This heat reminds me of June in the classroom- everyone is hot and bothered by the end of the day and without proper air conditioning it can become difficult to get comfortable!!
Thank you to students for remembering to submit the late Reader's Responses today- I am only missing a couple now and not 14:) It really makes a big difference for assessment and consistency in my marking.
Today we took some time for spelling study and discussed the novel. I played them Willie Nelson's song "I am my own Grandpaw" which is all about the complexity of families and relationships- the students wanted it to be played again!!
We wrote a 'journal' type response to the music and the theme of it. Our novel is about strained family relationships and how difficult it is to adjust to new family situations when someone has left and someone new is trying to fit in.
I asked the students to make a connection to the novel and then think about who in their family they could talk to about anything the same way the character Lizzie (main narrator) can talk to her grandma. My intention is not to pry about families but to learn a little about the family relationships of my students so I make sure to both include them in discussion activities and not step on any toes.
For French today we went over the alphabet sound in French and corrected the booklet work from Monday. Next is identifying words spelled using the phonetic French sounds of the alphabet francais.
In math I asked the students to show me their skill level in being able to complete two digit division accurately showing working. It is now very clear that I need to offer small group revision (remediation) for this arithmetic skill. Despite a Visual Instruction Plan ( a VIP is a step by step guide to HOW to do a skill- like a reference) approx. 7 students were not able to divide accurately or with confidence. This needs to be addressed asap and I have already explained that
practice will be necessay. If a skill is to be learned or improved practice is the only method of getting consistent results. These students will soon have some basic practice to do at home (or in class although at home helps as it is away from distraction and peers).
The majority of students have now completed CAT tests but I had approx. 6 that needed to catch up due to absences. That number is now down to 2 so we are closer to being completely finished with them. YEAH
I was getting a little frustrated with the continual chatter in class today. I believe that a quiet working time is necessary for a certain amount of time every day. Braincells need a chance to focus and not be constantly stimulated. In my opinion some of the students are so stimulated that they have an extremely difficult time settling for any length of time to a quiet, independent activity. I would like to make an effort to address this in class. It will take time because good habits take practice. I'll remember to be patient and re-direct instead of 'nag' :). I also need to devise a more efficient signal for their attention as what I am doing currently is not working well. I'll get them on it tomorrow and maybe they'll buy into it.
Physical Education with Mr. Parker was outdoors and it was HOT- many needed to rehydrate and cool off back in class.
I tried a partner activity for Personal planning but had to abandon it for another day as it wasn't quite as well executed as it might have been. Maybe students were too tired to discuss the issues ("skills we are learning now that may be expected of us in the real world") Disussion in partners was limited but I did get some excellent verbal responses when I asked for individual responses. I'll be following it up in the next few days.
After planners and organizing papers and desks. We had what I call a 'brain break' some DPA stretching and moving and finished the day with a game of 'silent ball'. We used a koosh ball and for the first time ever one student managed to throw it right out the window- it was rather funny as a younger student in the playground wondered where the funny looking thing fell from!!
Homework and reminders
Read novel chapters 7-10
Prep for Unit 1 spelling test (Thurs)
Finish Life Map (started Friday last week)
Math scavenger Hunt (most students are completed)
$$ Camp Summit, Planners, Milk program
Pot Luck invitiation went home tonight Thursday 6-7:30pm in our gym
last day for Scholastic book Fair Thursday
District Pro-D day Friday no school
Think that's it for tonight. More Wednesday. Have a super evening.
Mrs. J.
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