Friday, September 30, 2016

Community Circles

In an effort to create a safe environment in which to take risks and learn about ourselves and others, we sit in circles so that everyone can have an equal say within the group. We can see everyone's face within the group and know that we are all listening to one another and caring about each other's thoughts and feelings. We have been using community circles in the class since the beginning of the school year as a place to discuss classroom expectations of ourselves and one another, activities going on at school and at home, and goals set out for the year, as a class and as individuals.

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to have our community circle lead by Ms. Lewis. She helped us establish clear norms about how we should act when part of the circle. She also helped us to relate most of our ideas back to the Right to Play motto: "Look after yourself. Look after one another."

The students were very receptive and offered many personal thoughts based on questions and statements posed. Ms. Lewis and I will work together to determine the needs of the class and how we can use community circles to further develop the students' understanding of themselves as individuals and as learners.

Please talk to you son and/or daughter about their reflections on community circles, and don't hesitate to ask me for any clarifications.

Take care!

Friday, September 23, 2016

Learn to type! and more

Typing / keyboarding - an invaluable skill that is no longer taught explicitly in schools

I have signed each student up with an account on an online typing program that tracks progress as far as speed and accuracy. There is a link titled typing.com listed on the right of this site. Students will be taken directly to the log in screen from there. Their log in and password is the same as their school log in and password.

This is an optional activity, however, extremely worthwhile. The only way to learn to type is by practising on a consistent basis.

Students should also become very familiar and comfortable with their school-based G-mail account. Included with the same account is access to Drive online storage, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc. Getting familiar with the functions of Google Read & Write would also be extremely beneficial, especially while typing skills are still being developed.

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Open House Tonight

Tonight Pineland is hosting its annual Open House, welcoming family and friends into the school and teacher's classrooms for meet and greets and to get a sense of the learning that is taking place. All teachers will also have a hand out explaining what is going on in their class as far as curriculum, learning skills education, and any other activities or bits of information to help parents and guardians support and extend learning at home.

I will include an electronic version of my hand out on the "Hand outs and Forms" page of this site.

I have tried to make contact with all families by phone, and if I have not yet, I apologize, and will continue to make calls to give everyone an opportunity to discuss their student's start to the year. Please try to refrain from asking personal questions in the open house setting.

As always, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Hopefully I will see most of you tonight, and if not, there will be many more opportunities throughout the year!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Learning Skills

The Provincial Report Card includes marks for both Subjects and Learning Skills. By now, students have likely heard all about the importance of developing solid and hopefully strong Learning Skills. There is an almost inseparable relationship between strong learning skills and success at school and the rest of kids' lives.

In our class, we will be really focusing on Initiative and Collaboration and relating these learning skills to the Right to Play philosophy of "Looking after yourself and Looking after each other." Please take some time each day to discuss these skills at home as well as successes had at school during the day.


***Unrelated note: Picture Day is tomorrow (Wednesday, September 21)***

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

So far...

It has been a great start to the year and the class is already developing positive and respectful routines around the class and towards learning.

Here are some of the activities and topics that have been introduced/covered so far:

  • lots around safety and expectations around the school
  • Right to Play - an organization with a motto/philosophy about "Looking after yourself and Looking after others" - this way of thinking is being adopted by Pineland
  • Reading Strategies (there are 6 specific strategies we discuss - test your kids!) are being taught and practised through a class read aloud novel called "Dunk" by David Lubar
  • Math - exploring whole numbers and developing an understanding of magnitude and various ways to represent numbers (Gr. 5 - up to 100 000, Gr. 6 - up to 1 000 000)

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Welcome letter

Below is the welcome letter that I sent home on Friday with the students. Hopefully it arrived at home safe and sound.

Welcome!
Class 5/6-1


Dear families,


Our class has begun the year on a very positive note. Everyone seems very excited about the year ahead and has participated enthusiastically and respectfully. I will do my best to keep these attitudes and actions going throughout the year.


I will be encouraging the class to take ownership of their learning this year and will provide them with ample opportunities to develop their skills. Their thinking will be challenged and they will be supported in setting high, achievable goals.


Information about what is going on in the class is readily available by accessing my blog/website mrmoskalsclass.blogspot.ca which is upadated very often. There are numerous pages on the site with a variety of information and resources. Please encourage your child to incorporate reviewing the site into their daily routine. It would also be very beneficial for parents to access the site regularly in order to support students at home.


Should you have any questions, concerns or comments, don’t hesitate to contact me through email (moskald@hdsb.ca) or by calling the school (905-634-2311). If the method by which I communicate information changes at any time, I will notify families immediately.


Sincerely,




Mr. (Dave) Moskal

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Day 1 - School Year 16/17

As I'm sure it was the case for all of my students and their families, I began the day with mixed emotions, but mostly nervous excitement. I was thrilled to see all of the faces of the students in my class whom I have known from across the hall for the past two years. It was also a pleasure meeting so many parents, and those I did not have the opportunity to meet, I look forward to meeting at the open house on the 22nd of the month if not sooner.

It was flattering to have a class so excited to have me a their teacher. So many of them had done their homework, asking questions of my previous students about what to expect. My expectations were exceeded as the entire class spent the whole first day showing off tremendous respect for me and one another, participated wholeheartedly, and began to demonstrate the depth of thinking that I expect from all of my students. I was thrilled and proud of them after just one day and have no doubt these feelings will continue throughout the year.

Homework!

Parents/Guardians - Please help our class win the challenge presented by the office by completing and returning the information package sent home today ASAP. The first class with all packages returned wins!

This blog/website contains a lot of valuable information already and I update it regularly. Please get accustomed to checking it frequently. ***This means STUDENTS and PARENTS***

If you have any questions/comments/concerns or just want to say "hello," feel free to email me (moskald@hdsb.ca) or call the school.

Looking forward to a great year!

Sincerely,
Mr. (Dave) Moskal

Monday, September 05, 2016

And it begins once more (September 2016)

I wish to extend a huge welcome to my new class of grade 5 and 6 students as well as their families. I have enjoyed a very long and hot summer mostly at home with my family and am sad to see it come to an end.

You all enjoy your one last day on Tuesday. I will be at the school with the rest of the teachers and principals preparing for the year ahead. I eagerly await your arrival on the black top on Wednesday morning when we begin this year's school adventure together!

See you soon!
Mr. Moskal

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