Nov. 28th

Tomorrow we will be wearing mustache's for MOvember. Bring your change for Diabetes!

Report cards go home tomorrow and most of you won't have to disguise yourselves with mustaches, but can hold your head up high; you did an amazing job. Those of you who didn't perform as well as you hoped, set the goal to do better next term. I have, on many occasion, seen a C- first term turn to an A the next. You are the driver in this, your parents and I are just giving you the gas and putting up directions for you to follow. It is up to you to get that pedal to the metal!;-) Vroom, vroom.

Today's word is: MOvember

TBH Div 1

This week's TBH is Hayden H.




Hayden TBH by graniabridal on GoAnimate

TBH Div 2

And this week's TBH is... Nick M.


Nick M. TBH by graniabridal on GoAnimate

November 27th

Don't forget your change for Diabetes.

Also, start getting your mustaches ready for Friday. Fiesta Friday this Friday in honour of some of the best mustaches ever grown. The man pictured below is Emiliano Zapata, a famous Mexican Revolutionary and mustache grower. Be inspired.

Todays word is a name: Zapata.

Nov. 26th

We will win that pizza party. Bring in your change for Diabetes tomorrow.

The word for today is: VICTORY!

November 25th

Bring in your change for Diabetes research tomorrow. I am bringing mine again. You know me, I like a good competition. The class who raises the most money will be honoured with a pizza party. We like pizza, don't we? Actually, being grade 8s any food is terrific. Food glorious food.

Don't forget to finish your division questions for Math and your research for Social Studies. Don't know what I am talking about? Refresh your memory by visiting the course links.

Today's word: insulin.

This week November 25th to 29th

Back to a five day school week next week which is good because we are now into our second term.

In Social Studies, you will finish researching your Fiefdom role so that you can complete the first of a few journal entries. This entry deals with daily life.

In Science, we will continue to look at Bacteria and the rise of the Super Bug.

In Math, we will look at dividing integers and then move to using the order of operations with integers.

A handful of you have not handed in your camp permission form. Currently we have enough students with permission to make this a done deal...in other words...we are going to camp!!!!! Hooray.

Today's word is: Bug.

Nov. 20th

I have decided that there will be no TBH this short week...but I want to TBH both my divisions.

TBH Division 1 and 2. I am really enjoying teaching you because you are such an energetic, joyful group of kids. I can come into school with no energy and being with you is like drinking the best cup of coffee; you wake me up and make me stoked to be there. You are all awesome kids and your parents must be very proud of the young adults you are growing into.

Tomorrow is an early dismissal at 11:30. Buses will arrive early. Our conferences start at 1:00 pm and run until 8:00 pm. Many of your parents are booked to see us. If your parent was unable to meet up with us and want to, please encourage them to email to book an appointment.

For those of you who live far, far away and who will be missing tomorrow, review the Wiki work...in particular Math.

Nov. 19th

Short post today. We are all booked for parent teachers. Please tell your parents to email to book a telephone interview or an interview after school at a later date, if they would like to connect about your progress.

Today's word is: meet

Nov. 18th

So all the Fiefdoms are established. You should know your social role in your Fiefdom and you should have selected a name from the Middle Ages for your character. Tomorrow we will map your Fiefdoms and continue working on their flags.

In Science we are looking at Bacteria. Yuck and wonderful, these are our most ancient citizens.

In Math we are multiplying integers and you have been assigned daily, 15 minute practice at home to become fluent at those. The site to access is www.multiplication.com . It has video game-style review intended at increasing your answer speed. Many of you are too slow for grade 8. Let's make like the Sedins and practice those over and over...hopefully you will have more success at scoring.

Looking forward to meeting your parents and guardians on Thursday!

Your word today is: "Interview"

This Week November 18th to 21st

It is a new day and a new dawn...starting tomorrow you can put those resolutions to do better in Term 2 to work.

Please tell your parents that interviews are this coming Thursday afternoon and evening. Sign up is done electronically. This is the link that explains how to go through the sign up. This being said, if your parents want, they can call Journey's receptionist to book appointment with a human touch. Also note that Mrs. Barnes, Mr. MacRae and I share conference appointments. If your family is unable to make this Thursday, we can schedule a phone conference or an after school meeting. Just get them to email me or have them phone the school, and I can set it up.

Friday is a Pro D day. I go to school and you stay home.

We have 3 and a half intensive days ahead of us.

Today's word is: "Bacteria"

TBH Div 1

Dawson TBH Div 1 by graniabridal on GoAnimate

TBH Div 2

Elizabeth Div 2 by graniabridal on GoAnimate

Nov 14th

Tomorrow is the Term 1 Deadline as reported in class. The office wants my reports in for the Term by Monday 8 am....I am bound by my work deadlines....and so should you...training for life.

There will be tutorial time tomorrow. I will be taking the Math I.N. home and will be marking late submission assignments over the weekend and updating your mark accordingly.

Now is the time to set goals for Term 2. Many of you have been told what I think your potential is and now it is up to you to work to it.

Today's word is: Potential.

Nov. 13th

Tomorrow we have an important, Mount Olympus Grade 8 class meeting. The topic is "Building Community" and revisiting our "Bottom Lines" for behaviour.

We also will have the Youth Choir visiting tomorrow for a performance. You are to be on your usual, best behaviour. Let us not forget exploratories too. Come prepared for those.

Camp notices are slowly trickling in...there is a copy on the parents' link. Just click November to download the notice.

Friday is my cut-off for Term 1 marks. My room is open at Lunch and after school, if need be.

Today's word is: "Sing"

Nov. 12th

I will be back tomorrow. Keep bringing those permission forms in so that we can register numbers. Remember, no money is necessary until the Spring. We just want to get an idea of how many cabin circles to rent, etc...

Many of you owe me the Comparing Religions paragraph BTW as well as the notes: "Meet the Barbarians". This is my last week to tabulate marks. No marks = Incomplete and lots of catch up. If you need to, the room is open at lunch, computers and tutorial help is available at that time. You have to use it though. 

The word today is: Marks

This week, November 12th to 15th

This is a short week, but we have a lot to do.

Mr. MacRae will be teaching you tomorrow and I expect the welcome mat to be rolled out ;-).

In Science, we will be completing our diffusion and osmosis experiments. I will be assessing your understanding of these important concepts.
In Social Studies, we will be continuing to look at feudalism and you will be given your role cards for Fief.
In Math, we will review adding and subtracting integers and begin to look at multiplying integers.

Please remember to have your Camp permission slips signed so that we can get a read on our numbers.
There is an electronic version of the permission form on my parents' links page. Just click on that to download a printer ready version.

Have a great week, grade 8s.

Today's phrase is: "Mr MacRae, you are awesome"

Div 1 TBH

TBH Ella by graniabridal on GoAnimate

TBH Div 2

TBH Nick S by graniabridal on GoAnimate

Nov 7th

Remember, Pythagoras Re-Test tomorrow for those who need/want to boost marks. Review the wiki entries, Mrs Stewart's tutorial and your past tests to practice.

Those of you who scored a perfect score or received an A will have an alternative activity to do while the others write their tests.

The Remembrance Day ceremony is tomorrow. It is respectful to wear black and a poppy, if you have one.

Today's phrase is: "Lest we forget"

Nov 6th

Just finished marking your cell projects and I agree with many teachers who have seen them, they are amazing! Many of them could go in Science museums. I will be taking pictures and putting them up on this site for your parents and guardians to enjoy.

Remember to get your Camp notice filled out by your parents.

Term 1 ends in 3 weeks, many of you are bumping up your game and I am really happy to see that.

The word today is: "Camp"

Nov 5th

Sorry to have missed my first post. The word for today is not a word but a "oops".

Nov. 4th

I am going to be sending out a field trip notice for the year-end camp. Please take it home to get it filled out by your parents. I will attach a copy to the parents' links so that if it gets misplaced, you can get it filled out all the same.

I have started marking the math tests. Many of you will be happy with your results, some will wish they had reviewed. Gone are the days of learning by Osmosis; regular review and practice will pay off in good results, invest in it.

Today's phrase is: "Study + Practice = Great Results"

This Week Nov 4 to 8th

You have a Unit Final in Math tomorrow. You should be reviewing wiki entries, your homework and your previous tests to prepare.

This week in Science we will do an Osmosis Lab. In Social Studies, we will be writing a comparative paragraph on the three principle religions in Europe during the Early Middle Ages. We will also begin looking at the Feudal system and you will be given characters to play from Medieval society. In Math, we begin a unit on Integers (Negative and Positive Numbers).

Looks like the storm cleaned away all the clouds, get out and enjoy that sun. It is back to work tomorrow.

The word for tomorrow is: "windy".

Div 1 TBH

Jo H. by graniabridal on GoAnimate

Div 2 TBH

Julia by graniabridal on GoAnimate