Merry Christmas Gerry and Molly

For those of you who don't know the story.  Gerry is a 97 year old neighbour.  About 10? years ago he began taming the area next to Brooksbank.  He replaced invasive brambles with bee friendly and other ornamental plants.  Neighbours noticed and started offering him tools, leftover, plants, soil etc.  North Van City became involved and now dog walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and even horse riders enjoy the garden.  Gerry continues to maintain it when his health allows.  Molly's job is wrangling Gerry so he doesn't overdo it.  Many of the children and staff know Gerry and he loves it when we stop to say Hi.

On Wednesday, Brooksbank students took turns decorating a pine tree in Gerry's Garden next to the school.  In the afternoon, the students from our class and Mrs. Spofforth's kindies presented our concert numbers to them.  We also presented them with a card signed by Brooksbank students and staff.  Gerry and Molly were really touched.

Students of the Week

Congratulations Aly and Callum!

Rain Rain Finally Gone

During November when it rained for 27 days, the students created watercolour, oil pastel, and pencil crayon rainy day pictures.  Water colour painting is tricky because mistakes can't be hidden with more paint.  I think the students' work is amazing!

Christmas Concert

Thank you for coming to the concert to support your child and all of the children at Brooksbank.  A huge thank you is owed to Mrs. Schwarzbach for preparing the children and for organizing the logistics as well as she did.  I am so proud of the children in our class who really pulled together to teach me the dance, to give positive feedback after each rehearsal, and to pull it all together and do a great job on stage.

Here are a few behind the scenes photos as we waited in a too warm, too crowded change room below.  As you can see the students went from quiet and orderly to a little crazy and back again.

Congratulations to the Schwarzbach family!  Baby Andrew is beautiful!

Students of the Week

Congratulations Eric and London!

Note: The word clouds below were created live by the students.  i.e.  They were able to see what they wrote on the screen immediately.  The descriptions they chose to write had to be positive, meaningful, and ideally spelled correctly.  With permission by me, and the student of the week, a few were allowed to write something silly as long as they wrote something meaningful as well.  The size of the word is determined by how often it was submitted.

Small Prizes Wanted, Please

If your child has small gently used toys etc. that are no longer required, please send them to school.  Our Wow prize box is getting low on prizes.

Thank you!

Students of the Weeks

Congratulations Ty, Laura, Julia, and Keston!

Learn More About Immigration Inside a Real Train

Parents may enjoy taking their family to the Vancouver Museum.

This is a short exhibit to learn about Canadian Immigration to the West, inside a real train!  November 25-December 3

http://www.museumofvancouver.ca/programs/calendar

Museum of Vancouver www.museumofvancouver.ca Engage with like minds at the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), where interesting, innovative, and fun events and programs are happening regularly.

Jane Beleski
Brooksbank Learning Support

Book Report Assignment

Book Report

The students have received an assignment which is to be completed  by Thursday December 14th.  Please see below.  They have a paper copy in their Reading duo tangs. If you haven't already, please read through the assignment with your child, help him/her complete the time management calendar on the back, and sign in the section above the calendar.  The calendar should include a tentative plan showing when chapters of the book will be read and when the various parts of the book report will be completed.  Please note some parts can be completed before the book is completely read.  Some parts must be completed after the book is read.  Some parts take longer than others.  

We have discussed this in class and the students are enthusiastic and already working hard.

Please feel free to see me with any concerns or questions.  The students also know they can do this.

Thank you for your support helping your child to learn time management skills.

Book Report

The novel (chapter book) you choose must be at least 100 pages long or approved by Mr. Earland.  The report must include the following:

Part 1:  due ______________________                                                                                                            /5

Choose a novel and complete a timeline on the calendar showing chapters you will read, assignment parts you will complete, and tentative due dates.

Parts 2 to 7:  due __________________

Part 2:                                                                                                                                                                                     /3

Title Page                                                                                                                              

- on unlined paper

- include title of novel, author, an appropriate hand drawn picture, and your name.

Part 3:                                                                                                                                                                                    /2

a) name of publishing company, b) date of publishing, c) category of book (see balanced reading wheel)

Part 4:                                                                                                                                                                                    /10

a) Main Characters:  Choose 5 words or phrases to describe each of the main characters.

b) Setting:  Choose 5 words or phrases to describe the setting.

c) Plot:  Complete the Plot handout.

Part 5:                                                                                                                                                                                    /3

A brief (5 sentences) comment about the book

How did it make you feel?  Was it interesting? Why or why not?  Was it an appropriate reading level?  Why or why not?  Would you recommend it to others?  Why or why not?

Part 6:                                                                                                                                                                                    /1

An example of a good description (fancy writing) from the story.  Copy the exact words.

Part 7:                                                                                                                                                                                    /1

List 5 new words and their meanings.  Use a dictionary, but write the definitions in your own words.

Spelling, Punctuation, Word Order, and Neatness:                                                                        /5

Total:                                                                                                                                                                                    /30

Note:  You will be given some time to read in class and work on the report.  However, most of the work is to be completed at home.

Remembrance Day Celebration

Thank you to Mrs. Dolan, Mrs. Kristensen, and Grade 7 students for organizing and running a moving Remembrance Day assembly.  At recess and lunch students eagerly read and shared the messages on leaves and admired the natural artwork.  Ms. Frogley reported that

The kids were loving going around the school grounds and reading the positive messages.

I even saw some from other classes protecting and rebuilding the structures that your students had made.

Their art pieces conveyed a beautiful message of peace and impermanence. 

Perhaps, on the weekend, dog walkers and soccer players were also able to appreciate the students' work 

Natural and Impermanent Art

The students were inspired by the work of Diana Lynn Thompson, (a local artist) to create impermanent art that is beautiful and peaceful.