Monday, 15 April

Today we began with an introduction to short stories.  We noted the difference between novels, novellas and short stories and then noted some of the characteristics of short story writing.  We also  jotted down some notes as we reviewed the key elements of fiction.  Next we read The Tunnel from a collection of short stories (Back of Beyond: stories) by Canadian author Sarah Ellis.  I read the story this time, but we'll use a variety of reading strategies as our unit continues.  I issued a differentiated study guide for the story.  In this way, I hope to accommodate the various reading levels in the class.  Everyone will do the first level of questions for every story, but students may challenge the more complex questions (Levels Two and Three) as they see fit.

Elements of Fiction (parts of a story)

How does point of view affect the story?

Plan for differentiation

Study guide

 After we read the story we reviewed the various types of narration (points of view) and then headed off to band.


















After recess we started responding to the study guide questions and then transitioned to math.  The questions are not for homework.  In Math 7 we learned the formula for finding the area of a circle and then started the practice set on page 151.  Please complete #1-6 if you can.

After lunch we had Aboriginal Ed with Kristi.  We practiced drawing form lines, ovoids and u-forms.  With a study package, we learned a bit about the proportions required to draw these shapes.  We concluded by using the shapes to draw a salmon head and then selected other animals to draw.  Next week we'll be carving potatoes to create stamps with which we'll make other images.  It was interesting for me to see how some students chose to trace their animals in the second part of today's lesson, rather than risk imperfection by drawing freehand.  I explained to the class how approximation and "failure" can both be powerful parts of the learning process.  I want to encourage risk-taking in our learning.  Society makes some feel like they must strive for perfection and that can be destructive both physically and emotionally: we have to be very careful about the messages we send to our children (and ourselves)?  I'm okay; you're okay and taking a few tries at something is okay.

We ended the day with p.e. and went to the forest to play "person-hunt."  I chose students who I thought would be ruthless to be it.  I also added another new rule: players could only hide in one spot for 60 seconds before being obliged to change location.  It was a pretty high-energy day today, cooled off only by the light showers that began overhead.

The students artwork from the GPAG exhibition will be returned to the school by Joanna, so there is no need for parents to go to Gibsons to pick up their children's art.  Thanks, Joanna.  There is another show starting in Sechelt so some students might like to have there art showcased there next.