January 29th

JK

Today we learned about Tempo and danced to fast and slow music.

Grade 3 & 4

Today we wrote our music test!

Grade 1 & 2

Today we created our own character to include in the musical fairytale Peter and the Wolf.

January 28th

JK

Referencing the story of Peter and the Wolf and the characters playing musical instruments, students created their own character for the story and drew their animal playing a musical instrument.

(Snake playing a guitar)

(Snake playing a guitar and a Bird singing)

(Cat playing the trumpet)

(Snake playing the Drums)

(Dinosaur playing the Guitar)

(Dinosaur playing the guitar)

(Snake playing the trumpet)

Grade 1, 2 & 4

Today we finished watching the Peter and the Wolf symphony, reviewed the instruments of the orchestra, which characters were represented by what instruments, and which orchestral families each instrument belongs to.

January 27th

5 & 6

Today we listened to the orchestral murder mystery titled The Composer is Dead by Lemony Snicket.

SK

Today we listened to the orchestral story of Peter and the Wolf.

MYP

Both Monday and today we have been running through lines for the upcoming Shakespeare Play!

*Reminder: Grade 3 & 4 have a music test THIS FRIDAY January 29th!*

January 26th

JK

Today we listened to the story of Peter and the Wolf.

Grade 1, 2 & 3

Today we watched the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's narrated rendition of Peter and the Wolf while reviewing characters and instruments throughout.

Grade 3 & 4 will have a music test on FRIDAY (January 29th)!!

The test will include:

- instrument identification

- character identification

- plot identification and short answer

- listening portion

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

RE- REGISTRATION - by February 11th

SKI TRIP  - forms are due by the end of this week (money included) for Mr. Slyk to prepare bussing as soon as possible!

BAKE SALE - Tomorrow and Wednesday - all proceeds are going towards the NEW MUSIC PROGRAM at St. Jude's!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

SJA’s 3^rd Annual Pancake Breakfast!

 Students, bring your appetites to school with you on the morning of February 5^th, 2016 because St. Jude’s Academy is having our third annual school-wide pancake breakfast!

Pancakes will be served in the cafeteria 9:00am for all the student to enjoy.

Pancake are $2 each or 3 pancakes for $5.  Gluten free pancakes are available for $2.50 each or 3 gluten-free pancakes for $6.

Please send your pancake order requests with a cheque or cash by Friday, January 29^th, 2016.

Thank you for your support in this MYP fundraiser!!

RE-REGISTRATION!

There are only THREE WEEKS left to re-register to secure your spot at St. Jude's Academy before classes are open to the public. (There are waiting lists already for most classes.)

RE-REGISTER TODAY!

January 25th

5 & 6

Today we listened very well in class and finished our study of the instruments of the orchestra focusing on: woodwinds, percussion, and the conductor.

January 22nd

Grade 5 & 6

Today the grade 6 students were working with Ms. Haag to prepare for international day. The grade 5 class worked in the art room also preparing for the day on various projects.

SK

Free-Draw Friday!!

January 21st

JK

Today we continued learning the words and actions to The Hokey Pokey Shake.

Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4

Students continued learning about the Peter & the Wolf Symphony. We covered the instruments for the following characters: Grandfather, Wolf, the Hunters, and the Duck.

*Grades 1 & 2 will not longer write a music test. They will be assessed on their work during class time and the last page in their booklet titled "Add Your Own Character."

*Grades 3 & 4 will write their next next Thursday!

January 20th

5 & 6

Today grade 6 students stayed with Ms. Haag to work on presentations. The grade 5 class had the opportunity to work on various assignment both for and related to International Day.

SK

Today students had difficulty listening in class, therefore we worked on our listening skills and lining up properly for dismissal.

January 19th

JK

Today we learned the words and actions for the song "The Hokey Pokey Shake!"

Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4

Today we talked about the Peter and the Wolf Symphony and which instruments represent which characters. Students were also played the musical themes for the characters discussed to prepare for their listening test NEXT THURSDAY (January 28th). 

During the test students will be played the various themes for each character and will be responsible for identifying:

a) the instrument
b) which family of the orchestra the instrument belongs to
c) which character the instrument represents.

*Grade 3 & 4 test will also include more in-depth questions about the instruments, composer, and story (all found in their practice booklet).

Homework:
*All pages from "The Composer" to (and including) "Clarinet" due for next class: Tuesday January 21st. 

Characters Discussed Today:

- Peter

- The Bird

- The Cat

January 18th

5 & 6

Today we looked at the Brass section of the orchestra, the various instruments, and how they are played both in the classical and contemporary styles.

SK

Today we participated in a sing and dance along video during class.

January 15th

Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4

Today students were introduced to the fairytale/orchestral composition Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev. Over the course of the next two weeks we will be listening to the story and learning about the various instruments of the orchestra.

7 & 8 Technology

Students continued working on their assignment given in yesterday's class (previous blog post has all instructions).

January 14th

JK

We played a game at the beginning of class to revisit piano and forte. We also listened to a piece of classical musical played by the flute and answered questions regarding: fast & slow, loud & soft, high & low, and how the music made us feel.

Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4

Students worked on the following pages in their music duo-tangs:

1. Cover Page
       - Answer the question "How does music make me feel?"
       - Students can add images and colour their cover pages

2. My Favourite Instrument
       - Write down the name of their favourite instrument
       - Discover and write down which Orchestra Instrument Family their instrument belongs in
       - Write 3 sentences explaining why it is their favourite instrument
       - Draw what their instrument looks like

3. Create Your Own Instrument
       - Name their instrument
       - Draw their instrument and colour with pencil crayon
       - Explain (in writing) what their instrument sounds like and how it is played

As we have been working on these pages for the past few classes students are asked to complete any unfinished work for homework tonight! I will be completing a homework-check in class tomorrow.

7 & 8 Tech

Students are also asked to define the term: Innovation

January 13th

Grade 5 & 6

We learned about and listening to both classical and contemporary examples of: the cello, double bass, and the harp.

SK

Students learned about piano and forte and recognized animals that fall into both categories. We played a game at the end of class to practice both their knowledge and memory.

7 & 8 Art

Today students presented their Group of Seven member for art history.

7 - 10 Technology

Students were working with Ms. Sy on a math assignment during these periods.

January 12th

JK

Today we learned about the music terms Piano and Forte. We also identified animals that fall into each category.

Grade 1, 2, 3 & 4

Today we put our cover pages into our new music duo-tangs (thank you teacher for supplying them!) and worked on a sheet titled My Favourite Instrument. Students were to identify their favourite instrument, which family of the orchestra it belongs to, why it's their favourite instrument, and to draw a picture of what it looks like.

7 & 8 Technology

Student's used this period to finalize their art history presentations that are due tomorrow!

January 11th

Grade 5 & 6

Today we learned about and listened to both classical and contemporary violin/fiddle. We even had a student bring in her violin to show and play for us!!

SK

Today we learned about Forte and Piano.

Grade 7 & 8 Art

Students were put into groups to research and present on members of The Group of Seven for our art history unit of study. Presentations are to take place on Wednesday!

Grade 7 & 8 Tech

As students have exams next week they were allotted time to work on/finish their art history presentations for Wednesday's class.

Grade 9 & 10 Art

Students were given this last period to work on their art history analysis assignment which is due next class!

Cold Weather Policy!

St. Jude's Academy Cold Weather Policy

 

Below you will find the steps taken at St. Jude's Academy to ensure students stay safe and have fun during the winter months.

1. Reduce amount of time students spend outdoors when the temperature is –20 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without the wind chill. Students will stay indoors when the temperature is -20 degrees Celsius or colder, with or without wind chill.
2. Understand that some medical conditions may increase sensitivity to cold. Parents should consult their physician and provide a written notice if a child has a need to stay indoor. 
3. Ensure students are dressed warmly, covering exposed skin: insulated boots, winter weight coats, mittens, hats, neck warmers.
4. Ensure students change wet clothing or footwear immediately.
5. Although these conditions are unlikely to occur during the school day, ensure that all staff are able to recognize and treat symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Given plenty of warm fluids to prevent dehydration.
6. When children are outside, be watchful for shivering or signs of numbness in faces, ears, hands or feet.
7. Educate children in dealing with cold weather: drinking plenty of fluids, dressing warmly, and recognizing signs of cold injury.

Shakespeare Play!

The Merchant of Venice

AUDITIONS!!!

If you are in grades 7 to 11 and are interested in auditioning:

1. Monday - you will receive a script from either Ms. Lopez or I to read over and prepare for your audition.

*Please see Ms. Lopez or I anytime throughout the day if you're interested in auditioning to receive your script.

2. Wednesday - you will audition in the auditorium during lunch.

January 8th

5 & 6 Music

Today students answered the question "What Does Music Mean to Me?" and expressed their opinions through both writing and drawing.

SK

Free-Draw Friday!

7 & 8 Art

Students continued working on their Art History Assignment that is due on Monday.

Assignment Must Include:

1. Art Analysis Page

2. Historical Analysis Page

3. Printed Image of Chosen Artwork

7 & 8 Technology

Students conferenced with the teacher about their research regarding the first man-made agricultural tool to aid in the growth of crops. When not conferencing with the teacher students researched and read up on where farming originated which is the topic of discussion for next weeks class.

9 & 10 Technology

Students were introduced to their Unit 3 Project where they are to pitch a business idea via video to be entered in a competition (if they choose to enter).

Raffle Winners: Christmas Concert!

If you participated in the raffle during the Christmas Concert and have not yet claimed your prize you may do so today and tomorrow.

Prizes are located in the reception area of St. Jude's.

Lavender Bath & Body

#930142

David's Tea

#930120

Chocolate Gift Bag

#930113

Candy Tower

#930080

Movie Basket

#930115

Christmas Wreath

#930137

January 7th

PYP

In all PYP classes we discussed and wrote about what music means to us and drew what we think music looks like.

7 & 8 Technology

Students continued working on their assignment given yesterday. It is due in class tomorrow.

WELCOME BACK!

PYP

Today marks the start of our "music" term. The primary focus until March Break will be music-based lessons in all PYP classes. Because of my love for the visual arts I still plan on keeping "Free-Draw Friday's" which will be theme focused for students to continue to express their creativity in a visual context. 

Grade 5 & 6

Today we were introduced to the instruments of the orchestra, their families, and their role within said families. 

SK

Today students answered this question: "What does music LOOK like?"

Grade 7, 8, 9 & 10 Art

Students were given notebooks that they are to bring to every class to take notes for their Art History unit of study. They were also given a handout in which to answer questions regarding the research and analysis of a piece of art (of their choosing) in preparation for this new unit. 

Grade 7 & 8 Tech

Today students were introduced to the unit "Food and Where it Comes From: Technology & Agriculture." Their goal for this week is to research and discover what they believe to be the first technological element/tool used to aid in crop growth and production.