Wednesday, December 8th

A challenging day with the rain and the second indoor lunch although I am grateful to my colleagues for providing a variety of lunch time activities as today was one of those days that I really needed a break at lunch ( and a couple of advil)!!

Homework
Unit 11 spelling test tomorrow
I have asked the students to check the incomplete assignment list (in class) and use this last weekend before the break to catch up. Some may need to use the two weeks to get caught up! FYI on the list there are the following assignments: science Ch1. review and crossword, language arts (alternative ending to the novel) and the virtual adventure project ( a couple have spelling activities), Math to complete coordinate graphing.
Heads Up
tomorrow is the last day for Christmas Community Care food donations for the Community Christmas hampers
All library books are due back for a school inventory tomorrow Dec 9th- if you have any at home please return them
Popcorn sale Friday Dec 10th ($1)

General Day
Panic about a lost instrument is over - we have located the lost flute and it will be returned tomorrow. There was a bit of drama that went with the recovery and I can tell you that the students are as tired as I am when the three boys involved in the mix up were so very emotional about the accident.
I spent a bit of time in this morning tending to misunderstandings that were happily sorted out and hopefully now everyone is a happy camper (or happy band player). These things will happen and if we have a few rules concerning instruments on band days Tuesdays and Thursdays things should be easier.
Apparently the students tell me that Noisy Boys is closing so you might be able to find some reeds for instruments there but perhaps not the right size. Another student said that Canadian Tire has reeds. Gives a couple of options for students who were upset that their reeds were cracked or broken.
What we discussed:
1. look after your own Band instrument and do not move or touch another's ( I had to put in the word Band for obvious reasons lol)
2. when not using your Band instrument keep it safely in its protective case (do not play it outside especially in the rain!!!)
3. be familiar with the care instructions and follow them to keep your Band instrument in top playing condition
4. PRACTISE, practise and practise or you'll sound like Mrs. P. on the recorder :) in joke! You had to be at the Tuesday assembly to understand- perhaps ask your son or daughter to explain further! (Internet has lessons)
5. ENJOY it but also realize it is delicate and needs TLC (no StarWars sword fights with the clarinets please and never blast it into other's delicate ears even if you think it is meant to be funny)
Growing Pains- we live and learn. This really will set them up for the responsibilities of being in Grade 8 band next year for sure.
After instrument drama, we did some French. En francais we discussed the current weather in BC and Ontario (my sister has had record snowfall in Simcoe, Ontario) So we practiced sounding, recognizing and translating basic vocabulary words and putting them into reasonable-sensible sentences.
After that we did a brief overview of some vocabulaire for Noel and a mots cache (word search with a hidden message. The message was: Les lutins mangent les biscuits du pere noel. Ask you son or daughter to tell you what it means!!
SRA reading lab- I am happy to report that approx 10 students after three days have completed enough reading selections that I feel confident about moving them up into the next level :)
Math- I have a bit of a dilemma. I need to complete the Transformations section before Christmas Break because I do not want the students coming back to review a unit after two weeks away!! SO tomorrow I will be instructing and we will be practicing the trickiest of the Transformations: Rotations and on Friday we will do a bit more practice and review all of them (Translations, Reflections and Rotations). Over the weekend they are expected to review and on Monday there will be a unit test.
MATH  In January, I MUST get into the algebra unit more formally as FSA exams are scheduled at the end of January this year!!! It gets closer and closer every year- they used to be in May, for the last few years February and now January 2011- how the Government can claim to be testing the students grade seven skills 5 months into the school year is ludicrous but don't get me started on politics (too late I hear). Apparently I heard (but I forget where) that the government will be making changes to the FSA exams among others so it will be interesting to see how the party meltdowns of both the Liberal and NDP will affect the education agenda.
Computers #1 choice to use morning computer time for completion of the virtual adventure project OR begin socials research- I provided and illustrated a couple of good, reliable websites and set the students to work. Most used time wisely- not all- the Insight management tool allows me to be able to keep students on track but it can become like shovelling a driveway whe the snow is still falling hard. When you get to the end you have to start back at the beginning again. Some have no focus and when I leave after 'setting them on the right track' they simply go back to what they want to do until I come round again- it is frustrating BUT I can't make them do it!!! I can't shut down access to the Internet if I want them to use it BUT when we get some research unbder our belts, I will be providing access only to Microsoft word.

DEAR time - most used well- some silliness and I guess just kids being kids situations after an indoor lunch when people have eaten at desks not their own- messiness and 'not mine' claims that I decided to make like a mom who doesn't wish to 'battle' anymore so I decided to keep them quiet and do it myself (I know - what am I teaching them? But honestly I needed a break from managing and cleaning is so cathartic!!!)

Computers #2
See morning - students had the choice to switch what they were doing this morning socials or virtual adventure and I swear for some students it doesn't matter how much time they are given, the work just isn't progressing and yet others are finished their virtual adventure and are now finding lots of neat website to help with their notes for their Ancient Civilization project.
Back to class - we packed up and did the Christmas song together- I must say I am a little nervous about it but I know the students have great voices so I need to be patient!! They'll pull it off- three minutes worth. It'll be fine!! I hope.

Bragging News. One of the students (Randy) spent a long time and out great care into his Remembrance Day poster before we forwarded it to the local competition. Quality work is rewarded and he found out today from our local Legion that his poster is going forward to the next level of competition for BC and the Yukon. Congratulations- he and his poster deserved the recognition. I wish I'd thought to take a photocopy of it. Remember to get the information sheet signed.

Phys. Ed. After our 'dance' disaster yesterday I decided to run some mini basketball games. 5 groups of  5 worked and two of the teams were made up of four girls each. It was a better class than yesterday however, the amount of time we waste trying to get basic instructions and safety rules followed tries both my patience and the patience of some students. It is so funny (not Ha Ha) when, as a teacher, you try to correct some bad habits like running (travelling with the ball), double dribble, obstruction or even awarding a free throw how many of my students have defensive explanations and want to tell me how unfair I am being ironically in the interest of fairplay!!!

Dismissal 3pm praise the Lord :)
Keep dry as it is supposed to continue to rain. See everyone tomorrow. I'll try to get a full night's sleep tonight so I am not Mrs. McKillyKranky (that's what my granny used to say!!) tomorrow. Another day- another chance to practise patience and perseverence!! Wish me luck.
Mrs. J.