Coming in January!

Have a wonderful break!

Tomorrow morning we will be playing board games. Please bring one in if you can.
Ringo is due tomorrow.

We started the day with two team activities using a deck of cards. Tell your family about these games and what purpose they served.

Because of Mr. Terupt
Here is the cliff hanger ending until January:

Peter-I didn't know Mr. T was going to be right there.

Danielle -Mr. Terupt stood up right in the way.

Jessica - I still remember Alexia's scream. Piercing. Horrified
.
Peter - I didn't want to hurt anyone.

Luke - Mr. Terupt should have stopped us. He let it go too far.

Peter - I wish I could take it back. I didn't mean to throw it.

Anna - Please let my teacher be okay.

Danielle - Dear God, Its Danielle. I really need you down here. Mr. Terupt needs  you.


Math
What is the secret number?

• It is between 8,500 and 8,800.
• When multiplied by 8, the result is a whole number.
• The digit in the hundreds place is ¾ the digit in the thousands place.
• The sum of all digits in the number is 26.
• The digit in the hundredths place is 200% of the digit in the tenths place.
• There are no zeros in the decimal places.

Reminders:

Ringo is due Friday

Tomorrow we present our Let it Snow dances!

Please bring in board games or card games for Friday - (no electronics)

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  

Spoken Word
Everyone who submitted drafts to me has now received feedback. Please keep working on your poems to improve your work. Our class poetry slam will be in the second week back to school.

Because of Mr. Terupt
Luke tells us "I thought for sure this event would be unequaled (dollar word) by any other for the rest of the year. Little did I know that something much bigger was coming our way."
What is Luke referring to? and do you have some predictions?

Geography
By now you should have your question for your inquiry and some direction for your research. Today we talked about how I will be evaluating the process of your inquiry itself, how to evaluate the sources we are using and what format we will be using to show what we have learned. Share your ideas for your "product" with the folks at home.

Math
Please find the area of the following shape.

Coming next week!

Because of Mr. Terupt
I challenged the class to think about what character in the book they most relate to. What are we starting to learn from each character?

Math
We started talking about the formula for the area of a trapezoid. For Monday please come to class with an idea of what is the formula for the area of a trapezoid and why. I'm really interested in the why - I know you can google "area of a trapezoid".
Checkpoint - Wednesday: area of trapezoids and composite figures.

I met with each class member individually this morning to make sure we are up to date with assignments. I worked with some students to create a list of things that are overdue. I have asked that we get fully caught up before the holiday break.

We also took time to present our poems to others in the class. Each of you now has peer feedback that you can use to improve your poem. Remember I will be collecting poems tomorrow for teacher feedback.

Math
Continuing work on area. Please make sure you have finished the area of the "F" figure.
Best practice - try it two different ways - do you get the same answer?

Dance
Our first multi-week project!
We started a dance today that will be presented next week.
Here is what I am looking for:
-creative opening and clear ending
-levels
-locomotor and non-locomotor movements
-unity and contrast
One challenge is remembering your dance.
Here is the music:

Spoken Word
I'm looking forward to reading the poems you will submit on Friday.
Over the weekend I will give you feedback on how to improve the writing.
Today we talked about the "mic drop ending".

Geography
Today we had a Knowledge Building Circle where we presented our inquiry ideas. We received some good feedback and ideas from our classmates. You can continue to work on preliminary research. Next week we will discuss the details of the inquiry project.

Math
Great discussion today!
With this new information (below), please review and revise, if necessary, last night's homework "Application of Conversion of Metric Units of Area"

Book orders are due Wednesday.

Geography

We started our research on the inquiry question that we posed for ourselves. We are working on refining our research. Have a plan for what you are looking for. Next class we will be sharing our question again and also what, specifically, we are looking for in our research. I met with each person today and gave some ideas and a bit of direction. Please be prepared to talk to the class about your project in a knowledge building circle. The class will give you ideas as to where to go - if you come to class prepared.

Spoken word
We continue to craft our poems in preparation for submission this Friday.
I'll read poems submitted to me Friday and provide feedback over the weekend.
Today we reviewed descriptive techniques:
- access all five senses
- radio commentator vs. TV commentator (be the radio commentator)
- metaphors and similes

We also talked about using outside supports for your ideas.
- statistics
- quotes
 How does G Yamazawa use these techniques in this poem?

Here is the criteria I will be using to mark your poems when we present in our class slam in January:

Writing

• Voice
• Distinctive, unique - your own
• Word choice
• Similes, metaphors, descriptors
• Fluency
• Rhythm, connecting words, phrasing

Oral Presentation

• Vocal skills
• Clear, easily understood
• Variety in pace, tone, volume
• Non-verbal cues
• Eye contact
• Facial expression
• Gesture

Remember- Art - Hair Today is due Monday.
Book Orders are due Wednesday.

Literacy
Today we started Because of Mr. Terupt.
First we talked about each of the characters and made some inferences about them based on the two/three word descriptions we had of them.
Tell your family about dollar words.

Spoken Word
Today we refocused a bit. I clarified what we are working towards. We are working towards a polished, performable poem that you will be performing in the new year at our class poetry slam.
Next Friday (Dec 15th) I will be collecting everyone's first full draft of a poem. I will be reviewing the poems to provide feedback to use as we head towards our final poems and performances.

Math
We are working on figuring out how to find the area of irregular shapes.
Please complete - 4.2.1 and 4.2.1

Have a great Weekend!

Tonight is the holiday concert - band members please be here by 6:15 at the very latest.

We did some team building today as I feel our team needs some strengthening.

Please share with your family about the hoop exercise we did and the "All Adrift" activity.

Ringo is due tomorrow.

Math

WHY is the formula for area of a triangle base times height divided by two?

Here is documentation of our discussion today and a question that I will be collecting tomorrow.

For the question: you need fully explain your answer. A simple yes or no will not do.

Reminders:

• Holiday concert is tomorrow! Dress rehearsal 9:00, Evening performance 6:30.
• Your next Ringo task is due Friday
• Art - "Hair Today" project is due Monday.
• A complete project includes:
• One appetizer
• One main dish planning/rough copy
• One main dish final piece – including a title
• Two side dishes
• A well thought out reflection

Spoken Word

Now that we have a repertoire of five poems (or more!)that we can work on, we need to start to revise and add to our poems. We have the start of some good  poetry - now we make it great, amazing and unforgettable.

Today we talked about choosing a central image that can really hook the audience in. Create a picture that they can relate to. Homework tonight is to choose one of your poems and add a central image in. This means more writing tonight. I look forward to hearing what you come up with.

Math

Today we reviewed how to find the area of a rectangle and a parallelogram.

More importantly, we thought through WHY we use the formulas that we do.

Tomorrow: WHY is the formula for area of a triangle base times height divided by two?

Today we had a discussion in community circle about the power of the arts and what you can do with your power if you are given the gift of an audience. Will you use this opportunity to make someone feel small, or a lesser person and tear them down? Or will you use your power to try to address an issue and build others up? I was very impressed with the poetry shared today.

As our fifth poem, today's writing prompt is to write about a social issue. What issue in modern society do you think needs to change?

We began the day with an activity called Robots.
What did you do with your power?
Did you use it to make life hard for others?
Did you try to embarrass others?
Or
Did you use your power in a positive way?
Did you try to keep your group working together?

Math
Test tomorrow on probability.

Geography
Please complete the "K" and "W" parts of the handout we discussed today.
Remember - you are creating a question that you will eventually answer through research and investigation. Choose something you are interested in.
Next class we will be sharing our questions.

Literacy

• Sketchnotes and assignment on pathetic fallacy are both due tomorrow.
• Your next Ringo task is due Friday

Spoken word
Today's poem is about giving advice.
Choose a piece of advice that you have for others.
Build it into a poem.
Who is your advice directed at? How will you get them to fully understand your advice and why it is important?
Here are some examples:

Math
We talked about the uses of probability in everyday life.
Homework - 7.31.3
Test: Tuesday

Orbiting Jupiter
Please remember that your sketchnotes are due Tuesday. I will be looking for your understanding of the parts of a story (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action).
You will need to hand in your notes on pathetic fallacy with your sketchnote.

Spoken Word Poetry
Today we examined the "list poem".
It can be very effective - but also totally lame if not done well.
Write your own list poem. Start with the list - but expand it out to make it more interesting and engaging.
Here are some examples:

Spoken Word/Poetry Slam
A few people took a chance with sharing their writing today. I can not believe what came from you guys on just the first day! Amazing.
We discussed the letter writing format as a style that is often chosen for great spoken word pieces.
We took a look at some of my favourite samples and then started our own "Dear..." poem.
I can't wait to hear what you come to school with tomorrow.

Math

Today we did an exercise in experimental vs. theoretical probability.

Please make sure you have finished the experiment and the two questions that go with it.

It is your job to make sure you understand the difference between experimental and theoretical probability. Perhaps explain your understanding to the folks at home.

Test on probability - next Tuesday Dec. 5th.

Lots of work was returned today including the last math test. Share your assessments with your family.

We finished Orbiting Jupiter this morning.
It was a very emotional end.
Talk to your families about this very heavy ending.
A beautiful book with so much to learn from.
Remember your sketchnotes are due Tuesday.
I will give you some class time Friday and Monday, but in order to do it well you will need to spend some of your own time on this assignment.

We started on a new adventure today - Poetry Slam.
So exciting!!!
Today's writing prompt: If you had the attention of the whole world for three minutes what would you say? The whole world! What does the whole world need to know?
Here is an example from my all-time favourite spoken word artist:

Today started with a new team game called Fastball (beanbag). It seemed easy enough, but once we started we ran into a few snags. Some great brainstorming and idea "steeping"  lead us to set a best time of 58.5 seconds. Did you make it easier or harder for everyone else? How?

Math

Today we clarified a bit the work done yesterday while I was away. 

Please make sure you have completed 7.28.1, 7.29.1 and 7.29.2

Geography

Make sure you have summarized three points from each section of the handout from last class.

Literacy

Sketchnotes for Orbiting Jupiter will be due Monday.

Remember - everyone's will look different!

I'm looking for the parts of a story - intro, rising action etc...

Summarize the story using pictures and words. 

Here are a couple more examples:

Nature Buddies
We took what may be our last chance (sunny and 10 degrees!) to plant more milkweed. Some of you are really doing a wonderful job leading your buddies to think about the world around us.
We had an impromptu discovery/exploration of the frozen ice. So many great questions came out of it. Well done!

Many thanks to author Wesley King.
He gave a very inspiring (and funny!) talk.



I followed up his talk by reading this book:
Why?

Please remember that you have a music playing test on Tuesday.
If you wish to do your test privately, you need to make arrangements with me ahead of time.


Eco Team Challenge!
For "NO-vember",  the Stuart Scott Eco Team is encouraging everyone to have NO lights and NO electronics on when NO-one is in the room. Also we are encouraging everyone to observe Buy NOthing this Friday. Save big! this Black Friday by buying NOthing!

Progress reports went home today. Please return the signed envelope to indicate that you have received the report.

Orbiting Jupiter
Two amazing quotes from today:
"I guess that night at the pond, while my father and mother and I got colder and colder listening to Joseph, I guess that night unfroze him."
"When my father put his hand on Joseph's back, Joseph didn't even flinch."
Talk to your family about what you are learning from this story.
You can be working on:
1. Your sketchnote to show the parts of the story for Orbiting Jupiter
2. Your note on pathetic fallacy for Orbiting Jupiter

Math
 Please finish 7.27.1 for tomorrow if you haven't already. Show your thinking!

Dance
Expanding our repertoire of moves:

Voices from the Land
Tomorrow we will make our poetry presentations in response to the art we created.
Remember: I'm assessing your use of voice - clear, understandable, expressive

Orbiting Jupiter
We talked about the literary device Pathetic Fallacy. Start to notice how writers use this (and other devices) to enrich their description and paint a clear picture in words.
I read a small, but very intense, section of the book. Think about the fight. Was is simply a grade eight fight or is there more to it? What did Joseph carry with him into that fight?

Math
We had a raucous game of SKUNK today.
Homework:
1. Teach the people at home how to play.
2. Write down your strategy for the game - make sure you are using the probability vocabulary we have been working on.

Parents: I handed out the interview confirmation slips with the date and time that I have booked for you. I tried my very best to connect with other teachers and align with other family interviews. I did my best to accommodate all requests. I look forward to meeting you all this Thursday and Friday.

We spent a chilly morning outside with our nature buddies.
Well done everyone!

Reminders:

• Your next Ringo task is due Thursday (as Friday is a PA Day)
• Music playing test next Tuesday

Math

Today we began discussing probability with some vocabulary. I'll be looking and listening for this vocabulary as we explore probability

Please finish the game we played by writing down the different ways you can get each of the numbers 1-12 by rolling two six sided dice.

Example: You can get a 3 two ways (2,1) (1,2)

Orbiting Jupiter
I read a very heavy chapter today.
You might want to share with your family how you are feeling about it.

Canada 150 Video Dome
How cool was this?

Here is the video and a "making of" as well.
Use the navigator at the top left to see the 360 view.

What a great day!!!
I am so grateful for your open minds and hearts and your positive participation.
Thank you everyone!

We started today with a game called "Telegraph". Tell your family about it.

We made connections to the Story of the Two Wolves. Talk to your family about that too.

Orbiting Jupiter
I delivered the cliffhanger that I promised.
Please complete the prediction sheet for Monday.
As I told you, I will not accept this assignment late, as you will hear the "everything" on Monday.

Geography
Today we posed more questions that we have coming out of the presentation on the wetlands yesterday. Keep wondering and thinking!!!
Each person received an article today about the "harvesting of water" for the bottled water industry.
Your job is to understand the article and explain the article to your group next Geography class. Practice at home - tell your family what your article is about.

Voices from the Land
We are responding, through poetry, to the art we created in the wetlands.
Next week we will present to the class.

WWI Trench Exhibit.
Wow! What an afternoon. This excellent exhibit is well worth the trip to the Old Town Hall.
Many thanks to the Newmarket Historical Society.
Take your family there! It is up until Sunday.
I am so proud of how we represented Stuart Scott.
You were amazing.

Many many thanks to Jenn Slykhuis (Sr. Engineer from the Town of Newmarket) for sharing with us the plans and process that went into creating our wetlands. Share with your family what you learned.

Reminders:
- Music playing test - Tuesday Nov. 28th
- Next Ringo task - Thursday Nov. 23rd
- We are walking to the Old Town Hall tomorrow after lunch

Hello everyone.
A couple of things for the end of this week.
1. Tomorrow morning Jen Slykhuis (Sr. Environmental Coordinator Climate Change Adaptation Engineering Services  - Town of Newmarket- wow that's a long title!) will be joining us to talk about our wetlands. Come with questions!

2. Friday after lunch we will be walking to the Old Town Hall to see a really great WWI Trench exhibit. Its only up for a short time so Friday is our last chance. Any parents that want to join us are most welcome. It is really worth seeing.

Today I'm at the YRDSB Quest Conference and I wanted to share with you a few of the things that I have learned so far. We will talk about them further when I return.
Some food for thought:

"Anxiety is good - it gives us a warning signal to do something different."
That being said, there are three levels of stress and anxiety.
1. Positive - keeps us "on our toes" and moving forward.
2. Tolerable - can be helped by positive relationships with the people you surround yourself with.
3. Toxic - can create barriers to learning and function
Do you agree? What level are you at?

First Ringo assignments were returned today.
Next task is due November 23rd.

Book orders - Thursday at the latest.

Math test - Thursday!

Today I introduced what a sketchnote is.
We will be doing one for the parts of the story of Orbiting Jupiter.
Here is a sample.

Voices from the Land
Today we did some outdoor ephemeral art.
Some really wonderful art was created in a very short time.
Next step is to respond to our work in poetry.
We'll do that together on Friday.
We will be creating a book of our work together.

Book orders are due Wednesday.

Tomorrow please come dressed to work outside for a good part of the day. Dress in layers. We will be having an outdoor art adventure!

Friday - I have booked a time for us to see the WWI trench exhibit at the Old Town Hall. We will walk over after lunch (1:20). If there are any parents that could accompany us - it would be much appreciated.

Outdoor Ed - Nature Buddies
We did "Just Like Us!" with our nature buddies. Ms. U-Ming was commenting on how the conversations with your buddies are really improving. Some good discussion happening. Keep giving them room to discover!

Orbiting Jupiter
Today we talked about the parts of a story (introduction, rising action, climax, solution/wrap-up). As I read Orbiting Jupiter, it is each person's responsibility to track the parts of the story with details specific to Orbiting Jupiter. After I finish the book, we will be making a sketchnote that gives a description of the book based on those parts of the story. I'll be explaining what a sketchnote is tomorrow.


Music
Your next playing test is on Tuesday Nov. 28th.
You choose the piece that you will play (out of the book).
Level 3 - Correct notes and correct rhythm
Level 4 - Level 3 plus great posture and proper tonguing

Math
Today we worked on finding the whole given a percent.
Please make sure you have finished 7.23.4
Math test Thursday:
- fractions, decimals and percents

I forgot!

1. Book orders are due by Wednesday.

2. Math test will be on Thursday.

Have a great weekend!

Please remember! The snow coming will not stop our regular outdoor ed time.
Monday is day 2 and we will be outside.

We had a wonderful debate and vote for our next read aloud!
Here are the results:

We will be reading Orbiting Jupiter.
This was last year's Global Read Aloud and a book that I LOVE!
I also love the other two and they are just on hold for now.
Tell your families what we know so far.

Your Venn diagram from the article on the lost boys is due Monday.

Math
No homework - you are welcome!
BUT! there will be a test next week on fractions, decimals and percents.
Take the time to make sure you are ready.

Art 
Our latest art project is called Hair Today.
We are creating a self portrait - but from the back.
Here is the assignment outline.
So far, we should have finished the appetizers and the rough draft of the main dish.

Hair Today

Menu

Appetizers (choose one)

• Practice drawing your own hair using a mirror or a photograph.
• Practice drawing someone else’s hair in the class while they draw yours.
• Look for pictures in a magazine and practice drawing different hair styles.

The Main Dish (choose one)

• Create a large self-portrait with your back to the viewer. How will you choose to portray yourself through your hair? Play with your gaze – what are you looking at? How can you effectively tell this story to your audience?
• Create a series of small self-portraits - filmstrip style, again with your back to the audience. How will you choose to portray yourself through your hair?

Play with your gaze – What are you looking at? Does it change? Do you change?

Side Dishes (choose two)

• Choose a word or a few words to describe or respond to your piece – include them on the piece. Be very thoughtful and purposeful with your word choices and font.
• Have a critique with a classmate. Record both your comments and suggestions and theirs.
• Write an artist’s statement for your piece. Use words to describe the story you are telling in your portrait.
• Write about hair today. What role does hair play in our culture?

Desserts (optional – above and beyond)

• Choose a piece of art you like and write about it in terms of Gaze.
• Make your final piece public. (“gallery ready” and hung in the school)

Learning Expectation

“Use elements of art (in this case, gaze) to communicate ideas, messages and understandings.”

“Create works of art that express feelings, ideas, issues, and points of view.”

Reflection

Talk about your use of gazing in this piece. How did you control what the audience sees or doesn’t see? What ideas or stories were you trying to communicate with (or express to) your audience? How did you do that? Were you successful?

A complete project includes:

• One appetizer
• One main dish planning/rough copy
• One main dish final piece – including a title
• Two side dishes
• A well thought out reflection

Reminders:

- Your first Ringo task is due Friday

- You should have shared you online discussion document with me by Friday at the latest
- Fresh from the Farm pick-up is tomorrow

Dance
Another great day of dance!
We contrasted rhythm and beat within our dances today.

Math
Difficult question today!
Please go over the jeans with taxes question (7.20.2) with your family.
Make sure you fully understand the process.

Feel like this today?

Today we finished A Long Walk to Water.
Salva teaches us to use hope and perseverance to get through tough times.
"Just keep walking."
How can you apply this to your life?
Here is the Ted Talk from Salva Dut:

Geography
I handed back marked assignments today.
Great discussion on the graphs that I gave you.
Please share these graphs with your family at home.
Here are the questions we asked:

Remembrance Day Ceremony - Friday
Here is the part of In Flanders Field that we need to recite:
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high
If ye break faith with us who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Here are the words to Maple Leaf Forever:

In Days of yore,

From distant shores

Our forefathers here did come

And planted firm brave freedom’s ways

On Canada's fair domain.

Here may they thrive,

Our boast or pride

And joined with love together,

The peoples of this far flung realm

The Maple Leaf Forever.

 

[CHORUS]

The Maple Leaf

Our Emblem Dear,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

God save our Queen and heaven bless,

The Maple Leaf Forever.

 

At Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach

Our brave fathers side by side

For freedom's home and loved ones dear,

Firmly fought and nobly died.

And those dear rights which they maintained,

We swear to yield them never.

Our watchword ever more shall be

The Maple Leaf Forever

 

[CHORUS]

 

Our own dear nation now extends

From Cape Race to Nootka Sound

May peace forever be our lot

And plenty abound for all

May every tie of love be ours

Which discord cannot sever

And waving proud o’er freedom’s home

The Maple Leaf Forever

 

[CHORUS]