April started out with routine and structure as we continued working through the class novel studies. But, by mid-month there was a spirit day, a dance, a transition from History to Geography, Jump Rope for Heart assembly and a day of being math coaches for younger classes with Mathletes. By the end, we finished the last of the novel study work, and as we move in to May, essays are the last major focus of Language.
With so many interruptions this week, the Science project was off to a rough start but we are back on track. Most students are investigating how Ottawa treats wastewater and using the decision-making process to decide if there are other alternatives to what our city does. After a presentation of their findings we will begin our last unit of Science focusing on Heat.
Students are enjoying the change from History to Geography - it is a very different pace and style of working with information and ideas. We've already had a test on the Five Themes of Geography, and have traveled the world (through some of my vacation photos), learning about landforms, and climate will be our focus this coming week.
Sunday, 1 May 2016
Friday, 22 April 2016
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” » Native American Proverb
Today we celebrated Earth Day with our first Geography test on the five themes of Geography. Based on their reaction to the test, most students think they did well. When they finished, which most did early, they played a memory card game, matching an environmental tip with a picture. It's been a great day!
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Paper Chromotography
Our last experiment of the unit on Pure Substances and Mixtures, practicing the scientific method. We investigated what happens to a black marker dot on coffee filter paper when water reaches the dot...they were surprised by the results and in awe of the colour separation - now explain that using the Particle Theory!
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Printmaking!
It's been a busy few weeks, especially after March Break with the two short weeks that followed immediately. We finally wrapped up History last week with a unit test, and began Geography last Friday. It's a welcome change, and for a change it's heartening to know that some students have actually voiced that they will miss learning about History - job done! We are now learning about the five themes of Geography.
In Language we are getting close to the end of the class novel studies in both grade 7 classes, and will have all learning activities wrapped up by the end of the month. Students have been enjoying their blogging experience, with the added bonus of off-topic blog activities for bonus points. Afterwards, we will make our last final year-end push with writing five paragraph essays - one collaboratively and one independently.
We have been busy in the "Science Lab" continuing our learning and exploration of solutions and mixtures. Tomorrow we are doing an experiment with chromotography. Pictures of the scientists at work will be posted later. Test next week on how the particle theory plays a role with solutions and mixtures.
What you see below are students in Visual Arts. They are using carving tools with rubber blocks, from which they will print representative symbols of themselves with various acrylic paint colours and for different effects. In the end, they will create a design with their prints to produce a larger art work.
In Language we are getting close to the end of the class novel studies in both grade 7 classes, and will have all learning activities wrapped up by the end of the month. Students have been enjoying their blogging experience, with the added bonus of off-topic blog activities for bonus points. Afterwards, we will make our last final year-end push with writing five paragraph essays - one collaboratively and one independently.
We have been busy in the "Science Lab" continuing our learning and exploration of solutions and mixtures. Tomorrow we are doing an experiment with chromotography. Pictures of the scientists at work will be posted later. Test next week on how the particle theory plays a role with solutions and mixtures.
What you see below are students in Visual Arts. They are using carving tools with rubber blocks, from which they will print representative symbols of themselves with various acrylic paint colours and for different effects. In the end, they will create a design with their prints to produce a larger art work.
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Welcome back from March Break!
It's been a short week but a busy one. Yesterday, we had teacher visitors from Austria tour our school and visit our classroom, which was a pleasant surprise!
In Art, we started a printmaking unit these past two days. We took a virtual tour of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, and students have started creating a symbol that represents them - some have even started carving their rubber blocks (pictures next week).
In History, we began our last layered curriculum project which is posted in Google classroom. Over half of the class completed Layer C on the first day - awesome work!
The novel studies with Elijah of Buxton and Bud, not Buddy are progressing very well and the students are finally more comfortable with the blogging component of the novel study on kidblog. They will no doubt become master bloggers!
In Art, we started a printmaking unit these past two days. We took a virtual tour of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, and students have started creating a symbol that represents them - some have even started carving their rubber blocks (pictures next week).
In History, we began our last layered curriculum project which is posted in Google classroom. Over half of the class completed Layer C on the first day - awesome work!
The novel studies with Elijah of Buxton and Bud, not Buddy are progressing very well and the students are finally more comfortable with the blogging component of the novel study on kidblog. They will no doubt become master bloggers!
Saturday, 5 March 2016
Blogging Beginners
Two weeks ago, we began learning about blogging. In preparation for our class novel studies in both LA classes, we reviewed how to write an opinion paragraph. Students wrote about a topic of their choice progressing through the writing process. Their final product was completed in the form of a paper blog. We then discussed the commenting part of blogging, which promotes the interaction of blogger and audience. Students read two blogs by other students leaving comments and questions for the blogger. Their great work can be seen below.
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