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



Thursday, September 30, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 30

Ask your son/daughter about the Terry Fox walk we did today.

Reminders:
- There is an African Dance group coming to MC Knoll Monday, Oct. 4 from 2:00-3:00. Come on out and enjoy the entertainment.

Homework:
Art - Art Folders (OVERDUE)
Math - Page 104 #1-3 (due Friday, Oct. 1)
Music - Rhapsody in Blue Picture (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - Creative Writing Folder Design (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - October Writing Folder (Thursday, Oct. 28)

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 29

Remember to get all of your homework handed in "on time" - as this is becoming an issue for some of us!

Reminders:- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are now OVERDUE.

Homework:
Math - 3.1 Worksheets (due Thursday, Sept. 30)
Art - Art Folders (due Thursday, Sept. 30)
Science - Evaluation Worksheet (due Thursday, Sept. 30)
Music - Rhapsody in Blue Picture (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - Creative Writing Folder Design (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - October Writing Folder (Thursday, Oct. 28)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 28

What a beautiful, sunny day - let's hope it stays!

Ask your son/daughter about their PAA experience today...

Reminders:
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are now OVERDUE.

Homework:
Health - Fitness Action Plan (OVERDUE)
Social - Sept. What in the World (due Wednesday, Sept. 29)
Art - Art Folders (due Thursday, Sept. 30)
Music - Rhapsody in Blue Picture (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - Creative Writing Folder Design (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - October Writing Folder (Thursday, Oct. 28)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 27

Happy Monday!

Students were introduced to their first writing folder assignment today.  If your son/daughter tells you about this, they may also mention the unexpected 'oops' we had when I was showing the students about what font size they should use for their writing folders.  It was quite embarrasing!

Reminders:
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are now OVERDUE.
- Subway hot lunch is tomorrow - Tuesday, Sept. 28 (if you pre-ordered).

Homework:
Health - Fitness Action Plan (OVERDUE)
LA - "Off the Cuff's..." Questions and Activities (due Tuesday, Sept. 28)
Social - Sept. What in the World (due Wednesday, Sept. 29)
Art - Art Folders (due Thursday, Sept. 30)
Music - Rhapsody in Blue Picture (due Monday, Oct. 4)
LA - October Writing Folder (Thursday, Oct. 28)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 24

Yet another week down - have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.
- Subway hot lunch is Tuesday, Sept. 28 (if you pre-ordered).

Homework:
Math - Number Relationships Unit Test (OVERDUE)
Health - Fitness Action Plan (due Monday, Sept. 27)
LA - "Off the Cuff's..." Questions and Activities (due Tuesday, Sept. 28)
Social - Sept. What in the World (due Wednesday, Sept. 29)
Art - Art Folders (due Thursday, Sept. 30)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 23

Our 7M class looked awesome today for picture day!

Reminders:
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.
- Subway hot lunch is Tuesday, Sept. 28 (if you pre-ordered).

Homework:
French - Section E and F (pg 7+8) (due Friday, Sept. 24)
Math - Number Relationships Unit Test (due Friday, Sept. 24)
Health - Fitness Action Plan (due Monday, Sept. 27)
LA - "Off the Cuff's..." Questions and Activities (due Tuesday, Sept. 28)
Social - Sept. What in the World (due Wednesday, Sept. 29)
Art - Art Folders (due Thursday, Sept. 30)

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 22

Sorry about the 'no post' yesterday - as I was away from school.

Reminders:
- Picture Day is on tomorrow (Thursday, Sept 23). Remember to bring a smile!
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.

Homework:
Social - Canada/World Maps (OVERDUE)
Health - MET Activity (due Thursday, Sept. 23)
Math - Factors Worksheet (due Thursday, Sept. 23)
French - Section E and F (pg 7+8) (due Friday, Sept. 24)
Math - Number Relationships Unit Test (due Friday, Sept. 24)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 20

Welcome back - I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Reminders:
- Picture Day is on Thursday, Sept 23.  Remember to smile!
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.

Homework:
Social - Canada/World Maps (due Tuesday, Sept. 21)
Health - MET Activity (due Thursday, Sept. 23)

Friday, September 17, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 17

Have a great weekend!

Reminders:
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.

Homework:
Phys. Ed. - Football Test (Monday, Sept. 20)
Social - Canada/World Maps (due Tuesday, Sept. 21)
Health - MET Activity (due Thursday, Sept. 23)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 16

Reminders:
- The picture day pose form needs to be returned by tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 17).
- Subway lunch orders are also due tomorrow. The actual lunch will take place Tuesday, Sept. 28.
- Terry Fox Fundraiser forms, along with any donations are due by Monday, Sept. 27.

Homework:
Music - Abstract Art (due Friday, Sept. 17)
Math - Skylake Race PS (due Friday, Sept. 17)
Phys. Ed. - Football Test (Monday, Sept. 20)
Social - Canada/World Maps (due Tuesday, Sept. 21)
Health - MET Activity (due Thursday, Sept. 23)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 15

A Terry Fox Fundraiser form was sent home today. Please return the form, along with any donations, by Monday, Sept. 27.

Reminders:
- The picture day pose form needs to be returned by Friday, Sept. 17.
- Subway lunch orders are due by Friday, Sept. 17. The actual lunch will take place Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Homework:
LA - "International School of Music" Questions and Text Recommendation (due Thursday, Sept. 16)
Math - 1.5 Worksheet (due Thursday, Sept. 16)
French - Section C + D (pg 6 and 7) (due Thursday, Sept. 16)
Social - Canada/World Maps (due Tuesday, Sept. 21)
Health - MET Activity (due Thursday, Sept. 23)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 14

Reminders:
- The picture day pose form needs to be returned ASAP.
- Subway lunch orders are due by Friday, Sept. 17. The actual lunch will take place Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Homework:
LA - "International School of Music" Questions (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)
Math - 1.5 Worksheet (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)
French - Section C + D (pg 6 and 7) (due Thursday, Sept. 16)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 13

Happy Monday!

Reminders:
- The picture day pose form needs to be returned ASAP.
- Subway lunch orders are due by Friday, Sept. 17. The actual lunch will take place Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Homework:
Math - Page 18 #1 + 2 (due Tuesday, Sept. 14)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)
French - Section C + D (pg 6 and 7) (due Thursday, Sept. 16)

Friday, September 10, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 10

Have a great weekend!

A brief newsletter (x2) was sent home today in regards to school pictures.  The picture preference form needs to be returned ASAP.

Reminders:
- ALL forms are now OVERDUE. Please refer to Sept. 3 blog posts for details about the forms.
- Subway lunch orders are due by Friday, Sept. 17.  The actual lunch will take place Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Homework:
Math - 1.3 Worksheets (due Monday, Sept. 13)
LA - Reading Response "Retell, Opinion, Reflect" (due Monday, Sept. 13)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 9

Enjoy the afternoon off!

A newsletter was sent home today in regards to the first fundraiser of the year (Subway lunch).

Reminders:
- An Adventure Ed. newsletter was sent home last week. Please return the appropriate fees ($25) and form ASAP.
- All of last weeks forms are now OVERDUE. Please refer to earlier blog posts for details about the forms.

Homework:
Math - 1.1 and 1.2 Worksheets (OVERDUE)
LA - Reading Response "Retell, Opinion, Reflect" (due Friday, Sept. 10)
Math - Chickens and Goats Problem (due Friday, Sept. 10)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 8

Noon hour early dismissal tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 9).

Reminders:
- An Adventure Ed. newsletter was sent home last week. Please return the appropriate fees ($25) and form ASAP.
- All of last weeks forms are now OVERDUE. Please refer to earlier blog posts for details about the forms.

Homework:
Math - 1.1 and 1.2 Worksheets (OVERDUE)
Math - Chickens and Goats Problem (due Friday, Sept. 10)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 7

I hope everyone enjoyed our first long weekend of the year.

Reminders:
- An Adventure Ed. newsletter was sent home last week. Please return the appropriate fees ($25) and form ASAP.
- All of last weeks forms are now OVERDUE. Please refer to earlier blog posts for details about the forms.
- Thursday, Sept. 9 is the first noon hour early dismissal of the year

Homework:
Math - 1.1 and 1.2 Worksheets (due Wednesday, Sept. 8)
Health - Decision-Making Scenarios (due Wednesday, Sept. 15)

Friday, September 3, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 3

Have a great long weekend!!!

An Adventure Ed. newsletter was sent home today.  Please return the appropriate fees ($25) and form ASAP.

Also, a load of newsletters were sent home earlier this week. The following information DOES NOT need to be returned:
- Letter from Dwayne Reeve (green)
- Accident Insurance Info (pink)
- Sept. Newsletter (tan)
- Protection and Privacy Pamphlet (to youngest/only students)

The following information DOES need to be returned:
- Noon Hour Permission Form (white)
- Technology Use Form (blue)
- Accident Insurance Form (white/colored) (Optional Return)

Reminders:
- There is NO SCHOOL Monday, Sept. 6 (Labour Day)
- Thursday, Sept. 9 is the first noon hour early dismissal of the year

Homework:
Math - Pg 9 #1,2,4,8 (due Tuesday, Sept. 7)
Social - Canada Unit Title Page (due Tuesday, Sept. 7)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 2

A load of newsletters were sent home yesterday. The following information DOES NOT need to be returned:
- Letter from Dwayne Reeve (green)
- Accident Insurance Info (pink)
- Sept. Newsletter (tan)
- Protection and Privacy Pamphlet (to youngest/only students)

The following information DOES need to be returned:
- Noon Hour Permission Form (white)
- Technology Use Form (blue)
- Accident Insurance Form (white/colored) (Optional Return)

Reminders:
- There is NO SCHOOL Monday, Sept. 6 (Labour Day)
- Thursday, Sept. 9 is the first noon hour early dismissal of the year

Homework:
Math - Pg 6 #1,2,4,5 (due Friday, Sept. 3)
LA - Parts of Speech Posters (due Friday, Sept. 3)

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Classroom News - Sept. 1

Ask your son/daughter about their first ever PAA experience at Yorkdale.

A load of newsletters was sent home today.  The following information DOES NOT need to be returned:
- Letter from Dwayne Reeve (green)
- Accident Insurance Info (pink)
- Sept. Newsletter (tan)
- Protection and Privacy Pamphlet (to youngest/only students)

The following information DOES need to be returned:
- Noon Hour Permission Form (white)
- Technology Use Form (blue)
- Accident Insurance Form (white/colored) (Optional Return)

Reminders:
- Classroom Guidelines and Expectations sheet (yellow) needs to be signed and returned ASAP.
- Classroom Blog sheet (blue) needs to be signed and returned ASAP.
- Read through the agenda with your son/daughter. Please sign and return back to school ASAP.

Homework:
Math - Number Relationships sheet (due Thursday, Sept. 2)