Busy weeks

Once again I feel as if I am behind on blogging -this one, my class one.. What can I say?  It was a four day week but many things occurred.  Monday afternoon the students were busy glazing clay.  Some are already talking about missing Phyllis after our last session next week.  It's been so much fun for everyone.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day and even in Grade Six and Seven you want to have fun with this.  Our fundraising for Me to We was selling candygrams and many deliveries were made.  We also had a valentine making session with the grade one buddies.  We all love these these times together. The junior girls' basketball team had a very exciting game after school, almost winning but the game ended before the ball landed in the basket. 

Wednesday we had the first of four workshops on storytelling at the nearby Moberly Arts Centre.  We are taking part in a neat project in the city with the Vancouver Society of Storytellers.  Our element is fire.  This was really exciting and we are all looking forward to the session this week.  Bonus was it was a lovely day to walk over there.  The centre was rebuilt or built just as I finished teaching at Moberly and I had never actually been in this lovely space although my class a couple of years ago participated in a digital story telling project facilitated through the centre's wonderful director, Cyndy Chwelos. 

Thursday morning the students presented their British Columbia native species projects.  Most did a very good job with only a week to prepare.  Here's a link to Rajveer's project we had a great time in the afternoon at  a mock trial on internet bullying.  Three students from each of our four grade five-seven classes, even were in the jury.  This project was only posted online on our moodle site.  They can't say they lost the instructions or criteria that way! 

And yes, I did manage to squeeze in a bit of math and other academic subjects, but it so great to give my students some of these experiences and have this sense of community and shared goals.  Friday was a Professional Day.  Our ten new ipads and new Mac Pro computer arrived (fund raised by our PAC committee) so I have been a work this week adding apps to demonstrate to other teachers.  We have to figure out the best way to organize their use!  If you haven't seen this link it's very helpful re ways to use ipads effectively.  Last summer I borrowed six ipad 1's to use with my summer school class, which was a good learning experience for all of us, so I am looking forward to getting our lovely new ipad 2's into operation. 
And now to another week!