FAREWELL

We are starting organizational preparations for Farewell. The grade 8's are asked to bring a baby or a childhood picture for the slideshow. If students have photos that are from St. Francis School either this year, or years gone by, they may also submit them for the slideshow.

They may send this to me via j.stewart-mitchell@rcsd.ca or bring in the actual photo for scanning.

All photos are needed before next Friday, May 9th.

We are also forming student committees to assist in planning the Farewell, as many of the students have fantastic ideas. Students may join the following committees:

1. Farewell Slideshow & the Digital Yearbook
2. Decoration Creation (Silhouettes, Memory Stars, Stage decorating, Other??)
3. Technology Set Up (mics, data projector, lighting)
4. Gym Set Up (stage, chairs, assist with decorating)
5. Snacks - Organizing snacks (who is bringing what... note the tradition is grade 7 students, but this needs to be explored).

Other?? Feel free to offer input, if you have ideas.

Please sign up in the classroom. Information is posted.

Parents are also welcome to join in with any of the committees above! The help is always appreciated.

The date for the Farewell is June 19th at the school.

Homework

ELA 
Persuasive graphic organizer for 5 slide partner presentation (see blog for more info)
Main idea identifier graphic organizer for analyzing persuasive essays
Wednesday and Thursday (April 30 and May 1st) must start 5 slide persuasive presentation. (Students may use Google Slideshow, Powerpoint or Prezi).
Start presentations Friday and continue on Monday.
Students must submit slides and persuasive presentation essay presentation.

All Dystopian Assignments are Overdue, this includes:
Kidblog responses,
Dystopian Visual Dictionaries
Edmodo blog posts
Fakebook final projects
*Students are expected to do complete these in the next week. Overdue lists are posted in the classroom for student reference. It is not acceptable for students to "take a 0%", but instead try their best to complete the assignment.

French 
Vocabulary test Weds (summer and winter olympic sports)
Sochi booklet due Weds (students will self evaluate). There will be a teacher evaluation as well.

Persuasive Book Talk

In the next couple weeks, you should be finished the book you chose for AR testing this month.  You will be creating a Persuasive Book Talk Presentation, where you will either try to convince us to "READ IT or LEAVE IT".


The book must be one that is within your reading level (see the AR colour dots on your folder), and be one that you have tested on this year (January 1st to May).

Your presentation may be at least 5 slides and be created using Powerpoint, Google Slideshow, or Prezi.
Your presentation must be approximately 2 minutes.

In the presentation you must use at least 2 techniques for persuading that we discussed in class... (Ethos, Pathos, Logos, Big Names etc...).

In the Book Talk Presentation, you need to explore the plot, character development and interactions (protagonist, antagonist and supporting characters, setting, tone, climax and author's message, but DO NOT give any spoilers!!

All books must be read by May 20th, at the very latest. 

We will start presenting May 23rd.

Late Edmodo Assignments

If you have not yet finished your Interschool Blogging Assignments... It's not too late, yet!


See the link below to get the questions for each Weekly Topic you might be missing. 

Edmodo Questions for the Dystopian Book Club...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QBINypt870W8XYhzXRF3_ydguor1lCoGPf7eHR2OvW8/edit?usp=sharing

If you have not yet posted all of your Edmodo assignments, please post to Kidblog (not Edmodo) and I will read them. ~ Ms. Stewie

Even though the interschool blogging project is completed, you still have to do these assignments. The overdues are posted in the classroom.

Last Today's Meet

The Interschool Digital Dystopian Book Club Last Today’s Meet Discussion!

It's our last chat!!!

Take a moment to watch a video based on our project. This short video sums up some of the issues and questions we explored, activities from the unit, and finally your reactions. The project was very well received by teachers who attended to Digital EdCamp a couple weeks ago. Teachers from all over Saskatchewan who are interested in using technology attended the conference and were quite excited to see what you did. You are famous… well among Saskatchewan teachers! ;-)

Video link “The Interschool Digital Dystopian Book Club Project”

http://youtu.be/DJzHK50kWXY

**Allow for time to load. It takes awhile.

Before you start the chat, think about what Faction you would be in. Now find out if you are right. Take the What Faction Are You? Divergent test. It will only take about 4-5 minutes.

Divergent Aptitude Test

 

http://divergentthemovie.com/aptitudetest

Questions to consider…

A couple weeks ago we had the opportunity to attend Divergent and meet F2F (face to face) all the other students from St Gabriel and Deshaye who were in our Dystopian Book Club! What a fantastic day!!

Anyways, for our last Today's Meet Live Chat... We are going to discuss your questions! Today’s questions were taken from the survey (Survey Monkey) as well as questions that you may have explored with your teacher after the movie, Divergent. Before we begin, we just want to thank you for your participation, engagement and excellent work you did in this project. Thank you again for taking the time to complete the survey! As teachers it is really important that we have an understanding of your thoughts from the project.

Thanks again for your time and for the honest feedback!

After watching the movie, there were a few themes or messages that seemed to come up. These questions included:

What faction were you? Were you surprised by the result? Is the test accurate?

Is categorizing people the answer to peace in society??

Why is conformity an easy answer to society's problems? How is it not a solution?

Is being "Divergent" a benefit to society? In a dystopian society or even our society?

What do you think “Divergent” would be in our society? Who are the divergent people in our society?

What message can we take away from the movie?

In the movie it was said that, “humanity is driven to destruction”. Is humanity really driven to destruction? What are your thoughts?

How is this film (and book!) and example of dystopia?

What characteristics from our Dystopian References do you have to back up your thoughts? How was Tris a Dystopian Protagonist?

What other questions can we explore? Add them to the chat! Jot note them on your paper or remember to share them during the chat.

Lastly, after exploring a few connections between dystopian trends in our society and our novels, do you agree or disagree that our world is becoming dystopian? Are there any recent events that make you feel this way? What is it about the event that connects to this theme?

What do YOU think we can do in our own lives to ensure that we do not head down one of the many paths of dystopia? What trend in our society is one we must consider the most in preventing dystopia?

LINKS

Novels	Teacher Leader	Today’s Meet Link
Divergent	Mr. Bresciani	https://todaysmeet.com/divergentchat
Legend	Ms. Stewart-Mitchell/Ms. Treptau	https://todaysmeet.com/legendchat
City of Ember	Ms. Stewart-Mitchell	https://todaysmeet.com/cityofemberchat
Hunger Games	Mr. Rieger	https://todaysmeet.com/HungerGamesGroup
Among the Hidden	Ms. Nicolson	https://todaysmeet.com/AmongtheHidden
Eleventh Plague	Mrs. Folk	https://todaysmeet.com/eleventhplague
Matched	Mr. Redler	https://todaysmeet.com/matched
Maze Runner	Ms. Treptau	https://todaysmeet.com/mazerunner

Edmodo Questions for the Dystopian Book Club...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QBINypt870W8XYhzXRF3_ydguor1lCoGPf7eHR2OvW8/edit?usp=sharing

If you have not yet posted all of your Edmodo assignments, please post to Kidblog (not Edmodo) and I will read them. Ms. Stewie

 

Homework and Easter

Reminders to students who have not completed homework and have been notified. Please complete and hand in after the holidays, before it gets away on you!

Tomorrow will be our last Today's Meet from the Interschool Dystopian Book Club Project. Please be sure to make any last touches to your Fakebook, as I have yet to finalize marking the project. I have had a chance to work with and chat with many of you about your project, or leave comments on your kidblog. So please take the time to act on these recommendations. We are all busy, but this was a major project, so take a little time to finalize what you need to.

In terms of the Pink Day Persuasive 5 Slide Partner Assignment (see previous blog post), this will not be due over the holidays. We will resume when you return. I think this project will be interdisciplinary and incorporate Health. If some of you are interested in working on the project over the holidays, Google Docs (slide show) is definitely the way to go with collaborating. I will explain tomorrow. Or... You can use prezi and share an account with your partner.

Thank you to the Teacher Liturgy Team that put on the wonderful "Sensory Stations of the Cross" activity. What a memorable experience! Thank you also to the students who took the time to pray and reflect on the stations and who were respectful of the sacrifices that Jesus made for us.

Have a wonderful Easter everyone. Remember no school on Friday, as it is Good Friday. Take a moment to pray on Good Friday. Perhaps watch a video or powerpoint. See below.

If you have a moment take a look at a powerpoint for the Stations of the Cross...

Click on the link below and view the Stations of the Cross Powerpoint... 
http://www.loyolapress.com/assets/lp/stations-of-the-cross-powerpoint.swf

Dayplan and French links

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oVmna9vlIpTjtzvrZn7PNZSpgxFdDEzMEwJqjW9cGRc/edit?usp=sharing


French Jouer et Faire Presentations

Watch slide shows…

A) http://www.slideshare.net/guesta96a73/sports-jouer-or-faire-with-au-and-du-de-la-de-l-presentation

B) http://www.slideshare.net/afternoonmoon/les-sports-jouer-a-vs-faire-de

C) next lesson how to share your opinion about sports!
Slide show of lesson http://www.slideshare.net/tbonnar/mes-opinions-des-sports

Day of Pink Partner Persuasive Writing Lesson

Part A. REVIEW THE POWERPOINT "The Art of Persuasion". Focus on the format of the persuasive essay. 

Part B. In partners you are going to take your brainstormed notes that you previously made regarding getting students to care about Pink Shirt Day, and organize them into an Outline for an Essay. 

The Art of Persuasive Writing PowerPoint - ReadWriteThink

*Click on the title above to download "Art of Persuasive Writing" Powerpoint.

ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS AND ARGUMENTS IN AN OUTLINE.
To assist you in organizing your thoughts, you will use the Read
Write Think Interactive Persuasive Writing Map... See link below.

Read through the steps below. They will help walk you through the
Persuasive Writing Map.

Persuasive Writing Map - You can complete on-line then print
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/persuasion_map/

1. First, think about why you are writing this essay. What are you trying to prove? 
Go back to the question, and think about what you believe in.

How can you show you care with a colour? Why should you show you care?

Why should people care about supporting pink shirt day? Imagine a fellow peer says that they don't care about pink shirt day, and  that they don't understand how can wearing pink make a difference. What would you say to them to change their mind? In partners, brainstorm some convincing reasons to care, using at least 4 different persuasion techniques that we've studied; such as claims, pathos, logos or research. You have permission to go on line to quickly access some facts or statistics to support your reasons.

Once you have your reasons, order your arguments in terms of strength, and jot note supporting ideas to go with each technique to be more convincing. Finally decide on the best way to the grab attention of your peers. We will be using the Persuasion Interactive Organizer to help you in organizing your ideas. See the other blog posts. 

Now, write your thesis. What will be the point of your essay?
What will you will prove? What point are you trying to argue about Pink Shirt Day?

See the example...

2. Second, go back to your brainstorm and decide which points you are going 

present in your argument as reasons. Examine your brainstorm, what point stands 

out?

3. Rewrite three main reasons that would convince someone that your thesis is

valid (which means good or correct).

4. Now for that first reason, think of 3 facts or examples which will support 

your argument. 

5. Think of 3 supporting facts or examples for Reason 2 and 3. Repeat the same

process.

6. Finally in the Conclusion, you will write 2 sentences that will summarize your

argument and wrap up the essay. These closing arguments will briefly restate

your main points that you previously explored.

This will be the basic outline for your essay. Imagine the Persuasion Map Below,
completed with your arguments. If you make a mistake, you can go back.
Be sure to complete all aspects of the map. Do not skip steps.
If you take the time to complete the map, the easier it will be to write the essay.

Part C. 5 Slide Presentations

You are going to Persuade Members of the Class to care about your stance

on PINK SHIRT DAY. Rather than write an essay, you are going to create a 5 Slide 

Presentation on reasons why people should (or shouldn't) care about supporting

Pink Shirt Day. 

We will be using the following handout to assist in creating this 5 slide presentation. 

Use the Outline you already created to assist you! Remember that the images

you chose for the presentation should reflect Pink Shirt Day and explore Anti-

Bullying messages. Please be considerate and sensitive when selecting images

for your presentation, as this is quite a serious topic.

Here's a link...

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/Persuasion%20Rubric.pdf

After you complete your outline, explore the Five Slide Persuasive Rubric 

so that you understand how you will be evaluated in persuasive presentation.

***** Note the duration of the presentation will be between 2-3 minutes. 

Please ignore this aspect of the rubric, as I will not be evaluating as strictly as what 

is indicated here!! :-)

Pink Shirt Day

Got a QR Code Scan App? Videos for Pink Shirt Day...

Pink Shirt Day



Mean Stinks Promo


Mean Stinks Video - Meanomophosis


Cyber Bullying Virus Video

Show you care with a colour!

Why should people care about supporting pink shirt day? Imagine a fellow peer says that they don't care about pink shirt day, and  that they don't understand how can wearing pink make a difference. What would you say to them to change their mind? In partners, brainstorm some convincing reasons to care, using at least 4 different persuasion techniques that we've studied; such as claims, pathos, logos or research. You have permission to go on line to quickly access some facts or statistics to support your reasons.

Once you have your reasons, order your arguments in terms of strength, and jot note supporting ideas to go with each technique to be more convincing. Finally decide on the best way to the grab attention of your peers. We will be using the Persuasion Interactive Organizer to help you in organizing your ideas. See the other blog posts. 

School Reminders

St. Francis Community School – Reminders for Monday, April 7th
Tomorrow, Tuesday April 8th

•   Grade 8 Farewell photos will be taken in the morning. Students are reminded to bring the class composite order form with $10.00. It is recommended a white blouse for females and a white collared shirt and dark ties for males.
  
•   Spring photos will also be taken all day. Siblings will be photographed individually and as a pair or group. Just indicate siblings and grade on the Lifetouch Portraits flyer, also indicating desired pose. Flyers were sent home last week.
  Wednesday, April 9th
  

 Don’t forget to wear pink today in support of anti‐bullying day.
Thursday, April 10th
 12:45 pm Reconciliation Liturgy and Examination of Conscience for all classes. Families are welcome to join us.
Friday, April 11th
 9:45 am Reconciliation for grades 4 – 8 in the gym with Father John and guest priests. Families are welcome to join us.
Monday, April 14th
 11:00 am Palm Sunday Liturgy. Families are welcome to join us.
Tuesday, April 15th
 7:00 pm – CSCC Meeting (Catholic School Community Council). Parents are invited to attend.
Wednesday, April 16th
 A Lenten Retreat will be held in the morning for the entire school.
Friday, April 18th to Friday, April 25th – No School Classes resume on Monday, April 28th at 9:20 am 

The Digital Dystopian Book Club

Video for the Digital Dystopian Book Club

http://youtu.be/DJzHK50kWXY

Day Plan

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fvV2i3j6EbVtqCPSa9VUBL7CHkNJmwtBZcGFA_fIlzQ/edit?usp=sharing

How to Persuade - Intro to Persuasive Writing

We're winding down our Dystopian Unit, so all end of unit activities are either due or will be due in the next day or two. As part of your final assessment for the unit, you will be writing a persuasive essay on the benefits of reading Dystopian Literature for teens. However to effectively write a persuasive essay you need to review a few techniques. Therefore the objective of this lesson is to explore and analyze those techniques.

1. For this lesson you will need to download the powerpoint from Read Write Think. It is available at the following site. It will just take a moment to download and project on the front board.

http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/convince-developing-persuasive-writing-56.html?tab=3#resources

To Access the powerpoint, click on ...

• Persuasive Strategy PowerPoint Presentation

You will also need a few handouts which are available via Google Docs, print out the necessary handouts.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UChWtD5F1TAq8Es-oawEdetrh7VN6XfNzmmZf492Whs/edit?usp=sharing

Then complete the handout, "Persuasion is All Around Me". The examples for each definition can be found as you watch the power point. Jot them down on the handout.

2. Read the article, "School Uniforms Should Not Be Required"

from Time for Kids.

Complete the handout, "Check the Strategies"

3. Read the article, "Summer: 15 Days or 2 1/2 Months?"

Complete the handout, "Check the Strategies"

The Art of Persuasion Power point - Reflect on the video and think about how we are convinced daily!

The Art of Persuasive Writing PowerPoint - ReadWriteThink

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/30950_art.ppt‎

www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/30950_art.ppt‎

Persuasive Writing Map - You can complete on-line then print
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/persuasion%20map.pdf


Persuasion Interactive Map  http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/persuasion_map/

 Writing the Persuasive Essay - Persuasion Map Interactive site
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/persuasion_map/


Rubric for Evaluation Persuasive Writing
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson56/assessment.pdf

View shared postRubrRhttp://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson56/assessment.pdf

Persuasive Writing

PERSUASIVE WRITING LESSONS

Part1 - Introduction to Persuasive Writing

5th Grade Writing Strategies Class--Persuasive Writing from cindytko

Part 2 - Developing the Persuasive Essay

The persuasive essay juniors from Jill McAndrews

More Essay Development

Parts of an Essay from yoyo2012

Dystopian Persuasive Essay Map
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w_5nfukP1DG-GkVJzV3LIokzPA94_JsOskCC87J9IxQ/edit?usp=sharing

Digital Dystopian Book Club Presentation & Unit

What Faction Are You?

Divergent Aptitude Test

http://divergentthemovie.com/aptitudetest

Awesome movie

Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend Divergent and meet all the other students from St Gabriel and Deshaye who were in our Dystopian Book Club! What a fantastic day!! 

Anyways, as we prep for our last Today's Meet Live Chat... I will be incorporating some of your questions from the survey in what you want to discuss.

 Thx for the awesome feedback!

I also want you to think about the general messages or themed from the film... 

Is humanity really driven to destruction? Is categorizing people the answer to peace in society?? Why is conformity an easy answer to society's problems? How is it not a solution?  Why is being "Divergent" good in any society, dystopian or in our society?? 

How is this film (and book!) and example of dystopia? What characteristics from our Dystopian References do you have to back up your thoughts? How was Tris a Dystopian Protagonist?

What other questions can we explore? Tweet me your ideas @jstewiestewie... Or just bring them up in the chat!

 

Lastly, after exploring a few connections between dystopian trends in our society and our novels, do you agree or disagree that our world is becoming dystopian? 

What do YOU think we can do in our own lives to ensure that we do not head down one of the many paths of dystopia? What trend in our society is one we must consider the most in preventing dystopia? 

Dayplan

Ms. SM's  Dayplan
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fvV2i3j6EbVtqCPSa9VUBL7CHkNJmwtBZcGFA_fIlzQ/edit?usp=sharing

Ms. Stewart-Mitchell's Class
ELA
Dystopian Dictionary
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z8hy4stX5K7-YfoN07mZvyyIT-XZfuJHEFK0qqqk7ys/edit?usp=sharing

Fakebook Assignment

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r-qlKUBq2a-h7r9hByCFWey2f2mek8uqofxLKHmYR5w/edit?usp=sharing

Fakebook Rubric

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N6X9nDCV07phCSW69kTbiHrdr1zDRcIaQhc69WVgf3I/edit?usp=sharing

French
Here's a link to most of the Sochi handout https://docs.google.com/document/d/1muRadZgr7QehZSx-WnrVkvbQfsOb2NeQlDY7yf1mUB8/edit?usp=sharing
* The rest is in another Word file


French Mr. Rieger's Class

2. Watch slide shows via link on Faire vs Jouer

A) http://www.slideshare.net/guesta96a73/sports-jouer-or-faire-with-au-and-du-de-la-de-l-presentation

B) http://www.slideshare.net/afternoonmoon/les-sports-jouer-a-vs-faire-de

C) Complete the handout, FAIRE ou JOUER.

Student Nurses Video

Check out The Afters - "Lift Me Up"