Friday, 7 December

Yesterday was the 95th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion (First World War), and today is the 71st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (Second World War).  It seems many of the anniversaries we remember are of bad or sad events.  Or, perhaps it's just the history teacher in me coming out.  Anyway, today we were light on the ground with over ten students away partly because of the boys' volleyball tournament that took players away at 11:00.

We started our day being introduced to a new idea in writing: in media res is a term that means "in the moment."  We wrote descriptive/narrative paragraphs that starting in the middle of action, rather than with an exposition detailing setting and introducing characters.  We used spun the world in Google Earth to pick a bird's eye view for our setting.  It happened to include a dormant/extinct volcano in El Salvador, and that played a role in many of the students' writing.  Everyone was focused and the writing they created was engaging.  It was a great example of the "writers' workshop" atmosphere that is so nice in which to work.

DigitWhiz helps with math concepts
including integers

After recess we had math.  The Math 7 students worked on an individual schedule that had some playing with integers on an iPad app called DigitWhiz, while others worked to finish their pre-test, while other who were finished returned top their writing.  It was a productive but relaxed class.  We will have our integers test on Monday - please practice.

At lunch we had a planning meeting in our student-led organizing committees.  Things went well.  Thanks to the parents for facilitating this worthy venture. We are trying to built skills in the students rather than just focusing on the raising of funds.

After lunch we did buddy reading with Ms. L's class.  Afterwords, we worked on our art so that the students who were away wouldn't miss any new discussions in Socials or science.  The students have the hard white paper and complementary colours to make their Advent/pocket calendars and these may be completed at home over the weekend.  Please e-mail me a photo of your calendar once it is done, or I can photograph it here at school, or you can bring it it.  We also have to complete two other pieces: our in-class 'year in review' piece and our out-of-class "tree" piece.  Both these will will also be hung up so Joanna can discuss them with us.  

We have 20 items in our Elves' Club hamper - please try to remember to bring in donations if you are able.  The hampers will be collected early next week, so we don't have much time left.

We'll have a double band block Monday morning - please remember your instruments.