Blog Archives

April 30th, 2019

4/30/2019

Today, Mr. Hong was away, and in his place we had Ms. Houghton, coming in to help teach (Thanks Ms. H!). The students started to move on to their powerful responses in their groups, as they were finishing up their booklets. There was a Word Work pre-test on brand new words from The Boundless, and we continued with Will's adventure running across the top of this kilometres-long train. We went through a Math test that we completed in two parts, and did some science! (Grade 7s prepared for their Science Tests tomorrow, and grade 6s continued our new unit on Extreme Environments).

Important: Grade 7s, please be sure to bring in your contributions to the grade 7 celebration by the end of this week!

1.) Math:

No Math homework for tomorrow, but make sure that you bring in the math homework that was assigned for the weekend, as we did not make time to collect it today.

2.) Word Work:

Here are your words, make sure you know the spelling and definitions for later in the week:
Sinew, dormant, gawking, mischief, cistern, spigot, captivate, obviously, suspension, dejected, jubilation, mannequin, marionette, confinement, transformation, solemn

3.) Novel Approach:

Continue to work on your Novel Approach and Powerful Response.
If you had not already planned to take your novel approach booklets home today, do whatever work on your Powerful Response that you can without it.
Remember you still have access to the Powerful Response Template on your Google Drives from last time.

4.) Science:

Grade 7: Prepare for the science test tomorrow on electromagnetism
Grade 6: Complete your your Newton's Laws projects for tomorrow.

5.) Post A Response:

Tell us about the main characters in your novel approach books.
You can retell the story, explain what you think about, tell us about their adventures or what they have learned.
Be sure to use 4 of the following word work words in your response: mischief, captivate, obviously, dejected, jubilation, confinement, transformation, solemn.
Use a thrilling hook that will draw your reader in
Provide feedback to your peers in the form of the givens (sentence structure, grammar, spelling, etc.) and make adjustments to your posts based on the feedback that you receive.

VIDEO LINKS:
The Rules of Tennis

PRO-D DAY MONDAY (NO SCHOOL)

4/26/2019

Miranda displaying her passion!

You have a busy week coming up. Many things are due and you have several evaluations/tests. Manage your time wisely and read everything below carefully. We are in the home stretch now, so keep working hard! There is no school on Monday. The teachers will be learning new and exciting ways to teach you! Unfortunately we forgot to sing to Logan today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Enjoy your birthday weekend!

REMINDERS:
1.) Grade 7 Celebration form and $25. Please return ASAP.
2.) Grade 7 student must email 3 photos to Mrs. Lidhar [email protected] Please be sure to include your NAME in the subject line.

1.) MATH 6/7:

Complete 2 integer worksheets and mark/correct at home.
Integer worksheet #1 and Answer Key
Integer worksheet #2 and Answer Key
Click here to see what you need to know for Tuesday's Test.

2.) SCIENCE:

Gr. 6 Newton's Laws/Forces Projects due on Wednesday
Gr. 7 Finish up your Electricity/Magnetism journals. TEST ON WEDNESDAY.

3.) NOVEL APPROACH:

Continue working on your booklets and powerful response.
Final book club work session on Tuesday.
Powerful Responses will be due next Friday.

4.) POETRY:

Complete 3 poems (print out and draw pictures or add digital 'CREATIVE COMMONS' images).
In addition to sharing your new document with two students, please share them with Mr. Collins and me.
Poetry and everything on the handout is due next Friday!

5.) POST A RESPONSE:

Today we spent a lot of time being active: Fitness Friday, Recess, Lunch, Tennis, and Freetime outside with Ms. Sameii.
How do you plan to stay active over this busy weekend?
Tell us your plan, and include at least 3 of our Word Work words from this week (and focus on words that gave you know gave you trouble):
- Reluctant, cajole, trove, valise, cordon, festoon, squall, searing, exasperation, intriguing, scoff, clench, delectable, emanate, apprehensive, undulate.

VIDEO LINKS:
(some) Rules for adding and subtracting Integers
This is an example of some rules for adding and subtracting integers, use the rules that work for you, and get you to the answer.

Motors and Blubber

4/25/2019

Mr. Collins in action!

Today the class continued their work on the Novel Approach, and shared their findings with their fellow students. The class thought about how to plan for a Pizza Party, and how they might do it using French; and then in Math, they brainstormed their own rules for solving addition and subtraction problems with integers. After lunch, the class focused on Science: the grade 7s finished up their home-made motors made from magnets, copper wire, and batteries; and the grade 6s made "Blubber Gloves" to learn how humans can think like animals to adapt to new, extreme environments. Finally the class settled the day by looking at their poetry, and deciding which they would like to share with each other in the form of a book. Today was a trove of delightful learning!

REMINDER: Grade 7's Celebration form to be returned ASAP with your $25.

And don't forget your craziest hair-do tomorrow, for Wacky Hair Day!

1.) SCIENCE 6:

NEW DATE: Newton's Law projects due on Monday, April 29th.
If you have not already finished up your experiment worksheet make sure that is completed and handed in tomorrow.

SCIENCE 7:

Complete as much of your inquiry journal entries as possible.
Update your videos/photos on FreshGrade. If you didn't do a voice over, simply type your explanation out in the comments.
If you were one of the groups that had the right design and ideas, but couldn't get yours started, simply hypothesize why that might be and how you might fix the problem.

2.) WORD WORK

Be sure you know the spelling and definitions of your Word Work Words! WW Test tomorrow!
- Reluctant, cajole, trove, valise, cordon, festoon, squall, searing, exasperation, intriguing, scoff, clench, delectable, emanate, apprehensive, undulate.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Enjoy this PAR Holiday. Focus on your Word Work, and visit some math prep for a chapter test next week!

VIDEO LINKS:
How do Whales, Penguins, and Polar Bears Keep Warm?
Free Energy
How to Build a Simple Electric Motor
Make a Simple Monopolar Motor

EARTH BITES AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

4/24/2019

Today, the students moved on from badminton, and started the day with a Tennis lesson, making use of the Tennis courts at the school. The students spent some time learning about how to talk about pizza toppings in French. and spent some more time thinking, learning, and asking questions about the 5 major religions to prepare for their upcoming inquiries. We were also lucky to have EarthBites visit our class today. They helped us harvest our garden, and prepare beeswax candles and greeting cards for the craft fair this evening. The students spent the afternoon creating fundraising material for the school community!

IMPORTANT: Grade 7s, please complete the grade 7 celebration form and have contributions returned ASAP

1.) SCIENCE:

Grade 6s: Be sure to bring whichever materials you feel will help you make your cold water gloves tomorrow!

2.) SOCIALS:

Please complete this form by tomorrow

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Qu'est-ce que tu aimes sur ta pizza préférée?
Tell us about a time that you had a surprisingly good pizza!
Be sure to add some French phrases and ingredients.
Provide feedback to your peers (spelling, grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.) and make changes to your post based on the feedback that you receive.

VIDEO LINKS:

Easiest Beeswax Candle Recipe

EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

4/23/2019

Today, the students worked in their groups for Novel Approach, sharing their learning with each other. They then moved on to practice the pre-test for Word Work before recess. After recess, the students continued to listen to the adventures of Will in the Boundless, and practiced using integrals to solve problems. After lunch, the grade 7s worked on wrapping up their electromagnetism unit by building their motors, while the grade 6s started a new joint-science unit with Division 3, learning about EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS.
Everyone enjoyed some active-time at the end of the day, playing ultimate, basketball, and otherwise running around.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

1.) To prepare for earthbites tomorrow, ALL STUDENTS are expected to bring a cap from a bottle of some sort (wine, 2 litre of pop, etc), and a creative, handmade greeting card.

2.) This is a reminder for those students who will be writing the Math Test at Churchill on Thursday, April 25 at 4pm. You will be writing in Room 110.

3.) Gr. 7 Celebration - Please submit your $25 to Mr. Hong/Collins ASAP. Also, we are asking for 3 different photos of each of you (Toddler, K-3 photo, and recent photo).

1.) MATH:

Pg. 274 Reflection A
Pg. 275 Qu #1-8

2.) SCIENCE:

Grade 6: Be sure to think about and bring any materials that will be useful for creating a glove that will protect you from the very cold (deep sea, polar regions)
Grade 7: Complete inquiry journals by Thursday.

3.) WORD WORK WORDS:
Reluctant, cajole, trove, valise, cordon, festoon, squall, searing, exasperation, intriguing, scoff, clench, delectable, emanate, apprehensive, undulate.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

When we are doing integer problems like (+6) - (-4) we get the bizarre answer of +10. How can we explain this?
What INTEGER RULES can you come up with to explain how to make integer addition and subtraction easier for someone who hasn't done it before?
Are there ways that we can re-write the above problem (and others) so that it becomes easier to understand?

VIDEO LINKS:
Adding and Subtracting Negative Integers

Questions for 5 Major Religions

4/18/2019

Today, the students started the day by thinking deep about the picture books they have been reading, recording their visible thinking, and exploring the gift of words in each of their books. Before recess, they practiced using their word work words in a writing test, where they wrote a story about themselves. We continued work on Integers today, and spent the majority of the time after lunch learning a bit about 5 major religions.

1.) MATH (All Students):

Complete Scaffolding for Lesson 6.5, question 11 Worksheet
Complete Chapter Review Worksheet

2.) SOCIALS:

Complete the 5 Major Religions Worksheet from socials today. Check the previous post if you need a digital copy.
Be sure that you have asked at least 2 questions (more if you like) that show that you are monitoring your comprehension of these beliefs.
Here are your links from today's class:
Buddhism
Hinduism
Judaism
Christianity
Islam
In case you need an extra copy of the 5 beliefs worksheet from todays class (for homework, or retyping) you can find that in HERE.

3.) SCIENCE:

Continue to document your work on your inquiry units

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

What 3 Religions do you have the most questions about?
Which are your questions?
Tell us a bit about why you have these questions
Think deeply, we want engaging inquiry-appropriate questions that will help you learn more about the history of these religions.
Offer support to your peers, and help them broaden their questions.

VIDEO LINKS:

Word Work Quiz April 18th

4/18/2019

For Today's Word Work quiz, you will be writing a small paragraph using the word work words. Tell us about your own life's adventure (any story from your life that you can think of) using each of your given words.
Your words will be based on your class numbers:

If you are # 1-13:

Grimace
Filching
Audible
Vantage
Magnates
Stewards
Despicable
Disconcerting

If you are # 14-26:

Barrage
Scaffolds
Muskeg
Benevolent
Trundle
Opulent
Conveying
Imperceptible

You may use paper or the computer to write this.
If you write using the computer, post it as a comment. If you write using paper, hand it in, and comment letting us know that its been submitted.

Good Luck!

BELIEF SYSTEMS ARE A ka-HOOT!

4/17/2019

Human Integer Chips

Today, we started our badminton tournament! The class showcased their skills at serving, striking, and communicating to their team. The students talked about religions and the roles that they play during socials, and talked about how different beliefs can cause problems between people of different faiths. In the afternoon, the class received a visit from Earth Bites to brainstormed ways to fundraise for the school garden.

1.) MATH:

Pg. 271 #1-10

2.) EARTH BITES:

Create a greeting card
Collect bottle caps from glass bottles for wax candles. Search your recycling bins or head to a recycling depot to see what you can find

3.) WORD WORK:

If you haven't submitted your response to the PAR from either of the last two days, do so now. Make sure you are familiar with the words, and know how to use them.

4.) SCIENCE:

Gr. 6's - Continue working on your 'DISPLAY OF LEARNING'
Gr. 7's - Continue working on your inquiry journals.

5.) POST A RESPONSE:

Consider the five religions that we discussed in todays class:
- Islam
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
Tell us at least one interesting thing (in full sentences) about each of these religions.
Remember that these are beliefs that are really important to people. Be thoughtful and respectful in your response.
Give your peers feedback on the givens (punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, grammar, etc.), and be sure to fact-check!

VIDEO LINKS:
Reel 2 Reel Film Festival for Youth

2019 Student Learning Survey

4/16/2019

Today, students completed a learning survey with Mrs. Samiei. It was a good opportunity for teachers/schools to gain input into the learning of the students. Grade 6 students continued working on their second picture books for the Novel Approach. Later, Mr. Collins turned some students into human integer chips to teach them how to subtract positive/negative integers. It was an incredibly engaging example of how to complete this task. If you haven't yet done so, check out the integer resources that were posted yesterday. In the afternoon, the students continued learning about belief systems and participated in small group discussions.

1.) MATH:

Pg 264 Questions #1-9

2.) SCIENCE:

Gr. 6 - Continue working on your inquiry projects.
Gr. 7 - Continue working on your inquiry journals.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Tell us a story about your day using the following words:
- Grimace
- Filching
- Audible
- Vantage
- Trundle
- Opulent
- Conveying
- Imperceptible
Make the story focused and clear. Make sure that it is not random. It should have a beginning, middle and end, just like your day.
The reader should be able to tell that you know the meaning of the words just from reading it.
Provide feedback to your peers (givens: punctuation, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, etc.), and make changes to your own story based on the feedback you recieve.

MATH LINKS:
Integer Resources

Je Suis Une Pizza

4/15/2019

Mr. Collins using a digital # line!

Today, the students started the day off by learning some new words related to the current read aloud (Boundless). Later, they continued playing badminton in PE and learning about different integer addition strategies. After lunch, they learned French and sang 'Je Suis une pizza'. Students will continue learning french vocabulary, phrases, and culture until the end of the year. They will use what they learn to make their own pizzas.

1.) MATH:

Watch this video clip to review today's math lesson on strategies for adding/subtracting integers.
Pg. 256-257 #1-9
Click here to access excellent 'INTEGER' resources/games to help your learning. Complete this if you have finished your homework.
You will mark/correct your homework in class tomorrow morning. You may do this at home as well.

2.) NOVEL APPROACH:

All materials must be at school tomorrow. (Picture books, stickies, and packages.)

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Write a story about your day using these 8 words, appropriately:
- Barrage
- Scaffolds
- Muskeg
- Benevolent
- Magnates
- Stewards
- Despicable
- Disconcerting
Make the story focused and clear. Make sure that it is not random. It should have a beginning, middle and end, just like your day.
The reader should be able to tell that you know the meaning of the words just from reading it.
Provide feedback to your peers (givens: punctuation, spelling, grammar, sentence structure, etc.), and make changes to your own story based on the feedback you recieve.

VIDEO LINKS:
Je Suis Une Pizza
Adding and Subtracting Integer Strategies

EXTENSION MATH GAMES:
Integer Resources

REEL 2 REEL International Film Festival for Youth

4/12/2019

Mr. Collins leading the students!

Today, Mr. Collins and Ms. Chohan took over Division 1 and 2 and led the students to the Round House for the REEL to REEL International Film Festival for Youth. The students attended workshops for stop-motion animation and drawn-on/etched-film animation. Later, we all participated in a viewing of several short films - Cat Days, Mahalia Melts in the Rain, Your Mother is a Thief, and the Schoolyard Blues. The sun was lovely for our walk, both ways, today!

1.) MATH: Pg 250-251, Questions #1-10

2.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Work on your visible thinking at home.
Return picture books and Novel Approach booklets (all materials) to school tomorrow.
If you have not yet returned picture book #1, please return it on Monday.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Today, we saw several short films.
Please answer the following questions in short-paragraph form:
- Which of the short films were your favourite?
- Why did they stick with you?
- What do you feel was the BIG IDEA behind them? (Use your reading/learning strategies to help support your big idea)
Please provide feedback to your peers (along with the givens — grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc.)
Edit/revise your PAR based on the feedback you receive.

VIDEO LINKS/RESOURCES:
Cat Days
Mahalia Melts in the Rain
Your Mother is a Thief
Schoolyard Blues

Mahalia Melts in the Rain (2018) Trailer from Travelling distribution on Vimeo.

FRENCH CULTURE

4/11/2019

French Culture

Today, we the Gr. 6/7 students returned to their Science units after a brief holiday from it. The Grade 7's started on their final challenge to create an electromagnet and the Grade 6's reviewed some information, instructions, and the criteria/rubric for their final projects. In addition to this, Mr. Collins taught you a little bit about French music and culture.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget your compass card and/or bus fare for the field trip tomorrow, and be sure to dress for the weather! We will leave at around 8:45am. ARRIVE EARLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1.) MATH: Pg 250-251, Questions #1-10

2.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Work on your visible thinking at home.
Return picture books and Novel Approach booklets (all materials) to school tomorrow.
If you have not yet returned picture book #1, please return it tomorrow.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Today, Mr. Collins taught you about French Culture.
Tell us what you thought about experiencing French music:
- Did it sound like you thought it would sound?
- What surprised you?
- Which was your favourite song or video, if you had to choose one.
Please answer all of these questions in (at least) one paragraph, total. Provide feedback to your peers about the givens (grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence structure, etc.), make respectful suggestions, and make any improvements to your own post based on the feedback you receive.

VIDEO LINK:
Stromae - Papaoutai
Indila - Derniere
Zaz - Si jamais j'oublie
Khaled - C'est la vie
Le Vent du Nord - La Marche des Iroquois

April 10th, 2019

4/10/2019

Belief Systems

Today, the class visited Ms. Altman in the library for the book fair, and perused the books that were on sale. The students continued to work on their badminton skills, practicing communication to their partners during doubles games. The students continued their work in Social Studies learning about belief systems, and starting to think about some inquiry questions related to the belief systems that the class came up with in the previous lesson.

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS/PARENTS: We also had our first round of Student Led conferences today. Thank you to all students who brought their parents in today! It was great getting to meet everyone

POST A RESPONSE: Today's PAR comes in two parts. Please answer both questions to the best of your ability:
1. From the Brain Coach conversation yesterday, what are you going to be doing to make sure that your brain is healthy going into the teenage years and beyond?
2. What questions from our Belief Systems lesson today are you hoping to pursue further, in school, or on your own?

Please answer in paragraph form, and respond to one of your peers with the givens (spelling, punctuation, grammar, sentence structure). No need to overdo it today — we need those dendrites to grow!

VIDEO LINKS:
Adding numbers with different signs

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

4/10/2019

Click on the video link below to view our Term 2 Learning Video.

Today, you will be leading your parents through a snapshot into your learning. More specifically, you will follow the instructions outlined on your conference handout. After completing the steps outlined on this handout, please don't forget to upload the signed document to FreshGrade under 'Term 3 Student Led Conference'. Before leaving, please hand in your conference handout to Mr. Hong/Mr. Collins.

1.) POST A RESPONSE: (For Parents - Students, you may assist your parents).

Parents, please post a quick message to confirm you have gone through all the items on the conference handout form.
In your response, please indicate if you feel fully informed of your child's learning.
If not, please indicate how you feel Mr. Hong could communicate your child's learning in a more effective manner.

RELATED DOCUMENTS:
Student Led Conference Handout

VIDEO LINKS:
Term 2 Learning Rewind Video (Click Below)

SOCIAL STUDIES: Padlet

4/9/2019

Today, we spent the morning preparing for the student led conferences this Wednesday and Thursday. After recess, we learnt more about beliefs and belief systems, and shared our ideas with Ms. Chohan's class using Padlet. After lunch we had a small assembly with the rest of the intermediate students to learn all about your brains, and how to best prepare them for teenage years.

1.) SOCIALS: Please make sure that you have completed your socials worksheet if you haven't already.

2.) POST A RESPONSE: Since this post was up late, we'll have a PAR holiday today.

Important: As we all learned today, your sleep is important. Given how late the PAR is this evening, please remember to protect your brains and prioritize sleep.

VIDEO LINKS:
Adding and Subtracting Using a Simple Method

<<Previous

April 30th, 2019

PRO-D DAY MONDAY (NO SCHOOL)

Motors and Blubber

EARTH BITES AND BELIEF SYSTEMS

EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

Questions for 5 Major Religions

Word Work Quiz April 18th

BELIEF SYSTEMS ARE A ka-HOOT!

2019 Student Learning Survey

Je Suis Une Pizza

REEL 2 REEL International Film Festival for Youth

FRENCH CULTURE

April 10th, 2019

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES

SOCIAL STUDIES: Padlet

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