Running for Terry!

This afternoon was our annual Terry Fox Run. I am so proud of all the kids - I have so many athletes in my class!
Here is just a little hint of the fun being had by all:

Just a little intense, aren't they?

Annie Williams Run POSTPONED

Because of the expected rain today, the Annie Williams Run has been postponed until next Tuesday, October 4.

Busy little beavers

Wow, did the kids work hard this week! Mastering rounding numbers and estimating money amounts, learning how to use a French dictionary, read maps and identifying various types of governments. I should remind the Gr 5s that my class is definitely a dictatorship.

We have a very busy week ahead. Here are the important dates:

Tuesday - Annie Williams Fun Run after school

Wednesday - picture day, pizza lunch

Thursday - Terry Fox Run in the afternoon, healthy snack & lunches begin

Friday - Barron's Run in North Bay

Have a wonderful weekend!

Democracy in Action!

On Wednesday we had the privilege of listening to Parry-Sound-Muskoka Green Party candidate Mr. Matt Richter speak! He taught us how politicians usually answer questions (by not answering at all!) and had a few students practice answering without answering why their homework wasn't done and why they didn't eat their vegetables.

He created 3 new political parties that would improve Monck PS (The Swimming Party, The No Kids Party and the No Teachers Party) and we had an election by show of hands. The No Teachers Party was the clear winner. My No Kids Party was last. Go figure.

Then we had a question and answer session with Mr. Richter. The questions asked were so thoughtful! The students learned how the Green Party intends to lower the provincial debt and reduce hospital wait times, among other things.

On October 3, local New Democratic Party candidate Alex Zyganiuk will be joining us. We can't wait!

Journal writing begins!

The kids are coming home today with a list of journal topics for the year glued into their journals. At the top of the page is the day that their journal is to be handed in.

Journals alternate between French & English. The minimum length is 1 page (every other line) for 8 1/2 x 11 journals, or 2 for smaller ones. And of course they may write more than that - as much as they'd like!

The purpose of the journal is to encourage students to write. They will not be evaluated in a traditional 'creative writing' kind of way. I will be looking to see that students are transferring skills learned in English & French language writing classes to their writing.

Today, students were introduced to my 'Ajoutes-y de la magie' (Make It Magic) evaluation system. For every writing assignment, they are given written feedback of 2 things they did well, and 1 thing to work on. When they have mastered that area of concentration, it becomes magic. It  is these areas of concentration that I'm looking for when I'm reading their journals.
I hope everyone had a great weekend!

On to week #2!

What a great first week we had! The kids are settling down into routines and I am in love with every last one of them. As parents, you should all be very proud of the fantastic kids you are raising.

Just a reminder that Mrs. Vine would like all the students to have a 1" binder for English, and I would like them to have a notebook to use for their weekly journal, beginning on Monday.

I will be absent tomorrow afternoon (Thursday 15th) for an appointment, but will be back at school in time for the Corn Roast to meet you all! Our class' job, along with Mme Clouthier's class, will be to husk the corn. The Book Fair in the library will be open until 7:00 on Thursday night.

From time to time, I'd like to post pictures of what we are doing in class on our page. If you do not want your child's picture posted, please send me a quick note in the agenda or email me so that I am aware.

Bienvenue a la cochonnerie!!

Welcome to the Pigsty - not that our room is messy, but it is filled with my stuffed pig collection.

I am so excited to be back in the classroom this year after being a Lit Coach for 3 years. And I am even more excited to have my wonderful 23 grade 4s and 5s!

Dates importantes/Important Dates

Thursday, Sept. 15 - Meet the Teacher Corn Roast

Tuesday, Sept. 27 - Picture Day

Friday, Sept. 30  - Terry Fox Run (pm)

I'm looking forward to meeting you at the Corn Roast!