Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

December Newsletter

Our trait for the month of December is kindness. Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. ~Author Unknown

We are Amazing!

It has been an exciting first term. The students have done some incredible learning. We have explored a number of new concepts in math. The students have approached every new

unit with enthusiasm and dedication. I appreciate the commitment and hard work it takes to ensure they understand and consolidate these new concepts. Keep up the great work, class! We have been exploring the writing process through our daily Writers Workshop. Students have written letters to reflect their understanding of WW1. They have also

Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

been learning how to write an effective summary. We have explored the features of non-fiction text and have completed two CASI assessments! Students have discovered that every writing form has a set of distinct features or characteristics. For example, an essay has an introduction, body, and conclusion. We have certainly been very busy in the classroom. We are looking forward to the learning that will take place as we begin a new month.

Homework
Students should continue to read for 30 minutes every night. This is considered a homework assignment and I encourage all students to allocate a certain time each day to the daily reading program. Students have an Independent Reading period in the classroom and should

bring their current reading choice to and from school each day. Intermediate students experience a wide variety of texts both inside and outside of the classroom. It is important that they develop the skills they need to read, interpret, and analyse the many different text forms they encounter. Independent Reading supports the development of proficient readers who think critically about the material they are reading. Purposeful and planned independent reading provides opportunities for children to build self-confidence, reinforce skill development, enhance fluency, build memory for language structures and vocabulary, and promote comprehension and the motivation to read. (Early Reading Strategy: The Report of the Expert Panel on

Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

Early Reading in Ontario, 2003) Thank you for supporting our Reading Program! Some of our class favourites are: The Hunger Games, Mockingjay, Catching Fire, City of Bones, and The Uglies.

adjectives, similes, and alliterationsome of the tools that writers use to make their writing interesting and effective. Please ask your child to describe these features and provide examples.

Math
We have been looking at Patterning and Algebra as part of our math focus this November. Students have been working on creating algebraic expressions based on tables or patterns. Input 1 2 3 4 5 6 The pattern we are looking for in this input/output table is (7x + 1.) Output 8 15 22 29 ? ?

Writing

Students are beginning to write a persuasive essay. They will be exploring word choice as well as the importance of including examples and descriptive detail in their writing. We will also learn about

Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

It is helpful to look at the pattern that is happening in the output table as this may help you identify some of the steps that are being taken between the input and output. For example in this table the output numbers are going up by 7 each time and this gives us some information about what is happening to the input number. It is fun to create input/output tables and see if someone else can find the pattern. This also provides students with the practice they need to become more proficient at finding and creating algebraic expressions. We are currently working on the measurement strand related to circles. We should be able to find circumference and area using a formula. Homework was sent home so that students could practice and

consolidate this understanding .

Travel Posters, Media, and Graduation!

In January 18th, Grade 8 students will learn how to use a program to create Movie posters. Students should begin to think of a movie title and theme that best describes their interests and life. Students are encouraged to take 7 to 10 pictures that reflect the theme or title of their movie poster. We are asking that students bring the photographs in the first week of January so we

Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

can load them onto the school computers. Students can bring their photographs on either an SD card or memory stick. We have creative thinkers in our classrooms and the Grade 8 teachers are excited to see what they create. These posters will be printed and laminated to be displayed as part of our Night of the Stars graduation event. We would like all photographs to be in by January 10 at the very latest, as students will need them to begin their poster. Thanks
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for your support with this project! Holiday Concert Our Intermediate Holiday Concert will take place on Thurs. Dec. 15 at 6:30 in the gym. CMV will feature the gr 7 & 8 band, Glee Club, Flute Choir and special guests the Durham Elementary Jazz Ensemble. Please join us for a wonderful night of music. Donations will be accepted at the door for the Music Department!

Up-Coming Dates
Dec. 6: Success Assembly, 12:30pm, (Grade 1s)

Captain Michael VandenBos PS Flying High for Excellence December 1st, 2011 Keeler Classroom Room 204

Pajama Day Dec. 13: McDonalds fundraiser for Athletics, 4-8pm Dec. 14: Primary Concert 6:30pm Dec. 15:Int. Concert, 6:30pm Dec. 19-20: Candy Cane Sales, $0.50, maximum of 2/student Dec. 21: Whole School Skating, 911am, McKinney Dec. 23: Holiday Hat Day Spirit Assembly: 8:30am/Last day of school before holidays (One hour early dismissal)