The big event next week is Grade 5 Retreat on Thursday and Friday. Just some reminders;
1) Everyone needs a snack and lunch for Thursday. Nothing with nuts please as we have several students who are quite allergic to nuts. Make it healthy and light.
2) Remember, this is an electronics free night and two days. No cell phones, no iPods, no MP3 devices, no watches, no cameras (will explain below). Students are going to be so busy there is no way they will have time for these and with the amount of water around our activities, they could easily get damaged or lost.
3) We are only going out for one night - keep the packing simple and small. One thing we have had several conversations about was the dishes and tea towel. Each student will be responsible for washing and drying their own dish ware.
4) As the entire trip is outdoors, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses etc. are definitely a must. Please no aerosol spray cans.
5) Have students do their own packing so they know what they have with them.
6) There is a snack store on the way home so if they want to purchase a snack they will need 5000 won with them. Securely stored in the day pack.
7) Two packs - overnight bag and day pack. The day pack is needed both days for the activities, the overnight is only needed for change of clothes, toiletries etc.
8) Make sure your scholar has fun - wish them all the best as they leave on Thursday morning. OK, this is my request, but I think it is a good one. I am planning on doing everything possible to make this the best retreat ever in grade 5 history at SFS.
9) Make sure that return plans are well known by student. Remember, we arrive back at SFS at 4:30 pm on Friday.
There is a photographer coming with us to camp and all the pics will be made available to everyone. Once again, there is no time for students to take pics. They are going to be busy all the time. We have decided therefore, cameras are not to be brought out to camp. We are also aware of all the water around us for activities and the possible damage to cameras.
Please direct all last minute questions to me no later that Tuesday so I will have time to research answers I may not know. Thanks in advance.
Beginning band is underway and what a great day Saturday was. It is to the credit of the students for all the music learning they did that day. I remember my sister learning to play the French Horn when she was about 12-13. She was certainly pumped as these scholars were today.
Our first unit in Math is over and the test is completed. Our next unit is on Multiplication and Division of whole numbers. This will be with numbers up to 9,999 for the most part with a few explorations into the 10,000’s. We will also be learning how to use spreadsheets and calculators in this unit. Watch out for some neat demos at home by your scholars.
Reading a writing are moving along at steady pace with our first move into revisions and edits starting this week. As well the first book clubs of the year start with assigned books. Later in the year I will start to let students choose the books they read for the book clubs they participate in.
Ask yourself this question - how do you know your scholar is completing the reading they are doing? I ask this as I am not convinced that my students are all doing this. I see them with new books every day or choosing new books every day. With the books they are choosing, there is only a slight chance they are completing the reading. It is very important that all books started are completed. It is OK to not like a book, but it needs to be completed and then a determination made about how good it is. Comic books are not part of the school reading curriculum. They are a great read but, unless you purchase all 200-300 volumes, never develop characters, plots or settings. Graphic novels are ok as they do have all the above.
That is all for this week. If you have any questions or concerns be sure to let me know and I will set up a time for us to meet.
