Friday February 28th
Well,
Here it is...my last post! It's a sad day, as it is my last day with the nicest group of kids I've had yet! Hoping it is not a snow day so that I can officially say good-bye to you all. I am SO proud of what we've accomplished in what seems like such a short time. To each of my students, thank you for teaching me as much as I have taught you! To my parents, my sincerest gratitude for all your support and for raising such incredible children. Mr. Plater has been in a few times this week, we have spoken at length and I can assure you that the transition will be as smooth as possible. He will be picking up right where I left off and has some exciting things in store!
I hope to see the Nighthawk family here at Nottawa again real soon!
Signing off...
Mr. Bristow
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Friday, January 31, 2020
Friday January 31st
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Wow - where did January go!? We have certainly had a very quick start to 2020!
Literacy: Students have completed their speech presentations and I must say how incredibly proud I am with their efforts, they were extremely well done. This group just continues to amaze me! Congratulations to both Sonja F. and Alex S. who were chosen to represent our class in the gym. Unfortunately Alex was not feeling well and could not make it on Tuesday however, our runner-up Grace H. was more than happy to step in and she did not disappoint! We all wish Sonja the best of luck as she was chosen to continue on and will now represent Nottawa at the Legion in Collingwood this Sunday. Way to go girl!
We finally finished reading our Holes novel and celebrated by watching the movie yesterday. Students were glued to the screen as they wrote down their jot notes on the many differences between the two formats. They will now be focusing on their media comparison assignment using Google Slides and finally, creating either their own book cover or movie poster to advertise Holes.
Math: Students continue to work through Measurement. They have completed their area quizzes and are now focusing on measuring "time" this week. There will be a "time" quiz this coming week (likely Tuesday) and will then be working to wrap up the unit with a look at mass, capacity and volume.
Dance: We have wrapped up our Dance unit with three Holes "Dig-It" presentations this past week and yes, they were entertaining. Due to some absences, one group still needs to perform.
Important dates next week:
Monday: Wye Marsh Outdoor Education program visit for 1st of two in-class sessions.
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Wow - where did January go!? We have certainly had a very quick start to 2020!
Literacy: Students have completed their speech presentations and I must say how incredibly proud I am with their efforts, they were extremely well done. This group just continues to amaze me! Congratulations to both Sonja F. and Alex S. who were chosen to represent our class in the gym. Unfortunately Alex was not feeling well and could not make it on Tuesday however, our runner-up Grace H. was more than happy to step in and she did not disappoint! We all wish Sonja the best of luck as she was chosen to continue on and will now represent Nottawa at the Legion in Collingwood this Sunday. Way to go girl!
We finally finished reading our Holes novel and celebrated by watching the movie yesterday. Students were glued to the screen as they wrote down their jot notes on the many differences between the two formats. They will now be focusing on their media comparison assignment using Google Slides and finally, creating either their own book cover or movie poster to advertise Holes.
Math: Students continue to work through Measurement. They have completed their area quizzes and are now focusing on measuring "time" this week. There will be a "time" quiz this coming week (likely Tuesday) and will then be working to wrap up the unit with a look at mass, capacity and volume.
Dance: We have wrapped up our Dance unit with three Holes "Dig-It" presentations this past week and yes, they were entertaining. Due to some absences, one group still needs to perform.
Important dates next week:
Monday: Wye Marsh Outdoor Education program visit for 1st of two in-class sessions.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
Friday January 17th
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Well, hard to believe it's already been two weeks back since our holidays and wow have we been busy!!!
Students have been working VERY hard on their speeches and I cannot wait to start hearing them. Presentations are set to begin this Wednesday (Jan. 22), although I have had some students asking if they can go even earlier! Remember, I am only assessing their oral presentation skills, not their writing.
Math - We have been working through our rather lengthy unit of Measurement. Students have learned about linear units (mm, cm, m, km) and strategies to successfully complete metric conversions. We have also studied perimeter (the distance around a shape) and are now learning about area (the amount of space that is taken up inside a shape).
Literacy - Only 5 chapters left to go in our Holes novel study! Things are starting to come together and students cannot wait to find out how things end. We should finish the reading by the end of this coming week (or early next) and prepare to celebrate by watching the movie to compare/contrast the two media formats. Students also typed out their final Procedural writing unit assessment pieces last week.
Social Studies - The Grade 4s continue to work through the physical regions of Canada and completed their focus on the Canadian Shield this past week. The Grade 5s continue with their study of Government. We are now focusing on municipal government where this week, they researched the Clearview Township website to learn about the services provided that most directly reflects their lives here in Nottawa.
Science - What a great day of science we had today! Thank you so much Scientists Fiona and Bronwen for visiting us from Scientists-in-School to further reinforce our learning in our light and energy units with so many hands-on experiments. The 4s learned that light travels in straight lines and can be reflected, refracted and split! The 5s learned all about the various forms of energy, how to transfer energy, the benefits of insulation in homes and conserving energy and the benefits of certain light bulbs and solar power.
Health - Students have been working through their Personal Safety units. The 4s have been focusing on bullying, the various forms and it's impacts. The 5s have been focusing on injuries and emergencies, prevention and provincial and accessing community support services when in need.
Dance - Thank you to our certified Edu-Groove instructor who visited this past Monday to teach students all about rhythm and movement in the gym! They will be joining us again this coming Monday. Students don't have to be great dancers, they are simply encouraged to participate, have fun and "be their unique self!" Students will take what they have learned and incorporate some moves into their group Holes "Dig-It" dance skits that they will be presenting in the coming weeks!
Important dates next week:
Monday: EduGroove workshop in the gym.
Wednesday: Speech presentations begin.
Friday: PD Day (no word study or spelling quiz due to short week!)
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Well, hard to believe it's already been two weeks back since our holidays and wow have we been busy!!!
Students have been working VERY hard on their speeches and I cannot wait to start hearing them. Presentations are set to begin this Wednesday (Jan. 22), although I have had some students asking if they can go even earlier! Remember, I am only assessing their oral presentation skills, not their writing.
Math - We have been working through our rather lengthy unit of Measurement. Students have learned about linear units (mm, cm, m, km) and strategies to successfully complete metric conversions. We have also studied perimeter (the distance around a shape) and are now learning about area (the amount of space that is taken up inside a shape).
Literacy - Only 5 chapters left to go in our Holes novel study! Things are starting to come together and students cannot wait to find out how things end. We should finish the reading by the end of this coming week (or early next) and prepare to celebrate by watching the movie to compare/contrast the two media formats. Students also typed out their final Procedural writing unit assessment pieces last week.
Social Studies - The Grade 4s continue to work through the physical regions of Canada and completed their focus on the Canadian Shield this past week. The Grade 5s continue with their study of Government. We are now focusing on municipal government where this week, they researched the Clearview Township website to learn about the services provided that most directly reflects their lives here in Nottawa.
Science - What a great day of science we had today! Thank you so much Scientists Fiona and Bronwen for visiting us from Scientists-in-School to further reinforce our learning in our light and energy units with so many hands-on experiments. The 4s learned that light travels in straight lines and can be reflected, refracted and split! The 5s learned all about the various forms of energy, how to transfer energy, the benefits of insulation in homes and conserving energy and the benefits of certain light bulbs and solar power.
Health - Students have been working through their Personal Safety units. The 4s have been focusing on bullying, the various forms and it's impacts. The 5s have been focusing on injuries and emergencies, prevention and provincial and accessing community support services when in need.
Dance - Thank you to our certified Edu-Groove instructor who visited this past Monday to teach students all about rhythm and movement in the gym! They will be joining us again this coming Monday. Students don't have to be great dancers, they are simply encouraged to participate, have fun and "be their unique self!" Students will take what they have learned and incorporate some moves into their group Holes "Dig-It" dance skits that they will be presenting in the coming weeks!
Important dates next week:
Monday: EduGroove workshop in the gym.
Wednesday: Speech presentations begin.
Friday: PD Day (no word study or spelling quiz due to short week!)
Monday, December 23, 2019
Monday December 23rd
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Well, the holidays are upon us! I would like to start off by thanking those of you who gave me a gift - WOW - very generous and kind - greatly appreciated and I am truly humbled!!!
Congratulations to Nash M. and Harrison E. for being recognized for Empathy during our character assembly! January's trait is Honesty.
When we return in January, things are going to get really busy with the following:
- Speeches! Packages went home last week. It is very important that students manage their time well and stick to the timelines given as class presentations will creep up on us quickly! Students are to have their topics chosen by the time they return.
- Students have written their final Procedure rough copies and will peer-edit and publish them during the first week back.
- 15 Chapters of Holes left to go. Once we complete it, we will be watching the movie to compare and contrast it with the novel. Students will also be preparing their "Dig-It" dance skits with their groups.
- Continue with our (lengthy) Measurement unit in math.
- Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing at Duntroon Highlands begins! We have four Wednesday dates (Jan. 15, 22, 29, and Feb. 5). Please visit School Cash Online for details, form and payment.
- Moving EDGEucation will be visiting our school to teach dance over two sessions.
- Grade 5s will be looking at Municipal Government while the Grade 4s will continue with Canada's Physical regions in Social Studies.
- Scientists in School will be visiting January 17th to reinforce our Grade 5 Energy and Grade 4 Light and Sound units in science. More on this in the new year.
- Both grades will continue with their Personal Safety and Injury Prevention health units.
Wishing you and your family a very joyous, healthy and safe holiday season. See you in the new year!!!
T.W.A.S. (This Week at School)
Well, the holidays are upon us! I would like to start off by thanking those of you who gave me a gift - WOW - very generous and kind - greatly appreciated and I am truly humbled!!!
Congratulations to Nash M. and Harrison E. for being recognized for Empathy during our character assembly! January's trait is Honesty.
When we return in January, things are going to get really busy with the following:
- Speeches! Packages went home last week. It is very important that students manage their time well and stick to the timelines given as class presentations will creep up on us quickly! Students are to have their topics chosen by the time they return.
- Students have written their final Procedure rough copies and will peer-edit and publish them during the first week back.
- 15 Chapters of Holes left to go. Once we complete it, we will be watching the movie to compare and contrast it with the novel. Students will also be preparing their "Dig-It" dance skits with their groups.
- Continue with our (lengthy) Measurement unit in math.
- Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing at Duntroon Highlands begins! We have four Wednesday dates (Jan. 15, 22, 29, and Feb. 5). Please visit School Cash Online for details, form and payment.
- Moving EDGEucation will be visiting our school to teach dance over two sessions.
- Grade 5s will be looking at Municipal Government while the Grade 4s will continue with Canada's Physical regions in Social Studies.
- Scientists in School will be visiting January 17th to reinforce our Grade 5 Energy and Grade 4 Light and Sound units in science. More on this in the new year.
- Both grades will continue with their Personal Safety and Injury Prevention health units.
Wishing you and your family a very joyous, healthy and safe holiday season. See you in the new year!!!
Sunday, December 1, 2019
Friday Nov. 29, 2019
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
It was truly a pleasure meeting all of you last week during our student-led conferences!
Congratulations to our Zack Rolling for being awarded with the character trait of Courage! December's trait is Empathy.
Well, we are almost half way through reading our Holes Novel and students continue to ask for more, just one more chapter Mr. B! We continue to develop our character profiles and demonstrate our comprehension through a series of quizzes, quick-writes and reading responses. We will have a M/C quiz on the latest five chapters on Monday.
We are also starting our next writing form this week where we will focus on writing Procedures.
In math, we wrote our patterning unit tests last week. They will be going home Monday or Tuesday to be signed. We have been spending some time on using mental math strategies to solve operational (adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing) problems. We will begin our rather lengthy unit on Measurement later this week or next.
In Gym, we have been doing some work on our fitness. Students completed the beep test, they loved it, just ask them! A few were even able to almost keep up with Mr. B!
We have wrapped up our Healthy Eating unit in Health and will be starting a new unit this week on Personal Safety and Injury Prevention.
We have also wrapped up our two Science units. This week we begin new ones. Grade 4s will be looking at Light and Sound while the Grade 5s will be focusing on the Conservation of Energy.
In Social Studies, the Grade 5s continue with their focus on the Provincial Government while the Grade 4s are looking at physical features of land areas within Canada.
Finally, we had a change to our daily schedule to accommodate some needs within the school. As a result, our gym days are now Day 2 and 3, and students will end each day now with French and Madame Wylie.
***THREE WEEKS TO HOLIDAYS***
Important dates next week:
Wednesday: Poinsettia orders arrive
Friday: gym closes for one week as stage goes up for holiday concert
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
It was truly a pleasure meeting all of you last week during our student-led conferences!
Congratulations to our Zack Rolling for being awarded with the character trait of Courage! December's trait is Empathy.
Well, we are almost half way through reading our Holes Novel and students continue to ask for more, just one more chapter Mr. B! We continue to develop our character profiles and demonstrate our comprehension through a series of quizzes, quick-writes and reading responses. We will have a M/C quiz on the latest five chapters on Monday.
We are also starting our next writing form this week where we will focus on writing Procedures.
In math, we wrote our patterning unit tests last week. They will be going home Monday or Tuesday to be signed. We have been spending some time on using mental math strategies to solve operational (adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing) problems. We will begin our rather lengthy unit on Measurement later this week or next.
In Gym, we have been doing some work on our fitness. Students completed the beep test, they loved it, just ask them! A few were even able to almost keep up with Mr. B!
We have wrapped up our Healthy Eating unit in Health and will be starting a new unit this week on Personal Safety and Injury Prevention.
We have also wrapped up our two Science units. This week we begin new ones. Grade 4s will be looking at Light and Sound while the Grade 5s will be focusing on the Conservation of Energy.
In Social Studies, the Grade 5s continue with their focus on the Provincial Government while the Grade 4s are looking at physical features of land areas within Canada.
Finally, we had a change to our daily schedule to accommodate some needs within the school. As a result, our gym days are now Day 2 and 3, and students will end each day now with French and Madame Wylie.
***THREE WEEKS TO HOLIDAYS***
Important dates next week:
Wednesday: Poinsettia orders arrive
Friday: gym closes for one week as stage goes up for holiday concert
Friday, November 15, 2019
Friday Nov. 15, 2019
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
Another busy week in Portable 888! Progress Reports were sent home with students today. Please ensure that your child shares it with you and their goals for the next term.
Congratulations to both the Junior Girls and Boys Basketball teams who represented Nottawa at the area tournaments last week. I had the honour of helping coach both of these amazing groups and couldn't be more proud of their growth over the last month! Way to go Nighthawks!!!
We are moving right along in our Holes novel study. Students have read to the end of Chapter 10 and as I suspected, they never want to put it down! We will have a M/C quiz on the latest five chapters on Monday. We will also continue with our character development and our vocabulary and comprehension work.
We are in the middle of our Patterning unit in Math where students have been analyzing, creating and extending patterns.
In Science, we are wrapping up our first two units. The Grade 4s will complete a review early in the week and then have their Rocks & Minerals test on Thursday. The Grade 5s are completing a couple of experiments this week on Physical and Chemical changes of Matter.
In Health, the Grade 4s are completing their Healthy Eating partner "Nutrient Research Posters" while the Grade 5s will be demonstrating their knowledge of the importance of Ingredient Lists and Nutrition Tables on food packaging.
In Social Studies, all Grade 4s have now presented their Province/Territory Research projects and will be comparing/contrasting their chosen one to another student's. I must say how incredibly proud I am for their outstanding efforts on this task! They will soon begin learning about different physical regions and land forms across our country. The Grade 5s have completed their Prime Minister Trading cards and will be trading them this week to learn about other Prime Ministers. We will then begin to shift our focus to the Provincial level of Government.
Finally, student-led conferences commence on Monday and continue throughout the week. There are only a few families that have yet to sign up for a 15 minute time-slot. Please refer to the email that was sent home by Mrs. Beattie with the link to the online form if you still need to choose a slot. I look forward to meeting with each of you!
Important dates next week:
***Due to the short week, there will be no Word Study or Spelling Quiz next week***
Monday - Friday: Student-led conferences
Thursday: Grade 4 Rocks & Minerals Test
Friday: PD Day (no school)
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
Another busy week in Portable 888! Progress Reports were sent home with students today. Please ensure that your child shares it with you and their goals for the next term.
Congratulations to both the Junior Girls and Boys Basketball teams who represented Nottawa at the area tournaments last week. I had the honour of helping coach both of these amazing groups and couldn't be more proud of their growth over the last month! Way to go Nighthawks!!!
We are moving right along in our Holes novel study. Students have read to the end of Chapter 10 and as I suspected, they never want to put it down! We will have a M/C quiz on the latest five chapters on Monday. We will also continue with our character development and our vocabulary and comprehension work.
We are in the middle of our Patterning unit in Math where students have been analyzing, creating and extending patterns.
In Science, we are wrapping up our first two units. The Grade 4s will complete a review early in the week and then have their Rocks & Minerals test on Thursday. The Grade 5s are completing a couple of experiments this week on Physical and Chemical changes of Matter.
In Health, the Grade 4s are completing their Healthy Eating partner "Nutrient Research Posters" while the Grade 5s will be demonstrating their knowledge of the importance of Ingredient Lists and Nutrition Tables on food packaging.
In Social Studies, all Grade 4s have now presented their Province/Territory Research projects and will be comparing/contrasting their chosen one to another student's. I must say how incredibly proud I am for their outstanding efforts on this task! They will soon begin learning about different physical regions and land forms across our country. The Grade 5s have completed their Prime Minister Trading cards and will be trading them this week to learn about other Prime Ministers. We will then begin to shift our focus to the Provincial level of Government.
Finally, student-led conferences commence on Monday and continue throughout the week. There are only a few families that have yet to sign up for a 15 minute time-slot. Please refer to the email that was sent home by Mrs. Beattie with the link to the online form if you still need to choose a slot. I look forward to meeting with each of you!
Important dates next week:
***Due to the short week, there will be no Word Study or Spelling Quiz next week***
Monday - Friday: Student-led conferences
Thursday: Grade 4 Rocks & Minerals Test
Friday: PD Day (no school)
Friday, November 1, 2019
Friday Nov. 1, 2019
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
Congratulations to Grace Hutchinson and Hunter Rowbotham on being recognized for the character trait of Co-operation at our assembly this week!
Well we started our "Holes" novel study this week and the kids are super excited. One of my favourites for sure! They are to read Chapter #4 on their own this weekend. Again, if they ever forget their book at school, they can access it here (I encourage reading the text as opposed to listening to the audio).
http://esl-bits.net/ESL.English.Learning.Audiobooks/Hoyos/01/default.html
We will be focusing on the setting and developing character profiles this week.
We have wrapped up our Data Management unit. They will complete a culminating task where they are to sort their Halloween candy into categories, tally them, and then return with their results on Monday to compare with a partner and finally, create a double bar graph of the two sets of data. They will then have their unit test on Tuesday. Later in the week we will be starting our next unit, Patterning.
The Grade 4s have begun to present their Provinces/Territories research and so far, I have been thoroughly impressed with the efforts they have put into their slides. They are taking some time and I hope to get the rest completed next week.
The Grade 5s have been researching past Prime Ministers in Social Studies and will be creating "trading cards" to share with each other. They are due this coming Thursday. They will also be writing a quiz on Wednesday on what we have learned thus far in regards to the federal level of government and our recent election. A "What to Study" tip sheet was given out this week.
Good luck to the Junior Boys and Girls Basketball teams next week as we compete in our season-ending tournaments!
Important dates next week:
Monday: Picture Retakes
Monday: Junior Girls Basketball Tournament at Admiral (all day)
Tuesday: Data Management Test
Tuesday: Junior Boys Basketball Tournament at CCI (all day)
Wednesday: Grade 5 Social Studies Government quiz
Thursday: Grade 5 Prime Minister Trading Cards due
T.W.A.S. (This Week At School...)
Congratulations to Grace Hutchinson and Hunter Rowbotham on being recognized for the character trait of Co-operation at our assembly this week!
Well we started our "Holes" novel study this week and the kids are super excited. One of my favourites for sure! They are to read Chapter #4 on their own this weekend. Again, if they ever forget their book at school, they can access it here (I encourage reading the text as opposed to listening to the audio).
http://esl-bits.net/ESL.English.Learning.Audiobooks/Hoyos/01/default.html
We will be focusing on the setting and developing character profiles this week.
We have wrapped up our Data Management unit. They will complete a culminating task where they are to sort their Halloween candy into categories, tally them, and then return with their results on Monday to compare with a partner and finally, create a double bar graph of the two sets of data. They will then have their unit test on Tuesday. Later in the week we will be starting our next unit, Patterning.
The Grade 4s have begun to present their Provinces/Territories research and so far, I have been thoroughly impressed with the efforts they have put into their slides. They are taking some time and I hope to get the rest completed next week.
The Grade 5s have been researching past Prime Ministers in Social Studies and will be creating "trading cards" to share with each other. They are due this coming Thursday. They will also be writing a quiz on Wednesday on what we have learned thus far in regards to the federal level of government and our recent election. A "What to Study" tip sheet was given out this week.
Good luck to the Junior Boys and Girls Basketball teams next week as we compete in our season-ending tournaments!
Important dates next week:
Monday: Picture Retakes
Monday: Junior Girls Basketball Tournament at Admiral (all day)
Tuesday: Data Management Test
Tuesday: Junior Boys Basketball Tournament at CCI (all day)
Wednesday: Grade 5 Social Studies Government quiz
Thursday: Grade 5 Prime Minister Trading Cards due
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