Wednesday February 16th

What a nice surprise today- my colleagues are the best- my classroom was decorated with helium balloons and messages to wish me a Happy 50th birthday. I was so spoiled and felt a little embarrassed about the fuss but I do totally appreciate the warm wishes and generosity. I had a fine 50th Crown made especially by Mrs. Lapointe (she is crafty in all meanings of the word LOL - apparently she even has her own helium cylinder just for 'fly by night' decorating of rooms and homes in the neighbourhood)!!
The students were all very genrous too with their hugs and good wishes - I received some very creative cards- like I said already this week- we don't need Hallmark!!
It was special because I was just lamenting that with such a busy life it was too difficult for anything 'surprise' to happen with my family and I din't expect  my 'working family' to be planning a surprise. Thank you for making me feel so special and appreciated.

Homework
Spelling Unit 18
Reminders
No school Friday - Pro-D day

General Day
Started with a seating experiment- asked the students to sit where they wanted today so I could scout the 'lay of the land' so to speak (it is coming time for another seat change). It wasn't terrible but now I know clearly who needs to be where and with whom.

Completed the French booklet activities for Valentine's Day- it was a bit too challenging for the students and that made it kind of boring (Shhhh) but now I am VERY clear on where I need to concentrate for the French units that are coming up. The booklet for Valentine's day was challenging and I think I over-stepped their ability level. Students had difficulty with the vocabulary Soduku and the creation of sentences is way too much when they are still learning about proper sentence structure in English- so I need to dial it back a bit!!

Next we did the next chapter (4) of DGC, the read aloud novel- we were given some background into the affair that Violet's dad (Ian) was involved in before he and Violet's mum divoreced and he moved to L.A. The book is kind of slow and whiny right now- I hope it picks up soon as the students had a difficult time listening today!

SRA reading program. We are nearly complete this unit of independent reading. We will be completing short strories and a class novel in term 3.

FSA last part of the test was completed today. The two written 4 mark numeracy questions in 30 minutes. FSA 2011 is completed except for the students who have missed and need to catch up. I had another 2 away today. In total I have at least 6 students who have not finished the battery of tests. Hopefully they will all be here tomorrow and we can wrap it all up.

DEAR time was not quiet due to the fact that I thought (too bad for me- what was I thinking?) that providing the students with a piece of birthday cake would keep them quiet and they would eat cake quietly BUT no .... anyway they did thank me for the cake even if they were driving me crazy with ...
"he took my pencil", "he kicked me under the table", "he's got my book", "he's looking at me funny"!!!! Is a full moon coming up?

Computers - a couple of students used the time to catch up on missed FSA sections - I took about 10 minutes for the class blog and showed the students some commercials made by the Hockey Association of Canada to remind parents about appropriate behaviour at the rink. They are very good messages about how some adults pressure children and when you see the children behaving the way some parents do it is so obviously wrong that the question is: 'what makes it right at the rink?
You should check them out.

Phys. Ed. Basketball skills 3-3 head to head Line Basketball. Most enjoyed the games although the time goes so fast that the students feel that they are hardly called. I went through two complete rotations of the numbers and was into the third about half way when the dismissal bell rang.
3pm Dismissal
fitness dance class and curling tonight. So busy: my son has basketball, my husband has soccer and I have to curl. Have a good night. Gotta run...
Mrs. J.