Tuesday, September 30

So, which one is M. Le Moine?  (This is almost at the height of my dorktitude)


8L:
TO DO:

HOUSEKEEPING:

Our class, in conjunction with 7F, is responsible for the Hallowe'en dance.  As such, we will need some creepy decorations for the event.  If you have any spare jack-o' lanterns, creepy crawlies, or full 3D laser light kits (I'm not really expecting that), please let me know so we can make the dance a memorable one. 

Secondly, I am still waiting for some forms (arghhhh....).  I need the green form, the blue verification form, the HPV form, Quebec surveys, and one IEP parent response form.  Get them all in A.S.A.P. please. 

Math: 

1.  We are studying: factor trees, prime factors, composite numbers, greatest common factor, and lowest common multiples.  Have your child work all of these terms into one sentence.  Congratulations to M.L.'s mom who tested her on the vocab I put up on Friday's Post.  Way to go: You get an "E" for initiative!

2. Quiz 1.2 came home today and it was a great success!  This is a difficult chapter and I was very pleased with the results.  No math homework tonight.

English:
1. I have given my feedback and evaluation on Friday's response to "One of these Days".  Please take a moment to look at the shared file with your child (through Google Apps).

2.  There is no TRC for the month of October.




7F:

Math: No math today (photo day).

English:  A number of students (9) did not hand in the paragraph that was due today.  This was on the blog and discussed in class.  I have let those students know that learning skills are what is most important in our first reporting period and this can't become a habit.

Monday, September 29

You would run too...

8L Homework:

1.  Math, page 17 - 18: 2, ,3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 Ha ha ha!

7F HOMEWORK

1. Math

2. Reflection: students need to write a 143-word reflection on today's group work.  First, they must make a list of five positive traits and five next steps for their group.  Then, they are to take those lists and expand them into a paragraph.  

Friday, September 26, 2014

This little guy was stationed outside the school.  I think he desperately wants to learn to speak French.

8L:
1. First of all, congratulations for typing as quickly as you did to respond to the four English questions pertaining to "One of these Days".  Believe it or not, I had originally intended on you answering 6 questions.  A little over the top.  So, if you missed one question due to the intense pressure, not to worry - I will just turn a blind eye.  DO NOT OPEN UP THE FILE THIS WEEKEND AS THE TIMESTAMP WILL CHANGE.  If you do this, I will have to assume you have your older brother doing it for you.
2. Math: we are beginning with factors, multiples, and prime numbers on Monday.  It would be so lovely if everyone came to class with those terms fresh in their minds (that means look them up). 
3. Monday is the second goal-setting session: should you get a moment this weekend to think about the next step, do so.



7F: 
1. The 9.6 quiz came home today (adding and subtracting positive and negative integers).  Some students are still struggling with this concept and need to spend some time at home practising.  There are plenty of websites (look under the "Pages" section of the blog) that offer problems in this area.
2. Math: have your child answer the following "Checkpoint" questions: 
a. (+4) - (+2) - (+1)      b. (-1) + (-2) - (-3)     c.  9 + -8 - (-3)
d. Show two ways that -2 can be written as the difference of two integers
e. Find two integers with a sum of -2 and a difference of -8.

3. In preparation for the next chapter, have your child review the following terms: prime number, factor, multiple.

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Hallowe'en is around the corner...get those costumes ready!



8L:
1. Be prepared to explain the symbol which represents the microcosm in the story: "One of These Days."
2. Read Mr. Le Moine's comments on your bucket list, and reply where necessary.
3. Read Mr. Le Moine's bucket list (it was shared with you through Google Apps)

7F: 
1.  Read the lesson 9.7 below:

2. In English, we are finding evidence from stories to support a claim.  As well, your child wrote a letter to a peer about a story we're reading and at the same time, he or she received a response.  Tonight your child is to respond to the peer's letter in his or her lit. log.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

8L
1. An English quiz came home today about perspective in writing.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.
2.  Math quiz 9.6 also came home.  Repeat step 1.
3.

7F
1. Math test 9.1-9.5 came home today.  We took it up in class and students were expected to make corrections as we took it up.  Please take a look at it tonight with your child.

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

You guys think you have it so tough...Look at the backpack I had to carry when I was a kid...



8L
1.  Goals Reflection due Friday, September 26th.
2.  Scholastic due September 25th
3.  Complete and submit Google Apps doc: "Follow Directions" (due Wed. 24th)
4.  Link to Prefix/Suffixes (for Mme Fu):  http://www.bonjourdefrance.com/grammaire-ressources/prefixes-suffixes.html



7F

1. Math 9.6 Homework # 2 (use tiles!), 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11
2.  "He was too shy to ask for help" turn this into a show detail.  13-year-old boy at Wal-Mart.
3.

Friday, September 19, 2014 DAY 4

A big thank-you to all parents who were able to make it out to "Meet the Creature" last night.  It was a pleasure to speak with you and I look forward to continuing our dialogue throughout the year.


8L:
1. Scholastic orders are due next Thursday, September 25

2. On day 1 and 3 8L has p.e. first period: to use this time as wisely as possible, and while the "good" weather holds out, I will be picking up the kids right from the outdoor lineup and starting class.  On these days, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor p.e. (this may mean hats, mitts, sweaters...as it was 2 degrees this morning!).  I like to be outside as long into the fall as I can, but when I see snow on the ground, I know it's time to come in.  Much cheering ensues.

3.  Math: p. 391 # 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 (see photos below)

8L (Continued): English: students need to complete the tables they started in class listing the advantages and disadvantages of different perspectives in writing

Forms were sent home today explaining the upcoming photo day.  In short, our day is Tuesday, Sept. 30.  Make sure your child is NOT wearing green (I'm not making this up - it's on the form).

Congratulations to FD and IA for being the first to complete the obstacle course!

7F:
1. English: Show, Don't Tell: students are to do the next 3 and include one metaphor in their response.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

When is a bird also a fish?  Escher knows. Oh, he knows.

8L:
1. The math test came home today.  Please take a few moments to review it with your child.
2. The response to the video clip: "Das Boot" also came home today.  Please take a second moment to review this work with your child.
3. Terry Fox money: Friday is the last day if you wish to make a donation.
4.  I look forward to meeting as many of you as can make it for tonight's curriculum night ("Meet the Creature").  Like the note said, we have two presentations: one from 6:30 - 7:00, and the second from 7:15 to 7:45.  The presentations are identical, so as to allow parents with more than one child in the school to see another division's/class' presentation.
5.  Two very important forms also came home today:
        a. The blue verification form: please read it carefully to ensure all contact information is correct. Make changes where necessary, sign the back, and hand it back by Thursday, October 2nd.
        b. The green form is a consent form that allows ACPS to send electronic messages that contain advertising or promotions such as school fundraisers, lunch programs, field trips, sale of yearbooks...Please hand this back at your earliest convenience.
7F:
1. Tomorrow is our Math test (9.1-9.5).  Please make sure your child gets a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast in the a.m.  
2.  Your child's 9.5 Math quiz came home today.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.  No signature required.  Oh, a zombie stamp means: "Pass".
3.  English: we began an activity called: "Show, Don't Tell."  For homework, your child will need to write the next three examples from the course pack.  Each example has a specific audience and context.

Wednesday, September 17, Day 2

8L:
1. Math test is done and will be returned TOMORROW.
2. Scholastic
3. HPV forms - let's get them in, girls!
4. Terry Fox money: Friday is the last day if you wish to make a donation.


7F:
1. Math test on Friday: 9.1 - 9.5.  Tonight's homework is 9.5 # 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.  As well, Mid-Unit Review: 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9.  We did a considerable amount of this work in class today.

3. In english class, after learning about the four typical errors I see in lit. logs, we wrote the worst possible lit. log responses ever.  It was a lot of fun and hopefully it taught the students what to avoid. Over dinner, ask them to name the four types of errors we learned in class: (cold case, broken record, off the map, and Pinball).

Tuesday, September 16, Day 1

8L: 
1. Scholastic: due Sept. 25
2. Revision to lit. log #1 due tomorrow.  We will do the letter to a peer in class.
3.  All startup packages are now in!  Thank you parents.
4. A letter went home about curriculum night: this Thursday, 6:30, in the gym.  Be there.  We will be running two presentations (should you have two kids in different division): the first will be from 6:30-7:00, and the second will run from 7:15 - 7:45.
5. HPV shots: girls, we need the permission forms back if you intend to have the shot
6. First math test tomorrow!  Get a good sleep.  As well, make sure you have a calculator (no iphones or ipods)

7T
1. Math test on Friday
2. We will be doing the work for 9.5 and the mid-unit revision tomorrow in class.

Monday, September 15, 2014, Day 5

And the Internet is no oxygen tank...



8L:
1. Math test this Wednesday!  9.1-9.5.  We went over strategies for studying in class - perhaps your child could inform you of 3 that we came up with. Or not (it was on Friday).
2. Terry Fox tomorrow: appropriate attire and donation (if you wish)
3. Forms.  Ugh.  Still waiting...Agenda money...Arts money...
4. Scholastic orders are due September 25.
5. 


7F:
1. Math test this Friday (9.1-9.5).  For tonight, students are to finish 9.4 (see below).
2. English: each student was handed back his or her lit. log today and has a question to answer (from me).  This is due tomorrow.
3. Scholastic orders are due Sept. 25

Friday, September 12, 2014 Day 4

METEORITE, SCHMETERIORITE.

Grade 8:
1.  We are running for the Terry Fox fundraiser next Tuesday, so this means please make sure your child is dressed for the weather on that day.  Secondly, if you would like to make a donation, please send it with your child.  Money will be accepted until next Friday.

2. Math: we just about finished the homework for 9.5 (division of positive and negative integers).  Ask your child the following: "What is the rule when dividing positive and negative integers?  How do we know what the sign will be?"

3.  English: I modelled a lit. log (literature log) today in class, and each student was given a copy to keep.  These log entries are the basis for reading response in class.

4. Still waiting for some forms, and agenda/arts money...I have written the names of the students owing on the board as a gentle reminder.  Please send this in as quick as possible.

5.  HPV forms for girls came home today.  Take a look at the information contained within and hand it back signed if you would like for your daughter to have the vaccination.

6.  An unusual request: If you have a copy of the game "Scrabble" at home, and you don't mind sending it in with your child, please do so for Monday.  We are going to read a story that involves Scrabble, and I would like to have several copies of the game in class so the students can play it.  Thanks!

Grade 7:
1. I didn't see your kids today as they were participating in the Arts Program: "Aussie X".  I look forward to seeing them on Monday.

2. Literature Logs: see item 3 above (I wrote a sample yesterday).  

Thursday, September 11 2014 Day 3

For me, it would be a chocolate truck crashing with a peanut butter truck...



GRADE 8:
1. O.k., time to get serious: I need all of the "package" forms handed back in signed.  These are quite important - particularly the appropriate use of technology form.

2. I gave back two Math quizzes: 9.1 and 9.2  Please take a moment to look these over with your child.  If there is a big "R" stamp on it, this means your child has the opportunity to re-do this quiz.  For that to happen, he or she will need to complete a "re-do request" (they know what this is).

3. Reading, reading, reading.  Make sure your child is reading in a distraction-free space so they can concentrate.

4. Tomorrow is Aussie - x and it may be outdoors.  With the chilly weather suddenly hitting us, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.

GRADE 7:
1. I handed back the first quiz today (9.1), so please take a moment to look it over with your child.  If he or she has an "R" stamp on it, please refer to point #2 above.

2. Constant reading - I can't stress this enough.  I began running records today and noticed that some students are quite "fluid" in their delivery.  I mentioned to some students that they will need to read aloud to someone as practise, so please make a bit of time for that if the case warrants it.

Wednesday, September 10 Day 2

Apparently, spelling doesn't matter any more...


GRADE 8:
1. There are still forms to be handed in: Aussie X as well as the opening day "package".
2. Scholastic is due September 25
3. I have posted a page entitled: "Super-Cool Math Games".  Tonight your child MUST play a game and be ready to share his or her experience with the game tomorrow (a mini-review).
4. We are studying multiplying positive and negative numbers right now, and some students are having difficulty with the conceptual part of this unit.  So, tonight, over dinner, casually ask your child: "Hey, insert name of child, could you please pass the salt?  And, oh, by the way, I was just wondering, is it possible to multiply an integer by itself and create a negative product? And can you explain this to me using an example as support?  Thanks."  Just be cool about it and they'll never know I put you up to this.
5. Make sure your child is reading his or her independent book at home!
6. Finally, each student must find an example of "sacrifice" and be prepared to deliver a 23-second presentation to explain it.  The example may come from life, a book, or even a movie.

GRADE 7:
1. Scholastic is due September 25
2.  As a communication task for Math, have your child explain to you why -100 is SMALLER than +5.  Make sure they include the term: "Number line" in their response.
3. Make sure your child is reading at home!  Every night!  No exceptions!

Tuesday, September 9

Grade 8:
1. Example of sacrifice for Thursday (23 second presentation)
2. Additional Math websites:
1.   http://ca.ixl.com/promo?partner=google&campaign=1186&adGroup=8th+grade+math&gclid=Cj0KEQjwyrqgBRDepamt-LWA2oABEiQAV7nwwPf4XDOMnHMm6ggdsOKq14_cMZgFYTBAIK5F3fvB6xMaAluo8P8HAQ

2. http://hzsd.ca/learningcenter/library/math%20resources/Grade%208%20Math%20Websites

3. Khan Academy

Monday, September 10, 2014

8L:
1.  Still waiting for a few forms from the first day package to be filled out.  Please hand them in a.s.a.p.
2. $5.00 agenda
3. $30.00 arts
4. Take a look at your child's first Math quiz that is coming home today (9.2).  The zombie stamp means "pass".
5.  Have a great day!
6.  Your child will need a book in class for independent reading beginning Friday.

7F:
1. Your child will be collecting six quotes tonight from the story: "The Party".  Have him/her explain how the t-chart works.
2. Your child will need a book in class for independent reading beginning Friday.

Friday, September 5, 2014

What a terrific first week!  I'm very glad to be working with all of your children.  We will have no math homework until the online textbook codes are given to us (hopefully very soon).  In the meantime, shoo your kids outside while the good weather lasts!  

If your child has exhausted every possible outdoor activity and is craving Math work, well then click on this link to check out a very comprehensive Math website: IXL MATH

HOMEWORK:
8L: 
1. Agenda (a couple more to come)
2. Arts $30.00
3. Blog sign up
4. Scholastic order due: September 25
5. Discussion point: when you have a moment, ask your child for his or her thoughts about the "value" of an individual: can we say that some people are "worth" more than others? (this is in context with a short story we read).


7F:
1. Blog sign up
2. Scholastic due: September 25
3. Response to the story: "The Party" due Monday.  150-250 words answering the question: "Did she accept the invitation or not?"  Be sure to defend your position with evidence from the text.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.
-Charles Dickens

It is indeed good to see so many returning faces...

8L:
1. Only a couple of people still need to bring money for agenda and the arts package
2. Many parents still need to complete the forms contained within the "School Start Up Package".
3. We began our first math unit today: Adding positive and negative integers.  Over dinner, casually ask your child: "Hey, if the signs between two integers are different, which way would I go on a number line?"  After the initial shock wears off, your child should say: "Well, seeing as they are different, they are replaced with a negative, which means moving to the left on the number line."
4.  No Math homework as we had time in class to complete the bulk of it
5. I handed out the course pack in English class today: if you are interested in seeing some of the work we will be doing this year, have your child take you on a tour of its contents.
6.  Scholastic orders will be due the last week of September

7F:
1. I hope everyone had a great trip at Swan Lake.
2. Don't forget to sign up for the blog
3. The 4-8 line poem is due tomorrow

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014

7F:
1. Please write a 4-8 lined poem from Shane's perspective.  Your poem does not have to rhyme.  This is due Friday.
2. Bring appropriate attire for the trip to Swan Lake
3. Fill out the parent contact form
4. Sign up for the blog

8L:
1. Sign up for blog
2. $5.00 for the agenda
3. $30.00 for arts programme
4. Fill out the parent contact form

Tuesday, September 2nd

8L :
1. Hand back the arts permission form (Aussie X programs)
2. Agenda $5.00
3. Blog Sign up
4. Parent contact information form complete

7F
1. (same as 8L)