Blog Archives

Talking Circles

9/30/2016

#TalkingCircles

Today, Mrs D., our aboriginal child care worker, visited our classroom to give a presentation on 'TALKING CIRCLES'. Each student had an opportunity to share something they were proud of and something that had hurt their feelings. It was an amazing 'TALKING CIRCLE' because it helped every student in the class understand the struggles that everyone in the class is going through on a daily basis. This presentation brought everyone in the class closer together.

1.) MATH: Booklets #12 and 13 must be completed for Monday.

2.) GMAIL:

Create your GMAIL account with one of your parents using the instructions provided in class.
Your email address should follow this format: <first name><Code Name initial>[email protected]. remember to not include any spaces and keep everything in lower case. If you encounter any issues, please ask questions here.
Remember to use your parent's birthday because it is a co-account. Make sure they write down your password as well. Use something simple and short that you will not forget.

3.) ANIMOTO:

Go to www.animoto.com and create your account using your code name.
Input the educational account code a4ehong55d4a27687081a5f . Copy and paste it into your account settings from any computer, you will be unable to do this from a phone or a tablet.

4.) PASSION TRAILERS:

Collect your images and start uploading them to animoto. It is easiest to work from a computer, but you can also do this from a mobile device. If you have the option, choose the computer first.
You will receive your criteria sheets tomorrow and then you will be able to start creating your projects. Feel free to play around with Animoto over the weekend.

5.) POST A RESPONSE:

Go back and make sure you have completed all past post a response assignments.
This includes posting, giving another student feedback, and responding to feedback by editing and revising your original posts.

VIDEO LINKS:
Creativity - Obvious to You. Amazing to Others.

Evolution and Open House at K.B. Woodward

9/28/2016

FUN DAY TOMORROW!

Today, students started thinking about where we, as humans, originated from. We started brainstorming on the board and the following words were written down: DNA, evolution, cells, primates, religion, beliefs, natural selection, and dinosaurs to mention a few. The students had many questions and our discussions were very deep. Dyamontae had such great conversation starters and it is clear the others are just as great!

PARENTS: Meet the Teacher Night Open House at 6:30-7:00 tonight.

1.) Math: Complete booklet #13 if you haven't already completed it.

2.) P.A.R.: Complete all past post a response assignments on our class website.

3.) Passion Project/Me Project:

Use your brainstorming from today to start collecting and creating pictures and videos.
For tonight, start collecting items for your 3 passions and your culture.

4.) POST A RESPONSE:

Explain in your own words, your definition of 'EVOLUTION' and give one example of an animal or something else that has evolved over time. Use a different example than what your classmates have already posted.
Give one other student feedback on what he/she can do to improve their post.
Edit/revise your post based on your self-assessment of today's assignment and the feedback you receive.
Play this Natural Selection game.

VIDEO LINKS:
Bill Nye the Science Guy - Evolution

Click to Run

LONG DIVISION OVER THE LONG WEEKEND

9/24/2016

5Unfortunately, Fun Day and the Terry Fox Run were both postponed until a later date. Hopefully we will have some nicer weather next week!

Parents, please note that videos are posted often so students can review how to complete their homework if they have trouble working it.

IMPORTANT: There is no school for students on Monday. It is a professional development day for teachers.

1.) MATH 6/7:

Complete math booklets.
Watch this video on dividing by one digit numbers (long division) to review how to do it.
Watch this video on how to divid by 2 digit numbers.
Review on Tuesday.
Quiz on Wednesday

2.) LA:

Complete any unfinished worksheets.
Quiz on Tuesday (Commas, quotations, nouns, possessives, etc)

3.) FORMS: Return all forms! Social media, Gmail, walk about, etc. Remember, one of them is two-sided.

4.) GMAIL AND ANIMOTO:

This will be explained in tomorrow's post. Don't worry about it over the weekend

5.) POST A RESPONSE:

If you haven't completed any posts this week, make sure you go back and complete them. Also, if you haven't revised your posts from this past week, do that as well.
Watch any one of the long division videos posted below.
In your own words and in paragraph form, write a paragraph explaining how to complete a long division questions. You MUST use one of the examples from your homework booklet as your example when explaining it in your paragraph.
Don't forget to be as clear as possible so your classmates understand what you are saying.
Read the other posts and give 2 students some constructive feedback on what they can improve on. Ask yourself, does it make sense?
Re-read your response and EDIT/REVISE if necessary.

VIDEO LINKS:
Khan Academy - Long Division with one digit numbers
Khan Academy - Long Division with two digit numbers

FUN DAY AND TERRY FOX RUN TOMORROW

9/22/2016

Terry Fox Photo Credit: Prince Albert herald

Today the students enjoyed a beautiful day! They were able to build their endurance and stamina by running for 5 minutes without stopping. We will continue to build on these on a daily basis to prepare for the Grouse Grind field trip. Students completed a pre-assessment today to see their reading abilities. We will use this to compare their abilities later on in the year. The students are looking forward to improving their abilities so deepen their understanding of what they read.

1.) FORMS:

Return the social media form from a few days ago
Return the Website and walk about form that was handed out today.

2.) MATH 6/7:

All students must watch this video before completing the math assignment.
Complete up the end of the multiplication section for tomorrow.

3.) Special Event:

Fun day and the Terry Fox run tomorrow.
Be sure to bring water, a money donation, sunscreen and a light jacket.

4.) BAND 7: bring your instruments

5.) POST A RESPONSE:

If you haven't completed yesterday's post, scroll down to it and complete it before you complete today's post a response assignment.
Write a paragraph about the following: classroom behaviour
Explain at least 3 separate ways you should behave in class and use examples to explain each point in detail.
Your paragraph must include an interesting introduction (hook), supporting sentence and examples, and a conclusion.
Double check your paragraph with the above criteria to make sure you have completed what has been asked of you.
Give one student constructive feedback about their paragraph.
Edit and revise your original paragraph based on the feedback you receive and your own self-assessment.

VIDEO LINKS:
Multiplication of 1 digit by 3 digit numbers
Terry Fox Documentary

Day 12: Pablo Picasso is Present at K.B. Woodward!

9/21/2016

LI: I can create a Pablo Picasso inspired self-portrait

Today, students worked hard during math and learned about decimals and place value. In addition to this, they built on their addition and subtraction skills. Tomorrow, students will continue working through their multiplication and division questions. In Health and Physical Education, students learned about healthy living and also played four corner soccer! Please do your best to bring donations for the Terry Fox run. Let's be the class that collects the most! It all goes towards a wonderful charity!

1.) Read everything posted on our class webpage and follow the POST A RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!

2.) MATH:

Watch this video while you complete your homework. Remember, you can pause the video to slow it down or watch it a few times to deepen your understanding of how to complete the multiplication questions.
Complete pg 1-5 of math booklets.

3.) POST A RESPONSE:

Think of an animal you are really interested in.
'RESEARCH' information about this animal by finding 2 reliable websites according to the CRAAP TEST.
Post 3 interesting facts about your animal that you have verified with at least 3 separate sources!
Post the 3 interesting facts and then post the 3 reliable websites you found underneath your 3 facts (same post).
Give 1 other student constructive feedback on their comment.
Reply to any feedback you receive by REVISING your original post.
Reread the instructions and check to see you have completed it properly.

VIDEO LINKS:
Multiplying 2 digit numbers by 2 digit numbers

Day 10: Quotation Marks

9/19/2016

David borrowed a book from the public library!

Today, students enjoyed their first band class with their instruments. I am happy to see all of the grade 7 students participating in band this year! I have never had a class where all my students joined school. The band teacher must be very inspiring! In Art, we continued working on the Picasso self-portraits and one of our students, David, extended his learning over the weekend by borrowing a book about Picasso! Thank you for bringing the book in for our class read aloud! In Language Arts, students learned how to use quotation marks properly. Many students had 'AHA MOMENTS!'

1.) FORMS: You will receive your social media forms tomorrow.

2.) PARENT/STUDENT SURVEY: There are about 4 students and parents who have not yet completed the survey. Please do that tonight. Click here to complete the survey.

3.) POST A COMMENT/RESPONSE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

Click on this link to the TREE OCTOPUS.
Read through the website and look at everything you see there. Your job today is to explain in a comment post why you think the tree octopus website is reliable or unreliable. You must use the CRAAP TEST to see if it is reliable. Click here for a copy of the CRAAP TEST if you did not take yours home.
CRITERIA: You must comment on 5 separate items from the CRAAP TEST listed in the link. Comment on one item from C, one from R, one from A, another from the second A, and one from the P section. You must provide enough details to convince your classmates why the link is reliable or unreliable. Try to choose ones that students have not yet talked about. Remember, 5 separate items will require 5 separate, full and complete sentences.
Remember, only include your 'FIRST NAME' in your post, and do not include an email address or a website address. If you have any questions or are confused about the homework, post your comments/questions here.

VIDEO LINKS:
Tree Octopus Camouflage

Day 9: Reliable Sources - CRAAP TEST

9/17/2016

Flying Penguins on the BBC

Today, the students learned about how to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources. They had a chance to practice by watching the BBC Flying Penguin video. Click here to show your parents and siblings what you saw. Ask them what they think?!?! we continued learning about place value, expanded notation, and word format. The students learned how to use their place value charts to read large numbers. In addition to this, we continued reading from 'Counting by 7's' and it was amazing to see the wonderful connections the students were able to make with the main character, Willow Change.

1.) MATH 6/7: Complete place value booklets #1-15 if you haven't already complete it. You will have a quiz on Monday on place value, expanded notation, and long word format. If you have any questions over the weekend, post them here.

USEFUL VIDEOS TO HELP YOU STUDY:

2.) FORMS: Planner money

3.) Please click here to complete the parent/student survey if you haven't already done so.

4.) Socials/Art: Collect digital or paper photos for your projects.

5.) POST A COMMENT/RESPONSE HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT:

Click on this link to the TREE OCTOPUS.
Read through the website and look at everything you see there. Your job over the weekend is to explain in a comment post why you think the tree octopus website is reliable or unreliable. You must use the CRAAP TEST to see if it is reliable. Click here for a copy of the CRAAP TEST if you did not take yours home.
In your comment that you post, you must post 3 sentences about why you think it is reliable or unreliable. Don't forget to use the CRAAP TEST!
Remember, only include your 'FIRST NAME' in your post, and do not include an email address or a website address. If you have any questions or are confused about the homework, post your comments/questions here.

VIDEO LINKS:
BBC Penguins

Day 8: Pablo Picasso Self-portrait

9/15/2016

Pablo Picasso Self-Portraits

Today, students worked hard on their expanded notation and standard formation questions in math. The students had a chance to read large numbers in real life situations. One interesting fact we learned today was the largest attendance at an Olympic Games was 5,797,923 people in L.A. in 1984. WOW! In the afternoon, we learned about Picasso and abstract art. They saw a video with examples of what my students from previous years created and the students created criteria for what they wanted their portraits to be assessed on.

1.) Math 6/7: Complete #1-6 from your Place Value booklets

2.) LA 6/7: Complete Photographing Animals reading and questions

3.) FORMS: Band forms, rules contract, planner money $4.

4.) PARENT SURVEY: Please click here to complete the survey if you haven't already done so.

5.) CHALLENGE ACTIVITY IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT: Draw a Picasso Self-Portrait and bring it to school tomorrow! CLICK HERE! THIS IS NOT HOMEWORK! It is totally optional!

VIDEO LINKS:
Pablo Picasso Self-Portraits

Day 6: A Novel Approach

9/13/2016

Warming up to prevent injuries

Today, we had our first lesson on a Novel Approach (READING). The students created Criteria Charts for how they should behave during instruction and during their work time. In health and physical education, they learned the importance of warming up and stretching before any physical activity.

PARENTS, please check the website on a daily basis to make sure your child is keeping up with his or her daily work. Also, please have your students review the videos posted in the video links section.

1.) MATH 6/7:

Complete place value worksheets (2) if you didn't complete them in class.
Watch all three videos in the 'VIDEO LINKS' section if you feel you need to review today's math concepts.

2.) LA 6/7:

Complete reading questions and readings (Photography - 2 pages) if you didn't complete them in class. Remember to use full and complete sentences.
Complete capitalization handout (2 pages) if you didn't complete them in class today.

3.) Planner money $4

4.) Parent Survey: Parents/Students, please click here to complete the contact information survey. 9 parents/students still have yet to complete this.

5.) Return your 'RULES CONTRACT' signed by your parents.

6.) Bring a wallet sized photo for your 'About Me Page'.

7.) All grade 7's are to return their band forms tomorrow. It is a great opportunity to learn how to play an instrument!

VIDEO LINKS:

Day 5: Getting Settled in on A Sunny Day

9/12/2016

Welcome to Division 2!

The students enjoyed a gorgeous day and a fun day of learning today. We started the day off with a lesson on digital citizenship and the students learned a lot about their digital footprints. In addition to this, the students learned about paragraph structure and wrote about their summer vacations. They learned about introductions, topic sentences, supporting sentences, and conclusions. We will continue learning about digital citizenship for the next few weeks.

1.) Students, read everything on today's post with your parents.

2.) Parents/Students, please click here to complete the contact information survey.
3.) Bring your planner money ($4)

4.) Return your 'RULES CONTRACT' signed by your parents.

5.) Bring a wallet sized photo for your 'About Me Page'.

6.) All grade 7's are to return their band forms tomorrow. It is a great opportunity to learn how to play an instrument!

VIDEO LINKS:
Digital Life 101
Digital Dossier/Footprint

WEEK 1: Welcome to Division 4

9/9/2016

Kid President's Pep Talk

Congratulations to a successful week everyone! It was very nice getting to know all of you and I am looking forward to an exciting year full of some wonderful learning! Parents/students, if you have any questions for me, please click here.

This week, we learned about the code of conduct and completed math, reading, and writing assessments. We also took time to learn about one another and the diversity that exists in our classroom! Next week, we will start working on our Passion Trailers! Watch the Kid President Pep Talk with your parents!

Do not post anything on today's blog post. You will begin posting after we learn more about digital citizenship and responsibility.

THINGS TO THIS WEEKEND
1.) Code of Conduct / Class Rules Contract

Please return your Code of Conduct contract to Mr. Hong by Monday.
It must be read and signed by one of your parents.
Parents, please read and discuss it with your son/daughter.

2.) Student / Parent Questionnaire

Parents and students, please click here to complete the questionnaire and answer all the questions.

3.) PICTURES

If you haven't already done so, be sure to bring a wallet sized photo or print to school of your 'ABOUT ME' page.

VIDEO LINKS:
Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students

New Beginnings at K.B. Woodward Elementary School

9/4/2016

Although I will miss my students and colleagues from Hillcrest Elementary dearly, I'm looking forward to a new chapter in my teacher career at K.B. Woodward Elementary. Stay tuned for new surprises, new perspectives, and importantly, new learning journeys.

VIDEO LINKS:

Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students