Friday, February 24th

So sorry I broke my promise last night to post after my meeting. I could not trust myself to be rational last night after I heard G. Abbot speak on CBC and it took all my resolve not to make political comment. I need to take the 'high road' because this Blog is for you (my students and their parents). I will keep it relevant to learning and as professional as I can.

Thursday learning that I missed in yesterday's post

• Spelling test(s) list 10 and List #9 for those who missed last Friday
• SRA reading program- I am rallying the students for the last four sessions before spring break (the program will only continue for those who are not at their grade reading level. More students are reaching beyond their grade level reading. So encouraging!
• Math 7 : more practice of the 'middle step' as I call it for finding the solution to one and two step equations. The students are getting more confidence and those who were 'fighting' the patterns are beginning to see and understand them. As adults we do have to realize that some adolescent brains are still pre-symbolic (check Piaget's work) and that what we see easily is more difficult for the developing brain. That is why the text uses visuals (models) and a variety of methods including manipulation of balances. The method that I find is one that will be useful in future grades is solving  by using the opposite operation- balancing one side and applying the same operation to both sides of the equation.

My suggested steps are
1. isolate the variable by using the opposite operation
2. rewrite the equation (keep the equals signs parallel) in each step
3. solve it by applying the arithmetic operation
4. check if the answer is a reasonable one (that it works in the original equation)

     y+28=50
y+28-28=50-28
            y=22
check 22+28=50
Students are on notice that the unit review will be split into three separate parts. The first on pre-algebra patterns next Tuesday- this is by student request as our last (not FSA) unit test was TOO long and TOO much all at once for their brains to handle. So we have negotiated a solution (WOW- imagine that! My student and I can negotiate solutions. I'll stop there just incase I get unprofessional!

• we had a practice of our 'lock down' procedure in the afternoon which we all survived unscathed and our visiting guest speaker from the Sustainable Energy Association had to hunker down with us!!
• Climate Change workshop. It was okay; however I find more and more that the methods that we have used in the past to engage (or try to engage) students are no longer as effective as they might have been. The students were polite and participated well but it was a little slow for them I think.
• We are taking part in a challenge to bring down our class 'thermometer' (carbon footprint) over the next month. It should be fun but I have to rally their commitment and imaginations.
• Group Project work on our new video games (or candy bar ) creations. The students were great and I am never disappointed with their creative ideas- some just need 'honing' (is that a word?) shaping perhaps is a better word!
• Dismissal

Weekend Homework
some have some math to practice
some have a few more novel chapters to read
nothing new
Reminders
new seating plan Monday
Wednesday next week is our Pink Day anti-bullying Feb 29th

Friday- our general day
Science- Chemistry
calculating Density using the formula D=m/v or density equals mass divided by volume
Textual work today included practice finding the density of glycerin, whether chloroform (no, we did not have any of the real stuff in class! Can you imagine?) was denser than water (it is) and identifying metals by density today we were able to identify using a density chart that the metal that we found the density of in one sample approximated closely to the chart specification for lead. We looked at a great interactive version of the Periodic Table of the Elements and completed five questions for Checking general Understanding.
We worked hard so when it came time for computers this morning there was only half of our scheduled time left...

Computers 15 minutes free time- many (not all) are playing the chemistry game called Dan-ball- the boys really like creating explosions by virtually mixing different chemicals!

Math 7 More of the same (see yesterday) we worked in the text p.400 apply questions #13-18 and I distributed a worksheet of sample or practice equations for more time practicing the steps I shared above from Thursday's class. We are winning I think!! Some student who were throwing me dirty looks on Monday are excited that they are 'getting it' now but the hilarious thing is that it really had very little to do with me. It is that they are now really making an effort :) I'll take credit for nagging them to make the effort!

11:30-noon games half hour in math today the big draw was Monopoly (short version), chess, checkers, a card game called 'spoons' and a few asked for more time to practice or complete their algebra. I'll repeat that again students actually wanted MORE TIME for their ALGEBRA. woohoo
I'm a happy camper.

Did you see the snow? We noticed too!

Silent reading
Honour band practice

Art

Creative Project work

To end the day, I wanted to have a chance to show the students a TED Talks video (18 minutes) by a British chef called Jamie Oliver-I have mentioned this presentation before but hadn't had the opportunity to show it to students. It is about educating children about food. The students were so into it that they acted like they were part of the TED audience and clapped politely along with the people who attended the presentation. It was priceless. You should check it out if you have 20 minutes as it has a sobering message for parents and children alike.

Dismissal

New seating plan in effect Monday- that's why I'm still at school at nearly 6pm on a Friday. Please don't tell George because it might confuse him as he thinks everything teachers do is hurting children! As I said - don't get me started.
Have a good weekend.
Mrs. J.