Band Concert: Tuesday June 14, 2011 7 PM

Hello Parents and Community Members,

We would like to invite you to an evening of music Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at 7:00 pm.

We have worked hard this year and look forward to presenting you with the fruits of our labours!

Students must arrive at 6:30 pm and be in concert dress (white top, black bottoms).

See you there!

Friday, May 20 2011: Sport's Day!

Make sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

Good luck Nootka and Haida!

EN 8: Reminders from Thursday May 19

Today in class we took notes on parts of a sentence (subject & predicate) and then practiced which is which.  Some of the sentences students created were a lot of fun to hear aloud!

EN 9: Reminders from Thursday May 19

Today was the last day to use class time to record your slam poems.  Please see me outside of class if you still need to record your poem so that we can set you up with a laptop.

Thanks for your creativity.

SS 10: Reminders from Wednesday, May 18

Today in class, we finished notes on Canadian Government.  Students then looked at sustainable city planning and discussed/presented their reasons as to why a particular plan might be more sustainable than another.  

Remember, next Wednesday is the Victoria Trip!  Please come to school packed and ready to leave at 9:00 am.  FUN!!

SS 7: Reminders from Wednesday, May 18

Today in class, students were introduced to the Mayan civilization.  We discussed the differences between ancient and modern places and cultures.

EN 9: Reminders from Tuesday May 17

Today we worked towards completing our slam poems.  Students will have one more chance to complete this task in class, and then will be responsible for using their lunch hour to record their poem.

EN 8: Reminders from Tuesday May 17

Today we completed a journal write.  We then looked at different types of sentences (declarative, imperative, interrogative, exclamatory) and practiced identifying the different types.

Please be sure that you can identify the different sentence types... you could be quizzed at any time!

SS 10: Reminders from Monday, May 16

Today in class we posted a blog comment answering what Canada's greatest achievement has been.  If you have not done so, please make sure to share your opinion!

We then took notes on the Government of Canada and completed a worksheet.

Please remember that the Victoria trip is just next week!

SS 7: Reminders from Monday, May 16

Today we finished presenting our powerpoint presentations.  Students are now responsible for their Ancient Greek artifact, as they are due Monday, May 31st.  Please consult your sheet to find out the criteria.  Have fun!

SS 10: Student Blog Response for Lesson on May 16

On Thursday of last week, we discussed Canada's greatest accomplishments as well as its embarrassments. Please respond to the following prompt:

From the list below, choose Canada's greatest accomplishment and give reasons to back up why it deserves such an honorary title.

• Avoidance of Annexation by the USA
• Creation of the CPR
• Canadian Economy
• Maintaining a Sense of Nationalism in such a Vast Territory
• Military Operations

I look forward to reading your responses!

En 8: Reminders from Friday May 13

Today in class we had a poetry quiz.  We then responded online to the blog question from last week.  Thanks to all of the students who took the time to create an insightful response.  This following week we will be looking at graphic poetry.

En 9: Reminders from Friday May 13

Today we discussed graphic poetry.  Students then created their own graphic poem.  Any students who had not made sure to attach their name to their blog comment, also made sure to identify themselves.  Thanks for your insights!

SS 7: Reminders from Thursday, May 12

Today we presented power point presentations on Ancient Greece.  Students have done a wonderful job of animating their presentations!

SS 10: Homework Reminder - Thursday, May 12

Today went over Canada's economy, as well as early immigration.

EN 9: Reminders from Wednesday May 11

Thanks for those who contributed a post on the blog about writing.  You will need to make sure you study your poetic devices so that you do well on your quiz next class!!

Thanks for your concentration this class.  I think the meditation is working...

Ms MacInnes

EN 8: Reminders from Wednesday May 11

Please remember to study your poetic devices for the quiz on Friday May 13.  You will need to be able to match the definitions with the devices.

Thanks to those brave people who recited verses from The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes.

Assessment for Learning...

This year we created rubrics to help make writing expectations clear and concrete.  Students, in the past, have been graded on what is called the six-point scale, where a teacher gives a mark out of six and some feedback.  I would like to know how you have felt about having your writing assessed using a rubric with feedback, as opposed to being given a mark.  How does the rubric help you to become a better writer?   Please post your feedback on the blog.

Thanks!

Ms MacInnes

EN 9: Reminders from Monday May 9

Today we discussed metacognition: the ability to think about your thinking!  We discussed "how poetry is relevant to our world."  We took notes on poetic devices and then students continued on creating their slam poems.

I look forward to future meditation!

EN 8: Reminders from Monday May 9

Today we completed a 30-minute journal write.  Any students who had not finished their Outsiders unit test had time during the journal write to do so.

We then looked at the ballad, The Highwayman, by Alfred Noyes and analyzed the rhyme scheme.  Feel free to google the poem and listen to Loreena McKennitt sing the ballad on youtube.

Sr Band: Let's get our energy up!

Dear Band,

I've noticed, since our return from Disneyland, that our energy has been low in rehearsal.  Let's remember that we still have a concert left to perform and one that is most important.  It is for the parents and the community members that made our trip possible.  We need to make sure we impress these invaluable people!

Four weeks to concert date, means eight more rehearsals.  Let's give it our all!

Ms MacInnes.

Intermediate Choir Students

Dear Choir,

Your performance at the music festival was wonderful.  Your smiles brightened the room and I want to thank each of you for learning your music and lyrics.  I will look forward to leading you at the Parent's Appreciation Tea coming up at the end of May.

Also, a huge thank you to the parents who volunteered their time to drive the students to the performance.  Without your help we would not have been able to participate.  It takes a special person to give so much.

Well Done Everyone!

Ms MacInnes

SS 10: Student Blog Response for Lesson on May 5

Today we watched the rest of the lecture given by Dr David Suzuki.  Students are responsible for providing a response to the following prompt:

Knowing what you know about the way an economy works and having listened to the lecture by Dr David Suzuki, discuss the planet's ability to sustain steady economic growth.

Please make sure to place your first name at the bottom of the response.

SS 7: Reminders from Thursday, May 5

Students will need to make sure they read pages 115-119 in Other Places, Other Times, as there will be a quiz next class on the origins and environment of classical Greece.

EN 8: Reminders from Wednesday May 4

Today students wrote the unit test on The Outsiders.  Many students did not complete the test in the allotted time and will therefore have the beginning of Monday's class to complete the writing portion.

EN 9: Reminders from Wednesday May 4

Today we continued working on slam poetry.  Members of class were brave enough to share their drafts with the rest of the class.  Thanks for taking a chance!

Unit tests on The War Between the Classes were handed back and reviewed.

SS 7: Reminders from Tuesday, May 3

Please remember to find the facts needed to complete your powerpoint presentations on Ancient Greece.  These presentations will be due by the end of next class.  The criteria calls for eight slides in total.  I look forward to watching your presentations soon!

SS 10: Reminders from Tuesday, May 3

Please make sure to get your Victoria trip forms in by May 13th.

If you missed today's class, you will want to watch the first 20 minutes of this web-lecture by world-renowned biologist, David Suzuki.  You can access the lecture on this site:

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

Enjoy... we will finish watching the rest next class.

EN 9: Reminders from Monday May 2

Please remember to make sure you have begun your slam poem.  You must make your topic clear and have at least 4-5 lines created.  Have fun with it... here's your chance to vent!

EN 8: Reminders from Monday May 2

Please remember that you have a test on The Outsiders Wednesday May 4th.  Be sure you look over your review sheet for the test.  You will need to relate all of the story elements with events from the novel.