Ms Bertucci is BLOGGING

Ms Bertucci is BLOGGING and I am adding a link to the blog so that you can connect with her:

https://mrsbertuccisgrade8.blogspot.ca/

And I miss all of you, Ms Bertucci, Ms Abell, and Ms Barnes included. My students here are both nervous and excited about going to Journey. I would love to connect them with you and play a game out back by the big tree all together to show them just how kind and awesome the 8s are. This class of Grade 4/5s is very sweet, curious and they have a real sense of fun. So, let's have some fun together!

Congratulations Mrs Bertucci

Mrs Bertucci was the successful applicant for your classes. Both she and I are overjoyed. I cannot think of a better person to finish the year off with you.
I miss you, of course, but I rest easy knowing such a caring and dedicated teacher is working with you. Plus, I know how this is literally a dream come true for Mrs Bertucci.

The hardest post...

I have written and re-written this first line about a dozen times. It still isn't right, but I have to write this.

As a Grade 8 teacher, I knew that I was going to say "see you later" in June; I prepare for it every year. Actually, it is about this time of year that I start to look at you and think about what I will miss about each and every one of you. I wonder about what you will study and do with your futures. I wonder that for a long time.

I am not able to take that time to say good-bye this year.

Over the weekend I was offered the Vice Principal's position at Poirier starting as soon as possible. I was not expecting this at all. My first thought was of you. I thought about how it would be a shock for you and your families. I felt very conflicted, but just as you are going on to High School to pursue your futures, I knew that I needed to take this next step. I accepted the position.

What next?

I am so thankful that we had Mrs Bertucci as our UVic teaching candidate this year. I feel as though we share you. And I am so grateful that Mrs Bertucci was able to work this week with you as I make the transition. She knows how important you are to me because she thinks of you as her class too.

My position at Journey will be posted and Mrs Bertucci will be applying for it. It is my hope that she gets awarded the post. If she does, I will be getting her set up with blogger to keep you posted on what is going on in class.

I will be returning to visit and I will be at your leaving ceremony to say goodbye at what would have been a more natural time. That being said, we live in a small town and I will see you around town.

Yours and I mean that, Mrs Bridal

Thursday, Open House!!!

Today you prepared for the Open House.

Parent and Grade 5 feedback was overwhelmingly positive. They were really impressed by the Grade 8's stations.

The biggest plus is they are less anxious about middle school in general. You showed just how great middle schoolers can be. I was so proud!

Wednesday, April 18th

Today's summaries:

English Div 4 and 5: You were given a reading/work block toward the completion of your independent novel study.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You were given a work block toward the completion of your inquiry project due this Thursday AKA TOMORRRRRROWWWWW.

Remember: Open House 4 to 7pm. An opportunity to show off what you have done and welcome Grade 5s to the middle school experience.

Tuesday, April 17th

Today's summaries:

Career 8: You were introduced or reviewed key career vocabulary: career cluster, career pathway, soft and hard skills. We will be exploring career clusters and pathways as a part of this newly renovated course.

English Div 4: You were given a reading/work block.

S.S. Div 4: You were given time to work on your inquiry project due this Thursday. The project criteria was distributed to you, but I am going to take this opportunity to post it for your reference here. Also, I want to remind you that the research page is due alongside the project itself. This is the secondary source evidence that proves that you know what you do about your subject.

Monday, April 16th

Sorry for the late post.

Here are the summaries from yesterday.

Open House Preparation (Remember that it is happening this Thursday from 4 to 7; you designed it and are running it, so it will be amazing)

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You worked the 3rd of 4 work blocks to complete your inquiry for the open house.

English Div 4 and 5: You had a reading block for your independent novel study.

Friday, April 13th and Weekend

Open House this Thursday, April 19th from 4 until 8pm.

Course Summaries:

English Div 4 and 5: You were given time to dedicate to your independent novel study.

S.S. Div 4: You were given time to dedicate to the "construct" phase of your inquiry project which should be show ready by April 19th. This means that you will be able to present your inquiry findings in an informative, eye-catching or interactive way on that day. Please refer to the marking rubric to see if you fit the criteria for your desired result.

This weekend you should be reading your novels and catching up, if you have fallen behind the pace of our inquiry project; this would be anyone who is still waffling on their topic or is still gathering facts. It is go time.

OPEN HOUSE IS 4 pm to 8pm on Thursday, April 19th (Grade 5 Parents and their kids have an orientation meeting at 7pm)
Some of you are unable to come because of other commitments; your presentations should be able to "run themselves", if you are not going to be present. Your parents, families and friends are welcome to come to this event. They can see what you are learning and explore other aspects of the school.

Thursday, April 12th

Today we wore jerseys for Humboldt and the Broncos. 

Many of you went to Ladysmith for the Band competition. I hope that you did well.

Today's summaries:

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You had a construction block. The maker space cart, paper reels and cardboard display boards were out for you to display all of your extensive research. Some of you are still in the research stage. This weekend, you need to catch up. 

English Div 5: You were given a block to work on the independent novel study.

Open House Prep: We worked on the open house set up last block. 

Wednesday, April 11th

Today's Summaries:
(An instant prize for the phrase in the brackets below)

This morning you conducted an anonymous survey to help inform health programs for youth. Your parents were alerted to this survey in a handout that was sent home with your report cards.

Social Studies Div 3 and 4: You were given 1 out of 3 construct blocks for your Inquiry. It is my hope that you will be able to set up a display of your findings by (April 19th, Open House).

English Div 5: You were given a reading block to work on your independent novel study. I recommended that you read your chosen book on a nightly basis.

Tuesday, April 10th

(Choose your sci-fi/fantasy novels, if you haven't already; get rid of your book, if it is boring!)

Today's summaries:

English Div 4 and 5: You were given your independent novel study tasks, one critical thinking oriented and the other creative. We will be working on the projects in class and you should be reading both in class and at home to get through your selected sci-fi/fantasy novel. Here is the link to that Independent Novel Study.

Social Studies Div 4: You had your first of three construct blocks for your inquiry. Your inquiry project is due on the morning of the (Open House), April 19th.

Math Div 4: You were introduced to how to solve equations involving fractions. Please review the materials on the Algebra Page to become more familiar with them.

Monday, April 9th

Put a shirt on, buddy!!! Today we were out doing the same, building shelter out of found materials. Find the bracketed word in this text for an instant prize.

Here are today's summaries:

English Div 4: You did exercises around developing sentence variety and fluency. We will review them tomorrow.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: This was your last dedicated in class research block for your Inquiry project. From now on you should be writing, building, constructing, and putting together your project idea using the information that you have gathered. I will be checking in with you all to see your notes and to quickly give you a 1-5 rating on how complete/thorough they are. I will formally assess them using the rubric provided on April 18th.

Mars Mission: Survival protocol building (shelter) from found materials. You worked in teams to build a variety of structures to shield you from the weather. The AI was very impressed at your ability especially given the limitations of your human brains.

(I think that he is using his shirt to tie that building together. Is that cheating?)

Friday and the Weekend

Friday's Summaries:

English Div 4: You were given time to complete your sci fi stories for assessment.

English Div 5: You went to the library for a book talk with Ms Fader. She presented you with a selection of SciFi/Fantasy books. You were to select one of interest for our independent study. Some of you chose the same book which is great fun!

S.S. Div 4: You were given a research block to look for information to answer your inquiry question/topic.

For the weekend you should be continuing your research on your S.S. inquiry, selecting a sci fi/fantasy book that fits you (if you haven't already), and using the virtual manipulatives to play around with visualizing algebra.

Thursday, April 5th

Today's summaries:

Thanks to Ms Bertucci for coming in for me in the morning.

This morning you went to view a visiting band first block.

S.S. Div 3: You had the second of three research blocks for your inquiry. You will have one more in class session, but I would recommend taking time over the weekend to research your topic. You will get three in class blocks to construct your projects.

English Div 5: You listened to All the Time in the World by Isaac Asimov.

The afternoon was spent working through the (design thinking) process to develop our open house concept.

words in brackets for an instant prize...yes I will remember to bring them this time! ;-)

Wednesday, April 4th

Today's summaries:

English Div 5: You were introduced to the Fantasy aspect of the Sci Fi/Fantasy genre with an overview of King Arthur's Tales. You were given 15 minutes to finish a Sci Fi writing assignment.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You are working on Step 2 in Inquiry where you are researching your inquiry topic and taking notes. Remember this step has value and as such is graded. You can find a link to that inquiry here.

Math Div 4: You reviewed algebra to date and worked with this site to model expressions, one and two step operations. The program is useful for reinforcing that there is a way to (visualize)manipulating the values in an algebraic equation.


Bracketed word for an instant prize if you tell me before the end of the day (I forgot that I was going to the board office tomorrow morning and Ms Bertucci is in for me. Hi, Ms Bertucci!!!).

Tuesday, April 3rd

Here are today's summaries. Please note that if you were away today, you are expected to make up for missing assignments. This includes students out of the class for band:

English Div 4 and 5: You wrote an in-class marked quick write on the topic of Spring Break. The marking focus was the "Ideas and Content" trait. You will get those pieces back tomorrow.

Global Simulation: You find yourself on an Earth-like planet. Last thing you were aware of was the sensation of being put to sleep for the journey to Mars. Now, you are disoriented and scared. Your AI unit walked you through emergency survival protocol. You worked in groups to plan out how to build a shelter, locate and collect water, identify and find food, as well as how to find your way around this new land.

WELCOME BACK to the FINAL term of GRADE 8 and Middle School....

Dress for variable Spring weather tomorrow. We will be outside Blocks 4 and 5...

Happy Easter

See you on Tuesday, April 3rd!

Thursday, March 15th

Today's summaries:

Div 4 Block 1: S.S. or Math work block. S.S. research time or Math exercise time depending on which you need work time and support to complete.

PI Day for Div 3 in Mount Olympus (no S.S. class today)

English Div 5: We explored alien characterization in Sci Fi. We watched R'ha and then designed our own alien creations.

Exploratory Afternoon: You designed your Open House station in teams. When we return, you will create signage, write exhibition text, and put together those stations.

Wednesday, March 14th

This is Montana showing us the foundations for the new outdoor forestry exhibit that she and her team planned for the Sooke Museum due for completion this Summer.

Today's class summaries:

English Div 5: You viewed the original Carl Sagan speech with its accompanying dialogue. The Earthcentric pieces were left in this piece. You also viewed and responded to a Sci Fi short.

Div 3, 4, 5 presentation: We were lucky enough to have Montana, the Curator and Collections manager from the Sooke Museum come and talk to us about the process of putting together an exhibit in preparation for our own April 19th Open House. Montana talked about the skills that she uses in her job and the jobs associated with hers. She also encouraged us to keep current with our museum by reading her Curator's Corner articles in the Sooke News Mirror. We will, Montana!!!

This is Montana showing us the foundations for the new outdoor exhibit that she and her team planned.

Div 3, 4, and 5 OPEN HOUSE Design Challenge - Group organization

Tuesday, March 13th

English Div 5: You were given time to tie up your quick write piece and you viewed "The Wanderers" inspired by Carl Sagan. You were asked to complete a Film Response form.

Math Div 4: You did lesson 6.2 to review solving for x using algebra.

English Div 4: You viewed the video R'ha and completed a short film response. Here is the link to that page.

S.S. Div 4: You were given research sheets to begin researching your term 3 inquiry question. Here is the link to that page.

Bon Voyage Journey Students Bound for JAPAN tomorrow!!!!!

Monday, March 12th

Consider this photo. What is the story behind it?

Math Div 4: You practiced maintaining equilibrium in algebraic equations to solve for x, the unknown.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You shared ideas about how to showcase your learning and school to an Open House audience.

English Div 4 and 5: You wrote a composition built around the picture featured at the beginning of the post. You will be assessed using three of the 6 traits of writing.

Friday and the Weekend

Friday's Summaries:

Mars Mission: You completed a personal manifest filling a 55 L pack with your most valued and purposeful possessions.

Design Thinking Challenge: You went through a few stages of the design process leading up to April 19th's OPEN HOUSE. On Wednesday next week Montana, the curator and collections coordinator for the Sooke Museum will be in to discuss her design process. Currently, she is constructing a new exhibit at the museum. For our part, you have drafted 5 ideas for stations/exhibits/activities at the open house. I am giving you credit for Career Ed. (Div 4 and 5).

Mars Mission Emergency Launch Meeting: You met with all the mars mission participants to go over department manifests and personal manifests. We need to leave the planet as soon as possible.

No homework this weekend.

Thursday, March 8th

For an instant prize, tell me one of these laws.

Today's summaries:

Math Div 4: You were given an algebra practice sheet.

S.S. Div 3: You conducted a design challenge around open house.

English Div 5: We learned Isaac Asimov's 3 laws of robotics. Then we listened to and read two of his stories, "The Fun We Had" and "A Boy and his Best Friend".

Wednesday, March 7th

Thanks for coming in Ms Bertucci. Today, I was teacher in charge with Ms Abell. It was good to know you were in for me.

As a part of our Sci Fi unit, we watched this video by Ted Talk:

Consider how the future may look. Good. Bad.

English Div 5: You scoured the net for cutting edge technology. You listed these innovations on a piece of 11x17 paper with your partner. These discoveries are the stuff of stories, stories of the future.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You viewed a video reviewing the key ideas of the feudal age and took picture notes. I want you to consider how you could use video to represent your learning during the final inquiry.

Math Div 4: Ms Bertucci started you into an exercise set to practice maintaining equilibrium in 2 step algebraic equations.

Today's word is a phrase: BACK to the FUTURE

Monday and Tuesday, March 6th and 7th

Course Summaries:

English Div 5:  We looked at how to rework your sentence to avoid the dreaded repetition. Your essay/article is due on Friday. We started our Sci Fi Fantasy Unit by distinguishing between the two. Then, we looked at some Science robotics technology to spark your imagination and to see where other people see inspiration for this type of genre.

English Div 4: We started our Sci Fi Fantasy Unit by distinguishing between the two. Then, we looked at some Science robotics technology to spark your imagination and to see where other people see inspiration for this type of genre. You explored cutting edge technology with a view to peek into the future.

Social Studies Div 3: You investigated possible inquiry topics for the third term by doing a web search. All you need to do is to contemplate what you would like to explore.

Social Studies Div 4: You applied a grid to your "Alternate Reality England" map.

Math Div 4: You began an exploration into algebraic thinking and steps using models.


Today's word is: Earthquake (as in a tiny one in Langford)

March 2nd and the Weekend

You had first block to catch up on outstanding assignments in your core subject areas. Many of you cleared your list of overdue items.

We would like all of those assignments in by Monday. Monday is our deadline and our boss doesn't make exceptions which is real life.

Course Summaries:

English Div 5: You had the last drafting block for your essay/article. Next week you will peer edit and publish. Many of you are starting the third term off right and are keeping up with work deadlines even when you aren't here.

English Div 4: You conducted the last of the fishbowl discussions. I was very interested by some of the topics you investigated in your articles. It seems that many of you are concluding that internet articles don't always model the best writing.

So, those of you who have kept pace with instruction and have all your assignments in don't have homework in my classes. Those of you who have been away should be catching up on assignments. Scroll down and check the course summaries. Make a goal to develop strategies that work for you to manage deadlines and study schedules. We suggest a few different ways, but it is up to you to choose the one that really fits with how you learn/function.

Thursday, March 1st

Course Summaries:

Math Div 4: Some of you did an SFU Math challenge while others were reviewing how to operate with integers. I am offering a retest for some of you on Monday. Next week we are delving into algebraic thinking.

English Div 5: You are 4 blocks into the article/essay. Blocks 1 and 2 were for research and note taking. Blocks 3 and 4 were for organizing those notes and writing them into a set of defined paragraphs. If you were away, you need to make up the time at home.

S.S. Div 3: You added a grid to the Alternative Reality Map and you took virtual tours of world museums to start thinking about how to set up our own open house.

Tomorrow is an I Day opportunity for some of you to catch up. If you are caught up, you can have a morning of fun watching

Today's word: Daniel

Tuesday, February 27th

Welcome Mrs Bertucci, WE MISSED YOU!!!!!

Here are Tuesdays lessons with links:

Advisory: D. is working through Python script on Code Academy.

English Div 5: You are working on your articles/essays. This is your second block for researching and note taking. The next step is organizing those facts and details into groups. You can use a colour or letter code the points to group them. Alternatively, you could rewrite those points within a graphic organizer.

Recess (Ms B has duty by the playground)

Ms B has a prep. You have Coding with Mr Donegani. Ms B may want to visit Ms Gitzel.

Math Div 4: You are writing the integers test. When you are done silently read. You have the whole block to write this. Show your work for full marks.

Lunch

English Div 4: You are going to take a wee break from the fishbowl conversations and look at responding to short, visual texts otherwise known as short films. Here is the LINK to that lesson.

Last Block Div 4: Board Games to reconnect with Mrs. B.

Thank you Ms B for coming in for me. We LOVE YOU!!!!

Monday, February 26th

Course Summaries:

Math Div 4: You were shown how to calculate your grade by determining your total percent.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You learned about key map elements and explored one, grids. You played a game of "You Crashed My Castle" modeled after a classic game, but integrating feudal fiefdom planning and grid use.

Carnival AFTERNOON

Today's word: Defile.

Thursday, February 22nd

Interim Reports went home today. These are informal reports that look at work habits and are intended to point you in the right direction heading into final reporting.

Those reports should be signed and returned by Monday, February 26th. 

Div 4 students please note:

Not all of you have done your Fishbowl Presentation; "not done" quite literally means that you haven't done it yet, not that you missed the deadline.

While all of you should have been keeping up a Math grade book, recording your marks and calculating your percents, NONE of you have submitted it for grading. We will review how to calculate your percent on Monday. You will submit it for marking then. This being said, looking for it and making sure it is current and tidy for Monday is advisable. 

EMCS Open House Tonight 6:30 to 8:30

Career Cruising Choices are due on February 28th. Directions for this are available on the EMCS website and on a sheet that you can locate in my "Extra Copies" hanging file under "Notices".

Tomorrow, I go to school, but it is a day off for you. I am learning about Universal Design for Learning. Maybe you will get a day to play in some snow.

Wednesday, February 21st

We are having Carnaval de Journey on Monday afternoon. Currently we are designing and building our float. We met our monitrisse, Jessica, today. She is from Quebec and here to share her culture with us.

A notice from EMCS:

This is a reminder that our annual Open House is tomorrow from 6:30 to 8:30.  

Course selection forms are due by February 28th. Open House is an opportunity to talk to teachers, counsellors and post-secondary representatives to clear up any confusion about the new curriculum, our registration process, and post-secondary requirements. Teachers will be here to discuss the courses, Mr. Phipps will be available to help with registration, and representatives from both Camosun College  and the University of Victoria will be here to answer any questions about post-secondary requirements. We hope to see you there.

Course Summaries:

S.S. Div 3: We looked at England using the satellite image on google maps. We identified some river deltas and rivers to include on our map. We looked at the evolving map of western Europe; we considered how our own boundaries may change in the future. We will be dividing your maps into Fief Lands. We might have some debate as to where to place them though...

English Div 4 Fishbowl discussions.

Carnaval Design Challenge!!!

Tuesday, February 20th

Today's summaries:

English Div 4: Fishbowl Discussion - The Body Conversation concluded and The Mind/Brain Conversation began. You are developing expressive language skills when you present and receptive language skills when you are listening on the outer circle. The articles you have chosen are fascinating.

Math Div 4: We looked into how to multiply and divide negative integers laying the stage for a whole lot of one step algebra, solve by substitution brain work which will build us up to do 2-step Algebraic Equations. Be prepared for an integers test on Tuesday, February 27th.

S.S. Div 4: We looked at Anglo Saxon mapping skills and lack of. We also looked at the shortcomings of our own maps that use Mercator Projections to put a 3D object, The Earth, on a 2D Map. Then you were asked to "eyeball" a contour map of England.

Monday, February 19th

Today, Mr. Phipps came from EMCS to help you to set up your Career Cruising Registration Accounts. You can find links and associated paperwork on the EMCS Website.

Mr. Phipps invited all Grade 8s to the EMCS Open House which runs from 6:30 at the school. If you are feeling anxious or curious about what awaits you at High School, this would be a good opportunity to take.

Course Summaries:

Math: Subtracting integers review and practice. For additional practice sets, download the Khan App on your phone or visit the website.

S.S. Div 3: You got your Battle of Hastings Critical Thinking Tests back. You continued mapping Medieval England. Your maps should now have a title: England 1080AE (Alternate Reality), a Legend that shows land, water, highlands, rivers, etc., a scale on the bottom right corner ( 4cm), an outline of England, and be coloured.

English Div 5: You were researching for your article/essay on a topic of your choice.

English Div 4: You organized into conversations. The first conversation between Oli and Amelia took place following the fishbowl format.


Today's word: Inner Circle

Friday, February 16ths Lessons

Today's lessons for our wonderful TTOC:

Please take attendance after the announcements. My schedule managers can put up the day's schedule for you.

Numeracy: We are doing an algebra unit so a mental math workout is going to be a daily routine for us starting today. Each student should get a 100 chart to track calculations. Use the guide to move their minds through a variety of operations with a range of numbers. You can choose one of the students to be the caller.

English Div 4:
You have an in-class writing assignment. As a class, brainstorm for descriptive adjectives and vivid verbs that describe the people and action in this scene, Then, follow the instructions on the writing assignment page to complete an in-class assignment to be submitted in the bin by class' end. If you don't finish, I will give you time on Monday, Literacy Block.

Recess (I have duty out front by the playground)

Prep/No Class Block 2

English Div 5: You will be starting your essay/article assignment. This block is for going over the steps in the assignment, choosing a topic, and researching it. You will be given an assignment page.

Lunch:

PM Attendance and Silent Reading

Social Studies Div 4: View the videos on Feudalism/Middle Ages. As you view the videos, consider how the information impacts you from your feudal role's point of view.

Stack chairs and clean up.

Have a great weekend everyone. :-)

Thursday, Feb 15th

Today's summaries:

Math: We reviewed adding negative and positive integers.

S.S. 8: We looked at the Anglo Saxon's Mappus Mundi and investigated what they did and did not know about mapping. We ended the class drawing a coastal outline of England which was no easy task and not terribly scientific which gave us some insight into mapping in the middle ages (or the lack of it).

English 8: We had our last group present their topics: Sleep Deprivation and Psychosis. Then, we broke the Fishbowl so that all students could speak to topics that were raised in this exercise. It was quite an interesting discussion.

I am not coming in tomorrow as I am under the weather. Your TTOC will be given the day's lesson on this blog and it will serve as a summary. I have told them that they can award tickets to especially helpful students (which you all are). I will draw for the noble of the week next week. Laura, I owe you lunch on Wednesday.

Wednesday, February 14th

Happy Valentines Day

Today's summaries:

English Div 5: You finished your Fishbowl Discussions. Next step is writing your own information-full article (expository prose) on a topic of your choice. We will begin this task next week.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You were given time to finish your critical thinking activity or test on the Battle of Hastings. This will be marked tonight.

Today's word is: CUTE