Coughs and colds

Apparently everyone is getting coughs and colds lately. I'm no exception!
Our classroom has run out of Kleenex - red alert!!
If you would be willing to donate some boxes of Kleenex, please do and I will thank you enormously!

Animal Projects

Today the students brought home the written component of their animal project. They are to complete it at home and to practise daily how they will present to the class next week. I have discussed with the students that it is not ok to read their findings. Instead they are to be very familiar with what they have written so that they can get through their presentation with just a glance or two at their paper. Students will have opportunities to work on their written paper in class also so it is important that they bring their work back to school with them each day. If you have any questions or concerns, please do let me know.

The following link is for the TDSB's virtual library, which has a wealth of information on animals.

Simply follow the link and select "Amazing Animals of the World" (left hand side, fourth link down) and type in the animal name (in English).  YOU WILL NEED A USERNAME & PASSWORD (please read the instructions below).  The information will be in English but students can use the website as a starting point for research.

1) Using Internet Explorer, go to http://go-middle.grolier.com/
2) To login, type torondsb2
3) The password is toro1264

If you have any problems, please let me know!

As well, I am including a sample diorama:

Trip to Munsch Bunch

Don't forget that this Friday afternoon we will be going to the Munsch Bunch performance, right after lunch!

Spelling words for Friday Nov 30.

le mouton - sheep
le ballon - ball
la confiture - jam
le camion - truck
la fontaine - fountain
fondue - melted
un avion - airplane
le pompier - firefighter
le leçon - lesson
tomber - to fall

Spelling words for Friday November 23rd.

La fusée - rocket ship
chez - at the house of
le papier - paper
le musée - museum
le nez - nose
un écolier - student
la télé - TV
le déjeuner - lunch
l'évier - sink (as in the kitchen sink)

The students did really well in their spelling this week. Keep up the good work and enjoy the PA day!

Animal research.

Today your child is coming home with information on a research project and diorama s/he will be working on over the next couple of weeks. Please read the information (both sides of the paper) and help your child to complete the research portion of the project. Also please begin to collect materials for making their diorama.

The TDSB has an online encyclopaedia called Grolier which you can access from home. Go to the tab "Amazing Animals of the World". The link is below:

http://go.grolier.com/

You can also use books and other web sites that you find helpful.

The kind of information you will need is:

• Animal category (mammal, reptile etc.).
• Habitat (continent, country, specific geography of its habitat e.g. water, marshland, savannah).
• Diet
• Other interesting features of the animal.

Happy researching and have fun with it!
Madame Paré.

Procedure Writing

Classroom cookbook

Last week, a letter was sent home outlining our final project for our unit on procedural writing.  The steps are as follows:

1) pick an EASY recipe at home (something that kids can easily do, with little assistance)
2) practise making this recipe together several times at home
3) make sure that your child knows what ingredients & materials are required
4) during the week of November 19th, students will need to write up (in French) a procedure on how to make their dish.  This writing will be done in class.  I will put the recipes together as a cookbook and we will present it to Mr. McGilvray & Ms. Harroun.


The more the students practise making this dish, the easier it will be for them to remember the ingredients, materials and steps.  As well, a simple recipe will be easier to write up in class.
Please read the following as an example of what I'm looking for:

TITLE: how to make a grilled cheese

MATERIALS: 2 slices of bread, cheddar cheese, butter, frying pan, stove, spatula, oven mits, plate

STEPS:
1) Butter one side of each slice of bread.
2) Put slices of cheddar cheese between the 2 slices of bread.
3) Heat the frying pan to medium on the stove.
4) Place the cheese sandwich in the frying pan, buttered side down.
5) Cook one side for 3 minutes.
6) Using the spatula, flip the grilled cheese to the other side.
7) Cook for 3 minutes.
8) Remove grilled cheese and place on a plate.
9) Turn off the stove.
10) Eat your grilled cheese!

Royal Winter Fair

Our trip is this Monday! The bus will leave promptly after morning announcements so be sure to arrive at school on time or you'll miss all the fun! 

Please ensure that your child brings a litterless lunch, a jacket, and comfortable walking shoes.

Merci!

Book Bags

This week book bags will not be coming home. My apologies. It's been a hectic week!

Remembrance Day Assembly...

Please note the date has changed for our school assembly for Remembrance Day. It will be held for primary classes on Friday November 9th, from 9 until 9.30 a.m.

Homework for week of Nov 5.

Here are some of the words you may need for this week's homework:

la vache - cow
le chat - cat
la niche - nest / dog house
la roche - rock
une pêche - peach
faire la pêche - to go fishing
une poche - pocket
la chute - waterfall
le cheval - horse
il achète - he buys
la cheminée - chimney
il détache - he detaches
la machine - machine
il chuchote - he whispers
elle déchire - she rips
il marche - he walks
la chèvre - goat
voler - to steal
un hochet - rattle (baby toy)
le jambon - ham
le chariot - shopping cart
le journal - newspaper
la jupe - skirt
la luge - sled
le cochon - pig
le chevalet - easel
le chêne - oak tree
cher / chère - expensive
la chemise - shirt

Procedural Writing

This week we started a unit on procedural writing.  The unit will last approximately four weeks.  The culminating activity, will be a class cook book that the students will create and present to Mr. McGilvray and Ms. Harroun.

In a few weeks, students will need to write up a recipe of their favourite meal.  We are asking that you please take the time to discuss with your child, what his/her favourite meal is at home.  It could be a simple grilled cheese sandwich or a chocolate ice cream sundae.  Think of things that are simple.  An elaborate spaghetti sauce will be difficult for students to write up.

Each week, could you please practise making this favourite meal together.  The students will need to have lots of experience gathering ingredients and preparing the food, in order to put together the final recipe. 

In their cook book recipe, we will be assessing whether all of the ingredients are listed and if the steps are clear and in order.

Bon appétitJ