Tuesday, April 17th

Sorry folks...just sitting down for the first time tonight at the computer!!
Had to take care of some family commitments after school.

Homework
spelling redo Unit 2 Wednesday
spelling Unit 3 test Thursday
biography information was not specifically set for homework BUT many students were anxious to take their posters home to work on it some more
Math redo tomorrow - study from the last one!!! Analyse your errors- I didn't go over the answers in class on purpose!
Reminders
Friday "Topsy Turvy" spirit day
Pro-D day- no school on Monday
Scholastic book fair this week- open morning an d after school

General Day
I have often wondered if somewhere their might be a General Day and whether or not he or she is a nice guy or gal. Hmmmm


Daily French


Spelling practice

Writing biography- we discussed what is so intriguing about biographies and I had the biography of Nelson Mandela and another of Barack Obama. Biographies are a different type/format of writing than fiction or fictional responses. We discussed people and personalities from all walks of life and all genres that would make interesting candidates for a biography poster. I am not ashamed to say that I discouraged (yes, I was a censor) some that were suggested because I preferred that the biographies have a their core a positive contribution to the world (or the field of specialty). So sorry Osama Bin Laden I turned down! Call me a H8R.
Students had time to discuss together and then we decided and each student received a printed Scholastic biography poster. I was impressed with the depth and breadth of choices. Here are some of them: Steve Jobs, my great, great grandfather, 1st President of the Philippines (I don't remember his name), Wilt Chamberlain, Lysander- Spartan general, Bobby Orr, DaVinci, Monet, John Lennon, Einstein, Bill Gates, Elvis....
the choices cover a variety of areas and talents. If I have time to indulge myself I'd like to create a poster for Mother Teresa.
Computer session- to get the research for the biographies underway. Thanks to Mrs. R. fro sharing her computer time with us :)

Math 7 follow up the lowest terms confusion from end of class yesterday when I realized students were dividing the numerator and denominator with different numbers!! Managed to get that all sorted out (I hope)

Today we looked at creating probability 'trees' to show multiple outcomes and express them as fractions

We looked at a former student's research/statistics project and used the class Blog to see all the different applications of stats from the number (%) of readers around the world to which post has been read most.

To finish we played a  flip the coins game to determine the probability of different combinations. I am attempting to show students how wagering or betting on certain outcomes can be predictable but still lead to losses. I was trying to get them to understand if they have an outcome that is 60% of all their 'flips' and another that is 20% either way they still are likely to LOSE their money 40% of the time or 80% of the time it is still their loss. Gambling works on the premise that the majority of gamblers do not understand the odds.

Silent Reading
Arsh did a great job again with Aaron


Personal Planning complete the 'synapse' for the nervous system and complete the Brain worksheet which focuses on the functions of the three main parts of the complex machine called the brain. We discussed the impact of concussions and the recent research that suggests that those who suffer multiple concussions do die earlier that those who have not had blows to the head.

Physical Ed.
Basketball/floor hockey split gym
All is well- we seem to have it a bit more streamlined although there always seem to be a couple of students who spend the first few minutes chasing one another around the gym for why??????? They are 12 years old boys no other reason is needed.
Still makes my day when I hear them going back up to class saying that they had fun :):):) Yeah!!

French- l'armoire clothing activity to finish out our day. Some of the wardrobes are looking mighty fine...others....bit sparse. Some interesting items seem to be filling up the wardrobes just like in the real world! Superhero outfit, stuffed toy (hiding it from my sister), box of cookies- for when I need a snack etc.
Fascinating.

clean up, prep for home, review homework and Dismissal.
Hope you had a good evening- it is so late now my next move is BED. goodnight.
Mrs. J.