Week of Sept. 14-18

 

Our first full week together in advisory was spent establishing routines, expectations and reflecting on the skills, attitudes, knowledge, and preparation that contribute to student success. As a class we discussed things that have worked and not worked in the past in order to create a framework of expectations that work for everyone - whether we should have a seating plan, how to mitigate distractions, how to focus in class, and whether we need to schedule more frequent breaks to help students concentrate in class.

Another reason for this discussion was to have student reflect on their own strengths and challenges. I used the metaphor of a toolbox to illustrate what a person might need to get the job done so that students could reflect on the tools they already have and what they might need to be successful this year. 

Furthermore, we discussed the framework of SMART goals so that students could create academic goals, inter or intrapersonal goals, as well as health goals. We talked about different strategies that could be used for achieving their goals this term. At the end of each term students will be expected to evaluate themselves and create new goals or strategies for continued growth over the year.

This week students received their class schedules and their locker assignments. Students should have their school supplies and a lock for their locker in order to securely store their personal items should they need them. This includes their cellphones, as these should be stored in their lockers.Yesterday, students received a number of forms that need to be verified or completed and returned to the school.

In Science class, we discussed the relationship between Science and Technology as well as questions that lend themselves to scientific inquiry (open versus closed-ended questions that require research, possibly experimentation, and greater elaboration). In this regard, students created their own science related inquiry and began researching their topic in order to write a brief 1-2 paragraph report on their topic.

In French and English classes we have been playing vocabulary building games and completed a diagnostic spelling test to gauge students' spelling abilities in English. 

In Science Humain we have begun a unit on mapping. Students tried to develop a map of Canada from memory that included the provinces and territories. They have since been given an assignment with criteria in support of the completion of an administrative map of Canada.

Important dates in September:

                                       Photo day - Thursday, Sept. 24

                                        Pro D Day - Monday, Sept. 28

                                        Orange shirt day - Wednesday, Sept. 30

Canadian Unit of Measure for Safe Social Distancing

I was sent this image from family who reside in the North of British Columbia and thought it was worthwhile to share it with you all. It is a unique Canadian unit of measure for safe social distancing.

Monsieur Leblond

Working Together for Student Success

Teaching and learning can be incredibly rewarding when everyone feels that they are achieving a measure of success, however you may define it. Effective communication is a key component of a good working relationship between all parties involved - teacher and student, student and parent, as well as the relationship between the teacher and parents.

Also, the more your child's teacher knows about your child at the beginning of the year, the more he or she can tailor their teaching to better meet the needs of your child. In this regard, I have sent a questionnaire home with your child this week for parents to fill out. Your answers regarding student extra-curricular activities and previous successes or struggles will go a long way in helping me get to know your child and better support their learning. Students will also be completing a questionnaire and will be developing a learning plan each term in order to address areas that they identify as needing special attention.

Lastly, research shows that when parents are directly involved in their child's education they are more likely to stay in school and achieve greater academic success. Creating routines and establishing a place to work, providing learning resources at home, and being involved in school activities have all been shown to have positive impacts on learning outcomes. 

Whatever it is that you choose to do, your engagement in your child's learning along with positive support and encouragement will go a long way to motivating your child to work towards and attain the goals that the set out for themselves this year, whether it is better attendance, higher test scores, or more positive interactions with their peers.

I look forward to working with you and your children to make this year a successful one. 

Bienvenue/Welcome 2020-21 School Year

Salut et Bienvenue. Hello and Welcome.

This is the Lansdowne Blog for parents of Grade Eight French Immersion students in Advisory 52. I (Monsieur Leblond) will be posting a weekly summary with important information here for parents regarding assignments, field trips, and events happening in the Lansdowne community. Students will be using Google Classroom to keep abreast of assignments and to submit work completed electronically. 

French Canadian culture is very important me as I was raised in French speaking household in Ontario. I will try will try to bring a wide range of life and work experience to my teaching and will strive to make learning meaningful and fun with the ultimate goal of helping foster curiosity, confidence and the desire in students to be lifelong learners.

Through the creation of meaningful projects that relate to our learning, and field trips that situate learning in a context other than the classroom, I hope to create a learning environment where students will be engaged in their learning. As much as possible I will try to create projects that link the curriculums of Sciences Naturelles, Sciences Humaines, Francais Langue, Math and English.

Currently, the school district is advising teachers not to plan field trips, request parent volunteers or guest speakers. I am hoping that the guidelines recently published by the provincial health authority will be adopted by the district and allow us to plan and participate in field trips, especially since being outdoors has been shown to reduce rates of transmission.

My hope is that we can integrate more place-based learning this year to make the learning more relevant and engaging in order to foster more local knowledge and a closer relationship to our community.  

Thank you! Merci!

Monsieur Leblond