A day of moving and shaking

I feel like today was a very constructive day in Room 137. We got some great work done in math, everybody is pretty much up to speed on assignments and projects, and the fact that they were still coming down off their sugar high meant that everybody was very docile.

There are a few things for homework tonight, as I am trying to make sure some key concepts and processes hit home. There is a math question to answer on KidBlog, I assigned words of the week to help with math and science learning/review, and there are a few messages as well. I was very happy with the results of last night's "Halloween Math" homework.

I will be sending home a science review package tomorrow, which will focus on putting things we have learned into practice. This unit has been very hands-on and focused on experiential learning, but Mme Curtis and I feel that it is necessary to test students' knowledge of the basic concepts, terms and processes as well. Students will be tested on their knowledge of the effects of the sun, the nature of climate and weather in general, clouds, and a few other terms related to the water cycle and atmosphere. It will not be an overwhelming amount of material to know, but students will be expected to prepare using their guide.

I promised students a pizza party earlier in October, when a critical mass of them answered a question on KidBlog correctly. The toppings will be picked by those that took the time to answer the question, and we will have the party on Thursday. Students will not need to pack a lunch on this day, and we will also be doing some other fun things.

Our classes will be presenting their Beothuk/John Guy-themed projects on Friday. We are very happy with the progress and results of this project. It will be an important building block to more independent, ambitious projects over the rest of the year. If you are interested, the projects will be on display on Friday after school (except those which are performances). Videos, pictures and websites will be linked on KidBlog.

Have a great evening, and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. If you wish to follow the progress of my Movember moustache, check out mobro.co/MrPaterson. mobro.co/MrPaterson