I am sorry that the Blog is so late once again- there has been something on every night this week and I am having a hard time keeping up- my son is sick and I managed to miss the H1N1 shot clinic again!!
We had a staff meeting and a bit of a celebratory get together for Mrs. Masterson and her beautiful baby daughter, Moira- she is so, so cute.
Weather is getting cold enough now that I would like to remind students to come dressed warmly and sensibly for warmth- some are still dressed for spring!!
Here's the important details for homework for tomorrow
I forgot to administer the Unit 9 spelling test redo so the students who missed it or have been asked to re-write have another night to study. Lucky them! :)
Unit 10 test is tomorrow also- study.
The goal sheets are coming back slowly and I have been impressed with the realistic nature of the students' goals. Please submit a completed gaol sheet if is not yet in.
The French (weather) poster is OVERDUE- get it completed and hand it in before we move on
Reminder that Quadra Island fieldtrip forms are due on Friday this week (Dec 4th)
General Day
Lots of high spirits today!! I find that the daily spelling study time is not used wisely by all students. Sometimes I have to give 'personal invitations' to students who have either not listened to or are not following the direction "please use the next 10 minutes to study for your spelling test tomorrow." I had to wake one student up!!
After trying to settle the class to study for Thursday's spelling test, I read a chapter of Word Nerd, our read aloud novel, and found out how Ambrose managed to survive an uncomfortable and smelly night in a bathroom stall on Granville Island after he decided to run away from home!! We are nearly finished the novel. (one more chapter and the students want to have it finished today!!) :)
Next we did an SRA reading session and I find that the students results are showing improvement already to the point that I am already moving them up the colour schedule to a higher reading level than they began on only two weeks ago.The biggest improvement is in vocabulary and word usage skills. I am encouraged and the students seem to enjoy it as it requires at least a 40minute quiet reading and thinking session. The students also get to assess their work immediately and record the result on a graph which gives a visual account of their work. Some students have managed to complete four different kit cards others have not yet completed their first for various reasons. It gives me a good indication of progress and concentration powers and allows me to specifically monitor those struggling to get work started or completed :)
For French we completed the weather booklet and reviewed the various phrases and pronunciation of the French vocabulaire for la meteo (weather). I encouraged those not yet complete the weather posters to get them in.
For math we started looking at the Cartesian Plane and linear equations. I had the students identify coordinate points and then plot points using a t-chart and equation to find the Y coordinate. It is a lot to take in and some students have difficulty with the spatial skills required to use a graph plane to accurately mark (x,y) coordinate points.
After some DEAR reading time (that took a while to settle into), we watched a couple of Bill Nye: the science guy episodes about the earth's crust and volcanoes. I always find them a bit cheesy but they did cover all the details that are in the textbook and the students seemed to enjoy them (not listening to me for a change!!)
As requested we finished our novel Word Nerd and the students clapped when it was completed. I have to confess that in two years that is the first read aloud that all the students have enjoyed and that I have looked forward to reading everyday. I am considering asking the author to visit us!! What do you think?
See everyone Thursday.
Mrs. J.
No comments:
Post a Comment