What We Learned Today...January 9th

We started out the morning with our usual AR period before moving on to ELA. In ELA we quickly reviewed the characteristics of "rants" before looking at the 4 steps to writing a rant. Before the students began writing, we watched one more rant by Rick Mercer as inspiration. (You can check out the video below) Note: For the assignment students have been asked to write a rant on the topic of their choice and it must be 30 seconds in length (1 page typed).

In Grade 8 Math the students learned about the Nets of Three-Dimensional Objects. They also got an early start on their assignment on pg. 174.

After lunch the students had Arts. Ed with Ms. Norris and continued to work on their Social Justice Grid Assignments. At 1:15 Mr. Csada came in and taught Science- He still
Hasn't set a test date yet but has instructed the students to begin studying for the test. During the last hour of the day in Social we began our new colonization simulation unit. Students were split up into 3 groups today (Plains, Algonquian and French) and they will be in these roles for the first part of our simulation. This will be a very interesting unit because it is all student directed learning. Every decision the students make in their groups will have a consequence that will impact what happens in the simulation.

Note to parents: As part of our ELA unit, you may remember we had a "Mystery Skype" practice session with another class in Regina just before Christmas. However, a real "Mystery Skype" session takes place between two classrooms in that are located in different countries.  I'm excited to announce that we have found another class to partner with from another country for a real Mystery Skype. (I can't list the country yet, the students will have to figure this out during the actual Mystery Skype) We will be Skyping on Tuesday, January 22nd, but due to the time changes between countries, the only time we can Skype at is 8:30 a.m.  This will mean students will have to be at the school by 8:15 a.m. so we can set up and prepare before the Mystery Skype takes place.  I will be sending a note home tomorrow with the students explaining exactly how this event will work!


Due Dates & Homework:

French - Album Cover assignment is due Thursday, January 17th

Math:
Grade 8 -  Pg. 168 (Due Friday)
a) 1, 2, 3 (a,b), 4 ,5 , 7a , 8
b) 1, 2, 3 (a,c), 4, 6, 7b, 8, 9a
c) 1, 2, 3 (a,b,c), 8-11

Handout 5.1 is also due Friday

Overdue Assignments:

1) Killers Tall Tale Reading Response (Handout)

2) The Hermits Secret Reading Response (Handout)

3) ELA Ghost Story Good Copy

4) Any of the 3 Advent Blog Posts

5) Social Trade Questions
If you are also missing the handout to help answer #5, here is a link to the document online: http://docs.plea.org/pdf/TRADE.pdf
(Please skip to page 16 for the Opportunity Cost Handout)

Reminders:

- Mystery Skype is Tuesday January 22nd at 8:30 a.m.
- Grade 7's will be going Cross Country Skiing on January 29th.