TGIF Friday November 27th, 2009

Gosh, I am tried tonight and I'd like to scoot over to HSSS and Don Ross to catch some of the volleyball games once I've 'found' my desk!! I need to be quick!

The students were really pumped up about the tournament as you can understand- lots of high energy and a bit of tension too!!
Good luck to both teams.

Homework
nothing new just same with math equations try two more (we did another two together in class today)
FYI
Approximately one third of the students are completing homework- the good news :) Thank-you
Unfortunately that leaves two thirds either not doing it, not taking it home, leaving it at home or not bothering. I had a bit of a reminder 'lecture' that I can only do so much as a teacher and they have to step up to the plate and be responsible for their part in their learning!!! Blah Blah Blah
Lecture over :)
SENT HOME TODAY FYI
PAC fundraiser form for delicious baked goods (I have tried some of them and they are yummy)
Information about the meetings regarding the reconfiguration of the high schools next September Monday Nov. 30th at Don Ross and Tuesday Dec. 1st at HSSS
Head lice reminder (there are no confirmed cases in our class but a big reminder is needed about wearing one another's clothing and hats!!) DON'T

Had a different day today. I began with a much needed class meeting. We discussed our classroom issues with the microwave and we have decided to set up a schedule so there is not so much tension at lunch!! We played some cooperative games together and among other things shared some ideas for the year end trip to Quadra Island (information next week) and fundraising. I asked the students to be aware of how they have been talking to each other and to consider being kinder and gentler- we have had some hurt feelings and isolation and at this age defensiveness and anger are easier options than communicating properly. It was veryproductive.

We read another couple of chapters of Word Nerd Ambrose and his mother ended up at the Vancouver police daprtment to give a statement about the fight he witnessed (actually he was part of it!!) and his mother finds out much to her dimay that Ambrose has been lying- the poop has hit the fan! The kids seem to be enjoying it immensely and always beg for another chapter!!(so they don't have to do Math I guess)

For Math we looked at another two algebra equations and solved them together. I expect students to write down the steps at this point even if they still don't understand because following the procedure of step by step solving will help them internalize the multiple steps to solve for the variable. It is a challenge (at least it was today!!)
I cut Math short becuase the students were grumpy and started Ch 8 for science. It is about mechanical and chemical weathering of rock and once we have covered information about the tectonic plates we will be looking at the ring of fire- earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis.
During DEAR time Cassandra and I made everyone hot chocolate.
We then organized for term two by finishing the clean up of binders, desks, bins etc. All term1 materials went into a file folder which students can evetually bring home. I suggest they keep Math and French for next year. With the semester system some may not take a math course until January 2011!! Seems like a heck of a long time!
At computers we went on-line to do our science quiz for the first part of Chapter 8 that we read this morning- once completed a bit of free time to finishe the day.
As usual the bell went too quickly and my students were out the door ready to play volleyball.
Have a great weekend everyone.
See you Monday
Mrs. J.