TGIF :) Friday the Thirteenth of December

Well, so far Friday has been a productive day...

Reminders

FYI regular schedule interruptions next week Dec 16-20th

wearing of Christmas hats and paraphernalia is okay this week ;)Jingle all the way!!

Band practice on Monday morning (no phys ed. as gym is booked for band set up) afternoon dress rehearsal and 7pm Monday night concert performance for parents and friends of grade 6/7 students
Bring instruments and music and for evening please wear combinations of black, red, green seasonal colours- santa hats and elf ears are okay!!

Wednesday afternoon dress rehearsal for the primary concert that we are invited to watch and support

Thursday - craft with our buddy class (Mrs. Hoyrup) making tree decoration

Friday Christmas movie (class vote is underway) and Christmas candy exchange - we have agreed to purchase a bag or roll or bar of Christmas candy (not more than $5) and wrap it up for a Christmas 'steal and exchange'game that allows students to chose a wrapped surprise that can be 'stolen' from them twice by their classmates. If their candy is taken they get the chance to either 'steal' or chose another from the pile.
Everyone will receive a wrapped candy gift at the end of the game but it might not be the one they expected!!! As long as I monitor the 'steals' well it is a lot of fun and everyone gets a little something to go with their hot chocolate :)

Our Day

We began with a trip to the school library complete the Cyberbullying presentation with Mrs. Shelock. We role played some scenarios in groups to practice the steps of being safe on-line and dealing with some possible situations. The students had a chance to discuss and share the scenarios together.

science - extreme environments (grade 6 curriculum) using the BBC Blue World DVD on Deep Ocean life we watched and wondered at the weird and wonderful creatures that live in no sunlight and how th4ey have adapted using luminesence of the ocean to light up and make their presence known. We could never be down this far to ever 'bump into' them so it is like a secret world we are getting a look into by virtue of the underwater deep sea aqua subs. Fascinating.

class discussion about next week and plans for a Friday celebration day just for us :)
So far: gift exchange game, Christmas movie TBD, Mrs. J. makes hot chocolate complete with marshmallows and candy canes....
will shore up plans early next week.
I have suggested if students would like to bring some treats that they bring for 8 or 10 so we can have a selection of fruit and sweet [if 26 students bring 26 items each we would have far too much - so we will make a plan so no one is left out but also to make sure we are not going over the top!!

Math 7
FSA multiple choice practice on 6 sample questions
...our results showed an interesting spread from 0/6-6/6
at this point in the school year, approx. 5 are not meeting expectations, 4 are minimally meeting and 7 are fully meeting or exceding (there were 3 students away today) but it gives a good idea of the need for practice.
Used the TPS think-pair-share method of independent work, partner work and finally analyzing the solution methods and skills together.

read to self (took a while to get everyone settled ...it is Friday)
record

computer session
survey completed for Mrs. Sherlock on Cyber Bullying
socials project research time
free time for 15 minutes

Back in class

Needed to have a reminder about use of cell phones and devices
I completely understand and respect the right of the students to have them and 100% understand why they want to have them with them as oppsed to in desks or bags in the cloakroom (where they can disappear)but we have been having some issues with their use at inappropriate times, taking photos and surfing (or game playing) during class time.
FYI
I allow: reading on a device at reading time, research for class activity when a computer is not available, calls to/from parents during breaks or if permission is requested.
With all the new technology that will be recieved for Christmas (we did a quick survey and almost 80% of my students will be getting something new or updated from Santa apparently!!) we need to revise or re visit technology rules- sounds like a great discussion for the new year.

Pack up and ready to call it a 'Friday' -sit back and relax into the last part of our class read-aloud Word Nerd (very dramatic chapter in which Ambrose and his mother exchange some hurtful and angry words after she informs him they will be leaving Vancouver for Winnipeg- again)

Have a great weekend, everyone
see you Monday
Mrs. J.