Daily Communications

Move and twiducate

2011-02-09T20:32:00.000-05:00

Since the start of the 2011 part of the school year, I have been posting links and work on twiducate. It will be one week today when I will have my last day at our school for a little while.

Here's a site to help grade 8s for math / science of density!

Here's a site to help grade 7s for math/ science of building bridges!

homework Jan. 12-14

2011-01-12T12:07:00.001-05:00

Grade 7 Finish converting novel text into Reader's Theatre script for a scene in The Breadwinner. Rehearse your part and practice. Record Reader's Theatre next week.
Finish reading to page 103 for Friday.

Grade 8 - Select a scene and convert novel text into Reader's Theatre script for a scene in Iqbal.
Rehearse premade Reader's Theatre script. Record podcast for two scripts next week.
Finish reading to page 120 for Friday.

Spelling: short and long vowel sounds complete.
This week: Consonent blends (hear the sound of each consonant in the word) Consonent digraphs (two consonants together make a completely different sound) and the many sounds of f.

Dance: BERST - practice analysing different dances using mnemonics (Body, Energy, Relationship, Space and Tempo).
Grade 7 & 8 will be watch an older film on Ethnic Dances in the World. Why do some folkdances have women only or men only dances? What kind of society has dancers dance in circles versus straight lines?
What can we infer about different dance movements depending on the cultural traditions of an area in the world? Find out this and more tomorrow.

Math - grade 8 Sonic four-quadrant picture due Friday. Start own four quadrant artwork Thursday.
Criteria: Minimum of eight shapes. Complete drawing should reach all four quadrants.
Locate coordinate points and rewrite instructions so that a classmate can reproduce your drawing.
Rubric to be handed out Thursday.
Due: Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Grade 7 - Fractions, decimals, percentages and how they related to one another.
Practice multiplication and division skills Friday.

Eric Walters' new novel Cat (info for grade 7 & 8s), Novel studies

2011-01-10T14:35:00.002-05:00

As we continue to do our our novel study about citizenship and the role of the individual in community, we are part of a new Eric Walters project.

Remember - Grade 7s should read up to page 103 in the Breadwinner. Here is an example of a youtube.com/searchstories for the second book "The Breadwinner"
For your culminating activity you can create your own search story or create a movie trailer of The Breadwinner.
Grade 8s read up to page 120. Iqbal (a short film)
Both groups will prepare a scene by creating a Reader's Theatre script this week's writing assignment. It is suggested that students read every night and finish the book so the final project will involve re-reading, and reading over parts of the book - not just reading the novel for the first time.

We will also be reading Eric Walters' new novel. Tweet (twiducate) responses to each of the five questions below. We'll go through 1-3 this week and 4-6 next week.

Here is the information about the Eric Walters Cat novel project.

The TDSB started on Dec. 9 (chapters 1-3). Today, (Jan. 10th) the next three chapters are available. I have them stored digitally on our student shared drive in the folder CAT.

We will be "catching up" until the next installment Jan. 24th.

Please respond to each of the questions with your twiducate sign-on.

We will read these chapters in class together.

Eric Walters' new book - Reading response questions for chapters 1-3.

1) How many different countries were students in your class born in?

2) On page 4 should it be ‘A and A+ or Level 4 and 4+ or something else completely?

3) Simon says he is Canadian. What makes you a Canadian – is it being born here, living here a long time, becoming a Canadian citizen? Can you proudly be from two places at the same time?

4) What did Mr. Singh mean by a wicket? Has anybody ever played cricket?

5) PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, start making suggestions for a title.

Reading response questions for chapters 4 - 6.

Week 2 Comments and Questions – Chapters 4, 5, and 6

1) Is Aminder a good name for a boy who is Sikh? Can you suggest another name.

2) Do more students speak Mandarin or Cantonese in your school/class/group?

3) Are those numbers right; 850 million who speak Mandarin and 70 million who speak Cantonese?

4) Can you suggest some other traditional ‘Canadian’ foods to put into this section?

5) How many pages do you read a week? How many pages does your class read? Would it be fun to track it week by week?

6) How many languages can you say or write ‘hello’ in your class. What languages should be used in the book?

Twiducate intro, doppleme.com, wishwall, excel...

2011-01-10T09:49:00.001-05:00

Twiducate http:/www.twiducate.com

1. Respond to my social media post / tweet.

2. Write one (appropriate) question of your own to share with our class.
b) respond to at least one other student's question.

3. Find one appropriate dance video (youtube is okay). Share the link with the class. (copy and paste link and/or follow intructions on twiducate.)

At the end of today's period you should have created four separate tweets (minimum).

Classroom Name: canadianstudentlife

Classroom Code: mapleleaf1867

Wall wisher

http://www.wallwisher.com/account/login

Canadianstudentlife (gmail)
normal password

respond to the wall for your grade.
Begin creating a wall of your own. Thought / ideas about the novel you are reading.
To help you try these categories:
- List of characters
- Setting
- author's writing style
- theme/main idea (author's message)

3. Glogster
http://www.glogster.com/

Check out this program. How could you use this program to help you complete school work?

Homework for Jan. 6

2011-01-05T13:59:00.000-05:00

Spelling - self-assessment and strategies was completed today
first lesson short and long vowel sounds

If you want a few minutes to help expand your vocabulary (and give rice to the United Nations food program) go to: http://freerice.com/

Reading - Grade 7 to page 62 The Breadwinner
Grade 8 - page 81 Iqbal

One writing assignment due on Friday.
OMP (open mind portrait) self - rough copy due Friday.

Math
Grade 8 coordinate practice (four quadrants)

http://www.mathplayground.com/locate_aliens.html

Grade 7

equivalent fraction practice: http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-7-equivalent-fractions

comparing fractions (word problems): http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-7-compare-fractions-word-problems

Elements of Dance - with some video examples from discussion

2011-01-04T11:42:00.000-05:00

We spoke about the vocabulary in describing the elements of dance today.

Here are a few video examples (modern pop culture).

We also are using the mnemonic BERST
Body, Energy, Relationship, Space and Tempo to describe parts and complete dances.
Symbolism, expression, and use of music is also going to be examined.

Intro to Dance notes click here.

Here is a "hand dance" Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPq1_9DsLKk&feature=fvst What I like about it is that the dancer used his knowledge of suffixes and root words to create his non-locomotor hand dance. :D

Grade 7 The Breadwinner reading: complete up to page 62 this week.
Grade 8 Iqbal reading: complete up to page 81 this week.

Welcome to 2011-Monday, Jan. 3 Math/English work

2011-01-03T21:27:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a great winter break!
I had fun and learned how to make jewelry. Well, I made earrings and a few necklaces. I will continue to experiment putting "masterpieces" together.

Reading strategy for January: Inferring

Readers can increase their understanding of a text by drawing inferences as they read.
An inference is a judgment or evaluation made about a plot, setting or characters of the story.
Inferring is like making a prediction but the reader combines what he/she reads from the text and prior knowledge to make an inference.
To infer is to form an opinion that is based on the text but does not exist literally in the text.

Grade 7
Math - review multiplication and division (sheets given for holiday extra work). Please bring to class.
Numeration (fractions, decimals, percents)/Patterning/Data Management

First step: practice creating fractions and then equivalent fractions over 100 and/or convert to a decimal number. Practice this week.

English - continue The Breadwinner pgs 1-33 (should be complete before holidays)
This week: pg 34 - 62

Writing a letter:
Written response:
Pretend that you have just arrived in Afghanistan and Parvana is your
old friend. She is taking you around the market, showing you her house,
pointing out the Taliban. She is talking about how as the war has gone on,
each house she has had has gotten bombed and they have had to move to
smaller and smaller houses. They are becoming poorer and poorer. Then,
you are asked to fly home to Canada. Write a short letter to Parvana telling
her everything you learned about where she lives and what she has gone
through in the past year. Don’t forget to include how you feel about the
changes she has had to endure.

Look fors: following above instructions
elements of a letter - date, salutation, body, complimentary closing

Grade 8

Numeration/Patterning/Data Analysis
coordinates, determining algebraic equations, graphing, picture representations
reviewing multiplication and division

English

Continue Novel Study of Iqbal
Pages 1-37 should have been completed during holidays.
Written response: child labour

Part 2: pg38-81

Written response (pick 1)
Characterization
1. Fatima writes of the times when the children would discuss their dreams.
Do you dream in colour or black and white? What do they think your dreams mean?
Write about a dream you have had and analyze what it means. Draw an illustration of the dream.

2.
Write a vivid description of Iqbal's character including his appearance and his attitude. You can create a graphic organizer about his character. Use one colour of pen.
This is your first impression of this character. As the story progresses, add characteristics about what you learn about Iqbal's character (in a different colour of pen).
At the end of the story you can check go back and check your first impression to see if it changed after you read the entire story.

3. Conduct research to find a product made by child labourers and find out where this product is sold in local stores. If it is, contact a local politician to help you change this

http://www.anti-slaverysociety.addr.com/childlabor09.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/18/child-labor-products_n_798601.html#

4. “The Kids Campaign to Build a School for Iqbal: A Bullet Can’t Kill a Dream” is a web site documenting the establishment of a school named after Iqbal that the Broad Meadows students helped build in his hometown: http://www.mirrorimage.com/iqbal/index.html.Read the site and write a report about what you read.

New ways to look at our world

2010-12-07T12:09:00.000-05:00

Here is a video from Hans Rosling, a public health researcher.
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/912 (He explains population growth using IKEA boxes.)

He also developed the graphing program that we examined today named gapminder world.

Try changing the y and x axes. See what categories interest you. Gapminder helps you visualize living data throughout the years. And you can examine and compare specific countries as well.

Another web site is worldmapper.org. With world mapper, instead of geographical area, you can map the world according to other categories.

Try both of these out!

reading response Dec. 6

2010-12-06T15:25:00.000-05:00

Here's a story for you to read. Some of the most unlikely ideas come from out of the blue. And the fact you have confidence in yourself, to share, to persevere and/or to pursue a dream, gets you one step closer to your dreams.

Twittens deliver frostbite-free texting

Allison Cross
2010-12-06 12:09

Lincoln McCardle never planned on becoming an inventor.
But last winter, the part-time student from London, Ont., was growing tired of struggling to use his iPod while wearing winter gloves.
He didn’t want to wear fingerless gloves, but figured he needed a glove with a removable hood on the index finger.
McCardle’s friend, a BlackBerry user, insisted he’d need a hood on the thumb too, for texting and posting to Twitter.
McCardle, 38, contacted Canadian glove manufacturers with the idea, with the vague hope they might use the suggestion and send him a free pair of gloves. But just in case, he trademarked the invention’s name: Twittens. Eventually someone took the bait, and McCardle became an inventor.
He’s partnered up with Belleville manufacturer Impacto Protective Products Inc., who is rushing to fill nearly 1,000 orders for Twittens in time for Christmas.
“Obviously, I thought they were an awesome idea,” McCardle says. “I honestly assumed it was a lot more difficult than this to convince other people they were awesome.”
The gloves are made of fleece and come in extra-small, medium and large-extra large sizes. They’re available in black and cost $19.99.
If there’s enough interest, Impacto plans to make more sizes and colours for next season, says Eric Lehtinen, the company’s executive vice-president. “(McCardle) took me through the idea, and being addicted to my BlackBerry myself I thought this was kind of a neat idea,” Lehtinen says. “He had a raw kernel of an idea in terms of the design of the glove, so we made a prototype and sent it through to him.”
McCardle, who works full-time for Bell Canada, suggested a couple of changes: Impacto placed grip pads on the palm and some of fingers of the gloves to help users avoid dropping their phones in the snow.

“That’s been a nice synergy between him as inventor and us as manufacturer,” Lehtinen says. “It’s been a real success story. Now that work is done, we need to get the word out and get the product out the door.”

McCardle received the final prototype in October and wears the gloves constantly. “I’m wearing them all the time,” he says. “They’re absolutely perfect . . . I was convinced this was exactly what I wanted to begin with.”

Consumers are pre-ordering the gloves through the Twittens website, although they can also contact Impacto directly, McCardle says. “They’ve got guys on overtime right now. As a result of all the publicity, retail chains are calling and saying they want 100.”

Impacto aims to ship out the orders they’ve already received between Dec. 14 and 19.
Everyone in McCardle’s family is getting a pair of Twittens for Christmas. “I have already ordered give or take 60 or 70 pairs. It’s mostly friends or family,” he said.
But McCardle isn’t getting any special treatment. He has to wait for shipments from Impacto just like everyone else.

Retell: What is the main idea of this story?

Reflect: How can you use the example of this story to help you in your daily life?

Respond: What does this story remind you of?

Dec. 1 - planners power and A Day in the Life of my Geocity

2010-12-01T21:30:00.000-05:00

Grade 8 and 7 students collecting information, links, video for the Power in the Community project.

Please click here for an example and possible planner to help you. PDF version here.

Grade 8s continue your How to writing assignment. Two students are finished.

Grade 7s: A story planner for a Day in the Life of my Geocity here.

Grade 7 - Geocity and fraction start.
Grade 8 - Patterning and Algebra continue.
Why are patterns important? How can we use algebraic equations to describe patterns?

Nov. 24 homework and calculations

2010-11-24T11:53:00.000-05:00

We discussed the definition of power for our Power in the community project. Some groups also defined the community - and community components they would examine for the top 10.
Grade 7 math - start solving problems related to your Geocity.
To help convert wall paper from feet (imperial) to metric (square metres) try this calculator. 1 litre paint = 5 square metres coverage (approximately)
1 roll of wall paper = 2.6 square metres (52 cm width)
1 roll of wall paper = 2.79 square metres (68.58 cm width)
Grade 7 language - Begin thinking about what to include in your tour of "A Day in my Geocity."

Grade 8 language - How to writings to be completed.

Grade 8 Math - Final day of Trail. Double check against rubric and checklist.
Patterning and Algebra review. For a fun game click here

Learning activity Power in the community

2010-11-23T15:58:00.000-05:00

Grade 7s continue to work on awesome and detailed Geocity's.

The first problem question to complete. Pick one of your rectangular prism buildings.
You need to paint the outside of the building.
How much paint will you need?
How much will it cost you?

---What strategy will you use to solve the problem?--
What do you know? What do you need to know?

Hint: 1 litre of paint = 5 square metres

Second problem. You need to wallpaper the inside walls of your entire triangular prism structure. How many wallpaper rolls? How much will it cost you?

Third problem.
You have had $10,000 donated to you to build a pool.
Where would you put the pool in your city? Why?
What would the dimensions of the pool be.
How much water would the pool hold?

7 - Finish speech writing and recording.
Project - Power in the community start
Begin a recount (A Day in the Life of my Geocity...)

8 Finish How to: writing
Choose a multimedia format to display your How to using visuals (start), record the audio of your how to:
Project - Power in the community start

Math 8 final day trails
Patterning and Algebra in the real world continue tomorrow

Weekend of Nov. 19

2010-11-19T11:44:00.001-05:00

Hi. If you have time this weekend, check out this mapping web site. Unlike most maps, worldmapper takes data and arranges it not only by political borders (countries) and land area. There are dozens of categories such as: internet users, wealth, poverty, education level etc.
The main page is: http://www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk/worldmapper/index.html but, more interesting, is the Map Categories area at the bottom left corner of the main page.

Both grade 7 and 8 will be doing an investigation of this site next week.

Math grade 8 - finish the Trail Design project.
Math grade 7 - continue working on the Geocity. Next week you will be planning and writing a story about: A Day in the Life of my Geocity. What makes _____ city a great community to live in.
Math practice game? (I've added the grade 7 link..but you can find a grade 8 one on the site too.)

Language grade 8 - most have finished recording P.S.A.s and xtranormal multimedia P.S.A.s Continue and complete a "How-to:" This will be converted to a Comic Life or Windows Media Maker project.
Language grade 7 & 8 combined project - Power in our Community. Please visit link for the assignment.
Language grade 7 - a few have completed writing their speeches and recording them. Finish speeches.

Homework for weekend Nov. 5

2010-11-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

This is the homework for .... www.google.com

homework for weekend Nov. 5

2010-11-05T16:51:00.002-04:00

Grade 8 Math - work on creating your own path/park using a minimum three arcs, three diagonals and a total perimeter of 110m

Provide mathematical proof.

Grade 7 Math - review two dimension and three dimensional shapes...rectangular prisms, triangular prisms surface area

review 2D of 3D shapes, start Geocity assignment next week

Grade 7 Language/media/drama

- speech - you have chosen a speech topic

Create a 1 - 2 minute speech

What is your position? (main idea / message)

What examples/proof have you found to support your message?

Use three techniques to persuade your audience: repetition, question, emotional words

Have a clear introduction, body and conclusion

Grade 8

Public Service announcement

Have you chosen your topic / issue that you would like to share?

Write an audio PSA.

Record your audio PSA.

Transfer your PSA into visual form using xtranormal.com

Next week:

Continue examining the meaning / purpose of Remembrance Day.

Continue Scary story and Reader's Theatre editing.

Enviornmental calendar (ecokids) assignment drawing: What can I do to help the environment?

2010-11-02T13:16:00.003-04:00

Grade 8 - P.S.A. (public service announcement)
format/ persuasion social issue/ resource
-narration, question and answer dialogue, slice of life etc.
Examples:
http://cca-kids.ca/psas/bullying_prevention.html

http://www.adcouncil.org/gallery.html

T.V. and radio PSAs

Procedure: Pick a topic / issue.
Give some information about it/ or what you want someone to know about.
Give contact information about where to find more information.

15 to 30 seconds
Like a commercial but instead of selling you a product or service (for profit), you are “selling an action or thought”.

Instructions: Use this form to outline your PSA. 1. Scenario: Characters act out the problem. Write script for actions (video and audio) and dialogue.2. Goal: These words flash across the screen. (video)3. Reasons: Voiceover explains the problem while image shows problem. (In an audio PSA you tell / describe the problem.)4. Facts: Voiceover discusses the facts while image shows facts. (Audio PSA tells the facts clearly.)5. For More Information: Show / tell organization phone or website (make one upor use existing).remember to write in your script DOT COM (for a website not just .com)

Name: _______________________

Topic / Issue of concern: _________________________

Audio PSA.

Rough copy of scripts:

1.
Narrator: __________________

2. Q and Answer / Dialogue

Person 1:

Person 2:

Person 1:

3. Improv scene that you are catching a bit of dialogue.

Choose your type of dialogue and write a 15 – 30 second P.S.A. approximately 100 words (give or take) your pausing.

1. Pick an issue. Create a public service announcement (audio only).
2. Why remember? Create a public service announcement the power of remembering during Remembrance Day Nov. 11.

Grade 7 - speeches "Tell the World" We read and analyzed Severin Suzuki's speech words only...and compared it to her actual speech making at the United Nations. (see link Tell the World)

persuasive techniques of speech writing - repetition, emotional language, questions

pausing - as effective as what words are said

Speech/Collage - Why our community should Remember.
Create a collage (headlines, images) accompanying speech of why we should Remember (veterans, peacekeepers, etc.) during Remembrance Day.

Math - 8 Culminating assignment: a park/trail with perimeter 110m. See blue package / double pocket folder.
Math - 7 Culminating assignment: Nov. 5 start.
Nov. 1-4: practice surface area of rectangular prisms and triangular prisms.

Homework for Halloween, Math games and free rice

2010-10-29T10:21:00.007-04:00

Today was Halloween at our school. I hope you have a safe and happy weekend. Remember that the weather is going to be coooooold!

Period 3 computer lab booked Halloween fun read here too.

Pick one of the sites and practice math computation skills

http://www.coolmath4kids.com/ or http://www.mathplayground.com/games.html

You may also go to: http://www.freerice.com/ and try vocabulary or geography -- a wide variety of subjects and give rice to the United Nationals Food program. Support the U.N.'s food programme here:http://www.freerice.com/subjects.php?t=478307146746

For the weekend all students should work on the Halloween Fun reading. It has vocabulary, spelling, and math skills as well.

To download a copy (in case you forgot it) click here: Halloween Fun reading.

For Math -- remember percent (or per cent) means out of 100.
15% is 15/100 or 0.15 (in calculator 15 ÷ 100)

15% of 123 is 0.15 x 123 = 18.45 or 18

1. If you can't figure out the math, please underlying parts of the word question where you think you understand the math computation that you need to do? add subtract multiply divide percentage total loss etc.

2. Remember a math word problem gives you certain words (clues to what you have to do).

3. Draw a picture, make a chart and make sure your answer makes sense.
Eg. 15% of something has to be smaller than the original number (not bigger). Then you may be on the right track. :D

Homework Wed. Oct. 20

2010-10-20T14:52:00.003-04:00

Grade 7 math - excellent and detailed work using the geometric figure artwork - identifying angle types, side lengths, as well as comparing different types of shapes which can create other larger shapes.

Grade 8 math - continue with circles, measurments and intro to algebra.

Grade 7 English/Drama/Media
Practice reading your short story out loud for recording on audacity tomorrow. Think of and bring sound effects (SFx) or foley - using real-life objects to create and represent other sounds.

Also reading for our critical pathway. What is community? Look at various national anthems - songs and lyrics. How is a particular community represented through the lyrics and song of their national anthem. Web site...http://www.national-anthems.net/ or Country reports
Other mp3, lyrics and midi web files: http://www.aresearchguide.com/anthems.html
History of anthems: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_national_anthems

Grade 8 media/reading/writing/drama: Reader's Theatre scripts (see previous posts for your scripts). Recording taking place as well as sound effects (SFx).

Grade 8 reading critical pathway: What is power? assessment dipin Continue exploring various texts and finding the main idea (author's message) using evidence / examples from the text and your own personal ideas (connections (relate) and questions (reflection))

Main

• In the short story, "Fakin' it" who has the power?

• idea 1

• example

• idea 2

• example

• idea 3

• example

Homework Oct. 19

2010-10-19T14:31:00.002-04:00

Audacity

audio sound editing program free for home download

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Grade 8 math - Circles, diameter and radius (area and volume of cylinders)

Grade 7 math - trapezoid, parallelograms, triangles area and perimeter.

Pythagorean theorem animation (the hypoteneuse of a right-angle triangle)

http://www.davis-inc.com/pythagor/index.shtml

Update Oct. 15 (measurement and Smart Ideas)

2010-10-15T17:34:00.003-04:00

Students learned to brainstorm and write paragraphs, using evidence from the text and text-to-self, with the Smart Ideas computer program today.

Here's an example from class 7-1 about Camp Wahanowin.

Smart Ideas. Brainstorm - File Export Microsoft Word (you’ll get your diagram and jot notes).

• What can someone learn about nature by going to Camp Wahonowin?

First sentence (topic sentence) Retate the question and answer it. Then use examples.

Last sentence (conclusion sentence) repeat the topic / finish paragraph off so that the reader knows you are ending this topic

Eg. You can learn a lot of things by going to Camp Wahonowin. There's lots of wildlife such as: birds, hummingbirds, deer, cattle, and black squirrels. It's (You can learn) harder to survive because animals can eat you. We did a survival game about predators and prey. It's cold outside at night in October because there is not a lot of sun and we saw frost in the morning. The sky was normally cloudy. You could not see stars. It was pitch black at night. It looked like the moon was trying to get through the clouds. Overall, we had a great time at Camp Wahonowin.

Grade 8s 8-1 read a short story and found evidence of use of power. Here is the jot notes of their brainstorming.

You can see the brainstorming web above right.

Main
* Who has the power?
* parents Mr. Bentley, Mrs. Bentley
* They have power over Cindella getting married. They shared strong opinions.
* TK
* He has power over himself. TK can chose whether or not he is getting married.
* Cindella
* She has power over what happens to her baby.
* priest
* Priest has power over helping couples get married. He could decided whether Cindella and TK get married.
* pregnancy Cindella's baby
* The baby has power over the mom, for feeding, hormones and having to take care of it.
* Baby has power to help keep the parents together.
* friends
* Power whether or not to support the marriage. The friends whispered that they're too young for marriage.

Math -

grade 7 continue exploring two dimensional figures, perimeter and area.

grade 8 - math check-in quiz. application of measurement ideas, real-life application of measurement ideas and conversion of metric units. Which units make sense and why.

Measurement in the kitchen web site. Read and have fun!

Metric unit conversion "length, capacity and mass game" here.

Here's a link to review. http://www.innovationslearning.co.uk/subjects/maths/information/shape_facts/shape_facts.htm

Have a nice weekend!

homework Happy Thanksgiving Oct. 8

2010-10-08T15:52:00.001-04:00

Have a nice long weekend!

Read!
Practice typing...cursive? (Not really homework but worth some time since you have Monday off.)

Math? grade 7 and 8 at same starting point. We will diverge according to grade level expectations until then. You must try to learn and remember the following big ideas.

Where do you see the following mathematical concepts in our everyday community?
(length - metre, capacity / liquid volume - litre, mass - grams),
Why? real life applications. Which unit makes sense for what object? Use in architecture, home improvement, real life objects etc.
move length to area..build to volume..surface area of something etc?
circles, angles, descriptions...

Math concepts: also refer / read over pg136 / 137 in agenda.
Metric units, conversion of units using prefixes
King Henry Didn't Usually Drink Chocolate Milk
length km hm dam m dm cm mm
mass kg hg dag g dg cg mg
capacity kL hL daL L dL cL mL
eg. km to m move three spots to the right, so decimal moves three right
units of measure (length - metre, capacity / liquid volume - litre, mass - grams), two-dimensional shapes and how to describe them using parallel / perpendicular, angle size, side lengths, similar and /or congruent (vocabulary).

Please review past posts to make sure all the language / media / writing based activities are complete.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Grade 7s enjoy you three-day trip! :D
Miss R

Homework Oct. 6 2010

2010-10-06T14:02:00.002-04:00

We have until next Monday to practice script or story reading.
Drama - use of voice/emphasis, onomatoepia, setting mood
Oral communication - asking questions to clarify, working in cooperative groups,

Grade 7 - Scary stories have been chosen. Pick up and take home copy to practice reading out loud Friday (for the weekend).
We will continue working on The Way of the Winner"
concepts: physical vs. personality (psychological) characteristics of a person / hero / character
memoir / journal / diary vs. autobiography / biography ..what are the similarities? differences?

Big idea: What do heroes contribute to a community?

Ecosystem trip Thursday.

Grade 8 - Partners picked for Reader's Theatre "scary scripts"..remember age group is for audience not reading level necessarily.

The Boy Who Drew Cats - Matthew/Denzel

Wiley and the Hairy Man - Paul / Cody

The Man who sang to Ghosts - Devlin / Mason

Big ideas:
How writer's use power of the written word? How reading out loud can create a powerful affect.

Math - grade 8s..important to do daily homework. All classes behind. Measurement, metric conversion of units, multiplication computation (also applied for area calculations)
grade 7s ..also important to do daily homework. Students are not taking work home.
concepts - different kinds of measurements / units of quantity
length (metre), capacity - liquid volume (litre), mass - grams
Estimating quantities.

homework Tuesday, Oct. 5

2010-10-05T15:23:00.003-04:00

Grade 8 Math

80 and 81 continue working through packages of work. The work you have in orange duotang and yellow duotangs should be every day independent practice review. We are taking too much time in class finding duotangs, looking for notebooks etc.

The rules to remember today: odd number x odd number = odd number
even number x even number = even number answer
even x odd or odd x even = even number answer

Here's more practice on basic multiplication: multiplication
Multiplication game vs. computer

Language - both grade 7s and 8s (CASI testing today).
Grade 70 after CASI - reading and practicing Scary Story for podcast.

Grade 70 Math period was used to finish / extra time for CASI.
Key Math verbal testing continued.

Grade 71 Math period practiced use of calculator / estimation of money values.

Place Value Jeopardy

Language periods work on reading responses tomorrow.

Homework for Oct. 1

2010-10-01T14:59:00.002-04:00

Weekend:
If you have a chance go to http://aw.tdsb.on.ca and see if you can log-in to our class site (at school). It is a new academic workspace. You sign in using the same login and password that would get you onto a computer at school. I've uploaded readings and questions for grade 7s so far. I have also posted the answer to the question, " What is Miss Reinsalu's favourite colour?" in the announcement area. What do you think?

Math -always use pg137 of your agenda as a reference for grade 7 and 8 vocabulary and/or forumlae to assist you. Always write down questions that you have for help at school on the next day.

Grade 8s given a four-page package (started in class) to be completed over the weekend. Review of terms, formula and procedures of estimation and actual totally - use of money, along with symmetry, similar and congruent.

Grade 7s have four-page package (started in class) to be completed over the weekend.
Review of measurement ideas such as perimeter, area and volume.

Language
Grade 8s - Heroes and the Fight over Fur readings and questions.

Grade 7s - Aboriginal Sports / Food readings and questions.

Aboriginal sports

Go to: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/lr/ks/rrds/spo-eng.pdf

1. What is the main idea of the story? (This should be answered in four-five sentences.) Keep in mind our list of answering the questions, using evidence/examples from the text and making a connection – self-to-text, text-to-text or even world-to-text to enhance your response.)

2. How is the story organized? (What parts make up the article?)

3. Is this a fiction or non-fiction story? Explain how you know.

4. Pick three main ideas in this text and retell them in your own words.

Chances are it’s Aboriginal. A conversation on Aboriginal Food.
Go to: http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/ach/lr/ks/rrds/fd-eng.pdf

What is the main idea of the story?

Create an information chart using the headings Part of Canada and Aboriginal Food. Use information from the story, fill out the chart. Eg.

Part of Canada Aboriginal Food

Rewrite the Tsaibesa’s Bannock recipe using a PROCEDURAL style of writing.
(Remember procedural writing is step-by-step instructions.
Each step begins with a number and starts with a verb.
The first step is done for you.

Combine flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl.

Or sign-in to your academic workspace on http://aw.tdsb.on.ca/ (use your student ID and password).
Go to class à class resources and find the two readings spo-eng.pdf (is the one on sports), fd-eng.pdf is the reading on food.

CASI starts Monday.

Homework update Sept. 30

2010-09-30T15:52:00.003-04:00

It will be October 1st tomorrow. Congratulations to all who participated in the Terry Fox run this morning. I hope you received your QSP fundraising packages this afternoon as well.

Math - we continue to work on measurement and geometry concepts.

grade 7 - metric conversion, two-dimensional shapes
grade 8 - math prefixes, describing two-dimensional shapes (vertex, parallel pairs, types of angles etc.)

A reminder that whatever work not completed in class should be taken home or come after school to complete. We need to have a manageable, realistic yet challenging pace. All should be on board so that we can strengthen our math learning.

Language -closing up the week.
Respect (acrostic poem)
Responsibility (bitstrips (2)
symmetrical name
wordles - Great Shoreline Cleanup
Terry Fox - timeline / illustrated / quote

grade 8 Heroes should be completed by tomorrow.
Cell readings (two pages complete), Fight for Fur - First reading with written responses should be finished tomorrow.

grade 7 Aboriginal Sports should be finished. Aboriginal Foods should be started.
Ecosystem readings (two pages complete).

A reminder that we will be doing CASI on Monday. Bring a snack and a fresh perspective to do your best and show what you know. Please be reminded that if you require scribing to make your answers more complete, just ask.

Homework Monday, Sept. 20

2010-09-20T16:54:00.004-04:00

Language - media/writing Responsibility bitstrips due Tuesday.

media/writing - Respect acrostic poem complete Tuesday/Wednesday.

reading - Terry Fox package (skim and scan) use sticky notes to write questions / thoughts you have

Here is a web site about Terry Fox. Are there any particular videos/article that you find interesting??

http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/exploits/topics/1649/

reading Biodiversity (grade 7) The Cell (grade 8) continue in class.

Math - finish symmetrical name

- continue with problem solving package. Grade 8 (finish Working Backwards/Draw a Picture).

We will start identifying patterns in multiplication and division Tuesday.

Dance-a-thon Friday afternoon $2 and non-perishable food item

Scholastic book sale continues all this week. Ask your homeroom teacher when you are scheduled for a visit.

Curriculum Night - This Thursday, meet in the senior gym at 6:30 p.m. Please tell your parents/guardians. The evening runs until 8 p.m.

Tues. Sept. 14

2010-09-14T15:29:00.003-04:00

Grade 8s worked on their Avatars for Bitstrips.
We worked on Math pg 7 Q7-10.
Key Math diagnostic was unavailable today. We will continue testing tomorrow.

Here is the link for your assignment due next Tuesday.
Bitstrips: My responsibility (as school and at home)

We will continue problem solving package tomorrow. Please make sure you complete your reading inventory sheet for tomorrow.

Monday, Sept. 13

2010-09-13T15:23:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the homework blog.
I made an entry last week as well. Can you find it?

I wanted to share the typing program and bitstrips web site.
Your first assignment for bitstrips will start at the end of the week. It revolves around this month's character trait of responsibility.

Simply: Create one bitstrip putting yourself into a comic to show what responsibility you have as a student.

Create a second bitstrip comic putting yourself (as one of the characters, you may create more). Show a responsibility that you have outside of school.

Due date: Sept. 21

http://www.bitstripsforschools.com
81: class code: written in your planner near Sept. 13 entry
70/71/80: will receive Sept. 14

Typing program: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing
Type a minimum of three times per week.
Record when you typed in your agenda / planner on the date you practiced.

We will review this week: Reading responses three Rs.
Math: Continue with how to problem solve (different strategies). Find which one(s) you prefer and can succeed at the best!

Welcome to Room 303

2010-09-09T09:48:00.006-04:00

By seeing this message, you have successfully entered and found our homework blog.
Well done.

Look around the site and find three elements of the design.

Now look at the site's information. How can this site help you with your day-to-day learning? Find and be prepared to discuss three elements.

If you could redesign some aspects of this site, what would you do? Why?

You may post comments to this blog via the "anonymous" message. I will have to approve all messages. Students are encourage to post and let us know when you are absent. You will not fall behind in your work, as key work and dates are posted here.

Cheers,
Miss R

Geobuilding information and links due: June 11

2010-06-08T10:16:00.000-04:00

Purpose: recreate / redesign a famous or world building by printing out its component 2D nets of prisms and pyramids.
Minimum number of nets/polyhedrons: 5.

Document a brief history of the building.

Name of the building.
When was it made?
Who designed the building/architect(s)?
What are the key design elements? Describe the building according to polyhedron shapes (prism, pyramids,etc.)
What city is it in?
What importance does the building play in the city?
Why did you chose this building?
Why do you like this building?
What modifications did you make to the design and why?

Use aspex Tabs to recreate this building. Print out the nets and recreate a three-D model.
Or use the http://korthalsaltes.com/ web site and print out the pdf.
More strange buildings:

http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world-part-ii/

Tuesday, May 11

2010-05-11T13:29:00.002-04:00

We are completing our final CASI assessment for the year this week.

Non-fiction readings.
Remember to think about answering open-ended questions using specific examples from the text (and your own ideas) as well as making connections to other text, movies, and/or the world around us.

Writing - finish Pysanka and Traditions writing this week.

Math - coordinate art / transformations (translation, reflection, rotation) finish this week.

Next week we start 3D geometry and probability.

Media - Here is the link to Media Awareness Network's Passport to the Internet.
http://www2.media-awareness.ca/classroom/wos_13ad/passport_7623/no/10478/REM.html

It's Friday

2010-05-07T18:00:00.004-04:00

I hope everyone had an excellent time at today's literacy conference today in Milton (near the airport).

Here are some links you may enjoy:

Raptors' official site

Canadian author Eric Walters' site

QMAC (rapper Scott Jackson's youtube

Here's the real life charity that was discussed in our Home T.E.A.M. novel. Soles4Souls.

We will finish our coordinate artwork, Pysanka procedural writing and Home T.E.A.M. bitstrips next week.

Have a fun weekend!

week of May 3

2010-05-03T13:51:00.005-04:00

Happy May.
This month's character trait is integrity.

What does integrity mean to you?

We have a busy week.

Tomorrow we are baking:

Fudge
Banana bread
Cookies

Anna Banana Bread
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Serves/Makes: 20 | Difficulty Level: 3 | Ready In: 1-2 hrs

Ingredients:
1 cup Applesauce
2 cups Sugar
2 Egg
2 Egg white
6 Bananas -- mashed
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
5 cups Flour
2 teaspoons Baking soda
4 teaspoons Baking powder
2 teaspoons Cinnamon

Directions:
Combine sugar and wet ingredients. Combine dry ingredients separately. Add to wet ingredients.

Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 350, 50 to 60 minutes.

You have scaled this recipe to serve/make 20 (originally served 10). Please adjust for pan sizes, cooking times, measurements in the directions, and divided ingredients accordingly.

Recipe Location: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/271/Anna-Banana-Bread94059.shtml
Recipe ID: 64932

Thursday is Ms. Curtis' last day.
Wednesday is our school's open house. Come help me with promoting board games like Catan and Carcassone.

Friday: Our trip to the Literacy Conference. We are finishing Home T.E.A.M. this week.

Language
Finish: Pysanka instructions write up
Finish: Traditions collage and What are your traditions? Are traditions important? paragraphs.
Finish: four quadrant coordinate math art
Start: your own four quadrant coordinate math art.
Start: POV for a HOME T.E.A.M. character using bitstripsforschools or wordle (save the item number of your wordle and/or download and print.
http://www.wordle.net/create

bitstrips:http://www.bitstripsforschools.com/classroom/7Q1/activities/SLJ1/
Dance: Remember BERST to learn five dance steps.

April 19 homework

2010-04-19T16:38:00.002-04:00

Math- geometry
This is the last week to complete a dilation (enlargement) of a sketch you will make.

The border should have all three transformations: slide(translation), flip (reflection) and turn (rotation).
The centre of the artwork should be created as a slide, flip and/or turn.

Then you mark the four-quadrants on the picture. Mark the coordinates and redraw your picture using grid paper.

Language / media: Procedural writing
“Easter Egg/Pysanka” Wax Resistance Workshop

With your partner, write a list of instructions (procedural writing) for Pysanka. This is

third person point of view.

You must have the following titles for each section:

Purpose:

Materials:

Method/Instructions/Procedure:

Observations:

Cautions:

Conclusions:

Include helpful diagrams / drawings where you think it is necessary.
There are photos in the shared drive: Bowmore students Room 303  Pysanka

Remember: Your instructions should be able to describe to someone how to do this artwork, by just reading your procedural writing on its own.

Rough draft: due: Friday, April 16.

Individual reflection.
Answer the following about your experiences with Pysanka last week.

Create a journal entry telling a fellow student what you did last Wednesday. Include your feelings during and after the activity. (You can choose to a) write an e-mail b) write a letter c) prepare a “mock conversation” dramatic script.

What did you enjoy most about doing this activity?

We will finish Home T.E.A.M. this week. Our trip to the literacy conference will be May 7th. Forms should be coming soon.

Having some experience now, what would you do different next time?

April 15 notes

2010-04-15T15:36:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to all who took the dance class seriously today.
You are putting together elements well.

Dance, like art and music, is full of mathematics. So if you say you hate math, you may be making a statement against the Arts.

Here's another perspective or point of view of why Math is so cool.

It's a power point called: The beauty of Math.

homework April 12-16

2010-04-13T13:48:00.004-04:00

In Math we are working on both four quadrant coordinates and transformations.

Many of us are working on a small scale drawing batik plan.

The border of the plan must show reflection, translation and rotation.
The centre of the plan has one (or more elements) in a design of your choice.

Be prepared to defend and identify your transformations.

Unrelated/related:
Lego quiz

Language: We are working on procedural / instruction writing.
Ms. Applebee taught us Pysanka last week.

We are writing up instructions, including step-by-step and personal reflections.
For the assignment click here.

Rough copies due Friday.

Don't forget we are travelling to Rosedale School of the Arts tomorrow to see Fiddler on the Roof.

Tuesday April 6

2010-04-06T19:19:00.001-04:00

Here is a link for the Ukrainian egg painting (wax resistance art) known as Pysanky.

We will be exploring geometry through this artform tomorrow afternoon.

http://www.learnpysanky.com/getting_started.html

Link to explore polyhedrons (3D straight lined shapes) and 2D nets

2010-03-28T17:19:00.001-04:00

Here is a web site to explore the 2D to 3D transformations of polyhedra (3D shapes with straight lines such as: pyramids and prisms. This site has more advanced polyhedra as well. Observe how the 2D nets (surface area) can be folded into 3D shapes.

http://www.korthalsaltes.com/

Homework for the weekend March 26

2010-03-26T12:02:00.004-04:00

Have a nice weekend. Read each day and make sure you are caught up on all work in all subjects.

Over the weekend take note of how many concepts around us deal with math numbers in the form of decimals - percents and fractions. Keep in mind three-to-five examples and share with us on Tuesday. I am away from school on Monday.

Here's something that was sent to me. Note: the first applications in will be looked at for a free camp!!

Skills Canada – Ontario, in partnership with Centennial College, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Hydro One and the Government of Ontario, is offering the “SkillsWork!”® Camp summer program for 16 students entering grades 7 and 8. The camp includes skill development workshops which are hosted by local professionals and will allow the students to perform hands-on, industry based tasks such as changing tires, laying bricks, preparing culinary dishes, experiencing radio programming, learning electrical wiring and fabricating wooden items. In addition to the workshops, students will learn about the importance of developing their employability skills through games and activities. Tours of local industries are arranged enabling students to see first-hand the careers that are available within their own community.

All costs for 16 TDSB students including transportation and registration for this week-long summer day camp at are covered!

DEADLINE for applications is April 30th.

For more information visit:
http://www.skillsontario.com/index.php?option=com_2j_tabs&Itemid=12&lang=en Click on registration package to apply.

We will continue with the Point of View and perspective from author and/or subject this term. Next topic we will look at is stereotyping and bias.

We will continue our country projects and athlete biographies next week (first week in April).

Have a good weekend. Remember Earth Hour in the world is 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tuesday, March 23

2010-03-23T12:49:00.004-04:00

Plastiki voyage is four days in. We watched a few of the updated videos today.
Then we practiced using RASER as a strategy to answer open-ended questions.

Here is the written response example:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0O-c8pnNFryMjZmYWYzNzMtNmE2Yy00ZTRlLTg4ZDYtMTU4YzNjM2E1ZDE1&hl=en

Note each colour of text represents increasing one level of achievement.

The voyage set sail on March 19th. David de Rothschild is sailing in a vessel made out of 12000 reclaimed plastic bottles. Caveat, some of the material (eg. bottles are filled with carbon monoxide). Hmmm...environmental proactive or potentially environmentally damaging voyage. What's your point of view?

The navigation system is powered by three---three energy producing bicycles...
http://www.youtube.com/theplastiki#p/a/u/1/NEoZcWyIVXM

Here's the info re: technology behind the 60ft catamaran "made of our reclaimed recycled and reclaimed plastic bottles.
http://www.youtube.com/theplastiki

Here's the link to the blog. Scroll down and there is a cnn video regarding the launch of the voyage as well.
http://www.theplastiki.com/2010/03/plastiki-adventure-begins/

and somewhat related...What did the plants think? (a one-minute "POV" courtesy of our green friends.

http://www.youtube.com/theplastiki#p/a/u/2/4LZ4sEge218

TDSB Earth Hour - 2 - 3 p.m. on Friday.

Global Earth Hour - 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27 -
Here's the official 2010 video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FclcMfzjwug&feature=player_embedded

March 22 - world water day

2010-03-22T15:12:00.003-04:00

Welcome back from March Break.

Of note: Permission forms for Montreal went home today. They are due signed by Friday.
The payment is due for Wed. April 13. But it would be great to get the cash in sooner.

We started Dance today.

BERST (body, energy, relationship, space and time) with discussion and viewing of videos.

Here is the handout (with links).
Math:
It's the last week we are working on fractions.
Next topic is geometry and measurement strand with a Geocity (your own designed city made from 3D and 2D shapes.

Homework for weekend Feb. 19

2010-02-19T15:32:00.004-05:00

Over the weekend you should complete:

1) mathemagical flags (two paragraph descriptions).
Here's the assignment again.

See rubric for your marking scheme.

2) Bitstrips/ handrawn graphic narrative about: the origin of the Canadian flag, the origin of the maple leaf as a Canadian symbol or the Dos and Don'ts of flag.

Here's the reading again.

Here's the rubric.

Media Country project still needs to be completed. Rubric is:
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=PrintRubric&rubric_id=1847249&

homework for Feb. 16

2010-02-17T10:32:00.004-05:00

MONTREAL TRIP FORM WITH 100 deposit due: Friday!!!!

HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SELECTION forms due: Friday!!!

We are continuing our country projects.
Some people are already researching an Olympic athlete and/or team for the trading card.
Here's a game about making a best guess/reading between the lines or, also known as, inferencing Battleship inferencingMath/Language - Mathemagical flags

Flag and two paragraph write-up due: Friday.

Media -
1. Finish country project.
2. Complete bitstrip/graphic novel with dialogue about: origin of the flag, the maple leaf or dos and don't of flags.
3. Collect athlete information profile.

Homework for Feb. 9

2010-02-08T15:44:00.002-05:00

Math - most are finished algebra quiz.

We are moving on to working with fractions (and continuing with algebra and patterns using these unknowns). See assignment here.

Flag Day is in exactly one week.
Please finish your graphic novel/ dialogue moving from non-fiction reading to graphic text on: dos and don'ts of flags, origin of the maple leaf, origin of the Canadian flag.

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181ODVjNDhjeHRtag&hl=en

Media - work on completing movie trailer review #2 (using full sentences and examples).
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181ODZjbnBtaHZjeg&hl=en

Good copy of Country project (should be completed).
Collect information on your athlete and start to create a "trading card" about him/her/the team.

Here is the updated outline: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181OTBnNzVwaHZkbQ&hl=en

Homework for weekend Feb. 6

2010-02-05T15:38:00.005-05:00

Media - We need to finish country research project (good copy) in time for Friday's opening ceremonies.
Many are still on the finishing touches of the Origin of the Maple Leaf, History of the Canadian flag and Dos and Don't of the Flag. Assignment here.

Drama - finish movie trailer review #2 (see earlier post for outline and links)

New Drama movie review checklist.

Fill out your preferences. What elements/characteristics are important to you when you are watching a movie? Link here.

Pick a movie and fill out the planner to say which elements you enjoyed AND pick a specific example from the movie to illustrate your point/opinion.

eg. The Longshots soundtrack - did not enjoy - I found that the sad times in the film the music was too slow. It was slow (to show sadness) but made the scenes seem to drag on too long.

Math - Many are finishing off the first Patterning and Algebra quiz.
If you want to review over the weekend click here.

This introduces negative and positive integers (think of temperature or apartments with elevators (above and below ground level).
http://www.quia.com/rr/4096.html

Here's more of a challenge. Look at the graph and determine the value of x (-x left and right) or y (up or - y down) http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/games/kp/kp_hotmath_sound.swf

Homework for the weekend Jan. 29

2010-01-29T17:20:00.003-05:00

Math - Patterning and Algebra (looking at patterns and coming up with rules)

Using the idea of "any number or a number" to find out what the unknown is (when you know what the other knowns are).

Continue next week. Remember terms like: less than 12 is - 12 (in an equation).
doubled? x2 tripled? x3 twice x2 half? /2

a phrase is half of a mathematical equation.
an equation always has two sides. two times a number is 24 2a = 24

Language
Drama/Media - write up the movie trailer review 2 this week (giving your observations and opinions is part of drama..look at the elements!)

Media/Research - country project

Now everyone has part 2 (climographs done).
Part 1 - country information facts should be rough copy
Part 1 - good copy (type out and make a poster on bristol board) this week.

Part 3 - rough copy (research an athlete / artist from your country).
trading card (good copy Next week: Feb. 8)
We will also be practicing writing good questions and matching the Canadian Olympic values to your athlete/team this week.

Here is the link to review the Canadian Olympic Values.

Part 4 - technology/invention (on hold for now)

Have a good weekend!

February's character trait of the month is Fairness.

Homework for Jan. 27

2010-01-27T15:37:00.006-05:00

Math: There are a few people who have not finished the data analysis test.
We will finish this by Friday.

Some students have already moved on to Patterning and Algebra. These are the introductory concepts I am teaching this week, written in another way. Remember we all learn differently! algebra

Media/Drama: Movie Trailer review #2 (independent) should be started this week.
Due: next Friday, Feb. 5 (You will have time in class to work on this.)

Reading response/Media: Feb. 16 is Flag Day.

Read the following document and create a graphic in comic life, bitstrips or by hand drawing.
Assigned: Friday Due: Friday, Feb. 5

Writing/Media/Research project: Good copy of Country fact book. Due: Feb. 22
Rough copy information research on Olympic athlete of your country for "trading card." Research this week.

Here's a cool site for population information: http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idb/worldpopinfo.php

homework for Jan. 25

2010-01-25T15:31:00.004-05:00

Continue to work on Country project: deadline for rough copy Jan. 19th.
Good copy is due: Jan. 26.

Here's the link to the work outline again.

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181NzVmM3d6Z244eg&hl=en
Here's a web site for the countries: http://www.ctvolympics.ca/countries/index.html

You should also have two climographs done by the Jan. 19th.
We are using Excel.
We are graphing average 24 hour Temperature (Celcius) and average rainfall (mm) based on information found at http://www.worldclimate.com

Media/Drama
This week you will finish another movie trailer analysis.
Good copy due: Friday
part 3 - athlete biography and part 4 - technology of sport or invention from your country will start week of Jan. 25.

Movie trailer review:

Pick one of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7h3EnPKRB4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ6MDCUfxvY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roADdYWAv4A

Trailer 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXMWcUhKMY

Trailer 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hknYz5IvOHs&feature=related

and complete a full movie trailer review in your notebook. (good copy)

Use the following rough copy assignment outline to make your rough copy.
Remember to use complete sentences.
For each answer write a second sentence giving an explanation, proof, reason, or example to back up your point. The first sentence should NOT have the word BECAUSE in it.

Math -introduction to algebra starts this week. Many of you are using a second period to finish your graphing quiz.
We are also finishing off CASI early this week. Fiction text.

Homework for Monday, Jan. 18

2010-01-18T16:33:00.003-05:00

Country fact research - rough copy due Wednesday.

Most have constructed and printed out their two climographs and drawn one climograph by hand. Congratulations part two is done!!

http://www.worldclimate.com is the web site to find the information.

Media/Drama - mini movie preview reviews. Everyone should have written a good copy from the first movie preview in his/her notebook. We will do the second set at school later this week.

Here's a follow up video about William Kambkwamba, who build his first windmill (alternative energy source) to power his village in Malawi.

http://www.thestar.com/videozone/737443--william-and-the-windmill

Math - Data Analysis incorporated the climographs you have drawn. There will be a quiz on Wednesday around the topics of graphing, interpreting graphs along with mean, median, mode and range.

I am away tomorrow. Bye for now.

homework for the weekend Jan. 15

2010-01-15T12:16:00.008-05:00

Media projects: Part 1: Rough copy of country project should be almost complete.
Due: next Tuesday.

part 2: Two climographs should be complete by next Tuesday.

part 3 - athlete biography and part 4 - technology of sport or invention from your country will start week of Jan. 25.

Movie trailer review:

Pick one of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7h3EnPKRB4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ6MDCUfxvY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roADdYWAv4A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXMWcUhKMY

and complete a full movie trailer review in your notebook. (good copy)

Use the following rough copy assignment outline to make your rough copy.
Remember to use complete sentences.
For each answer write a second sentence giving an explanation, proof, reason, or example to back up your point. The first sentence should NOT have the word BECAUSE in it.

Homework for Jan. 13.

2010-01-13T15:33:00.004-05:00

Have you finished your Eric Walters novel?
Have you responded to four questions regarding the novel?

We have finished reading Chapters 1-3 for Home T.E.A.M. with 8-2.
8-0 and 8-1 have read Chapters 1-2.

We will finish the first four chapters tomorrow and then create some questions so that we will have some ready to go for Eric Walters' visit Friday.

Media/Research/reading/Writing:

Continue to work on Country project: deadline for rough copy Jan. 19th.
Good copy is due: Jan. 26.

Here's the link to the work outline again.

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181NzVmM3d6Z244eg&hl=en
Here's a web site for the countries: http://www.ctvolympics.ca/countries/index.html

You should also have two climographs done by the Jan. 19th.
We are using Excel.
We are graphing average 24 hour Temperature (Celcius) and average rainfall (mm) based on information found at http://www.worldclimate.com

Math: finish up data analysis

homework for Jan. 11

2010-01-11T16:00:00.002-05:00

Continue working on your:

1) Eric Walters' novel study (four questions to consider)

2) Country research project

History/Geography work?

Here's a game that involves problem solving, math and, eek, fun!

Enjoy! Here's a quick start link to the game: http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/gameinfo/quickstart.php
We will play later on this month.

Here are some graphic organizers to help coordinate your thinking:

http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/educators/resources/graphicorganizers.php

Homework for Jan. 7

2010-01-07T14:10:00.004-05:00

Read your Eric Walters novel.
I will check in tomorrow to monitor your progress.
Once you are done, you have been given four sets of questions to guide your thinking about: plot, character, setting and author's message.
Please pick one and begin writing a response to each of the questions.
Type your good copies out.

Answers are due next Friday, Jan. 15 - the date of Eric Walters' visit to our school.

Math - continue with Excel and graphing.

Everyone has started their media project.

Work may be done at home, but the research and support is to be done at school.
I am holding onto your red research folders in class.

As of today, everyone has a country chosen and a good start in knowing which web sites to find their information for the Country Fact sheet.

CTV countries list of Olympic athletes.

To review there's the CIA World Factbook.

There also the Encyclopedia of the Nations.

For weather information (climograph data) start with world climate.

The assignment has been handed out and can be found here for a take home electronic copy, if you like.

This is a cool NASA site I found (world maps of environmental information).

Country project / homework for Jan. 6

2010-01-06T15:00:00.003-05:00

Let's watch the first of a number of podcast by Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic games.

The general name of this category of sport is called Freestyle Skiing.
Athletes compete in moguls, aerials and acrobatics.
Very cool!

Enjoy! http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-news/podcast/flying-high-in-aerials-and-moguls_116224g116470-bJ.html

Here's a list of Canadian athletes: Freestyle team
Everyone has learned about our integrated country research project.

Here is the outline along with worksheets and rubric.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN181NzVmM3d6Z244eg&hl=en

homework for Jan.

2010-01-05T11:03:00.004-05:00

Vancouver 2010 site

http://www.vancouver2010.com/more-2010-information/

List of countries
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/countries/index.html

CTV olympic sports information (media sponsor)
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/?cid=fttsn

International Olympic Committee

READ YOUR Eric Walters novels!!!!!

NBC athlete profiles
http://www.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=2495/index.html

Welcome back - new year 2010!

2010-01-04T15:02:00.003-05:00

Welcome back.

Today is Isaac Newton's birthday today.
Here are his Laws in lego form from a grade nine student:

Homework: Read your Eric Walters novel.
He is coming to visit our school next Friday.

The new tower in Dubai is open to the public today.

Read about here.

homework Dec. 9

2009-12-09T14:29:00.003-05:00

Math - continue with Data Management and Analysis
Start mean, median and mode tomorrow.
Grade 8 math - finish practice test to start Data Management unit next week.

Language - read your novel.
You will get questions to complete over the weekend and next week.

Media - Character trait calendar. Due: Friday.
Each page should have a photograph showing that character trait.
Each page should have a paragraph writing about that character trait.
Individualize the month to show your days of significance.

December is Kindness and Caring month.
Let's make some maple fudge (a traditional Canadian sweet) to show kindness to our families.

Here's the recipe named after a famous chocolate shop.
Actually, Laura Secord is a famous Canadian:
Laura Secord fudge

Who is Laura Secord? She is a Canadian heroine!
http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10118

3 cups brown sugar
½ pound butter
½ cup condensed milk
¼ teaspoon salt

Put all ingredients into medium saucepan bring to boil.
Boil for 5-7 minutes. Mix as you boil.

Remove from stove put 2 cups icing sugar plus one teaspoon maple extract.

Beat for two minutes. Pout into pan and put into fridge.

homework for Dec. 7

2009-12-07T16:00:00.003-05:00

Math homework:
Review graphing/data analysis concepts.
Pie graphs
http://www.mcwdn.org/Graphs/CircleGraph.html

coordinates
http://www.brainpop.com/math/geometryandmeasurement/coordinateplane/

Read your novel.
Make sure Eric Walters novel Assignment 2 is complete for Tuesday.

Assignment 2: Look at the cover of the book.

1. What do you think this novel will be about? Explain.

2. Describe the cover so that someone who can’t see understands what is drawn and written on the cover.

3. Read the back blurb or summary.
How well does the cover match the written description of the novel? Explain.

Homework for weekend Dec. 3

2009-12-03T13:34:00.002-05:00

Novel study: Week of Nov. 30:

You should be finished:

Complete for Monday:
Assignment 2: Look at the cover of the book. 1. What do you think this novel will be about? Explain.

2. Describe the cover so that someone who can’t see understands what is drawn and written on the cover.

3. Read the back blurb or summary. How well does the cover match the written description of the novel? Explain.

Assignment 1: We all are reading a novel from Eric Walters.

What do you know about Eric Walters? Describe anything that you have known, seen or read about Eric Walters before.

What is a novel? How would you describe this piece of text to someone who has not seen it before? What are the characteristics of a novel?

Look up Eric Walters on his web site:

http://www.ericwalters.net/razorside/viewWebSite.do?webSiteId=1129511535294133

Continue working on Calendar.
Make sure you review graphing information.

Make sure you have finished rough copy of scary story.

All of your: synonym, antonym, homonym, prefixes sheets done?

Enjoy the weekend.

Homework for Dec. 1

2009-12-01T15:36:00.003-05:00

Report Cards went home today.

Please complete the student self-assessment form and page 3 tonight.

Bring back the forms in the signed envelope as well.

Interviews start tomorrow for me. There is no school on Friday.

To work on: Calendar Character education. (The link is a copy of the assignment.)

Finish scary story (type out rough copy) this week and especially the day you are not at school.

Other language: We are sharing the power point assignments tomorrow period 6.

You have to make sure the synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and prefix sheets are complete.

Math - Data management and purpose for graphs.
Tomorrow: What kind of graph is appropriate?

We find examples of graph types (i.e., bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs) from newspapers, magazines or journals. On Thursday we will look at each of the graph examples and determine whether they are appropriate or whether the statistics would have been better presented with a different type of graph.
What type of graph would you use to present the following? Explain your choice.

the number of female students in each grade in your school
the annual number of road fatalities (the road toll) in your province or territory over the last 30 years
the speed (km/h) of the world's 20 fastest animals
the total population of Canada, the provinces and territories
We will discuss as a class the different situations where a horizontal or a vertical bar graph would be most useful.

Also: How to create a proper survey question.

We will look at Statistics Canada "Canada at a Glance" information and determine how to ask useful and appropriate questions.

http://www45.statcan.gc.ca/2009/cgco_2009_000-eng.htm

Novel study: Complete assignment 1 first three questions in novel study book by Monday.

Homework for Nov. 27

2009-11-27T12:18:00.002-05:00

Here is the link to this weekend's reading response on Days of Significance.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN180ODkyajh4bWNocQ&hl=en

The three questions you should respond to are:
Reading response – reflection in writing. Answer the following:

Why do you think Days of Significance are necessary?

The first three days of December are taken dates. Pick one of the above. Why do you think this particular date was chosen?

Is there a Day of Significance that you think should be called a “Day of Significance”?

Look at the Brain Pop! Calendar
http://www.brainpop.com/educators/blog/curriculum-calendar-november-2009/?month=nov&yr=2009

Or check out the TDSB’s teacher site DOS online calendar: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=15&menuid=1593&pageid=1198

(In beige notebook).

Grammar: complete prefix worksheets for Monday.

Here is a scan for the page for those who have left it at school.

Math - We are starting data management this week.

Click here for the link to brainpop and types of graphs for review.

remember the password is mapleleaf1867.

Hopefully you remember the user name.
____________studentlife

homework for Nov. 26

2009-11-26T17:52:00.005-05:00

It was an exciting day today. We picked up our Eric Walters novels for our December novel study.

Enjoy reading and we will do some follow up reflection next week.
Two separate language periods will be designated to the novel story.

Reading: read for 20 minutes.
Writing: Scary story rough copy done? It should be! Bring tomorrow.
Media: Sharing Power points tomorrow.

Math - pop quiz for geometry.

Some students will be away Friday. Eid Mubarak!!

We are starting a calendar activity next week.
It will be on themes of character education or the Olympic values: respect, friendship, excellence
Here's the official web site: http://www.vancouver2010.com/
Here the International Olympic Committee's web site: http://www.olympic.org/en/content/Olympism-in-Action/

homework for Nov. 25

2009-11-25T15:22:00.002-05:00

Homework for Nov. 25

Math - last day to complete mat plan and front, side, top views of your isometric dot paper name.

Most of you are starting Data Management tomorrow after a brief quiz.

Types of graphs? When to use a certain type of graph?

Click here.

Language - Today is Wednesday and you should be completing one reading response journal today.

Starting next week, you will be doing a different three-times weekly follow-up writing assignment.

Media - We will be sharing power point presentations tomorrow afternoon.

Check your power point and the rubric you were given.

Our topic of study for term two is Global Citizenship. How can an individual promote positive change. It's part of the school's Our actions affect everyone around us/I believe themes.

Homework for Nov 24

2009-11-24T20:14:00.003-05:00

Math - final days to complete the full assignment regarding the isometric dot paper name.
You will have a short Quiz on Monday (mat drawing, front, top, side view) and three-dimensional drawings.

Language- We will do some peer assessment of Media Power Points tomorrow afternoon.
Following presentations we will have a quiz.
Review your types of shots.

Reading response - you should have completed a reading response on Monday.

Language Power synonyms, antonyms, homonyms should be completed.
We are working on prefixes and suffixes this week. Work to be given tomorrow.

Here's a video to share with you.
Not all of us have learning disabilities. Think of a learning difficulties or learning differences.
You are NOT a label. You are a person with many STRENGTHS and needs.
You MUST expect the very best of yourself. Often you will have to work even harder than others.

You WILL achieve. You CAN achieve excellence. YOU just need to believe that YOU can.

Homework for the Nov. 19

2009-11-19T19:57:00.004-05:00

Complete Language LP1,2,3 Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms

For more interesting videos go to brainpop.com ...The password is the same as bitstrips, with maple in front of the word.

The use name is canadianstudentlife.

Complete writing your rough copy of your scary story.

Math - isometric dot paper name.

Finish good copy in class tomorrow.

Want an interactive white board at home? anywhere?

Let's do a project!! What do you think?

homework for Nov. 18

2009-11-18T10:42:00.003-05:00

Please read over text elements of a Narrative (handout given today).
Write your scary story. Rough copy due Friday.

Math - isometric dot paper name assignment given today?!? (Was on blog and assigned Monday.)
Work on completing this assignment for Friday.

Write a reading response based on Bullying Facts this week.

Complete Language power lessons 1-3 for Monday.
lesson 1
lesson 2
lesson 3

(All readings in English green duotang.)

Homework for Monday, Nov. 16 and link for Nov. 17

2009-11-16T16:02:00.003-05:00

Hi. I am still not feeling well and will be away for Tuesday.

I hope you were able to access all links that you required to start today's math project.

If you weren't able to get the Bullying myths and facts sheet, you can see it here. You can do a 3Rs on this informational brochure this week if you like.
It's Bullying Awareness Week and I'm sure you are aware of a presentation that will be happening period 4 Tuesday.

For more information and resources here is the main site.

Math: continue with isometric dot name assignment with mat drawings, as well as front, top and side views of each letter due on Friday.

All related documents in post from yesterday.

3Rs retell, relate, and reflect can be handed in on Wednesday.

Make sure you have all of the following complete:

bitstrips (2)
wordle (Remembrance Day)
scary story rough copy
scary story (practice for read aloud)
power point assignment
reflection name
Halloween diamante (typed out with graphic)

haiku, cinquain (started)

Good copy

work for Nov. 14

2009-11-15T16:14:00.010-05:00

Assignment 1:

Try out a new on-line survey tool called "Survey Monkey"

Please click on the link and take the survey:

Click Here to take the survey

If enough computers are not available, you can print out the survey and each student can fill out a paper by hand.

Writing/Reading

Finishing writing your scary story and record your practiced scary story.

In English notebook. Rough copy first draft needs to be complete.

Outline already given.

Each short story should have at least: 1 protagonist (hero) , 1 antagonist (anti-hero/villain), a clearly outlined setting, plot which includes a problem/conflict and solution, conclusion to tie up the story

Also in notebook:

3Rs topic for Monday: Social networking vs ambient intelligence

Should be able to do the reading together and click on the video to watch.

Retall, relate, reflect

Writing:

Haiku and Cinquain poetry assignment. I have left the outline in a folder when I was away on Thursday.

Haiku: topic about nature - the Climate Change conference begins in Copenhagen, Denmark on Dec. 8 Think green themes.

three lines, one theme

line 1 five syllables

line 2 seven syllables

line 3 five syllables

Cinquain? topic of your choice.

Think mini diamante: Title

Description of the title (adjective)

Some action about the title (verb)

Feeling about the title (adjective)

Synonym (similar word) for title

Math - Assignment:

Here is a link to print out more isometric dot paper.

http://www1.curriculum.edu.au/maths300/m300bits/000dotis.htm

The link cubes are in a bin on one of the tables.

Here is the copy of the assignment: Isometric dot paper name

Here is the rubric: Math problem solving - Isometric dot paper name.

homework for Nov. 10-12

2009-11-10T15:07:00.005-05:00

Homework for Nov. 11 and 12

Remembrance Day tomorrow. I will be absent until next Monday.

Please make sure you get your poppies from your homeroom teacher before the assembly at 10:45 a.m.

Make sure you complete the following:

Math sheets: polygons, types of triangles, isometric dot drawings, try to draw your name in linked cubes. For rounded letters, how can you make the letter?

There are many of you who have not completed all of your calculations/ math drill sheets and other homework (to reinforce your skills). Work on that please.

Here's a program to help you work with the isometric dot paper (online).

http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=125

Language: complete a reading response 3Rs Wednesday night and Friday night.
Complete the reading "It takes a village" four reflection questions in your notebook (should be finished in class).

Monitor your own completion of: bitstrips, powerpoint, symmetry names, practice your scary story only Arsalan and Ali have recorded their reading so far.

Bye for now...

homework for Nov. 9

2009-11-09T17:23:00.004-05:00

Reading response - complete one tonight.
Math - finish the page with drawing of rectangles.

Here is a game to practice estimating angles. http://www.mathplayground.com/alienangles.html

Here is a review of the types of polygons. http://www.mathleague.com/help/geometry/polygons.htm

Here is a three-dimensional perspective on linking cubes game.
http://www.mathplayground.com/cube_perspective.html (for later this week).

Reading comprehension - 8-0, 8-1 Changing the World One windmill at a time. (should be complete)

You should have completed eight reading response journals by now.

Fri. Oct. 23, Mon.(Oct.26) Wed. Fri. Mon. (Nov. 2) Wed. Fri. Mon. (Nov. 9)

I am away Wednesday and Thursday. Each day you will have a reading comprehension activity to complete as well as a double-sided math page.

When you are done check that you have completed the following:

For media/drama/language:
-photographic shots (Power point)
-two bitstrips (Responsibility)
-symmetry name
-record you reading a scary story
-write your own scary story (and record)
- wordle Remembrance Day
- Halloween diamante (printed out with graphic)

Homework for the weekend Nov. 6

2009-11-06T18:05:00.002-05:00

Here's the video we watched today in class:

Reading- comple one reading response
Media-If you don't have your Remembrance Day wordle complete. Please complete it.
Power points will be shared next week. Make sure you have your powere point complete. Check the rubric also.
Writing- We will concentrate more on formally writing your scary short story next week.
Remember to have your outline plot/characters thought out.

Remember to have a clear idea of the elements of a story:

Title -

Setting (Where, When, Time, Place) -

Characters -

Plot

Problem -

Solution

Event

Event 1

Event 2

Event 3

Mood

Use of Language (This is a scary story after all.)

Some may find it easier to just write the story and then look over your writing for organization and making sense.

Math - review concepts of types of triangles and quadrilaterals.

Think of definitions in terms of angles (acute, obtuse, right) and sides (parallel, same lengths).

Here's a short game using polygons. (A polygon is the general word for straight-lined two-dimensional shapes). http://www.mathplayground.com/Matching_Shapes.html

Have a nice weekend.

Homework for Nov. 5

2009-11-05T14:00:00.004-05:00

Math-

review how to calculate perimeter and area of:

squares, rectangles, parallelograms, triangles (all type).

review how to calculate the volume of a triangular prism and rectangular prism.

(see planner page 137 for reference)

Language-Media/Reading/Writing
Finish your Remembrance Day www.wordle.net/create/ wordle.

Rewrite your Remembrance Day three Rs.
Here is the link to our discussion about reading non-fiction newspaper articles.
It contains an on-line link to Canada Remembers and some more information from Veterans Affairs Canada.

Here's video about Remembrance Day.
What do you think?

Homework for Nov. 4

2009-11-04T17:45:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow starts a week of concentrated remembrance called Veterans' Week.

We remember people who faught for Canada's rights and freedoms. We remember those who try to bring peace to places in the world. We remember those who keep the peace and rights for others.

I was away today, however:
Reading: Today you were to read the Canada Remembers newspaper.
Pick one article and do a three Rs (retell, relate, reflect) in your notebook.

Reading: You practices reading your scary story (and got feedback on how you read your story). Practice reading your scary story again.

Writing: Begin writing/continue writing your own scary story.
Think of how to set up plot, characters, mood, tone, use language etc.

Math - We are finished with measurement units, but continue with the measurement (Perimeter, Area and Volume) of objects and will begin to sketch 3D shapes.

Math dictionaries should be complete.

Media- you should have bitstrips (2), power point (1), Halloween diamante,

Start thinking of the term empathy.
What does empathy mean? How do you show empathy? What do you feel when you are empathetic?

Here's the link to Veterans' Week...How will YOU remember?
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=feature/week2009

Haunted homework? but Homework for Oct. 31

2009-10-30T15:44:00.004-04:00

What a great day at school today. It was a festive pre-Halloween kinda day.
All together the school raised 418 non-perishable food items for the Me to We Halloween for Hunger campaign. Excellent.

In the morning, some students made some very tasty banana chocolate bread. We shared it and gave tasters to teachers and the office.

For the recipe check out the class blog at http://canadianstudentlife.blogspot.com/ .
Some students were shown how to add information, links, videos (appropriate) and interests to the class blog. All should be appropriate and somewhat related to school.
Doing a cell project on cancer? Maybe you can share a link of information at this site.
Remember that you have a History test on Monday (8-2 hint, hint) post a reminder on the class blog.

The user name is canadianstudentlife and you should be familiar with the password.

Homework:
Math: Measurement (finish conversion of units, continue geometry next week). All pages should be complete by next Wednesday.
Math project dictionary and from mm--->km scale page. mL -->kL, mg -->kg due by Friday.

Reading response - complete one 3Rs Friday, one on Monday and hand in notebook on Tuesday, Nov. 3 retell, relate and reflect should each be one paragraph.
The reading can by of your own choice.

Reading comprehension - Changing the World One Windmill at a Time was the reading for this week.
You must complete the Facts/Ideas portion and the Necessity is the Mother of Invention page. Remember necessity comes from the same family of necessary or need.

Water, food, clean air and shelter are necessities of life.
Respect, honesty, friendship are necessities in our lives..but may not be in someone elses...Those characteristics may be hopes or wants.

Read the questions carefully. Say your answer out loud if you need to clarify your thoughts.

I have attached the reading and questions in a pdf as a few people were rushing off to start their weekend and forgot duotangs at school.

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B0O-c8pnNFryOWE2NWM0ODItNGIwNy00ZmVkLTgwNWEtMmYwNjg2MjYzNDg3&hl=en

Writing - use the story planner and begin constructing your scary story.

Media
bitstrips (two on responsibility should be completed and submitted).

Google Wave - a (non-fiction) video topic to practice the 3Rs

2009-10-27T23:46:00.004-04:00

Google wave

3Rs retell, relate and reflect

Retell: What is this video about?

Relate: What does this remind you of? (make a personal connection)

Reflect: What questions do you have? What do you wonder?

We wrote the response together using the SmartBoard.
http://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN180Njhjdm1qZzIyOQ&hl=en

Everyone needs to complete a 3Rs tonight.
Reading responses are done every Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Books are handed in for marking on Tuesdays.

Math - quiz Friday on conversion of units.

2009-10-27T13:24:00.003-04:00

You must complete a three Rs reading response journal every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Here is an example of a few short stories (scary ones). http://www.halloweenishere.com/ghost_stories3.html
We read some scary stories today. The next step is for you to begin to write them.

Think about:

Plot (what happens)
Character (who/what is in the story)
Mood / Tone (part of setting the five senses..how someone would feel being "in" your story).
Problem/Conflict (what does the main character(s) have to face?)
Solution (How does the main character(s) solve the problem?
Point of view (Who is telling the story..first (I, me, we) or third (they, he/she,characters name)
Theme / main (What message are you sending to the reader, what can a reader learn?)
Figuartive language (What words, phrases can you use to have certain effects on the reader? think adjectives, repeating of words, etc.)

Math - measurement / conversion of units continues. Now we're reviewing area and volume of rectangular prisms..and how they relate.

Words to know: factors (numbers you multiply) product (answer to a multiplying question)

eg. 3 x 4 = 12 3, 4 are factors, the product is 12.
length - one dimension (length only)
area - two dimensions (length and width)
volume - three dimensions (length, width and height (or depth)

What are each of the appropriate units? think squared? cubed?

October 26th homework

2009-10-26T14:20:00.003-04:00

Remember that our school is trying to collect 500 cans in time for Halloween. The Me to We campaign is called Halloween for Hunger. If you have anything to spare please donate!

Reading response -

Friday Oct. 23 and Monday Oct. 26 reading responses due Tuesday.

Writing - Halloween diamante due.

Media - bitstrips Responsibility (at home, at school due).

Power point. Please finish up your photo angle power point project.

Math - continue with measurement conversion and units.
We're trying to build a cubic metre in class. We've alread built a cubic decimeter and cubic centimetres (out of plastecine).

complete your math dictionary please.

part 2.

show objects from mm -> cm --> dm --> m --> dam --> hm--> km

Give an example with measurement for each. For those you're not sure of, just convert.

Eg. if you know you live 8 km from school, what is the conversion to hm?? 80 hm.
so your example can be 80 hm from school and show a google map.

Here is another practice web site: Click on "play the game" once the site opens.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/measuring/lwc/game.shtml

Homework for Oct. 22

2009-10-22T13:22:00.005-04:00

***updated at 6 p.m.***

You all have a Science test tomorrow on cells. Review your notes and think about the video you saw about water...Safe Water for all.

I gave you a fill in the blanks cell worksheet a few weeks ago to help you.

More review click here Cells alive!

Starting today the reading log consists of the three Rs - retell, relate, reflect.
This was due to a request from students.

Each R should be one paragraph minimum.

retell - summary of what you have read

relate - making connections to you, your life or an experience you have had / seen/ told about

reflect - what you think about what you have read (did you agree, disagree, what is new etc.)

I will share the rubric http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1477258&
that I am marking you on the three Rs tomorrow. We will be doing a practice 3Rs of this article tomorrow:

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8318156.stm?ad=1

Math - continue with measurement concepts and conversion of units

Media - bitstrips (most are done), power point photos almost done

Drama - rubric for reading a radio play to be shared tomorrow. Practice both the Haunted Castle and the Taletown scripts (your parts). How can you make your part more interesting. Where would sound effects (called Foley) be effective. Do you have ideas about how you can make these sound effects?

homework for Oct. 19

2009-10-19T11:32:00.007-04:00

Finish Responsibility bitstrips (2) and power point this week.

http://bitstripsforschools.com

Math - measurement assignment. Complete part 1 today.
Define each measurment term.

Give examples of tools used to measure the kind of item.

Give three examples of every day measurement units.

Give an example, with measurement of an appropriate item.

see Capacity example: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN180NjNmdDk3YjVzOQ&hl=en

International System of Measurement (SI) Metric:

Here is an example web page. Please use your own examples to complete part 1.

Capacity, Length, Area, Volume (rectangular prism), Currency, Time, Mass, Temperature

Understanding Measurement here:

Drama: Reader's Theatre. read over your script for rerecording of script for the Haunted Castle.

Start new Reader's Theatre script later this week.

homework for weekend of Oct. 16, 2009

2009-10-16T16:47:00.003-04:00

Reading log - please read for 20 minutes each night and record log.
I will collect your logs next week.

Writing - All work in your reading log folder (written) should be complete. We have worked in class together. What you have not finished must be finished at home on your own time.

We will start a robotics written project next week about Smart Moves.
See Project guide and glossary
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/content.aspx?id=15169

Media - finish two bitstrips on Responsibility
Power point finishing touches photo shots

Media/ Drama practice your role on Readers Theatre see Haunted Castle link:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN180NTJmZ2twczNkeA&hl=en

Math - complete time sheets (minimum) and volume as well as measurement
review
King Henry Died Untimely Drinking Chocolate Milk :(

kilo hecto deca unit deci centi milli

eg. km hm dam m dm cm mm remember moving of decimals x10 one right x100 two right
/ 10 one left /100 two left ... conversion

homework for Oct. 15

2009-10-15T13:11:00.005-04:00

Reading / History 8-0, 8-1
History pg43-49 read. Reading log for tonight??
answer questions pg44 1-3 and pg49 1 and 2.

Here's a web site to show you how the Welland Canal works. eg. improves the transportation "highway" of the river system.

http://www.wellandcanal.com/

Math - Mass (g), Capacity (L) and Length (m)
Try this game for practice and finish the second page of the opening package math sheet.
http://www.mrnussbaum.com/soup/index.html

conversion from g --> cg, mg
L --> cL, mL and m --> cm, mm km --> m

Media - finish / work on two Responsibility comics (using yourself as the main character) on http://bitstripsforschools.com/

Media - still need to finish Power Point photo types see assignment
:
COMIC STRIP
Novice 1 Apprentice 2 Veteran 3 Master 4

Character Development:
Personalities never change.
Some character development.
Characters learn or accomplish a task.
Characters have complexity.
Story Line:
Story lacks direction.
Story has focus, but flounders.
Story maintains focus.
Story is well defined, creative.
Layout Design:
Images detract from story.
Images somewhat relate to story.
Images coincide with story.
Images enhance story.
Communication of ideas:
Unable to understand concept of responsibility via the comic.
Able to somewhat understand concept of responsibility via the comic.
Able to clearly understand concept of responsibility via the comic.
Able to clearly understand concept of responsibility via the comic in a creative way.

Tuesday, Oct. 13

2009-10-13T22:56:00.003-04:00

Reading log, reading log, reading log. Please complete one reading log entry every night!

We worked the first time on Robotics today. Yay for such a great deal of concentrated team efforts.

We will be finished the Smart Move 2009 mission base tomorrow.
We will look at the missions and learn about programming tomorrow.
Here's the site with all of the information:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/smartmove1.aspx

Programming information: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/fll/content.aspx?id=790

Math - still working on measuring in the real world. If you'd like take a look at grocery store flyers and other store advertisements. Take note of the packaging and measurement units.

Is it liquid? Is it a solid? What measurements are used? Length? Volume? Area? Capacity? Mass?

Is there more than one eg. six-pack of coca cola? What would the unit (for one) price be?
How would you figure it out?

Homework for Thankgiving weekend

2009-10-09T16:26:00.002-04:00

There has been an extension on the Media Power Point.

Please check the web site to make sure you have all of the required photo types in your project. You may want to take some photos this long weekend. (no school Monday).
http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/

The assignment is here Media assignment.

Reading log. You are expected to read 20 minutes every day and record in your log.

Math - complete the first page of measurement units
mass - 1000000 mg = 1 000g = 1kg
1 g = 10 mg
capacity 1000000mL = 1000L = 1kL
1L = 1000mL (liquid measure)
length -
10mm = 1cm etc.

Read over the math project pages (in orange duotang to see if you are able to get started).

homework for Oct. 8

2009-10-08T15:04:00.003-04:00

Power Point presentation (Media photo angles) due tomorrow.
Some students had a late start and they will be given a slightly later deadline. You know who you are.

Math - complete one page of the measurement handout.
Key concepts:

1 cm = 10 mm 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm

trick: to x10 move the decimal one place to the right
to /10 move the decimal one place to the left

eg. 15.6 mm = 1.56 cm (decimal moves one place to the left)

Reading log (complete one entry please)

Writing: the water bottle persuasive paragraph page should be finished.

Reminder: no school Monday.

optional: bitstrips "responsibility"

homework oct. 7

2009-10-07T13:31:00.002-04:00

Work on Responsibility comic at www.bitstripsforschool.com.

Work on the power point (media - photo views).

Math - read over the math measurement investigation. See page 136 in your agenda.

Reading log.

Homework for Oct. 6

2009-10-06T16:00:00.003-04:00

Tonight is curriculum night.

We baked this afternoon to fundraise for Terry Fox.
Some of us took this responsibility very seriously. Others will have to earn back the priviledge of using the Snack Room to bake/cook.

We made: Chocolate cookies (supposed to be the dirt cup bottom, but it didn't quite work out).
Oatmeal cookies (with Skor chips)
Vanilla Cupcakes

Homework: reading log (read for 20 minutes then record)

Writing: Read the water bottle story then respond five pros (positive) to schools selling water bottles, five cons (negative or against) schools selling water bottles and then your overall opinion.

This is the starting point for persuasive writing.

Math - We are starting the measurement inquiry project tomorrow.
Here's a medium measurement game: http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/meas.cgi?A1=s&A2=1&A3=1
Media - work on power point photos (due Friday).

Homework Oct. 5

2009-10-05T21:24:00.002-04:00

How are your actions affecting those around you?

This week is Feeding Toronto's Hungry Students week. One way the TDSB is trying to fight hunger for students is that Tuesday and Thursday hundreds of high-school kids will be in 15 TTC subway stations collecting for student nutrition programs during the afternoon rush hour.

Mathematics - baking Tuesday afternoon as part of our measurement unit. See the last post for the measurement project outline.

Reading - reading log every night.

Media /writing - finish power point Camera angles for Friday

Writing response. Work on Public Service Announcement characteristics.

Curriculum night Tuesday night.

homework for the weekend Oct. 2

2009-10-02T17:11:00.003-04:00

Reading log. Please complete a minimum of 20 minutes of reading every night. Remember this reading could be your science notes (review), history textbook, the recipes that we are baking etc. Record each night's response in your green duotang.

Writing: You should have two Terry Fox reading responses and the non-fiction article answers (Dr. Lorne Babiuk)complete.

Math - many students have not completed the review of math facts and computation. Work on completing the sheets a little each night.

Media - The deadline for photographs was Friday. This upcomind week you will work on writing captions, headlines and categorizing your photographs. Please review the outline / assignment to make sure you have all of the photos required.
Review the rubric again to see how you will be marked.

This is a site I recommend, which is fun and educational (for grade 8s) :D
http://www.safekidgames.com/games/edsites.html

Here is an interesting article about the founder of Cirque de Soleil. He paid to go up the international space station to spread the word and awareness about the world's water supply. His motto is all for water, water for all.
There will be a special cyber space concert on Oct. 9th at 8 p.m. which we can see different entertainment and guests from around the world. For more information (perhaps a reading log entry?) go to: http://www.onedrop.org/en/default.aspx

Here is a One Drop public service announcement.

http://www.onedrop.org/en/drop-experience.aspx?stepToGo=vid&previousUrl=%2fen%2flogin.aspx

homework for Oct. 1

2009-10-01T16:56:00.005-04:00

Happy October!
The character trait we are actively working on this month is RESPONSIBILITY.
(We always try to build on many character traits each and every day however.)

Homework:
Reading log (20 minutes plus recording in reading log)

Reading responses (will be collected - two on Terry Fox)

Dr. Lorne Babiuk responses (worked in class on completing the five questions)

Math - we examined some math vocabulary and rules of calculations.

odd number x odd number = odd product (or answer)
even number x even number = even product

even x odd = even number
odd x even = even number

We also wrote about sum, difference, produt and quotient.
Thanks to Majid for typing out the notes:

Sum: answer to an adding question
Eg the sum of 2 and 2 is 4 (2+2=4)

Difference: answer to subtraction question eg. The difference form day to night is 5◦c. (12◦-7◦c = 5◦)

Product: answer to a multiplication question
Eg. One USB costs $20.00. how much will five USBS cost?
$20.00X5=$100.00 the product is $ 100.00.

Quotient: answer to a division question

Eg. We have 30 students. How many groups of 5 can we make?
(The quotient or answer is 6.)

Complete more of the math sheets in orange duotang. Use some of the multiplication rules to doublecheck your answer.

homework Sept 30

2009-09-30T17:21:00.006-04:00

Reading responses 1 and 2 overdue (time at lunch or after school will be offered to catch up on writing assignments - by invitation)

Math- finish multiplication / division steps before we move on to the measurement unit

Some notes we took take about real-world application of Math were:

Math in Science
- graphing
- t-chart, to organize data
- measure mass grams (g) measure your body? kg
- cooking measure ingredients mL L (Litres) 1 teaspoon is 5 mL, 1 tablespoon is 15mL
- patterns
- angles, turns (robotics)
- be detailed, show your work eg. experiments
- money (purchase equipment etc.)

We also took notes about the steps to an experiment
(also known as characteristics of an experiment (procedural writing)
materials (what you need)
instructions / procedure / method (steps you need to do)
hypothesis / estimation(best guess, what you think might happen)
observations (watch what happens)
record results (actual measurements, changes, also part of observations)
discussion (look at results of what happened)
conclusions / make a theory or rule based on what you did, observed and happened

Reading - Dr. Lorne Babiuk: World Leader in Immunology
finish fact (3) and ideas (2) questions for homework
1. What university degrees did Babiuk get to prepare for his career?
2. What important work has VIDO done?
3. Describe the grant VIDO received from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

1.What do you think might have changed in Dr. Babiuk's life since he became Vice-President for Research at the University of Alberta?
Why do you think he might have chosen this job?

2. Study the list of Dr. Babiuk's accomplishments in this article, particularly in the last paragraph. What do you think he might have sacrificed to achieve this much? Do you know anyone who has done this much? Would you like to have such a list of achievements at the end of your career?

Drama - spoke about use of voice, Started 8-0, 8-1 groups for "The Haunted Castle" Reader's Theatre. 8-2 forms group tomorrow.

Do experiment tomorrow or Friday.

See attached reading here:

homework for Sept. 29

2009-09-29T15:48:00.003-04:00

Photos for media power point (views of photographs) due on Friday.
Power point due on Friday, Oct. 9
Presentations start on Oct. 12.

Math - please complete math practice work each night.
You do not get assigned many questions. Questions are for you to practice independent strategies so you can see what you understand / can do on your own.

I would like to start on a new unit by Friday.

Complete reading log.

Bring back required documentation please.

It's Waste Reduction Week in Canada from Oct. 19 - Oct. 25

(It really should be every day.) Here's one of my favourite green guys Oscar the grouch with his Public Service Announcement

Homework for Sept. 28

2009-09-28T16:12:00.009-04:00

Reading log (20 minutes of reading and complete one entry each night)

Reading responses: Both Terry Fox responses due today. I will collect notebooks tomorrow (Tuesday).

Media/Writing: Assigned Power Point assignment today.
Photography due: Friday
Power point due: Friday, Oct. 9
Presentations start the week of Oct. 12

click here for the assignment
click for a short example of action buttons (which don't work here :( ) and then each page, which requires the type of photograph, the photograph (example) and a title of the photo with caption / cutline in newspaper (describing the photograph).

Math: multiplication with decimals (money) due: Tuesday (one page)

We will be using a new on-line program this week to write about the character trait of the month of October "reponsibility." Two comic strips will be produced.

http://bitstripsforschools.com/

First click on login (top right)
If you want to get started today the class code is leaf1867 (the year Canada was born).
Pick your name.
Decide on a password. Write it down, because next time you login you'll have to use it.
Read the one activity about "responsibility" that I've assigned.

Homework for the weekend Sept. 25

2009-09-25T11:53:00.002-04:00

Please look at previous post to review some ideas and information that we covered this past week. I have also included a link and a video.

Every night complete reading log and record.

Terry Fox run was on Friday. A lot of red and black spirit was shown.

Reading response 2 was handed out. See link for assignment again (in green duotang).
Write answers in English notebook.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AUO-c8pnNFryZGtuNzNnN180MjhkNHd2aHpmcA&hl=en

Reading response 1 was due Friday.
Here are the questions again. I will also check Monday.

Terry Fox reading response
Write complete answers in your language notebook. Due: Friday, Sept. 25

1.The reading, “The Legacy of Terry Fox” is a newspaper article. Describe some characteristics, with examples to show why you know this is an article.

Retell
Give two new / interesting ideas and/or information you would share with others about what you have read. Explain using examples.

Respond
Do you think Terry Fox should be considered a Canadian hero? Why or why not?

Reflect
Most schools across Canada and the world host Terry Fox Runs each year.
How are these runs helpful to the cause that Terry Fox believed in? Explain

Questioning
5. After reading what questions do you have and/or information you would like to know more about?

Math - still working on multiplication and division, with double checking "correctness" of answers. Try to practice seeing if your initial calculations "look right" based on the question.

A sheet was left with the supply on Friday afternoon to multiply with word problems and money.
Keep working on the first package and complete the one sheet for Monday.

Have a nice weekend!

Homework update Sept. 23-25

2009-09-25T07:37:00.004-04:00

Reading log (every night 20 minutes with written input into green duotang)

Media - point of view (photographs and framing)

Here is the Point of View powerpoint 2 that we viewed.

Students had an opportunity to use the digital camera to practice skills using the zoom function, holding focus, changing settings as well as framing.

How do I communicate?

There are a number of ways to frame a photograph. Depending on how much of a person is in the frame or the angle/position of the camera, a photographer conveys different messages to the viewer.

Here is a photography web site for you to review the different types of pictures. (Try it at home if you can. But don't post your photo! Safety hazard.)

http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/

Reading response journal:
We read and discussed the article "The Legacy of Terry Fox"
Five questions due: Friday
We spoke about characteristics of a newspaper article:

Headline
Byline
Photograph
Photograph caption/cutline
Direct quotations - what exactly people in the article said
also indirect quotations - the writer's retelling of what people in the article said).
,,,,,,some articles have charts/graphs/other graphic elements like maps to help provide additional information.

(Our article was more of a narrative / story style.)
Usually news stories are written in the "reverse pyramid" style.
All of the 5Ws and H (who, what, when, where, why and how) at the top of the article.
Then the most important information at the top is followed by details, explanations, quotations (direct and indirect).

Math - students continues to work on 3x2 digit multiplication, understanding estimation of multiplication questions, and the steps of division.

Sorry for the late post, I had a rough draft sitting in the outbox yesterday...

In keeping with the theme of Our Actions Affect Everyone Around Us...and the inquiry question "How do I communicate?" here is an example of a young rapper, who shares his environmental opinions through his music. Little Peppi. Enjoy!

Story elements

2009-09-22T22:57:00.003-04:00

Story elements?

plot (what is happening)
setting (where it is happening)
characters (who is in the story)
problem (what the main character(s) face.)
solution (how the main character(s) solve the problem.)
mood and tone (feelings made, sight, smell, sound..five senses)
theme (a lesson that the author is trying to share...eg. war hurts people)
point of view (who's perspective is the story being told from..eg. The real story of the Three Little Pigs is told by the Big Bad Wolf.)

Here is what we already looked at in class. "Point of view" and photographs.

Figurative language (how the author uses language (simile, metaphor, onomatoepeia)

homework for Sept. 22

2009-09-22T17:01:00.003-04:00

Complete multiplication part of math sheets in orange duotang. (You may use a calculator to double check your answer.) Use estimation and patterns in the numbers to estimate whether your answer is reasonable or not.

Many of you found patterns in the multiplication table.

Remember numeration should be: • Developing number sense
• Developing operation sense
• Creating algorithms (rules) and procedures
• Using estimation both in solving problems and in checking the reasonableness of results
• Exploring relationships among representations of, and operations on, whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers
• Developing an understanding of ratio, proportion, and percent

and less memorizing information.

Complete: Reading log.

CASI to be completed tomorrow. Continue reading Terry Fox reading.

Division steps reviewed tomorrow.

Note: Soccer pick-up from 3:15 - 3:45 p.m. only.

Homework for Sept. 21

2009-09-21T17:51:00.003-04:00

Most students are finished CASI reading assessment.
Tonight: Complete your reading log.
Share TEL user agreement with parent/guardian.

Some students need to review the code of student conduct to ensure they are meeting behavioural expectations at all times in school and during instructional (class) time.

Tomorrow, spelling assessment (list of 50 words) for beginning of year level.
Reading interest inventory (to survey your opinion about reading).
Reading response questions will be assigned tomorrow.

Math numeration continues.

TTC photos will be taken tomorrow. Bring your $5.25 payment for the photo.

Upcoming dates: Friday red and black spirit day. Wear red and black.
Terry Fox run in the morning. Dance-a-thon fundraising 1-3 p.m.

Here is a video about Terry Fox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjgTlCTluPA

(An American sports station tells the story of a Canadian hero.)

We will be reading about Terry Fox this week. I included the pages in your reading log today.

Homework for the weekend of Sept. 29

2009-09-20T13:10:00.008-04:00

CASI reading assessment continue in class on Monday.

Writing: most students have had postcard letter to Toronto edited and written one good copy.

A few more students have to hand in late assignment Monday. Incomplete work will be completed during lunch Monday. Oct. 15 is the deadline to send off the remaining 45 cards.

Media: in class we will be looking at the elements of an e-mail communication.

To think about: (Reading response to be assigned)

How do I communicate my ideas best?

(original assignment date was supposed to be last Friday)

subtopic: e-mail vs. letter/postcard writing

How is a letter similar / different to an e-mail?
What is the "proper" format for an e-mail?
Do you write letters or e-mail differently for different audiences?

This week we will start examining specific elements in narrative (story) writing.

Story elements?

plot (what is happening)
setting (where it is happening)
characters (who is in the story)
problem (what the main character(s) face.)
solution (how the main character(s) solve the problem.)
mood and tone (feelings made, sight, smell, sound..five senses)
theme (a lesson that the author is trying to share...eg. war hurts people)
point of view (who's perspective is the story being told from..eg. The real story of the Three Little Pigs is told by the Big Bad Wolf.)
Figurative language (how the author uses language (simile, metaphor, onomatoepeia)

Math:

Continue will numeration multiplication and division practice (see sheets in orange

duotang.

During the year you will be learning a number of new concepts. You must have

the problem solving behind when you use multiplication, division, adding and

subtracting (or how to choose best that makes sense to you) in order

to eliminate frustration.

Here is a scary story to share with you:

(audio only due to copyright laws)...but listen how audio helps to create tone and

mood)

The Simpsons, The Raven (originally by Edgar Allen Poe)

Sept. 17

2009-09-17T15:51:00.005-04:00

Homework for Sept. 17

Reading log (every night, every night please minimum of 20 minutes and log your entry.)
CASI reading assessment takes place tomorrow.
Please have a good night sleep and make sure you eat a good breakfast so you can be fresh for the assessment.

Postcard Exchange. The date for the initial five postcards was pushed up. We need to send the first five by tomorrow. A few students have taken their postcards home and will return them tomorrow. Oct. 15 is the deadline to send off the remaining 45 cards.

Math assessments continue.
Some students have already finished and are starting the review of numeration (multiplication and division). Next week we will continue to review numeration by learning rules of each of the times table/divisibility rules.

single digit multiplication,
two by two digit multiplication,
three by two digit multiplicaton,
single digit division
division with two digit divisor
(For now we will work with remainders but it is hoped that you will be able to divide using decimals and round off answers to the appropriate decimal places in the future.)

For practice with rounding click here for a game.

For on-line multiplication practice see here (try drills and test..this is not a problem solving site, just practice with numbers)

If you haven't seen it, this is a fun site that helps you practice all of your math strands.
It's funbrain's Mathbrain.

Notes about

2009-09-17T09:55:00.004-04:00

Video to share...storytelling comes in many forms.

This is from "Ukraine has got talent winner 2009"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo

End writing, according to the youtube chat is "You will always be to my side."

Story elements?

plot (what is happening)
setting (where it is happening)
characters (who is in the story)
problem (what the main character(s) face.)
solution (how the main character(s) solve the problem.)
mood and tone (feelings made, sight, smell, sound..five senses)
theme (a lesson that the author is trying to share...eg. war hurts people)
point of view (who's perspective is the story being told from..eg. The real story of the Three Little Pigs is told by the Big Bad Wolf.)
Figurative language (how the author uses language (simile, metaphor, onomatoepeia)

Whether you like a story is subjective (your own opinion).