Thursday and Friday, February 2nd and 3rd

English Div 4 and 5: We read The Midwife's Apprentice. The question you were focusing on while reading was "how does the author use good word choices and sentence structure to enhance her writing?" This so that you can do the same with your writing.

S.S. Div 4: You went through a mapping review. The focus was mapping concepts like scale, mapping projections, direction, bias in mapping and grid systems. The lessons can be found under S.S. Unit 4, if you were missing.

Math Div 4: We continued to explore how to represent dividing fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by fractions visually. Many of you began to see the algorithm. On Friday, we took notes on that algorithm. Next week will be dedicated to division practice followed by an overall unit review.

There is no homework for the weekend, but I recommend a general review of math concepts for the final fractions exam which is on Wednesday, February 15th (Topics covered so far include: comparing fractions using a number line, modelling and carrying out operations with fractions, adding and subtracting fractions, multiplying whole numbers and fractions, fractions and fractions, dividing whole numbers and fractions, fractions and whole numbers. Future topics include: dividing fractions by fractions, multiplying and dividing mixed numbers, order of operations with fractions and word problems with fractions).

February 1st

Academic Notes:

English Div 4: You wrote the beginning of a paragraph describing a dragon with particular attention paid to adjectives and strings of adjectives to improve word choice. No H.W. in class only.

English Div 5: You read the first chapter of a historical novel set in Medieval times, The Midwife's Apprentice. The novel is intended as a study of the genre. However, we will be looking at how the author employs the six traits of good writing.
You were given 30 minutes to write a paragraph describing a dragon with particular attention paid to adjectives and strings of adjectives to improve word choice. No H.W. in class only.

Math Div 4: We finished the lessons on dividing fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by fractions. We will do a practice set in class tomorrow to develop that skill. Again, I recommend downloading Khan Academy's free app for further practice or explore their site online which is also free. If you do not have internet, I have a low tech option for further practice. The Math Unit Exam is on February 15th. We have a lot to cover before that date.

S.S. Div 3: We did a cartography review specifically scale and grid systems. You can find the lesson on the S.S. wiki under Unit 4.

Today's word is ...dragon

January 31

Actually, the Husky is correct, there is no homework tonight. However, if you missed school, that is another thing. It is your job to catch up.

Academic Notes:
Career Div 4 and 5: You answered questions that you recorded in class on youth employment in B.C.

English Div 4 and 5: You completed and submitted your rough, descriptive paragraphs in - class assignment. Some of you have arranged for another in class block to get the paragraph done.

S.S. Div 4: You wrote a quiz on The Battle of Hastings. The questions were on the blog and 4 of you discovered that fact and so were uber prepared for this exercise.

Math Div 4: You took notes on how to visualize dividing whole numbers by fractions and fractions by whole numbers.

Today's word is: in class productivity

January 30th

My condolences go out to the families of those men who were killed while at prayer in their mosque in Quebec yesterday. It is a national tragedy.

Academic Notes:

English Div 4 and 5: You took notes on adjectives and word order. We practiced writing sentences with a string of descriptive adjectives and we reviewed the necessary punctuation. This was so that when you look over the rough draft of your paragraphs you make edits around word choice that improve your writing.

GUEST SPEAKER: Elder from Saanich.

Social Studies Div 3: You wrote the Social Studies test on the Battle of Hastings. You will get your results on Wednesday.

Div 4 students write this test tomorrow. For the record, you were told about this test one week ago.

Today's word is: study

January 30th to February 3rd

Happy Lunar New Year!

February already!
Tuesday we are heading to Poirier to continue to make those connections with younger members of our community.


Just a reminder that this Thursday will be the second Exploratory session. I am teaching the Yearbook Exploratory. Any questions regarding the other Exploratories should be directed to the host teacher.


Academic Notes:


Math: We continue to learn about dividing positive fractions (some students are working with negative and positive fractions). By the end of this week, students will know how to visualize and divide whole numbers by fractions, fractions by whole numbers and fractions by fractions. Students will create a "how to" poster that outlines the steps involved in adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions; they can use this as a reference in the unit final which will be on the 16th of February. Multi step operations are challenging but they are the new norm for students heading into high school.


Social Studies: Students have a test on the Battle of Hastings this Tuesday. The questions are: Why is the Battle of Hastings considered a "turning point in history"? Why did the Normans win the Battle of Hastings? Is the Bayeux Tapestry a reliable piece of historical evidence? Why or why not? From the perspective of your medieval role, how do you feel about this conflict?. This week the spotlight will be on the peasantry as we continue to investigate the feudal system.


English: Students will finish the rough draft of their medieval character description and peer edit/proofread it before submitting it for marks. The focus of the mark is: "What changes are you making to your word choice, sentence structure and mechanics? Do these changes improve your writing?" The key lesson is: rough drafts should be a mess of improvements. I will be returning those drafts next week to be "published" typed. In the interim we will be reading and analyzing some historical fiction.

Today's word is February.

January 25th

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(An excellent book that I just finished that falls under Historical Fiction)

Academic Notes:

Div 4 Library: We went to the Library for a Book Talk on Historical Fiction. You were encouraged to take out a Historical Fiction novel, but you were allowed to take out another genre, if that did not appeal to you. All students are required to have a book to read for Literacy. I will be taking a list tomorrow.

Div 5 English: You were given proofreading notations to use when you peer edit your Historical Fiction Paragraphs. You wrote, proofread and edited your rough draft. This is an in class assignment.

Div 4 Math: We began dividing with fractions today looking at dividing whole numbers by fractions. Again, it is clear that some of you do not have fluency with your basic multiplication facts (the inverse operation of division). By Grade 8, it is your responsibility to dial up those skills at home. I recommend www.multiplication.com for practice.

Div 3 Social Studies: Feudal symbolism and time to complete your feudal game cards.

Today's word is...perspective (as in historical)

January 24th

Academic Notes:

Social Studies: Annotating text or reading for information. You read a piece on the Bayeux Tapestry and the Norman Invasion. You highlighted key information and you looked for differences between the information that you viewed in the BBC clip and the written text. You have a test on the Battle of Hastings, A Turning Point in History, this coming Tuesday. Questions will be posted on the blog on the weekend.

English Div 4 and 5: You reviewed and took notes on the characteristics of Historical Fiction. Then, you were given 20 minutes to begin drafting a paragraph that describes your character in the Game of Fief.

Math TEST Div 4: You took the Mid Unit Math Test which was designed to flush out where you are having difficulties with fractions, if you are having difficulties. Then, we will continue on to learn how to divide fractions.

Today's word is improper.