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, April 21, 2011

Where's Waldo???

Follow the link below to see if you recognize anyone?!?!?

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Sports/Hockey/1249236098/ID=1882033769

(Hint: look carefully at about the 2 minute mark of the video)

Easter Fun

Here is a glimpse into the Easter activities the grade 7 and grade 1 students enjoyed today.

Classroom News - April 21

A Harvest Meats fundraiser form was sent home today.  The orders are due Monday, May 9 and the items will be available for pick-up on Wednesday, May 18.

Have a safe and happy Easter break!

PS. Don't eat too much candy...

Reminders:
- There is NO SCHOOL Friday, April 22 (Good Friday).
- There is also NO SCHOOL Monday, April 25 until Friday, April 29 (Easter Break). School resumes Monday, May 2.

Homework:
LA - Sandwich Book Report (OVERDUE)
French - French Calendar (OVERDUE)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC              - SO            - DP           - SP
- JP                - JSP           - KSM

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Classroom News - April 20

One more day!!!

Reminders:
- The last day of the Basketball City Championships is today at MC Knoll, St. Mikes and the Gloria Hayden. Come on out and cheer on our great athletes.
- Tomorrow (Thursday, April 21) is bullying-awareness day. Wear pink in support of this cause.
- Students WILL NEED crayons and a couple of hard-boiled eggs for the Thursday, April 21 Easter activity with grade 1B.
- There is NO SCHOOL Friday, April 22 (Good Friday).
- There is also NO SCHOOL Monday, April 25 until Friday, April 29 (Easter Break). School resumes Monday, May 2.

Homework:
LA - Sandwich Book Report (Thursday, April 21)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC               - GD                - GM               - SO
- DP                - SP                 - JP                 - JSP              - KSM

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Classroom News - April 19

Just about there - keep up the hard work!!!

Reminders:
- The Basketball City Championships continue Tuesday and Wednesday this week (at MC Knoll, St. Mikes, and Columbia). Come on out and cheer on our great athletes.
- Wednesday, April 20 is "milk and cookie" day (if you pre-ordered).
- Thursday, April 21 is bullying-awareness day. Wear pink in support of this cause.
- Students WILL NEED crayons and a couple of hard-boiled eggs for the Thursday, April 21 Easter activity with grade 1B.
- There is NO SCHOOL Friday, April 22 (Good Friday).
- There is also NO SCHOOL Monday, April 25 until Friday, April 29 (Easter Break). School resumes Monday, May 2.

Homework:
Social - April "What in the World" (OVERDUE)
Math - Type 2 Equations (selected questions) (Wednesday, April 20)
Math - Algebra Unit Test (Wednesday, April 20)
LA - Sandwich Book Report (Thursday, April 21)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC            - MF             - SO               - DP           
- SP             - JP                - JSP             - KSM

Monday, April 18, 2011

Buddy Time

Here are a few photos from our buddy time with grade 1B.  In these photos, students are performing 'math skits' with their buddies.

Classroom News - April 18

I sure am glad to be back - it sounded like the rest of last week went well. Great job 7M!!!

Reminders:
- The Basketball City Championships are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week (at MC Knoll, St. Mikes, and Columbia).  Come on out and cheer on our great athletes.
- Wednesday, April 20 is "milk and cookie" day (if you pre-ordered).
- Thursday, April 21 is bullying-awareness day.  Wear pink in support of this cause.
- Students WILL NEED crayons and a couple of hard-boiled eggs for the Thursday, April 21 Easter activity with grade 1B.
- There is NO SCHOOL Friday, April 22 (Good Friday).
- There is also NO SCHOOL Monday, April 25 until Friday, April 29 (Easter Break).  School resumes Monday, May 2.

Homework:
Art - Practice Pointillism Art (OVERDUE)
Social - April "What in the World" (OVERDUE)
Music - Musicals Unit Test (Tuesday, April 19)
LA - Sandwich Book Report (Wednesday, April 20)
Math - Algebra Unit Test (Wednesday, April 20)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC              - MF             - SO                - SP 
- JP                 - JSP           - KSM

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Classroom News - April 12

I will be away for most of this week for even more teacher PD - Tuesday, April 12 until Friday, April 15 to be exact. If you have any questions throughout the week, please email me as I won't be able to answer any phone calls. In addition, I WILL NOT be making any posts to the blog - so be sure to ask your son/daughter about the events/happenings of the week.

Work hard over the next couple of weeks so we ALL can enjoy the April Break!!!

See everyone on Monday...

Reminders:
- The next noon hour early dismissal is Thursday, April 14.
- The grade 4-6 Indoor Track and Field Showcase Meet is Friday, April 15. Come on out and cheer on our MC Knoll participants!

Homework:
Math - Type 1 Algebra Equations (#1-29 odd) (Wednesday, April 13)
Art - Practice Pointillism Art (Monday, April 18)
Social - April "What in the World" (Monday, April 18)
Music - Musicals Unit Test (Tuesday, April 19)
LA - Sandwich Book Report (Wednesday, April 20)
Math - Algebra Unit Test (Wednesday, April 20)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC              - GD                    - GM
- DP              - SP                      - JP
- JSP             - KSM

Monday, April 11, 2011

Classroom News - April 11

Just a reminder: I will be away for most of this week for even more teacher PD - Tuesday, April 12 until Friday, April 15 to be exact. If you have any questions throughout the week, please email me as I won't be able to answer any phone calls. In addition, I WILL NOT be making any posts to the blog - so be sure to ask your son/daughter about the events/happenings of the week.

Reminders:
- The next noon hour early dismissal is Thursday, April 14.
- The grade 4-6 Indoor Track and Field Showcase Meet is Friday, April 15. Come on out and cheer on our MC Knoll participants!

Homework:
Art - Practice Pointillism Art (Monday, April 18)
Social - April "What in the World" (Monday, April 18)
Music - Musicals Unit Test (Tuesday, April 19)
LA - Sandwich Book Report (Wednesday, April 20)
Math - Algebra Unit Test (Wednesday, April 20)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC                - GD                 - GM
- DP                - SP                   - JP
- JSP               - KSM              - LW

Friday, April 8, 2011

Classroom News - April 8

In tune with me missing a couple of days this week for teacher PD, I will also be away for most of next week for even more teacher PD - Tuesday, April 12 until Friday, April 15 to be exact.  If you have any questions throughout next week, please email me as I won't be able to answer any phone calls.  In addition, I WILL NOT be making any posts to the blog - so be sure to ask your son/daughter about the events/happenings of the week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:
- The next noon hour early dismissal is Thursday, April 14.
- The grade 4-6 Indoor Track and Field Showcase Meet is Friday, April 15.  Come on out and cheer on our MC Knoll participants!

Homework:
Math - 6.2 Algebra Models Worksheet (Monday, April 11)
Art - Practice Pointillism Art (Monday, April 18)
French - French Calendar (Thursday, April 21)
Art - "Your Picture" Pointillism Art (Monday, May 2)

* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC                   - GD                      - GM
- SO                    - DP                      - SP           
- JSP                   - KSM                  - LW

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Classroom News - April 7

As I am sure you have noticed, I have been away for the last couple of days (teacher professional development stuff). Thanks for being patient.

Ask your son/daughter about the AFL's they have been working hard on this week.

Reminders:
- Our annual "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" has been going on all week long . Students are rewarded for making good decisions throughout the week.
- Tomorrow (Friday, April 8) is the next "bake sale" ($0.25 each)

Homework:
* The following people have OVERDUE homework:
- AC                    - GD                       - AJP               - GM           
- SO                    - DP                        - SP                 - JP        
- JSP                   - KSM                     - LW

Monday, April 4, 2011

Classroom News - April 4

Happy Monday!

Ask your son/daughter about what they did today at PAA.

Reminders:
- Students will be starting Reading AFL's tomorrow. These are the 'reading tests' that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education collects from ALL grade 7 students in the province.
- Our annual "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" started today. Students will be rewarded for making good decisions throughout the week.
- Friday, April 8 is the next "bake sale" ($0.25 each)

Homework:
Math - 1.3 Worksheet (OVERDUE)
LA - Research Essay (OVERDUE)
LA - Surviving Extremes Spelling Story (OVERDUE)

Friday, April 1, 2011

Classroom News - April 1

Happy April!

Ask your son/daughter about all of the pranks they played today (innocent fun)...

The April newsletter was sent home today.

Enjoy the weekend!

Reminders:
- Students will be going to PAA on Monday, April 4.
- Students will be starting Reading AFL's next week.  These are the 'reading tests' that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education collects from ALL grade 7 students in the province.
- Our annual "Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down" starts next week.  Students will be rewarded for making good decisions throughout the week.

Homework:
LA - Research Essay FINAL/GOOD COPY (OVERDUE)
LA - Surviving Extremes Spelling Story (OVERDUE)
Math - 1.3 Worksheet (Monday, April 4)