Today we welcomed a very special guest into our classroom! Mrs. Hertner, a Language Arts teacher from Holy Trinity came to visit our Language block to see what a grade 6 class looks like. She was very impressed with all of you (as was I!). We planned a lesson together that you will get to see on Thursday. I am very excited and I think you will be too!
Today's awesome
When something works out better than you had ever imagined
Isn't that just the best? AWESOME!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
Youth Summit
Today was a very exciting day! We got to participate in a Youth Summit put on by Free the Children. Facilitators came from Montreal to run sessions on residential schools and Haiti. We also got to see a special presentation on where and how all the funds we raised will be spent. Along with Mrs. Lewis' class, we chose to have the money go to Kenya for the purpose of giving them access to clean water. We chose water because:
"The clean water component of the Adopt a Village model provides communities with localized clean water sources and sanitation facilities, reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and ridding children of their daily treks to collect water, freeing them to attend school".
We chose Kenya because: " In the Narok South District where Free The Children focuses its efforts, one in 10 Kenyan children still die before reaching their fifth birthday. One third of children under five years of age are stunted, reflecting chronic under-nutrition".
The best part of our day was that we got to spend the day mingling and making new friends with St. Anne's students. Now you will know more faces at Trinity next year! We also got to partake in a lovely lunch (thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped!).
Friday's awesome
Tax refunds
Woot woot! Unexpected money! AWESOME!
Today's awesome
When the tables turn
So for years, when I would meet any teachers who worked for our board, they would always say "Oh, your Teddy Charles' wife. He's an amazing teacher!". Finally for the first time yesterday, he got "Oh, you're Kristen's Charles' husband". We had a good laugh :) AWESOME!
"The clean water component of the Adopt a Village model provides communities with localized clean water sources and sanitation facilities, reducing the spread of waterborne diseases and ridding children of their daily treks to collect water, freeing them to attend school".
We chose Kenya because: " In the Narok South District where Free The Children focuses its efforts, one in 10 Kenyan children still die before reaching their fifth birthday. One third of children under five years of age are stunted, reflecting chronic under-nutrition".
The best part of our day was that we got to spend the day mingling and making new friends with St. Anne's students. Now you will know more faces at Trinity next year! We also got to partake in a lovely lunch (thanks to all the parent volunteers who helped!).
Friday's awesome
Tax refunds
Woot woot! Unexpected money! AWESOME!
Today's awesome
When the tables turn
So for years, when I would meet any teachers who worked for our board, they would always say "Oh, your Teddy Charles' wife. He's an amazing teacher!". Finally for the first time yesterday, he got "Oh, you're Kristen's Charles' husband". We had a good laugh :) AWESOME!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Way to go!
We found out today that our class raised the most money for our coin drive for Free the Children! A very exciting moment that I am sure the whole neighbourhood heard :) Thanks to everyone's generosity, our class raised approximately $320 and the school raised about $1700! I am sure the representatives from Free the Children will be very impressed when we see them at our Youth Summit on Monday. Now all that's left is to decide where the money should go and how it should be spent!
Yesterday's awesome
Google Docs
So much fun! Being able to work on a document on more than one computer while never having to save it? AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Finding out Neil Pasricha's #1 Awesome
For four years, Neil has been counting down his 1000 awesome things and today, he finally revealed his #1 awesome thing. While it may seem to many that his journey has ended, I would argue that it is just the beginning. Once you start looking for awesome things, you realize just how many there are all around you and how lucky you are to get to be a witness to them. Finding out his #1 awesome thing? Pretty cool. Reading the explanation behind it? AWESOME!
To check it out yourself go to:
1000 Awesome Things #1
Yesterday's awesome
Google Docs
So much fun! Being able to work on a document on more than one computer while never having to save it? AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Finding out Neil Pasricha's #1 Awesome
For four years, Neil has been counting down his 1000 awesome things and today, he finally revealed his #1 awesome thing. While it may seem to many that his journey has ended, I would argue that it is just the beginning. Once you start looking for awesome things, you realize just how many there are all around you and how lucky you are to get to be a witness to them. Finding out his #1 awesome thing? Pretty cool. Reading the explanation behind it? AWESOME!
To check it out yourself go to:
1000 Awesome Things #1
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
We had lots of fun today talking about algebra. We explored variables and expressions and learned that algebra is not really all that scary after all :) I was really impressed with how quickly everyone understood! You guys are awesome!
Yesterday's awesome
Lemonade
So fresh and cool. Makes you think summer is just around the corner. AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Read-alouds with expression
I love, love, love listening to stories. Especially when the reader uses a sing-song voice or reads with great emotion. Today's reading of the Lorax was especially phenomenal and totally AWESOME!
Yesterday's awesome
Lemonade
So fresh and cool. Makes you think summer is just around the corner. AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Read-alouds with expression
I love, love, love listening to stories. Especially when the reader uses a sing-song voice or reads with great emotion. Today's reading of the Lorax was especially phenomenal and totally AWESOME!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Titanic Tribute
In honour of the 100th anniversary of the fatal sinking of the Titanic, we spent all day immersed in learning about this historical tragedy. We looked at a Titanic timeline with an interactive Smart board lesson, we had a read aloud of one of the survivor's tales, we watched a video on how the Titanic sank, we read a French book and summarized the important points, and last but not least, we did lots and lots of Titanic math (my favourite)! I hoped you enjoyed learning as much about the Titanic as I did!!!
Thursday's Awesome
Facing your fears
Well, you all know how I feel about public speaking... So when I was offered the chance to present in front of other teachers at a conference, I wasn't exactly thrilled. However, everyday day, I encourage you to take risks in our classroom (which you all do so well!), so I felt that I should lead by example and face my fears. While it did not go exactly as planned, I was able to get through it and feel confident that I would do a much better job the next time (especially if my husband isn't around ;). Facing your fears may seem scary, but in the end, it is nothing short of AWESOME!
Friday's Awesome
Glitter
Makes everything look just a little bit more festive and special! AWESOME!
Thursday's Awesome
Facing your fears
Well, you all know how I feel about public speaking... So when I was offered the chance to present in front of other teachers at a conference, I wasn't exactly thrilled. However, everyday day, I encourage you to take risks in our classroom (which you all do so well!), so I felt that I should lead by example and face my fears. While it did not go exactly as planned, I was able to get through it and feel confident that I would do a much better job the next time (especially if my husband isn't around ;). Facing your fears may seem scary, but in the end, it is nothing short of AWESOME!
Friday's Awesome
Glitter
Makes everything look just a little bit more festive and special! AWESOME!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Fighting like cats & dogs
Over the past couple of days, we have been discussing the advantages and disadvantages of both cats and dogs. Having asked students which one they preferred, I then asked them to form groups, switch sides and write a persuasive piece on why either cats or dogs make a better pet. Since we previously looked at the main three types of arguments, students were well prepared to create their persuasion map with a strong thesis, 3 main arguments and supporting points. As you all have to argue the opposite of what you believe, I am looking forward to seeing how you use pathos to help convince your reader. Talk about higher-order thinking!
Yesterday's awesome
Paper Recycling
Getting rid of all those boxes and clearing up some much needed space in your garage. Yeah! You can walk around again! AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Updating the look of your blog
So imagine my surprise when I saw that KidBlogs had new background templates! I was so excited when I saw the combo of my favourite colour, funky font and cool graphics! I smile every time I open the link! AWESOME!
Yesterday's awesome
Paper Recycling
Getting rid of all those boxes and clearing up some much needed space in your garage. Yeah! You can walk around again! AWESOME!
Today's awesome
Updating the look of your blog
So imagine my surprise when I saw that KidBlogs had new background templates! I was so excited when I saw the combo of my favourite colour, funky font and cool graphics! I smile every time I open the link! AWESOME!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Stations of the Cross
And now for some awesomes...
Thursday's Awesome
Knowing you have a four-day weekend ahead of you
Awesome!
Friday's Awesome
Taking a nap in the middle of the day
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..... AWESOME!
Monday's Awesome
Getting much anticipated bedroom furniture
Finally! After 3 years of just sleeping on a mattress in an empty room, our furniture has arrived and it looks fabulous! So excited to have a nightstand to put my books in! AWESOME!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
BEDMAS Hopscoth

Oops! Time for some awesome!
Yesterday's awesome
White chocolate brownies
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... AWESOME!
Today's awesome
The Lorax (or really anything by Dr. Seuss)

Grickle-grass, Truffala Trees, Bar-ba-loots, Swomee-Swans, Humming-Fish... A cleverly written story that teaches us how we must treasure our planet and be weary of deforestation and pollution. It also shows how each person must care for the environment, because, as the Lorax says: "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not". AWESOME!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Holy Week

Monday's awesome
Learning about persuasive techniques
What could be better than learning about various strategies to get others to agree with your point of view? Pathos, ethos, logos, claims, research... So many ways to help you strengthen your argument! Still don't agree that persuasive techniques are awesome? Perhaps you will agree with the one of the most famous Greek philosophers of all time, Aristotle " In making a speech one must study three points: first, the means of producing persuasion; second, the language; third the proper arrangement of the various parts of the speech".
Name dropping to help make your point? AWESOME!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Powers of Persuasion

Click on the letter below to see why I was persuaded!
No homework
Here are my late awesomes, accompanied by my sincerest apologies for my tardiness:
Wednesday's Awesome
Art
What a boring and uninspired life we would lead without it! A great chance to express your creativity and let your imagination run free! AWESOME!
Thursday's Awesome
My favourite website and a great digital scrapbook of all things that inspire me. Looks like it's time to pin some AWESOME!
Friday's Awesome
Earth Hour
Pretty cool to think that over 135 countries now participate in Earth Hour! It shows how great things can be achieved when people come together to work towards a common goal. Lights off for a great cause? AWESOME!
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