Back to a new and exciting year

There was no homework for the students this weekend BUT I had a TON!!!

Apologies for any one who visited the site this weekend expecting the first Back to Classes post would be up!!! I have been putting it off...but I need to face the fact that flip-flop wearing is coming to an end. There is a time for all things!
However, the weather this past week was a little too much heat for the classroom- thanks to Mr. Parker for finding two circulating fans that I was able to use on Friday.

I sent home two Newsletters for parents with some preliminary information about our school, its staffing and class information to get us all started. Please return the section of the class newsletter which will provide me with information about your child as that will be very helpful to get things off the ground academically.

I have a combined grade six/seven class of 23 students to start- it feels strange to have 23 but I am looking forward to planning more concentrated time for each student as it is possible.
We are 10 grade 6 students and 13 grade seven.

Mr. Parker and I are 'platooning' the math program- he will teach the grade 6 math group and I will be taching the grade seven math program. There will be more information to come reagrding the grade seven math program as I like to consider it as the first year of a three year junior high math structure (7/8/9).

I did not use desks on Friday and instead had the students use clipboards and sit in a circle. I was interested to see who would sit where with whom. It is always an interesting experiment and already I have a feel for who needs to be seated with someone else...somewhere else!!! :)

The students completed an All About You  writing activity so I could learn as much as possible and determine if they had access to a computer at home. Next I had prepared a power point presentation about our exepctations of working, learning, eating and socializing together. I had the students complete a note-taking activity from ther PPP to see what 'jumped out at them'. I was happy to be able to show them hoe to find this Blog too as we were using the digital overhead.

After recess we completed the PPP and then they met with Ms. Sorban regarding Band this year.

We are piolting the Play First, Eat Later organization at lunch time this year.

After lunch we discussed my idea that we would move into 15 minutes of Silent Reading (that way if they are still eating they can do so quietly and finish without any rush) and complete the rest of the time for reading at the end of the day.
I would like to organize QUIET endings to our day because I find that if there is too much going on many things get forgotten and if there is a quiet time with 23 stuenmts, I should be able to catch up with those who have missed a day or a concept or a piece of work and ensure everyone has what they need. I might even be able to READ (just like the woman in the Swiffer commercial!).

Mr. Elliot provided us with a computer session to ensure the students knew about the new server and everyone had there password and username correct for the coming year. I had them show me that they could find the Blog on-line and allowed 10 minutes of free time as I had not anticpated a trip to the Lab today!!
Next up was a trip to the gym  I am really going to have to work with this crew there. Oh my! The girls are very girly and timid and the boys think they are Ninja warriors already. Don't ask.
The community games I had planned were not exactly well recieved and there was a little bit of
whining. I can understand the girls being intimidated by the first session but I will need to plan better interactive physical education sessions in the coming school year.

And back to class for the last part of the day. I had planned a Class Charter activity in which students in four groups take five minutes each to add anything that they think is appropraite to the four class rules LISTEN, RESPOND, RESPECT and ENJOY. Their contributions will be returned to them on Monday and we will take some Personal Planning time to come to a class agreeement about what we agree these behaviours LOOK LIKE and SOUND LIKE. We will write up and each sign a class charter of agreement about our social and academic year.

I had planned more but the students were obviously tired and it was vey hot in the classroom so instead of introducing anything new we agreed to distributs and read the Newsletters that were intended for parents. I was a bit grumpy with the two or three who immediately made them into paper airplanes!!
...and we wonder why parents don't always get the information that we send home.

Anyhoo, it was a great Friday 'honeymoon' and I am happy and excited to get another year at Squamish Elementary started. I look forward to meeting you and having the opportunity to teach and get to know your children this school year.

Great first soccer Saturday at the field too. Hope you all had a good weekend. See you Monday- preliminary seating plan in place.
Mrs. J.