Friday, 14 September

We began today by putting together all we've learned about the parts of speech to identify words in some sample sentences.  Next week we'll move from strictly group work to some individual exercises.

Next we had a discussion about Terry Fox.  Afterwords, Meredith Thomsen, who is coordinating the community run, came and spoke to our class and Mr. Pond's class about Terry Fox.  She showed some brief video clips and then we split into two groups: some worked on posters with her for this weekend's community run, others met with Mr. Pond and me to begin organizing the school run scheduled for Thursday, September 27.

After lunch we had our first buddy-reading with the Grade 2-3 class.  I am new to this practice, but enjoyed watching the solid leadership that our class showed the younger students.  Next, we did some silent reading of our class novel - please ensure you read up to page 13 before Monday's class.  Afterwords, we did a review and recall exercise for yesterday's socials lesson.  If you were unable to complete that in class, please do so for homework (see yesterday's blog post to view the slides).  We ended the day with a short game of capture the flag.

Enjoy the weekend.  Good luck if you choose to participate in the Terry Fox Run.  Ten students still need to return the school "walking" permission slip.  Finally, don't forget we have band on Monday morning.

Terry Fox Activity

Please follow the link to the CBC Digital Archives for access to radio and video clips of Terry Fox.  http://www.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/MT4/mt-search.cgi?search=terry+fox&IncludeBlogs=777&limit=20

Wednesday, 13 Sept

Today we began with a quick review of the parts of speech we've studied.  We also looked in some more detail about how the rules for the use of the principal and modifying p.o.s. can be applied to our writing.  We also watched the "Prepositions" and "Interjections" cartoons.  I gave in and let the class replay the "Conjunction Junction" cartoon as well - they get a kick out of singing it (just like my grade 12s did last year).

The class had their second band class where Mr. Grice re-enforced the need to take care of their instruments.  After recess we did math.  The 7s got instruction on p.12-13 and were asked to complete #1-10.  I reviewed #5 and #10 on the board.  The 6s got a review of the input-output machines and we reviewed p.9 #7 and #10.  Both groups also had time for some Xtramath.  The 6s have no additional math homework.

We ended the day with a full hour of social studies.  I introduced the class to approaches in geography and history and we discussed the type of high-order thinking needed to work with the subjects we will study this year.  I also introduced them to PowerPoint and strategies for interacting with a teacher-led discussion of a new topic using that technology.  We discussed the need for effective slide composition in order for the audience to avoid being over-burdened with text.  We also discussed timelines, reading BIG numbers, shifting from B.C. / A.D. to B.C.E. / C.E. (Before Common Era / Common Era) and then moved to address the content of the lesson: the role of geography in the four ancient river-valley civilizations of Asia and North Africa.  I was very impressed with the class's ability to engage in the discussions we had in a mature and thoughtful way.  They were certainly as fine today as any senior secondary class I've every taught - bravo!

THANKS FOR GETTING THE WALKING PERMISSION SLIPS IN - I NEED THEM SOON FOR TERRY FOX DAY (27 SEPT.).

Wednesday, 12 Sept.

Today we started with a continuation of our examination of the eight parts of speech.  I hope parents are interested enough in the Schoolhouse Rock "Conjunction Junction" song to check it out on YouTube.             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODGA7ssL-6g

We also had a discussion about our class community.  One topic that came up was the notion of different rights and privileges for grade 6 and 7 students.  Students also discussed the idea of possible fund raising activities for extra-curricular activities and trips.  They have many ideas and seem quite keen.  Thus, in the future, I hope it will be acceptable to ask for parent volunteers to help the students coordinate any fund raisers either group would like to tackle.

After recess we had our first split-instruction math class today.  Thus, we now have our first assignments to complete at home: Grade 6 = p. 8-10, #2-9 and Grade 7 = p.8 #1-8.  Sorry, there are no electronic notes to post.

In the last block of the day we had a fun soccer game with student referees.  In general, I was very satisfied with everyone's effort again today.  Thanks to everyone for their cooperation and flexibility as I navigate my way in my new class.

PLEASE RETURN THE "WALKING OFF SCHOOL GROUNDS" AND THE "FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES" FORMS TOMORROW.

Here are some screen shots of the process for signing a comment posted to the blog

Math 6/7

This afternoon we began with a quiet reading break and then worked to get through the bugs in our use of the XtraMath website.  Some students were more successful than others and we had our share of hardware issues (for example, laptops with charged batteries were suddenly shutting down).  This caused me some frustration, so I created a shortcut on each laptop to our class lists on the XtraMath site and then identified the four offending laptops and forwarded a memo to see about getting them serviced.  We also had a brief lesson on some key vocabulary terms in arithmetic and I reviewed the necessity for precision and accuracy in forming numerals when competing math exercises.  Tomorrow we'll try our first split instruction session.

There is no homework today, but students are always encouraged to practice their math facts. PLEASE REMEMBER THE BAND INSTRUMENT RENTAL SESSION TOMORROW AFTER SCHOOL, STARTING AT 4 P.M..

English

Today we began the day with a talking circle.  I believe it's important to allow everyone to have a voice.  Afterwords, we debriefed yesterday's activities and I read about courage and identified four ways to gain control: knowledge, experience, tools and help.  I hope we can remember these for the remainder of our time together.

After recess we had our first English lesson.  We used IVANCAPP  to identify the eight parts of speech and then classified them according to the role they play in a sentence.  Next, we watched the first Schoolhouse Rock grammar cartoon "Nouns."  Finally, we went to the library and Ms. Taggert discussed some books before we had a chance to select our own.

Monday, 10 Sept.

We began the day by creating name tags so Mr. Marshall doesn't have to say, "Hey, you."  Next, we had our first band class with Mr. Grice.  I erred in not sending home the notice alerting parents to the Wednesday, September 12 instrument rental night from 4:00-6:30 p.m.  Both grades 6 and 7 students will be talking band this year.

Next we participated in a series of experiential "games" all designed as metaphors for our lives as learners.  After the "spider web" we discussed how trust, communication, leadership and teamwork came to play.  After lunch, we did some more activities but their debrief will occur tomorrow morning.

We also introduced ourselves to XtraMath, an interactive non-profit website designed to help students gain mastery of their basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division arithmetic facts.  Mr. Marshall sent most students home with a letter for parents/guardians explaining the introduction of this program; those who didn't get one will have one tomorrow.  We'll be doing some XtraMath in class, but most students would benefit from at least one ten-minute daily session at home when possible (we can try to do more at school if Internet access is not available at home).  The program is individualized so students will not do needless drills of facts they've already mastered.

Planners are now available for $7.00.  All students are asked to buy one. Tomorrow we'll have our first English and math lessons.

Check out the very short parents' and students' videos explaining the XtraMath concept.
https://www.xtramath.org/

Feel free to contact me by e-mail whenever you would like to have my ear - it's the best way to get a quick response: jmarshall@sd46.bc.ca