Monday May 2nd

I'm trying my best to be quick tonight as I haven't yet exercised my right to vote in the Federal Election yet! My civic duty calls ...

Homework
today I reviewed all the work and assignments I had the chance to assess and record over the weekend so I had a very clear list of students who need to submit their work and today they were reminded individually...
Socials- travelogue up to Day 2:  tour of Athens, and Day 3: visit to the Acropolis (today's section)
Science report for Friday's 3 states of matter experiment (also a few Ch 4 section 1 booklets are MIA)
Novel- complete Ch 11- 15 activities (FYI the final activities for the novel will be distributed tomorrow)
some students have asked for some Math practice work and that is being provided on a individual basis ( I had forgotten about the lines and angles redo test that students requested so I need to create a quick re-test for this week)
Reminders
Scholastic book fair until May 5th
UBC permission letter due by Friday (year 2 of the research study by UBC about school climate and bullying)

General Day
started with a very interesting discussion about the weekend world news and especially the report and announcement about the death of Osama bin Laden. The students had lots of different insight and some thoughtful questions and comments about the reactions around the world, their own feelings and the aftermath whatever it might be. I am so blessed that I have the kind of group and age level that can begin to ask questions and formulate opinions that acknowledge the world around them. We are part of living history. I don't pretend that I have all the answers but it was encouraging to know that there is interest enough to check these issues out and not just take things at face value.
We included: the plight of the tornado victims in Alabama, the royal wedding, Mayday, the mud slinging tactics of the politicians in Canada- today is voting day and finally good taste and bad taste in reacting to the news about the death of OBL. Busy weekend indeed. It reminds me of that song by Billy Joel called "We didn't start the Fire" I told the students I would bring it for them to listen to tomorrow.

Novel time seemed pale by comparison! But students were afforded some class time to advance their novel activities and reading.

Math: Pythagorus Theorum- great session - students enjoyed it and showed uncanny accuracy with working the formula- very encouraging. Yeah for Pythagorus!

DEAR time Our Gr 5 reading buddies are on call again and the rest of the class managed to hand in their April reading logs, receive the last May reading log for entry into the draw for a free book (Scholastic)
The April draw will be hald tomorrow. Winner TBA

Socials:
Day 3 virtual trip to Greece
Today we visited the Acropolis. I used notes and slides from the trip to point out architectuaral features and take students on a bit of a walk through the major archaeological remains. I still have to share the colour postcards from the museum. We made connection to the novel using the text book to compare/contrast the ancient site of the Acropolis versus today's- I had a really neat poster from an old National Geographic. I think I 'lost' some of the students halfway through- I guess it's like watching someone else's vaction slides (Ugh!)
We began the section on the Birth of Democarcy seeing as we are excercising our democracy in voting in this country today- but again it was getting duller than dull for some students (maybe all!) and I realized I'd better give it up! I love Greece but...we have had our fair share of history and world events today.

Phys Ed
Oh my! Prepare for Track and Field
We tried a well loved (but worn out) cooperative game (Benchball) but it was rife with unsportsmanlike behaviour i.e. not at all very cooperative- I have decided to change it up and it will be Track and Field events both individual and team for the next three weeks. Our elementary track meet is May 26th in Whistler.

3pm Dismissal
I'm off to vote. Enjoy the evening.
Mrs. J.