Hello Parents of 7A students,
I'm sorry for the lack of updates recently. It has been very busy since we returned to school, with report cards, kid inventor day, science olympics, field studies, and our large scale indoor garden project.
Here is an update of what is happening in class:
Language Arts: We are working in LA on writer's workshops (adverbs, adjectives, colons, semi-colons, figurative language, and descriptive language are just some of the concepts we have been looking at). We have also been working on reading comprehension through a program called Notice and Note. The students have been kept very busy in LA and we are seeing a lot of progress. We have also started a new read aloud called, "The Skeleton Tree."
Math: We have just completed our Transformations unit. In this unit we learned about translations, reflections, and rotations. We just did the unit test on Friday. Student's will be bringing home their tests to be signed by parents tonight.
Social Studies: We have been learning about the 7 years war, and how it influenced the Canadian Identity. In terms of social studies skills, we have created timelines, talked about cause and effect, and examined the differing perspectives of the British, French, and First Nations people. Students will be writing a unit test on this on Tuesday.
Science: We are working on a large project that is supported by Parent Council and that has been collaborated with a group called Nature's Ride from the U of C. We wanted to look at global food security issues, as well as local issues like food deserts and food affordability. The grade 7 students have been designing growing apparatus' that can provide nutritious food in an indoor urban setting. We are in the middle of construction, and everything is really moving along. Students have also researched what they will grow, the life cycle of those plants, and how they reproduce. This research has effectively covered our Plants for Food and Fibre unit. The design of our growing appartus' is part of our on-going CTF work. This task is also connected to some of the field studies we have done, including Journey 2050, and our visit to the Alex Community Food Centre.
Once this project is complete, we will have the full indoor garden set up in room 211, and we will turn it into a teaching garden where we will have placards and information centres that describe how food insecurity is a social justice issue.
Options: Students started new options this month. The grade 7's are going to do a play this year! Each of the options will take on one part of the play preparation.
Important Dates:
Please see the class website for upcoming important dates. There will be another blog post soon that outlines the rest of the field studies for the year.
Brandie
Monday, February 24, 2020
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Last Week of School!
Hello 7A Families,
I hope you have all had a wonderfully restful weekend. Here is an update for all of the events going on this week! Normally I would update this on the blog, but it's a little late coming to all of you, so I figured this would be the fastest and best way to get this information to everyone. And for the lateness, I am very sorry, I was super sick last week.
Monday
Today is our winter cook-out! We will build a fire on the top of the hill at St. Patrick's Island and engage in some heat and temperature activities, as well as some winter games. I will bring ingredients for s'mores as my holiday gift to the kids. If anyone wants to bring anything else to have at the cook-out that is welcome as well. We will be eating at St. Pat's (weather looks great!) so please make sure your child has a lunch today.
Also, even though the weather looks good, please make sure your child is dressed to spend the day outside. One of the things we're encountering is ankle socks, which greatly impacts the ability to stay warm.
There is still room for parent volunteers on this trip. We have 0 volunteers from our class for this day. We are only able to do this activity because we are using the extra volunteers from Ms. Luff's class. Please e-mail me if you would like to come.
Tuesday
We don't have any field studies today, but student's will be sharing their bridges with their peers. This will involve testing the bridges with Newton Meters to see how much force they can hold. This will be a very exciting day for the kids! Please talk to them at home about how it went!
Wednesday
AM - We will be going to the Zoo today (weather permitting) from 8:15 to 11:15. We will be looking at animal adaptations to winter, and animal structures. We have 2 parent volunteers, but have room for more if anyone would like to join.
PM - The grade 7 team would like to invite all parents to view the bridges the kids have been working so hard at. We will be having a grade-wide celebration of learning from 1:30 - 2:50 this day. Each class room will be set up with the bridges. Students will have an opportunity to visit the other classes, and parents are welcome to see all of the bridges as well. We would love to have as many parents as possible come!
Thursday
As e-mailed out earlier, this is our winter solstice day! It is a special Langevin tradition, and we hope you are all able to join. Here is a schedule for the day's events:
8:10 – 8:30: In homerooms
8:30 – 9:45: Buddy winter STEAM challenge
9:45 – 10:00: Recess/Nutrition Break
10:00 – 11:00: School gathering in the gym
11:00 – 12:00: Potluck Luncheon with families in classrooms
**It will be a non-uniform day with a $2 donation going to the CWES.
Parent's can take their child home after the potluck, but there will be regularly scheduled school for those who stay until the end of the day.
That's everything for the week. I will re-post all of this on the blog for easy access. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you all at one of the many events we have planned throughout the week.
Brandie
I hope you have all had a wonderfully restful weekend. Here is an update for all of the events going on this week! Normally I would update this on the blog, but it's a little late coming to all of you, so I figured this would be the fastest and best way to get this information to everyone. And for the lateness, I am very sorry, I was super sick last week.
Monday
Today is our winter cook-out! We will build a fire on the top of the hill at St. Patrick's Island and engage in some heat and temperature activities, as well as some winter games. I will bring ingredients for s'mores as my holiday gift to the kids. If anyone wants to bring anything else to have at the cook-out that is welcome as well. We will be eating at St. Pat's (weather looks great!) so please make sure your child has a lunch today.
Also, even though the weather looks good, please make sure your child is dressed to spend the day outside. One of the things we're encountering is ankle socks, which greatly impacts the ability to stay warm.
There is still room for parent volunteers on this trip. We have 0 volunteers from our class for this day. We are only able to do this activity because we are using the extra volunteers from Ms. Luff's class. Please e-mail me if you would like to come.
Tuesday
We don't have any field studies today, but student's will be sharing their bridges with their peers. This will involve testing the bridges with Newton Meters to see how much force they can hold. This will be a very exciting day for the kids! Please talk to them at home about how it went!
Wednesday
AM - We will be going to the Zoo today (weather permitting) from 8:15 to 11:15. We will be looking at animal adaptations to winter, and animal structures. We have 2 parent volunteers, but have room for more if anyone would like to join.
PM - The grade 7 team would like to invite all parents to view the bridges the kids have been working so hard at. We will be having a grade-wide celebration of learning from 1:30 - 2:50 this day. Each class room will be set up with the bridges. Students will have an opportunity to visit the other classes, and parents are welcome to see all of the bridges as well. We would love to have as many parents as possible come!
Thursday
As e-mailed out earlier, this is our winter solstice day! It is a special Langevin tradition, and we hope you are all able to join. Here is a schedule for the day's events:
8:10 – 8:30: In homerooms
8:30 – 9:45: Buddy winter STEAM challenge
9:45 – 10:00: Recess/Nutrition Break
10:00 – 11:00: School gathering in the gym
11:00 – 12:00: Potluck Luncheon with families in classrooms
**It will be a non-uniform day with a $2 donation going to the CWES.
Parent's can take their child home after the potluck, but there will be regularly scheduled school for those who stay until the end of the day.
That's everything for the week. I will re-post all of this on the blog for easy access. Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you all at one of the many events we have planned throughout the week.
Brandie
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Class Update - Tuesday, Dec. 3
Hello 7A Families!
Well, we've made it to December! We have two and half weeks left until winter break, and the end is in sight. As usual, we've been very busy! Here are some important updates:
Curriculum
Language Arts
Math
Social Studies
Science
Field Studies
Tomorrow we are going to the Central Library to conduct research on our agriculture project. If you are able to pack your child's library card (if they have one) that would be great!
A reminder that we are skating TWICE next week! We will walk to Olympic Plaza with our skates and spend the morning skating. If your child has their own skates, they are welcome to bring them. They are also welcome to bring their own helmets, but they MUST be real hockey helmets, no bike helmets please.
Homework
There is homework tonight, and there will likely be homework regularly until winter break. Tonight's homework is that all students should have their research done for the social studies project.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Brandie
Well, we've made it to December! We have two and half weeks left until winter break, and the end is in sight. As usual, we've been very busy! Here are some important updates:
Curriculum
Language Arts
- Students are beginning a research project on a global agricultural issue. This will focus on writing outcomes, and representing ideas through a variety of media.
- We are just about to finish the book A Monster Calls. We are focusing on thematic analysis, so our summative project will be to complete an artistic representation of themes that are present in the book. We hope the have this completed before winter break.
Math
- We are working on adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators. We will have an assessment on all of the fraction concepts we have worked on this Friday.
Social Studies
- We are working on the Footprints of Exploration project. Student's have chosen an exploration, and they will be mapping the exploration route using GIS software.
Science
- Students are just about finished their bridges! We will be done them by Friday, and will be testing them on Monday.
Field Studies
Tomorrow we are going to the Central Library to conduct research on our agriculture project. If you are able to pack your child's library card (if they have one) that would be great!
A reminder that we are skating TWICE next week! We will walk to Olympic Plaza with our skates and spend the morning skating. If your child has their own skates, they are welcome to bring them. They are also welcome to bring their own helmets, but they MUST be real hockey helmets, no bike helmets please.
Homework
There is homework tonight, and there will likely be homework regularly until winter break. Tonight's homework is that all students should have their research done for the social studies project.
Please let me know if you have any questions!
Brandie
Friday, November 22, 2019
Assessment and Parent-Teacher Conferences
Hello Everyone,
It was great to touch base with so many of you last night. If you were unable to make any of the scheduled times work, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule meetings anytime over the next few weeks after school.
One of the things that we wanted to talk about in conferences (although I didn't always get the chance), was about some of the changes in assessment.
How is My Child Doing in School?
This link will take you to a document that described assessment in the CBE. It does a good job of explaining what the 1 - 4 scale means, and defines some commonly used terms that are often used to describe different programs and assessment methods.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/How-is-My-Child-Doing-in-School.pdf
K-9 Mathematics - Revised Report Card Stems
This link will take you to a new document that explains the new math report card stems. Previously, stems were designed to address skills that are relevant to all units and ways of mathematical thinking. These new stems are more of a delineation of the different units. For that reason, not all stems might be reported on in the January report card. Teachers will ensure that competency in the previous report card stems will be described in report card comments, and through the assessments that are conducted through out the year.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/K-9-Mathematics-Revised-Report-Card-Stems.pdf
I hope everyone has a great long weekend,
Brandie
It was great to touch base with so many of you last night. If you were unable to make any of the scheduled times work, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule meetings anytime over the next few weeks after school.
One of the things that we wanted to talk about in conferences (although I didn't always get the chance), was about some of the changes in assessment.
How is My Child Doing in School?
This link will take you to a document that described assessment in the CBE. It does a good job of explaining what the 1 - 4 scale means, and defines some commonly used terms that are often used to describe different programs and assessment methods.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/How-is-My-Child-Doing-in-School.pdf
K-9 Mathematics - Revised Report Card Stems
This link will take you to a new document that explains the new math report card stems. Previously, stems were designed to address skills that are relevant to all units and ways of mathematical thinking. These new stems are more of a delineation of the different units. For that reason, not all stems might be reported on in the January report card. Teachers will ensure that competency in the previous report card stems will be described in report card comments, and through the assessments that are conducted through out the year.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/K-9-Mathematics-Revised-Report-Card-Stems.pdf
I hope everyone has a great long weekend,
Brandie
Monday, November 18, 2019
Field studies until the end of the year
Hello Families,
Please take note of the rest of the field studies for the year. This will take us all the way to winter break. You will notice that three forms came home today. I know that they all look the same, but please check them carefully. They are each for three different trips. Please return them as soon as possible.
Additionally, as the weather turns, the likelihood of trips having to be cancelled increases. I thank you all in advance for your patience and flexibility.
There will be information coming from our volunteer co-ordinator shortly about how you can help volunteer for one of these excellent days!
Brandie
Please take note of the rest of the field studies for the year. This will take us all the way to winter break. You will notice that three forms came home today. I know that they all look the same, but please check them carefully. They are each for three different trips. Please return them as soon as possible.
Additionally, as the weather turns, the likelihood of trips having to be cancelled increases. I thank you all in advance for your patience and flexibility.
There will be information coming from our volunteer co-ordinator shortly about how you can help volunteer for one of these excellent days!
Brandie
St. Patrick’s Island
Date: November 25
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Purpose: We will continue to collect data for our longitudinal ecosystems studies. We will also engage is a creative writing task focusing on figurative language.
Volunteers required: At least 2
The Alex Community Food Centre and Fuse 33
Date: Nov. 28
Time: 8:45 – 12:00
Purpose: Students will visit the Alex Community Food Centre, to talk about food shortages and urban gardening in Calgary. From there we will visit the Maker Space at Fuse 33, as this will be providing students with ideas about how to construct a living wall and other structures to build an indoor garden.
Volunteers required: 1
Central Library and the National Music Centre
Date: December 4
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Purpose: We will be using the library to teach students about different opportunities to engage in research, and the importance of social infrastructure (social studies curriculum connections). This will be a final tour for our structures unit.
Volunteers required: At least 1
Skating at Olympic Plaza
Date: Dec. 10 and Dec. 13
Time: 8:15 - 11:15
Purpose: We will be skating as part of the grade 7 Outdoor Education Program. We will also use this opportunity to do some activities for our Heat and Temperature Unit.
Volunteers required: At least 3
St. Patrick’s Island
Date: Monday, Dec. 16
Time: 10:00 - 2:30
Purpose: We will be doing some heat and temperature activities on St. Patrick’s Island. This will include making a fire, having a cook-out, and building snow shelters (if there is snow!).
Volunteers required: 3
Calgary Zoo
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
Time: 8:15 - 12:00pm
Purpose: We will continue heat and temperature activities at the zoo, including examining animal adaptations for survival. We will also revisit our structures unit and look at the structures that have been built for the animals.
Volunteers required: 3
Other Important Dates:
-Inside Education guest speakers in class (Agriculture Program) – November 29th
-Dare to Care anti-bullying presentation – Dec. 10th
-Winter Solstice Assembly and last day of school – Dec. 19th
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Bridge Walk Pictures
November Bridge Walk
While we were on this trip we learned about the different types of bridges - beam, truss, arch, suspension, and combinations of these types. We saw expansion joints on the Centre St. Bridge, learned about aesthetics at the Peace Bridge and how a bridge can change an entire area, and we learned about how suspension bridges sway, and that's okay!
Weekly Updates - November 17
Weekly Updates - November 17
Hello parents! I hope everyone is having a restful weekend. The weather has been great! Please see below for a list of updates:
Curriculum
Things are moving along in curriculum. In math, we have completed review on simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions. We will be moving onto ordering fractions and adding and subtracting this week.
In Language Arts we continue to read A Monster Calls. This is a book with very mature themes about death, as the protagonist's mother is dying from Cancer. The students have been very thoughtful when talking about the book. This would be a very interesting conversation to have at home with your children. Ask them what they are reading!
Student's also continue to work on independent reading. We are starting to spend a half an hour reading to start the day every Tuesday and Thursday. Students are keeping reading logs, which is supporting accountability. I will start a new program with all of them shortly using a reading program called "Notice and Note" for their independent reading. If you have questions about it please let me know, or talk to me about it at conferences!
We continue to write in class as responses to A Monster Calls. We are working on grammar, and will be moving onto persuasive writing shortly.
In science the students are working on a bridge building project. They are extremely excited about it.
In social studies we are learning about the 13 colonies the British settled when they came to Canada.
Field Studies
This week's architecture walk is being reschedules. Because of the Bridges project we are not yet ready to study architectural features in our structures unit. I believe it is better for us to finish what we are working on in class, rather than moving on to our next field study.
This week the grade 7 team will be planning the rest of the field studies until the end of December. You will be sent out the volunteer requests shortly. Please remember that without volunteers these field studies do not happen, and if we do not have enough volunteers I will have to cancel trips. This has a tremendous impact on the type of learning we do at Langevin, and is one of the key reasons we are such a special school.
Parent Conferences
This is just a reminder that parent conference bookings are open now. They opened this Saturday. I've copy and pasted the information from the school newsletter about how to book:
Hello parents! I hope everyone is having a restful weekend. The weather has been great! Please see below for a list of updates:
Curriculum
Things are moving along in curriculum. In math, we have completed review on simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions. We will be moving onto ordering fractions and adding and subtracting this week.
In Language Arts we continue to read A Monster Calls. This is a book with very mature themes about death, as the protagonist's mother is dying from Cancer. The students have been very thoughtful when talking about the book. This would be a very interesting conversation to have at home with your children. Ask them what they are reading!
Student's also continue to work on independent reading. We are starting to spend a half an hour reading to start the day every Tuesday and Thursday. Students are keeping reading logs, which is supporting accountability. I will start a new program with all of them shortly using a reading program called "Notice and Note" for their independent reading. If you have questions about it please let me know, or talk to me about it at conferences!
We continue to write in class as responses to A Monster Calls. We are working on grammar, and will be moving onto persuasive writing shortly.
In science the students are working on a bridge building project. They are extremely excited about it.
In social studies we are learning about the 13 colonies the British settled when they came to Canada.
Field Studies
This week's architecture walk is being reschedules. Because of the Bridges project we are not yet ready to study architectural features in our structures unit. I believe it is better for us to finish what we are working on in class, rather than moving on to our next field study.
This week the grade 7 team will be planning the rest of the field studies until the end of December. You will be sent out the volunteer requests shortly. Please remember that without volunteers these field studies do not happen, and if we do not have enough volunteers I will have to cancel trips. This has a tremendous impact on the type of learning we do at Langevin, and is one of the key reasons we are such a special school.
Parent Conferences
This is just a reminder that parent conference bookings are open now. They opened this Saturday. I've copy and pasted the information from the school newsletter about how to book:
Langevin Families:
We are preparing for the November 21-22 Parent/Teacher Conferences. Bookings open on November 16th (8am) and close on November 20th (11pm). We have asked the booking system to send out reminder emails to families (sent the day before).
Apologies for a reminder email you may have received yesterday regarding two grade nine teachers whose interviews must occur on alternate dates.
Please mark your calendars:
School Conferences | November 21 (3:00 pm -7:30 pm) & November 22 (8:00 am – 1:00 pm)
· Bookings Open | November 16 @ 8:00 am
· Bookings Close | November 20 @ 11:00 pm
· How to Book?
· Parent Guide (click to open the step-by-step with screen shots).
· How to access:
My (School) Conference For Parents
All parents with children enrolled in the Calgary Board of Education schools have access. Parents must first create a new PowerSchool parent account to be able to use this CBE application and the guide link below.
Parents login: MyCBE | PowerSchool > myCBE Apps > my School Conferences
See you all soon!
Brandie
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