This week, March 31st to April 4th

Please welcome Mr. Whyte for the week. As you know, I will be away recovering from a very minor surgery.
Exploratory options come out this week. Remember first come, first serve so get those forms back fast if you are particular about your choice. Mr Horner's and my exploratory is the best by the way...

I will miss you, but I am resting easy knowing that Mr Whyte is there with you and that you will get some relief from seeing my ugly mug day in and day out. ;-)

Div 1 TBH

Compliment Duncan because he is awesome.

TBH Div 2

Compliment Madeline W. for an entry and ... because she deserves it.

March 27th

Tomorrow we go to Camosun. Please bring in those permission forms. If you have lost yours, please have your parent or guardian write a note allowing you to leave campus. It is a great opportunity.

Important academic notes:

S.S.: Plague Poster due on Monday
Science: Eye Test on Monday, Div 2, and Tuesday, Div 1 (the eye's anatomy and how it functions). Hint: the test is exactly what you have done on the eye thus far.
Math: Review Percent (pg 163 1-9 for review)

What do you want to be when you grow up? Write a post for an entry to this week's draw.

March 26th

(Now that is a weird optical illusion)

 

Last day to bring in those permission forms. Stick them in your bags as you head out tomorrow. Yes, I am late with this post.

The word, therefore, is: "Tsk tsk", which isn't a word at all, but a commonly used sound effect when somebody forgets something. :-)

March 25th

Bring those permission forms in tomorrow. We head off to Camosun on Friday, but only if your parent or guardian permits. It is a good opportunity to see into your possible future........

For an entry, provide a link to your favourite optical illusion in the comments box. The one above is giving me a  headache!

There will be a human eye and sight test on Monday.

March 24th

Tomorrow, as it is Spring, our counselor has scheduled a sexual health talk for both divisions. We will be hosting a guest speaker so I want us to be on our best behaviour for this important discussion.

Div 1, notices will be going home tomorrow for Friday's field trip to Camosun College. Div 2's were sent home today. Please bring those back as soon as possible.

Today's phrase is: "The Talk!"

This Week, March 24th to 28th --It is Spring at Journey!

Hope that you took full advantage of your week off and spent a lot of time outside and with family.

Academic Notes:

Math - we will review percent and solving problems involving percent-- this will include calculating sales tax
Social Studies - we will continue to look at the Black Plague and its impact on Medieval Society...and we will predict how such an outbreak would impact Sooke based on what we know happened in history.
Science - we will explore some optical illusions to find out more about how the eye sees and how the brain interprets or misinterprets what is seen.
Thursday PM - Let's create our own optical illusions for the halls of Mount Olympus.

Calendar:

This Friday, March 28th, we will be going to Camosun College for a tour of their facilities and programs. Some of you might think that this is a long way off, but it is just four short years away and you can already start lining up your studies in High School to mesh with those in college.

Today's word is: SPRING!

Happy Spring Break

I hope that you are spending your Spring Break adventuring. If you can't get away, we live in a beautiful place.


I was out of internet range on my adventrues for the last few days so my apologies for this belated congratulations:

Congratulations to Andrew Rodd who memorized to 1016 places of Pi. He is proof that hard work pays off. Andrew has been training since December. We call that grit and people who have it will meet with success in life. Hope you enjoyed your pie, Andrew. ;-)

March 13th

Pi Day tomorrow. Who will be our next record holder? I am taking photos and sending it in to the News Mirror. I couldn't find Boston Cream Pie, but I did find something equally full of chocolate.

No TBH tomorrow, but I will be doing 4 draws in its place. Students with no incomplete work in the third term thus far will be getting an entry tomorrow. The true reward is learning and working those incredible young minds of yours. Don't ever lose sight of that.

Honour and Effort Roll called tomorrow at 11:30 in the gym.

REPORT CARDS GO HOME TOMORROW.

March 12th

(I do believe it should have read Pi and keep calm...and LOVE math)

Math Quiz tomorrow on relating percents, decimals and fractions as well as solving problems with percent. Review the materials. Some of you didn't do your practice questions and this means that you need to make up for that. Try some questions on IXL.com; it is free for a set of questions which is all you really need.

Exploratories tomorrow and word is that the weather is moving in so if you are outside, dress appropriately.

Good news....our Spring Break starts this Friday. While it will rain on Friday, the weather forecast looks great for our week off too which is a major plus.

For an entry to tomorrow's draw, tell me what you are doing for your Spring Break. I am going to Tofino with my family and Mrs Abell's family. Then, I am getting some work done around the garden. What are you doing?????? Anyone going to be in Tofino with their families????

March 11th

Thanks to Mr. Whyte who taught on call for me today. I am still feeling a bit off, but I should be in tomorrow.

Some reminders and notes:

1. Keep your "Mark Book" current. It is an assignment with extra copies to be found on the Math Wiki. If you are missing a mark, you are missing an assignment. You should always be able to answer the "how are you doing in the class?" question yourself.
2. Speaking of which report cards go home on Friday.
3. Honour Roll and Effort Roll are going to be called at a recognition ceremony this Friday at 11:30.
4. Pi Day is Friday. Last block we have a Pi Competition. One challenger is suggesting that one of the prizes should be Boston Cream Pie.
5. Any changes or late registrations that you want to make for grade 9 needs to be done through the EMCS Counseling Department; we have passed the signed forms to them.

March 10th

Today we had a "Birthday Party" presentation about alcohol at parties and under-age drinking. The bottom line that I heard is that under-age drinking is against the law, but more importantly it is not healthy when your brain is developing. Worse yet, is that alcohol affects how your brain works and often leads to decisions you wouldn't have made if you weren't under the influence. Bad decisions can be costly. Talk to your parents about the presentation, it is a good conversation to have.

A reminder that this Friday is Pi Day. It will be a celebration of sorts complete with a Pi Challenge. There will be a first, second and third prize for the student who can memorize the most digits of Pi. We like to round that number to 3.14, but it goes on and on and on like the song. I have emailed Chek News about our Pi Superstar. If they don't come, I need somebody to write an article for the News Mirror and I would like to have photos too.

For an entry today, post what your favourite flavour of pie is.... Mine is strawberry.

Just love the Simpsons ...

This Week, March 10th to 14th

I wish that it was raining binary code, but it isn't. Rain, rain go away!

The Open House or Celebration of Learning was well attended and I was really proud to show off your hard work. I received many compliments on your journals. People were impressed at the quality and detail in your work.
A big shout out to the musical acts too. I overheard many exclamations about how great the performances were. I was really impressed too.

Notes for this week (I will be adding to this on Sunday)

1. Science Human Body Systems Test on Monday - study the function of each system and know the main organs.

March 5th

(Inspired by your twisted game of dodgeball and that I am turning into a Grade 9 style teacher so grogrhrol...not saying that Grade 9 teachers are zombies or anything :-)

Tomorrow is parent teacher interviews followed by a showcase of learning and fabulous entertainment which starts at 5 and runs until 7.
Just a reminder that both Mr Horner and I are more than happy to arrange meetings outside of this time, if your parents have concerns.

I know that term's end is stressful, but I really want to stress not to focus on the negative and to be proactive. All of us can make goals to do better. I have mine planned out, do you? (BTW marked your S.S quizzes and I was really happy with a lot of the results...some of you still owe your S.S. paragraph "Knight's Training").

State your plan here for an entry tomorrow.

March 4th

(I have no idea why I chose a scared squirrel; he is kind of cute)

Academic notes:

Term 3:

Please note that I am now using Engrade, a computerized grading system, so that I can give you your percentages whenever you ask. I do believe that I will be sending your parents an Engrade Interim; you better make them love what they see. Remember, I play for Team Parent.

Social Studies:

• First mark of Term 3 is due tomorrow: "A Knight's Training" /10
• Chivalry Quiz Tomorrow /15

Science:

• Body Systems Final Monday, March 10th

Today's phrase is: "Turn over a new leaf."

March 3rd

You have until this Thursday to bring in your printed EMCS course selection sheets signed by both your parents and yourself. Marc, you get an entry for getting yours in first.

Some students are encountering glitches. My message to you is don't panic. There is still a human at the other end of this and we can clear things up with them.

Answer this question in the comments box for an entry: A student got 24/37 on a test. What was their percent? Should they be happy with that?

This very short week...March 3rd to 6th

My friend Sandra's dog ate EVERYBODY's homework. Unfortunately, even for teachers, that excuse doesn't solve the problem of the missing marks.

Div 1 and 2's Goal for Term 3: Building independence for success in High School.

Notes for this week:
1. Incomplete work is due tomorrow for the second term;
2. Term 3 Marks are being recorded starting tomorrow;
3. There will be a Chivalry quiz on Wednesday (use the Wiki and your notes to review);
4. Math: Relating Fractions, Percent and Decimals
5. Science: Body Systems Review Page
6. Social Studies: A Knight's Training and the Battle of Agincourt
7. Early Dismissal on Thursday (11:30)
8. Parent Teacher Interviews (1-3pm, but if your parents couldn't secure a time and want to meet please get them to contact Mr Horner or myself)
9. Celebration of Learning (5-7pm)

Word for today: "notes"