Homework
Socials travelogue (Trip to Greece) Days 1-6 - had the chance this weekend to peruse the work I have received so far for the travelogues in order to remind students who have not yet submitted any work for this activity know that I know!!
Math- adding and subtracting fractions with different demoninators needs practise- there are a few on-line options (see IXL website)- some students took their text books to finish today's class work
Reminders
Camp forms and payment due June 1st (Wednesday)
Tomorrow Track and Field Meet in Whistler (come prepared for rain and/or shine)
General Day
Our first line of business was a great big K-7 and all staff Panorama school picture outside while luckily the rain held off long enough for a decent shot :)
For Language (vocabulary) today we completed unit 5 with one of my all time latin favourite phrases Tempus Fuguit (time flies) today our roots were astro, geo, fac, rupt and morph.
For a so-called 'dead language', these roots and the words we use (and take for granted) everyday have their beginnings in the ancient Greco-Roman civilizations- pretty amazing.
We completed an every-day edit about the Modern Day Olympics- a paragraph in which specific COPS (capitals, omissions, punctuation and spelling) errors were made that the students were asked to identify and correctly edit. From the results it seems that we need to do a few more of these to help bring together the skills of editing. Teaching the rules and providing practice for grammar in isolated activities is fine for ten or fifteen minutes BUT to get any transference to writing, the skills need to be authentically practiced.
More in a bit- I have a meeting with Mr. Parker regarding the camp lists and cabin mates!
I'm Baaaack!!
We now have the cabin and activity groupings for the grade 6 and 7 students who are heading to camp next week. Please remember to bring your paperwork and payment by Wednesday!!!
Where was I?
Ah, yes, language arts today...
I distributed a worksheet for a review of 'story grammar' which was one of our BIG goals this year- to recognize the components and understand the development of a story. I asked the students to 'kick back' and listen as I read the students one of my all time favourite short stories (from a high school anthology called Strawberries and Other secrets...)
The story is called, On the Sidewalk Bleeding, about a young man who is attacked for wearing a 'gang' jacket. The students took a while to settle to listen without silly comments but they were hooked and even let me complete the story although it was recess time. Some said how much they enjoyed it. I have to do more of that :)
After recess we discussed the story grammar and the theme(s) so the students could complete the activity. Some great ideas about theme:
- The gang-mentality of violence to gain power over another gang leads to senseless loss of life.
- Life is not about giving up your identity to become someone else but it is about what you do with it.
- Life is precious -don't take it for granted.
Math
Text book practice after review of the 'steps' for success
Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators Ch 7
I find it amazing how many students conduct negative self talk about math skills. I want to try to change that but it is an on-going concern...
I wonder how many parents reinforce that concept?
just wondering...
DEAR time was well used today- the last day for recording this year's reading for the June scholastic draw is tomorrow! I returned the novel project assessment rubric and work submitted.
Socials: tried a brief introduction to the Roman civilization in looking at the text Ch 9 which begins by having us consider the contradictions of our society wealth vs poverty, safe vs. violent, health vs illness, work vs. leisure etc.
The intersting thing about the Roman Empire is that the Romans didn't try to "reinvent any wheels" but esentially 'stole' from every civilization the best of the culture and what worked for them and made it theirs. They concentrated on building the power and control of an Imperial army and used power and force to take over the western world of Europe, North Africa and Asia. They joined all these isolated cultures by the construction of roadways (more than one road to Rome) and enjoyed amazing results for centuries. But...it was the best of times and it was the worst of times...
I hope the introduction at least interested some of the students...lol
I love this time period in history but it isn't everyone's 'cup of tea'- I have decided NOT to do group Newspapers (as introduced last week) but instead to do partner papers as it might be easier to manage.
Phys Ed. I tried to introduce a new game called battleships but it was difficult trying to get the students' attention at the end of the day. They were very (uber) chatty and I think we might have managed 15 minutes once all was said and done! Oh well...
3pm Dismissal
Have a nice evening.
Mrs. J.
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