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!

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.

Thursday, 6 June

We began the day with a special guest: Ms. Meredith Thomson came and taught us how to play Uno in French.  We tried to play without and English and I thought it went very well for a first try.  It is hard not to slip into English when you're searching for that elusive word in French.  Ms. Thomsom gave us a script that helped immensely with most of the game-play phrases necessary to play.  A big merci, Ms. Thomson.  After Uno, the class had band (some of our grade 6 students worked with our other Ms. Thomson (Bronwyn) to prepare a special math activity for the grade 1 students she works with).

After recess we read for ten minutes and then started math.  In Math 7 we added to yesterday's lesson on mean and mode, and learned about median and range.  With these four terms we can speak better about questions involving averages or measures of central tendency.  We didn't get to begin the practice set on pp. 264-66 as we were interrupted by the fire drill.

Reviewing mode and mean

Learning median

After lunch we worked on our passion inquiries, heard one of the final social studies inquiry sharings, and then went outside for a "personal choice" p.e. session with Division 1.  Some played basketball, some played soccer, some other less organized activities.

Remember that the high jump competition is being held after school at Chatelech and the meet is scheduled to be held tomorrow at Elphinstone.  Good luck to all of our Division 2 athletes. 

Monday, June 3

Heads up: we are hosting an Appreciation Tea for all parents, guardians and caregivers in the library at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5th.  I hope you can all attend.  You've been so supportive of us all year and this is our chance to honour you in a small but sincere way.

The students have also planned a NEON DAY for Wednesday, June 5th: there will be prizes, so dig out your brightest clothes!  (Guests of the Appreciation Tea need not wear neon, but should feel free to do so if they wish).

We began the day with a short French quiz as we waited for the Elphinstone jazz band to get set up for their performance in the gym.  At this point, the phrases connected to food should be quite familiar and students should be anticipating a test soon.  The band sounded good with some talented soloists but they had a student vocalist who really made the experience memorable.  I've never heard a school band accompanied in that way before.  What a great way to begin the day.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then the students had math.  In Math 7 we did the equations unit test.  I'll try to get those marked this evening so you can see the results tomorrow.  There is no math homework.

After lunch we worked on our passion inquiry projects.  I suggested that a good place to start is by asking these questions: 1) What do I already know? 2) What don't I know? and, 3) What do i wonder?  This will help to define where the inquiry should go.  In the end, students will be able to say, I discovered... ; 2) I now know... ; and, 3) I now/still wonder....  I'm hoping that the students will discover that in real life one question/inquiry often leads to another.  I see this as part of the shift away from old school where the focus may have seemed to be about finding a series of "right answers."  There is a balance that needs to be found between facts and finding, and I hope that we can put some of  the wonder back into learning for older students.

We ended the day with a game of capture the flag against Division 1.  We did much better than last time we met them.  I think Thane's pre-game cheers has a lot to do with our success.  Have a nice afternoon.

Please remember that tomorrow night is the Elphinstone parent information night for the families of grade 7 students: it starts at 6:30 p.m.

Happy Friday and welcome June: 31 May

At the bottom of this post, I've included some Math 7 practice questions.  I've put the ANSWERS on yesterday's post.

On Monday at 9:00 we'll welcome the Elphi jazz band in the gym.  Bring your instruments for band class just in case.

We began our day with two number games in French.  They helped us review our numbers and colours.  Yesterday I was at a meeting with other elementary teachers hosted by Ms. Thomson (from our school) and I had the chance to hear about some of the activities others are doing in French class.  Today's lesson was prep work for Uno, a game I just learned but that the students are probably familiar with.

Next, we had a discussion started with this prompt: "How could I make a difference in the world, today?  Later, we watched a video from the Life Vest Inside organization.  Here is the link: http://lifevestinside.com/ You might like to have a look.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then began math.  In Math 7 we continued to practice creating equations from area problems in preparation for Monday's unit test.  Here are some notes:

During lunch, some of our students participated in the Bike Week Tour de Roberts Creek.  After lunch we read and worked on our passion inquiries.  Students have started to add reflective comments to the blog on the passion inquiry process (see below).  Next, we listened to Hannah and Amber share their presentation.  Here is a pic:

Enjoy your weekends and parents, don't forget about the Spring Fling fundraiser on Saturday night at the Hall.
I am going to try to make an appearance, but Saturday is the Army Cadets big year-end event.

Here is the Math 7 practice test (answers on yesterday's post):

Practice test - 1

Practice test - 2

Practice test - 3

Practice test - 4

Practice test - 5

Thursday, 30 May

Just a brief post today: I have a French meeting to run off to.

We began the day with French.  Then we had band.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then had math.  In Math 7 we looked at using algebra to solve area and perimeter problems.  There was definitely some tension in students' learning as they tried to solve for missing measurements using the formulae that they learned in previous units.  I was trying to have them understand the need to represent things in a conventional form.  For example, writing 2d instead of 2 x d (2 times d), or instead of d + d.  A couple of students stayed in at lunch to hammer out their understanding or to get extra practice questions.  I had planned to have the unit test tomorrow, but since there is a dance tonight and because I want to give everyone a chance to get extra practice questions,
we'll have the test on Monday, instead.

After lunch we worked on our passion inquiry questions and then listened to Arif's presentation that included the use of Prezi (instead of PowerPoint).  It was a most informative talk.  We ended the day with some running drills in the gym and then played a rugby drill that involved the class trying to beat Nicholas around a circle (they pass the ball while he runs). It took many tries, but after we split the class they were ultimately able to beat him.  Hats off to you, Nicholas, for a very strong and impressive effort.


Here are the answer's for Friday, 31 May's Math 7 practice test:

Tuesday, 28 May

Remember that tomorrow we need everyone to bring a large potato and paring knife to art class: we're making stamps.

Also, time is running out for us to collect donations for the class gift basket for the Spring Fling fund raiser.  The event is Saturday, but we need time to prepare the basket beforehand.

Grade 7s, please return the forms from the Elphinstone package sent home yesterday.

We began the day with French.  I completed the instruction for the second "food" lesson.  Here are the notes:

Next, I brought out the ropes and we learned how to tie a fisherman's knot.  When the computer cart was available we started a descriptive paragraph using an image of parkour as our inspiration.  Here it is:

After recess we had math.  The grade 7s worked to complete their chapter reviews.  Here is a sample of how to use algebra tiles to model an equation:

After lunch we took a bit of time to tidy up the paragraphs we had started before recess, and then folks moved on to their passion inquiry projects.  I circulated, sharing my time between helping students improve their paragraphs, and helping them to design inquiry questions.  We ended the day by listening to Mackenzie and Goldney share their socials inquiry on ancient China and ancient Rome.  I've been very satisfied with the presenters' efforts so far.

Playing with my new InstaweatherPro app.

I know the weather has been uncooperative, but four students rode their bicycles to school today.  Remember, only those who cycle will get tickets to enter the draw for the new bike.

Heads up: June 5th with be NEON DAY: dress up and have a chance to win a prize.  Also, there will be an Appreciation Tea on June 5th at 3 p.m. in the school library: all parents, guardians and caregivers are cordially invited.

Monday, 27 May

We had many donations for the gift basket today.  
Please see the comments at the foot of the Tuesday 14 May's blog post to see where folks are noting what they're donating so that we have a nice mixture of gifts.

4 students earned bike-to-school week raffle-draw tickets for riding to school.  Way to go Gus, Noah, Avery and Kiah.  
If you'd like to have a chance to win a bike, you've got to ride.


Ouch: a few of the grade 6s began their day with vaccinations.  The rest of us began with a short French quiz: I hope neither was too painful.  In French, I am noticing improvement already.  Although I'm trying to do lots of oral work, I am also trying to give attention to spelling, my Achilles heel when I was a student.  After the quiz, we got started on the second lesson associated with the food theme.  I shared with the class some of my experiences when I lived in Northern Quebec and came across French words whose meaning I knew, but whose pronunciation at first stumped me (ex. huile - oil, pneu - tire).  Being immersed in another culture is a wonderfully challenging way to experience inquiry every second of the day.  Here are our notes:

 Afterwords, the class went to band.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then the 6s left for math while the 7s received the counseling team from Elphinstone.  The 7s not only heard from adult, school staff, but also from three grade 8s who are former RCCES students.  There was good information exchanged and I was most impressed by the positive and professional tone of the students' comments.  Our students were given a folder to take home (some were dismissed before they picked up their folders so they'll get them tomorrow).  In that folder was a piece of paper that needs to be signed and returned.  Please do that ASAP so we can get them back to Elphi.

After lunch we read for a short while and then listened to inquiry presentations by Simon and Bowen, Emily and Kiah, and Gus.  It is interesting to see the growth in the students work as they get more and more experienced at both inquiry learning and sharing.  Gone is the nervousness of only a few months ago.  The learning also appears to be much deeper and more detailed this time.  We ended the day with a game of backwards indoor soccer.

Inquiry sharing: India and Rome

Inquiry sharing: India and Greece

Audience participation: teaching the
 class Indian dance steps 

I don't know if we invented this game,
but I'd like to play it again, now that
we have the kinks worked out.

Happy Weekend: Friday, 24 May

Next week at a glance:

Monday:  Grade 6 immunizations
Monday: Elphinstone Counsellors discuss courses with Grade 7s
Monday: Aboriginal Ed with Kristi
Monday: Bike to school week begins (draw to win a new bike)
Wednesday: Art with Joanna: please bring a large potato and a paring knife (wrapped carefully an stored at Mr. Marshall's desk
Wednesday: Yoga with Nikki (last class of the year)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We began the day with a French lesson.  We examined the verb "to eat" and introduced some vocabulary associated with food.  At the end of the lesson we took turns presenting our pronunciation to one another and it sounded pretty good.   Here are the notes:

After French, we got onto the computers and visited Mr. Pond's blog to view some of the photos he took of the trip to Vancouver.  I asked the grade 7s to write a reflective paragraph on their experience and post it to yesterday's post on our class blog.  The 6s were asked to reflect on their year and to share their thoughts about next year when they will be in grade 7.  Check out their thoughts.

After recess, we read for ten minutes and then got right to math.  The Math 7 students reviewed some of the prompt words used in math, words such as solve, explain, estimate and answer.  Next, I reviewed some of the questions from yesterday's assignment, and then they set to work on the unit review.  I have to say we are in a real groove in math and are progressing quickly and efficiently through our work these days.  I asked that everyone be finished question 6 for homework - most were working on 6 when the bell went today.

After lunch we got right to our inquiry work.  Some students used their hour to tidy up or practice their socials inquiries, others worked on their new passion inquiries.  We had time to listen to Kira and Mia's presentation, but because of the great detail that they included, I chose not to start the next one, opting to take five minutes to tidy the room.  We ended the day with a walk to the beach.  I said that the students could wade their feet in the ocean, but a few students took advantage of that an allowed themselves to get fully submerged in waste-deep water.  I explained our need to honour District safety policies to have a lifeguard on duty for that kind of activity and how their choice to push the boundary added risk to the activity and put me in a very tenuous position.  I'll have to reconsider my practice in this area.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.  After our discussions, I expect Nicholas and Noah, Gus, Goldney and Mackenzie, and, Bowen and Simon to be ready to present their socials inquiry projects on Monday, starting in the morning.

Finally, I'd like to share some of my thoughts on two topics in education that I am currently focused: leadership and technology.  I think we are in exciting times and there is momentum building around reform in education.  The students will tell you that I'm hooked on the access to ideas available for sharing on Twitter and I like to think that we at Roberts Creek have the willingness to examine what we do in the service of our students.

Thursday, 23 May

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE COLLECTING DONATIONS FOR A KITCHEN-THEMED GIFT BASKET FOR THE SPRING FLING FUND RAISER SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 1st.  We have three items to date.

First, let me say what a wonderful day we all had on the grade 7 year-end trip to Vancouver yesterday.  The laser tag, rock wall climbing, harbour cruise, tandem bike trip and playground time were all a huge success.  There were many people involved in the logistics of getting this year-long venture completed, but I think we will all agree that two mums went above and beyond, and they deserve to be recognized: thank you Agnes and Dianne!  Mr. Pond was a photo ninja and even after he had culled the herd, he was able to post 180 photos to his classroom blog.  Here is the link: mega photo cache

The fire truck at Second Beach, Stanley Park

We started today with a French quiz and then did some meta-cognition: some thinking about our thinking.  Ex. "I will try to remember to...."  Here is a copy of the quiz:

Next, we practiced our knots for fifteen minutes before band.  Some students were pretty rusty with the bowline - remember, it's probably the most useful knot I've shown you.

After recess we went to the gym to hear about Bike to School Week next week.  The students learned of the contest to win a fancy new bike and how they can earn a ticket for the draw each day they ride to school next week.  After the assembly, we started math.  In Math 7 students worked to complete the problem set for the final lesson, 6.5.  As students finished, I started to challenge them with a new twist on isolating variables. There is no homework.

After lunch we read for fifteen minutes and then I gave some instructions for the passion inquiry project.  Specifically, I indicated the need for more initial structure and planning.  I spent the rest of the hour checking in with students and helping them with their organization and inquiry question proposals.  We ended the day with an old-fashioned game of kick-the-can.

NOTE: Few students were ready to present their socials inquiry projects today.  I will not deduct points for being late, but I may give special consideration to students who were able to meet all criteria, including the deadline.

Heads up:

Monday is immunization day for grade 6s.

Monday is also the day the Elphinstone counsellors will be in to talk to the grade 7s.

Finally, Monday we have Aboriginal ed. with Kristi.