Day 3, Thursday, September 10, 2015

Hi everyone,

Thanks for another amazing day! Just a reminder to please bring in your forms that went home on Tuesday about accident insurance, etc. and bring back your completed Edmodo code of conduct signed by your parents/guardians.

Boys volleyball try-outs are under way, girls basketball try-outs will begin on Monday. The sign-up sheet is posted on the outside of our pod. Ultimate frisbee sign-ups are on the outside of the library door, and cross country sign-ups are on our pod door by Ms. Cornwall's door. Please consider running for student council, leadership team, joining flag football, etc.!

Parents and Guardians: Please note that the intermediate division at Orchard Park will not be provided with agendas this year. It is my hope that the students in our class refer to the blog/Edmodo, for updates. All information will be mentioned in class as well as written on our homework/reminder board in class. It is the responsibility of grade 7/8 students to keep updated, informed, and organized. If the student prefers to keep written reminders, they can do so in a personal notebook or planner. If you prefer to communicate with me via paper format, a note from home is great, and I will respond in a similar fashion. Also, thank you to those parents and guardians who have filled out the google form- it helps me to be organized and acts as a quick reference for questions regarding contact information, technology use etc. I'm also enjoying reading about your perspectives of your children as learners.

Today we:

-worked on finishing our mathematician glyphs (most are complete, if not, it's homework), will post a picture soon
- brainstormed some Accountable talk prompts to go with our chart from yesterday:

-had French (Madame Poisson)
-had drama (Madame Poisson)
-independently read selected books from the library and our classroom library, and made these anchors about reading and selecting books:

-had time to work on our hand art, will be homework over the weekend if not completed in allotted class time tomorrow
-some people started their multiple intelligences quiz and graph
-started talking about growth mindset-will watch some short videos and go through a slideshow tomorrow!
-had DPA- capture the flag outside

See you tomorrow!

Day 2 Wednesday, September, 9, 2015

Hello Everyone,

Thanks for another fantastic day. I'd like you all to think about how you can GET INVOLVED. You can greatly influence the type of year you have in grade 7/8 by the activities you choose. There are so many extra-curriculars offered at Orchard Park, and if you don't find one that you like, submit a proposal and find a teacher to supervise. Don't forget to stay informed for try-outs, meetings, elections, etc. Also keep in mind, that when you sign-up for something, stay committed, other people are relying on you!

Here is a recap of today:

Team building "cup stack pyramid" challenge in small groups: Here are some pictures of our groups in action, and the championship team's tower!:

 Our discussion prompts:

1.Was anyone frustrated at all during this activity? If so how was it handled?
2. Why was teamwork so important for this activity?
3. Are you ever in a situation where you must use teamwork? Is this always easy for you? Why or     why not?
4. What are some skills required to be good at teamwork?
5. What do you find challenging about teamwork?
6. What did you do today to contribute to the teamwork on your team?

This activity was done to introduce and support our learning skill: collaboration. Here is the collaboration learning skill anchor chart we co-constructed:

We also discussed "Accountable Talk" and how to respectfully converse with people during group projects, teamwork initiatives, and other classroom activities (and life in general)!:

You started/completed  a, "Me as a Mathematician Survey" and glyph which represents you as a mathematician based on your responses. I've seen some awesome ones so far! This activity is a great starter activity to ease into math (and following directions)! Pictures to come once everyone is finished!

We also had a period in the library for orientation and library monitoring training. Remember, if you sign-up for library monitoring, you must keep up with your academics.

We started our hand art today- they are looking really interesting! Can't wait to see the completed products! If you want to bring in old magazines or newspapers to cut out text or pictures to paste onto your art you are welcome to. Some of you are really creative!

Finally, we had phys. ed. outside today (not our usual gym time as we missed it yesterday due to an assembly). We played some GLOs (games of low organization), meaning they require little set-up and equipment but can be super fun. We played a few different R.P.S (rock, paper, scissors) games: R.P.S. Evolution, Giant R.P.S., and finally R.P.S. cheerleader. 

What an awesome first day 7/8's!

Wow! What a great start to the 2015/2016 school year grade 7/8's! I really enjoyed meeting you all today and starting to get to know each of you. Thank you for being so respectful during our two assemblies today! You are the leaders of the school, remember to exemplify role model behaviour- little eyes are watching and doing and saying what you do!

Today we:
-played an icebreaker to "break the ice" and learn more about our classmates
-had 2 assemblies (school-wide and 6/7/8)
-we reviewed school policies and procedures and heard how we can GET INVOLVED this year!
-formed our own classroom expectations and watched a couple of short videos for inspiration:

Minion RULES video #1
Minion RULES video #2 with music

-watched a RESPECT YOUTUBE video- because respect is an all encompassing rule- you've got to give it to get it, it's a two-way street:

RESPECT video

-had a very short French period as the 2nd assembly was during most of French
-started and some completed a self-survey so I can get to know everyone- looking forward to reading, due for homework if not completed during class time today
-started graffiti hip hop name cards- so I can learn your names, so supply teachers can learn your names, and because they look awesome. We have some artists in the room I can tell already!
-watched a pep talk video from Kid President:

Pep Talk from Kid President

-watched "How to Change the World (a work in progress)" from Kid President:

How to Change the World- Kid President

-had our first computer lab session where we checked out this blog, and signed-up for  individual Edmodo accounts, your parents/guardians can get a parent account too. Parents/guardians please read this parent letter pertaining to Edmodo- your child can request a hard copy from me if they wish: Edmodo parent letter

-and of course had nutrition breaks and fitness breaks!

See you all tomorrow! :)

Parent/Guardian Contact Information and Technology Survey

Please complete this form. Your results will only be shared with me and kept on file for contact purposes.  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rTCxUilgOdCYOHBxocujgV67Wvsf95VI65gx46NIirI/viewform?usp=send_form.

Thank you.

Welcome to our class blog and welcome back to school grade 7/8's

Hello everyone, 


Welcome back to school! I am very excited to be teaching at Orchard Park P.S., this term until Mr. Finney returns from Australia and would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. This is my fourth year teaching with the SCDSB. It is my first time teaching at Orchard Park, and so far, everyone has been warm, welcoming, and friendly. Last year I taught planning time at Terry Fox E.S., in Barrie. In 2013/2014 I taught grade 6/7 at Couchiching Heights P.S. in Orillia, and the year before that I taught at Assikinack P.S. in Barrie.

I am from Orillia and attended both Harriett Todd P.S. and Couchiching Heights P.S., as an elementary student and ODCVI as a high school student. When I was in school, my teachers played a pivotal role in making me the person that I am today; I had many outstanding role models, and extracurricular opportunities that provided me with the foundation for excellence that was required in secondary and post-secondary education. I hope that I can “pay it forward” so that you/your child can have a wonderful educational experience like I did and be the best you/your child can be. Orchard Park has a rich history in the arts, academics, and athletics, and I hope to contribute to each of those areas. I have already signed up to co-coach intermediate girls basketball, assist with the band, and help out with the leadership club, can't wait!

This week we will be settling into routine and forming our classroom community. We will be co-constructing classroom expectations, playing icebreakers and teamwork activities, completing learning styles inventories, having a library and computer lab orientation period, reviewing school dress code and progressive discipline procedures, reviewing safety rules (and drills), starting-up our online class communication tool (Edmodo), introducing some subject areas, attending assemblies, signing up for some extra curriculars (get involved!), and of course, having fun!

It is my goal that you/your son/daughter is as successful as you/they can be this year in all areas of school life. I will be working with you/each of your children individually to ensure you/they have the skills, and strategies to reach your/their full potential. When I am not coaching or involved in another area of school or life, I will be available for extra help at recesses, before, and after school. I will make it known to the students when these sessions will occur.

Communication is very important to me, if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me by writing in your child’s agenda, or by calling the school and leaving a message with the secretarial staff. I will write back or return your call A.S.A.P. I can also arrange to meet with you after school with some notice as well. I will be updating this blog with classroom activities and will communicate with you about your son/daughter's progress.

I look forward to meeting you in the near future and working in partnership with you to ensure your child has a successful term!

Your’s in education,

 Ms. Katie Rose