Tuesday, 15 January

• I am sick, here is the plan for the day.  
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• Language Arts (Carol is your SETA): cursive writing practice.  Teacher writes the following in large cursive script on the board, students copy on loose leaf: Good morning, my name is _______________.Today Mr. Marshall is ill.  He has asked that everyone work respectfully and cooperatively.  Quick students can also write: The School Board members are visiting on Friday and some grade seven students will likely be asked to act as guides for their visit.
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• 09:15 - 10:25  Language Arts: Begin reading the novel The Thieves of Ostia (located behind the teacher desk).  Do not issue the books permanently: loan and collect at the end of class.  Read the first one or two chapters as time permits.  Teacher reads the first two or three pages and then asks for students to volunteer.  At the end of each chapter, students write a three sentence summary in their L.A. duo-tangs.  
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• Recess
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• 10:45 - 11:00  Independent silent reading
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• 11:00 - 12:00 Math: Note: Grade 6s leave to attend other classrooms. (Jay-Ann is your SETA)  Yesterday we reviewed the homework from Lesson 3.5 in the Math Makes Sense Text and today the students will have a demonstration on long division of decimal fractions.  The text shows how to model that with base ten blocks, but I will do that when I return.  Graph paper should be used to help the students keep their numerals in the correct columns.  They will do the problem set for Lesson 3.6.  
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• Lunch
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• 12:45 - 1:45  Social Studies.  View segments 5 and 6 (of six) of the BBC documentary on building Khufu's pyramid.  Students will take bullet notes.  At the end of each segment they will each report one of their bullet notes.  When the second discussion/sharing of bullet notes has occurred, they will write a second brief paragraph summarizing the last two segments -eventually to be posted as "comments" on the classroom blog.
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• The video may be found with the following Google search: youtube: bbc documentary: building the great pyramid part 5
• Link for part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTTj7AUBz_E
• Link for part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-xehm-eLg
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• 1:45 - 2:45 Science: On loose-leaf paper, answer the science questions found on page 57 in the text.  Double-space between each clearly numbered answer. You may have to borrow the texts from Mr. Pond's class next door.  

Note: we were supposed to make new art portfolios today for Joanna's art class tomorrow, but that will have to wait, I'm sorry.

Monday, 14 January

We began with some cursive writing practice and then moved into an oral review in French.  We covered the pronouns again, but we also went back to look at some of the objects in the classroom and remembered if they were masculine or feminine.  Next, we shuffled off to band.

After recess we did silent reading for 15 minutes and then transitioned to math.  The grade 7s took time to review the solutions to some of their homework.  I spent a good deal of time reinforcing how we can move a decimal to the right or left (by multiplying by 10 or 0.1). Tomorrow we'll start Lesson 3.5 - dividing decimal fractions (pp. 104-107).

After lunch we had Ab Ed with Kristi.  We learned about the oral tradition through the computer animated tale "How Raven Stole the Sun."  We had questions to answer, but after previewing the questions, we had to put them away while viewing.  It was interesting how Kristi re-enforced the principles of the oral tradition in this lesson.

Next, we reviewed the blog posts from Friday's homework.  I commented that people are really becoming good at opening and closing sentences.  Writing "so-what" sentences is hard, so congratulations to the students who achieved success with their posts over the weekend.  I also noted the difference between the usage of "there" and "their" (up until now, errors with "there" have been common in this class). We ended the day with a game of floor hockey.  On a couple of occasions I had to ask a student to sit on the bench for being careful and raising his stick past the waist on a shot; remember that because we're not wearing face/head protection, we must keep the sticks low or we won't be able to play hockey.

Please remember to post a comment for the socials assignment - it is due by tomorrow morning.  If you have trouble posting, just e-mail your comment to me and I can post it for you.  Don't forget to edit your work before you publish.

Friday, 11 January

We began the day with a review of French pronouns and then we used the podcast to learn how to  make simple sentences.  We learned how to say: Je parle francais (I speak French) and, Je ne parle pas francais (I do not speak French).  We also learned how to say Mr., Mrs, Miss, and Ms.  We then let our hair down and had a bit of a gab session.  Here is the link to today's support podcast:

Do you speak English?

After recess we read for 15 minutes and then transitioned to math.  We continued on pp. 102-103.  That should be finished for homework. 

Remember that when you are multiplying decimals, you must look at the factors you are multiplying and count the 
number of digits in the factors that fall behind decimals and 
ENSURE you place the decimal in front of the same number 
of digits in the product (the answer).

After lunch we read with our little buddies and then watched two more segments of the BBC documentary on building Khufu's pyramid.  Here are the YouTube links to the four we've watched thus far:
BBC doc part 1

BBC doc part 2

BBC doc part 3

BBC doc part 4

Socials Blog Post Comment Homework:
The majority of the class chose to write their blog post response for homework.  It isn't due until Tuesday morning, so if you need internet access or a computer, you can do it at school on Monday at recess or lunch.  In a brief but well-written paragraph of five or six sentences, identify one key idea from each of the four parts of the documentary that we have viewed so far.  AND explain the significance of at least one of those ideas (give a so-what statement).  I will post an example comment.  Be sure to post with your name - no anonymous posts, please.  If you want your post to move up in quality, you may consider mentioning a classmate's comment in your own.

We ended the day with three-corner soccer: a great way to end a great week.  Thanks everyone; it was nice to return to school in such a positive way.

Remember: Movie night at the gym on Saturday evening - doors open at 6 p.m.

Also: Monday is hot lunch day - orders are now closed.

Thursday, 10 January

Today began with some personal reading before an introductory visit from Mrs. Rive, our new principal.  The students commented that she seemed very nice and I agree.  After her visit, we did a short cursive writing practice.  I can already see an improvement over yesterday; you are all very coachable: you listen to my comments on your style and incorporate my suggestions into your practice.  Yesterday, the majority of you were making your lower-case letters too tall; today that problem had almost disappeared.  Band started at 09:40 but I noticed that a few students were sent to wait in the office during band because they forgot their instruments.  Please be more responsible on Monday.

Count the digits after the decimals in the
factors; put the decimal in front of that many
decimals in the product (the answer).

Solution to 2.a) on page 102

After recess we had a book talk with Ms. Taggert; she always makes the books sound so interesting.  We will be finishing Egypt soon in socials and there is a good selection of novels set in ancient Rome that I want to use for our next literature circles activity.  I was pleased with the way you all conducted yourselves in the library.  We then transitioned from the library to math.  The 7s worked on the problem set associated with multiplying decimal fractions that comes on pages 102 - 103.  We started yesterday; #6 should be completed for homework.

After lunch we completed our songs in science and then three of the four groups performed them.  We had a lot of fun.  I recorded them on my iPad and then we watched ourselves and had even more fun.  The quality of the singing is a matter of taste, but there is no question about the quality of the lyrics.  I think it's safe to say that after the reading, the dancing, the discussion and the singing that it will be a while before we forget about the water cycle.  Next we watched two of six parts of an hour-long BBC documentary on the construction of the pyramids.  The bullet points that students developed while viewing were right on target.  I was pleased with the class's engagement.  Finally we voted to do p.e. in the gym and after a short but intense warm-up, have one last game of dodge ball.  Thanks Emily, Goldney and Mia for getting me out so quickly (again).  I'm noticing a trend here.....

Thanks for another great day!

Wednesday, 9 January

You try writing well on a vertical board!

Pronouns (singular/plural; formal/informal)

Today we had a pretty varied schedule.  We started with a short cursive writing lesson.  We have moved from instruction to practice.  Many students found it challenging to size their lower-case letters accurately now that we're writing on regular loose leaf paper.  Afterwords, we used a podcast as the basis for a French lesson.  We focused on pronouns with lots of oral practice.  I was pleased with the effort and the results.  I find the students are continuing to develop pleasing accents.  Next we watched two short videos that had songs for the water cycle.  This was a warm-up for the afternoon activity I had planned.  Here are the links.

Water Cycle Rap

Water Cycle Song







I will deny ever showing them this:

A song to which they all knew the lyrics.







After lunch I collected the names of students who were interested in playing on the school basketball teams and announced that there are parents in the Strong Start program who are looking for babysitters.  We had a brief talk about how to build a basic resume and how to organize a mini-poster that has tear-away phone number/e-mail address tabs on the bottom. I mentioned the need to think about security/privacy when publicly posting your phone number.

Next we moved back to our science groups and created our own water cycle songs.  Each group has chosen to go its own way and I'm looking forward to the finished product.  We ended the day with a great series of dodgeball games in the gym.  It was a nice way to end the day.

Remember - tomorrow is the deadline to get in your pizza orders for Monday's hot lunch fundraiser.  It is $2 per slice.

Remember also, Saturday's 6 p.m. movie night sales open tomorrow at $1.75 per ticket (the price will be $2 at the door).

Tuesday, 8 January

We began the day revisiting cursive writing.  We have now covered all of the lower case letters.  Next we continued with our science lesson on the water cycle.  We each drew an infographic; I thought that they were well done.  Some students were a bit shy to get started, wanting instead to try to replicate the example in the text, but in time (after I turned off the projector) folks settled to their work successfully. Please finish for homework if you were unable to complete it in class.  Next, I showed a TED Talk video that demonstrated how dance can be used to help explain complicated scientific concepts.

http://www.ted.com/talks/john_bohannon_dance_vs_powerpoint_a_modest_proposal.html

I challenged the class to see if they could create a "physical metaphor" or "dance" to explain the water cycle. They accepted my challenge.  We decided to use groups of five to seven performers.  The process involved deciding on the key ideas to be transmitted and then choreographing the actions.  We ran out of time and decided to continue after lunch.

After recess we read for 15 minutes and then transitioned to math.  The 7s did a quick review of adding and subtracting decimals and then we did Lesson 3.4 which involved modelling the multiplication of decimals using Base Ten Blocks.  We didn't quite have enough time to do the last step - moving beyond the blocks, but we'll be able to quickly get that done tomorrow so we can do the problem set.  There is no homework.

Yesterday's homework question solved

One last question to solidify the concept

Today's review

After lunch we had a talking circle to address a concern I had about some lunchtime behaviour and then we developed our "dances" of the water cycle.  Students worked with very little direction from me as they worked out their routines.  In a word, the experience was amazing.  We concluded with a debrief.  The kids had a blast, learned the process and are now keen to see how they can extend their learning with this technique.  What a way to end the day! (Can you tell I was very pleased with the outcome?)

A few reminders:

1. Monday is a hot lunch fundraiser day.  Pizza order forms were sent home today ($2 per slice - 4 toppings choices -- one has gluten-free cheese).  The orders must be received by Thursday.

2. All boys interested in playing basketball this season are asked to give their names to Mr. Marshall so he can let the coach know how many are interested.

3. This Saturday is movie night at the Roberts Creek School gym for grades 5-7. 
I'll send the notice home tomorrow.  Tickets are $2 at the door ($1.75 if purchased in advance on Thursday or Friday).  Doors open at 6 pm and the feature is Night at the Museum 2.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Welcome back to school: best wishes for 2013.

Today we began with a brief reflection of our work together in 2012.  The school year is 40% over already.  I asked you to share one positive, fun, pleasing, interesting, engaging or other activity that we did together before the break.  There were lots of votes for art, knots and the rope/leadership games.  There was a positive vibe in the group as we left for band (however, because many students forgot their instruments it was mostly a theory lesson).



After recess we read for a bit and then transitioned to math.  The 7s and I did a review of the Unit 3 lessons on comparing/converting common fractions to decimal fractions.  I tried a new presentation app on the iPad for the first portion, and then moved to the interactive board for the remainder.  It was nice to be able to reinforce the work we did earlier when you were distracted by the upcoming break.  Please do ex. 5 (on the third slide) for homework.

After lunch we read again briefly and then transitioned to science.  We discussed "info graphics" and then examined the water cycle.  Some of you had to be reminded to show your manners during the discussion, but the ideas you shared were of a good quality.  We looked at the water cycle in the non-living world and then examined how it might be distributed in the living world.  In the end, we concluded that the sun is the engine that drives it all.

I used the terms "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" to be funny;
liquid and solid waste would have been more professional 
I learned the following: the body loses water in four ways: in urine (60%), through skin and lungs (30%), in sweat (5%), and in faeces (5%).

Here is a link to a very brief video that covers the water cycle with a song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YswL4dIDQuk

We ended the day by revisiting one of the rope challenges we did in the gym earlier in the year.  Everyone worked together well and it was a positive way to end a pretty good day.  Thanks everyone for your cooperation and effort.