Brock Broncs

Science

2012-02-23T11:36:00.001-08:00

All Science must be completed for marking on Monday!

Ooblek

2012-02-23T11:11:00.001-08:00

Ask you child what ooblek is!

recipe:

1 cup water, add 1.5 cups cornstarch. If still not thick enough, add another 1/2 cup of cornstarch.

Persuasive Essays

2012-02-23T11:10:00.002-08:00

Good Copies are due next Friday, March 2nd!

Students will have Monday and Tuesday afternoon in the computer lab to type them up!

NHI

2012-02-20T14:50:00.000-08:00

On interims that are coming home, you might notice something new.
On missing assignments, students now have the acronym 'NHI' (Not Handed In).
This will affect their mark, as a NHI counts for zero.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Ms.R.

Friday

2012-02-15T15:00:00.001-08:00

For those students not attending our Harper Mountain Ski Day, they MUST still attend school as they have 2 other classes to attend (G and H block).
For E and F blocks, Ms. Robertson will let them know what class to attend.

Friday

2012-02-15T14:59:00.000-08:00

Planned absence forms must be filled out by G and H block teachers!

Students give the bottom portion to the office and keep the top portion so that they know what assignments to do for missed classes.

Harper Mountain

2012-02-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

All Harper Mountain Forms need to be by tomorrow!

Chapter 3 Math Test

2012-02-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

February 15! Chapter 3 Math Test.
Review your decimals - adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and converting to fractions!

Penny Drive

2012-02-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Bring your pennies, and other change, for the penny drive for the Kamloops Women's Shelter!

Book Reports

2012-02-06T11:47:00.003-08:00

Book Reports are now over-due by 6 days! Students need to finish them up and hand them in.

Technology

2012-01-24T14:09:00.000-08:00

Ask your child about our low-tech Tweet Board (today they summarized what they read for silent reading in 140 characters)

We've also started a Whiteboard Facebook Wall. Students will be posting their thoughts on the AJAX Mine Proposal.

1/2 Day

2012-01-18T14:56:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow, January 19th, is a half-day.
Students will be dismissed at 11:45am.

AJAX Mine Webquest

2012-01-17T14:47:00.001-08:00

website address:

this website has all information needed (criteria), marking rubric, links to other webpages.

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/weblocalecpa.html#intro

Debate will be held in class next week!

End of Term 2 approaching!

2012-01-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

Hi All!

End of term 2 is approaching (Jan 27th).

For Ms. Robertson's class, all missed work needs to be completed and handed in by January 20th!

Thank you,

Ms. R.

Book Report

2012-01-03T11:37:00.001-08:00

Starting 'Classic' Novels today for our book report.

Students have chosen a classic novel to read. They will have 20 minutes of silent reading a day in school to read their novel. I also strongly recommend 20 - 30 minutes of silent reading a day at home to help finish it.

Students have chosen 5 activities (5 well-done activities will equal an A) to complete from the seven multiple intelligences for their book report.

The completed book report (activities) is due on January 31st.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-16T13:25:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.

Have a safe, enjoyable, and relaxing holiday!

Ms. Robertson

Writing

2011-12-12T13:59:00.000-08:00

Since I've been away, some students have 'slacked' a bit on their writing assignments.

There are 3 people who have not handed in their "Mr. Maitland" Story conclusion.

Most students have not handed in their good copy of their big narrative story, please check with your child.

War Memory should have been handed in, students need to type their good copy, staple edited rough draft behind it and hand it in.

Thank you for your support,

Ms. R.

Math - Chapter 2

2011-12-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Math test on Chapter 2 is next week on Tuesday, December 13th.
Chapter Review should be completed by Friday, Monday will be a review day with Ms. Robertson.

This Week

2011-12-06T18:47:00.000-08:00

Ms. Robertson will be off the rest of this week with bronchitis.

Upcoming dates:

December 7th - Grade 7's have breakfast with Santa!
December 8th and 9th - Photo's with Santa.

This week, students are to bring in Food for hampers that we will make for our local families and for the Food Bank. Next week, there will be a shopping cart parade with all the food that each TAG raises. Please bring in any canned goods that you can spare!

December 5th

2011-12-01T11:36:00.000-08:00

December 5th is a Pro-D day! No school for students!! :)

Hatchet Chapter's 13 - 16 Questions

2011-11-24T11:49:00.001-08:00

1. What two true things come to Brian's mind after not being rescued by the plane?

2. Explain how Brian's first bow nearly spells disaster for him.

3. Why is Brian not able to hit the fish with his arrows?

4. What does Brian learn is the most important thing that drives all creatures in the forest?

5. What does Brian decide his shelter should provide in addition to keeping out the wind and rain?

6. Brian needs a ladder so that he can safely store his food. From what and how does he make a ladder?

7. Minutes and hours are meaningless to Brian as a measure of time. How does Brian measure time?

8. What does Brian learn he is doing wrong in the way he is trying to kill a foolbird?

9. What animal attacks Brian at the lake and nearly kills him?

10. How does Brian react to being attacked and nearly killed at the lake, and then having everything destroyed by a tornado?

Hatchet Chapter's 9 - 12 Questions

2011-11-15T11:24:00.000-08:00

1. How does throwing his hatchet at the porcupine lead Brian to making his first fire?

2. Why does Brian feel that the fire is his friend?

3. How has Brian learned so much about turtles?

4. How does Brian solve the problem of not having a fire to cook the eggs?

5. How does Brian solve the problem of not having a fire to cook the eggs?

6. Where does Brian plan to put his signal fire, and why does he choose that place?

7. Why, according to Brian, does he keep missing the fish?

8. What does Brian mean when he says, "discoveries happened because they needed to happen?"

9. What is it that blows up and away in a flurry of leaves and thunder?

10. Not being rescued by the plane that flew over has what effect on Brian?

Spelling Unit 5

2011-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

Objective: to spell words with the vowel u

1. attribute
2. campus
3. subtle
4. lullaby
5. serum
6. uranium
7. circumference
8. geranium
9. manicure
10. smudge
11. vacuum
12. unity
13. industrious
14. muscular
15. substance
16. amusement
17. culture
18. linoleum
19. premium
20. suspenders

Visualization exercise

2011-11-09T14:21:00.001-08:00

Today went really well, our student teachers (Mr. Spendlove and Ms. Whitmore), went outside and set up an obstacle course like those in army bootcamp would go through. Students worked their way down the field and under the 'wire' (string). We then came back in (and after our discussions all this week), students started to brainstorm and then write a 'memory' or a 'letter' or a 'journal' from when they were in a war (WWI, WWII, Korean War, Desert Storm, War on Terrorism, etc.)
Can't wait to hear them read their 'memories' next week!

CLOTHES

2011-11-08T11:50:00.001-08:00

BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR TOMORROW!!!!
MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN GET DIRTY (PLAYCLOTHES) AND BRING A TOWEL!!!

Hatchet Chapter's 5 - 8 Questions

2011-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

1. Why does Brian feel that it is not so important that he does not know where he is, but that "they" do not know where he is?
2. What advice has Mr. Perpich, Brian's teacher, given Brian on attitude?
3. At the end of Chapter 5, Brian realizes that he needs to provide for two needs immediately if he is to survive. What are these two needs?
4. Brian's first attempt at building a fire fails. How does Brian try to start the first fire?
5. The site chosen by Brian for his shelter is described as a sideways bowl under a ledge. How does Brian think the bowl has been formed?
6. Explain how Brian is led to the berries.
7. When Brian sees his reflection in the water, it frightens him. What does Brian see when he looks at himself?
8. Even though Brian has seen the bear, he feels that it is safe to go back and pick berries. Why?
9. Brian shows that he has become more observant and thoughtful. What does Brian decide from the following observations?
A. The clouds in the sky were scattered; therefore..._______________________
B. It was breezy today, and therefore, there were no...______________________
C. If there was one kind of berry, then there must...________________________
10. After being stuck by the porcupine, what does Brian decide is the most important rule of survival?

Hatchet Chapter's 1 - 4 Questions

2011-11-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

1. Who is Brian going to visit?
2. What is wrong with the pilot?
3. Why is Brian unable to say at first that the pilot is dead?
4. What will eventually happen if Brian just keeps the plane on a course pointing straight ahead?
5. Brian decides to fly the plane onto, and not into, the water. Explain the two choices and their consequences.
6. How does Brian indicate that he is finished talking on the radio and that he is ready to listen?
7. Why does Brian call the trees "the green death?"
8. Predict what would have happened to Brian if he had been knocked unconscious during the crash.
9. Brian is bothered by a secret that he is keeping. What is this secret?
10. Brian feels that he is both lucky and unlucky after the crash. How is he both lucky and unlucky?

access for students to work saved on school computers

2011-11-04T15:03:00.000-07:00

accessing Linux from home:

In order for students to access work at home, any work they save at Brock, bring up the Brock web page and under "Student Resources" on the right side of the page, click on " Linux account home access"

Cheers,

Ms. R

SS Oral Presentation

2011-10-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

SS oral presentations start tomorrow!!

Practice, practice, practice!

Spelling Words: October 31 - November 4th

2011-10-31T15:07:00.001-07:00

Unit 4:

Objective: to spell words with the vowel o

1. anticipation
2. blockade
3. competition
4. continuous
5. patriotic
6. armory
7. donor
8. commercial
9. conclusion
10. policy
11. microphone
12. slogan
13. complicated
14. copious
15. prospector
16. photogenic
17. cockpit
18. continent
19. ominous
20. opponent

Spelling Words: October 24 - 28

2011-10-28T12:25:00.000-07:00

Unit 3:

1. barrier
2. cinnamon
3. ignorance
4. involve
5. align
6. bristle
7. circular
8. illustration
9. isolate
10. testimony
11. bulletin
12. prohibit
13. insurance
14. orchid
15. idle
16. capacity
17. hiccups
18. attire
19. peninsula
20. villain

Old Spelling Words

2011-10-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Unit 2:

1. delegate
2. environment
3. hostess
4. tedious
5. sacred
6. despise
7. epitome
8. leeway
9. erode
10. sterilize
11. embassy
12. estimate
13. lenient
14. recollection
15. testify
16. senior
17. exaggerate
18. medium
19. betray
20. embarrass

Old Spelling Words

2011-10-28T12:21:00.001-07:00

Unit 1:

1. abdomen
2. alfalfa
3. alien
4. bachelor
5. tangerine
6. transparency
7. allegiance
8. anniversary
9. diameter
10. actual
11. advancement
12. amateur
13. association
14. manuscript
15. adhesive
16. fabric
17. basis
18. astronomy
19. vacate
20. approximately

SS project due on Friday

2011-10-26T11:43:00.001-07:00

Electronics

2011-10-25T15:02:00.000-07:00

After a long debate with myself and other colleagues, I believe that we need to use some of the resources that children are using.

We are going to try using electronics (within reason) in class for Math, English, SS, and Science.
This is only happening in my class and students are not to use or ask to use their electronics to other classes; they must leave them in their locker, or have them on their person (but turned off).

Students are allowed to bring an Ipod or a touch phone if they have it.

Rules:

1. They are to keep their electronics on the right top corner of their desk.
2. There is to be no texting, if one person texts, then we will not use electronics at all, they will be banned. If there is an emergency, please call the office for your child and they will be brought down to the office.
3. If listening to music, then they need to use earphones/earbuds, and keep the volume down low enough that it can't be heard by other people.
4. When instructions are on, no earbuds/earphones.
5. No listening to music during silent reading (only during assignment work time in class)
6. Students are responsible for their electronics. They are to keep them in their line of sight at all times! We don't want any to get broken or go missing - this is not my responsibility, nor the schools'

Uses for Electronics:

1. Making flashcards for Spelling
2. Using the calculator
3. Downloading an App for a dictionary (students must prove to me with this week's vocab that they can find all 20 words in the dictionary before they are allowed to use the app. They also know that they will have to show me throughout the year that they can find words alphabetically in the dictionary/thesaurus)
4. For Silent Reading during OUR (only in our) class, if they have downloaded a book and they bring it in and show it to me on the Ipod.
5. Using the calendar option for an agenda (as well as the written one)

I believe that this kind of technology is going to get bigger and bigger and that children know how to use it better than some adults (better than me at times :)

I've talked with all the students and they know that they are my "guinea pig" class. That I haven't done this before and that the rules might change or be added to or deleted depending on how things go.

If you have any rules you would like to see added, please email them to me.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me so that we can discuss them.

Early Dismissal on Thursday

2011-10-25T14:41:00.001-07:00

Early Dismissal on Thursday for Parent/Teacher conferences.
Students will be dismissed at 11:45am.

SS Project

2011-10-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

The SS project is due next week: October 28th!!
Presentations are from November 2nd - November 4th!

Students are getting marked out of 100, on 4 different area's:

Research
Content
Poster
Presentation

The Research portion is out of /28
The Content portion is out of /28
The Poster is out of /24
The Presentation is out of /20

Students have a golden-rod yellow sheet that has the marking broken down, it is quite specific.
Everyone knows that they need to hand in all their family tree, weekly goal sheet, purple bibliography sheet, pink notes (cut-up and glued on line paper with a heading at the top), and their rough drafts (with skipped lines and edited with red pen).

If you have any questions, feel free to email me,

Ms. Robertson

Missing

2011-10-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

Not all students have handed in their 5 rough draft SS paragraphs. They need to finish them as the poster is due on October 28th.

Also, students should have completed a set of worksheets for brainstorming and developing idea's for the story they are writing.

Please check with your child and make sure he or she is up to date.

Thank you.

Novel Study

2011-10-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

We are working our way through our Novel, "Hatchet".

Students have 20 vocabulary words.
They are to find the page and write down the page # that each word is on (they should also see how the word is used)
They are then to write down the correct definition for each word
Then, they are to use each word in a new sentence (underline the word).

We have read Chapter's 1 - 4. Students have 10 questions to answer for those 4 chapters. Hand in Questions when finished.

Math Test

2011-10-12T13:55:00.000-07:00

Reminder to all students:

Chapter1 Math Test on Monday, October 17th!!

Mastery of the Basics

2011-10-11T14:46:00.001-07:00

Mastery of the Basics will take place on Friday this week as Ms. Robertson is in Vancouver on Thursday with the "Me to We" group!

Student Teachers

2011-10-07T11:47:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our 2 new student teachers: Ms. Whitmore and Mr. Spendlove!

They will be in our class for the next 7 Wednesdays!

If you see them around the school, be sure to say Hi!

New Writing Assignment

2011-10-06T12:13:00.001-07:00

Narrative Writing, students are to write a 2-page to max. 20 page story (it's up to them how long they want it as long as it meets the writing rubric criteria and is at least 2 pages long).

Students have been given:

BC Performance Standard for Writing Stories Grade 7.
I will use the BC Performance Standard for marking their story.

They have also been given a package of graphic organizers to help them think about and organize their story:

Brainstorming Page
Attribute Web #3 - to think about and introduce the characters in their story
Attribute Web #2 - to get very specific about the main character
Plot diagram
Setting - they are to draw/show 6 different images about their story, each box is labeled
Story Plan - who? goal? conflict? resolution?

Students should have put these pages together (in order) in their writing and/or English section.

PEP RALLY TOMORROW

2011-10-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

We're House E!

Wear Pink and/or white to show our house and school support!

Pirate Journal

2011-09-21T14:48:00.000-07:00

1. 1-page journal (3/4 of a page)
2. single-spaced
3. typed, size 12 font
4. use pirate lingo
5. Pirates need: cutlass, pistol, headscarf, and a wicked grin
6. written as if in 1500, 1600, or 1700's
7. YOU are the captain of a pirate ship, this is the "Captain's Log" that you are writing.

Example:

Dear Journal Oct 17, 1645

This mornin', when me work up, me boat was rockin' side to side. That landlubber cook, dropped me eggs! Methinks me might keelhaul him this mornin'; provide a bit o' entertainment for me crew (and show them what will happen if they do not listen to me!) Arrggh!

Spelling

2011-09-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Started our Spelling program today.
Students will get lessons every 2nd week.
Pre-test on Monday
Booklets given out on Monday

work on:
Page 1 - Monday
Page 2 - Tuesday
Page 3 - Wednesday
Page 4 - Thursday
Booket due Friday
Post-Test given Friday (for marks)

Remember to bring in Pirate Ships!

2011-09-16T15:05:00.001-07:00

Pirate ships need to come to class for Monday!!!

Oral Presentation due tomorrow

2011-09-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Oral Presentation on "School" is due to be presented tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 16th.
Write presentation on index cards (if no index cards, take a piece of lined paper, fold in 1/2 like a hot dog, cut, then cut each 1/2 into 3 equal pieces)

Practice:

fluency
eye contact
intonation (talk with different tones)
volume

HOMEWORK

2011-09-07T15:19:00.001-07:00

Check out the homework section and project section on the right hand side of the page!

WELCOME TO 2011-2012

2011-09-07T15:16:00.001-07:00

WELCOME to Brocklehurst Middle School!

We will be having English, Math, Social Studies and Science together over the course of this year.

Please feel free to contact me regarding any concerns you have over the curriculum and/or your child!

Hope everyone had a good first day!

Ms. R.

Inside Earth Webquest

2010-06-09T14:35:00.000-07:00

Inside Earth Webquest

Part 1 and 2 due June 4
Part 3 and 4 due June 11
Part 5 and Project due June 18

webpage:

http://www.mrconant.org/webquests/insideearth/index.html

Volcano World Link does not work, use:

http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/education/vwlessons/lessons/Volcanoes/Volcanoes1.html

Continental Drift Link does not work, use:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/do12we.html

Website Updated

2010-05-27T11:24:00.002-07:00

The website is back up and running!
The h0mework, project, and date section have been updated.

Persuasive Writing Project

2010-04-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

Students will be working in Groups of 4 on a Persuasive Writing Project.

They are to create a poster/webpage/commercial about an item (either real or invented) that they would like somebody to purchase.
It must be at least one paragraph long, have pictures, propaganda, etc.

See the following website for the assignment:

http://volweb.utk.edu/Schools/bedford/harrisms/studentpage.htm

Literature Circles

2010-04-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

Students started Literature Circles today!

Students are in groups of 4 or 5.

Lit. Circles will meet 3 times a week.
On Tuesday, students must come prepared, in their role, to discuss their 5 questions.
On Wednesday, students will be given time to do an oral read-a-loud for a chapter, will have time to work on their role for Friday, and will have time to work on the project.
On Friday, students must come prepared, in their role, to discuss their 5 questions.

Lit. Circles will be finished on May 14th. At that time, students are to hand in:
Lit. Circles Duo-tang and their final project (100 points).

Criteria: Students have what is required for the Circles as well as the final project in their Lit. Circle duo-tang.

Set-Up:

Each time students have a new role (Discussion Director, Connector, Word Hunter, Friends of the Character, Artful Illustrator), they need to set-up a new page.

Each page should look like:

___________________________________________________________________
Date Role Chapter(s) Read

Students come prepared with notes on their role.
Notes should be in this space.

2/3 or 3/4 of the way down, students should have left space to fill in notes from the other group members questions.

____________________________________________________________________

Science

2010-03-22T17:14:00.001-07:00

Check out the new science post at the bottom of the page!

SKSS Meeting

2010-03-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, April 7th, at 7 P.M.
There is a parent meeting in the Upper Campus Gym (JP) for parents of Grade 7 students.

Counsellors, administrators, and teachers will describe your child's program of studies and the opportunities that await him or her in Grade 8.

Grade 7 students are welcome to accompany their parents to the meeting.

AGENDA USE

2010-02-24T14:32:00.000-08:00

Some students have decided to quit using agenda's.
We talked about this this morning and I informed everyone that agenda use is not an option.
They are to help students organize themselves.
Students are to write down on the day what they have for homework.
They are also to go ahead in the agenda and write down on the due date what longer-term assignment is due.
Please make sure to check your child's agenda daily.

I will continue with the webpage but I feel that the agenda helps the students organize themselves and be clearer on due dates and activities.

Grade 7 Parent Meeting

2010-02-22T18:22:00.001-08:00

Grade 7 Parent Meeting
5:15 pm
Pacific Way Elementary
Tuesday, February 23rd

Late Work

2010-02-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

If students have any missing or late work for Term 2, they must have the missed work into Ms. R. by Friday, February 12th!
See the list in the classroom if you're unsure (it's been up for over a week).

Young Author's Conference

2010-02-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

Young Author's Conference is fast approaching. If you have anything you would like to submit, please hand in to Ms. Robertson by February 28th.

Over-night sleepover or sleepout?

2010-02-05T18:45:00.001-08:00

A challenge has been issued! And we are answering!
Heffley Creek Elementary has challenged other elementary schools in the district to take part in the ONE NIGHT OUT CHALLENGE!

On February 25th, we are hoping to demystify homelessness.
Youth across North America will take one night out to dispel the myths and raise awareness of homelessness in their communities.

Students will be brining home a permission form and asking some of their parents (hopefully you :) to spend the night of February 25th with us in Pac Way's school gym.

Look for the permission form tomorrow....

McQueen Lake Cancelled

2010-02-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

Due to the lack of snow and info. sent home, McQueen Lake will be cancelled at this time.
We were going to go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on February 17th and 18th; unfortunately, there is no snow at this time.

PJ Day

2010-02-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

Ms. Robertson's class will be having a PJ Day on February 11th.

We will also be having a 'food' afternoon. In the afternoon, students are going to sign up to bring different food items in (enough for @6 people each) and we'll have a small potluck!

No pop or really sugary foods, please!

Canadian Citizenship Assembly

2010-02-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Pacific Way will be hosting a Canadian Citizenship Assembly on February 9th.
55 people from 17 countries will be becoming Canadian Citizens!! What an amazing event for our students to witness!!!

In order to celebrate this momentous occasion, Pacific Way is having another red and white day!
Students, show your pride of being Canadian, wear Red and White on Tuesday!!!

Student Teacher Candidate

2010-02-03T13:17:00.000-08:00

Ms. Staruiala has finished her practicum at Pacific Way and we wish her all the best on the rest of her journey!

Parents - New Drug to be Aware of.....

2010-01-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

Marketing Drugs to Kids: From Cheese to Strawberry Quick

By Maggie Lineback

Dallas Indep. School district police dept.

Seized packets of cheese.

DALLAS, Texas — Something called “cheese” is killing kids. In August of 2005, no one had even heard of it — so much so, that when a school district police officer first saw a bag of this drug, he thought it was fake. Now officials realize cheese is all too real; at least 21 kids have died from overdosing on it.

Cheese is a combination of black tar heroin and crushed up Tylenol PM tablets and hits of it sell for a buck or two. Like any type of heroin, cheese is highly addictive and deadly. If that’s not enough to scare you, there’s this: drug pushers cooked it up special for kids.

“Traditionally heroin is going to be an adult user drug,” says Dallas Independent School District Officer Jeremy Liebbe. “Black tar heroin is cooked on a spoon, mixed with liquid and injected. Meaning needles. Not many kids are wild about needles, so if you want to market heroin to kids you've got to come up with an alternative to it.”

And that’s exactly what drug dealers in the Dallas area have done — they’ve come up with a form that can be snorted and gave it a seemingly benign name: “cheese.” But cheese is just the start. Have you heard of “Strawberry Quick?” It’s not a kid’s drink — it’s a kid’s methamphetamine. Drug dealers mix meth with Kool-Aid in an attempt to make it look and taste better. And again, there’s the snappy name. While Strawberry Quick hasn’t made a big splash in Dallas, it is gaining ground in other parts of the country.

The DEA says the whole act of marketing drugs to kids is a dangerous and relatively new trend.
“They're looking for a new consumer, ” says James Capra, the Special Agent In Charge of the DEA office in Dallas. “They've taken the tactic that advertising people have taken for years; you want to sell a product, you’ve got do a good marketing approach to it.”

The anecdote for any slick marketing campaign is the truth. Cheese users, if they live, eventually escalate to needle use. And if they try to get off cheese, users have horrible physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. So of course it’s best never to start. As for meth, anyone who’s seen a meth addict, with their scabbed skin and rotting teeth, knows what a con “Strawberry Quick” is.

What can you do? Fernando Cortez is getting involved. He lost his 15-year-old son to cheese earlier this year. Cortez swears his son wasn’t a user and is haunted by what-ifs. What if he had done this versus that? Would his son still be alive? In the end, Cortez has had to put away those thoughts and channel his grief into something that could save lives. He goes to Dallas schools, speaking out about his painful experience and giving out his cell phone number to anyone who needs to talk. He urges parents to do the same — talk to their kids.

Drug experts add this advice: don’t bury your head in the sand. If your child’s grades drop, he loses interest in the activities he once loved, if he changes friends, if he starts to have trouble at school … all of these are warning signs that need to be acted upon immediately. With drug dealers stepping up their efforts to target your kids, police and drug counselors say we should all make as much of an effort to keep them safe.

Maggie Lineback is a FOX News channel producer.

Indoor Shoes

2010-01-12T14:41:00.001-08:00

Please remember your indoor shoes!
Students cannot wear socks on their feet only; it is a safety hazard!

FSA's

2010-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

FSA tests start next week!
Written tests are from January 18 - 22
Computer tests are from January 25 - 29

Science Fair Dates

2010-01-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

Pacific Way's Science Fair is February 23rd, 2010.

SCIENCE FAIR

Hello! This term, our class is participating in the Science Fair. Even though most students have participated in previous years, it is important to ensure that we are all working together to ensure success. Please note the due dates and help to ensure that your child doesn’t fall behind.

Due Dates for Projects:

Wednesday, January 20th

Question (what are you trying to find out)and Hypothesis (what you think will happen; use “if, then, because”) are due

Wednesday, January 27th

List of required materials and steps for conducting the experiment are due.

Thursday, February 4th

Results and conclusions are due (at this point you should have answered your question and know what happened during the experiment)

Thursday, February 18th

Completed poster boards are due

Monday, February 22nd

Set-up for school Science Fair

Tuesday, February 23rd

School Science Fair

Thursday, February 25th

Take down from school Science Fair

We will devote some class time to science fair preparations, but students will have to work at home as well

We will be reviewing each step of developing a science fair project in class. For this reason, I ask that students not rush ahead. If they do rush ahead, they may find themselves having to re-do parts of their project because they do not meet the criteria.

I have attached some information about science fair projects for you to refer to if you have any questions. You are also welcome to ask me!

Our first step is to decide a topic. I have some ideas for students in they are stumped. We will be reviewing and brainstorming some ideas in class.

Students are to work alone for this project.

Comfort Day

2009-12-11T14:42:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 18th, Students in Ms. R's class can wear Pajama's and have a comfort day!

Christmas Concert Dates

2009-11-30T14:09:00.000-08:00

Concerts are upon us!

December 9th - Dress Rehearsal at Pacific Way, after lunch
December 9th - SKSS concert for the band, 6:30 be there, 7:00pm start

December 10th - Pacific Way Concert, band will be playing.
6:15 band arrives, concert starts at 7pm

Michel Chikwanine

2009-11-27T14:18:00.000-08:00

One of the speakers at Free the Children, Me to We Day!

Michel Chikwanine, an ex-child Soldier from Sierra Leone, will be in Kamloops on November 30th to "tell his unforgettable story, his amazing journey and how he turned so much negative experience into something that can help and motivate youth to help themselves and other youth."

He is at the Henry Grube (rooms 1a and 1b)on Monday, November 30th at 6:45pm.
IT'S FREE!
Limited Seating Available, please pre-register.
email:

CAAN at tettinger@telus.net or call (250) 571-6891

Persuasive Essay

2009-11-24T16:38:00.000-08:00

Students will be writing a persuasive essay (defending their side of the subject they choose).
A persuasive essay is no longer merely showing, it is convincing. The persuasive essay must choose a side, make a case for it, consider alternative arguments (concession/concede to the other side), and prove that their opinion is the best one.

Topic is student choice with teacher approval.
Students will be marked using the Personal, Impromptu Writing Performance Standard.

Criteria:

Process of Writing:

Make a list of possible topics
Choose a topic
Web what you already know (brainstorm)
Outline
Research
Revise Outline
Notes
Rough Draft
Descriptive Feedback (Editing) Peer and teacher
Make Changes
Hand in for Marks

Essay:

6 Paragraphs
6 - 8 sentences per paragraph
Must have a Thesis Statement
Must use a qualifier in the Thesis Statement
Examples of Qualifiers: almost, often, probably, in most cases, usually, some, maybe, most

Form: Paragraph 1 - Introduction
Paragraph 2 - body
Paragraph 3 - body
Paragraph 4 - body
Paragraph 5 - body
Paragraph 6 - conclusion

The body paragraphs should have one topic per paragraph, relate back to the Thesis Statement, and should be sufficiently supported.

Essay must be a:
"Statement of Fact" (claims that something is true or not true),
"Statement of Value" (claims that something does or does not have worth), or
"Statement of Policy" (claims that something should or should not be done).

Must have support/evidence for their side. Students can use: Predictions, statistics, observations, expert testimony, comparisons, research - internet and books.

Essay must have a concession, identify other valid opinions about your subject. You must show that you are aware of other sides and be fair to them; dismissing them completely will weaken your own argument.

Take a side that they believe in, preferably with the most supporting evidence.

Have fun

Reminder to bring skates tomorrow

2009-11-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

Ice Skating tomorrow morning. 10:30 - 11:45am.

Early Dismissal

2009-11-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

Early Dismissal on Monday, November 23rd.
Students get to go home at 12:30.
I will contact parents I would like to see. If you would like to meet with me, please email or phone to set up an appointment.

Grade 7 Math Test

2009-11-12T18:01:00.003-08:00

Chapter 6 Math Test
"Integers" Adding and Subtracting
Wednesday, November 18th

Science Test

2009-11-12T18:01:00.001-08:00

Chapter One Science Test
Characteristics of Living Things
Needs of Living Things
Monday, November 16th

VOW OF SILENCE

2009-11-09T18:12:00.000-08:00

On November 19th at 12:00pm, students will undertake a Vow of Silence for 24 hours! To give a voice to those children that do not have a voice.
See iamsilent.com or freethechildren.com
The Vow of Silence will end on November 20th at 12:00pm.
Students are not supposed to talk, laugh, pretend cough, text, twitter, facebook, etc. for 24 hours!
Rejoice Parents! :)
Students are collecting pledges between now and November 18th.
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at barobertson@sd73.bc.ca

Dance

2009-10-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 29th, Halloween Dance in the Gym for the afternoon.
Bring a canned food item to get in.

Dates for Projects

2009-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Long-Term Projects:

October 30 - Social Studies Project Due
November 25 - Rough Draft of Poems are Due
December 4 - Book Report Due

At this time, we are also working on the following assignments:

Speaking and Listening - Reading 1 poem a week out-loud
(Week's 1 & 3 to the class, Week's 2 & 4 to Ms. R)

Poetry Circles - Like Literature Circles, but with 5 different poems instead.

M.o.t.B Test - Every Friday.

Poetry Circles

2009-10-15T10:08:00.000-07:00

This term, we are going to do Poetry Circles as part of our Reading Comprehension.

Students are put into groups of three and have been given a poetry booklet with 5 poems in it.

Students will be given directions as to how to manage their time with the poetry booklets.

Today, October 15, students met in their group and decided what one of the five poems they want to discuss in their group on Monday. Students will need to come prepared to discuss ONE poem on Monday; the poem their group decided on.

In order to prepare to discuss the poem, they need to do a write-around. Students should read the poem and write around the poem what they think it means, what they think of the poem, do they like or not and why.

Poetry Writing

2009-10-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

Students will have time in the next 6 weeks, in class, to compose a poetry booklet. As class time is provided, it is student choice whether or not they want to work on the poems outside of class. Some children really enjoy writing poetry and cannot wait to start.

The poetry booklet will have 11 different types of poems.
Some of the poem types are: Haiku, Cinquain, Tanka, Those Eyes, If I Were in Charge of the World, Diamante, Free Verse, Alliteration, Tree Poem, and a few others.

Rough Draft is Due on November 25. This is so that students can re-look, again, at the criteria sheet and get Descriptive Feedback on what is going well and what they might need to change to improve their writing.

Poetry Bags

2009-10-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

We have started Poetry Bags in our classroom.
Poetry Bags are where students choose a theme (author or subject) and read through the poems in the bag (there are 2 - 5 poems per bag). Students then choose one poem to work on for the week that they will read to the class or to myself.

Poems DO NOT have to be memorized.

Students will be marked on: Expression, Phrasing, Tone, Intonation, Expression, and Fluency. Students have a criteria sheet in their binders.

Tuesday, October 20th is the first Poetry Reading Day. Students are to come prepared to orally read out-loud, from the paper, the poem to the class.

The following week, students will read one to one with myself from a different poetry bag.

Halloween Craft

2009-10-14T16:15:00.001-07:00

Bring a small to medium pot (not plastic) in for our Halloween Craft on October 30th.

Grade 7 Math Test

2009-10-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

Grade 7's - don't forget you have a math test tomorrow! Chapter 1 - Divisibility Rules, Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) and Greatest Common Factor (GCF).

For you STAR WARS fans out there....

2009-10-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

'Star Wars (John Williams Is The Man)' - an a cappella tribute [HQ, Closed Captioned]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk5_OSsawz4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhome.php&feature=player_embedded#t=249

Upcoming Events

2009-10-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ms. R's and Ms. A's class will be participating in some upcoming events to support Free the Children.

On October 31st we will be participating in HALLOWEEN FOR HUNGER. Students will go door to door and request a canned food donation for a local charity.j

On November 20th, we will be taking A VOW OF SILENCE, in support of children without a voice. Students are to go 24 hours without talking, texting, twittering, facebooking, writing notes to each other, etc. Pledge forms will be handed out.

Look out for newsletters coming home about the events.

FOOD BANK DRIVE

2009-10-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Our Grade 7's will be visiting the Kamloops Food Bank on October 8th from 10 - 11:30am.
Students will get a tour of the Food Bank and then will volunteer some time by helping sort food items, organizing the store room, etc.
We are hosting a Food Drive Competition between classes at Pacific Way Elementary.
Classes are asked to bring in: tuna, pasta, pasta sauce, granola bars, fruits cups, healthy items for students to take to school in their lunches. The class that brings in the most items will get a prize from our class; TBA.
Way to go Ms. R's Class. Keep up the good work!

ME TO WE DAY

2009-09-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

Grade 7 Students:

ME TO WE DAY
Tuesday, September 29th
Meet at SKSS (by Sagebrush Theatre) at 3:00AM
Bus leaves at 3:30AM
WE ARE ON BUS #3

BRING:

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, SNACKS, NO NUTS
CAMERA
CELL PHONE (CHARGED)
HAND SANITIZER

SEE YOU BRIGHT AND EARLY TUESDAY MORNING :)

NO SCHOOL MONDAY

2009-09-25T14:51:00.000-07:00

Reminder that Monday, September 28th is a Pro-D day.
No school for children!
Enjoy!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

2009-09-21T21:32:00.001-07:00

Parent/Teacher Conferences are on October 8th or 9th.
I am available on October 8th until 4:45.
On October 9th, I am available all day.
If you are unable to make either day, please email me to set up another appointment.

INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

2009-09-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

Welcome, me hearty, to the Pac Way HQ for Talk Like A Pirate Day!

International Talk Like A Pirate Day began in the mists of the 1990s, when two Yankees, John Baur (Ol' Chum Bucket) and Mark Summers (Cap'n Slappy), be talkin' like pirates all o'a sudden. They decided that, to further the noble causes of the sweet trade of piracy, September 19 each year be the day when all souls over the world should be talkin' like pirates. For years, their valiant efforts were wasted, until they contacted a man by the name of Dave Barry, who be writin' a humour column for the great masses o' landlubbers out yonder.
He showed his devotion to the cause by promoting the Day to millions of people across the world from the tropical climes of Miami, to the wild and weary shores of Thunder Bay. From thar, the media across the seven seas carried the story, and it reached every corner of the world!

Our class will be participating in International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 18th!!
Ahoy, me matey! Dress up and join the fun! We will be having a Math Scavenger Hunt and Learning how to speak Pirate!

WELCOME LETTER

2009-09-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

September 14, 2009
Dear Parents and Students,
Welcome back to the 2009-2010 school year! I hope that you all had a restful, safe and enjoyable summer. I am very excited to be starting up a new year with your child.
Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have been teaching for 11 years, I'm starting my fourth year at Pacific Way Elementary. I have a 6 year old little boy starting Grade One, I play French Horn with the Thompson Valley Community Orchestra and I am a triathlete training for the Vancouver Half-Ironman in July, 2010.

We will be having a teacher candidate (student teacher) in our classroom this year. Miss Staruiala will be joining us until September 25th and then she will be back after Christmas until Spring Break. Please see her letter of introduction.

Along with the school goals, a couple of classroom goals that I would like to set for this year would be as follows:
1) ORGANIZATION – one of the ways students can be successful this year is to stay ORGANIZED. This means that effective use of the agenda is very important, keeping their desk and locker areas tidy, as well as keeping their binders/notebooks in order.
2)Leadership – the students will be required to participate in a variety of leadership roles throughout the school.
3)RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, and (positive) RELATIONSHIPS – I expect the students to be respectful to others, responsible for their own actions and to build healthy and positive working relationships with others in the classroom, school and community.

I will be communicating with you in many ways regarding your child’s progress. It is imperative that we work together to ensure that your child has a successful year. The following are a few things that will help your child off to a great start.
1.Pack up backpack the night before to ensure that AGENDA and HOMEWORK are complete and ready to bring back to school.

2.AGENDA will be filled out at the end of each day by your son/daughter. I will then initial their entry when it is written neatly and completely. I encourage you to ask to see this agenda on a nightly basis to help ensure homework is being done. Agenda needs to be signed everyday by a parent/guardian.

3.BE ON TIME. Bell rings at 8:20am. Punctuality is extremely important as we start our learning at 8:30am sharp.

4.Ipods/MP3's/Cell Phones – these items are NOT allowed to be on during school hours. It is best to keep these items at home to prevent theft. In emergencies, students are permitted to use the office phone.

5.LUNCH TIME – students are permitted to go home for lunch (please provide a note, which will be good for the year). Students are asked to go straight home and return to school before the bell at 12:50pm.
If you are allowing your student to go to a friend's house for lunch or a different destination other than your home, please send a new note with your permission for the day of this visit, as the school is responsible for your child's whereabouts. We want all student's to be safe when travelling off school grounds.

6.SIGN IN/OUT – students are asked to sign in/out at the office ANYTIME they leave the school grounds. Provide your student with a note (doctor/dentist, etc.) in the agenda and I will do my best to have your child ready for pick up at the office.

7.LOCKERS – students will be assigned a locker to use for the year. Your son/daughter may be required to share this locker with another student from the class. Student's may bring a lock to put on their locker. They must record their combinations with me in case of an emergency. Student's are asked to remove school items from their backpacks and store their backpack in their locker with their coats and gym strip.

8.MEDICAL CONCERNS. Please make sure that all files are up to date at the office.

9.WEBPAGE – I have built a webpage to let you and your child know what is happening in our classroom and school. There are links to other interesting websites for both students and parents throughout the year as well as an area for assignments, criteria, and due dates. This webpage is a work in progress and I would appreciate any feedback you may have about what you would like to see included on it.

http://www.pacway-robertson.blogspot.com

Organization
As organization is a key area that we want to work on this year, I would like to request that all students buy a 2-inch binder and 3 sets of subject dividers. If this is a problem or concern at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school (250-851-0632) or by email: barobertson@sd73.bc.ca. I will provide students with paper and notebooks for the binder.
As we had quite a few problems with school calculators being broken last year, I would also like to request that you buy your child an inexpensive calculator (Wal-Mart has some for @$7.00).
I understand that in previous years, some students have had weekly reports done by their classroom teacher to update them and their parents on how they were progressing, what a fabulous idea! Part of our goal in Grade 7 this year is to prepare for Grade 8. However, after talking with the class, the students (unanimously) have requested to not have weekly reports. We feel that the webpage, emails, and phone will be enough to help them stay “on top of the ball”.
I believe that if used properly, the agenda should be sufficient. I also send home interim reports mid-way through the term. However, sometimes people need a little bit of extra help. If you feel that there is any cause for concern at all, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can privately set-up a weekly report through your child or through email.

Snacks

Your child should be bringing nutritious snacks to school every day. Please do not send pop, energy drinks, ice tea, flavoured drink crystals (kool-aid or crystal light), candy, donuts, chocolate or similar foods otherwise known as “sometimes foods”. During Health and Career Ed., we talk about different foods and their nutritional value. We encourage students to bring snacks with reusable plastic containers and fabric lunch bags. Some suggested snacks include raw vegetables, crackers, and fruit! Suggested drinks include water, milk, chocolate milk, or 100% juice.
Please send in a box of kleenex as it is nice to have kleenex in the classroom.
Your support in the above areas will be of great value to your child and myself. I look forward to working with you and your child this year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at the school (250-851-0632) or email me at: barobertson@sd73.bc.ca

I find it is sometimes easier in today’s society to contact people through email. If you do not mind being contacted by email please provide your address below:

Name: ___________________________________________________

Child's Name: ___________________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________________

Sincerely,
Barb Robertson
Pacific Way Elementary
Grade 6/7/Band

WELCOME

2009-09-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

WELCOME back to a new year! I'm really looking forward to an exciting 2009/2010 with everyone.
Check back on Monday for the WELCOME LETTER that was sent home on Friday.

Year End Band Concert

2009-06-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

June 17 from 1:15 - 2:15pm in Pacific Way Elementary Gym.
Junior Band, Senior Band, and Jazz Band.
Come on out, listen to some good music, and relax.

BaseBall

2009-06-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

Grade 7 students are going to be playing Baseball Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch.
All students must have a helmet in order to be back catcher, hit and run bases.
All students must have a glove in order to play in the field.
Bring your lunch and be ready to play :)

Kamloops Food Bank

2009-05-25T14:20:00.001-07:00

Way to go, Grade 7's!!!
What a great morning at the Food Bank. You had a great tour and worked really hard.
We took 146 pounds of Food to the Food Bank.

Colteon, Angie, Danya, and Janelle sorted produce.
Cole and Matt helped make bags of snacks for children to take in their lunches.
Brett, Wes, Cody, Austin, and Darian helped out in the back by moving boxes (the Food Bank is getting painted tomorrow), sweeping, etc.
Everyone else sorted 60 boxes of dry food!

Congratulations on a great day!

Craig Kielburger

2009-05-25T14:16:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone!
This would be a wonderful precursor to the Me To We Conference in
September and would help motivate our students.

ME TO WE: A CHALLENGE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
This presentation featuring three-time Nobel Peace Prize
nominee Craig Kielburger is a unique speaking event presented by
Investors Group at the Sagebrush Theatre on June 3, 2009, 7:00-9:30 pm.
This speaking event is suitable for children ages nine and up, high
school and university students and adults of all ages. Tickets are
$15.00 and available from Investors Group at (250) 372-2955.
Net proceeds from ticket sales will go to fund building a school through
Free The Children. Free The Children continues to build schools, giving
thousands of children a chance for education and greater hope for their
future.

ABOUT CRAIG KIELBURGER
Craig Kielburger is an accomplished child rights advocate and
leadership specialist, an award-winning author and a popular speaker.
He is founder of Free The Children, the world's largest network of
children helping children through education, and the co-founder of
Leaders Today, the world's top youth leadership training organization.
free the children.
If you are interested in attending, Ms. Robertson has reserved 10 tickets. Ms. Robertson will also be attending the presentation and will meet (in the lobby of Sagebrush Theatre) and supervise students that choose to attend, if a parent is unable to attend.
Please bring $15.00 tomorrow so that Ms. Robertson can purchase tickets for all interested.

Math Test

2009-05-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

Reminder, Chapter 9 math test tomorrow!

Science Project "Larry the Loaf"

2009-05-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

All hands on projects should be done by now:

* Questioning of the 4 suspects
* Powder Analysis
* Fingerprinting
* Foot/Shoe Print
* Ink Chromatography
* Handwriting Analysis
* Hair Analysis

Students now need to make a title page, table of contents, 4 suspect biographies (means, motive, opportunity), and a forensic report write-up. Also included in the report should be recording of all the hands on projects.

Will be included in the science, art, and writing mark.