Happy New Year!

Many things are going to be happening in 2014!
New units in almost every subject in Room 18....

Let's get started :

In language :

We are going to be looking at people that have had a positive impact in the world.  Young, old, famous and infamous... We will be discussing how a person contributes to their community and to the world in a positive manner, and how particular people have made such an amazing impact on our earth.  What is it that drives a person to give their time/money/knowledge to the world and how do they do this POSITIVELY.  How can we contribute to our community in a positive manner, and be good citizens.....?????  The kids will be researching a person of their choice, developing a biography of that person, and then putting together a drama presentation about the person they have chosen.  We will also be looking at inventions that have changed the world in a positive way.... and young people who are developing inventions that could have an amazing impact on our world. 

Culminating activities for our novel studies AND movie reviews are due this week.

Book reports will be discussed in class, and will be due at the end of January.

In math :

We are starting our data management unit.  The focus will be on data collection, bias in that collection of data, proper surveying, exploring sample size, and displaying data in graphs and plots.
There will be segments of data collection, individual and partnered activities, seatwork, and a end-of-unit evaluation.

Patterning and Algebra quizzes will be returned tomorrow.

In history :

We will be having our trial of Louis Riel this week. Following the trial, we will move on to the industrial Revolution in Canada and Canada's participation in World War 1.

* Geography will begin in February.

In phys-ed :

We will be working on fitness and dance.  The gym periods will be divided into fitness circuits for half the period, or dance for half of the period... and then "free play" for the remainder of the period.

In health :

The kids will be cooking and preparing food!  They must come up with a healthy, yet easy dish to make, that most teenagers would enjoy eating.  The kids will be working in partners, creating a fairly simple dish or meal, and then putting together a how-to-make video for a particular target audience. This activity implements some aspects of media studies into our health activities. Looking forward to it!

In art :

We will be looking at pointillism, which is a technique of painting in which small, distinct dots of pure colour are applied in patterns to form an image. This will be an interesting and challenging change to what the kids have been doing in art this year.

A quick reminder :

High school applications/course selection sheets aren't due until the end of January. However, if you would like to speak to me regarding any choices that you may be struggling with, or questions about particular courses, please contact me at school and we can chat.

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday!

Take care,

Miss Waddell