The division 4 students visited the Surrey Arts Centre at Bear Creek Park today and learned how to create clay masks.  This was our first time using the clay medium to create art.  It was inspiring to see so many students being so creative with their slabs of clay.  They used a variety of techniques to manipulate the clay to create the shapes that they were looking for.  Take a look at the photos in our learning gallery that show exactly how we created our masks!    

1.) MATH 6 - Any work your teacher assigned.
     MATH 7 - Ok.......the questions are not due tomorrow. :)    
     You have no math homework.  Enjoy Halloween with 
 your friends and remember to stay safe!

2.) SCIENCE 6/7 - Do not start your projects.  You will do this in class tomorrow.

3.) PE - Bring your PE strip tomorrow.   

4.) POST RESPONSE (OPTIONAL) - What did you do for Halloween?  

Learning Gallery Link
- Clay Mask making at the Surrey Arts Centre

The division 4 students are working on anime/manga style sketches of themselves.  They created pencil sketches and are now incorporating the digital medium.  The Learning Gallery will be updated with their pencil sketches in the near future.  The students have been using various free websites (www.pixlr.com, www.fotoflexer.com, www.picmonkey.com, www.sumo.fm, etc) to experiment with the different tools and functions.  A very important tool is the magic wand.  It allows you to select certain areas of an image so you can colour them without changing the colour of the other areas.  We are looking forward to seeing the creativity of the students unfold.  The 'WARHOLISH' image to the left was created by Kevin!

1.) POST A RESPONSE: Masks look cool, but are they more than just art? How do different cultures use masks? What do different types of masks represent? 

• Find one reliable website that describes masks and culture. (paste the URL in your response)
  
• Write a paragraph describing 1) how masks are used and 2) what they represent in one particular culture.
• Find an image of a mask that you like, and paste the URL in your response. (You can use the design of this mask as inspiration for your own mask tomorrow. Think about what you want the design of the mask to represent.)

2.) SCIENCE: Complete the C.-R.A.A.P. reliability test for the website you found.  Most of you have already completed this.  In addition to this, you must collaborate with your partner(s) and complete the group notes using the reliable website you found.  Write down all 'KEY' points for each section.  If you have any questions, please post them here.

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work
     MATH 7: 2.3 Worksheet

4.) IMPORTANT MESSAGE - Don't forget to wear your costumes to school tomorrow!  You can wear them to the Surrey Arts Centre too!

VIDEO LINK:
- Masks from Different Cultures

We are heading to the Surrey Arts Centre on Wednesday to make clay masks.  However, we still need several more drivers.  Parents, if possible, please email me or let your child know if you can drive on Wednesday.  We will leave the school at 12:20pm and should return back to the school by 3:00pm. 

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE #1: We learned several different pre-writing strategies last week.  One that we learned in September was mind-mapping or bubbling.  Play around with this website: bubble.us and brainstorm ideas related to your writing topic that you came up with in class today.  Your topic that you narrowed down in class today will be your centre bubble.  See if you can figure out how to store your finished brainstorming image of all your bubbles into your Google Drive Language Arts folder.  You may choose to do this by saving an image of your brainstorming to your desktop and working form there.  You need a copy of your brainstorming in class tomorrow.  

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE #2: Using your 'NARROWING A TOPIC' strategies of asking questions (Who, What, Where, When, Why, Which, and How questions) choose one of the topics listed here and see if you can narrow the topic.  We will complete the Blogging B.R.G.R.R. for this response tomorrow morning.  Show how you narrowed it in your blog post.  Use the format from class today.  You should use between 2-5 questions to arrive at 'TOPICVILLE'!

TOPICS: Sports, Nouns, Places, Names, Vehicles, Furniture, Weather, Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, Parks, Dancing, Subjects, Schools, Computers, Companies, Shops, Appliances, Brands, NBA teams, NHL teams, NFL teams, or you you can choose your own topic.  

2.) LA / WRITING: Visit http://onlyivan.weebly.com and post into Week 4 of your group.  This week's topic is 'QUESTIONING'.  Make sure you respond to the question and be sure to ask more questions that will get the conversation going with your group members.  If others have already posted, feel free to ask them good questions.  

3.) MATH 6: Any assigned work.
     MATH 7: Any assigned work. Also, you must watch the video link that I have posted on 
     addition/subtraction of fractions with unlike denominators.  You may have a quiz tomorrow.

VIDEO LINKS:
- Adding/Subtracting fractions with unlike denominators

Today, we welcomed several visitors from different educational institutions.  First, we had Linda Chau from J.T. Brown Elementary School visit our class to see the wonderful learning that has taking place.  In addition to this, we were lucky enough to have two University professors of education visit our class to talk to you about your learning.  It was wonderful to see how well all of you responded to the questions that were asked.  You all articulated your learning like true life-long learners.  

1.) ART - IF POSSIBLE, complete colouring your anime art using one of the following websites or any other software you are comfortable using.  If you have completed your first image (you will end up making 4 separate ones next week) please submit it to our hand-in box and call it 'YOUR NAME - DRAFT 1).  If you have any questions, be sure to post them here so your classmates can help you complete some of the tasks.  Remember, zooming in while fine-lining will help you create a smooth lines. If you don't zoom in when you do this, your lines will appear very sloppy.  

           www.pixlr.com                          www.fotoflexer.com                          www.sumo.fm     

2.) SCIENCE - (Taxonomy/Classification) Add to your Science notes.  Currently, you have completed going through one reliable source and took notes of all the important points about the 5 Kingdoms.  You confirmed that you   had all the key points by collaborating with your classmates via Google Drive.  Your goal, if you choose to accept this (Just kidding....you must accept it...ha ha) is to take notes from the video link below.  The good thing about video resources is that you can pause it at anytime to jot down your notes.  Don't forget to use headings when jotting down your notes.  This video is about 12 minutes long and will likely some time to load so be sure to pause it so that it can buffer while you wait.  

3.) MATH 6 / 7 - Complete the fraction art activity you worked on in class today if you haven't already.

4.) POST A RESPONSE - Today, we learned more about pre-writing strategies.  We discussed making lists, brainstorming with webs, discussing with friends, and drawing pictures.  In addition to this, you did some writing activities that helped you get your thoughts down on paper.  Following this, you worked on your first draft of your 'WRITES' and then exchanged them with your partners so they could give you feedback to see what areas you could improve in.  They should have given you 4-5 points to work on.  Your homework is to revise your work and post it here.  Also, read the responses your classmates leave and we will complete the 'Blogging B.R.G.R.R.' on Monday morning as usual.

VIDEO LINK:
- Taxonomy: Life's classification System

The enthusiasm that was flowing through the classroom today was unbelievable!  I was impressed at the excitement everyone showed when we were reading from 'The One and Only Ivan'!  I'm so happy to see so many of you so excited to learn every day!  The learning comments you make every morning make me proud to be your teacher!  It makes me love my job even more when I know my students have a love for learning!  

1.) MATH 6 - Any assigned work.
     MATH 7 - Assigned Questions - #4 (Calculate only), #5, #6, and #9.  Watch this video (All of it.)  There is always the possibility we will have a quiz in class on the videos that are posted here.

2.) POST A REPONSE: Today, we learned that a box arrived at the Big Top 8 Mall.  Based on what we have read in class, what you saw on the box, and your logical reasoning skills,  what can you INFER is going to happen in the next chapter?  Provide your inference to what you believe will happen next.  Remember, an INFERENCE is a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning.  Your INFERENCE must be logical.  The difference between a prediction and an inference is that a prediction is mainly a guess and an inference is based on evidence.     

3.) SCIENCE 6/7 - Complete taking notes for the remainder of the Kingdoms using Kidsbiology.com  Be sure only to include the key points and use point form in your own words. (Google Drive)

4.) FIELD TRIP FORMS - Return your forms tomorrow with the $3.50.  (CLAY MASKS).  Please ask your parents if they can volunteer to drive next week!

VIDEO LINK:
- Adding and subtracting fractions

     

The Division 4 students learn all about the 4 C's of 21st Century Learning on a daily basis.  The students work hard to hone their critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration skills! This is sprawled across the banner of our website and we preach about the importance of these skills every day.  The students know they need these skills to succeed in today's world.  Today, they integrated all of these skills into their Science research for their 5 Kingdoms project.  They started taking notes from reliable sources and will continue to compile reliable information over the next few days from several sources so they have good research to use for their group projects.  The Groups will have full control and choice over the presentation medium they choose and will ultimately showcase it via their websites.  

1.) MATH 6 - any assigned work
     MATH 7 - All of your fraction strips must be coloured, cut out, and placed in a ziplock bag so you 
    don't lose any of them.  You will be using these every day until we complete this unit.  WATCH THIS     
    VIDEO LINK! Just make sure you watch the first 2 minutes of the video.  You will have a short quiz 
    on this section tomorrow.

2.) SCIENCE - You must complete taking notes for at least 2 more Kingdoms.  Here is the link from class today.  CLICK HERE --> Kidsbiology.com Complete taking notes for Kingdom Protist(a) and Kingdom Fungi.  Remember to use the organizational strategies we learned in class in regards to headings and being able to quickly find information.  Add your notes to your Google Drive Document and when you complete it, make sure you hand it in via our hand-in box.  

3.) POST A RESPONSE: From what we read in class today, how do you think Mack will respond to the sign on the billboard.  What will he do?  What do you think will happen to George?  What do you think will happen if all the visitors see the billboard?  Explain what you think will happen.  

VIDEO LINK
- Adding and subtracting fractions (Basic - intro)

Several days ago, students were given a homework assignment to preview a Khan Academy video on ordering fractions through prime factorization.   Most of them went home and independently watched the video several times until they were able to grasp the concept.  We reviewed the concept in class the next day and worked on several examples.  Prior to this, they had learned how to order fractions by listing multiples and finding the lowest common denominator (in class).  After reviewing today's quiz, about half of the students chose to use the prime factorization method most likely because they felt it was the most efficient way to find the LCD. #tweakedflippedlesson #interesting
1.) Math 6: Any assigned work.
     Math 7: Complete the fraction/equivalent fraction colouring activity sheet for tomorrow.

2.) WRITE A REPONSE #1: Go back to yesterday's 'WRITE A RESPONSE' and read through all of the comments made by your classmates.  Some of the students believe that the tree octopus is a real animal and some believe it to be a hoax.  Do some independent research on the 'TREE OCTOPUS' and see if you can figure it out.  Does the 'TREE OCTOPUS' actually exist?  Was the website that was linked to yesterday's assignment a reliable one?  Think critically about it and reply to your original post from yesterday with your thoughts and opinions.  Feel free to use the reliability test that was shared with you in your Google Drives for some ideas that will guide you in the right direction.

3.) WRITE A RESPONSE #2:   Today, in 'The One and Only Ivan', we discussed principles.  What is one principle that you have and why do you believe in it?  One principle that I have is that you should always treat others with respect and kindness. Post yours here and write comments/questions to ones that your classmates post. 

VIDEO LINKS:
- Rare video footage of the 'TREE OCTOPUS' 

Today, our librarian, Miss Chapman, was honoured by the Minister of Education with an award for her idea to have every student in the province read at the same time.  After lunch, all Hillcrest Students gathered in the gym to read together and it was followed by a presentation by the the 'THINK WE' team and their presentation on what they learned last week at 'WE DAY'!

1.) Math 6: Any assigned work. 
     Math 7: Pg. 48 Qu. # 7 - 10 - You may use any strategy 
     you like. If you are drawing diagrams, you must use a 
     ruler and your diagram must have equal parts. QUIZ 
TOMORROW ON ORDERING FRACTIONS.  You will have to solve questions by finding common denominators.  Review the following video links.
1.) Equivalent Fractions Video
2.) Ordering Fractions Video 

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE: From our  brief lesson today on research skills, I'm curious to see how many of you are able to tell if a website is reliable or not.  Use the document that was shared to your Google Drive (Check your email) and see if you can decide!  Are you up for the challenge?  List and explain at least one point from each section that shows why this website is a reliable source or why it is an unreliable source.  Be sure to decide if the 'TREE OCTOPUS' is real or fake.  Be sure to include at least one point for Currency, one point for Relevancy, etc.  If you have any questions, please post them here.  Be sure to provide as much information as possible to prove whether or not you believe the this animal to be real or fake.  

3.) ART: Anime Art due tomorrow!  Make sure you have gone over your lines with a dark pencil and there are no gaps in the lines.  Remember, lines are an important element of art! Without it, we cannot create the shapes that we use in our artwork.  

VIDEO LINKS:
- Equivalent Fractions Video
- Ordering Fractions Video 

We are lucky enough to be a part of 'The Global Read Aloud 2012' for 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate.  We are partnered up with students from Illinois, Ottawa, and Surrey.  It is truly a rewarding experience and we are building relationships with students across North America.  We have been accomplishing this through blogging on our class site and our Global Read Aloud website we created.  In addition to this, we have Skyped with two different classes and now understand what the term, 'GLOBAL VILLAGE' really means.  The 21st Century Skills of communication and collaboration are reinforced on a daily basis in our classroom.  Hillcrest Elementary School entered a contest for a chance to Skype with the author of the novel.  Click here to view it.  (image will be updated shortly)

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE #1: You worked on visualizations in class this past week.  Post your writing that you saved in your Language Arts folder of your Google Drive.  Remember, it must be from the perspective of any one of the characters from 'THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN'.  Be sure to include a good 'HOOK'.  The hook should grab your reader's attention!  Most of you completed this in class, simply post it here.

2.) WEEKEND CHALLENGE: I would like to see if you and your research skills can track down R.J. Palacio's (Wonder) contact information.  I have already contacted her to see if she would like to Skype or 'Hang Out' to deepen our understanding of 'WONDER'.  You will all contact her on Monday to ask her questions about the novel!  

3.) MATH 6/7 - Return your tests signed by your parents.  Corrections must be completed.
     Math 7 - Click on this link and read through all 3 pages on Fractions: Which Fraction is Greater. 
     and follow all the instructions.  You will have a quiz on this on Monday. Also, don't forget to have  
     your previous day's assignment ready to be marked.    

4.) Interim reports - Return these signed and ask your parents to write any comments/questions they have directly on the report.  

VIDEO LINKS:
- Hillcrest Elementary School: Global Read Aloud Skype with Katherine Applegate Contest

We had a great discussion in class today about Animal cruelty and saw a video clip of how elephants are treated in parts of Asia and Africa.  We learned that they are often treated poorly in zoos and other places where they trained to entertain humans.  We also learned about poachers in Africa and how they slaughter many elephants every year.  After viewing the video clip, all of us were clearly affected by the cruelty that was displayed. The image to the left is one of an elephant in Thailand that I took about 5 years ago.  it was heartbreaking to see it helpless and chained up.  Which character from 'THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN' does this remind you of?

1.) POST A RESPONSE: Make a connection with the novel and a real life example of animal cruelty.  Use the examples discussed in class and build on your ideas by doing a small amount of research online.  I have posted the video clip.  Please watch it again as it will help you complete your response.  Include at least two sources of your information if possible.  We will dissect your sources tomorrow to see if they are reliable or not.  We have started to discuss research skills and looking at information with a critical eye.  Be sure to include your honest opinions and feelings in your response.  Be sure to include details and examples for your supporting sentences.  Should human be allowed to treat animals poorly simply to entertain others?  If your classmates post about a certain animal, try to post about a different one.  Post any questions you have here.  Don't forget to connect your response with 'THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN'.

2.) MATH 6 - Any assigned work by your math teacher.  
     MATH 7 - Pg 47 #2, Pg 48 #5b and #6b.  Also, watch this video clip or ordering fractions.

3.) MEDIA LINK - If you haven't already done so, please watch the video below. It is a better version of what you saw in class today.  

VIDEO LINKS:
- Animal Cruelty
    

We continued working on reading strategies today to deepen our understanding of the stories (The One and Only Ivan and Wonder).  Comprehension is an important part of learning how to read.  It is not simply a matter of being able to sound out the words, you must be able to fully grasp the inner workings of a story.  We have covered predictions, connections, images/visualizations, questioning, exquisite language, etc.  It is always a good idea to keep these strategies in mind when reading so you can deepen your understanding of what you are reading. 

1.)  MATH 6 - Any assigned work (Please post your assignment here)
      MATH 7 - Pg 47 #1 (Use LCM for the denominator) , #3 (draw pictures and use a ruler), and #4.

2.) LA / ART - Everyone has received feedback and you are all working on improving on your initial trailers.  Your revised/final copies must be handed in this evening sometime.  E-mail me if you have any questions.  Remember, using the feedback given to you by your peers and by your teacher will improve your learning if you 

3.) WRITE A REPONSE: Today we learned more about the importance of memory in 'THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN'.  What do you think was the major turning point in the story and what do you notice about Ivan's character development as the changes begin occurring? Be sure to include supporting details (IE Examples, quotes, etc).


VIDEO LINKS:
- Ordering Fractions

Today, all 12 classes gathered in the gym to prepare our video presentation for the Global Read Aloud (The One and Only Ivan).  We are all working hard to put together a video for our school so that Katherine Applegate will choose our school to Skype with. We are building on the 4 C's of 21st Century Learning: Collaboration, Communication, Creativity/Innovation, and Critical thinking skills!


1.) MATH 6 - Any assigned work and watch the Equivalent Fractions video.
     MATH 7 - Watch this video clip on Equivalent Fractions

2.) LA - Post your responses only after you have revised your work according to the feedback you received from your peers.  Refer to your Language Arts notebooks.  Also, save a copy of your response to your Google Drive folder and title it 'GRA - Responses # 9 - Your name'.  

A.) Why does Ivan promise Stella that he will take care of Ruby when he knows how hard it will be to keep that promise?  
B.) How does Ivan know that Stella is gone before anyone else does?

3.) LA / ART -  Email one of your classmates to ask for some more feedback and use the class generated criteria sheet to see if you followed it.  You can also use the 2 example 'PASSION TRAILERS' as a general guideline to what yours should look like.  Hand it in via our class website hand-in box.  I'm currently updating your 'PASSION TRAILER PAGES'. If you do not see your name on the password protected page, I have not received your trailer. Resubmit if you don't see your name. 

4.) Survey - Please click on the following link and complete the survey.

VIDEO LINKS:
- Equivalent Fractions

We had a lesson on Friday morning about the importance of helping others and the element of privacy when doing anything online.  As seen from the Amanda Todd incident, a lack of support and knowledge can have devastating effects on people and the people who love them.  It was important on Friday morning for all of us to discuss the tragic events surrounding Amanda Todd and learning about the different avenues that students have if they need need help.  Knowing how to find help can help people find the support they need.  We learned that we can talk to friends, family, teachers, counsellors, Help Lines, Doctors, and other people if we ever need someone for support of any kind.  

1.) MATH 6 / 7 - No homework

2.) POST A RESPONSE: A.) Have you ever experienced a form of bullying at school or seen it happening at school? Explain.  B.) Did you ever do anything about it? Explain.  C.) Thinking back to this incident, what would you have done differently for yourself or for the other person if you could go back in time and do something about it? Explain.

3.) POST A RESPONSE: Make sure you are responding to the others in your 'ONE AND ONLY IVAN GROUPS' http://onlyivan.weebly.com 

4.) LA - I am still waiting for 3 Passion Trailers.  Be sure to hand this in before tomorrow morning.  I will post the pre-edited copies on the website as soon as I receive them.  Those of you who are making posters must hand this in tomorrow morning at the latest.  

5.) PICTURE DAY ON MONDAY!

Today we learned about spatial awareness and safety in PE.  It is very important to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert for your personal safety and the safety of others, especially when objects are flying through the air.  

1.) WRITE A RESPONSE - I have listed several quotes from 'The One and Only Ivan'.  Choose one and write about a connection you have with it and what your interpretation of the quote is.  Be sure to include enough details to express your thoughts clearly.  If you see that your classmates are commenting on one of them, choose a different one.  Also, if you have one that you wrote down, feel free to use it instead of the ones listed below.

“When I'm drawing a picture, I feel...quiet inside.” 

“Humans. Rats have bigger hearts. Roaches have kinder souls. Flies have-”

“Human can surprise you sometimes. An unpredictable species, Homo sapiens”

“Right now I would give all the yogurt raisins in all the world for a heart made of ice.” 

"A good zoo is a large domain.  A wild cage.  A safe place to be.  It has room to roam and humans who don't hurt.  A good zoo is how humans make amends."

2.) WRITE A RESPONSE #2: The fall/Autumn weather is upon us.  Take a look at the photo in today's planner message and use descriptive words (adjectives), to describe what you see!  Answer the following:

- What do you see?
- What do you hear?
- What do you smell?
- What do you taste?
- What do you touch/feel?

3.) MATH 6 / 7 - Test tomorrow for both grades. Complete review questions.

Today we looked deeper into the different types of connections and worked on including more details in your responses.  You worked collaboratively with your peers and communicated with them via Google Drive. You gave them feedback/suggestions according to the criteria for quality feedback.  I am looking forward to reading through the comments and your revisions to your original work tonight!

1.) Share your 'CONNECTIONS' document from your Google Drive with me immediately after you read this.  

2.) MATH 6/7 - Make sure you work from yesterday is completed for tomorrow. Both grades will have their tests on Friday.

3.) POST A RESPONSE: We keep learning more and more about all of the characters in the novel.  What else did you learn about Ivan's character today?  Use examples/quotes from the book to support your opinion.  Be sure to include details.  Don't forget about the criteria for an acceptable response.

4.) LA - Passion Trailers should be handed in tonight.  I prefer that you hand it in to me via the hand in box on our class page.  If you can't remember how to do this, simply post a question here or email me.

VIDEO LINKS
- this will be before 6:30pm.