Happy Wednesday!

We started off today with another Olympic activity. We read an excerpt from a CBC article written about Justine and Chloe Dufour-Lapointe, with that piece we completed a creative writing activity. I asked students to write with voice and patriotism by asking questions like "How would you feel if won a medal?" and "Why are you proud to be Canadian?". I also had students activate their use of prior knowledge by completing a graphic story (similar to the Jack and the Beanstalk assignment) about what the athletes might be thinking or saying to one another while on the podium receiving their medals. 
  
Next, we took one hour to complete the Math test on Measurement. Marks will be returned to the students tomorrow. 

During our UOI today the students had a lot of fun learning about how the Aboriginals impacted the pioneers when the pioneers first arrived.  After reading a passage as a class we discussed exactly what the Aboriginals did to help the settlers. Specifically, we discussed how the Aboriginals taught pioneers to hunt and gather, plant crops successfully and use all that their environment had to offer. By exploring history holistically we were able to connect our prior knowledge of pioneer life and see the significant role that Aboriginals played in their arrival. The students will continue to investigate pioneers and Aboriginals to fully grasp how they impacted the history of Canada.  Ask your child tonight what they learned! 

Students also went to Gym, Art and French classes today.

Homework: Read for 20 minutes and record in the reading log, practice weekly spelling words, ABecka 63 - 64, and practise poems for tomorrow's oral competition. 

Important Information: Re-registration packages were due last week to ensure a spot for next year.  Registration has now been opened up to the public.  If you have not yet returned your re-registration package for next year please do that quickly so that your child doesn't miss a spot!

Please return field trip form for Mountsberg Conservation and cheque by Thursday, February 27, 2014.  

The in-class oral competition will be taking place this Thursday.  On this day the students will compete to find the 3 students that will enter into the final competition being held on Thursday, February 27th at 9am.  Parents are welcome to attend this final competition!  Please see the rubric for the oral competition attached below.  This is the rubric that will be used to find the 3 students to compete in the finals.

	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4
Preparedness	Student does not seem at all prepared to present.  Poem is partially memorised.	Student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking.  Poem is mostly memorised.	Student seems fairly prepared, but might have needed a couple more rehearsals.  Poem is memorised.	Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed.  Poem is confidently memorised.
Speaks Clearly	Often mumbles or cannot be understood or mispronounces more than one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly most of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, but mispronounces one word.	Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time, and does not mispronounce any words.
Volume	Volume often too soft to be heard by all audience members.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 80% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members at least 90% of the time.	Volume is loud enough to be heard by all audience members throughout the presentation.
Enthusiasm	Very little use of facial expressions or body language.    Did not generate much interest in topic being presented.	Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm, but seem somewhat mimicked.	Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.	Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others.

St. Jude's Academy's Annual Gala Dinner is approaching and it is sure to be an evening of fun and entertainment for friends and families alike!  Mark your calenders for this event which takes place on February 22nd at 6:00pm at the Sagan Banquet Hall.  The theme for this year's Gala is 'Legends of the World' which will be reflected in the buffet diner, and the short musical performance by St. Jude's students.  A silent action, raffle tickets and a 50/50 draw will also help add to the excitement of the night. Tickets for the event are $75 for adults and $10 for children. 

For more information about the Gala Dinner please contact Presy Malan at pmalan@stjudesacademy.com.  To donate items for the silent auction please contact Charmaine Tavares at lomaine@sympatico.ca  or Sudan Cashin at cashins@cashingroup.com.

Best regards,

Mrs. Nelson