December Update

Wow: December is already here, and we are almost two-fifths of the way through the school year!  Here is the update for this month.

1. Fine Arts / Choir: The class is practicing for the Winter Concert, and we will be performing three songs.  First, alone our class will be singing "Sleigh Ride."  Then, with the other two intermediate classes, we will be singing "Let it Snow" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."  Please try to practice these songs at home, kareoke-style melodies and lyrics should be available on Youtube.

2. Language Arts: We have finished reading Cariboo Runaway, and now we are completing some final activities and projects.  

3. Social Studies: We are studying both the history of resources in Canada, as well as the Age of Exploration.  This will culminate with a book report / research project on a chosen explorer.  Whether we accomplish this prior to the break is to be seen.  Our museum field trip is Dec. 14th.

4. Math: We are currently covering patterns before returning to number sense topics.  Our next NS topics include multiplication and division - to be covered in the new year.

5. Science: We have completed our Human Body Unit and will resume Science in the new year.

6. Other topics and activities: French, DPA, printing/handwriting practice, typing practice, journals, and the Friends for Life Program in Health.

Reports go home on Dec. 15, and other important dates for December are listed on the right.  Here's wishing you and your family a wonderful winter break!

November Update

Here we are: Thanksgiving and Halloween have both come and gone, and it is already November. We are now in the heart of Term 1, with an eye already towards First Term Report Cards which will be issued near the end of December.  This is what we are currently working on:

1. Fine Arts (Drama): Division 3 students will be performing a dramatic reading of In Flanders Fields at the Remembrance Day Assembly on Nov. 10.  The assembly is scheduled to begin around 10:30-10:45.  Once Remembrance Day passes, we will begin our Choir Unit (Music).

2. Math: We are completing our addition unit, and moving on to subtraction.  Our goal is to (at least) be done the following multiplication unit by winter break.

3. Language Arts: We continue our novel study of Cariboo Runaway.  Students are practicing listening, comprehending, recalling, rereading, expressing and connecting.

4. Reading (a part of L.A.): Guided Reading groups continue.  Students are currently learning about fictional genres and the format of a fictional story, by reading stories at their reading level.

5. French: We are studying various vocabulary, as well as simple questions related to school.

6. Science: We have completed the Skeletal System, and will take a couple weeks to complete the Muscular System - the last of our body systems.

7. Social Studies: our first S.S. unit will be an introduction to the Age of Exploration and First Contact between Europeans and Aboriginal Peoples of present-day Canada.  This will begin in the middle of November.

9. Art: we are currently looking at the basic elements of Art, including line, colour, form, etc.

10. Other goings on: Friends for Life Program in Health, Printing and Handwriting Practice, Journal Writing, Agendas as well as special activities within the school.

Please feel free to stop by the classroom any time to discuss what we are doing and to check in on your student.  As well, please make a habit of checking your student's agenda daily.

October Update

Dear Parents and Students,

Amazingly it is already October, and we are well underway with the school year and curriculum.  Our first field trip is Oct. 18th.  We are going skating at Juan de Fuca.  Please make sure you have returned your student's permission forms as soon as possible.
*NOTE: an updated field trip notice has been sent home with correct dates (on blue paper)

Here is the October update regarding what we are covering in class:

1. Math: Number Sense: Place Value, Adding and Subtracting
2. Language Arts: Cariboo Runaway Novel Study
3. French: Basic Classroom Vocabulary and their Articles
4. Guided Reading: Individually Leveled Non-Fiction + Reading Strategies
5. Science: Human Body Unit: Circulatory System and Skeletal/Muscular System
(Social Studies to follow.)
6. Other regular routines: weekly spelling, printing practice, journal writing, P.E., Visual Arts, Computers, Library

September: Welcome to a New School Year

Hello to parents and students of Division 3 at Eagle View Elementary School.  It is my pleasure to be your student's teacher this school year, and it is doubly my pleasure to join the Eagle View staff.

We have lots on the go already, so here is an overview of September.

1. Math - Surveying and Graphing

2. Science - The Human Body (Digestive, Respiratory, Circulatory, Muscular & Skeletal Systems)

3. Guided Reading - Leveled Texts in small reading groups

4. Language Arts - Novel Study*

5. Health - Goal Setting, Friends For Life Program

6. Fine Arts - Fall Art

7. French - Basic Vocabulary 

* In Language Arts we will be reading Caribou Runaway.  This is a terrific story set during the Caribou gold rush.  It is a cross-curricular text, which will bridge students into our Social Studies unit on resource development in Canada.

FYI - while we were going to read the Newberry Award winner Maniac Magee, upon further consideration I feel that the text is outdated in regards to the way that it deals with the sensitive topics of prejudice and bullying. 

It's going to be a great school year.  Class themes we are already discussing are: efficiency, organization, positivity, and commitment.  I look forward to a successful start!

June Update

As the school year winds up, just a friendly reminder to students and families about our final days:

1. June 22 - BEACH DAY @ Gorge Park
Dress for the weather, and bring food and activities for the day.

2. June 26 - Movie Monday
We're off to see Cars 3 at Silver City - leaving around 9 am and back in time for lunch.

3. June 27 - Morning Recognition Assembly

4. June 27 - Hyacinth Park Picnic
Pack a lunch and bring activities for this all afternoon fun time.

5. June 29- Good-bye Grade 8s & Last Day of School!
A morning assembly followed by activities in the afternoon.

It's been a pleasure working with you and your family this school year.  Best wishes for the summer and Grade 7.

May Update

Hello Parents and Students,

Here is a brief update on our current schedule.

1. The Eco-rowing field trip is May 25th.  Students should dress for the weather, as this is a rain or shine, all day outdoor event.

2. May is a big month for completing curriculum.  Here is what we are doing:

Math: Finishing decimals and moving on to geometry.
LA: Creative Writing stories will be done by June 1st.  Poetry to follow.
Science: Our last unit is Laws of Motion.  Hello Isaac Newton.
Social Studies: We have moved on to studying systems of government.  Students will research a system and create a presentation, which will inform their classmates.
P.E.: Various field games continue - field lacrosse, baseball and track to name a few.
French: Speak to Ms. Smith for more information.

Students, please come to school ready to learn and do your best!  Here's to a great spring time at Colquitz Middle School.

April Update

Dear Parents and Students,

Our final term is now upon us and we have lots going on in the classroom.  Here is what we are working on:

1. Math: Decimals Unit
2. Science: Matter, Mixtures and Pure Substances
3. Social Studies: Types of Government
4. Language Arts: Creative Writing
5. Reading: Literature Circles
6. PE: Field Sports

There is lots going on, so be present and on time.  That said, if you are sick remember to stay home and rest up.

Here's to a great spring!

Spring Break Approaches

Just a couple notes for students and families as we look forward to Spring Break.

1. Language Arts research reports are due Friday, March 17.

2. Independent Reading book reports on the human body are also due Friday, March 17.

3. Rock Climbing at Stelly's Climbing Gym is Wednesday, March 15.

Museum Field Trip, Feb. 23

Division 1 is visiting the Royal BC museum on Thursday, Feb. 23rd, where we will participate in a tailored Learning Lab Program.   Museum staff will utilize the museum exhibits as learning resources to supplement our Media and Pipelines Unit in Social Studies, adding the historical perspective of the resource industry in BC.

We will leave the school at approximately 9 am, and return by the end of the school day at 2:55 pm.  The Learning Lab is scheduled for 9:45 to noon, after which we will enjoy lunch on the grounds, before heading back in to complete our lesson while using the museum classroom and galleries.

A notice and permission slip has been sent home, which should be completed and returned to the school ASAP.  Parent chaperones are requested.

Welcome Back!

A warm welcome back from winter holidays!  We are in the heart of the school year, and we are immediately back at it with some new content:

1) LA - Writing Unit: paragraphs and multi-paragraph reports
2) SS - Media Literacy: Oil Pipelines
3) SC - Cells and Human Body Systems
4) Math - Multiplication & Division
5) PE - Badminton