To do: Friday, May 29

Friday, May 29, 2015



Grade 8: read the following article over the weekend: History of Pi


8: 
1. Math: 6.3
2. Read the following article on the story of MACBETH.  We will be reading and listening to the play in class, so if you would like to purchase your own copy (you will likely be reading it in High School), I would recommend a version that has current English on one page, and the original language opposite.  There are several editions available, two of which are: "Shakespeare on the Double: Macbeth", and "Shakespeare Made Easy: Macbeth".  I also have some paper copies in class that you can borrow if you prefer.


7:
1. Math 8.2 (p. 299)
2. English: read 1/3 (or more) of your lit. circle book for Wednesday, June 3rd

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Pikachu: helping stranded motorists since 1998.


8 

Special thanks to Frenielle for helping out all day with the Track and Field.  Though she wasn't quite as fast as Nick, she did clear 9m in the triple jump.  Very impressive.  

Learning Skills reflection is due tomorrow.

Math
1. Write a brief paragraph outlining the steps we took to derive the area of a circle.  Whoa...start with step 1 (we drew a circle and divided it into even little triangle pieces).  When writing the paragraph, imagine your audience is someone who has never heard of this before.

English
Summative.  Lit.   Circle.  Tomorrow.  Let's do this.  Tonight: cram as much prior knowledge as you can (think Neo in the Matrix).  Secondly, review the steps for making a terrific connection:
Good connections...
 1.  Are specific

2.  Are understandable to a wide audience (no inside jokes!)

3. Touch on all three levels of connections (superficial, purpose, emotional level)

4. B2TB (they refer Back To The Book)

5. Answer the question: so what? Why is this connection important?

7

No homework tonight.  

To do: Wednesday, May 27

    Now THIS I'd like to see at the Louvre...


Grade 8 Parents:
Regarding the summer "Reach Ahead" program, it is, "...designed to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills with an intentional link to trades and technology."  It is a classroom course with opportunities for field trips.  If the student is successful at the completion of the course, he or she will receive a high school elective credit.  This is my first experience with this program, and should you have any questions, please contact Bev Osburne at 905-884-3434 or 1-877-280-8180.  Special thanks to Alexis' mom for stopping me today to ask for clarification!  The deadline is May 29, and registration is done through Career Cruising.


MOVIE NIGHT!  Our 11th annual festival of film will be on Wednesday, June 17th at 7:00 p.m.  Book the night off, get a baby sitter for the wee ones, and come enjoy some student work. 


8:  
1.  English: Freefall writing - 1 minute.

To do: Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Tuesday, May 26, 2015


Considering we're studying circles, I thought this was very appropriate.

Grade 8s will be helping with the junior classes for Track and Field tomorrow, so they need to be dressed appropriately (including sunscreen if necessary).  They will be having their own track on Thursday, so the same message applies.
8

Math: 6.2 + Tire question: You feel like committing a random act of vandalism and spray paint your mom's tire with a pink stripe.  You get caught, and as a consequence, your mom makes you calculate how many times that pink stripe will touch the road on your trip from Toronto to Miami, a distance of 2465km.  The tire's radius is 31cm.

English :  So what example: While there is some logic to euthanization (assisted suicide, animals suffering), and even in the context of the Giver's society (population control), governments cannot make policy devoid of humanity.  When Jonas' father was releasing the newborn to maintain the balance within their population, the audience feels a visceral reaction because we, with emotions, realize the cruetly of this action.  For this reason, politicians must make decisions that balance out logic and ethics.  (+ tie in what is happening in Canadian politics)

We may be doing the connection summative task tomorrow; it all depends on what our involvement with Track and Field will be (weather dependent)


7

Math We will finish our estimation/calculation activity tomorrow.

English: If you would like to continue writing the first voice activity, please go ahead and do so.  

Reach Ahead Program

 PARENTS:

This is just to let everyone know that the deadline for registration for the Grade 8 Reach Ahead Program (GLD201) will be Friday May 29th.

This is the program that will give students a Secondary School Credit.

We ask that all schools get their registrations in prior to this date.

Please note that these programs will continue to run in the summer given the current job action.

Registration information can be found online through Career Cruising.

Grade 8 Reach Ahead (GLD2O1)

Dear Parents/Guardians of Students entering Grade 9: 

This summer we are excited to offer a unique summer program to help students currently in Grade 8 to transition to Secondary School. This program is a high school credit course titled, “Discovering the Workplace” (course code GLD2O), and will focus on present and future opportunities in the workplace and careers. 

It is designed to reinforce literacy and numeracy skills with an intentional link to trades and technology. Field trips to local businesses and college/university/trade centres will be available. Your child’s homeroom teacher has recognized your child as someone who may benefit from attending this summer school course. 

The Summer School Course runs from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:19 p.m. daily. This program is available to Grade 8 students in the following elementary schools this summer: Elementary Schools GLD Location Bond Lake, Lake Wilcox, Lincoln Alexander, Redstone, Richmond Rose, Sir John A MacDonald, Walter Scott Richmond Green SS Charles Howitt, Red Maple, Sixteenth Ave. Langstaff SS Armadale, Cedarwood, Coppard Glen, Ellen Fairclough, Markham Gateway, Parkland Middlefield CI Aldergrove, Highgate, Milliken Mills, Randall, Unionville Meadows, Wilclay Markham DHS Armitage Village, Clearmeadow, Crossland, Maple Leaf, Rogers, Terry Fox Sir William Mulock SS Fairwood, Jersey, Keswick, Lake Simcoe, Lakeside, R.L. Graham, W.J. Watson Keswick HS Bakersfield, Carrville Mills, Discovery, Dr. Roberta Bondar, Forest Run, Herbert H. Carnegie, Mackenzie Glen, Michael Cranny, Nellie McClung, Thornhill Woods Blue Willow, Glenn Gould, Lorna Jackson, Pine Grove, Vellore Woods, Woodbridge Stephen Lewis SS Black River, Deer Park, Morning Glory, Sutton Sutton DHS Ashton Meadows, Beckett Farm, Buttonville, Castlemore, Sir John A. Macdonald, Stonebridge, Unionville Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS 

Bussing will be provided on a per needs basis, but it will not be door-to-door service. A bus schedule will be sent to each student in June. Students who are successful in this summer course will receive an elective credit for high school. 

Students must be committed to achieving their best, modeling good behaviour and attending for the entire length of the program. Please note that Visa students (students from other countries attending YRDSB schools) are required to pay a fee. 

Please contact Community and International Education Services to make payment arrangements to the York Region District School Board in order to attend. If you support your child’s teacher’s recommendation, please see “Summer Programs” at www.yrdsb.ca. Space is limited, registration deadline is May 29, 2015. 

If you do not have a computer at home, please speak with your school’s Principal to arrange a time for your child to register on-line at school. If you have any questions, please contact Bev Osburne at 905-884-3434 or 1-877-280-8180. Mohamed Hamid, Coordinator, Elementary Summer School

To do: Friday, May 15, 2015

Just visualize...and you're there.

8:

Prior to the trip, write a 7-page essay about the learning opportunity arising from a class excursion to Quebec.  Be sure to tie in grade 7 and 8 historical references (paying particular attention to M. Champlain).  As well, illustrate the impact of the mighty beaver on the development of the city's defences (we all remember the great pelt battle of 1794).  The paper will be handed in at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, or if you wish to sing your essay, you may choose that format if it's preferable.

Be at the school by 7:00 a.m.

Bring: 

-warm attire

-wet weather attire

-good walking shoes

-a good attitude

-lots of quiet games

-sunscreen

-money for lunches (around $40)

-money for gambling with M. Le Moine - let's hope you paid attention during that card counting lesson

-G-rated movies

-E-rated games

-lots of healthy snacks to share with M. Le Moine

Parents: your child will be calling you once a day to update you.  We will be VERY busy during the day, and when we get back to the hotel at night, you can expect a call.

7:

I will miss you guys over the next week.  You will have lots of fun working through the math and language work I left for you!  Just pretend it's like Snape has taken over defense against the dark arts lessons while Lupin is off "recovering": "Open your books to page 394."  We will be working on our advertisements and 8.1-8.5 in Math.

7 MATH: The chapter 11 test (probability) came home today.  Please take a moment to look it over with your child. 

To Do: Thursday, May 14, 2015

Words of wisdom...


8

Math: Test on tomorrow (8.1 - 8.5).  As well, think about HOW you solved the pyramid problem today.  


There will be a video on pythagorean theorem later today (check the bottom of the video list). It's Frenielle's first video.  

English: 

1.  Lit circle #3 is Friday.  Listen carefully: you need not have finished the book by then.  It will NOT be the summative task.  I understand that some of you are reading some sizeable books, so I want to make Friday's lit circle as one last practice session.  When we return from Quebec, we will run lit. circle #4 and THAT one will be summative.

Great job filming today!


7

Math: test tomorrow.  10.4 - 10.6.

To do: Wednesday, May 13, 2015

8s...We will be holding a "Quebec Meeting" tomorrow afternoon.  If you have any burning questions, prepare them tonight.

Yearbook orders ($25.00) are due tomorrow.


8

Math: Test on Friday (8.1 - 8.5).  As well, think about HOW you solved the pyramid problem today.  We want to be efficient with our gallery walk.

English: 

1.  Lit circle #3 is Friday.  Listen carefully: you need not have finished the book by then.  It will NOT be the summative task.  I understand that some of you are reading some sizeable books, so I want to make Friday's lit circle as one last practice session.  When we return from Quebec, we will run lit. circle #4 and THAT one will be summative.

We will continue filming (tomorrow is Day 4 - three periods - must.be.ready!) Actors: know your lines.  Cinematographers: know your shots.  Directors: know the order of what you want to do.  


7

Math: test on Friday: 10.4 - 10.6

English: tomorrow is our in-class ad test.  Review your framework, and think about expressing that innate sarcastic tone (voice is good!). 

To do List: Monday, May 11, 2015

It's okay, champ - it's Monday.

T-Shirt orders were due TODAY.  We will extend it one more day.

Yearbook orders are this Thursday, May 14.  $25.

8

English: 

1. Continue to review lines; nothing kills time more than students needing to "review" their lines while on the set.  You must be ready to go.

  

2. Lit Circles this week: Tuesday and Friday

Math: No homework

7 

English: Advertising test on Thursday.  We will do our final review today (paragraphs A-D).  Your child can review the framework studied in class.  If you want to examine the rubric, you can

Math. 10.6

To do List: Friday, May 8, 2015

T-Shirt orders due May 11th.
Quebec waiver forms.  Still waiting...

8

English: Lit circles: Tuesday and Friday.  

1. Continue to review lines; nothing kills time more than students needing to "review" their lines while on the set.  You must be ready to go.
  
2. Lit Circles next week: Tuesday and Friday

Math

In writing, describe the question you did today, outlining the steps required to solve it.  Be sure to use Math vocabulary.

As well, Frenielle would like feedback on her lesson!  She assures me that she is comfortable with criticism.


7 

English: Hang on to your paragraphs.  We'll do some conferencing on the Monday.

Math: We will do 10.6 on Monday.  No homework

To do list: Thursday, May 7, 2015

If you have a dog, you'll get this...otherwise, just trust me that this is funny.




GRADE 8: If you have a shoebox, please bring it tomorrow to Math class.  Thanks!
8

MATH: 8.3 #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

ENGLISH: Memorize your lines...


7

MATH: We will do 10.6 tomorrow.

ENGLISH: Start looking at print ads (or on the internet) with a critical eye: are there stereotypes being fostered through the images, fonts, and colours?  

To do List: Wednesday, May 6th 2015

Time to do some push-ups...




8 

T-Shirt orders due May 11th.
Quebec Trip waivers (rock climbing and medical information) were due this past Monday.  I have 70% of them returned.  Still missing 30%...

Math: We will be working on 8.3 tomorrow (so no homework tonight).  For the students who missed last week's probability test, the test will be tomorrow.

English: Day 1 filming tomorrow!  Big day.  Think about props, costumes, scripts - gather them up tonight.

7

Math: 10.5 is homework tonight.  For the students who missed last week's probability test, the test will be tomorrow.

English: We missed our English period today, so paragraph C is still due tomorrow.  Paragraph D will be due Friday.

To do List: Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

Grade 8: on the rock climbing waiver, there is a space that says: "Tutor Signature" - please have your parents sign in that place.


Grade 7: 10.4 ALL questions.

Grade 7 English: Paragraph C is due tomorrow.  Paragraph D is due on Thursday.

To do List: Monday, May 4th

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015

8s: Don't forget the Quebec waiver/medical information sheet.  This was in the package you received last week.
8:  

MATH: 8.1

ENGLISH: Lit circle #1 May 8th.  2nd: 12th, 3rd: May 15.


7:
ENGLISH: We conferenced paragraphs A+B for the ad review today.  Students began working on C+D (it's only 4 paragraphs).  C+D will be due Wednesday.

Friday, May 1st

Monday is...

(Please do not bring lightsabers to school.)





8: Yearbook messages are due Monday, May 4th.

Math: Test is done.  New stuff on Monday.  No math homework.

English: For this weekend, if you watch TV (movie or a show), I want you to be an active viewer.  For example, count the number of camera angle changes over a given period of time (remember the clapping activity), picture where the camera is at all times, close your eyes and listen to the background music, pay close attention to transition shots (between scenes), examine any colouring effects (sepia, greenish tint...), and pay extra-special attention to shot sizes (Wide, medium, close-up) and WHEN they are used.


7

Math: Two tests done.  No homework in Math this weekend.

English: we brainstormed elements that would help develop paragraphs A and B for our ad review.  This weekend, I want your child to finish these two paragraphs.  Some terms that we used in class that might be helpful: Italicized, embossed, outline, flattened, framing, contrast, caricature, "geared towards", "intended for".