Winding down: Hand in outstanding work!

Homework letter, some images from Jump Rope for Heart

a hard copy is going home today for students with three or more homework items owing

Here are a selection of snapshots from this afternoon's Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation:

happy star

List of outstanding homework, updated History assignment, fraction game links

The last sprint of homework

As I mentioned in last week's post, I got around to finalizing a list of work items that students should complete before the last round of report card printing happens.

The lists, which are now posted at the front of the room, are for History and for the Language class I teach for 7C.  I will get around to writing a note and sending it home, detailing what assignments are outstanding, but I suggest asking your son or daughter about it.  I feel they should be accountable for the work they need to complete.  This work is not hidden from them and is posted on the homework board and tracking chart.

correction:  the list on the right should read 7A

There are students who have completed all of the required work for this term, so it is possible.  I have very flexible timelines and allow students to hand in work, if they require extra time, but there comes a point where work will no longer be allowed in because time has run out.

http://comps.canstockphoto.com/can-stock-photo_csp8715876.jpg

Updated History assignment

The short, newspaper based assignment for History class has been updated.  I made some changes to the assignment to make it clearer, posted some examples, and included a Success Criterion for the three parts (although you are only responsible for 1 or 2) of the assignment.

Check it out on Google Classroom.  In addition, you will need the course code (on the front of Mr. Proudfoot's room, on the board) to get in.  You were told to do this in early May.

Mathematics Review through gaming

Before playing some of these games, take a moment and watch the following videos.  This one is from the Khan Academy:

This one is from the popular Math Antics website that we often use:

For the Math class taught by Chungfoot, there are a few games I would like you to check out.

a) Jeopardy with fractions:  http://www.math-play.com/Fractions-Jeopardy/fractions-game.html
I know you have not done multiplying or dividing fractions yet, so you could skip that part until you learn.

b) Game involving equivalent fractions:  http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/memory_equivalent1.htm

c) Another, involving equivalent fractions:  http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/mathman_equivalent_fractions.htm

d) Speedway fractions (adding and subtracting):  http://www.mathplayground.com/ASB_Speedway.html

There are countless other games which you could play online to reinforce some of the skills you are learning in class.  These are a few to get you started to review what you have learned.

Have a great evening and day tomorrow.

The final weeks of work and assessment, History work, and using the agenda

Once March Break passes, the year seems to speed up.  Time does not change, but it feels quicker.  I never imagined I would be thinking about some of the final posts, for this blog, for the school year.

Before blogging, I am working through a series of Excel worksheets and organizing marks, across a range of subject areas.  As I do this, I will be making note of the students who have not completed certain items of work.  I imagine that there will be about 2 weeks and a couple of days for students to catch up and complete assignments, before the final copies of the report cards are printed.  So, there is still time to complete work.

There was a Math test today.  It was posted up on the Homework chart, since last week.

Here is a panoramic shot of the History projects and jot note assignments.  There should be more of them on the wall, yet I am proud of the efforts made by the students who respectfully followed and adhered to the deadline.

What has been really helpful, for a number of students, is the consistent use of the agenda.  Here is a shot of Avery's agenda. 

Using this item, on a regular basis, allows the student to keep track of what they need to do.  It develops the skills of responsibility, initiative, and organization; all of which are life skills and part of the Learning Skills and Work Habits section of the report card.

Short History Project, Review for Math on Algebra/Measurement, Wahanowin photos, and a couple of other things

In the Breezeway (space between the Gym, Auditorium, and the Library) are a series of photos taken from Camp Wahanowin.  If you are near the school, drop in and have a look.  Most of the shots are from the students, and 2 are from my "eye."  Here is a small sampling:

The following are some photos of work we were reviewing for the Math test, which pairs both thinking from the Measurement and Algebra strand.  We worked in groups, and on our own, to solve these questions.

completed by Gavin

At the time of writing this posting, I am awaiting the opportunity to review the upcoming History assignment with the students from 7B.  I have tried to make it as student friendly as possible.  I have provided options for completing it and the opportunities to work alone or in a group.

Once the assignment has been verified, I will have a handout for the students.  Although the assignment sheet is comprised of 4 sheets of paper, it is intended to provide some guidance for them and answer any initial questions they may have.

If I could summarize the assignment, it would sound and look like this:
The student(s), either on their own or in a group, will be required to create 2 out of 3 of the following formats for a newspaper page:

1. A news article.  This is a sample from Writers Express workbook:

 Like one of the exercises from the Grade 10 Literacy test, where you are required to write a news article, this format will be provided to assist you.

from http://images.slideplayer.com/5/1481831/slides/slide_3.jpg

2. You may create an editorial cartoon.  Here are a few examples:

http://www.artizans.com/images/previews/MAC1602.pvw.jpg

http://www.davegranlund.com/cartoons/wp-content/uploads/Bieber-arrested.jpg

3.  A letter to an editor may be created or an editorial.  Here is a sample letter to an editor from Writers Express:

An editorial may also be created.  This may look like this.  Trigger alert:  the topic in question related to Rehtaeh Parsons.

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2013/04/14/nova_scotia_teen_rehtaeh_parsons_was_disappointed_to_death_editorial.html

An editorial piece -- cartoon, letter, or article -- is based on facts and often has this format:

www.uiltexas.org/files/academics/aplus/editorial-writing-tips.pdf

Once the assignment has been finalized, I will upload it on the Google Classroom site and post it on the Proudfoot Institute site as a Microsoft Word document.  

In 7C, I have returned all of the rough copies of the Media assignment.  Only 1 students still has to complete this.  I have provided feedback based on what he set up in the Success Criteria for the assignment:

The final assignment is due on Thursday

Here is a shot of Nathaniel's and Avery's cat.  They were both subjects/topics of yesterday's Community Circle.

Avery

Nat

Self Portrait:

How we Learn, Neuroplasticity, Animated Growth Mindset videos, Media Project

 

Here is another video on how we learn, that uses some visuals and footage that explains the plasticity of our brains.

During a workshop, after school, we heard some more scientific research on how having a Growth Mindset can assist in the rewiring of the brain.  

Why is this even important? 

A lot of you may believe that intelligence, or how smart you think you are, is fixed.  In other words, if you think it is impossible to improve in school, you may have a fixed way of thinking.  New research suggests that it is possible for your brain to make new connections.  These connections were talked about in the first video.  So, it is possible that your brain, and how it works, can grow and make new connections in relation to understanding the world around us and habits we may develop. 

Here is an updated version of the Success Criteria chart for our Media project.  All items will be available on the Proudfoot Institute site or in the Language folder, in the classroom.

Back to teaching: Community Circle, Math Rewrites and introducing some new work, and the Drake Pasta Lunch

It seems like a long time since we have been in the class.  Fortunately, for a number of students, we had the privilege of visiting Camp Wahanowin.

In this photo, we have just concluded doing a Community Circle from the adventures of last week, which may have included camp or what we did on the weekend.

We had a Math test two weeks ago, on calculating the area of a triangle.  For some students, the option of doing Rewrites were available.  Here is Kaia, completing it with the intention of improving her understanding of the material:

The next portion of the Math will look at calculating some missing variables.  A handout was sent home walking the students through an example question.  The students should read this, for homework, and be prepared to do some questions with Mr. Chung on Tuesday.

One the projects/goals for myself for this year was to develop my competency around using the features associated with Google Classroom.  I have posted a more complete copy of this note, in Word format, on my classroom site:  https://sites.google.com/a/tdsb.on.ca/proudfoot-institute-2016/website-builder  

You should be able to access this page, and print off the note I gave out, from this page.  It is located in the handouts and assignments section.

**update:  I will also attempt to attach the Drake Pasta Lunch form, if one was not brought home.  It is attached and named DPL in the same section where the Math handout is.

Almost back...

Growth Mindset journal ideas, a sample, and looking at the area of a Triangle from another perspective, and packing list reminder for Camp Wahanowin

This posting will serve to present the question and a sample response for Friday's journal question.

If you do not want to look at the screen, this list of items has been given to you and is on the back of the handout that relates to some thoughts on success.

Here is my sample response for the item that is circled;

In Mathematics, we are going to be looking at the area of a triangle, but looking at it through the lens of Algebra.  In the next part of this unit, we will see what happens when the "answer" is given and you have to figure out what either the base or height of the triangle is.  It can be seen in the following example:

 How is this done?  It can be done a number of ways, but I think the easiest way will be through an approach I learned in Science in high school.  I think we called this approach the "magic triangle" way.  This will be explained to the students and we will have some opportunities to practice it.

Happy packing!  Enjoy your long weekend.