Mrs. Middleton's Class Website Nurturing Life-Long Learners

Friday

03/07/2014

Another whirlwind day. We started by having a visitor come to speak to the class about internet safety as well as forms of bullying. We all learned a variety of new things that can help us stay safe on line. I have posted a video below that helps to better understand what we are doing on line when we don't realize it. Have you checked your security settings lately?
The Think We bake sale also was squeezed into the day as students had a chance to taste some very yummy treats.
Thankfully there was some time to look more closely at plant cells. Students created slides with onion skin and celery to observe and draw.
To cap the day a class talent show was held. A number of students shared a variety of talent; very entertaining indeed. Please see "Sharing Our Learning" for photos from the Talent Show today.

1) Math - Grade 6s
Mrs. Van - no homework
Mr. Rayat - pg 307/308 #3,5,6,7,11
Grade 7s - no homework
2) Genius Hour - work on your GH project this weekend. WOrk session on Monday morning - be ready with all the necessary supplies to move forward.

Comments: Watch this video link again, even watch it with your parents. Share at least 2 things you learned from the presentation. What was a 'wow' moment for you? What changes are you making this weekend to your internet use?

Important Information:
Library books are due next week. Many of you have overdue books that need to be returned ASAP.
Toonie drive next week for Africa.
Report Card covers to be signed and returned.

3 Comments

Thursday

03/06/2014

30 Comments

Collaboration during GH; students helping each other learn new things.

The days seem to be flying by now; there never seems to be enough time in a day to do all that I would like. Today was no exception.
Students started their day on Genius Hour projects. With one more in-class session, before sharing occurs, the students should be working on this at home. It has been inspiring to watch the teamwork and collaboration occurring as some students have chosen to pursue a topic together. Many valuable skills such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking are constantly being developed.

1) LA - 100 WC - Complete revisions and post to Kidblog tonight.
2) Math - Grade 6s
Mrs. Van - worksheet - Friday
Mr. Rayat - pg 307/308 #3,5,6,7,11
Grade 7s - no homework

3) Science - complete the cell worksheets - Friday
4) Genius Hour - complete GH day 3 Reflection - Friday
5) Talent Show - participants need to make sure they are prepared with their supplies and practise their talent tonight.

Think We Bake Sale on Friday. Bring your toonies and loonies!

Comments: Cloud Burst, the story I am reading to you out loud, has left a powerful impact on many of us. Write a reflection of how this has made you feel and what you have been left wondering or questioning. Think about not only the main characters but also about how this story impacts you especially as you enter the teenage years.

30 Comments

Wednesday

03/05/2014

32 Comments

What a great way to spend the afternoon - in a pool with all your friends. It appeared that everyone had a fun time splashing, diving and sliding at the Walnut Grove Pool today. Exercise of any kind is important each and every day.
Cells, cells and more cells. As students began to dig into plant and animal cells I could see the wheels turning inside their brains. How can we be made up of trillions of cells and how can each of these cells have a brain (city hall), have a power plant, have a food storage, have a highway system and more? What?! It is always wonderful to watch the thinking process in action.

1) LA - 100 WC - draft 1 due tomorrow
2) Math - Grade 6s
Mrs. Van - no homework
Mr. Rayat - worksheet
Grade 7s - Quiz needs to be signed by a parent; all corrections need to be done on a separate paper.
3) French - post card due tomorrow
4) Genius Hour - Day 2 reflection due before class. Be thoughtful, what did you learn, what problems arose, what new questions came about and where to next? (don't forget an image)
- Be prepared to work on GH project tomorrow in class.

Think We Bake Sale on Friday. Bring your toonies and loonies!

Comments: After our discussion today in Science what are you now wondering about? So much new information arose with so much to think about. Share your wonderings going beyond a quick sentence. Watch video for a reminder on the parts of a cell.
Video Link: Cell, Cell - Parts of A Cell Rap

32 Comments

Tuesday

03/04/2014

25 Comments

Self assessing using teacher modelling.

It was an exciting day for our grade 7 students heading to Clayton Heights as the councillors came to visit and discuss course selection for grade 8. Hard to believe we are mere months away from having the latest bunch of Titans leave the nest.
Self assessing was also part of the learning today. It can be hard to be critical of what we have done but without looking closely and being honest we become stuck in a fixed mindset. Students had a chance to observe then do their own assessing of the first perspective art. Having a variety of examples to look at helps us better understand where we can improve. The next step is to take what they have learned and create a better piece of art.

1) Math - Grade 6s
Mrs. Van - no homework
Mr. Rayat - worksheet
Grade 7s - Quiz needs to be signed by a parent; all corrections need to be done on a separate paper.

2) French - postcard good copies are due on Thursday
3) Genius Hour - be ready for a work session on Thursday. If time move ahead at home.
4) Art - know what theme you will be doing for your second perspective image. Surf images on the internet but be prepared to add your own twist so that you are not copying what others have already done.
5) Swimming at Walnut Grove tomorrow - We will be leaving the school at 11:30 so lunches need to be something quick and easy as we will have lunch at around 11:10. Bring all your swim gear. Parent drivers please arrive at the school for 11:25.

Video Link and Comment: Tomorrow we will begin looking at plant and animal cells. Watch the video and see if you can pick up on some of the difference between the two. What interests you the most about things we cannot see with the naked eye?
Animal versus Plant Cells

25 Comments

Monday

03/03/2014

24 Comments

Students began their day by reflecting back on the personal and academic goals they set this term. They had a chance to think about the steps they have made and whether or not they followed through on their plans. As we start term 3 students will be establishing new goals to focus on.

Ms Chapman took some time to work with our class to revisit the ebook collection in the SD36 library. Students now have the opportunity to sign out books on any of their devices; what a great way to read on the go!

1) Math - Grade 6s
Mrs. Van - pg 304/305 #1-7, mark own work; test on Tuesday
Mr. Rayat - no homework
Grade 7s - quiz on Tuesday, use mid chapter review (pg 119) as a study tool

2) French - postcard picture side finished, rough draft of writing done

3) Ebooks - check out one ebook from home or from your own device. Please share with the class which book you have signed out.

4) Genius Hour - complete Day 2 reflection with image - due Thursday before class

5) PE Tuesday - have strip at school

6) LA- go to the 100 Word Challenge website and check out this week's prompt. Start brainstorming possible fairytales.

Comments: Share what ebook you have signed out. Also, what fairytale(s) can you think of that would be great to use with this week's prompt? Lots of creativity and fun with this challenge. Be ready to start writing!

24 Comments

Friday

03/01/2014

27 Comments

Two different perspectives using vanishing point.

Students had a chance to work with a partner today to peer assess their art work. Using criteria that students had established, they closely analyzed their own, as well as a peers work, looking for areas that improvement may need to happen.
1) Math - Grade 6s please see your Math teacher's websites
Mrs. Van - hillcrestdivision3.weebly.com
Mr. Rayat - hillcrestdiv2.weebly.com
Grade 7s - quiz on Tuesday (addition, subtraction, multiplication and estimation)
- complete worksheet that has been sent home (Mr. Rayat's grade 7s are to see the attachment on your class website. Please pay careful attention to the instructions.
2) Art - 2D Perspective Art - look up images of different ways you can create perspective art. Decide on what you wish to begin working on next week. You will need to be creative and think unique and original. Think outside the box.
3) Genius Hour - Day 2 of work time will be on Monday. Be prepared with all your supplies, have your duo-tang ready and start to determine how you will be presenting your project. This GH is an opportunity to present your ideas in a new format. It would be great to see something besides Prezi and Google Presentation. Take some risks in your learning. It is scary but well worth it. Remember you cannot fail Genius Hour so take a leap!
- Day 1 Reflections - many of you did not complete this on Thursday night. I asked the TOC to inform you if you needed to do this on Friday. This may not have been communicated. Please make sure this is done for Sunday night - I have the list of those who were incomplete.
4) French - Something is due for Tuesday. I am sorry that I did not write this down. Check Mlle Fei's website for details. (Link is on the side bar.)

Comments: Share an idea or two of what type landscape/theme you may be wanting to do next week for art. Also, share a possible presentation tool (technology or hands on) that you are thinking about for your GH project. This will take some time to look into. Search out presentation tools on the internet - see what you can come up with. Remember the ipads at school have book creator which no one has used this year.

27 Comments

Thursday

02/27/2014

28 Comments

The students had their first long session of Genius Hour today. Working independently or with a partner, they dove right into their questions. I am thrilled at the direction this session is taking as their wonderings are varied and unique. Please check out the Genius Hour tab for a list of questions and first photos.

1) Math - grade 7s - 3.4 worksheet - Friday; quiz on Tuesday. Study over the weekend practising addition, subtraction and multiplication of decimal numbers.
- grade 6s - Mr. Rayat -
- Mrs. Van -
2) Genius Hour - complete reflection.
This must have:

what you did today,
problems that arose,
new questions you have,
what is/are your next step(s)

3) Art - perspective art due Friday

Video Link and Comment: 15 Yr-Old Kevin Doe Wow M.I.T

This video relates to many other videos and conversations we have had in connection to Genius Hour. What obstacles did Kevin overcome to to fulfill his passion? What other people/videos does this one remind you of? Why?How? What personal message will you take from this? How will this inspire you on this next Genius Hour project?

28 Comments

Wednesday

02/26/2014

37 Comments

Anti Bullying Day was well represented by most of the students in Division 1. It was so great to watch the sea of pink walk in this morning. After reading the students comments on the website last night in response to the video clip, I know how passionate these students are about trying to make sure bullying does not happen to others or themselves.

A big congratulations to Ringpop, Mind Boggler and Slapshot for being the winners from Division 1 on the WInter Olympics competition!

1) Math - grade 7s - pg 112/113 # 1-3, 5, 8-15

- grade 6s - Mr. Rayat - pg 302/303 #2-4, 6,8,9,15

- Mrs. Van - pg 302/303 #2-4, 6,8,9,15

2) French - complete first 3 questions on the postcard - Thursday

3) Art - complete all details ready to be coloured for tomorrow

4) Genius Hour - be ready with duo tang and a plan of what you will be accomplishing during your 1 hour work session Thursday

5) Talent Show - Talent Show auditions will be Thursday in our class at lunch. Make sure you bring anything you need for the audition.

If you did not have a chance to read some of teh posted commented last nigh

Please return any outstanding raffle tickets ASAP.

37 Comments

Tuesday

02/25/2014

33 Comments

It was nice to see the sun again allowing the kids one more day to enjoy the snow.
Students had a chance to begin a self reflection on their Social Studies projects. Using a rubric students worked through their projects looking for evidence of their learning. Almost every aspect of this assignment is now on their drives allowing for easy access for student, parents and myself. I just love technology.
1) Math: grade7s - 3.3 worksheet
grade 6s - Mr. Rayat 298/299 #2-4,6,8,9,15
- Mrs. Van - worksheet
2) Science Quiz tomorrow - study the microscope and wet mount sheets.
3) French - complete first 3 questions from the postcard
4) Socials - Self reflection - complete and save to your Culture Project file on google drive. Email me once done so I can email you the assessment I have done.
5) Genius Hour - next work session Thursday morning. Be ready to fill in the first parts of the KWL Chart.
6) Swimming Notice
7) Raffle tickets due soon. Please return if you have not already done so.7) Boys check what snow pants you took home - someone has Artemis' snow pants.

Comment and Video Link - Grade 7s - this made an incredible impact on you last year, it has left a lasting impression and many have asked me to repost. Grade 6s - this is so very important filled with messages that speak to each of us directly.
Please respond to this video. Watch it carefully. What do you learn from it? What message(s) does this share about how we can change bullying? Remember to edit before you hit publish!

Anti bullying Day tomorrow - Wear PINK!

33 Comments

Monday

02/24/2014

25 Comments

It is such a rare occurrence that we have a snow day we couldn't not go out and play. The five grade 6/7 classes challenged each other to a snowman building contest. I don't know if anyone cared who won as it was all about being out, working as a team and having some community building time.
1) Genius Hour - bring supplies/plan to begin working on it tomorrow.
2) Math - grade 7s pg. 108/109 #1,3,4 Click multiplying decimals link for video
- grade 6s - Mr. Rayat - pg 293-295 #2-6,8-11
- Mrs. Van - pg 298 - 2-4, 6,8,10
3) Science - microscope quiz on Wednesday (use internet to study from if you do not have your binder at home)
4) Swimming Notice

25 Comments

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