📚November 21 Learning Update 

Literacy This week in ELA, students explored genres, subgenres, and themes, and completed a school-wide writing assignment on “Why is learning important?” They also chose a “mystery” book from our class library, wrapped it in paper, and gave clues to its contents through genre descriptions, subgenre labels, and illustrations. These creative projects will be on display during conferences on November 27 and 28.

Numeracy We started the week with a marshmallow place value activity to visualize decimals versus larger values in the thousands and millions. Students prepared for their whole number place value quiz with a practice round on Wednesday before writing the final quiz on Friday. Results will be sent home next week. We are now moving into addition and subtraction with numbers up to 1,000,000, including decimals.

Science Students learned about different types of clouds and the weather they bring, sketching them in visual journals. We also studied the Water Cycle by building mini systems in containers to observe evaporation and condensation. On Monday, we’ll finish our “Wild Weather” posters, then review and complete a practice quiz before the final weather quiz on Thursday, November 27. A study guide will be sent home and posted on Google Classroom.

Social Studies The class wrapped up debates with a video recording, presenting arguments for and against building civilizations along coastlines and river valleys. They also tackled creative “what would you do?” scenarios, such as responding to a volcanic eruption, with thoughtful and imaginative answers.

📆 Important Dates

School Conferences (Nov. 27 and 28): Book at https://sis.cbe.ab.ca/public/home.html

Photo Retake Day: Friday, December 5

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📚 November 14 Learning Update

Literacy: 

During this short week, we launched our Mystery Book Project: Become a Book Detective! Students learned the difference between genre, subgenre, and theme through presentations, collaborative sorting activities, and notebook pockets. Each student selected a book they’ll use for ongoing analysis, and we practiced identifying the genre, subgenre, and theme together during a read-aloud.

Numeracy: 

In Math, we revisited place value and number sense. Students practiced writing six-digit numbers in standard, written, and expanded form, and solved comparison problems using odd and even number patterns. We also completed the “Bean Counting” lesson to help solidify understanding of place value patterns using hands-on, learning and estimating. 

Science: 

Our science focus continued on weather and forecasting. Students learned how many First Nations communities historically used natural signs to understand weather patterns and compared those approaches with modern tools. They explored weather maps, practiced interpreting symbols, and began applying this knowledge to create simple forecasts using real data.

Social Studies: 

Building on our study of ancient civilizations, students explored how geography influences where and how people settle. They examined key features such as rivers, fertile land, and natural barriers, then applied this knowledge while preparing for their Geography Debate. Students planned, drafted, typed, and finally recorded their debates, then reflected using the “I liked, I wish, I wonder” strategy

French:

Students have been practicing foundational vocabulary in French, including colours, numbers, and simple conversational phrases. We will be having a short assessment next week to check their understanding of these basics and to see how confidently they can use them in context.

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📚 November 7 Learning Update

Literacy

This week, our focus word was grateful. Students also explored a new theme through reflective journaling prompts, including:

“If I could convince my teacher to take us on a field trip anywhere in the world, I would choose…”

We also engaged in a reading comprehension activity using the Canadian Veterans newspaper, where students participated in a scavenger hunt to deepen their understanding of Canadian history and Remembrance Day.

Numeracy

Our current unit centers on place value. Students practiced identifying and comparing numbers through written exercises and verbal reasoning. A verbal assessment is scheduled for Thursday, November 14 to consolidate learning.

Science

Students constructed anemometers to explore wind measurement and applied their understanding in a hands-on weather tools quiz.

We continued our investigation into the six climate zones, using digital research. Up next - we will examine how agriculture and human activity are influenced by climate patterns.

Social Studies

Using our visual journals, students analyzed the advantages and challenges of building communities near river valleys and coastlines. This led into our debate preparation, where students began crafting arguments on both sides of the issue. Next week, we will record our debates using classroom computers.

📌 Reminders

• School resumes Thursday, November 13 following the Fall Break.
• Dates for picture retakes are still being finalized—please stay tuned for updates.

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📚 October 31st Learning Update: 

Literacy: 

Students have jumped back into persuasive writing this week! Using our O.R.E.O. acronym, they are expressing their opinions through thoughtful and well-crafted arguments. To strengthen their understanding of the difference between a reason and a specific example, we watched The Lorax as a class. Through our film study, students gathered their thoughts and feelings on the story and developed debatable opinion statements. They then selected specific details and examples from the movie to support and defend their positions in writing.

Numeracy: 

This week in Numeracy, our Grade 5 students reviewed place value from ones to ten millions, and also explored how decimals represent tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. We discussed how greater decimal detail leads to more precise values, an important concept in fields like medicine, finance, and athletics!

Next week, we’ll focus on expressing and comparing large numbers, and begin preparing for the upcoming Whole Numbers Place Value test taking place later in November. All lessons and practice links are available on our Google Classroom.

Science: 

This week in Science, our Grade 5 students explored the differences between weather and climate, and reviewed the tools used to measure weather.

Next Tuesday, students will be writing a Weather Tools test. The study guide is linked below for additional review (answer key included), and students have already gone through it together in class.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1smtKu6rWXJwePoVl0hNzhx556ScG8wC4Oci0088Okq8/edit?usp=sharing 

Next week, students will get creative by designing their own weather tool and begin researching climate zones around the world.

Social Studies: 

This week, we deepened our understanding of ancient civilizations by comparing how geography shaped their development. Students explored the key geographical features that supported settlement and survival, then reflected on what their own ideal settlement would require, discovering that our basic needs haven’t changed much over thousands of years!

 Next week, students will put their learning into action by preparing for a lively debate where they’ll defend which geographical feature they believe is most essential for a successful civilization.

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October 29 Message from the Principal

Dear Sherwood Families,

We are so happy to see familiar faces today, considering the circumstances.  Thank you to those families that have reached out with kind words of welcome and support.  This means the world.

I know that there are many questions about classes and extra curriculum and what these will look like moving forward.  CBE principals are scheduled to meet tomorrow and will receive more information then.  We will then pass along the same information to Sherwood families.  In the meantime, should you have any questions, please consult the CBE Labour Action Page.

As we move forward together, our focus is to reconnect, reassure and refocus on supporting learning and wellbeing for all.

A quick update for Halloween this Friday-we welcome costumes so long as the following expectations are met:

·       No masks covering the face

·       No weapons or toy weapons

·       No mocking of other cultures

·       Costumes should be in good taste

Thank you,

Brenna Fraser, Principal

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October. 3

Learning Update: 

Literacy: 

We began our persuasive writing unit this week! Learners are working on crafting texts that persuade an audience by using reasons and examples to support their opinions. To introduce this, our “Word of the Week” was persuade. Students explored its meaning, history, and spelling to better understand their writing purpose. For practice, they were challenged to persuade their teachers on whether or not Oreos should be allowed as a class treat. Conveniently, OREO also makes a great acronym to help us remember the parts of a persuasive essay: O – Opinion, R – Reasons, E – Examples, O – Restate Opinion.

5-1 also concluded our reading of Fatty Legs with an emotional and heartfelt ending (5-2 will conclude when we return). In our eagerness to finish, we read everywhere, outside during class picnics, inside at snack time, after lunch, and in every spare moment. It was wonderful to see students so engaged, reflecting on residential schools in contrast to their own education, and expressing gratitude for their opportunities today. They are already buzzing with excitement to dive into our next novel study!

Numeracy: 

This week, we concluded our work on the Graphing Data and Analysis project. Students have done an excellent job collecting their data and representing it visually through both bar graphs and dot plots. They then dove into analysis by responding to thoughtful questions like:

• What are four insights my graphs reveal about the data?
• Who might find this data useful, and why?

Their reflections showed strong critical thinking and a growing understanding of how data can tell a story.

We also completed our math assessments, which provided valuable insight into each student’s current skill level. With that foundation, we’ve now begun exploring place value: breaking numbers down into ten thousands, thousands, hundreds, etc.. This sets the stage for deeper number sense and future work with the numeracy units.

Science: 

In science, we’ve been diving into what weather is and how we measure it. Students enjoyed a hands-on lab using thermometers to check the temperatures of hot water, cold water, and the air around us. We also explored fascinating tools like anemometers, wind socks, weather vanes, hygrometers, and barometers, and played a matching game to connect each tool with its purpose.

Next up: we’ll start reviewing for our weather tools quiz and make sure everyone feels confident about what these instruments do and why they matter. It’s been a great start to our weather unit!

Social Studies: 

This week, we explored the importance of geographical features when choosing a place to settle. Students were given different landscapes and asked to analyze the potential benefits and challenges of establishing a civilization in each location. We also took our learning outside, examining our own neighborhood and reflecting on why families and communities may have chosen to settle here. These insights will later be applied to our study of ancient civilizations as we investigate the factors that influenced where they chose to build their communities.

Reminders ❗

Google Classroom will remain open to students during job action. While new content will not be posted, students will still be able to review and engage with previously shared materials.

Parents and guardians are welcome to use their child’s Google account login credentials (@educbe.ca) to access Google Classroom. The username and password are the same ones students use to log in to their school computers.

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September 26

Learning Update: 

Literacy: 

We continued our reviews of common grammar and spelling rules, focusing this week on verb tenses. Students in 5-1 also launched their writing notebooks with a mindful writing exercise inspired by the prompt, “If your heart was a room, what would be in it?” Many described “heart rooms” filled with family, cozy atmospheres, and plenty of candy!

In recognition of Orange Shirt Day, we continued reading Fatty Legs and held thoughtful discussions, using comparing and contrasting skills to explore similarities and differences between characters.

Looking ahead, next week we’ll dive into persuasive writing. Students will practice reasoning, explaining, and convincing, leading to some creative and fun outcomes.

Numeracy: 

This week, Grade 5 students practiced reading double bar graphs and learned the difference between open and closed-ended questions. They’ve started their final Graphing and Data project, designing a survey, collecting responses, and creating dot plots and bar graphs to show their results.

We’ll wrap up the project next week and then jump into our next math topic: Place Value, a key building block for strong number sense.

Science: 

This week, students explored the seasons and learned how almanacs can help track weather patterns. We also investigated the molecules that make up air like oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide. The students even built their own models to show how these molecules form.

We wrapped up the week by discussing key parts of weather: wind speed, precipitation, temperature, and humidity. It’s been a hands-on, science-filled week!

Social Studies: 

We continued our exploration of the geographical features of ancient civilizations, focusing this week on Ancient Greece. We also began setting aside time each week to watch and listen to current events, practicing how to connect what is happening in our world today to the lessons we’re learning from ancient civilizations.

For First Chapter Friday, we started Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, which ties perfectly into our study of Ancient Greece and helps bring mythology and history to life in a fun, engaging way.

Next week, we will take a closer look at the geological features that influenced settlement patterns in ancient civilizations and begin preparing for an informed debate!

❗Reminders:

• What’s in a Name Projects are past due. Please bring them as soon as possible. 

📆 Important Dates:

• No School on Monday, September 29th or Tuesday September 30th

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September 19

Learning Update: 

Literacy
This week, we reviewed grammar rules with a focus on sentence structure and punctuation. As a class, we also organized our library by sorting books into genres, and we continued reading our novel Fatty Legs as we prepare for Orange Shirt Day.
Next week, students will begin personal narrative writing through their “name projects.” They’ll write about the story behind their names while practicing strong sentence structure, clear ideas, and writing tone.

Numeracy
Our Grade 5 students explored how dot plots and bar graphs can represent different types of data. We discussed when each graph is most effective and practiced building data literacy using tally charts, frequency tables, and bar graphs.
We ended the week with our first math check-in, giving students a chance to demonstrate their understanding. These will be marked and sent home next week.

Science
Students brought energy and creativity to their weather and climate reader’s theater this week, complete with props, headbands, and even a guest visit from our Assistant Principal, Mr. Loach!
We also began reviewing the four seasons, focusing on how changes in sunlight, temperature, and plant/animal life shape our environment throughout the year.

Social Studies
This week, we launched our study of ancient civilizations. During our “word of the week,” we unpacked the meaning of civilization and traced humanity’s shift from nomadic groups to settled societies. Just before the weekend, we began exploring Ancient Egypt.
Next week, students will use both primary and secondary sources to deepen their understanding of Ancient Egypt. They’ll then apply their learning in a fun game of Two Truths and a Lie: Ancient Civilizations Edition.

❗Reminders and Important Dates ❗

• Sherburger/Open House – Thursday, September 25 (5:00–7:30pm)
  Families are invited to visit the school in a come-and-go format. Grade 4–6 teachers will be in classrooms from 5:30–6:30pm, then outdoors enjoying the BBQ for the rest of the evening. A free Halal-friendly BBQ will be served. Please note that students must be under the supervision of a parent/guardian to attend.
• School Picture Day – Tuesday, September 23
  It’s almost picture day! Please remind your child to wear a favorite outfit and bring their best smile.
  

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September 12

Learning Update: 

Literacy

• Practiced capitalization and sentence combining
• Started reading Fatty Legs, written by: Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
• Chose books from the Learning Commons
• Daily free-writing from visual prompts
• Rated a novel after listening to a chapter together

Numeracy

• Reviewed tallies, frequency tables, and bar graphs
• Applied skills in a snack graphing activity
• Math check-in coming Friday, September 19

Science

• Defined key Earth and Space terms
• Tested apple oxidation using the scientific method
• Built and tested weather shelters in a STEM challenge

Social Studies

• Explored Alberta place names and their origins
• Watched a TedEd on the importance of names
• Personal name project begins next week

Reminders and Important Dates:

Sherburger/Open House – Thursday, September 25

• Families are invited to attend anytime between 5:00–7:30pm
• Informal opportunity to meet teachers and staff!
• Grade 4–6 teachers will be in classrooms from 5:30–6:30pm, then outside for the BBQ
• Free BBQ outside the school serving Halal-friendly hot-dogs
• Students must be supervised by a parent or guardian to attend
• Hope to see you there!

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September 5

Learning Update: 

We had a wonderful first week of school! It was such a pleasure to meet everyone and begin building our learning communities together.

What We Did This Week:

• We centered our class agreements around building a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning space.
• Students worked on labeling their materials and settling into their lockers.
• We began our year-long journey into journaling - an opportunity to spark curiosity, ask questions, and notice the world around us.
• Through challenges and competitions, including STEM activities, students revisited past concepts and strengthened collaboration.
• Students reflected on last year, shared hopes for this year, and communicated important information about themselves as learners.
• Students met their teachers for P.E., Music, French, and Art. They will rotate at the start of the second semester so everyone experiences each option.
  
  

Looking Ahead

This week we dive into all of our subjects:

• Numeracy: Exploring graphing.
• Literacy: Investigating text genres and writing conventions.
• Science: Beginning with the scientific method and an introduction to weather systems.
• Social Studies: What’s in a name? Exploring the meaning of names in our own lives and the community around us.
  
  

Students will be bringing home a short project that we’ll need your help with! We’re asking families to share the history behind your child’s name, why it was chosen, what it means, or any special stories connected to it. This will help us celebrate the unique identities within our classroom community.

We’re excited to continue building our classroom culture, dive deeper into our learning, and set the stage for a year full of growth, curiosity, and fun.

Yours in Learning,

Diya Little & Christine Carrick
DiLittle@cbe.ab.ca
ChCarrick@educbe.ca

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September 2

Welcome to Grade 5 at Sherwood School

Dear Grade 5 Students & Families,

We’re delighted to welcome you to a new school year at Sherwood School. This year will be filled with meaningful learning, personal growth, and exciting opportunities. We’re looking forward to getting started and working together to make it a great year.

First Day of School

The school year begins on Tuesday, September 2nd, and all students in Grades 4–9 are expected to attend.

Please arrive by 7:55 AM and head to the playground compound, where your teacher will be waiting to greet you. If you're unsure who your teacher is, simply ask any staff member on the playground—they’ll be happy to help guide you.

School Hours

• Monday–Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Doors open at 7:58 AM, with supervision available starting at 7:45 AM.
• Students should be in class and ready to learn by the 8:00 AM bell.

Cell Phone Policy

To support a focused and respectful learning environment, cell phones must remain out of sight, stored in lockers throughout the school day. More details about the Mobile Device Policy are available on the Sherwood School website. 

Physical Education & Footwear

Students are not required to change into gym strips. However, proper footwear is essential for safety—please avoid crocs, sandals, or slippers.

What to Bring

Please ensure your child arrives with the following clearly labeled items:

• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Indoor shoes suitable for gym (no sandals, crocs, or slip-ons)
• Snack and lunch
• Weather-appropriate clothing

Ready to Learn

Each day is a fresh opportunity to grow. We encourage students to come prepared, be respectful, and bring their best selves. We’re excited to begin this journey with you and look forward to a fantastic year ahead.

Yours in Learning,

Diya Little & Christine Carrick 

DiLittle@cbe.ab.ca  

ChCarrick@educbe.ca