Friday, March 9th

I should be ecstatic- it is Spring Break and my students and I we have worked hard to make it to the end of term 2.
However, my heart is heavy and I am feeling sad and emotional as I complete my class Blog from home tonight.

My colleagues and I are finally having conversations and are coming to an understanding of the rights that Bill C22 potentially gives management and we are not happy about it. As professionals we have never felt so defeated and disrespected. I thought I was living and working in Canada (silly me!).

Hopefully, with some rest and time away from the pressure cooker of politics in education I can gain some strength and resolve whatever that might look like. I am extremely tired and fed up with all the negative press/media.

Homework
nothing new- my students and I are all up for some rest and relaxation


Reminders
next two weeks Spring Break- remember that you have all worked hard for the extra week so really enjoy it. Be safe and have fun.


General Day
This morning we spent the first 20 minutes discussing the difference between the planets called Gas Giants and Rocky planets and the reasoning behind the decision to cut Pluto from the list of our solar planets and relegate it to a Dwarf  Planet.

This was a lead in to this morning's guest performance from a husband and wife team from Toronto who call their show Spaced Out. It was an entertaining hour and most of our K-7 audience seemed to enjoy it as did the adults- we were ready for some entertainment I guess. They presented the concept of planet scale very well and managed to keep the audience entertained with such performance features as juggling and spinning plates. It was a worthwhile show.


Math 7 
We have now completed the Algebra unit and yesterday the students wrote their Unit review (Chapter 11 test). Today we agreed that rather than start something new before the break that we would use the hour for group games. We had the following games going on in class: Monopoly, Clue, Scruples, Bananagrams, Checkers, Rush Hour, Gobblet, Sponge Bob Square Pants board game(s), Yahtzee and a failed attempt at poker!! Don't ask. Thanks to Mrs. Dawson who sorted out the banking discrepancies with the Monopoly  mogul group!! Again, don't ask.
 I think board games should be part of personal planning- getting along and following the rules!!
A group of the students joined Mr. Sorban as Music buddies for the primary class at 11:30 am. They always come back telling us what fun they had. :) A Conga line apparently!

Silent reading- last session of SRA for those so inclined.

Group Art/ creative project: Candy bars and Video games. The groups and partnerships can only sustain about 30-40 minutes on this work because they begin to get a little 'squirrley' after about a half hour. I'd like to see the projects completed soon- maybe the first week back. Some are close but as you can imagine some momentum is lost. I found the students not quite as focused as I would have liked but...

About 2:30pm we cleaned desks and packed up all belongings and extra clothing and lunch buckets for the Spring Break and watched the first 20 minutes or so of the movie called, Blind Side. The students chose this over the TED talks presentations that we have been watching on Fridays. That gave me a chance to catch up with some individuals and reminders that were needed before the end of the day.

So, it looks like we made it...
Have a good, safe and relaxing Spring Break and I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

Happy Spring Break
Mrs. J.