Thursday, April 30, 2015

8:
MATH: Test tomorrow.  11.1 - 11.4.  Ohhhhh yesss...we have reviewed, and then reviewed some more, and then just when you thought we couldn't review any more, we did it again.  If you have any difficulties with simulations, watch the video (11.3)


ENGLISH: Scripts are due tomorrow.  I will be collecting them to read over the weekend, so please come with a hard copy.

7: We finished the second part of the probability test, and I handed back yesterday's part 1.

English: we are analyzing advertisements (print/digital).  If you want to know what your child has learned thus far, show them a print ad, and ask the following questions: 1. Who is the target audience?  2. What is the obvious or explicit message?  3.  What is the implicit or hidden message?   4. How successful is the ad - meaning, does it grab the target audience's attention?

Wednesday, April 29

Quebec itinerary came home today.  As well, don't forget the grad photo packages are due May 5.  

8 Math : Test on Friday.  11.1 - 11.4.  Tonight, do the review pages  and tackle the problems below.  


Extra Problems: 
1. Out of a deck of cards, what is the probability of selecting a card that is a either a heart or a spade?
2. Explain the difference between theoretical and experimental probability
3. If you had a die (1-6) and you threw it 80 times, predict how many times you would get:
a. An even number    b. A prime number    c. A number less than 5    
4. If there is a 10% chance of Mme Wackett's class winning the next class challenge, what are the odds AGAINST her winning?
5.  Michael and Chris are playing a game: they roll a die twice and add the numbers they roll and then subtract 1.  Michael says : "I score a point every time an even sum occurs".  Chris says :"o.k., sounds fair".  Who is more probable to score more points?
6.  You are playing war with M. Le Moine.  The first four cards of the deck are dealt to the students, and they are the following: Jacinta: 10 of hearts, Rachel: Jack of spades, Carmen: 2 of clubs, and Ibrahim: 7 of diamonds.  What is the probability of M. Le Moine beating each player?  Remember: a tie is NOT a win.
7.  SUPER-BOSS question: Rojina has red marbles and blue marbles in a bag.  If she chooses a marble at random, the probability that she will choose a blue marble is 2/5.  Rojina adds 5 blue marbles to the bag and removes 5 red marbles.  If she chooses a marble at random, the probability that she will choose a blue marble is now 3/5.  How many marbles are in the bag - both BEFORE and AFTER adding the additional marbles?




7 Math: Because of the fire drill today, we will have to re-schedule part II of the 11.1-11.4 test until tomorrow.  It's all about communication, so review the terms as well as the procedures.

Tuesday, April 28

8 Math: 11.4 for tomorrow.  Test on Friday

7 Math: Test tomorrow

Monday, April 27, 2015

 (this one is for Arta and Saba)




8 

MATH: Test will be this Friday (11.1 - 11.4).   I have re-vamped the 11.3 video (WATCH IT).  There are even some cool special effects: there is an oven bell going off at one point (I did this before dinner)

ENGLISH: Scripts due this Thursday.  Think about this: What do you want the audience to feel at the very end of the film?  Once you have determined that, work backwards and create that emotion...


7

MATH: Test (11.1 - 11.4) will likely be this Wednesday

Friday, April 24, 2015

8 

MATH: Take a look at a new video on the "video page" entitled 8 Math 11.3 Simulations.  I ran through a sample problem and showed a strategy for solving it.  Keep in mind that for simulations, you're not asked to DO the experiment; instead, you are being asked to DESCRIBE how you would run the simulation.  

ENGLISH: Scripts are due next Thursday.  If you have some time this weekend, bang out a scene or two.
7

MATH: 
11.4: make sure it's done.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

8
MATH: 11.3 homework

ENGLISH: We need our timelines done, and the story hammered out.  

7
MATH: p. 422 #1-7

Tuesday, April 21, Day 1

8
MATH: I handed out a review sheet for probability.  Questions 6-13 are homework.

7
MATH: 11.3 homework for tonight.  Most kids finished it in class.

ENGLISH: we did a formative media task today.  Ask your child to describe the task.

Friday, April 17

"Monsieur, can we go outside?"
-every day in 8L


8
Math: 11.1 is homework for this weekend.   

English: Book Talks Monday (or as the 8s like to call them: buk tacs).  No flexibility here.  

7
Math: 11.2: p.413 #1-5

Thursday, April 17

8 
English: Book talks on Monday.

7
Math: 4.1-4.9 test came home today.  It is a two-page test.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

8: Big cadeau from Monsieur: we will NOT being book talks until Friday.  My spidey-senses were tingling today, and I had the distinct impression that there is an elevated stress level in the class.  So, rather than having the class key my car, we will put the book talks off until Friday.  Tomorrow, we will work on our movie-making.  The goal will be to complete a 3-Act play framework, list the beats of the film, and begin hashing out some dialogue.  

7: We are studying advertising, and we're using a 3-pronged approach: 1. View the ad 2. Analyze the ad and 3. Evaluate the ad.   What can you do to help, you ask?  Well, here are some terms being bandied about in class; perhaps you could ask your child to define them (in the context of advertising): cluttered, contrast, clean, focus, dramatic, law of thirds, bandwagon, and convenience.  

Finished that already?  Still want more?  Here you go: many students have difficulty stepping outside of themselves and seeing an ad through the eyes of the target audience.  As such, they will make judgements based on their opinion (as a 12 or 13-year old), rather than evaluating the ad's effectiveness vis-a-vis the target audience.  We are practising this in class, but it sure wouldn't hurt to do some additional viewing at home.  By showing ads to your child, start off by asking: "Who is the target audience for this ad?" and then get them to justify their answer.  This would be a huge help.  Thanks.

Tuesday, April 14

Grade 7 Homework
p. 409 #1-8

Monday, April 13, 2015

What a day: grade 7 and 8s both wrote Math tests, and the grade 8s had their essays returned.  Take some time tonight to look over your child's essay rubric.  If your child is disappointed with his or her grade, encourage him/her to speak with me.  I have made it clear to the kids that I want them to learn this skill before leaving my class.

What's next: it's highly probable that we will be dealing with probability (7 and 8).  In preparation for this unit, you should become familiar with a deck of cards.

Some basic facts:
1. There are 52 cards in the deck
2. The deck is divided into four suits: hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades.
3.  There are 13 cards within each suit: ace, two, three...ten, jack, queen, king.  There are four of each type of card within the deck (e.g. 4 aces, 4 twos, 4 threes, 4 fours...)
4. The Jack, Queen, and King are called "Face cards", because they have faces.
5.  In the game of Blackjack (or 21), face cards are worth 10, the numbered cards are worth their number (e.g. 7 of clubs is 7), and an Ace is either worth 1 or 11, whichever case is best.  The goal is to get as close to a total of 21 without going over (busting).  E.g. Ace + 5 + 7 + 8 = 21.   Ace + 10 = 21.  Ten + Jack + Ace = 21



So: quick challenges:

a. Given a new deck, what is the probability of randomly selected a red card?

b. What is the probability of selecting a face card?

c.  If five cards have already been handed out (A, 4, J, Q, Q), then what is the probability of pulling a Jack as the next card?

Friday, April 10, 2015

HOUSEKEEPING:
 - Parks Canada Pass: I must make the order before May 31, so don't delay.  Let me know if you would like one.
- Quebec - before April 30: talk to your child about this.


8

ENGLISH: Pitches today.  We begin scripting our films next week.  Book talk (summative) next Thursday.  This is a book your child has read since September of THIS year.  Your child has a copy of the rubric which shows how they did on the formative book talk.  It would be a good idea to pull this out and take a gander at it.

MATH: 4.1 - 4.9 test on Monday.  I have made a page to house all of the math videos, and you can find it here.  There are three new videos: one outlining the process for dividing by 0.1, 0.01, 0.001..., a second one about converting decimals to fractions, and the third one showing how to divide by 0.2, or 0.4, or 0.5. Enjoy!




7

ENGLISH: In-class essay...is done!  Well done 7s: you sat still for 100 minutes and wrote until your hand cramped into a contorted piece of abstract art;  I'm proud of you.  

MATH: 4.1 - 4.9 test on Monday.  I have made a page to house all of the math videos, and you can find it here.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

(Take that Spider-Man)


8L Parents: If you have never had the good fortune to visit one of our national parks, or if you have the hankering to return, well then you're in luck, because your grade 8 child is eligible for a "Parks Pass Canada".  This pass will enable your child to have free entry (year-round) to all Parks Canada places.  As well, your family will receive a discount (when you bring your grade 8 child - even if they are kicking and screaming).  If you are interested in receiving a pass, please reply to the blog with both yours and your child's name and I will add you to the list.  I must make the order before May 31, so don't delay.

8L: you will need to fill out a survey between April 9th and May 15th.  Once you have completed it, please let me know so I can check your name off the list.  The survey can be found here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/yrdsb2015StudentGrade7and8


8

Math: page 175 #1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9(no model),11,12,13,14,16 for tonight.  18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 will be done in class tomorrow.  We will also be reviewing with flashcards.

And just in case you're stuck, here is a quick video (under 6 minutes) reviewing the division of fractions on a number line.  

English:  Pitches tomorrow.  Everyone.  Be ready.  As well, we'll be doing our "Canadian Environmental Pitches"


7

Math: Students worked for almost 60 minutes today on the unit review and flashcards.  They are ready for the test on Monday.

English: 
In.  Class.  Essay.  Tomorrow.  Recipe for success (not in this order):
1. Bring your novel
2. Get a good sleep
3. Have a decent breakfast
4. Bring a healthy snack
5.  Helloooo?  Pencils?  Pens?   Bring them.
6.  Practise breathing: imagine you are one ginormous lung.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Don't forget to wear your "fancy" collared shirt for grad photos tomorrow!

8L: you will need to fill out a survey between April 9th and May 15th.  Once you have completed it, please let me know so I can check your name off the list.  The survey can be found here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/yrdsb2015StudentGrade7and8


English: Pitches on Friday (for those who are done, they may present theirs tomorrow).  When preparing for your pitch, here are some tips for your opening line: do not begin in the following way: "My story is about a boy who...".  Instead, start with: "A boy, 13, is alone..." As well, the Canadian Environmental agencies presentations are due Friday.

Math: Review for the unit test.  In a shocking move, I have moved the date of the test to MONDAY!
Here's a little video refresher on converting fractions to percentages to decimals

7


English:
 countdown to the in-class essay (Friday).  Your child should be reviewing his/her frameworks, re-reading parts of the novel, and talking about his/her ideas.  As well, if your child has questions, encourage him/her to come see me and ask away!

Math:
Finished the unit, and now on to unit review.  NO homework in math tonight as I would like the class to focus on the essay preparation.  Unit test is going to be on MONDAY.
Here is a little video my son and I made about ordering fractions. Enjoy.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

8L parents,

I sent an email to all 8L parents regarding parent participation in a graduation committee.  If you didn't receive it, it's because I don't have your email on my distribution list.  Please reply to the blog if you did not receive the email and are interested in participating in the committee.  

8 Math: We finished the lesson 4.9 today and the homework is for tomorrow.  The unit test (4.1-4.9) will take place on Friday.  Yeeha.

8 English: Finally, movie-making time.  My favorite time of year.  Students were given a lesson on how to create a pitch, and they will deliver theirs on Thursday.  

7 Math: We did lesson 4.9 today, and all questions are for homework.  The unit test will take place on Thursday.

7 English: Final lesson for the essays took place today (level 4 criteria).  The in-class essay will take place on Friday.

I don't think anyone should write their autobiography until after they're dead.

Samuel Goldwyn

8: The essay is done. Phew.  Regardless of the results, to sit and write for 100 minutes straight is an accomplishment in my books. Time to relax over the weekend: get outside and run, climb bike, and play tag.    

ENGLISH:
1.  Book talk 2 (summative) will take place on Thursday, April 16th.  You have been warned.  Stylistic elements/literary terms to choose from: imagery, setting, subplot.  (choose one).

MATH:
1. 4.1-4.9 Math test on Friday, April 10th.  We will be doing a 2-day review of this unit.  Never fear.


7:

ENGLISH:
1. In-class essay: next Friday, April 10th.  

MATH:
1. We will have our unit test (4.1-4.9) on Thursday, April 9th.  I realize this is a "back-to-back" situation, but I'm confident with 2 days of review for the math, and all of the meticulous preparation we've done for the essay, the 7s will pull through.  Excellent training.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Gossip is not a currency to be exchanged for popularity.
-Mr. Le Moine

8: 
Big day tomorrow!  If you weren't already aware of it, your child will be writing his/her in-class essay first thing tomorrow morning.  It is of utmost importance that your child arrives on time (no extra time given because of "sleeping in"), has his or her Giver novel (littered with sticky notes), and is well-rested.  Your child may be stressed tonight, so please do everything you can to "talk them down."  I assured them today that they are ready, though I don't think they believed me.  

Obviously, no math homework.

Finally, the reflection from the Toyota plant is due on Tuesday.  It must be done on Career Cruising in the "reflection" section.

7: 

Your child is NOT writing his or her in-class essay tomorrow.  

Math: I would like the grade 7s to do the following:

1. Take a number, 50 for example, and multiply it by 0.5. Record your answer

2. Take the same number (50) and divide it by 0.5.  Record your answer.

3. Write a couple of sentences explaining the recorded answers.  In your answer, make sure you explain the relationship between the answers.  Here's a terrible example: "When I multiplied 50 by 0.5 I got x as an answer, and when I divided 50 by 0.5 I got y.  This happened because they are opposites.  So, yeah."