January 10th

Academic Notes:

Math: You wrote the math review quiz on adding and subtracting fractions. I will be giving you 30 minutes tomorrow to check your work and finish the quiz. We are multiplying whole numbers and fractions this week. Here is the link to your notes and lesson for review.

English Div 5: You were given back your articles for your portfolios. You were also given a short grammar review before you were given a 30 minute work block. You worked really well today.

Social Studies Div 4: You were given your game cards to research and complete. These have to be historically accurate. We discussed what that should look like. A reminder that you have a test on feudalism tomorrow. You were told exactly what was on the test in class.

Computers Div 4: You were given a work block to use for Social Studies research or English work.


Today's word is: bungle

This week, January 10th to FRIDAY THE 13th

This week....

Math: We will be finishing our fraction review work and begin on grade 8 content, multiplying and dividing fractions. There is a test tomorrow on adding and subtracting fractions. Math fact review will be also on our agenda.

English: We will be using class time to work on independent novel projects. Also, we will doing some grammar work around word choice.

Social Studies: We will be creating game cards for our Medieval role play, "The Game of Fief". Students have been assigned roles to develop historical perspective and an understanding of feudalism. There is a test on the basic concept of feudalism on Wednesday. The students have been shown the course link to study and were told exactly what questions were going to be on the test. So, really this is a test of focus and listening as much as it is a test on feudalism.

January 6th

Calendar Notes:

Monday is a "Curriculum Day" so there is NO SCHOOL; I will be at school learning about how to deliver the Ministry of Education's new curriculum.

Exploratory Forms went home on Friday. First come, first serve on Tuesday, so get those forms back ASAP.

Academic Notes:

English: Independent Novel Study Projects are due on January 18th and you will be getting class time to work on that. I will be collecting the notes on story elements on the same date for marking.

Social Studies: You were given your feudal role in our "Game of Fief". Historical perspective helps us to understand the past, but it is also an intellectual exercise that builds up creative and critical thinking skills. You have a quiz on Feudalism on Wednesday.

Math: You have a quiz on adding and subtracting fractions on Tuesday.

January 5th

Academic Notes:

Social Studies Div 4: You were introduced to the concept of Feudalism. You took notes on this page including the video. You have a test on Wednesday next week. I told you what was on it.

Math Div. 4. You reviewed how to subtract two numbers with unlike denominators. You should review this page for the test next Tuesday. It will target putting fractions on a number line, converting fractions from improper fractions to mixed numbers and visa versa, finding the lowest common multiple, and adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators.

Honour and Effort Roll Call in the Gym. Honour Roll = at least 3 A's in the core academic subjects and nothing less than a B (nothing less than a C+ in the other, elective subjects). Effort Roll = at least 6 G's and no N's

January 4th

Academic Notes:
(please note the divisions; I teach three different divisions)

English Div 4 and 5: You were assigned your novel project; we reviewed this criteria sheet and I took questions. Div 5 was given a work block and most of you took advantage. Those who didn't, it is being noted, and if you do not produce for the January 18th deadline, it will be reported.

Math Div 4: We reviewed adding fractions, finding common denominators and simplifying fractions. You should review the math page on this topic, if you are still developing the skill.

Social Studies Div 3: We reviewed the concept of feudalism to prepare for our Game of Fief or feudal role play. You will have a quiz on this concept next Wednesday.

Today's word is: literary

January 3rd

Academic Notes:

Math Div 4: We reviewed how to calculate the lowest common multiple of a pair or set of numbers as well as the lowest common denominator. You were shown two practice sites for practice and you were given 5 questions in class. Here is the link to our lesson for absentees and for review.

English Div 4 and 5: You were given this assignment, a letter to your Grade 12 Self. You will be putting the letters into envelopes tomorrow that will be sealed until 2021 when they will be mailed to you.

Social Studies Div 4: You finished your religions comparison page and you submitted your religion research page. Some of you didn't bring binders to school, so you were given until tomorrow to hand that research page in for marks.

Today's word is: denominator

This first week of 2017, January 3rd to 6th

This week will be an adjustment back into routines for all of us. Second term is upon us and one of our primary goals is to increase your independence in preparation for High School. 

A reminder that both Ms Abell and I summarize our lessons and assignments on our blogs for your parent's interest, but that we consider it our students' responsibility to check in to review the day's activities and to make sure that they are keeping current. Deadline management is a critical skill for success both in and outside of school.

Here is what we will be doing in my courses this week (check out Ms Abell's blog for what is happening in French and Science) :

English: Many of you had finished their novels before the break and others were still reading their books. The novels and the notes on literary elements should be completed by January 4th. Students will be given time in class to propose and create a project based on a literary element featured in their novel. We will also be doing some basic grammar review based on problem areas that I have observed in recent submissions.

Social Studies: We will be launching our experience based unit on Feudalism called "The Game of Fief".

Math: Fractions, fractions and more fractions. We will be adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers.

Today's word is resolution...