1. September 17, 2013
Home/School
communication
613-825-4300
Students will write all homework assignments
in their agenda and will bring the agenda home
daily.
The plastic pouch at the front section is
very useful for inserting forms and money.
Please review homework expectations with
your child and sign the agenda everyday.
2. September 17, 2013
HOMEWORK! DEVOIRS!
Homework
Grade 4, 5 and 6 students will be assigned between the French and
English teachers, on average, up to 40, 50, 60 minutes of homework a
night respectively. According to the new Ontario progress report,
homework is going to be assessed based on its completion and "may also
be noted on the report as part of the evaluation of the student’s
development of the learning skills and work habits" (p44 Growing
Success).
Homework is not included as part of the overall evaluation rather it is a
means to practise skills, consolidate knowledge and skills, and/or prepare
for the next class. It will consist of drills, practice, review, study,
reading, researching and watching or listening to French Media etc. If
there are circumstances which make it impossible for homework to be
completed, please write us a note in the agenda.
3. September 17, 2013
Library
Please encourage your child to bring his/her French
library book home for reading. Ideally each student
should have access to a French- English dictionary at
home.
Notebooks
Notebooks and tests will be sent home periodically.
Research on the internet
On a regular basis your child will be encouraged to do
research on the internet on a specific topic/concept
or to find words in French. The initial research can be in English.
HOMEWORK! DEVOIRS!
5. September 17, 2013
The Common European Framework of Reference for language learning is the inspiration
behind the new Ontario FSL Curriculum. It is based on developing oral communication
first. Many French teachers have begun implementing it in their teaching.
6. September 17, 2013
Collaborative Inquiry
The Collaborative Inquiry for Learning – Mathematics, Early Primary
Collaborative Inquiry and Student Work Study are examples of how the LNS
is promoting collaborative inquiry in schools and boards.
Through collaborative inquiry, teachers build and integrate new knowledge
and understanding of student learning and classroom instruction into their
existing knowledge of professional practice.
Why teach through inquiry
7. September 17, 2013
11 Good Reasons to Teach Through Inquiry
1. Students are engaged because they are being challenged with relevant questions and issues
that don’t have easy answers.
2. Teachers are engaged—inquiry restores intellectual excitement.
3. Inquiry mirrors the approach to learning that students will experience across a wide variety
of disciplines in university.
4. Inquiries apprentice students in the patterns of thinking and specific strategies used by
experts in the discipline being studied.
5. Metacognitive skills are developed in context as students make choices in the strategies they
will use to research the question or problem, generate and test hypotheses, and share their
methods and conclusions with others.
6. Robust questions and problems encourage the use of all three intelligences defined by Robert
Sternberg (2001)—analytical, creative, and practical.
7. Learning is deeper because of the focus on meaning making. Students are involved in applying
and integrating knowledge, rather than simply collecting and recalling facts.
8. Inquiry-based learning makes meaningful use of technology during the research and product
creation phases.
9. Inquiry provides opportunities to easily differentiate for student readiness, interests, and
learning preferences.
10. The grouping of diverse learners, which commonly occurs in the inquiry process, is also
common in the project team approach that is central to 21st century workplaces. Students have
meaningful opportunities to develop skills of collaboration, personal responsibility, and respect
for different approaches to a problem.
11. Inquiry approaches to teaching are superior to more traditional approaches in developing
the skills that some argue are especially important in the 21st century.
These include the following:
• critical thinking
• problem-solving
• transfer of knowledge to new situations
• synthesis and evaluation
8. September 17, 2013
As part of Comprehensive literacy, we will be focusing on
teaching our students strategies to enhance their reading
and writing skills.
French and integrated studies
Social Studies/Science/The Arts
Please note that our Language Arts program is taught through integrated studies
(Social Studies and Science). The language skills are taught as required by the
students to help them communicate orally and in writing to do their work
9. September 17, 2013
In GRADE 5, our themes this year are:
1. Canada and World Connections: Aspects of
Citizenship and Government in Canada
2. Heritage and Citizenship: Early Civilizations
In GRADE 4, our themes this year are:
1. Canada and World Connections: Canada's
Provinces, Territories, and Regions
2. Heritage and Citizenship: Medieval Times
In GRADE 6, our themes this year are:
1. Canada and World Connections: Canada’s
Links to the World
2. Heritage and Citizenship: First Nation
Peoples and European Explorers
Social Studies
www.edu.gov.on.ca
10. September 17, 2013
In GRADE 4, our strands & topics this year are:
Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
Structures and Mechanisms: Pulleys and Gears
Matter and Energy: Light and Sound
Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals
In GRADE 5, our strands & topics this year are:
Life Systems: Human Organ Systems
Structures and Mechanisms: Forces Acting on Structures and Mechanisms
Matter and Energy: Properties of and Changes in Matter
Earth and Space Systems: Conservation of Energy and Resources
In GRADE 6, our strands & topics this year are:
Life Systems: Biodiversity
Structures and Mechanisms: Electricity and Electrical Devices
Matter and Energy: Properties of Air and Principles of Flight
Earth and Space Systems: Space
Science and technology
14. September 17, 2013
Teachers will find the various Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools
useful in their teaching practice, both for whole class instruction and for the
design of curriculum units that contain varied approaches to learning to meet
diverse student needs. (p 40-41)
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 1–8
Although the Internet is a powerful learning tool, all students
must be made aware of issues of privacy, safety, and
responsible use, as well as of the ways in which the Internet
can be used to promote hatred.
2007
15. September 17, 2013
Whenever appropriate, therefore, students should be encouraged to use ICT to
support and communicate their learning. For example, students working
individually or in groups can use computer technology and/or Internet websites
to gain access to museums and archives in Canada and around the world.
Students can also use digital cameras and projectors to present multimedia
presentations that document the testing and retesting of their design projects.
(p 41)
THE ONTARIO CURRICULUM, GRADES 1–8
ICT can also be used to connect students to other schools, at
home and abroad, and to bring the global community into the
local classroom. Technology also makes it possible to use
simulations when field studies on a particular topic are not
feasible.
2007
16. September 17, 2013
How can I help my child Learn French
• Ask questions about what is being taught
in class and suggest that the child teach
you some vocabulary or structures.
• Listen to your child read you the work
they have written. If you do not
understand listen then ask the child to
explain what was read.
• Encourage your child to interact in
French with French speaking neighbors or
acquaintances
• Encourage your child to spend small
amounts of time listening to French
television (cartoons, sports, games, music
videos).
• Encourage your child to borrow French
books from the library.
Teachers understand
that parents do not
always have knowledge
of French. Homework
will not demand that
you as parents be able
to correct or help in
the production of your
child’s work. The most
important thing for
French is for parents
to show an interest in
the child’s learning.
Provide your child with a French/English dictionary.
In primary grades a visual dictionary is best. Later
in grades 7 and 8 you might also want to get a
Bescherelle (Verb Conjugations).
