Friday, October 31st, 2014

Probably not what you want to see when you wake up.  Happy Hallowe'en!

8L
VIP forms came home today.  Please sign them and then send it back to school for this coming Monday.

MATH:

Continuing to work on Supa-Dupa questions.  Kids should review area and volume formulas for triangular prisms.

(Can't argue with the good doctor.)

8L:

Next Wednesday, we are taking the kids to Langstaff and Thornlea for "Take Your Kids to High School Day".  If you live on the east side of Bayview, your child will be bringing home the Thornlea permission form.  If you live on the west side, your child will be bringing home the Langstaff permission form.  In either case, please hand the given form back by this coming Monday. 

Furious dance planning today: tickets being sold, receipts being brought in, kids rushing about buying food and drinks - thank you to all the parents who have given such support in this process!  Maybe as a reward you should get to come and watch your kids dancing...maybe that's a very bad idea.

MATH: 

1. The measurement test is coming home today.  The second question was especially challenging, so we spent a considerable amount of time in groups working on its solution.  Tomorrow, at recess, all students will get the opportunity to try the question again (one similar to it).  For those who wish to try an even tougher question, they will also have that option (for a potentially higher score).  If your child comes home with a bunch of math cubes that were signed out, congratulate them on their initiative: I made the offer to the whole class, and so far only a handful signed some out. 

2.  We are working on "Supa-Dupa" questions pertaining to volume and area of triangular prisms.  What makes them so difficult?  Well, because there is a missing variable, they have to also apply their knowledge of algebra to solve the problem.  Do me a favor: ask your child tonight: "What is the goal of algebra?"  He or she should emphatically respond: "we are trying to isolate the variable; we want him to be completely miserable and alone on his side of the equation" or something to that effect.

7F

MATH

1. We finished our introductory lesson to patterning (1.5) and all questions are homework for tomorrow.  

Wednesday, October 29

Even a turtle reaches his destination.

As a parent myself, I'm often looking for games (board and video) my kids will enjoy and that are appropriate.  If you find yourself in the same position, here are a couple of suggestions: 
1. Carcassonne: it's a tile-based strategy game which is engrossing for kids and adults alike.  It's available in an electronic version (app), but it began as a board game.
2. Kerbal Space Program: a video game that challenges kids (and adults - I play it with my son) to build rockets that will make it to orbit around Earth and beyond.  It's challenging, interesting, and quite funny (you will see when you play).

If you have any further suggestions, fire them my way and I'll post them on the blog!



8L

1. English: no lesson today as kids were either getting shots for HPV or helping out with "Take me Outside"

2. Math: we are examining the formula for determining the volume of triangular prisms.  Should you have any kicking around the house (large toblerone bar...), ask your child to calculate its volume.  We did lesson 3.4 and the homework is for tonight.


7F

1. Math: we went over the measurement test (handed it back) so please take a moment to look it over with your child.  As with all tests in term 1, there will be a re-test for those who wish to give their grade a "makeover".  We began our unit on patterning today (1.5 in the textbook).  Homework:

2. English: handed back "Show, Don't Tell" test and took up some of the truly stunning work created by the class; I was so impressed by the quality that I made a poster of their work and put it on my classroom door.  

Tuesday, October 28

Name the band.  This is getting easier and easier...

8L

Thornlea came for a presentation today, and it was a time for students to learn about pre-AP, AP, IB (and differences between AP and IB), ACAM, and all the clubs and activities available at Thornlea.  Take a moment to discuss what your child learned from the presentation, and don't forget the upcoming open houses.

1. Learning skill self-assessment is due tomorrow (we had 15 minutes to complete this in class).
2. No Math or Language homework!  Spend some time prepping your costume for Friday.

7F

1. No Math or Language homework.

In a former life, I was a shark trainer in Hawaii.

There is no school on Monday as it's a P.A. day.
On Tuesday, our students will be participating in "Take me Outside".  We are going out rain or shine.  Dress accordingly.

8L

Math

1. 3.3 homework for Tuesday.

English

1. We have finished our work on Context and will begin Commentary this Tuesday.

7F

Math

1. Test is done.  On to bigger and better things on Tuesday.

English

1. I'm really hoping that we begin filming on Tuesday.  It's draaaaaagggging on.

Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Thursday, October 23rd

Ain't it the truth.  Ain't it the truth.

8L:

Happy Diwali!


The image below lists all the open houses for the local high schools.  

SHSM:  A very special form came home today: it lists all of the specialist programs (SHSM) offered at the high schools within York Region.  Please take some time to look this over with your child so you can make the most informed decision about your child's secondary education.  If you have questions about the programs themselves, contact the guidance department of the high school OR check out their website.

ENGLISH
1. We are learning a fairly complex skill right now called "context and commentary".  For now, we are examining context, or the sentence that is used to seamlessly introduce a quote as evidence.  If you get a moment, ask your child to articulate this process and the "context key words".  

MATH
1. Breaking news: the grade 8 Math test has been put off until Tuesday (Monday is a P.A. Day) as we have Grow Interactive tomorrow.  And there was much rejoicing...
Students know exactly what to study - have them articulate this to you.

7F

ENGLISH

1. We are in the thick of planning our filming for the learning skills commercials.  So far, the actual planning has taken much longer than I would have liked, but it has been very productive discussion.

MATH
1. Math test tomorrow!  Have a discussion with your child about how he/she is preparing for it.  For starters, a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast!

2.  We had a riveting (that might be an exaggeration) discussion about the work that YOU do and how it pertains to Math.  Rest assured, you are ALL using Math on a daily basis.  I was pleased to see how proud they were to share the work that you do.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Hmmm...I think Ronaldo was in my English class: show, don't tell.

8L

ENGLISH

1. The summative evaluation of "One of These Days vs. Minority Report" came home today.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.

MATH

1. Friday is our test for 3.1 and 3.2 (very short - one pager).  Tonight, your child can review how to make nets; in addition, they should be thinking about the number of views required to construct a 3D shape.

7F

MATH

1. We finished our unit review today, and I addressed any outstanding questions students may have had.  We will be writing the test on Friday (3.4-3.6).  Tonight, the homework is page 107 # 4-13.

ENGLISH

1. Filming started today for our Powerade commercials.

8L

1. The photo packages came home today.  Orders are due back to school by: October 27, 2014.  Late orders received after the original envelopes have been picked up are subject to a $10 handling fee (I'm not making this up - it's directly from the order form).  If you have any questions or issues about the photos, you can call the company directly at: 1-866-707-3343.

2. MATH: Today, we took a final look at this very short unit (3.1 - 3.2).  The performance task is done, and now it's time for a short test; it will take place on Thursday.

3.  IB information night at Bayview Secondary: 

7F

1. In english, we broke down a 30 second video into its components (shot sizes, angles, camera movement...); our next step is to replicate the style using learning skills as a theme.  It will be hilarious.  

2.  Math: we finished 3.6 and tomorrow we will work on the unit review (that means a test is coming shortly...likely this week...start preparing).

Monday, October 20, 2014

I'm the third kid from the right...

8L

1.  A small slip of paper went home inviting all grade 8 parents to a Quebec Trip information session that will be held this Thursday at 6:00 pm in the library.  

2.  Math: we have the re-do test tomorrow (9.6-1.4).  If your child wishes to participate, he/she should have the original test signed and the "re-test request" completed.  

3.  Math: we had a little challenge today where students had to build shapes that could not be built with only three views.  See if your child can articulate this discovery to you.

7F

1. Math: we learned three formulas today: Volume of a rectangular prism, height of a rectangular prism, and Area of the base of a rectangular prism.  I strongly suggest you grab something "rectangular" and "prismy" and have your child explain how he/she would calculate its volume.  The homework is 3.6, 1a, 2a, 4, 5, 6, 8

Friday, October 20

If I wasn't teaching...

8L

Bill Crothers Secondary School is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 school year.  Applications are available on the website: http://billcrothers.ss.yrdsb.ca/

1.  Math: 3.2 #4, 5, 6.  Do NOT make the nets

2.  English: Reading.  Reading.  Reading.

DANCE PLANNING: 8L and 7F are responsible for the Hallowe'en dance, so if you have any "swag" at work that could be used as prizes, feel free to send them in with your child.  Thank you!

7F

1. Math: review the formula for the area of a rectangular prism

2. English: paragraph due Monday.  This is the reflection based on the rotating character-web activity

Thursday, October 16

Name the band.  Clue: it's Mr. Le Moine's favorite...

8L:

English

1. Broken Lit. Log test coming home today!  Take a few moments to look it over with your child.
2.  Character web for the narrator in "Patrick" due tomorrow.  3 adjectives + quotes and defense.


Math

1. Math test 9.6-1.4 also coming home today (it was a furious marking session).   Re-do next Tuesday for those interested.


7F

Math

1. Our lesson today was on volume of prisms.  Please take a moment to ask your child: "Hey, I have a box and a space and need to know if it will fit within the space.  How would I calculate the volume of the box?"

2. 3.4 questions 1, 6,7,8,9,10,11, 12

Wednesday, October 15

8L

Math:
1. We worked on building 3D structures from nets today.  No homework (all done in class).

7F

Math:
1. Students have to articulate (in writing) why 2(lw + lh + wh) is the same as 2lw + 2lh + 2wh.  As well, they will need to be able to explain the process for finding the area of a rectangular prism.

Tuesday, October 14 2014

8 Math:
We began our unit of study today and explored a fantastic website called building houses.  If it doesn't work in Chrome, try it in safari, IE, or Firefox.  NO HOMEWORK TONIGHT (we will do the work in class tomorrow).

7 and 8 English:
We have a show, don't tell test tomorrow.  I put some final tips on the board, but here they are again should your child have missed them:
1. Don't tell; describe the visuals of the scene
2. Include as many varied details as you can in 41 words (+ precise adjectives)
3. Use metaphors, similes, and hyperboles to make the s.d.t. more colourful

7 Math: We did the 3.4 lesson today and all questions are homework - except for question #4.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

8L

1. Math test tomorrow!  9.6-1.4

2. Science project due next Thursday

3. History test on Oct. 14

4. Book talk on 12th

7F

1. MATH: Before we move on to our next unit, we will examining the Golden Proportions and the Fibonacci sequence.  If you have any experience with this, take some time to share what you know with your child tonight.  If you have never heard of this before, and you have a bit of time, explore some of the amazing facts available on the web.

2. Math: the 9.6-1.4 test came home today.  Please take a minute to look it over with your child.

3.  During today's broken lit log test, I had students go into the hall (individually) and read their written responses aloud to see if there were any errors. I'm curious to see how your child felt about that experience: did it help? Were there changes that needed to be made?  Why does this help?   (I asked informally and every single student who came back in said there were changes to be made).    This is an excellent dinnertime conversation!

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

I know I'm getting older when my brain starts thinking about: "The good old days."

To all grade 7 and 8 parents: PEARSON ETEXT ISSUES: 

I think I may found the problem.  By googling: "Pearson etext login canada" it actually sends you to a different site which can be found here: Pearson   (alternately, you can copy paste this address in your browser: http://www.pearsoned.ca/school/product/pearsonetext/

8L

1. Math test will be this Friday!  9.6 - 1.4  Again, here is the website: Pearson

2. Math quiz coming home: 1.3 (scientific notation).  Please take a moment to look this over with your child; here are some pointers: decimal after the first digit, keep only to the nearest 100th (second digit after the decimal), and express as a power of 10: 1.54 x 105

3. Math Homework: unit review

7F

1. Math test tomorrow: 9.6-1.4.  There are review pages on the site; don't forget to access the site via this login: Pearson

2. Quizzes coming home today: 1.3 and redo for 1.2.  Please take a look at these with your child.

3. Writing coming home: "What Have We Learned Thus Far?".  About 1/2 of the class wrote this online through Google Docs and I have shared it back with them.  The other 1/2 of the class wrote it on paper, and they are full of my comments.  Please read through with your child.

Monday, October 6, 2014

• Texting while driving makes a driver 23x more likely to crash.
• Drivers talking on a cell phone are 4x more likely to have a car accident.
• Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver's reaction time as slow as that of a 70 year old.
• Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds. That is enough time to travel the length of a football field.
• Studies have found that texting while driving causes a 400% increase in time spent with eyes off the road.
• 94% of drivers support bans on texting while driving.
• 74% of drivers support bans on hand-held cell phone use.
• 3,331 people were killed and 387,000 were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver.
• 48% of teens have seen their parents use a phone while driving
• 11 teens are killed every day in the U.S. from distracted driving.

8L
1. Cell phones: just a reminder to all families that cell phones are not permitted in class or the halls, or at recess, or on the roof...If a child NEEDS a cell phone, it must be in the locker at all times.

2. Math: 1.4 homework: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13*, 14
*13 is particularly nasty.  Have fun.

2.5 Math: there will be a unit test this Thursday: 9.6, 9.7, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4

3.  English: 8L has a "broken lit. log" test tomorrow: they will be given a very basic response which requires revising and editing.  They can review their notes on the four types of errors taken up in class.

7F: 

Math: 
1. A number of students had difficulty logging on to Pearson E-text.  Here are some possible solutions:  a. try a different browser (chrome, IE, Safari, Mozilla Firefox)   b. Google: "Pearson e-text"     c. try this link:  http://etext-sms.navajo.pearsoncanada.ca/ebook/viewerLogin.do?scenario=1&languageid=1&errorCause=6

2.  Math 1.4 homework: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

3.  Math: there will be a unit test this Wednesday: 9.6, 9.7, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

On the flip side, the only possible injury these kids might sustain is a blister on the thumb.

8L:

HOUSEKEEPING: 

FRANCE EXCHANGE:  

If your child is interested in participating in a reverse exchange with a student from France, they need to start the application process right now and get their applications in by mid November.  The exchange works in the following way: your child would travel in Feb. of the grade 8 year and host in August going into grade 9.   All the forms are on the ISE website: www.iseontario.on.ca   Also information meetings are scheduled for Oct. 27 and Oct. 29 at 7 pm at Alexander Mackenzie HS.

Arts Program Information Night: for those students interested in pursuing the arts in high school, Alex Mac is one of four high schools in York Region offering a four-year intensive arts program.  The areas of study include: dance, drama, music, and visual arts.  For more information, please attend the information night being held at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, October 22nd from 7-9 pm.

Math: 

1. The eText codes are here!  Each child has been given their unique sign-on code.  Please take a few minutes this weekend to explore the text as well as some of the other features of the online text.  First thing to do is bookmark the site: www.pearsoncanada.ca/etext.  Then, have your child sign in.  Once they are in, click on the "settings" button in the upper right-hand corner.  There, your child can enter the course code: LeMoine878737eb.  That's it!

2. We have finished our work for chapter 1.3 and the questions are for homework.  We have one more chapter to go before our unit test (1.4).  At this point, it would be a good idea to have your child begin reviewing the chapters we have been studying over the past two weeks.

English: 

1. We will have two summative tasks next week: 1. Show, Don't Tell and 2. Fix the Broken Lit. Log.  In both cases, students can review their notes taken in class and practise exercises in the course pack (Show, Don't Tell).  They have 3 Show, Don't Tell activities to do.

7F

Math: 

1. The eText codes are here!  Each child has been given their unique sign-on code.  Please take a few minutes this weekend to explore the text as well as some of the other features of the online text.  First thing to do is bookmark the site: www.pearsoncanada.ca/etext.  Then, have your child sign in.  Once they are in, click on the "settings" button in the upper right-hand corner.  There, your child can enter the course code: Fu0000820312eb.  That's it!

2. We have finished our work for chapter 1.3 and the questions are for homework.  We have one more chapter to go before our unit test (1.4).  At this point, it would be a good idea to have your child begin reviewing the chapters we have been studying over the past two weeks.

English: 

1. We will have two summative tasks next week: 1. Show, Don't Tell and 2. Fix the Broken Lit. Log.  In both cases, students can review their notes taken in class and practise exercises in the course pack (Show, Don't Tell).

Thursday, Oct. 2nd, 2014

Please do not try this at home.

In case you were wondering, I am the little kid on the right of yesterday's photo - you know, the one with the cow lick the size of Talahassee.  


8L: 

1.  Well, well well, my little grade 8s....after such an amazing effort today at the tug-of-war, you have earned the privilege of no Math/English homework.  Though we were beaten by the teachers, we looked fabulous while doing so.

7F:

1. The 1.2 quiz will be coming home tomorrow.  The results were mixed so please take some time to look it over with your child.