We had a productive morning but a challenging afternoon. I put it down to the indoor lunch, although everyone had something productive to do, and the class becoming more its regular size as students return from extended breaks- we have had approximately 5-6 students away each day- today only three which is good but as we return to normalacy and the hormones kick in, it changes the classroom dynamic.
Homework
Spelling test for Unit 12 tomorrow- please study
Integer addition- math booklet started in class some only have a few more practice example to do- we will review the correct solutions tomorrow
Socials research- imdependent- goal is to be completed note taking and begin to write up the notes into paragraphs for the project due on January 17th
General Day
started the day with spelling study for the test for Unit 12
did a reading excerpt from Gary Paulsen's novel, The River, once read we discussed the 'art' of answering multiple choice questions on a story excerpt- MoE (matter of elimination) and NO random guesses- I think you would be surprised how many students think it is possible to answer multiple choice questions without actually reading the selection and I suppose for a seasoned reader it is possible but it is not the intention of the exercise!! lol
We also wrote a paragraph answer to a question about how the setting of the story creates suspense or excitement- the actual question was "How does the setting of this story create interest for the reader?". This is not an easy question to answer for students who want to say "Well, I didn't think it was very exciting!" :)
Again, after a little manipulation of the question and the intent, the students actually wrote very well. I still need to assess their paragraph work but it was very encouraging to see that every student was able to write on topic and to expected paragraph length. Yeah!!
Band next- the students seem to be enjoying learning to play as a band. Ms. Sorban has a chance to get our student free tickets for a concert at the Chan Centre at UBC for February. The students would get a chance to hear a concert at one of the most fabulous acoustic masterpieces of architecture in the city :) I'll keep you informed :)
Math- today focused on learning three different (but similar) ways to add integers. We used the pictoral tokens method, the number line (concrete method) and the 'real connection' method- i,e, if this was temperature what would be happening or if this was my bank account would I be happy?
Most seemed to get the concept but I know it will take some time for other students to grasp as we move into the more abstract concepts of mathematics. I find most can understand the number line (or thermometer line) manipulative so I'll keep up with examples using +/- lines. Every student received their own set of number lines to play with and help them find solutions.
DEAR time was okay- I have allowed some to study for the spelling bee but I'm afraid it has become disruptive. Next Monday starts back into the recording of READING. I think this month I will have a draw for a book of their choice from the TRC Feb 2011 catalogue.
Personal Planning- well, I tried- let's just say it wasn't as successful as I imagined in my head that it might be!!! Today I wanted to play a physical movement game called "Take a Stand" but I was unable (or unwilling?) to follow through with it because of the nature of the disruptions in class. As I wasn't sure that I could handle the outcome of the physical movement in class, I decided to change the planned activity. So rather than "play" the game I 'walked" them through it so that when I get the chance to try again, the students who were feeling that they needed to be disruptive know what's expected of them to 'play' appropriately or of course have the choice to 'sit out'. The topics are pretty much guaranteed to make some students a little uncomfortable but still...
I guess I need to bolster up my patience- that is my word for the New Year : Patience
I need to work on that apparently!!
Personal Planning - Take a Stand - finding out where you are comfortable given your own personal morals and ethics and comfort level when presented with different scenarios in which you have to make decisions about your personal boundaries and safety. It is interesting but challenging!! Need lots of patience with students who are still learning about and exploring personal boundaries!!
Art - continued work on the Egyptian profiles- bit noisy but at least the designs and colours are looking vibrant and really authentic.
So 3pm dismissal - before I was ready of course.
Hope every one has a great evening. See you all tomorrow.
Mrs. J.
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