Monday September 23rd

Mondays are days that seem to be new beginnings each week and today we tried a new seating plan for both general class and math class as well as 'moving' into desks. I am hoping that this seating plan can last a couple of weeks so we can get things underway with students feeling more comfortable together.

I will return to the concept of teams and groups after we have built some trust - cooperative groups needs time and planning.

Reminders
I have asked the grade seven students struggling with whole number division to try a few (two or three) examples by themselves tonight for tomorrow's class- students can always go on-line for some practice too but practice is what will build confidence

same students as last week for various forms - they are trickling in slowly but surely

immunization forms for Elijah and Gabriel

our day

Phys Ed. Fitness today we did about half an hour of low-impact core exercises and the students did quite a bit of grumbling but things should improve. We played a game of elimination dodge and they seemed to be having fun (Shhh don't say anything yet but everyone was participating, following the rules and enjoying the action) Fun, safe and inclusive - what is not to like?
Great session- look forward to Wednesday.

Once back in class all students had the chance to read the journal replies that I spent my Sunday writing to let each student know that I was aware and cared about their voice in our class agreement document which is nearly complete. I took home, read and responded to their comments and then created a document from their top choices and e-mailed it to the school so I could display it on our digital overhead- cool huh?

The students have now read and agreed to the final choices for our 'charter' and tomorrow will sign it and be committed to using it as a behaviour and guidance document for the class this year. Having some parameters will help us all.

next we were invited to the library for a sneak peek of the Book Fair offereings this year-

Math 7 more dividing practice - we reviewed the Friday quiz and settled into partner sets- I partnered students who did well on the quiz with students who needed more pratice and today they helped each other for the majority of class- I circulated and stopped into listen to each pair- I think you would be impressed with the tutoring that was happening but it is important that students having difficulty practice the skill until they feel confident that they understand the procedure for division algorithms.


Read to Self
had to remind some of the real purpose of this time- needed to coach some math during this time too

Move into our desks
I ask that students keep certain items in desks and others in bins - we moved 'in' and stored the bins for easy access around the perimeter of our classroom. This way the desks will be better organized and things will not take 15 minutes to locate!!
Everything has a home- no 'homeless' papers folded and lonely, lost or mistreated!!!

Ch 1 Science 6 Diversity of Life and Science 7 Biotic and Abiotic Environments -check your understanding- end of chapter questions- wanted to see how the students worked together with text- interesting some realized all the answers were there in text others guessed and some struggled instead of asking their partners for help- working together using the textual resources is a skill we need to improve.
I have purchased the whole set of National Geographic documentaries that fit this science topic and we will be incorporating them into the term. Today we discussed the problems the polar bear populations and the diminishing ice fields in the Arctic so it might be a good idea to start with the high Arctic documentary this week. They are fabulous visual and informational programs. Many of my students are visual learners and this should assist in their genral understanding.
bonus: they don't have to listen to me narrating it - I think it is Richard Attenborough (Sp?) need to check his name and how to spell it correctly.

approx. 10 students needed to finish the activity started last week regarding personal learning styles (now only have 5 to get) I will follow up with those students tomorrow

Word Nerd chapter 7 in which Ambrose weighs up the pros and the cons of doing home schooling (the students seem to enjoy the character's odd observations about school and teachers and school work)

Planners (about three or four at home - then there are the students who write in them and leave them on their desk after class!!?)Sheesh! What's a teacher and parent to do?

Monday flew by...Band class tomorrow morning 9am remember instruments
Have a good night, The rain seems to have let up. :)
Mrs. J.