Thursday January 5th

I don't know what to say about today without incriminating myself!!
I had one of those days which saw me being more disruptive to learning than any of my students! I haven't been feeling the greatest but today it was me that had ADD!!

We started the morning reading a really neat article about a young man (now 15 or 16) who climbed Mt. Everest when he was 13. Actually he had a goal to be the youngest person to climb the highest peaks in the seven continents. It is an amazing story and he has managed to meet this goal since 2008.

Anyway, as I was reading I happened to look out the window and there was the cutest picture you ever saw (okay maybe not) a toddler in a lovely red coat carrying one of those big plastic candy canes she and her mom were probably headed for the Strongstart program. I blurted out that there was the cutest elf coming to school and my whole class went to the windows to see what I was 'seeing'. It was then I realized I had just interrupted my morning class and I found it funny (sorry if you don't - I guess you had to be there- or maybe your glad you weren't!). I couldn't stop laughing about the silliness that I had been the cause of- I think the students thought I was losing my mind. They humoured me and were very patient.
I finally got myself together and back on track. However, after the usual comprehension and vocabulary activities, we had an interesting time trying to find and name the highest peaks in the 7 continents. I only knew three (Everest, Kilimanjaro and Mt McKinley (Denali)). Ask your darling children if they can tell you the other four and then you'll know if the 'lesson' worthwhile. I mean you never know when someone wants to know the highest peaks in the world- it might win a prize in an obscure competition!

Stuff for home
Study words for Spelling Test #3
research/writing for socials projects

General Day
I was on duty this morning and didn't have time to prepare the Daily French activity (my mind was 'mush' and I couldn't think in French this morning)

spelling test tomorrow

Reading activity Jordan Romano's fascinating tale of being the youngest climber to successfully climb the highest peaks in the 7 continents. There is a web page for tracking his accomplishments. For details see the sorry tale above!

Computers
The students were happy with the speed of the service from our new hard drives that have been installed in our lab over the holiday. Thank-you Mr. Elliot. There is some neat new software too.
Today students had time to complete their Power Point Presentations for the Science activity (Virtual Pet Project). Others who were already completed that activity had time to work on research or word processing their notes for socials studies projects. Most used time wisely and were productive. I think you would be impressed to see the power points. I think it might be a great exercise to have the students present them to the class once I have the digital overhead installed :)

Back in class time for socials (25 minutes)

Math 7
Another strange episode! We started a new worksheet on addition of integers after reviewing, correcting and completing the work we did yesterday. No word of a lie, when I started to go over some of the sample activities with the students I lost the place and managed to confuse myself (they got me for 5 'busted points today- that's a whole lot!). Then the students were trying to explain it back to me and they did a great job too but by that time I had some doing the activity one way and the rest doing it another.
When I checked it later the students were CORRECT. Score +1 for the Students -5 for Mrs. J. I love integers!
 I decided NO homework and we abandoned class and went to the computer lab to log onto the BC Ministry of Education website to try some sample numeracy questions. By the way, that is available on-line from home computers so it can be accessed any time for practice on sample questions.

Silent Reading
encouraging reading OR research reading/note taking for socials as it is a  text-based activity.

French
follow up to the program Aventures C introduced yesterday. New vocabulary and an aural activity to identify the monsters in the comic 'story' that starts Tour A

Phys Ed
Split gym today
floor hockey 4 on 4 + two goalies
basketball game 5 on 5
and some independent exercise on the stage area

Back in class I introduced an art idea for creating Egyptian profiles using hieroglyphics to create names and using information about make-up (used by both men and women in ancient Egypt) and different dress styles (based on one's class in Egyptian society).

I tried to do a chapter from our class novel but didn't get far as one of my students was upset about a missing shoe that had been 'taken' from his bag and flung up high on the cupboard 's top shelf (very high- not an accident) So we ended the day with a bit of drama.
 I have my suspicions as to who might be the culprit so I may have to do a bit of a follow up tomorrow. Wish me luck as I don't want to turn it into an episode of CSI but can't let it 'go' without discussing actions and equal and opposite reactions! Pranks have a time and place but when they are not 'shared' by the group and are not funny they tend to cause upset which is more leaning toward bullying! Gotta nip that in the bud immediately.

Dismissal after the shoe was located - thank-you Brody for your fabulous observational skills; I guess everyone wanted to get home.
Rest up for Friday people. See you all tomorrow after I get a good night's sleep!
Mrs. J.