Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 20/1/2017

Dear Parents,

We have been having fun and learning lots in Grade 5 this week.
In literacy we continue on with ‘Tuck Everlasting’ , writing a persuasive essay and using the correct forms of verbs.
In Social Studies the students have studied the Coral Reef and about conserving our marine resources.
The Endangered animal project is due on Monday 30th January.
Don’t forget .. Roll-a-thon next Friday ( 27th Jan ) and Sports Day on the 31st January.  Grade 5 should wear a red top and P.E shorts for Sports Day.
Here are 3 questions you can ask your child over the (long) weekend 🙂
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living forever ? – as the Tucks do.

2. What is a marine resource ? How can we conserve it ?
3. What is your goal for spelling next week ? What grade would you like and how can you get that grade ?
Have a wonderful relaxing long weekend !
Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 13/1/2017

Dear Parents,

Happy Friday !
In literacy we are enjoying the novel ‘ Tuck Everlasting’. In grammar the students have been writing with verbs and reviewing tenses. In writing the students have begun a persuasive essay.
In Social Studies we continue on with the unit on the Natural Environment. The students have received a project outline today – they are to choose an endangered plant or animal to research and write about. They are also going to include a detailed picture. I will attach the project sheet to this email, it is also on the blog.
Here are 3 questions if you would like to ask your child about their learning over the weekend  –
1. What topic have you chosen for your persuasive essay ? What is your ‘call to action ‘ ? What are your 3 reasons and examples ?
2. Which plant or animal would you like to study for your Social Studies project ? ( this can be one from Cayman or anywhere in the world ).
3. What is a simile ? What is a metaphor ? What is personification ?
Dates to remember-
23rd January – Heroes Day – no school
27th January – Roll-a-thon – 3 until 5.30pm
31st January – Sports Day
Thank you as always for your cooperation in the education of your child.
Posted on

Letter to the Parents 6/1/2017

Dear Parents,

Happy New Year and Welcome Back !
In Grade 5 this week we have thought about personal, and academic goals for 2017.
In Literacy we have begun a new novel – ‘Tuck Everlasting’ by Natalie Babbitt. This is a beautifully written book that my students usually really enjoy. We have some good discussions from this novel.
In grammar the students have been reviewing verb tenses.
Our Social Studies unit is ‘The Natural Environment’ – we explored some natural vegetation and fragile environments in Cayman.
Next Friday we will complete our lesson at Smith Cove and do a beach clean up. We will only be there about 45 minutes. Ms Sharon and myself are driving, I would love if one more person could join us.
Here are two questions you could ask your child over the weekend –
1. What are the 3 types of Mangroves in Cayman? Why are they important to our Island ?
2. What happened so far in Tuck Everlasting ?.
Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 9/12/2016

Dear Parents,

Only week until Christmas break – wow ! The students are certainly ready for a break ( and I think we are too 🙂 

The concert was amazing – I was so proud of everyone. It was a special time and a joy to let everyone know that Christmas really is just ‘all about that Baby ! ‘
We will pause our regular learning objectives next week. In Literacy we will read and study a few short Christmas stories. In Social Studies we will explore Christmas around the world.
Don’t forget the class is putting together a care package for a needy family – please send in any items such as wipes, toiletries, cleaning items, non-perishable food items. It is a great way to highlight giving to others to the class. Thanks so much.
The Grade 5 class Christmas party will be on Dec 16th – the last ( half ) day of school. Each child will bring in a food item to share – some suggestions are –
savory snacks
crisps
desserts
cookies ( no nuts please )
drinks
They can dress down on this day.
Also each child has the name of someone to buy a book for.
Thank so much for your continued support so far and I am looking forward to a fun and educational 2017 with my Grade 5 class.
Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas,
Posted on

Storybird

Dear parent,

As part of their school work, your child will be using Storybird to write stories or poetry using beautiful artwork as inspiration.

Students LOVE Storybird. And as a teacher, I love how it builds literacy, creativity, and digital citizenship, all within a safe environment that respects data privacy. Millions of students around the world use Storybird, and it gets a 5-star rating from Common Sense Media.

Please sign up to see your child’s work: 1. Go to: https://storybird.com/parents/

2. Enter the username your child uesd.

3. Enter the class password: HGXEN

Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 2/12/2016

Dear Grade 5 Parents,

Happy Friday and the start of Advent Season…. it’s that most wonderful time of the year 🙂
In literacy this week we have continued on with a fiction and poetry study from Storytown. The class examined Haikus and Limericks. They had fun writing their own too ! They also worked on action, main and helping verbs.
In Social Studies this week we completed a short unit of study on the Population of the Cayman Islands – and now move onto the Natural Environment.
Monday 5th December at 6.30pm is our school concert. Please have your child dropped to the music suite by 6.15pm – wearing their costume or a green top and jeans. Grade 5 have been asked to bring in a bag of crisps ( chips : ) for the dessert fellowship after the concert. Thank you.
Friday 9th December is our class trip to the Art Gallery. I need one more driver please.
Our class Christmas party will be on the last day of school – each child could please bring a book as a gift – wrapped. They will draw a name today of the person they are to buy a book for.
We are also going to collect items to put into a box for a family in need  please send in one item – maybe a canned good, small gift, household item, that would come in useful.
Thanks so much for your help,
Have a wonderful weekend,
Blessings.
Posted on

Kindness and Gratitude throughout the holiday season

As we lead up to Thanksgiving and then on to Christmas – Grade 5 will be participating in a gratitude and kindness challenge.

First we are filling in leaves for our ‘Thankful Tree’ of things we are grateful to God for.

Then we will be trying to take the kindness challenge – doing a kind deed each day.

Monday 21st November -Kindness Challenge = ‘Putting Others before Yourself’ – instead of racing to line up first – let someone go ahead of you. When you go to collect your books – get someones else theirs too.

‘No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.’

Aesop

Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 11/11/2016

Dear Parents,

In Literacy this week we have finished our Global Read Aloud novel – Pax. The students have made notes on the characters, important quotes and have written journal entries as Peter. I have given them a book report assignment today ( I will also put a copy on the blog ). This book report is due on Friday 25th November. There is a rubric included – which we went over in class – so the students understand what they need to include.
International Night –
A big thank you to the parents that have sent in $15 to give to Ms Sharon for the food – we are going to have a huge Paella.
Please let us know if you are able to help with decorations and set up next Friday afternoon from about 1pm onwards.
The boys are going to wear black trousers and a plain black tshirt or shirt.
The girls have their dresses already. THANK YOU MS SHARON !
Can any parent pick up red material this weekend ? We want to tie a band of red around each boy’s waist. THANK YOU !
Lastly WELL DONE to Wade for being a first place winner in the ‘Revolting Rhymes’ competition . I have put a clip on the blog of his Daybreak appearance.
Here are 3 questions if you would like to chat with your child over the weekend about what we are studying in class –
1. What did you think of the ending of the novel Pax ?
2. What is one thing you have learned about Spain ?
3. What do you put on the end of a noun ending in s, x, ch or sh, to make it plural ? What about a noun ending in vowel and y ?
Have a wonderful long weekend,
Relax and enjoy – See you Tuesday.
Posted on

Letter to the Parents – 4/11/2016

Dear Parents,

International Night is fast approaching. Today we will be working on a short flamenco dance in class 🙂 Could all parents please provide $15 for me to pass on to Ms Sharon by the end of next week. Sharon said if you have any questions or would like to help with food / decorations please call her on 9169108.
Alternatively if you would like to provide the small tapas, or some decorations or print out some Spanish pictures – instead of donating money then please let me know. Thanks so much.
In Literacy this week we have studied common and proper nouns and how to write with compound nouns.  We are continuing to enjoy Pax and will finish this novel next week.
Thank you to all the the parents that  were able to attend the mid term conferences. If you were unable to come and you have any questions please send me an email.
Here are some questions you can ask your child over the weekend –
1. What is a compound subject and when we would combine two subjects in one sentence ?
2. Find out 3 interesting facts with your child about Spain.
3. In Pax – Why does the soldier let Peter through into the abandoned town ?
The weekly homework will be on the blog,
Many Thanks as always for your cooperation in the education of your child.