Terrific Tuesday

Happy Birthday to Navdeep :)
Hope the boy's get a basketball win tonight up at the Garibaldi Highlands- that would be a nice birthday present :)

Homework
Spelling Unit 13 test Thursday
Math: Rotations worksheet to complete
Socials project - complete notes and start writing them up into paragraphs- reminder that the main reseaarch is due NEXT WEDNESDAY

General Day

started with a bit of a review of the spelling words for unit 13

provided a half hour of social studies class time (computer time tomorrow)

French- project 'runway' students use paper doll 'templates' to create a 'line' of fashion clothing for a runway presentation en francais

math rotations continued- the spatial skills involved in turning a design in a specific direction and making the turn either a quarter (90) , a half (180) or three quarter (270) turn is not as easy as it sounds. I have encouraged students who are finding the concept difficult to 'see' to use cut outs to assist their brains to see/analyse the way the shape changes. Today we looked at how a ccw 270 turn can be the same as a cw 90 depending on which quadrant the original shape is in. We will be following this up with a look at lines of symmetry and rotational symmetry tomorrow. These skills are all basic engineering/design concepts and are as much part of art and how things work/piece together than we think!!!! Very cool stuff and it is encouraging to see the kids build up their confidence with it.

Physical Ed next with Mr. Parker.
Our boys and girls have lots of basketball right now before school, at lunch and after school as well as Physical Education. Boys' games are Tuesday and girls' games are Thursday. Lots of exercise.

DEAR time - still having issues with a few students who are really struggling to settle into work and reading so in the interest of other students there may have to be a few changes. I will have to think of a consequence which is both fair and meaningful. That's more challenging than just firing them out of class and hopefully it will bring about a positive change in behaviour. Otherwise I am just delaying the inevitable and they won't learn to do it for themselves!!

Personal Planning was interesting PUBERTY - we discussed the introduction to a nearly ten week set of lessons with the acronym which represents Peer Pressure, Understanding self and others (may need to add understanding what parents need!!), Body Changes, Experimentation, Readiness , Teenage Issues (should be 'texting' lol) and Youth Culture (media and advertising etc.)
Today I tried to introduce the unit and asked students to privately (anonymously) write their questions and issues that they have concerns or want to know more about and hand it in to me. I will compile the questions and use them to drive the lesson planning.
It was interesting to see the discomfort in some and the bravado in others. Next day I need to set our class ground rules for class discussion. I will keep you posted on where we are if you would like to continue the discussion at home or use these lessons as a reason to engage and talk to your son or daughter about any of these timely issues.
I think all parents would be both relieved and encouraged by the student responses- it makes me realize that they really are just big kids in a big messed up (at times 'ugly') world and if I could I would hug every one of them just because they are still pretty innocent about it all.
I always enjoy teaching this unit and look forward to the coming classes :)

I used up the time for art today unfortuately- time in the day just seems to disappear which I guess is better than it dragging on minute to minute. So we packed up and got planners and desks cleaned off so the boys' could get their rides to the basketball games organized.
More tomorrow.
Have a good Tuesday. See everyone then.
Mrs. J.