English 8

Today students had a quiz on synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, homophones, prefixes, and suffixes.

Students then worked though contractions and compound words by playing class bingo.  They then completed the worksheets below:

Finally, Students completed winter haiku poems.  A haiku poem formula is as follows:

Line 1: 5 syllables

Line 2: 7 syllables

Line 3: 5 syllables

My winter haiku is as follows:

Drip, drop, wet and mild.

The west coast rainforest sleeps

with no covering.

Reading 8/9

Today students steady read for 30 minutes and then completed a journal entry.

Students then listened to the short story "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty and created a comprehension web.

Senior Band

Today we practiced scales: Bb, Eb, F, Ab, and Chromatic

We then went through our whole program for this evening's concert.

We look forward to seeing you tonight at the show!!

Foods 11/12

Today students iced and melted chocolate to decorate their shortbread cookies.  There were some very professional looking treats!

I wish for you all to have a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Socials 7

Students began by completing their homework question.

Students then worked on their inquiry projects.  Some students have begun to finish these up.  They will be due January 17th 2014.  January 15th will be the last day of class time that students will have to work on these.

HOMEWORK: Make sure to be familiar with the vocabulary words and find out 10 interesting facts about Iraq.  Due January 6th, 2014.

Socials 9

Students began with a homework question.

We then moved straight into inquiry questions.  Students are beginning to finish these up.  They will need to be completed by January 17th.  January 15th will be the last day of class time students will be able to use.

Finally, we watched the last portion of the dirty cities documentary.

HOMEWORK: Read p.80-85 in textbook and Review Package.  Test for the French Revolution Unit will be held on January 10th.

Language Arts 7

Today students completed their spelling tests.  I then handed out the new words.  Students will be tested on these words January 10th, when we return back from break.

We then read our script of Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle.  Students were split into groups and asked to turn a short aboriginal legend into a script.  Students then began cutting out cardboard characters to use as shadow puppets for when we return from the break.

HOMEWORK: Spelling word booklet and reading journals.  Due Monday, January 6th 2014.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

English 8

Today we did a journal write.

Students then worked through prefixes and suffixes.  We will have have a test on these terms of Thursday.

We next generated a list of adjectives to use for a descriptive paragraph next class.

Finally, we played a round of Scattergories.

Senior Band

Today we did Bb, Eb, and Chromatic Scales.

We then played through the concert songs.

Reading 8/9

Today students steady read and then completed a journal entry.

Socials 7

Today students answered their homework question.

We then went over again how to extract information from a textbook, deciphering which are the most important pieces of information.

We spent a lot of time discussing Mesopotamian law and how it is different from Canadian Law.

The class began watching a documentary on Mesopotamia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on3cdN3iZqc

Some students wished to work on their inquiry projects while watching the documentary.

HOMEWORK: Read p.84 and focus on similarities and differences between Hammurabi's Law Code and Canadian Law.

Foods 11/12

Today students made shortbread cookies.  These will be decorated next class.

Language Arts 7

Today students began with a journal write.

Students then completed a practice spelling test… The spelling test will take place on Wednesday.

Next, four volunteers were chosen from the class.  Three went into the hallway, while the fourth, as well as the rest of the class, listened to a short aboriginal legend.  Once the story was told, one of the students from outside was invited back in and listened to the other student retell the story to the best of his/her ability.  After each retelling, another student was brought in to listen and then retell.  Students came to understand some of the benefits and drawbacks of a society using solely oral histories.

Students then listened to the stories in full and considered the moral of the legends retold.

Socials 9

Today students completed their homework question.

Students then watched another 20 minutes of the dirty cities documentary from last day.

Finally, students worked on their inquiry questions.

HOMEWORK: Read and take notes on p.76-78 - Focus on the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Reading 8/9

Today students began with a readers theatre exercise, from which I assessed their fluency.

Students then read their books and completed a journal entry.

English 8

Today students began with a quiz on synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, and homographs.

Students then watched the following clips and created class expository paragraph on how to pull off a prank.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xugcjLV-lX4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjGd1C6E4ys

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpOdTnF8MGI

The first step was to create a list in order of events.  Once this was created, we used it to write the paragraph below:

      Have you ever wanted to play a funny prank?  This paragraph will tell you how.  First, you have to travel to a nearby waterpark.  Second make sure you have all of the equipment that you will need to complete the prank.  After that, insert the tube into your pants, hide behind a tree and wait for unexpected victims!  Spray away and hope the police don’t find you!

Once students had completed their paragraph and proof-read it, they handed them in and chose to steady read, or work on the class puzzle.

December 12: English 8

Today we began by reviewing homonyms and homographs.

Students then completed their antonym, synonym, homonym, homograph handout that they received last class.  Students will be quizzed on this content Friday.

Students then read along to Apparent Motives by David Lubar.  This story was a first person, fictitious narrative.

Students were then asked to write their own narratives.

Socials 9

Today students began by completing their homework question.

We then watched the first 20 minutes of a documentary called "Filthy Cities", which featured Paris during the revolution.

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

Students then worked on their Inquiry projects.

HOMEWORK: Read p.73-75 - Focus on who made up the Estates General and what led to the fall of the Bastille.

Language Arts 7

Today students were given their new set of spelling words:

1. equator
2. delta
3. agricultural
4. silt
5. evaporated
6. fertile
7. reservoir
8. resource
9. industry
10. worship

They then worked through a package to familiarize themselves with the definitions of their spelling words.

Finally, students were asked to complete their totems.  These are now for homework.

HOMEWORK: On Monday, students must bring in their reading logs for inspection.  Between today and Monday, students are expected to have sixty minutes of reading complete.

Any students not finished their totems must do this for homework.

Foods 11/12

Today students finished both finished their gingerbread houses and made almond roca.

Socials 7

Today students began by completing Homework Question #3.

Students then worked on their Mesopotamian inquiry projects.

HOMEWORK: Read p.81-83 - Focus on the six Mesopotamian Innovations.

Senior Band

Today students played through scales and then added three new pieces to the repertoire:

Noel Nouvelet
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
A World of Christmas

Please come and get these pieces from me before next class if you were unable to attend the rehearsal.

REMINDER: Band Concert December 19th at 7:00pm!!

Reading 8/9

Today students completed a comprehension exercise.

When this was finished students were asked to steady read.

At the end of the class, we played one round of Scattergories.

English 8

Today students began by completing a journal entry.

They then completed the following exercises on the board as a review of synonyms and antonyms.

Students then completed their gangster story backdrops, which are now displayed in the classroom.

HOMEWORK:  Please remember to bring your reading logs to class for inspection on Thursday!

Language Arts 7

Students began class by completing their social studies homework question.

Once this was complete, students were asked to complete a journal entry.

Finally, students worked on their paper totem poles.

Socials 9

Today students began class by completing their homework question.

Students next watched the final half hour to the documentary on the French Revolution.

We then created a chart with similarities and differences between the French Revolution and the British Civil War.

Unfortunately, our internet was down all day and therefore, we could not work on our inquiry projects.  Instead, students began reading about the Enlightenment (p.68-69).

HOMEWORK:  Read pages 64-67 - Focus on how Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette infuriated the French public.

Socials 7

Today students went on a field trip to the Iris Griffith's Centre.

HOMEWORK:  Read p.78-80 and take notes.  Focus on why maps and chronologies are useful.  What is the chronology of Mesopotamia?

Foods 11/12

Today we began to put our gingerbread houses together.  These will be finished next class!

Socials 7

Students began by answering their homework question.

We then read through pages 74-75 together and discussed the information in the text.

Students then worked on their Mesopotamian inquiry questions.

HOMEWORK: p.76-77 - Conflict and Warfare--Focus on how artifacts can be used as evidence to prove their was warfare in Mesopotamia.

Foods 11/12

Students cut out and baked their gingerbread house pieces.  We will put them together on Monday.  Don't forget to bring some treats for your houses.

Language Arts 7

Students began by completing their spelling test.

We then read through Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle.

Students then chose a book for at home reading, if they didn't have one already.  Students will now be expected to read for 20 minutes five nights a week, or the equivalent of this time (100 minutes).  I am only asking students to read on school nights (Sunday-Thursday - the night before they wake up for school), however, if they would like to read for larger portions during other times of the week when a night is particularly busy, this is more than reasonable.  The purpose of this activity is to increase the number of minutes of reading for some students, and to install a sense of time management to help for future successful study skills.  Please make sure to have reading logs signed!

Students worked on their totem poles until the end of class.

Socials 9

Today students first completed their homework question.

We then watched 30 more minutes of the French Revolution documentary.

Lastly, students worked on their inquiry projects.

HOMEWORK:  Read p.64-The Brink of Disaster-- Focus on how wars (both political and religious) affected the economy of France.

English 8

Today students had a quiz on to, too, and two.

After the quiz, students chose a silent reading book.  Students were then given 15 minutes to silent read.

Students provided the option of continuing to read, or work on a word search or crossword puzzle and while this was happening, they were assessed individually for their reading accuracy.

Students have been given a new reading requirement.  Their job is to read 20 minutes every school night, the equivalent of 1 hour and 40 minutes per week.  Parents, please sign your child's reading log to prove that reading has taken place at home for the required minutes.  Students may choose to divide up their reading minutes as they choose, but the expectation is that 1 hour and 40 minutes of reading take place per week.

Reading 8/9

Today students were assessed for their reading accuracy.  Students worked on word searched or crossword puzzles while this was done.  Students then had steady reading time.

Senior Band

Today we worked through concert Bb, Eb, F, and Chromatic scales.

We then worked through our pieces for the upcoming concert.

Foods 11/12

Today students made the dough for their gingerbread houses.

Socials 7

Students had a bit of class time to finish their lunches since their exciting field trip took up most of their lunch time.

Students then got down to business.  They began by recording essential questions for their next social studies unit  on Mesopotamia.

Students then took some time to read through the many books on Mesopotamia, so that a topic list could be generated together.

Students then completed another KWL chart.

Students were assigned note taking for homework.  They are expected to take some notes of pages 72-73 on Mesopotamian economy and trade groups.  We were able to practice taking notes in class.

Finally, students were able to spend some time on their inquiry projects.

Socials 7

Today students began by recording the essential questions that they will be able to answer by the end of the unit.

Students then completed a KWL chart, jotting down facts they already knew about the French Revolution and five wonders they still have.  The learning portion will be filled out at a later date when more learning has occurred.

We then watched a documentary for 30 minutes on the French Revolution.

As students will now be assigned homework in Social Studies (regardless of efficient class time use), students were shown how to take effective notes from the textbook.  Students were then assigned notes from p.61 under the heading The Bourgeoisie.  These will be used to answer a question in class on Friday.

Students were left with little time (10 minutes) to focus on their inquiry projects.

Language Arts 7

Today students began by working through the last page of their spelling word booklet.  The spelling test will be on Friday, December 6th.

Next, students recorded the essential questions that they will be able to answer by the end of the unit.

Students then filled in a KWL chart to show both what they know about aboriginal cultures and five wonders they still have.  We will fill out the learning portion of the chart once more learning has taken place.

Students were then provided an animal spirit guide handout.  From this they were asked to choose four of the animals that represent themselves, as well as create a symbol that represents a trait or quality only known to the student.  From theses symbols, students were asked to create a totem pole on paper.

Students were then given the chance to have a mock spelling test in preparation of this Friday.

English 8

Students began by completing a journal entry.  They were asked to focus on the MADD presentation from yesterday as well as discuss why they celebrate Christmas.

We then looked at the history of our names.  Each student was provided a handout about their name from the following website:  http://www.behindthename.com

Students were then asked to answer the following questions in point form:

Students listened to my own name history before beginning:

Students then shared their findings with a partner.

Next, students reviewed the usage of to, too, and two.  There will be a quiz on this information on Thursday.

Finally, students played a round of Scattergories.

Senior Band

Today we worked through concert Bb, Eb, F, and Chromatic scales.

Students then rehearsed Baby It's Cold Outside, Santa Baby, Charlie Brown Christmas, and The Grinch.

There are certain students who NEED to practice their parts.  We must not subject our audience to mistakes!

Reading 8/9

This morning students steady read for 35 minutes and then completed a comprehension journal entry.

We then worked through a crossword puzzle.

Socials 7

Students began class by reading through non-fiction books on ancient mesopotamia and modern day Iraq, Iran, and Afganistan.

Students then began watching the documentary "Fires of Kuwait".

Foods 11/12

Today students made templates for their gingerbread houses, which we will be making in parts within the next couple of weeks.

Language Arts 7

Students began by writing a journal entry based upon the MADD presentation that they watched first block this morning.

Many of our classmates were away at volleyball today.  As a result, we took some time to refresh our music literacy.  Students discussed treble and bass clef, as well as different rhythmic patterns (using ti-ti, tika-tika, and ta).  We went over the letter names of the lines in the treble clef and bass clef by using two acronyms (treble: every good boy deserves fudge, and bass: good boys deserve fudge always).

Students then took a tour of some instruments they might try out.

Socials 9

Today students watched the MADD presentation that was brought to the school by Ms Dimond.

Our class spent a bit of time after the presentation to debrief the sad reality that is impaired driving.  Students seem to have taken the message to heart.

After our discussion, students either researched their inquiry projects or took some down time to work on the class puzzle.

Senior Band

Today we played through concert Bb, Eb, F, and Chromatic scales.

Students had a productive rehearsal.  We worked The Grinch, Charlie Brown, and began Baby Its Cold Outside.  I expect everyone to have looked over Baby Its Cold Outside.

Have a great weekend!

Reading 8/9

Today students steady read while I assessed fluency individually.

English 8

Today students worked through the different meanings of two, to, and too.

We completed the following exercise on the white board:

Students were then invited to read their "Wanted" poems from last day.  Students were then asked to write a new "Wanted" poem in the character of a gangster.

Once students had completed this task, they were asked to answer the following question:

Once this was finished, students could hand it in for assessment.  Students finished early and were able to have some free time either working on the puzzle or completing any other unfinished work.

Socials 9

Today we began by reading an article on the French Revolution.  Students were asked to create a pictograph metaphor similar to the one below:

(I apologize for my pathetic attempt at drawing)

Students then watched the following Horrible Histories video:

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

Students then discussed methods for which to present data in their next inquiry project:

• poster
• essay
• slide show
• booklet
• scrapbook
• newspaper
• play
• artwork
• song 
• video

Students began their annotated bibliographies for this next project.

Language Arts 7

Today students began by writing a quiz on identifying there, their, and they're.

Students then were asked to read a story, from which we pulled spelling words for next week's spelling test.

We then read through our class-derived script of Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle.  We will work towards a performance of this play using shadow puppets.

Foods 11/12

Today we prepared our lunch for tomorrow's food safe course.

We made lasagna, caesar salad, and garlic bread!

Social Studies 7

Today we began the class with a video on Mesopotamia.

We then read through pages 66-68 in the textbook.  Students were split into small groups to generate definitions of the following terms:

• farming technology
• fertile crescent
• domesticate
• plain
• silt
• delta

These were written on sticky notes and posted on the door to Mesopotamia.

Students then discussed different means to represent their learning for their next inquiry project on Mesopotamia.  Students may show their work by choosing the following media:

• poster
• essay
• slide show
• booklet
• scrapbook
• newspaper
• play
• artwork
• song 
• video

We are still in the process of researching information.

Senior Band

Today we worked through concert Bb, Eb, F, C, and Chromatic scales.

We then worked on Charlie Brown, The Grinch, and Santa Baby.

Reading 8/9

Today students completed a comprehension web while listening to Guy Gavriel Kay's novel, Ysabel.

Students then told stories from their pasts.

English 8

Today students began with a journal write.

Students then completed their final draft gangster stories.

Finally, students worked on identifying there, their, and they're.

There will be a quiz on this content next class.

Language Arts 7

Today students began with a journal entry.

Students were then asked to differentiate between there, their, and they're.

Students will be quizzed on this skill next class.

Finally, students read through Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle in the form of reader's theatre.  We did not finish this class, but will do so next class.

Socials 9

Today students began by taking notes on the different regions of France.

Anyone absent should see me for the notes.  Students then completed a mapping activity of the different growing regions of France.  Using pages 57 and 58 of Crossroads, students were asked to look at varying areas and speculate as to the wealth of the seigneurs, middle class, and peasants.  Students were refreshed on farming techniques of the time:

We then looked together at the map in detail on page 58.  Students were asked to speculate as to why those living in more wealthy regions found more success than others.  This was to be handed in at the end of class.

Socials 7

Today Tami came in and we discussed ancient civilizations.  Students came up with a web of synonyms for the word "ancient."

Students then became palaeographers.  They worked through pictographs to retell stories.  Students then wrote their own stories using pictographs.

Some of these were shared and retold leading up to the end of class.

Foods 11/12

Today we made molasses cookies for Thursday's Food Safe training.

English 8

Today students finished their gang life rough drafts.  These will be edited by me and I will label spelling and grammar conventions mistakes.  Corrections are expected to be made by students.

Reading 8/9

Today students either read their steady reading books, or caught up on some homework.

Senior Band

Today we worked through Bb, Eb, F, C, and Chromatic scales.

We then rehearsed Charlie Brown's Christmas and Santa Baby.

Foods 11/12

Students completed their journal entries today.  When finished, we discussed a case study of an E Coli outbreak.  Students assessed potential causes of the outbreak, using skills learned from Food Safe.

Socials 7

Today was the last call for inquiry projects.  Any incomplete projects must be done for homework.

Students who had finished their inquiry projects were asked to begin research on a new topic from ancient Mesopotamia.  We will continue on in our investigations of this ancient civilization over the next month.

Socials 9

Students had one last class to complete their inquiry projects.  These will be due on Monday, November 25th.

Any students who had finished their inquiry projects were provided a new list of topics from which to choose for the next inquiry project.  These topics are based on events from the French Revolution.

Language Arts 7

Today students read the an Abenaki legend called Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle.

We then turned the first paragraph into a script.  Students were then asked to begin creating scripts using small sections of the story.  We will continue to complete these scripts next class.

English 8

Today we began with a journal entry.

Students then read silently the story below:

http://teenink.com/nonfiction/all/article/8100/Gang-Life/

While reading, students were asked to consider the following questions:

After some class discussion, we came up with the following responses:

Students then began writing a story in the first person point of view and in past tense about their life in a gang.  Of course, this story is meant to be make-believe!

Senior Band

Today we worked through scales Bb, Eb, F, C, and the Chromatic Scale.

We also played through The Grinch, Santa Baby, and Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Reading 8/9

This morning students began with steady reading for forty minutes.

Students then completed a mind map while I read Ysabel aloud.

Finally, students worked on a crossword puzzle.

Socials 7

Today students worked to complete their inquiry projects.

We began with a short lesson on preparing a concluding paragraph:

Students will only have one more class to complete their project before editing begins.

Foods 11/12

Today students completed their final Head Chef Challenge.

Language Arts 7

Today students continued writing their moral stories.  Once these were finished, we moved onto the next task.

Students were introduced to Aesop's Fables, one of which they were already very familiar with, but just didn't realize how old the fable is.  We read The Tortoise and the Hare aloud.

http://childhoodreading.com/?p=3

Next, in pairs, students were given three short fables to read and conclude upon the moral.  Students were mixed in their abilities to figure out the morals.

Finally, students were asked to share their moral stories aloud.

Socials 9

Today we went over briefly what is expected in the second and third paragraphs of the inquiry projects.

Students were then informed in more detail what might be appropriate for a concluding paragraph:

Students then had the remainder of the class to complete their inquiry project essays.  These will be due next class.

Language Arts 7

Students began by finishing their skits from last day.

Students then generated a list of morals that they knew, as well as recalling some from last day.

Students then wrote a short story based on their chosen moral.

Socials 9

Students worked on their inquiry projects.

Students then looked at a map of Europe and tried to name the many countries in the continent.

Students then were read a passage of the life of Madame Tussaud.

Socials 7

Students worked on their inquiry projects.

Students then refreshed themselves on world continents.

Foods 11/12

Today students completed their journal entries for the last class's head chef challenge.

Students then worked on cleaning procedures, Unit 6 of the Food Safe Program.

Reading 8/9

Today students created a mind map while I read aloud from the novel, Ysabel.

Students then had steady reading and completed a journal entry.

To finish, students did a crossword puzzle.

Senior Band

Band Camp this weekend!!

Make sure that you have all of your overnight belongings at school tomorrow.  The bus will leave here at about 3:30pm.

Fun!!

English 8

Today students began with a journal entry.

Students were then asked to make comparisons using the following to tables on youth gang violence from the following website:

http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/gngs-cnd/index-eng.aspx#t1

Students then wrote two comparative sentences using the data.

Students then read A Tribute to Innocence Lost, the true story of Rachel Davis and Richard Hui, which can be found on the following website:

http://vancouver.ca/police/media/2010/report-gang_report.pdf

Finally, after much group and class discussion, students answered the following questions, to be handed in for assessment.

Foods 11/12

Today was Head Chef Challenge #3!

Language Arts 7

Students began class with a journal entry.

We then read Salmon Boy, a Sechelt legend.  Students were asked to make predictions throughout, as well as  wonder about the moral.

After group discussion, students wrote out the moral in their own words.

Finally, students were asked to create skits that would relay the same moral.  We will perform these next day.

Socails 9

Today students worked on writing topic paragraphs for their inquiry projects:

This is a fail-proof way to ensure a strong introductory paragraph.

Students worked on their paragraphs and inquiry projects for the remainder of the class.

Socials 7

Today students worked on writing topic paragraphs for their inquiry projects:

This is a fail-proof way to ensure a strong introductory paragraph.

Students worked on their paragraphs and inquiry projects for the remainder of the class.

English 8

Today students began by taking notes on some elements of fiction:

We then read the short story, "On The Sidewalk Bleeding" by Evan Hunter.

Students were able to make many comparisons between this short story and The Outsiders.

Senior Band

Today students performed in our school Remembrance Day Ceremony.  The band was terrific and I was complimented numerous times on how well the group sounded.

Wendy, your Last Post and Rouse were fabulous.

Thanks for your had work!!

Please don't forget to be at the Legion for 10:15am on Monday!

Reading 8/9

Today we spent the better portion of the class playing Scattergories.  Students made the most of their vocabularies.

English 8

Today students had their unit test for The Outsiders.

When finished, they completed a word search and crossword puzzle.

At the end of class we played Scattergories.

Reading 8/9

Today students had steady reading for the first 45 minutes of class.  During this time, I interviewed each student, asking them for character, setting and plot information.

We then finished by playing Scattergories.

Senior Band

Just a reminder to everyone to wear a white top and black bottoms tomorrow for the Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Foods 11/12

Students were asked to complete a journal entry from last day's head chef challenge.

Once complete, students worked from unit 5 of the Food Safe books to create a skit outlining appropriate and inappropriate serving behaviours.

We then had a class discussion about the skits and the content of the unit.

Socials 7

Today students began with their Unit 1 test.

Once finished, students again took to their inquiry projects.

Socials 9

Students had their British Civil War tests today.

When finished, students were invited to work on their British Civil War inquiry projects.  Bibliographies that had been handed in were looked at by me and I was able to suggest places of further research.

Language Arts 7

Today students were assessed for reading fluency.  This was done throughout the day.

Students were handed back their edited drafts from last day and asked to write a good copy using the laptops.  Students were reminded that they needed to write in the first person and in present tense.

When students finished this task, they were able to work on their inquiry projects.

English 8

Students began class by reading a passage that we would later used to individually assess students for reading accuracy.  Students had the opportunity to check in and question any unfamiliar words.

Students were then asked to complete a final draft of their perspective paragraphs.  While students were typing these, I called individual students to read, checking for accuracy.

Finally, students completed a journal entry.

REMINDER!!

Students have The Outsiders final test on Thursday.

Senior Band

Students rehearsed songs to be performed at the Remembrance Day Ceremony.

Please remember to wear white tops and black bottoms.

Reading 8/9

Today we began a new novel called Ysabel for read aloud.

Students were then individually assessed for fluency.

Socials 7

Today we went over our test review packages.

Then, students completed a practice test in preparation for Wednesday's Unit 1 Test.

Students can pick up their practice tests from me tomorrow so that they may use them to study.

Finally, students began their topic proposals for their individual research projects.

Happy Studying!!

Foods 11/12

Students performed their head chef challenges today.  This time it was group two's turn.

Congratulations on another successful head chef!

Please make sure to get your journal entries into me.

Language Arts 7

Students began by writing a 15 minute journal entry.

Students were then able to read any unfinished poems from last class.

Students had the opportunity to practice their writing skills further by creating a running thought sequence of a fight scene using either Cole or Peter's perspective from Touching Spirit Bear.

First students generated a list of emotions that both characters may have felt.

Next, the class came up with two topic sentences: one for Peter and one for Cole.

Students were then asked to choose one of the characters to write a paragraph using first person, present tense.  Students were asked to imagine themselves in character during the fight and to provide a running record of the thoughts of the character.

Socials 9

Today students went over their study guides for this Wednesday's test on the British Civil War.

We created a story plot outlining the main points of the history:

Students were then asked to work on their inquiry projects.  Both the annotated bibliography and the topic proposal were due in at the end of class.

British Civil War Test on Wednesday, November 6th 2013!!

Social Studies 9

Today students were provided with a study guide for the British Civil War.  We will have our test on Wednesday, November 6th.

Students will continue on with their inquiry projects.

Foods 11/12

Today students continued with their head chef challenges by completing a journal entry.  We then looked at unit two of the BC Food Safe Program.

Students will have their next head chef challenge on Monday, November 4th.

Good Luck Everyone!

Reading 8/9

Today students began by steady reading, while I pulled students to assess for accuracy.

Students then had some free choice reading at the end of class.

Senior Band

Students played through all of their repertoire today!!

It was a productive class.

Band Camp is coming up this November 15th & 16th.  We are going to have a great time!!

Happy Halloween.  Have fun, but be safe!

English 8

This morning we had a writing session.  The task was to create a dialogue in the first person, using present tense, of either Dally or Johnny, minutes prior to their deaths.

Students brainstormed emotions felt by both Johnny and Dally just prior to their deaths.

 Next, students discussed and then collaborated to create a topic sentence for each of the characters to begin the paragraph.

Students could begin their writing with either this or their own topic sentence.  The paragraph was expected to be between 150-200 words.

When complete, students were given a quotation task to be completed in partners.  They were asked to figure out who the speaker was and why that quotation was significant.

Socials 9

Students continued today with their annotated bibliographies.

We will hold interviews next class to assess student productivity and achievement with these inquiry projects.

Language Arts 7

Today students chose a character from Touching Spirit Bear about which to write a poem.

We generated information about a character as a class to model this process.  Here we chose Edwin.

Students then generated information about a character of their choice and wrote a poem.  We began sharing the poems with each other, but did not have time to read them all.  We will continue reading these poems on Monday.

Foods 11/12

Today students completed their first head chef challenge.

All groups were successful and some delicious creations were sampled.

Social Studies 7

Today students began class by brainstorming topics of inquiry.  Anything of interest to students is fair game for this short project.

Students were then asked to complete a unit terms sheet in partners.

 Finally, we went over the definitions as a class and students used the remaining time to ponder more about their inquiry questions.

Senior Band

Students played through a few pieces that we will be performing this coming Remembrance Day.

Reading 8/9

Today students were asked to complete a short story comprehension exercise in class.

When complete, students could free read.

English 8

Today students began with a journal entry.

We then discussed the elements of a story and plotted them on our story plot diagram.

Students were then provided a study guide to look over and complete.  We will be having The Outsiders test next week.