Monday, December 9th

Finally found out the brutal headaches were actually a sinus infection - took Friday, December 6th to recover and get the anti-biotics working- they really wipe a body out!!

Anyway, thanks to Mrs. Heilig for covering the class on Friday and by her report she had a pretty good day and it seems the older students who helped the 'littles' (primary grades) did a fantabulaous job by all reports from the primary teachers who had helpers. Thanks.

Friday Dec. 6th
Christmas card writing morning
Math 7 coordinate graphing using the coordinates of the four quadrant graph
read to Self
Computer session for socials
Art/ Christmas themed posters and colouring templates for those who just needed to get their felt pens working.

Reminders for this week
last spelling for the year this Thursday
Unit 3 and challenge 'G' words- challenge students were provided an extra copy of the words for taking home.
Read novel Part 2 Touching Spirit Bear
remember instruments and music - the Christmas concert is a week away!

our day...
phys Ed
good teamwork and participation in line basketball and scrimmages today- focus on travelling and dribbling- working up to introducing the elementary game rules

spelling return last week's results (assessed by Mrs. H.) and prep this week's list (last one before Christmas vacation)
Antonym worksheet today- looking at words that are the oppostite of the vocabulary bank for the puzzle. Just have a few to review tomorrow.

Math 7 review using one quadrant - Mrs. H. found that the students were unsure about how to plot points (I had previously played a games of coordinate battleships a week ago but I guess I didn't realize some were unsure how to plot the points!)
we completed a booklet review on plotting points before continuing the activity from Friday.
A couple of students were upset that I told them what they would be 'plotting' (said it was like telling the ending of a story before they read it- I can see their point- my bad!) It is sometimes hit or miss with age group- they can be quite picky but not consistent with what they want to know about the activites we do but I had to conced this one. I need to remember to let them figure it out on their own like it was their idea!!! Mea culpa.

Read to self\record
I was amazed that once settled how a hush comes over the group for this part of the day- I was reading somehwere that today young people have so little 'quiet' time that it is actuallly good for their brains to have a quiet concentrated time to themselves. I gave them an extra few minutes they were so engaged.


Social Studies
The question: What might have stopped the great strides into exploration being made by China in the Ming dynasty from becoming successful?

The students guessed two things accurately
1. That someone powerful must have died and
2. war or a power struggle was a factor
(the other two ideas: assassination and an natural disaster were equally compelling :))

Civilization: Is the West History?
DVD (next 15-20 minutes)
a look at how China's decision to change power, rules and virtually 'scuttle' their navy after the death of the emperor (Ming dynasty) took the 'competition' power over to Europe. A little country called Portugal hailed an explorer by the name of Vasco de Gama who began a travelling 'spice' trade that kick started 'spice wars' (not space wars) with Spain, Holland, France and finally England.
The creative ideas conceived by the Chinese (and other ancient civilizations) were manipulated and improved and technology was created that suited the needs and trades of the time. China's power and influence virtually 'disappeared' in the 16th century.
Nice break from textbooks and the sound of my voice!

Art small group project
Their Mission: to create a new , fun and tasty Chritmas candy bar
need a name, a colourful, Christmassy wrapper, ingredients, a price point and a slogan

so far some great ideas and amidst laughter (they are 11 and 12) I showed them on the digital screen that a 'Ho Ho' is a real 'candy' item that used to be made by Hostess I believe. I am not too sure that they are still in production. They still laughed at the name anyway - too much rap music (maybe for Christmas it should be called 'wrap music' - sorry!!)
We can continue this week - today was more about thinking and brainstorming.

no time for Word Nerd tonight
lots of excitement about the snow falling today!

stay toasty
Mrs. J.