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!

Better late than never: Wednesday, 19 June

Sorry for the late post: we had a staff meeting, then I stayed to complete my Jack Shadbolt-style painting, and then I came home to complete my report cards - uhg.

First: we have drivers for 16 right now, so please check your schedules or we'll have to cancel Monday's planned activity.  Remember, also, that we need the $10 and the consent forms.  Please also try to bring $10 for art supplies is you haven't already done so - the list of those who have is growing - thanks.

Tomorrow is a big day, as are all of the days left in the year.  We will return our instruments in the morning (9:00-9:30) and then have band.  After recess we will have a rehearsal of the leaving ceremony in the gym (the parents will be setting up for the grade 7 banquet/karaoke extravaganza - planned for 5:00-9:00).  In the afternoon we will have a 30-minute meeting with Mr. Brown about sports day, and then we will do our cardio fitness test.

Today was a very artsy day.  We painted before recess and then had the Academy Awards for most of the rest of the day.  Thanks to Kira and Andrea who gave lots of help cleaning paint pots and brushes.  Thanks to others, like Carol, who also helped keep the operation on the rails.  Thanks especially, to Joanna for showing us the way.  Here are some pics of the day:

Plein air painting pics: last week's art lesson of the Group of Seven style

Thank you, Carol, for once again acting as our logistician and photographer!  No laughing at the fact that I spent almost the whole class just trying to mix my paint!  My canvas is still white in every photo.

We're Back! Monday, 17 June

Hi everyone, we're back.  As you know I was away Thursday and Friday and today we had the grade 7 transition activities at Elphinstone (Mr. Pond) and Chatelech (me) so the grade 6s had to endure a third day without me (my poor little chickens).  I will be teaching at Chatelech next year, so it was nice to have some time to connect with Ms. Sproule, the retiring teacher whose position I will be filling.  I will be speaking about my decision to change schools after only one year when I speak at the grade 7 celebration, but please know now that I am leaving with a conflicted heart because I've had a very positive experience at Roberts Creek and have been given wonderful treatment by everyone in our school community.

Tomorrow we will begin to share our passion inquiry projects, so please be ready to shine.  There are a number of announcements that I wish to give out, so here goes:

ALERT...... WE HAVE EXTRA GRAD FUNDS AND WILL BE GOING TO CAMP ELPHINSTONE ON MONDAY JUNE 24 TO PARTICIPATE IN A DAY OF ACTIVITIES HOSTED BY THE SEA TO SKY ENVIRONMENTAL/OUTDOOR SCHOOL

Once again, I'm asking available parents to drive and once again I'm apologizing for the short notice.  Please e-mail me or post a comment to the blog if you can drive (let me know how many students you can carry).  
I also have to ask for $10 to make up the shortfall in funds. THIS IS A DIVISION 1 & 2 FIELD TRIP AND BOTH GRADE 6 AND 7s IN OUR CLASS WILL BE ATTENDING.

NOTE: Payment, consent forms and drivers will have to be settled by Thursday in order for this activity to go forward.

1. Wednesday, June 19: art with Joanna please remember to bring $10 for your art supplies

and Academy Awards after recess.

2. Thursday, June 20th: return of Prussin instruments

3. Thursday, June 20th: track and field celebration in gym at 12:00 pm.

4. Thursday, June 20th: GRADE 7 BANQUET in the gym from 5:00 - 9:00 pm.

5. Friday, June 21st: SPORTS DAY whole school/all day for us(all-beef hot dogs $1.50, veggie dogs $1.50, juice $1.00 - please bring your own cup to reduce waste)

6. Tuesday, June 25th: GRADE 7 LEAVING CEREMONY in the gym from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

7. Wednesday, June 26th: Celebration Assembly in the gym from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

8. Thursday, June 27th: last day of school for students - yippee!

PLEASE CHECK AT HOME TO ENSURE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY LIBRARY BOOKS OR SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS THAT SHOULD BE RETURNED.

Wednesday, 12 June

Sorry for the late post today.  I stayed late to re-do my painting and then had to do a number of things at home - dad stuff.

We began the day with Joanna'sart class.  It started to rain just as we were ready to go out for our 'Group of Seven" plein air work.  It was no big deal: we just found cover and the show went on.  I continue to be amazed at the creativity of the people in our class.  Carol was a big help as usual and once again took some pictures.  You'll notice in all of them that while the kids are all well on their way to completing their pieces, my canvas is blank and I'm still mixing my paint.  Nevertheless, art continues to be a real inspiration for me.  On my drive home, I found myself looking at the trees on the side of the highway noticing the interplay between light and shadow.  When I teach about fiction I try to get the students to appreciate the depth in some writers' work: to notice, for example, the metaphors and the alliteration.  They ask if knowing all that stuff wrecks the story.  I tell them that the opposite is true.  For me, realizing that I am now looking at nature differently is the same thing.  I guess there's more depth to my vision now.  Thanks, Joanna.  I'll post the photos tomorrow.

After recess we did math.  The Math 7 students worked on the problem set for Lesson 7.3.  Tomorrow they'll carry on with 7.4 and then the mid-unit review.

After lunch we did the French test and then did some computer work.  We ended the day with some running and some upper body strength exercises.  It's great to see the positive attitude and effort everyone is showing in p.e.

The grade 7s were given a consent form today in order that they can attend the orientation days at Chatelech and Elphinstone on Monday.

Tuesday, 12 June

We began our day using the computers for our inquiry work.  Hmm, another teacher has booked our computers all week: how inconvenient.  We also had a chance to listen to Landseer's socials presentation.  That leaves just three students yet to present: Kassandra, Cody and Gage.

"The Rules"

After recess, most students cleaned out their desks, but the tidier ones read instead.  In Math 7, I gave the instruction for Lesson 7.4 and then set the class to finishing the practice for Lesson 7.3 from yesterday.  I'm trying to get a bit ahead in the math instruction because I will be in town on Thursday for (hopefully) my last thumb fracture appointment; and on Friday I'll be canoeing with the Aboriginal Ed program in Sechelt Inlet.  Here are today's notes:

After lunch we had 30 more minutes with the computers and then we had a discussion about who we might chose to speak as our class's valedictorian and how he or she might be selected.  In the end, it was decided that tomorrow all students (both grade 6s and 7s) will select three people each and those names will be counted.  The three students with whose names are counted most will then go into a second ballot where each student will be able to select one name from the three.  The person whose name is selected the most will speak on behalf of the "grads" at the leaving ceremony on June 25th. , Here are some notes from our discussion:

Next we did a French pre-test in advance of tomorrow's test.  There we four sections:

a) listen to French and copy in French (3 phrases) ex. "Je suis un homme" = Je suis un homme
b) listen to English and copy in French (3 phrases) ex. "I like the boy" =J'aime le garcon (add accent)
c) match (7) English vocabulary words with their French translation ex. les enfants = children
d) read in English and translate to French (5 phrases) ex. We are calm = Nous sommes calmes

Note: there will be no questions from the most recent "food/eating" lessons,  just the "people" lessons we did first.

We ended the day with two chin-ups (or flexed-arm hangs) as an exit ticket to a three-minute early dismissal.  Thanks for a great day

Remember that tomorrow is art with Joanna - dress appropriately.  So far, four students have remembered to bring in $10 for the art supplies.

Please remember runners and shorts for p.e.