Weekend additions first week Sept. 9-13th, 2013

Apologies about the format- had to use HTML and despite word processing it with breaks and bullets and formatting , it publishes in one big chunk of text which must be rather overwhelming to read- sorry! I am trying to use XXXX to separate thoughts so it doesn't read like one big stream of conciousness!!XXXXX This weekend I have asked the students to take care of the following XXXXX - if not returned yet, ask parents to fill out the communication forms for Mrs. J. and return XXXXX - check the Verification forms for the school district- sign the pink and blue forms attached and return to Mrs. JXXXXXX - Math 7 basic division practice (approx. 4-6 examples) for Monday I did ask students to use their planners but I know you may find that is not a reality when you check this weekend! XXXXXXX The method in this madness is to see what kind of routines I need to set for whom when it comes time to get 'serious' with planner use next week! To be completely honest, the students were rather chomping at the bit after our 2-3pm Terry Fox Run on Friday and I had forgotten to attend to the planners before that happened so 'my bad'! When I tried the planner routine at the end of the day several students had already packed everything away and escaped at the sound of the dismissal bell- another routine I will address next week! XXXXXXX Reminders XXXXXXX Monday morning we have a 9:05-9:45 Phys Ed block and I have asked students to bring the appropriate footwear and a change of clothing- we will be starting with gentle walking and running in our quest to improve overall fitness this year. XXXXXXX If your child is athsmatic please encourage him or her to bring their 'puffer'. XXXXXXX On Monday after school Tom Lee instrument rental will be at the school if your child needs an instrument this year. XXXXXXX A reminder to grade six students that this year your child will be immunizaed by the VCH look for information about the immunization schedule September 18th XXXXXXX Our first week XXXXXXX The first week of school is busier than usual with the setting of routines and the learning curve we all have to expect when we start a new year with familiar students who are all new to the school year's start up routines. Those routines are sometimes the same or slightly different as we try to adjust things that maybe did not work as well as expected last year or simply were time to retire! XXXXXXX This week in review Math 7 focus on multiplication and use of tricks for learning the times tables- prime and composite numbers and how to prime factorize- basic division and working as a team (a skill we ned to work hard on improving). Texts have been issued. I have a basic math (arithmetic) diagnostic for each grade 7. XXXXXXX Language Learning 6/7 read to self time has been very productive but we are working on our 'stamina' and choice of reading text/selction Our class read-aloud is Word Nerd Our class novel is Touching Sprirt Bear by Ben Mikaelsen and after the first chapter we have discussed the main characters anger and the students were very aware that the character Cole has no intention of honouring the trust that others are gifting him with. We have written a goal setting response to the prompt: What goals are you setting for yourself this school year? and used the Word program on the computer to publish. I have a reading and spelling diagnostic for each student. XXXXXXX Band will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays this week - students must remember their instruments and music. XXXXXXX Phys Ed. will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. I have the computer lab booked for my class on Tuesday afternoon and Friday afternoon and for the Math 7 class on Wednesday 11:30-noon. XXXXXXX French to begin the year will be auditory and daone on a daily basis reviewing days, months numbers, weather and basic responses. Francais quotodien (Daily French) XXXXXXX Socials texts were issued and the basic topics introduced. The students have made some creative acrostic art posters using the first letter of their names- interesting how difficult it is to find the 'just right' adjective to desribe one's personality! XXXXXXX Finally throughout this week and next we will continue to learn organizational and social routines. However, this week everyone is managing to extend our postive start- thier are a few 'habits' that we need to work on improving and transitions are not yet as smooth as I would like but it does take time and we all need a bit of patience. XXXXXXX Update on my dad- he is stable and where he needs to be for the meantime. Thanks for your kindness and good wishes. Look forward to another positive, productive week. XXXXXXX Have a great weekend. Mrs. J.