Midterms Already!

Dear Parents and Students,

We are over the halfway mark and racing toward the end of this school year. This week sees us taking a look at immigration and moving to different countries. We will also focus on tenement buildings and the famous New York tenement museum in particular. The children have learned a lot from our visits to the San Domingo Fort in Danshui and the archaeological museum. They have learned that we leave footprints wherever we go and sometimes those footprints are difficult to erase.

We will be reviewing as soon as we complete our lessons this week.

I am pleasantly surprised at the progress made by some of our students in terms of motivation and comprehension.

School Fair on Saturday

Please remember to support our class on Saturday at the School Fair.

Exams

Our 2^nd Monthly Exams take place from May 1^st –May 14^th.

Dates until further notice:

Wednesday, May 4th = Vocabulary Review Exam

Friday, May 6^th= Listening and Reading Exam

Tuesday, May 10^th= Written Exam

Scope for the exams include:

Vocabulary: Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11

Worksheets: Week 7-11 including Grammar sections.

My Sidewalks on Reading Street Level C-5

P8-69

***Please note that I will review in the class but expect students to review at home as well. (The Glogs are still live and can be used as a way to review at home.)

***Homework for this week is minimal and includes completing incomplete class assignments.

Homework:

Monday:

1. Read p60-69

2. Recite conversations

3. Corrections

Tuesday

1. Read p60-69

2. Recite weekly sentences

3. Corrections

Wednesday

1. Read p60-69

2. Recite conversations

3. Corrections

Thursday

1. Read p60-69

2. Memorize spelling words

3. Corrections

Friday

1. Review Grammar in worksheet 11

2. Recite conversations

3. Review Weeks 7-8 Vocabulary, Sentences, Grammar

Monday

1. Review Week 7-11 worksheets and Vocabulary

2. Corrections

Have a fantastic week!

Carmen

We are too busy this week!

Dear Parents,

Due to the blackout this afternoon, some of our students have not completed the sentences. If they haven’t completed these, please ask them to complete them at home.

We also have an outing on Wednesday,(please refer to last week's post : We’ll be visiting Fort San Domingo in Danshuei as well as the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology.)so, we'll be trying to complete as much as possible in class. 

On Friday, Professor Doris Chen will be observing our class, and I will base my lesson on things that we need to complete so that we can make up some of the time lost.

Sentences:

Week 10     Weekly Sentences        April 18^th, 2016

1. We will transfer these students to a higher level class.

2. It is difficult to call my sister because we live in different time zones.

3. The students are really excited about going on the field trip on Wednesday.

4. It is not a nice thing when other people make fun of you.

5. He dyed his hair with streaks of grey and blue.

6. South American empanadas are similar to Chinese dumplings!

7. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya.

8. My favorite soccer team is Argentina!

9. I don’t like to eat sticky rice.

10. I would like to take part in Holi next year.

11. We needed a translator because we could not understand the language.

12. Her accent is not difficult to understand.

13. No one culture is better than another.

14. Indian women wear a type of dress called a sari.

15. Hindi seems like a very musical language.

16. We went to a tailor in Taipei.

17. All my clothes are made of cotton.

18. Do you know who illustrated those stories?

19. Everyone should visit India, at least once in their lifetime.

20. If you have trouble seeing things, you should visit an eye clinic.

The Glog is still live and will be added to this week. 

Homework:

Monday: 1. Read p 44-55 2. Recite Conversations 4. Worksheet #D(p6) 5. Complete sentences and comprehension Tuesday: 1. Read p44-55 3. Read weekly sentences 4. Worksheet #B p3-4 Wednesday 1. Read p44-55 2. Recite conversations 4. Complete p8 5. Corrections

Thursday 1. Review Week 10 vocabulary 3. Review 4. Corrections Friday 1. Review Phonics Grammar 2. Recite Conversation 3. Read weekly sentences 4. Corrections 5. Preview p60-69

Have a great week, 

Carmen 

Monkey Business

March 29^th

Dear Parents and Students,

It seems as if the year has just begun but we are racing toward the end! We are  writing our first monthly exams and the students are as prepared as they’re going to be. We have reviewed and reviewed and reviewed!

New Lesson

Due to the short week because of the exams, we won’t have as much time to cover all our tasks in one week. We start a new theme covering cultural topics and look at Dressing up and Our World in particular. Ask them about the book below.

Project on Fashion

The students have been asked to put on a fashion show.

  We have some interesting themes; Spring, Fall, Summer, Robots and Minecraft. They have to design at least 3 outfits and put them together on our makeshift runway. 

So… they’ll be raiding your closets. Please make it easier to find stuff by putting out clothes that you don’t need.

While we are working on this project, I will give them 15 minutes each day to discuss things with their teams.

Making New Friends

Last week we had a great time chatting to and making new friends from Hong Kong. I hope you checked out the pictures on Facebook.

This week we are also finalizing our letters to our new friends in California, at Tassajara Elementary School.

  I have scanned the letters and given each child a copy of their own letter as well as their pen pals letter to put in the yellow folder.

Please note that this letter has not been corrected. This was done so as not to discourage those who are excited about writing for the first time!

Glog and Learnboost.com

The glog for this lesson will be live on Friday.

Please note that you can access our child’s scores via Learnboost.com using the same access code, sent to you last semester. 
Helper: 

Homework

On Monday and Tuesday, the students have time to review.

Wednesday

1. Read pages 8-19

2. Read and memorize the conversations.

6. Complete the 20 sentences in the writing book.

Thursday

1. Read pages 8-19

3. Complete #G in Workbook.

Friday

2. Memorize conversations

3. Read weekly sentences

4. Corrections in writing book

5. Preview pages 20-29

Have a great week,

Carmen

If the animals can do it, so can we!

Dear Parents and Students,

Parent Teacher Conference

Thank you to everyone who made it on Saturday, March 5^th, 2016. Your presence was appreciated. Please ask your child for their folder and sign their quiz sheets.

The scores for the tests will be on Learnboost on Friday afternoon. You will be able to use the same account and password. I will also post all Glog information on Friday so that the students can review for their exams.

Please note that Review and Listening exams will take place during Week 6(March 20^th-March 26^th),and Written Exam will take place in Week 7(March 27^th -April 2^nd).

Mr. Bingle’s memorial

I want to thank all those who attended and contributed in other ways to the memorial service for Teacher Johan on Tuesday, March 8^th, 2016.

Below are some of the notes the students wrote, some of them are funny and others make you think.

“Mr. Bingle, Some of our classmates cannot be here today but they’ve written some thoughts to take with you.”

“How are you?” Every time when I saw him, he always said it like this and I always said 'fine'. When I didn't know something, he would always say, “just ask me” and he always said,” you can do better!”

I didn't always want to do better but now I know what the teacher was talking about.

Can you hear me? I like you!

Max Gu

I really don't know what else to say, Thank you!'

Sindy

Thank you for teaching us. You would help us if we had a problem. You would solve it.

You would let us play games to practice our English.

Amber

Mr. Bingle, you really liked to play bingo and so did I!

Samuel

I was not your student but I think you were a good teacher. I saw you with the other students and you were having fun!

Lini

I remember when you taught us English. Your blue eyes were very beautiful. Thank you for teaching me!

Lerler

Mr. Bingle, you made me feel welcome in grade 4 and gave me good grades.

Louis

Mr. Bingle, I want to tell you that we are good now, so don't worry about our things. I know that I was not good in your class, but I am good now. Thank you very much!

Apple

Mr. Bingle, Thank you for giving us money to buy things in your class.

Brian

Dear Mr. Bingle, I remember that you gave us money, not real money, to buy things in class. Thank you.

Eric

Mr. Bingle, You were a good teacher. We love you!

Sean

Mr. Bingle, I remember that you liked to play bingo!

Andre

Mr. Bingle told me so many good stories. We really enjoyed them.

We also liked to play bingo with you because it was a lot of fun.

Sky

I remember when we were in Grade 4, Mr. Bingle always taught us more than the book. He said we were smart because he thought we could do better. And we did!

Wendy

I remember you said, I am smart because I am so lazy! Thank you for helping me have a great grade 4.

Carl

Don't forget your communication book! That's what you always said to me.

Max

Mr. Bingle, you helped me learn English!

Ryan

I remember you buying fantasy money that we could buy presents with.

Enoch

Mr. Bingle said that my words were ugly and I had to write it over and over again. My words are a little better now.

ACC

I remember Mr. Bingle’s smiling face and that he was proud of us.

Angel

I remember Teacher Bingle shouted at me to be quiet. It’s weird and funny but now I am thankful to him for shouting at me.

Leo

Sometimes Mr. Bingle would draw on the board and use his hands to teach us. We would play games with some money. He was a kind teacher and he wanted us to be good students. Thank you!

Mia

To Teacher Bingle,

Thank you for teaching me. Your student,

 Catherine

Mr. Bingle, I remember if we were being bad or too noisy, you would say ‘Ka-ching, ka-ching!’ and take our money.

Jacob

I remember when you taught us and shouted at us!

Jamie

Mr. Bingle made me realize that if I keep going, I will have a better life.

Dana

Mr. Bingle, I was not in your class, but I know that the students will miss you. You were a very, very, very, good teacher.

Harry

Outing

We have an outing today and will be going to Y17 to do some wall climbing. We’ll be setting some class records and learning to face our fears.

First Monthly Exams Scope:

 1: Week 1-4 Vocabulary

2. Week 1-4 Grammar

3 Week 1-4 Worksheets

4. My Sidewalks on Reading Street Level C p86-133

Homework:

Please check the communication books as well.

Wednesday:

1. Review p124-132

3. Read the weekly sentences and correct them.

4. Worksheet complete p6-7

5. Corrections

Thursday:

1. Review p124-132

2. Review Vocabulary #1-20

3. Worksheet complete Expository Writing section

4. Corrections

Friday:

1. Review p124-132

2. Recite Weekly conversation

3. Read the weekly sentences and correct them.

4. Corrections

5. Review for Monthly Exams

Looking forward to a less hectic week,

Carmen 

Famous Firsts and World Records!

Dear Parents and Students,

You should have received the letter below to sign. If you haven't seen it, ask your child to take it out so that you can read and sign it.                                                                                                                           

                                                 February 22^nd , 2016

Dear Parents,

The Chinese New year vacation was a great time to recharge and get ready for the final leg of the Grade 5 journey.

I would like to welcome you back to class. We have started formal classes and the students are well on their way.

As the students already know what is expected within the classroom setting, we should be able to make more progress.

We still have a formal policy in place for homework and course assignments and the students have been informed of what is expected of them.

Teacher Sharon and I have been co-teaching and the class has not been separated. This seems to be working well as she is getting to know all the students not just the few that she taught previously. The students have all improved as well.

Some things remain the same. Below are the same terms and conditions for the Grade 5 class.

*Due to the fact that worksheets went missing and the policy is to complete the whole worksheet should they lose it, they will get a workbook every week.

Communication books and homework

Students have access to the homework via communication books as well as the class blog. They will also get all their homework assignments at the beginning of each week. Please note that some in-class assignments will turn into homework if not completed in class. Everyday homework will include previewing the reading text.

The purpose of these books is to ensure that students are documenting what they need to complete each day. This includes homework as well as in-class assignments. When they have completed a task, they can check it off their list as complete.

These books also contain the schedule and vocabulary, for the following week, so that students can preview the work they are going to do.

Communication books are to be signed by the parents each day. 

Any questions you have may also be addressed in the communication 

book.

**Steps to follow when writing down assignments and homework.

1. The student writes the assignment when given by the teacher.

2. If the assignment is completed in class, the student checks it off the list.

3. If it is not completed, it becomes homework.

4. The student checks and make sure that the have what they need in order to complete the homework before leaving school.

5. Parents review homework then signs the communication book. Encourage your child to complete the homework in a timely manner as the assignments or homework shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes to do. Feel free to write a note in the communication book, preferably on the same day.

*Please do not contact the principal with regards to your child’s homework as she is a very busy lady.

Worksheets

Worksheets will be handed out every week. Each student will get a copy and will put it in a folder. Should they lose, misplace or deface the worksheets, they will need to complete all the work in the worksheet up to that point, in order to get credit for it.

The purpose of these worksheets is to ensure that the students understand what is being taught in the class. The work is based on the skills they need in order to understand the text or story.

Another reason for these worksheets is for the teacher and parent to see at a glance what the student can or cannot do as we will have a clearer understanding of the needs of the student.

The worksheets will also be used as a review tool for tests and exams.

*Please note that should the student not be able to do the assigned work within the allotted time frame, remedial help will be requested.

Tests and Exams

We will have a weekly spelling test, using the vocabulary in the communication book, 20 words in total, therefore, 20 points.  Every two weeks on Friday, we’ll have a unit test. The unit test is based on the worksheets and holds credit of 40 points.

Should Friday be a holiday, we’ll do a make-up test on the following Monday. If a student is absent for the test, the test should be taken within two days of the student being absent. The student will get no credit for a test not taken.

Exam schedules are in the communication books and are clear in relation to what will be tested each time. There is really no excuse for anyone who is willing to try, to do badly. Should a student score lower than 70% on a test, we’ll look into remedial help for that student. This could be peer-based or teacher-based.

Discipline and Code of conduct

As open-minded as we are, we all need to learn that there are consequences to every action. Students who do not follow the basic codes of conduct will invariably display inappropriate behaviour when people of authority are around (or not around). In our class we will have a basic code of conduct in order to help students become aware of the fact that there are consequences to our behaviour.

Every student should have the opportunity to reach his or her potential and in order to do so, we need to ensure that we have a safe and stable learning environment.

Students will be disciplined for the following reasons (but not limited to):

1. Tardiness (being late for class without a good reason)

2. Vandalism (breaking, defacing school or others property)

3. Disrespect (towards each other as well as the teachers)

4. Inappropriate language (using bad language in Chinese or English)

5. Inappropriate conduct (tantrums, pouting, fighting, bullying, lying, stealing, cheating, etc.)

Consequences:

1. Verbal warning

2. Moving to the back of the classroom

3. Email or call parent

4. Sent to Dean’s Office

5. Principal Meeting

6. Meeting with Parent

7. Further disciplinary action

Your support, as we embark on this journey of learning is imperative to its success. We believe that through accountability, responsibility and discipline, your child’s learning experience can be enriched. We are looking forward to a great start to this semester and an even better finish.

The link to the glog is live and can be accessed if you click on Famous Firsts and World Records

Homework for week 2

Monday:

1. Review p96-107

2. Recite conversations

4. Workbook p2 corrections

Tuesday:

1. Review p96-107

3. Read weekly sentences

4. Worksheet p4

5. Corrections

Wednesday:

1. Review p96-107

3. Read weekly sentences

4. Worksheet p9 Complete

Thursday:

1. Review p96-107

2. Review vocabulary

3. Worksheets corrections

Friday:

1. Review p96-107

2. Recite conversations

3. Rad weekly sentences

4. Corrections in writing book

5. Preview p112-123

Welcome back!

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome back to school!

It’s been a bitter sweet return as one of our teachers, Mr. Johan Bingle passed away at the end of last semester. He will be missed by all!

We will arrange a memorial service for him and will let you know the details. I hope that everyone will attend.

Textbook: We delved right into work on the first day of school and we’re off to a great year academically. In our lessons, we are reading about ‘Famous Firsts, people who did things first. Daredevils! Some of them were women, some of them were men. One thing they all had in common was that they weren’t afraid to try new things.

Workbooks: The students have received a workbook for this week and will receive one every week except for the weeks we write exams.

Homework: Please note that they have homework every day. This homework is in the form of reading. They have to read the text for the week as well as the vocabulary and meanings. Any incomplete classwork becomes homework as well and will be due the following day.

If your child is having problems, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Grading: This semester, I will continue to post their scores on Learnboost.com and you can use the same password you used last semester.  We can discuss how this is working at the PTC next week.

Tests and Quizzes: We will continue to write weekly tests on Friday mornings. The quiz will cover the work done that week. Should we have a holiday on the Friday, we’ll write the test on Thursday.  

Glogs: The glog will be active by the end of the week and can be used to review the work done in class. 

Famous Firsts to keep you busy!

Homework for this week:

Monday

1: Read p86-95

3. Read weekly sentences (written)

4. Worksheet p2 complete

Tuesday

1: Read p86-95

3. Read weekly conversations on p40-42

4. Worksheet p 4-5 complete

Wednesday

1: Read p86-95

3. Read weekly sentences (written)

4. Worksheet p6 complete

Thursday

1: Read p86-95

2. Read Vocabulary and meanings for test

4. Worksheet p8 correct

Friday

2: Recite conversations (p40-42)

3. Read weekly sentences (written)

4. Corrections

5. Preview P96-107

Have a great week,

Carmen

Fantastic G5

Dear Parents and Students,

I greet you from the other side of the world! Although we had some ups and downs this semester, we’ve all survived and are hopefully stronger for it. The exams are long forgotten and the long-awaited vacation is finally here.

Time has flown by so fast and we are half-way through the school year already! ALL our students have made tremendous progress even those who tried not to J. Attitudes toward assignments and basic class behavior have both improved. They are interested in learning and this change is reflected in the overall class performance as well as individual achievements.

At the beginning of last semester, the main focus was to do the best that they could do. While we constantly compare ourselves to others, it is unrealistic to expect each person to be the same as the next.

In our lessons in the past semester we learned that as individuals, we each have our own unique talents that express who we are. Each child needs to set his or her own goals and expectations and strive towards them. If we base our expectations on someone else’s ideas, we will always fall short. I therefore ask that you help your child set goals for the new semester, guide them, but don’t set goals for them. Allow them to take responsibility for their own learning.

While I will continue to challenge them and make the challenges more difficult as they master the old ones, the tasks and assignments will not be beyond their capabilities. The only requirement is that they TRY.

Winter Break Homework

I am a big fan of none to minimal homework during the holidays (10-15 min of reading a day). This gives parents a chance to reconnect with their kids. At this age, they change so quickly and before you know it, they’ll be off to uni!

Many of our students will be travelling over the winter break. Please be prepared to share your adventures with the rest of the class in the first week on Wednesday during experience class, something like ‘Show and Tell’.

Everyone has a new writing book and the first item of note is the movie review of ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. Please note that this is the movie version, based on the book ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ by Roald Dahl, and some parts of the story will be different. 
Should they wish to read the book, it is available at Caves bookstores countrywide  @280nt

 Click on the link. Caves Bookstore 

If you don’t want to buy the book, this is the audio version of the book on Youtube, so you can listen to it being read. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paXASC3aGkk

Semester Grades

The grades for the semester have been posted and you should have access to them. I noticed that some accounts have not been activated yet so… I have resent emails to those accounts. Please activate your account in order to avoid any confusion. The semester grades include class behavior, homework assignments as well as individual tests and exams for the entire semester.

 Click on the word Learnboost and activate your account before the end of the month as we will start posting the new grades starting the week of February 15.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a fantastic vacation and a spectacular Chinese New Year!

Shine on!

Carmen

Leeward or windward!

Dear Parents and Students,

This has been a great week so far and I hope it gets better. Our students did very well in the assembly this morning telling everyone about endangered animals and I am very proud of them. Those students who did not get a turn to do a presentation today will get a chance next time.

Our 2^nd Monthly exams start tomorrow with the Vocabulary test. The students all know what is expected of them. We’ll have our Listening and Reading test on Friday morning.

Tomorrow we also have a dance teacher coming in to show us some dance moves for our Christmas show. Yes, it is that time again.

This week and next we’ll be concentrating our efforts on the exams. Homework will be minimal and will consist of corrections and reading review. The students can also use the My Sidewalks glogs to prepare for the exams.

Today they got a writing assignment: If they did not complete the work in class, they need to complete it at home. This assignment was the most challenging to date and required them to compare and contrast wetlands and rainforests. (Please note that the information for this assignment can be found in their MSW book.)

For those who need more structure, this is the homework and exam layout

Exam Scope

1. My Sidewalks on Reading Street Level C: pages 60-123

2. Worksheets: Weeks 7-11

3. Vocabulary: Weeks 7-11 in Communication books

*** As previously advised, send your kids to bed early.

Homework for Week 12

Monday:

1. Review My Sidewalks p60-123

4. Review Worksheets Wks 7-11

6. Vocabulary and meanings Wks 7-11

Tuesday:

1. Review My Sidewalks p60-123

4. Review Worksheets Wks 7-11

5. Vocabulary and meanings Wks 7-11

Wednesday:

1. Review My Sidewalks p60-123

4. Review Worksheets Wks 7-11

5. Vocabulary and meanings Wks 7-11

Thursday:

1. Review My Sidewalks p60-123

4. Review Worksheets Wks 7-11

5. Vocabulary and meanings Wks 7-11

Friday:

1. Review My Sidewalks Worksheets Wk7-11

5. Corrections in writing book

6. Review Vocabulary and meanings Wks 7-11/

My Sidewalks p 60-123 for exams

Have a blessed week,

Ms. Pedro