.
In December we will be working on communication skills – on how to engage listeners when we are talking, reading, and writing. We will also be looking at how quotation marks are used to write dialogue. When reading with your child remind them that good readers read fluently – at a sufficient rate and with sufficient expression to engage the listener. Look for ways that writers make their “voice” heard.
In December we will be working on using “Predicting” to help comprehension strategies. When reading with your child remind them that good readers always make predictions based on what the author has told them both directly and indirectly.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for December, Twas the Night Before Christmas, is attached to this newsletter. The students will be assigned certain lines to add appropriate musical accompaniments.
Mathematics
During November the students were working on mastering their addition facts from 100. In today’s homework package, those students who have mastered these facts have received a certificate. Parents can help their children master their math facts by giving them 5 or 6 facts each time you get in the car to travel somewhere. Remember to emphasize accuracy first as speed will come. In December we will be working on mastering subtraction facts.
In December the Grade Five students will finish the unit started on Decimals.
The students will:
• use estimation when solving problems involving the multiplication and division of whole numbers to help judge the reasonableness of a solution
• solve problems involving the addition, subtraction and multiplication of whole numbers
• add and subtract decimal numbers to hundredths
• represent compare and order fractional amount with like denominator including proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
• demonstrate and explain equivalent representations of a decimal number
• divide three-digit whole numbers by one-digit whole numbers
• divide decimal numbers by 10 and 100
Science
In December we will complete units in the Energy and Control strand. In Grade 4 this unit focuses on Light and Sound Energy. In Grade 5 this unit focuses on Properties of Changing Matter and Conservation of Energy.
Grade Four students are reminded to collect the materials needed for their in-class project and to complete some of the sections at home as required. This project sheet was sent home last week.
Physical Education and Human Growth
During December we will continue to work on age appropriate volleyball skills and volleyball type games.
Steps to Respect
According to recent research, bullying is an aggressive type of repeated behaviour that should be actively discouraged by parents and teachers alike. Without question, bullying inflicts a great deal of pain on its victims. Steps to Respect is a bullying prevention program that the students will be covering throughout the course of the year. The primary goal of this program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. I was pleased that so many students wore pink to school on Friday, November 21st in support of Bully Awareness Week.
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack.
First Term Reports
The first term report card is being sent home with students on Tuesday, December 12th. Although there is not a formal day set aside for interviews, if you would like to meet with me, please indicate your request on the third page of the report card. I have met with several parents already, and would like to meet with everyone by the end of second term.
When going over the report card with your child, please help him or her recognize the growth they have made and assist them in recording their goals for the second term, on the third page of the report card. Through this process of reflection we can encourage students to celebrate their achievements and to take ownership for their academic progress.
Special Upcoming Events
On Tuesday, December 16th we will have a Santa’s workshop in our classroom from 9:30 to 2:30. If you have a craft that we could make that day and/or would like to join us for the day or for a portion of the day, please let me know by putting a note in your child’s agenda.
On Thursday, December 18th we will have our Christmas class party. Students in the “Fireballs ” house-league group (Breanna, Dyllan, Isra, Jessica, Austin, Faith, and Joshua J.)
are responsible for treats that day. Students will use their agendas to record what they are responsible for bringing.
Requests
As winter approaches, I would like to recommend that all articles of clothing that students wear are labelled clearly and that you encourage your children to bring home all hats, mitts, and scarves on a nightly basis. Students are reminded to dress appropriately for our cold, wintry weather, as they will be expected to go outside for recess unless the weather is extremely cold.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca)
I would like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season with your children, friends and family.
Margaret Merkley
Twas the Night before Christmas
Twas the Night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
And Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for a long winters nap
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
Now Dasher now Dancer now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack
His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
December 2008
November Highlights
The students did an excellent job of their choral reading of In Flanders Fields at our Remembrance Day assembly. I was happy that several parents were able to attend this special event.
On November13th we had a special presentation by two people from the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. They explained to us what items can be recycled at home and in our community. It is important for students to remember that the recycling program at school is different from the one at home.
On November 19th we accompanied Miss Bulgin’s class to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. It gave us a greater understanding of what happens to the items that we recycle.
Also on November 19th we had a special guest presenter from Kingston Fire and Rescue. I hope that all students went home and did their homework by checking out the smoke detectors at home and by reviewing an escape plan in case of fire.
On November 26th we went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. This was an excellent production put on by the students at LCVI.
We completed Social Studies units on Canada and Canadian Government, a health unit on Substance Use and Abuse, and Music Unit on Music Theory.
Welcome
We welcome Miss Jenny Lee into our classroom for four weeks. She started November 24th and will be in our classroom until December 19th. She is a teacher candidate from the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University and we are lucky to have her completing her second teaching practicum with us.
Thank You
We would like to thank Mrs. Lea Westlake, Eli’s Mom, and Mrs. Hyland for accompanying us on our trip to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre.
Citizenship and Personal Achievement
Each month we recognize student achievement during an assembly. This month we would like to congratulate Dexter for being an outstanding recycling volunteer, Mariana for exhibiting our character attribute of the month - courage, and Josh H. and Austin M. for carrying out excellent classroom campaigns when they ran for class president.
Communication
Remember to check out Central’s new web-site. I’ll be posting the Merkley Monitor on it each month. In addition the daily “Eco-announcements” will be posted.
Participation
Congratulations to Mariana, Isaac, Emily, Faith, Adora, Aydan, Isra, Breanna, Ashley and Shawna for becoming involved with the French Improv Club. What a neat opportunity for these students. We will be holding auditions during December for the school’s Spring musical. Encourage your child to try out!
Congratulations too, to the many students who wrote an application expressing their interest in becoming involved with student council at Central Public School. The staff read all of the applications and selected two students from each class. The two students from our class who were selected were Josephina and Eli.
Language Arts
Students are reminded that on Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read.
The Christmas season often presents opportunities to have children write letters to friends and relatives. Taking the time to apply writing skills to relevant situations helps children see the importance of being able to express themselves in written form.
In December we will be working on communication skills – on how to engage listeners when we are talking, reading, and writing. We will also be looking at how quotation marks are used to write dialogue. When reading with your child remind them that good readers read fluently – at a sufficient rate and with sufficient expression to engage the listener. Look for ways that writers make their “voice” heard.
In December we will be working on using “Predicting” to help comprehension strategies. When reading with your child remind them that good readers always make predictions based on what the author has told them both directly and indirectly.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for December, Twas the Night Before Christmas, is attached to this newsletter. The students will be assigned certain lines to add appropriate musical accompaniments.
Mathematics
During November the students were working on mastering their addition facts from 100. In today’s homework package, those students who have mastered these facts have received a certificate. Parents can help their children master their math facts by giving them 5 or 6 facts each time you get in the car to travel somewhere. Remember to emphasize accuracy first as speed will come. In December we will be working on mastering subtraction facts.
In December the Grade Five students will finish the unit started on Decimals.
The students will:
• use estimation when solving problems involving the multiplication and division of whole numbers to help judge the reasonableness of a solution
• solve problems involving the addition, subtraction and multiplication of whole numbers
• add and subtract decimal numbers to hundredths
• represent compare and order fractional amount with like denominator including proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
• demonstrate and explain equivalent representations of a decimal number
• divide three-digit whole numbers by one-digit whole numbers
• divide decimal numbers by 10 and 100
Science
In December we will complete units in the Energy and Control strand. In Grade 4 this unit focuses on Light and Sound Energy. In Grade 5 this unit focuses on Properties of Changing Matter and Conservation of Energy.
Grade Four students are reminded to collect the materials needed for their in-class project and to complete some of the sections at home as required. This project sheet was sent home last week.
Physical Education and Human Growth
During December we will continue to work on age appropriate volleyball skills and volleyball type games.
Steps to Respect
According to recent research, bullying is an aggressive type of repeated behaviour that should be actively discouraged by parents and teachers alike. Without question, bullying inflicts a great deal of pain on its victims. Steps to Respect is a bullying prevention program that the students will be covering throughout the course of the year. The primary goal of this program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. I was pleased that so many students wore pink to school on Friday, November 21st in support of Bully Awareness Week.
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack.
First Term Reports
The first term report card is being sent home with students on Tuesday, December 12th. Although there is not a formal day set aside for interviews, if you would like to meet with me, please indicate your request on the third page of the report card. I have met with several parents already, and would like to meet with everyone by the end of second term.
When going over the report card with your child, please help him or her recognize the growth they have made and assist them in recording their goals for the second term, on the third page of the report card. Through this process of reflection we can encourage students to celebrate their achievements and to take ownership for their academic progress.
Special Upcoming Events
On Tuesday, December 16th we will have a Santa’s workshop in our classroom from 9:30 to 2:30. If you have a craft that we could make that day and/or would like to join us for the day or for a portion of the day, please let me know by putting a note in your child’s agenda.
On Thursday, December 18th we will have our Christmas class party. Students in the “Fireballs ” house-league group (Breanna, Dyllan, Isra, Jessica, Austin, Faith, and Joshua J.)
are responsible for treats that day. Students will use their agendas to record what they are responsible for bringing.
Requests
As winter approaches, I would like to recommend that all articles of clothing that students wear are labelled clearly and that you encourage your children to bring home all hats, mitts, and scarves on a nightly basis. Students are reminded to dress appropriately for our cold, wintry weather, as they will be expected to go outside for recess unless the weather is extremely cold.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca)
I would like to wish all of you a wonderful holiday season with your children, friends and family.
Margaret Merkley
Twas the Night before Christmas
Twas the Night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads
And Mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap
Had just settled our brains for a long winters nap
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
Away to the window I flew like a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow
Gave the lustre of midday to objects below
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
Now Dasher now Dancer now Prancer and Vixen
On Comet on Cupid on Donner and Blitzen
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof
As I drew in my head and was turning around
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack
His eyes - how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath
He had a broad face and a little round belly
That shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread
He spoke not a word but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk
And laying his finger aside of his nose
And giving a nod up the chimney he rose
He sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle
But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
November 2008
The Merkley Monitor
November 2008
Greetings
I was pleased to see so many parents at Open House on Thursday, October 2nd and at our classroom play on Thursday, October 30th. I consider myself fortunate to teach in a community where parents are concerned about their children’s education and are committed to helping them.
The students had a busy and productive October. They have well-established routines and are displaying a positive attitude towards learning. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a variety of edible “rocks” and Hallowe’en with a classroom play and party. The Grade Fives worked hard on their in-class social studies project and mock election. On Thursday, October 16th we had a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Society come into our class to speak about Alzheimer’s. The Grade Five students had an opportunity to go on two field trips – on Thursday, October 2nd they went to Sydenham Public School to listen to a talk about Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan. On Thursday, October 16th they went to The Agnes Etherington Art Centre to view photographs by the Canadian photographer, Edward Burtinsky.
Welcome
We welcome Miss Jenny Lee into our classroom for four weeks starting on November 29th. She is a teacher candidate from the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University and we are lucky to have her completing her second teaching practicum with us.
Thank You
We would like to thank Mrs. Lea Westlake, Eli’s Mom, and Mrs. Tracey Stinson for coming into our class to help the students sew their cloth bags. We would also like to thank the parents who supplied the treats for our Hallowe’en party. Many thanks to all the families who supported our school’s Penny Drive for The United Way Campaign and helped our class raise $30.27!
Citizenship and Personal Achievement
Each month we recognize student achievement during an assembly. This month we would like to congratulate Shawna for being an outstanding Recycling volunteer, Ashley for being our lead role in our classroom play, Josephina for being an outstanding classroom citizen, and Aydan for excelling on our Rocks and Mineral Science unit.
Communication
I plan on sending home The Merkley Monitor at the beginning of each month. Some parents have indicated that they are willing to help us cut down on paper by having me forward this newsletter via the school’s web site or to you directly at your own e-mail address. If interested, please contact me at the above merkleym@limestone.on.ca.
Participation
Congratulations to Eli and Mariana for their fine performances at the LDSB Fort Henry Meet, on Tuesday, October 14th. A special congratulations goes to Mariana who placed 10th overall in her division.
Congratulations too to all the Grade Five candidates that ran for class president. A special congratulations goes to Joshua H. who won the mock election.
Please encourage your child to participate in the activities that happen at Central!!
Language Arts
Students are reminded that Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read.
In November we will be working on using “Visualizing” to help comprehension strategies. When talking with your child remind them that good listeners visualize what they are being told, and that good readers visualize the passage that they are reading, to check for comprehension.
During November we will be reviewing the use of apostrophes. “Apostrophes” will be one of the reporting categories for Current Events during November.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for November, In Flanders Fields, is attached to this newsletter. We will be presenting this poem as a choral reading presentation at the Remembrance Day Assembly on Tuesday, November 11th.
Mathematics
In November the Grade Five students will finish a unit on Geometry and start a unit on Decimals.
In Geometry the students will investigate the characteristics of different figures, and explore relationships between vertices (corners), side length, and angle measurement of these figures. In this unit, your child will:
• Sort and name polygons by sides and angles
• Measure, name, and construct angles
• Construct triangles, given side and angle measures
• Identify and construct nets of solids
In the Decimal Unit the students will:
• use estimation when solving problems involving the multiplication and division of whole numbers to help judge the reasonableness of a solution
• solve problems involving the addition, subtraction and multiplication of whole numbers
• add and subtract decimal numbers to hundredths
• represent compare and order fractional amount with like denominator including proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
• demonstrate and explain equivalent representations of a decimal number
• divide three-digit whole numbers by one-digit whole numbers
• divide decimal numbers by 10 and 100
Music
In Music the students will complete a unit on the knowledge of musical elements.
In Grade Four, students are expected to:
• Recognize that the treble clef defines the names of the lines and spaces on the staff
• Recognize that specific pitches may be represented by notes place on a staff
• Identify whole notes, half-notes, quarter notes, and eighth -notes and their corresponding rests in 4/4 time
• Demonstrate their understanding of beat through conduction a piece in 4/4 time, using the standard conduction pattern
In Grade Five, students are expected to:
• Interpret correctly whole notes, half-notes, quarter-notes, and eighth-notes, and the corresponding rests in 4/4 time
• Conduct in 4/4 and 2/4 time, using standard conducting patterns
• Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of the sharp, flat, and natural symbols
Science
In November we start units in the Energy and Control strand. In Grade 4 this unit focuses on Light and Sound Energy. In Grade 5 this unit focuses on Properties of Changing Matter and Conservation of Energy.
Toward the end of this unit in December the Grade Four students will be completing an in-class science project. To make their musical instrument they will need to bring in some materials from home. Look for more information later in the month.
Upcoming Events
On Wednesday, November 19th our class will be going to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. That afternoon we have a fire safety presentation. On Wednesday, November 26th our class will be going to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at LCVI. Notices for these trips will go home closer to the dates of the trips.
Requests
As winter approaches, I would like to recommend that all articles of clothing that students wear are labelled clearly and that you encourage your children to bring home all hats, mitts, and scarves on a nightly basis.
Physical Education and Human Growth
In Health, the students will complete a unit on Substance Use and Abuse. In Grade Four this unit concentrates on the harmful substances found in tobacco. The students are expected to be able to describe the short- and long-term effects of first and second hand smoke, and identify the advantages of being smoke-free.
In Grade Five this strand concentrates on the short- and long-term effects of alcohol use and abuse. The students will be taught to recognize factors that can influence the decision to drink alcohol and techniques to deal with peer pressure in situations pertaining to substance use and abuse.
During November we will be working on age appropriate volleyball skills and volleyball type games.
Steps to Respect
According to recent research, bullying is an aggressive type of repeated behaviour that should be actively discouraged by parents and teachers alike. Without question, bullying inflicts a great deal of pain on its victims. Steps to Respect is a bullying prevention program that the students will be covering throughout the course of the year. The primary goal of this program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. In each newsletter I will include updates and ideas to help you empower your children when they come face to face with a bully.
“Talk to your child about which adults at school and at home could help them if bullying happens. Discuss what they might tell an adult when they report bullying. Assure them that adults will try to help.”
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca)
Margaret Merkley
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
By John McCrae
November 2008
Greetings
I was pleased to see so many parents at Open House on Thursday, October 2nd and at our classroom play on Thursday, October 30th. I consider myself fortunate to teach in a community where parents are concerned about their children’s education and are committed to helping them.
The students had a busy and productive October. They have well-established routines and are displaying a positive attitude towards learning. We celebrated Thanksgiving with a variety of edible “rocks” and Hallowe’en with a classroom play and party. The Grade Fives worked hard on their in-class social studies project and mock election. On Thursday, October 16th we had a guest speaker from the Alzheimer’s Society come into our class to speak about Alzheimer’s. The Grade Five students had an opportunity to go on two field trips – on Thursday, October 2nd they went to Sydenham Public School to listen to a talk about Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan. On Thursday, October 16th they went to The Agnes Etherington Art Centre to view photographs by the Canadian photographer, Edward Burtinsky.
Welcome
We welcome Miss Jenny Lee into our classroom for four weeks starting on November 29th. She is a teacher candidate from the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University and we are lucky to have her completing her second teaching practicum with us.
Thank You
We would like to thank Mrs. Lea Westlake, Eli’s Mom, and Mrs. Tracey Stinson for coming into our class to help the students sew their cloth bags. We would also like to thank the parents who supplied the treats for our Hallowe’en party. Many thanks to all the families who supported our school’s Penny Drive for The United Way Campaign and helped our class raise $30.27!
Citizenship and Personal Achievement
Each month we recognize student achievement during an assembly. This month we would like to congratulate Shawna for being an outstanding Recycling volunteer, Ashley for being our lead role in our classroom play, Josephina for being an outstanding classroom citizen, and Aydan for excelling on our Rocks and Mineral Science unit.
Communication
I plan on sending home The Merkley Monitor at the beginning of each month. Some parents have indicated that they are willing to help us cut down on paper by having me forward this newsletter via the school’s web site or to you directly at your own e-mail address. If interested, please contact me at the above merkleym@limestone.on.ca.
Participation
Congratulations to Eli and Mariana for their fine performances at the LDSB Fort Henry Meet, on Tuesday, October 14th. A special congratulations goes to Mariana who placed 10th overall in her division.
Congratulations too to all the Grade Five candidates that ran for class president. A special congratulations goes to Joshua H. who won the mock election.
Please encourage your child to participate in the activities that happen at Central!!
Language Arts
Students are reminded that Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period. They are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read.
In November we will be working on using “Visualizing” to help comprehension strategies. When talking with your child remind them that good listeners visualize what they are being told, and that good readers visualize the passage that they are reading, to check for comprehension.
During November we will be reviewing the use of apostrophes. “Apostrophes” will be one of the reporting categories for Current Events during November.
Poem of the Month
Our poem for November, In Flanders Fields, is attached to this newsletter. We will be presenting this poem as a choral reading presentation at the Remembrance Day Assembly on Tuesday, November 11th.
Mathematics
In November the Grade Five students will finish a unit on Geometry and start a unit on Decimals.
In Geometry the students will investigate the characteristics of different figures, and explore relationships between vertices (corners), side length, and angle measurement of these figures. In this unit, your child will:
• Sort and name polygons by sides and angles
• Measure, name, and construct angles
• Construct triangles, given side and angle measures
• Identify and construct nets of solids
In the Decimal Unit the students will:
• use estimation when solving problems involving the multiplication and division of whole numbers to help judge the reasonableness of a solution
• solve problems involving the addition, subtraction and multiplication of whole numbers
• add and subtract decimal numbers to hundredths
• represent compare and order fractional amount with like denominator including proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
• demonstrate and explain equivalent representations of a decimal number
• divide three-digit whole numbers by one-digit whole numbers
• divide decimal numbers by 10 and 100
Music
In Music the students will complete a unit on the knowledge of musical elements.
In Grade Four, students are expected to:
• Recognize that the treble clef defines the names of the lines and spaces on the staff
• Recognize that specific pitches may be represented by notes place on a staff
• Identify whole notes, half-notes, quarter notes, and eighth -notes and their corresponding rests in 4/4 time
• Demonstrate their understanding of beat through conduction a piece in 4/4 time, using the standard conduction pattern
In Grade Five, students are expected to:
• Interpret correctly whole notes, half-notes, quarter-notes, and eighth-notes, and the corresponding rests in 4/4 time
• Conduct in 4/4 and 2/4 time, using standard conducting patterns
• Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of the sharp, flat, and natural symbols
Science
In November we start units in the Energy and Control strand. In Grade 4 this unit focuses on Light and Sound Energy. In Grade 5 this unit focuses on Properties of Changing Matter and Conservation of Energy.
Toward the end of this unit in December the Grade Four students will be completing an in-class science project. To make their musical instrument they will need to bring in some materials from home. Look for more information later in the month.
Upcoming Events
On Wednesday, November 19th our class will be going to the Kingston Area Recycling Centre. That afternoon we have a fire safety presentation. On Wednesday, November 26th our class will be going to see the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at LCVI. Notices for these trips will go home closer to the dates of the trips.
Requests
As winter approaches, I would like to recommend that all articles of clothing that students wear are labelled clearly and that you encourage your children to bring home all hats, mitts, and scarves on a nightly basis.
Physical Education and Human Growth
In Health, the students will complete a unit on Substance Use and Abuse. In Grade Four this unit concentrates on the harmful substances found in tobacco. The students are expected to be able to describe the short- and long-term effects of first and second hand smoke, and identify the advantages of being smoke-free.
In Grade Five this strand concentrates on the short- and long-term effects of alcohol use and abuse. The students will be taught to recognize factors that can influence the decision to drink alcohol and techniques to deal with peer pressure in situations pertaining to substance use and abuse.
During November we will be working on age appropriate volleyball skills and volleyball type games.
Steps to Respect
According to recent research, bullying is an aggressive type of repeated behaviour that should be actively discouraged by parents and teachers alike. Without question, bullying inflicts a great deal of pain on its victims. Steps to Respect is a bullying prevention program that the students will be covering throughout the course of the year. The primary goal of this program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. In each newsletter I will include updates and ideas to help you empower your children when they come face to face with a bully.
“Talk to your child about which adults at school and at home could help them if bullying happens. Discuss what they might tell an adult when they report bullying. Assure them that adults will try to help.”
Snacks
Students are reminded to bring healthy snacks and use recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca)
Margaret Merkley
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, tho poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
By John McCrae
October 2008
The Merkley Monitor
October 2008
Greetings
Since you have a delightful group of children, September has been a great month. The children appear happy and settled, and routines are falling into place.
We welcome to our classroom several new faces to Central Public School this fall - Emily from Lord Strathcona Public School, Isaac from Trudelle Public School, Dexter from Rideau Public School , Josh V. from J.E. Simcoe Public School, Lilly from Loughborough Public School, Alexis M. from Cornwall, and Mariana from Mexico!
In addition, we are delighted to have Miss Jasmine Irwin in our classroom until December 5th. She is completing a Bachelor in Behavioural Psychology at St. Lawrence College and is in her fourth year.
In and out of our classroom throughout each school day are several wonderful teachers, including Mrs. Donna Halleran and Mrs. Tammy Onyskiw.
From October 6th to October 31st we welcome Brenley Devlin to Central Public School. She is a teacher candidate from the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University and we are lucky to have her completing her first teaching practicum with us.
Thank You
We would like to thank Mrs. Lea Westlake, Eli’s Mom, for coming into our class on Thursday, September 25th and teaching the students about the herbs growing in our school garden. They had a chance to cut the herbs and eat delicious chicken kabobs, flavoured with
these herbs.
Communication
The students are using their agendas to write down their homework and bringing them back and forth to school on a regular basis.
Reporting for each of the three school terms is done through the use of a report card. Although interviews will not be scheduled unless we feel one is required, you should feel comfortable requesting one at anytime. Also, I encourage you to be in touch with me to set up an interview as you feel that one is necessary, rather than waiting for the report card to come home.
If you have any concerns about your child’s progress or information to supplement curriculum, please feel free to write a note in your child’s agenda, to contact me at school by phone (613-546-9454) or e-mail (merkleym@limestone.on.ca).
I plan on sending home The Merkley Monitor at the beginning of each month. To cut down on paper I would be happy to forward this newsletter via the school’s web site or to you directly at your own e-mail address. If interested, please contact me at the above e-mail address.
Although I have met many of you already, I look forward to seeing everyone at our Open House this Thursday, October 2nd.
Homework
Students are reminded to complete their weekly spelling assignments by Thursday morning. Dictation will be every Friday. This applies to five day weeks only.
Participation
Congratulations to Isaac, Eli, Mariana, and Josh H. for joining the school’s cross-country team. We wish them luck at the Joe Goodfellow Memorial Race to be held on Tuesday October 7th and at the Fort Henry Meet, on Tuesday, October 14th.
I am pleased that several students including Emily, Austin, Josh J. and Isra have joined the school Hand Chime Choir.
Please encourage your child to participate in the activities that happen at Central!!
Current Events
To promote awareness of the world around them, students will be asked to bring in Current Events on a regular basis. Starting in October we will have “top News Reporters of the Month”. The reporting categories for October will be “Angles”, “Descriptive Words”, “Local”, “National”, and “International”.
Language Arts
Students are allowed to take one library book out from our Library Resource Centre at a time. On Tuesdays we have a library book exchange period.
Students are reminded to keep a record of the pages that they read at home and to write a short reflection for each book that they read.
During October we will be learning how to make sentences more descriptive by including adjectives and adverbs. You can help your child identify these parts of speech when you are reading with them. “Descriptive Words” will be one of the reporting categories for Current Events during October.
Our poem for October, Someone Told the Wild Geese, is attached to this newsletter. Have your child sing it to you!
Mathematics
The Grade Four students are joining Miss Bulgin’s Grade Fours for math and being taught by Miss Bulgin. The Grade Fives from Mrs. Walker’s class are joining the Grade Fives in my class at that time.
During October we will finish up a unit on Number Sense and Numeration. Numeration
Expectations for Grade Five Students that will be covered include:
· Represent, compare, and order whole numbers to 10 000
· Demonstrate an understanding of place value in whole numbers and decimal numbers from 0.1 to 10 000
· Read and print in words whole numbers to one thousand, using meaningful contexts
· Recall basic multiplication and division facts
· Estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients
· Add, subtract, and multiply numbers mentally
· Add and subtract 4-digit numbers
· Multiply a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number
· Divide a 4-digit number by a 1-digit number
· Identify place value from
· Pose and solve problems using whole numbers
· Solve problems with more than one step
We will start a unit on Geometry where the students will investigate the characteristics of different figures, and explore relationships between vertices (corners), side length, and angle measurement of these figures. In this unit, your child will:
· Sort and name polygons by sides and angles
· Measure, name, and construct angles
· Construct triangles, given side and angle measures
· Identify and construct nets of solids
Geometry is an important part of a student’s mathematical experience. Geometry provides students with a strong link between the mathematics they learn in the classroom and the real world. Here are some suggestions for activities to do at home.
· Before recycling cardboard boxes or containers, carefully take them apart to see how they are constructed.
· Cut cardboard strips of different lengths, and explore different figures that can be made from them. Compare the angles that result.
Science Social Studies
In Social Studies, we will start a unit on Canada and World Connections. In Grade Four this unit is on Canada’s Provinces, Territories, and Regions. In Grade Five this unit is on Aspects of Citizenship and Government in Canada. Grade Five’s will be asked to complete an in class project on the National Election. Please see the attached project sheet as they are to collect pictures of the candidates for all of the major political parties, at both the local and national levels.
Physical Education and Human Growth
In Health, the students will finish working through a unit in the Healthy Living strand, on Personal Safety and Injury Prevention.
On Thursday, October 16th we will have a representative from the Alzheimer’s Society come into our class to speak about Alzheimer’s. This program will help students understand what this disease is and how to approach people who are suffering from it.
In gym the students will be learning soccer skills and low organizational games.
Steps to Respect
According to recent research, bullying is an aggressive type of repeated behaviour that should be actively discouraged by parents and teachers alike. Without question, bullying inflicts a great deal of pain on its victims. Steps to Respect is a bullying prevention program that the students will be covering throughout the course of the year. The primary goal of this program is to help create a safe, caring, respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. In each newsletter I will include updates and ideas to help you empower your children when they come face to face with a bully.
“Many victims of bullying are unsure of themselves and somewhat anxious by nature, with relatively low self-confidence and few or no friends. Encourage activities that foster
confidence and build friendships.”
Class Play
Please put Thursday, October 30th on your calendar and plan to come and watch our classroom play, “The Lost Little Lonely Witch”. It will start at 3:00. You can plan on taking
your child home, after they perform.
Thanksgiving and Hallowe’en
Since the Grade Four Science unit in September was on Rocks and Minerals we will celebrate Thanksgiving by making a variety of cookies that represent the three main rock groups. We will eat our “rocks” for afternoon “snack”, on Friday, October 10th.
On Friday, October 31st we will celebrate Hallowe’en with costumes, activities, and a classroom party in the afternoon.
Snacks
I am very pleased at how conscientious the students have been about bringing healthy snacks and using recyclable containers. We appreciate your assistance in helping your child understand what “sometimes” snacks are, and to save them, if they have them, for afternoon snack. The students are reminded to bring peanut free items and to use our school’s recycling program to help us become a “garbageless school”.
Parties
To avoid too much food for class parties, each of our house league groups will be responsible for one of our four class parties this year. The “Five Alive” group (Emily, Aydan, Josh H., Alexis V., Lilly, Isabella, and Josephina) will be responsible for our Hallowe’en party. The students in each group will be responsible for sharing the responsibility for the food. I will supply the drinks. As the date for each party gets close, students will write this information in their student agendas.
Margaret Merkley
Something Told the Wild Geese
by
Rachel Field
Something told the wild goose
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, “Snow”
Grade Five Election Project
In order to complete the in-class project on the Provincial Election on October 14th you can start collecting pictures that you can keep in the brown envelope. You will be given time in class before and after the election to complete this project. Make sure that the pictures are neatly cut out as part of your mark will be presentation and neatness counts! You should try to get at least two pictures of each leader – as two of them will win and you will have to include them on your project twice!
A: Federal Level
The leaders of these three major political parties in Canada (You may get more than these)
v The Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party – Steven Harper
v The Leader of the Liberal Party –Stéphane Dion
v The Leader of the New Democratic Party – Jack Layton
B: Kingston and the Islands
The leaders of these three major political parties in our local riding, Kingston and the Islands (You may get more than these)
v The Leader of the Liberal Party - Peter Milliken
v The Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party – Brian Abrams
v The Leader of the New Democratic Party – Rick Downes
Dear Parents,
Please remember to put Thursday, October 30th on your calendar and to plan on joining us in our classroom at 3:00 so that we can share our classroom play with you.
You will be able to bring your child home after the performance.
We look forward to seeing your then.
Sincerely,
Margaret Merkley
Dear Parents,
Please remember to put Thursday, October 30th on your calendar and to plan on joining us in our classroom at 3:00 so that we can share our classroom play with you.
You will be able to bring your child home after the performance.
We look forward to seeing your then.
Sincerely,
Margaret Merkley
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