"But I have exams, and I'm sooooooooooo done!"
This is how my students are feeling, and I'm sure that teachers are also feeling similar!  At some point in time our brains just stop, and then we're puzzled over the most simple questions, like the guy in this video.

(Although, yes, I do know that this truly is a brain-bending concept when you first learn it. )

They send you this in an email on the weekend with a little note saying "I thought of you when I saw this.. thought you might find it interesting"

This client knows that I have a hard time saying no.  In fact, it is with her family that I realized I needed to start saying no and setting boundaries.  One day after a session, I told her how much I appreciated working with her family because through working with them, I had been able to practice setting my boundaries without worrying that they would be upset.  She is always encouraging and understanding.  She reminds me that even if I say no, I don't need to feel bad, because she trusts that I always have their best interests at heart, and I do!
What great clients I have!  Not only am I helping her child learn the ropes of school, but she is helping and encouraging me to learn this vital skill.  I am blessed with the variety of clients that I get to work with; each one helps me learn something new or consider a different position that I hadn't thought about.  Thanks for being part of my Momentum Family!

Just a reminder that end of semester exams are near! 
For those attending Correlieu, the exam schedule has changed since you may have last done exams.  This is because of the gradual change towards the new curriculum without the grade 10 and 11 Provincial Exams.  Here is the Newsletter that has the new exam schedule!

For those students in grade 11, this is going to be a change!  I know the idea of an entire block all day is overwhelming, but I'm sure your teachers will come up with some good solutions!

For those at QJS, from today's newsletter, here is the exam schedule!

Good Luck to all students!!  You're halfway through the year!

Coming home from a rather stressful day working with my students, I was mulling over the prevalence of anxiety in my students.  Then, later that evening I happened to notice a post that one of my teacher friends had shared and gave it a read.  I often see different strategies for how to speak, and what to say to your anxious child.  Some I can identify with, and some I cannot.  However, I liked that this article not only gave 49 different ideas, but brief explanations as to why they may work for your own child or situation.  I think too that some of these phrases would be very helpful to use for friends or family members!
I have included a screenshot below, but please click on the picture or link below to go to the article called "49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child" written by Renee Jain on the Positive Parents.org blog.

I'm sure throughout your child's life, you remember a point at which they were learning about Lowest Common Multiples (LCM's), or as they're known when studying fractions, Lowest Common Denominators (LCD's).  Although they are possible to figure out in one's head, very slowly, you can also figure them out using a multiplication chart. 
So, as one of my students and I were recently printing out a new copy of a 30 x 30 multiplication chart, we discovered this gem........... yes, it really is...... a LCM/CLD CHART!!

Although I couldn't find who actually made it up, and I couldn't find the original place on the website where this lovely chart was posted, I am thoroughly thankful for it, and have linked the address where I found it (thanks to a Google Image search). 

Also, in case you're wondering, there is a great set of multiplication charts that I use and will include them below (click on the image for the link to the image, or the website where possible).

In a class where students are not allowed calculators, multiplication tables are generally allowed.  So far, students of mine from grade 6 up have been allowed to use them in the classroom, so they might be worthwhile printing out for you too!  They also look pretty snazzy in a sheet protector as well (kids enjoy using their pencils to follow the lines to the product).
Happy Printing!

Four days ago, I was in the middle of a busy day.  I usually have my phone's volume turned off when I'm working with students, but for some reason it was on that day.  Anyhow, I heard the usual trill of an email coming in, and since my student had taken a bathroom break, decided to check the email.  It was from a parent, who's daughter had been doing research on Shakespeare and found my blog post here that I had written last spring!!
I was so excited about this, that in my response to her email I asked if I could share their story here on my page.  Thankfully they said yes!

I want to share a heartfelt thank-you to Sara and Ava who reached out to me.  When I originally set up the blog portion of my website, my goal was to share what I discovered in hopes that it would at least help one person.  Being a very small business, you don't often know if or how your online presence affects others.  Now, because of their cheerful email, I know I've helped them and therefore it's all been worthwhile!

Also, Ava has decided to join her school's 6th grade play.  So, from me here at Momentum Learning Centre, I wish her the best of luck (or 'break a leg') for the play.  Perhaps, once their play is ready,  I'll even be able to share an update with you all too!

Here in Quesnel we currently have 2 high schools: QJS (grades 8-9) and Correlieu (Grades 10-12).  Each school, as well as the school district has a different way of letting parents know what is going on.  Gone are the days of paper newsletters sent home on Friday afternoons (to rot alongside the week's lunch leftovers, or on some occasions actually get delivered to the parent). 

Below is the 2016-17 school calendar.  This gives all the general holidays, Pro-D days and NI Days that all schools will be participating in. 

Basic information is available on their website, however, for up to date weekly newsletters (posted right at the end of the school day), or info on "Snow-Days", their Facebook Page is constantly updated. 

Keep in mind that you DO NOT have to be a Facebook User to see these updates (you just won't be able to comment on them).  You may see a bar at the bottom of your page saying "please sign in or sign up" but you can safely ignore this. 

An alternative, if you are a parent, make sure to get on their newsletter email list!  If you haven't received the past few newsletters via email, then contact the school to make sure they have your email address correct. 

Correlieu has a variety of ways to stay updated with student events.  They no longer update their website with recent newsletters, but you can sign up to be on their newsletter list by phoning the school and talking to Jasmin in the office.

Additionally, some teachers as well as the school Principal, Mr. Hawkins-Bogle use the app REMIND to send out class or grade specific information and reminders. Here is the info they sent out in their August 31st newsletter about how to sign up for these notifications.  Pick the grade that your student is in, and although all messages may not be of interest, it will keep you surely "In The Know" about what's going on at school.  This is the system that also announces 'No Bus' days (or Snow Days), if you're not able to confirm with the school district website. 

This applies to all students in the school district who may or may not take a bus to get to school.  At 5am, on any day where the weather is questionable (dangerous roads, -32 or below), the school will update this part of their website. 

To get their manually, go to www.sd28.bc.ca, then scroll to the bottom of the page where you see a picture of a bus.  Click on this bus!

Additionally, click on the following link to read the school board's policies and procedures regarding cancelling bus operations for the day, read "COLD WEATHER/UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS: SCHOOL AND BUS OPERATIONS - COLD WEATHER NOTICE"

Regardless of whether your student takes the bus, walks, gets a ride, or drives themselves to school, the district encourages parents to "carefully weigh the hazards" before determining whether they should attend school that day. 

Graduation is always an accomplishment that should be celebrated.  However, it is made even more special for me when I get to see "my kids" walk across that stage.  Although I consider all of the students I work with "my kids" that are part of my big Momentum Family,  I am not always able to work with a student through to grade 12.  When I do work with students into their graduation year, I feel so privileged to be part of their growth and maturity.  I hear about their wishes, wants and woes, and become a part of their life for this short time.  It is these students who continuously re-affirm my purpose here at Momentum Learning Centre, and for that I am forever grateful!

A quote to remember that is applicable in all stops along the road of life, from my days as a 4 year old in Montessori Pre-school:

I recently had a student come in, who's English class was studying Macbeth.  As part of a project, she had to write an assignment using Shakespearean English!  At first, that sounded rather daunting, but I found a couple of sites that definitely helped.

First of all, never forget "No Fear Shakespeare" which shows the play in both shakespearean English and then regular English, side-by-side, like this:

It makes it much easier to then figure out what is going on, if reading the play itself is proving difficult.  It is also handy for parents who may have forgotten what is really going on in each scene or act. 

My newest finding, in regards to writing in Shakespearean English, is two translators: English to Shakespearean (by LingoJam) as well as Shakespeare Translator (by Schmoop).  Although, in translating, we did find some errors and things that didn't quite make sense, it sure made it easy to take a regular paragraph and translate it.  Then, we could tweak it and make small adjustments!

Below is the first paragraph translated into Shakespearean English via the LingoJam Translator. You can see that capitals are lost, and you'll have to add them back in.

and the Schmoop translator.

Depending on what it is you're writing, one or the other translator will make more sense.
Can you imagine someone's annual Christmas Letter translated this way? Hahaha! That would be fun!