Week ending April 28

This week at school...


On Monday, we had a special visit from Dr. Bear and a representative from the Markham Stouffville Hospital. Our local hospital serves our community as evident from the many students who told me they were born there! This annual fundraiser is coming up on May 15th. All donations to this cause are much appreciated. The envelopes are due back on May 5th.





Math 
We will continue our focus on Number Sense and Numeration, and begin our study into Fractions and Decimals this week.

Language
Students are beginning to write their second Creation Story using a comic strip or graphic novel format on Pixton. This may be a longer process as they work through the various features of this computer program. Please allow your child to also work on this at home if at all possible. 

The students are excited as we prepare for our Spring Concert on May 3rd. There will be a daytime performance (dress rehearsal) at 11:30, and an evening performance at 6:30.


Here is a glimpse of some of the amazing art work your children have beenn creating at school.

Kente cloth from Ghana

As May very quickly approaches, let's hope to see the flowers this month promises to bring! 

Thank you for your continued support!

Mrs. McIntosh

Week ending April 21

This week at school...


Happy Earth Day! "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Indigenous proverb
With this in mind, students continue to learn that everyday is Earth Day. We make connections with the curriculum - be it Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, Language, The Arts, Physical and Health Education, or French - and the environment in we live in. We strive to live each day thinking about ourselves as stewards of our earth. 

A sincere thank you for the contributions that have been coming in for our "Bath Time" themed basket. This basket will be raffled off at our first annual Fun Fair on June 7th hosted by the parents of our School Council. We will continue to accept donations next week, be it monetary or with items for our basket. 



Scholastic Book Fair - next week April 24-28
Spring Concert - May 3
Eric Walters (Canadian author)  - May 9
Science Fair - May 10
Markham Stouffville Hospital Walk/Run Annual Fundraiser - May 15

My sincere wishes for a joyous weekend with your family, celebrating earth, life, and each other. 

Mrs. McIntosh

Week ending April 14

Wishing all families who celebrate, Happy Easter! May you be filled with peace and happiness during this blessed celebration.


This week at school...

It has been another busy and informative week at school!

In Language, students are now writing their creation stories (otherwise known as "Pourquoi" stories), to tell how something in nature came to be. They are beginning to incorporate some of the new literary devices learned such as alliteration, similes, metaphors, personification and onomatopoeia. In reading, we have begun to focus on a new reading strategy called "Determining Importance". This will benefit us, especially with nonfiction texts such as what we are reading for our Social Studies unit, Early Societies. 

Next week in Math, we will continue to practise our division skills through performance tasks involving problem solving situations. We will be having a unit test on Thursday, April 20th.

Students decorated their chocolate filled "Egg-firmations"
of "You are loved and important".

Grade 8 students facilitated a workshop on gender roles
and stereotypes on Day of Pink.

Showing support for the Leafs on
Game 1 of the playoffs.

Scholastic Book Fair - April 24th - 28th in the Learning Commons.

Spring Concert- Please join us for a night of entertainment from the Junior and Intemediate students of Beckett Farm PS on May 3rd.


Eric Walters  - Well known Canadian author Eric Walters will be visiting our school on May 9th. Our school library has copies of his many books that students have been reading this year. An order form was sent home last week if you decide to purchase a book ahead of time for your child - to be signed by Eric Walters himself!

School Council Science Fair – Beckett Farm families participating in the Science Fair on May 10 will be provided with basic items to help build their project. This is intended to help defray the cost for families wishing to participate. Students will be invited to drop in the Science Room #226 between 1:20 and 1:45pm on Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 27 to pick up items such as: Glue/Glue sticks, Tape, Bristol board, Rubber bands, Paper clips, Popsicle sticks, Coffee filters, Straws, Cardboard, Plastic utensils, String, Double A batteries (students may be able to sign-out larger items like glue guns). 

Fun Fair - The School Council will be hosting a Fun Fair on June 7th. A flyer was sent home on Wednesday outlining the many activities of this day. Please save the date for this community event that is sure to be fun filled. A letter was also sent home asking for donations to fill our class basket with the theme "Bath Time". Each basket created by classes will be raffled off at the Fun Fair.

I wish you all a wonderful long weekend with family and friends. See you on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Mrs. McIntosh

Week ending April 7th...

Scientists in Schools: Pulleys and Gears
On Tuesday, April 4th, Scientists in Schools visited our class for an engaging and fun filled morning of learning about pulleys and gears. At one of the 5 stations, students constructed a fixed pulley, a moveable pulley, and a block and tackle pulley. Ask your child which of these have the greatest mechanical advantage? Some of the other centres included:











A very special thank you goes out to our grade 8 helpers, Sangeeth and Sheen, and our parent volunteers, Naisha's mom, Jamie's mom, and Aatharshi's dad. We appreciate the time you took to come in and assist with running the activities. Our day would not have been so successful without you!



Wed., April 12 - Day of Pink - Please wear pink to support anti-bullying
May 
Wed., May 3 - Junior/Intermediate Concert


Enjoy the interesting Spring weather we have been experiencing!

All the best,

Mrs. McIntosh