Late again!

Sorry folks!
There was a staff meeting after school and tonight was so wet and miserable that I decided the least I could do was have a hot dinner on the table for my boys who were at a soggy soccer practice.

I have been trying some group and partner activities these last couple of days and the students seem to be cooperating together and making a great effort to complete the activities while assisting each other. It is interesting to observe which students stay focussed and do the work and which students let it happen and bask in the results.

Today I sent out the volunteer packages to the parents who expressed interest in accompanying the student group to Quadra Island. I am happy to report that we have more than enough adults to satisfy the 1:8 ratio for the camp trip. The three male volunteers are Mr. Peries, Mr. McArthur and Mr. Elson- the two female volunteers are Mrs. Tehara, Ms. Gouschuk. Mr. Parker and I make 4 male and 3 female adults for a total of 7 chaperones. So far I have approximately 45 students although there are still a number of students who have not yet returned the waiver and medical forms.

Homework
I have asked students to find one household cleaning product to check the HHPS (Household Hazards Product Symbols) that may be on the label (see our science lesson today). Student will report back tomorrow what is under the kitchen sink
Forms: camp, surveys (spring break and satisfaction survey), still waiting for three DRSS course selection forms, report card envelopes and goal sheets for term three.

General Day
I returned Vocabulous A - vocabulary in-context worksheet which they completed last week on their own and today distributed Vocabulous B as a group activity. I have 5 fabulous new Oxford dictionaries which are being well use. Average results 90% accuracy.

We reviewed the first six labours of Hercules and completed an outline of the 7-12th labours. We discussed the heroes, monsters, mythical beasts and discovered that while we are familiar with many of the mythical stories, we tend to have bits and pieces of many all mixed up. This is all leading to a writing activity (creating a mythological story) but first they have to be familiar with the classic stories.

For French we did a brief question-answer partner activity asking in French what the students like to watch on television and/or what they like to eat. They listened to the sound of the language and asked each other the questions. Then we did a round using the random draw popsicle sticks asking the same questions...
Qu'est-ce que tu aimes regarder a la tele? J'aime regarder...ou Qu'est-ce que tu aimes manger? J'aime manger...
They did well. Research for second language teaching shows that students do not get enough practice using the language in real situations. I'm hoping a few dialogues and interactive partner activities might help them be confident about using the language next year in grade eight.

After snack we did a bit of a dull but necessary science lesson. WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and HHPS (Household Hazardous Product Symbols) and analysed/identified the symbols used for various warnings. It is a general safety discussion about not sniffing anything in a lab (or a cleaning product) and absolutely not tasting anything in a science lab, especially a chemistry lab. We looked at how a beaker of water and a similar beaker of hydrogen peroxide look exactly the same- clear, odorless, liquid. How do we test which one is safe to drink? The students got the message that tasting is not an option!
We also completed a concept definition for matter. What it is and what it is not. It is a tricky concept. We persevered and I think most of us can give a definition- why not ask and see what the answer is?

DEAR reading time was focussed today. Some students used the time to work quietly on speeches for Friday and complete work they had missed.

Socials mapping activity: Locating Ancient Greece- 5 groups -five maps- rotation through the stations- complete the map in groups using the maps, atlases, text books and helping each other- most managed to complete the map which we will review tomorrow.

Art- I abandoned the idea of a timeline presented a couple of days ago as the students didn't seem to be interested in it (maybe a few might do it or not!!) Instead we focussed on this morning's discussion of Ancient Greek mythological gods, heroes, monsters and beasts and decided which we would like to depict and create a story poster for.

Before dismissal the students undetook a class vote (conducted by a couple of students) for the font they would like to have printed on their Grad Class hoodie. The boys did a good job and now we just have to pass it with the grade sevens in Mr. Parker's class.

Dismissal
Staff Meet

Have agood night
Mrs. J.