After this morning's discussion (which was related to sleeping and eating habits), I've decided to challenge Division 3 students.
Sleeping is important, it's as simple as that. Lack of sleep affects school performance, mood, attention, and behaviour. Starting tomorrow, I will be in bed by 8:30pm. My goal is to read for one hour and turn off the light at 9:30.
Who's brave enough to try this experiment with me? I bet if you do, your school performance will be greatly affected!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Computer Lab - Help Needed
Anyone who's been in a computer lab with a group of 28 students can attest that things rarely run smoothly. If you're interested in helping, this would be a perfect time to do so. Our computer lab sessions are every Thursday, from 13:00 to 14:30. More often than not, we are also able to stay there until the end of the day as no one else ever uses the lab for the 30 minute period after ours.
Here's what I'm looking for in a parent volunteer:
-good knowledge of Gmail
-good understanding of how Google Docs work
-excellent trouble shooting skills (every time we go, there are always a few computers that are not working properly)
-can work independently, learn easily
Notice I used "good knowledge" instead of "great knowledge". Gmail is pretty straight forward so I am convinced you'll be able to learn things quickly.
I've realised that many students still have trouble doing the basics while using a computer and there is no time for me to teach, troubleshoot, and help everyone.
I could give you a focus every time you come, it would not be hard at all to join in the fun.
Let me know if you can help!
I've included a few photos for you. All of these were taken a few years back, in one period at the lab. It should give you a better idea of what I mean when I say I need help to do some troubleshooting. Odds are this kind of day will very unlikely happen again but I am always prepared for the worst, 'just in case'!
Here's what I'm looking for in a parent volunteer:
-good knowledge of Gmail
-good understanding of how Google Docs work
-excellent trouble shooting skills (every time we go, there are always a few computers that are not working properly)
-can work independently, learn easily
Notice I used "good knowledge" instead of "great knowledge". Gmail is pretty straight forward so I am convinced you'll be able to learn things quickly.
I've realised that many students still have trouble doing the basics while using a computer and there is no time for me to teach, troubleshoot, and help everyone.
I could give you a focus every time you come, it would not be hard at all to join in the fun.
Let me know if you can help!
I've included a few photos for you. All of these were taken a few years back, in one period at the lab. It should give you a better idea of what I mean when I say I need help to do some troubleshooting. Odds are this kind of day will very unlikely happen again but I am always prepared for the worst, 'just in case'!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Quidditch World Cup
Yes, you read this right! There is a Quidditch World Cup and we just missed it!
If you're interested in finding out more about it, visit the following links:
1. Geek Mom blogger goes to the Quidditch World Cup with her family
2. Quidditch World Cup website*
*Students who can give me the name of the band singing in the video shown on that site will be eligible to earn points for their group table. Please do not post your answer on this blog! Deadline: Monday, November 28 at 8am.
Picture taken from this website.
If you're interested in finding out more about it, visit the following links:
1. Geek Mom blogger goes to the Quidditch World Cup with her family
2. Quidditch World Cup website*
*Students who can give me the name of the band singing in the video shown on that site will be eligible to earn points for their group table. Please do not post your answer on this blog! Deadline: Monday, November 28 at 8am.
Picture taken from this website.
Friday, November 25, 2011
Online Calendar
Good news, we now have an online calendar! Please remember that this calendar will not be used to keep track of daily homework. You child is still in charge of keeping track of it in his/her agenda.
Items that can appear on the online calendar are:
-Special events
-Deadlines for big projects
-Immunization info
-Professional development days, holidays, district closure days
-Quebec exchange meetings
-Field studies
Our calendar can be accessed two ways:
1. From the "Horaire & Calendrier" section of this blog. At the moment, I am unable to embed the calendar to that page. A link will be given instead.
2. By saving this link in your bookmarks:
http://30boxes.com/widget/5312291/AnnieSimard/5cf3588493de6d536bd0d1241f67cd0c/0/
Merci!
Items that can appear on the online calendar are:
-Special events
-Deadlines for big projects
-Immunization info
-Professional development days, holidays, district closure days
-Quebec exchange meetings
-Field studies
Our calendar can be accessed two ways:
1. From the "Horaire & Calendrier" section of this blog. At the moment, I am unable to embed the calendar to that page. A link will be given instead.
2. By saving this link in your bookmarks:
http://30boxes.com/widget/5312291/AnnieSimard/5cf3588493de6d536bd0d1241f67cd0c/0/
Merci!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Our Latest News
Good morning everyone! It's been a while since we shared some exciting news with you so here I am!
There are many announcements today and most of them involve student leadership opportunities that are currently happening at the school:
1. Christmas Hamper
Division 3 will be preparing a Christmas Hamper for a family this year. Your child received a sticker on which you will find a list of items to purchase. The deadline to take goodies to school is Thursday December 8. This year, we are sponsoring the following family:
Division 3 will be preparing a Christmas Hamper for a family this year. Your child received a sticker on which you will find a list of items to purchase. The deadline to take goodies to school is Thursday December 8. This year, we are sponsoring the following family:
-Mom with 3 boys, age 10, 12 and 15
On December 8, in the afternoon, Division 3 students will be helping parent volunteers organize all Christmas hampers. They will each be assigned a specific task to complete. Let's hope things run smoothly!
3. Clothing Drive
A few Division 3 students are currently working on a leadership project with Mme Marisol, one of our kindergarten teachers. They are collecting clothes to donate to Crab Tree Corner and Union Gospel Mission. These 5 students have met a few times during their lunch hour and have been presenting to all classes. I am very impressed by how well organised they are. If you have clothes to donate, the deadline to send them to school is December 6.
A few Division 3 students are currently working on a leadership project with Mme Marisol, one of our kindergarten teachers. They are collecting clothes to donate to Crab Tree Corner and Union Gospel Mission. These 5 students have met a few times during their lunch hour and have been presenting to all classes. I am very impressed by how well organised they are. If you have clothes to donate, the deadline to send them to school is December 6.
4. Beauty Night
I am also collecting unused beauty products to donate to Beauty Night, a local group that distributes Christmas stockings to homeless and disadvantaged women in Vancouver. Great items to donate are airline toiletry kits, cosmetics that we sometimes receive in our "Clinique Bonus" bags, or body lotions we may never be using due to various reasons.
Once a year, Beauty Night's big production is sewing, collecting and preparing Christmas stockings for about 1,000 women. So, if you have any toiletries that you don't need, I'm happy to collect them and will donate them to a parent I know who is working for this group for their Christmas stocking event.
I am also collecting unused beauty products to donate to Beauty Night, a local group that distributes Christmas stockings to homeless and disadvantaged women in Vancouver. Great items to donate are airline toiletry kits, cosmetics that we sometimes receive in our "Clinique Bonus" bags, or body lotions we may never be using due to various reasons.
Once a year, Beauty Night's big production is sewing, collecting and preparing Christmas stockings for about 1,000 women. So, if you have any toiletries that you don't need, I'm happy to collect them and will donate them to a parent I know who is working for this group for their Christmas stocking event.
5. Advanced Buddy Program
Many Division 3 students are currently going through extensive training with Mme Deborah, so that they can become tutors for an advanced buddy reading program. So far, they have donated two 30 minute sessions during their lunch hour as well as two 30 minute silent reading periods in class. If their training goes well, they should be able to start working with our Grade 4 students in the next few weeks.
Many Division 3 students are currently going through extensive training with Mme Deborah, so that they can become tutors for an advanced buddy reading program. So far, they have donated two 30 minute sessions during their lunch hour as well as two 30 minute silent reading periods in class. If their training goes well, they should be able to start working with our Grade 4 students in the next few weeks.
6. Kindergarten and Grade 2 Buddies
Division 3 students are also working with two primary classes this year: Mme Marisol's kindergarten class and Mme Shannon's Grade 2 class. With our kindergarten buddies, we play games with alphabet cards, make patterns using various manipulatives, read French books, and spend time outside teaching them new games.
With our Grade 2 buddies, we spend time at the computer lab, assisting them when they're logging in onto the server. During our last session, students helped their little buddies record their voice while reading a book. They provided feedback to them and taught them new tricks when reading. As simple as this may seem, the little ones are really benefiting from this.
Division 3 students are also working with two primary classes this year: Mme Marisol's kindergarten class and Mme Shannon's Grade 2 class. With our kindergarten buddies, we play games with alphabet cards, make patterns using various manipulatives, read French books, and spend time outside teaching them new games.
With our Grade 2 buddies, we spend time at the computer lab, assisting them when they're logging in onto the server. During our last session, students helped their little buddies record their voice while reading a book. They provided feedback to them and taught them new tricks when reading. As simple as this may seem, the little ones are really benefiting from this.
Wish List:
1. Book Club
1. Book Club
I would like to start a book club in two weeks and I'm looking for a few parents willing to volunteer during those meetings. Your task would be simple: read a book and join a group to help students focus on the discussion at hand. You are not expected to lead any kind of discussion, just to be present and help them focus during their meeting. Having an adult present really makes a difference. This would also be a great opportunity for you to get a feel of how things work in Division 3.
Our first meeting will take place Thursday December 8th at 9:15 am, and will run for about 30 minutes. Let me know if you'd like to help and I'll give you a book to read.
2. Juice Box Recycling Program
I have been in charge of recycling our school juice boxes for the past two years and I would love to get some help with this. Your help is not needed at the school as a few students will be in charge of this. I am looking for one or more parents to help in dropping off the empty boxes at the recycling depot. Ideally, a student would go to the depot with you to give you a hand.
Money collected for this will be donated at the end of the school year to a local organization of our choice. We are very fortunate at JQ to have what we have so helping out others around us is very important.
Money collected for this will be donated at the end of the school year to a local organization of our choice. We are very fortunate at JQ to have what we have so helping out others around us is very important.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please write your child's number in the comment section to let me know you've been here.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Monsters
These beautiful art projects were created a few weeks ago. Students were inspired by the monsters from the movie "Where the Wild Things Are". Enjoy!
Message to students: If your project is not displayed here, please let me know and I'll fix the problem. Many did not have names on them so it's hard for me to keep track.
A picture of our bulletin board:
Message to students: If your project is not displayed here, please let me know and I'll fix the problem. Many did not have names on them so it's hard for me to keep track.
A picture of our bulletin board:
Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Contest!
If you can give me the name of this character, you will be able to earn points for your table. You have until tomorrow morning (Thursday, 9am) to give me your answer. Spread the word!
Show Don't Tell!
In class today, we discussed "Show Don't Tell" strategies. Students are becoming more aware of how to write a text without listing words and emotions while adding deeper descriptions. We also went over what similes and metaphors are.
Here's what they did today on the subject:
Here's what they did today on the subject:
Happy (students 2, 10, 21, 23)
Standing at the top of the mountain,
feeling the thrills rush through me, I am looking down at all the
tiny skiers below. As I pick up speed I smile as I go off the jump
laughing freely and cry out “Yeah!” in mid air. While I speed
down the mountain I feel like I am leaving all my stress and worries
behind. No matter how tired I am, this moment couldn't be more
amazing.
Sad (students 1, 7, 14, 17)
We are in the
outskirt of Germany in 1941. I was standing in the middle of the
battlefield, as I reach into my pocket and pulled out a picture of my
wife. My heart fell a thousand feet as I thought of her. Tear drops
flowed down my cheeks and dropped off my chin like a raindrop slowly
trickling down a flower petal.
Fearful / Scared (students 5, 19, 22, 25)
I started backing
up. My heart was pounding. Sweat was pouring down my face. I gathered
my courage, put my hand on the doorknob and went in.
Mad (students 4, 9, 20, 24)
Jeremy stomps up
to his room. With no hesitation, he kicks his door wide open. Feeling
a rush of adrenaline, he leaps onto his bed, and starts
punching his pillow, like a boxer punching his punching bag. He
growls at it. His heart starts speeding up, faster, and faster. He's
out of breath.
Lonely (students 6, 12, 26, 28)
I felt like I was
the only person stranded on Earth. Everyone had died. I had no help
whatsoever. So many questions were on my mind, but nobody could
answer them.
Excited (students 8, 11, 15, 27)
My heart raced, I
could not wait. I jumped up and down like a startled rabbit. My eyes
gleamed with tears of relief. I would see my family soon, I was going
home.
The man couldn't
wait to go home...
Shy (students 3, 13, 18)
I wish I were a
ghost. In a room full of vacant stares, a wave of humility washes
over me.
On a different note, there is a Remembrance Day assembly tomorrow after recess. Division 3 students' work will be displayed on the walls near the entrance of the gym. You should come, it will be worth it!
See you tomorrow (I hope)!
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Electricity
Here's a little exercise we did in class today, to help students visualize "les trois règles de l'électricité". I much prefer hands-on activities but in this case, technology helps a lot.
Click on this link to get to it.
Of special note:
Perhaps some of you are expert in the field, but keep in mind that because students are only in Grade 6 and 7, we need to keep things as simple as possible. It's been proven that when students learn too many new concepts (or terms) in one session, they will have difficulty understanding the concept being taught later on.
Division 3 students are gradually adding new vocabulary words to their "banque de mots" in Sciences and this is very exciting! This would be a great conversation to have over dinner this evening...
Click on this link to get to it.
Of special note:
Perhaps some of you are expert in the field, but keep in mind that because students are only in Grade 6 and 7, we need to keep things as simple as possible. It's been proven that when students learn too many new concepts (or terms) in one session, they will have difficulty understanding the concept being taught later on.
Division 3 students are gradually adding new vocabulary words to their "banque de mots" in Sciences and this is very exciting! This would be a great conversation to have over dinner this evening...
Science
If you haven't had a chance to come by for a visit, you should really reconsider this as Division 3 students' work is now being displayed on various bulletin boards near our classroom. For this assignment, they were asked to visualize and reproduce various atom models.
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