Tuesday, 21 May

First, thanks for remembering to bring in the money for the Grade 7 trip to Vancouver.  Only two people have still to pay (and they weren't in class today).   When we consider that we just had a long weekend, I find that quite remarkable!  The weather will have to be considered when dressing for tomorrow's activities.  
1. Remember we are meeting at the transit bus stop at Langdale at 7:50 a.m. tomorrow.
2. Bring lunch AND a water bottle.
3. Wear your pink "Acceptance" t-shirt or a white t-shirt.
4. Proper footwear (no sandals) AND bike helmet.
5. Rain gear.
6. Garbage bag to waterproof your backpack.

The ferry should be back at Langdale for a 6:30 p.m. pick-up of the students by their parents.

Grade 6 students will work with Ms. Rive on inquiry, go to math, and have p.e.

We began the day with a review of last day's French lesson and then we learned some new words.  I emphasized the way we change articles depending on the gender of the noun.


We ended the block by asking what is "social revolution" and then watching this video.  The imagery in the video was engaging, but it was the connection to memory that I found interesting.  We're left wonder where it is all going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczkikAgAVE

After recess we read for ten minutes and then transitioned to math. In Math 7 I did a short review and then gave the instruction for the final lesson, 6.5: using different methods to solve equations.  The challenging part about the word problems is to be able to visualize what is being described, and then to determine what part of the story is "unknown" and should be represented by the "variable."  Here are some board notes:

Extra question - not in text

After lunch we read for 15 minutes and then worked on our socials inquiry projects.  This was the last in-class period for the grade 7s; the grade 6s will have their last in-class block tomorrow.  Students should be able to present any time after tomorrow.

We have our first two donations for the gift basket raffle prize: dish clothes and a set of three graters; thank you.

Happy Long Weekend: Friday, 17 May

1. First a note about the Grade 7 Vancouver trip: i) laser tag, ii) paddle wheeler harbour cruise, iii) tandem bike ride at Stanley Park, and, iv) barbeque at Second Beach planned for Wednesday, 22 May.

1. Grade 7 students are asked to bring $30 to Mr. Marshall on Tuesday, May 21st.  The consent form noted that the cost might be as high at $50, but fundraising has brought that cost down. Any student who is unable to pay on Tuesday is asked to contact Mr. Marshall.
2. Parents drop off their child at the Langdale ferry terminal at 7:50 a.m., Wednesday, May 22. PLEASE BE ON TIME; we will be unable to wait for late arrivals. We'll be catching the 5:50 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay.  That later sailing schedule means we'll arrive at Langdale around 6:40 p.m.  Please be prompt in arriving to pick up your child.
3. Students need a water bottle and a good lunch (to be eaten on the paddle wheeler before the bike ride - there is no option to purchase a lunch at this location).
4. Please wear your Acceptance Day t-shirt (or a white t-shirt if you don't have one).  Also, please bring your RCCES hoodie.  This is for safety: by wearing a school outfit, students will be more easily identified in public spaces
5. Please consider your clothing carefully. If pants are worn, they must fit close around the ankles.  Showers are in the forecast, so light rainwear is preferable to heavy gear.  Sun protection should also be considered, just in case (small, light backpack).
6. Appropriate footwear for the bike ride is hard-soled, closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops).

A note from the organizers: We have to provide food for around 66 people at the picnic (students and parent supervisors) so please make any contribution you can towards the food - please read Terri's email (previously forwarded to you). We are hoping that parents who could not volunteer their time, can hopefully contribute towards the food. Send all emails regarding food contributions to the picnic to Joan Hourgan or Terri Bradwell.

We have enough parent supervisors so any additional parents that want to join us will have to cover their own costs and make their own arrangements for travel.

Any last minute information will be sent directly to parents via email. Please email Agnes Pillai or Dianne Paulus with any questions.

2. Please ask to see the notice about the gift basket we're making for the June 1 Spring Fling fundraiser.  Our theme is "kitchen."  Please add a comment to the bottom of the May 14th blog post so we can keep track of what has already been donated.

3.  A notice went home for the Grade 7s to say the "graduation" banquet is scheduled for Thursday, June 20th and the leaving ceremony is at 10:45 on Tuesday, June 25th.

4.  This Wednesday we miss art because of the Grade 7 trip, but the week after that we need students to bring a large potato, a small paring knife and scissors for our second print-making workshop with Joanna.

Review

We started the day with a quick review of Tuesday's French lesson and then we blazed new territory. I am trying to choose vocabulary and grammar that shows patterns so the students will be able to see connections, rather than memorizing lists although some "memorization" is required.  We covered a lot today.

Today's lesson.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then did math.  In Math 7 I reviewed yesterday's instruction in solving equations that have coefficients with the variables.  After a few sample questions, the class continued with their problem sets.  We have only one more lesson in this unit before we can prepare for another unit test.  Some students indicated they wished to re-write their last test on circles and area, but none have done so to date.  Students should try to complete Lesson 6.4 if they were unable to do so in class.  Don't do more than a bit each day: we all need a holiday.

After lunch we did little buddy reading with Ms. L's class and then we worked on our inquiry projects for an hour.  We closed off the week with some four-corner soccer in the gym.  Thanks for your hard work this week folks; we had some interruptions to our usual schedule, but we still got lots done.

Wednesday, 15 May

Today was our first "art" art lesson in a long time.  It was great to see Joanna doing her thing outside and inside the ring of desks: most teachers would slowly wind up in such a free-moving environment, but she stays as calm as anything.  It was neat to hear the students' reaction to being told to, "write on your desks" and to "add paint to the tops of  your desks" as we did print making.  It didn't take the class long to catch on to the process and soon all had multiple prints drying around the room.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then got to math.  The Math 7 students worked to complete the lesson 6.3 problem set and then started the mid-unit review (only 4 questions).  Since I know I'm going to be away tomorrow, I started the instruction for the next lesson so that tomorrow, after students complete their reviews, they will be able to carry on independently.

The only real difference with this chapter is that now we have
variables with coefficients: we eliminate the coefficient by
dividing it into both sides (in this example we divide 2n and 24
by 2 in order to isolate the n.

After lunch we read for ten minutes and then went upstairs to the gym for the 2013 Talent Show.  Wow! I was blown away by what the students brought to the stage.  Division Two was well-represented with Oliver and Christopher adding decorum and energy as MCs, Landseer adding style on bass in his band and Kiah, well, what can I say, what a voice!  Way to go, you all did our class proud.

Remember that tomorrow is band, so remember to bring your instruments.  Since I will be away for a follow-up appointment in Vancouver to see if the splint can come off my thumb, we will have a teacher-on-call.  I have scheduled lots of computer time so you will have a good chance to get ahead on your socials inquiries so ensure you bring your materials.

Election Day: Tuesday, 14 May

Today we reconnected with our French program.  We focused on the articles le, la, un, une.  We included the verb conjugation je suis.  Rather than learning a list of verb conjugations, we'll focus on a few vocabulary words and a few grammar terms at a time and use them to construct phrases.  I gave a short oral quiz at the end of the lesson.  Here are today's notes:

Visit Duolingo for a good web-based tutorial

My passion inquiry would involve
sailboats in some way.

Next, we went outside for a team relay race (to act as a brain break) and then I discussed the process for beginning a passion inquiry.  That inquiry will officially start on May 23.  We discussed the brainstorming process, but more importantly, we discussed the importance of "defining" what key words in a question mean. For example, it's ok to say that we are going to find out who had the best standard of living, but we need to define what "standard of living" means.  For example, will we include longevity (how old people lived to be) or number of hours of daily work, or whether or not people enjoyed long periods of peace with neighbouring countries?  Only after we know what we're measuring exactly, can we answer the question.

After recess we read for ten minutes and then started math.  In Math 7 we took a few minutes to review Lessons 6.1-6.2 and then we learned how to model equations with integers using integer tiles.  This is no different than the work we did previously with integers tiles, except now we've included the long rectangle to represent the variable (ex. x, n, y, etc.).  Please complete #1-2 for homework if you were unable to finish in class.  We'll complete the practice set tomorrow.  

The key to creating and then solving
the model is to "add tiles" to
create "zero pairs."

After lunch we read for ten more minutes and then began our civilizations inquiry work.  At 2:15 we stopped and went outside to get some exercise.  We met Mr. Pond's class in the forest and played a big game of posse.  Remind your parents to get out and vote.

We looked at ideas such as chocolate, coffee break, spa, tools, and smelly, but the students decided that they would like the theme of the class gift basket for the Spring Fling Dance fundraiser to be "KITCHEN."  Please use this post to add what you would like to donate so that others can see what has already been added (we want to avoid 28 cutting boards - it might make us look like our theme is firewood).

Monday, 13 May

I'm the tall guy on the left

We began the day with a talking circle.  I know some of the students think the only value of a talking circle is to waste class time so there is less work, but I still think it's important to give people the opportunity to have a voice, even if they don't.  I was able to share a bit about my experience at the TEDx event that some of us attended on Saturday.  I agree with Ms. Rive that it was an inspiring and affirming day.  It's nice to connect with others who challenge what we do in the hope of advancing our practices.

Next, the class had band and after that we met with our parent drivers to whisk ourselves away to Kinnikinnick for the Jesse Miller presentation.  I saw him a few years ago, and it was interesting to see the difference between what he did for our students and what he did with the secondary students.  I found him to be engaging and the students were a good audience.  Thank you, Jenine, Michele, Angela, Christie, Aideen, Pam and Jane for making yourselves available to drive.

Apart from the presentation, it was nice to have a chance to chat to parents about what we're doing in and out of class.  I was asked how much homework I thought the students should be doing on their socials inquiry projects.  That is a tough one.  Research shows that "homework" does little if anything to promote or deepen learning, especially in elementary school (I did give near-nightly reading assignments and some presentation assignments in my senior secondary courses).  On the other hand, it also suggests that inquiry learning (especially where students have autonomy, choice and the opportunity to define the boundaries of their project-based learning) allows for the most complex thinking.  I've scheduled many hours of class time but have not said specifically "how long" the presentations should be.  I hope that this allows for differences in terms of student ability, interest and desire.  I know that some will work very little at home, because the class time is mostly enough.  Others will feel they need more time spent at home in order to "get done," while others, I suppose, will have their interest sparked and want to look deeper at home.  In terms of sharing, I've suggested that the presentations (sharings?) should go beyond PowerPoint slides this time: we've done that quite a bit and students are quite familiar with that medium.  We saw some pretty good science presentations, so the bar has been set high for many in our class who like to be in the "exceptional" range of student output.  I'm not trying to be vague in order to confound, it's just that I don't want to say, "Here's the bar, get to it and stop."  I think some of our students are used to doing the bare minimum and I want to give them a chance to excel - to push themselves - for each student that measure will be different.  I've told the students that if their sharings give us goose bumps, they will have done "enough."

Upon returning to the school we had 20 minutes to eat lunch and then we were out to another presentation, in our gym this time.  We met Sam Lenarduzzi and Carl Valentine of the Whitecaps FC.  I remember watching Carl and those huge quadriceps of his thundering down the field when the Caps played at the old Empire Stadium.  Today they did a good job at involving the students, both young and old.  Some of the students in our class said they had seen this presentation in years past and so they weren't really interested.  That may be true, but I saw a few of our guys who looked like they were going to wrench their arms from their sockets trying to get picked to go up and participate!

We ended the day with a discussion.  I was getting frustrated with some of the student behaviour around talking (while walking in the halls, lining up, that sort of thing), so we had a chance to share our thoughts and opinions with one another.  I hope tomorrow will allow us all to more forward with a more informed viewpoint.

Tomorrow, I will issue a notice about the PAC's Spring Fling Dance event scheduled for Saturday, 01 June, at the Roberts Creek Hall.  Our class has volunteered (ok, I volunteered our class) to create a gift basket that can be used to support this fundraising event.  So stay tuned for more information on that.

Happy Weekend: Friday 10 May

Jesse Miller/Kinnikinnick trip announcements: 

(a) All parents who indicated they would drive are needed, please be ready to load students at 10:30, right after band on Monday morning.
(b) The following students require consent forms: Kassandra, Hannah, Simon, Landseer,
Bowen, Mia and Sam.


We started the day with a reconnection to the term "elephant in the room" by discussing the "last lecture" of Dr. Randy Pausch.  This also allowed us to have a discussion about wisdom and experience and how they affect our sense of what is real happiness or success.  The speech is over an hour long, but it is guaranteed to get you thinking: Really achieving your childhood dreams.

Next, I read two paragraphs written by students in the class as exemplars of good writing.  These samples allowed me to address two attributes of good writing: having something thoughtful to say, and saying it according to the conventions of good style and grammar.  We then got to work and either edited our paragraphs or worked to complete them.  The class was very engaged and I witnessed lots of good collaboration and peer editing going on: great work you guys!

After recess we read (or tidied up our writing) and then transitioned to math.  I did a short review with the Math 7 students and then they worked to complete the practice set pp. 229-30.  I think everyone finished in class, but if you still have a question or two to do, please have it done for Tuesday's class (we miss math on Monday).

After lunch we read for 15 minutes and then worked on our inquiry projects until 1:45 when we left to start our track and field stations.  Remember that the ancient civilizations inquiry projects are due on May 21, just before we depart for the tandem bike day.  Grade 6s will have an extra day to work on theirs since the 7s will be away on the 22nd.

And now I'm off to my son's prom at Chatelech.  Tomorrow Ms. Rive, Mr. Lewis (from Pender) and I will be attending the TEDx education event in West Vancouver.  Wish us luck, and enjoy the weekend.

Thursday, 9 May

Thank you for the strong response from parent drivers for Monday's visit to Kinnikinnick.  So far we have seats for 21 students; there are 27 students currently in our class.  We have 13 of 27 consent forms back. Please bring yours tomorrow if you've not already done so.

Please remember runners for track and field activities tomorrow from 1:30 - 2:30.

Today we had many activities that occurred outside of the classroom and that made the day fly by.  We started by getting the laptops so we could continue our short story paragraph response writing.  Only about one quarter of the class is now finished that piece.  This was a difficult assignment for many because they had to define, in concrete terms, exactly what they should write about.  It is easier to answer a narrow topic such as "discuss the use of irony," or, "identify the role conflict plays..."  In this case, I wanted the class to answer a more open question: "what makes this story notable, or memorable, or worthy of our time?" This assignment has caused much thought and made it necessary for students to reflect on all of the elements of fiction that we've studied so far.  We'll take some time tomorrow so those who are still working have a chance to finish.  After we finished writing, the class had band.

Upon returning from recess we read for a short while and then began math.  In Math 7 we completed the practice set on p. 224-25 and then I gave instruction for Lesson 6.2 where were looked at the idea of balancing equations using the metaphor of a scale or balance.  I have asked that the students complete question #1 before tomorrow's class after which we'll complete the problem set on pp. 229.

After lunch we met outside on the field with Martin and Division 1 to hear a safety briefing for the May 22 Stanley Park trip the grade 7s will attend.  Martin discussed tandem bike etiquette, safety rules, seawall courtesy and equipment considerations.  Thanks agin, Martin and Dianne.

Afterwards, we returned to class and read our novels or worked on our inquiry projects while we waited for the Chatelech Secondary band to arrive for an afternoon performance.  They were a bit behind schedule, but had time in the end to give the students a good taste of what the music program there could offer.

I was not pleased when a number of students in our class snuck out of the gym after the performance to avoid having to help stack chairs.  I thought that after all of the team building that we've done this year during activities like the snowshoe trips, we were beyond that kind of behaviour.  Through the lens that I view life, leaving our responsibilities to others is inconsiderate at best, and selfish at worst and I hope we can do better next time.