Cross your fingers for me...

Just now, while procrastinating, I entered a contest to do something I have always wanted to do . I entered my name and hope to be chosen as an Olympic torch bearer.

I was in high school during the Calgary Olympics, and was very envious when another student was chosen to help carry the Olympic flame across the country. So this time I wanted to enter.

Anyone 13 years and over can enter, and they flame is coming through our city. All that is asked is a pledge for how you plan to make a better Canada. Here is my pledge:

I pledge to work to make stronger Canadians, one learner, one class of students at time. I pledge to renew my strength so I can enter the classroom each day ready to meet the challenges my students and I will face together. I pledge to help them to be their best, and to strive to be a model for them by working toward personal excellence, learning from mistakes, and taking risks. I pledge to try to show each person compassion, and respect their differences while encouraging their talents. And most of all, I pledge to show them that we have a responsibility to each other to work toward the common good, seeking excellence and building a better world in any and every way we can.

As a fifth-grade teacher with 29 learners, I have responsibilities to build a better Canada, and if it weren't too grandiose a goal it would be written in the job description! In essence, that is what my job is - to help instill the skills and values the children need to guide them, and to help us all guide this country in positive directions. I have the chance, every day, to make a positive impact on my country, one child at a time. That's why I get out of bed in the morning, not to teach reading and writing, but to teach kids.


It wasn't hard to write, it is just hard to live up to. So every day I make myself I promise that I will do one thing at a time, and do it as well as I can. My fingers are crossed that my pledge makes the cut....

World Math Day

Right now grade 5 is practicing their calculation skills by taking timed tests against other 11 year olds around the world. The site is called worldmathsday.com and it gives students calculation drills in the form of "face-offs" among 4 children. We can see the children's avatars, as well as their locations, and as the teacher I can see my student's scores, averages, and our class total of correct answers.

The students are really excited. The games are leveled so that the more a child is able to do, the harder the questions become. Individualized learning - everyone gets the math that challenges them, and all can practice at the same time and get instant feedback on right and wrong answers.

Students can log in using the passwords I gave them. The site closes after March 4th.

Hello from Laval!

Hello everyone,

I am writing from a CEFRIO workshop taking place in Laval. This morning we talked about different technology tools we can use to collaborate on educational projects.

What is interesting is that a number of the tools discussed are already in use in our classroom, but within the group. We aren't using the tools to reach out and work with other classes for larger projects.

For the rest of the month, we will be studying the Loyalists, and how the movement north after the American Revolution. I have asked the organizers of this workshop to send out a call to other teachers to see if there is someone in the former 13 Colonies willing to participate in a discussion about the conflict between the Patriots and the Loyalists, and to look at how the events of that period affected our respective countries.

I know that there are people following the blog who are teachers from afar. Anyone interested in having our students collaborate?

napierk@ped.etsb.qc.ca

History and Geography

So last week we had a short geography quiz on the provinces territories of Canada. Students had to identify the provinces and territories, as well as note (but not locate) the capital cities of each province. They also had to spell everything correctly (although I did not take off a point if students added a "u" to Iqaluit, since this word does not conform to the spelling rule the students have learned.

The results were not impressive, despite having had a week to study, having gone over the content in class, and having had a map in their duotang for 3 months.

So, this week we will be reviewing how to study, and the test will be given again, until each child masters the content.

Spelling included.

Have a good week,
Kathy Napier

Skype

Hello Families,

We had our first Skype call with a class from North Carolina this morning. It was very interesting - we were able to see each other, ask questions and discuss some of the similarities and differences between our schools and our locations. We also spoke with a school from Alabama and 2 teachers from Vancouver Island. There were things I would change about the way it all happened, but in general it was a good first experience.

Some of you have written me to ask about Skype. It works like a phone, but with the optionof having video as well, like th TV phones we imagined when we were little. It is an application that allows us to have video, audio and text communication, as well as send and receive files. It is free when you call computer to computer, but costs money if you call computer to a phone.

It has a great deal of potential, not only for personal but for school uses. Students who are absent could still participate using Skype from home, as could students away on vacation. I know of teachers who have used Skype for university courses, making it unnecessary to travel long distances or leave home in bad weather. It allows us to connect with people over any distance for any number of purposes, for free.

You can find more information at his site:
www.skype.com

If you join, let me know and I can add you to my contacts.

Best,
Kathy Napier

Comic Life +Ricky

This has been a big week in our class, as students have been completing their mini-project using the application Comic Life. The travel brochures they have made are very attractive - check back to see samples!

We worked on this project as a way to develop understanding of the research process. Copies of our research process time-line can be found in the front of the social sciences duotang. You can help your child by asking them to explain the process and why we need to proceed in a certain way.

As well, we finally have our Voicethread finished - it was hard to find time and help to get the audio recording done. I have tried to embed it in our blog, but could only get it to appear in the homework blog. Click on the homework image on the right, then hit the "play' arrow to have a look!

Enjoy the weekend,
Kathy Napier

Right back at work!

So, the first week back after the break was punctuated by snow, the hope of snow days, and many, many absences that kept us from getting on with a new project.

Hopefully your child has spoken to you about their mini vacation project. In teams, they have to put together a weekend getaway for a family of four in a city given to them at random. The project will be complied using the application Comic Life, and will have to include:

-the cost of airfare from Montreal
-the cost of a hotel for Friday and Saturday
-activities for Friday, Saturday and Sunday (including entrance fees, if applicable)
-total cost (food and souvenirs not included)

The presentation page must include:
-2 maps (country and city map)
-photos (with photo credit)of the activities or locations listed
-text
-details of the getaway

The students are very motivated, and are just beginning to identify what information they need and where they think they may find it. You can help at this stage by helping them pose relevant research questions and narrow down possible topics to be explored.

It should be fun to see what they find and what they choose, and we will look for a way to post their final products.

All my best,
Kathy Napier