WELCOME!!!

Hello everyone,

Welcome to Mr. McDowell's classroom blog. I am very excited to have a classroom webpage and I hope that you will find it useful. The purpose of this blog is to provide a convenient (and reliable) communication link between students, parents, the school and Mr. McDowell. I invite you to check this blog on a daily basis as I will be posting valuable information about the classroom and the school - including daily homework assignments, important dates, classroom/school news, etc.

For your convenience, you can also sign-up to receive "daily updates" from this blog that automatically gets sent to your email every day there is a new posting. Simply type in your email address into the 'submit' box found on the right side of this blog.

More importantly, if you ever have any questions or concerns about your son/ daughter, please do not hesitate to contact me via phone, email, or this blog:

M.C. Knoll School - 786-5540
Email - benson.mcdowell@gssd.ca



Friday, January 30, 2009

M.C. Knoll Survivor Challenge (Part IV)

Here are the last few pictures from our amazing Survivor Adventure that the students participated in on January 26 and 27. I hope you enjoyed viewing these pictures as much as I have!!!



Classroom News - Jan. 30

As quick as the week has started...it has already ended.

Have a terrific weekend!

Reminders:
- Please return any overdue ski forms ASAP. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
Math 6 - Page 122 (#1-20) (division) (due Monday, Feb. 2)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)
Math 7 - Number Relationships Test (Monday, Feb. 2)
Spelling 6 - Lesson #10 and Test (Thursday, Feb. 5)
Spelling 7 - Lesson #12 and Test (Thursday, Feb. 5)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

M.C. Knoll Survivor Challenge (Part III)

More pictures from the "Survivor" challenge to laugh at and enjoy!!!



M.C. Knoll Survivor Challenge (Part II)

Here are some additional pictures from the 24 hour Survivor Challenge. These pictures are from the latter portion of the adventure (after school and throughout the night). More pictures still to come...



Classroom News - Jan. 29

Welcome back everyone - including those who are eager to learn and those who are still a little tired from our 'Survivor' adventures!

Reminders:
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than tomorrow - Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (overdue Friday, Jan. 23)
Art - Song Project with minimum 3 values/textures (Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody) (overdue Thursday, Jan. 29)
Math 7 - Section 1.7 (pg 29 #1-5) (due Friday, Jan. 30)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)
Math 7 - Number Relationships Test (Monday, Feb. 2)
Spelling 6 - Lesson #10 and Test (Thursday, Feb. 5)
Spelling 7 - Lesson #12 and Test (Thursday, Feb. 5)

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

M.C. Knoll Survivor Challenge (Part I)

Here are a few pic's from our terrific 24 hour Survivor Challenge. These pictures, in particular, are from the early portion of the challenge (during regular school hours). Stay tuned for more throughout the week...



Friday, January 23, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 23

Make sure your son/daughter is well rested this weekend - the M.C. Knoll "Survivor Challenge" begins on Monday!!! Ensure the students are prepared for this special day (clothes, swimming gear, food, etc.)

Reminders:
- Please return the "Survivor Consent Forms" by Monday, Jan. 26.
- We are still collecting empty milk containers for Survivor Habitat on Monday, Jan. 26.
- In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for Monday, Jan. 26 as well.
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
French - Return French Tests with Signatures (overdue Thursday, Jan. 22)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (overdue Friday, Jan. 23)
Math 7 - Section 1.6 (pg 25 #1-9) and 1.6 Worksheet (due Thursday, Jan. 29)
Art - Song Project with minimum 3 values/textures (Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody) (due Thursday, Jan. 29)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)
Math 7 - Number Relationships Test (Monday, Feb. 2)

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 22

Start to get your son/daughter mentally (and physically) prepared for our "Survivor Challenge"!!!

Reminders:
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 23).
- Please return the "Survivor Consent Forms" by Monday, Jan. 26.
- We are still collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
Social - Pacific Rim Neighbors Assignment (overdue Wednesday, Jan. 21)
French - Return French Tests with Signatures (overdue Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Geometric Solids Test (Friday, Jan. 23)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 21

Ask your son/daughter about the 'flying car' that we learned about today, in addition to Obama's Inauguration speech.

Reminders:
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 23.
- Please return the "Survivor Consent Forms" ASAP.
- We are collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
Social - Pacific Rim Neighbors Assignment (overdue Wednesday, Jan. 21)
French - Return French Tests with Signatures (due Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules mini-quiz (div. by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) (Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 7 - Pg 21 (Review: do questions as needed for the quiz) (due Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Pg 64 (#1 and Problem Solving) and Pg 66 (#1-16) (due Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Geometric Solids Test (Friday, Jan. 23)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 20

Reminders:
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 23.
- Please return the "Survivor Consent Forms" ASAP.
- We are collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
Social - Pacific Rim Neighbors Assignment (due Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules mini-quiz (div. by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) (Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 7 - Pg 21 (Review: do questions as needed for the test) (due Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Pg 64 (#1 and Problem Solving) and Pg 66 (#1-16) (due Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Geometric Solids Test (Friday, Jan. 23)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 7 - PowerPoint Timeline Project and Presentation (due Monday, Feb. 2)

Monday, January 19, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 19

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend.

Just a few reminders to pass along:
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 23.
- We are collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Please return Ski forms (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30. The grade 6-8 ski adventure to the Asessippi Ski Area is on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

For Homework:
Math 6 - Geometric Computer Activity (Exploring Geometric Solids) (due Tuesday, Jan. 20)
Math 7 - Section 1.4 (pg. 18 #1-9 as needed) and 1.4 Homework Worksheet (due Tuesday, Jan. 20)
Social - Pacific Rim Neighbors Assignment (due Wednesday, Jan. 21)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules mini-quiz (div. by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) (Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Geometric Solids Test (Friday, Jan. 23)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Adventure Education: Cross-Country Skiing

Enjoy a few pic's from today's (Friday, Jan. 16) Adventure Education experience with the grade 7's. As you can see, the students were working hard grooming the trails with their cross-country ski's.



Classroom News - Jan. 16

Sorry about not writing a post yesterday. As some of you know, I was attending a professional development seminar and was unable to get back to the school.

Just a few reminders to pass along:
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 23.
- We are collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Ski forms were handed out today for our trip to the Asessippi Ski Area on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Please return (with the appropriate fees) no later than Friday, Jan. 30.

Also, the boys and girls basketball teams will be back in action Monday, Jan. 19. Games will start at 4:00 pm.

Have a wonderful weekend!

For Homework:
Science - Sensing and Responding to the Environment Handout (overdue Thursday, Jan. 15)
English 6 - Lesson #11 and #12 (Simple Subjects) (overdue Friday, Jan. 16)
Spelling 7 - Lesson #11 (overdue Friday, Jan. 16)
Math 6 - Geometric Computer Activity (Exploring Geometric Solids) (due Tuesday, Jan. 20)
Math 7 - Section 1.4 (pg. 18 #1-9 as needed) and 1.4 Homework Worksheet (due Tuesday, Jan. 20)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules mini-quiz (div. by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) (Thursday, Jan. 22)
Math 6 - Geometric Solids Test (Friday, Jan. 23)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 14

Reminders:
- Come and cheer on the boys and girls basketball teams tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 15) at St. Al's School from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
- We are collecting empty milk containers and kleenex boxes for Survivor Habitat on Jan. 26 + 27. In addition, we are hoping students will lend lego sets for that special day.
- Grade 6 students will be providing the baking for the Bake Sale on Friday, Jan. 23.
- Be sure your son/daughter is properly dressed during this time of cold 'Saskatchewan' weather.

For Homework:
Math 6 - Pg 63, Creating the Dodecahedron (due Thursday, Jan. 15)
Math 7 - Section 1.4 (pg 18) #1-2 (Divisibility rules by 4 and 8) (due Thursday, Jan. 15)
Science - Sensing and Responding to the Environment Handout (due Thursday, Jan. 15)
English 6 - Lesson #11 and #12 (Simple Subjects) (due Friday, Jan. 16)
Spelling 7 - Lesson #11 (due Friday, Jan. 16)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 13

Just a couple of reminders:
- Be sure your son/daughter is properly dressed during this time of cold 'Saskatchewan' weather.
- Also, come and cheer on the boys and girls basketball teams Thursday, Jan. 15 at St. Al's School from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

For Homework:
Math 6 - Pg 62 #1-6 (Faces, Edges, and Vertices) (due Wednesday, Jan. 14)
Math 7 - Section 1.3 (pg 14) #1-6 and 1.3 Homework Worksheet (Divisibility rules by 6) (due Wednesday, Jan. 14)
English 6 - Lesson #11 and #12 (Simple Subjects) (due Friday, Jan. 16)
Spelling 7 - Lesson #11 (due Friday, Jan. 16)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Monday, January 12, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 12

Happy Monday,

Get ready for another 'cold' week!!!

Ask your son/daughter about the Bon Jovi activity we did today in our 6/7M classroom.

For Homework:
French - French Exam (days, seasons, months) (Tuesday, Jan. 13)
Math 6 - Pg 58 #1-8 (Recognizing Shapes from Nets) (due Tuesday, Jan. 13)
Math 7 - 1.2 Homework Worksheet and Section 1.3 (pg 14) #1-2 (Divisibility rules by 6) (due Tuesday, Jan. 13)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Friday, January 9, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 9

A small newsletter was sent home today about the Survivor Habitat Challenge our school will be participating in Jan. 26 + 27.

Our first week of school in 2009 is officially over. Wwwwooooooo!

Have a wonderful weekend!

For Homework:
French - French Exam (days, seasons, months) (Tuesday, Jan. 13)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 8

For Homework:
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Ch. 24-29 Vocabulary, Questions, Journal and Activities (x4 sheets) (overdue Monday, Jan. 5)
Math 6 - Page 56 + 57 (Create the geometric solids) (due Friday, Jan. 9)
Math 7 - 1.2 Textbook Assignment #1-6 (Div. by 3 and 9) (due Friday, Jan. 9)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Comprehensive Test (Friday, Jan. 9)
French - a l'eole page (due Friday, Jan. 9)
Career Guidance 7 - Details/dates for "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" (due Friday, Jan. 9)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 7

Reminders:
- Please return the Sunrise Health Forms (Gr. 7 only) ASAP.
- There is an early dismissal tomorrow - Thursday, Jan. 8 (2:30)
- "Survivor Habitat" Newsletters were sent home today.

For Homework:
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Ch. 24-29 Vocabulary, Questions, Journal and Activities (x4 sheets) (overdue Monday, Jan. 5)
English 7 - Lesson #8 (due Thursday, Jan. 8)
Math 6 - Page 55 #1-7 (Prisms and Pyramids) (due Thursday, Jan. 8)
Math 7 - 1.1 Homework Worksheet (Div. by 10, 5 and 2) (due Thursday, Jan. 8)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Comprehensive Test (Friday, Jan. 9)
French - a l'eole page (due Friday, Jan. 9)
Career Guidance 7 - Details/dates for "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" (due Friday, Jan. 9)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Classroom News - Jan. 6

A few reminders to pass along today:
- Sunrise Health Forms were sent home today (Gr. 7 only). Please return ASAP.
- In addition, the January School Newsletter was sent home today.
- There is an early dismissal Thursday, Jan. 8 (2:30)

For Homework:
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Ch. 24-29 Vocabulary, Questions, Journal and Activities (x4 sheets) (overdue Monday, Jan. 5)
Social - Location Unit Midterm Test Redo (Wednesday, Jan 7)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Comprehensive Test (Friday, Jan. 9)
French - a l'eole page (due Friday, Jan. 9)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Final Projects (x4) (Friday, Jan. 23)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (To be Continued...)

Monday, January 5, 2009

Classroon News - Jan. 5

Welcome Back!!!

I hope everyone had a long and enjoyable holiday break. It is amazing to think that we are already in the year 2009. How fast time flies?!?!?

The students and I are excited to be back - eager to learn, to laugh, and to enjoy the remainder of the school year here in 6/7M at M.C. Knoll.

For Homework:
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Ch. 24-29 Vocabulary, Questions, Journal and Activities (x4 sheets) (overdue Monday, Jan. 5)
Career Guidance 6 - Present "My Life Timeline PowerPoint" to the class (Tuesday, Jan. 6)
Social - Location Unit Midterm Test Redo (Wednesday, Jan 7)
LA - Island of the Blue Dolphins Comprehensive Test (Friday, Jan. 9)
French - a l'eole pages (due Friday, Jan. 9)