April Newsletter

Grade 5/6 April News

I would like to first introduce myself and say how wonderful it has been to be back at St. Anthony after being off for my maternity leave.  I look forward to getting to know your child better over the next few months and having a successful remainder of the school year. It is hard to believe but Spring has arrived!  The students all returned to school after March Break rested and anxious to share their March Break stories.  Unfortunately, the temperature outside has remained quite cold and snowy so please remind your child to check the weather each morning so that they come to school dressed for outdoor recess.  It is important that the students are equipped with proper outdoor clothing so that they are able to fully enjoy their playtime outside.  Thank you for your support!   This year the Grade Six students have been to Notre Dame and experienced a tour of the school in which they were able to ask questions, visit the library, gymnasium, and cafeteria as well as see some of the grade 7 classrooms.  We continue to prepare the Grade Six students daily for their transition to Notre Dame Catholic.   As we approach April, the students are reminded that there are only a few more months of school.  It is very important that the students use this time to work hard and ask for help in areas they are still struggling with.  Coming to school each day well rested and with a healthy lunch will be extremely important over the next few months. Language Arts: The students have been working on Reading Responses over the past few weeks and will continue to focus on using the R.O.P.E.S. strategy to assist them in answering their questions completely with a strong text to self connection. Be sure to ask your child what each letter in R.O.P.E.S. stands for and how R.O.P.E.S. helps them answer reading response questions.   In Writing, the students have been learning all about Procedural Writing.  They have read example texts, have written some procedural writing together as a group and are now completing their own procedural writing.  Most students are in the process of beginning their final good copy.   I am very excited to read their final copies because what I have seen so far looks great!!! Mathematics: We have been learning a variety of methods to solve multiplication questions (traditional, lattice, partial products and box and cluster methods).  Most of the students have been using either the traditional method or the lattice method with great success.  We have also been learning how to calculate perimeter, area of rectangles, triangles and parallelograms as well as, surface area of rectangular prisms.  The students have been working hard this unit but many students are finding the problem solving component to the unit challenging as well as multiple step mathematical questions.  It is important that students continue to practice their multiplication and division facts frequently.  It is also important that students have opportunities to figure out when it is necessary to multiply, add, subtract or divide when approaching a word problem in math.   The next strand in math that we will be covering is Fractions.   Again, continued practice at home will reinforce these important math skills. Science: The students have worked hard during our unit 'Conservation of Energy’.  The students have been learning the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources.  We have also been learning about how each of us can make a difference by performing simple daily tasks such as turning off the lights when we leave a room or opening the blinds to let the sun shine in on a sunny day instead of using the lights.  This coming month the students will be completing a ‘Conservation of Energy’ project to finish up the unit.   Dance: The Arts focus in the coming months will be Dance.  The students will be learning all about 'Inclusion' through dance movements.  The topic of Inclusion is an important concept and as leaders in the school, the grade 5/6 class will be discussing and learning about the need for all people to feel like they belong.  We all need to feel accepted for who we are and learn to celebrate each other’s differences.   Religion: A huge Thank-you to everyone for their donations to our school's Lenten Project – The Canadian Hunger Foundation.  The grade 5/6 class has done an amazing job leading the way with this important cause.  Keep up the great work!   The students have also been learning about the 10 Commandments and the Beatitudes.  We have been reflecting on how these formulas can help us and guide us as Catholics.  We have been talking about how these important lessons can help communities live in peace and happiness.  This month we will be reading Lenten Stories such as “Springtime for Shamus”.  Ask your child about this story and how Shamus was able to 'change' his heart.  In addition, we will be reading the parable of the Prodigal Son.  The students will explore the relationships in the story as a parable of God's overwhelming and generous love. Upcoming Events: Gymnastics Team Competition – April 4th Next Milk Program installment begins – April 7th to May 2nd  Girls Basketball – April 16th  Good Friday (No School) – April 18th   Easter Monday (No School) – April 21th  Earth Day & Spring Cleaning the Capital Event – April 22nd  Boys Basketball – April 23rd  Grade 6 Confirmation at 11:30 a.m., St. Anthony Catholic Church – Sunday, April 27th                                                                                                                                                                    Your Partner in  Education,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Mrs. Caluori