NOVEMBER 2012
WILLIAMSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Grade 5 Immersion Newsletter
Virtue of the Month
Respect is…. honouring differences, caring
for yourself and others.
Progress Reports
Please feel free to contact me if you wish to
discuss your child’s academic progress.
Phone: 613-347-3461
E-mail: kristine.boucher@ucdsb.on.ca
Important Dates
We have a busy month ahead!
Nov. 5 – Progress Reports
Nov. 8 – Photo Retakes at 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 9 – Remembrance Day Assembly at
11:00 a.m.
Nov. 12 – Wear Pink! Bullying Awareness
Week begins - Guest Presenter
Nov. 13 – Paper Chains
Nov. 14 – Bullying Awareness Assembly
Nov. 15 – 50th Day of School! Dress like the
1950s!
Nov. 21 – Crazy Hair Day!
Nov. 28 – Spirit Assembly
Nov. 29 – Quilt of Belonging Blitz
Nov. 30 – Upper Canada Playhouse
Bullying Awareness Week
(November 12-16)
The vision behind Bullying Awareness Week
 Bullying Awareness Week is about
working at preventing bullying through
education and awareness
 Bullying Awareness Week is NOT about
what others could or should be doing, but
rather what WE can do!
 Bullying is a community issue. Schools
are a critically important part of the
solution, but bullying should not be
defined solely as a "school problem".
 Addressing bullying is best done with a
holistic, community approach because
bullying is a community health and
wellness issue.
 Everyone can play a role in addressing
bullying in their community.
 Bullying also needs to be understood as a
public health issue. The impact of bullying
on personal health and wellness can last
a lifetime.
 Bullying is a serious issue, at its worst,
bullying can kill.
To learn more about Bullying Awareness
Week, please visit:
http://www.bullyingawarenessweek.org
NOVEMBER 2012
What’s Up in Grade 5?
Math: Decimals, Data Management
English: Narrative writing, Hatchet
Français: Le bistro des animaux (scènes 1,
2, 3), le récit narratif
WILLIAMSTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOL
Calculators in the Classroom
There is an important place in the curriculum
for both calculator use and the development of
a variety of computational skills. Calculator use
will not prevent children from learning
mathematics; in fact, calculators used
thoughtfully and appropriately can enhance
learning of mathematics.
Études sociales : Les civilisations
anciennes – La Grèce ancienne
Myth: If kids use calculators, they won’t
learn “the basics”
Every advocate of calculator use must make
Arts visuels : La céramique grecque
clear that basic mastery and flexible
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des animaux
et rôle)
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including
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Volunteers
Volunteers are a very important part of
every school. If you would like to assist in
the education and care of our students,
please contact the school by telephone or
notify me that you are interested in
volunteering or accompanying students on
class trips. All volunteers must annually
complete a criminal check through our
school office. There is no cost for this
service.
Classroom Website
Please visit the classroom website for up to
date information about events happening in
the school and in our classroom. You can
also find the spelling words of the week and
links to educational websites!
555.555.5555
555.555.5555
555.555.5555
email@address.com
www.webaddress.com
Myth: Calculators make students lazy
Almost no mathematical thinking is involved in
doing routine computation by hand. People
who use calculators when solving problems
are using their intellect in more important ways
such as reasoning, inferring, testing ideas, and
solving problems.
Myth: Students should learn the real way
before using a calculator
Following rules for paper-and-pencil
computation does little to help students
understand the ideas behind them. A good
example is the “invert and multiply” method for
division of fractions. Few people can explain
why this method is correct. However, by hand
techniques should not be abandoned.
Myth: Students will become overly
dependent on calculators
Calculators kept from students are like the
forbidden fruit. When finally allowed to use a
calculator they use them for the simplest of
tasks. It is essential that the mastery of basic
facts, mental computation, and some attention
to by-hand techniques continue to be required
for all students.