What We Learned Today...September 3rd

People Bingo

This morning we started out our day with a quick game of People Bingo to review everyone's names before moving on to ELA, where we officially began our Thematic Unit on Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone. Over the hour we investigated what "Themes" are and what possible themes we thought might be present in the book as well as Plot Diagrams.  Then we spent the last part of class holding an official Sorting Hat ceremony where the students were sorted into their Hogwarts Houses.  After recess Ms. Postma stopped by for the first Arts. Ed class of the year before we switch gears to health and learned some effective tips for studying.

After lunch we took some time to learn about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and what exactly ALS is.  We then headed outside and completed the challenge together as a class.  Check out the video below:

At 1:10 we switched gears and had the first Grade 8 Math class of the year and the students were introduced to a new approach we will be trying out in Math over the year. This new approach is called a "Flipped Classroom" and it involves teaching in a way that sees the students learn new content online through the use of educational videos prepared by their teacher. This is usually completed at home and what used to be homework is now accomplished during class time with the teacher. This approach allows for more personalized interactions with the students during class time instead of lecturing. More information about this can be found on our Flipped Math Blog.  (If link isn't working see link in "quick links at the top of this blog)
During the last hour of the day the students had Ms. Bachiu for French and they reviewed some key words and phrases and began working on an assignment.  (More details will be posted tomorrow)

Here's some more pictures from our Sorting Ceremony today:

Upcoming Due Dates & Homework

ELA:

Tell Me About Yourself assignment is due on Friday, September 5th

Reminders:

-Bring your gym shoes for Tomorrow

-Boys football practice tomorrow at 8:15