Tuesday November 22, 2011

Math 7: Both classes have a worksheet they need to complete for tomorrow.  The boys are in section 2.4, subtracting using integer tiles.  The hardest part for some of the boys is remembering to add zero pairs in order to complete (-3)-(-5)   They should be able to show you that they only have 3 negative tiles, and they don't have enough to take 5 of them away.  If they add 2 more negative tiles, and 2 positive tiles, they haven't changed the original value of -3.  This way they now have 5 negative tiles to remove, and they are left with positive 2 tiles.  This is quite different from the way many of us learned when we were in grade 7. We had to remember rules for subtracting a negative number, in this method, the students have to be able to "show" how they came up with the answer.

Science/French:  Mrs. Wocknitz class spent time discussing places to get information for their science ecosystem projects, and Mr. Martin's class demonstrated their weather reports.

PE:  Thanks to a few of the boys who took photos for me today for their basketball lesson.  Below are some of the boys working hard in PE.  The rest of the team went with Mr. Martin to perform Hip Hop Abs, apparently it wasn't as challenging as the Pilates workout last Thursday....I don't know, I was pretty tired!

 

 

English:  We spent the first part of the class reviewing what each group had discussed about the pros and cons of Custody vs. Banishment.  I then gave them an assignment in which they needed to
-list all the events since Cole was banished to the Island
-decide whether banishment had been successful for Cole, or whether he still needed to be returned to the Island for more punishment
-was anyone to blame for his situation.

In order to complete this assignment, they must have read to the end of chapter 13.  Some students spent the remainder of the time reading, some went to start the assignment in the computer room, and others decided that they needed to spend more time researching information for their science ecosystem project. I was VERY impressed that many came up with the 3rd option, as I want them to make choices about the use of their time, and we don't often get computer time more than 1-2 times per week.

Green Gecko Logo:  At the end of the day, 4 students went with Mr. Martin to check out possible logos for T-Shirts for the Green Team.  We have 2 drawings from parents/students, and 2 images from Diana's monogramming to consider.  As a team, we will decide on the logo to use, and decide who all would like a T-Shirt for the team.  Estimated costs for a white T-Shirt with the logo, and team name silk screened on the shirt would be approximately $16.  This cost is based on approximately 50 shirts, as not everyone will want to purchase one.  Fortunately, Mrs. Wocknitz wasn't with us, as we found tons of images of frogs, but only a few geckos.  She likely would have tried to get us to change our team name!