Welcome Families to our Blog

If you have any questions or concerns please give me a call at the school 786-5540 or e-mail me at dcoomber@mail.gssd.ca

Monday, December 20, 2010

December 20, 2010

Dear Families,


Only 3 more days of school (2 after today) until the holidays.  The students have a couple of large assignments that are due Monday, January 10th.  We have been working on these for the majority of the month.  We will not be working on these assignments in the New Year.  All of the students had more than enough time to finish the assignments during class time but I doubt that many of them are actually finished.  This week the students will be given 2 more hours to complete the assignments.  They can either work on the assignments or have free time.  This is so that the students get in the habit of choosing to do their work.  This is a skill that they will need for high school.  Hopefully, they will choose wisely or else they will have some homework over the holiday break or during that first week back.


In case I do not write again (there really isn't much more to say) other than I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday and that Santa treats you all well. 


-Mr. Coomber

Visit to U of R

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

December 14th, 2010

Dear Families,

December has been a bit of a wild ride thus far but we are pulling together and making it work. 

The 7s have a Math Test that they should all do exceptionally well on.  They completed their Math assignment and the test will be extremely similar to the assignment. 

The 8s will have a Math Test on Thursday.  It will be about Graphing.  There are a number of multiple choice questions and then the students must make a Pie Chart using information.  They must also be able to use the information and convert it into decimals, fractions, percents and degrees.  We will be doing a review of these basic operations this afternoon.

The students have been assigned either to write a book report or create a game for the novel War Brothers.  This assignment is not due until the new year but the students have been told not to work on it over the holidays. 

Tomorrow is the big dress rehearsal.  Any of you that are able to attend should definitely come on out and check out a sneak peek at this year's Christmas Concert.  The students have worked exceptionally hard on the play.  If you are not able to attend tomorrow there will still be the actual Christmas Concert tomorrow at 7pm. 
-Mr. Coomber

Monday, December 6, 2010

December 6, 2010

Dear Families,

Some of the grade 8s have come for extra instruction and so will be re-writing their math exams.  There are others that should have come but failed to do so.  I guess they are happy with starting a new term with those marks. 

The grade 8s are continuing to work on their math assignment and the 7s are edgeing their way closer to a unit test.  They will have one math assignment which will be handed out tomorrow.  They should be able to finish in class if they choose to work on it.

If you are able you should come out and see the volleyball teams try to take on the teachers.  It should be pretty fun.

Thank you to all of the families that were able to come out and chat about the students' progress - to those of you that were unable to attend I completely understand and I will try and get a hold of you so that we can meet up at your convenience.

-Mr. Coomber

Thursday, December 2, 2010

December 2nd, 2010

Dear Families,

I can't believe that it is already December.  We have only 13 and a half school days left until Holidays - not that anyone is really counting!  The report cards have all gone out and the meetings with you all are in full swing.  If there is anyone that was not able to attend the Interview and would like to have a chat about their child's progress please drop me a line and I will accomodate your schedule as much as possible. 

The Grade 8s have just written a Math Test which many of them are not pleased with their marks.  I have offered a re-write on Monday the 6th,  however, to qualify for a re-write students must come to me and ask for 30 mins of extra instruction by Monday.  This is so that they are able to improve their mark.  Please remind the students that they only have today and tomorrow to ask for the extra help.

- Mr. Coomber

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

November 16, 2010

Dear Families,

We have some upcoming assignments before the end of the report card period.  We have a "pop quiz" tomorrow (Nov. 16th)  that we did a bit of review for today.  It is on Globalization. 
The 7s have a Math Test (Nov. 19th).
Health Test (Thurs. Nov. 23rd)
The 8s have a Math Test (Thurs. Nov. 25th)

We will be going to Regina on November 30th.  More news about this to follow. 

French Test (#s 0-100)

This is a very busy period for us all.
-Mr. Coomber

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

November 9, 2010

Dear Families,

I can't believe that it is Tuesday and the week is almost over.  Just a reminder that tomorrow we will be having our Remembrance Ceremony at 10:00am.  As always you are more than welcome to attend.  Also we ask that the students please wear their good appropriate clothing. 

There is a French Oral Quiz tomorrow and a French Quiz next week.  The 7s will also be having a Math Test next week. 
- Mr. Coomber

Monday, November 1, 2010

November 1st 2010

Dear Families,

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween.  Here is a link to some a slideshow of the students carving pumpkins etc.
http://smilebox.com/play/4d546b344e4467794d6a553d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link

We will be going to the Harvest this Thursday.  If any of you are able to come along that would be great.  Please e-mail me and let me know.  The French Quiz has been bumped to Friday.  The students received their marks for the ELA - Making Connections assignment.  If they choose they have the option of writing 3 brand new connections for bonus marks.  These must be handed in by 9:00am on Friday, November 1st.  

- Mr. Coomber

Friday, October 29, 2010

October 29th, 2010

Dear Families,

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween this weekend. I cannot believe that it is almost November already.  Just a couple of reminders for the students - they have Career Presentations due Wednesday Nov. 3rd, and a French Quiz (#s 0 - 30) on the 4th.
There are so many days off in November - it will be December before we know it.

- Mr. Coomber

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Oct. 21st 2010

Dear Families,

It was a pleasure meeting with some of you last night.  To those that were unable to attend (and those that information was not ready for) I will be sending home your username and password so that you will be able to check on your child's progress.  I would like to meet with you all face to face prior to Interviews (Dec 1st - 2nd), If there is a time that works for you please contact me and I will make it work.  When you login, you are currently only able to see your child's average in a given class - we are getting this changed so that you are able to see the breakdown of this average.  Also, if you were to look at the Science marks - Mr. trost did not input the marks correctly so all students look as though they are failing - and this is not the case.

If at any point in time you are concerned about your child's progress I would be more than happy to meet with you and show you exactly how your child is doing. 

As for homework - all the students will have Math homework to finish.  They also have an art project due tomorrow (protest posters). 

- Mr. Coomber

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

October 12th, 2010

Dear Families,

I trust that we all had a great long weekend and hopefully got to spend some time as a family.  On Wendsday October 20th we will be having an Open House from 5-7pm.  This will be an oppertunity for us to meet and for you to check out your child's classroom.  We will also be briefing all of the families about logging onto their child's gradebook.  If you have any questions about this or are not able to make it on the 20th drop me a line and we can make alternative arrangements. 

Tomorrow morning the Grade 8s are leaving for Regina at 8:00am.  They will be returning to school at 4:00pm.  Prior to leaving the students must hand in their ELA Connections assignment.  The 7s' assignment is also due tomorrow. 

See you all next week.

-Mr. Coomber

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October 6th, 2010

We have some homework due for tomorrow.  The 7s and the 8s will have Math homework.  The 7s have page 108 numbers 2-11.  The 8s have two math sheets.  They have to finish numbers 3, 5-10 for tomorrow. 
The 7s and 8s also have their Health skits tomorrow.  This assignment should have been accomplished completely during class time. 
The 7s and 8s also have their connection pieces due Tues October 12th.  The students can hand in or e-mail me their work so that they know they are on track and for revision purposes.  Please remind them to take me up on this offer. 
- Mr. Coomber

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

October 5th 2010

It has been a while since my previous post. The students should have marks in all of their subjects. If you have any questions about your child’s marks, please drop me a line.
We are hard at work doing a big social project. I know that some of you have offered your video cameras for a project.
We are currently working on spreading the word about Globalization. Students have a variety of choices of how they want to spread the word including: story book, power point, video, songs etc. Regardless of the medium we will be publishing their work onto YouTube. I will be posting the link on the blog. The audience for the assignment is geared towards grade 5/6. This is to ensure that they students are putting the information they were given during class into their own words. This project will be taking the place of a test and so will be worth a significant portion of their term mark. There is not a definite due date yet for this assignment as of yet but it will be a while before the project is due. Once I have seen all of the group’s rough draft then I will have a better understanding of how long the project will take.
The students are also working on A Connections piece in which they are able to choose any writings that they find a connection with. They are looking for connections with themselves, another text, and with the world. The students had some practice with this so they should know what is expected of them.
Other than that we are just going to keep keeping on.
- Mr. Coomber

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

September 22nd, 2010

Dear Families,
Everyone has Social homework to do.  All parts are due Friday Sept. 24th.  Each student was given a package about the flood in Pakistan.  Students are responsible for reading the article, answering questions, going on-line to answer questions about the Red Cross (this should already be completed) and finally filling in a map.  In order to fill in the map – students may require access to the internet or a detailed atlas.  Maps can be found by searching on Google images – large map of Pakistan.  I have gone through this with the students so there shouldn’t be any confusion – but you never know. 
*Reminder Picture Day is tomorrow – so practice your smiles!*
- Mr.  Coomber

Monday, September 20, 2010

September 20, 2010

Dear Families,

Well, the grade 8s all survived our canoeing trip and only one of us got wet – not bad for our first real adventure.  I will be posting some of the photos shortly.  I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.

The grade 7s don’t have any homework tonight, they do however have a Math test tomorrow.

As for the 8s, they have 1 question in Math that should not take them too long to answer.  They have their first Math Test on Friday the 24th. 

We will be having our Terry Fox Walk on the 30th.   The students will be collecting money for Cancer Research.  As always we appreciate your support but there is no expectation to donate.

-Mr. Coomber

Friday, September 17, 2010

September 17th, 2010

This week has just flown by.  There is no homework this weekend – but there is a Phys. Ed. Test on Monday and the 7s have their first Math test on Tuesday so there should be some studying happening.  Now that Bieber mania has passed we will get back to a normal routine.  Have a great weekend!
- Mr. Coomber

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

September 15, 2010

Dear Families,

We are mid-month and all is well in 7/8C.  Tonight's homework is one math sheet both sides - for both 7 and 8s.  Grade 8s on Monday will be going canoeing.  The water might be a little chilly but hopefully none of us will be taking a dip.  Please bring a wool sweater that you don't mind getting wet in -just in case.  Wool is the best fabric (apart from a wet/dry suit) because it stays warm even when wet. For all of you concert goers, enjoy your time at the Bieber concert!

-Mr. Coomber

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

September 14, 2010

Dear Families,

Majority of the students should have some ELA questions for homework tonight.  A few of the 8s will also have math for homework.  If the students do not complete their homework a letter will be sent home and if it is not signed and returned, I will be contacting you personally so that none of the students fall behind.  The 7s have their first math test Tuesday the 21st.  The 8s will be having their first math test the following week.  All tests will be sent home and must be signed and returned.  Just a reminder that tomorrow is the last day to order a hot lunch through SubWay. 

-Mr. Coomber

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 10th, 2010

It was an absolute pleasure to bring the grade 7/8s to the opening ceremony of the bike path. The event went off without a hitch and the students exceeded my expectations. You can watch the event on Access Television when it is aired. It turned out to be a perfect day to go for a ride.

As for homework this weekend the 7s and 8s might have some health questions (although most of the students were able to finish all of the questions during class). They should all have some ELA that is due Monday. They have comprehension questions for Ch. 1 and must also read Ch. 2 and write 5 connections that they found while reading. This task should not be difficult for the students as they have experience making connections during class and with the previous chapter.
In terms of homework I have adopted a new consequence for not completing homework. The ‘pink slip’ (it is printed on pink paper) will be filled out by the student and taken home to be discussed with you and signed. I will attach a copy of the sheet to the blog.

You should have received two handouts today both pertaining to pictures (our day got switched. If you could return the permission forms for Noon Hour, Technology Access and PAA permission that would be much appreciated.


-Mr. Coomber

Thursday, September 9, 2010

September 9th, 2010

Dear Families,

Hopefully you all have received a quick message home explaining that our class has been given the opportunity to represent MC Knoll for the opening ceremony of the bike path. This will all take place weather permitting tomorrow the 10th. If your child does not have access to a bicycle or helmet we will do our best to accommodate. If you could help us out with this endeavor by allowing your child to bring an extra bicycle that would be much appreciated.


There have been numerous students that have not completed their homework (particularly Math) saying that they simply did not understand how to do it. This is a completely valid reason for not finishing homework but must come with a responsibility to come for extra one-on-one or small group instruction. If the students come for help – then they will receive a complete for homework check. These homework checks are worth roughly 10-15% of their final grades. I am available every lunch hour from 12:30-1:00 to help students that might need extra instruction, clarification and/or just to answer questions. If you could please remind your child to come for extra help that would be much appreciated. There is no homework for tonight.

There is a handout which should be coming home today about the Subway Lunch on Sept. 28th. 

Thank You

-Mr. Coomber


Tuesday, September 7, 2010

September 7th, 2010

Dear Families,

Just a heads up to remind all of the students that they should have some Math homework due tomorrow.  The Grade 8s also have Science due tomorrow. 

- Mr. Coomber

Friday, September 3, 2010

September 3rd, 2010

Dear 7/8 Families,

We made it through our first week of school!

Finally we are up and running and you have access to this blog.  Today you should receive the new and updated Adventure Ed. handout.  Please return the permission form along with the $25 with your child.  There are also a number of Technology Use Agreement forms that are outstanding.  They are the blue newsletters.  If you have not received this newsletter - please drop me a line and I will ensure that your child is given a new one. 

The grade 7s should have some math homework unless they finished it all during their library time.  This unit seems to be pretty straight forward for the students.

All of the grade 8s should have at least one page (7 questions) of math.  If they do not understand and you are unable to offer help - no worries.  I have told the students that if they are unable to complete the assignment because they did not understand then we would meet during recess for small group instruction.  This is one of the most challenging units in Grade 8 but I know that if we put in the time and effort we will all be able to succeed.

We are beginning a novel study using the book War Brothers by Sharon E. McKay. It is a juvenile fiction novel which is set in Uganda. It is the story of a Child Soldier who was forced to fight as part of the LRA. As part of this novel study we will be examining the practice of Child Soldiers througout the world. This may be a difficult issue for some of the students, however, I feel that the first step to changing the world is to understand the injustices found within that world and then act to change it. All of the material covered during this unit will be age appropriate. The purpose is so that the students have an appreciation for what they have and where they live and so that they can understand how different their experiences are compared to others their own age around the world. We have read the introduction of the novel and the students seem keen on learning more. If you have any questions or concerns about this project or any others please do not hesitate to send me a quick e-mail or give me a call.

Enjoy your long weekend!

-Mr. Coomber

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Welcome to the Gr. 7/8 Blog!

Dear Students and Families,




Welcome to grade 7/8 at MC Knoll.


This blog will be used mainly as a communication tool between school and home. It will be a forum where students can post their work and where families can be informed of upcoming events and assignments. My goal this year is to have open dialogue between school and home and this is just one of the tools at our disposal. My classroom will always be open to discuss any and all questions and concerns.
I look forward to meeting with you.


Mr. Coomber