The latest from our class Instagram account - time for holidays!

Thank you to all of my students for all of the lovely Christmas gifts - you were much too generous! It was also an unexpected surprise to have a gift pack show up from one of my former students at Radisson - thank you so much, Kayleigh! I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and a happy new year - see you in January! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Qy5Nca

The latest from our class Instagram account - staff vs. students volleyball!

Our VP Mr. Eby serving to the Gr. 7/8 girls volleyball team in the annual (and my first) staff vs. students volleyball game - what an awesome morning!!! via Instagram http://ift.tt/22efgcB

The latest from our class Instagram account - Coding with Bitsbox!

The students started working on coding today with the awesome Starter Coding Kit we received from @bitsboxkids - they are loving it! #HourOfCode via Instagram http://ift.tt/1O0yEPN

The latest from our class Instagram account - Student-led conferences

It was great to see so many families come to student-led conferences tonight, and to watch their children proudly show what they've been working on this term. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of my students and their families tomorrow! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Nlypzk

The latest from our class Instagram account - Procedural Writing book launch!

This morning we celebrated the launch of our Procedural Writing book that we wrote with Ms. Fazenda's class. Mr. Eby (our vice-principal) came to join us, and praised the students for all of their hard work and learning. Each of our two classes has a copy of the book, as well as the school library. The students are excited to share their writing at student-led conferences tomorrow! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1SOL7dO

The latest from our class Instagram account - WPS safety presentation

Constable Andy of the Winnipeg Police Service came to our school to talk about safety. He talked about road safety, personal safety, Internet safety, and safe places to go if you are lost. He also showed us some videos about safety. We are more ready to be safe. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1ID6vlK

The latest from our class Instagram account - concert rehearsal

The final dress rehearsal for our holiday concert was this morning. Shows are at 1:00pm and 6:30pm tonight - we hope you can make it! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1IrFl1a

The latest from our class Instagram account - the relationship between addition and subtraction

We've been working on the relationship between addition and subtraction over the past week - the students have been working hard in groups to problem solve, and to show their learning. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1RpUJNE

The latest from our class Instagram account - addition and subtraction

In Math today, we talked about how addition and subtraction are related to each other. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1jkaV54

The latest from our class Instagram account - typing up our procedural writing

We are typing up our procedural writing today on the computers. When we are all finished we are going to print them all and make a big book of procedural writing from our class and Ms. Fazenda's class. It was lots of fun typing, and we are really excited to make the book! - Tom, Heldana, Cayden, Mikaela, and Angelina via Instagram http://ift.tt/1TcXC3h

The latest from our class Instagram account - procedural writing update

Procedural writing update: on Monday, I brought my trailer to school to show to the students (to make a real-life connection to the procedure I had written about preparing it for a camping trip). After that, the students brainstormed a list of 'How To' topics that they were experts in, and then picked one to write about. The students are almost done writing the steps of their procedures, and then they'll move on to writing introductions and conclusions for them. Ms. Fazenda and I are so excited to see the great writing that our students are producing! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1MmZeVB

The latest from our class Instagram account - World Kindness Day!

Did you know that today (Nov. 13) is #WorldKindnessDay? It's a day where people are extra kind to each other, whether they're friends and family or people that you don't know. We got some sticky notes and put compliments and nice pictures on them. After that, we stuck these kind notes all over the place in the school. We walked around the school quietly (like ninjas!) so that people wouldn't notice us because we wanted the notes to be a surprise! It felt really good and exciting to make somebody's day! - Mr. Hoeppner's students via Instagram http://ift.tt/1O7roo4

The latest from our class Instagram account - Remembrance Day

We were at an assembly this morning for Remembrance Day. All of the classes laid beautiful wreathes at the front of the gym. It was nice to have a veteran come to talk to us - his name was Lt. Col. Brown (this is a picture of him). He talked about when he was in the war, and he also told us about when his dad and grandfather went to fight in wars. We also got to look at pictures and hear different classes sing songs and talk about Remembrance Day, war, and peace - it was nice and calm. We really thank the veterans for serving us and for their sacrifice. - the students of Mr. Hoeppner's class via Instagram http://ift.tt/1HD9bdm

Procedural writing - Mr. Eby brushes his teeth!

We finished our procedural writing with Ms. Fazenda's class on how to brush your teeth, and Mr. Eby (our Vice-principal) stopped by to test out our procedure. Mr. Eby did not know what our writing was about when we invited him to come, as we only told him that we wanted to share our writing with him. When he came to the class, we gave him some Halloween candy to eat. After he finished eating the candy, we turned on the projector and he found out what our procedural writing was about. Then we gave him a new toothbrush and toothpaste (that Ms. Fazenda bought for him). We read the steps out loud to him, and he followed along. It went really well, but there was a bit of a problem because we forgot a step - we forgot to write that you should turn off the water tap after rinsing the toothbrush (so water isn't wasted). Other than that, we pretty much nailed it. After he was finished, Mr. Eby talked to us for a few minutes about how important procedural writing is (helping us to learn things like how to brush your teeth, how to tie your shoes, how to make a sandwich, etc.), how good we've become at writing procedures as a group, and how most of us are ready to start our own procedural writing. Next, we will get to pick a topic that we are an expert in and write our own procedure about it. We are excited to finally start writing on our own! - the students of 3B

 via Instagram http://ift.tt/1GOVpcG

Here is the procedure that the students of 3A and 3B wrote for how to brush your teeth:

How to brush your teeth

By: Ms. Fazenda, Mr. Hoeppner and the grade 3s at BWCS

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Yummy! I love SUGAR!  Many of us love eating sugary treats, but these delights can cause cavities unless you make sure to properly clean your teeth afterwards. This is how to correctly brush your teeth:

1)            Get your toothbrush and your favorite toothpaste.

2)            Turn the tap on and wet your toothbrush with cold fresh water. (Be sure to turn the tap off when you are finished).

3)            Open the lid of the toothpaste and squirt a pea-sized drop of toothpaste on the bristles of your brush.

4)            Replace the lid of the toothpaste and put the toothpaste tube back in its proper place.

5)            Wet the toothbrush again (if desired) with fresh cold water.

6)            If you have an electric toothbrush, turn it on (otherwise move on to the next step).

7)            While gripping the toothbrush handle, put the bristled end of the toothbrush in your opened mouth.

8)            Touch the bristles to your lower left side molars and begin to move the brush in a circular motion.

9)            Continue to move the brush in a circular motion for two minutes, making sure to thoroughly brush all of your teeth during this time.

10)     If desired, spit the foam and extra toothpaste into the bathroom sink whenever necessary.

11)      Rinse the toothbrush bristles with cold fresh water and shake off the excess water from the brush into the sink.

12)     Put the toothbrush back in its proper place.

13)     Fill a cup with cold fresh water or with mouthwash.

14)     Rinse out your mouth with the water or mouthwash and spit it in the sink.

15)     Rinse the sink with water.

Now your teeth are sparkly clean. Keeping your teeth healthy and sugar-free is an excellent way to enjoy your favourite treats while still avoiding the dreaded dentist drill. Keep smiling! 

The latest from our class Instagram account - number sentence-palooza!

We had a great time working with number sentences today - we started off by having everyone in the class share a number sentence that they came up with on their own. After that, the students worked in table groups in a number sentence competition, where the group with the most creative number sentence won treats... but the whole class worked so hard at this task that EVERYBODY got a treat! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1St1SLM

Agriculture In The Classroom thank you letter

As we posted a couple of weeks ago, we were fortunate to have Agriculture In The Classroom (AITC) come to our school and provide breakfast to all of the students and staff (well over 500 people!), with the help of a number of producers and industry types who talked to the students about where their food comes from. Our class wrote a thank you letter to one of the participants that AITC brought that morning - here it is:

Dear Darren,

Thank you for taking the time to come to Bernie Wolfe Community School on October 22 to help give us a free meal! The breakfast was delicious... and maybe the best one ever! We loved the scrumptious pancakes with honey and butter, the fantastic sausages, the excellent hard-boiled eggs, and the awesome chocolate milk.

Thank you also for helping to teach us about where our food comes from. We learned that:

- dairy cows give us milk and butter
- chickens give us eggs
- flour for the pancakes comes from wheat
- sausage comes from pigs (as well as bacon... and hair for drywall - who knew?!)
- bees give us honey
- cooking oil comes from canola
- biodegradable plates and cutlery can be made from potatoes and corn (amazing!)

We very much appreciate all of your time and hard work - we really loved having you at our school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Hoeppner's Grade 3 class at Bernie Wolfe Community School

The latest from our class Instagram account - our Library rocks!

We love our Library - so many cozy spaces to curl up and read a good book or magazine. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1LOH2E2

The latest from our class Instagram account - Smarties Math Challenge

Happy #Halloween! We're doing the Smarties Math Challenge this morning - what fun Halloween activities is your class up to? via Instagram http://ift.tt/1GP4h1G

The latest from our class Instagram account - studying 'How To' videos as procedural writing

As part of our exploration of procedural writing, we looked at some 'How To' videos online today, and made note of what they did a good job of, and what we might have done differently if we had made them. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1PXh3xc

The latest from our class Instagram account - Ms. Fazenda modeling procedural writing

This afternoon, it's Ms. Fazenda's turn to model procedural writing for the students of 3A and 3B by writing about something she has lots of experience with: how to clean the degu cage in her classroom (P.S. Degus are super-cute!). via Instagram http://ift.tt/1MgPzgg

The latest from our class Instagram account - Mr. H. modeling procedural writing

Over the past few days, I've been modeling procedural writing for the students of 3A and 3B by writing about something I have lots of experience with: how to prepare a teardrop trailer for a camping trip. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1MRyQAC

The latest from our class Instagram account - MTS PD Day

Today, while my students had the day off from school, I had a fantastic day at the #SAGE2015lim #MTSPDDay learning about makerspacing - lots of cool ideas, including a couple that I hope to bring back to the classroom! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1OXqKLr

The latest from our class Instagram account - Agriculture In The Classroom breakfast

Here's a #latergram from yesterday - we were fortunate enough to have Agriculture In The Classroom come and feed our whole school breakfast, and have farmers and industry types tell us where the food came from! You can read more about it here. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1MJVD19

The latest from our class Instagram account - magnets!

Magnets! #ScienceRules via Instagram http://ift.tt/1RoZd4x

The latest from our class Instagram account - learning about elections!

We've been talking a lot about #elxn42 in class over the last couple of weeks, and today we finally had time to run our own mock election, to learn more about the process - lots of fun! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1jUonx8

Writing and sandwiches

Yesterday we started talking about procedural writing - procedural writing is when you tell people how to make or do something that they don't know how to do. We wrote about how to make a peanut butter sandwich, and then today Ms. Fazenda and Mr. Hoeppner made sandwiches with Wowbutter (it's peanut-free, don't worry!) and jam by following the directions that we wrote. When they started making them, the teachers ended up getting mixed up because the instructions weren't specific, and everyone was laughing - here are some examples of how mixed up things got:

Could you eat this sandwich?! (note: the jar is peanut-free Wowbutter)

How about this one?! (note: the jar is peanut-free Wowbutter)

Finally, we got some recipes that weren't mixed up because the instructions were right. After that, Ms. Fazenda and Mr. Hoeppner made Wowbutter sandwiches for everyone in 3A and 3B - here's the proof:

(photo by Ivan)

The sandwiches were delicious and we enjoyed them - we had lots of fun! Thanks to Ms. Fazenda and Mr. Hoeppner for the snack! - The students of 3B

Sandwich selfie!!

The latest from our class Instagram account - Exploring with magnets

We're working with magnets today. We started off by making some predictions of what would be attracted to a magnet, and then testing our predictions. After that, we went for a 'magnet walk' in the school. #ScienceRules via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Luj6qz

The latest from our class Instagram account - Too Noisy

We tried out a new app in the class today called 'Too Noisy', to help us keep the noise down during quiet times - the class loved it! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1jzyG9y

The latest from our class Instagram account - Bill Nye!

It was great to introduce another group of students to the awesomeness that is Bill Nye. Today we watched the episode on Magnetism, as part of our unit on forces that attract and repel. #sciencerules via Instagram http://ift.tt/1jMFiC3

The latest from our class Instagram account - X-Country meet!

One of my favourite days of the year: the divisional cross-country meet! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1iP3inf

Here's the route that the students ran for the cross-country meet. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1LmMssT

The latest from our class Instagram account - building up writing stamina

This morning the students were working on building up their writing stamina - they did a fantastic job! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1VmY8Az

The latest from our class Instagram account - patterns!

Today we were talking about patterns, and how they're all around us. I showed the students the Blue Bombers-themed knickerbockers I recently ordered, and had them identify the patterns on them. The students also looked at some other styles, and identified the patterns on them. Patterns are fun! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Gff7Zn

The latest from our class Instagram account - Math PD

Today, I (Mr. Hoeppner) am away from the classroom at a Math PD (called First Steps In Math). The students of our class are back at school working hard with Ms. Wiens - I'm looking forward to seeing them again tomorrow! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1PJHZyb

The latest from our class Instagram account - Grade 6 Reading Buddies

Having fun with our Grade 6 reading buddies today. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1gUQbzJ

The latest from our class Instagram account - XtraMath

The students started working with XtraMath today to strengthen their basic Math skills. via Instagram http://ift.tt/1iyFTWS

The latest from our class Instagram account - working on place value

Check out the Grade 5 Math my students were crushing this morning! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1L3sXW2

The latest from our class Instagram account - Read-to-self: 14 minutes

The students continue to work on building up their read-to-self stamina - they made it up to 14 minutes today, and were so quiet that the teacher next door didn't even realize there were students in the class until she walked in on them reading! Great job, boys and girls! via Instagram http://ift.tt/1KxW6mM

The latest from our class Instagram account - #igniteywg

I was fortunate to spend yesterday evening connecting with and learning from a group of really great educators and students! #Repost @mbteachers with @repostapp. ・・・ What happens when you put a few dozen Manitoba teachers together to present fast-paced Ignite presentations? Lots of great PD and one incredible #igniteywg evening! Thanks to Dean Shareski from Discovery Education for hosting and Andy McKiel for organizing a wonderful night. #mbedchat #edchat #cdnedchat #mtslearning #discoveryeducation via Instagram http://ift.tt/1Mod2Px

The first two days of school

Well... we've done it - we've made it through 2 days of school already! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. It's been very exciting to start at a new school, and to meet a great new group of students! I asked them what they have enjoyed about the first couple of days back, and here's what they had to say:

We like to learn. - Tom
I like meeting new people. - Megan
I like seeing my friends. - Angelina
We liked meeting our new Music teacher. - Heldana
We got to pick our seats on the first day. - Riley
This year has already been good because I really like doing the Math. - Kishi
I really love going to the gym. - Ivan

For most of the students, this is the first time they've ever posted on a blog before, which is really exciting for me - I'm looking forward to being able to share our year in the classroom with our readers. Stay tuned for more!

A new chapter

As I write this, I sit in my new classroom in my new school, setting it up for the upcoming school year... and feeling antsy and somewhat surreal. It's hard to sum up the 9 years I've been at Radisson, other than to say that it's been great and it's flown by. Thank you to all of my former students and their families for allowing me the privilege of teaching them... and I think it's safe to say that I learned just as much from them (and maybe more) as they did from me! Thanks also to those of you who, even though we didn't interact directly at school, read the blog and commented from time to time - your contributions helped the students (and I) to connect with the larger world outside the walls of Radisson School.

So, as I get ready to embark on the next chapter in my career at a new school, I think it's obvious that I can't continue to use 'Radisson's Rockin' Room 18' for my blog, as (a) I'm not at Radisson School anymore, and (b) I'm not in Room 18 anymore. Hence, you might have noticed a change in the URL and the title for this blog - it's now called Mr. Hoeppner's Class and the address is http://mrhoeppnersclass.blogspot.ca/ - please spread the word.

Thanks again, everybody, and have a great 2015-16 school year!

Conscious Kindness! #kindWPG #kindnessmatters #WpgWed

As part of the 50th anniversary of United Way Winnipeg, people are being encouraged to commit acts of 'conscious kindness' today. We talked about this as a class, and brainstormed some ideas of what we could do today - here's what we came up with:

Let someone have my stuffy (Douglas) for a day - Eric S.
Ask someone if they want to join in at soccer. - Brady
Ask a friend who I haven't seen for a while to come over after school. - Avery
I won't get upset when someone hits rope in tetherball, and won't leave the game. - Morgan
This afternoon at the corner store, I will tell the clerk to keep the change. - Tyrell
I will gather up toys and clothes that I don't need anymore for the Goodwill store. - Nolan
I will give put-ups and compliments to my family and friends. - Matthew
I am going to put a sticky note on my neighbour's door with a good message, and a little treat. Braedon
I'm going to read my little siblings favourite book to them. - Faith
I'll help someone practice their recorder at recess. - Connor
I'm going to make hot dog fettuccine Alfredo for my family today. - Kayleigh
I'm going to be a good neighbour today by cleaning their yard. - Emma
I will be kind to my family by going downstairs and not being annoying to my sister. - Robert
I'm going to help my mom when she has to take the dogs out, and feed them. - Jaida
I will help a classmate to clean up. - Avery
I will help my mom with the laundry. - Sara
I'm going to let someone cut in front of me at tetherball. - Albert
I paid for the coffee of the person behind me in the drive-through this morning, and at lunch, I'm going to Tim Hortons and I'll round up my purchase, and that money will go to help underprivileged kids go to camp. - Mr. H.

After we brainstormed our list, the students took sticky notes to create notes of kindness to spread around the school - here are some of them:

Room 18's NHL Playoff bracket challenge update #3

As you read in an earlier post, we used our Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions to help us learn about fractions, decimals, and percents. As a class, we are having a friendly competition to see who is the most accurate in picking the winners, all the way to the Stanley Cup. For each first round series picked correctly, 1 point is awarded. 2 points are awarded if they correctly pick the second round winners, 3 points for 3 round winners, and 4 points for picking the correct Stanley Cup winner. Now that the third round is complete, here are the updated standings (and it continues to be a tight race!):

Mr. Hoeppner	18
Wesley	15
Tyrell	12
Avery	11
Maddie	11
Nolan	10
Sara	9
Robert	8
Brady	8
Raina	8
Braedon	8
Kayleigh	8
Eric M.	8
Eric S.	8
Emma	7
Connor	7
Jaida	6
Matthew	6
Faith	5
Morgan	5
Oliver	5
Zachary	5
Albert	4
Mrs. Nes	4
Teagan	2
Kevin	2

30x30 Challenge - week 3

With last week being a short work week (Monday, May 18th was Victoria Day), there were only 4 days that we could get out at school for the 30x30 Nature Challenge... but we were outside for every one of them! Here's what we were up to:

Tuesday, May 19: free time outside

Wednesday, May 20: Dancing in the Field (folk dancing festival at Radisson)

Thursday, May 21: reading outside

Friday, May 22: free time outside (I was away at PD, so there is no picture from that day).

Room 18's NHL Playoff bracket challenge update #2

As you read in an earlier post, we used our Stanley Cup Playoffs predictions to help us learn about fractions, decimals, and percents. As a class, we are having a friendly competition to see who is the most accurate in picking the winners, all the way to the Stanley Cup. For each first round series picked correctly, 1 point is awarded. 2 points are awarded if they correctly pick the second round winners, 3 points for 3 round winners, and 4 points for picking the correct Stanley Cup winner. Now that the second round is complete (as the third round is nearing completion, I'm a little tardy on this update - sorry about that!), here are the updated standings (and it's a tight race!):

Wesley	12
Mr. Hoeppner	12
Avery	11
Tyrell	9
Sara	9
Robert	8
Raina	8
Braedon	8
Kayleigh	8
Maddie	8
Eric M.	8
Eric S.	8
Emma	7
Connor	7
Nolan	7
Jaida	6
Matthew	6
Faith	5
Morgan	5
Oliver	5
Zachary	5
Brady	5
Albert	4
Mrs. Nes	4
Teagan	2
Kevin	2

30x30 Challenge - week 2

We had a pretty good second week of the 30x30 Nature Challenge, but unfortunately, it rained heavily on Wednesday and Thursday, not allowing us to get outside on those days (I know that on the 30x30 Challenge website, they suggest dancing in the rain... but as much as I'd love to take the class outside to do that, it's more of an 'at home' activity, where they can easily towel off and get a dry change of clothes!). Here's what we did the rest of the time:

Monday, May 11: free play

Tuesday, May 12: WASAC games

Friday, May 15: Math (taking photographs of numbers around us)

30x30 Challenge - our class is famous!

Our class made it into last week's weekly 30x30 Challenge email from the David Suzuki Foundation to educators - check it out!