An information sheet was sent home about H1N1 clinics FYI
Day in General
- today I introduced the students to the SRA reading lab kit which is a class unit but individually levelled reading activity in which each student is placed according to his/her reading ability and reads, answers and records progress in independent reading. Today we completed a placement test (only 6 minutes) and started a 'practice' run on what the expected questions and procedure will be.
- French- we did poster ideas for presenting mastery of the vocabulary for days of the week, the months of the year and the related weather. Les jours de las semaine, les mois de l'annee et la meteo.
- For math we checked and corrected homework. I am a bit frustrated with the fact that approx 10 students either didn't take it home or didn't make an attempt to complete it! What to do? I reviewed the correct procedure and solutions together in class. I find it interesting that so many students are reluctant to follow the step by step procedure and yet they wonder why they are having difficulty getting the full marks for their solutions. Just so everyone is clear.
- Step 1 isolate (recognize) the variable
- Step2 write an algebraic expression (equation)
- Step 3 simplify to solve (balance the operations by ensuring what you do to one side also is done to the other) the goal is to simplify until the variable is on its own with no numerical values.
- Step 4 Find the solution and if necessary, write it in a statement (4-5 marks per equation).
- I have been told that teaching algebra this way sets up students to understand the more complex work to come (polynominals Gr8/9 and quadratic equations Gr9/10) This is the mathematical groundwork.
- A chapter of Word Nerd in which Ambrose fakes his mom's signature on his consent form for the West End Scrabble Club!! His mom is rather overprotective and says he can't go so he defies her and as you can imagine it only leads to more trouble!!
- DEAR time was and is much improved today :) They need some quiet time after lunch and many are actually (Shhhh- don't tell them!!) enjoying it!!!! "Awww, can we have 5 more minutes, I want to finish this chapter" YES :) and I pretend it's a big deal giving them more time to READ (HA,HA)
- I tried a personal planning activity but I think it needed much more time- we were considering how with certain choices we make things can go from bad to worse or they can got from bad to better- the vicious cycle (or inprovement cycle) idea. I tried a couple of scenarios but a few students got a little silly- too much video gaming and shoot 'em up movies. So it took a while to get us 'back on track'. We discussed briefly the trouble that some young people get into with jealousy and boy-girl relationships. As I said more time needed- later in the year might be better.
- Art- the Remembrance Day activities were picked up. Thank-you to all entrants. Today we worked on the posters for French and the Landscapes which I hope to have up for your perusal for parent-teachers next week.
Reminders: Next Monday the students get their reports for Term 1 (Nov 23), Wednesday and Thursday is 2pm dismissal and Parent-teacher interviews (don't forget to book at the office if you would like to chat about the term and your son's or daughter's work so far.)
It's dark (the silly lights keep going out because they are activated by movement so every 5 minutes I have to jump up and wave at them-dang it just happened again- I'm so going home!!) and I am feeling the cold now in the classroom. It is just not the same when there are no bodies in the room. See everyone tomorrow.
Mrs. J.
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