In Career Education, students learned about Howard Gardner’s “Theory of Multiple Intelligences” through a poster, checklist, and video, and I invited them to reflect upon and share their top three multiple intelligences.
In Math, students have now brought home a quiz on telling time on an analog clock and calculating elapsed time. I am encouraging all students to keep reviewing this content and to do a retest or have a “math meeting” with me to show their new learning in this areas as they make progress—at any time this year! There is no deadline to progress!
Right now we are focussing on understanding place value and writing numbers in standard form, expanded form and word form.
In Religion class, we opened up discussion by reading this beautiful book and discussing prayer, free will, and the similarities between some major religions. Students will learn about a Catholic worldview this year, while honouring diversity, encouraging critical thinking, and supporting one another in their spiritual journeys.
Students also learned about the Apostles’ Creed and are reflecting upon their own beliefs as they write and illustrate their own creeds.
In Social Studies, we have been learning about eminent Canadians, specifically Terry Fox. Students were supported with tips on how to research using appropriate internet sites about Terry Fox. Students were tasked with creating a Google doc and typing up their own original poem about Terry Fox. We introduced some poetry concepts as well, including line breaks, repetition, symbolic language, and appealing to the five senses.
Thanks to families for your time joining us at the “Welcome Back BBQ” and meet-and-greet in the 5B classroom!In ADST, we completed part two of our “Toilet Paper Roll Creativity Challenge” and pushed our design process even further. Then we shared and celebrated our learning by hosting our grade 2 “little buddies” in a tour of our exhibits. It’s nice to pass on the inspiration!
Reminder: It’s the Soccer Jamboree tomorrow!
Students should wear their comfortable gym strip and outdoor running shoes. As well, I recommend sunscreen, hats, full water bottles, and a good night sleep on Thursday. We will have a fun day of sport—and everyone will be encouraged and supported to be successful. Competition is de-emphasized, and teamwork and a positive growth mindset will be emphasized and celebrated!
In Language Arts, we continued to work on our creative storytelling skills. Students are crafting an “unexpected visitor” story to share with their little buddies later this month. As well, we began a whole class novel study on Farley Mowat’s book, “Owls in the Family”. More like a “book club”, we are doing a very “soft start” to novel study: I read the story aloud as students follow along, and I explain vocabulary and context as we go. We have casual conversation about our observations and questions, and reading response questions are informal and scaffolded so everyone can be successful using their preferred method of communication.
As we go through our novel study, if students are absent, they can borrow a copy of the novel to take home and/or listen to the book in audio form, which is found for free on Youtube (for example, see below).
In Health Ed., we discussed some of the safety hazards and notes we noticed when reading chapter one of “Owls in the Family”. Students discussed safer alternatives to the choices made by the main characters of Billy and Bruce.
In Social Studies, we have been talking about eminent Canadians who have impacted our country. We watched the short documentary below about Terry Fox, and discussed the qualities and virtues he exhibited through his crusade to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Students will be tasked with writing a biographical poem about Terry Fox to creatively show their learning. Think and discuss: Who was Terry Fox, and what impact did he make?
In Career Ed., we returned to the topic of goal setting again and did a creative exercise to practice prioritizing values. Students journaled and did artwork about what wonderful things they would ask for if a fairy granted them three wishes. What would you wish for?
We continued to work in Math on reading clocks and calculating elapsed time. As well, we explored topics in “place value” using base ten blocks and diagrams.
Check in: You could ask your child what number is represented by these base ten blocks shown above.
Here are some important reminders for you for tomorrow…
(1.) Please sign and return the FIELD TRIP PERMISSION FORM for the Soccer Jamboree.
(2.) Cross Country Team try-outs happen at school tomorrow morning at 7:30am. (Information was sent home today about this club).
(3.) Optional: Tomorrow is “part two” of our ADST toilet paper challenge. This time, students can modify toilet paper rolls in any safe and appropriate way they like. So students are welcome to bring extra materials from home if they choose to do so.
(4.) Welcome Back BBQ tomorrow! Please note that the new time of the BBQ is 4:30-6:30pm. For families who will make it tomorrow, dinner is available for purchase on the intermediate field. We will gather in the gym at 6pm for introductions, then students and families can go to their classes to look around and say hi to the teachers. *Please note that this is a simple “meet and greet” and look around at the classrooms, and there will not be time to discuss students’ progress and needs. Please feel free to wait until our “Parent-Teacher Conferences” in October or send me an email or request a separate meeting if needed.
Here are some highlights from this past week you could discuss with your children to continue the learning connection at home…
Academic Highlights:
This week we focussed on storytelling skills, reading a clock, calculating elapsed time, goal setting, and being creative using the design process.
In Language Arts, we enjoyed reading aloud the story “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” as a creative prompt. Students were invited to create and tell their own spin-off story of “The ____ Who Came to ________”. We talked about storytelling skills and about the upcoming opportunities students will have to tell their stories to our little grade 2 buddies later this term. *Please invite your child to tell you his/her story and offer your support and feedback.
As well, we set up our Personal Spelling Dictionaries, which students will use to record new words, including words I underline and correct for them on their writing assignments.
Reading and Analog Clock
Please Note: I have vetted all the videos I post on this blog as both age appropriate and useful teaching content. The videos can help to reinforce and review our classroom learning.
If your child needs more help with the concepts we covered in class, please help your child to continue study at home in some way, such as watching these tutorials I post.
In Math class we have working on reading an analog clock, and beginning the skill of calculating elapsed time. Here are two videos that review the concepts…
Calculating Elapsed Time: Timeline Method
Calculating Elapsed Time: T-Chart Method
In Career Education, we explored the concept of goal setting and did a creative visualization activity to inspire students to picture themselves in 20 years achieving their own definitions of success. Some students volunteered to share their wonderful work with you here. Come to our classroom to see more!
Great work like this will be safely stored in students’ portfolios (the white binders). This work can be seen anytime you come visit our class, and it will be taken home at report card time.
In ADST (Applied Design Skills and Technologies), we learned about the design process while enjoying a creativity challenge based on transforming a toilet paper roll! What an amazing gallery of new creations! Here are some examples of works students volunteered to share…
Thank you, grade 5s! You helped my son Henry feel very welcome when he visited our class on his first day of Kindergarten. We have some excellent chess players and leaders in our class! You will make great “Big Buddies” when we start that initiative later in the year.
COMING UP…
Mon., Sept. 9 is our first Phys. Ed. class. Please wear gym strip. Also, the Comfort Kits are due back, and please make sure you have all your school supplies. *Some students are still missing important items like binders: please ask your child what he/she still needs and refer to the supplies list. Thank you!
Tues., Sept. 10 – Welcome Back BBQ & Meet the Teacher, 4:30-6:30pm
Fri., Sept. 13 – Grade 5 Soccer Jamboree at Carnarvon Park
Tues., Sept. 17 – Terry Fox Run (Wear Gym Strip this day) at 9am
Fri., Sept. 20 – Pro-D, no school for students
Mon., Sept. 23 – Photo Day, full uniform
Thurs., Sept. 26 – Welcome Back Mass, 10:45am
Mon., Sept. 30 – National Truth & Reconciliation Day, school is closed
I am delighted to welcome you to our class for what will be a very special grade 5 year.
My name is Tiffany Poirier, and students call me Ms. Poirier (pronounced “PWAH-ree-ay”). I am a wife and a mother of three sons—two who are attending this school: one is in grade 2, and another is in kindergarten, and my oldest son attends high school. I have two fluffy cats named Cookie and Mozart, and I love doing art, spending time in nature, being with family and friends, and deepening my faith. I have been a teacher for 18 years, and you can learn more about me by checking out my bio and other tabs on this website.
This blog is your source of information for our 5B class. Please take the time to refer to it regularly and when I send you email notifications about new posts.
This year we will have fun learning and exploring our creativity, discovering new interests and gifts, and challenging our thinking skills. We will build new connections, reflect deeply, and grow in faith as we create and contribute within our supportive class community and beyond.
This first blog post of the year offers a quick introduction; we will have it’s more information to come this week.
I will send you new blog posts and email updates throughout the year—I love working hard for families by sharing frequent communications including photos, videos, and lesson descriptions to help everyone feel connected to our classroom learning.
If you’re curious, you can scroll back to see the blog posts from the last few years. Students and their works are only photographed and featured on my blog with written consent from both parents plus verbal consent from students themselves. I will email you a reminder each time I make a new post, and check this blog frequently for the updates.
Tomorrow will be a lovely morning (8:40am-12:00pm) with a school assembly and then time to settle in, get to know one another, unpack supplies, set some goals, talk about guidelines and our vision for the year.
I’m looking forward to meeting you!
Sincerely, Ms. Tiffany Poirier
TO DO: Please make sure you have completed the online form for field trip and photo permission. Click here to do the form:
Wed., Sept 4 – Welcome Back, school starts at 8:40am and dismissal is at NOON. Wear your regular uniform and bring all of your school supplies as we will be organizing them into desks. *Make sure to bring your INDOOR SHOES for this day (black dress shoes and gym shoes)
Thurs., Sept. 5 – Assembly – Wear FULL UNIFORM! Out of School Care begins for students registered in the program
Fri., Sept. 6 – Welcome Back Coffee, primary playground 8:45am
Mon., Sept. 9 – Phys. Ed. Day – Wear gym strip.
Tues., Sept. 10 – Welcome Back BBQ & Meet the Teacher, 5:00-7:00 pm
Fri., Sept. 13 – Grade 5 Soccer Jamboree at Carnarvon Park
Tues., Sept. 17 – Terry Fox Run (Wear Gym Strip this day) at 9am
Fri., Sept. 20 – Pro-D, no school for students
Mon., Sept. 23 – Photo Day, full uniform
Thurs., Sept. 26 – Welcome Back Mass, 10:45am
Mon., Sept. 30 – National Truth & Reconciliation Day, school is closed
REMINDER: NO NUT PRODUCTS PERMITTED
As we have students and staff with life-threatening allergies, do not send lunches with nuts or products containing nuts. If your child has nuts at home before school, make sure that hands and face are washed and teeth are brushed. Thank you for helping keep everyone safe!
ROAD WORK & DELAYS:
Please note that there’s a lot of roadwork around the city, causing delays. Fort St. is particularly affected. Consider parking elsewhere and walking in. Do not park in the VIHA lots to avoid being ticketed, as enforcement is strict.
If picking up by car, please stay in your vehicle and watch for your child to keep traffic moving. Follow staff directions for traffic control.
HEALTHY EATING AT ST. PAT’S:
We are not to distribute food items to our classes (such as cupcakes for birthdays). We encourage families to avoid sugary items in lunches/snacks where possible. Thanks for your support.*Gum and candy are not to be brought to school. Thank you!
WASTE-FREE CLASSROOM:
We encourage a waste-free lunchbox where possible. All packaging will go home in your child’s lunch kit. Thank you for your time packing lunches in re-usable containers. We appreciate your support of this environmental initiative. (Please also note that we eat snack inside the classroom, and no food is allowed outside.)
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
UNIFORMS:
Mondays and Wednesdays: 5B students wear GYM STRIP (even though we have our monthly assemblies on Mondays, our class can wear gym strip unless specifically requested to wear full uniform.)
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 5B students wear regular uniform
Any Mass days, special assemblies, or other special events: FULL UNIFORM (this includes the white dress shirt, tie, and crested v-neck sweater)
SCHOOL SUPPLIES:
Please bring all of your school supplies to school on the first day.
It has been a truly wonderful year of learning with 19 fabulous students. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of learning this year and for your generous gifts and cards and kind words. Although this is my last blog post for the school year, you are all forever in my heart and prayers. Always feel welcome to come and visit me—I love to stay in contact with students and families!
“The Parable of the Lost Sheep” Thank you for coming to our “5B Celebration of Learning”! It was such a joy to share this glimpse into our learning this year of students dancing, singing, playing piano, giving speeches, performing their parable plays, and doing impromptu speaking games.
“The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids”This student’s wonderful personal interest project took us back to a scene in the Devonian time period approximately 400 million years ago.“The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids”Asher’s fascinating personal interest project involved building a model of an eco-friendly home and presenting its many features to folks in our class. Ansley shared her two part personal interest project: (1.) doing a presentation on the topic of imagination involving touring us through her creative small world display, and (2.) showcasing the wide assortment of woven and beaded bracelets she made. The students wear delighted to each receive one of these custom creations!Princeton taught our class all about the amazing world of Ugears! Becca shared her creative magnet making project that turned into a profitable business. Amelia shared her creative journey through a personal interest project of making bookmarks.Dustin shared the simple machines found in his Lego creations Gabriela’s Simple Machines Another personal interest project involved detailed discussion comparing the features and benefits of various Lego cars that two students had built.
Students were discussing their own observations about significant numbers mentioned repeatedly in the Bible—sparking a fun new inquiry path on the last day of school. We hope to hear more of these reflections when we catch up again in September.Blenkinsop Mini Golf Picasso-style art
LOOKING AHEAD TO GRADE 6: Here are some of the projects we enjoyed checking out and taking inspiration from at the grade 6’s entrepreneurial fair on Tuesday…
The grade 5s made their own cross necklaces and also made one for each grade 2 buddy. We said goodbye to our wonderful little grade 2 buddies by exchanging a cards and the necklace gifts—and wrapped it all up with a special yummy surprise thanks to Mrs. Sikkel! Congratulations to Sarah on her special honour for Christiand Leadership! Wishing Father William a wonderful new adventure in his next parish leadership role. Thank you for your inspiration andHave a happy summer! You are all wonderful children who have grown so much! Thank you for a fabulous year— I hope to see you soon!
Lucas, Luka, and Charlie’s Rube Goldberg Machine (Simple Machines Project)
How exciting! We have had more exciting “Simple Machines Project” presentations. Please enjoy the videos and photos below—and keep scrolling for more updates from our class.
Thomas and Avi’s Catapult (Simple Machines Project)
Part 1 of CC Sarah’s Simple Machines Presentation Part 2 of Sarah’s Simple Machine Presentation
Michaela and Amelia’s Simple Machines Presentation
Luka, Lucas, and Charlie’s Rube Goldberg Machine
In Math, some students chose to explore the following enrichment concepts in data: range, mean, median, and mode.
An in depth presentation on the simple machines found in these Ugears modelsBecca’s fictional story and poster on simple machinesNathaniel and Asher’s poster with flapsWe have started P.I.P. (Personal Interest Project) presentations, and we are having so much fun learning from one another’s passions! Here is Charlie teaching us about Norse mythology!
As well, in Math we have done review of metricmeasurements.
Also, students are working on a creative mathematical project on transformations. Each student is making a bold graphic representation of reflection, translation, and rotation.
Our grade 5 class joined our grade 2 buddies in Mrs. Sikkel’s class for an afternoon of service: painting yellow salmon on the road beside our neighbourhoods’ storm drains. The purpose of the “Storm Drain Marking Program” is to raise awareness about the importance of using drains appropriately—especially because they carry water to our oceans where salmon live. This was a meaningful connection to our “water” unit from term two—and a powerful, personal reminder to us all that we are responsible for keeping this world clean, safe and healthy for all. Thank you, Mrs. Sikkel, for organizing this big project and for inviting us to join in!
This year the St. Patrick’s community bids farewell to our beloved Father William as he is moving on to lead another parish in Langford. The 5B students created a heartfelt card full of reflections and memories. We thank you and will miss you, Father William!
REMINDER: The 5B Celebration of Learning is on Monday, June 17th in our classroom from 2:00pm-3:00pm.
We hope we will see you there to enjoy looking through portfolios, seeing the certificate presentation, and watching a few wonderful student-created productions of the parables from the Bible.
We continue to enjoy the 5B students’ parables presentations—the last project in Religion class this year. The only way to see these amazing little plays is to visit us live in person on Monday, June 17th at 2pm-3pm. We hope you can make it! Here is some background information on the parables…
In Math we have been learning to create double bar graphs and derive insights from them.
In Science, we have had our first “Simple Machines Project” presented. Ansley shared her Lego world with a working pulley system and wheel and axels. Projects are due for presentation on June 10th.
In Social Studies, we have been exploring Indigenous stories. Today we read and analyzed message in the book “Flight of the Hummingbird” by Haida artist, Michael Nicoll Yagulanaas. Students made connections between this story and Catholic social justice themes.
In Social Studies, we have also continued with our “Time Traveller Report” presentations; keep scrolling to the bottom of this post to see some more incredible videos and photos from our travels to other times and places! You will be inspired!
Everyday Life in Ancient Greece Ancient GreeceThe Leaning Tower of Pisa Flying with the Wright BrothersFlying with the Wright Brothers Ancient EgyptAncient EgyptAncient EgyptWWIIWWIIPresenting in 5B in 2024Presenting in 5B in 2024
Take a moment to enjoy Sarah’s beautiful recital of the Brandon Lake song, “Gratitude”—this song has been a favourite of 5B students this year! Beautiful playing, Sarah! Continuing our unit on prayer in Religion class, students took time to select a sticker and quietly reflect upon its message and write about their insights and connections.
Coming up next in Math, students will learn about transformations (reflection and rotation) and prisms and pyramids through some hands on arts activities.
We have been enjoying a rich Social Studies unit on Canadian government. We’ve learned about levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal), elections and voting (past and present day practices), and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
As well, we have explored topics specific to BC politics in preparation for our exciting field trip to the parliament buildings. While we were there, we watched and participated I. a fabulous travelling theatre presentation called, “My Place in Politics”. Students were encouraged to learn about their rights and seek ways to participate in democracy.
We enjoyed more time travellers’ presentations today—it’s been so much fun! There will be lots of fun photos in a future blog post.
In Religion and Health Education, we have been exploring strategies for self-regulation, reflective listening, and prayer. We enjoyed this beautiful book by Katie Warner, “Listening for God”. Students have been invited and supported to create their own peaceful moments in the day to recharge and refocus their minds, bodies, and hearts.
In Language Arts, we revisited expository writing to ensure we are retaining the skills taught earlier in the year. Fabulous news: we have wonderful writers capable of crafting cohesive, engaging, well-structured prose!
The students chose their own topics and showcased their learning of how to craft hooks and topic sentences, use transition words, develop ideas with supporting details, write meaningful conclusions, and self-edit. Enjoy!
Tiffany Poirier 