AQ Visual Arts

I am finding the AQ (Additional Qualification) course in Visual Arts to be very enlightening. It began with the teacher, Tony, introducing many great new ideas for inclass activities, showing us many picture books which can be used in a variety of grade levels, and reviewing the elements and principles of design. It progressed into printmaking with styrofoam, softoleum, and acrylic plates and then sculpture including a field trip to the Gardiner Museum. A new dimension was then added to spice it up - we worked with a partner to create and develop a lesson plan to teach to the rest of the class. This brought more new activities to our attention that we can implement in our own classrooms.

We have enjoyed three guest speakers, a return trip to the Gardiner to glaze our pottery, and a field trip to Arts Junktion. I was lucky enough to pick up some valuable items that were being recycled. As I reflect on the course I feel that I have enriched my knowledge base in Visual Arts and feel very confident that I will be competent in teaching this subject to any Primary/Junior grade.

Firework on Glee!

Hey Kids! Watch Glee tomorrow evening at 9pm! They are having a two hour special and it will be featuring a song/dance to the song by Katy Perry---- Yes, Firework! I'll be glued to my TV to see what their rendition is and how they portray the famous song by Katy Perry. I know I'll want to get up and dance when I hear it!! I would like for you all to see it too!!!

Grade Four ESL

English Language Learners need to get more credit! They are so smart that they can pick up the English language very easily if they know their first language well. My experience with Becky has been positive. So far we have moved from the phonetic sounding out of letters to whole words and now full sentences in just one month. We have been using letter blocks, DVDs, bilingual reading books, easy level reading books, Dolche activity sheets, flash cards, and hand made worksheets using picture sentences. I have used a great website to create worksheets for Becky to practice her printing http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/. I also like the 'Write to Read' software that the Peel Board of Education has. It is an interactive software that Becky can use to create new sentences and repeat them aloud.

Grade Two

I know it has been a short time since I began with the grade two class at St. Mildred's-Lightborn School but I can hardly believe it's over already. I hope you enjoyed the word search activity sheets that I created for your habitat centres. I really enjoyed facilitating the worm habitat where you all used the gummy worms to learn about how they live while you used real earth, leaves, and water to build a home for them. I know you will enjoy watching the butterflies come out of their cocoons. You are a well behaved class and it was a pleasure to work with you. Have a great summer - you are lucky to finish so early!

Assembly!

First, I want to thank you for inviting me back to help out with your assembly. It was a pleasure to work with all of you to help you get prepared for your presentation.

Next, I want to tell you that you all put on a spectacular performance! It was absolutely amazing! Each of you knew your steps and did them in exact time with the music so well that it looked like you were all professional dancers! WOW! Hats off to you! - no pun intended :-) I loved the hats too - you all wore them with pizzaz!

Thank you for the opportunity to help you with such a special project!

What a terrific experience!

Well, that was a really quick seven week work placement. I really enjoyed teaching you all in the many subject areas from Math, Science, Social Studies to Language Arts, Phys. Ed and Visual Arts. I especially liked the variety of things we did with Medieval Times. Jessica, you brought in a beautiful castle that was above and beyond what was expected. You all have impressed me in your own special ways and I've noticed the times when a lightbulb goes on inside your head and that's when I know you really get it. That's wonderful!

I want to thank you all again for so many lovely cards that were heartfelt and a generous gift card that is appreciated. Since the end of my practicum I have enjoyed the fanfare that you have adorned me with whenever I have returned to teach the Jazz Dance component of Phys. Ed. You all seem like you haven't seen me in a hundred years. I love the opportunity to continue teaching you all something that I enjoy. I look forward to the next few lessons because this is when it all comes together. I hope everyone practices at home because the big day, when we present during the assembly to the rest of the school, is not far off. Keep it up!

Math

Hey Kids! We have had some fun in class learning about perimeter and area. Did you know that calculating area is important for people who use parachutes? Yeah....The bigger the area of the parachute the more wind the parachute will catch and it will be able to slow you down quicker.

Here is a link to a great game that you can try to practice your finding the perimeter and area skills http://shodor.org/interactivate/activities/AreaExplorer/ . And if you liked that one you can try this one:

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help/skills_fourth_4th_math_measurement.htm

By the way....I will be in Room 306 tomorrow :-)