Creative Cogitations Mr. Ready's Grade 4 – 8 Class

Creative Cogitations
Mr. Ready’s Grade 4 – 8 Class
November/December 2010
I feel like I state this every newsletter, but ….. wow, time flies when you’re having fun! It is hard to
believe that the holiday break is merely days away. It was terrific to touch base with parents at the
November conferences. As always, please feel free to contact me at any point if you have questions
or concerns about activities at school.
PowerPoint Newsletter DISAPPOINTMENT !!!
We put together a fantastic powerpoint to share with parents and families about many of the
activities we have been doing and trips we have taken. Unfortunately, I did not realize that sending a
powerpoint as an attachment is difficult due to the massive memory taken up by so many pictures. I
might try sending it home on a memory stick – this will take some time to reach all families.
Mr. Ready’s Blog
As scary as this title sounds, our new school website should be up and running any day now.
Replacing these wonderfully witty, charming, and oh-so-entertaining newsletters of mine that I know
all of you wait anxiously for will be my very own blog. This tool has been used successfully by staff
at other schools and I welcome your feedback on its usefulness.
Speeches
All junior and intermediate students have been given a handout for speeches. It lists all of the small
assignments and due dates, along with some general speech writing and presenting tips. Parents/Guardians
must sign the sheet to indicate you are aware of the assignment. I have sent out the handouts via email to you
as backup copies.
Junior Language & Math Recap
Our novel study of Airborn has been a huge hit ! We are on pace to finish reading the novel and completing
activities by the holiday break. Our focus has been on writing quality responses to in-depth questions related
to the novel. Feel free to come on in and check out the models we are building !!!
In math we have returned to Number Sense & Numeration with a specific focus on improving our individual
skills in mental multiplication and division. Students have a checklist in their agendas that they are trying to
complete by Dec. 17 th .
Intermediate Language & Math Recap
I tremendously enjoy the daily discussions generated by the Intermediate Group. They’re insightful,
interesting, and span a wide range of relevant topics. The group has been writing, choreographing, and just
recently rehearsing their own ‘Shakespearian’ style play. Our hope was to perform before the holiday break;
this may be difficult to pull off – stay tuned.
In math we have completed our first look at Data Management, Patterning & Algebra, and fractions. We have
just started Geometry which will blend in with Measurement right into January. There seems to be an
increasing awareness that the different strands of math really do not apply any more as skills and knowledge
from different strands are often needed to complete the math problems that we are working on.
Success Criteria
New lingo for myself and students that you will come across in the future (hopefully) is ‘Success Criteria’.
We often discuss at school when assignments and projects are being given what expectations are and what

elements or characteristics teachers will be looking for. Essentially, what do students need to do to be
successful. To help students, teachers, and parents with this process, the title ‘Success Criteria’ is going to be
used. With the students input, a checklist of items will be produced which can be used by students as they
work on assignments and projects (they will have a typed-out copy). This will be similar to when rubrics are
given out ahead of time with descriptors of what constitutes a Level 1 through Level 4.
Elephant Thoughts – Schools 4 Schools Project
The juniors have just completed the second of four workshops presented by Elephant Thoughts. The students
have participated in a variety of activities, simulations, and games, focused around learning about the
conditions in developing nations around the world. As part of this project, we have chosen a specific overseas
project to fundraise for. The students selected helping out Kyomya Primary School in Uganda. It is a school
for 36 children with physical, intellectual, and hearing impairments. Our goal is to raise approximately $1000
to purchase classroom resources (puzzles, building blocks, manipulatives). Our main fundraiser for this
project is running the Pita Pit Lunch program.
Through the workshops we have had many interesting discussions – please ask your child about what they
have learned and discussed through the Elephant Thoughts Program.
Please sign and return the ‘Video Release’ permission form asap.
No gifts please
At this time of year some students and their families wish to say ‘thanks’ with a small gift for their class
teacher. The best gift you could give me would be to donate to your favourite charity (Elephant Thoughts
Schools for Schools perhaps?), or to spend extra time with your son or daughter (read a book together, go
skating, go to a movie together, etc.).
I am blessed with a wonderful family at home and truly enjoy each and every day at school with your
children. Gifts are not necessary. Thank-you !
Just around the corner ….
Grade 9 Ambassador Visits – Thursday., Dec. 2 nd
Bake Sale – Thursday, Dec. 9 th
Hep. B Clinic #2 – Gr. 7’s – Friday, Dec. 10 th
Primary Holiday Concert – Wed., Dec. 15 th (11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.)
Gr. 4/5 – “Escape from Class Pass” for United Way – Thurs., Dec. 16th
Gr. 6/7/8 Skating – Thursday, Dec. 16 th
Red & Green Spirit Day & Assembly – Friday, Dec. 17 th
PJ & Pancake Day – Friday, Jan. 7 th
Gr. 4/5 Winter Electives – Jan. 11 th & 18th

Please label hats, gloves, coats, snowpants, boots, etc.
We have already gathered a ridiculous amount of lost clothing !