Tuesday 13 December, 2011

1) Christmas Spelling Test Friday

2) Mesopotamia test Thursday - extra bonus study session tomorrow to hopefully help kids who've been absent

3) Party on Friday - The sign-up is making its way around the class; the time had to change from the original time of Friday afternoon to the time between recess and lunch.

Parents:  Please be aware that it was asked that students get their Math tests signed for today.  Due to so many absences, it was difficult to check the whole class, so just be aware that your child was supposed to show you his or her Math test.

We had a few assignments for which no due dates were set yet.  For example:  Oscar sketch, sphere sketch, French classroom poster and Personal Support Network.  I believe I already wrote that I would not assign any new work over the holidays.  If someone owed me something else that was already due, I think it's fair that if I don't get it this week, it should be completed over the holiday.  For the four assignments I mentioned above, when we get back, I will set a fair due date for all of these.

Monday 12 December, 2011

There were quite a few kids absent again today.  We've discussed washing one's hands as often as possible to try to prevent getting sick.  This is definitely not a time of year you want to get sick.

1) Christmas spelling test on Friday.

2) Math test signed for Tuesday.

3) Mesopotamia test Thursday.

4) Ask parents about pancake breakfast (This has been up for several days - I expect by now if parents are looking to volunteer, they should contact Mrs. Ewert who's in charge and whose phone number I'm afraid I don't have).

5) We are still planning to have a party this Friday afternoon.  As of last Friday, I said details and jobs would be given out today (Monday).  One student was working on a job list, but it's tough to fill out with so many students away.  Basically, I know how busy this time of year is and I definitely do not want to spring anything on parents last minute.  I will try to facilitate who is doing what job asap, but understand I realize you probably won't have time to bake a dozen cookies at 9:00 on Thursday evening.  I'm sure anything we do in class will be a fun break and appreciated by all. 

Friday 9 December, 2011

1) No Pre-List for Monday Dec. 12

2) Math test signed for Tuesday Dec. 13

3) Mesopotamia test Thursday Dec. 15

4) Ask parents about availability for pancake breakfast Friday Dec. 16

5) Party Friday afternoon - details and jobs to be designated Monday (there were several students away today, so we couldn't give out jobs effectively

Thursday 8 December, 2011

1) No Pre-List for Monday Dec. 12th

2) We Team Christmas Package Dec. 8

2) Mesopotamia Test Dec. 15

3) Math test Thursday

4) Grey Cup paragraph Friday

5) Ask parents about pancake breakfast

Thursday 8 December, 2011

My apologies for not writing yesterday, but seeing as how Oz took up much of the day (it was a wonderful production, I thought), no dates changed or were added from the day before.  If something changes during the course of today, I will re-post in the afternoon.  Otherwise, I will do so tomorrow.

Tuesday 6 December, 2011

1) We Team Christmas Package Dec. 8

2) Mesopotamia Test Dec. 15

3) Math test Thursday

4) Grey Cup paragraph Friday

Monday 5 December, 2011

1) Science Lab due Tuesday

2) We Team Christmas Package due Dec. 8th

3) Mesopotamia Test Thursday Dec. 15

4) Math test Thursday Dec. 8th - Fractions only

5) Math p. 189 Tuesday

6) Grey Cup paragraph due Friday

A message to the Parents:

I urge you to have a frank discussion with your children about how well they use their time in class.  I know the Christmas Break is two weeks away, but I've noticed lately that some of their focus has really wavered (more than just normal pre-break wavering).  Time will always be given in school to work on assignments, but that time needs to be effectively used.  Otherwise, they're going to turn in work that is not to the best of their ability.  As always, feel free to give me a call to discuss this with you if you wish.

Friday 2 December, 2011

1) Science Lab due Tuesday December 6th



2) We Team Christmas package due Thursday December 8th

3) P. 187 Math due Monday December 5th

4) Math test (fractions only) is on Thursday December 8th
 
 
5) Math p. 189 Tuesday

Thursday 1st of December, 2011

I can't believe it's December already!!

1) Science Lab due Tuesday December 6th

2) We Team Christmas package due Thursday December 8th

3) P. 187 Math due Monday December 5th

4) Math test (fractions only) is on Thursday December 8th

Thursday 30 November, 2011

1) Science Lab Report due Tuesday Dec. 6

2) Math p. 183 - actually due Wed., but given Vow of Silence will be collected Thursday

3) Math Test Thursday Dec. 8 on all fraction work so far and two more lessons; at least one review period will be given early next week

Also, the novel study is quickly winding down.  Still, there are important assignments still to be turned in.  The story map, for example, is like a 15 page comic book.  Much is expected here and time is being given in class.  I do hope the children are pacing out their work so that what they turn in on Dec. 12 is the best it can possibly be.

Thursday 24 November, 2011

1) French Quiz on Monday (colours - oral quiz)

2) Just a few more kids need to do their oral reading on Monday

3) Math p. 183 due Monday

Wednesday 23 November, 2011

1) Specific time will be given to work on the Story Maps which are due on Dec. 12th tomorrow (Thursday).  Please come with the required materials needed to work effectively.

2) French oral quiz on colours on Monday

3) Reading aloud continues (hopefully wrapped up) Thursday - most kids have gone.

4)  Math p. 183 due Monday

Tuesday 22 November, 2011

This entry is actually coming to you on Wednesday morning.  My apologies, but my internet was down conveniently at 3:00 for the last two days and honestly by the time I leave here, there's no way I'm remembering what's due and when (that's why I blog it).

So from last night:

1)  Math p. 179 due Wed (there will be a fractions test upcoming; I will give lots of notice, but kids need to know it's coming)

2) Socials p. 28 due Wed. (We started Mesopotamia this week; it will take us up to the Break and there will be a large test to finish the unit - just to let you know)

3) French - oral quiz on colours on Monday

4) Cont. having kids read one minute to me from their novels today and on until I'm done

friday 18 November, 2011

1) Math p. 177 due Monday

2) Teach your parents how to view the class blog (this can be done without creating an account, so if you don't want to create a Twitter account, etc. you don't have to.  You might not become a "Follower", but you can still view the blog). 

3) Iceman questions due Monday (10 Qs - ensure they cannot be answered with Yes/No or one word)

4) Be prepared to read one minute from your novel starting Tuesday (oral mark - scoring their decoding)

Thursday 17 November, 2011

1) Math p. 177 due Monday

We also had a very successful Science lab today where the kids changed a variable to see how yeast would grow.  They had fun and were engaged, especially early on.  A formal lab report will be due in the coming days, with time given in class to write it up.

Wednesday 16 November, 2011

We did an experiment to grow yeast in our class the other day.  The only homework on the board is to bring their variable (if they have one) for a follow-up experiment which will be done tomorrow.

Thursday 10 November, 2011

1) Peace March (Run) is on Wed. Nov. 16

2) Lonely Road Sketch due Wed. Nov. 16

3) French Halloween due Monday Nov. 14

Just as an observation:  several of the students are waiting until the last second to do some work.  For example, many of the students were scrambling to turn in goals, which were due today.  The students get ample school time in which to work.  This scrambling at the last second to produce an inferior product is a nasty habit to get into. 

Rest assured:  We do lots of work every day; the students get lots of school time to complete it and for those who don't finish or who wish to make it the best they can, they should be taking it home.  As always, if you have any questions, you can always call me at the school to discuss this or anything else.

Wednesday 9 November, 2011

1) Remembrance Day letter due Thurs.

2) Lonely Road sketch due Wed. Nov. 16

3) French Halloween due Mon. Nov. 14

4) 6 Goals due Thurs.

5) Math p. 173 was due Wed. but there was no time to collect it, so it will be due Thurs.

Our Remembrance Day ceremony is tomorrow, Thursday Nov. 10, starting around 10:30.  Please feel free to join us in the audience if you wish.  Our class has a part in the ceremony that I understand the Grade sevens have traditionally undertaken.

Our sweatshirts arrived today!!  I think the accent colours look great.  I did recommend the students put some form of identification on their sweatshirts (on the tag perhaps) as they all look the same (coincidentally enough).

Tuesday 8 November, 2011

1) Remembrance Day letter (an in-class assignment) is due Thurs. - some kids might want to write their "soldier's letter" on nicer stationary if they wish
2) Lonely Road sketch due Wed. Nov. 16
3) French Halloween due Mon. Nov. 14
4) Goals (six of them) due Thurs.
 5) Math p. 173 due Wed


Peace March tomorrow

Monday 7 November, 2011

There are only a few items on the homework board right now:

1) Personal Inventory due 8:45 Tues.

2) Math p. 173 due Wed.

If you find your child isn't bringing home much homework, I always suggest kids bring home some of their work and re-edit it at home.  There is always lots of work on the novel study to be had.  Plus, kids can bring home their Science or Social Studies texts and review what was done in class over the previous few days.  This last one is called home study and can really help to improve grades.

I try to give ample time in class to complete much of their work; the really organized and motivated students usually do just that.  If you've seen some of your child's assignments and their marks are OK, but they still don't bring home much homework, you might want to ask them what they should be bringing home.  They usually know.

Thursday 3 November, 2011

1) Defender Qs due Friday

2) Personal Inventory due Tues. Nov. 8

3) 3-D sketch due Mon. Nov. 7

4) Science pp. 8-10 due Monday

5) Math p. 171 due Monday

Wednesday 2 November, 2011

1) Defender Qs. due Friday

2) Personal Inventory due Tues. Nov. 8

3) 3-D Sketch due Mon. Nov 7

4) Math p. 169 due Wed.

5) Science pp. 8-10 Investigation due Monday Nov. 7

Tuesday November 9, 2011

1) Defender Qs Friday

2) Personal Inventory due Tues. Nov. 8

3) 3-D Sketch Mon. Nov 7

4) Both Math tests signed for Wed.

5) Math p. 169 Thurs.

Monday 31 October, 2011

Happy Halloween, everyone.  Thank you to all the parents (and in some cases children) who contributed towards our party.  I was approached on Friday to ask if we could have one.  I said it's pretty short notice, but if you can pull it together, so be it.  And that is exactly what the kids did.  Well done.

1) Defender Qs due Friday

2) Personal Inventory due Tues. Nov. 8th

3) 3-D sketch due Mon. Nov. 7

4) Please sign both Math tests for Wednesday Nov. 2 (I just got the tests back to the kids today, and thought it rather mean to have them signed the day after Halloween).

I need to test a few more kids in French - that will happen over the next two days

Friday 28 October

I've set some due dates for a few assignments that the kids have had for a while, just to get them off the kids' hands.  Remember:  the novel study assignment due dates will never be on the homework board or in the blog; they are in your child's planner

1) Defender Qs - Friday Nov. 4

2) Personal Inventory Tues Nov. 8

3) 3-D sketch - Mon. Nov. 7

4) French oral quiz Monday (Halloween)

Tuesday 251) October

1) Math Unit Test this Thursday - there is a no calculator section followed by a calculator allowed section

2) Orange Day Wed (and Pumpkin Run Wed as well)

3) I have asked students to bring a deck of cards for Friday (only if possible - I don't expect them to buy one)

4) French oral quiz Monday on Halloween vocab

Tuesday 18 October

There is no homework due tomorrow.  I think the kids will be plenty tired after the performance tonight.  Plus they have another one tomorrow.  I would ask that those kids who didn't complete their late work get that addressed as soon as possible, however.

One bigger announcement:

There will be a Math Unit Test next Thursday (Oct. 26).  I will incorporate one review period into next week, but it is important that the students begin studying for this as soon as reasonably possible (IE: likely not tonight).   The test will include everything we've done so far this year including but not limited to:  Factors, GCFs, Multiples, LCMs, Rules of Divisibility, Prime and Composite #s, Scientific Notation, Classifying #s

Friday 14 October

So little homework this weekend.

1) Math p. 117 is due Tuesday

There are a number of students who owe me old work.  I do hope they can take this opportunity with such little official homework to get caught up.

Thursday 13 October

My sincere apologies for not writing for two days.  I have been having internet connection problems at 3:00 both days.

1) Sketch 2 is due Friday
2) Math p. 115 is due Friday

***the first two were switched from Thurs. because I am missing 11 kids to We Day today

3) Painting on Friday (assume we are until we fully switch to another project, which will be very clear to the kids when it happens - but it's never a bad idea to have an older shirt here just in case)
4) French quiz Thurs (We kids on Friday)

Friday 7 October

What a busy day!  Seriously, the kids were busy practising for the production much of the day.  I truly hope you can come in a few weeks to watch the play.  The kids sound so amazing!

Here is what is on the homework board:

1) Sketch #2 - 2-D shapes due Thurs.
2) Math p. 109 due Tues.
3) Math p. 115 due Thurs. (because some kids didn't get much time to work on it due to their involvement in the play
4) French Quiz on the #s to 40 on Thurs. - there will be NO spelling of the French word for this quiz.  I will just say a number or write a number in French and the students will have to write the correct numeral.

Of course, as I assigned this work it was brought to my attention that I will be losing about 11 students on Thursday to We Day, so those students will have to turn their work in the next day.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing all of your kids on Tuesday.

Wednesday October 5, 2011

1) Sketch #2 due Thurs. Oct. 13
2) Math p. 105 due Thurs.
3) Canned food drive continues all week
4) Pumpkin scraping tools (safe) if you have them Thurs.

Tuesday October 4, 2011

1) Sketch 1 the line due Wed.
2) Math p. 105 due Thurs.
3) Canned food drive all week
4) Pumpkin scraping tools (safe) to help a primary class make a Thanksgiving activity

Monday 3 October, 2011

Here is what is on the homework board right now:

1) Sketch #1 - the line - due Wed
2) Math p. 105 due Thurs.
3) Canned good drive continues all week
4) Pumpkin scooper (safe) for Thursday - only if you have one; our class will be helping a much younger class with a Thanksgiving project.

Also, I am in the process of getting Grade 7 hoodie orders ready.  Your child has had the chance to try different sizes on, but encourage them to think about their sizing carefully - get it a little bigger; they're all due for a growth spurt this year.

Friday 30 September

1) Sketch 1 - The line  due Wed
2) Math p. 113 Monday
3) Canned food drive week begins Monday

Next week is also International Walk To School Week

Thursday 29 September

1) Math p.103 Friday
2) Photos Friday - don't wear green
3) Journal was due today - I will collect tomorrow
4) Animal oral - Friday
5) Short Story test signed for Thursday

** Painting on Friday

Tuesday September 27, 2011

1) Science Safety poster due Wed. (they've had this for a while, so no stick men and colour them)
2) Individual photos are on Friday - apparently they ask you to not wear green
3) Journal #2 due Wed.
4) Animal Oral presentation on Friday (quite a small assignment)

Thursday 22 September

1) Science Safety poster due Wed. Sept. 28
2) Math p. 9 due Tuesday Sept. 27
3) Painting on Friday (if time permits)
4) Tuk questions due Tuesday Sept. 27
5) Math p. 7 Qs. due Tuesday Sept. 27

Wednesday September 21

Well, in one day, we were able to wipe five things off the homework board.  They have been replaced by a few new ones:

1) Science Safety poster due Wed. Sept. 28
2) Short Story test Thursday Sept. 22
3) Painting on Friday (if time permits)
4) Tuk questions due Tuesday Sept. 27
5) Math p. 7 Qs. due Tuesday Sept. 27

Tuesday September 20, 2011

1) Science Safety page due Wed. Sept. 28
2) Postcard due Wed. Sept. 21
3) Math p. 5 due Wed. Sept. 21
4) Short Story test on Thurs. Sept. 22
5) Terry Fox money - twoonies on Wed.
6) World Map due Wed. Sept. 21
7) Terry Fox Run Wed Sept. 21 - bring running clothes
8) Possibly painting Friday - it just depends on schedules beyond my control, but I would like to be prepared nonetheless.

Notice that there are 3 items due tomorrow.  The postcard was given out in the first week of school, the World Map was given out last week and the Math was started on Monday.  Part of what I'm hoping to guide the students with is prioritizing their work so that they have a reasonable amount of homework.  In a perfect world, they will have little homework tonight, just possibly some final touches.

Monday 19 September, 2011

First off, my apologies for not writing on Friday.  The blog should not rest, even though it's a weekend.

Here is what's on the board tonight:

1) Science Safety poster due Wed. Sept. 28 (that's right - next Wed., not this one)
2) Postcard due Wed. Sept. 21
3) Math p. 3 due Tues. Sept. 20
4) Math p. 5 due Wed. Sept. 21
5) Short Story test Thursday Sept. 22
6) Terry Fox donations continue (Loonies on Tuesday)
7) World Map due Wed. Sept. 21

Thursday 15 September

Today was another good day; lots accomplished.  I urge you to ask your child to show you their Canada Map test.

On the homework board:

1) Postcard due Wed. Sept. 21
2) Nametag due Monday Sept. 19
3) Short Story test (just announced today) Thursday Sept. 22
4) Terry Fox donations - dimes on Friday
5) Bring signed Pre-List on Friday to be able to take the test
6) Painting Friday - wear appropriate clothes

Wednesday September 14

Wednesdays are a shorter day, but they still seem so busy.

1) Postcard due Wed. Sept. 21
2) Nametag due Mon. Sept. 19
3) Canada Map test - Thurs Sept. 15
4) Terry Fox donations begin - nickels on Thurs.
5) Present A Little About Me - the last 8 or so kids who didn't go today
6) Bring signed Pre-List for spelling test on Friday
7) Painting Friday - wear appropriate clothing

While there are seven items on the homework board, you can see that a few are just organizational and the rest are projects that the students have had a fair amount of time to complete.  The goal with giving dates into next week is that the students will begin to prioritize their work and know that if homework is light one night, they can take home something that is due perhaps five or six days from now to lessen the load down the road.  Have a good night.

Tuesday September 13, 2011

Today was another busy day.  Here is what is on the homework board:

1) Planner money $8
2) Friendship Recipe due Wed.
3) Nametag due Monday Sept. 19
4) Canada map test Thurs.
5) Terry Fox $ beginning with nickels Thurs.
6) Present A Little About Me 8 items Wed.
7) Bring signed Pre-List on Friday for the test (I need the pre-list here on Friday so I can test the students!!!)
8) Painting Friday (That is my hope at this point) - so wear appropriate clothing

Hello, Parents:

This is the first blog for the school year.  I expect to use this mostly as a tool to communicate with parents about what is on the horizon as far as assignments.  I know some people worried last year that a blog would take the responsibility away from the children.  I am very into having the students be accountable for their work and ultimately their time management, which should serve them well as this is a transitional year before high school.  I give them five minutes at the end of every day to fill out their planners and I want them to write everything that applies to them.  I also ask that you as the parent review this with them and sign their planners once you've seen that the work is complete.

That said, here is what is on the homework board with a few additional comments by me:

1) Planner money $8 asap
2) Friendship Recipe due Wed.
3) Nametags due Monday Sept. 19
4) Canada Map test Thurs (I have marked their maps which were due today and will get them back to them tomorrow).
5) A Little About Me (an informational sheet) is due Tues and they will present them orally on Wed.
6) Spelling Pre-List #1 due Tues.

Ahh, yes, the Spelling Pre-List.  It causes much worry at the start of the year, but once the students do it once or twice, it becomes old hat.  Let me say that as a parent, I hope your time involvement in the Pre-List is around 8 - 15 minutes a week and then if you wish to stay involved as your child writes up their list, that is your choice.  This is a spelling and vocabulary program that I created a number of years ago taking parts of other programs that I liked.  It is individualized, so that in theory students are not doing words they already know.  It has generally been quite well-received by parents.

That is all for now.  I hope this blog gets lots of followers; it isn't the most exciting, but it can help to keep parents informed.  If you have friends who have children in this class and they are unsure how to log on, please feel free to teach them or send them my way.

Have a good Monday.

Mr. Sowden