Friday November 6th, 2009

TGIF :)

Homework
Due Monday 9th- novel project activities (if you are a student who has been away ill, speak to me on your return about an extension until Thursday)

Photograph packages went home today
A hot lunch order due Tuesday Nov 10th (for lunch on Nov 16th)

That's it!

I have been focussing on allowing students enough time both in class and time to complete activities at home for the novel project. I will be happy when it is completed because it has been difficult keeping up with all the different activities, redirecting energies into more realistic activities (for some), filing homework for those who have been away from school etc. Generally, we have had a very productive week especially on the novel activities and I am looking forward to finding some time to sit down, read and enjoy the students' creative ideas.

Generally today we...

• had double computer time ! One in the morning for work and one in the afternoon as a 'reward' for hard work (some students used the second computer time for their assigments anyway- very impressive perseverance and self- discipline.
• Chapter 12 Word Nerd - read aloud
• Chapter 7 Science test (open book)
• alebraic equation practice in math- I am teaching the 'long' transference method of being able to mathematically 'show' how the solution is accurate. It's a balance- whatever you do to one side of the equation, you do to the other side to solve for a variable. Many students are able to look at an equation and say they can see that logically the answer is X, Y or Z; however, in thinking through the process of opposite computation, the method that asks for showing all working may initially appear to be more confusing but I have been assured by my high school colleagues that this method sets the groundwork for being able to do polynominals in grade 8/9. Hope you understand this little diatribe- if not, come on in and I'll do my best to teach it to you!! :) There is a great website at www.edhelper.com for anyone looking for practice of specific skills.
• DEAR and novel time rounded out the day as did some art and some completion time for the assignments now overdue.

It's supposed to be a wet weekend. Keep dry and enjoy it. I'll see you all next week.

Mrs. J.