Good evening!
There are many items I'd like to share with you today so I hope you take the time to read this entire post.
In the interest of making the blog readable I am alternating the use of the masculine and feminine forms.
Goal Setting
Now that Goal Setting conferences are done, it's time to think about working on these goals. From experience, I've noticed that students easily forget about them once conferences are over. BUT the big part of the work is yet to come!
Something to keep in mind:
1. Goals need to be SMART.
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
There are many websites that can help you understand each of these key words. Here's one that may prove to be useful should you have some questions.
2. Goals and strategies are not set in stone. If a strategy doesn't work well, it's important to talk about it and brainstorm new strategies. If a goal is not specific enough (something I noticed with a few students this term), it will need to be changed as well.
Some examples of goals that are not specific enough:
-I want to get an A in (insert subject area).
-I always want to do my best in school.
-I want to work harder in school.
If your child is having trouble with his goals, please encourage him to come talk to me. It's also important that you discuss his progress at home as well. The more you and I work together with your child, the easier it will be for him.
3. Even though students may find this exercise difficult and frustrating, they are better off than most of us at their age. I was never taught this in school... What about you?
4. Starting next week, everyone will be required to do a self evaluation at the end of the week. You will need to look at it, sign it, and return it by the following Monday. This should help us all stay focused and in touch.
5. Some ideas for working on goals at home...
Quebec Exchange
Tickets have finally been purchased! Grade 7 students will be traveling to Montréal on April 27 (flight leaves at 10:00 AM) and coming back to Vancouver on May 6 (flight arrives at 9:35 AM). Grade 7 students will not be attending school on Friday May 6 as they will need to rest to be ready for the week ahead of us.
Our friends, les Québécois, will be here on May 12 and leaving on May 19 (if my memory is right!).
****Important Announcement****
We are in desperate need of families (about 25 families) who will be willing to host two students from Québec. Pairing up students will not take place until we have enough spots for everyone to stay. The longer it takes us to find families willing to help, the longer it will take for your child to find out who she will be paired up with. Any Grade 6 student willing to have a French Canadian buddy stay with her will also be involved in the activities taking place here while les Québécois are here. Let me know if you can help.
French Speaking and French Resources
Making sure students speak French in class is a constant battle. Starting Monday, a new system will be in place. Please remember that Speaking French in class is part of my classroom expectations. A student who constantly (or sometimes) speaks English to his peers is not exceeding the expectations of the French Immersion program for French Language Arts.
Many parents have shown interest in getting a magazine subscription for their child. Here are some good sites to get you started:
-Les Débrouillards
-Okapi
-Géo Ado
-Je bouquine
-Phosphore (15-25 year-olds)
2. Rogers Magazines
French TV Shows
We are also very lucky to have access to French CBC's shows on the internet. Les Parents and Le Club des Doigts Croisés are two TV shows your child will enjoy.
That's it for today! Have a great evening everyone! I leave you with a short movie to watch...
The Brick Thief
