Friday Feb. 17th

Sorry there was no post Thursday- I was away from school and would like to thank Mr. Day who was my TOC for the great job he did in class Thursday.
Thursday's learning
Spelling practice
Two grammar worksheets- nouns made plural and verbs crossword puzzle
SRA reading Lab
Math p.16 of booklet and text work on patterns and pre-algebra recognition of expressions
Silent Reading
French
Physical Education: Lacrosse introduction by a guest coach
Art Dragon s and a few pages of the read aloud, Dragon Keeper

Homework
nothing new for the weekend
Reminders
Next Thursday we have a Climate Change Workshop (after a safety drill)

General Day
Spelling Test for List #9

Science:
I was not sure whether or not I should try to go ahead with the PVA "slime" lab as I had not taken the time to properly mix the Sodium Borate solution prior to the class. However, I made the decision to go ahead with it and not unexpectedly, there were mixed results and a few disappointed students as the solution I did mix (too quickly) did not create the expected coagulation. The slime was too runny to play with - it worked for a few but the majority of students were not successful.
I guess that's science but the students were very keen to try again although now I'll have to order another bottle of PVA (polyvinyl alcohol).
I will do the lab more successfully another day. Today's word for science was coagulation (which didn't happen!!)

We will follow up the lab with a group report on the teacher (proper measurement and dissolution of the 4% Sodium Borate) and student errors (using way too much food colouring and changing the chemical content further) that led to the lack of success of the lab so that when we do it right we can see and enjoy the difference.
That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!! lol

Math Introduction to solving multi step equations- today we simply copied some examples from the board into our math journals for future reference
One example:
4y+(2-3)x5=75
  4y+(-1)x5=75
4y+(-1)x5/5=75/5
       4y+(-1)=15
        4y+1-1= 15+1
                4/4y= 16/4
                  y=4
check solution: 4x4+(-1)x5= 75
                                 15x5= 75
This was a copy example only- the students are not yet ready for solving these kind of multi-step equations yet. They dutifully (I think copied the steps)

Game time/ help with the primary music class. 11:30-noon

Silent Reading/
honour band

Art: have  few projects on the go some being completed others 'filling in' with some smaller artistic activities

 Eyewitness DVD Natural Disasters (25 minutes)
This showed how our world doesn't need any help creating weather and internal disasters. We looked at the history of devastating volcanoes, earthquakes, wind related storms (hurricane, typhoon and monsoon) and the resulting flooding, Tornado Alley, water related disasters like Tsunamis and water causing landslides, drought, blizzards and avalanches. The video was made using old technology and it was a bit cheesy but it did manage to cover enough Natural Disasters to parallel the man- made help we are giving the natural world. It is a pre-cursor to next week's Climate Change workshop from the Ministry of the Environment (that sound like a Harry Potter special!).
I was also able to show the students some pictures from the Icelandic volcano eruption in April 2010

Ashley and Chloe (former students) showed up to answer some questions about high school.

Dismissal
Have a good weekend
Mrs. J.
P.S.  I would like to thank all the students and colleagues who have been very kind and generous to me. Your birthday wishes and gifts, hugs and stories have all been very appreciated and special. I look forward to having some time to relax and unwind a little with the spa kit and the lovely aromatic oil sticks.
To AJ who gave me  a lesson in resilience and helped me understand true compassion, to Teresa for the 'shaving kit' (I knew it wasn't but the boys teased us that I had my first shaving kit (it was a spa package :)), to Tesla for the Lotus Flower oil sticks, to Margaret, our principal, whose card brought a tear to my eye and whose gift brought a smile to my face and my coffee, to Anita who brought me a scratch and win (I haven't scratched it yet) If  I'm off Monday- I won!!! Kidding! To Char for the cake and the story that went with it- priceless (sorry, Henry I guess half of the cake that came to school for me (us) was actually yours. I owe you one). To Simi for a simple hug- no words needed - for everything else there is Mastercard. To my boys who did what boys do best - birthday bumps! 51 and a couple for good luck- they were gentle bumps or I'd not be typing this right now!
I know I am loved and that makes me feel very fortunate and humble. Thank-you all so very much. My father is making a slow but steady recovery and has turned the corner after his stroke last week.
Your love and support means everything to me. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo