Friday! Friday! Friday!

Whoa! How is the week already over!? It went really fast and I have to say we got a lot done this week. History research projects are coming along and more information is coming in to the classroom. I am happy to see some of the progress really happening for some of the groups and I spoke with the rest of the groups who didn't seem so organized and let them know how they were worrying me.

Our class had a bit of a lecture today from me about speaking to each other with kindness. Some people are being extraordinarily hard on themselves and then to hear put-downs when they come to school just adds to the stress and insecurities they are already feeling. We all have things that we don't like about ourselves and to some of us we are our own worst critics. We need to keep celebrating the differences that each person brings to the class and speak positively to each other. We did an "appreciation" activity this morning and the feeling in the class was much improved from how we left off yesterday. Students were asked to put compliments on each other's backs annonymously and each student left with a sheet of pick-me-up words and phrases from their friends. We talked about how we felt it went and a lot of the students agreed that it made them feel good and connected to each other. I was happy to see people caring and laughing with each other again.

After community building, we decided to rearrange our day so that we could do the Science experiment on Monday. A lot of us felt that it was Friday and doing an experiment might be a little too much for a Friday afternoon. We will do the experiment on Monday morning...and we'll have our results consolidated by the end of the day. I am looking forward to each group...figuring out how mass and weight really work.

Math games resumed today and the groups worked well. I was happy to see all of the students working together and even working through their mistakes. It was great to see groups taking apart the words and unpacking the idea that "difference" means subtracting. Homework tonight is p.360 #14-19, all word problems using the ideas of subtracting integers are there. Please read them carefully...use your number line knowledge and if you have to draw it out using integer chips...DO IT! Work will be checked Monday.

For the end of the day students got their project boards for History. Some groups took them home and some groups left them here. Plans were made and students will have to start posting their work next week because time is running out!!! I'm thinking by Friday next week, students should and MUST have their projects done and ready to present. Please bring in your printed photos, good copies of jot notes and your titles if you need them to class, don't waste your time...it's running out!

JUST A FEW REMINDERS!!

1. 3 more students brought in donations for the Holiday Basket, our theme is "BAKING". We still need more donations and the deadline is Monday!
2. Claude Watson permission forms went home yesterday...they are due MONDAY with $5.00, the trip is Tuesday. So far I have one permission slip and one 5 dollar bill!
3. Food Bank permission forms are due as well...trip is December 13th. We are going in the afternoon and will be back at dismissal time.

Have a safe and happy weekend! See you Monday scientists!

For George & Justyn: http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation/023001-3110-e.html#a

Tommy giving Tomas some compliments and Justyn doing the same with Bory

A train of good vibes

Smiling about being positive

Full class participation :)