SMART Goal Baselines

Well, for the past couple of days, the students have been very busy writing baselines for our school's SMART Goal which is to increase the level of students writing a persuasive text at a level 3 or 4, while providing evidence from the text and making meaningful connections (say that 3 times fast!). I can't wait top start learning more about persuasive techniques that you will be able to use to increase the strength of your arguments!

Beginning of the week awesome

Kauzbots

Cute little robot stuffed toys with a purpose. Each one donates 10% of the cause close to the robots heart. I chose to order Kruz, a robot with a heart for clean water (an issue that is

close to my own heart). Now Cooper has a super cool robot for his room and I feel better knowing that I contributed to a worthy "kauz". Talk about a win-win. AWESOME!

Today's awesome

Sharing books

What a great way to save money and help the environment at the same time! You're almost guaranteed it is a good read since someone recommended it. Plus, it helps you get ahead in your 30 book challenge! AWESOME!

Social Justice Fair

What can I say but, WOW! WOW! WOW! I was blown away by your participation in St. James' first ever Social Justice Fair. Your booths looked great and you were all very knowledgeable about the children's right you were presenting as well as the organization that protects it. I know that everyone that came through that gym was impressed with all the work you had done, students, teachers, parents and Mrs. Fitzgerald. I can't tell you how proud I am to be the teacher of such an amazing group of students :) Thanks for your commitment to such a wonderful event, it surpassed all of my expectations (which were in fact quite high already!)! Way to go!

Friday's awesome

Being proud of someone

You know the feeling. Your heart swells up and your eyes get a little teary. In that moment, all you can think of is how lucky you are to be a part of that person's life. I'd like to thank all of you, because today, I felt that feeling in a way I never have before. I am very blessed to get to spend this year-long journey with you! AWESOME!

Greetings from sunny Kanata!

I really enjoyed reading the French postcards you wrote in your groups! Some of you chose exotic locations to write from such as Hawaii, while others chose to go back in time to tell me about their encounters with dinosaurs! I can't wait to read the postcards you write from another planet! I am looking forward to seeing how you combine your imagination with facts about the planet you chose! Should make for some great reading!

Yesterday's awesome

The return of sunny days

Welcome back Sun! We missed you for a while, but we are glad you have decided to rejoin us. There is nothing better than feeling your warm rays beat down on us! AWESOME!

Skittles

Taste the rainbow. AWESOME!

Welcome Back!

We wasted no time this morning getting right back into the swing of things! We started by looking at our social justice projects (which are looking fantastic!). We then found patterns in multiplying decimals and whole numbers by the power of 10. We then took a close look at postcards during French by looking at its characteristics and by writing a class postcard. Busy, busy, busy!

Uh,oh! Looks like I was short an awesome for that last week before March Break - here goes!

Friday's (last day before the break) awesome

Getting some well deserved R & R

Here's to us and taking a well earned break after all our hard work! Make sure you take the time to appreciate all of that relaxing AWESOME!

Today's awesome

Homemade smoothies

Toss in some frozen bananas (new trick is to peel, cut them in slices and freeze them before they go brown), frozen strawberries, yogurt and milk. Who needs Booster Juice? Healthy, tasty and totally AWESOME!

Almost break time!

Well, one more sleep to go until March break! I can feel the excitement in the air! You have all been working very hard lately and I definitely think you deserve a break! Plus, then you will come back nice and rested and we can work even harder ;)

Oops! Looks like I am running behind on my awesomes!

Tuesday's awesome

Live performances

Nothing like being treated to a fabulous rendition of a song you love! AWESOME!

Wednesday's awesome

Getting a price adjustment without asking for one

So I got an email today telling me I was getting an $11 refund on an item that I bought. Apparently, it had a low price protection guarantee and they found it cheaper somewhere else so they decided to give me some of my money back. You can bet I'll shop there again! Having a company return some of your money without ever asking? AWESOME!

Today's awesome

Registering your child for extracurricular activities

Okay... So I just registered Autumn for Soccer and Hip Hop lessons. How cute is that? I can't wait to see her kick that ball around and show off her moves (which after all she says are like Jagger. I know it's a weird song for her to sing, but it's also pretty hilarious!). Just two weeks until I get to see some AWESOME!

Real World Math: Coin Drive

Today we combined our love of social justice with our love of math :) A new Lenten fundraiser was announced by Mrs. Fitzgerald this morning. Each class has been challenged to raise as much money as possible through a coin drive. These funds will go to the Free the Children organization, for their Adopt a Village program. The class that raises the most money will get to choose which country will benefit from the funds as well as how the money will be spent. To get our fundraiser going, we estimated how much money will be raised through hat day and how much each class and student would have to bring in approximately. We also brainstormed ways to earn money for our coin drive. I brought in my own Piggy Bank (glow in the dark nonetheless!) and we did a visual estimation of how much money was actually in there. While most students guessed around $12, it actually ended up being close to $27!!!! Looks like we are off to a great start!

Today's awesome

Loose change

It adds up so quickly! You end up having WAY more than you thought you did! AWESOME!

Free the Children Youth Summit

Today, the grade 6s learned about a very exciting opportunity that is happening in Montreal on Saturday March 24, 2012. They have been invited to join young people in cities all over the world by taking part in Free The Children's annual youth event. Please review the note that was sent home and return the permission form if your child wishes to participate.

To learn more about the Summit, please visit: http://www.freethechildren.com/whatwedo/local/youthconference/

End of the week awesome

Getting a sale on a sale

Oh, how I love getting a sale! There is just something exciting about knowing how much money I saved. And a sale on top of a previous sale price? There could be just one word for that.... AWESOME!

Way to go Blazers!

Well, today the St. James Blazers took their egg drop to the Science and Tech Museum to compete with 42 other schools. I am proud to say that they had a stellar day and no egg was broken because of them! Make sure you congratulate them on their hard work when you see them!

Today's awesome

Competing in a regional competition

How cool is that? AWESOME!