Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Infographic Evaluation

Ms. Stewart – Mitchell’s Infographic Requirements:



1. Need to have title that describes what your infographic is about (ex. If I wanted to explain the Eurocrisis, what would I say?)


2. Information graphics are interesting because they reveal differences. You can show how something works (ex. 3-D movies), the evolution of something (ex. a camera from its origins to today), or a statistical representation of an idea (ex. how much time is spend using technology for the average person during a day).


3. Your topic must pertain to something that is relevant (will actually teach someone something that is meaningful) and is school appropriate.


4. Need to have 10-15 graphics (photos, backgrounds, drawings, illustrations, etc.) that help to promote the main idea for your infographic.


5. You must have statistics or facts (numbers, percentages) be a part of your infographic.


6. You must use words to promote an understanding of your topic (usually, for every photo or image you have - you should have a concise statement to help your audience understand it) – Keep it simple.


7. Do not plagiarize.


8. I will be grading you based on these points in a rubric (given in class).
Evaluation Questions
1. Content or Required Elements- Does it have a main idea or thesis?


2. Content Accuracy - Does the data support the main idea? Are there accurate facts?


3. Graphic Relevance - Do the graphics enhance and support the data?


4. Attractiveness/Layout - Does the layout and design have a purpose; did you organize the graphics and text to communicate your ideas effectively? Does it show Cause and Effect?


5. Use of Classtime – Did you work cooperatively? Did you use your time effectively and efficiently?


6. Mechanics and Grammar – Do you have any unnecessary errors which may detract from the message of the infographic?


Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Activists in Our Midst

Since we are finished our ELA/Religion Inquiry project, "Activists Who Have Followed in the Footsteps of Jesus"it's time to bring it close to home. 


Who are the activists that you know in our community? Who are the people who faithfully volunteer their time to make a difference in our community? Are they coaches, church volunteers, leaders, builders, organizers? Do they roll up their sleeves and get involved? Are they people that are always willing to lend a hand to those in need? Who are these altruistic, giving people? 


As we get ready to prepare for Lent and the Christian Community Service Hours Project *(more information to follow on this blog and to be sent home), you are going to search for those people who volunteer in our community. You are going to interview he or she and find out the answer to our big question, "Why do they volunteer?" In class we will brainstorm a list of questions that stem from this BIG QUESTION, that you will either use in research or in an interview of this person. After researching or interviewing we will present our findings... How we will present our findings will be based on our decision as a class. We can go "Techno-Digital" or more "Hands-on Visual"...


 So, start thinking and talking to others about who those volunteers are in our midst! And start thinking about questions that stem from the Big Question, Why do people volunteer?


*About the Christian Community Service Project... During the 40 days of Lent, you will be expected to do a "mini" community service project where you will donate 4 hours of your time (in the minimum) to helping a cause. Your efforts do not have to be monumental or life changing, but little things to help others. After completing your community service (and applicable forms), you will compose a photo essay on "How Your Efforts Made a Difference in the Lives of Those You Helped". (More information to follow).

Monday, January 30, 2012

Old ELA assignments

The following were assignments from November and December that are long past due... this is just an FYI...
"The Birdman"

"The Girl Who Cried for Peace"
"I Need to Wake Up" - Question on handout, "Before, During, After..."
"Citizen of the Planet" song - Connections questions...
The Girl Who Cried for Peace... "A Global Village" - reading and viewing questions ...
Paperclips, butterflies and the Holocaust - Viewing Assignment
Igniting One Candle at a Time (Craig and Marc Kielburger) assignment (questions) -


Grade 8 Math Unit 4 Old Assignments

Here are the old assignments for unit 4 in grade 8 Math... this is just for your own information, as this was all posted previously on the Homework page... Past Assignments for Unit 4 * For your own interest in what we've been working on... Practice Test: Complete on Wednesday, January 11th to prepare for unit test. Chapter Review p. 150 was due: Tuesday, January 10 4.3 Percent of a Number p. 138-141 (need text book) Level A 1-3, 4 a, b, 5 a, c, 6 a, b, d, 7 b, c, 9 a, c, 10 a, 12 a, c, f, 16 Level B All but omit 11, 15 and 6 f Level C All omit 6 f 4.4 Combined Percent Due: Monday, January 9th KEY TERMS: tax, GST, PST - What is Sask PST? Show You Know p. 146&148 Key Ideas Summary p. 148 p. 148 - 4.4 Assignment Level A - 1-4, 5, 6, 8, 10 Level B - 1-4, 6, 8-12 Level C - 1-3, 9, 11 - 13, Math Link Was ALL DUE MONDAY, DECEMBER 19TH 4.3 Percent of a Number handout *** Read examples and do the following… a) Definitions in Notebook: “halve”, “profit” and “of” (mathematically what does “of” mean?) b) Read through examples, complete the “Show You Know” questions on pages…140, 141 c) Summarize the Key Ideas p. 141 Assignment: Level A – 1-3, 5, 7, 8, 10 Level B – 1-3, 5, 8-13 Level C- 1, 2, 8-16 QUIZ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH FOR 4.1-4.3 CONCEPTS (ASSESS LEARNING SO FAR). THERE WILL BE A UNIT TEST 2ND WEEK OF JANUARY ON UNIT 4. 4.2 "Fractions, Decimals and Percents" p. 130 - 135 all math text assign due: Tuesday Complete "Show you know" p. 132, 133, 134 Summarize Key Ideas p. 135 Level A - 1,2,4,6,8,13 Level B - 1,2,4,6,8,13-18 Level C - 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 21, Math Link 4.1 Handout Percents Start Assignment 4.1 "Representing Percents" p.128 ALL DUE MONDAY. Level A - 1-4, 6, 8, 9, 12 Level B - 1-4, 6, 9-14 Level C - 1-4, 9, 13-16, Math Link

Letters to Zeus

In your assignment, "The Creation of the Universe According to the Ancient Greeks" you will have to write a letter as a Olympic God or Goddess to Zeus persuading him (and flattering him) to overthrow the Titans. You must persuade him in the form of a friendly letter (see the assignment sheet given in class).

Write a rough draft, keeping the following in mind,
Role – God or Goddess of Olympia


Audience – Zeus

Format – Persuasive Friendly letter

Topic – Persuade Zeus to overthrow the Titans (you may even be in Chronos’ stomach!)

Strong Verb – Persuade!


*** Rough drafts due: Friday!


To guide you in writing your letter see the "Letter Generator" site... http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/letter_generator/

SIGN YOUR LETTER (AS A GOD/GODDESS)  IN GREEK - CHECK OUT LETTERS FOR THE GREEK ALPHABET... SOME OF THE LETTERS YOU NEED IN ENGLISH MIGHT NOT BE IN GREEK... JUST TRY ANOTHER LETTER... IT'S JUST FOR FUN!





Friday, January 27, 2012

Connections Response Rubric

Ms. Stewart- Mitchell's Connections Response Rubric

 

Response

Support

Sentences & Paragraphs

Mechanics

On-Time / On-Task

4

The response is insightful and well thought out showing superior understanding (many different types of connections)

Effectively uses both direct and indirect support to prove points made – excellent explanation with many examples

All writing is in complete sentences, with vivid vocabulary and a variety of sentence styles. No paragraphing/sentence structure errors.

No errors

Assignment is on- time; student used the class time well.

3

The response is well thought out and shows good understanding (uses a couple different types of connections)

Uses some direct and indirect support to prove points made - very good explanation with some examples

Most writing is in complete sentences, with colourful vocabulary and a variety of sentence styles. No paragraphing/sentence structure errors.

Few errors

Assignment is on-time; student used most of class time well.

2

The response is at the surface level and shows average understanding (makes a couple connections)

Uses either limited direct or indirect support - little explanation or examples

Some writing is in complete sentences, with fair vocabulary and a variety of sentence styles. A few paragraphing/sentence structure errors.

Some errors (do not impede understanding)

Assignment is a little late; student used most of class time well.

1

The response is weak and shows poor understanding (no effort to make connections)

Almost no support made for points - almost no explanation or examples

Little of the writing is in complete sentences. Many paragraphing errors.

Many errors (impedes understanding)

Assignment is late and student did not use the class time well.

DEAR Rubric

Ms. SM ELA Rubric Uninterrupted Sustained Silent Reading (D.E.A.R.)

Name:

Level 1

Level 3

Level 5


 

Time on Task


 

Easily distracted by self and others; unfocussed; avoids reading; seldom on task during reading time.


 

Maintains own focus, but can be distracted by others' actions or words; returns to text consistently if distracted.


 

Able to keep self on task despite others' distractions. Attends to text for entire reading time.


 

Preparedness


 

Comes to reading time with no reading material selected, or selects inappropriate reading materials for the purpose of this reading time. Books chosen often do not reflect student's reading level.


 

Comes to reading time with appropriate DEAR/USSR reading material selected most of the time. Books chosen reflect student' reading level.


 

Always comes to reading time with a full-length non-fiction book or novel that sustains their interest throughout DEAR/USSR time. Books chosen reflect student' reading level and student selects a variety of genres.


 

Engagement


 

Requires teacher prompting and intervention to start and maintain reading focus.


 

Usually begins reading independently, and requires minimal teacher prompting to maintain reading focus.


 

Begins reading immediately and becomes immersed in reading for entire DEAR time.

AR Test

Does not have an acceptable number of tests/points completed for expected term.

Has completed a satisfactory number of tests/points within expected term.

Has completed at least 3 tests (or has a minimum of 20 pts for term. Has done very well on all tests.


 

Books/Reading Materials Chosen:                                Comments:


 


 

    

Ms. Stewart-Mitchell Blogging Rubric

 

1

2

3

4

Overall Use of Blogs

Blog entries are few and generally simple retellings of personal events. No comments are made on blogs of others.

Almost all required blog entries and comments have been completed.

Five blog entries and five comments are submitted, though not all of them may give evidence of a substantial contribution.

Five blog entries and five comments are submitted, all of which are substantial. Beyond the required five, your blog includes many more reflections.

Intellectual Engagement with Key Concepts

Blog entries make no reference to issues raised through readings and/or class activities

Blog entries make some reference to issues raised through readings and/or class activities

Blog entries demonstrate awareness of most of the key issues raised through readings and/or class activities

Blog entries demonstrate engagement with the important issues raised through readings and/or class activities

Personal Response to Key Concepts

Blog entries show no personal response is made to the issues/concepts raised in the readings/activities

Blog entries convey little evidence of a personal response to the issues/concepts raised in the readings/activities

Blog entries convey evidence of a personal response to the issues raised in the readings/ activities, and demonstrate that the author is capable of reflecting on learning, technology, and society.

Blog entries convey extensive evidence of a personal response to the issues raised in the readings/ activities, and demonstrate the author's growth through reflection on learning, technology and society.

Engaged Writing

Blog entries use incorrect grammar and syntax consistently, making it difficult for others to follow.

Blog entries demonstrate some evidence of correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc. Audience will have little trouble reading your blog.

Blog entries show proper sentence structure and very few mechanical errors. No problems for your audience in reading the blog.

Blog entries show excellent sentence structure and almost no mechanical errors. There is some flair and originality in ideas presented in the blog.


 

Elmo

Welcome

Hi y'all welcome to my blog page.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Weird Sounds in the News

Just some weird sounds in the news... Made me wonder about what is causing it... besides aliens and the fact that it's 2012 and all that crazy Mayan calendar stuff!


Strange thing... I woke up to a "grater like" sound the other night... I thought it was a snow plow... and now I think... it still was a snow plow ...
Listen to the video,  the professor from the University of Saskatchewan explains it... complicated... I  still don't think I understand.... Aurora Borealis... Electro-magnetic fields... I'm far from being a physicist. I need the more simple version!!!



What do you think? Post your thoughts on your kidblog account...

Student Activist Projects

Syria on the Brink

In Current Events you received an article on the protests and revolutionary uprising in Syria that has been going on since last spring. Check out these links to BBC news videos that will help you understand what it's like to live in Syria right now and why people are protesting... as well as the dangers the people face trying to gain freedom from al-Assad's dictatorship regime.

These video links will help give you some background for the Inferencing Questions in your assignment on Syria.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/16662892

Zabadani: The town President Assad does not control

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16663264

Monday, January 16, 2012

Elmo Just Makes Me Happy...

Just check out this video when you are feeling the blues of the cold weather... guaranteed to perk you up!

Current Events Cartoon Assignment on Kidblog!

Choose two cartoons (copy paste link into the URL window) and analyze the message… and or explain the connection to this current event. Post your reactions to the questions, on www.kidblog.org/missiontomakeadifference/

Note that the questions to each cartoon are located below each cartoon link… OR…



Even better… Find your own cartoon for an event of 2011, post it with your own questions, with of course, your own answers too!



A. Euro crisis


http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01356/gable-italy_jpg_1356536cl-8.jpg


Check out the link to the editorial cartoon… What is the event related to it? What’s the author’s message? Post your reaction to this post.



B. Gadhafi


http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01356/jenkins-gadhafi_1356549cl-8.jpg



Who is the person in the cartoon? What does the image mean? Why is he holding a turkey?? What’s the political signifance?



C. Election and the polls


http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01356/gable-bloc_jpg_1356532cl-8.jpg

Who are these men in the rain? Why is one singing and looking happy? Who is this person… (Hint takes place in Canada…)



D. Vancouver Riots


http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/01356/gable-vancouver_1356545cl-8.jpg



Who are the barbaric men on horses? How is the Canuck’s “fan” video a training video? For who?? Why is this funny? What happened in Vancouver when the Canucks went to the Stanley Cup playoffs?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Euro Crisis Infograph Assignment

In Current Events (in December) you received an article called, "All Eyes on the Euro Crisis"

Read the article, complete the "On the Lines" questions, and the "Between the Lines" question

INFOGRAPH TIME!!!!
Then in a BLOG POST or in a GLOG interactive poster, you are going to create an infograph to show the information contained in the news story. So what's a infograph? It is a diagram that uses pictures rather than words to convey information (although occasionally single words may be used to label elements of the sociogram) and symbols, such as arrows, to show the connections among the facts and details.

A good infograph includes all important points, clearly shows relationship among the different points, and is easy to understand.

In your Infograph, you must include responses to the following questions...
1.What are the causes of the Euro Crisis?
2. What is the Euro Crisis?
3. What are the effects of the Euro Crisis?
This will be due January 20th....

REMEMBER YOU WILL NEED YOUR ACCOUNT FOR EDUGLOGSTER.ORG.
http://edu.glogster.com

You and your partner(s) will choose one of the glog accounts to use for your Infograph, then collaborate
after you GLOG, YOU CAN BOTH EMBED YOUR GLOG INTO YOUR BLOG... No really!!! Maybe even create a link from your glog to your blog... Imagine an endless look of your thoughts on the Euro crisis! 
;-)
Stewie

Samples and examples of sociograms...

http://www.mrboll.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/transparency.jpg

http://www.coolinfographics.com/

http://dailyinfographic.com/

So what's up with these infographs??
Infographs are a creative pictorial way to display information. You can create an infographic using glogster... check out the infographs below... now think about how you can create an Infograph using glogster... and honestly... glogster rocks for one more reason... imagine you can even create an interactive element to your infograph... video and music!!
To create images for your infograph, use sumo paint...

http://www.sumopaint.com/home/

* Use Sumo paint to create an image on line and save as a jeg in your pictures, then embed in your glogster.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_graphics

Other great sites on Infographics...

https://sites.google.com/a/kathyschrock.net/infographics/links

Check out, "Little Red Riding Hood" Infographic Movie
http://vimeo.com/3514904



I like this one below... (of course!)
bottled_water

Xmastree-Candidate

Map of Online Communities Infographic

Senior Improv Dates for Games and Practices

Ice Improv – Game Schedule 2012



* Please note that the first team listed is the Home Team.
* We drivers who have CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECK completed to drive to the AWAY GAMES.
DESHAYE GAME SCHEDULE

Game 1 - Wednesday, January 18th
Deshaye vs. St. Matthew


Game 2 - Wednesday, January 25th CANCELLED
St. Catherine vs. Deshaye (AWAY)


Game 3 - Wednesday, February 1st
Deshaye vs. St. Marguerite


Game 4 - Wednesday, February 8th
St. Gabriel vs. Deshaye (AWAY)

 
Game 5 - Wednesday, February 15th
Deshaye vs. St. Dominic


Game 6 - Monday, February 27th
St. Dominic vs. Deshaye (AWAY)



FINAL TOURNAMENT TENTATIVE DATE AT MILLER HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE
Wednesday, March 7th (other teams to be announced)

Bibliography Writing

To use the awesome on-line citation websites for creating a Bibliography, go to the "Good Websites" page of this blog....

To further assist you with information that you need in creating a Bibliography, go to...
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_bibliography_worksheet.pdf


Below are standard formats and examples for basic bibliographic information recommended by the Modern Language Association (MLA). For more information on the MLA format, see http://www.mla.org/style_faq.




Basics


Your list of works cited should begin at the end of the paper on a new page with the centered title, Works Cited. Alphabetize the entries in your list by the author's last name, using the letter-by-letter system (ignore spaces and other punctuation.) If the author's name is unknown, alphabetize by the title, ignoring any A, An, or The.


For dates, spell out the names of months in the text of your paper, but abbreviate them in the list of works cited, except for May, June, and July. Use either the day-month-year style (22 July 1999) or the month-day-year style (July 22, 1999) and be consistent. With the month-day-year style, be sure to add a comma after the year unless another punctuation mark goes there.

TO MAKE THINGS EASIER, ORGANIZE YOUR WORK USING THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES...


BIBLIOGRAPHY (MLA Format)



Audio

Books

Reddick, Lawrence D., Crusader without Violence: A Biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. New York, Harper, 1959.

Databases

Encyclopaedias

Videos

Websites

"Martin Luther King - Biography". Nobelprize.org. 10 Jan 2012 http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html

SAMPLE BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Battery." Encyclopedia Britannica. 1990.

"Best Batteries." Consumer Reports Magazine 32 Dec. 1994: 71-72.

Booth, Steven A. "High-Drain Alkaline AA-Batteries." Popular Electronics 62 Jan. 1999: 58.

Brain, Marshall. "How Batteries Work." howstuffworks. 1 Aug. 2006
http://home.howstuffworks.com/battery.htm.

"Cells and Batteries." The DK Science Encyclopedia. 1993.

Dell, R. M., and D. A. J. Rand. Understanding Batteries. Cambridge, UK: The Royal Society
of Chemistry, 2001.


"Learning Center." Energizer. Eveready Battery Company, Inc. 1 Aug. 2006
http://www.energizer.com/learning/default.asp.


"Learning Centre." Duracell. The Gillette Company. 31 July 2006
http://www.duracell.com/au/main/pages/learning-centre-what-is-a-battery.asp.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Yummy math euro problems

http://www.yummymath.com/wp-content/uploads/Euro.doc

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Rewind 2011 Big Events

Top Events of 2011

What were the key events of 2011? Which ones made the biggest impact? Was it a natural disaster? Economic disaster? Political revolution? Scientific mind blowing event? according to you, which one made the biggest impact on people?

Using the sites below to guide you, decide which event had the most impact? Research, why the event occurred. What were the causes? What happened exactly? What were the effects? Not just on people, but on other elements too.... Governments, science, countries, economies...
--- Be sure to use a Cause and Effect graphic organizer to guide you. An example will be provided on this blog and in class.

Finally, create an Infograph to help persuade your peers that the event you chose was the greatest, most influential event of 2011. To create your Infographto, go to Eduglogster.com... Remember, you will need to access your account information from Ms. SM.

Finally, link your glog to your kidblog account so that others can check it out. Be sure to do a trial run to ensure that it works.

Sources:

http://www.googlezeitgeist.com/en/video

United nations video
Good Magazine

Reuters
http://www.blogger.com/goog_2130961986

YouTube - United Nations year in review 2011

Maps of the world video of 2011 in 60 seconds

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F%3Fgl%3DCA%26hl%3Den&hl=en&gl=CA#/watch?v=b8iTKG72xhs

Map of 2011 Key Events...
http://www.mapsofworld.com/events/year-2011/
You can vote for the top event from the site via Twitter!

Google's Top Searches Video
http://www.googlezeitgeist.com/en/

Google's Top Ten Lists - Global Searches...
http://www.bbcmotiongallery.com/gallery/home/showreelsbbc.do#showreel=15230698
What can we infer about what was important to people of different continents and nations?
http://www.googlezeitgeist.com/en/


Yahoo's year in review...
http://yearinreview.yahoo.com/2011/blog/7055/2011-a-choronological-look-back/


How did Canada impact the world in 2011? See CBC and learn how....
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/12/19/f-canada-influence-world-2011.html


CBC Rewind
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_National/1242568525/ID=2183101287


Rex Murphy 's Rant - The original man of The Rant... Oh I love this guy! He really makes you think... and laugh!
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_National/Rex_Murphy/1275870718/ID=2179208803


Bob Macdonald's look at Science and Technology
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/The_National/Technology_&_Science/1275187183/ID=2180052105


Discover top new stories
http://news.discovery.com/human/weirdest-stories-2011-111209.html

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Class Book "shelf"

Rate what you've been reading!
Stewie's Stellar Book Group

Join our class book group! Rate books you've read, and make suggestions of what we should read. I'm looking forward to your pics!

My Favorite Books

These are my favorite books, create your own bookshelf and embed the info with a widget on your kidblog.... Try rotates me of your favorite books this year first....


Class Book Group at Amazon

http://www.shelfari.com/groups/92838/about

Class Bookshelf for Book Discussions at Amazon

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Teen Dystopian Books for the Holidays

Like Dystopia?? Well I tweeted some fellow teachers and this is a list of the books recommended for teens. I have only read the one with stars...
Hunger Games * (One of my favourites)
Life as we Knew It Trilogy *
Chaos Walking Trilogy... (Saw at Chapters, I think this one looked good...)
House of Scopians
The Black Hole Sun
The 11th Plague  (Also saw at Chapters, this one looked really good too.)
Incarceron *(Jake recommends... and it is good)
Adoration of Jenna Fox
Ender's Game * (pretty good)
Delirium
The Limit
Frozen Trilogy
Enclave
Maze Runner Triology*
Unwind,
Ship Breaker
City of Ember *
City of Sparks
Wither
Awaken
Gone Series * (can get a little dark)
The Giver * (This one is okay... seems boring after reading Hunger Games)
Divergent * (LOVE)
Matched * (Love)

If you like Twilight you will like...
City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass...

Monday, December 19, 2011

French Comic Life Evaluation Criteria


Rubric will be based on the criteria. Refer to the criteria below when completing your comic.

1. Content - French only!

a) What's happening in each panel.Be specific and fairly descriptive.

b) Speech bubbles / thought bubbles must be included for characters thoughts and interactions.

c) Use phrases that you understand (refer to the booklet, use dictionnaries, use google translator sometimes...)

d) Comic must relate to a day in the life of a character.
2. Layout
a) Use Comic Life or Word (word might be more challenging) - You can download a free trial version for home (note that there are less "bells and whistles" than at school) try it before the holidays to make sure it works for you.
b) Use a variety boxes with text boxes that explain what's happening.
c) The title slide must introduce your comic and who it's by ("par" means by)
d) Grade 6's: 8 panels minimum, Grade 7's: 12 panels minimum
e) For colour copies print at home...with PARENT PERMISSION... Please note it may use lots of ink!!!    OR Print in black and white and colour in pencil crayon (feel free to add images or accents to words)


3. Mechanics
Watch spelling, punctuation and capitalization .... Be sure to REVISE AND EDIT!
Grade 6's - use the resources I gave your to help with conjugating. (It's all preconjugated).
Grade 7's are expected to demonstrate more ability in terms of grammar conjugation.... Use the resources I gave you, as most sentences are preconjugated.
Grade 8's are expected to demonstrate time (A 7h00...)  in their comic as well as more descriptive panels. Include adjectives and more narration panels or speech bubbles.... BASICALLY JUST "MORE"...

ALL DUE FOR ALL FRENCH CLASSES... JANUARY 16TH!!!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Extention to Learning Assignment

Grade 7/8's - Over Christmas start researching apps you would like to try (that are educationally related) on a WINDOWS TABLET. Remember they can't be super expensive... but I need to know your thoughts by beginning of January for a "Technology Surprise" coming in January (for only one month...) Hint: Remember the grant application I told you about????

Wordle on Wordle

Advent Reflections

Using www.kidblog.org/missiontomakeadifference/ you need to make sure that you are blogging to the questions for the ADVENT RESPONSE POSTS. I have posted many questions that you must write a response to, find videos, images and links that connect to the Advent Week topic, then EXPLAIN how the images, videos etc connect to the theme or why you included it... Be sure to check your mechanics, grammar and revise to ensure that what you wrote makes sense!!
*Be sure to find videos etc... that are appropriate, but really make your audience think! Entertain, but make us care!

*In class today, we reviewed how to create a wordle (wordle.net), take a screen shot of it and link it to your blog... Tricky but cool stuff... Be sure try it!!

Wordle Uploader Strategy for Kidblog

For this week and next week, I want you to try out a new on line program called, wordle, which creates "word clouds". Go to wordle.net

Create a word cloud of your KIDBLOG Joy posting, (your reactions and responses to the questions that I gave you... don't bother copy/pasting video links etc.)

You will copy paste your kidblog reactions (from your blog or even from Word) into the "Wordle text box.

Then how do you embed this awesome word cloud into your blog??? Follow these steps below... They are tricky, but stay calm, and just try your best!!!

Follow these steps to upload a wordle using flash… May work better than “crunching” the information…

1. Be sure that you have: created your wordle on wordle.net
 Open the wordle you created by going to the bottom of the screen and click on “Open in Window”, then maximize the window BEFORE YOU TAKE A SCREENSHOT.


2. Take a screen shot… Ctrl (Control button, bottom left hand side) and PrtSc (Print screen button, on the laptop it’s near the power button)


3. Paste the screen shot to Word or Powerpoint.


4. Crop your image (by double clicking on the image and using the “crop” button.


5. Save your image… My pictures, call it “Wordle…”
6. Then in kidblog… click on the “File” (Mark says this works!)
7. Go to the Browser uploader… NOT FLASH… select your picture for your Wordle
and click on “Insert into post” (This eliminates “crunching” because computers can’t do abs!)

8. Celebrate, because it will work…













So hilarious according to Mr. Csada...



At the request of my students and fellow colleagues... I agreed to post this... By the way, Mr. Mitchell doesn't blog!!! The characters look a tiny bit like us!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Old past math assignments

Practice Test p. 114-115






Level A:1-5, 7, 9, 11



Level B: 1-12



Level C: 4-15



Chapter Review p. 112-113 Due: Wednesday



Level A: 1-4, 6-8, 9, 10, 12, 14



Level B: all but omit 11, 17



Level C: all









Quiz on 3.3-3.5 Concepts on Tuesday, November 22nd



p. 109 - Applying Pyth Relationship



Level A: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7



Level B: 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11



Level C: 1, 2, 3, 8, 11-14



p. 103 3.4 Using Pyth Relationship due: Thurs. Nov. 17



Level A: 1-6, 9, 10

Level B: 1-6, 9-14

Level C: 1-6, 9-11, 13-16

Quiz - 3.3-3.5 Concepts - Tuesday, Nov. 22

Quiz - 3.1 and 3.2 concepts Monday, Nov. 7th

3.2 all due Thursday...

Level A 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12

Level B 1-8, 10, 12-17

Level C 1-8, 10, 14, 17, 18-21

Unit 3 - PYTHAGOREAN RELATIONSHIP

Page 85-86 3.1 Squares and Square Roots All due: Wednesday, Oct. 26

Level A: #1-5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17Level B: # 1-5, 7, 9, 11, 15, 17, 18, 23, 24Level C: # 1-4, 7, 9, 15, 21, 22, 24-27"Get Ready" Handout - for new Pythagorean Relationship Unit 3.1 Squares and Square Roots -

Read p. 80-85

Assignment:

Define and give an example of the following:

-Square Number

-Perfect Square

-Prime Number

-Prime Factors

-Prime Factorization

-Square Root and symbol

Copy Chart on p. 77 "Verbal Visual Chart"

*** All due for Thursday, Oct. 13

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Activist Project Glogster

Glogster link...

http://edu.glogster.com/

You were all given codes for your user id and your password is either your middle name or one we agreed upon.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Good People Are Everywhere!

Good People Movement... GLOBAL INTENTIONAL COURTESY!!

See the ads?? Now check out the story which started in CANADA!!


http://www.globalnews.ca/16x9/video/good+news/video.html?v=2167223823&p=1&s=dd#video

http://www.globalnews.ca/pages/story.aspx?id=6442516373

On any given day, Canadians will see hundreds, if not thousands of ads trying to sell something. But two Canadian businessmen have an ad campaign that isn’t trying to sell you anything at all. Instead they are trying to inspire a movement. A movement they call “people for good”, promoting good deeds and trying to get people to commit random acts of kindness. The unique campaign advertises on billboards, in newspapers, and on the radio and TV across the country in hopes to inspire others and to restore faith in humanity. 

16x9 met up with Zak Mroueh and Mark Sherman to find out just how easy….or not… it is to get strangers to commit a random act of kindness. 

Read it on Global News: Global News | Good News 



Read more with the Globe and Mail and check out the commercials...
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/adhocracy/building-a-better-world-one-coffee-at-a-time/article2090387/


Check out the commercials...









This is a completely different ad from ebay... but I like the message...
See if you can name 10 "good things" that people did in the commercial...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu-2zYcgFzU


Check out the website... 
http://www.peopleforgood.ca/


Someone who likes to blog with a great message...
http://peacepandemic.blogspot.com/2011/08/people-for-good.html


QUESTIONS TO PONDER...
1. Why did the creators of this movement come up with this idea? 
2. Why do you suppose that they wanted to help change the world with this concept? 
3. Everyone who helps out with the movement does it for free... Why is this so important to the message? Why would people be motivated to do so?
4. Why does it make a difference that 2 advertising executives are the ones to start and spread the word? 
5. Why do you think that the movement is catching on around the world? 
6. How is our Jerry Goebel, "Intentional Courtesy" program connected to this movement (Jerry Goebel came up with the idea YEARS ago... )? 


CLASSROOM SERVICE PROJECT... BECOMING REALLY GOOD...AND NOT JUST BECAUSE SANTA IS WATCHING!!!!
How can we spread intentional courtesy around our school (especially with the middle and senior grades)? How can we take the peopleforgood campaign ideas and use them at a school level... What can we do to help spread "goodness"?









OUR NEXT PROJECT IN RELIGION... ACTIVISTS WHO HAVE FOLLOWED IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JESUS (EVEN IF THEY WEREN'T CATHOLIC).
Start looking up activists who have made our world a better place... they don't have to be Catholic (obviously... I'm just stating that because this will be a religion project). Who has inspired thousands? Millions? When did they live? What was their cause? What did they do to make life better for others? Who would you like to research?? Mother Teresa? Gandhi? Martin Luther King Jr. ? Craig Kielburger? Rosa Parks? Terry Fox? Who would you like to research and present a short powerpoint or PREZI presentation on?? Start thinking about it...



Check out this video which features a lecture by the Dalai Lama at the 3rd Annual Mother Teresa Lecture... This demonstrates it's not all about religion... but about good people working together to live a life of compassion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-FSnIkIBKc




Sunday, December 4, 2011

Advent Reflection Blogging

As part of our new religion service project, MISSION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE... We will be using blogs and wikis to spread the message that it's important to give of yourself to make not only our world, but our community a better place!

You all have accounts set up on kidblog.org... and so it's time to get blogging. Our blogging  will focus on Advent for the next few weeks, as we prepare and reflect on the meaning of Advent... in CYBERSPACE!

More information on how to do the fancy things on the blog to follow in class... Check it out!!!

The page... http://kidblog.org/missiontomakeadifference/

Some of you who have experience from blogging last year... this page is connected to, but different from last year's page...

Send me a tweet or an e-mail if you want your password...

Ms. Stewie

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Vow of Silence Day at Deshaye

I came to school and was greeted by silence ... A teacher's dream... Right?? Yes... but more importantly the reason they were silent is beyond just a teacher's dream. The students' silence was a statement about the millions of children around the world who don't have a voice... children who endure many hardships through child labour, lack of food, shelter... education... Well done Deshaye... you actually made me silent with your commitment to make a difference just by being quiet!!!
Stewie

So what's this vow of silence all about??? Make sure you are not like an occupy protestor and know the facts!!! Enjoy the day... and think about whose silence you are demonstrating!







Take the Vow of Silence and Change the World


BY JOANNE KIM - MAPLE RIDGE SECONDARY, MAPLE RIDGE BC NOV 21, 2009

On November 20th, thousands will fight for the rights of the suffering people around the world who cannot stand up for their rights. And you’ll hear nothing.

Free the Children’s Vow of Silence is coming up soon – a fact that haunts me night and day, since I’m one of the people organizing it at my school. It was quite a success last year, and as we are hoping for bigger and better, it’s going to require some hard work…

Let me describe Vow of Silence as simply as I can: you don’t talk for 24 HOURS. What’s more, you don’t go on Facebook, MSN, Twitter, NOR DO YOU TEXT. Omigod! I know! How shall we ever survive?

All kidding aside, it IS an incredibly difficult challenge, and you might not last the whole day. Last year, I had a few people come up to me and say that they would participate if it was anything else rather than talking. Yeah, it’s really quite inconvenient, but in today’s busy, chaotic society, maybe the best thing to get people’s attention is – well, silence.

Socializing with our friends, going on facebook and texting are essential parts of a teenager’s life. Yeah, it will be hard, but what if we believed in something so much that we were willing to take on a challenge? What if we cared about the world so much that we decided to go without the things that matter to us? That’s our beliefs and thoughts in action. And that’s the kind of passion that will rock the world.

So think about the Vow. Most schools will be doing something similar, so maybe you could do it with friends at school. If not, all the resources like pledge forms and info cards are available on Free the Children’s website.

There are lots of ways you can do this: get some friends together and make it into a contest. If it’ll be too hard to not talk for a whole day, commit to staying silent for at least a few hours. Change your status on facebook and twitter. If you really need to talk, then maybe don’t text. And trust me, you won’t die.

Vow of Silence is just one of the many actions that students can access. But it’s actually pretty fun, really interesting, and it’s an awesome conversation-starter (when you can talk, that is). If we care, why shouldn’t we show it? So consider doing it seriously, and afterwards, post your experiences here. I’d love to hear about them.
Free the Children, Vow of Silence campaign

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Social - Society and Culture

We will be continuing to look at culture in Social Studies class. In class you received a handout. We will use the handout as part of your notes... so keep them in a SAFE PLACE in your binder!

Ponder and Respond to the following...
1.Canada is often called a mosaic, while the United States is often called a melting pot. What do each of these terms mean to you?

2. In 1995, U.S. President Bill Clinton said, "Canada has stood for all of us as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and understanding." Why would Clinton have said this?

3. What public celebrations and festivals take place in our community to celebrate culture? Why is it important that these events happen?



Everything you wanted to know about Canadians... Rick Mercier...


Are there any stereotypes in the video? For what reasons do you agree? For what reasons do you disagree?