Last Formal Update

Hey families!

As everyone is sent a 'week at a glance' email the first day of every week, we will no longer be posting on Blogger. Please make sure you are receiving these emails. Shortened versions of the 'week at a glance' are on the D2L Course Homepages for students.

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Microsoft Office Info from Parent...

Microsoft is providing the MS Office suite free to all students. All you need to do is enter your student email address and you have access to all MS Office applications.

Humanities Week At A Glance - April 6-12, 2020

Remember! Access these activities by clicking on the CONTENT tab or the DISCUSSIONS tab. Make sure to READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS and click SUMBIT to make sure you have handed everything in.

This Week, is mostly about how to communicate online! Please complete the following activities:

1. D2L Activity #4: How To Have A Private Discussion on D2L - send Mrs. Lygo a private discussion

2. D2L Activity #5: Discussion - What Am I Grateful For? - join the group discussion and list 3 things you're grateful for

3. D2L Activity #6: How To Log In To Google Meet - join the group discussion on Google Meet to see people!

**A Humanities Google Meet Chat with take place Wednesday, April 8th at 10am for 6-2, and 1pm for 6-1. Also Math/Science will have a 'Google Meet'  on Thursday, April 9th for 6-2 at 12:30-1:30 and for 6-1 from 1:30-2:30. Please check your Google Calendar as well as D2L announcements to log on!**

4. NOVEL Activity #3: Chapter 11, 12 & 13 - listen to the audio recordings, and complete the visual journal assignment

CLICK HERE FOR D2L

Update April 2nd, 2020

Hey there!

Hope students were able to access D2L today, and a decent time navigating.

Couple of things:

• In Humanities, there are now private discussions. Click on the discussions link, and student can send a private message to Mrs. Lygo.
• Students need to check their Gmail. Next week we will try an online discussion, and they need to be logged in to Gmail to access the discussion.
• Students can definitely upload files to assignments! I did a check, and jpgs are definitely a file type that can be uploaded. Students need to make sure it is a simple title for their image, with no *&#:!@ in the title.
• Teacher hours on Fridays are still 8:30am - 3:10pm
• Results for quizzes and assignments will be available the week after the due dates. Due dates are shown on the calendar on D2L.
• New assignments will be available Monday's.

Message from the PE Teachers!

Hey TMC Students, come have a chat with your PE Teachers tomorrow from 2:00-3:00pm.  We would love to see you and hear how things are going.  Pop in for a quick hi or stay for the hour and hear all about Ms. Hudson’s new puppy!

The PE Team is hosting this chat on Google Meet.   Please use the nickname: dropinwithtmcpe

We hope to see you tomorrow and try to stay active!

TMC PE Team

Humanities To Do March 30 - April 3

Please go to D2L for assignments! 
CLICK HERE FOR D2L

Humanities To Do March 30 - April 3
This week's list of assignments looks long, and this is so students can recall what we were doing before the break, get familiar with D2L and do a few assignments. Next week's to-do list will be shorter.

• Watch tutorial videos on how to watch D2L
• Complete 4 questions and submit: "Reflecting on March"
• Review chapter 1-7 of Who Let the Gods Out and submit your vocabulary page
• Complete chapter 8, 9 and 10 of Who Let the Gods Out and submit your letter or journal entry page
• Submit an online word work activity: "Punctuation Activity: Dear Mr. Punctuation"
• Complete a reading comprehension quiz: "Democracy of Ancient Athens"

Please email Mrs. Lygo if you have any questions or need direction!

Update on Online Learning!

Good day to you all!

As of today:

• emails were sent to parents regarding communication and use of D2L with a request to reply
• emails were sent to students on Gmail with questions, instructions for D2L and a request to reply
• Mrs. Lowe's and Mrs. Lygo's D2L courses are now running. Students need to complete tutorials on how to use D2L and complete a couple of very small assignments just to test out the learning platform

For tomorrow:

• Students will receive new learning assignments on D2L to complete by the end of the week.
• Please note, there are separate courses for HUMS and MATH/SCI

Brightspace for D2L info link

The Grade 6's have decided to use Brightspace for D2L as our platform for teaching and learning. Most communication for both Humanities and Math/Science with happen through D2L, and we are all learning this together, so thank you for your support and patience!  I am learning lots about this thing called  'google' and the 'information super highway'... apparently being a 'boomer', is not coming in handy these days.  😜 (I just learned how to insert emoji's)
If there is anything that you feel we could improve upon, or if you are particularly thrilled with something, feel free to reach out.  We are in this together people!  It all looks very different from our end, but so far, so awesome! 

We have been instructed to begin our ongoing learning with students on Wednesday, but know some of you are in desperate need to LEARN COOL STUFF!  So, if you are not familiar with D2L, here is a helpful link for students and parents.  Play around in here and learn the platform as we are.  You will get more info about our next steps tomorrow:

  Brightspace Technical Support for Students and Parents

Miss you.

Logging In & Passwords

Message from Mrs. McCrae:

Hello All,

I anticipate there might be a few “I can’t log in” or “I forgot my password” responses this week as students get set up online. ☺

As much as possible, students can go to the Student Password Hub https://passwordhub.cbe.ab.ca/ so that they can manage their own passwords and resets 

It’s a good idea for all students to “set up security info” this week (just like we do on the password tool for employees) so that they can manage their account going forward.

CBE Working Guide for Teachers

Here is a brief look at the week of March 30 - April 3 for what to expect from teachers:

	Middle School
Monday, March 30	§  Teachers review Brightspace by D2L communication and instructions – courses will be available Tuesday. §  Teachers review Google Tools that will be used if using Google instead of D2L. §  Establish a school-wide course schedule §  Familiarize teachers with the learning environment before launching to students. §  Teachers establish a communication schedule between them and their staff (i.e. Skype Meeting time).
Tuesday, March 31	§  Teachers set up core course shell (Grades 6-9 core courses available) for those teachers using Brightspace by D2L. §  Teachers download content, add to your existing shell §  Teachers communicate with your students by the end of today. §  Connect with each student in your class (email, phone call). - this will be a Messenger Message to parents, and a gmail email to students §  In the communication teachers will ask: §  Do you have access to a computer, laptop, iPad/tablet or smart phone? §  Do you have access to the internet? §  Is your only option a paper-based learning package? §  Well-being check-in with students – How are you doing? How is your family doing? Is there anything that you or your family need assistance with? §  Report any well-being concerns you have learned to administration and/or student services. §  Teachers report to administration the technology needs identified by students.
Wednesday, April 1	§  Continue ongoing communication with students. §  Develop a plan for distribution of print resources for those students requiring this option. §  Begin ongoing learning with students.
Thursday, April 2	§  Continue ongoing communication with students. §  Continue ongoing learning with students.
Friday, April 3	§  Continue ongoing communication with students. §  Continue ongoing learning with students. §  Report to administration any students you have not been able to connect with yet to determine next steps.

Happy Spring Break... ?

Happy Spring Break!

I know most of you have had a read through Alberta Education's media release as to the broader guidelines and expectations. And so in the next few days the CBE is fine-tuning what this will look like for us.  Again, we are waiting on the official go-ahead from our higher-ups in an effort to give one message to all instead of having you juggle from class to class and child to child! 

In the meantime, keep reading, journaling, playing math games, and enjoying the slower pace.
Watch power school periodically, as we are updating a little at a time.  Science unit tests have been added.

Please don't hesitate to get in touch with questions or just a wee update about how you are coping, being kind, helping your family. 

JUST IF YOU WANT....

Watch the Spyguys lessons from Alberta Ed, you can watch them more than once and teach what you learned to your family.

These area couple websites I like for printouts, but some activities are great, some aren't:
k5learningGrade6math

khangrade6math

Here is a Math challenge question... in case you're bored...

On a number line, there are four negative integers: A, B, C, and D. 

A and B are twice as far apart as B and C. 

B and C are three times as far apart as C and D. 

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Thought I would share a few pics of what life looks like here as the Lowe family tries to make this time fun and meaningful for all of us. We have set up a room to be dedicated to quiet work, although it's a work in progress. 

Brynn is reading a chapter of her novel (via skype) with her Nana in Nova Scotia each day or two. We take the dog for a walk every day, sometimes with bubble gum. There is a huge influx in Lego building, Monopoly playing, crib tournaments and poker nights. 

I love this time with my family, but I miss you all so much!  I sure wish we could have a circle together, perhaps some day soon.

Be kind and patient with each other.  I know you've got this one down!

Give your parents a hand by taking on a new household responsibility IN ADDITION to cleaning your own room and dishes.  Perhaps you can 'track it' on a chart and email me about it.  I do love to hear from you!  If you are feeling bummed because you missing socializing with your friends and hanging out with your awesome teachers... escape into a book! 

I must get back to our poker game, Seth wants to win the Batmobile back! Mwuooahhaahha!

Oh, one last thought...wash your hands! 

.  

Visual Journal Rubric

We Miss You

Just a note to let you know how very much we are missing our regular routine with every single one of you.  How empty the school feels without you all! 

Our team continues our work to organize classrooms, update Powerschool and IPPs as well as to plan the next phase in our grade 6 journey together. There is so much more cool stuff to learn!  This is new to us all, so we are grateful for your patience as we consider how this may look moving forward.
We hope to be able to share more information with you as we learn more.  This information will come through CBE Communications or School Messenger.  Please look for these emails regarding the locker clean-out schedules starting tomorrow. I attached it at the bottom f the note as well.

As things unfold, please don't hesitate to contact us with news, we always love hearing from our families with challenges, insights and especially all the little successes and celebrations along the way.  This is a strange time of uncertainty for everyone.  Both personally and professionally, please know that we are thinking of you all.  We know that for some of our wee ones, this can be unsettling and confusing.  Some of you have family in hospital, some had to cancel special holidays, some of you have a full house and some of you are on your own.  Some thrive on routine and some will miss the social interactions imbedded. Like your crazy teachers, some of you even love coming to school every day, so this is really hard!  We are sending big hugs to you all, even those of you you who don't love coming to school every day.  Whenever it is that we get back into our school, we will be ready to check in with everyone, and to hear all the stories.

Reach out to each other online or on the phone. Be patient with each other. 
Play cards or a board game ever day that involves numbers (crib, yatzee, multiplication solitaire),
Go outside every day for 60 minutes of fresh air and sunshine and,
Read every day BEFORE you play Fortnight. 
Watch Bill Nye on Flight, Aerodynamics... and anything really!
Keep each other safe by keeping your physical distance, wash your hands!!! 
We will get through this, and I can't wait to see you all soon!

The school will be in touch regarding next steps in learning as soon as we have a common plan.

Tomorrow is 'Hump Day' so,  just wanted to send a wee smile your way, try this very un-serious link.  Guess what day it is

Locker Schedule:

Wednesday March 18th

Last name starting with:

8:00 am – 10:00 am               A-B
10:00 am – 12:00 pm             C-D
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm               E-G
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm                 H-K

Thursday March 19th
Last name starting with:

8:00 am – 10:00 am               L-M
10:00 am – 12:00 pm             N-R
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm               S-T
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm                 U-Z

Friday March 20th
8:00 am – 12:00 pm – any students who could not make their time on Wednesday or Thursday.

Update - March 16

• As you are aware, students have been asked to stay home as of today
• Families will soon receive updates with more information
• Wash your hands! - 20 seconds
• Lotion your hands! - geez, they get dry
• Stay safe and healthy

Re: Corona Virus: Alberta Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs

Please see link for information on COVID-19:
CLICK HERE

Agenda & Week Ahead - March 14

Humanities:

• Next week in Humanities, student will present their mini skit on 'A Day in the Life of an Athenian'. 
• Groups will also complete a mosaic art piece to symbolize their household patron. As students are playing a variety of roles for this project, they need to ensure their role is played accordingly.
• Students will complete a reflection on their experience with the role play
• For our novel study, students should have their title page and vocabulary pages complete in their visual journal, and be working on their letter or journal entry.

Math:

• Through the task of creating Greek inspired mosaic art work, students have planned, designed and started the creation of an image that incorporates many math concepts and outcomes.  They have to 'buy' and 'sell' their supplies using a balance sheet to practice integers (the positive and negative balance). It is exciting to see the students show the ability to incorporate so many things!  For example:
• their ability to use protractors to make specific angles
• the knowledge that all triangles have exactly180 degrees
• use these angles to create three types of triangles (Equilateral, Isosceles, Scalene)
• label and place their triangles using coordinates on the cartesian plane (exploration of this is still in progress)
• show three different types of 'transformations', reflection/flips, translation/slides and rotations within a grid.

(Grade 6 curriculum connections: - Demonstrate an understanding of integers, concretely, pictorially and symbolically. - demonstrate an understanding of angles by: identifying examples of angles in the environment, classifying angles according to their measure, determining angle measures in degrees, drawing and labelling angles when the measure is specified,  Demonstrate that the sum of interior angles is 180° in a triangle. -Perform a combination of translations, rotations and/or reflections on a single 2-D shape and draw and describe the image.  -Perform a combination of successive transformations of 2-D shapes to create a design, and identify and describe the transformations. - Identify and plot points in a Cartesian plane, using whole number ordered pairs. - Perform and describe single transformations in the first quadrant of a Cartesian plane.)

Science:

Intro to Air, Aerodynamics and Flight

Reminders:

• Student-led conferences have been postponed. New date TBA
• Monday at lunch: Math support at lunch
• Wednesday servery: hot dogs
• Thursday before school: Math support, fitness club sports day
• Thursday at nutrition break: fundraiser snack stand
• Early dismissal Thursday
• No school on Friday

Agenda - March 9

• Tax Receipts going home today
• It's still cold! Make sure you are still bundling up
• Wednesday: Meatball subs in the servery 
• Wednesday: Artist Trading Card club after school 

Agenda and Week Ahead - March 6

• Next week, students in Humanities will be preparing a skit with their Athenian family to demonstrate their understanding of Athenian democracy
• Students will also engage in a group art project with the 'families' re-roled. Hope they have their drachmas saved !
• Students received their Science test results today!
• Letter from Alberta Health Services to CBE Families Re: Corona Virus

Math - 

Math Ratio and Unit quizzes went well!  Most of these have been sent home to be reviewed and signed by parents.  There are a few still to be handed out on Monday. 

We have moved into our next topic, Integers!  

Students have done some exploring with temperature and thermometers, and have a homework sheet that we will go over together on Tuesday.  Look for negative numbers around you! 

Check out MathAntics, Negative Numbers

Science-

We had so much fun with the sky this month and the class did amazing work in the Astrodome, on their dates with the Moon, and at our Mini-Science Fair. Thank you families for all the support and helping at home. I know how much work goes in behind the scenes!
Unit tests will be recorded in Power School and sent home next week.

                                                   



         

Ancient Athens Links

The links below are to help students' research while compiling information for their role play skits. They also have access to textbooks during class time:

YouTube Video - A Day in the Life of an Athenian

Online Textbooks and Notes

Ancient Greek Democracy

Athens Democracy

Agenda - March 3

• Map of Greece and questions are homework tonight (instructions are on the handout)
• Thursday - Sky Science unit test