One Last Post? Saturday, 29 June

First, here is a link to my farewell at the Grade 7 Leaving Ceremony: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eCaRKFw5pi5uF0m2zHvxlqM4kTIwd5JTNf9JxNOwoS4/edit

I had a long but happy day at school yesterday.  I thought I might feel melancholy as I packed up, but I didn't.  I did do much reflecting on the year as I was creating a sample folder of the grade 6s' writing for their next-year's teacher, and as I recycled old test sheets and packed up boxes, but I had a recurring feeling of satisfaction, not sadness.  I was also not sad at our little good-bye celebration for the 17 staff who are leaving the school this year.  Mr. Brown noted that I am the only one who left by choice: that sounds terrible, doesn't it.  I enjoyed the company of everyone on staff and have had moments of doubt about my decision to leave such a positive place.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my year at the Creek.  I have also appreciated the willingness of the staff to challenge our practices and discuss our vision as we ask what school could be like in our quest to deliver the best opportunities and the best programs for our students.  I truly believe exciting times are ahead for the whole school community.  I have received many kind words about my efforts over the past year and they are most appreciated.  But I didn't do it alone.  I was well supported by Carol, Jay-Ann, Sarah, Ms. Henderson, Mr. Pond, Ms. Foster, Ms. McBain, Mr. Clements, Ms. Rive, Joanna and the many parents who were able to support us up front and in the background. We teachers care a great deal about what we do and there is no better fuel for that fire than affirmation from an appreciative school community and the satisfaction that comes from a job well done.  So, thank you, everyone.

All packed up and ready for the next step

Joanna asked that I post this for her:

Here are all the wonderful words and gifts you have all given me.  A beautiful still life reminding me of the good feelings I have from the year and how honoured I feel.  Thank-you everybody!

Joanna

Thank you, Joanna, for teaching me how to do this:
the piece I'm most proud of!

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.

Monday, 18 February

PLEASE REMEMBER THE PARENT MEETING TOMORROW AT 6 P.M.

I hope everyone had a good weekend; I'm feeling a bit sore after a weekend of snowshoeing and winter camping at Dakota Ridge with the army cadets.  We began the day with a cursive writing practice and a discussion about dressing in layers.  We also talked about different fabric choices available for the different layers.  We learned that every selection has pros and cons: we talked about weight, cost, drying speed, insulative quality, wind resistance and comfort.  I will bring some samples to class as a follow-up activity.  Next, the class went to band and continued with their testing.  Some students stayed in class to work on the setup of their Egypt inquiry presentations.  It is clear that lots of work was done over the weekend to gets things ready.

After recess we did a short French lesson.  Here is the link: Expressions.  Then, in Math 7, we did the practice test on p. 123 and the Unit Problem on pp. 124-25.  Tomorrow we'll start the cumulative review for Units 1-3.

After lunch we had aboriginal ed with Kristi.  She shared a presentation on west coast aboriginal art design.  We saw a short video that explained some of the main elements and then she gave some samples and the students practiced creating those elements.  Next, the class tried to join the "parts" together to create some animal forms themselves - the students were very engaged and had fun in this lesson.  We had a chance to pick a presenters list for the Egypt presentations when we returned, and then Simon and Hannah shared their learning.  I am looking forward to all of the presentations because I expect there to be a great deal of diversity.

Please remember that some parents are invited to I.E.P. meetings tomorrow (if you haven't been contacted by Ms. Foster, then you are not affected.

Here is the order of Egypt presenters list:
1. Simon
2. Hannah
3. Kira
4. Kassandra
5. Christopher
6. Oliver
7. Amber
8. Goldney
9. Nicholas
10. Sam
11. Mia
12. Mackenzie
13. Emily
14. Kaneeka
15. Gage
16. Bowen
17. Gus
18. Sadie
19. Braedon
20. Noah
21. Avery
22. Saleah
23. Landeer
24. Arif
25. Kiah
26. Sophia
27. Cody (already done with me)