Hey Groovy Cats, 

Guess what? We've been on an incredible journey this year, thinking deeply about ourselves and our dreams. As this is our last year at DCB, we've been pondering a big question: "What kind of person do I want to be? How do I want to be remembered?" To find our answers, we need to know where we came from.

Lately, we've been diving into the art of storytelling in class, focusing on writing retells. And you know what we discovered? Starting with a powerful introduction is like using a magnet to pull your readers into your story. It makes them excited to read more!

This week, it's YOUR turn! You get to write the introduction to the most amazing biography ever – YOURS! Your mission? To uncover where you've been so you can set your sights on who you want to become.

But wait, there's more! Be sure to include the three main passions in your life, the ones you’ll want to write paragraphs about. And, to make your introduction truly sparkle, remember the secrets we've talked about in class:

Carefully choose your words.
Begin with a captivating quote.
Make your readers feel and imagine along with you.

I'm bursting with excitement to read the beginnings of your incredible life stories! So, write with enthusiasm and remember, this is just the beginning – but oh, what an exciting beginning it will be! 🌟

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Wow, can you believe it? We've almost finished our second week of school, and it's been awesome getting to know all of you! I hope these two weeks have been awesome and exciting, and you're starting to see how important your thoughts about learning, work, and ideas are! 😄

For your blog post this week, your challenge is to write a descriptive paragraph (use your five senses) to showcase a positive experience that you’ve had at school so far. Be sure to write so that the reader can experience the event with you. 

The classroom buzzed with excitement as I glanced around. Kids were all over the place, some super focused on their computers, while others were sharing cool tips with their friends. It was like a beehive of learning! Everyone was asking for help, working together, and pushing themselves to do their best. The teamwork was incredible. Our classmates were so nice and polite, always eager to learn and share their knowledge. Being in this positive learning space made me feel incredibly proud, happy, and lucky to be a part of this awesome new school community! 🌟

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Welcome to your very first blog post of fifth grade, amazing students! 🌟

I can hardly believe how quickly the summer has flown by, and here we are, embarking on a new school year at Dr. Charles Best. 🏫 As I've been busy setting up our new classroom, I've been reflecting on the beautiful concept of new beginnings. They're a bit like a fresh, blank canvas waiting to be painted with all the colours of possibility.

Change, groovy humans, can be a bit like a rollercoaster – it's both exhilarating and a little scary. But remember, it's the challenges and changes that help us grow and become better versions of ourselves. 🌱

So, as you step into this new school year, I want you to think about the incredible person you want to become. 🤔 How can you transform into the best version of yourself? What steps will you need to take on this exciting journey of self-discovery? 🚀

Think about your goals for this year, the things you want to achieve, and the person you aspire to be. 🌠 What are the three special rules or promises you can make to yourself that will guide you on this path? 📜

As for me, here are my promises to you:

1. I promise to give 110% into planning and delivering our lessons. 📚 I'll create engaging and meaningful activities that will make your learning experience powerful and enjoyable.

2. I promise to be all ears for you. 🗣️ Whether you have questions, concerns, ideas, or simply want to share your thoughts, I'll be there, ready to listen. Your voice is precious, and you matter immensely!

3. I promise to have the highest expectations for each and every one of you. 🌟 I know you're exceptional learners capable of extraordinary achievements in every subject. I'll always believe in your potential to succeed in countless ways.

Now, incredible students, it's your turn. What promises will you make to yourselves as you embark on this incredible journey of growth and learning? 🌱💪

Welcome to your FINAL weekly homework of the year. For your blog post this week, your challenge is to create a post that has your top 5 moments of grade five. 
You can do this in the blog or on a slideshow with images; it’s totally up to you! For each moment:

• Describe the moment using descriptive writing
  
• Explain what made it great
  
• Add an image if you’d like
  

That’s it, that’s all you have for your homework this week. I think it will be really awesome to read these on Friday.

As for me, I want to thank you all for being such an interesting class, so full of life, excitement and energy about everything we learned. You were always willing to try something new, attempt projects, and put full effort into everything that we tried this year. It was such a great year, with our class really pulling together and being kind to each other. These last few months have really shown the incredible hearts you each have! For me, you all really seemed like a family; willing to help each other out, defend each other but also with lots of the small fights and apologies that we see in a family. It was loud, it was boisterous but it was fun and filled with learning. Remember if you always strive to Do better, be nicer, and try harder, you’ll always be moving forward.
It was such a great year, so much laughter, so much shouting, and most of all, learning. You’re all incredible and unique individuals, and I want you to remember to be kind, be true to yourself, and to make good choices.

Thanks so much for this year!
Mr. Steltman

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For homework this week please write a letter to MY (Mr. Steltman) future students; write to students who will be in my class next year a letter on “How to be successful in Mr. Steltman’s Class”.  
You are free to be funny, honest, and share whatever you would think would help someone do their best if they’re stuck with my and all my quirks.  
These will be shared with my students on the first day of school in September. 
Can’t wait to read them!

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Can you believe it’s June?! As we head into our last month of school together, I want you to think about how you can be the best you can be. We often hear about the dangers of cell phones and social media and I think this video gives a very fun spin on it.  This video always hits me in the feels and makes me feel emotional. It also makes me feel guilty; guilty because I also struggle with looking down and not always being present. After tracking your screen time last week, I would like you to take at least 3 days where you do not use your tablet or computer (unless for homework) after school.  
Can you take a few nights off? 
For myself, I will put my cell phone’s ringer on and leave it on a shelf once I get home. Your goal is to be present with your family. I’m going to give 100% attention to the three girls at home.  Once you’ve had your three days being present, write down a paragraph that explains what it was like without your device. Was it hard? Was it worth it? Did you get a chance to talk about something that you otherwise wouldn’t have? 
Tell us about your experience. Use descriptive writing to make it feel real.
Let’s Look UP!

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Welcome, aspiring young writers, to the whimsical realm of Wonderland, where the extraordinary becomes possible. In this blog post prompt, we invite you to embark on a writing journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland, discovering the profound connection between hard work and kindness. As grade fives, you have the power to unleash your creativity and share your thoughts on how Alice's adventures can teach us about the importance of putting in effort and spreading kindness in our own lives.

Today you have two separate prompts to choose from … pick wisely!

Choice 1:
In Alice's enchanting journey, she encountered countless challenges that required unwavering determination and hard work. From her encounter with the talking caterpillar to her pursuit of the White Rabbit, Alice never shied away from putting in the necessary effort to achieve her goals. Reflect on your own experiences where hard work has played a crucial role. Did you face a difficult math problem that took time and effort to solve? Or perhaps you practiced tirelessly for a sports competition? Share how your dedication and perseverance paid off, teaching you valuable lessons about the rewards of hard work and the satisfaction of overcoming obstacles.

Choice 2:
Kindness is another magical ingredient that flows through the pages of Alice in Wonderland. Despite the peculiarities of the characters she encountered, Alice consistently displayed kindness and compassion. The Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and even the Queen of Hearts all benefited from her empathetic nature. Think about moments in your own life where acts of kindness made a difference. Did you help a friend who was struggling? Did you stand up against bullying and show support to someone in need? Explore how kindness can create a ripple effect, brightening not only the lives of others but also your own. Share your insights on the power of kindness and how it can transform the world around us, one small act at a time.

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This coming weekend is May Long Weekend, a time when some people go away on their first outdoor vacation of the year. Some people camp, some go to cottages and some go out into their garden to begin planting and preparing for the upcoming summer season. Your task this week is going to ask you to dive into your memories and think back to an amazing vacation you’ve had with your family. Perhaps you went on a big trip somewhere amazing, perhaps it was at home and you all did something that really sticks out in your mind. Use your descriptive writing skills to help you write a paragraph about your favourite vacation. If you cannot think of a vacation that you’ve ever been on, you can describe your dream vacation. 
For example:
The birds are chirping and the sun feels warm as it shines through the top of my tent. I roll over in my sleeping bag and begin to wake up. As I get out of the tent, my family also wakes up with me. We head out of the tent and begin to make a fire. As the sweet smell of camp smoke reaches my nostrils, I begin to prepare the coffee. The sun gets warmer as the fog burns off of the lake. It’s another beautiful day and I’m looking forward to sharing it with my family. 

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