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
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