Chaque Enfant Compte

This beautiful image, full of rich symbolism, sparked such a meaningful discussion in class this morning. So many deep, thoughtful connections were shared. Bravo to all students for their commitment to being open and willing to contribute to an important dialogue. 🧡

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AGENDA

1. Please bring headphones to school if you do not yet have a pair here to use.

2. Pictures! Photo proofs went home today. Please order online, or, fill out the order form and return it to school no later than Wednesday, October 6.

3. Please check your email for a list of resources you can choose to explore with family tomorrow at home for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

4. Orange Shirt Day - Ecole Ness will be observing this day on Friday, October 1. Please wear an orange shirt this day if you are able.

La Table Ronde et Lalilo

 

Hello families! Happy Tuesday!

This morning we had our first school-wide (virtual) assembly.

The video-based assembly was the first 'activity' in our Truth and Reconciliation Week of learning. Please ask me about the videos, and the one thing we can all each day do to make a difference.

Here is a shot picture of M. Gomes welcoming us to sit, listen and learn from the videos we are about to watch.

After the assembly, we had the chance to listen to the next group of Top de Top presentations. Bravo to: Jordyn B, Jonathan, Gavin, Aidan, Scarlett and Zach who presented this morning!

To end the morning, we had a chance to use the school laptops for the first time! Yay!

After getting everyone logged in, we visited the site Lalilo to start a short French diagnostic that involves listening to and identifying sounds, spelling, vocabulary and comprehension. We all work through the different levels at our own pace. Mme will use the results to plan  different Francais lessons for the year. Please ask me about the Lalilo site!

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AGENDA

1. Please bring headphones to school if you do not yet have a pair here to use.

2. Pictures! Photo proofs went home today. Please order online, or, fill out the order form and return it to school no later than Wednesday, October 6.

3. Orange Shirt Day - Ecole Ness will be observing this day on Friday, October 1. Please wear an orange shirt this day if you are able.

Happy Monday, Week 3!

Hello families!

Week 3 of school is here and we're off to a great start!

Félicitations to Elle, Jordyn S, Ryan, Thayda, Erin, Jaycee, Owen, Simon and Kolby who presented their Top de Top in class this morning! We look forward to hearing from the rest of our peers this week!

Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine! :)

*****

AGENDA

1. Headphones - We will begin using headphones in class this week. Please send a pair from home if possible. (They do not need to be fancy - just able to plug in to a computer).

2. Semaine de la vérité et la réconciliation - Truth and Reconciliation Week

This week, starting tomorrow (Tuesday) - we will be completing different lessons to learn more about treaties and our calls to action. Please open up the dialogue about this at home and discuss how, as a family, you can honour and observe the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. 

Another great week for the books!

Hello! Happy Friday of full week #2! 

This morning in class we completed our first Science lab - How many drops of water will fit on the surface of a penny? We completed the 'test' a minimum of 4 times and then took the average of our results. We had results varying from 9 drops of water to over 100 drops! Amazing! Please ask me how many drops of water I was able to get on to the surface of my penny!

Also today, being Day 2, meant another visit from the wonderful Mme Scham! We resumed our 'jeu injuste' from last week, and today many of us were able to figure out the rule so that we always win! Amazing! There also time right at the end of the period to get introduced to the next 'jeu injuste' that we'll come back to again next Day 2. 

Our task this weekend - challenging our families to a game to see who will be the ultimate champ! 

Good luck! :)

*****

AGENDA

1. "Top de top" presentations - Monday

2. Jeux injustes - who will win?!

3. Reading?! Yes please! The more minutes the merrier!

Arrrr! A French game and Our Top de Top!

Hello families! Happy Thurrrrrrrsday!

Today in French we played a French game together as a class. It is a Who Am I/ Guess Who format that uses a game board and a set of clues to help figure out who the mystery person is. Today, the version of the game was Pirates! And, Mme Careen made us say our answers in a pirate accent, just for fun. 😁

We also had a chance to work on our Top de Top hands. We traced our hands, wrote our Top 5 and then coloured/decorated our hands to best represent ourselves.

Our next step is to think about why our Top 5 is important to us, as we will be presenting our hands to the class starting on Monday. The presentation should not be written out - it will be more of an informal style that will have students talking. That being said, taking time to reflect and prepare is strongly encouraged! Practicing in front of a mirror or a family member can be so helpful. It will also help us identify which words we might not yet know in French so that we can take time ahead of time to look up and practice the words we need to know.

We look forward to celebrating our Top de Top with our peers next week!

*****

AGENDA

1. Practice for the short Top de Top presentation - Monday

2. Read, read, read!

Fall Equinox, Qui suis-je, Mon Top de Top

Hello Families! Happy First Day of Fall!

We started our class today watching a short video about the Solstice and Equinox featuring some of Mme's favourite virtual friends: Tomas et Moby! To see an English version of the video we watch, click HERE. (Note: in English, Tomas' name is Tim.)

We then did a 'Qui suis-je' activity in Math. Similar to the "esti-mystery" we completed yesterday, the 'Qui suis-je' activity allows us to review and solidify important Math vocabulary that we'll frequently be using over the course of the year.

Here is one for you to try at home - please ask me to guide you through the hints and vocabulary terms!

We ended our morning with the editing process of our first short writing piece of the year, "Mon Top de Top."  We revised and edited our drafts using a word wall created by Mme Careen. 

We will be moving on to the publishing step in class tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates! :)

*****

AGENDA

1. Don't forget your t-shirts for AP tomorrow!

2. Reading is always a good idea! We had library today, so we each have a fresh, new book to spend time with this evening. The more minutes, the better! :)

Esti-mysteries!

 Hello! Happy Tuesday!

In Math, we solved two esti-mysteries by working together as a class. What is an esti-mystery? It is a picture - usually of small objects in jar - and a series of clues that guides you towards estimating the answer. Following and deciphering the clues helps us review and apply Math vocabulary and concepts in an interactive way.

Here is a look at one of the ones we completed in class today:

Please ask me to guide you through the steps to see if you arrive at the answer!

Mme Careen also ready us another story today, We're All Friends Here.

This story lead of to a discussion about backpacks, and how, each day, we are all walking around with different things in our backpacks. Some days our bags feel comfortable. Other days they are heavier than we're used to. 

We will all have great days, ok days and hard days. On hard days, it's ok to ask for help. On good days, we can extend a helping hand to others. Every day, we are responsible for showing kindness and compassion to others, because we don't ever truly know what the people around us are carrying.

Smiles, kind words and helping hands are always light and do not take up any backpack room at all. 💚

*****

AGENDA

1. We have started using our duotang and Hilroy scribblers in class. Please check in with me to ensure I have the supplies I need!

2. Human Ecology studnets: a reminder to please bring in your large t-shirt and your any-sized t-shirt for your upcycled projects. Your next class is Thursday of this week!

Monday Agenda Items

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AGENDA

1. Reminder: Early dismissal tomorrow (Tuesday). Please check the Ness Quick Facts Sheet for cohort dismissal times.

2. Today in Français we started a list of our "Top de Top." Please ask me what made my list!

3. Challenge: Do I know the names of all my classmates? 🤔 

Bonus: Do I also know all of my classmates' actions?

Happy First Full Week of Middle School!

Hello families! Week One, Done! Amazing!

This morning in Math we worked on telling time and practiced common time-telling expressions in French. We noticed that many expressions have a direct link to fractions, which we will continue exploring in class next week.

In Français, we watched a "Vraiment Top" video about ways to upcycle common household items to help us organize our desk. (To watch the video, click HERE). After watching the video twice, we were asked to choose our favourite upcycled idea, and decide whether we would give it a try at home or not and explain why.

Doing a small group share about our favourite upcycled organization trick before writing our answer in our Français cahier.

We ended the morning with a fun estimation Science demo using packing peanuts. Mme Careen tried to be tricky, but a couple of students were able to figure out the 'secret' fairly quickly and excitedly shared it with the whole class! We certainly have some super-science sleuths in our midst!

Wishing you all a great, sunshiney weekend! :)

*****

AGENDA

1. Final call for triad forms!

2. School supply check - do I have everything I need for all of my subjects?

3. Top 5 Try It! - What upcycled organization item did you choose? If you get crafty on the weekend, be sure to take a picture and email it to Mme so I can share it with the class!

4. Spend some time outside! The summer season isn't over just yet!

Two New Games (and One New Teacher Friend!) on Day 5!

Bonjour! Hello! Happy Day 5 of Middle School!

Today in Math we learned a new Math game to help us practice our multiplication facts: Spiral Math!

Please ask me how to play and how I did playing against my classmates. Are there certain math facts that I should probably review at home?

We also had a guest teacher with us during period 3 this morning - the wonderful Mme Scham! Mme Scham is one of the other Grade 6 teachers at Ness and will be co-teaching with Mme Careen once a cycle. Today she introduced us to a "jeu injuste" - an unfair game in which you are guaranteed to win if you can figure out the secret rule. After playing a few rounds of the game with our table partner, we could challenge Mme Scham to a match to see if we could beat her... and no one was successful... yet...

We look forward to having Mme Scham back with us next week to see if we can join her in the winner's circle! :)

*****

AGENDA

1. Please return signed triad forms.

2. Math facts! Set aside some time this evening to play multiplication war or Spiral Math!

3. A.I. students - please remember to get your forms from M. Wenzel signed!

4. É.H. students - your t-shirt for your up-cycled apron project is due at school by Thursday, September 23.

Happy Day 4 of Middle School!

Hello learning friends!

We fit SO much into our 4 periods together this morning!

Check out the photos below.

Have a great afternoon! :)

We don't have time to go to school! It's true! Ask me how! :)

Learning to tell time!

The 4th day of middle school is a great day for another picture book!

Learning more about our classmates with Smarties!

Multiplication War! 

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AGENDA

1. Please return signed triad forms ASAP!

2. Please check in with me about my school supplies: do I have everything I need for each of my subjects?

3. We played multiplication war in Math this morning. Please ask me about my multiplication facts - How did I do? Was there one set of 'times tables' that I kept getting stuck on? Playing multiplication war at home with another family member would be a great way to brush up on my Math (especially if I can also practice saying the answers in French!)

Day 3!

Hello learning friends! Another great morning in Room 208 for the books!

Today we: 

- visited our school library for the first time

- had Santé (Ed. Phys) with M. d'Auteuil

- listened to Mme read us another great picture book

- shared in small groups about one item we would love to bring with us to school (any item, any size, no matter how silly or unlikely!)

- worked in randomized groups on a tangram challenge

Check us out below! :)

Did Mme Careen ever mention she loves picture books? Because she really, really does!

We are working in groups to solve tangram puzzles!

Ta da! Each group was able to solve at least one of three puzzles! Bravo! What great team work!

*****

AGENDA

1. Please send back school forms ASAP!

2. Say Cheese! Picture Day is tomorrow (Wednesday)!

3. Please check in with me about my supplies - do I have everything I need? We added an extra duotang and Hilroy-type scribbler to the list (so, three of each total) with the possibility of a few more items being requested in the coming days. (See yesterday's post for a picture of the list.)

Happy Second Day of Middle School!

Hello! Happy Monday!

We had another great morning together in Room 208!

This morning we had the chance to:

- share about our weekend with 4 classmates (two old friends and two new friends)

- do a virtual fire drill and learn how to line up alphabetically

- share our favourite animal with half of our classmates

- listen to Mme Careen read us another one of her favourite back-to-school picture books (so fun!)

- share one food we do NOT care eating with 4 classmates (two other old friends and two other new friends)

- begin organizing our binders and school supplies.

Phew! All of this before lunch! Amazing!

Check out a few pictures from our morning, and our daily agenda items, below.

Have a great afternoon! :)

Bonjour! Je m'appelle ______. Cette fin de semaine je suis allé(e) ________________.

Ponies and children are delicious! (I just love this book SO much!)

These are the school supplies we've organized so far. Using a binder appears to be a new adventure for many students! SO exciting! We will work on how to keep our papers organized as we get started with our course work later this week!

*****

AGENDA

1. Please return all triads forms as soon as possible. Thank you!

2. Picture Day: Wednesday, September 15!

3. If you haven't already done so, please send the school supplies requested during triads to school as soon as possible! Additionally, an extra Hilroy scribbler and duotang will be required later this week. (If your child currently only has 2 of each at school, please send an extra of each in the coming days. Thank you!)

Happy First Day of Middle School!

 We had a busy first day at school and had a great time getting to know each other this morning! The time flew by as we: practiced our 'handshakes', learned new school protocols and routines, had a visit from M. Gomes and Mme Eyolfson, visited our outdoor cohort space, took our first day of school class photo, listened to Mme read us two stories, did a quick schedule overview (and found a mistake - Oops!) and began to meet and learn the names of our new classmates. We finished our morning by reviewing how we can keep track of agenda items, where to find our classroom blog (if you're here, you've made it! Hello!) and getting set for what the afternoon will bring. Phew!

Please enjoy a few pics from our first morning together!

It is SO great to be back and have a classroom full of smiling-behind-the-mask faces! 😷😁

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the sunshine!

All set-up and ready to go!

I'm so happy you're here!

A visit from Mme Eyolfson and M. Gomes

Bonjour! Je m'appelle...

The two picture books Mme Careen loves reading to her class on the first day of school!

It's our first day of school! :)

We are smiling behind our masks! :)

We can't wait to get our Grade 6 year started!

We are SO EXCITED to be back at school! :)

Our official first-day-of-school, socially distanced, class picture!

Phew! It's lunchtime! We made it through our first morning!

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AGENDA ITEMS

1. Mme Careen taught us her favourite movement break move this morning! Please ask me to show you - and teach you! - so that we can do it together! (Hint: 🐠 )

2. Please complete and send back the information sheets sent home during triad conferences as soon as you can!

✓The Welcome Questionnaire  

✓Lunch Form 

✓Community Walk Permission Form 

✓Student Medical Form

3. Say cheese! Picture Day is coming Wednesday, September 15!

Welcome! Bienvenue!

Hello and Welcome Families of Homeroom 208!

My teaching partner Mme Erica Chernick, my afternoon homeroom partner M. Bert Johnson and I are very excited to meet your kiddos this week! With yet another return to school like no other, we are happy to ease the transition back to the classroom. Our first day (Friday) will be mostly focused on getting to know one another, establishing routines, explaining protocols and helping kids rediscover the joy of being back at school. ☺

While you are here, please take a minute to bookmark or create a home screen link to this page. Checking our classroom blog daily will allow you to keep up to date with all that we are doing here in Room 208 in Français, Mathématiques and Sciences de la nature.  (If your child is connected with a device, they, too, are encouraged to follow along by creating a shortcut to the blog on their home screen.)

Wishing you all a great first day of Grade 6!

Nous avons hâte à vous voir bientôt, les élèves! :)