Tuesday, 5 Feb

Tomorrow is art - please remember recording devices - see yesterday's post.

Today we began with a review of the three knots we learned in the past.  I was impressed with how many students could remember the knots.  I created a new level of "badges" based on the martial arts belts.  I introduced the class to the idea that they could become knots ninjas (this allowed me to call myself sensei).  To reach ninja status in any knot you must be able to tie it behind your back (that's even harder than doing it blindfolded). Here are the first two levels: tie a figure-8 = white belt, yellow stripe; tie a figure-8 behind your back = yellow belt; tie a bowline = yellow belt with red stripe; tie a bowline behind your back = red belt.  A number of students reached the red belt badge today.  Congratulations, Sensei is pleased.

After doing knots, we did a short cursive writing practice and then moved on to our second "key words assembly."  Five of our students (Gus, Nicholas, Mackenzie, Emily and Goldney) led the assembly on safety with readings, skits and demonstrations.  They represented our class very well.  It is difficult and risky to be the first to try anything in public and they students did wonderfully even when there were technical glitches (just like the Super Bowl).

After recess we read (or finished our cursive writing) and then moved on to math.  In Math 7 we reviewed Friday's homework and then got instruction on solving "percent" word problems.  We also learned about the adolescent boy perfume coefficient in our examination of cologne sold for 90% off.  Remember, if you want to find 5% of n, multiply n by 0.05 and if you want to find 15% of n, multiply n by 0.15!  Please complete p. 115-16 # 1-4 for homework.

After lunch we read Scroll XV (Chapter 15) of the Ostia novel and then wrote a one-sentence summary.  Next we had a talking circle: I have felt frustrated by some students' behaviour over the past three days of classes.  I think I am setting some students (who have difficulty regulating themselves) up for failure by having them seated next to certain other students.  I explained that I do not wish to move students who are being respectful and productive in their use of time, but in some cases I need to create some separation and the only way to do that will be to split some friends pairings.

We ended the day with some research for our inquiry project.  Unfortunately, for many students there was a problem accessing the Internet.  Hopefully that will be fixed tomorrow.