Let's get it started.....

Here's to another great week!

It was so nice to see everyone out at our Open House! I'm glad you stopped by Room 18!

Coming up this week, we have our class pictures on Thursday. I will remind you throughout the week:)

In Language, we will be finishing up our biodome presentations. The biodomes are absolutely fantastic. The caliber of work is just amazing! I'm so proud of 8D and the effort they put into these projects. After we finish the presentations, we will be working on the skill of summarizing. The kids have been reading an article on Thomas Edison, and will take the key points from the article and summarize them in a piece of writing. We will be practicing this skill as we head into October.

In math, we continue with our geometry unit.  We are working on Interior Angle theory, Opposite Angle theory, Supplementary Angle theory, and Complementary Angle theory. There will be a quiz early this week to check for understanding of these theories thus far.

In history, we continue with our "Profound Moment in History" activities. The kids have another two classes to polish a brief visual presentation, as well as a brief oral presentation explaining why they chose their "moment".

In phy-sed, we continue with soccer skills, move on to tennis skills, and in health we are studying Canada's food guide and healthy eating.

Take care,

Miss Waddell

Biodomes look GREAT! !!!

Updates :)

Here are a few updates from Room 18 :

Biodomes are due tomorrow - so we can show off these awesome projects at Open House.

Open House BBQ is tomorrow night from 5:30 - 7:00 - hope to see you there!

Walking forms, downtown lunch forms, and HPV forms (females) are due at school now.

Take care and see everyone tomorrow!

Miss Waddell

Great Trip!

We have had a busy start to the week in room 18!

Our week began with an awesome trip to Island Lake! The pond study and cooperative games were great!  The class had such a positive experience!

See pictures below!

Here are some updates :

Schedules went out to the kids yesterday, and they are FAIRLY accurate – with just some slight changes that need to be made.

In language we are working on a couple things. One activity is our bio-domes. Rough copies have been written and edited and gone over by me. Good copies have been started on the cloud and are due next Monday. The actual model of the bio-dome is due Tuesday morning. In the next little while, we will also be working on our summarizing skills.  The students will be practicing how to take a large piece of written material and bring it down to a suitable size. Not an easy feat! We will spend a good chunk of time on this and then move on to some "longer" pieces of writing.

In math we are well into our triangle (geometry) unit and have begun learning about the interior angle theory.  The kids will have a quiz on Friday, and a larger test by the end of next week.

In history our focus will be on Confederation and we will be taking a closer look at the Fathers of Confederation.

IEP’s

I will be meeting with the parents of those kid who have IEP's. If you have not received a notice regarding this, please contact me at school or drop a note in your child's agenda.

Reminders:

HPV needles for the girls is Monday, September 22nd. (forms going home soon)

Open House BBQ is Tuesday, September 23rd

Picture day is Thursday, October 2^nd

Take Care,

Miss Waddell

Pics from Island Lake!

The kids have been quite busy this week, even though it's only Tuesday!

We have been writing and creating a bio-dome, starting our geometry unit, reading humorous tales, playing cooperative games, honing our soccer and floop-ball skills....the list goes on.

The kids have a bit of homework tonight : they need to finish the rough copy of the writing component of their bio-dome.

Parents have some homework as well!!! Please try to have your Parent Brag Sheets back to school by Friday :)

This week, all students have been on a school computer to log on to the network, and onto UGCloud.  The Cloud is a fantastic, safe, and multi-faceted program for the kids to use to complete assignments, communicate with teachers and peers, and to create projects online.  If you aren't sure what the cloud is, ask your child :)

Today, blue permission sheets outlining our trip to Island Lake next Tuesday, were sent home for you to review. Any parents interested in volunteering would be more than welcome to join us.

Also, an important message regarding Remind 101 - the communication tool/app that I will be using to remind parents of upcoming events - went home for you to look at. Please feel free to sign up at any time.

I would like to meet with all IEP students and their parents over the next two weeks, to go over the IEP and to discuss the best way to program for your son or daughter.  I will be sending a note home soon regarding the best time and date to meet.

See everyone at the Open House on Tuesday, September 23!

Take care,

Miss Waddell

First Week!

Congratulations to 8D on a fantastic first week back at Erin P.S.

The year is off to a great start!

Already the kids have been busy - getting to know each other, figuring out their classes and teachers, and learning the expectations of grade 8.

Thank you for sending back all forms and information sheets with the students.  There will be information and a permission form coming home regarding our trip to Island Lake in two weeks, and an Open House BBQ information package for you to look over as well.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend,

Take care,

Miss Waddell

A New School Year!

September 2014

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer!  I would like to introduce myself to you as your child’s grade 8 core/homeroom teacher.  My name is Carolynne Waddell and I have been teaching at Erin Public School for 14 years.  I am really looking forward to teaching the grade 8’s – we are going to have an amazing year!

 Over the next few months, our goal is to meet the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum, and of course to make sure the students settle into Erin Public School routines and activities comfortably.  I will be teaching the following subjects to your child/children : Language, Math, Geography, History, Phys-ed and Drama, and some Visual Art.

·        The language arts program will consist of  grammar, creative writing and reading, persuasive writing, novel studies, media studies, book reports (one per term), and many other language-based activities.  The students will be working in small groups, guided reading groups, and whole-class lessons and discussions.

·        The math program will cover many areas of study – starting off with a geometry unit that focuses on line segments, rays, congruent and similar figures, obtuse, acute and reflex angles.

·        We will be covering history term one and will then move into the geography program in term two. Our first history unit will begin with a look at the Confederation of our country. The focus in social studies this year will be project-based learning. What is PBL?  According to Edutopia : “Project-based learning is a dynamic approach to teaching in which students explore real-world problems and challenges. With this type of active and engaged learning, students are inspired to obtain a deeper knowledge of the subjects they're studying.”

·        In phys-ed we will begin with team-building games, leadership skills and soccer skills. The culminating task for the team-building/leadership unit will be to design, practice, and carry-out a warm-up activity and a team-builder activity to a Junior or Primary class. Health will focus on healthy body image, and healthy eating.

·        In drama, we will be starting with small comedic skits.

·        In visual arts we will explore different aspects of colour,cartooning and sketching.

During our first day of school, the students and I discussed classroom rules and expectations that will be followed over the entire school year.  Please ask your child to go over these with you.  They are posted in the room at all times.  My overall focus for the class is for the students to enjoy a happy, cooperative, and respectful learning environment.

In the past, each student was given an agenda at the beginning of the school year, to track homework, due dates, and special events. With students having hand-held devices and access to various forms of technology, it is much easier and current to track this information digitally. Cell phones and I-pods with calendars/agendas will (with my help and guidance),
be used to track homework and assignment due dates. I will be checking these devices on a daily basis to ensure that all needed information is being tracked by all students.  (We ordered 30
agendas for students who will not be able to consistently access an online agenda if need be). Another form of communication is our class blog.  At  www.misswaddell8D.blogspot.com  , you can check for up-coming classroom activities and assignments.  The blog will also be updated on a regular basis. And finally, an amazing way of communicating to you directly will be through a program/phone app called Remind 101. This allows communication directly to you and your cell through text message. I will be sending home a sign-up sheet and explanation of this program. In short, it will allow me to send you due dates and upcoming event reminders right to your phone.

 A quick heads-up regarding a field trip that is on the horizon. On September 16 and 17, the grade 8’s are heading to Island Lake Conservation Area in Orangeville, for an entire day  (9:00am - 2:30pm) to participate in cooperative games - linked to the phys-ed program, and a  pond study that will be linked to their grade 8 water cycle science expectations. Students need to dress appropriately, bring a lunch, and wear appropriate footwear. Parent volunteers are needed - please contact me if you are interested in going with us. Two classes are going on the Tuesday, and two are going on Wednesday – I will keep you posted with info regarding which day we go to Island Lake.

 I look forward to meeting you at our Open House on Tuesday, September 23rd!  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the school, 519-833-9685, send me a note, or via our class blog/email.

Take Care,

Miss Waddell

Two Weeks Left - Really???

Time has flown in Room 18! I truly cannot believe that there are only 2 weeks left!

The Ottawa/Montreal trip was amazing! The kids were fantastic and the activities just never stopped. What a fantastic time we all had- and everyone was happy, but tired by the time we rolled back into Erin PS.

This week is a busy one...so here goes :

The kids involved in the musical and the band are heading to Canada's Wonderland on Tuesday to perform. We wish them luck!!!

In language, we will be wrapping up our argumentative writing activities. The kids have been working diligently on their research and rough copies. Rough copies are due Thursday, and good copies are due Monday, after the editing process.

Our speech finals will be this Friday - in the big gym. Two of our students will be delivering their speech - we wish Riley and Shelby good luck! I will keep you posted on what period this will take place.

In math we will be working on our Fractions, Decimals, Percents and Ratio unit - right up until graduation.

Speaking of Graduation... it takes place next Thursday, the 26th of June. Students need to be at the school at 6:00pm.  A newsletter regarding grad will be coming home this week.

This Thursday will be our last visit with the seniors program at Centre 2000. What an enriching, heart-warming and learning experience it has been for all of us! I hope to continue with my class next year!

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Take care,

Miss Waddell

Ottawa and Montreal

Awesome!

Congratulations to Anthony Hartsink! He placed in the top 20% of Canada in the grade 9 University of Waterloo math contest!!! AWESOME!!!!!!! WELL DONE!

We are ready to go on our grade 8 trip next week! We will meet tomorrow with all of the students to go over expectations, itinerary, buses and rooming. If you have any last minute questions, please let me know before we leave!

Posts from Ottawa and Montreal to follow!

Take care,

Miss Waddell

City Track and Field!!!

Track and Field!

Track and Field was a HUGE success!

Congrats to all of our participants in Tuesday and Wednesday's track and field activities.  City track is at the University of Guelph on Monday.  All students participating in this event will be notified and given a permission form by Friday morning.  Quite a few students from 8D will be attending.

The grade 8 trip is coming quickly!  Yesterday, fundraising information/totals were sent home with the kids. This amount will be taken off the final installment of the trip...or if the fundraising exceeded the trip cost, a refund cheque will be issued by mid June.  If you have not received information about the amount you have owing for the trip, please contact Evolve Tours.

Phone number : 1-866-222-5066
Email : Jeff@evolvetours.com

Language : Our speeches are underway!  The speeches have been interesting, and quite well done! We will finish speeches this week. Next week, we will begin argumentative writing. We have started this unit, by examining a "hot or controversial"  topic, choosing a side of the topic, and then using evidence to support that particular side.

Math : we are finishing our algebra unit. Today and tomorrow will be finish up periods. There will be a short quiz on Tuesday.  Beginning on Wednesday, we will be focusing on fractions, decimals, percents, rate, and ratio.

Art : we are still working our way through our Claus Oldenberg POP ART.  The projects are coming along quite well.

Phys-ed : track is finished, so we move on to ultimate frisbee and football.

Geography : Population Pyramid assignments are due by Friday. Next week, we will be studying various forms of government and their characteristics, and we will also be looking a the three levels of industry.


Dates to Remember :

Monday, May 26 : City track at University of Guelph

Monday June 2 - Thursday June 5 : Grade 8 trip

Thursday, June 26 : Graduation


Take care,

Miss Waddell

Oz Today....Tree Planting Tomorrow!

The Wizard of Oz dress rehearsal is today! Good luck to all of our students participating in this production!!!!

Tree planting is tomorrow morning - come prepared for the wet weather! Unless it is storming out, we will be headed out at 9:00am.


Speeches!!!! The kids have pretty much finished the rough copies of their speeches. I have reviewed them, and their peers have been listening and editing the speeches - to polish them up. Speech presentations will most likely begin on Friday :)

In math, we are focusing on a two-week algebra unit. So far so good! This can be a challenging unit, but the kids have been quite successful this week.

Track and Field is next week. The original plan was to have it on Tuesday, after the long weekend. HOWEVER...we may have to push the day to Wednesday, due to all the rain lately (and the rainy forecast) and thus the soggy conditions of the track and pits. I will keep you posted!

I will keep you up to date on all the activities happening here in Room 18, and at EPS - as it's about to get busy around here!

Take care,
Miss Waddell

 Badminton Pics!!!!!

Wow!

Life in Room 18 has been incredibly busy!

Today, a lot of our students are away at the intermediate badminton tournament in Fergus! We wish them luck!

Wizard of Oz cast members have been practicing for months, and they are almost ready for the show. Evening performances are May 12th - May 15th. Show starts at 7:00pm. Cast members need to be at school by 6:00pm.
The school gets to see the show during the day on May 13th at 11:00am. Feel free to join us then if you can't make the evening performances.

Monday, the 12th of May, we will be visiting the seniors at Centre 2000 at 12:00pm.

We will be tree planting next Wednesday, May 14th - any parent volunteers are welcome!

Very soon, you will be getting an email from Evolve Tours regarding final payments for the grade 8 trip. If you paid in full, and your son or daughter has done fundraising, you may receive a cheque back with the difference in funds.

Our school track and field will be in two weeks - I will post the dates as soon as I know :)

City Track in Guelph, is on May 26th.


More updates and badminton pictures to follow soon!

Miss Waddell

Back up and Running!

Finally, after some technical frustrations, the blog is up and running again!

So.... here is the latest from Room 18 :

Language : we just finished our news article unit, and the FINAL assignment is due this Friday.  The kids have been writing a rough copy of a news article, and then they are to have it edited, and follow up with a polished GOOD copy. The good copy includes a headline, picture, and all of the features of a proper news article.
We have started a speech-writing unit.  The kids will be responsible for choosing a topic, developing ideas around their topic, and then writing and delivering a 3-5 minute speech. The speech may include pictures or graphics to go along with their topic. Speeches will be presented in class during the third week of May.

Math : we are working on the Pythagorean Theory unit. The kids have learned the foundation of the formula ad are now working on applying their knowledge to real-life problems.  We will be having a short quiz late this week.

Geography : our human settlement unit and population density unit are going along nicely. The students are discovering more and more about our world - through looking at maps, researching facts online, and working in groups to tackle current human settlement issues.

Phys-ed : our badminton unit is coming to a close. We are now focusing on track and field, lacrosse, and ultimate Frisbee.

Art : the kids have been studying the works of Claus Oldenberg - a "pop"  artist from Sweden. Check him out! Each student needs to be thinking of an idea that can eventually transform into their own pop art activity.

Dates to Remember :

June 2-5 : Grade 8 Trip
June 26 : Grade 8 Graduation

May 5 : Badminton Team in Fergus for tournament
May 12 : Centre 2000 visit with seniors
May 14: tree planting


Take care,

Miss Waddell

This week!

It's almost Easter!!!!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Congrats to : Mark, Austin, Anthony, and Nicholas - our chess champions!

This week, there are many things that are finishing up...and many things are starting!!

In math, we are finished our circle unit. Quizzes are just being completed and will be returned next week. We are starting our Pythagorean Theory unit tomorrow.

In language, we are about half way through our newspaper article unit.  Two articles are due Wednesday. The kids will also be presenting their summaries of their current events articles.
Next week, we will stat working on our public speaking unit. Topics for speeches will be chosen by next week, and the writing process will begin next week as well.

In phys-ed we have completed our floor hockey unit. We are moving into lacrosse AND cooperative games that are student led.
Badminton team try-outs are occurring right now - first cuts will be his week. The tournament is May 5th at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus.

In art, we are exploring the works of Claus Oldenburg.

Dates to remember :

Thursday : we are walking to the high school for our transition tours AND a French café in the afternoon.

Thursday : last day of Tupperware fundraiser

Friday : No school - Good Friday

Monday  : no school : Easter Monday


Have a great Easter everyone!!!!

Miss Waddell

Erin Optimist Youth Appreciation Award Winner Mark Cripps!

Well done Mark!

Congrats!

Congrats to Anthony, Mark, John, and Tobias - our Skills Canada team!!!! 2nd Place!