Today we started with a pre-test of the second column from the spelling list of most frequently misspelled words. The real test will be in a day or two - keep studying. After that we continued with some cursive writing practice. Some might ask why we're doing cursive writing instead of say, keyboarding. Isn't cursive writing becoming obsolete. Well, the short answer is that cursive writing is in the curriculum and keyboarding is not. Also, when I print on the interactive whiteboard, all of the lifting of the pen that occurs in printing causes more errors than cursive writing. Also, cursive writing is fasted and many would argue, more aesthetically pleasing (it just looks nicer). I am seeing steady improvement in everyone's writing and even those who came to class as "writers," are tuning up their styles. Next, I returned all of the descriptive writing paragraphs that I marked and then we revisited the rubric. I discussed the areas where weakness and strength have commonly been demonstrated. I asked the students to ensure that they keep their "old" writing handy so they can compare it to their new trials. Thus far I have been pleased with the class's progress. All of our grammar work in September paid off because I rarely highlight items in the "beginning" or "developing" column of the writing conventions section of the rubric.
After recess we did math. The sevens worked on the subtraction of integers, first by reviewing algebra tiles and then by working with number lines. I was pleased with the patience that the group showed while everyone worked at mastering the concept of the number line. Some found the notion of subtracting negative integers challenging. Remember that the key is to remember the idea of opposites. If we move one way on the number line when subtracting a
positive integer, then we will move in the opposite direction when subtracting a
negative integer (because a negative integer is the opposite of a positive integer). In this way, adding a positive integer, say (+5), is the same as number as a negative integer, (-5).
example:
10 + 5 is the same as
10 - (-5) because both equal
15.
OR
example:
(+10) + (+5) is the same as
(+10) - (-5) because both equal
15.
There is no Math 7 homework; here are some of our notes:
 |
| Reviewing with algebra tiles |
 |
| More review |
 |
| Looking at number lines |
 |
| Thanks, Kassandra, for the pic |
After lunch we had some flex time. Some students chose to work on their next art action item (a portrait using the pastel/water-colour technique we used on the model ship); others chose to work on their descriptive paragraph writing. We reviewed sentence variety and I had the chance to work closely with students who were writing. We ended the day by judging Ms. L's class' penny sculptures and then we had gym.
I introduced the class to the first component of their fitness test: the 20-meter shuttle run (sometimes referred to as the "beep test").
We practiced a few cycles of the shuttle run and will complete that part of the fitness assessment tomorrow (please bring shorts and runners). We will also be testing strength and flexibility using push-ups, a modified sit-up, a test to see if you can link hands, one over their shoulder and one from behind their back. In addition they will do a seated stretch and a tummy arch to test flexibility. All of this will be collected as baseline data to assess improvement over the rest of the year.
 |
| Push-ups |
 |
| Curl-up |
 |
| Trunk lift |
 |
| Back-saver sit and reach |
 |
| Right shoulder stretch (must do both sides) |
Tomorrow we will discuss our routine for the Christmas Concert (scheduled for 1:00 - 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, December 19th.
Today we started with a pre-test of the second column from the spelling list of most frequently misspelled words. The real test will be in a day or two - keep studying. After that we continued with some cursive writing practice. Some might ask why we're doing cursive writing instead of say, keyboarding. Isn't cursive writing becoming obsolete. Well, the short answer is that cursive writing is in the curriculum and keyboarding is not. Also, when I print on the interactive whiteboard, all of the lifting of the pen that occurs in printing causes more errors than cursive writing. Also, cursive writing is fasted and many would argue, more aesthetically pleasing (it just looks nicer). I am seeing steady improvement in everyone's writing and even those who came to class as "writers," are tuning up their styles. Next, I returned all of the descriptive writing paragraphs that I marked and then we revisited the rubric. I discussed the areas where weakness and strength have commonly been demonstrated. I asked the students to ensure that they keep their "old" writing handy so they can compare it to their new trials. Thus far I have been pleased with the class's progress. All of our grammar work in September paid off because I rarely highlight items in the "beginning" or "developing" column of the writing conventions section of the rubric.
No comments:
Post a Comment