Welcome to our new 09-10 class motto as decided by the students today. I like how it incorporates both the learning and the social aspects of being in a classroom community.
It was a particularly hot and sticky day in class today- lots of bodies and very hot- we also had some unwelcome guests in the 5 or 6 wasps that kept the students ducking and weaving (did I mention screaming!!) around class. This is one of the reasons I do not want students to store food in their desks!
Today we completed a learning styles inventory which I intend to make a graph of this weekend (actually I might set it up as a graphing activity for Monday after I have done it myself!!). It showed that quite a number of students are visual learners. Understanding student learning styles has huge implications for teaching.
We read and discussed a back-to-school address that President Obama delivered for back to school in the states. We considered why it might have been controversial and I was impressed with the political knowledge that we managed to get around to sharing with each other in class. From his speech we discussed the importance of setting goals. The students all have a Term 1 goal setting sheet for homework. It would be great if you could sit down and look at it together.
We looked more in-depth at our classroom agreements and the results of the poster activity- what the students think those agreements should look like in our class and school community. I believe it is important to explain how we need to work with one another before we get into the depths of the curriculum. That way everyone is clear on personal and group expectations.
During math today we did a group problem solving activity with 2 different FSA test problems and ,again, I was impressed with how the students collaborated together to solve them. Of the five groups three of them managed to complete 100% correctly and the other two were really very close- a 3out of 4 level. Great start. I want the students to embrace math and every Friday will be problems, games and puzzles all math related.
I read the first chapter of the class novel Who is Francis Rain? by Maragret Buffie. As a class, we discussed what we think is going on in the story. It is set in Ontario lake country and relates a story of one summer for a family from Winnipeg.
After more work on the CD covers (five of which were handed in today :)) and a draw for school supplies, I had the students review necessary supplies and organizational needs. On Monday I will be issuing text books and we will be doing the CAT (Canadian Achievement) tests which gives a grade level score for language, reading and math skills learned so far (end of grade 6 for the grade sevens and end of grade 5 for the grade six students). Results will be made available to parents once completed.
It was so hot in class and the wasps were so distracting that we ended the day in the undercover area and did a couple of energizers and a community circle. I had the students share with each other anything that they were appreciative of and we had some very heartfelt answers which were not all school related- great way to end the week.
Homework is minimal
complete and get the Goal sheet for term 1 signed
return (if not yet sent in) the Parent Newsletter section of info.
$$$ for planners, Camp Summit and Terry Fox (even a quarter will be appreciated)
Find a book to bring for silent reading & get necessary supplies especially 1" binders and dividers
Great week. Looking forward to the next one. Have a fantabulous weekend. See you Monday.
Selene J.
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