More fun today playing games and mini-sticks. I heard there was almost an upset in the play-offs. Way to go Lady Nighthawks! Congratulations to all teams.

• Tomorrow we will have our "War" tournament in the morning. Please bring a deck of cards if you have one.
• After recess we have our end of the year recognition and appreciation assembly at 10:30 am.
• In the afternoon we will end with popcorn and a movie.
• Red and white day tomorrow in honour of Canada Day!

Can you believe it? It's the......

• Lots of fun today playing computer games and soccer baseball with friends. 
• Tomorrow we have our annual mini-stick hockey tournament in the gym. 
• Those students who do not wish to participate can bring in board games and DVDs to watch. 
• We will take home art folders tomorrow. Bring another bag because we are going to clean out our desk...... EVERYTHING!
• Sounds like more fun.

Amazing job constructing your Rube Goldberg Machines. 

They were all so good I had to ask Mr. D'Oria 's opinion. 

Reminders:

• Report card page 3 signed and returned for tomorrow. Make sure your parents see your assessment folder. I forgot to hand back a few things, so they'll come home tomorrow. 
• Bring a shopping bag to bring home more books / papers.
• Wear running shoes to school. No more indoor shoes.
• Kick-ball / Soccer baseball tournament tomorrow afternoon. 
• Classroom clean up tomorrow morning!
• Mini-stick hockey tournament on Wednesday. Those that would like to participate need a team of three players. You must have your own mini-stick.

Monday is our Rube Goldberg challenge. 

• Bring materials
• Watch video links to get ideas of how to link one step to another
• Remember it must "tee-up" a golf ball, ping-pong ball or marble (recommended)
• Bring a hot glue gun if you have permission
• Be creative and have fun
• Think about where you will put the steps to your Rube Goldberg machine.... on desks? attached to something very sturdy?

Reminders:

• Off-uniform next week
• Bring a plastic bag to bring home more notebook on Monday

Math
Today talked about proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers. We placed them on a number line and changed from one form to another. Do you remember the shortcut?




Try to watch some of the videos from the post yesterday.
Extra practice:

Family Life
We completed our unit in grade 4 with how the gender of the baby is determined and what happens when it is time for the baby to be born. What chromosomes make a girl a girl? A boy a boy? Which parent determines the gender of the baby?

In grade 5 we talked more about the male and female reproductive organs. Share with a parent what you learned today. Some students brought the textbook home. Feel free to share the text with a parent.

Soccer Tournament
Our soccer tournament is on for tomorrow! Please read the post from the weekend for all the reminders.

Reminders:

• 3 students have not returned their library books and 1 student has not returned their Nighthawk shirt. Please return them as soon as possible or else you must pay the replacement cost of the item.
• Bring a shopping bag tomorrow. We will start cleaning out our desks and taking home notebooks.
• Watch the links (post from Tuesday)  for the Rube Goldberg challenge on MONDAY, JUNE 25th. Start collecting material. Please read the handout carefully. 
• 

Math
Hopefully today you learned about improper fractions and mixed numbers. These are fractions that are equal to or greater than 1.

Try these:

Tomorrow we will talk about how to change from mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa. Remember the line in a fraction means division.

Fraction videos:

Proper Fractions (part of whole / part of set) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFosWzDPALg

Improper Fractions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IgK9b6P2M&t=110s

Fractions are division (tomorrow) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xwDryouw6o&t=10s

A big thank you to all the parents who journeyed with us to the Ontario Science Centre:

Ryerson's mom

Natalie's dad

Luca's mom

Jameson's dad

Ania's uncle

Vanessa's dad

Genevieve's mom and dad

Carter's dad

Ella's mom

Your help was most appreciated.

Thank you also to all my magnificent minions. You were SO well behaved. I was VERY proud of you!

Rube Goldberg Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_12tenPbxM  - Tea Bag in a Cup
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrCb_fNmSTA  -  Creme That Egg!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_n-CJ79xM  - Cereal and Milk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ugKBC0i-Vw - Dog Food Dispenser
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRuH4JFxgQc  -  Rube Goldberg 2008, Milne Valley MS
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7CcbfBX07c - Legend of Zelda Rube Goldberg Machine
https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=oyOQojaLC14 – How to make a simple Rube Goldberg Machine

Family Life
Today we talked about how life begins. We discussed the two life-giving cells, sperm and eggs. The moment of conception is the moment that the genetic information from the sperm is united with the genetic information from the egg. Together they make one human being.



We also talked about fetal development, how you grew inside your mother's uterus. At two months old you were only the size of your thumb!

Do you remember the roles of the amniotic sac, placenta and umbilical cord?

As well, we touched on inherited traits. Here's an interesting article:

Biology for Kids

Genetics

What is genetics? 

Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. It studies how living organisms, including people, inherit traits from their parents. Genetics is generally considered part of the science of biology. Scientists who study genetics are called geneticists. 

 

What are genes? 

Genes are the basic units of heredity. They consist of DNA and are part of a larger structure called the chromosome. Genes carry information that determine what characteristics are inherited from an organism's parents. They determine traits such as the color of your hair, how tall you are, and the color of your eyes. 

What are chromosomes? 

Chromosomes are tiny structures inside cells made from DNA and protein. The information inside chromosomes acts like a recipe that tells cells how to function. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes for a total of 46 chromosomes in each cell. Other plants and animals have different numbers of chromosomes. For example, a garden pea has 14 chromosomes and an elephant has 56. 

What is DNA? 

The actual instructions inside the chromosome is stored in a long molecule called DNA. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. 

Interesting Facts about Genetics

• Two humans typically share around 99.9% of the same genetic material. It's the 0.1% of the material that makes them different.
• The structure of the DNA molecule was discovered by the scientists Francis Crick and James Watson.
• Humans share about 90% of genetic material with mice and 98% with chimpanzees.
• Nearly every cell in the human body contains a complete copy of the human genome.
• We get 23 chromosomes from our mother and 23 from our father.
• Some diseases are inherited through genes.
• Doctors may be able to cure diseases in the future by replacing bad DNA with good DNA using a process called gene therapy.
• DNA is a really long molecule and there are lots of DNA molecules in the human body. If you unraveled all the DNA molecules in your body, they would reach to the Sun and back several times.
• Some inherited traits are determined by multiple different genes.
• DNA molecules have a specific shape called a double helix.

Math

Today we talked about fractions of a part and fractions of a set. Most students understood this quite well.

Class Trip TOMORROW! Please review the information on the note sent home today. See yesterday's post for last minute details as well. Get everything ready BEFORE you go to bed. Be at the school at 6:15 am. We are leaving at 6:30 sharp.

Due to the EXTREME weather forecast for tomorrow, the SOCCER TOURNAMENT has been CANCELLED. It has been rescheduled for FRIDAY, June 22nd. 

Please spread the word to other students in the class.

Family Life
On Friday we discussed anniversaries, weddings and marriages. We also talked about ways families show love and how a husband and wife share their love by having children. Share with your parents what we are discussing in Family Life. The grade five students will be divided from the grade fours for themes 2, 3 and 4 of the unit.
There is a link below for your parents:
Grade 4: http://acbo.on.ca/englishdocs/Gd4.Fam.Theme3.pdf
Grade 5: http://acbo.on.ca/englishdocs/FA.Gd5.Fam.Th3.pdf

Soccer Tournament
The annual Polyfilla Soccer Tournament is scheduled for Monday, weather permitting. It is an off-uniform day.
Remember:

• sunscreen
• hat
• plenty of water, snacks and a bigger lunch (playing soccer makes you hungry!)
• running shoes (NO CLEATS ALLOWED)
• shin pads / soccer socks (if you have them)
• t-shirt / shorts
• wear the colour of your country (if you weren't at school Friday, contact a friend)

Ontario Science Centre Trip Tuesday!
Reminders:

• Wear uniform
• Bring a hearty lunch, snacks, drinks.
• You must be at school at 6:15 am. The bus leaves at 6:30 am. We cannot wait if you are late.
• Bring money for dinner if you wish. We will be making a stop on the way home. You can also pack a dinner if you wish.
• If you have some Disney DVDs feel free to bring them so we can watch them on the way there and back.
• Check out the Ontario Science Centre website below to have some ideas of the exhibits you'd like to visit.

https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/exhibitsandshows/

We had a fun time today participating in Play Day. A special thank you to Mrs. Lucier and the grade eights for organizing the events.

Math
We will try to squeeze in some time to take up our Geometry booklet. Another busy day tomorrow.

Reminders:

• Mass at St. George tomorrow @ 9:30 am. We will be celebrating the students who received their First Communion.
• Annual Polyfilla Soccer Tournament on Monday (weather permitting)
• End of the year field trip on Tuesday. WE LEAVE AT 6:15 AM. Set your alarms!
• Most students have finished their assignments for the week. When you get to school in the morning, come on in and get them done. You'll feel relieved. Don't forget your "special assignment".

Math
Today we talked about nets. A net is a a 2-dimensional (flat) pattern that can be folded into a 3-dimensional shape. Grade fours folded pyramids and prisms. Remember to use the actual solid to help you count the edges and vertices. It is difficult to see the number of edges and vertices on the flat pattern. Grade fives we talked about polyhedrons, particularly regular polyhedrons. Check out the different properties of regular polyhedrons at this link:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/platonic_solids.html

A bit of practice:

Many grade fives made an icosahedron and a dodecahedron. Well done!
Did you notice the last property on your polyhedron?



Tomorrow we will try sketching a few shapes. You're welcome to practice:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESYL41y6RjY

Please complete your homework in your booklet. We will finish folding nets and correct the booklet. You will also get your Algebra test back tomorrow.

Genius Hour
Fantastic job presenting your projects. Everyone was so impressed!

Health
Because of students away, some students were unable to complete their game show. You must go tomorrow at the latest.

Assignments
Several students are finished their assignments for the week. BRAVO!  Keep working hard.

Reminders:

• Play Day tomorrow
• Off-uniform
• Still waiting for 2 more green Nighthawk shirts

Math
Today we began another short unit on 3-Dimensional Geometry. We discussed two kinds of 3-D shapes, pyramids and prisms. Below is a summary of the difference between the two shapes:

We also talked about the faces, edges and vertices of pyramids and prisms. 

Edges are where faces meet,  a vertex is where edges meet (corners) and a face is a the flat, 2-dimensional shape or the sides.

We also constructed skeletons today. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the way you designed and constructed your prisms and pyramids. Please complete the first two pages of your new booklet. Tomorrow you will working in your booklet with the supply teacher. Stop at the pages about nets. That's Wednesdays lesson.

Algebra test tomorrow. If you studied the questions in your booklet and practiced using the blog, you're ready. Bring your own calculator if you'd like to use one for the test. Some students don't like the decimal notation of the calculators in the classroom.

Social Studies

We had some technical difficulties with the laptops today :( 

Grade five try to complete your brochure tomorrow. We have a double period with the laptops. Some of the grade fours would like to begin their brochure. Once you complete your brochure, complete your comparative paragraph in good. Please read feedback and revise and correct your writing.

Writing

Letters to Mother Earth should be ready to copy in good. Some students have already typed their letter on Google Docs. No need to copy it again.

Health
The rest of the game shows must be presented on Wednesday. Everyone should be back from holidays on Wednesday. Tomorrow you will work with a new group to present a skit on the different ways to say no to smoking and alcohol. I will leave the groups with the teacher.

You worked so well today. Congratulations!

Reminders:

• Genius Hour gallery walk on Wednesday @ 1:00 pm
• Play Day Thursday afternoon
• End of the year mass on Friday @ 9:30 am at St. George

Math

Algebra test on Tuesday. Study the skills in your booklet:

• Input/output tables: finding the rule using the input and output, finding the output using the  input and the rule, and finding the input using the rule and the output (grade 5 may have two step rules such as a x 2 + 1)
• Understand the meaning of an equation, expression and variable
• Solve equations with variables e.g. 8 = 12 - b  or  3 = x ÷ 8
• Find possible answers to equations e.g. 8 + 7 = a + b or a + 5 = 2 + b (using a table)
• Solve problems using equations e.g. Nathan used a bow and arrow to hit a target. Three arrows landed on the target. Two in the outside ring and one in the inside ring. The inside ring is worth twice as much as the outside ring. He scored 16 points. How many points is each ring worth? Write an equation to solve the problem. Set up a table to find the solution. (a + a + b = 16 )
• Write word problems to match equations e.g. 42 = a x 6 e.g. There are 42 students that want to play floor hockey. They must be arranged in teams of 6. How many teams will there be?
• Write the meaning of each number and variable when solving problems

More practice for writing equations. The number you are trying to find is the variable:

If you have reviewed using the posts last week, completed your booklet and done your Mathletics assignments, you should have no difficulty with this LAST math test!

Genius Hour

6 more students need to present on Monday. Because there are students on vacation, we will display our projects on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th from 1:00 pm to 2:10 pm. Parents are welcome to drop by and take a peek. They are all very different and informative.

Health

Remaining game-shows will be presented if possible tomorrow. Be prepared!

Social Studies

Your goal this week is to complete your brochure and your comparison paragraph. If you are behind, you may want to stay in for lunch recess or stay after school to get done. Researching information has been our emphasis the last few months of school. It is a skill that requires patience and practice. Your brochure will be on Google Docs which you are able to access at home if you have difficulty with the laptops at school. Once you are finished, it's smooth sailing to the finish line!

Reminders:

• Algebra test Tuesday
• Genius Hour sharing on Wednesday @ 1:00 pm
• Play Day on Thursday afternoon
• School Mass at St. George on Friday @ 9:30 am
• Soccer Tournament on Monday, June 18th (all day)
• Class trip to the Ontario Science Centre on Tuesday, June 19th

We have a busy next few weeks. Please work hard to complete your assignments, Magnificent Minions. School does not end at the beginning of June, but at the end. 

Math
Today we applied our knowledge of algebraic equations to problems. In group we wrote word problems that match algebraic equations. For example:

a x 5 = 40

There are many word problems you can formulate from this equation:

Mr. Morson has $40 in his wallet. He has only $5 bills. How many bills does he have?
Mrs. Lucier has 40 balloons. There are 5 balloons in a package. How many packages does she have?
Mr. Gallo has 40 dry erase markers. He has 5 times as many as Mr. D'Oria. How many dry erase marker does Mr. D'Oria have?

We also talked about EQUIVALENT EQUATIONS. Find 3 different solutions to the following equations:

a + 7 =  5 + b

12 - 4 = a - b

Make sure you complete your booklet. We will be having our last Math test on Algebra on TUESDAY, JUNE 12th. The last few math assessments will be models / activities.

Some links to math games:
https://mathup.ca/uploads/pdf/G4_T13_GP_FishingSolutions.pdf
https://mathup.ca/uploads/pdf/G5_T21_GP_EquationBuilders.pdf

Social Studies
Many grade fives have completed most of their research on First Contact with Europeans Explorers (conflicts, benefits and challenges). A few grade fours have completed their research on an early society. Some students are not using their class time wisely. If you need help, please see me so we can set up a time to work together. This is your last assignment for Social Studies. Next week you will use your research to design a brochure.

Genius Hour
Seven  students presented today. The rest will present tomorrow. We will put our projects on display on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13th. We have several students on holidays and we want to make sure they have the opportunity to present. Most projects were very informative. BRAVO!

Health
Game Show presentations tomorrow. If one of your group members is absent, you may present when they return.

Reminders:

• Mathletics assignments
• Green Nighthawk shirts from Track and Field
• Prepare for your Genius Hour presentation

St. Nicholas Dancefest 2018 was a great hit! Everyone performed wonderfully and all the other dances were so entertaining. Congratulations to everyone.

Math
Today we talked about equations and variables. Remember the equal sign is like the fulcrum on a balance. Both sides of the equal sign must be the same.

Equation: a mathematical sentence that has an equal sign e.g. 2 + d = 12

Expression: A math sentence with numbers, variables and a math operation (+ / - / x / - ) e.g. 4 x p

Variable: A letter or symbol that represents a number e.g. a, x, @, * 

Knowing your family of facts and using opposite operations are good strategies to solving equations. Please make sure you finish your homework practice. 

Unable to load any Mathletics assignments. I cannot connect to the site.

Reminders:

• Return green Nighthawks shirt from Track and Field
• Mind maps
• BRING YOUR MATH BOOKLET BACK TO SCHOOL

Social Studies
Today in grade 5 we discussed spirituality. Many of the First Nations' spiritual beliefs are linked to the environment. Are there any similarities between the Seven Grandfather Teachings and are own faith?

Who are shamans? What are some sacred spiritual objects? What sacred objects do we have?

In grade 4, we talked about what Ancient Romans and Judeans did for entertainment. What kind of games did they play? Dice games have been around for thousands of years! Knuckle Bones was just like jacks, but they used..... "knuckle bones" as jacks.


What did you think of the Ancient Roman feast menu? Which was your favourite....
Stuffed dormice
Stuffed songbird in shrimp sauce
Pork tongues
Snails fattened in milk
Calf-brain custard with peacock

This is a dormice


Pork tongue...


Calf-brain custard


Math
In math we began a short unit on algebra. Today we talked about input and output machines and how to follow a rule to find the output. Here are some more examples:

Complete the first four pages in your booklet. You have one Mathletics assignment. You can use a calculator to complete your homework and your Mathletics assignment.

Reminders:

• Dancefest tomorrow @ 10:30. Please bring your black t-shirt and black pants / shorts. If you don't have black, wear navy.
• Finish your mind map

Genius Hour
Almost all the projects are complete. A few students have to put some finishing touches on their projects. No worries. You may finish at lunch on Monday and/or Tuesday. Congratulations. Your hard work paid off. You will be given an opportunity to practice presenting with a partner. On Wednesday and Thursday you will present to the class. We will wait until June 11 to put them on display for other classes.

Writing
If you are not finished your letter to Mother Earth, make sure it is completed and submitted this week.

Social Studies
Make sure you finish your mind map in rough for Monday (grade 4). Grade 5 your mind map should have been submitted on Friday.

Because of the Genius Hour projects, I have decided not to give the grade fives a First Nations project. Instead, you will have to do a brochure summarizing the effects of contact between the First Nations communities and the Early European settlers. More details to come next week. There are a few areas we need to discuss before you can begin your last assignment.

Grade 4, you will complete a brochure about an early society of your choice. Think about the society you'd most like to learn about:
Ancient China
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Greece
Mayan
Aztecs
Incas
Mesopotamia
Indus Valley

All research will be done using BOOKS ONLY. You may want to take a look at the reference material before you choose. Because we studied Ancient Rome in class, I ask that you do not choose that society.

Math
We will review the Data Management tests on Monday and begin Algebra.  This is a very short unit that will take about three days to complete. Don't forget to keep up with Mathletic assignments during the next unit. A few survey assignments are incomplete.

Reminders:

• Please bring your BLACK T-SHIRT on Monday so we can start to tape our lightning bolts for Dancefest on next week.
• Family BBQ on Wednesday
• Class trip to the Ontario Science Centre on Tuesday, June 19th