Captain Michael VandenBos PS

March 1, 2012

Keeler Classroom March Newsletter

The Month of March

We have been doing a lot of wonderful and exciting learning in our Grade 8 classroom. We have completed an Informational Essay and have explored the importance of clear opening topic sentences. This was an integrated unit of study that combined the Health and Language curriculums. Students are working on a new geography project and have been discussing and comparing Literacy Rates and Life Expectancy percentages for a number of countries. The class was surprised to learn that the Literacy Rate for women in Afghanistan was only 12.5% and 43% for men. Each student is researching a country of their choice. They are mapping the location of their country, discovering the National Anthem, and are finding a number of important statistics, such as GNP and total population. Please ask us to share some of the interesting information we have learned as we researched our topic. I am excited about

the new learning that will take place this month. Read on to find out what is coming up!

Independent Reading Program

Students continue to read every day for one period. The Hunger Games series has been very popular and I know many students are waiting for the movie. I encourage families to read some of the books their students are choosing as they are quite interesting. We have looked at many of the different reading strategies that readers use to help them comprehend a text. Inferring, determining importance, and synthesizing are key strategies that will support students as they move into high school next year.

Mathematics
We have been studying lines, angles and integers for the last few weeks. We will continue to work on multiplying and dividing using integers; and then move to probability when we return from

Captain Michael VandenBos PS

March 1, 2012 March Break. This is a great math unit and I know the students will enjoy it.

Movie Posters and Graduation Flowers

Students have completed their movie posters and they should soon be sent off to the printers. We are looking forward to seeing the finished products. We are asking students to practice signing their name as they will be autographing their poster and Hollywood star in preparation for Grad night. All students will receive a wrist corsage or boutonniere on the night of Grad thanks to the generous support of the SCC. A form was sent home with a choice of colours. We are asking that all forms be returned by the end of March as we have to order from the florist. Thank you for your support!

Thank you for Your Support

Thank you so much for the terrific support you gave to our Intermediate Talent and Art Showcase and Coffee House. It was a great evening and we have a lot of talented performers and artists in our Intermediate Division. All of the students in our classroom played a role in making this event a success. They were always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed. They are a wonderful group and I know they will be leaders in the high school community.

Captain Michael VandenBos PS

March 1, 2012

Important Dates
Mar. 20 SCC Pizza Lunch Mar. 21 SCC Dance-a-thon Kickoff Assembly 8:45pm Mar. 22 SCC mtg, 6:30pm Mar. 28 Family Fitness Night, 6:30pm Apr. 2 Directors Mtg, K, am Apr. 6-9 EASTER Weekend, ENJOY! Apr. 13 SCC Dance-a-thon (Pledgea-lopes due) Apr. 17 SCC Pizza Lunch Apr. 19 SCC mtg, 6:30pm Apr. 25 Secretarys Day Popcorn day