December 12th

Social Studies: Div 4: You took notes on the Jewish and Christian faiths in a fishbowl discussion. You will continue that discussion tomorrow and submit those notes as well as your own research in for marking.

Social Studies: Div 3: You took notes on the Jewish and Christian faiths in a fishbowl discussion. You submitted your notes. We will continue the notes when we next meet.

Math: We reviewed how to simplify fractions. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of concepts to date tomorrow in a quiz.

English: Rough Draft Due News Article/ Published Copy due December 14th/ Novel Read/Notes Taken Independent Novel Study by January 4th

Secret word: "initiative"

The Last Week of 2016

So this week is still academically oriented, but we do have some festive activities planned. Like the Vikings, we are fighting off the darkness with some Yule time fun.

Calendar Notes:


Tuesday PM: Part of that fun involves going down to Poirier on Tuesday afternoon to build gingerbread houses with our buddies. I will be providing the graham crackers (because who likes gingerbread?), icing and plates. I would ask that students bring a bag of candies to decorate their creation. I will bring some too, but the more the merrier.



Thursday PM: Narnia Neighbourhood Craft Stations



Friday: Holiday Party, Gift Exchange Abell Style, and Talent Show



Here is the academic week at a glance:


English: You should be bringing your novel to school every day because I will be giving you reading/note-taking/ project time. I will schedule computer time so that you can publish your news articles that are due on Wednesday; I am encouraging students with sd62 learns google accounts to use google docs so that they can carry on with the work on their phones or at home. We will also be reading and viewing Charles Dicken's, A Christmas Carol. 


Social Studies: Using your notes you will teach the class about your religion in what we call a "fishbowl" activity, the inner circle speaks and the outer circle takes notes. Then, you will submit your research notes and your "fishbowl" notes for a mark this Monday. The rest of the week we will look at articles about how these religions feature in the news today. As always with a sensitive subject like religion, we are looking at the origins of dispute and conflict, while not judging people's beliefs.



Math: We will be simplifying fractions and look at finding the lowest common multiples. This is in preparation for operations with fractions in the new year. There will be a quiz on Tuesday to see where you are at in this review.



Here's to a great week, the last of 2016 at Journey

December 8th

SNOW

Please check CFAX 1070 or the district site at www.sd62.bc.ca for possible closures.

Academic Notes:

English: You were given a block to work on peer editing your articles and reading/taking notes on your novel. The published copy of the article is due December 14th.

Math: You reviewed how to convert improper fractions into mixed numbers. Please refer to the course link for review and practice. Some of you need it. You have a review quiz on concepts to date on December 13th

Today's word is ...dig

December 6th

Field trip to Commonwealth pool TOMORROW. 

Academic Notes:

Math: We went over the test and then updated our portfolios. We did a timed math fluency test to establish a baseline. Those of you who took more than 6 minutes need to take fifteen minutes a day to rehearse those 1 to 12 tables. We did a fractions worksheet. 

English Div 4 and 5: You were given a work block to read/take notes on your novel and/or draft your article. Many of you are doing a good job of interviewing peers for your article. Some of you are exceeding expectations by interviewing outside people. I am mpressed. The draft will be checked on FRIDAY for 5 points depending on the level of completion.

REMINDER: Bring your novel to school to read. I need to witness you reading it.

Social Studies: You added to your notes. They will be collected on FRIDAY for marks.

December 5th

Academic Notes (Homework) *Please note the divisions:
*The Sexual Health Instructor visited us today.

Math Div 4: You wrote a test on fractions vocabulary and value.

Social Studies Div 3 and  4: You had a computer block to complete your religion notes. Those notes will be collected on Friday.

English DIV 5: You had a work bloc to read/take notes on your novel and/or work on your local news article.

For both Div 4 and 5 here is a link to the novel assignment and the news assignment. These were given out in class and there are extra copies in the extra copies file, but I know that I have some vacationers who may not have brought them with them.

This week, December 5th to 9th

Calendar Notes:

Wednesday, December 7th Swimming Field Trip (oops originally I wrote the 9th, but you set me straight)

Academics:

English: You will be given time to read and work on your independent novel study. You will also be given time to work on your news article. The rough copy is due on the 7th. DO NOT submit a neat copy on that date because you need to show that you can go through the writing process which involves drafting before publishing. This is the case in the real world, not that school isn't real.

Social Studies; You will be given time to complete your notes on your assigned religion. Then you will do a fish bowl discussion to share your research with the other religions. After the discussion, I will collect your notes for marks.

Math: You will be tested on your understanding of Fraction vocabulary and value. This week we will review simplifying fractions, converting improper fractions to mixed fractions (and visa versa). All this is much needed review as many of you demonstrate that you cannot visualize or quantify fractions. This is a critical skill that you need to demonstrate before you can perform and self check operations with fractions. Multiplication tables should be your nightly homework for Math; you need to be fluent to be able to master operations with fractions and regular home practice is key to that.

Today's word is: paddle.

Dec 1 and 2nd

Nope...but you may have left it at school. Always check the board before you leave....

Academic Notes and Homework:
Please note criteria sheets and rubrics were handed out and reviewed in class for all the below mentioned assignments. Extra copies have been available in class.

Div 3 and 4 Social Studies: At this point, you have been given two in-class research blocks to investigate your assigned monotheist, Abrahamic religion. If you do not have a complete set of notes, you should have one complete by Tuesday, December 6th.

Div 4 and 5 English: You have been given a library class to select a book and one work block to work on your independent novel study; you have until January to read/take notes on your novel. You have until mid January to realize a project idea on your novel. You were also given two blocks to work on your own news story; you should have your topic and notes for your article done by Monday the 5th (Div 4, the 6th) and your rough draft done for the 7th (Div 4, the 8th)

Div 4 Math: We reviewed Fractions vocabulary and value concepts all week. You will be tested to see if you understood this Monday. Basically, the quiz will look exactly like our activities. There will be bonus questions to challenge those of you who thrive on that.

Have a great weekend.

November 30th

Please do! It is better for humanity and the planet.

Social Studies Div 3 and 4: Both divisions had a quiz on religion terms. If you were away, come at lunch to do the test or during tutorial time; this is your responsibility. You are researching an Abrahamic religion. I will be collecting your Cornell Notes on your religion on December 5th. They will be graded for completion, detail and accuracy.

English Div 4 and 5: Both divisions had a book talk. You were given an Independent Novel Study Assignment. The novel and the notes should be read and done by January 4th. You will be given class time to do this. Some of you are not using this time and I am making note of it.

English Div 5: You were assigned a writing assignment where you write your own local news story. The rough is due on December 7th and the neat copy is due December 14th. Again, you were given time in class to work on this.

Today's word is: coexist

November 28th

These people are monotheists, but there is no such fight in Canada thanks to Section 2 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which reads:

CANADIAN Fundamental Freedoms

Marginal note:Fundamental freedoms

2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:

• (a) freedom of conscience and religion;
• (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
• (c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
• (d) freedom of association.

Academic Notes/HW

Social Studies Div 3 and 4: We previewed this term's learning goals and began a unit on the Abrahamic Religions, Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We are investigating the question: How can learning about the past help us to understand the present? We took Cornell Notes on some key vocabulary around religion; I will test you on that vocabulary next class. Each one of you was assigned the perspective of one of the three religions. You will be researching and then teaching the class about your assigned religion.

Math Div 4: We previewed this term's learning goals and began a unit on fractions. You took Cornell Notes on key vocabulary: fraction, unit fraction, numerator, denominator, equivalent fraction, improper fraction, mixed fraction. This was review for you, or should have been. Next class we will be ordering fractions on a number line.

English Div 5: We previewed this term's learning goals and you were assigned a local news article to write. Your homework is coming up with a topic and people to interview.

Today's word is: belief.

This week, November 28th to December 2nd...DECEMBER!!!

Well, I am back.

Ms Lajeunesse and I have been writing the report cards together thanks to Google Docs. As you know, November 24th was the cut off for Term 1 marks. Students who did not have assignments completed for that deadline are getting an "I" or incomplete mark until they submit the missing work. Those students will be required to attend an I Day Catch Up Session this Tuesday; the rest of the class will be on a field trip. The hope is that they will complete their missing work to lift the I. I's become F's at the end of the year and who wants that on a report card?

So, this week:

English: We will be reviewing story elements and literary devices to prepare for an independent novel study. I will be talking to the kids about the wide range of book choices. We will be writing non-fiction articles about events around the home, school or community. I am hoping that the Sooke News Mirror will accept one of these articles.

Social Studies: We will begin Unit 3 on the Abrahamic religions, the Jewish, Islamic and Christian religions. These religions were important players during our time period (Middle Ages) and they continue to shape history today.

Math: After reviewing some basic math skills that were a bit rusty, we are ready to review and learn some new things about fractions.

October 19th

Ms Lajeunesse has a blog! This is your link to all her wonderful lessons and assignments:

http://mslajtakesgrade8.blogspot.ca​ 

October 17th

I am so happy that Ms Lajeunesse will be teaching you. I think that you will have a lot of fun with her and learn loads of stuff.

I am recovering. Missing you all.

Actually...that isn't too far from the truth ;-)

October 12th

My last day until I recover from my surgery. I will see you around Sooke I am sure. I will email you when I have final word about my replacement.

Here are the notes;

Social Studies: Div 4 you finished your Viking boats. It was really neat watching you work and problem solve through the process of putting together these boats.

English: Div 5 We read to Chapter 8, page 178 of 290 of the PDF book and 4:07.06 of the audio book. We updated your plot outline. You finished and handed in your maps...some of you still need to get them in.

English Div 4: We read to the end of Chapter 7, page 172 of 290 of the PDF book and 3:58.23 of the audio book. You worked on your setting maps while you listened; those were due in class and some of you still need to finish.

Social Studies: Div 3 you started to build your viking boats. You will get another class to finish them on Friday.

Today's word is a phrase: Welcome Ms Lajeunesse.

October 11th

Something to think about when you see those daft people terrorizing others by dressing up as angry clowns.

Academic Notes:

Math: You assessed your progress to date using a Math rubric. You took a Square Roots and Squaring quiz.

English Div 5: You worked on your setting maps. Those maps were collected in class. You have until tomorrow to finish them. I will collect them first thing.

Social Studies Div 4 Double Block: The first part of the block you continued to take Cornell notes on the Nova Viking documentary, "Unearthed". Then, you used your notes to complete a chart that required you to identify evidence and tell what that evidence did and didn't tell you about the Vikings. Those assessments were due in class. Afterward, you began building replicas of Viking Longships.

Today's word: engineering

This week, October 11th to 14th

Div 4 Teacher Update:
Ms Lajeunesse will be working with you on Thursday and Friday. She has applied for my position and we are waiting for the list of applicants to be reviewed, shortlisted and interviewed before we can announce who will be working with you for the next six weeks while I recover from my surgery. I will keep you posted.

Academic Notes:

English: You will complete and submit your setting maps. We will continue listening to Lord of the Flies with the understanding that William Golding has been foreshadowing a violent end to this book. We are uncomfortable even at the suggestion of violence because we enjoy the luxury of civilization, law and order. Sometimes it is easy to forget how lucky we are.

Social Studies: You will do a Viking Evidence assessment and a Viking Boat Building Challenge this week. This involves building a Viking Longship, testing it for buoyancy, for performance in low and high wind. Teamwork is the skills focus.

Math: You will be estimating square roots this week after you do a test on squaring and square roots tomorrow (Tuesday). Again, many of you need to drill your doubles in multiplication to perform better and this needs to be done at home.

Today's word is: nautical

October 7 (Happy Thanksgiving Weekend)

Academic Notes:

Math: You reviewed the questions on squaring and square root. Some of you are wanting to over-apply the squaring exponent (that little two) and the square root symbol. Remember, those symbols are directions and once you have followed them, you shouldn't use them in your answer because you are done following those directions. Use the course link to review the concept.

English Divisions 4 and 5: You began a setting map for Lord of the Flies. You will be given more time when you return from break. The map is to represent all the settings for major events up to Chapter 6. The maps are to inlcude a title, a legend, labels for primary locations, reflect the descriptions that you remember from the book. This was not assigned for homework, but you are responsible for making it up, if you are away.

Social Studies Division 3: We took Cornell Notes on the Vikings. We previewed the Viking boat activity that we will be doing next week. Do you know what your Viking name would be? Follow the course link to find out.

October 6th

Today you had Mr Banister, a fabulous TOC. I was at a District meeting. I missed you.

You should have:

English Div 4: Read Lord of the Flies and took notes pulling out key quotes/parts that address the essential question on the board.

Math Div 4: Did a page of square root practice so that you are prepared for the check up tomorrow which will be on square numbers, area, factoring and square root.

Exploratories started today and Mrs Abell informed me that there were no bear encounters like I have been having nightmares about.

Today's word is: aware

October 5th

Social Studies Div 4: We used Cornell Notes to record information from a Nova documentary on Vikings. You were asked the essential question: How do we know what we know about the Vikings?

English Div 4: We read to 2:56.15 or page 126 of the pdf version of Lord of the Flies. We were listening and looking for quotes and sections that addressed this question: How do these boys revert to nature?

English Div 5: We read to 3:22.59 or page 156 of the pdf version of Lord of the Flies. We were listening and looking for quotes and sections that addressed this question: How do these boys revert to nature?

Cops For Cancer: I was so proud of you Tyler for raising so much money for pediatric cancer research. You are such an altruistic kid.

Today's word is "altruistic". Tomorrow you will have an on call teacher so you will have to wait to Friday to play this blog game.

October 4th

(Now, you understand the reference)

Math: We took notes on Square Roots ( a copy of those notes, like all the notes that I give in Math, are in the Master Binder by the Extra Copies file ). You did a practice set to try out your skill.

English Div 5: You filled out a plot diagram to Chapter 5 and we discussed the book.

English Div 4: You wrote an in class response on a question about Lord of the Flies. You were to provide 5 points and supporting evidence to back up your opinion on the question.

Social Studies Div 4: We summarized Primary and Secondary source information. Then, you took the quiz on the topic.

Today's word is: paraphrase

October 3rd

Social Studies Div 4: You continued to look at artifacts to determine what source they were, what they did and did not tell you about the past.

Math Div 4: You factored numbers from 1 to 30 and saw that square numbers have an odd set of factors.

Social Studies Div 3: You continued to take Cornell Notes on Nova's: The Vikings. You were looking specifically for the evidence that Vikings left behind and what that evidence tells us about their past.

English Div 5: You did a graded, in class response to Lord of the Flies. The goal of the activity was to have you state an opinion about the book and to support it with evidence from the text like quotes.

Today's word is: "Vikings"

This week October 3rd to 7th

Hello OCTOBER!!!

Calendar Notes:

Wednesday Afternoon TOUR DE ROCK to raise money to fight pediatric cancer.

English: You will be writing an in class response to Lord of the Flies using quotes and notes that you have collected to this point in the book (Chapter 5). You will be taught how to embed quotes to make a point and we will review how to structure a paragraph.

Social Studies: We will be looking into "How do we know what we know about the Vikings?" To do this, we will be looking at a variety of primary and secondary source information on these people.

Math: Square roots, volume and cube roots will be explored this week. Check the course link for resources.

Today's word is: autumn

September 30th

(I hope NOT)

Terry Fox Run Today. We raised a lot of money for a great cause. Well done to all of you who were instrumental in organizing the week's events. Next week, we will continue our drive for funds.

English: We read to Chapter 5 and took notes/selected quotes that are evidence of rules and order falling apart. I asked you if you felt that kids could sink to these lows without adult supervision. You answered that you felt that they could. Really? That is frightening.

Social Studies Div 3: We continued taking Cornell notes on the evidence that was left behind to construct our understanding of Viking history. I returned your first test to you. Many of you did well, some of you need to engage in lessons to do better.

Have a good weekend, but not partaaaaays.

September 29th

(Your Irish Canadian teacher finds this amusing and very IRONIC)

English Div 4: We read to 2:21.11 on the audio book version of LOTF. We took notes on the question: When do things start to fall apart for Jack and Ralph? Do you believe that kids would fall to these depths if left alone, without adult supervision.

Social Studies Div 4: We reviewed primary and secondary source information. You looked at artifacts and determined: whether the item was primary or secondary, what information you got from it, what questions you had about it. Some of you began to decipher what the artifact you were given was all about through the wonders of modern technology.

Anxiety Play for the afternoon. Talk to your parents about it.

Today's word is Ironic.

September 28th

English Div 4 (Block 1): We read up to chapter 4, 1:46.17 of the audio book. You were looking for quotes that show weakness in the two main characters, Jack and Ralph. I have been modelling this note-taking on the board. Some of you copy what I write, those of you who find your own evidence as well are taking it to the next level.

English Div 5(Blocks 2 and 5): We read up to 2:13.04 of the audio book. You were looking for quotes to answer the question: How do things fall apart on the island? We are also noting vocabulary that is new to us. This differs from student to student; some words will be familiar to some of you, while others might not know them. So, write the ones that a new to you as we scroll through the PDF.

Math Div 4: You took a review quiz. After marking the quizzes, I can move on with the next concept. Some of you did not perform well because you need to buff up your multiplication fluency.

Social Studies Div 3: You were introduced to the Cornell Note Taking system and we viewed a NOVA video on Vikings to practice taking notes on the essential question: How do we know what we know about the Vikings?

Today's word: rescue (what rescue?)

September 27th

Arm Wrestle Competition Tomorrow

Academic Notes:

Anxiety Workshop Prep: We talked about Mental Illness this morning in preparation for tomorrow's Greenthumb Theatre presentation on Anxiety.

Math Div 4: We reviewed what square numbers are and drilled squaring numbers using a deck of cards. Many of you need to do this type of daily practice at home to memorize these doubles from 1 to 20. We will do a daily drill at school for one week. After that, it is on you.

English Div 5: We read to Chapter 3 of Lord of the Flies. We were looking to find quotes that answer this question: Do Jack and Ralph show weakness and if they do, what does it look like?

English Div 4: We read Lord of the Flies. See above for the focus.
Today's word is: "leader"