Probability at "Casnio Saga"

As part of the grade 7 mathematics curriculum, students are expected to understand probability.  Our culminating task for probability was for students to come up with a game of chance.  In this game, students had to create a game where the theoretical probability was between 25 and 49 percent.  Students were to test the playability of their games so that other classes would have fun when they came to play.  The grade 7 students had a blast when they designed and delivered their games.  The rest of the students had a great time coming in and playing the games that the grade 7's create.  All in all this was a great way to deliver the mathematics curriculum.

Here is a short video of a patron playing one of the games, enjoy!

A June Reflection

I asked students how they want to be remembered.  The ideas that students came up with were extremely powerful.  These students have worked EXTREMELY hard and made me very proud. Have a read and share with your students.  My students hope that their answers will motivate other students to be remembered in a similar light.

Emma

I want my teacher at Sagonaska to remember me as a hard-working student and someone who cared about learning.  I feel this way because I have worked extremely hard and tried my best.

During this year I've gained respect and want to make my teacher proud. I also want to better myself and my learning. I feel it's extremely important my teachers know this so they know I'm committed to the work, and putting effort in. I want to be remembered as a hard-working, caring, committed student.

John
I would like to be remembered as a great student and a hard worker. The way I am going to be remembered like that is to be a hard worker by putting extra time into the work I do. That is what I would like to be remembered as.

Harry
I want my teachers at Sagonaska to remember me as a good example for the first years and showing them how to use their technology effectively. I want the teachers to know I was a kid that helped people when they were stuck with their technology. This is how I want to be remembered at Sagonaska.

Blair

I want my teacher at Sagonaska to remember me as a hard worker. I Tried my best at my work for the whole year.  I tried my best to read and it got me up to a DRA 40 from a DRA 3. I want my teacher to remember me as the best student in his class!

Jamie
I want the teachers at Sagonaska to remember me as a leader and as a student  that never gives up. I want to be seen as a student that can advocate for myself and give other students help. I will advocate by asking for help and if I see a student that is struggling I will help. That is how I want the teachers at Sagonaska to remember me.

Maggie

I want the teachers at Sagonaska to remember me second year student  that helped myself and never gave up. I want them to remember me as a responsible, trustworthy, student, that always helps others that need help along the way. That's how I want to be remembered at Sagonaska.

Celebrating Success!

An extremely important part of learning is reflecting on what you have learned as well as celebrating accomplishments you have made. 

My Empower Reading students finished the program this week! As part of a celebration of success, as well as a way for students to reflect on the immense progress they have made this school year, I asked them to create a quick document illustrating their reading progress from September to June.


Here is what they put together...

Sarah

Before Empower	After Empower
I never liked reading I got mad at spelling Tried my best then just gave up I didn't know what to do Never knew the word I would always spell everything wrong I would never use my strategies	I love reading I love spelling words out I'm trying as hard as I can more than I did before Always prepared Now I know the word Always use my strategies

             

Next Steps:

• Need to practice no my stop sound

• When decoding, go from left to right

• Comprehension

• practice the sounds

Abbie

Before Empower	After Empower
I was bad at reading I didn't like reading Reading was too hard I gave up I was lost	My reading level increased big time I'm a pro at decoding words I enjoy reading Reading is easy I show grit

Next Steps

• Comprehension
• Fluency
• Reading out loud
• Use peeling off more instead of going straight to sounding out

Emma

Before Empower	After Empower
I sucked at Reading Hated reading Couldn't spell Just gave up Stopped trying	I am good at reading Reading is enjoyable I can decode my words with different strategies I Love to read

Next Steps

• Practice fluency
• Remember my affixes and their sounds
• Remember to decode with my strategies

Ryan

Before Empower	After Empower
I was horrible at reading before Empower. I had no confidence in reading. I hated reading. I gave up. I felt stupid I didn't care. I didn't know what the Empower was. I didn't know if the sounds were and what they made.	I am great at decoding words. I have way more confidence in reading then I did before learning how to use Empower. Reading as much easier now. I actually read on my own time. I am better at comprehension. Now I care and don't feel stupid. Empower really changed my life.

Next Steps

• Reading fluency.
• Comprehension.
• Use my strategies whenever possible without knowing it.
• Using the right strategies and the right time and place.
• Really think deeply about my reading strategies.

The Week of May 31, 2016

This week the grade 7's at Sagonaska did a great job of illustrating their flexibility.  EQAO took place this week for the grade 6 classes which caused a schedule change for Empower. Students were extremely resilient when they had to join other Empower groups to do some great consolidation and review activities.  This schedule change also allowed the teachers to witness the great progress that other students from other classes are demonstrating!

As part of our pamphlet assignment, we had Adam Tilley, a local entrepreneur Facetime in to talk about the importance of planning. As the founder of The Brakeroom, Adam had to have a detailed plan in place in order to create a business.  Now that Adam's plan has come to fruition, we were lucky enough to take the students to the Brakeroom to check it out.  Some of the students brought their pamphlets to show to Adam.

As part of our cuminating activity for measurement, the students had to create a shark tank in Minecraft, then pitch their design to the "Dragon's Den".  The students were excited about the activity and did a great job pitching their designs.

Next Week:

Constable Jolly from the Belleville police service is coming to speak with the elementary students regarding substance use and abuse.  The week of June 13, nurse Nancy is coming in to our physical education class to talk about growth and development with students.  Coming home this weekend is an information sheet.

As a year end trip, we have planned a trip to Sandbanks Provincial Park for students.  The cost is 5$ which will cover transportation and entry fee to the beach.  Please have the permission form and the 5$ fee back to the school on Monday.

The end of the year is coming quickly.  Please RSVP to Recognition day on June 28.  It is always a great celebration for students, staff and parents. RSVP to Tara Tanner as soon as you can!