April 2015
Dear Parents of Team Quadra,
Happy Easter! As we head into the final term, these are some of the things that we are looking forward to this month:
In Language Arts, we finished off our Lit Circle Issues 21 unit and are now focusing more on writing and speaking skills. Students are working on a public speaking unit in which they come up with a topic that they would like to present in front of an audience on, using a method of their choosing that includes speeches, presentations, interviews, slam poetries, etc. They have just finished the planning phase and will go into writing out the content of their pieces. Presentations within advisories will be held on April 20th/21st. We also continue to teach students mini-lessons to improve their writing skills during weekly Writer’s Workshop sessions.
In Math, we have given students a work package on Geometry that matches their grade-level as we are still making preparations on the Albanesi Geometry cards that CMS has recently purchased for us. The students will work on those packages in class on Monday each week, though they are strongly encouraged to work on them at home and during independent blocks as well.
In Science, we have had the opportunities to discuss as a class issues relating to food production and now students are working in small groups to go deeper on their own by choosing one of these issues they are passionate about and then taking an action to raise awareness to the public during the week of April 27th – May 1st. Permission forms to go out of the classroom to do so during school time will be handed out, and parents may be asked to help supervise. We are also planning to hold a potluck to celebrate the end of the unit that week – stay tuned for a notice home with details.
In Social Studies, our theme for this term is ancient civilizations. We will begin the unit by having students go through a series of mini-lessons on Ancient Mesopotamia where they will get a basic explanation of its culture from 7000 BC to around 1700 BC. If you would like to find out what we’ll be learning about, feel free to check out this unique music video:
In P.E., we have begun our Track and Field unit, and it is exciting to see how some of the students come close to (or even exceed) the standards set by the district. We would like to encourage them to join the Monty’s Track and Field team and compete in the district track meet in May!
In French, we have continued working on French vocabulary and grammar through mini-lessons. Next week, we are kicking off a restaurant project that includes students working in groups of two creating a French menu for their restaurant as well as a skit on a conversation between a waiter and a customer. This will help them improve their oral French skills as well as their reading and writing.
Finally, most of our students have completed their Give Back activities. We thank all the parents who took the time to supervise and drive the children to and from the places where they volunteered! There is a small group of students still working towards their Give Back project, which is organizing a carnival on Friday, April 24th to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You are more than welcome to show your support that day by coming and trying some of the games created by the children, which includes a cardboard arcade created by some of the grade 6s.
Here are some things to look forward to in April:
- April 8th (Weds) - Grade 7 Activity Day @ Richmond Olympic Oval
- April 10th (Fri) - Terry Fox Assembly and Run
- April 15th (Weds) - Grade 8 Activity Day @ Richmond Olympic Oval
- April 17th (Fri) - Pro-D Day (no school)
- April 20th/21st (Mon/Tues) - Public Speaking presentations
- April 24th (Fri) - Monty Carnival @ Caféteria/Courtyard/Fitness Room
- April 27th - May 1 - Food Production Take Action Week
- May 1 (Fri) - Food Production Celebration Potluck Lunch
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Mr. Kwok and Ms. Jianfar