Bit of a delay posting this tonight as I had to get home and lie down for a bit- I had such a bad headache by the end of the day that I didn't even go to my fitness class! I couldn't focus.
Homework
Math 7 review test tomorrow for Ch 5 and 12 (probability and data management) each student had the opportunity to complete a one page Ch12 review for a bonus too
Spelling test for Unit 6 tomorrow.
I have advised students who are still working on the biography posters and French activity to hand them in 'as is' this Friday (i'm trying to get them to hand in something rather than nothing)
Reminders
Grad. Hoodies are here - remember your payment or let me know if you need some assistance ($25)
Camp permission slips due tomorrow please- payment can come later and again let me know if you need a bit of assistance with the payment ($35)
Report cards were sent home Monday- please return the front page signed in the envelope and then I return the page to your son/daughter for your records (I'll keep the envelopes for next report)
General Day
started our day with a collection of many different items: hot lunch orders, hoodie payments, camp forms and payments, report card returns and late/completed assignments...keeping it all in order is a job in itself!! I need a secretary!!
Spelling practice for Unit 6 again the same students study and make an effort to maintain or improve their spelling test achievement and the same students need a reminder that the test is tomorrow and maybe they might want to find their spelling list, look at and learn the words in question!! Or not.
Language Arts: Group Greek mythology stories and peer questions
You know, when I envision how an activity will work in my imagination, I sometimes find that the reality is quite different. This is one of those activities that only works if all the groups are working at the same pace and that is a rare thing in this class. The problem is that I only have so many copies of the stories and a couple of groups finish reading and answering questions while another is arguing about whose turn it is to answer question 2!! So this morning became challenging because students 'waiting for' the next story to be made available and the questions to be completed. This inevitable led to some impatience and silliness that ended when I asked the students to get ready for the Band class! Whew, thank goodness for Band class today!!
I'll have to re-think this activity so we can see it to a conclusion as the students seems to be enjoying the stories together but not the 'waiting' around part!! Hmm m, I need a cunning plan! (Baldrick, Black Adder!)
[Do you remember that silly show? I used to love it.]
Band class
Math 7
30 minutes review together for tomorrow's Chapter 5 and 12 review quiz (used some analysis of data worksheets and we managed to get a couple finished in class. Boy, some students are really having lots of difficulty focusing in this class. It is a challenge of late. When I try to gently remind them some get very defensive and angry ...what's with that?
All students were provided with a one page review test for Ch 12 and the incentive is to use it as a bonus for the test. I am trying to encourage more students to prepare for Math reviews and a little bribery might do the job.
11:30-noon at the computer lab, we practiced on-line MathLinks7 and the students worked on the Ch 5 quiz and the Chapter 12 quiz. Once completed some on-line review, they had some time to finish up the statistics charts and do some research for their spend a million project.
Silent Reading
Today's session was better today but not before I had to have a hissy fit and plead for some sanity and self control. In the past 48 hours we have experienced student tears and drama that would make a soap opera script writer proud- reality show anyone? The Real Students of Squamish Elementary? lol
The Real Teachers of District 48?
Maybe a completely unrealistic reality show would blow the lid off the real job that we do as teachers and students together- some people have no idea!
I asked them to reflect on their own part in the upset and bad feelings and remember we have to live together until June. Be kinder and have more empathy with each other! AND ME!
We are a class community within a school community and I have three very important jobs
1. ensure everyone is safe and included
2. ensure the learning environment is optimal/effective for learning
3. provide interesting and enjoyable(?) opportunities to learn from the material we cover in the respective curriculum for grade 6 and 7
Aaron (our Kindergarten visitor) listened very intently and then asked why the big kids were acting like little kids - gotta love it- I shook his hand because he is usually a compulsive talker and this time he was quiet and thoughtful and did not interrupt.
I extended the reading time for 10 more minutes as I had used that time for my class plea for sanity!
Personal Planning- need more time for this but I am addressing it in little 'bits and bites' today we discussed and read a bit about the condition called Mono(nucleosis). According to the survey (2008) the age for contracting it is about 14 and the sharing of cups, utensils, water bottles, drinks, lip balm and kissing are methods of saliva exchange that can lead to a diagnosis of Mono (also known as the kissing disease).
They were a little uncomfortable with this information. There is some good information about Mono (and a plethora of other great information) on the kids health website. Link below
kidshealth.org
Phys. Ed.
We were later today as I decided not to use the gym and we needed to create fair teams. We got to the back field by 2:15pm and played until 2:55pm
Fresh air was needed by all (especially me...I've had a headache since this morning)- we formed two teams for a class game of California Kickball and it was fun, everyone (well almost) participated and adhered to the rules set before we started - no stealing bases and no leaving base before the ball is in play. It was such a close battle they would like to continue the game tomorrow so pray for a nice afternoon.
Oh please, Oh please
We got back into class with enough time to review the homework and pack up for the day.
Dismissal.
Have a nice evening.
Mrs. J.
P.S. it is nearly 7pm and I still have that headache
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