Thursday, December 18, 2014

As today is my last day in class for 2014, I would like to wish everyone a very happy, restful, and safe break with your family.  I plan on drinking a lot of coffee and then sleeping in; sounds contradictory, but I will make it work.

8  

Math: Sleep.  Get some more sleep.

English: Shortly after the break, we will be doing book talks: if you have a moment over the break to read, it's probably a good idea to sink your teeth into a decent book (no graphic novels).

SENSORY JOURNEY SCHEDULE:
SYDNEY: rehearse Jan. 5, perform Jan. 8
IBRAHIM: rehearse Jan. 6, perform Jan. 9
NICHOLAS: rehearse Jan. 7, perform Jan. 9
NATALIE: perform Jan. 7

7

Math: Send your survey created in Google docs to as many students in the class as you can.  Sit back and enjoy as the results come in.

English: Shortly after the break, we will be doing book talks: if you have a moment over the break to read, it's probably a good idea to sink your teeth into a decent book (no graphic novels).

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

8

Math: Geometry re-test is tomorrow (both communication and knowledge): I had two workroom periods today to address any difficulties students may have had.  As well, if your child is interested in writing, he or she must bring home and have signed the: "Re-Test Request."



7

Math: 

1. Geometry re-test is tomorrow (both communication and knowledge): I had two workroom periods today to address any difficulties students may have had.  As well, if your child is interested in writing, he or she must bring home and have signed the: "Re-Test Request."

2. We were working on our data management surveys today, as well as including a section about financial literacy.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

8L

MATH: Your child can now create a variety of angles using nothing but a straight edge and a compass.  Please have a chat (over dinner) about how to create the following angles: 60, 150, 120, 7.5.


7F

MATH: Second part of the geometry test is coming home today.  The re-test is this coming Thursday: if your child is interested in "upgrading", then he or she must fill out the "re-test request" and attend workroom.

Monday, December 15, 2014

This is how 8L began its day.  Well, minus quite a bit of snow...and minus the mountains.

8L

Math: we are looking at the difference between incenter and circumcenter in Geometry.  If you have a moment, have your child articulate the difference.

English: rehearsals for Sensory Journeys begin this week, so it's getting down to the wire.

7F

Math: We continue our study of data management and we will be using excel this week to represent the data we find.  If you have some knowledge of excel, take a moment to share with your child where/how you use it (for work, for home...).  It's a powerful piece of software.

English: The summative context and commentary test was today (finally - it had been delayed three times), and we can now focus all of our attention on 7-word summaries.

Friday, December 12, 2014

The deadline for the Math contest permission form and $5.00 has been extended to Monday (thanks a lot, snow day).  Please send it in with your child if you wish to participate.

8L: if the snow is still on the ground by Monday morning, we are staying OUTSIDE for p.e.  Bring all your warmest clothes and a good set of boots.  

Grade 8

English
First things first: take a look at the photo above...any ideas as to what it is?  This weekend, do some research on: "sensory deprivation tanks" and answer the following questions:
1. What is the purpose of a sensory deprivation tank?
2. How does it work?
3. What effect does it produce on the body and mind of the participant?
4. Any risks involved?
5. How does this relate to our sensory journeys?

You may answer in point form, diagrams, full sentences, or a paragraph - whatever floats your boat (pun intended).

Final lit. log (summative) will take place next week.  Be ready: review your context and commentary notes, and look at the questions in the course pack.
Math
1.  The Geometry test is coming home today.

2.  7.4: bisecting angles - it's so much fun.  Just remember, should you ever be stranded on a deserted isle, you will now have the means to be rescued...Do all questions for homework.

Grade 7

English
1.  Context and Commentary summative test is on Monday.  Too many students absent today.

2. As we continue to explore "7-word summaries", I want you to understand the bigger picture here: why do we do this seemingly nonsensical exercise.  When you Google: "precis writing" (which is what we do in 7-word summaries), 447,000 hits come up.  That number alone should indicate its importance - but don't take my word for it, research it yourself: select one site and answer the following questions (and don't make it the first link that comes up - everyone will be doing that)
1.  Why is summarizing large texts into smaller bites so important?
2. What are three tips you learned online for writing an effective precis?

Your answer may be in point form, diagram, sentences, or a paragraph.

Math
1.  Geometry test part 2 coming home today (I may have the 1st part corrected by the end of the day).

2.  Data management!  After finishing the lesson started by our two "job shadow" teachers on Wednesday, we should now have a better idea as to what is primary data, secondary data, and bias.  All 5.1 questions for homework.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Hell froze over, and THIS happened.  Don't I look happy.

Grade 7 + 8: there will be a permission form coming home tomorrow pertaining to a Math contest we are hosting at school.  Just letting you know...

8

MATH: Whew...done part I and part II of Geometry; yesterday's test is coming home today and the results were terrific: not a single student below level 3!  The class worked extremely hard on this unit.  Next is 7.4 where we will be using compasses to bisect angles. 

ENGLISH: A reminder, every student must come with an article tomorrow (no longer than 1000 words).  There will not be time to print it out in class, so it must be in hand when your child goes off to school.  

7

MATH: Part I is done, and Part II of the Geometry test will be tomorrow (communication/application).  Once this is done, we will be moving on to Data Management.  

ENGLISH:  A reminder, every student must come with an article tomorrow (no longer than 1000 words).  There will not be time to print it out in class, so it must be in hand when your child goes off to school.  

Monday, December 8, 2014

8

MATH: Part II of the geometry test will take place tomorrow.

ENGLISH: All students must bring an article (that is of interest to them) for Wednesday's class; if they need to print it out, it must be done tomorrow (Tuesday).  The article may not be any longer than 1000 words.

7

MATH: Part I of the geometry test will take place tomorrow.  We did our final review today.

ENGLISH: 

1.  The formative context and commentary came back today.  The summative test will take place this Thursday.

2.  All students must bring an article (that is of interest to them) for Wednesday's class; if they need to print it out, it must be done tomorrow (Tuesday).  The article may not be any longer than 1000 words.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Ahhh...those listening skills...

8

Math: check out the video below: it represents our final review of the material we need for Monday's test (part 1).  Tuesday is part 2.  Enjoy?

English: Sensory journeys continue...


7

Math: Students should spend some time reviewing 7.1 - 7.3 this weekend.  


English: Prior to reading Wonder, we had a discussion about what we are vs. what we are not.  Have your child explain this to you (and the purpose of the discussion).  We also finished our Map presentations, which really was a sneaky way of me having your children get comfortable speaking in front of their peers (book talks are coming...).

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Where in the world is M. Punnoose...?

8 

8L: Thanks for the feedback you gave me pertaining to the first "flipped" lesson last night.  I appreciate your honesty and your intelligent comments.

English: Tomorrow, we begin planning for one of the most exciting projects in grade 8: Sensory Journeys.  Over dinner, ask your child to give you a little overview of what the project entails.

 Math:  We spent the better part of three periods working on the "Missing Angles" in geometry, and it's now time for a test.  Tonight, your child can look at complementary, supplementary, alternate, corresponding, and interior angles.  In addition, he or she should review the laws governing the angles of a triangle.


7

Math: We took up the mid-unit review and then did something radically different: I dictated the questions for a quiz, rather than hand out a paper and pencil.  Following the quiz, we had a discussion about the pros and cons of doing this kind of test, and this lead to what type of learning style each student brings to the class (as well as the teacher's).

English: we are almost done our presentation of the maps for the "Carnival".  By Monday I will have finished looking at your child's formative context and commentary work, so a test is coming (Tuesday/Wednesday).  

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

8

MATH: Mid-Unit Review (page 292) for tomorrow.  As well, watch the flipped lesson below (our first ever - it's a little rough).  

English:


7

ENGLISH: The media reflection for the powerade activity came home today.  Please look it over with your child.
MATH:  Mid-Unit review for homework

8L won the "bring a stuffed animal" contest today; we had 75 total (21 were attached to my pants).

Secondly, I finally updated the badges page: click here to view.  If I missed an accomplishment, please let me know and I will make the necessary changes.

8 Math:

Quiz 7.2 came home today.  Make a paper airplane with your child after looking it over.  

Quiz 7.3 tomorrow: your child should review parallel lines, transversals, and the three laws (z, c, and f).

8 English

Some students will be presenting their monologues tomorrow, so they will need their material for the presentation.


7 Math:

7.3 homework (all questions).