Wednesday, 24 October

Today was hoodie delivery day!  Thanks to Goldney's mum, Joan, and the other parents who organized this year's purchase.  The kids look great in their new garb.

We started the day with a library book exchange.  Some students also signed out some novels from this year's "Coast Reads" selection.  Props to Sadie and Kira who read Camp Wild in half a day each!  Bowen was quick to get the first free copy of Camp Wild which leaves one up for grabs.  I read this novel on Sunday and thought it was well-paced and full of action.  As a canoe instructor, I appreciated the authentic descriptions of paddling in moving water:  the author used all of the right jargon.  This made me want to get the class on the water so you too could better understand what is described in the book.

Self-Portrait, 1889

After visiting the library with Ms. Taggert, Joanna taught us our first lesson on light and shadow.  Many students didn't have all of the proper supplies, but we made do by sharing.  We got to use conti, and this time (after warnings that it wouldn't be healthy to eat it) we all managed to keep it out of our mouths and off our arms and faces.  I am finding it intriguing how Joanna has built the curriculum for our course so that each step follows so logically to the next.  It is truly like a set of blocks so that each time we add a new piece and our art gets more and more complete looking.  Our assignment this week is to do a self-portrait, using a mirror and a single light source (candle?).  This could be done at home or in class (I've included a copy of Van Gogh's famous self-portrait at Joanna's request).  The finished pieces will be curated on our inspiration board (thanks Oliver for the drawing of an eagle that you added today).

After recess we did our math unit pre-tests.  I'll try to get them all marked tonight so we can review them tomorrow.  The atmosphere during the test was very serious and students seemed to have a better sense of what conduct is expected during a test.  Students who finished before lunch were allowed to work at their desks, or practice their poetry in the hall.  Some have already memorized their poem and others are even getting the tone and pacing down quite accurately.

At lunch, under Kiah's leadership, students from both senior classes started to organize themselves for Hallowe'en fun day activities.  Later in the day I told the class that if they wanted me to give up instructional time for this venture then they would have to earn it by showing me they can work efficiently without the frequency of disruptions that have become too common.  I told them that tomorrow would be a test and that they would have to do a better job at self-regulating themselves and their classmates.  I hope they can do it.

After lunch we heard more of the socials oral reports.  Again, the students did well.  Some managed to get a short introductory line in before they got to the details, and some were also able to build on the quality of their conclusions.  But don't worry if you didn't get there; that will come quickly with a bit of practice.

We also did a bit of cursive writing practice.  I tried to get the class to focus on flowing hand movements instead of the choppy-mechanical movements associated with printing.  Some are already showing the makings of beautiful work and everyone was showing a good effort by the end of the session.

We ended the day outside with a teamwork challenge on the jungle gym.  The class worked in two teams to design a series of actions on the gym that could be followed by every athletic/ability level present in the class.  To this challenge I added that the finished routine and to be completed by every member of both teams, and that it had to be done without any talking.  By the second run through, both teams were working cooperatively and silently.  It was poetry in motion (pardon the cliche).

Those grade 7s going to the Nov. 1 Sugar Bowl with me (and the Division One students who have chosen to attend) will need to bring $6 to cover their share of the bus costs.  I will be issuing a permission slip shortly.

Finally, everyone please try to bring in some non-perishable food for the food bank collection drive.  Friday is the deadline.
Remember, also, tomorrow is band.

Also: Joanna forwarded this to me and I thought some of you might be interested: