This was the first day (since I don't know when) that we have had all 30 students here at the same time. Be careful what you wish for!!! The afternoon was rather challenging and I felt overwhelmed by the constant interruptions to the afternoon's planned lessons.
At one point I became a bit emotional when I was trying to explain the consequences to us all as a group of learners when the same few demand attention in various ways that take us all on a 'pay attention to me' trip away from what we are meant to be concentrating on. Appealing to pre-adolescents though is a bit like nailing jello to the wall. They don't really understand the 'big deal' and their loyalty is not guaranteed.
I'm not sure if the 'few' are really aware of their constant need to interrupt themselves or others (I don't think they are doing it to annoy me as much as to get attention from their peers). The social interaction and whining gets tiring for me and students who just want to get on with things!!
I guess I need to seriously reconsider workable consequences for repeated behaviours- I have the option of providing work and sending them out to another class BUT is that really an answer when they need to be in class to learn the concepts that they need to for future levels? What if they refuse to learn those concepts? What then? Do I sacrifice the learning of the whole class for a few who have decided they'd rather interrupt the team work?
It is a dilemma especially as I have planned some exciting but high responsibility experiments for our chemistry unit. I think I need to test it and see- like an experiment- the question is:
Can I trust 6 groups of 5 team members to cooperate together and follow the sequence of directions for a chemical reaction experiment?
Hypothesis: That once engaged with the experiment, the majority of students will be successful- a couple may need to be monitored more closely
Maybe I am expecting too much but as a group of learners I think they are ready to push the boundaries on what is the norm.
Homework
Read the novel
letters regarding the Satsfaction survey and information for parent's input were sent home today
Speeches due to be delivered to the school at 1pm Friday April 1st
Please return the newsletter regarding your intention regarding the parent meeting next Thurday April 7th
Just waiting for 2 Gr 8 registration forms (Thanks to those who remembered them today)
General Day
Writng a coherent paragraph activity
Novel assignments for Ch 1-5
Math- naming and measuring angles
DEAR the good news is that the majority of the students are reading- there continue to be a few who avoid reading at all costs!
Science- Safety in the Science classroom- text pages viii-xi
Read the information in the text regarding the procedures and rsopnsibilities in a science class. Also perused the safety symbols (WHMIS) and were introduces to some of the chemical we will be using and their safety precautions. Safety contract tomorrow- without it's completion, students will not be able to take part in the experiments planned.
Computers: I shared with the students the films that have been previously produced and aired by the director/producer Maureen Palmer at http://www.bountifulfilms.ca/
We watched a trailer for one called The Bully's Mark
Please feel free to check out the films that have been previously aired by this production company. You can also find a biography for Maureen Palmer under the Who are We? bar at the top of the website.
Phys Ed. -noisy ball hockey- sometimes there is no pleasing everyone with enough play time but generally (considering the boys played at lunch time) all students who wanted to, played two shifts- I made one incorrect line call and the whining about it wasted some more precious time...SORRY... lets just get on with correcting the errors and not dwelling on them :) Sheesh!
Dismissal 3pm
Have a good evening.
Oh, and, if anyone finds a gold locket around about one of my students is heartbroken and would really like to have it found or returned. Thanks- keep your eyes peeled
Mrs. J.
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