Canadian Geographic and CIDA have a map which will be a central part of our lessons in the mini unit, "Looking at Wealth Distribution in the World". This unit focuses on concepts in Interdependence and the role Canada has in helping developing countries.
To access the interactive map, "A Developing World", click on the following link or copy/paste it into your window browser.
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/worldmap/cida/cidaworldmap.aspx
"3 PLUS U" LESSON IN GLOBAL ECONOMICS
Another site we will be viewing is one from cyberschoolbus. This activity will explore Global Economies, child labour, forced labour and discrimination. You will need earphones and paper/pencil for jotnotes.
Here is the address to copy/paste into your browser window:
http://cyberschoolbus.un.org/3PLUSU/index.html
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
February/March Important Dates
February 9th - Last day for Downhill Skiing Money and forms
February 12 and 15 No School
Tuesday, February 16 - Grade 8 "Spend a Day at Leboldus"
Wednesday, February 17 - Grade 8/Leboldus Presentation at Deshaye
Friday, February 19 - "Lightening Thief" (movie at Galaxy - we leave at lunch, so you will need to bring a lunch to school that day.) Movie connects with mythology unit. Make sure you are caught up with homework assignments so that you can go!
Tuesday, February 23 Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge
Friday, March 5 - DQ Lunch Day
Tuesday, March 9 - Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge
Wednesday, June 16 - Grade 8 Farewell (it's not in Feb or March... just mark your calendars!)
CHECK OUT THE LIGTENING THIEF Trailer
I'm so excited to check out the movie!
February 12 and 15 No School
Tuesday, February 16 - Grade 8 "Spend a Day at Leboldus"
Wednesday, February 17 - Grade 8/Leboldus Presentation at Deshaye
Friday, February 19 - "Lightening Thief" (movie at Galaxy - we leave at lunch, so you will need to bring a lunch to school that day.) Movie connects with mythology unit. Make sure you are caught up with homework assignments so that you can go!
Tuesday, February 23 Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge
Friday, March 5 - DQ Lunch Day
Tuesday, March 9 - Downhill Skiing at Mission Ridge
Wednesday, June 16 - Grade 8 Farewell (it's not in Feb or March... just mark your calendars!)
CHECK OUT THE LIGTENING THIEF Trailer
I'm so excited to check out the movie!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
VIDEO GAMES WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE...
Try out the following video games on-line.
WWW.PLAYAGAINSTALLODDS.COM
This game shows what it would like to live in a country that does not respect human rights and why some people become refugees. This game was created by the United Nations High Commission with the purpose of teaching students about human rights and the lives that refugees live.
WWW.DARFURISDYING.COM
Darfur is a western region of Sudan (in Africa). People everyday endure unimaginable atrocities. This video game reflects a small fraction of what it's like to survive in this region. The video is school appropriate, which means it was created to give students a chance to learn about life in this country. It is not violent nor does it treat the sensitive nature of this issue in way to "sell" video games. This game is sponsored by MTV and the Human Rights Foundation.
http://www.sayansi.ca/flash/sayansi-en.html
This game is sponsored by CIDA and I have yet to play it. It was designed for students... I'll let you know how it goes. It really took a long time to load, perhaps I was just too far away from my wireless connection hub. The cartoon at the beginning was pretty vivid.
As you play these games, think about the deeper meaning. The actual event that would be happening. Be sensitive to the fact that although it's a video game, the events were based on real people's lives. Play, have fun, but think and reflect too!
Ms. Stewie
WWW.PLAYAGAINSTALLODDS.COM
This game shows what it would like to live in a country that does not respect human rights and why some people become refugees. This game was created by the United Nations High Commission with the purpose of teaching students about human rights and the lives that refugees live.
WWW.DARFURISDYING.COM
Darfur is a western region of Sudan (in Africa). People everyday endure unimaginable atrocities. This video game reflects a small fraction of what it's like to survive in this region. The video is school appropriate, which means it was created to give students a chance to learn about life in this country. It is not violent nor does it treat the sensitive nature of this issue in way to "sell" video games. This game is sponsored by MTV and the Human Rights Foundation.
http://www.sayansi.ca/flash/sayansi-en.html
This game is sponsored by CIDA and I have yet to play it. It was designed for students... I'll let you know how it goes. It really took a long time to load, perhaps I was just too far away from my wireless connection hub. The cartoon at the beginning was pretty vivid.
As you play these games, think about the deeper meaning. The actual event that would be happening. Be sensitive to the fact that although it's a video game, the events were based on real people's lives. Play, have fun, but think and reflect too!
Ms. Stewie
Social Studies - Looking at the World and Wealth Distribution
QUESTIONS TO PONDER IN THIS MINI- UNIT...
How do we spend our money? How do we use our resources??
How does sustainability connect with economy? Why is it something that we should think about when we think of our future??
Is the way wealth is distributed around the world fair??
Who are the richest countries? Who are the poorest countries??
What is a fair trade product? How do fair trade products help to evenly distribute wealth in the world?
What does it mean to be a responsible consumer? What do responsible consumers do?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying locally produced goods; buying fair-trade products; and buying mass produced products?
Who "wins" or gets the best deal in each of the above situations??
How can we measure wealth? If you are wealthy, are you happier than those who are poor??
CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC AND CIDA MAP OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD - INTERACTIVE SITE
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/worldmap/cida/cidaworldmap.aspx
THE STORY OF STUFF VIDEO - Interesting video which connects to the questions above...
VIDEO - DO I NEED IT? A cute song written in reaction to "The Story of Stuff". The tune will probably never make the radio waves, but the message is excellent... Just listen to the message...
I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about shopping as I watched the above video... Hmmm... something to think about....
How do we spend our money? How do we use our resources??
How does sustainability connect with economy? Why is it something that we should think about when we think of our future??
Is the way wealth is distributed around the world fair??
Who are the richest countries? Who are the poorest countries??
What is a fair trade product? How do fair trade products help to evenly distribute wealth in the world?
What does it mean to be a responsible consumer? What do responsible consumers do?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying locally produced goods; buying fair-trade products; and buying mass produced products?
Who "wins" or gets the best deal in each of the above situations??
How can we measure wealth? If you are wealthy, are you happier than those who are poor??
CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC AND CIDA MAP OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD - INTERACTIVE SITE
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/worldmap/cida/cidaworldmap.aspx
THE STORY OF STUFF VIDEO - Interesting video which connects to the questions above...
VIDEO - DO I NEED IT? A cute song written in reaction to "The Story of Stuff". The tune will probably never make the radio waves, but the message is excellent... Just listen to the message...
I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about shopping as I watched the above video... Hmmm... something to think about....
DISASTER IN HAITI ESSAY
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS IN HAITI
Please make sure you hand in your DISASTER IN HAITI ESSAY before 1st recess on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
This essay will be part of not only a Social Studies mark, but also some of the content will be evaluated for Science (Earthquake information - "Exactly what happened in terms of the earthquake, plate tectonics, etc. in Haiti?")
Ensure you hand in all drafts, outline, web and jotnotes with your essay as well as the rubric. Please staple your essay requirements with the good copy on top with the rubric attached. All late assignments will be deducted 5% / day, as explained in the Social Studies Expectations and Procedures at the beginning of the year.
I look forward to reading your essays! Really!!
Ms. S-M :-)
CRAIG KIELBURGER - FREE THE CHILDREN IN HAITI
COLD PLAY VIDEO - HAITI RELIEF TELETHON
Coldplay just happens to be a band I really like... and check it out... they are trying to do their part and make a difference and help those in need!!
Other musicians who worked together to help Haiti...
Please make sure you hand in your DISASTER IN HAITI ESSAY before 1st recess on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8.
This essay will be part of not only a Social Studies mark, but also some of the content will be evaluated for Science (Earthquake information - "Exactly what happened in terms of the earthquake, plate tectonics, etc. in Haiti?")
Ensure you hand in all drafts, outline, web and jotnotes with your essay as well as the rubric. Please staple your essay requirements with the good copy on top with the rubric attached. All late assignments will be deducted 5% / day, as explained in the Social Studies Expectations and Procedures at the beginning of the year.
I look forward to reading your essays! Really!!
Ms. S-M :-)
CRAIG KIELBURGER - FREE THE CHILDREN IN HAITI
COLD PLAY VIDEO - HAITI RELIEF TELETHON
Coldplay just happens to be a band I really like... and check it out... they are trying to do their part and make a difference and help those in need!!
Other musicians who worked together to help Haiti...
Disaster in Haiti Essays
This is a reminder that your Haiti essay must be handed in on Monday, February 8 before 1st recess or there will be late marks (5%/day) deducted from your mark. *** REMEMBER to hand in all drafts, outlines, webs and jot notes for your essay. Remember to reference all handouts from class, as well as the rubric before you hand it in. This essay will be primarily a Social Studies mark, however one aspect on earthquakes will be used for Science. Again, refer to the assignment handouts and evaluation rubric for more information.
ESSAY EXPECTATIONS... Make sure you have an introduction with attention getting lead, topic sentence (what the essay is about) and thesis statement (what topics will be explored in the essay - see examples on handouts given in class); at least 3 body paragraphs (one must explain scientific information on plate tectonics, the other 2 on life in Haiti before the earthquake and life after the earthquake) and finally how can Canadians help... or how can we help; and finally a conclusion paragraph that restates what topics were explored in the essay, plus wraps up the essay and leaves the reader thinking.
Make sure you follow the format above for the 5 paragraph essay and include the expected research for the questions that were given in class.
ESSAY EXPECTATIONS... Make sure you have an introduction with attention getting lead, topic sentence (what the essay is about) and thesis statement (what topics will be explored in the essay - see examples on handouts given in class); at least 3 body paragraphs (one must explain scientific information on plate tectonics, the other 2 on life in Haiti before the earthquake and life after the earthquake) and finally how can Canadians help... or how can we help; and finally a conclusion paragraph that restates what topics were explored in the essay, plus wraps up the essay and leaves the reader thinking.
Make sure you follow the format above for the 5 paragraph essay and include the expected research for the questions that were given in class.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Pauline Vanier - Canadians Who Helped Refugees in WWII
http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=13563
Copy/paste this into your URL window and search for Pauline Vanier for a 1 minute Historica audio clip.
This audio clip could be used to help you write your blogs. Feel free to learn more about Canadian volunteers like the Vaniers on this site.
Copy/paste this into your URL window and search for Pauline Vanier for a 1 minute Historica audio clip.
This audio clip could be used to help you write your blogs. Feel free to learn more about Canadian volunteers like the Vaniers on this site.
Blogging to Videos
Choose one of the videos and write a journal response to the following questions:
1) What motivated Craig to start the "Free the Children" movement? What issue would you be motivated to tell other about and create public awarenes?
2) Do you know of other singers or celebrities that are working hard to create awareness about an important issue? What are they doing? How are their efforts helping those in need? How are you affected by their work?
3)Imagine you were living in a refugee camp. What are some of the challenges you noticed in the camp? How are the lives of these people impacted? How could you sustain hope for the future?
1) What motivated Craig to start the "Free the Children" movement? What issue would you be motivated to tell other about and create public awarenes?
2) Do you know of other singers or celebrities that are working hard to create awareness about an important issue? What are they doing? How are their efforts helping those in need? How are you affected by their work?
3)Imagine you were living in a refugee camp. What are some of the challenges you noticed in the camp? How are the lives of these people impacted? How could you sustain hope for the future?
Refugee Camp in Afghanistan
LANGUAGE ARTS BLOG - This video should help you with your blog response to the question, "What would it be like to be a refugee?" Feel free to check out other videos, but also reflect on what you learned when you read the novels, Parvana's Journey or Mud City.
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