Shot Put coaching at lunch time was fun today because I had the chance to see my upper intermediate students in a teaching/coaching role too and they were good at it.
I wondered for a minute why that might be and realized that first they had the opportunity to step up to the plate and next they were willing to share their expertise and finally they have had good modelling over the years from my colleagues and I at this school. Now isn't that what we want to encourage? I was very proud of them. I was a better coach with them co-coaching along side me. The younger grades also see the older students so when the grades 3-5's get to the upper grades hopefully they will be ready to take the co-coaching role on themselves.
It did help too that it was sunny but not too hot- ideal weather for hanging out in the back field.
Homework
Geometry unit review test- I have suggested the practice booklet that we completed in class today (which was for homework last night) be studied from tonight as a number of the activities MAY (wink, wink) be on the test tomorrow
Read the novel Milkweed ( I would like students to have it completed for lit. circle after the upcoming long weekend- so next Tuesday)
$25 for grad hoodies
General Day
I started the day congratulating the students on their written Makes me think reflections from yesterday and addressed (as I did on the blog last night) the reason why the Holocaust is considered a topic to remember and analyze. We discussed the Geneva Convention and it's considerable violations over the years. The students were familiar with the genocides in Cambodia, Rawanda, Bosnia and Darfur and knew of the KKK and White Supremacy movements which promote hatred and ultimately lead to persecution and murder of innocent people. The intention was to bring awareness to the fact that human rights need to be protected always. Hopefully our students will be able to recognize and stand up for their own and others' human rights if and when they need to.
With permission, here is an excerpt from one of the reflections
"This made me feel very sad. What a nerve Hitler had charging around Europe making people's lives a living hell. I didn't want to take my eyes off the screen because Daniel's Story was so interesting. Just think all those kids... over one million with no future... it really makes you think"
We tackled science next and I was actually rather impressed with the practice activities for determining Density (mass divided by volume) and recognizing the possible materials from the density chart provided. Good job everyone. We had a good giggle trying to consider the reasons why helium makes us sound like Donald Duck. It is a very light gas and it rises in our lungs the minute we stop sucking it out of the balloon (no we didn't do it in class but who hasn't tried it?). It rises so quickly that it only lasts a few seconds (or should). Too much can make you sick and dizzy.
For math we completed the math geometry review sheet distributed yesterday. We discussed the tricks of READING the question and using the hints provided more carefully especially for the trickier transversals. Student were taught (thanks, Huntington) the trick of extending the lines in a figure to see if any of the standard angle patterns emerge.
Studying from it for tomorrow's unit test is recommended.
Lunch and track and Field practice
DEAR time ( thank you for DEAR time as I had a chance to eat my lunch!!!)
For Personal Planning the students opted to set up the parameters for the upcoming sexual health unit. We discussed the guidelines that I though were necessary (no put downs, including groans and comments, right to pass, no slang terms, and right to be listened to/respected whether people agree with you or not) I like to establish that there is no such thing as a Stupid question but some questions may need to be asked confidentially. Tomorrow we will continue with a few more 'ground rules' that the students consider necesssary and a Question Box will be established.
I will be using materials from a sexuality workshop called Teaching Sexuality Education : What we all need to Know which I did a few years ago with Joy Becker RN, BSN and the work of Meg Hickling RN (Mrs. Paxton's mom) in her books about what and when children need to know about sex. If you are not familiar with her work Google her- she has had an amazing number of distinctive awards and has made a difference in the lives of many with her work (she's now helping me teach it too!!) P.S. there is a new book for grown ups you might want to check out :)
I played a 'walk the line' game with the students and need to be honest that the results show what the statistics suggest that despite our attempts at education and risk-management, there are approximately one third of the students (mostly male) who are predicting that they will take risks with alcohol, drugs and sexuality despite knowing possible consequences and negative outcomes. Sometimes the results in a class 'game' are part bravado (wanting to appear to be a risk-taker) but I would have to conclude that some are already taking risks and are very cavalier about it. Please take the time to talk to your sons and daughters and provide them with a moral purpose that fits your family and expectations of them before the risks they take become a problem for them and the family in the future. I'm serious.
The students asked some excellent questions and we had a pretty in-depth discussion about the 'results' of the walk the line game. We discussed the reality for young people in Squamish with respect to hanging out, parties and peer pressure.
Heavy stuff but I will also need to inform the students about an educator's responsibility with respect to disclosure. It is my duty to report to the Ministry of Education any suspicion of abuse to a child under 19 years of age.
The afternoon just disappeared. So much for art time!!!
3pm Dismissal
reminded about the math test!!! Many left without the practice sheet!!!
they may have to learn the hard way in grade eight!!
Have a lovely evening
Mrs. J.
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