Field Trip Transportation Update

Today I have the following drivers booked to meet at the school for 12:00 to drive to the art gallery in Gibsons:

Michele (Cody) 5 seats
Angela (Gage) 5 seats
Trina (Kiah) 5 seats
Cara (Mackenzie) 4 seats
Christine (Noah) 6 seats
Mr. Marshall 5 seats

We should be back at the school between 2 and 2:30.  Thanks for showing your support through your willingness to drive.

Wednesday, 10 April

Please try to remember to bring in the $35 for the snowshoe trip: Saleah, Kassandra, Kaneeka, Kiah, Landseer, Gus, Arif, Bowen, Amber, Braedon and Sophia.

So far we have drivers for 19 of 28 students to go to the art gallery tomorrow.  Only half of the class has its permission forms in.  The following are pending: Kaneeka, Simon, Kiah, Gus, Mackenzie, Arif, Emily, Bowen, Amber, Avery, Braedon and Sophia.

Yesterday I was finally able to upload the software for the
interactive whiteboard to my loaner computer (my
seven-year-old computer died last month and I lost
all of my drivers).

We began the day by reconnecting with our cursive writing.  We also had a short discussion about the future of language.  I'm always interested to hear the students' views; they're always more sophisticated than we might think they would be.

Next we worked in our film groups.  Some students have almost completed their filming and are preparing for the editing stage.  Others are yet to start filming.  We have set May 7 as the deadline for completion.

Review of parallelograms

After recess we read for 15 minutes and then transitioned to math.  In Math 7 we reviewed some of the questions from last day's problem set and I gave instruction in Lesson 4.4: Area of a Triangle.  Please complete #1-5 on pp. 145-146 for homework.

Classification of triangles by angle
and line length

Triangles as half of a parallelogram

Finding area of a triangle: practice 1

Finding area of a triangle: practice 2

We read for 15 minutes after lunch and then moved into our inquiry work.  The deadline to complete the science inquiry project (that is to be shared in a five-minute presentation) is Monday, 13 April.  The second (or second and third if you are in grade 7) is to be completed the following Monday.  There is not much time left.  Remember that you should be able to answer your question WITHOUT PowerPoint slides or other aids.  By now you should know the answer and be able to discuss the topic from heart.  You should be internalizing the information and no longer be tied to notes (although you will be permitted to use notes during your presentation).  By this point, my expectation is that students will not simply "read" their presentation from slides or cue cards.

Some students have begun their socials inquiry projects.  These are true collaborative projects because unlike the science inquiries that were done solo, the socials inquiries will be done in teams of two.  This will allow the class to build fluency in collaboration, one of the competencies deemed key in the 21st century economy.  I am allowing the students to pick their partners and again, they will also have some latitude in their topic.

We ended the day with a game of capture the flag out on the field but our game was interrupted by other classes who were already outside.  I'll have to get clarification on the rules around sharing field space because as the weather improves, I'm sure the competition will increase.

Please remember tomorrow's field trip - I need 1 more driver and 12 more slips.

Tuesday, 9 April

Today we began with a discussion to identify the many people who helped support our snowshoe trips: over 30 in all!  Next, we discussed how to compose a thank-you letter and then we divided up the names of the helpers and everyone wrote one or two letters.

After recess some students read while others finished their letters.  Next we did math.  The Math 7 students had a short lesson on how to find the area of parallelograms, and then worked to complete the 10 questions in the problem set on pp. 141-142.  That should be completed for homework (at least up to  #6).

Remember to multiply the units of
measure, not just the numbers!
= centimeters SQUARED

Please look for this notice.

After lunch we used the computers to work on our inquiry projects and we ended the day by making thank-you cards to hold our thank-you letters.  Thanks to Mr. Clements who supervised the last hour of the day so I could attend a memorial service for the husband of a former colleague.

I issued permission slips for the trip to the art gallery - WE NEED DRIVERS: please check your schedules.

Tomorrow is art - please bring your recording devices/footage to class.

FIELD TRIP WARNING: CALL FOR DRIVERS

I would like to take the class to the Gibsons Public Art Gallery on Thursday, April 11 from 12:00 - 2:30 p.m. if we can get enough parent volunteer drivers in such short notice.

A notice will go home tomorrow.  If you can drive, have the criminal record search, proof of $2,000,000 liability and a copy of your driver abstact on file, please indicate below in the comment box and indicate how many students you can carry.

Thank you in advance,

Mr. Marshall.

Friday, 5 April

Well, I'm actually writing this on Saturday while watching the Canucks game, but I thought I would create the illusion that I wasn't tired from the snowshoe trip and instead got right on to a blog post.  First, let me say that I hope the boys enjoyed the basketball tournament and that all of those who stayed back at school had a productive time with Ms. Rive working on their math and inquiry projects.  I enjoyed the chance to read the reflective piece Saleah left for my return describing the first snowshoe trip and am looking forward to reading the others.  Those of you who were not on the first trip are reminded that you are required to submit a reflection on the Jesse Miller presentation (although secretly, I'm hoping that you are also inspired to write about your snowshoe trip because I'd love to also read what you have to say about the experience).

The second trip was as big a success as the first.  I was again inspired by the fact that the group was able to work through any difficulty collaboratively and with positive energy.  In spite of rain and snow and wind, everyone managed to take control of his or her emotions and present a smile so the group could keep moving forward.  The first trip had elements of adventure and the second did, too.

Thank you for the kind words of thanks many of you have given me for planning the trips, but they really were a team effort.  I'd like to send a warm thank-you to our parent leaders: Sandra Veley, Miles Varty, John Hourigan and John Davis.  Like Jenny Groves and Doug Lyon on the first trip, they did a fantastic job managing the logistical jobs that needed tending while providing well-timed encouragement as the students worked to manage themselves.  Thanks also to Lucy Jascinski and Michele Whiting who provided transportation support and dealt with the deteriorating road conditions at the Branch 500 parking lot.  I had more offers of driving support that I have ever had on any trip I've ever planned!  You parents really came through and I hope the students realize how much effort you invested.  We should also take time to thank Ms. Rive who keenly supported these trips from the start and allowed for creative solutions to address supervision and funding while also suggesting that she take personal responsibility for supporting the students who stayed back each week.  I'm going to ask the students to find ways to thank all of the folks who worked in the background: people who they might not even be aware helped out.  First, there are the Seaforth Army Cadets who kindly loaned us the bulk of our gear.   There was also Dave Lewis and Mark Heidebrecht at Pender Harbour Secondary who loaned us communications equipment and water filters.  We also had support from Richard Till and members of the Sunshine Coast Search and Rescue (more help than I anticipated, in fact).  Finally, there was Don Prendergast and Harry Almond of the Sunshine Coast Amateur Radio Club, and Irma Mahar of the Sunshine Coast Army Cadets Support Association who were a part of the communications plan.

An example of the SPOT Tracker situation reports we sent via
satellite to our support team.

If I needed any evidence that these kind of trips are worthwhile, it came in comments by the students such as, "We came closer together and bonded with people we might not have otherwise," or "We learned what we can do when we don't give up," or "It was nice being trusted and not treated like we're little kids." Over the years, I've often said to my colleagues that when students are given authentic responsibility and trusted to come through with the right decisions, they will rarely let us down and both groups showed on the mountain how true that is!

Here are some shots from this week's trip:

Ascending to Victor's Landing after checking the ice on
Tannis Lake.

The long ascent to the ridge above the cabin.

Coming off the ridge behind Bachelor Cabin.

Re-entering the tree-line off the ridge behind Bachelor Cabin.

Confidence is high: preparing to leave the cabin after the
morning snow.

The parent leaders who were clearly proud, commented often
about the strong character displayed by the students; as on the
first trip, there was never any whining or complaining, no
matter the situation.

Increased run-off from Bachelor Lake to Tannis Lake: one
of many obstacles that necessitated responsive route
planning on this trip.

Risk management: assessing changing ice conditions on
Tannis Lake.

Wednesday, 3 April

Today we began with our movie groups right away.  We have decided to create a four-week deadline (May 7). Students have started to plan meeting times to film their ideas at one another's homes - mostly on weekends.  Ask your child what his or her group is doing.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then did math.  The 7s worked on their problem sets from yesterday - I think all but one student got finished.  Those who are not snowshoeing will be able to finish tomorrow.

After lunch we worked on our science projects for an hour and then had a brief meeting to tie up loose ends around tomorrow's snowshoe trip and we ended the day with a game of "person" hunt in the back forrest.

I'll see the snowshoers tomorrow at 08:00.  Remember your garbage bags and dress lightly to pack - we'll change into our mountain clothes before we leave.

Remember that the students who went on last week's trip will attend at the school on Thursday only - Friday is a "flex" day and students will work on their snowshoe reflections at home.

Tuesday, 2 April

Ah, April Fools' Day is over and once again we can trust what we read on the Internet, or can we?

Well, I don't know about you, but after so many days off I was sure glad to get back to work.  We began the day with some reading while I (with help from some of the students) packed up the gear that was drying after the first snowshoe trip.  We did quite well, but are missing one sleeping bag stuff sack.  If anyone finds one in their gear at home please return it to school (we will have to pay for any missing equipment).

Next, I reviewed some of the ideas from last week's lesson on the Canadian parliamentary system.  Some members of the class did quite well remembering key vocabulary terms such as: member of parliament, Senate, House of Commons, responsible government and representative government.  Today I introduced the idea of elections.  I enjoyed today's discussion as it was very free flowing and included ideas such as positive and negative campaigning, and balanced vs. deficit budgets.  We also talked about majority vs. minority governments and how stability in a government helps the economy (and how instability hurts it).  My hope is that if any families discuss the upcoming provincial election, our students will be familiar with some of the terminology that is used.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then transitioned to math.  In Math 7 we did a hands-on lesson to understand the relationship between the diameter of a circle and its circumference.  Ultimately we learned that diameter multiplied by pi (3.14) will give us the circumference (or, that the circumference of a circle divided by pi will give us the diameter).  We had only enough time to start the problem set, so there is no math homework.

After lunch we had a one-hour lesson/discussion with Ainsley, our sexual health educator.  The lesson focused mostly on the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty.  For the most part, the class handled what can be a somewhat embarrassing topic with good self control.  We did debrief afterwords, however, to find ways to conduct ourselves even better in two weeks when she returns.

We spent the last 30 minutes working independently on our science inquiry projects.  Many students are now at the "practicing the presentation" stage.  Parents are encouraged to act as a critical audience and to ensure that the presentations answer lots of "so what" questions.

Tomorrow is art/movie making with Joanna, so please bring your materials.

Many students still have not brought in $35 for the snowshoe trip; please try to remember that (please call me to discuss any concerns around payment).

Below are photos of unclaimed clothing left at the cabin: if you recognize any pieces, please let me know and I will mount a rescue mission on Thursday. 

The boxers have already been claimed.  I can't
imagine why a 12-year-old boy would not claim his
underwear in front of his friends and four GIRLS!

In addition to these, I have a pair of dark blue socks in the classroom.