Gr 2/3 Gurash

Dear parents,

The gr 2/3 science unit in January is Structures and Motion. We would like to do a building project, and ask that you send any toilet paper or wrapping paper rolls, Kleenex boxes, cereal boxes, egg cartons, cans, old string or ribbon... Really anything you like! We will use our imaginations to create Structures that meet certain criteria, such as types of joinery, height, stability and load. Any materials you can send are greatly appreciated and can be stored in my classroom (the kids know where it is). 

Thanks in advance! 

Mrs. Redpath 

K, 1 and gr 7 artwork

Kindergarten trees

Grade Seven Light Bulbs in pastel

Gr 1 Timelines

A Merry Christmas to you and yours! See you in January! 

Kindergarten and Gr 1

For any parents of kinder or gr 1 students, we have just completely some excellent art projects! Come take a peek near my classroom to see some mischievous elves and darling nativity scenes! 

Gr 7 tests coming up

A reminder that the gr 7s have two tests next week:

Tuesday- art history quiz Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt. There are roughly two sheets of notes to study for this. 

Wednesday- science quiz Soils. Again, roughly two pages of notes to study for this (the stuff taught by Ms. Haynes). 

You need to study or you will do poorly. About 30-60 mins studying for each quiz should be ample time. 

Gr 1

This is our map of Montgomery. I am still waiting on about 6 parents to return the sheet with address and timeline information. When I have this, we will place our houses on the map. Today we completed a timeline of Santa beginning with St. Nicholas from 280ad. We will be making personal timelines next week. 

The kids had a blast learning to make snowflakes in art class last week.

In pe, we are in a unit on dance and rhythm. 

Gr 7

Science- this is our Wonder Wall. We have been working on asking thick vs thin questions in preparation for the independent research projects that the students will begin next week. They will choose partners or to work individually to research a geology related question of their choice. Their learning will be represented in a method of their choosing and then shared with the class in late January. We also have an upcoming quiz on Soils on the last Wednesday before Xmas break. 

Art- check out the wreaths below. The rest of December will be spent on an art history mini unit. There will be a quiz on the last Tuesday before Xmas break. The topic is ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian art.

The grade 7s also completed an excellent drawing project that focused on blending with oil and chalk pastels. 

 

Gr 2/3

Science- our current unit looks at properties of liquids and solids. We have talked a little bit about atoms and how they differ in varying physical states. Today we made silly putty, using two liquids to create a solid. We also discussed liquids varying thickness (viscosity). 

PE- in phys ed we are currently in a dance and rhythm unit

Gr 2/3 Science Posters

Good work by our gr 2/3s on these science posters depicting animal life-cycles. You can come see them outside my classroom, next to the kindergarten room.

This wraps up our Plants and Animals unit. Next up: Solids and Liquids! Get ready for some fun hands-on experiments... Solubility with hot chocolate, physical properties with cornstarch gloop, chemical change with exploding Coke, and methods of physical separation with purifying playground snow. We will also be exploring buoyancy with a mini build-a-boat challenge! 

Any parents who would save styrofoam meat trays or egg cartons would be highly appreciated!!

Gr 7 Exam Results

A big congratulations on the great results from yesterday's science Exam!!! There are still two students who need to write the test, but so far the results are outstanding! 

In my class, the bathroom and drink break policy is that they each have a bathroom pass with two stickers. If they need to go for some emergency, they can use one of the stickers. Otherwise, if they do not use them, each sticker is worth 2.5% on the end of unit exam. This helps teach the students how to judge an emergency, and the importance of being in class so as not to miss important learning. 

In this first unit, not one single student used any of their bathroom passes! This means that they all received an extra 5% on their test scores. A couple students chose to save their 5% to carry forward for use on a more difficult unit. With that said, here are the preliminary results: 

The class average was 90% with 7 students scoring 98% or above! About half of the students received a 4 (report cards). Even without the added 5%, these results are phenomenal! Good work grade sevens! And a big thank you to everyone who helped them prepare for the exam! 

Our next unit will be Geology. We will take a look at plate tectonics, volcanos, earthquakes, rocks and minerals, fossils, soil makeup, etc. The unit will be made up of a partner research project/presentation, and a final unit exam. It should come to a close near or shortly after Christmas. 

Gr 7 Wreaths

Next Monday we will begin work on our Recycled Wreaths for the Festival of Trees. Remember to be forming a plan and collecting your materials. Most of your materials will need to come from home, and all need to be recycled materials. See you tomorrow for the Science Exam! 

Gr 1 art

Check out these Scarabs drawn by the grade ones! They followed a step by step demo and did a great job on this art history project! 

Gr 7 test tomorrow

Reminder that the grade 7 science Unit Exam is tomorrow. 

Also, congrats on the great work in art! So many of the projects turned out great! I submitted the following for the art gallery: 

Mya and Abbey

Taylor and Marissa

Hunter and Kaleb

Gr 1

This week the gr 1s learned about Remembrance Day in Social Studies. We discussed conflict and how it can lead to war. We took a look at the impact of war in terms of human and environmental casualties. The importance and original of wearing poppies was discussed. Take a look at the poppies your children made:

In Art, we are learning a little bit about ancient Egypt. We listened to some music from Egypt and viewed some ancient art. Then the students followed a step by step lesson on how to draw a scarab. I will post pictures of some of the scarabs next week! 

In PE we have been working on throwing and catching. The students learned a new game called Bench Ball that we also play in gr 2/3. They had a great time!

Mrs. Redpath 

Gr 7

Reminder to the gr 7s that your science Unit Exam is next Wednesday. We corrected the review in class today. That is what you should be studying. Read it over and then have someone quiz you. Remember, the test is all short answer. That means no multiple choice, true and false, matching etc. You need to know your stuff!

Also a reminder to start collecting recycled materials for your wreaths. We will begin work on them in two weeks. Have a restful long weekend! 

Mrs. Redpath 

Gr 7 pumpkins

Just a reminder to the grade sevens to bring your pumpkin first thing tomorrow morning. Also bring any carving tools you might have, and a metal tablespoon to help take the guts out. Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow! 

Mrs. Redpath

Gr 7s news

Grade sevens, remember to bring a pumpkin next Friday morning. Also bring any carving equipment you may have, but please no large knives. Students who do not wish to bring a pumpkin will partner up and help a classmate. Afterwards we will finish up other art projects, and then work on a science review package. Wear old clothes for the pumpkin carving! 

Education week

Remember, next week is Education Week and we will be kicking off Monday with Metis Jeopardy! So if you have extra time on your hands this weekend, try googling Métis and see what you learn! 

Blessings,

Mrs. Redpath

K and 1- PE

This week was our first time on the apparatus, and the kids loved it! They are familiar with the rules and safety precautions and have been doing a very good job of following them. If you have any concerns with the apparatus, please let me know. Please note that students without gym shoes are not allowed on the apparatus. This has not been an issue so far. 

A special shout out to some of the students who have been showing exceptional speed and agility in our running games lately:

Libby- kindergarten 

Francesca- kindergarten 

Katie- kindergarten 

Caiden- gr1

Kieran- gr1

Maxim- gr1

Gr 7 Art and Science

This Tuesday was our first science quiz and overall most students did very well. There are still two students who need to write the quiz on Monday, so I will post top marks then. 

Yesterday we began a new art project that has the students constructing large Halloween characters out of paper. They will be marked on detail, construction and use of color. The kids are really enjoying this one! Ask them about it! I will post pics when they are finished. 

Gr 2/3 Science quiz

Yesterday we had an impromptu quiz on our animal and plants unit. All students did very well, with almost everyone scoring above 80%. Both gr 2 and 3 wrote the same quiz. Congrats to the following students who got a perfect 100%:

Rayna gr3

Leah gr2

Vittoria gr2

Many other students scored 94% with only one wrong answer! Please ask your child how they did! I will be sending them home to be signed. There will be a final unit exam mid November. I do not expect gr 2/3 to study at home for tests, but if you are concerned, please email me and I can send home a package to study.

Great work kids! 

Mrs. Redpath

Zredpath@gscs.sk.ca

Gr 7 quiz tomorrow

Just a reminder that the gr 7s have a science quiz tomorrow, Oct 14. The curriculum outcomes being assessed are:

- can discuss some of the main aboriginal teachings about nature 

- identifies and evaluates interactions among plants and animals in local ecosystems 

- identifies ways in which humans impact ecosystems and suggests ways to reduce negative impacts 

The unit includes a forth outcome that will be addressed in the unit exam mid November. The results of this quiz should be a good indicator of how the students are progressing. If a student receives a 2 or lower in any outcome, the parents will be notified by email. I want student progress to be an ongoing conversation and not a surprise come report card time. 

Some students have opted to complete a research paper in place of the exam. Those students will receive a rubric with their grade. 

All students who come to class without a completed paper will have to write the quiz and will be graded on the quiz only. If there are any concerns regarding this or anything else, please feel free to share them with me! We will figure something out!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Redpath 

K and 1

The kindergartens and gr 1s have been busy! 

The kindergartens made shakers for music class 

The grade 1s are working on a Halloween craft! 

Gr 7

The grade sevens did an excellent job on their recent drawing project. Come check them out by my room! 

We have our science quiz next Tuesday so get studying! 

Rosary Club

On Tuesdays in October, join me at lunch to learn how to pray the rosary. We will start with some Praise and Worship, and then pray the Rosary. We have enough rosaries for anyone who wants to come and spend some time resting and praying. We meet in the library. Open to all grades.

Mrs. Redpath 

Gr 2/3

Welcome to the grade 2/3 parents! I will be teaching your children science and phys ed in place of Mr. Doll who has been called to fill in elsewhere! We are working on animal and plant life in science, and locomotor games in phys ed. 

Regards,

Mrs. R

Kindergarten and gr 1

Things are going well in kindergarten! We are working on locomotor movements in phys ed. In music, we are learning about tempo, pitch and dynamics.

Grade 1s are working on the same ideas in phys ed and music, and we are continuing to study families in social studies. We are talking about different kinds of families, and celebrations of various cultures. 

Grade seven due dates

The grade sevens have two due dates:

-drawings of face/eye/body are due next Tuesday Oct 7. Remember I'll be marking them critically so do your best job!

-science quiz or optional paper are on Tues Oct 14. Make sure you study! 

Congrats to Cole, Carson and Amber for receiving 4s on their paintings. You can see them in the school art gallery and near the front entrance. 

50th Anniversary Tickets

Dear parents,

Just a reminder that tickets for the dinner and dance are still for sale at the front office until Sept 18th. It is $20 for adults and less for under 12. The event is on the last Saturday of this month; dinner at 7pm. I am going to be there and hope to see lots of families!!

Mrs. Redpath

What are we up to?

Kindergarten- In phys ed, we are working on safety and rules when moving in the gym. Today we pretended to be cowboys! In music we are working on tempo and rhythm, and today we sang songs to my guitar. 

Gr 1- In social studies, we are learning about families. We are discussing who our family members are, and what makes  families similar and different. In phys ed, we are working on safety and rules. We will also be starting games that focus on locomotor movements and evading/chasing tactics.

Gr 7- In Science, we have begun our first unit: interactions in ecosystems. Today we discussed aboriginal, Christian, and consumer world views of nature. In art, we began a grid project. Come check out the finished project on the red bulletin board outside of my classroom (#15, the old first grade room). 

**Reminders- Thursday is meet the teacher night. It begins with a BBQ, to be followed by teacher classroom presentations at 730pm. 

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Enthusiastically! 

Mrs. Redpath 

Odie 

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A little about me

Dear St. Dominic family,

Welcome to this first post as of 2014-2015! Let me introduce myself! Before earning my B.Ed from the U of S with great distinction, my background was in daycare and church ministry. I was born and raised here in Saskatoon, attending Holy Cross High School where I was involved in volleyball, Development and Peace, outdoor ed, and the community-garden project. My husband, son and I spent our summer this year painting the house, going to the lake, and welcoming a new puppy to our family! His name is Odie, and he is a miniature dachshund.

 

Before coming to teach at St. Dominic, I subbed in the division, and before that I was on internship in Unity, Sk. In my spare time, I enjoy going to fitness classes at the civic centers around town, shopping at thrift stores, baking, and spending time with friends. On the hotter days, my three-year-old son and I like to go to spend our time outside. 

Some of my favourite authors are John Green, Mitch Albom and Maggie Stiefvater. And, of course, my favourite classics are: Pride and Prejudice, Dracula, and East of Eden. My favourite color is red, favorite number is 13, and favorite holiday is Halloween.

 Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher, and am so grateful to spend my time doing what I love! I take pride in my work and try to instil a similar value in my students. If you are going to do something, you might as well do the best you can. After all, that is how we grow!

Stay tuned for future posts regarding which classes and extra curriculars I will be teaching!

Enthusiastically Yours!

Mrs. Redpath