Blog Archives

Friday - Day 32 (Halloween)

10/30/2015

Hard to believe but we did manage to get some learning in today. During our Novel Approach session this morning the focus was on visualization. After I modelled visualizing while listening to a sound track of autumn sounds, the students took a turn by showing their visualizing strategies to a haunted themed sound track. The students found this activity engaging and after sharing with their peers realized how our background knowledge is key to making meaning with comprehension.
The afternoon was spent, eating, socializing with friends and playing board games; lots of laughter as seen in the photos.
I wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween. Remember to turn the clocks back Saturday night!

Homework
1) Math - grade 7s worksheet 2.1
- grade 6s - pg 218, #3- 5 (I think)
2) Science - decide on an ecosystem who will be focusing on to demonstrate your understanding of the interdependence of abiotic and biotic things. Start to plan how you wish to design your assignment.
3) Please bring in any order for the card art on Monday.
Other Items

Water Polo notices (still a few to come in)
Book Fair next week!

Upcoming Dates
Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov. 12 - Non instructional day
Nov. 13 - Non instructional day
Nov. 17 - Ice Skating
Nov. 20 - Water Polo
Nov. 25 - Water Polo

Riddle: A man rode into town on Tuesday and left two days later on Tuesday. How is this possible?

Comment: Share stories from your Halloween night!

32 Comments

Thursday- Day 31

10/29/2015

24 Comments

Homework
1) Math - grade 7s - worksheet 2.1
- gade 6s -
2) Card Art (parent) - a number of you need to hand these in - they were due today!
3) Halloween Pumpkin art - missing a few - please get these handed in

Halloween dress up tomorrow

Bring food items to share with the class if you wish (afternoon)

Other Items

Water Polo notices
Fresh Grade letters
We Scare Hunger - please bring in non-perishable food items
Book Fair next week!

24 Comments

Wednesday - Day 30

10/28/2015

35 Comments

During writing time we continued to create criteria on personal narratives. This conversation was incredibly valuable to establish what the guide posts must be to meet with success.

Homework
1) Math - grade 6s
- grade 7s - pg 47/48 #4-6
2) Art - due Thursday
PE tomorrow
Other Items

Water Polo notices
Fresh Grade letters
We Scare Hunger - please bring in non-perishable food items
Book Fair next week!

Upcoming Dates
Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov. 12 - Non instructional day
Nov. 13 - Non instructional day
Nov. 17 - Ice Skating
Nov. 20 - Water Polo
Nov. 25 - Water Polo

Riddle: I build bridges of silver and crowns of gold. Who am I?

Comment: If you would like please share what you are dressing up as on Friday. If you do not want to give it away, share what you are most looking forward to doing this Halloween.

35 Comments

Tuesday - Day 29

10/27/2015

27 Comments

Students were introduced to the concept of biodiversity today and the main question that will drive the learning: How do our actions affect biodiversity. After watching Bill Nye students began to make connections to what they already know around the interactions of all species on earth. I am looking forward to the learning that will take place as we try to answer the big question.
Homework
1) Math - grade 7s - test signed, worksheet on comparing fractions #1 - 16 - show your work
- grade 6s - worksheet both sides, test signed
2) Art - due Thursday, orders from parents due on Friday (Monday at the latest)

Riddle: You cannot keep me until you have given me. What am I?
Other Items

Water Polo notices
Fresh Grade letters
We Scare Hunger - please bring in non-perishable food items
Book Fair next week!

Upcoming Dates
Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov. 12 - Non instructional day
Nov. 13 - Non instructional day
Nov. 17 - Ice Skating
Nov. 20 - Water Polo
Nov. 25 - Water Polo

Comment:Today we had a chance to read two examples of personal narratives.What are two things you noticed about the pieces of writing those authors did well at and that you already know are areas you need to improve upon within your own narrative story?

27 Comments

Monday - Day 28

10/26/2015

26 Comments

Today was National Library day. It was so great to walk down the halls and see parents and grandparents sitting with family members reading side by side. We can never have enough reading time.
Homework
1) LA - apostrophe worksheet
2) Math - grade 6s - worksheet, test signed
- grade 7s - test signed
- play this game on equivalent fractions
3) Art - due Wednesday

Other Items

Water Polo notices
Fresh Grade letters
Book Orders
We Scare Hunger - please bring in non-perishable food items
Book Fair next week!

Upcoming Dates
Nov. 11 - Remembrance day
Nov. 12 - Non instructional day
Nov. 13 - Non instructional day
Nov. 20 - Water Polo
Nov. 25 - Water Polo

Comment: Share something about your weekend. Remember to go beyond a simple sentence. The blog comment is a great place to practise your writing skills and I am monitoring the use of details, grammar, and ideas from these posts.

26 Comments

Thursday - Day 27

10/22/2015

34 Comments

So much going on as we head into the end of October. Meetings were held for grade 6 and 7 girls and boys interested in playing volleyball. The Think We team did an incredible job getting things up and running for next week's We Scare Hunger. All this was just on our break times. During the learning sessions fractions were reintroduced for both grades, possessive nouns and the need for apostrophes was reviewed and Mrs. Farrell continued with her lessons on teaching Division One specific coloring techniques for blending and shading. Add to all this students were showing excitement for the Monster Mash in the evening. Whew, what a day.

*** Important - This is an invitation to parents,grandparents and other family members to come and read with us first thing in the morning on Monday, October 26th.
It is in celebration of National School Library Day. Here in BC we participate in DEAR (Drop everything and read) to mark the event. We normally spend about 20 minutes reading so we will begin at 8:45 and read until 9:05. Students in band will miss the opportunity to read with a parent as this is their band class time.

Notices to return
Water Polo
Freshgrade parent form
Interims: A few students still need to return these
Book Orders

Next Week
We Scare Hunger - bring in at least two non perishable food items to support the Surrey Food Bank )ct. 26 to 30th

Homework
1) Art -complete the draft of your art for parents - include color to practise your shading and blending techniques.
2) French - group project - unsure of due date
3) Math: Play 'Fraction Monkeys'. You have to hang them up carefully or they won't stay. Practice until you are successful with one whole game.
4) READ!

Riddle: Answer to yesterday's riddle - vegetable
What belongs to you, but is used by others more than you?

Comment: Today was a very emotional day for many of us as we read Wonder. For me, these kinds of events that involve dogs in stories truly impact me and I feel as if I am there because I have lived those experiences. When you read, what events or situations tend to cause the greatest emotional reactions for you? Your response should be a short paragraph. Be sure to explain the types of events, if you can remember the title of the book that this occurred in, and why you feel you have this kind of reaction? Remember to edit before publishing.

34 Comments

Wednesday - Day 26

10/21/2015

33 Comments

The I Am Poems are officially published to the global community. Over the next few days I would like you to share your poem with your parents talking about the form and the process including what the learning was (think learning intentions). Also share the marking rubric I sent through to each of you by email this weekend with your parents. I AM Poems.
Homework
1) LA - Reading Notebook - complete the letter focusing on character description. Remember to include evidence directly from the story to support why you feel that character has the personality they have. For example, in Wonder I would say that August has an amazing sense of humour as he is able to make jokes about himself putting others at ease.
2) Bring your glass jar - we are painting them tomorrow
3) Book orders
4) Those interested in performing a dance at the Xmas concert - let me know.
5) Return notices
Upcoming Events
Monster Mash - Thursday night
Water Polo - Nov. 20th and 25th
Skating - Nov. 17th

Comment: What is your favorite book you have read so far this year? Explain why you liked it so much (or loved it). Make sure to include title and genre when you talk about it.

Riddle: Yesterday's Answer - water
Which table doesn't have legs?

33 Comments

Tuesday - Day 25

10/20/2015

33 Comments

This afternoon we viewed a video called Austin's butterfly. The focus was on how when learning new things it takes time, that we need to do it over and over, and we need to be open to feedback and use it to improve. It was a wonderful example of the philosophy I have for learning and what I focus on as a classroom teacher. If you wish to see the video the link is below.

Homework
1) Glass Jar
2) Book Orders
3) Socials - review notes from what is a party to what is a platform. Assessment (open book) tomorrow.

Winter Concert: The school is starting to prepare for our winter concert. Division 1 will be participating in a song number with Div. 4,5, and 8. Mrs. Bugden is also looking for a couple of dancers who would like to perform in a separate number with other upper intermediate students. If you are interested in being a part of this dance number please email me.

Important Upcoming Dates
Water Polo - November 20 and 25th
Ice Skating - November 17th

Riddle: What can you swallow that also swallows you?

Comment: After watching Austin's butterfly what was the biggest "hum" moment you had? What is an area that you know you need to adjust in your own learning and that you will work on over the next month as a personal goal?

Video Clip: Austin's Butterfly

33 Comments

Friday - Day 23

10/16/2015

37 Comments

Hard to believe it was October 16th today with the sun shining and kids wearing shorts. During buddy time we gave the kids a chance to allow their creative side to play through chalk drawings on the black top. It was a colorful place to be.
The afternoon focused on students sharing their group projects on one of the four main political parties. There were quite a variety of presentations from live talk shows, recorded game shows, prezis and paper slide shows - choice allowed students to think creatively as they developed their collaboration skills. As it was their first chance to present this year, overall the students did well. There is still so much to learn when it comes to determining purpose and clarity of learning.

Homework
1) Math - Grade 7s - test on Tuesday - use the chapter check in the textbook to help gude your studying; worksheet 1.7 plus textbook work
- grade 6s - see yesterday's blog post
2) French - calendar due on Monday
3) Art - research an image of an animal you wish to draw for the parent art work that we will start next week. Be sure to choose animals that are not too complex to draw, that are close up and that have bright colors. Here are some examples:

I have also shared a video link to demonstrate blending of colors.This will be a great reference to help you as you work on your pumpkins next Monday. Pencil Crayon Shading

Important

Grad wear orders due Monday
Glass Jar
Return Interim reports

Riddle: Answer for yesterday - a needle
What is always coming, never arrives and no one sees it?

Comment:Once we watch other people complete a presentation there are things that come to mind that we could have included or could have done differently. Explain what things you picked up and learned from other groups, that you would have liked to have done with your own group presentation?

37 Comments

Thursday - Day 22

10/15/2015

32 Comments

Yesterday, Personal Narratives was introduced as the focus of our writing in the coming weeks. Learning Intentions were shared and student settled in to discovering the elements necessary to create a successful narrative. Character description, setting description, dialogue and interesting details are essential to this form of writing. Students have been thinking of events within their lives that could make great stories. The excitement to get writing was in the air.

Homework
1) Socials - presentation day tomorrow
2) Math - grade 6s - pg. 92 #1-4, pg. 96 #1 - 7
- grade 7s - 1.7 worksheet, pg. 29 #3,5,7,9; unit test on Tuesday (begin to study!)

Notices/ Other Items
1) Bring in a small glass jar for a buddy Halloween activity
2) Grade 7s - grad wear orders due Monday
3) PAC orders of any kind
4) More notices went home today!
Important date
Thursday, Nov. 12 has been dedicated as a non-instruction day by the Ministry of Education. Teachers will be working on developing knowledge around the new curriculum and its implementation.

Riddle: Yesterday's answer - priest/preacher
What has an eye but cannot see?

Comment: I have been impressed by the interest in politics the unit in Socials has created. What have you enjoyed the most? What have you learned that you feel you will remember into your adult life?

32 Comments

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Friday - Day 32 (Halloween)

Thursday- Day 31

Wednesday - Day 30

Tuesday - Day 29

Monday - Day 28

Thursday - Day 27

Wednesday - Day 26

Tuesday - Day 25

Friday - Day 23

Thursday - Day 22

Mrs. Middleton

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