Swimming on Dec. 15

This is a reminder to students and families that Division 1 is going swimming with all the Grade 6 classes at Colquitz, in the afternoon on Dec. 15th.

Students should bring:
1) swimsuit
2) towel
3) backpack

Optional:
1) goggles
2) flip flops

We will return to the school in time for the dismissal bell.  Happy Holidays!

Parent Access to Current Student Writing Samples

Dear Parents,

Your student's latest Hatchet reading comprehension, connecting and writing assignment has been assessed.  It is attached to your student's account in our Google Classroom.

Please have your student log in from home, and show you this document.  Please review it together.  This is a window into where your student's reading comprehension and writing abilities are currently sitting.  I have added in notes and corrections (in red).  Note: Part 3 of the assignment was done on paper and is not included with the writing sample.

Thank you!

Green Teams Canada @ Colquitz Nov. 8

On Tuesday Nov. 8th, Green Pod is teaming up with Green Teams Canada to help rehabilitate the Colquitz River!  Students will spend an hour and a half with fellow classmates, teachers, and community volunteers pulling invasive species and helping to rebuild the creek environment.

Students should come dressed appropriately: hats, rain jackets, clothes that can get dirty, and appropriate footwear, such as gumboots.

We look forward to a great time giving back to our community by helping to restore our urban creek!  If any parents wish to volunteer, please contact the teacher directly.

Personal History Project: Interview, Pictures and Artifacts

In Social Studies, students have begun a Personal History Project.

They have prepared interview questions, so that they can ask an important adult in their life about their past.  They will also gather 3-5 pictures and 3-5 artifacts that they will include in their digital presentation.  Digital pictures, as well as digital pictures of artifacts, can be sent to me at my email address (which was sent home with students on the assignment page).

Parents and guardians, please find the time over the long weekend to aid students in gathering the required items and conducting the interview.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

The Moon's Synchronous Orbit

This animation demonstrates how the moon rotates.  It rotates once every full orbit of the Earth, which takes 27 days.  As a result, the view from Earth never changes, and we always see the same side of the moon.

Welcome to Middle School!

Hello students and parents of Division 1, and welcome to Colquitz Middle School!  This is my classroom blog that I use to post assignment information and pertinent parent announcements. Rest assured that essential communications will be sent home via notices, but this is a secondary place to check if you are wondering about upcoming dates, events and assignments.  

On the right hand side I have a list of important dates, including class events beyond what is found on the Colquitz website and in student agendas, like field trips.

Students, you will also use this website when we are working on assignments in the computer lab, or at home.  I have many useful resources in the tabs above, and I will also makes posts with useful links for individual projects throughout the year.  Feel free to look around and see how the blog was used last year.

Thanks for checking out the website.  It was nice meeting you on day one.  This is going to be a great school year!

Happy Summer

To all the students, parents, guardians and extended families of students in Division 1, it has been a pleasure working with you this year.  Have a fantastic summer break.  We will see you back at Colquitz after Labour Day in September.

Hyacinth Park Afternoon Picnic

Green Pod students and staff are off to Hyacinth Park this afternoon for a picnic and relaxation.  Students should come prepared with a lunch, as well as sunscreen, hats and active wear - including running shoes.  Bringing some things to do (books, sports equipment, sketch pads, games, etc.) is also a good idea.

Parents are welcome to join us at the park.  We will return to the school for regular dismissal.

Gorge Park Beach (Park) Day

Just a reminder that today Green Pod is heading to Gorge Park.  We will be walking, so wear running shoes.  We will also be outside all day (leave the school at 9 am and return by 2:45), and we will locate our home base close to the washrooms.

The park has washrooms, a playground, grass fields, a beach area, and picnic benches.  Students will have full use of the park.  We will cordon off a portion of a parking lot for supervised scootering - kids must wear helmets.  Kids may wade in the water, but no swimming as we have no lifeguard.

Here is a list of things to bring:
- food (snacks and a full lunch)
- water bottles
- proper outdoor clothing (hat, jacket)
- towel
- sunscreen
- backpack
- entertainment (students need special teacher permission to use electronic devices): books, cards, games, sports equipment, etc.
- anything else to make the day more enjoyable, like a picnic blanket

*Students must carry everything to and from the park.

Parents may stop by to visit at any time.

Here's to a great day!

Winding Down the School Year

To say we've been busy since Spring Break is an understatement.  Congratulations to all students for completing their extensive Creative Writing Projects!  Terrific work planning and writing completely developed fictional tales.

As the final weeks bring the school year to a close, we are continuing with the following curriculum:

1) Math (FYI: students will keep their JUMP Math books, in which there are a number of topics they can idependently cover during the summer.)

2) Language Arts: Poetry

3) Science: Biology

4) Social Studies: Community Action

5) PE: Flag Football and Softball

Please check the important dates list on the right side of the page.  Here's to a great final few weeks.

- Mr. Nast

Three Types of Power Plants in Canada

Hydro...

Coal...

Nuclear...

Student Led Conferences: March 8th, 2-6:30

Our Colquitz Celebration of Learning / Student Led Conferences are Tuesday, March 8th, from 2 pm to 6:30 pm.  Students will be dismissed early at noon.

The event is an open house format.  Drop in with your student, and let him/her demonstrate accomplishments and skills in various subject areas.

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

Climbing Wall Field Trip: Thursday, Feb. 25

Division 1 is going climbing at the Stelly's Climbing Wall on Thursday, Feb. 25th.  Students should dress in comfortable athletic wear with running shoes.  Parent drivers, please be at the school ready to go at 11:30.

Friday Feb. 12: Valentine's Day

Students in Division 1 have voted in favour of marking Valentine’s Day in our classroom.  Participation is voluntary.

This Friday, Feb. 12, students are encouraged to bring a token gesture (Valentine’s cards, treats, etc.) to pass out to their fellow classmates.  If participating, students should bring something for everyone.  There are 29 students in our class, and a class list of names is on the back of this notice.

Thanks for your support.

Skating Today

Just a quick reminder to students and parents that we are skating this afternoon at Pearkes.  Please remember your helmets.

Story Writing Contest

The Canadian Safe School Network is sponsoring a story writing contest.

Stories should be geared towards a primary (K-3) audience, and should relate to one of the following themes:

Playing Safe

Being a friend

Honesty

Respect

Cooperation

For more information, click here for the CSSN website.  Due date is January 31st.

Welcome Back!

A big welcome back to students and families as we enter 2016.  Term 2 begins with some new content: Division in Math, Paragraph Writing in Language Arts, and Electricity in Science.  In Social Studies we continue with Culture, building towards our first formal research report on a county of each student's choosing.  Details to follow.