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