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, October 30, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 30

Ask your son/daughter about all of the wonderful festivities our M.C. Knoll students enjoyed today.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

I'll see you in November...

Homework:
Career G. - "5 Things..." Chart (overdue Friday, Oct. 30)
Spelling - Lesson #7 (due Monday, Nov. 2)
Math 8 - 4.1 Worksheet (due Monday, Nov. 2)
French 8 - Booklets (due Monday, Nov. 2)
Health - Goal Reflection Paragraph (due Friday, Nov. 6)
Science 7 - House Report (due Friday, Nov. 6)

Thursday, October 29, 2009

M.C. Knoll Animal Petting Zoo



Classroom News - Oct. 29

Sorry about the "no blog entry" yesterday. The grade 8's and I enjoyed a wonderful day at the Saltcoats Leadership Conference until about 8:00 p.m..

Ask your son/daughter about the petting zoo!

Reminders:
- Halloween celebrations are tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 30) and will include pumpkin carving, school parade and a sock hop (ie: dance).

Homework:
Career G. - "5 Things..." Chart (due Friday, Oct. 30)
Math 8 - 4.1 Worksheet (due Monday, Nov. 2)
French 8 - Booklets (due Monday, Nov. 2)
Health - Goal Reflection Paragraph (due Friday, Nov. 6)
Science 7 - House Report (due Friday, Nov. 6)

Saltcoats Leadership Conference - Grade 8's



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 27

Please refer to the 'reminders' section below for some very important, yet very fun dates approaching.

Reminders:
- Grade 8 students are off to Saltcoats tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 28) for a leadership conference. Students should be ready to go around 8:15.
- Our very own M.C. Knoll Petting Zoo will be on Thursday, Oct. 29.
- Halloween celebrations are on Friday, Oct. 30 and will include pumpkin carving, school parade and a sock hop (ie: dance).

Homework:
LA - Survey and Presentations (overdue Monday, Oct. 26)
Math 7 - Math 3.2 Worksheet (overdue Tuesday, Oct. 27)
Science 7 - Ice Cube Container (due Thursday, Oct. 29)
Science - Science Challenge (due Thursday, Oct. 29)

Monday, October 26, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 26

Happy Monday!

Please refer to the 'reminders' section below for some very important, yet very fun dates approaching.

Reminders:
- Grade 8 students are off to Saltcoats on Wednesday, Oct. 28 for a leadership conference.  Students should be ready to go around 8:15.
- Our very own M.C. Knoll Petting Zoo will be on Thursday, Oct. 29.
- Halloween celebrations are on Friday, Oct. 30 and will include pumpkin carving, school parade and a sock hop (ie: dance).

Homework:
Math 8 - Math Focus Pg. 147 #1-3 (overdue Monday, Oct. 26)
LA - Survey and Presentations (overdue Monday, Oct. 26)
Math 7 - Math 3.2 Worksheet (due Tuesday, Oct. 27)
Science 7 - Ice Cube Container (due Thursday, Oct. 29)
Science - Science Challenge (due Thursday, Oct. 29)

Friday, October 23, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 23

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:
- Our very own M.C. Knoll Petting Zoo will be on Thursday, Oct. 29.
- Halloween celebrations are on Friday, Oct. 30 and will include pumpkin carving, school parade and a sock hop (ie: dance).

Homework:
Math 7 - Math Focus Pg. 104 #1-6 (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Math 8 - Math Focus Pg. 147 #1-3 (due Monday, Oct. 26)
LA - Survey and Presentations (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Career G. - Career Poster (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Science 7 - Ice Cube Container (due Thursday, Oct. 29)
Science - Science Challenge (due Thursday, Oct. 29)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 22

Thanks to all of those parents and students who came out to the open house last night.  It is always a great pleasure to have an opportunity to visit with everyone.

A newsletter was sent home today in regards to some important upcoming events in our school.

Reminders:
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 23).

Homework:
Spelling - Lesson 6 and Test (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Science 7 - Research Project (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Math 7 - 3.1 Worksheet (add/subtract) (due Friday, Oct. 23)
LA - Survey and Presentations (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Career G. - Career Poster (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Science 7 - Ice Cube Container (due Thursday, Oct. 29)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 21

See you at the open house tonight (5:00 - 6:30).

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll Book Fair goes until Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
Math 7 - Essential Skills Decimals Worksheet (overdue Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Math 8 - 5.1 Worksheet (due Thursday, Oct. 22)
Spelling - Lesson 6 and Test (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Science 7 - Research Project (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Career G. - Career Poster (due Monday, Oct. 26)
Science 7 - Ice Cube Container (due Thursday, Oct. 29)

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 20

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll Book Fair goes until Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Gr. 8 Leadership Forms are to be returned with $20 by tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 21).
- M.C. Knoll School open house is tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 21).
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
Science - Research Booklet (due Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Math 7 - Essential Skills Decimals Worksheet (due Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Math 8 - Page 239 #6-9, 12-14 (due Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Spelling - Lesson 6 and Test (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Career G. - Career Poster (due Monday, Oct. 26)

Monday, October 19, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 19

Happy Monday!

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll Book Fair starts tomorrow, Oct. 20, and goes until Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Gr. 8 Leadership Forms are to be returned with $20 by Wednesday, Oct. 21. 
- M.C. Knoll School open house is Wednesday, Oct. 21.
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
Math 7 - Sign and return math tests (overdue Monday, Oct. 19)
Math - "Birthday Shopping" Problem Solving Question (due Tuesday, Oct. 20)
Art - Color Wheels (pencil/pastel 3 + 6 color) (due Tuesday, Oct. 20)
Social - Case Study Summary Paragraph (due Tuesday, Oct. 20)
Science - Research Booklet (due Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Spelling - Lesson 6 and Test (due Friday, Oct. 23)
Career G. - Career Poster (due Monday, Oct. 26)

Friday, October 16, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 16

A couple of items were sent home today including information about the book fair, leadership conference (gr. 8 only) and bake sale (gr. 8 only).

The Gr. 8 Leadership Forms are to be returned with $20 by Wednesday, Oct. 21.  It is a first come, first serve basis for what activities the students are enrolled in!

Have a great weekend!

Reminders:
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.
- M.C. Knoll School open house is Wednesday, Oct. 21.
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing (overdue Friday, Oct. 16)
Math 7 - Sign and return math tests (due Monday, Oct. 19)
Art - Color Wheels (pencil/pastel 3 + 6 color) (due Tuesday, Oct. 20)
Science - Research Booklet (due Wednesday, Oct. 21)

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 15

Ask your grade 7 son/daughter about the Violence Awareness Conference the students attended today at Dr. Brass school.  It was very informational!

Reminders:
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.
- M.C. Knoll School open house is Wednesday, Oct. 21.
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
Spelling - Lesson #5 (overdue Thursday, Oct. 15)
Social - Oct. What in the World Package (overdue Thursday, Oct. 15)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 14

Grade 7 students will be attending a conference on Violence Awareness tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 15.

Reminders:
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.
- M.C. Knoll School open house is Wednesday, Oct. 21.
- Grade 8 students are in charge of supplying food for the bake sale on Friday, Oct. 23.

Homework:
Spelling - Lesson #5 (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
Social - Oct. What in the World Package (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 13

Welcome back!  I hope your weekend was full of food, family and fun.

A newsletter was sent home today in regards to an M.C. Knoll Open House.

Grade 7 students will be attending a conference on Violence Awareness Thursday, Oct. 15.

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are now overdue.
- Scholastic Book orders are due by tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct. 14). If interested in ordering, you can check out the online catalogue at http://www.scholastic.ca/.
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
LA - Survey Questions (good copy) (due Wednesday, Oct. 14)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules and Multiples/Factors Unit Test (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
Spelling - Lesson #5 (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
Social - Oct. What in the World Package (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Friday, October 9, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 9

I hope everyone's day went well.  We will see everyone on Tuesday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Weekend!

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are now overdue.
- Scholastic Book orders are due by Wednesday, Oct. 14. If interested in ordering, you can check out the online catalogue at http://www.scholastic.ca/.
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
Math 7 - 1.7 Worksheet (factors) (overdue Friday, Oct. 9)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules and Multiples/Factors Unit Test (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
Spelling - Lesson #5 (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 8

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are due tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 9) by the latest
- Scholastic Book orders are due by Wednesday, Oct. 14. If interested in ordering, you can check out the online catalogue at http://www.scholastic.ca/.
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
Math 7 - 1.7 Worksheet (factors) (due Friday, Oct. 9)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules and Multiples/Factors Unit Test (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
Spelling - Lesson #5 (due Thursday, Oct. 15)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 7

A newsletter was sent home today to the Grade 7 students in regards to a Violence Awareness and Prevention Conference taking place on Thursday, Oct. 15.

Reminders:
- There is an early dismissal tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 8).
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are due Friday, Oct. 9 (by the latest)
- Scholastic Book orders are due by Wednesday, Oct. 14. If interested in ordering, you can check out the online catalogue at http://www.scholastic.ca/.
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules and Multiples/Factors Unit Test (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 6

Reminders:
- There is an early dismissal on Thursday, Oct. 8.
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are due Friday, Oct. 9 (by the latest)
- Scholastic Book orders are due by Wednesday, Oct. 14.  If interested in ordering, you can check out the online catalogue at http://www.scholastic.ca/.
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
Math 7 - Factoring Worksheet (due Wednesday, Oct. 7)
Math 8 - 4.2 - 4.6 Percentage Booklet (due Wednesday, Oct. 7)
Math 7 - Divisibility Rules and Multiples/Factors Unit Test (Wednesday, Oct. 14)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Monday, October 5, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 5

Happy Monday!

Scholastic book order forms were sent home today.  If you are interested in purchasing anything, please return the form and fees by Wednesday, Oct. 14.  Remember, everything that you purchase earns free resources for our 7/8M classroom!

Reminders:
- There is an early dismissal on Thursday, Oct. 8. 
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel orders are due Friday, Oct. 9 (by the latest)
- Picture order forms and appropriate fees (if interested) are due by Monday, Oct. 19.

Homework:
Art - Characture Sketches (overdue Monday, Oct. 5)
Health - Fitness Action Plan and Supporting Others Action Plan (overdue Monday, Oct. 5)
Math 7 - 1.6 (Factors) Worksheet (due Tuesday, Oct. 6)
Spelling - Lesson #4 (due Tuesday, Oct. 6)
Math 8 - 4.2 - 4.6 Percentage Booklet (due Wednesday, Oct. 7)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Friday, October 2, 2009

Classroom News - Oct. 2

The October Newsletter was sent home today.

Pictures were also sent home today.  If interested in ordering, please return the form and the appropriate dollar amount by Monday, Oct. 19.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:
- M.C. Knoll School Apparel Orders are due Friday, Oct. 9 (by the latest)

Homework:
Art - Characture Sketches (due Monday, Oct. 5)
Health - Fitness Action Plan and Supporting Others Action Plan (due Monday, Oct. 5)
Spelling - Lesson #4 (due Tuesday, Oct. 6)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

100 Day Olympic Kickoff

Some pictures from the 100 Day Olympic Kickoff!



Classroom News - Oct. 1

Ask your son/daughter about the awesome "Hundred Day Kick-Off to the Olympics" that we attended at the Flexihall!

A newsletter was sent home today about M.C. Knoll School Apparel Order.  Orders are due Friday, Oct. 9 at the latest.

Reminders:
- Also, students will be participating in a mime presentation on Friday, Oct. 2 (at M.C. Knoll). Should be lots of fun!
- The next dilly bar sale will be Friday, Oct. 2. Dilly bars will be sold for $2.00 each.

Homework:
Art - Characture Sketches (due Monday, Oct. 5)
Spelling - Lesson #4 (due Tuesday, Oct. 6)
LA - Sept./Oct. Creative Writing Assignment (due Friday, Oct. 16)