Monday, 11 March

I was welcomed back today with three report card cover sheets and envelopes returned - thank you.  If you are still reviewing your child's report card, please sign and return the cover sheet and return it in the manilla envelope used to deliver the report to you.

We began the day by dividing the class for the two snowshoe trips.  The fact that most of the boys have a basketball tournament during the first trip necessitated their being loaded onto the second trip, scheduled for April.    Here are the groupings:

Group One, March 27-28: Kassandra, Gage, Cody, Kaneeka, Kiah, Arif, Emily, Amber, Avery, Mia, Kira, Sadie, Sophia.

Group Two, April 4-5: Saleah, Hannah, Nicholas, Simon, Landseer, Gus, Goldney, Thane, Mackenzie, Bowen, Oliver, Braedon, Sam, Noah.

Highlighted names indicate some or all documentation is outstanding.


Next, I introduced the class to the Duolingo website.  I was introduced to it through an article I linked to on Twitter.  The article referenced a research study that compared the effectiveness of Duolingo to Rosetta Stone and traditional teacher-led instruction.  Both Rosetta Stone and the traditional method are used by students in our school district.  The study found that for students at the basic level, Duolingo was twice as effective as Rosetta Stone and more effective than college-level intro courses.  Check out the link: Duolingo article  (there is a link to the Duolingo website in the article).  We did a Duolingo lesson together.  I think this could be a good way to differentiate second language instruction to allow the students to advance at their own rate and ability level.

At 09:40 the class went to band.  Monday's are especially bad for students forgetting their instruments.  Please try to remember them for Thursday and from now on.

After recess we read for 15 minutes and then transitioned to math.  The 7s investigated some fraction problems at this website: fractions mystery game.  The students went on to complete the Unit Review on pp. 213-214.

After lunch we worked on our science inquiry projects for one hour, and then switched to our film groups for the last half-hour before p.e.  One of the five groups is now ready to write their "treatment" (a one-page summary of their film).  Three of the others groups are close to being at that stage.  One group is having trouble and I will give them some close support next session to help them consolidate their ideas.

We ended the day playing three separate courts of volleyball in the gym.  I got to be the "floater" in one of the games and it was a lot of fun.  Thanks for a great day everyone.

Please remember your outdoor ed forms.

Here are some ideas to follow-up our in-class discussion on menu planning: