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FRIDAY: Photo Editing

5/31/2013

Photo by Amanda and Rylee. Editing by Ms. Fei

We began the day with some book club discussions and blogging, followed by a time of photo editing. Students began editing their photos of the theme of "helping hands" before putting these photos together in a collage. We watched a tutorial on how to isolate one element of a photo in color while keeping the rest of the photo black and white. We will also be experimenting with blurring the background of photos to emphasize the center of interest.

1.) FORMS: Please remember to bring your Skills Canada field trip form, Grouse Grind field trip form, Sunnyside field trip form, grade 7 year book form, and fun night form!

2.) MATH: The integer project will be due Tuesday! You should finish most of your mini-assignments this weekend. Remember to refer to the criteria for the project!

3.) ART: Feel free to take additional photos at home (around the theme of "helping hands") to add to your photo collage (it would be cool to see some hands of different ages in photos!).

Note (for when you work on your photos on Monday): If you are not finished editing a photo on Pixlr, choose "Layered Pixlr Image" as the FORMAT when you are saving, so that you can continue editing next time.
Upload your edited photos to Google Drive for safe keeping.

4.) WRITE A RESPONSE (BOOK CLUB): Write "Response #3" for Section III of your novel. Choose TWO quotes from Section III. For each quote, write one paragraph:

Explain how the quote is related to your theme.
Which characters are involved? What aspects of the characters’ experiences are related to the theme?
Describe text-to-text, text-to-self, and/or text-to-world connections related to your quotes and your theme.
What is the author’s message to you about the theme? (What is a “lesson” you learned from the book, related to the theme?)

Your response should have two paragraphs in total (one paragraph for each quote). Refer to the written response criteria!

VIDEO LINK: How to blur the background of a photo

THURSDAY:Helping Hands

5/30/2013

by Wyomie, Ryna, Mariko

We began the day by reviewing the criteria for oral discussion and comparing one group's discussion video to the criteria. Then, we continued blogging and researching about the historical background of the novels.

In PE, we played a game of Army and Navy, followed by Capture the Flag. We continued with our photography project in art, taking photos around the theme of "helping hands".

In the afternoon, we continued with our project work. We brainstormed criteria for the integer project, and continued working on it. We also continued working on our être video project for French. It's great to see the creativity and thoughtfulness that students put into their projects!

1.) BOOK CLUB: Continue blogging! Relate events/characters in your novel to historical events/people of the time.

2.) MATH: Integer project will be due MONDAY. You should be finished at least 2 of the mini-assignments. By the end of class tomorrow, you should be finished at least one of the starred assignments!

3.) PE: Please complete this Google Form self-evaluation.

4.) FRENCH:

Please share your script with Ms. Fei via Google Drive. The groups who have not finished their video will need to come early or stay in during recess/lunch to complete it.
Please complete this Google Form to show me your understanding of être and your contribution to the group project.

5.) Freezie sale by THINK WE team tomorrow!

6.) WRITE A RESPONSE (Book Club): Write at least 5 sentences describing the historical background of your novel.

Include details about the culture/country, a historical event, or a historical person described in the novel.

VIDEO LINK:
Say être (Tik Tok parody)

WEDNESDAY: Mummify an Apple!

5/29/2013

We began our unit on ancient Egypt today by watching a couple videos about Egyptian geography, culture, and beliefs. We learned about the mummification process, and how Egyptian mummification practices were related to their beliefs about the after life.

We began a mummification experiment of our own- adding natron (baking soda and salt) to mummify (desiccate) an apple slice. We will check up on the apple slice after one week to see what happens!

1.) FRENCH: Work on your French video projects. They are DUE at the end of class on Thursday (you will need to stay after school to finish them on Thursday if you are not finished by the end of class on Thursday)

2.) MATH: For your integer project, you should be on your second mini assignment. If you are not there yet, please work on it at home or come early to school to work on it.

3.) SCIENCE: Fill out this Google Form about our mummified apple experiment.

4.) BOOK CLUB: Continue blogging!

5.) FORMS: Remember to bring your Skills Canada Field Trip form, sports day hot lunch form, grade 7 celebration form, and movie form.

5.) WRITE A RESPONSE (MATH): Please complete these questions and explain your thinking via Google Form (thanks Maven for taking the initiative to create the questions).

VIDEO LINKS: Subtracting Integers (black tiles = positive, red tiles = negative)

TUESDAY: Integer Soccer!

5/28/2013

We began the day with integer soccer, adding a bit of fun math to our physical activity. In book club, we viewed some examples of excellent responses by students from Mrs. Middleton's class, and continued with our blogging.

In math, we had a friendly competition to practice our integer subtraction and dispel any misconceptions or common mistakes found in integer subtraction. Then, students continued working on their integer projects.

In the afternoon, we developed some code of conduct for working with the Keva Planks, and brainstormed some fundraising ideas for addressing the child labor and human trafficking issues we have been learning about.

1.) MATH: Complete these integer subtraction practice questions via Google Form.

2.) FRENCH: Work on your French video projects. They are DUE at the end of class on Thursday (you will need to stay after school to finish them on Thursday if you are not finished by the end of class on Thursday)

3.) ART/SOCIALS: If you have any ideas for how our photography could be used for fundraising (to help an organization that addresses child labor/ human trafficking issues), please submit them here.

4.) BOOK CLUB:

Continue blogging and engaging your group members
Be ready to start Section III discussions tomorrow

5.) WRITE A RESPONSE: If we were to fundraise for any organization that address child labor of human trafficking issues, which organization would you fundraise for? Include:

Web address of the organization
Why did you choose this organization? What is unique about it? How is it different than other organizations?
How would the organization use the money? (which country or countries do they help? What projects do they have in those countries?)

VIDEO LINKS: Dance (Être) Remix

FRIDAY: "It's Friday, Friday......"

5/24/2013

We began the day with a science experiment about memory that involved the whole class. Ms. Fei helped to design this experiment as a part of an undergraduate psychology course, and was excited to share the experiment with the class. Students were shown 15 words consecutively and then asked to recall as many words as they could. Half the class were shown just the words, and the other half of the class were shown words along with images. Our results showed that having images definitely helped with remembering the words! After the experiment, we discussed about the independent, dependent, and controlled variables involved in the experiment.

1.) BOOK CLUB: Finish reading Section III of your book (the entire book!) AND taking notes. Be prepared to start oral discussion for Section III on Tuesday!

2.) MATH:

Complete 8 questions on tinyurl.com/div4integercheckup.
Finish the integer worksheet from class today (if you haven't already finished).

3.) SOCIALS: Be ready to present your project for Tuesday!

4.) FRENCH: Think about how to incorporate adjectives into a rap/video/song. These are some adjectives that rhyme (in masculine singular form) if you are looking for ideas: heureux/nerveux, joli/poli/gentil, intelligent/amusant/content/intéressant/méchant

5.) WRITE A RESPONSE (Book Club): Post your 2 REVISED paragraphs for Response #2 here! Remember to refer to the criteria for the written response!

Use this template to give feedback:
- The quote is clearly relevant to the theme:
- The quote is powerful and has deeper meaning:
- I described the theme and how the quotes are related to the theme in DETAIL:
- I described in DETAIL the characters and situation related to the quotes (who, what, when, where, why, how):
- I discussed at least 2 meaningful connections in my response (T-S, T-T, and/or T-W):
- My writing correctly uses conventions of spelling, grammar, capitals, and punctuation:
- My ideas are organized and logical:
- I effectively used transition words to connect different ideas in my response:

VIDEO LINKS:
Subtracting Integers (black tiles = positive, red tiles = negative)

THURSDAY: Subtracting Integers

5/23/2013

Today, students learned how to subtract negative integers with a number line. To review how to do this, be sure to watch the two videos listed in the 'Video Links' section. Be sure to watch the 'SUBTRACTING NEGATIVE INTEGERS' song because it will help you remember how to do it! It's an amazing song!

We continued our book club discussions today and noticed that the students are becoming better at the art of conversation! They are engaging each other, asking questions, sharing their opinions, and doing all of this in a respectful manner.

1.) SOCIALS/LA:

PROJECTS ARE DUE TOMORROW!
You must hand in your criteria sheets and your improvement sheet tomorrow

2.) BOOK CLUB:

Continue Blogging and engaging your group members (refer to the blogging criteria!)
Work on Response #2

3.) FRENCH: Think about how to incorporate adjectives into a rap/video/song. These are some adjectives that rhyme (in masculine singular form) if you are looking for ideas: heureux/nerveux, joli/poli, intelligent/amusant/content/intéressant/méchant

4.) SCIENCE (Extra credit/optional assignment): If Ms. Fei has given you feedback on your assignment, please revise it to improve the quality of your work. If you would still like to complete the extra credit assignment, please do so at tinyurl.com/div4extracreditscience.

5.) WRITE A RESPONSE (Math):

Create 3 questions that involve subtracting integers (eg. -4 - (-6) = ? )
Answer someone else's 3 questions.

VIDEO LINKS:
1.) Adding and subtracting integers
2.) Subtracting integers song

WEDNESDAY: Scientific Variables

5/22/2013

We began the day with science, watching a video about independent, dependent, and controlled variables. We discussed examples of these variables and identified them in experiments.

In math, we started with our integer project: a series of mini-assignments where students can choose from a menu of options. Students will have lots of choice for how they want to express their learning about integers!

1.) SCIENCE (Extra credit/optional assignment): If you would like to further demonstrate your understanding of extreme environments, you can complete the extra credit assignment at tinyurl.com/div4extracreditscience.

2.) SOCIALS/LA: Revise your socials project according to the criteria!

Your project needs to be finished for tomorrow for the peer assessment.
Please remember to bring your criteria sheet to class tomorrow!

3.) BOOK CLUB: Finish reading and taking notes on Section II (catch up!). We will continue with book club discussions tomorrow.

4.) WRITE A RESPONSE (Science): Think of two experiments you could do (NOT the ones we already discussed in class), and identify the independent, dependent, and controlled variables. Your response should be of the format:

Experiment 1 description (what are you testing?):

Independent variable:
Dependent variable:
Controlled variables (at least 4):

Experiment 2 description (what are you testing?):

Independent variable:
Dependent variable:
Controlled variables (at least 4):

VIDEO LINK: Scientific Variables

TUESDAY: SFU Extreme Environment Workshop

5/21/2013

Today, a special group of presenters from Science Alive SFU spent the morning giving our students a super engaging Science workshop. The students learned more about extreme environments and the Arctic. They created their own mini-biomes out of a capped test tube, hydrated silicon gel, and seeds. With some sunlight, the seeds should sprout into beautiful flowers.

Additionally, students learned about what yeast needs to grow and how an electrical circuit can be used to test the amount of water in the soil.

1.) SOCIALS/LA: Finish and bring your socials project tomorrow.

2.) BOOK CLUB: Finish reading and taking notes for Section II of your novel! Post your 3 best questions separately on the blog for your book club group. (EdTech --> Book Club --> 2012-2013 --> Term 3)

3.) WRITE A RESPONSE (Math): Fill in the blanks and solve the word problem. Li0 is playing monopoly and has (a) $ ____ in his bank. After passing "Go", he received (b) $ ______. But when he landed on Vancouver, he had to pay (c) $______ in tax. He also had to pay (d) $ ______ in luxury tax. Li0 landed on Surrey and purchased the city for (e) $ _____. Unfortunately his bank account is now in the negative =( How much money does he owe the banker? Your response should have the format:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
How I calculated the final answer:
Final answer:
Li0 owes the banker $ _____.

VIDEO LINKS:
Thank you to the crew from Science Alive SFU

Friday: Engaged Learning

5/17/2013

Today, our students were unbelievably engaged in their learning. Ms. Fei taught them how to play math games with a deck of cards. The learning intention of the lesson was to be able to add positive and negative integers. The red cards represented negative integers and the black ones represented positive integers. Each pair of students flipped over a card and the first person to add the two integers got to keep the cards! It was an exciting lesson by Ms. Fei and I could see and hear the learning going on! The students had a lot of fun learning math today!

1.) BOOK CLUB: Read and take notes for Section II of your book. You can take notes on the same document as your Section I notes (quotes, questions, imagery, vocabulary)

2.) SOCIALS/LA:

Use the criteria sheet and highlight the areas in each category that your work falls into.
Be sure to take your time when you do this. This is not something that you can complete in a few minutes.
Make all your edits/revisions over the weekend. Make any changes you feel are necessary.
You will be doing peer assessments and giving feedback on Tuesday.

3.) WRITE A RESPONSE (MATH):

Create 3 questions that involve adding integers.
Answer someone else's 3 questions (that haven't already been answered).
Give feedback to the person who answered your questions (if their answer is incorrect, explain to them why their answer is incorrect)

VIDEO LINKS:
Adding Integers with Different Signs

Thursday: Friendly Competition

5/16/2013

We began the day with an exciting game of Octopus in PE. Then we continued with our relay practice, focusing on the techniques involved in baton passing.

For book club, we examined a student's response, and discussed about ways to improve the response.

In math, we reviewed integer addition, and had a friendly competition to get students thinking about whether the result of adding 2 integers will be positive or negative.

1.) REMINDERS: Tomorrow is the last day to bring in hot lunch forms/money. Grade 7's, please remember your purple forms for your yearbook comments.

2.) MATH: Complete these integer questions via Google Form (I made the questions for today. We'll do "create your own questions" some other day).

3.) BOOK CLUB/WRITE A RESPONSE: Post your REVISED response # 1 here (there should be 2 paragraphs).

4.) Socials/Language Art - Visual Representation:

Be sure to follow the criteria sheet. You will be assessed based on this handout. If you do not follow it, it will be reflected in your assessment. The CONTENT is due tomorrow!
The CONTENT of your Visual Representation project must be completed by tomorrow. You will be assessing one another in class tomorrow.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE PRESENTATION AND HOW IT LOOKS! WORRY ABOUT THE CONTENT!

VIDEO LINKS:
H.R. Macmillan Space Centre Field Trip

WEDNESDAY: Band Performance!

5/15/2013

Photo courtesy of Ms. Findlay

Today, we heard a lovely performance by the band students. They have made amazing progress this year! Their last song, "Let's go band" is a definite classic. Ms. Fei played the same song when she was in her middle school band!

In math, we discussed adding integers using the number line method and the 2-sided counter method. Students practiced explaining their method of adding integers on the worksheet, and reinforced their learning by playing some math games.

1.) MATH: If your score was less than 18 on the circles quiz. Please come in tomorrow morning or after school to redo the quiz.

2.) BOOK CLUB: Finish Response #1 and share it with Ms. Fei

3.) FRENCH: Quiz tomorrow! It will be very similar to the worksheet you had from class today. Ensure that you have memorized:

How to use the correct form of AVOIR depending whether you are saying "I have, you have, he/she has, we have, you (plural) have, they have" (eg. j'ai, tu as, il/elle a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont)
How to modify the ending of adjectives so that it agrees with the noun that it describes (eg. adding "e" if the noun is feminine, adding "s" if the noun is plural)

3.) MATH/WRITE A RESPONSE:

Write 3 integer addition questions, and answer them. Try to use integers greater than +10 or less than -10. Ex. 1) -20+ (-25) = -45 2) -55+23=-32 3) 16+ (-22) = -6
Play the integer addition game. Post your best results (level, number of hits/misses, time/relaxed mode) in a comment.

Video Link:
Creativity Starts From a Belief

TUESDAY: Robotic Arm Challenge Displays

5/14/2013

We began the day with some baton passing practice for relays. Then, groups presented their robotic arm designs by testing it out; some groups took the extra challenge of lifting a cup filled with water or putting down the cup after lifting it.

We dove deeper into discussions about theme by reading a picture book and discussing the messages that the students took from the book. Then we continued with our book club discussions with 2 other groups.

In math, we discussed about comparing integers, and had a friendly competition between 2 sides of the class to practice comparing different integers.

1.) SCIENCE: Fill out this Google Form to document your design process, what you learned, and your group's collaboration.

2.) MATH: You can redo your circles quiz before (8 am) or after school tomorrow. Please speak to Ms. Fei or Mr. Hong if you need extra help.

3.) BOOK CLUB: Save a copy of "YourName- YourBookTitle- Response #1" (shared with you on Google Drive) into your own Drive and share it with Ms. Fei. Write down the themes and quotes you plan to use for your response.

4.) FRENCH: Quiz on Thursday. It will be very similar to the worksheet you had from class today. Ensure that you have memorized:

How to use the correct form of AVOIR depending whether you are saying "I have, you have, he/she has, we have, you (plural) have, they have" (eg. j'ai, tu as, il/elle a, nous avons, vous avez, ils/elles ont)
How to modify the ending of adjectives so that it agrees with the noun that it describes (eg. adding "e" if the noun is feminine, adding "s" if the noun is plural)

5.) MATH/WRITE A RESPONSE:

Use the "<, > or =" signs to compare 3 pairs of integers. Challenge yourself! (eg. a) -1098 < -109 b) 7.00 = 7 c) 3 > -4/2)
Play the fruit shoot game that helps you practice comparing integers. Choose the level and whether you want to play relaxed mode or timed mode. Post your best results (level, number of hits, timed or relaxed mode).

VIDEO LINKS:
Chris Hadfield - A Space Oddity

MONDAY: Math Gaming!

5/13/2013

We began the day by reading the picture book "The Secret Message" and discussing powerful quotes and themes that were addressed in the book. Two of the book club groups began their oral discussions and students shared with their groups their powerful quotes and ideas.

In math, we continued discussing about representing integers: on the number line and with 2-sided counters. We practiced drawing +/- counters to represent integers, as well as playing some interactive math games to reinforce our learning.

1.) Grade 6's- immunizations will be tomorrow
Grade 7's- please hand in your yearbook write up forms ASAP (purple form)

2.) FRENCH: Copy (write out on a piece of paper) the paragraph and correct all mistakes (eg. using the wrong form of AVOIR, spelling). There are at least 12 mistakes! Bring your corrected paragraph to class tomorrow.

Est-ce que tu a des yuex blue? Non, j'as des yeux brun. Est-ce que vous avons des chevuex blond? Non, j'a des cheveux rouge. Quel type de cheveux est-ce qu'ils sont? Ils a des cheveux tres court.

3.) MATH: Play these 2 integer games and post your best results (most correct answers and highest level) for each game in a comment.

Game 1: Understanding meaning of Integers
Game 2: Estimating integers on a number line

4.) LANGUAGE ARTS: Continue blogging and engaging your group members in conversation!

5.) SCIENCE: Your robotic arms should be ready to present tomorrow!

6.) WRITE A RESPONSE:

Choose an integer.
Use the + and - symbols ("+" represents +1. "-" represents -1) to show 3 ways of representing that integer (similar to how we used the yellow and red counters in class to represent +1 and -1)
Example: Integer = -2. Ways of representing the integer: a) - - b) + + - - - - c) + - - -

VIDEO GAME LINKS:

Integer Pac Man

VIDEO LINKS:

Happy Mother's Day - Virtual Audio Card

Friday: 3D Photography Cards

5/10/2013

We began the day by putting some 3D flower decorations onto photos, to provide the optical illusion that the students in the photos are holding flowers that pop out of the photograph.

Students continued with their book club blogging by brainstorming about WHY we blog for book club, and the criteria for blogging.

1.) BOOK CLUB:

Please ensure that your Section I notes are typed up and shared with Ms. Fei
Continue blogging and responding to your group members. Remember the criteria we brainstormed in class!
Be prepared to start your group discussions on Monday!

2.) SOCIALS/LA: Continue working on your Visual Representation Project

3.) SCIENCE:

Finalize your drawings/ideas for the robotic arm (if you have not done so already).
Bring a hanger (if you need it) for Monday.

3.) YOUTUBE REFLECTION: Watch the 'Mother's Day Video' and post your reflection in the comments section of our YouTube channel.

Be sure to comment on the learning intentions!
What did you learn how to do?
What skills did you use?
Which concepts did you use that you learned from your photography unit?

4.) YOUTUBE COMMENT FROM YOUR MOM: After your mom watches the video, have her leave a comment on our YOUTUBE Channel letting you and the rest of the class know what she thinks of your Mother's day card and video! If they don't have a YouTube account, let them use yours! I wonder how many mom's will do their homework? ;)

4.) IMPORTANT - Don't forget to show your mom the Mother's Day video we made for them!

VIDEO LINKS:
Happy Mother's Day from the Division 4 Students

Thursday: Math Rap!

5/9/2013

In math, students learned about integers by categorizing numbers into integers and non-integers, and coming up with a definition for integers. Then, we learned the number line dance, and danced to the rapping mathematician's catchy tunes that also describe real life situations where integers are used. We finished by BRAINBLASTING about other real life situations where integers may be helpful.

1.) LA (Book Club): Finish reading and taking notes on Section I of your novel! Start posting your questions and blogging with your group (EdTech --> Book Club --> 2012-2013 --> Term 3)

2.) FRENCH: Due next Tuesday: Copy (write out on a piece of paper) the paragraph and correct all mistakes (eg. using the wrong form of AVOIR, spelling). There are at least 12 mistakes!

Est-ce que tu a des yuex blue? Non, j'as des yeux brun. Est-ce que vous avons des chevuex blond? Non, j'a des cheveux rouge. Quel type de cheveux est-ce qu'ils sont? Ils a des cheveux tres court.

3.) SCIENCE/WRITE A RESPONSE: We watched 2 videos today about the Canadarm (Video 1 and Video 2) and answered questions to help us understand more about Canadian contributions to space exploration. Using the answers to the questions (that you completed in class), write 3 paragraphs in your own words:

a) Describe the 3 different Canadarms (1, 2, new generation)
b) Describe why the Canadarm is significant to space exploration
c) Describe how astronauts are trained to use the Canadarm.

VIDEO LINKS:
The Number Line Dance

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