Happy September! 
We have had an exciting start in our new school and are starting to settle into a routine. I'm truly enjoying spending time with your children each day. They are kind, attentive and creative. Feel free to come in any morning to say hello. I will use the blog weekly to keep you up to date. Please enter your email address to ensure you receive my blog updates automatically. Grade 6 students are expected to be accountable for their learning by noting important dates and assignments in their agendas. Students will be given agendas when they have paid their school fees and will be given time daily to write in their agendas. Below is a snapshot of what we've been working on. 

This year we are once again lucky enough to be using Chromebooks and i pads as part of the Technology Pilot Project with the school district.  This project will allow us to further develop our technological skills as well as further addressing the individual needs of each student. Stay tuned for information about how we are using this technology on a day-to-day basis.
** All students will need a pair of headphones that can stay at school ** 

The main focus for our school population during the first weeks back is on respect and responsibility. We focus on how we want to be treated and how we want to treat others. Our language arts focus will be poems and short stories with this theme. We will also cover classroom routines and expectations. Last week we will reviewed the school behavior matrix through the arts with our rotation teachers (Ms. Clark, Mrs. Pendergast and Mrs. Zettergreen) . On Monday we shared our learning with our pod.
A (accountability)
R (respect)
T (teamwork)
S (safety)

Agendas
Students are expected to bring their agenda into class each morning and will be given time to write in their agenda each afternoon. . Feel free to write to me in the agenda. Grade 6 students are encouraged to start being more independent in order to ease their transition to high school.

Homework
Students are excepted to do daily math, spelling and reading homework.
Math- basic facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and basic division). Students can use online games, card games, worksheets or board games to help practice basic facts. Estimating purchase costs and making change is also good practice.
Spelling- this year we will be using the grade 6 programs on aaaspell.com. Students can select the lesson and practice online. Each Monday we will also write the words in our agenda. We will start this program in a few weeks. Next week we will focus on sight words.
their
there
they're
a lot
weather
whether
to
too
two
its
it's
where
wear
were
your
you're 
Reading- Students are encouraged to read either aloud or independently for 30 minutes a day- reading to siblings counts! We have started a whole class novel study this week- "Schooled by Gordan Korman". 

Other homework assignments are based on a need to complete basis. If work has not been completed in the assigned time it will be send home.

Theme
Our overarching theme this term is Kindness. We will be researching 'everyday heros'  both online and in our community and doing a technology based research assignment. We will also at some Olympic moments.

Attendance
Due to the collaborative nature of our school attendance is extremely important. Please limit the number of absences your child has as it is often hard to make up assignments done in groups and without textbooks. If your child is sick let me know in advance when you will be at school and I will happy to put together a homework package. Emailing my school account is a perfect way to communicate these absences and clarify homework jalpaugh@sd73.bc.ca. If students know they are going to be away in advance they are expected to find a quiet time to ask me to collect work for them in advance prior to their absence.

Gym Strip
All students are expected to have a clean pair of indoor shoes and a change of clothes they can easily move in (no jeans please) for both dance and gym starting Monday September 14.

Math
This term I will be working mornings. My afternoon teaching partner will be teaching Math, Science and French. As soon as the job has been permanently filled they will take over the math portion of the blog.
Students have worked with Ms Clow this week to review and practice basic facts. Please ensure your child is confident with his/her multiplication tables. Online games are a great way to practice this! 

Important September/October Dates
Sept 23- Pro D
Sept 27- Photo Day
October 5/6- Parent/teacher interviews@ 1:30
Oct 20- Thanksgiving- No school
Oct 21- Pro D


Thank you for your support. I look forward to meeting you.
Ms. Alpaugh