Today was writing day! Students completed their Viking paragraphs, and are ready to start fresh next week.
Anyone who missed handing in key assignments is expected to arrive at 8:30 tomorrow morning - everyone else gets a rest and a long weekend - Have a good one!
We had a shortened class today, so students handed in their beautiful shields, and then got to work!
Students spent the block creating paragraph outlines from the notes they handed in last class. Anyone who did not finish their outline has been encouraged to attend today's Writing Lab, or tutorial tomorrow morning.
Students are going to write those paragraphs during tomorrow's class. There is a handful of athletes away tomorrow - those folks are invited to do their writing during next week's Tuesday Writing Lab, so that they have equitable time.
We started the class with a block of time to work on shields - these are due tomorrow.
We did a review of paragraph structure so that students are prepared for upcoming writing work (we will plan the paragraphs tomorrow).
Students received their Monotheistic Religion Mindmap assignments - Many did not reach fully proficient on the assignment due to some oversight. Anyone with a D+ on the piece should feel very comfortable - know that I know they know their stuff. Additionally, there is another assignment covering similar competency work yet to be assessed. It should be noted that it was possible to work incredibly hard on the piece and not make it to proficient.
We started the class with a check-in - people have some pretty fun controversial-food-favourites - and it seemed that a number of students are feeling really drained after a busy weekend...rest up!
Students had 30 minutes to work on their Viking Info notes - DUE TOMORROW
Students had the remainder of the block to work on their Viking Shields, which are DUE ON WEDNESDAY
Students will have time to work on their shields tomorrow, so they should ensure that they have all necessary materials will them.
We opened the class with "2 Truths and a Lie" - the story-term-based homework students prepared last night. It went well, but it also showed some students that there are a few terms they need to find time to study.
Students had about 20 minutes to continue work on their Viking notes from the info package NB - To my astonishment, the package mentions Kyiv, noting the anglicized "Kiev" and says that it is in Russia. While this makes sense during the era of the Kyivan Rus empire, the students should have noted that present-day Kyiv is the Capital of Ukraine.
Students had the remainder of the block to work on their shields - These will be due on Wednesday next week.
We started the block with a student survey on community and belonging, followed by a quick novel read.
Students then did a two truths and a lie quiz, before receiving terms FOR HOMEWORK, with which they are creating their own 3-sentence questions.
Anyone who missed the block should do this for the terms: Theme, First Person Point of View, and Falling action.
They follow the model below:
Our poster paper for shields did not arrive today, so we will continue that work tomorrow. In the meantime, students have been given information packages with which to challenge the stereotypes presented in a note package on The Vikings.
These notes are not for homework today, but students who did not get through many notes today should do some at home. These notes will be foundational to future writing work.
We opened the class with a quick review of cellphone policy.
Students did a self-evaluation on their plot-diagram rubrics, and the diagrams in (with the questions etc.)
We talked about our new inquiry question: Were the vikings "barbarians," or did they have a complex culture and civilization.
We looked at some ancient sourdough starter, and even more ancient (8th century) viking feces that says a lot about diet and the health issues facing vikings (in what is now England) hundreds of years ago. It might be gross, but it is also science!
We talked about family groupings, nomadic habit, oral history, practical education, literacy and the runic alphabet.
We then looked at all of the things viking shields could be used for - students are going to be creating their own shields to show strength, power, and viking identity.
Over the next week + we will be working on shields, learning more about viking society, brushing up on short story terms, and prepping for a paragraph on viking life.
No homework tonight, other than to bring any necessary colours/ideas in to work with. Designs must be original.
We began the block with a quick read of personal novels, followed by a seat change.
Those who came to class with last week's homework complete were in the perfect position to complete most of their plot diagram during class time. Those who had not marked up their stories had a bit more work to do.
Due at the start of tomorrow's class: A plot diagram for "The Stolen Hammer of Thor"
As per the rubric on the BLUE sheet, and the example shown in class, the work should include the following:
Students should ensure that their diagrams are complete - that all components are labelled and identified using colour, as per the Rubric - and are ready to hand in (along with the previous questions) at the start of tomorrow's class.
We started class with reading personal novels.
Students moved into groups and worked through their story work from last class.
We talked through story terms and the narrative arc.
For homework, students are to go back through the story of Thor's Hammer and mark the various points (could be done with words, or colour coding - whatever works). These pieces include the following:
Have a fabulous weekend!
We opened today's block by acknowledging the tragedy that occurred in Tumbler Ridge yesterday.
Students read their personal novels.
We finished "The Stolen Hammer of Thor," and students are completing the corresponding matching and question for tomorrow's class (if they were unable to complete it during class time).
We began today's block with a gallery walk of some incredible Sketchnote work.
Students then did an evaluation and handed in their work.
We talked about story terms and vikings - and juuuuust barely started reading the first 2/3rds of the first page of a new story (which we will continue tomorrow - please don't read at home).
Students received some work that I have had for quite some time - We jumped over it after the break, as there were multiple pieces that they needed for next steps, and it has take this long to circle back.
- Anyone who has a note about voice - sometimes a very clear one, other times just a little question - should come in to tutorial to check in ASAP.
Students who have other questions about points for improvement (perhaps fragments, run-ons, or depth might have been mentioned) are always welcome to come to tutorial for clarification. They are also welcome to head to the Writing Lab for additional support at any time.
Mr. Pather, the Grade 8 counsellor, came in for the last part of the block to go over course programming - It is now time to do that work online!
We started today's class with a long-overdue check in!
We marked the first two sections of the sentences quiz.
We discussed short story terms - students received a handout of the terms we will use this year - and set about looking at the few on the sheet we have yet to cover.
Students also got a basic introduction to Vikings - and learned some cool things about:
Last work block!
We have also decided to extend the deadline for submission to the start of the block on Tuesday (have a beautiful weekend - go get some sun!)
We started today's class with 15 minutes of silent, solo work - students had the remainder of the class to work with their partners on their Sketchnote.
Students will also have tomorrow's block to do this work - the final piece is coming in on Monday.
Those experiencing illness will certainly have an extension on this work - please get well before returning to school.
Quiz day!
Students did a final sentence quiz, read their personal novels, and then spent the remainder of the class working on their current project.
We opened the class with a review of "Practice Quiz #3" - and a reminder that the final quiz is tomorrow.
Students received their unit Sketchnote assignment. They should have:
Students should ONLY USE THE MATERIALS PROVIDED TO THE CLASS for this work.
We will be working on the piece for the remainder of the week, so long as students are using class time well.
Students started the block with a third practice quiz - QUIZ QUIZ on Wednesday.
Students worked through their practice quiz solo (no notes this time either) then ensured their notes for last week were complete. Those who had some extra time were able to do some silent reading :)
We watched the last two sections of the piece we have been working with, and students took notes in "The Greatest King," and "The Vikings" sections.
If you missed any notes etc. please be sure to pop in for tutorial and catch up!
We will go over Practice Quiz #3 tomorrow.
Students were reminded that, by the end of the weekend, they should have completed the first two packages (most should be done already). We ...
