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



Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 22

It is amazing to think the 2009 school year has already come and gone.  I hope the students have enjoyed the year so far.  I promise that 2010 will be that much better!

Have a safe, happy holiday.  We will see everyone back on Monday, January 4, 2010!

3 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Homework:
- No Homework...Yaaahhooooo!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 21

Ask your son/daughter about the sleigh ride the students enjoyed today!

4 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Reminders:
- Sunrise Health Region information that was to be returned to school is now overdue (grade 8 only).
- Students are dismissed at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Dec. 22) in preparation for the holidays.

Homework:
Math - Probability Test (Tuesday, Dec. 22)

Friday, December 18, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 18

Have a wonderful weekend!

7 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Reminders:
- Sunrise Health Region information that was to be returned to school is now overdue (grade 8 only).
- Grade 8 students will need appropriate outdoor clothing for their Adventure Ed. class on Monday.

Homework:
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (overdue Friday, Dec. 18)
Math - 10.6 Worksheet (due Monday, Dec. 21)
Social - Dec. What in the World (due Monday, Dec. 21)
Math - Probability Test (Tuesday, Dec. 22)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 17

Grade 7/8M are finishing a math unit on Probability (hopefully before the holidays). Students are working in the Math Focus 7 textbook. Their last assignments are Section 10.3 (#1-7) and Section 10.6 (#1-8) - which are not necessarily for homework. Instead, these assignments are used to 'practice' the math content before working on the section worksheets. The section worksheets will be used to assess the students' understanding of the math and are assigned for homework.

8 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Reminders:
- Tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 18) is X-mas hat day.
- Sunrise Health Region information MUST be returned before Friday, Dec. 18 (grade 8 only).

Homework:
Spelling - Lesson #12 (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Spelling - Lesson #6-12 Test (Friday, Dec. 18)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Social - Dec. What in the World (due Monday, Dec. 21)
Math - Probability Test (Tuesday, Dec. 22)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

YRHS Science Presentations

Students from the YRHS put together some great science presentations for our school today.




Classroom News - Dec. 16

Grade 7/8M are finishing a math unit on Probability (hopefully before the holidays).  Students are working in the Math Focus 7 textbook.  Their last assignments are Section 10.3 (#1-7) and Section 10.6 (#1-8) - which are not necessarily for homework.  Instead, these assignments are used to 'practice' the math content before working on the section worksheets.  The section worksheets will be used to assess the students' understanding of the math and are assigned for homework.

Ask your son/daughter about the awesome science presentations!

9 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Reminders:
- Candy canes will be for sale for $0.50 tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 17).
- Friday, Dec. 18 is X-mas hat day.
- Sunrise Health Region information MUST be returned before Friday, Dec. 18 (grade 8 only).

Homework:
Math - 10.3 Worksheet (due Thursday, Dec. 17)
Spelling - Lesson #12 (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Spelling - Lesson #6-12 Test (Friday, Dec. 18)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Social - Dec. What in the World (due Monday, Dec. 21)
Math - Probability Test (Tuesday, Dec. 22)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 15

Sunrise Health Region information was sent home today with the grade 8 students.

10 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SANTA ARRIVES!

Reminders:
- Santa will be here tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 16). Pictures cost only $0.50 and last a lifetime!
- Candy canes will be for sale for $0.50 on Thursday, Dec. 17.
- Friday, Dec. 18 is X-mas hat day.

Homework:
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (overdue Monday, Dec. 14)
Math - 10.2 Worksheet (overdue Tuesday, Dec. 15)
Math - 10.3 Worksheet (due Thursday, Dec. 16)
Spelling - Lesson #12 (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Spelling - Lesson #6-12 Test (Friday, Dec. 18)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 14

I sure hope this weather warms up soon!!!

Great job to everyone who dressed up in their best green and red clothes today.

Reminders:
- Santa will be here Wednesday, Dec. 16. Pictures cost only $0.50 and last a lifetime!
- Candy canes will be for sale for $0.50 on Thursday, Dec. 17.
- Friday, Dec. 18 is X-mas hat day.

Homework:
Art - Grid Art (overdue Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (overdue Monday, Dec. 14)
Math - 10.2 Worksheet (due Tuesday, De. 15)
Social - Power Unit Test (Tuesday, Dec. 15)
Spelling - Lesson #12 (due Friday, Dec. 18)
Spelling - Lesson #6-12 Test (Friday, Dec. 18)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Friday, December 11, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 11

Great job M.C. Knoll on yet another wonderfully successful Christmas Concert.  The staff is very proud of you!

Have a great weekend.

Reminders:
- Monday, Dec. 14 is Red and Green Day.
- Santa will be here Wednesday, Dec. 16. Pictures cost only $0.50 and last a lifetime!
- Candy canes will be for sale for $0.50 on Thursday, Dec. 17.
- Friday, Dec. 18 is X-mas hat day.

Homework:
Art - Grid Art (overdue Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (due Monday, Dec. 14)
Social - Power Unit Test (Tuesday, Dec. 15)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 10

Reminders:
- The M.C. Knoll Christmas concert is tonight at 7:00 p.m.. Come on out and enjoy a great performance!
- Tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 11) is Pajama Day.
- Monday, Dec. 14 is Red and Green Day.
- Santa will be here Wednesday, Dec. 16.  Pictures cost only $0.50 and last a lifetime!
- Candy canes will be for sale for $0.50 on Thursday, Dec. 17.
- Friday, Dec. 18 is X-mas hat day.

Homework:
Phys. Ed. - Active Living Project (due Friday, Dec. 11)
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (due Monday, Dec. 14)
Social - Power Unit Test (Tuesday, Dec. 15)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 9

Reminders:
- The M.C. Knoll Christmas concert is tomorrow - Thursday, Dec. 10 (10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.).  Come on out and enjoy a great performance!
- Tomorrow is also early dismissal (noon)
- Friday, Dec. 11 is Pajama Day.

Homework:
Spelling - Lesson #11 (due Thursday, Dec. 10)
Math - 10.1 Worksheet (due Thursday, Dec. 10)
Phys. Ed. - Active Living Project (due Friday, Dec. 11)
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (due Monday, Dec. 14)
Social - Power Unit Test (Tuesday, Dec. 15)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

SAC's 12 Days of Christmas - Door Decorating

Here is our classroom door that students decorated to celebrate the season!  Ooooo!  Awwww!


Classroom News - Dec. 8

Reminders:
- Continue to check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for some important dates.
- The M.C. Knoll Christmas concert is on Thursday, Dec. 10 (10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, Dec. 10 is also early dismissal (noon)
- Friday, Dec. 11 is Pajama Day.

Homework:
Math - "Ch. 10 Probability" Worksheet (due Wednesday, Dec. 9)
Spelling - Lesson #11 (due Thursday, Dec. 10)
Phys. Ed. - Active Living Project (due Friday, Dec. 11)
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Joy-Riding Questions and Activities (due Monday, Dec. 14)
Social - Power Unit Test (Tuesday, Dec. 15)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Monday, December 7, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 7

A short newsletter was sent home today with information about the Christmas concert.

Reminders:
- Continue to check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for some important dates.
- The M.C. Knoll Christmas concert is on Thursday, Dec. 10 (10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.)
- Thursday, Dec. 10 is also early dismissal (noon)
- Friday, Dec. 11 is Pajama Day.

Homework:
CARS - Bullying Poster (due Tuesday, Dec. 8)
LA - Read "Joy-Riding" (due Tuesday, Dec. 8)
Math - "Ch. 10 Probability" Worksheet (due Wednesday, Dec. 9)
Spelling - Lesson #11 (due Thursday, Dec. 10)
Phys. Ed. - Active Living Project (due Friday, Dec. 11)
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Friday, December 4, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 4

Have a wonderful weekend!

Reminders:
- Check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for some important dates (starting on Monday, Dec. 7).

Homework:
CARS - Bullying Poster (due Tuesday, Dec. 8)
Spelling - Lesson #11 (due Thursday, Dec. 10)
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 3

Check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for information about some important dates upcoming.

Reminders:
- Report card envelopes and yellow forms are now overdue.

Homework:
Art - Grid Art (due Friday, Dec. 11)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (due Friday, Dec. 18)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 2

Check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for information about some important dates upcoming.

Reminders:
- Report card envelopes and yellow forms are now overdue.

Homework:
Math 7 - 3.8 Order of Operations W/S (overdue Wednesday, Dec. 2)
Math 8 - Percents Test (Thursday, Dec. 3)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (Due Friday, Dec. 18)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Classroom News - Dec. 1

December is here (along with the snow!).

The December newsletter was sent home today with some VERY important dates upcoming.  Check the "Upcoming Events" section of the blog for information about the important dates.

Reminders:
- Report card envelopes and yellow forms are now overdue.

Homework:
LA - "Feathers in the Wind" Questions (overdue, Tuesday, Dec. 1)
Math 8 - 5.4 Worksheet (Sales Tax) (overdue Tuesday, Dec. 1)
Spelling - Lesson 10 (due Wednesday, Dec. 2)
Science 8 - 3D Cell (due Wednesday, Dec. 2)
Math 7 - Decimals Test (Wednesday, Dec. 2)
Math 7 - 3.8 Order of Operations W/S (due Wednesday, Dec. 2)
Math 8 - Percents Test (Thursday, Dec. 3)
LA - Booktalk Write-up and Presentation (Due Friday, Dec. 18)