Grade 5 Newsletter

Dear Parents/Guardians,
May was a very busy month with field trips (Track and
Field Day at Bell S.S.), special activities (Music Monday,
School Open House, Science Fair) and presentations
(Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Wabano Centre, Ottawa
Public Library, Hydro, Public Health Nurse). June will be
equally busy as the teaching days begin to dwindle and
the students look forward to a well-deserved break.
Please take a few moments to read over the important
dates in June. I will try my best to keep you informed
over the last few weeks.
Your best sources for
information are the class (www.bcps-r5a.weebly.com)
and
school
websites
(http://www.bellscornersps.blogspot.ca/).
During the month of May, the class put the finishing
touches on their human organ system projects. I was
very impressed with the quality and detail of the
descriptive and persuasive writing pieces as well as the
many unique and creative models that were submitted.
On behalf of the class, I would like to thank all those
parents and family members who came to the Science
Fairy on June 8th. It provided the students with a great
opportunity to share their work with the school
community. We will kick off our last unit in Science
(Forces Acting on Structures) with a special workshop
presented by Scientist in the Schools. The hands-on
workshop (May The Force Be With You) will give the
students an opportunity to build and test the stability of
a variety of structures.
Students have recently begun working on our last
project of the year.
In groups, students will be
researching and creating a flipbook detailing either a
French
Explorer
(Jacques
Cartier,
Samuel
de
Champlain), Missionary (Jean de Brebeuf) or First Nation
(Algonquin, Iroquois or Huron-Wendat). This project will
also incorporate our last writing and drama themes of
the year (point of view) as students have been
practicing both writing and performing in character. A
copy of the project checklist and rubric can be found
under the homework tab on our class website
(www.bcps-r5a.weebly.com).
In math, we recently completed our two learning goals
related to probability:

June 2015
Important Dates
Monday June 1st
Scientist in the School
Friday June 5th
PA Day: No Classes
Monday June 8th
Regional Track and
Field
Tuesday June 9th and
Friday June 12th
Luv 2 Groove Dance
Workshop
Wednesday June 17th
Right to Play: Junior
Play Day
Thursday June 18th
Summer Solstice Trip
Friday June 19th
Grade 5 Trip to Baxter
Conservation Area
Tuesday June 23rd
Student Variety Show
Report Cards Go Home
Thursday June 25th
Grade 5 Leaving
Ceremony
Friday June 26th
PA Day: No Classes

Days to Remember
Indoor Gym: Tuesday
& Thursday
DPA: Monday,
Wednesday & Friday
Computers:
Wednesday
Music: Thursday
Contact Info

1. Represent all the possible outcomes in a simple probability experiment.

2. Represent, as a fraction, the probability that an event will occur by solving
simple probability problems.
Our current focus in math is fractions as we represent, order and compare
fractions with similar denominators and explore equivalent fractions.
Students have also been learning how a variety of math manipulatives
(pattern blocks, unifix cubes, Cuisenaire rods, lego, etc.) can be used to
represent fractional amounts.
Upcoming Field Trips
On Friday June 19th, the class will be heading to Baxter Conservation
Authority (located in Kars). We will be outside all day so students are
encouraged to dress according to the weather.
Along with a lunch and water bottle, students may want to bring a hat,
sunscreen, sunglasses and bug protection! To further protect against bug
bites, students are encouraged to wear long, light coloured clothing. Clip on
and (low deet level) spray repellents are also effective.
Students have the opportunity to participate in an afternoon cookout and
have been offered a choice of hotdog (halal, veggie or regular). A regular
lunch must also be provided. Please note that we will be returning to the
school at approximately 5:00 pm. A letter will be sent home shortly asking
for confirmation of how each student will get home (pick-up or walking).
Parent Volunteers
Over the next few weeks, there will be a need on occasion for parent
volunteers. As of right now, volunteers are needed for:

June 8th: Junior Track and Field Meet at South Carleton S.S.
(volunteer drivers needed).
June 19th: Class trip (full day) to Baxter Conservation Centre.

If you are available to volunteer for any of these events, please let me know
by phone (613-828-3100 ex 2026) or email (daniel.holmes@ocdsb.ca).
Student Leadership
The months of May and June have provided many opportunities for the Grade
5 students to display their leadership and initiative within the school
community. From performing in the school choir and variety show, to
volunteer efforts with the Right to Play Junior Play Day and Truth and
Reconciliation Education Day, to representing BCPS at the upcoming Junior
Track and Field Meet; I continue to be very proud of the accomplishments
and contributions of our students. Bells Corners is fortunate to have such a
dedicated and caring group of Grade 5 students.
Library

The last day for borrowing books from the school library was Friday May 29 th.
Please ensure that all borrowed books are returned to school beginning
Monday June 8th, so that they can be processed and shelved for next year.
Class Dojo and Tracking Smart Goals
During the month of May, students tracked the third of four personal learning
goals which they have identified for Term 2. Each smart goal is based on one
of the learning skills that appear on the elementary report card
(Responsibility, Independent Work, Initiative, Organization, Collaboration and
Self-Regulation). Each month, students will track a different goal. Each
student brought home a copy of their learning goals during the first week of
March. If you have any questions about the learning goals, please let me
know.
From time to time, I will set common goals that the class as a whole can work
on. I will also continue to use the Class Dojo website (www.classdojo.com) to
track student progress. When students show progress towards achieving
their goals, they will receive a positive feedback message and earn dojo
points that can be traded in for small rewards (e.g. eat lunch with a friend).
Students will only receive feedback when they have achieved their learning
goal. No message/feedback indicates that the student is still working on that
particular goal. Points which have been earned will not be taken away.
Litterless Lunch
Beginning in early March, the BCPS litter-less lunch day switched from Friday
to Wednesday. Students are encouraged to bring their lunches in reusable
containers. Containers with lids (or an extra ziplock bag) can be used to
return apple cores, banana peels and juice boxes without leaving
messy lunch bags.
For the past few months, our class has been audited weekly by the schools
eco-explorer team. We are being assessed on our ability to properly sort our
classroom waste. Our target each week is to have no more than 5 items in
the wrong bin (blue bin, black bin, garbage, paper towels). I am pleased to
report that we have met our goal 13 out of the 14 weeks. Keep up the good
work!
Communication
If you need to reach me, please email (daniel.holmes@ocdsb.ca), call (613828-3100 x2026) or send a note in your childs agenda.
I will be keeping you up-to-date on important information and school/class
events through a number of ways:

Email
Newsletters
Class Dojo (www.classdojo.com)
Class website: http://bcps-r5a.weebly.com/
Your childs agenda

It is important to check the website regularly for ongoing information

regarding class and school events. Here you will be able to find past copies
of newsletters, important dates, information on homework and a link to the
schools website (http://www.bellscornersps.blogspot.ca/).
Early pick up
If you plan to pick up your child early, please send me a note (email or
agenda) with the approximate time so that I can let the office staff know that
you are coming.
Reminders
It is recommended that students have one pair of tight fitting shoes for
indoor physical activity and another pair for outdoor play (no flip-flops or slipons). At this time of year, the weather can be quite unpredictable. Please
ensure that students come prepared each day to spend time outdoors
(recess and DPA). Students should have a rain jacket, hat and waterproof
shoes
To minimize interruptions to our classroom learning environment and to
avoid many trips to the water fountain, please send your child to school with
a sealed reusable water bottle that can be kept at his/her desk.
Scholastic Reading Club
Each month, I will be sending home the order forms for purchasing books
and other educational resources. As always, scholastic orders are completely
voluntary. The bonus points that are collected will be used to obtain books
for our classroom library.
Homework
Weekly math practice sheets (yellow math duotang) are sent home each
Monday.
This homework will provide additional reinforcement to the
concepts that we will be covering in class. Students are asked to complete
and return their math practice by Friday each week.
We are now into our thirty fourth week of daily word work. Students will be
given time in class to complete daily work on their core spelling words. Any
unfinished work will need to be completed at home on Thursday (grey word
work duotang) and returned to school by Friday. Our weekly dictation will
be held on Friday afternoon so students may choose to study their words the
night before (Thursday).
From time to time, assignments (e.g. flipbook project) may need to be sent
home to be completed. Due dates will be communicated by email and on
the class website.
As always, students are encouraged to spend
approximately 30 minutes each night (Sunday Thursday) reading.
Thank you,
Mr. Daniel Holmes
Grade 5
Bells Corners P.S.