Happy Holidays!!!!!!

We have worked hard in the last 4 months and it is now time for some well-deserved rest!!!

Students have had an exciting week.  We've worked on our novel study, done some measuring, and participated in an amazing workshop about Wind Turbines.

On Wednesday, a guest from TREC, Mr.Sanders, came into our classroom and did a presentation on forms of energy, and then focused on wind energy.  Students then set up miniature wind turbines, and did experiments to test how much energy was being produced, and to light up a light bulb.  This workshop was both informative and enjoyable!



This morning was a our holiday sing-along.  Students and staff sang holiday favourites together, and Ms. Bordonaro even played her guitar and led the singing for Feliz Navidad.

I have truly enjoyed teaching the students this part of the term.

I wish you all a safe and happy holiday.  I encourage you to spend time together, and experience much love and laughter.

Be safe, and enjoy the time off.  Students...try to do SOME reading and writing, and LEARN YOUR TIMESTABLES!!!!!

All the best,

Ms. Bordonaro

Crazy Hair/Hat Day!!!

For the past several months we have been having Spirit Days to lift morale and have some fun.

On Friday, it was Crazy Hair/Hat Day!  Students had crazy colours in their hair, wore funny hats, or tied scarves.

The teachers participated as well.  Ms. Bordonaro had tiny colourful clips all through her spikey hair.  Ms. Kwong wore a blue wig!!!  Ms. Halliwell had on her chef's hat, and Ms. Manishevitz had her western hat on.

It's great to have a little fun and put smiles on people's faces.

The next Spirit Day is in January.

Sorry!!!

I was out of town all day today!! I will update the blog tomorrow.

Welcome Back!!!

Hello Students and Parents of Room 204:

Now that the discussions between the government and teachers is coming to a close, I can once again update the blog.

We have been working hard in Room 204, and many things have been going on.

Our Teacher Candidate from Queen's, Ms. Leslie, has been teaching our students.  In Language, we have been focusing on characteristics of a narrative:  characters, setting, problem, solution.  The books we have been reading have had a theme of change, so that students can think about changing the world, and making it a better place. We have written letters to characters, made comic strips, and made ties to tie plot to setting.  

In Math, Ms. Leslie has taken over lessons on data management:  making and analysing graphs.  We have created bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, and learned analysing strategies such as mean, median, mode, range.

Over the last month, we had picture day, on Halloween, we carved pumpkins and had a small celebration, and we attended a Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11, where we thought about the past, and those that made sacrifices for our freedom, but we also thought about the future, and how we can be examples of peace.

Keep an eye on the blog to see what's happening in Room 204.

Sincerely,


Ms. Bordonaro

MESSAGE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS OF ROOM 204:

Due to current contract negotiations between the school board and elementary teachers of Ontario, this blog will not be updated until further notice. Sorry for any inconvenience.  Please continue to ask your child questions about what is happening in class.

Thank you for your continued support of your child's education.

Ms. Bordonaro

Welcome to Grade 5 in Room 204 for 2015/2016

Hello parents and students of Room 204:

Welcome to another year of school!  You are in your last year here at Thorncliffe Park P.S., and I hope that it will be fantastic.  I am enjoying getting to know the students, and they seem eager and enthusiastic.  We have already had some engaging and thoughtful discussions.  I look forward to growing and learning together.

This year, I will be teaching your child Language, Math, and French. Ms. Halliwell is their Science teacher, and Ms. Kwong teaches them Social Studies and Art. Their Gym teacher is Mr. Dodds, and Ms. Rainsberry-Parker teaches Music, Drama, Dance.

To communicate with any of us, the best way is to write a note in your child's agenda. The school has agendas available for $5 or you can provide your own. It is important that they have something at school with them every day.

I will be posting on this blog what is happening in class, but ask your child specific questions about activities. I know from experience that if you ask, "How was school?", they will say "Fine", and walk  away. So, ask your child about:

. Books we've read: Name Jar and David Goes to School
. Figure Me Out Math
. Name Math
. Name Art
. Letter to Ms. B
. People Bingo
. Name Game
. "I Like My Neighbour Who..."
. Reading is Thinking
. A Great Classmate activity

You can click on the other pages to see reminders, upcoming events, homework, links to educational websites, what's happening in class this week.

I will be sending home a schedule, but in general, on Days 1-5 students have Language and Math in the morning, and rotary subjects in the afternoon (French, Science, Social Studies, Gym, Music).  On Days 6-10, it is the reverse:  rotary in the morning, Language and Math in the afternoon.  Students have Music/Drama/Dance on Days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and Gym on Days 3, 4, 7, 9, 10.

Homework will mostly be work that is not finished in class, but students should be reading AT LEAST 20 minutes per day, and I will be introducing a writing programme where they must write their own topics independently at home 2-3 times per week.

I hope that we will we have a fun, exciting, engaging year together, and I look forward to you supporting your child's learning.

Sincerely,

Ms. Bordonaro