Skating, Math and Language Arts

We had an exciting busy day. After silent reading we had a productive math block. I decided to split the class into four groups. I was really happy how this worked and the students enjoyed working with other students that are at a similiar level. Each group had a different assignment.
After recess we wrote descriptive paragraphs, yesterday we finished an assignment on persuasive writing. You produced great work everyone. In the afternoon we walked to the Perks Arena and the students got a chance to show off their skating skills.

Tuesday: Fortunately/Unfortunately and Leslie McGary

We began the day working on our new mini book based on the mini book "FORTUNATELY" by Remy Charlip. It starts with a boy receiving a party invitation:

Unfortunately it is in Florida and he lives in New York.

Fortunately a friend loaned him an airplane.

Unfortunately the engine exploded. Etc. Etc.

In the end he finds himself at the party

The students are to think of a series of events good and bad in a 16 page story. Actually it has been fun doing fortunately and unfortunately with almost everything we are doing today. Fortunately it is p.e. unfortunately we have a guest speaker coming, fortunately we can share with Mr. Edwards at the end of the day.... etc.

In math the students did some two by one digit multiplication. (2x28 =___ 3x55=___ etc) Some students still are working on their basic facts but using a times table chart are understanding the algorithm for doing the work.

In the afternoon we had the third visit from Leslie McGary to complete our mini First Nations experience in the classroom and at the Museum field trip.

She taught us how to make special pouches all working at the same speed, step by step, waiting for everyone to keep up. Leslie said that is how in a First Nations Society the community works together. While we worked she told stories of how the villages worked together to develop individuals and interests for the development of the whole community. Those students who are making their first pouch have to make a gift of it to someone else.

As the visit went from 1:00 until 2:15 we had to ask to do gym with Mr. Edwards class. We played a version of California Kick Ball until the end of the day.

See you all tomorrow afternoon.

Monday

We had a busy day that started with silent reading. After we took attendance and got organized, we had a spelling test and worked on our worksheets.

Our students got to enjoy a dance and music performance by Colquitz Middle School. They were a respectful audience. When we returned to the classroom we had a math lesson and continued to work on times tables.

The students that are at a different level than the majority of the class have been put in a math group and are participating in the Jump Math Program so they can go at their own pace.We are working hard to try and meet all the students needs.

After lunch we had Music, D.P.A. and then Language Arts. In Language Arts we worked on writing persuasive paragraphs.

See you on Wednesday and please remember to bring helmets and gloves for our skating field trip.

Field Trip: RBC Museum First Nations Exhibit

We had an excellent field trip to the museum Thursday afternoon. We were fortunate to be guided by Leslie McGary who's grandfather's house and grandmothers art work form some of the most impressive parts of the exhibit. The students were well behaved and focused. There were many highlights but I think I liked when the students began to sing when we were waiting in the Museum Long House (see video).

Friday February 3

Greek Food Day:

Outstanding food and a great donation for the school.
Thank you.σας ευχαριστώ (sas ef̱charistó̱)

We began the day with our Friday Test. Tests will be handed back on Monday. After the test two of our students "S" and "A" gave a little presentation on community behavior. This was followed by Music and Math and time to work on their various work projects assigned this week.

The Greek Community prepare Lunch

At lunch the Greek community served a Greek meal for the whole school. Then in the afternoon we held a 30 min assembly with the choir performing for our Greek guests, a power point presentation of our students art work thanking the Greek community, the usual speeches and the donation to our school of $3.000 from the Greek community to our school.


The assembly was followed by our students going to the computer lab with Mr. D to do the second part of the FSA test (Math).

We ended the week with P.E. against Mr. D's and Mrs. Crystal's classes, the perfect way to end the day following the Math FSA test.

Wednesday Afternoon: Guest speakers Music and Friendship books

Notices:

Please bring back signed field trip forms:

Friday is Greek Lunch day provided by the local Greek Community for every person in the school.

Leslie Mc Gary from the Native Friendship Center came and prepared us for tomorrow's Field trip to the Museum. She talked about aboriginal government, language clothing, customs, cedar trees (trees of life), the Potlatch, talking circles and many other topics as well as sharing special blankets and artifacts with the students.

Our students were very focused and listened with great respect and we were able to have some of our students share a drum song with her under the guidance of Mrs. Awalt who along with the school was given the song by Louise Melbourne.

The talk went quite long so the students only had about 10 min of music with Mrs. Awalt to practice their recorders.

After music the students had time to catch up on missing work and finish their Friendship mini-Book due next Monday.

See you all tomorrow.

Important Notices:

Friday the 3 rd the Greek Community is providing a Greek meal for every student in the school.

Our skating has been moved to next Thursday to make way for the field trip to the museum.