Happy Easter Holidays Grade Five!

Well done on your fantastic reports and have a great holiday.

Michael has a new blog!

http://www.michaelsdroidblog.blogspot.com/

I know it was supposed to be called a fancy boy name, but I left the paper with the name on it in class and so this will have to do until we can change the name next term.  :o)

Ten Tips for Students

The following general tips are intended to help all children improve their organizational skills, work habits, and overall production with schoolwork. We encourage you to print and share this list with the learning disabled children in your life. Found HERE.

• Get organized.
  Organize all of your materials, books, notebooks, etc.
• Plan and budget time.
  Make a plan that includes budgeting the amount of time needed for different subjects, break times, and due dates for assignments.
• Color code.
  Use a color-coding system to organize materials for each subject.
• Record assignments.
  Use an assignment notebook to record all homework and long-term projects.
• Be methodical.
  Organize all your books, notes, handouts, flashcards, study-guides, outlines, etc. before studying for a test or quiz.
• Think small.
  Remember to break-up long-term assignments into small, manageable, working chunks in your daily homework schedule.
• Know your best time of day.
  Choose to study during the time of day or night when you are most alert.
• Take breaks.
  Take scheduled breaks during long homework assignments.
• Double-check your work.
  Make sure to check your assignments for errors before turning them in to your teacher.
• Take advantage of resources.
  Ask teachers, parents, and tutors for extra help and clarification.

Friday Story Time

Farikai reading a chapter from our class book,  "Tales Of A Forth Grade Nothing" by Judy Blume

Writing Assignment 3

1. My plans for the holidays (100+ words) 2 group points
2. What I want to be when I'm "big" (100+ words) 2 group points 
3. The funniest thing that ever happened to me (100+ words) 2 group points
4. Advice to parents (100+ words) 2 group points
5. A TV show I'd create if I were given the opportunity (100+ words) 2 group points
6. A recipe for a BRAND NEW sandwich ingredient combo (100+ words AND A PHOTO OF THE SANDWICH ONCE YOU'VE MADE IT :o) ) 2 group points

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Copy and paste the title of your chosen written piece and put it at the top of your post so we know which one you chose.
  
• Either write or copy your work into Word before pressing "SEND" in case the computer freezes or crashes and you lose all of it and cry or say a rude word!
• PLEASE REMEMBER to write your name in the Name/URL block
• If you have your own blog, leave a comment, linking to your written assignment on your blog 
• Add a photo if it's on your own blog.
• All writing in FULL SENTENCES please
• CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION BEFORE POSTING!

Fifty People One Question - London, UK

Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?
See more videos HERE

About the Project
 Fifty People One Question is an ongoing social experiment and film series exploring human connections through people and place. The project began in New Orleans in 2008 and has since traveled across the globe, touching millions of viewers. Along the way, the films have captured a small slice of humanity; to discover dreams, losses, reflections, stories and secrets, some shared and some completely unrepeatable.
Remarkable individuals have shared countless responses to the films’ questions, both through the lens and in written form. This website has captured written responses from over 1,000 cities worldwide. Everyone is invited to see, hear, and explore our deepest human connections. And please, share your response to these simple, timeless questions. So go ahead, ask yourself…

More about the project HERE

Listen to the music carefully. How does it make you feel?

Would you believe me if I told it was composed by my friend,
21 year old Chaz Knapp, from America?
Listen to more of his beautiful music HERE on his MYSPACE.

...now that you know a 21year old composed the music...what do you think?

Look at what we are reading

Abdul: Diaper Baby by George Beard

I’ve only just started this book. Usually I read non fiction books about cricket. My favourite cricket book is called THE CAPTAINS DIARY. It’s about Graeme Smith, our countries cricket team captain. I chose that book because it looked interesting. I have a passion for cricket. I play cricket for a private cricket club on Fridays. This is a huge honor as you need to be a very good cricket player to be chosen. We play matches on Saturdays.

Jade: 2003 Guinness World Record Book by Stuart Newport

It tells you all about the records that happened in 2003. In the first few pages it says all the cool things about 2002 records.

One the of the most interesting things was the shortest man in the world. He was only 2 feet tall. Another fascinating fact was that a man put 133 wooden pegs on his face for 4.24 seconds.

Mia: Diaper Baby by George Beard

The book is very interesting. It’s about these two boys called Harold and George. They were very naughty. I chose it because it looked quite funny because there is a baby on the front with a cape on and its flying.

Aurora: Princess Pearl by Giles Andreae

This book is not like most fairy tales because the princess is blind and her life is isn’t perfect. She is disabled. I find this interesting because it makes me realize that not everything can be perfect, not even in fairy tales. For example, in my life I have struggles with school work. So reading this book helps me believe in myself, because if she can overcome her disability, I can try hard in school and do my best, no matter what that is.

Michael: Ripley's Believe it or Not

This book is exciting.

Farikai, Taine and Connor: The Harry Potter Series

Taine: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

When I first started reading the Harry Potter series I thought I wouldn’t like it but it turns out it’s a very nice series of books. I chose it because it’s a very thick book and it will keep me busy for as long as it takes. I’m already on page 12 of the book and it’s barely started, and already I’m hooked.

Joseph: Star Wars by Ryder Windham

I chose the book because it discusses every series. I can also see what happens in the Star Wars play station games. I also took it so I can see who acted in the movie and the voice over artist in the cartoons.

Vinny: Captain Underpants by George Beard

Captain Underpants returns to save the city! He defeats all the bad guys and helps all the old super hero’s. I chose it because I love him. I find him very funny. There are 6 books in the series and I have read three.

  Zoe: The Twits by Roald Dahl

I chose it because my teacher loves Roald Dahl books and I wanted to find out why for myself. It’s about a couple who are husband and wife. There are all these types of strange animals. The husband and wife are always playing tricks on each other in nasty ways.

Can you believe it?

In just SIX weeks we have received 1703 visitors from ALL over the world and  18 followers. When I began the blog at the beginning of the year I really had no idea it would become such an important part of our class experience, or that we'd make so many friends so quickly.

Click HERE for a larger view of the map

Current Country Totals
From 10 Feb 2010 to 17 Mar 2010

South Africa (ZA)	213
United States (US)	103
United Kingdom (GB)	54
Australia (AU)	47
Spain (ES)	29
Canada (CA)	12
New Zealand (NZ)	12
India (IN)	9
Brazil (BR)	8
Russian Federation (RU)	5
Germany (DE)	4
Turkey (TR)	3
Switzerland (CH)	3
United Arab Emirates (AE)	3
Netherlands (NL)	3
Philippines (PH)	3
Sweden (SE)	3
Latvia (LV)	2
Denmark (DK)	2
Romania (RO)	2
Ireland (IE)	2
Ukraine (UA)	2
France (FR)	2
Portugal (PT)	2
Argentina (AR)	2
Colombia (CO)	1
Cote D'Ivoire (CI)	1
Poland (PL)	1
Ghana (GH)	1
Ecuador (EC)	1
Peru (PE)	1
Finland (FI)	1
Norway (NO)	1
Estonia (EE)	1
Venezuela (VE)	1
Iceland (IS)	1
Belgium (BE)	1
Iran, Islamic Republic of (IR)	1
Hungary (HU)	1
Japan (JP)	1
Israel (IL)	1
Macedonia (MK)	1
Kuwait (KW)	1
Europe (EU)	1
Czech Republic (CZ)	1
Vietnam (VN)	1
Slovakia (SK)	1
Mexico (MX)	1
Bulgaria (BG)	1

What do you see?

http://www.scholastic.com/canyouseewhatisee/games.htm

Happy St Patrick's Day from Grade Five!!

Our class, dressed all in green

Zoe and her poster on Ireland

The cover page of our English theme on St Patrick's Day and Ireland

Jade's creative writing

A poem

Another poem

The board, decorated by Aurora, Mia, Zoe and Nika after school yesterday

Joseph with a shamrock on his cheek

 Look at our GREEEEEN lunch! We had long discussions all week about what we could bring to school that would be green. Even our teacher, Miss Tyler-Smith brought a green lunch. Would you like to share our lunch with us?

A NEW blog on the block!

My teacher friend, Mrs Idas has a new blog. She teaches in Cape Town too and has a Grade Five class in a big school, with three other Grade Five classes. Please follow her and leave some comments, using the comment guide poster I posted yesterday. Here is the LINK TO HER BLOG.

"fireflies" by Owl City

One of my favourite songs :o)

How to write a GEAT blog comment

Found here: http://primarytech.globalteacher.org.au/2010/02/21/blogging-teaching-commenting-skills/

Our Little School

Our school is close to the ocean in Cape Town, South Africa. We have roughly 130 pupils aged 5 - 15 (Grades R - 9).

We are a Grade 5 class with 13 students. Most of the children are 10, turning 11 years old.

All our lessons are in English but the children also receive four hours a week of Afrikaans (A local South African language, stemming from Dutch) Larger schools in Cape Town also teach the local African language, Xhosa, but we don't.

We have a nice mix of boys and girls from differing backgrounds, races and religions.
The subjects we offer are: English, Afrikaans, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Technology, Computers, Life Orientation, Art, Music and Economic Management Science and Sport.

Our school year runs from January to December, with four terms, roughly 10 weeks each. We get ten days holiday in March and September, a month in June and 6 weeks in December/January.

The school day is from 8am - 2:30pm. We also offer a 30min homework period from 2:30 - 3pm Monday to Thursday. Some children stay after school in "Aftercare" while their parents are at work. They receive a hot lunch and stay as late as 6pm.

My name is Miss Tyler-Smith. I was born in Cape Town and have taught here for the past 9 years. I am a Grade 5 class teacher.
I teach Art to Grades 4 - 9 and English to Grades 4 - 6.
I am also Head Of Department for the Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 - 6).
I make all my own teaching resources and work booklets myself. This is fairly common in South Africa.
The goal of my teaching is to foster self-confidence, independence, a passion for knowledge and creativity.

A PHOTOGRAPHIC TOUR OF OUR CASSROOM

Blog Members:
(Names with * have their own independent blogs. Click on the link to view them)

Abdul
Aurora
Connor*
Farikai*
Jade*
Jessica
Joseph
Mia
Michael
Nika*
Taine*
Vinny*
Zoe*

**PLEASE NOTE: I have written permission from the parents to show their children's names and faces.

GREAT ST PATRICK'S DAY CRAFT SITES

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/st-patricks-day/

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/patrick/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/

http://www.st-patricks-day.com/

http://www.makingfriends.com/stpats.htm

http://familyfun.go.com/st-patricks-day/

OTHER GREAT ST PATRICK'S DAY CRAFT SITES

1. http://familycrafts.about.com/od/stpatricksday/St_Patricks_Day_Family_Projects.htm
2. http://www.kinderart.com/seasons/stpatricksday.shtml
3. http://www.freekidcrafts.com/kid_st_patricks_day_craft_ideas.html 
4. http://www.first-school.ws/theme/h_st_patricks_day.htm
5. http://www.knowledgehound.com/topics/stpats.htm 
6. http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/st_patricks_day_crafts.htm
7. http://www.allkidsnetwork.com/crafts/st-patricks-day/
8. http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/stpatricksdaycrafts.cfm

St Patrick Colouring Pages

Click and open the images in a new tab. print and colour in. Bring to school and we'll post them on the blog and put up on ur class room.

Thank you for the lovely gifts!

Grade Fives, my goodness, I didnt expect to walk into the classroom this morning and have you all jumping out from behind your desks!! What a surprise this morning! It was a big shock! I never suspected it! Thank you for the chalk board decorations.

Aurora, thank you for the incense burner, froggy plant friend and lovely card.
Jade, thank you for the pink Jasmin hand cream and hand wash. What a magical smell!
Natasha, thank you for the orange birthday card, red and orange necklace and bath ball.
Zoe, thank you for the biscuits and Whispers.

Writing Assignment 2

1. My Family Heritage (100+ words) 2 group points
2. My Favourite possesion and why (100+ words) 2 group points 
3. My Pet (100+ words) 2 group points
4. Advice to teachers (100+ words) 2 group points
5. A review of a TV show, movie or computer game (100+ words) 2 group points
6. Why children should be allowed to come to school in civvies everyday (100+ words) 2 group points

TIPS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Copy and paste the title of your chosen written piece and put it at the top of your post so we know which one you chose.
  
• Either write or copy your work into Word before pressing "SEND" in case the computer freezes or crashes and you lose all of it and cry or say a rude word!
• PLEASE REMEMBER to write your name in the Name/URL block
• If you have your own blog, leave a comment, linking to your written assignment on your blog 
• Add a photo if it's on your own blog.
• All writing in FULL SENTENCES please
• CHECK YOUR SPELLING AND PUNCTUATION BEFORE POSTING!

Review: "Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is a grade A blog"

"I was contacted by Miss Tyler-Smith a while ago through the contact page, asking if I would review her classroom blog.  Not knowing what a ‘classroom blog’ exactly was, I was immediately intrigued and began to check out the blog straightaway.
I have to say that the blog is one of the happiest I’ve come across.
As the the title would suggest, Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is a blog of Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five class, who are a class in an independent school in Cape Town, South Africa.
The blog was setup to allow for the children in the class to have a safe place to share their ideas, which is, in my opinion at least, a wonderful idea.
Featuring everything from information on the ‘Learner of the Week’, to historical resources about parts of history that the class have been learning about and through to pictures of them hard at work (looking like they’re having a really enjoyable time, however – school must have changed since I was there!), Miss Tyler-Smith’s Grade Five Blog is well worth checking out, irrelevant of whether you’re from an educational background or not – I guarantee it will bring a smile to anyone’s face"

The review found here: http://www.findanewblog.com/2010/03/12/miss-tyler-smiths-grade-five-blog-is-a-grade-a-blog/

Our Class Rules

Coloured in by Jade

Our Star Charts

In our class we sit at table groups of four. 

At the beginning of the year we gave ourselves group names and star charts. We earn points for having a tidy desk, helping to clean the classroom, being kind, remembering to have our diaries signed and bringing sports togs and research. We also get points for complteing writing assignments on this blog.

SPACE EXPLORERS: Connor, Farikai, Zoe and Jessica (30 points)

THE ICE DEVILS: Vinny, Aurora, Nika and Joe (29 points)

THE ROBOT CHUMPS: Taine and Mia (17 points)

MEGA BOLTS: Abdul, Micheal and Taine (19 points)
The last two groups are combined, so that its fair when we decide on a winning group.