Thursday, March 31, 2016

8

ENGLISH

1. Monologue script due monday

MATH

1.  page 245 1 2 3 5 6 7 10 11

ART

1. NEW DATE: Morrisseau Pastel animal family drawing is due April 11

7

ENGLISH

MATH

No homework!

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

8

ENGLISH

1. Monologue script due Monday.  Don't forget to underline, highlight, and circle those key words.

MATH

1. 6.1 (page  ) 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

7

ENGLISH
1. Rest.  The essay is done.  For better or for worse.

MATH

1. Test tomorrow (part 1): 4.6 - 4.8

2.  The 4.1 - 4.5 test is coming home today.  It is in two parts, so please take a moment to look over both pages with your child tonight.

Monday, March 29, 2016

8

ENGLISH
1. Script for monologue is due Monday.

MATH
1. Tomorrow we begin a new unit: circles!!!!!!

7

ENGLISH

1.  In-class essay tomorrow.  Each student has been given back a formative paragraph with comments which will serve as an excellent example of what changes need to be made (if any) to the frameworks.  Come prepared tomorrow with your novel and your yellow sticky note.  We begin first thing in the morning, so be on time: you do not get extra time if you come late.  

MATH

1.  Finished the review from p. 160 (questions 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20); we will have the 4.6-4.8 test on Thursday.  

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

KUDOS TO: Aniq for finishing the Math worksheet in under 7 minutes.

KUDOS TO: The 8L girls for providing such rich feedback to the grade 7T class on their essays.

8

ENGLISH

1. Reverse side of the planning for monologues will be due Tuesday (It's called: "Monologue - Developing Writing/Ideas"

MATH
1. Double-sided math sheet (dividing by 0.1, converting decimals to fractions, and converting fractions to decimals).  Try and do it in under 10 minutes.

2. Page 171 questions 4, 5, 6, 7


7

ENGLISH
1.  I have decided to put off the in-class essay until next week: I want to do one final conference/feedback on their work and it will be too rushed to get it done in time.  This gives your child a significant chunk of time this long weekend to wrap things up: review their 3 frameworks, make sure they have 6 quotes per essay, and develop a parting thought.

MATH

1. 4.8 questions, page 151: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016

Tomorrow: Fit spirit for the girls.  Seeing as the boys will be missing out on being active, they will have the gym first period with two other classes (who are also losing their gym periods).  During this time, 8L girls will work with 7T girls on frameworks.

8

ENGLISH

1. The monologue framework is due tomorrow.  As well, think about the dramatic shift that must occur: emotion, intention, or power.

MATH

1. P. 167 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10
2. Math of the Titans Video! 4.9 on youtube.  So there.

7

ENGLISH

1. Having done the lesson on the parting thought, spend some time in a quiet space tonight concocting a way to finish your essay.  

2. We will be doing the "Pick a Pararaph" activity tomorrow, so you'll need to know which one you will be writing. Decide tonight.  You will have 30 minutes - consider this a trial run

MATH

1. Page 147: 1, 3 (choose either a, b, or c), 6, 7, 10, 11, 13.  The ONLY question you will need to draw using the flats, rods, and cubes will be question 3 - and you need only do a, b, or c.  This homework will take some time, so plan accordingly

Monday, March 21, 2016

Welcome back from the break, and a happy New Year to all our Persian students.

8

A Eco-survey was sent home today and needs to be completed by tomorrow.  There are some questions about low-flow shower heads, fuel efficiency of your cars, and other details that will require adult discussion.  Please do so tonight.  Sorry about the quick turnaround time.

MATH

1.  No homework tonight

ENGLISH

1.  The completed monologue plan is due this Wednesday

ART

1. Morrisseau Pastel animal family drawing is due Wednesday, April 6th.

7

MATH

1. 4.6, page 142-143: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9

ENGLISH

1. The in-class essay will take place this Thursday in the p.m.  If you have any reason why you will be absent (Doctor...), please let me know tomorrow. 

Friday, March 11, 2016

Have a great March Break.  For those grade 8s with a little time on your hands, here is a video link to a father who defends his son who has Down Syndrome: http://youtu.be/pMsMPON4Sxo. Beyond the inspiring and heart-felt message, it's also a pretty good monologue.  If you come across any others, be sure to share them with the class through Snapchat, Google Hangouts, Email, MySpace, Facebook, ICQ - or the device called the phone.  Take care 7 and 8s.

Mr. Le Moine

For all Langstaff parents: course verification forms came home today.  Take a look at the following memo regarding any changes (if necessary).  

Thursday, March 10, 2016

There will be no blog update tomorrow, so please have a safe and relaxing March break.  

8

ENGLISH

1. Essays came home today.  3/4 of the class achieved level 3 and above, and for those who didn't, I will be running 2 sessions per week to bring it up to a level 3 as this is too important a skill to master before high school.  Everyone had a chance to read it over and ask questions, but I would encorage students to do so again tonight so that it is fresh in their minds.  If your child scored below level 3, the first thing to do is to make changes based on my comments.

2. Monologues: in the week after the break I will be giving some time in class to continue developing the character and writing the script.  Students will need to share it with me through Google Docs, so start using it from the get-go.  No homework during the break.  

MATH

1. We wrote parts 1 and 2 of the 4.1 - 4.9 math test.  Part 1 is corrected and is coming home today.  Take a look at it tonight with your child.  No homework over the break.

7

ENGLISH

1.  The essay frameworks were due today, so your child should have the basic outlines for the three essays completed.  I would highly encourage you to ask your child how they would argue all of the topics; your child would need to state the following: 1. The thesis, the plan (the three ideas used to prove the thesis), and two sub-points per paragraph.  If you find some time over the break, this would be an excellent investment in time.

MATH

1. Today was part one of the 4.1-4.5 test (the knowledge portion).  Tomorrow is the problem-solving section.  No homework over the break.  

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A friend of mine sent me this quote, and I was struck dumb; though sometimes I feel like I know less and less about life as I get older, I do know this to quote to be true.  When we lose our dependence on the adrenalin-fuelled pace we think life needs to be and begin to appreciate the ordinary moments of life - then we can know true serenity.  The family gathered around backyard fire pit, reading a book on a Saturday afternoon, hearing the first birds of spring, spotting the sun poking through the slate-grey clouds of winter, watching the class devise clever anti-boredom recess games, and joining a friend in a belly-busting laugh session (especially when you don't even know why you're laughing) - these are some of the "ordinary" moments of my life that provide soul-nourishing sustenance.  Grade 7 and 8: take a moment to think of the ordinary moments of your life that give you pause.

8 

ENGLISH

1. We will continue our work on the monologues tomorrow: please come with a firm decision about who you will be for this presentation.

7

ENGLISH

1. The final framework is due tomorrow!  I have been working piecemeal on your frameworks, giving you feedback when I can steal a couple of minutes here and there.  As such, be sure to look at them every couple of days to find my suggestions and make appropriate changes.  If you are 100% done, there is one final step: write a practice essay.  Three students in class have already begun to do so, and I promise it will be the most telling activity you can do in preparation for the in-class essay. 

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

She did this one on herself. 








Don't forget your toonie for the basketball fundraiser!


8

ENGLISH
1.  Choose your character for the monologue.  If you are performing as yourself, decide on your anecdote.  Remember: it's 1-2 minutes, so be brief.  Start with your graphic organizer entitled "Plan your Monologue"

MATH: This looks like a lot, but you had 50 minutes today (and you finished most of it)
1. 4.4: 1, 2, 3, 4
2. 4.5: 3, 5, 7, 8, 10
3. 4.6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
4. 4.7: 2, 3, 4, 7, 8
5. TEST: Thursday

7

ENGLISH:
1. Skeleton framework for: "Once you go down the wrong path..." for Thursday.  We had 80 minutes with the computers today, so lots was done!

MATH
1. Page 140 :1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12.
2. Tomorrow we will take up the work and then do a review sheet in preparation for the test: Thursday part 1, Friday part 2

Monday, March 7, 2016

KUDOS TO: M. Thornton for scoring the winning goal in the 7T vs. 8L epic soccer game.  As well, KUDOS TO Yasmin for reminding me that question #6 should be included in the math homework.

8
MATH:
1.  page 146 - 147 # 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

ENGLISH
1. Begin formulating your character for the monologue, and think about what you would like to say.  Remember, as a default, you may be YOU and tell an anecdote.  But dare to be brave...


7

MATH: 
1.  page 137-138, #1, 2, 6, 7, 8,  10

2. Test this Thursday/Friday.  

ENGLISH
1. The framework (skeleton) for "Once you go down the wrong path, there's no turning back" is due this Thursday.

Friday, March 4, 2016

KUDOS TO: Rachel and Mia for putting away the chairs.  And to Val, for having an eidetic memory.  It's eerie...


8 No homework.  Relax: you have worked extremely hard in preparation for the essay.

7

ENGLISH: start your yellow sticky notes in preparation for the essay.  As well, the skeleton framework for: "Once you go bad, there's no turning back" is due this Thursday on Google docs.  When you share it with me, ensure it has your name in the title AND I have editing privileges.  

Thursday, March 3rd, 2016

What is this?  Where is this?  What does it represent?

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL FURTURE THORNLEA STUDENTS BELOW


KUDOS TO: Catherine, for erasing any shadow of a doubt that she lives outside the box.


8

PITCHES: we will be running through the pitches tomorrow (voluntary)

MATH: 4.2 all questions 

ENGLISH: rest...the essay is done!  Check out some of the sticky cheat sheets; they are works of art!  To complete such a difficult task (you wrote for 95 minutes straight) is one thing, BUT to come out the other end of it smiling is yet another example of your outstanding character.  I'm very proud of you.  

7

ENGLISH: Essay framework for "Ponyboy is not like the other greasers" is due tomorrow.  Remember: this is done in skeletal form, which means no need for context and commentary.

MATH: 4.3: questions 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Very important message for future Thornlea students pertaining to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

This letter is to advise you that in the spring of 2017, when your son / daughter will be attending Thornlea S.S., the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge will take place.  To commemorate this significant milestone achievement, schools across Canada are organizing an official Vimy Ridge 100th Anniversary National Student Tour - a pilgrimage to England and France to participate in the official ceremonies of remembrance to be held on April 9th, 2017, led by the governments of Canada and France.  Thornlea S.S. will be a part of this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and your son / daughter has the chance to be a part of history!

The WW1 battle of Vimy Ridge occurred April 9 – 12, 1917, and it is widely considered a formative event in Canadian history, for it was here that for the first time in history, the four Canadian divisions fought as a unified force, under Canadian command, achieving a stunning victory most thought impossible at the time.  While 3,598 Canadian soldiers were killed during the battle, the impressive victory over German forces is often cited as the beginning of Canada’s evolution from being seen as a dominion of Britain into an independent nation.

To that end, Thornlea’s History Department is organizing an official school trip / pilgrimage to align with the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge.  It is being organized and run by the tour company EF Tours. This trip will also include special ceremonies of remembrance at several locations along our route, as we retrace the footsteps of the Canadian soldiers of both World Wars – and will culminate in our students participating in the official national ceremony of remembrance at Vimy Ridge on April 9th, 2017.   

Why are we enrolling students so early, with the trip still over one year away?  For one, it gives families more time to spread payments out.  Furthermore, we have multiple fundraisers planned for students, and the sooner we are enrolled, the sooner we can get started.   Here at Thornlea S.S., we believe that the Vimy Ridge 100th Anniversary National Student Tour is a one-in-a-lifetime chance for students to stand atop the Vimy Ridge in France and both honour the past and celebrate our great nation.  Thornlea students of all grades will be welcome to participate, and our Parents Information Night is coming up shortly.  If you would like to hear more details about this exciting educational opportunity, please come to our Parents Information Meeting on Tuesday March 8th at 6:00 PM in the Thornlea S.S. Library, where we will overview the itinerary, various activities, fundraisers, and explain more about this exciting opportunity.  

In the end, we offer this trip opportunity because we’ve traveled with students on remembrance pilgrimages before, and we’ve seen at Thornlea S.S. the impact that they have on our students.  They come back “different,” with a greater level of maturity and a deeper respect for Canada & its history, through experiencing that history first-hand overseas, on a trip that links directly to the curriculum of the grade 10 Canadian history course.  Here at Maxwell, we’ve developed a strong culture of remembrance, having honoured Canada’s veterans through our participation in multiple remembrance pilgrimages.  Now, with the most significant anniversary yet upon us, we seek to continue this tradition, and offer your son / daughter the opportunity of a lifetime! 

EF Tours requires firm numbers by Friday March 11th. If you would like more information prior to our Parents’ Information Night, feel free to contact me at gordon.izumi@yrdsb.ca or contact me at 905-889-9696 ext. 231.  I hope that you will give this opportunity some consideration, and I look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,

Gord Izumi

Head of History

Thornlea S.S.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

DON'T FORGET: Family Zumba tomorrow night at 6:30.  Free snacks!


KUDOS TO: The mighty 16...these are the students who showed up today to learn, plan essays, and have an outstanding dodgeball game.

8

ENGLISH: essay tomorrow.  Put the finishing touches on your stickies and the yellow post-it notes.  You should be reviewing your 3 frameworks over and over again.

7

ENGLISH: Essay frameworks: the point form essay framework for the "Ponyboy is not like the other greasers" is due this Friday.  

Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 Family ZUMBA night.  Snacks provided!  Raffle tickets too! What?!!! 

KUDOS TO: Humza, for beginning his math homework before even eating his snack!  


8

ENGLISH
1. Tomorrow is the day to hand in your Giver novel and your yellow sticky note.  That means tonight is your final chance to add your post-its to the novel.  Make no mistake: if you don't hand it in, you can't use it on Thursday.  

2. Thursday is our in-class essay in the p.m.  Get plenty of rest, review your frameworks, and have a nutritious breakfast/lunch on the day of the essay.

3.  The rubric was given out today.  Homework: read through the rubric carefully, and prepare any questions you may have regarding this complex evaluation tool.


MATH
1. 4.1 all questions



7

ENGLISH

MATH
1. page 126 #1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13