Miss S

For the Grade 6/7 Health and Career program, we are currently looking at the human brain and how it is affected, or manipulated by, use of drug or alcohol. If you would like to support your child’s learning in this, feel free to ask them about what they are learning, and discuss the seriousness of drug use and alcohol use. We are learning about how drugs and alcohol physiologically effect our brain, and how drugs are manufactured to make us want to try them more than once. Tolerance, dependence, and addiction are the three stages we are going over. Just thought I’d keep everyone in the loop about what we are learning about, and how we are supporting learning to make good decisions for life now before the problem is confronted.

An extracurricular dance group from Ms.Scott’s class, and Ms.O’s class will both be performing a dance of their own compositions on April 12th in the morning. The performances will run all morning, as it is part of the High Country Festival for the School District. Parent drivers are needed. Admission is free. Please let me know if you are able to drive. Permission forms will be sent home soon. Please note this performance is part of the Fine Arts mark for Ms. O’s class.

Here are the topics that are being covered right now, at the beginning of Term 3.

Ms. O’s Class:
Science-Chemistry
French-Verbs and sentences
HCE-Life Education (Sexual Health)
Fine Arts-Dance

Ms.Scott’s:
Science-Chemistry
French-Verbs and sentences
HCE-Life Education (Sexual Health)
Social Studies-Canadian Government

Mrs.Abraham’s Class:
Science-Finishing of unit on Extreme Environments, beginning unit on Resources
Social Studies-Canadian Government

The reason I choose to put my newsletters on line rather than on paper is for sustainability reasons.  I thought it would be a good idea to bring this up since in Grade 6/7 science we are learning about sustainability.  Most newsletters are quickly scanned and then tossed out…imagine the paper (the trees!) that could be saved!
It also provides an easy way to get updated or be reminded of dates, in case papers get lost.
Please check student agendas for reminders of when to check the blog for updates!  Thanks!

The Carnaval project is not due anytime soon. At this point, the portion of the project I would like to see students working on is researching their particular topic and forming an opinion on it. There are more activities on Carnaval in general that we need to accomplish to help students gain more background knowledge on the celebration. When we have a project due date, I will post it on this online newsletter.

Here is the criteria: Carnaval Activity Research

3 Part Project

1. Essay

Sign up for to research one particular activity at Carnaval. Write about your activity as if you are explaining it to someone who has no idea what Carnaval is about.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH: You will need to hook your reader (catch their attention) with your opening statements or questions. Then provide a short overview of what your essay is about.

PARAGRAPH TWO: You will need to start your essay with an explanation of what Carnaval is, where it takes place, when it began, etc. Make sure the last sentence of this helps lead into your next paragraph.

PARAGRAPH THREE: Talk about your particular activity. Where did it originate? What is involved? How long does it last? Include all your research about your activity. Include your own opinion on this activity?

PARAGRAPH FOUR: Conclude your essay. Sum up everything you’ve talked about. Try to end it in a powerful way that will keep your reader thinking and help them to remember everything you’ve learned.

2. Picture

On an 8.5 X 11 piece of paper, draw or print off pictures of your activity. Your picture should also include the title of your activity, and give people an idea of what it would be like to take part in that activity.

3. Presentation

Present your activity to the class. Explain what it is and the history behind it. Essentially sum up your essay, but DO NOT read directly from it. You need to present it in a way that keeps the audience interested. Remember to make as much eye contact as you can, and provide different ways of showing your audience what your activity is about. Feel free to get creative and think
“outside the box”, and I will support you in anyway I can (booking the smartboard, getting a poster board, etc). Remember to achieve an A you have to go above and beyond expectations!

Please feel free to come to the McGowan Park PAC meeting February 7th to meet one of the two facilitators of Respectful Relationships.  She will be there to go over curriculum and answer any questions you may have.

The students are really enjoying the Respectful Relationships program.

We are grateful for Tracy and Darren in our classroom!

Today the students learned about boundaries, their own and other peoples, as well as how to assert their own boundaries in a kind, respectful way.  Students are encouraged to model their learning by being able to talk their feelings.  Confidentiality is encouraged, but only when it comes to personal information students share about their feelings (for example: I’m still feel afraid in the dark.)

Please feel free to talk to your child about what they are learning with the Respectful Relationships program.

So far the sessions have included:

• Body language reading
• Self-Talk, and how it can help us and hinder us.
• B.E.S.T. forms of communication (Body language, Eye Contact, Speech, Tone).
• Styles of communication: Assertive, Aggressive, Passive.
• Boundaries: Space, Touch, Talk.

Here is the write up from the Access Kamloops Directory:

Kamloops Respectful Relationships Program - Dedicated to promoting non-violence in all facets of society through delivery of education programs to adolescents in a classroom setting. Contact: (Lynne Gardner) lynnegg@telus.net or 250-573-5587.

It is wonderful to witness students being empowered by this program.  The  core is an anti-bullying message.

We have the privilege of taking part in the Respectful Relationships program, which is funded half by non-profit and half by the school.  This program is Non-Profit, and sends in facilitators that model how to have respectful relationships in all relationships in life, with family, friends, and self.

I wanted to bring this program to McGowan because my class participated in it last year, and the change in my students confidence and tools for dealing with others was astounding.  I truly believe this is a great program for life.  I learnt a lot as well!

Tracy and Darren, our facilitators, have been doing this program for a combined eight years.  They are skilled and knowledgeable on the subject, and generally help to prevent bullying behaviours.

The program is designed for grades 6 and up.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the school.

Feel free to ask your child what they are learning

New Year, New Units

This new year we will be starting:

Ms.Scott’s Class

Science: Final wrap up unit on Ecosystems…and then on to Extreme! Environments.
Social Studies: Urban systems, Government
Health and Career: Welcome Guests Tyler and Tracey, modelling Respectful Relationships and Anti-Bullying Tools!

Ms.O’s Class

Science: Final wrap up unit on Ecosystems…and then on to Extreme! Environments.
Health and Career: Welcome Guests Tyler and Tracey, modelling Respectful Relationships and Anti-Bullying Tools!

Ms.Abraham’s Class

Science: Moving Right on to Extreme! Environments!
Social Studies: Urban systems, Government
Grade 6′s HCE: Welcome Guests Tyler and Tracey, modelling Respectful Relationships and Anti-Bullying Tools!

Ms. Scott’s Class:

December 2nd-HCE Constructive Conversation Project Due
December 8th-Science Chapter 2 Test
December 15th-S.S. Chapter 3 Test
December 16th-Multiculturalism Day