Wednesday, September 30, 2020 (Day 2)

ALT ELA

Today was Orange Shirt Day in recognition of all the First Nations, Metis and Inuit children who were removed from their families and sent to Residential School.  At these school the students were stripped of their language and culture and often abused physically, emotionally, and sexually.  This was not a proud part of Canada's past and today we, as Canadians, need to move towards reconciliation.  We cannot change the past but we can change the future.  No one can do everything but everything can do something. Everyone deserves to be shown friendship and respected.  EVERY CHILD MATTERS.  

In class we watched the video at the bottom of this post, had a break, made a puzzle piece and then we wrote a paragraph about Orange Shirt Day. We also did the vocabulary words for Chapter 15 and read Chapter 15 of "The Hill."

ELA 7C

Today was Orange Shirt Day in recognition of all the First Nations, Metis and Inuit children who were removed from their families and sent to Residential School.  At these school the students were stripped of their language and culture and often abused physically, emotionally, and sexually.  This was not a proud part of Canada's past and today we, as Canadians, need to move towards reconciliation.  We cannot change the past but we can change the future.  No one can do everything but everything can do something. Everyone deserves to be shown friendship and respected.  EVERY CHILD MATTERS.  

In class we watched the video at the bottom of this post, had a body break, and started to make a puzzle piece.

THANK-YOU to the STUDENTS who wore ORANGE today.  You are the FUTURE and will be the GENERATION that makes RECONCILIATION possible!

Tuesday, September 29, 2020 (Day 1)

 ELA 7C

The students finished up their persuasive paragraph on the Bermuda Triangle.  Is it real and you chould avoid it or is it just a big hoax?  They used the sentence given in their booklet to strt their paragraph and then used the article to add three reasons why we should believe them, followed up with a concluding sentence.  Indenting the first line five spaces, writing neatly, and using correct spelling and punctuation should have been included.

After writing the students had some time to read silently and some grabbed new books. We had a quick body stretch and then started to do a self-evaluation of their note-taking skills so far.  Everyone received a rubric and first they examined their Persuasive Paragraph for CORRECT CONTENT.  They looked at the criteria and then gave themselves the percentage they thought they deserved.  Next they looked at all the notes in their notebooks to rate themselves on ORGANIZATION, STYLE, MECHANICS, and USEFULNESS. This involved deciding on if they should receive a 4, 3.5, 3, 2.5, 2, , 1.5 or 1 overall for each topic.  These marks were strictly for the students own use.  After we finish the next section they will evaluate their work and so will I.  On the third section I will evaluate their work as a Summative mark.

If you were absent there is a rubric and a short video on Google Classroom with further instructions.  

At the end of class the students read the next article to themselves "Nessie - Nasty or Nice?" and we started to read it aloud in class.

ALT ELA 

Today we read chapter 13 and did the four questions on that short chapter.  Then we did the vocabulary for chapter 14, read chapter 14, and answered the questions.  After a break we did some work with homonyms:

and the Making it Personal questions.  We also watched a couple of videos of the Saskatchewan Rush to find out some Lacrosse facts.

If you were absent please check Google Classroom to get caught up.

Remember tomorrow is Orange Shirt Day!

Friday, September 25, 2020 (Day 2)

 ALT ELA

Today's chapter from "The Hill" covered a lot of information.  We started with vocabulary words, several of which were items of clothing.  Then we read chapter Twelve.  We completed the comprehension questions and discussed the story so far.  We finished up by making a representation and putting in order elements of a creation legend told in the novel.  It was the story of how Kisemanito, the Great Spirit, created the earth and all the creatures on it.  

ELA 7C

Today we discussed how to write a Persuasive Paragraph.  There is a slideshow with an explanation posted in Google Classroom.  Each paragraph should have:

a) a topic sentence - telling what you are trying to convince your readers to believe

b) the body - 3 sentences giving reasons to back up your belief

c) a conclusion sentence - restating your original idea in a new way

Here is my example:

      I believe it is important to be kind to everyone and you should too.  Kindness is free and does not cost you anything.  It makes someone else feel good about themselves, something they made or something they did.  If you are kind it makes you feel good as well.  Everyone should be kind and make the world a better place.

The students then chose a topic to write on and wrote a persuasive paragraph in their notebooks. We had some reading time and went for a walk. We just got started writing a second persuasive paragraph on the Bermuda Triangle when the bell rang. We'll finish this up on Tuesday. Everyone got a treat for helping to sanitize desks this week.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 24, 2020 (Day 1)

 ELA 7C

Today we finished up our Misfits and the students also had time to read and finish colouring their Six Word Memoirs from last week.  Then we discussed how to make a summary of an article. We watched the video below to assist in our knowledge.  It pointed out that a good summary is like a good map that gives all the important directions but not every little detail.

Then as a class we summarized the first two paragraphs about the Bermuda Triangle into one sentence and the three theories surrounding the Bermuda Triangle into one sentence.  So we took a two page article and summarized it in two sentences.

Finally, after a stretch break the students had some time to read or work on the Typing Tutor program.

ALT ELA

Today was a productive class as we completed Chapters Ten and Eleven.  We did vocabulary word definitions, read, answered questions about the chapters, made it personal, and created an anti-bullying poster.  If you were absent everything can be found on Google Classroom. 

Wednesday, September 23, 2020 (Day 2)

 ALT ELA

Today we completed the vocabulary words for Chapter Nine.  We read Chapter Nine and did the questions.  Next we wrote a good paragraph on one of three topics provided.  You can do this on Google Classroom if you were absent.  Finally we made a dreamcatcher using the instructions in these four videos.  You do not have to make a dreamcatcher for homework, unless you'd like to.  We used branches from a weeping birch tree, yard, beads, and some leaves I had (instead of feathers).

ELA 7C

Today we started a new note taking section on analogies.  Here is a video to explain how analogies work:

Basically with analogies you have to figure out the relationship between two things that are otherwise not alike.  

Example:  VALENTINE'S DAY is to FEBRUARY as CHRISTMAS is to ____________________.

a) Santa Claus  b) snow  c)  white d) December.

If you think how Valentine's Day is related to February 

--> Valetine's Day IS IN THE MONTH of February.  

Then look at the second word using the same relationship  

--> Christmas IS IN THE MONTH of DECEMBER.

When you are writing these in your notebook make sure to start on a new page with a title and the date. Number your sentences and leave a line between each one.  You can use a : to replace is to in order to make it a bit shorter.

ANALOGIES Sept. 23

1.  SHIP : WATER as AIRPLANE : AIR.

2.  ADVANCING : STALEMATED as SAILING : BECALMED.

3.  PIRACY :  SHIP as PLAGIARISM : LANGUAGE.

Do all ten.  If you can't figure one out look up the tricky word using www.dictionary.com as the definition will usually give you a clue.

We also did some Typing Tutor and some people got new library books.

Then we stated to work on MISFITS.

If you have room you can start these below ANALOGIES in your notebook.

Misfits are reading the sentence, looking at the blanks, looking at the words provided and putting them in the blanks.  One work will be a misfit and you will NOT use it.

When you are writing these in your notebook make sure to start on a new page with a title and the date. Number your sentences and leave a line between each one.  Make sure to leave blanks that will fit the longest words you might use.  All the information in the sentences comes from the Bermuda Triangle article we read so you can re-read the article if you get stuck.

MISFITS Sept. 23

1.  The Bermuda Triangle is legendary for tales of unexplained disappearances of __people___, ______ships______, and ____planes_____.

*The misfit word is radar.  You do not have to write it anywhere.

We did the first 3 together and students were working on the last two when the bell rang.  I'll give you a few minutes tomorrow to finish up before we correct.

 

Misfits make me think of this Sesame Street song:

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 (Day 1)

ELA 7C

Today the students continued working with notetaking skills using information from the story "The Bermuda Triangle."  They copied out the Using Vocabulary sentences from their Pink Mysteries booklet.  We followed the following rules:

a) Write the title (Using Vocabulary) and the date (Sept. 22) at the top of the next new page.  Don't skip pages.

b) Then we left a line before writing the first sentence, starting with its number.  

c) Make sure to leave an underlined blank to put in the word that goes in the sentences.  Make sure the blank is as long as the longest word from the word bank.

d) Make sure to copy neatly.

e) Use the capitals and punctuation written in the original sentence.

f) Fill in the blank with the best word.  IF you don't know a word leave that sentence and go on to the next.  Keep track of the words leftover in the word bank as by elimination the choices will be narrowed down.

g) Leave a line between each new sentence.

We completed all 10 fill in the blanks.

The class took a break and we went on a nice fall walk.

The students then went onto their Chrome Books and looked at how all the homework assignments are posted in case they are absent.  

Next they went to the Typing section and the link for the Typing Tutor.  They all signed in using GOOGLE and then started to do the first lessons.

ALT ELA

Today we did the vocabulary definitions for Chapter 8, we then read the chapter, and answered the chapter questions.  We also did the Making it Personal section and finished up by doing a mini Inquiry project on Chief Dan George, which finished with making a poster about him.

Monday, September 21, 2020 (Day 2)

 ALT ELA

The students did the vocabulary words for Chapter Six, read the chapter, answered the chapter questions, and did the Making it Personal section.  We had a short break.  Then we did the vocabulary words for Chapter Seven, read the chapter, answered the chapter questions, and added to Jared's List of why he and Kyle will never be friends. If you were absent listen to the chapters on Google Classroom.  There are copies of the questions to print out and complete.  At the end of class we made a list out all the words we could think of from the letters in Wesakechak and played hangman.

ELA 7C

The students used their second notes book to start learning to take notes correctly.  Today we focused on vocabulary from "The Bermuda Triangle" story that we read on Friday.  We used dictionary.com to search up our vocabulary words.  We also looked at them in the sentences they appeared in to find the best definition, which we then wrote in our own words.

Notetaking:

a) Always start with a heading.  Today we used: The Bermuda Triangle as our top heading.  We wrote it behind the margin on the top of the page.  We also underlined it. Then we left a blank line and wrote a second heading and the date: Vocabulary - Sept. 21

b) We started our definition of the vocabulary by numbering them.  We wrote the number either right before or right after the margin.

c) Spacing is important and today we left a line between each definition.

d) Out vocabulary words looked like this:

1.  inexplicable (adjective) - unexplained

blank line

2. derelict (adjective) - abandoned, left behind

blank line

3. frigate (noun) - an old sailing ship with cannons

....

10.  disorient (verb) - to lose one's way, to be confused

Some student had time to read their novels or just relax for a few minutes.

*Eight students borrowed notebooks and need to bring three more for their school supplies (one to replace the borrowed one).

Friday, September 18, 2020 (Day 1)

 ELA 7C

Today we discussed the notes the students made about the Hardy Boys Mystery that they watched on Thursday.  The materials for Thursday are all posted to our Google Classroom if you were absent.

Then the students received their Non-Fiction Mystery packages.  They have a pink cover and are not to b written in.  We discussed what the students knew about the Bermuda Triangle.  Then the students read an article on The Bermuda Triangle to themselves.  Next we discussed as a class what was important in the article and what we should look for in non-fiction.

Non-fiction will usually answer the 5Ws - Who? What? Where? When? Why? and sometimes How?

In The Bermuda Triangle article we discovered the following:

What? The Bermuda Triangle is a mysterious .

Why? Ships and planes disappear there and no one knows why.

Where? We discovered its location and size.

When?  First disappearances noticed in the 1800s and most attention drawing disappearance of 6 planes happened in 1945.

Who?  People who disappeared were mentioned and the people (theorists) who have ideas why they disappeared.

How?  Many different theories including:

    a) UFOs abduct them

    b) Weird magnetism affects ships/plane's controls

    c) Weird weather

    d) Atlantis (old batteries under the sea that turn on and off randomly)

We also discussed how the article was set up:

Introduction:  Told us what the puzzle/mystery was

Body:  Gave us information in historical order (1800s, 1945, to present)

            Also gave us several theories

Conclusion:  Wrapped up with a question as there is no specific answer to this puzzle

At the end of class we watched a video on The Bermuda Triangle:

*Remember if you do not have a second notebook at school to buy one this weekend.  You will need four in total this year for ELA.

ALT ELA

Today we reviewed the chapters previously read in "The Hill."  I put up vocabulary and pictures of some of the important events so far.

Then we read Chapter Five (if you were absent you can listen to it on YouTube in the Google Classroom) and answer the questions about the chapter.  We also did the Making it Personal section about the animals that scare us the most.  Here is a video that might give you some ideas:

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, September 17, 2020 (Day 2)

 ALT ELA

The class found the meanings to vocabulary words for chapter four of "The Hill." They then read chapter four and answered the comprehension questions. They finished up with making it personal by writing about the Spirit World and if they believe in such as thing, or not, and why.

ELA 7C

The students watched a Google Slides presentation on "What is a Mystery?"  They filled in some notes as they listened.  If you were absent this information is posted on Google Classroom.  Then the students watched an episode of The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries called "The Strange Fate of Flight 608." As they watched they tried to identify some of the elements of a mystery based on the show.  You may watch the episode here:

*Tomorrow is PJ Day to wrap up our Spirit Week!

Wednesday, September 16, 2020 (Day 1)

 ELA 7C

The students corrected the Look-alike/Sound-alike pages for Been/Being (Practice #1 from 10 on) and Buy/By (Practice #1).

Next the class went through a Google Slideshow about Six Word Memoirs.

They then followed four steps to create their own Six Word Memoir:

a) Brainstorm as many words as they can about themselves.

b) Pick the top six words.

c) For the title add their name with an 'S at the end.  Example:  Miss Riddell's Six Word Memoir.

d) Put their words in the first (or second) box of the template.  (The template is available on Google Classroom if they were absent.)  Make sure your letters take up most of the space in your box.

e) In the second box on each row add an illustration, quotation, fact about the word opposite.

f) Lastly colour their memoir. 

ALT ELA

The students finished chapter two and completed the Making it Personal questions. They made a family crest for the character of either Jared Fredrickson or Kyle Badger.  They did the definitions for the chapter three vocabulary before reading chapter three.  Next they answered the questions on chapter three and then Made it Personal by writing a paragraph about what makes a good friend.  Lastly they added to Jared's List of Why He Can Never-Ever Be Friends with Kyle.

* Remember tomorrow is Jersey Day and the Terry Fox Walk.  Please bring a loonie!

Tuesday, September 15 (Day 2)

 ALT ELA

Today was a catch up day to get everyone on the same page.

ELA 7C

Today the students continued work in their Look-alikes/Sound-alikes booklets.  They completed the first two activities for Being/Been and Buy/By.  Today they did both activities (Practice 1 and 2) in their booklet. They were corrected to number 10 of Being/Been in class.  Here is a quick video about homophones.

The rest of the students got a chance to sign out library books and everyone had some silent reading time. 

Monday, September 14, 2020 (Day 1)

ELA 7C

Today the students received a copy of the Look-alikes/Sound-alikes booklet.  They completed the first two activities on A/An/And and Accept/Except.  They did Practice 1 activities in the booklet and Practice 2 activities on a piece of looseleaf. 1.     Remember to put your name, the date, and a title for each section of sentences on the looseleaf.  Example:

 

            Sydney – September 14, 2020

 

            A/An/And Sentences Practice 2

                        1.

                        2.

                        3.

                        4.

                        5.

                        6.

 

            Accept/Except Sentences Practice 2

                        1.

                        2.

                        3.

                        4.

 This video explains A/AN

 and AND is used to join words or ideas together.

This video explains the differences between ACCEPT/EXCEPT:

Students started to go to the library to sign out some reading books.  The rest will go tomorrow.  Students should make sure they have a reading book every class after they've visited the library.

ALT ELA

The students finished the character charts for Kyle and Jared from Friday. They made a family crest today.  Next they looked up vocabulary for  chapter two and then read chapter two of "The Hill."  They also answered some comprehension questions for chapter two.  Next class we'll work on personal connections to the chapter.

Friday, September 11, 2020 (Day 2)

ALT ELA

Today this class did an activity on identity by filling out some basic information on an identity chart.  Then they started the novel "The Hill" by Karen Bass. The students did vocabulary study for words that are in the first chapter.  Then they listened to chapter one and answered comprehension questions.  

ELA 7C

Today the students filled out an interest inventory about what they like to read, listen to, and watch.  If you were absent please get a copy upon your return.  

The students also started their writing journals for the year. The first journal entry involved naming their journal.  The students picked something that is meaningful to them to name their journal.  It could be a real person’s name, or a pet’s name or a place name and so on.  After they  picked a name they wrote a half page telling what they named their journal and why. 

Remember when writing in a notebook the following tips are important:

*start with today’s date at the margin 

*indent the first line

*write neatly on each line

*don’t skip lines

*remember to use capitals at the start of each sentence and punctuation at the end 

*print neatly

Journals were handed in when complete.  The students then had some time to work on a wordsearch, which contains all the names of the 7C class.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, September 10, 2020 (Day 1)

 Welcome to our first full day of classes!  Thank-you to everyone who is wearing their masks, sanitizing their hands, and physical distancing!  We've got this!

ELA 7C

Today we went through the course outline for ELA.  It is now posted on Google Classroom. Parents may see daily updates here and on Facebook. We also finished going through most of the student handbook. Please remember to bring 2 notebooks to class tomorrow in addition to your binder, pencil case, hand sanitizer, and water bottle.

ALT ELA

Today we read "If You're Not From the Prairie" by David Bouchard.  We looked at the rhyme scheme and discussed our own memories and ideas about being from the prairie.  Then together we wrote a poem called "If You're Not From Canada."  Then the students wrote one of their own.  We also did some discussion about our families and things that are important to us.  You can watch a video of David Bouchard reading his book below:

See you tomorrow!