Thursday January 27th

The students caught me up to speed on some things I overlooked about January 26th- yesterday was Australia's Foundation Day and Republic day in India- it was also Wayne Gretzky's birthday- how could I forget about that? Thanks to my class I am keeping VERY well informed about the world and what I appreciate more than anything is that they did not tell me any gossip about Brittney Spears, Justin Beiber or Kanye West YEAH!!!

I'm getting a jump start on today's entry as I have a meeting after school (there seem to be lots of meetings!!)

Homework
I have requested that the three studetnts still owing a socials project hand in what they have done by tomorrow (Quin, Tracy and Trixton) time's up!!
French quiz on telling time Quelle heure est-il?
Math practice on writing the 'middle' step from given algebraic equations i.e.
x +12 = 25
x+12-12=25-12****
x= 13
UBC letter and payment $5

General Day
started with the unit 15 spelling test (5 to catch up tomorrow- late to class)

had a brief presentation about the different types/forms of writing that are required of literate people to 'set up' a move from fiction to persuasive writing that is the next curricular requirement for instruction. I have asked them to think/brainstorm some issues that are 'hot topics' OR that they feel strongly about so I can determine opinions. It should be an interesting venture!

Ch 15 Word Nerd - didn't quite finish the chapter this morning. There is about a page left for tomorrow and then I'll comp;lete to the end of chapter 16.
Band class

Math -English to Algebra- continuation of working step by step through examples and practice that ask students to 'find' the mathematical equivalent to the English story problem and move from the equation to a solution. For some it is not as easy as it sounds- we need lots of practice but it is difficult to convince some learners that with enough practice of the 'skill',  it will come much more easily. They practice for band and for basketball but math- not so much!!! What to do to make it more appealing?
There is lots of practice on-line for interested students.

DEAR time- had to catch some students up with missed work in the am (late to class)
generally the rest of the class read quietly (Thank-you)

Art- need to get at least an hour of art as we have been shortchanged of late with all the goings on. We are having an Earthquake Drill this afternoon so who knows?

After silent reading time I called a class meeting regarding 2011 camp (Evans Lake) as a year end trip BUT I guess I was a bit surprised that my students were not really in support of it this year. Only half of the class (14) expressed interest in it and even then a couple of the 'supporters' were waving their hands to suggest they weren't fully committed to it despite their positive vote. Interesting.
I asked why and the reasons were also interresting: some said cost ($110 for 3 days), some said program activities (canoeing, climbing, archery, survival and waterfront swimming) others said they wanted a longer stay and the rest said they didn't want to go to a camp jusy 'up the hill'!!!
So I tried again asking this time if it was a choice between this camp or no camp would that change their voting but NO again 14 voted for camp. So there will be no year end camp this year due to lack of interest.
However, Mr. Parker and I are meeting with the camp director tonight at 4pm and we are thinking that we will get a jump start on booking for the following year 2012 for the upper imtermediate students who are now in grades 5 and 6. C'est la vie. I gyess the good thing is that all my current students had the chance to attend Camp Homewood on Quadra Island last year- perhaps that spoiled them!!! Oh, well!!
For a year end this year I will focus on a day trip or two depending on the interest!!

Art- finally- some art time- Egyptian profiles are nearly all complete now :)
We have begun to decide on landscape paintings for our school art show and those who are not landscape minded will be using the concept of 'rotation' as on face cards and doing a piece of rotational art. I did this project last year and it was very successful especially with some of the boys who became quite creative giving their face kings and jacks features like sunglasses, scars and touques for crowns :).

Earthquake Drill went smoothly- drama of course someone had to scream and several had to shake their desks to get a more realistic effect!!! We forgot to take our 'comfort kits' with us- next time!

Back in class we finished up - cleaned away the art supplies and packed up for the day.
Overview of homework expectations- for some it went in (or not) one ear and out the other!! You see, there is a boys' basketball game at Brackendale tonight- good luck boys.
3pm  Dismissal
See you all tomorrow.
I meet soon with the director of Evan's Lake Camp.