Monday, February 29, 2016

Voting for the My Parks Pass Canada opened today.  Visit the following link: "JASPER 2016" to take you to the page to vote (once per day).  I found the link to be a bit wonky today, so be patient if it doesn't work at first.

8

ENGLISH

1. Essays: the date is set for this Thursday in the afternoon.  If you have any appointments set for that time, let me know by tomorrow; otherwise, stay healthy and get lots of sleep.

2.  Essays: I will be collecting all Giver novels and your yellow sticky notes on Wednesday afternoon.  This means you have tonight and tomorrow night to finalize your codes and marking passages with post-its.  As well, I will not be having poetry club this Wednesday so as to have a final essay workroom.  This will be your last chance to ask any burning questions about your essays.

MATH

We had the 2nd part of our test (2.5-2.7) today.  Tomorrow, we begin 4.1 fractions.  Start thinking about the relationship between ratios and fractions as this will greatly facilitate the learning we have to do.


7

MATH
1. I handed back the communication portion of our last math test.  Please take a moment to look at this with your child tonight.

2. Page 122, q. 1-8 for tomorrow (equivalent fractions, ordering fractions, adding fractions)

ENGLISH
1. Paragraph E is due tomorrow (Gangs provide a sense of family)

2. Paragraph A will be due on Wednesday for the next essay topic: "Ponyboy is not like the other greasers".  A couple of notes: it will be done in point form and shared with my on google docs.  Make sure you share it with me BEFORE midnight on Tuesday.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

So true, if only if someone had a family zumba class at school...Wait no further, because next week parent council will be hosting just such an event.  Stay tuned for more details.  

KUDOS TO: Josh and Ethan for putting away the chairs after recess.
KUDOS TO: Mitchell for coining the phrase: "Hugs, not thugs".  A message students should take to heart...

8

ENGLISH: 
All frameworks are handed in at this point, which means the in-class essay will take place next week (in the latter part of the week).  How do you prepare?  Well, you have 3 topics, 3 frameworks, your novel, and your yellow sticky sheet: you can add sticky notes to your book to indicate passages, come up with novel symbols to represent your points and draw them on the yellow sticky sheet, and you can even write 3 essays.  No shortage of work that could be done.  Getting a good sleep in preparation for the in-class essay is paramount.  Starting Monday, make sure you are getting your beauty sleep.

MATH
1. The first part of the 2.4 - 2.5 test is coming home today.  Since there was such a huge knowledge component to this unit, I divided the knowledge test into the specific skills required.  On the right hand of the page, opposite the questions themselves, you will see a small box where I have highlighted one of two options: "Needs more practice" (meaning they had 3 or more mistakes / 7 questions), or "Got it" meaning they had fewer than 3 mistakes.  I'm hoping that breaking it down into these smaller components will give you and your child a clear picture of which skills they can perform, and which ones are giving them difficulty.  Please take a few moments tonight to look this over with your child.

2. The second part of the Math test (communication, application, and thinking) will take place on Monday.  Here are some sample questions your child can do over the weekend (in addition to the practice test in the textbook):
(a) On a Monday, a ski jumper falls 3 times out of 12 runs.  These 12 runs represent 30% of total number of jumps she will do in the course of the week.  How many additional jumps will she do? If she doesn't fall throughout the rest of her jumps, what is her success rate over the course of the whole week (in terms of %)?

(b) An employee is told they will earn $5.00 per hour + 2% commission of everything they sell.  At the end of the week, this employee made a total of $85.00.  Of that amount, $20 is commission.  How much did they sell?  How many hours did they work?  

(c) I = CTD....You are encouraged to invest in your friend's new lawn mowing business.  Here are the details of the deal: SCENARIO 1: he says if you loan him $4000.00 for a year, he will pay you back $4160.00.  SCENARIO 2: if you loan him $5000.00 for a year, he will pay you back $5225.  What is the difference in rates (in %) between scenario 1 and 2? 


7

ENGLISH: 
1. Paragraph D is due Monday. 

MATH:
No homework!  You have finished your test and it's time to begin fractions on Monday.  Are you at least 1/4 as excited as I am?

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Snow day...psssht.  22/26 showed up!  8L: you rock.

KUDOS TO: Aria and Angelina for taking the recycling and the compost.

8

ENGLISH: Paragraph D and E are due tomorrow.  Each student was given a sticky note with which they will create an "aide-memoire"; there are very strict rules regarding what can be added to this note.  Ask your child about them.

MATH: Math test will take place on Monday (2.5-2.7)

7

MATH: the 2.4 and 2.5 test will be tomorrow.  

ENGLISH: we will be completing paragraph C in class tomorrow so your child should be working on 1/2 of it tonight.

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016

KUDOS TO: All of the 8L boys for helping the grade 7s with their essays.  To see you focusing so intently on their work and giving such precise feedback was a wonder to behold.
A former student sent me a message with a link to a very interesting personality test.  She said it was 99% accurate, and after taking it myself, I had to agree.  If you have 12 minutes to kill, try this out: www.16personalities.com.  Students: if you take the test, come up to me and guess which personality type I came out as. 

8

MATH:
1. 2.7 due tomorrow

ENGLISH:
1. Paragraph C for: "Giver: Bildungsroman" due tomorrow



7

MATH: Ratio review sheet is due tomorrow

ENGLISH: Paragraph A and B for: "Gangs Provide a Sense of Family" due tomorrow.

Monday, February 22nd, 2016

Report cards came home last week, and I still have at least 10 envelopes to be returned; I just want to double-check that you have in fact even SEEN the report card...


8

ENGLISH
1. Paragraph B for bildungsroman is due tomorrow (again, just the skeleton).


MATH
1. We never got to the 2.7 lesson, but you can look at it tonight.  It is all about simple interest, something that might be fairly handy in life.

7

ENGLISH
1. The paragraph B for The Outsiders essay will be due Wednesday, but I expect the 7s to do 1/2 of it tonight.   Please talk to your child about this so they can make the most of the time with me tomorrow

MATH
1. Page 70 #6-9 (this is a review of rates).

Friday, February 19, 2016

KUDOS TO: Melina, Rachel, and Josh for helping the little kiddies with Primary Carnaval.  You rock.

8

MATH

1.  2.5: RATES. p. 79-80 1-12

ENGLISH

1. Paragraph A for the final essay framework "The Giver is a bildungsroman.  Discuss".  You need only do this in skeletal form (point form + quotes).  No need for context and commentary.

7

MATH

1.  2.5: RATES. p. 64-65 1-8

ENGLISH


1. Paragraph A for the essay: "Gangs provide a sense of family" due Monday.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

8

ENGLISH
1. Paragraphs D and E for the framework: "Role of the Family" are due tomorrow.  As there are 2 due at once, you need only write the skeleton of these two paragraphs.  That is to say, you are not required to write in full sentences, just point form with quotes (no con + com).

MATH
1.  The first part of the ratio test came home yesterday.  Please ask your child to show it to you.  I am working through the second part now, but it will take a bit longer.  Bear with me.
2. 2.5 homework (all questions except for #1) is due tomorrow.  


7

ENGLISH

1. Surrounding quotes: finish the Essay topic, the paragraph topic, the context, and the commentary for the quote given to your group.  

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

8

ENGLISH
1.  Looking for a website with some interesting non-fiction articles to buff up your comprehension?  Here's a pretty good one with age-appropriate stories (ranges from k-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12: Smithsonian

2. Paragraph C is due tomorrow.
MATH
1. Your child has been working their mental math abilities today: he or she should be able to quickly calculate 1%, 5%, and 10% of any number.  And with some time, he or she can also calculate the irregular % as well (23%, 71%...).  Homework: page 72 - 73 # 1-7


7 

ENGLISH
1.  Finish paragraph A for "Dally Tragic Hero" by adding the plan.  This is due tomorrow.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2016

All videos are due this coming Friday on a USB.  

KUDOS TO: Justin, for continuously reminding me to get going on the Jeopardy questions.  


8

MATH: the second part of the test today was uncomfortably long: you were given 30 minutes to answer 3 long communication problems.  I will be kind in marking it...

ENGLISH: Paragraph A for essay #2 (role of family) was handed back at the end of the day.  Hopefully you collected it.  For tomorrow: 1. Make corrections to A (where I indicated necessary changes) and 2. Write paragraph B.  Don't be surprised if paragraph C is due Thursday (you can work ahead!).    
Some general comments: 
1.  This is not a comparison essay, so you can't write about how the family unit in Jonas' society is similar/dissimilar to ours (as a thesis).
2.  Be very clear in your thesis statement - no need to dress it up.  What exactly is the role of the family unit in his society?  What purpose does it serve?
3. You need three points for the plan..

7

MATH: Part 2 of the 2.1 - 2.3 test will take place tomorrow.  All word problems involving ratios.  Can't wait.

ENGLISH: Excellent work today grade 7s: you were extremely focused during the essay lesson and I loved your participation.  Your homework for THURSDAY is to add the plan to the portion that I typed up for you.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Next week we will celebrate the French Canadian tradition of Le Carnaval d'Hiver.  Events run from Tuesday to Friday, and all students are encouraged to participate.  Here are the highlights:
TUESDAY: Pyjama day
WEDNESDAY: Tuque et Mitaines Day
THURSDAY: Ceinture Flechee Day (any scarf around the waist will do)
FRIDAY: Rouge et Blanc Day (hmmm...my Sens jersey is red and white...)

KUDOS TO: Kimia, for catching up so effectively from her absence.  Well done! Your learning skills rock!

POETRY CLUB: we will meet this coming Wednesday.  Bring the poems you wrote two weeks ago as we will start by a little read-aloud.  If you could also come to the club with a magazine or a newspaper, that would be poetic. 

SKI FORMS: I am still awaiting 3 from 8L.  They are due Tuesday.

8

ENGLISH
1. Essay framework 1, done.  Now, we move on to #2.  Paragraph A for "What is the role of Family in Jonas' community?" is due Tuesday.  This time, you will hand in an actual paragraph - rather than in point form.  We need to practise...


MATH
1. Unit test (2.1 - 2.3) on Tuesday.  Part 1 will be first thing in the morning, so be on time.  Part 2 (oh yes, there are two parts) will take place during English class in the afternoon.  At least you'll be comfortable writing the test in your pyjamas.   Here is the solution to question 11 in the textbook: "On a map, the distance between two cities is 5.6cm.  The scale on the map is 1:3 000 000.  A cyclist travels this distance in 4h.  What is the cyclist's average speed?"

To begin, you have to determine the units for "average speed", which is most typically in km/h.  And since the term "4h" is used in the question, we will need to convert the other units to km.  Looking at the map, the distance between the two cities is 5.6cm (D), so converted to km, that will become 0.000056km (divide by 100 000).  It's a bit strange to think of a line on a map drawn in kilometres, but you need to do this conversion.  

Next: D   :  R ::   D   :    R

        1:3 000 000:: 0.000056:x    The scale is the first D:R, and 0.000056 is "D" because that is the length of the drawing, and the "R" is our unknown - the actual distance the cyclist traveled.

Express as fractions

1/3 000 000 = 0.000056/x

Cross multiply, and you will get x = 168.  Therefore, the cyclist traveled 168km in four hours.  But the question is asking his average speed (which is a measurement of how many km traveled PER hour).

1: x :: 4:168.  (1 hour is to x km, as 4 hours is to 168 km).

Cross multiply, and you will get he travels an average speed of 42km/h

Hope that helps!

7

ENGLISH
Essay writing all week next week.  Bring your "A" game: this means plenty of rest and full attention.

MATH
1. Unit test (2.1 - 2.3) on Tuesday.  Part 1 will take place on Tuesday, and Part 2 will take place on Wednesday.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Anyone else excited about this?  July, 2016.  I'm lining up tonight.




KUDOS TO: Ronan and Val for their class-best lion race (I think it was 23 seconds).  

My apologies to Cindy: she was in fact the student who created the rough edit.  So no kudos to you, Alex.

8

ENGLISH

1. Framework for "Dystopia/Utopia" is due tomorrow.  Thus far, students have shown paragraphs A, B, and C; tonight, all that's left are D and E.  If you get a moment to talk to your child about the way we broke this into separate parts and with separate due dates, I would appreciate it.  I'm curious to see how they saw this way of working (rather than all last minute).

MATH

1. The second data management test came home today.  Please take a moment to look at both sides of the test with your child.

2. Mid-Unit review is due tomorrow.  There was considerable time given in class to work on this, so it shouldn't take too long.  We will have a test on Tuesday for 2.1-2.3.


7

ENGLISH
1. We will begin our frameworks for the three selected essays next week.  Like I have done with the grade 8s, I will be dividing the work into "chunks": each essay requires a framework containing 5 paragraphs.  Paragraph A will be due Tuesday, Paragraph B Wednesday, and so on.  That way, it forces students to work piecemeal rather than (possibly) procrastinate and do all 5 in one night.

MATH
1. The second DM test came home today.  Take a moment to look it over with your child.

2.  The 2.1 - 2.3 test will be on Tuesday.  Come with any questions tomorrow!

3.  Here are some problems to work your ratio magic tonight:

1.  At Darlene's Dairy Bar, the ratio of vanilla to chocolate to strawberry ice cream cones sold is about 3 : 5 : 2.  Last week, 155 chocolate ice cream cones were sold.  What was the total number of ice cream cones sold?  Two weeks earlier, a total of 380 ice cream cones were sold.  How many of each flavour were sold?

2. For the numbers 2 to 100, including 2 and 100, determine each ratio:

a. The number of even numbers to the number of odd numbers

b. the number of multiples of 6 to the number of multiples of 8

c. the number of prime numbers to the number of composite numbers

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

KUDOS TO: Alex, for doing a spectacular 1st rough cut of the House video challenge.  

8

ENGLISH

1. Framework, paragraph C for Utopia/Dystopia due tomorrow.  Final framework due on Friday.

MATH

1. Finish the work that was done today with the supply

7

Math

1. Finish the work that was started today with the supply.

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

8

MATH
1. Page 59 - 60: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8.  This is due tomorrow.

ENGLISH
1. Section B of the framework for "Utopia/Dystopia" due tomorrow.
2. Full framework due Friday
3.  Seminar rubrics went home today.  Take some time to look at it with your child over dinner.  

7

MATH:
1. 2.2 page 52, questions 1-6 for tomorrow.

ENGLISH:
1. The seminar rubric went home today.  Please take some time tonight to look it over with your child.  

Monday, February 8, 2016

Congratulations to all those who were cheering for the Broncos.  My regrets to all the chickens who wound up mild, medium, and hot.

How many chicken wings will be eaten over Super Bowl weekend?

***We will be having gym outside tomorrow as the gym is not available.  Dress for the weather.


8

ENGLISH
1. Framework #1 "Utopia/Dystopia" is due this Friday.  You will be handing this in.  Break the task into smaller parts.  TOMORROW: you will hand in paragraph A of the framework for "Utopia/Dystopia".    

MATH
No homework tonight.  We will complete the 2.2 lesson tomorrow.


7

ENGLISH
1. We made quite a bit of progress in essays today.  Tonight, ask your child the following: "(Insert name here), can you tell me the difference between a topic and a thesis?"


MATH
1. 2.1 for tomorrow (all questions).  As well, find a real-life example of a ratio and describe it in a couple of sentences (on paper, in your notebook).

Friday, Februrary 5, 2016

Jaimie and Aria did a great job for 7T and 8L: both got first-round picks.  

Here are the essay topics from the draft:

7: 

1.  Gangs provide a sense of family

2. Ponyboy is not like the other greasers.  Comment

3. Once you go down the wrong path, there's no turning back.

8:

1. Is Jonas' community a utopia or a dystopia?

2. Discuss the role of family in The Giver.

3. The Giver is a bildungsroman (or a coming-of-age story).  Defend.

House Film Project: I was dumbfounded by your level of professionalism, your dedication, and your attention to detail.  Whether we win our not, it has been a tremendous experience.

8

MATH: 

2.1 Due Monday

ENGLISH

1. We will finish the SOH framework on Monday, and if there is time, we'll take a stab at Utopia/Dystopia.  Come with some ideas for paragraphs B, C, and D.  Remember: sharing is NOT caring.

7

MATH

We will begin our new unit (2.1) on Monday.

ENGLISH

Make sure you have your course pack for Monday with the Essay Framework.  We begin essay writing on Monday.  In the meantime, start thinking about some ideas for "Gangs Provide a Sense of Family".

Thursday, February 4, 2016

• Today in Canadian History: February 4, 1858 - Gold is discovered along British Columbia's Fraser River; leads to gold rush. Langley, BC

Tomorrow: Essay Topic Draft Picks!  I hope you are as excited as I am. 
Meet in your 1st period class for attendance, then we will all migrate to the gym for the draft picks and some final words about filmmaking.

1. Ski forms are due Feb. 16

2. Permission to participate in House Video forms are due tomorrow, Feb. 5.  Without it, you will not be able to take an acting (extra or otherwise) in the film.  

3. Print off the course selection forms and have them signed.  Hand them in a.s.a.p.  I realize some students are still waiting for Career Cruising to switch your home school.  Not to worry.

8

MATH: 
1.  The first DM test is coming home today (Tuesday's).  This was the test where your child had to make deductions and inferences based on 4 seemingly-random tables of statistics...Great conversations erupted from their findings.  

2.  2.1 all questions except #10.  This homework is due MONDAY.

ENGLISH: Over the weekend, I would like you to brainstorm at least 4 points for the first essay topic.  I realize we don't know what it is yet (so excited for the draft), but as of tomorrow, you will know.  Help Aria maintain a poker face.

7

MATH: 
1.  Yesterday's algebra test is coming home today.  Please take some time to look it over with your child.

2.  We are finished patterning, (2nd test done today).  We begin ratios on Monday (2.1).  

ENGLISH: 

1.  We began our essay unit today, examining the different components of this very popular piece of writing.  Have your child tell you (if they can), all of the elements.  

2.  The essay topic draft is tomorrow.  Jaimie is going to lead us to victory!

This Friday: Essay Topic Draft Picks!  I hope you are as excited as I am. 



8

What was your +/- today?  Think about what you bring to class, to conversations, and to the lives of those around you.  As well, which learning skills did you demonstrate?

MATH
We are done testing and begin a new unit: 2.1.  Take a gander at your textbook if you like.  Don't have a flipped learning, yet...

ENGLISH
1. Final seminars tomorrow. No quiz
2. We begin chomping at the essay, S.O.H.  Tonight, add at least one page number (a quote) to the shared S.O.H. essay file on gapps.
3.  Our picks are in for the essay topics.  Good luck, Aria in getting first draft pick.

7

MATH
1. Second test tomorrow: algebraic expression of a line, graphing a line, input/output, and using a variable to solve a problem

ENGLISH
1. Final seminars tomorrow? Let's hope.  
2. We have chosen our 9 essay topics for the draft.  Jaimie, do us proud.