January 23rd

Academic Notes:

Humanities Div 4: You began to write a paragraph describing your character in the Game of Fief.

Math Div 4: You were given time to review for the test tomorrow.
Tomorrow's test will have:
1. 2 number lines to test whether you can value fractions
2. A set of subtraction and addition questions to see whether you can:find common denominators, carry out a subtraction or addition operation with fractions to find the best answer, the answer in simplest terms.
3. A question that requires you to model multiplying whole numbers by fractions.
4. A question that requires you to model multiplying fractions by fractions.
5. A set of multiplication questions involving fractions.
(I am in tomorrow morning, if you still need clarification on these questions after going over them in class)

Social Studies Div 3:
You read and highlighted key information in a written, secondary source text on the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings. The Battle of Hastings, its importance and consequence is the subject of a test next Monday.

English Div 5:
You addressed your letter to your Grade 12 self. The sealed letters should be put in the in bin by Friday. You brainstormed for adjectives and descriptive phrases to develop your Game of Fief character. Those sheets were collected at the end of class. If you missed class because of illness, take a page and list out words and phrases that describe your character. The reader should have a good picture of what your character looks like based on that list.

Todays word is a name...

This week, January 23rd to 27th

If this is you, see me for help!

Notes:

Friday - Students still can sign up for the YES2IT trades expo at EMCS. There are limited seats so it is a first come, first serve situation. Mr Bedard handed out blue permission forms last week. Students who stay back at school will be combining with other classes for a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) theme day.

Academic Notes:

Math: There is a Mid Unit Exam on Fractions and Multiplying Fractions this Tuesday. I have encouraged students with phones to add the Khan Academy app to them for math practice. It is free and very helpful.

English: We will be doing in class assignments around our new unit focusing on historical fiction. I am going to be targeting the 6 traits of good writing during this unit. I am also hoping to develop students' in class productivity.

Social Studies: We will be reviewing Turning Points in History-The Battle of Hastings and there will be a quiz on that subject this Wednesday. We will be reviewing mapping skills this week.

January 19th

Look who is famous now....

January 18th

Important Dates:

Math Mid Unit Fractions Test on January 24th (This is a major mark, so studying and practice is advised; I am here to help, if you need it)

Academic Notes:

English: Novel Projects and Notes were collected/students were asked to hand them into the submission bins.

Social Studies: We reviewed some key points about the Battle of Hastings and what constitutes a "Turning Point in History".

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ,Judith Guichon visited between recess and lunch...The Honourable Judith Guichon was sworn-in as the 29th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia on November 2, 2012. Prior to this appointment she owned and operated Gerard Guichon Ranch Limited in the Nicola Valley in the British Columbia Interior. (She is pictured far left in the photo below).

Today's word is: "famous"

January 16th

Academic Notes:

S.S. Div 4: You had a work block to finish your role card which should be done by tomorrow and handed into the submission bins.

Math: We practiced multiplying whole numbers by fractions. You started to take notes on how to multiply fractions by fractions.

S.S. Div 3: You had a short work block to finish your role card which should be done by Wednesday. You started taking Cornell Notes on The Battle of Hastings, A Turning Point in History.

English Div 5: You had your second to last block for the Independent Novel Study (Notes and Project) which is due on Wednesday this week.


Today's word is: pivotal

This week, January 16th to 20th

It is flu season and many students are missing school. I will offer extensions on due dates for students who miss school; however, those assignments need to be eventually submitted so that I can make an assessment of student performance. Without those assignments, I can just assign an I or incomplete for the term grade. 

Mrs Abell and I are available at any time upon request, but both of us have set tutorial times as well to help students catch up on missed lessons and work. This is particularly important in Math where at this point in the school year I am introducing a new topic every week; it is very easy to fall behind.

So here is a glimpse of this week's topics. Please check the blogs for day to day changes/summaries:

Math: We will review multiplying whole numbers by fractions. We will learn how to visualize multiplying fractions by fractions and we will practice multiplying fractions. There will be a Fractions Multiplication Mid Unit Test next Tuesday, January 24th.

English: The independent novel study is due on January 18th. Two blocks of class time will be provided to work on it so students should come prepared. I will give them a set of grammar exercises, if they are not, so that they are not wasting their time. This is a major term assignment, so if students do not submit for deadline I will be notifying parents. I have also been taking notes on how well students utilize class time for parents' information. Our writing assignments for the next month will be linked to our Social Studies unit. The organization and mechanics will be credited to English and the ideas/content will be credited to Social Studies. 

Social Studies: We continue to learn about feudalism and the life of people during the Medieval Period in England (1095 AE) by assuming roles within that hierarchy. Unlike our wonderful system today, there was no social mobility; you were stuck in the life you were born into and many students are not liking that reality. Game Cards will be due on Tuesday January 17th (class time will be provided for completion)

Here is to a great week.
Today's word is: INFLUENZA!

January 11th

Academic Notes:

English Div 4: You had a work block for your project in the Library.

English Div 5: You had two work blocks, one in the computer lab and one in class. We also reviewed basic sentence structure, capitalization and punctuation for a general review of sentence composition and building sentence fluency.

Math Div 4: You finished your math test and worked on your game card when you were done. The Social Studies test was moved to tomorrow. Here is the link. I recommend that you view the film.

Social Studies Div 3: You did your test on Feudalism. You worked on your game card when you were done.

Today's word is: hierarchy

We can pretend to be on horseback...