A clue for question 1 (and a great photo to light up January). Credit: flickruser doug88888 via cc
I can be reached by e-mail at lisa_noble@kprdsb.ca. I tweet at @nobleknits2, and the class hashtag is #laclasseaqm.
Our big word in terms of learning this year at QM is WHY? (POURQUOI?) Be sure to ask your kids why they’re learning what they’re learning (and, if you like, share the conversations in the comments)
Grade 7/8: Continuing to work through comprehension strategies. We started to work a little on the patterns of past tense, which we’ll be continuing in coming weeks. We’ll also be working on a 5-card Flickr activity, which you can ask about.
Grade 6/7: Students reviewed main ideas of the play, and will be working on some comprehension activities, as well as some 5-Card Flickr in the coming weeks.
Grade 5/6: Students enjoyed playing Jeopardy this week, and we also used the “clickers” to answer some questions. Moved into our first written comprehension activities for this story. Ask your child what the story’s about, and who the main characters are.
Grade 4: We watched the video of the play, as well as this super-fun parody of the story. Some students can do whole sections of the play by heart already – be sure to have your child do some of it for you.
In all classes, 10 minutes or so each day of reviewing new vocabulary at home (or review vocabulary right now) is very helpful. Let your kids teach you what they’re learning!
Instrumental music update: Every day (except Tuesdays) are open sign-out days – that means that anyone can take their instrument out after school. No class has first priority. Please encourage your child to bring their instrument home, as practice is one of the only ways to keep improving.
Band is up and going again on Wednesday mornings, at 8:10 (doors open at 8:00). All Grade 7 and 8 students are welcome, even if they didn’t play in band before Christmas. Practice is even more important for students who are playing in band, as we will be looking at some more complex material this spring. For students who cannot practise at home, the music room is open Day 3 at 2nd break for practice time.
Documents for download:
intro letter and e-mail request
self-assessment wheels (ask your Grade 6-8 student about them) A2 Handout – FR a1-handout-fr
Important dates:
Grade 9 information nights: Thursday, January 30, 6:30 pm, Kenner IB
Monday, January 20 – school council, 6:30 pm
Friday, January 31 – PA Dy
Trivia Questions:
1. Qui peut venir à Sochi, mais ne peut pas parler avec les jeunes (young people), selon (according to) Vladimir Putin?
2. Le film, Dallas Buyers Club, a gagné beaucoup de nominations Oscar. Pourquoi est-ce que Québec est content?
Web: I’m enjoying a series of articles that Mashable has been posting on media that is celebrating anniversaries this year (movies, music, TV). It’s kind of nostalgic, and usually makes me go – “wow, how can that be that long ago”. Here’s one on TV shows that debuted 15 years ago. Another interesting read this week was one I shared with Ms Shaw’s class, on the difference mindfulness practice is making in some classrooms. I did a course myself this fall, and am really intrigued by how it might work in a classroom. What do you think?
Book: Very intrigued by the book I just started. Detective story, 2nd in a series, set in early New York City, just as the police department is starting out. Lots of fun dialect (I love books that play with language), and a sense of the emerging city. This one deals with a story line involving “blackbirders” – those who capture free black Northerners from their home, and return them to the South as slaves. It’s called Seven for a Secret, by author Lyndsay Faye. I’ll be tracking down the first one, I think.
Music: Two lovely interludes this week, very far apart musically, but both things that turn my musical crank. A friend whose opinion on music I trust sent me the first, from the Lemonbucket Orkestra, with its funky multi-cultural mix, with a note saying that I should absolutely see them if I can. The second is the always entertaining Robert Downey, Jr., duetting with Sting on a great Police song. He’s got decent vocal chops, I think. Don’t you?
Les classes à QM 