 Christmas break has officially begun. What a great last day. Everyone had smiles from the moment they walked through the door anticipating all the activities that were to come.
After recess it was Secret Santa time. Students each took turns hiding the gift they bought for the person whose name they pulled. Once the gifts were hidden students searched en masse to see if they could find their Secret Santa gift. There were some amazing hiding spots this year as we needed to play hot/cold to direct those who just could not find their gift. After the gift exchange, we set up for our luncheon. The food was so amazing - such variety, and oh so much; no one went hungry today. Thank you to all the parents who supported this event by sending in food and to my two elves who arrived in time to help with feeding the mob; all of your help was so very much appreciated. I would like to wish everyone a relaxing and restful holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead in 2016! No homework. Just Read, read and read some more. Also, It wouldn't hurt to practise those multiplication tables as the new year will have a focus on multiplication with decimals!
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It was craft day today. I have to say I was super impressed with all the students and how well they did with building their snowmen. The group overall is so very creative and added some fun extras onto their snowmen making them very personal. It was also fun watching the kids carry them around as the feel of the rice in the sock is somewhat soothing.
Academically the students worked to complete their 12 Days Of Christmas Alliteration piece and in Math used their knowledge of ordered pairs and plotting on a grid to create an original design that will be replicated by one of their peers using only the given ordered pairs. Homework 1) Math - complete the design and ordered pairs Things to remember Bring your Secret Santa gift tomorrow, wrapped and tagged (leave your name off) Pot Luck - bring your food item if you signed up (hot food drop off for those who wish to do this should be for about 11:45) Sorry to Pixelated Dragon that I missed the riddles this week. Riddle: I am always old, sometimes new. Never sad, sometimes blue. Never empty, sometimes full. Never pushes, sometimes pulls. What am I? Comment: Keeping with the theme of Christmas, what movie(s) or TV shows do you traditionally like to watch at Christmas? For me it has to be watching The Sound of Music for the 40 time! I know the story so very well I still get anxious near the end where they need to flee from their home in Austria. I also love the fact that this is a true life love story. Sappy I know but it is what I love so much about the movie. Oh, also all the music of course - I love to sing along as I watch :)  Tying up loose ends today was the theme. Uploading assessments to Freshgrade and reflecting on the uploads was the focus of the morning. Students also spent a bit of time sharing their learning from the mass extinction project. After recess students were given a chance to work with a partner to problem solve Christmas themed word problems. After lunch student read Christmas books in the library and then created pop up cards to end the day.
Homework READ! Thursday - bring in your sock as well as buttons and fabric pieces if you have any (fabric ribbon works as well) Friday - Secret Santa - pot luck lunch Comment: What are you most looking forward to on your holidays?  The students came bounding in the door this morning super excited to go to Castle Fun Park. One boy exclaimed, "I didn't sleep at all last night!" As I wandered around kids had grins going from ear to ear. The energy was palpable, and the laughter captivating. Always a great day.
Homework 1) READ Christmas Spirit Day - Wednesday (tomorrow) Wear your red, green and white, your Santa hats, and antlers. Potluck Lunch - Friday Secret Santa - Friday Mini Cupcake Day - Friday (if you preordered) Christmas Craft Thursday Dec. 17th -
 We are all starting to wind down, and wind up with the excitement of Christmas. Students practised their alliteration skills as they rewrote the 12 Days of Christmas. This is always a fun writing activity that gets the creative juices flowing.
After lunch we had an opportunity to finish watching Racing Extinction, a movie produced for Discovery Education. Students focused on their metacognitive skills (yes we used that in our conversation today) to pay attention to the questions they had. We will debrief the movie and questions on Wednesday. Homework 1) READ! Castle Fun Park tomorrow - bring extra money if you wish. Lunch will be provided. Potluck Lunch - Friday Secret Santa - Friday Christmas Craft Thursday Dec. 17th -
 One week closer to the winter break - the first three and a half months have flown by. What a busy week it has been with three concerts, report cards, parent/teacher/student conferences and for some, volleyball playday as well. Through it all the students remained focused on their learning - quite an amazing feat indeed.
Homework 1) LA - Poem to be completed, including graphics or hand drawn images, and printed off - due Monday 2) Math - complete the one graph with 4 quadrants 3) Science - be ready to present your work on Monday to a small group Reminders: Cloverdale Christmas Hamper Drive - last weekend to bring items in to help families in need Secret Santa - bring item ($5 to $10) wrapped with the name of the recipient clearly labelled on Friday Dec. 18 Pot Luck lunch - Friday, Dec. 18 - on Monday we will put together a list of what people will bring Christmas Craft Thursday Dec. 17th -
 I have focused on this over the past few days, but I am so amazed at how invested in the learning on mass extinction the students have been. Partners are discussing concepts to ensure they really 'get it' and everyone is pulling their weight to ensure the assignment is completed. They have one more session to work tomorrow and then they will be given a chance to share in small groups on Monday. I can't wait to see and hear what they have to share.
Homework 1) LA - Christmas poem draft completed - Friday 2) Math - 4 sheets on plotting points 3) Science- Mass Extinction - be sure that you have done enough to complete this tomorrow Reminders: *Please bring a food donation for the Cloverdale Christmas hamper. Let's help make other people's Christmas a good one. Christmas Craft Thursday Dec. 17th -
Dates to add to your Calendar Tuesday - Dec. 15 Term 1 Field Trip Friday Dec. 18th - Secret Santa - $5 to $10 gift - pot luck lunch -sign up sheet to come Comment: As reflected on in your Christmas poem, there are so many sights, sounds and smells we associate with the Christmas season. What are two things you love the most about Christmas? Remember to add details by not only stating the what but also the why.  The final Christmas concert went very well. All the students should be proud of what they did over the past two days.
This afternoon students spent time with a partner developing a deeper understanding of the causes behind mass extinction. Everyone was engaged in conversation, helping each other make meaning of the information. Homework No Homework - Just Read! Bring back library books as Mrs Chapman needs them back in the library. Reminders Castle Fun Park notice - We need drivers please! Cloverdale Christmas Hamper drive - our boxes are looking pretty empyt, please bring in donations. Comment: What have you found most interesting/fascinating/surprising from the research you have done on the mass extinctions?  I was super impressed with how well our class did today during the concert. It is never easy standing in front of a crowd and singing.
In Science today we began to look at extinction in the history of planet earth. As the focus has been on human impact on Biodiversity it is important to first understand that extinction has occurred before, and nearly wiped out all the species on earth. But the difference is that the past extinctions occurred due to natural causes where the current extinction rates are skyrocketing due to human impact. Understanding the whys can lead us to a better understanding of how we can change what we are doing. Homework 1) Math - All grade 7 study for Fraction final test tomorrow 2) LA - complete at least two stanzas of the Christmas poem 3) If time, continue to dive into the research behind the five mass extinctions. Reminders: *Please bring a food donation for the Cloverdale Christmas hamper. Let's help make other people's Christmas a good one. *Return Castle Fun Park notice and money. We will need drivers for this trip. NO Think We meeting tomorrow. Dates to add to your Calendar Dec. 8 Christmas Production 6:30 evening performance Bring a signed parent note allowing you to go home after we finish singing our song for the evening performance Dec. 9 Christmas Production 10:30 daytime performance only Dec. 9 & 10 Early Dismissal for Parent/ Teacher Meetings Dec. 15 Term 1 Field Trip Leave a Comment: You all looked awesome standing up on the risers with the lights shining down on your faces. How did it feel to perform in front of a live audience? Expand on your response and check for punctuation.  The excitement is in the air as we get closer to the Christmas break. I was impressed with the singing at the dress rehearsal today, lots of smiles and great singing. I know they will do very well tomorrow and Wednesday.
This afternoon students worked on a number of skills during the Build It activity. Teamwork, perseverance, critical thinking and creative thinking all came into play as students worked to build objects following very specific directions. It is always so rewarding to see the fist pump after many failures before successes. Homework 1) Math - grade 7 Mr. Stewart's group - create 5 questions with an answer key - all grade 7s - Math test on Wednesday - grade 6s - worksheet 2) Castle Fun Park Notices - please make sure you have a parent sign the bottom of the form - drivers are still needed 3) French - due Wednesday 4) Christmas Hamper Drive - bring in your donations! Christmas Concert Information:
Report Card/At Home Support Grade 6 reports went home today, grade 7s will go home tomorrow.
Comment: Today during the Build It activity you needed to have perseverance, creative thinking, and great team work. Share how the experience was for you. What was a highlight? What was a frustration point? How did you overcome adversity? |
Mrs. MiddletonI am a grade 7 teacher who has been teaching in the Surrey School District for over 28 years. I love to read, garden, walk, and spend time with family, friends and my golden retriever Kona. 
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