Welcome to Grade 5!
Dear Parents,
Thank-you to all the parents who have spent time with me, discussing growth
you are seeing as well as strategies for greater success in the coming weeks. I have appreciated
all the heartfelt concerns and congratulations for your sons and daughters and will work with
students to implement organizational strategies and increased commitment to their own learning.
During Term Three there are three major initiatives towards which we will direct our energy .
The first is speech writing and presenting. Currently we are role playing short dramatic pieces
to emphasize the power of tone or emotion when speaking. We will study famous speeches to
learn the purpose of public speaking, how oratory is used to persuade and inspire. When students
choose a topic and focus for their speeches they will be required to show why this topic is
meaningful for their peers. Speeches will be given in early May. Secondly, students will be completing
an Independent Study through a series of steps initiated in class. We will begin with a personal
interest and abilities web to help students clarify a direction to pursue. Topic choice and product
choice will follow, with clearly laid out time lines and expectations. Students will be given
information about the Independent Study and will be asked to share this with their parents.
Thirdly we will be hosting a live event near the end of term which will be a culminating event for
many of our subject areas. This event will highlight a historical perspective, with the Grade 5 class
focusing on Ancient Times. More information about this event and our work for it will follow.
Sincerely, Ms. Somerville