What does it mean to volunteer?

Why is it important to make a positive difference in the world? Why is apathy not an option?


Make a difference with the hands God gave you... Be the change you want to see in the world. -Gandhi


Have you ever thought, "What could I possibly do? I don't have any special skills... I'm just a ..." 


You're wrong... you just need to give what you can, to make a difference.


What does it mean to volunteer? Watch and learn... How can you make a big difference in a small way?



Why volunteer?
If you ever feel like you are missing something... Try giving of yourself to help others.





Why Volunteer? by John Legend and Agape Choir

If you hear this message, wherever you stand
Im calling every woman, calling every man
Were the generation
We cant afford to wait
The future started yesterday
And were already late

Weve been looking for a song to sing
Searched for a melody, searched for someone to lead
Weve been looking for the world to change
If you feel the same, then go on and say

If youre out there, sing along with me
If youre out there, Im dying to believe that youre out there
Stand up and say it loud
If youre out there, tomorrows startin now
Now now

No more broken promises
No more call to war
Unless its love and peace that were really fighting for
We can destroy hunger, we can conquer hate
Put down the arms and raise your voice
Were joining hands today

Oh I was looking for a song to sing
I searched for a leader, but the leader was me
We were looking for the world to change
We can be heroes, just go on and say

If youre out there, sing along with me
If youre out there
Im dying to believe
That youre out there
Stand up and say it loud
If youre out there
Tomorrows starting now
Now now
Oh now now

If youre ready we can shake the world
Believe again, it starts within
We dont have to wait for destiny
We should be the change that we want to see

If youre out there oooh ooooh ooooooh

If youre out there
And youre ready now
Say it loud scream it out

If youre out there
Sing along with me
If youre out there
Im dying to believe
That youre out there
Stand up and say it loud
If youre out there
Tomorrows starting now

If youre out there
If youre out there
If youre out there

If you hear this message, wherever you stand
Im calling every woman, calling every man
Were the generation
We cant afford to wait
The future started yesterday and were already late

Volunteers Are All Around You...
Watch the video. Name at least 5 categories of volunteers. Why are these volunteers needed? How do they make a difference in the lives of Canadians?




Where can you find out about volunteering?
http://www.unitedwayregina.ca/impact/impact_volunteeropps.html

http://relocatecanada.com/regina/vol.html

Heart and Stroke Big Bike Video
http://www.bigbike.ca/site/c.qmL5JmO7KzE/b.4702063/k.7366/About_Big_Bike.htm


U of S Students Flash Mob for Philanthropy!


About 40 U of S student volunteers choreographed and practiced this "Thank You" flash mob dance to show their gratitude to our alumni for their continued support of students. The Annual Giving office at the University of Saskatchewan spearheaded this campaign to raise awareness of the support alumni give to students and to encourage more giving to the Annual Fund Campaign for Students. The performance was during Orientation on September 1st, 2011 to show our gratitude and allow first year students to become familiar with the generous support they receive from our alumni and friends. Please visit give.usask.ca to find out how you can make a difference in a student's life with a donation today. Every dollar makes a difference. Thank you to all the student volunteers for putting this flash mob together.

Math Games and Sites

Math sites and games… Random stuff I found… from J.Stewart-Mitchell

probability - dice game
http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/chances/dice_handler.asp?NUMROLLS=3

Other probability games
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/probability-games.html

Hands on games... pig... dice rolling game
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/probability-math-games.html

On-line games... pig... dice rolling game
http://cs.gettysburg.edu/projects/pig/piggame.html

Fractions Review - video
http://www.kidsolr.com/math/fractions.html

Fraction basketball... just need paper and a "basket"
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/fractions-for-kids.html

Fraction Strips - teacher activity
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/fraction-strips.html

Four Sum Math Games
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/fraction-math-games.html

Fraction Hands on Math games and videos...
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/fraction-games-for-kids.html

Fraction Number Line Lesson
http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/fraction-number-line.html

On-line fraction games...
Fraction Strips... on-line...
http://fractionbars.com/Equations_Game/

Fraction Multiplication spinner game
http://fractionbars.com/Multiplication_Game/

http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/online-fraction-games.html

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/MathBrain/MathBrain.html

http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/middle-school-math-games.html

http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html


http://www.funbain.com/numbers.html


http://www.fun4thebrain.com/


http://www.coolmath4kids.com/


http://www.coolmath-games.com/

http://www.mathsisfun.com/games/index.html


http://www.mathsisfun.com/


This one is pretty fun! http://funschool.kaboose.com/arcade/math/


http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm


Order of Operations and basic math practice… http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm#mixedoperations


Pretty primary… http://www.mathplayground.com/


http://resources.oswego.org/games/


Fun… see coordinates with Billy the Bug… http://resources.oswego.org/games/


Must join… http://ca.ixl.com/promo?gclid=CMqVseH4160CFeYBQAodnyvElA&phrase=Search+-+International+-+grade+seven+math+games&partner=google


http://cemc2.math.uwaterloo.ca/wired_math/


http://www.math-play.com/7th-grade-math-games.html


Must register… http://www.math-play.com/7th-grade-math-games.html


A variety of skills… http://www.linktolearning.com/math.htm


Information and Help… and games… moderately fun… http://www.aaamath.com/grade7.htm#topic44


A site with a little practice… http://www.kidport.com/grade7/math/mathindex.htm


Dr. Mike’s Game links… http://www.dr-mikes-math-games-for-kids.com/seventh-grade-math-games.html


Collection of Math Games for Middle Years… http://www.free-training-tutorial.com/percentage-games.html

The Creation of Humans: Prometheus

After you read the myth, reflect and respond on www.kidblog.org/missiontomakeadifference/ 
to the following questions. This will be due Wednesday, February 8th...



1. How do Prometheus and Zeus differ in personality?


2. Why is Prometheus a "true father" to humans unlike Zeus?


3. Why was Zeus' punishment so harsh?


4. What does this harsh punishment say about the Ancient Greeks and their values? Hint: think about who ruled the society...

5. Create a "poem" in Tribute to Prometheus. Use part of your response to assist you... as you will use the response and paste it into wordle.net


 Here's Micaela's wordle as Tribute to Prometheus... Well done!



Read the poem, "Prometheus" by Lord Byron. Complete the questions on the sheet.

Dividing Fractions Rule

Remember this "gangsta" rule.... Yes I know I should not encourage "gangstaisms"... but it will help you remember how to divide fractions....

"YOU CAN'T DIVIDE FRACTIONS, YOU CAN ONLY 'FLIP 'N' MULTIPLY' THE SECOND [FRACTION]!"
Actions.... shake your head as you say "You can't divide fractions",
Flip - "Twirl" your hands... mambo style,
Multiply - "cross forearms... in an "X"
the second... gesture with 2 fingers...

Get your son or daughter in grade 8 to demonstrate the actions for you....

Hunger Games is coming!

Are you pumped for the release of Hunger Games... the movie?? Can't get enough dystopian literature?
You find yourself muttering things like, "Down with the Capitol!" and you don't know where that came from??? Well satisfy all you Hunger Games needs with this link...
http://hungergamesdwtc.net/

If that's not enough check out Taylor Swift's video....

Hunger Games Quotes

Latest Jabberjay Transmissions:

Quotes for the week of January 31 – February 4, 2012

Archived Jabberjay Transmissions:

Part I:  “The Tributes”

My fingers stretch out, seeking Prim’s warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had bad dreams and climbed in with our mother. Of course, she did. This is the day of the reaping.Katniss Everdeen, p. 3

Prim’s face is fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose for which she was named. My mother was very beautiful once, too. Or so they tell me. Katniss Everdeen, p. 3

Entrails. No hissing. This is the closest we will ever come to love. Katniss Everdeen, p. 4

But there is always food if you know how to find it. My father knew and he taught me some before he was blown to bits in a mine explosion. I was eleven then. Five years later, I still wake up screaming for him to run. Katniss Everdeen, p. 5

District Twelve. Where you can starve to death in safety. Katniss Everdeen, p. 6

In the woods waits the only person with whom I can be myself. Gale. Katniss Everdeen,  p. 6

Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it. Gale Hawthorn, p. 9

How could I leave Prim, who is the only person in the world I’m certain I love? Katniss Everdeen, p. 10

Once it’s in the soup, I’ll call it beef. Greasy Sae, p. 11

I protect Prim every way I can, but I’m powerless against the reaping. Katniss Everdeen, p. 15

Quack. Primrose Everdeen, p. 16

I could be shot on a daily basis for hunting, but the appetites of those in charge protect me. Katniss Everdeen, p. 17

Anyway, Gale and I agree that if we have to choose between dying and a bullet in the head, the bullet would be much quicker. Katniss Everdeen, p. 17

Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor! Effie Trinket, p. 19

WANT MORE QUOTES FROM HUNGER GAMES????

http://hungergamesdwtc.net/quotes/hunger-games/

Where is Panem anyways?? Check out the map, from the official fan site...
So Regina, Saskatchewan is just above District 9... Good to know....

There is some debate about what exactly the map of Panem looks like; and if you’re anything like me, while reading The Hunger Games you found yourself wishing Suzanne Collins would have painted the picture in a little more detail.  Perhaps that is some of the lure – the mystery and opportunity to imagine it on your own.  That is exactly what V. Arrow did, in very thorough detail.  While authoring Smart Pop’s The Panem Companion: An Unofficial Guide to Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games  (December), she researched not only the novel, but also the placement of tectonic plates and possible flood regions.

I chose to center part of the cataclysm in the Gulf of Mexico as a tectonic shift and moved the Yucatan Peninsula, rather than sinking it. Mostly this is because I ♥ Finnick/Annie and wanted them to have a little island for the D4 Victor’s Village. Plus, it doesn’t really alter the topography of any other District, so hey!  While feasible, it wasn’t really jelling for me.  [Her collaborator] brought up that there would be a natural floodbreak at the Sierra Nevadas and, likely, the Grand Canyon.  Incidentally this went into a long discussion about the Mississippi River being the dam that broke in the 70th Games, but that’s not really pertinent!.” 

RESPONSE QUESTIONS

HOW TO WRITE A RESPONSE

Give your response a title. Explain what you think the cartoon, picture, video, quote is saying/showing. What point is the is the creator making? What is the issue, theme or big idea? Can you connect this to a film, book or experience? What is your opinion?

ANOTHER WAY TO RESPOND
Text-to-text connection: This reminds me of something else that I read....  Text-to-self connection: This reminds me of when I.... 
Text-to-world connection: This makes me think about....

MAKING CONNECTIONS
Text-to-self: What does this remind me of in my life? What is this similar to in my life? How is this different from my life? Has something like this ever happened to me? How does this relate to my life? What were my feelings when I read this? Text-to-text: What does this remind me of in another book I’ve read? How is this text similar to other things I’ve read? How is this different from other books I’ve read? Have I read about something like this before? Text-to-world: What does this remind me of in the real world? How is this text similar to things that happen in the real world? How is this different from things that happen in the real world? How did that part relate to the world around me?

• 
  

Widget for Mythology

Greek Mythology

After the Creation of the work from chaos, and Zeus overthrowing the Titans and the Olympians taking over the Ruling of the Universe... there was the story of Prometheus and Epimetheus... then of course Pandora and "the box"....

Check out this link to an animated, graphic novel site.... This is the same site that we will use later when we create our own myths...

http://myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/story562-pandoras-box.html

Cultural differences

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcEfzHB08QE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

http://www.openculture.com/smartyoutube Search basque of Spain and bedoin of middle east Preserving cultural identity

http://www.openculture.com/smartyoutube Search basque of Spain and bedoin of middle east Preserving cultural identity

Social culture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfRXKrDVlCk&feature=youtube_gdata_player http://www.cs.org./ http://www.rain-tree.com/links.htm http://www.pygmies.info/

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?

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).

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!

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.