December Newsletter

Dear Parents,
Only one week to go before we all have a very well deserved rest. The students have been busily finishing up a variety of projects and assignments. Allow me to share what your children have been doing these past few weeks!

Language Arts
Our major focus this past month has been to examine Children’s stories: looking at the various elements that make up a story; what makes the stories successful; author techniques; and illustrative skills to name a few. We attempted to write our own short Thanksgiving Stories using repetition in our writing. These were incredibly successful and the students had a wonderful morning sharing their books with each other. They are currently on display in our classroom, but when they get sent home, please take the time to look at them – they are very honest and uplifting little books.
Our next task has been to examine picture books and after a very inspiring ‘Visit with An Author’, (thanks to Corien Oranje,) the students have been busy creating and designing children’s large picture books that are based around the theme of endangered animals (linking in with the work we have been doing in science).

In reading, students have been continuing with their work on monitoring comprehension and merging their thinking, working with a whole array of non-fiction texts, examining their features and purpose. The students have also, of course, been reading and evaluating children’s books and continue with their independent reading at home and in the classroom.

Math
In Math, we have come to the end of our Data & Graphing unit. Students have learned how to choose reasonable scales and intervals to show data and have learned how to make and read a variety of graphs, such as: line graphs, circle graphs, bar graphs, histograms and stem & leaf plots. All the students have shown expertise in this unit - it has been most encouraging, as this can sometimes be a difficult unit to grasp.
We will be starting our next unit, ‘Multiplying Whole Numbers & Decimals’ when we return after our Christmas vacation.

Science
Students have come to the end of their Life Science Unit, which looked at ecosystems, biomes, endangerment and extinction and environmental issues. Students produced some excellent endangered animal poster projects and biome mobiles and are currently competing in groups to create the cheapest, environmentally-friendly road system in a ‘Rainbow Bay’ simulation.

Fun & Special Events
The classroom looks amazing at the moment – it is full of the beautiful display work the students have produced this month as well as ‘the Christmas Spirit! The students helped to decorate the Christmas tree I brought in for them to enjoy and every morning we have sung Christmas carols in preparation for our Holiday Sing-along Assembly. Students have also been busy searching through their toys at home to bring in gifts for children less fortunate than themselves.
Starting Monday 15th, our class begins our ‘Secret Santa’ – each day we will be receiving clues from our Secret Santa as to their identity and then On Friday 19th, at a gift giving, they will be revealed! How exciting!

Events to look forward to:
December 12th - Holiday Sing-along Assembly 10am
December 17th - Fine arts Evening 7pm
December 19th – Whole School House Aquatic Festival
December 19th –Half day: school finishes at 11.30pm for Christmas Vacation
January 12th – School resumes

The students have accomplished so much during this first half of the year – I am so proud of each and every one. And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you parents for supporting and encouraging your children to be the best they can be.

I hope all of you have a wonderful and relaxing Christmas, and look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year! For those of planning to travel this holiday, I wish you safe and pleasant journeys.

Kind regards,

Kathryn Beck
Grade 5B Teacher


“Shoot for the moon! Even if you miss you will land among the stars!”-Les Brown