Wednesday was a busier than usual day!!
After a poetry analysis activity in class (using the Cremation of Sam Magee by Robert W. Service), we walked over to the high school for a 10am visit and tour. Some of the students had better tour guides than others and a few grade sevens were not very happy that they did not get to see all the places that had been recommended by the vice principal Mr. Bent.
We joined the students from Valleycliffe and Stawamus who will be attending HSSS in the fall.
The students were both excited and apprehensive about this visit - it was interesting for me to see the difference in their general interaction here (in the elementary school) and the difference being in the halls of the high school made to them!!
We did a few mind bender math puzzles using geometric shapes and found that while some students persevere well with a challenge, too many just give up without a real effort. In my opinion the biggest factor for future success is perseverence- being able to stick with something that is not perhaps as easy as it first seems. Making the effort to find or stick with a problem solving method or inquiry makes a difference to the quality of learning.
Evryone learned a new game called Hoof in the afternoon P.Ed. class with Mrs. Drew. And after a 10-15 inute reading time, Mrs.Mackell joined us for part 1 of a very enlightening presentation called VIP= violence is preventable. We had some good discussion and looked very closely at choices and consequences. What amazed me was that many students whom I thought were just 'going along' with some of the physical behaviour are actually extremely uncomfortable with it and that, for me, puts a whole new slant on my attitude toward it. Part 2 of the workshop is tomorrow and I think we can promote the message that if it is not alright with individual students that they begin to take back and stand up to the physical 'play' that they are not comfortable with. It is a natural part of adolescence but in my opinion it has been escalating to a point that it is not just unsafe but in some cases the silly and loud behaviour crosses the line!
Some students have asked for an extension for the socials brochure which was due tomorrow. We had no time to work on it in class today so I don't mind giving until May 19th after the long weekend. I will still expect that it is for homework and I'll give a bonus for early birds. With extra time I would like some extra quality effort :)
Camp funds are due ASAP $200
Hoodies are $25
tomorrow is the last day to order a hot lunch for May 25th
Tomorrow is also the last day of school before the May long weekend. Thanks for reading... see you all Thursday (TGIT)
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