Blog Archives

FRIDAY: AQUARIUM FIELD TRIP (THIS THURSDAY)

5/30/2015

Campbell at the aquarium.

Students, I would like to take you all to the aquarium this Thursday to allow you to deepen your connections and understanding of what you have been learning in Science. Please ask your parents if they are willing to volunteer to drive this week. If we have enough drivers, I will get it organized for you. We are planning on taking you this Thursday if we have enough drivers. Please post a message here if your parents can drive.

1.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Create good responses to your Thinking and Learning questions in your Novel Approach booklets.

Remember, really think about how you're responding in your work.

2.) SCIENCE:

Continue working on your presentations according to the criteria sheet you received in class.
You will likely present your 'DEEP SEA EXPLORERS' to the class this Friday.

3.) MATH 6: Complete any assigned work. Check your teacher's website.
MATH 7: Complete all 6.6 questions, check answers at home, and bring your questions to class on
Monday.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

Ask your parents if they can drive students to the aquarium this Thursday. Post a message here letting me know if they said yes or no. If they said yes, then please indicate how many students they can drive.
If we have enough drivers, I will send home a form tomorrow.
Ask any questions you have here.

VIDEO LINKS:
Ocean Voyager - Real Video of an Ocean Aquarium - Click on the yellow links on the video to fast forward to some interesting parts of the video.

THURSDAY: Grouse Grind #2

5/28/2015

Grouse Grind #2

The students completed Grouse Grind #2 today! We were lucky enough to receive excellent weather from mother nature today! It is currently 26 degrees celsius and there isn't a cloud in sight! I hope you all enjoyed the field trip today! It was a field trip about goal setting, physical endurance, stamina, and working together to reach any goal you set for yourself! Some of you wanted to enjoy the nature and beauty of the hike and some of you wanted to improve on your times from before! Either way, it was a job well done and I hope you all enjoyed the day! Also, be sure to bring your mobile device to school tomorrow to participate in the Hillcrest Amazing Race!

PARENTS: Thank you so much to all the parents who helped out with the field trip today!

1.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Be sure to complete your powerful response. Remember, it is an assessment and I will assess your abilities based on the learning intentions of a powerful response.

2.) SCIENCE:

I took a look at all the Prezis that were shared with me directly from Prezi yesterday. However, there is still much work to do on them. Some of you have yet to even upload your images. If you are one of these groups, be sure to talk to your partner tonight to get as much done as possible.
You will have class time tomorrow to work on them.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Write a descriptive paragraph about your experience on Grouse Mountain today.
If you enjoyed it, tell your classmates about it. If you hated it, tell your classmates about it.
What did you reach a goal that you set for yourself?
How did you feel when you came out of the trees and finished the Grouse Grind?
Ask two students questions about their experience.
Respond to any questions you receive.

VIDEO LINKS:
Meet InBox by Google/Gmail

WEDNESDAY: Grouse Grind Tomorrow

5/27/2015

Term 1 Grouse Grind

Tomorrow will be our second trip up the Grouse Grind. Be sure to hydrate well tonight and tomorrow morning so you don't get dehydrated on the hike tomorrow. The weather forecast is calling for a high of 26 degrees tomorrow so be sure to wear your sunscreen! Remember, you are not allowed to do any geocaching on the hike up the mountain. However, you are permitted to geocache only on marked areas once you reach the top of the mountain. You are not to go off any trails during your free time at the top of the mountain. Get permission from your parent volunteer tomorrow beforehand.

1.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Complete your Powerful Response on your Google Document

2.) SCIENCE:

Share your PREZI with me at my gmail address. Share it directly from Prezi. I'd like to see what you have completed so far.

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work.
MATH 7: Complete section 6.6 and mark at home. Bring your questions to the next math class.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

What is your goal on the Grouse Grind tomorrow?
Who will you likely hike with?
What was your time last time?
How long do you expect to take hiking up the mountain tomorrow?
Ask 2 students questions about their response.
Respond to any questions you receive.

VIDEO LINKS:
Tips on Surviving the Grouse Grind

TUESDAY: Collaborative Geocaching

5/26/2015

Collaborative Geocaching

FIELD TRIP: Tomorrow is the last day to return your Grouse Grind forms and your $10. Please also ask your parents to drive. We are still short 3 drivers.

1.) LA/POWERFUL RESPONSE:

Give your feedback partners good feedback in order to improve their powerful responses. You will have one final class tomorrow to make your final edits/revisions.

2.) SCIENCE:

Continue working on your Deep Sea Explorer Presentations (Prezi)

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work.
MATH 7: Chapter 6.6 questions #1-8

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

No PAR. Get Caught up.

VIDEO LINKS:
Wright Brothers Documentary

FRIDAY: THE AMAZING RACE - HILLCREST

5/22/2015

ACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH GEOCACHING

Today, the students learned how to use technology to find 'WAYPOINTS' and to find exact locations using precise coordinates (Longitude/latitude). They played games outside where they had to search out the coordinates of landmarks on the school grounds and the city park. Next week, the students will search out 'CACHES' they submit for approval and they will also participate in 'THE AMAZING RACE - HILLCREST'! We are all looking forward to see who wins the Amazing Race! Will your team come out victorious? Will you find all the 'CACHES'? Only time will tell!

1.) SCIENCE:

Work on your PREZI according to the criteria given in class on Friday.
The bulk of your slides should be completed for Monday. Post any questions you have here regarding your Prezi.
Make sure at least one person in your group has a 'GEOCACHING' account. Then, work on your application to create your geocache. Remember to follow the steps outlined here. Find a suitable location. Don't forget about the criteria discussed in class and outlined on this website. You must work with your group members. Feel free to email/phone them or message them on our class website.
Remember, do not do any 'GEOCACHING' alone. Be sure to always go with a parent.
Do not actually hide your 'CACHE' yet, but make sure at least one person from your group has the waypoints/coordinates.
If you are able to, have ONLY ONE PERSON from your group submit the completed geocache application so it is approved for next week. The sooner the better! Try to submit it before Sunday.

2.) MATH 6: Any assigned work.
MATH 7: Watch this video on Subtracting Integers.

3.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Complete your first draft of your Picture Book Powerful Response. This means you should check your work against the criteria outlined on your document and you should make some basic edits/revisions.
Be sure to follow the criteria outlined on your Google Document.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

You can use the weekend to catch up on any incomplete PARS. Be sure to get caught up!
Ask any questions about Science and LA here if you are unsure about what to do for homework this weekend.
Respond to any questions from your classmates if you know the answer to their questions.
Post any comments about any geocaching you do over the weekend! Share your stories and tips!

VIDEO LINKS:
Subtraction of Integers

THURSDAY: GET CAUGHT UP ON YOUR PARs

5/21/2015

2014 - 2015 Class Photo

Today, the students created criteria for their Science presentations on their deep sea explorers. The students wanted to be assesseed on their written work, organization, structure, creativity, and a few other points. The students will use their criteria sheets to ensure they are completing each section to the best of their abilities. If you haven't already, please CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR PREZI and then check your email to sign up for a Prezi account under your class account and code name.

1.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH:

Click here to copy and paste the powerful response template to a new document in your Google Drive.
Continue working on your powerful response. You should complete all 'RED' sections and 'BLUE SECTIONS' for homework today.

2.) MATH 6: Check your teacher's website.
MATH 7: Watch the following videos to prepare for Tuesday's class. VIDEO 1 VIDEO 2 (LINKS TO BE UPDATED SHORTLY)

3.) PERMISSION FORMS: Bring your Grouse Forms and $10 by tomorrow.

4.) POST A RESPONSE: (MANDATORY AS USUAL)

Watch this video that some of us saw in class today.
How do you think the gentleman sitting on the left felt when the family behaved the way they did?
How do you think the family felt after the doctor introduced who the gentleman was?
Do you think people's views can change if they already hold racist views? Explain why or why not?
Comment on at least one other person's post.
Respond to any comments received.
Edit/revise your post.

VIDEO LINKS:
Anti-Racist Short Film

WEDNESDAY: GEOCACHING

5/20/2015

Safety First!

Although the summer is fast approaching, we still have over a month to go. This means that you must continue to work hard and stay dedicated to your learning. From this point on, tallies will be handed out on a daily basis as soon as the school day begins. All students who do not complete P.A.R. activities according to what is required will be given tallies. Remember, if you have 5 or more tallies, you will be unable to participate in any year end field trips. I highly suggest some of you go back and complete any P.A.R. activities you have missed.

1.) LA/NOVEL APPROACH: No HW

2.) SCIENCE:

Be prepared to create your 'GEOCACHE' with your group in class tomorrow.
If you do not have all the necessary materials, we will not do any GEOCACHING in class.

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work. Check your teacher's website.
MATH 7: Complete all pages of your math booklet that was handed out today except for the coordinate grids questions.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

Today, you continued working in your picture book groups.
List two things that other people in your group mentioned that pushed your thinking. Explain.
Be sure to provide specific examples.
What did you learn about communicating within a group?
REQUIRED: Ask one student a question about their response.
REQUIRED: Respond to any comments/questions received.
Edit/revise

VIDEO LINKS:
Geocaching Etiquette

TUESDAY: SPEECH FEST FINALISTS

5/19/2015

Outdoor Learning

We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day of sun today! It allowed us to go outside to learn more about track and field, more specifically, relay running and baton passing. The students worked on their running drills (A, B, and C drills) and the three phases of sprinting. In addition to this, they learn how to communicate with their relay teams in order to be successful. For a team to be successful in anything, communication is an integral component of success.

1.) SCIENCE:

Communicate with your group and decide who will bring the following items for tomorrow: small tupperware/container, log book/paper, pencil/pen, and small items for people to trade when they find your geocache.
If you have time and your parents are willing, go to www.geocaching.com and sign up using your school email address and school postal code. See if you have time to search one out in your area. Very important - DO NOT GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT ADULT SUPERVISION!
If you go geocaching with adult supervision, please post a message here including the coordinates of the geocache and what you found.

2.) POST A RESPONSE:

What skills do you think you are learning when geocaching?
What technology helps you geocache?
Why do you think so many people have set up geocaching locations? What makes it so interesting for people?
Ask one student a question about their response.
Edit/revise.

VIDEO LINKS:
What is Geocaching

FRIDAY: Mrs. Jensen's Farewell Assembly

5/15/2015

The Grade 7 Speech finalists from division 4 are Lance and Anita with honourable mentions to Hailey and all the other grade 7 students. (TO BE UDPATED)

1.) MATH 6: Any assigned work. Check your teacher's website.
MATH 7: Complete booklets (INTEGERS) except for the last page on subtraction.

2.) SCIENCE:

We will be going into the make space on Monday morning to create your Deep Sea explorers based on your designs.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

What did you do over the long weekend?
Ask one student a question about their weekend.
Respond to any questions/comments received.

VIDEO LINKS: To be updated

THURSDAY: Speech Fest Finalists

5/14/2015

Today, the grade 6 finalists from each class competed in the grade six finals to see who will go on to the finals in front of the school. Because the competition was so close, we will have a 'SPEECH OFF' between Brooke and Bryce tomorrow morning. Brooke, be sure to check your email and your speech for some descriptive feedback. Mrs. D and I are very proud of all the students for all the hard work you have put into your essays and speeches! The grade 7 finalists will be announced in class tomorrow. You will compete against the other grade 7on Tuesday.

1.) SCIENCE:
- All machine images are due for tomorrow.
- Be sure to communicate with your partners so you are able to complete it for tomorrow morning.
- You will only have time to glue your images on border paper and poster paper in class tomorrow.

2.) POST A RESPONSE:
What did you learn about the entire 'SPEECH FEST' process?
- What did you learn through the writing process? (essay drafts, edits, revisions, research, etc)
- What did you learn from presenting your speech?
- What did you learn from watching others present their speeches?
- Ask two students about their responses.
- edit/revise your post.

VIDEO LINKS:
Creatures of the Deep Ocean

WEDNESDAY: Speech Fest - Round 1 Completed

5/13/2015

High Jump

Today, we concluded round 1 of Speech Fest within Division 4. Tomorrow, the Grade 6 finalists will compete to see who will be the Grade 6 student who moves on to the finals. The grade 7 finalists will compete on Friday. I have to congratulate all of the division 4 students for working so hard on their essays/speeches at school and at home. Many hours were spent writing their speeches according to the conventional 5 paragraph essay structure and many hours were spent rehearsing in front of other classmates and family members. It just goes to show you how practice truly help you improve!

1.) LA: NO HW

2.) SCIENCE:

Continue your drawings for your projects. Your smaller magnified drawings must be coloured.
We will be heading into the maker space tomorrow to create your machines tomorrow.

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work. Check your teacher's site.
MATH 7:

Complete your 4 page booklet
Post your response: Do you think zero is an integer? Why or why not? Explain using examples and at list one link to a reliable resource (not Yahoo Answers) that supports your opinion. Provide as much information as possible.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

We read from 'The Invisible Boy' a few days ago. If you don't remember what it was about, please click on the link to watch the read aloud again.
What is the big idea of this story?
In your powerful response, you must include the following:

1.) Clearly state what YOU think the big idea is.
2.) Provide your own opinions.
3.) Provide support for your opinions by providing specific examples from the story.
4.) Which characters from the story learned something? Provide specific examples.
5.) What was the lesson you learned from this story?
6.) Give at least one deep personal connection you had to the story and explain the connection.
HERE IS A POOR EXAMPLE: The character was left out and so was I.

VIDEO LINKS:
Read Aloud: The Invisible Boy

TUESDAY: SPEECH FEST 2015

5/12/2015

Practicing Speeches

Today, the grade 6 student completed round 1 of Speech Fest and did a great job! Overall, I was very impressed with the amount of time and effort each student put into working on their speech. From the writing process to the presentation, it is clear to me that hours upon hours were spent refining their words and presentation skills. Good luck to all of you! To the grade 7's, good luck in tomorrow's presentations! You will all give your speeches in the morning!

1.) LA/SPEECH FEST:

Grade 7's, you will present your speeches tomorrow morning. Be sure to have it memorized.
Grade 6's, you will find out who goes on to the next round in the next few days.

2.) SCIENCE:

Complete drawing the individual components of your deep sea explorer. "You can paste them onto your bigger sheet tomorrow.
Hopefully you were able to complete your machine in class today. If not, you can complete the main machine tomorrow

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work. Check your teacher's site.
MATH 7: Complete the following questions on today's blog.
1.) If you purchased one share of apple for $30.52 and it is currently priced at $345.62,
does this indicate a profit or loss? How much is the profit or loss? Be sure to indicate
using a positive or a negative sign.
2.) List at least 3 different places you have used or seen negative and positive numbers?
Be sure to explain what the positive and negative numbers you are referring to mean.
3.) If you have an arrow pointing from the zero to -5 on a number line and another from -5 to
+11, what is the addition question or subtraction question this represents?
4.) Watch this video and write your definition of an integer using at least one example.

POST A RESPONSE:

What did you learn from watching speeches today?
Grade 6 students - Comment on what you would do differently if given the opportunity to do it again.
Grade 7 students - Comment on what you will do tomorrow based on what you learned today from the grade 6 students.
Ask one student a question about their post.
Edit/revise.

VIDEO LINKS:
Locate Integers on a Number Line
Adding Integers with Different Signs
Adding and Subtracting negative numbers

MONDAY: MEMORIZE YOUR SPEECH

5/11/2015

Today, you continued rehearsing your speech for tomorrow's in class speech competition. You will be assessed according to the criteria given to you in class. Be sure to work on your content, structure, and overall presentation. A good idea is to record yourself and listen/watch yourself so you know what you need to work on. Another idea would be to practice in front of family or in front of a mirror. Ask your family members for some feedback on what they think you need to work on.

PARENTS: Please make sure your child is prepared for tomorrow's in class speech presentation.

1.) LA/SPEECH FEST:

Memorize your speech! We are going to have our in class competition tomorrow.
TIPS: Write out your flash cards on paper if you don't have flash cards. Practice reading off of your flash cards.
Record yourself (audio/video) and self assess yourselves. Do your best to keep it under 3 minutes. If it is slightly longer tomorrow, it is ok. We can adjust it for the second round.
Ask your parents/siblings for feedback.
This is your only homework so I know you are spending your time doing your work. It is very important you are ready to present to the class tomorrow. This is part of your LA grade.

VIDEO LINKS:
Tube Worms
An island being formed

FRIDAY: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

5/9/2015

Happy Mother's Day Cards

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of division 4 students! Your children love you very much and they worked extremely hard for you this week! We hope you enjoyed your special day! They created vintage photo blocks, 3D flower cards, and a digital mother's day card for you. Click here to see your son or daughter's message to you!

1.) LA/SPEECH: Speeches should be memorized by Monday. Create cue cards to help you.

2.) MATH 6: Any assigned work.
MATH 7: No HW.

3.) SCIENCE: Any unfinished work.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

Give your mother her vintage photo block, 3D flower card, and show her the digital mother's day card.
How did your mother react when you showed her your photo block, 3D flower card, and digital message card?
In addition to your response, be sure to comment on YouTube on the vintage photo block youtube link and tell us what you learned (HINT: Pay attention to the learning intentions at the beginning of the video).
Ask one student a question about their response.

VIDEO LINKS:
Happy Mother's Day from Division 4
Mother's Day Photo Blocks