Tuesday June 28th

Today was the last full 5 hour day of the 2010-2011 school year.

It was clean up day- desks, class 'bins' (student paraphernalia that didn't fit in their desks!), recycling boxes, returning of all textbooks, art files, class library books and the cloakroom.

One thing that I always have a tough time dealing with is when students recycle the work that they have completed throughout the term- I understand that we don't want to encourage a generation of 'hoarders' and I also understand that they could take it home and throw it out and I'd never be any the wiser (what she doesn't know...) BUT to see all that hard work go into the recycling bin when I have suggested that perhaps keeping some of it would be beneficial for the coming summer months- the math and the French in particular. It saddens me- makes my tummy flip!

As a parent too- it is not something that I support- I like to see my son's work and then we both go through it to see what might be useful before we recycle. Maybe that is just me being a control freak! I also wonder what parents think when nothing comes home at the end of the year!

Another thing that got to me today was seeing how readily some students destroy things that they think they no longer need- for example, cutting up and taking apart piece by piece calculators and carving up erasers and pencils etc. I appealed to them to donate any unwanted items for future students who may not have the things they need and I am happy to report that most did add some items to my 'donation' bin. I am also not too proud to admit that I fished some perfectly good school supply materials from the garbage!!
It must be the 'Scottish' genes in me BUT really why throw things into the garbage instead of donating them to the class? Sheesh...

The students had some time at the computers where Mrs. Sorban introduced them to a music website that has a game which encourages the students to practice music skills.

We spent some time outside in the fresh air with Mr. Parker's grade 6 class- we completed some 'grudge' tug o' war battles much to everyone's delight. No one was upset about who won or lost and it was just fun in the ...well...not rain! :)
We also played a game that the students taught us called 'team tag'. They seemed to have a great deal of fun and wanted to play another round but it was so close to lunch time that we decided to return to class.
By lunch they had run so much that they were pretty tired and it was a zen-like atmosphere in class for our lunch time.

In the afternoon, we continued with the clean up, did a not so quiet reading time (!). The students asked me to leave for 10 minutes so they could sign a BIG homemade card for me. It was much appreciated :)
Then I asked the students to write me a report card! I do this every year and use it as part of my reflection as to what was appreciated and what could be better next year. The students are able to get their 'revenge' if that is what they would like to do and I give the option of the reports being anonymous- the only stipulation is that they have to keep the comments to teaching and professional duties as in the past some have been a little too personal. I have learned not to take those few too personally.
I honestly have found that the students respond to this last task very seriously and I have received over the years some wonderful and thoughtful feedback. I haven't had time to read this year's responses yet. I look forward to doing it once all the students have their reports!

For the last 40 minutes we headed outside and played 'capture the flag' in the woods by the side of the school. It is not my favourite thing to do but the students have been asking for this for nearly two months and as it wasn't raining, I decided to 'give-in' to the pressure. Mixed results- lots of 'not fair' whining- why should today be any different? I'm glad I can just slough it off now...grade eight P.Ed. will be such a different experience. LOL

3pm dismissal as per usual
Reminder: One hour tomorrow- the report cards will be distributed as will some awards and the much anticipated "Sillies" cwertificates (the just for fun awards) Guess what I'll be doing tonight? Yep...