Friday, February 27, 2015

8

MATH

QUIZ on Monday: mental math, calculating percentages!

ENGLISH

Finish paragraph A for your essays.  Your work today nearly brought me to tears.  Very MLG, Alexis.   Re-read the Giver if you get bored.

7

MATH

No homework

ENGLISH
Re-read the Outsiders: you need to know the book inside and out for the essay.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

8

HOUSEKEEPING:

1. Quebec instalment due Feb. 27

2. Informed Consent Agreement Field Trip Single Day forms - tomorrow is the LAST day.  Send it in.

3. Report card envelopes and signed tear-off slip.


Math

1. Calculate in your head (and then on paper) the following: 
a. 8% of 300
b. 20% of 500
c. 52% of 900
d. 11% of 200 120
e. 19% of 310 000
f. 75% of 600

2. Read the following numbers out loud (the spacing is messed up on purpose!):
a. 25 15 125   b. 5185 125  c. 1528 9 111  d. 911 911 91   e. 1851721 91

3.  Ask your parents how they use/see percentages on a day-to-day basis

4.  In 100 words (thereabouts), answer the following question: Why do we use percentages?  What is the point?  


English

1. Finish paragraph A for 2 other essays (today we did "Shreds of Humanity")

2. Read your Math reflection on percentages OUT LOUD: is what you've written what you were trying to say?  As well, I'm betting that 80% of you started with the following: "We use percentages because/to..."  If that is your opening line, erase it and start again.  Find a more intriguing way to open (start with an adjective, reverse the order (start with the object), start with a bold statement/metaphor: "Percentages are my oxygen: without them, I..."

3.  Good article on the "Primal Mindset": http://www.thehackedmind.com/using-evolution-to-achieve-success/ 
7

Math: 2.4 for homework tonight


English: We didn't quite finish the seminars, but tomorrow it's on like Donkey Kong.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

HOUSEKEEPING: To all parents in 8L:

1. Please complete and return the "Informed Consent Agreement Field Trip Single Day" package as soon as possible.

2. Report card tear-off slips and envelopes - please send them in.

3. On March 31st, 8L will be going on a field trip to the Toyota Manufacturing Plant in Cambridge.  We will need 4 parent volunteers for the trip, so if you are available, please let me know.  I'm hoping they hand out loot bags at the end of the tour (like a Prius...).

8

ENGLISH
1. We began our frameworks for the first essay today (they wrote 2/3 of paragraph A).  At any time you hear your child complain: "I have nothing to doooooooo....." you can say the following: "What about the frameworks for the OTHER 7 essays?  Have you started them?  Hmmm???"  In all likelihood, they will run in the other direction.

2. Seminars will likely be done by the end of the day (I'm writing this at 11:00 a.m.).  Next step: summative book talk (next week) and hard-core essay writing.

MATH
1.  Take a look at the following sites: 

a.   https://sites.google.com/a/smcstudents.ca/mr-lalonde-s-class/st-noel-chaba/mathmatics/math-makes-sense-textbook
b.   http://www.rsf.gsacrd.ab.ca/eteachers/1064/math-8

7

ENGLISH

1. We are nearing the end of the seminars.  Once this is done, we will be delving into our essays full time.  Tomorrow: 103-147.

2.  7-Word summary test came home today.

MATH

Check out the following interesting Math link: http://www.rsf.gsacrd.ab.ca/eteachers/1064/math-7

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Name this object in our classroom....

8

MATH: Test tomorrow!  2.1 - 2.3.  We spent quite a bit of time reviewing today.

ENGLISH: Seminars tomorrow: pages 134 - 157


7 

MATH: We start 2.4 tomorrow (no homework tonight).

ENGLISH: Seminars: pages 98 - 112

Monday, February 23rd, 2015

8 Math: 

1. Tonight's homework is Mid-Unit review (page 69).  Test will be on Wednesday.  

8 English:

1. Seminars: pages 116-133

7 Math

1. Test tomorrow: 2.1 - 2.3.  Review...review...review...

English:

1. Seminars: pages 83-97

Friday, February 20, 2015

7F and 8L : great week guys!  I thoroughly enjoyed your seminars as you were able to showcase your dazzling presentation skills.  Natural speakers...natural speakers...natural speakers. 


8

MATH

1.  2.3 is for homework this weekend.  We are studying rates, so if you notice any over the weekend, be sure to point them out to your child (km/h, heartbeats/minute, L/100km...).

2.  There will be a test for sections 2.1 - 2.3 on Tuesday.  Ratios rock.


ENGLISH

1. We continue our seminars on Monday (pages 80 - 115).

2.  Today's 7-word summary test is coming home.  Yup.  That fast.  Ask your child about "the deal."

GRADE 7 and 8: Check out the video below reviewing a ratio problem!  It's a little short on car crashes and explosions (sorry....next time).

7

MATH

1. 2.3 is for homework this weekend.   We will have a test on 2.1 - 2.3 on Tuesday (ratios).

2.  Last week's Math test on Measurement (trapezoids) came home today.  We took it up in class.  There are two grades on the test and both of them are on the first page: the first grade is at the top of the page and the second grade is 2/3 of the way down.


 If your child looks bored at any point, throw these word problems at them: ***If you watch the video, you will find the solution to question #4!

1.  The height of the CN Tower is about 550 m.  What is the height of the CN Tower in a scale drawing if the scale is 1:11 000?

2. Luca is 9 years old and 129 cm tall.  Medical charts show that a boy's height at age 9 is 3/4 of his predicted adult height.  Predict Luca's adult height.

3.  At Darlene's Dairy Bar, the ratio of vanilla to chocolate to strawberry ice cream cones sold is about 3 : 5 : 2.    Last week, 155 chocolate ice cream cones were sold.  What was the total number of ice cream cones sold?  Two weeks earlier, a total of 380 ice cream cones were sold.  How many of each flavour were sold?

4.  Todd knows that the ratio of boys to girls in his class is 3 : 5.  Since 12 of the students are boys, he says there must be 36 students in the class.  Is he right?  Explain your thinking.

ENGLISH

1.  Seminars continue on Monday (5 presentations covering the pages 73-97).

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Happy Lunar New Year!


8  ENGLISH: 2nd 7-word summary test tomorrow.  

No seminars until Monday (6).

8 MATH: No homework.  There was much rejoicing.


7 ENGLISH: 

1.  7-word summary test tomorrow.

2.  Seminars tomorrow: 68-82.

7 MATH: 

1. Most students finished the 2.3 homework, but if it wasn't completed, it's due tomorrow.

Wednesday, February 18

8s:  Remember that the final signed course selection forms are due tomorrow.

More importantly, report cards came home today!  Be sure to take some time over dinner to examine it thoroughly.  Please sign it and return the tear-off portion.

MATH: 3 problems (scale) + 2.2 homework

ENGLISH:

Formative book talk rubrics came home today.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.

Seminars: pages 62-97.  I wish you could see your kids perform the seminar: they are confident, knowledgeable, and engaging.  It's all coming together...


7

MATH: 

No homework tonight!  The class wrote quiz 2.1 (ratios) and I handed it back.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child tonight.

ENGLISH:

Seminars: pages 38-67.  We're doing 6 tomorrow!

100th post today!

8s: VERY IMPORTANT: It's time to submit your courses for high school.  Once that is done (through Career Cruising), print off the final sheet (it will say: "Course Request Sign Off Sheet"), sign it, have your parents sign it, and then hand it in.  These are due this THURSDAY.   Thanks very much.

ENGLISH: Today's seminars were excellent; tomorrow, we will be examining pages 26-61, so re-read tonight.

MATH:           Homework : brain : : vegetables : x   What is x?  As well, do section 2.1 questions.

7:

MATH: 2.1 all questions.

ENGLISH: Seminars were also done quite well today.  Tomorrow: pages 23-33.  

Friday, February 13, 2015

Have a great long weekend!  Do not show up to school on Monday.

8

1. No Math homework.  Phew.  Today's test is graded and back in your child's hands.  Take a moment to look it over this weekend.  
2. We start our seminars on Tuesday, so if it's your turn, be ready to rock.  As well, Tuesday will cover pages 8-25 of the Giver (re-read the night before).
3. 7-Word summary test was given back today.  If your child begins the conversation with: "The class scores were really low, so don't freak out..." they are not lying.  I will be having a second (not a redo) test next Friday.

7

1. No Math homework.  Double-phew.
2. Outsiders seminars begin on Tuesday.  We will be covering pages 8-22, so re-read that section before arriving to class.  7-Word summary test came home today.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.  A second 7-word summary test will take place next Friday.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

8 

1. Math test tomorrow.  Ohhhhh yes.  We did plenty of review today, and your child has the worksheets from the other night if he or she has troubles.
   
2. English: we will begin our seminars on Tuesday.  The order of presenters is posted in the class.  In the meantime, your child should be reading the novel at home (some have already finished it!).  I modelled a seminar for the class yesterday, and they will receive a breakdown of the expectations and the rubric tomorrow.
   
3. English: we are still plodding through our formative book talks.  Your child will receive his or her formative rubric at the end.  So far, so good
   
4. English: I have finished grading the 7-word summary test.  Rubrics come home tomorrow.
   
5. Special thanks to the "Heart Group": in less than 30 minutes, a group of students from 8L helped make a ginormous heart that is affixed to the wall outside the office.  Thanks for the help!

7

1. Math test tomorrow.  This will wrap up our measurement unit nicely.
   
2. English: seminars begin on Tuesday.  We went over the expectations today (I also printed them out for your child), and I modelled a seminar for them.  

Wednesday, February 11

8 

1. Math: Unit review #7,8,9,10.  We will have the 5.4 - 5.6 test on Friday (your children gave sound arguments as to why tomorrow was too soon.  They are very persuasive).  I also handed out an extra worksheet (it's four pages), and I let the students know they should try only the questions that pose them difficulty.  We will take up any problematic areas tomorrow.
2. We are almost done our formative book talks; when the last person has finished, I will hand back the formative rubric.  The summative book talk will take place late next week or early the week after (obviously a different book from the formative).
3. We begin our reading of the Giver today.  Your children will be presenting a seminar (begins Monday) and I will present a sample one this Friday.

7

1. We finished 6.5 and worked on the review today.  As well, I handed back yesterday's quiz and met with students who had difficulty with the concept.  The unit test (6.1-6.5) will take place this Friday.
2. 7-Word summative occurred today.
3. We will soon begin our study of the novel: The Outsiders.  

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

8

MATH: section 5.6 all questions (though you may rough sketch the circle graphs)


7

MATH: Many students are having difficulty with isolating the variable.  I have made a video (below).  Please have your child watch it.  If you are having trouble viewing the video, try watching it on a desktop.  As well, they have to read p. 239, and do questions 2-6 on page 240.

7 ENGLISH

Tomorrow is the summative 7-word summary test.   I met with each child today to give feedback on their formative work.  Tonight, practise by reading short articles and summarizing them.  Remember: sentence, period, capital letters... As well, if you use a colon, make sure you have a complete sentence on the left and the right of the punctuation mark.  E.g. She looked nervous: the train was getting closer.  (the second part: "the train was getting closer" explains WHY "She looked nervous").

Like McKayla, I was unimpressed: 8 students from 7F failed to do their Math homework...


8  

ENGLISH 

Great start to the book talks today: conversational tone, solid eye contact, and natural gestures; it's all coming together.  We will likely finish the rest tomorrow.

Students were given a copy of The Giver.  In time (within the next two weeks), each student will be presenting a seminar on a small section of the novel.  To be prepared for this, it's best if your child reads the book a bit every night (30 minutes or so).  I realize this is also in the middle of book talks, but you will have to learn how to juggle both: you are the multi-tasking generation (whereas I can't walk and chew gum at the same time).

MATH

5.5 (Histograms) for homework: questions 1, 2ac, 3, 4, 6abd.

Don't forget: good sleep, good food, and arrive on time.


7

MATH

6.4 homework for tonight.  

ENGLISH

We will take up the formative 7-word summary tomorrow.  Wednesday is the summative task.

Friday, February 6, 2015

8

1. Answer the following Math question: 22 students from little Pierrot's class wrote a test, and the class average was 85%.  Little Pierrot skipped school that day, and was forced to write the test when he got back.  After he wrote the test, the overall class average dropped to 82%.  How poorly did he do?   Show your work.  Quiz on Monday.
2. We have a big week next week: we have book talks (formative) on Monday, we begin our essay unit, and we will be reading a new book.  Get plenty of sleep, arrive on time, and eat healthy foods.

7

1. Math: the 6.1-6.3 worksheets are due Monday.
2. Similar to the message for the 8s: we are moving into a pretty heavy instructional period and I need everyone to be focused: Good sleep, good food, and be on time.

 

Thursday, February 5, 2015

8
English:

1. 7-word summary test is tomorrow.  Review all of the summaries you have done thus far plus all of the examples I have given you.

2. The formative book talk will take place on Monday.  Use the framework (given last week) to put down your ideas in point form - this is not a memory exercise: you are to engage the audience using a conversational tone.  Take some time to get to know the different components of the rubric; it's a behemoth, and I want you to know exactly what I'm looking for.  Finally: any book you have read since September 2014 is fair game, provided it isn't one you have re-read from previous years.

3. Elective forms...

MATH: 1. The 5.1- 5.3 math test came home today; it was a difficult test (they asked me to write that).



7
ENGLISH:
1. We continue our 7-word summary unit.  Test will be early next week.



1. MATH:
1. Review sheets for 6.1 - 6.3 is due Monday.

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2015

When life deals you lemons,
Sell them - they're $1.99/pound.

8
Electives packages went home today.  The school will be accepting forms between Thursday, February 5th and Friday, February 13th.  No sooner.  No later.

MATH: There is no homework tonight: we didn't finish the lesson.


7
ENGLISH: 7-word summary of the article about the Phoenix.  

MATH: Homework: many students are having difficulty with algebraic equations (in the context of measurement), so I made a little double-sided review sheet.  This is homework for tomorrow.

As well, we had our 6.2 quiz today (the relationship between parallelograms and triangles) and it's coming home.  

Monday, February 2nd, 2015

8: After you shovel your family's driveway today, please take some time to do the following:

1. Submit through Google Docs the results of your survey (from Friday)  - including the scatterplot.  I have already received 8 students' work (thank you Michael, Sydney, Nicholas, Faith, Jacinta, Ibrahim, Carmen, and Melissa.

2.  If you have a printer, please print out the final results and bring it to class tomorrow: we will be doing the final review and the computers are booked so we will have to go old school - paper copies.

3.  Get outside.  Go for a walk in the snow.  Grab a toboggan.  Make a snow angel.  Enjoy Canada's winter beauty.