Jan 24th

Some days are best left alone and this was definitely a day to forget and move on with the rest of the week! :0
In-days are gnarly and definitely make the afternoon challenging- more challenging!

I'll try to be brief and then get my desk organized- I gave the students clean up and organization time today but I have fallen behind in putting my files and units away and they are piling up as I spend my time playing with our new technology!!

Homework
except for the 6 socials reports the only other homework is to study for tomorrow's redo of last week's spelling test List 5 (approx. 6 students) and for Thursday List 6 (everyone)
That's all folks- there was no math today

General Day
I put daily French up but actually didn't go over it as we got carried away looking for where the rotting orange smell might be emanating from!! Never did find it but it is probably one of those tiny oranges which has rolled somewhere out of sight and reach!!

spelling study time (very chatty today :(

School Library visit
(some students were unable to contain themselves and started picking up the stuffies for the primary students, sat themselves on the carpet and begged a classmate to read them a story- reliving their primary memories?! It could have been a sweet moment but unfortunately it became too silly and difficult to control too fast. I had to be the harbinger of responsibility in their library etiquette!!
"Partypooper"

Writing a literary response- review structure and begin the actual writing- we need more time for this activity which is a challenging one.

SRA reading program

As we had a full house today, I was able to do the obligatory Safety Lab session for the upcoming Science unit (Chemistry). We went over the main procedural safety expectations and the WHMIS icons, the chemical icons and their meanings as well as the text book reading for this important topic. Each group member will rotate roles and responsibilities: first aid assistance, glassware organizer, safety manager (glasses, gloves and desk top covers), clean up organizer and team manager (timing, encouraging, ensuring everyone is doing what they need to etc.)
I personally feel the need to switch up the groups for the Chemistry unit and I will work on this idea in the next few days until I feel 100% comfortable that I have a more balanced reliable group membership especially now that we are back to 27 students.

Silent Reading

Desk and Bin organization time

Physical Education: Basketball 5vs5 half court 5 minute games
fast and fun- with the basketball team coaching after school I see lots of improvement from when we first started this unit.

Word Nerd and Art
It has been a while since I read our class novel because we just keep running out of time every  day and this one (Chapter 23) is a long chapter. Ambrose finds that his self defence lessons with Cosmo pay off when he is approached by his former school bullies on a Saturday at the park.

I read to 3 minutes before the bell for Dismissal but we had already cleaned up during the afternoon and there is only spelling for homework which they were reminded about.

Have a good night. I have a curling game to look forward to.
Mrs. J.

after school tonight (we had had a bit of a weird and unpredictable day be it because of the weather, lack of good sleep, jet lag, lack of fresh air, puberty....yadda, yadda)
 some of the girls shared with me random sayings that they had written down throughout the day and we had a good laugh. I can't (don't have time and shouldn't) share all of them but here are a few that will give you a taste of our day and if you don't find them as hilarious as we did I guess you just had to be here!!!

"I think the 50 year old has gone crazy" Autumn
"Whow, it's raining like heck out there" Roshni
"Have you had a Snickers?" Keanan to Mrs. J
"No, but do you think a banana might help?" Mrs. J. to Keanan
"Potassium input, absolutely" Harjot to Mrs. J.
" I can't talk to any of you until I have had a banana apparently" Mrs. J. to class
" My life wouldn't be the same at Squamish Elementary if I didn't have you in my class" Mrs. J. to Gurpreet
"Sorry Gurpreet I don't want to listen to you any more" Mrs. J.
"Poor fishy crackers getting killed by Manisha" Simi as fish crackers crunch on the classroom floor
"You mean get a cloth to clean it?" Eric after spilling his yogurt at snack time
"Will we be using poisons? Yes, we will!" Mrs J. during the Chemistry safety presentation
"Hey, that's my mom's name" Gurpreet when a character in the class novel was called Kamal
"No more Punjabi. Do I teach in Gaelic?" Mrs. J. to Arsh
"STOP TALKING THIS IS WHERE OUR GYM TIME GETS WASTED IT'S BEEN ALL DAY GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!" Mrs. J during team set up for basketball

Need I say anymore? I don't think I should. I love my job, really....usually....most days....honestly! My students make it well, um, interesting and fun. Some days we're a well oiled learning machine; today we we were in the shop for repair!