Week 4 of Distance Learning

Online Learning April 27 - May 1

Welcome to our fourth week of online learning. Please look for a message below from one of our school’s community partners about accessing food resources if needed.

Answer keys are now posted for last week's assignments where applicable. We have provided feedback but would like students to check their work and ask questions if they are unsure of why an answer is correct/incorrect.

There are some changes to the type and amount of work posted this week. After tracking how much work was completed in each subject area during our first three weeks, looking at what curricular areas we want to prioritize during the remainder of our online learning, and continuing to work within the Alberta education guidelines, we have decided to reorganize our LA, social studies, and science assignments. Since our science and social studies assignments involve reading comprehension, various types of written responses, and presenting information, we will now be considering time spent on these two subjects as language arts time. Due to this integration of subjects, there will be fewer LA assignments posted each week (since students will be practicing those skills in the other subject areas as well).

Here is how this will look for students:

• In the LA classroom, you will continue to see a few assignments (about an hour to an hour and a half of work, depending on how much time is allotted to other subject areas utilizing LA skills). Each week's assignment will also include a sentence telling you what to look for in the social and science classrooms. LA work will continue to be assessed by each student's LA teacher.
• In the science and social studies classrooms, you will continue to see weekly assignments posted. The time spent on those assignments will now count toward time spent on LA. Science and social studies assignments will continue to be assessed by Mr. Mueller (science) and Mr. Shackelton (social).

With those changes in mind, assignments are now up for this week in all 4 classrooms (LA, math, science, and social studies).

LA (approx. 1 hour + optional extension task)
In addition to the science and social studies LA work, students will continue working on news reports. This week, there is a set of facts about which students will need to write their own news report. This is one of the writing tasks that would have been completed during the PATs, so despite not having PATs this year, it is a skill we will continue to practice. There is also an optional extension activity to write a news report on any topic.

Math (approx. 2.5 hours)
We are wrapping up patterns. There is a pattern quiz to complete online (this will be instead of a basic facts quiz this week). Our next area of focus is algebra and equations. There is an introduction lesson and some practice work, along with videos for students to begin to familiarize themselves with this topic. Relevant tasks and any unfinished tasks from other units are assigned on Mathletics, and students have been asked to answer a few questions about what tasks they completed this week.

Social Studies (approx. 1 hour, counted as LA time)
Mr. Shackelton has posted reading about Ancient Athens with questions to answer about their class structure and lottery system. 

Science (30min-1hour, counted as LA time)
This week’s science topic ‘revolves’ around the Sun, the centre of our solar system. Students will be provided with an interdisciplinary viewing/reading comprehension task that combines LA and science. After watching a National Geographic video on our star, they can test their understanding in a true and false quiz and journal about the topic. If they wish to expand their knowledge, they are welcome to engage in a targeted research task on the various types of stars and their life cycle from solar nebula to black hole/ cold dwarf star.

Now that science and social studies are built into LA time, the expectation is that assignments are completed for all four subjects. Weekly assignments continue to be due on Sunday, but we are still accepting late work. If you are handing in late work, we are trusting you to complete it honestly and without checking the answer keys, which are posted on Monday mornings.

All grade six teachers will continue to be available online during school days. There will be daily links to Google Meets so that students can ask questions and see each other. We are also continually responding to stream comments and emails, as well as posting individual comments on student work. Attendance on Google Meets is not mandatory; it is simply another resource that is available to students if they need it.

Have a great week!

A message from Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids:

Brown Bagging for Calgary Kids is a valued partner of Beddington Heights School. If your family is in need of support with finding food resources please visit www.bb4ck.org

• You can go online and request a grocery store gift card. BB4CK is offering $30/kid every 2 weeks. This can be used to purchase groceries to help provide food for your child in the next couple of weeks. You can learn more and/or sign up to receive updates on the BB4CK website. Please visit www.bb4ck.org/help to learn more. Recipes and grocery tips will soon be uploaded to this site as well.
• Please check out our FoodFinderYYC app: foodfinderyyc.com OR text FOOD to 587-318-0232
• This is an incredible, free and anonymous texting service that allows families in need to find free food that has been lovingly prepared in their local community.
• The bb4ck.org/help page will continue to be updated with information for families, including recipes, grocery shopping tips and more.

Week 3 of Distance Learning

Welcome to our third week of online learning. Please check for Mr Hebert's April principal message at the bottom of this message. Answer keys are now posted for last week's assignments where applicable. We have provided feedback but would like students to check their work and ask questions if they are unsure of why an answer is correct/incorrect. Assignments are now up for this week in all 4 classrooms (LA, math, science, and social studies).

LA
The news article unit is continuing. This week's focus is on specific news article elements, including headlines, lead paragraphs, and direct and indirect speech. There are examples to look at, videos to watch, and tasks to complete.

Math
We are continuing with patterns. The first activity is similar to last week's work. Students have to practice using input/output machines and give the pattern rule that relates the input to the output. There is also the opportunity to find similarities and differences between input/output machines and to correct output errors. The next lesson asks students to find the pattern rule and continue listing input/output values for various machines. Students will then have the opportunity to look at patterns that are represented visually through pictures. Just like last week, there is a document with questions to answer about activities completed on Mathletics and a basic facts quiz to complete online.

Social Studies
Mr. Shackelton has posted reading about Ancient Athens with questions to answer about the roles of people in their society and how their democracy worked.

Science

Last week Mr. Mueller posted a two week project about moon phases, so this is the second week for that. Some students completed it last week, in which case there is no science work for them this week. 

Again, please remember that the focus should be on math and LA. If you are finding it difficult to make time to complete everything, those assignments need to be the priority. This week's assignments are due on Sunday. When the work gets done is up to your family, but if students are handing work in early in the week, they will be encouraged to go back and complete should/could tasks or add detail. Answer keys, where applicable, for this week's work will be posted on Monday.

All grade six teachers will continue to be available online during school days. We will continue to post daily links to Google Meets so that students can ask questions and see each other. We are also continually responding to stream comments and emails, as well as posting individual comments on student work. Attendance on Google Meets is not mandatory; it is simply another resource that is available to students if they need it.

Have a great week!

Principal's Message

April Principal’s message                                                                                              April 15^th, 2020

You will see this is a difference from past communication where you would have received my message on school messenger. In order to minimize the amount of e-mail to parents/families at this time, we have made a decision at Beddington to include this in the teacher e-mail you are already receiving. Hopefully this supports families need and will provide enough information to give you what you need.

We are continuing to learn about our student on-line learning and how to keep connected with our students during this period of isolation.  We know that whatever we are asking of you at this time needs to be balanced with your need for health and care of self and others. We will try to provide continuity where we can. Both on-line google classroom and paper packages have been implemented to provide opportunity for ongoing learning opportunities for our students.  This has been working with a level of success and we are glad to see successes with our students. The focus has been on math and literacy activities and we ask that you place your efforts on these activities first. You should be receiving weekly communication from your child’s teacher by this point outlining the week ahead. Teachers are available to answer questions either during scheduled google meet sessions or through responding to your individual questions through e-mail. We continue to refine weekly schedules to best meet needs.

Our specialist Mr. Sadowsky and Mr. Wiens have provided additional enrichment activities for you to work on. These are not compulsory and are there to support those who wish to engage at a greater level of involvement. I have had a number of questions as to whether these are required. They are posted for those who wish to access them.

Please note that for safety reasons the office is closed. Access for parents is in the main door and material pickup and drop off is in the gym. You are asked to exit through the gym door afterward. If you have questions for us in the office please feel free to call. Ms. Cumming and I are in the office during the day to answer your questions so feel free to give us a call.

Our knowledge of “Assessment of Learning” is ongoing. There will be more information forwarded to you regarding what to expect. We do know that report cards for year end will be part of our work. This will most likely be available on-line when they are complete.

We ask that you keep in contact with your teacher, whether your child is able to complete work or not. We are working to limit factors that prevent this from happening and we are able to provide resources in many cases. We have a listing for a number of resources that we may be able to connect you with. Our greatest goal at his time is to stay connected. We miss you all greatly.

Stay safe

Brian Hebert B. Ed. M.Ed

Tuesday, April 14th

Reminders
1. Math and LA work are priority over the subjects if you find yourself short on computer time.
2.  All the assignments are handed out at the start of each learning week at 8am.  They are due by midnight the following Sunday, a full 7 days.
3. Assignments can still be turned in late.
4. Try your best, and ask a lot of questions: to your friends, the class stream, to your teachers, and family if you are stuck.
5.  I will be available for classroom stream support all day 8-230pm and emails to mashackelton@cbe.ab.ca
6. Stay safe and healthy!

We had a google meet in the morning 830-930 with all 3 teachers in it to offer support.

And Mr. Mueller had his own in the afternoon for all students.

Keep posting questions / comments on the stream and turning in your work :)

We hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!

Week 2 of online learning

Online Learning April 14 - 17

Welcome to our second week of online learning. Answer keys are now posted for last week's assignments where applicable (activities asking for creative writing or statements of opinion do not have a right or wrong answer) so that students can check their work. We hope to get students in the habit of checking their own work on these types of assignments, but we will continue looking over work and providing feedback. Assignments are now up for this week in all 4 classrooms (LA, math, science, and social studies). 

LA
This week we are continuing our news article unit. There is an article for students to analyze and identify various elements. Next, students have been given a scenario and will use a graphic organize to plan a news report. Finally, students have been provided with two situations / sets of facts and will write a news report about one or both of them. We will use this article as a baseline and next week we will look at how to improve our writing.

Math
We are continuing our work on patterns. The first activity is similar to last week's final activity. There are tables for students to complete and identify the pattern rules. In the next activity, students will complete tables and identify the rule for patterns that involve two operations. We want students to continue the habit of using Mathletics (we did this weekly in class), so this week there is a document for students to fill in to say what activities they completed and how they feel it went. Finally, there is an online version of a basic facts / computation quiz so that they can continue practicing the four operations. 

Social Studies
Mr. Shackelton has posted some textbook work this week for Ancient Athens. The link to the textbook is in the document with the questions to answer.

Science
Mr. Mueller has posted a two week project about moon phases. There are many links for students to explore and questions to answer.

Again, please remember that the focus should be on math and LA. If you are finding it difficult to make time to complete everything, those assignments need to be the priority. This week's assignments are due on Sunday (except for science, which will carryover into next week). When the work gets done is up to your family, but if students are handing work in early in the week, they will be encouraged to go back and complete should/could tasks or add detail. Answer keys, where applicable, for this week's work will be posted on Monday.

All grade six teachers will continue to be available online during school days. We will continue to post daily links to Google Meets in the mornings (Mr. Mueller and Mr. Shackelton also have science and social studies Meets some afternoons) so that students can ask questions and see each other. We are also continually responding to stream comments and emails, as well as posting individual comments on student work. Attendance on Google Meets is not mandatory; it is simply another resource that is available to students if they need it.

Have a great week!

Thursday, April 9th

Reminders
1. Math and LA work are priority over the subjects if you find yourself short on computer time.
2.  All the assignments are handed out at the start of each learning week at 8am.  They are due by midnight the following Sunday, a full 7 days.
3. Assignments can still be turned in late.
4. Try your best, and ask a lot of questions: to your friends, the class stream, to your teachers, and family if you are stuck.
5.  I will be available for classroom stream support all day 8-230pm and emails to mashackelton@cbe.ab.ca
6. Stay safe and healthy!


Today we had a google meet this morning, and because I came into the school my mic and something or other is off on my computer that I wasn't experiencing at home.  So there will be no google meet this afternoon.   I have been returning work all day so be sure to see my comments and feedback and if you are asked to resubmit.

Happy Easter weekend!

We hope everyone has a terrific Thursday!

Wednesday, April 8th

Reminders
1. Math and LA work are priority over the subjects if you find yourself short on computer time.
2.  All the assignments are handed out at the start of each learning week at 8am.  They are due by midnight the following Sunday, a full 7 days.
3. Assignments can still be turned in late.
4. Try your best, and ask a lot of questions: to your friends, the class stream, to your teachers, and family if you are stuck.
5.  I will be available for classroom stream support all day 8-230pm and emails to mashackelton@cbe.ab.ca 
5. Stay safe and healthy! 

Today I was on Google meets from 8-9am to offer any support, then on the classroom stream returning work to students.   Mr. Mueller was on in the afternoon, and I will be on tomorrow morning and tomorrow afternoon.

We hope everyone has a whimsical Wednesday!

Tuesday, April 7th

Reminders
1.  LA, science, Math, social is all posted and due Sunday


Today I hosted an AM and PM google meet for all grade 6s to join for help with any of the work and will do the same tomorrow!   8-9am, 12:15 -1:15pm - ish. 


Feel free to email me any questions or post on the stream on the LA classroom or whatever classroom subject your question is for.

We hope everyone has a tumble books Tuesday!

How to add captions to video - 6 steps!

Monday, April 6th

Reminders
1. Science, Social, Math, LA all due by Sunday evening!

During my Google meets I am there to answer your questions about ant of the tasks from all 4 subjects.

ELL students in LP1 or 2 will have been invited to join an ELL classroom.

All students should be invited to their music classroom and the PE classroom.

Remember though, if computer time is short, please only focus on Math and LA, the rest is extra.


Today we did an AM google meet, 8-9am, and a PM google meet, 12:15-1:15pm.

All the work for all the subjects have been posted.

We hope everyone has mustang Monday!

Online Learning Week 1: Instructions and Expectations - Info on music, gym, social, science, and ELL too

Online Learning April 6-10

Regular classes began online this morning. Assignments will be up each Monday mornings (unless there is no school on Monday) and will be due by Sunday. Students need to check all 4 classrooms to find the work for LA, math, science, and social studies. At the beginning of the week, I will post a summary of what students are working on, just like there used to be a daily class recap.

LA

This week was the official start of our news article unit. One class did a bit of news article work before outdoor school and everyone had access to a practice assignment last week, but this week everyone is reviewing the elements of a news article. There is a slideshow of information with some fill in the blank notes for students to complete on the main elements. Students will then create newspaper headlines and look at different news articles to identify features, answer comprehension questions and focus on vocabulary, and explain why they think various articles might have been in the news. If they want, students can complete a mad libs style activity where they fill in blanks to create a silly news report.

Math

Although pattern work has been assigned on Marhletics and I sent all of you an introductory slideshow before spring break, this week we began our real instruction and practice of patterns. There are two video lessons created by Mr. Mueller and there are four activities (each with a must / should / could element) for students to practice continuing increasing and decreasing patterns and writing pattern rules. As always, students also have work assigned to them from all of this year’s math units on Mathletics.

Social Studies

Mr. Shackelton is starting Ancient Greece. This week there is a link to a video to watch and questions to answer about it.

Science

Mr. Mueller is continuing Sky Science. This week he notes and videos with some questions to answer about revolution and rotation. 

Music and Phys Ed

Mr. Wiens and Mr. Sadowsky are continuing to post videos and activities in their classrooms.

Please remember that the focus should be on math and LA. If you are finding it difficult to make time to complete everything, those assignments need to be the priority.

The grade six teachers will be available during school hours to respond to stream comments and emails. We will take turns hosting open Google Meets so students can ask questions face to face if they want - refer to the schedule posted and emailed on Friday. Attendance on Google Meets is not mandatory; it is simply another resource that is available to students if they need it. If the times don’t work and students can’t make it online to chat with us that’s completely fine. The expectation is that assignments are submitted by Sunday, but when that work gets done is up to your family.

A reminder that there is no school this Friday (April 10) or Monday (April 13) because of Easter. Teachers may be responding to email but will not be online those days.

Here’s to a great first week of online learning!

Friday, April 3rd

Reminders
1. Scavenger Hunt due Monday!

Monday the work for the week will be up in all 4 subjects, and the work will be due the following Sunday by midnight.

Any questions feel free to email me, or post on the stream page.

We hope everyone has a fabulous Friday!

Online Agenda Schedule for Google Meets

Room 14 Google Meet Schedule

Monday to Friday:

8am - 9:15am for Math and LA help 

Monday and Wednesday:

12:15-1:15pm ALL subject help

Tuesday and Thursday:

Social will be 12:15 - 1:15pm  - Led by myself

Science will be 1:30 - 2:30pm - Led by Mr. Mueller

The google meets for math and LA with me will be posted on our classroom wall and the LA google classroom wall.

The social google meets will be posted on the social studies google classroom, and the science meet with Mr. Mueller, will be posted on the science google classroom.

I will be available via email, google classroom stream posts, and online in general Mon - Thurs 8am - 230pm and Friday 8am -11:50am, normal school hours.

I will send this out with school messenger too! 

Hope everyone is doing well!

Here is how it looks with all the teachers:

Thursday, April 2nd

Reminders
1. Sign up to our 4 Google Classrooms, and my 5th one, Mr. Shackelton's class.
2. Stay safe, wash your hands, don't touch your face, and stay 2m away from others.
3. Complete the Google Scavenger

What year that month was!

Today was quite the day, as it always is in our room!  The first Google Meet went well.  We are all learning in this together and it will only make us a stronger team learning all together.   As well, it is always awesome to learn something new; never stop learning even when you get as old as me!

I will be on tomorrow morning about 8-930am on Google Meet to help anyone complete the Scavenger hunt and to talk about how next week will work.

Look for the link around 8am tomorrow!

We hope everyone has a thrifty Thursday.

Google classroom and meet expectations

Google Classroom and Google Meet Expectations

The main thing to remember is that this is a classroom and you are here to learn. If the words or behaviours would not be appropriate in school, they are not appropriate here. Be mindful of your language and speak kindly to one another. This is a learning space, so if it is not something that would be blurted out in class, it probably does not belong on our Google Classroom stream.

There are some safety rules to remember:

• Do not post people’s personal information, including their last names, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. Your Google account is secured by CBE, but you need to be careful online.
• If ever given the option to share your location, say no. 
• What you say online stays online, so even if you delete something, there could still be a record of it. Don’t say something you will want to take back.

Work will be posted for you on Mondays and it is up to you when you complete tasks throughout the week. Try to submit your work by the weekend so that you are ready for the next week’s tasks. The main focus of our online work will be math and LA, but you will also have opportunities to complete science and social studies tasks each week. In all subjects, there will be must, should, and could tasks. There may also be extension questions and extra activities. 

All three teachers will be online to connect with you most mornings between 8:00 and 10:00. We will each post a link to a Google Meet so that you can connect with us to ask questions and get clarification. In the afternoons, Mr. Mueller and Mr. Shackelton will be online between 12:30 and 2:30 if you have questions. The schedule is pretty similar to our typical school day, though we know you will not be online the whole time. If you have questions outside of school hours, email us and we will get back to you when we can. We will not be online on days that are on the calendar as no school days (non-instructional days, holidays).

Part of the reasoning behind having all grade six students together in one classroom is so that you can work together and stay connected with each other. You always have access to your Gmail and Google Meet, so you can talk to your classmates (you can also post on Classroom, but try not to clutter up the stream with what could be private conversations). 

Please recognize that this is new for everyone (including teachers) and we are all trying our best. Be patient and be kind. Together, we’ll make it work!

Sincerely, The Grade 6 Team

Writing Contest due April 30th

https://www.yabs.ab.ca/youngwriters.php

Follow this link for a writing contest!

Google Classroom for today and tomorrow - link for google meet

Hey all

Please go to the LA classroom for today and tomorrow.  We have posted a scavenger hunt that needs to be completed this week.  It will help you get more familiar with google classroom.

Here is the link for my google meet this morning 8am - 10am... feel free to drop in with your questions and say hi!

To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/sjo-xaps-rfv