Blog Archives

Friday: Reading Strategies - Predictions and the Blogging B.R.G.R.R.R.

9/28/2012

THE GLOBAL READ ALOUD
We came up with a class generated criteria of what makes a good prediction. A good prediction is logical and takes into account what you already know about the story. It also 'PREDICTS' the following parts of a story.
- Who
- What
- Where
- When
- Why
- How

1.) POST A RESPONSE: We did a lot of work on reading predictions. We brainstormed with sticky notes, discussed, and created a K-W-L. chart. Post your revised prediction only after going through the 'BLOGGING B.R.G.R.R.R.'. Remember, your revised prediction is based on what you learned from watching the 'BOOK TRAILER'. It must also take into consideration the 2-3 suggestions for improvement your classmates gave you.

2.) POST A RESPONSE #2: Reflect on what you learned about predictions today. Did your revised prediction differ from the predictions you made on your stickies? Explain.

3.) FORMS / MONEY
- Kites
- Terry Fox
- Hot Lunch Orders (due on Monday)

VIDEO LINKS:
The Global Read Aloud History and Information
The One and Only Ivan Book Trailer (Official)

Thursday: Terry Fox Run and Cops for Cancer

9/27/2012

Thanks to all the parents who plan on coming to 'MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT' at Hillcrest. It will be a great opportunity for us to connect. See you from 5 - 6pm. The website will be updated shortly thereafter.

1.) MATH 6 - Complete 'GOOD TIMES WITH PRIMES' worksheet.
MATH 7 - Any work assigned by your math teacher.

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE: What did you learn about Terry Fox and the type of person he was? Why did he try to run across Canada? What was motivating him? If Terry Fox were alive today, what would you say to him and what would you ask him?

2.) Terry Fox Run - Great job to everyone who participated in the run today!

3.) Forms: Kite forms/money and Hot Lunch Forms/Money must be handed in tomorrow.

VIDEO LINKS:
Math 6 Review Video - Finding Factors
One of Canada's Most Inspirational Heroes - Terry Fox (ESPN)

Wednesday: The Blogging B.R.G.R.R.R. and the Learning Process

9/26/2012

Today we learned more about the blogging and learning process. The students came up with the acronym - B.R.G.R.R.R. to help them remember what is required of their responses.
- Blog Post
- Respond
- Give Feedback
- Receive Feedback
- Revise
- Reflect

Parents are encouraged to visit Hillcrest tomorrow between 5-6pm for 'Meet the Teacher' night! I will be available to answer any questions you have concerning your child's education!

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE: Write a reflection about your experience hiking up Grouse Mountain. Include details:
- What was it like? Did you enjoy it? Did you achieve your goal(s)? If so, explain what your goals were. If not, explain what you can do next time to attain the goals you set out to achieve! What did you 'LEARN' from completing the Grouse Grind?

3.) FORMS - Any unsigned forms, money, etc must be handed in as soon as possible.

4.) TERRY FOX RUN TOMORROW!

VIDEO LINKS:
One of Canada's Most Inspirational Heroes - Terry Fox (ESPN)
Touched by a Wild Mountain Gorilla - Uganda

Friday: Conflicts and Effective Feedback

9/21/2012

Today we continued learning about the different types of conflicts you encounter when reading stories. We also discussed examples of these in class and I have included a video link at the bottom of this post so you can review them. In addition to this, we reviewed the criteria that needs to be met in order to give 'QUALITY FEEDBACK'. Keep these points in mind whenever giving suggestions for improvement to your peers.

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE: We keep learning new things about the different 'CHARACTERS' in the story (WONDER). We found out that 'COMMUNICATION' is very important in any relationship. If we have a clear line of communication, we can avoid any misunderstandings that may happen. Comment on a misunderstanding that occurred in the story, who it was between, and what caused it. Be sure to include details/examples for your supporting sentences. Don't forget to indicate which type of 'CONFLICT' it is.

2.) LEARNING JOURNEYS / E-FOLIOS: Work on your 'PASSION' pages. As promised during the first week of school, you will begin your 'Personal Passion Trailers' this Wednesday. We will continue with our visual art unit. This will be part of the LA, Art, and HCP curriculum. You will learn the importance of lighting, placement/composition, words, story boards, future job opportunities, etc. I hope you're as excited as I am! WOO HOO!

3.) JUST FOR FUN: Some of you already know how to use some of these, but if you are unfamiliar with any of these presentation platforms, play around with them and see what you can do!
- iMovie
- Movie Maker
- www.animoto.com
- www.prezi.com
- www.sliderocket.com
- any other presentation technologies

VIDEO LINKS:
Abe Books - Types of Conflicts

USEFUL INKS FOR PARENTS:
- I will update this shortly

Thursday: Learning about Conflicts and Mixing Mediums

9/20/2012

IMPORTANT: TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE FOR GROUSE GRIND FORMS! BEG YOUR PARENTS TO DRIVE ON TUESDAY! :) If we dont' have enough drivers, we will cancel the field trip.

Today, you learned how to draw facial features (eyes) when drawing anime/manga characters. We will continue pencil drawings of different features over the next couple of weeks. Once you have completed your self-portraits, we will learn how to 'DIGITIZE' them! These will become your 'DIGITAL CHARACTERS' for your 'DIGITAL FOOTPRINTS'.

1.) POST A RESPONSE: We learned a lot about Summer's 'CHARACTER' today. Describe a little bit about her personality. Give details and examples from the story to support your points.

BONUS: Other than the song that was played for you in class, can you think of another song that could represent Auggie? Tell us the song, title, and a little bit about the meaning of the song.

- Your 'CONFLICT' responses will be written in class tomorrow.

3.) MATH 6 - Pg 72 #1 and #3 YOU MUST SHOW ALL YOUR WORK USING ARRAYS, RAINBOWS, OR THE EQUATIONS. You must also list the factors clearly.
MATH 7 - Any assigned work by your Math teacher

VIDEO LINKS:
- We listened to and read the lyrics to "Beautiful" by Christina Aguilera today as it was mentioned in the novel we are reading in class (WONDER). Feel free to show your parents the video and explain to them how it relates to the story we are reading.

Wednesday: The Elements of Art

9/19/2012

Today, you learned about the importance of the Elements of Art and how they are utilized in different forms of art. It is my hope that you start noticing the different elements in the work you create and the artwork you see around you. By using the different elements, you can create amazing effects.

2.) POST A RESPONSE:
a.) WONDER - Via started to realize that Miranda was still the same person she was before. She started to understand that Miranda, really didn't change at all. How do you think Via is starting to feel about the way she was behaving? Describe when you were in a similar situation. Provide enough details to describe how you felt and what the situation was.

b.) ART - Which elements of art did you use in your Picasso self-portraits? Review the video link below and comment on at least 2 elements you used in your portrait and how they helped the overall effect you were going for.

3.) MATH 6 - Complete Chapter 3 worksheet #1 handout.
MATH 7 - Any work assigned by your math teacher.

VIDEO LINKS:
Khan Academy Math Video - Finding Factors
The Elements of Art

Tuesday: Engaged Learners and The Literary Elements

9/18/2012

Your road to digital and learning fluency continued today. You learned the ins and outs of COMMUNICATION and COLLABORATION via Google Drive/Docs. Show your parents how this works. In addition to this, you learned how important feedback is (receiving and giving) in the learning process. We have covered 4 components of Assessment For Learning (AFL) and will continue to learn more about this over the next few weeks. Parents, I have provided a link here so you can see a snapshot of what AFL is and how it can help your son/daughter learn.

1.) POST A RESPONSE: Today you learned about different literary elements. You learned about plot, character, conflict, theme, and setting. "It was mad exciting!" Click here to see a summary of each of them.
a.) Write about the setting of the novel (WONDER)
b.) Write about 2 of the characters.
- Include as much detail as possible for both (a) and (b). Feel free to use your notes from class today. Also, don't forget about the blogging process - post, give/receive feedback, revise.

2.) FIELD TRIP FORMS: Have your parents fill these out for tomorrow and bring your $10. Ask your parents to come along! :) Also, please return any outstanding forms that you have yet to hand in.

3.) Grade 6 Math - Pg 76 #2, #3, #4, #6a #6d
Grade 7 Math - Any assignments that were given in your math class.

VIDEO LINKS:
Literary Elements - Flocabulary (Thanks Ms. Wilson!)

Monday: Connections and Criteria for Blog Responses

9/17/2012

Students must blog according to the criteria set last week and today. Parents, please review with your son/daugther what an appropriate response looks like. They have their class generated criteria written in their Language Arts notebooks. Remember, post according to the criteria, wait for feedback, revise your post taking the suggestions into account.

1.) POST A RESPONSE - We have learned a lot about August and today we learned more about Via and her feelings towards her brother.
a.) Why do you think Via's grandmother told Via that she was her favorite grandchild? How do you think her response made Via feel? Explain.
b.) Also, give one connection that you made in class today (READ ALOUD). Explain which type of connection it is and a little bit about it. (Text to text, text to self, text to world, or text to media)

2.) MATH 6 - If you haven't already done so, please complete both sides of the worksheet that was handed out in class.

3.) GOOGLE CHALLENGE - Try to complete the challenge from Friday's post.

4.) FORMS - Return any outstanding forms (IE Personal information, walk about, planners, etc)

PARENTS: Please review basic multiplication tables with your child. I have included a video link below from mathmaster.org (Khan Academy)

VIDEO LINK:
Multiplication Tables

Friday: Online Privacy

9/14/2012

It was great to hear your comments this morning during our lesson on 'Youth Privacy'. It builds on what you learned last week about creating positive digital footprints and the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship. You will be designing your own advertisements (posters, commercials, trailers, etc) next week on what you have learned so far. We will use these presentations to teach others about internet safety. We must be individually responsible for our own safety as well as the safety of others.

1.) POST A RESPONSE: Why is your online safety something that you must consider when doing anything online? Give at least one example and reason. Do your best not to repeat points that other students have already posted. If you have any questions, feel free to post them here.

2.) THE GOOGLE DRIVE CHALLENGE! :)
- Log in to your Gmail account and go to Google Documents or Google Drive.
- Create a new document.
- Move this document into your LA folder and title it 'MY PASSION'. (drag and drop)
- Click on 'TOOLS' and then click on 'RESEARCH'
- Play around with the research tool that pops up on the right side of the screen. See if you can figure out how to use it. I want you to research one of your 'PASSIONS' that you will include on your e-folio/website next week. Please only use this research tool and not a separate browsing window.
- Tell me a little bit about your passions and include at least 1 image, 1 video link, and some information about it.
- 'Share' this document with my Gmail address and list me 'CAN EDIT'.
- I can't wait to see how many students are able to complete this unique scavenger hunt!

Parents - Please review the following links to better educate your child on protecting their privacy:
12 Quick Privacy Tips for Parents
More Resources for Parents
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

VIDEO LINKS
Think Before You Click

Thursday: Back to Basics - Multiplication

9/13/2012

Unfortunately, I was at a district workshop today and I was unable to enjoy learning with all of you today! But no worries, tomorrow is a new day! A day full of excitement and enthusiasm for learning! :)

1.) FORMS
- Please bring any overdue forms. Look at yesterday's post if you can't remember which forms to bring.

2.) POST A RESPONSE: We can communicate with people in different ways. Social media has become a routine form of communication. In response to yesterday's first 'CLASS TWEET', we have received 55 retweets locally and internationally! We will send out replies in class tomorrow thanking everyone for their support! I'm estimating that at least 50,000 teachers/classes have seen our tweet. We will continue to monitor the tweet for one week to see how many people we can reach. If we are able to connect with students/teachers from many different countries, how do you think this could help us learn about people from different cultures?

VIDEO LINKS:
Parents - http://mathmaster.org is an excellent website that has math videos on basically any mathematical concept. If your son or daughter is having trouble grasping a concept, please encourage them to use this website. Students, if you are comfortable with your times tables, then skip to the second video link.
1.) BASIC TIMES TABLES (MATHMASTER.ORG)
2.) TWO DIGIT TIMES ONE DIGIT NUMBERS (MATHMASTER.ORG)

Wednesday: Respect, Organization, Communication, and Collaboration

9/12/2012

Today you learned about the importance of respect, organization, collaboration, and communication.

1.) Show your parents how you will organize your work, communicate with your classmates, and collaborate using Google Drive.

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE: Based on what you saw and learned at the 'RESPECT' assembly today, give an example of how you should treat other people.

3.) FORMS - Bring all forms completed and signed by your parents.
- Personal information forms
- $5 for Planner
- Immunizations forms
- all other forms

VIDEO LINKS:
1.) Google Drive Mobile Apps informational video
2.) Exploring Google Drive on Your Computer

Tuesday: Digital Citizenship (Privacy)

9/11/2012

1.) Watch these 2 video with your parents:
- Daniel Pink One Sentence Project
- What's your sentence?

2.) After watching and discussing the 2 videos with your parents or older siblings, come up with your sentence and post it here! Try to remember what we discussed in class and the examples you gave. "WHAT'S YOUR SENTENCE?" Make it purposeful and give a reason why you chose your sentence.

4.) Learning Journeys (Weebly) - Publish your websites so they are live on the internet. Do this with your parents and play around with your e-folios a little bit. If you have time, update your introductory pages based on the feedback you received from your classmates today.

3.) Forms:
- Gr. 6 Immunizations
- Fruit/Veggie forms (only if you do not want to participate)
- Planner / $5

Monday: Digitally Literate to Digitally Fluent

9/10/2012

This was day 2 of our journey towards digitally fluency. First, we will focus on becoming digitally literate by learning about the power of social media and the internet (Web 2.0).

1.) Weebly Sites - Sit down with your parents and be sure to have them help you publish your websites. Play around and explore with Weebly! See what you can learn on your own!

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE: Based on today's read aloud, how would you feel if nobody wanted to sit next to you in class?

3.) Self-Introductions:
- Complete your drafts and have someone at home give you feedback. Remember, this should be based on the criteria we came up with in class.
- Remember, this will be your 'HOME' page on your website that all of your visitors will see!
- You need to COMMUNICATE information about yourself without giving too much personal information.

4.) Fruit/Veggies forms to be returned tomorrow.
5.) Gr.6 Immunization forms
6.) Planner forms and $5

Friday: 'WONDER' written by R.J. Palacio

9/7/2012

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE: Based on what you know so far, how would you have reacted if you were one of the three students who met Auggie for the first time?

2.) Send Mr. Hong a quick email from your new GMAIL address and be sure to include your name.

3.) Bring all your school supplies on Monday.

VIDEO LINKS:
- 21ST CENTURY LEARNING

Thursday: Brainstorming/Collaboration on Digital Citizenship

9/6/2012

1.) If you didn't complete yesterday's task, please follow the instructions on yesterday's planner message.

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE: Comment on one of the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship and why you feel it is important.

3.) Here are the links to each of the Today's Meet brainstorming sessions we did today on the 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship:
- Digital Access
- Digital Commerce (Business)
- Digital Communication
- Digital Literacy
- Netiquette
- Digital Rights & Responsibilities
- Digital Law
- Health and Wellness
- Digital Security

VIDEO LINKS:
- 9 Elements of Digital Citizenship Video
- Digital Citizenship Website

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