Thursday, December 18, 2014

Hi I Cant See the genius hour paper thing i half to redo it says 404 error when i go to it and ive restarted my computer 5 time what do i do if i can have class time tomorrow that would be great

Blogs

Ms. Lees I realized that my group's blog isn't on your other group blogs.
Could you add our blog in?
Thank you~
www.clgrightnow.blogspot.com

Paragraph Booklets

Are the paragraph booklets due tomorrow, or do we have the winter break to finish?
I Still Cant Get Anything To Post On Our Blog Any Ideas?

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Last week reminders for 2014...

Check the details for the rest of the week in the sidebar box - FH News and Flex.

So sorry,
I need you all to be awesome for another TOC - even better than awesome please.  You will be working on your paragraph booklet and remember it needs to be finished by Friday.

For double block days - come prepared to work with your group on "commercial/critique" - You wonder, how can I be prepared?  Record (in writing - with details)  the following info and bring it with you - If you are not prepared, you will receive an alternate assignment to complete on your own in class.

  • come with ideas for the type(s) of readers for whom your novel would appeal to and reasons why (e.g. you may "sell" it to young people for very different reasons than you might "sell" it to parents, teachers or schools.)
  • Come up with a list of at least 10 (combined) pros and cons about your novel - be specific and include examples.
  • Come prepared with an opinion - on a scale of 1-5 stars, how would you rate the novel and would you recommend it?  If so - to which target audience(s)
***Help spread the word with your peers to check the class blog for the details above!***

Thanks everyone,

Ms Lees


All I want for Christmas is a new…. nose :( 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Ms lees i have a question if you did not have your dialectical journal ready today and did not discuss it with your group then how can i do the homework for the last lit circle thing? because for one part it said "what your discussion was" or something like that but i did not discuss so i am a bit stuck on what to do any suggestions?

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Hi I have a question. Why did we do the Lit circles on Friday instead of Monday? What is taking up our time or replacing it?? Thanks

Thursday, December 11, 2014

3 word challenge updates

Hi everyone,

While I am home sick, I am really enjoying reading some of your 3 Word Challenges.  Remember that we will share these out to the author so don't forget to introduce yourself.  In addition, you might want to hyperlink the original article or summarise the task for your audience - they were not in our class, so they will not know what you are talking about and readers tend to be fickle and leave posts if they are not clear as to what it is about. Check your posts - put in draft mode to make changes and then re-publish or update it.  I hope to share this weekend.

PS  Mrs Dow said you guys were awesome today - thank you so much.  I need this cooperation for tomorrow too as I am still not feeling well.  I am counting on you to be awesome again and be great Firehawk Humanities ambassadors for us all - first impressions matter.

Have a good day tomorrow.  Stay healthy - unhealthy is not so fun :(

Ms Lees

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

What do i do

I Noticed my post didnt seem to post on our blog And Still Wont What Should I Do?

learning blog for dec 10 2014


What

Today we went over and marked our re-tests. We also silent read our lit circle books.

Why

We do tests to challenge our knowledge and what we have absorbed these past few weeks. We also read and discuss lit circle books to build our reading skills up and also build our group working skills.

Homework

Today for homework was  to choose 3 words to represent those ideas and  explain why you chose them. You also had to think of a sentence and write it on paper.

3 Word and Sentence Challenges

At this time of year, many people reflect back on the past year and look forward to the upcoming year.  It is a good time of year to do the same in our classes. This task is inspired by Anne Day's article linked here :  Forget the New year's Resolutions...

Your task:  Follow the steps the author suggests... and post on your group blogs.  We will be sharing your words with the author via Ms Lees Twitter account, so introduce yourself.  Remember, first names only for safety reasons.  For example - my name is Sam and I am in grade 8.

  1. Looking back at your last year, decide upon things in your life you wish you could change or improve.
  2. Choose 3 words to represent those ideas.  Explain why you chose them.  These should be 3 words to work on in the coming year.  They do not need to be about school life only. 
For example - if you want to improve your work, the likely word may be effort.  Focussing on effort will help you improve your work overall. 

Task #2:  What is your sentence?  

You will write this on paper - it will be a sentence you hope to be remembered or thought of by others.  We will make our own video to share later.

Watch these examples to help you get ideas:

Daniel Pink:  What is your sentence?


Example videos: 


Example videos:


Examples:  




Some of you are still having trouble with the Sentence challenge - think of it as how you would want to be remembered as a person (not a job or other group affiliation - remember "On the Sidewalk Bleeding."  Andy did not want to be known or remembered as a gang member.

Eg. Sophie is a dancer, but she might have a sentence like:  
                                    She brought beauty and inspiration to others through dance.

For Block 1 only - Last reminder:  Change for Lit circles - we have moved up the deadline.  Finish reading your novel and have your dialectical journal ready for discussion on Friday.  We are aiming to have no homework for the holidays :)

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

outline

How are you supposed to do the outlining for paragraphs?

Apology - Report Card attachments for Block 4

Students - please show your parents so that you do not get in trouble for not having the attachments.

Please accept my apology for not getting all the attachments stapled to your report cards as the comment indicated.  Due to the power outage, I was unable to make copies before attaching them. Students in Block 4 will bring these home on Thursday.

Block 1 attachments were able to be completed as the power resumed in the afternoon.

Sorry again for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Monday Dec 8 Reminders

Hi everyone,

I am really pleased to see people getting used to using the class blog for questions and to support each other.  However, I am a little saddened that most of the questions continue to be about homework (what is it and when are they due) that students were to write in their agendas on Friday.  Several of you also took pictures so I was surprised to see so many questions about this.   Agenda checks will begin this week so that we can improve our attention to homework.

Reminder:  Dialectical Journals should be prepped for Monday Lit Circle Discussions.

***Innovation Fair Proposals are due Tuesday - go to room D105 at lunch for help.  Last week we had 5 seniors and teachers waiting to help you as many indicated needing help, yet only 2 showed up.  This is your last opportunity to get help before you hand them in.  I can't wait to see what you come up with :)

PS  Some of our senior helpers are a bit shy too so when you arrive, just ask the students if they are their to help.  Be brave - I promise they will not bite.  Ask Sahil :)

PPS  Due to the garbage left over the last few weeks in Mrs Brar's/Mrs Warkentin's D105 room, you must eat your lunch before you can go in.  Thanks for being so respectful of their wishes and if you are with students from other classes, let them know of these rules too.


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Flex?

I'm stuck on one of the paragraphs that's due on Monday. Will there be flex before school or during lunch?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Reminder - titles for posts

Learning Blogs should be titled as follows:  Learning Blog (date)
Eg. Learning Blog for December 3, 2014

Monday, December 1, 2014

Innovation Week Proposal

For our innovation week proposal, when is it due? Will we work on it during class and will it be due in class?
Also, what will happen if our proposal gets rejected before Winter Break?

Thanks :D

Criteria For the Learning blogs :)

hey guys!
its me Alex :3
The post for the criteria didn't show up on the blog for me so i was gonna post it here

Learning Blogs; headings
1. What did we do?
2,Why (learning intentions) did we do it?
3, Reflections and connections-how was/is today's class skills or subject matter relevant (important) beyond Hum 8? Where might it be useful and how?
4,Homework reminders- what is due and when,
5. Homework tips-hints, videos or resources that might help students do well on today's homework.

Thanks Ms. lees for replying to my email and i hope this helps some of you guys :)

Sunday, November 30, 2014

December is here! Dec 1-5 reminders

I hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy the chilly crisp sunshine and our first snowfall this weekend.  Upcoming reminders for the week:

Monday:  Lit Circle Day #2 - remember if you are not prepared with your Dialectical Journal (response and questions to discuss), then you will not be participating and you will be required to attend flex.  Please remember to review the expectations we have discussed and I have shown you through samples - many of you did not do your best work last week and did not fully meet expectations for the task.  Looking forward to improvement this week - part of the process!

Tuesday:  Flex 11:15

  • You can do a retest for the short story application test 
  • come to flex with your lunch
  • about 5 of you still owe me flex time from last week!  Phone calls home if you do not show up this week.
Wednesday:  Possible flex again - but I might also have a meeting so I will need to 
                       check on Monday.
Thursday - I have a meeting at lunch.
Friday:  no flex

  • Your Innovation Fair Proposals are due in class!  
Be the Change...
Check out what Band Aid 30 is doing to help with the Ebola Crises in West Africa


Friday, November 28, 2014

Good video about idioms origins such as "beating a dead horse"

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Big 6 Research Model Videos

Block 4: Block 1: Don't forget to bring printed copies of your 100 Word Challenges and your #140 Word Challenges - I promise we will do more with them tomorrow. They need to be on paper as they will be posted on our class bulletin board - after we work on them in class. PS Don`t forget to vote for Mr Pocock - see the link in the last post I made! Vote daily and share with your friends and family!

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

WHERE GOOD IDEAS COME FROM by Steven Johnson


I chose this video becuase this is the one that best describes how i feel about innovation, and the wording int his video is very meaningful but easy to understand. This video also motivates me to be creative.

Global writing challenges for this week

Today we looked at two global challenges that you may choose from to write on (due during the double block day)

First:  The 140 Word Challenge - shared by fellow Genius Hour teacher Sheri Edwards
  • This challenge is more about generating ideas or developing your thoughts, questions, and reflections to share.  It is more of a journal style of writing but may include creative writing as well.
Second:  The 100 Word Challenge - you will be writing from the prompt on Week 12

  • The purpose and intention behind the 100 Word Challenge is to practice creative writing skills (eg. descriptive language, dialogue, imagery, suspense,...) in a very concise (short and efficient) manner.  
Eventually, we will start sharing globally as that is also an important part of these challenges - so that we can connect to a global audience and give and receive feedback, as well as expose ourselves to varied writing styles.

To begin, we will do this in class only on paper.  Your Writing Challenge will be due in class this week double block (Wed Nov 19 and Thurs Nov 20).

Help Mr Pocock win a prize from EF Tours - his Model UN students nominated him and we want him to win!  You can vote everyday!  Click this link  EF Tours

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Video????

What is this video that we are supposed to  show you? Where can we find info on this, I am very confused.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Sadly sick...

Hi everyone,

Sorry I will be away tomorrow sick.  Be awesome for Ms Morton and help her out with the smart board and the class blog - you will be reviewing Genius Hour proposal for the first block and then working on it in class for the rest of the time.  If you have devices, you may want to bring them for Wednesday.  If not, don't worry as there are other options.

I hope to be back Thursday and you can ask me questions in the morning or right after school )I have a lunch meeting).

Friday - there will be flex time.  This is when you may finish up your tests if you needed more time (Block 1 only)

Don't forget to add your thoughts, comments or family memories on the google doc in last week's post - for Remembrance Day.  I hope to share with a veterans group next week but so far I am the only one who has contributed :(

Have a great day!  Go for a walk at lunch and enjoy the crisp cold sunshine and get your vitamin D!

Ms Lees

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Peer Review for Genius Hour Proposal

Are we supposed to do the peer reviews before we hand in the Genius Hour Proposal, or do we just write how we expect to do the peer reviews?

Friday, November 7, 2014

Lest we forget...

In honour of the many service men and women who have fought and continue to fight to protect Canadian Civil Rights and global human rights.... Lest we forget. Gracious thanks also to the families and citizens who support their efforts from home.  





Dear Firehawks,

Many of us have personal connections with men and women who served or still serve (friends, family, former students - like Terry Street), and I would love you to share your thoughts, stories and thanks to honour their service. Others may also wish to share expressions of gratitude or remembrance, please do so on this Google Doc ( With Gratitude... ) - I hope to share this with our veterans in the coming weeks. Your parents, friends or other family members may also contribute.

Thank you in advance for your contributions, Ms Lees 

Homework Reminders: 
Block 4 - Please complete (at least a draft) of your Genius Hour Project proposal - see link on the right sidebar for headings and directions. 
Block 1 - we have not reviewed this yet but if you would like to start it on a google doc, please do so. We will work on this further in class on Wednesday.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Friday, October 31, 2014

Daylight Savings Time is ending!

Just a reminder to set your clocks back 1 hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night.  My gift to you… an extra hour's sleep!

Block 1:  Sadly this class is still catching up on a few things from missed blocks due to school events.  Please have "Sidebet" read and the 2 questions answered.  In addition, most of you did not complete your learning logs satisfactorily so you will be doing them again this week.  Starting next week if homework is not in class or you have fallen behind, you will be required to attend flex.  Homework habits have slipped for many of you this week and I am not sure why…

Block 4:  Make sure you have completed the plot diagram for the story "Voo Doo" - except for the students who wrote their quizzes in LST today.  Reminder to all - learning logs are due as well as story homework, which most of you handed in with Mr. Culo on Thursday.Many of the learning logs handed in today were looking good at first glance.  Again, some of you have fallen down a bit on work habits this week- having your work, textbooks and supplies in class.

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Learning logs

Do we have to finish both sides of the learning log?

HELP

Ms.lees My Learning log got messed up and ripped i need a new one (if i can get 1) so i can copy it. its to messed up to tape and its also really crinkled please give me a new one.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Ms.Lees, I discovered when you click on the Flaming Flamingos link, it will link to flamingflamingos123.blogspot.ca, which isn't our group blog.
The link to our group blog is flamingflamingos2.blogspot.ca
Can you please change the link?

Inspiring creativity and Genius Hour Reminders

Don't forget to tell your audience why you chose your selected video, quote, image or article as something you think could inspire you as a learner or your creativity / curiosity in anticipation for Genius Hour.  It is much more interesting to understand your thinking behind your choices and the connections you make in your choices.

I am enjoying reading your first posts and comments already!  Keep up the good work!

PS  Don't forget to finish those learning logs - I am collecting them on Friday and if they are done well, then we will be changing them for next week.  If there are a number of people who are not understanding or meeting expectations, then we will continue next week to practice.  I was open for flex today and several of you came to use the time and get help.  I will also be open on Friday at 11:15 too so if you have fallen behind, I will see you then. Bring your lunch.


Monday, October 27, 2014

New Commenting Challenge!

Post a comment on one of Mr McDonald's student posts - introduce yourself (first name only), stay positive and share something that helps connect you to the author. They would love it!  Invite them to check out the exciting clubs we have to offer through your blog posts (send them the link) and let's see how many respond!

Make sure  each blogger gets at least one comment from us!

Week of October 27-31….Scary….

Flex this week:  Wednesday and Friday

Monday:  In Lab 109 to work on comments.  Task was to post comments on 2 of your fellow blog group members.  If someone already has 2 comments, move on to the next person.  Goal is to spread the feedback around and expose ourselves do varied writers while we learn to give descriptive feedback.  Remember the "constructive sandwich" - start and end positively with constructive critique in the middle.  Review "Austin's Butterfly" if you need reminders for what good descriptive feedback looks like or take a look at Evan's comment on Sophie's "Clubs" post, on the Flaming Rubber Duckies Blog - I helped him refine the wording and expand as an example for you all.

***Reminder - if your blog group is not in the right sidebar - send me an email with your group's name to add it to our class blog***

Tuesday:  Introducing Genius Hour!!! Time to be inspired and begin thinking about your Genius Hour Projects!  Excited to meet your parents!

Wednesday - Five Days of Fire!  Wear your colours!  Block 1 is Blue! Don't worry we will still have 1 block :)  Story follow up and review.

Thursday:  Story follow up and review.  Genius Hour continued.

Friday:  Short Story Term quiz.  Learning logs will be collected -don't forget to do them daily.

Happy Halloween!  Wear your Costumes!




Saturday, October 25, 2014

Question for HUM homework

For our work where we have to do the Character Webs, Point of View, etc for the four stories, if a story has two important characters, do we do them both in the "Character Types" section, or just the main character?

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Interim Reports for Humanities - delayed one day

My apologies grade 8 students and parents - interim reports will be ready for pick up Wed morning before school.  I did not get a chance to copy them today so I will do so first thing in the morning.  If your parents are wondering - show them our class blog.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Survival… Tuesday Oct 21

You will be working in your blog groups today! (Tuesday)  I will be mostly observing to see if you have understood all the advice about how to work collaboratively and effectively in groups from our discussions of the IDEO Shopping Cart Challenge.

Task 1:  Time to get to know your group a little better and Creating a guide for feedback
               45 minutes

Each person -divide a piece of paper into 3 columns and turn the paper to "landscape" or sideways for this.  Do not put your name on the paper at all.  The headings of the columns will be:  My strengths, My weaknesses, my fears or worries as a writer/blogger/collaborator (team player).  For example - some may not be strong writers but they are good at helping others orally with word choice or problem solving with tech problems.  Some might be very insecure or shy participating in a group setting but more confident with writing - grammar, or extending ideas.

Spend the next 10 minutes individually listing (in point form) everything you can think of that will help your group get to know each other better.  Then cut your 3 columns so that you can separate the lists and place them face down.

As a group, tackle each pile of strengths, weaknesses and fears - try to combine common ones and rephrase so that everyone has a clear idea of the group's skills. Then, think back to "Austin's Butterfly", and the learning outcomes for our blogging and, as a group, create your own guidelines for giving feedback.  This will take some time.  Also - remember your tips from IDEO shopping cart challenge - include input from everyone and create a graphic organizer or other kind of poster for your group reminders (include diagrams and examples where necessary).  You will have 30 minutes for this task - post on the back wall.

Task 2:  Pre-Reading Activity  (20 minutes)

a) Each group will be assigned an animal.  Then you will have to decide -  if stranded on an island in the following scenario, who has the better chance of survival: the person or the animal? Justify your reasoning as thoroughly as possible.

A man or woman has been shipwrecked on a desert island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no other inhabitants and no vegetation.  His or her only companion is the animal you have been assigned, which has also survived the ship wreck.  The only food is a bag of 20 sea biscuits and a keg of water saved from the ship.

Task 3:  The class will be voting on your arguments.

Homework:  Complete your learning log.  

Friday, October 17, 2014

Homework Reminders & Important Info for Parents for Monday Oct 20

Hi everyone,  (Please share this with your parents - important info below!)

We are still struggling to get some things set up with the blogs and with the gr 8 "retreat" Wed Block 1 is a bit behind. So sadly, some of you may have some homework this weekend.

First - your "First Post" deadline is now Monday night.  This way you can come see me before school or at lunch on Monday if you are having any troubles with your assignment.  Don't forget you can also post questions on the class blog.

For Monday:  Both blocks

  • ensure you have completed the confirmation of reading and understanding course expectations in the course outline with your parents
  • complete your first post assignment and post on your group blog (Remember if you have trouble posting online, it does not mean that you don't do your homework.  It means you problem solve and find a way to complete the work, even if it means on paper.
  • Review the Posting Reminders from Thursday / Friday's class
  • your parents may also follow our class blog if it helps them help you - we will all work as a team this year to support your learning.  
Block 1 (and 4 if needed):  I will be checking your notes on the "IDEO Shopping Cart Challenge" on Monday as evidence of your listening skills - oral communication.  (This is your 2 column chart with Collaboration Skills on the left and Inquiry / Project Process on the right).  If you need to review the video again, it can be found on the page for Innovation Week and Genius Hour. 

If you need additional blogger help here is what you can do:
  • "Google" it - there are lots of resources out there
  • go to Blogger Help - again, lots of resources there
  • post on the class blog and or the group blog asking for help (there are 60 students on the class blog - hopefully this is the start of us working closer together as a team, so I will not respond this weekend.  I want to see how you support each other.
Finally, take time to play, rest and be with family - try to keep healthy :)  Have a wonderful weekend!

Interim Reports:  Next week
These are primarily work habit based.  You will be receiving different reports from each teacher.  Some may give you a printout of tasks and scores and others will give you comments or a rubric style where the emphasis is on work habits.  All of these are ok. For our humanities class, you will be self assessing with a rubric in class on Monday and setting goals.  I will then add to your self assessment before you take it home to your parents.  

Parent Teacher Conferences:  Tuesday October 28  3:00-6:00
By now your parents have received notice and booked their appointments online.  I have also contacted some parents by phone this week as requested.  This year, starting late, we did not host our usual "Meet the Teacher" night where I get to introduce myself, sometimes other teachers, and answer questions about what you can expect in high school and how you can support your child.  During this time I usually explain portfolio assessment (which I use - but some Humanities teachers use other methods) as well as our school's interest in helping all students become more digitally responsible online.  

Open House for Gr 8 Parents

3:00 - 3:20 on October 28 I will host an open house for Grade 8 parents in my room (213) so that I can meet you and address questions you may have or direct you to resources here at Fraser Heights. This way, if you were unable to book an appointment (I was almost full yesterday), hopefully we can at least meet.  This is primarily for my Humanities classes but if you are a grade 8 parent and could not meet with your Hum teacher or have questions, please join us.  I have been at Fraser Heights since 2000 and I am the Humanities department head which means I may be able to address your queries about Humanities or how to access other services and opportunities here at Fraser Heights.



Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Your first post...

Good evening,
Hopefully everyone was able to get on to Blogger and group blogs have been set up ok.  If you are having any trouble, I will be open for flex at 11:30 tomorrow (Wed - after your "Gr 8 Retreat") and I will be open for flex on Thursday at 11:15 (Closed Friday).

If you have not yet invited me to your group blogs, please remember to do so.

Your first post! Due Friday in class!
Before posting - Last week and this week each of you were to attend a club or other extra-curricular activity ("meet an expert" talk, team sport, student council,…) as you will be writing on it this week.
The expectation was that you would attend to see what it was about - you did not need to join unless you wanted to.  I know some clubs were getting started this week so the deadline for doing this was extended to this week.

Response options for your post:

Write about your experience attending your club or extra curricular meeting, but choose one of the "voices" or perspectives below to get a little creative and have fun with it.  We may share your posts with the clubs so they get some feedback as to how well they are reaching our newest Firehawks - this information is important as it helps clubs to maintain and grow.  Remember to keep the language more formally toned and if you refer to any student, use first names only (for safety and privacy).  Some options allow you to critique your club experience - remember to do this in a way that is not hurtful or attacking any person or group.  There is a way to discuss concerns and offer constructive criticism without being hurtful.  If you do not think you can do this, then choose a different option without critique. This is a skill we will be working on throughout the year, so you will have plenty of opportunity to develop your feedback skills.

1.  Write as if you are a reporter - reporting objectively on what the club is all about, your observations / experiences or "interviews" with other attendees.  Don't forget reporters sully go through the 5 Ws and H (Who, What, When, Where, How, and Why).  Conclude with a recommendation - "selling" the club to the audience it  would appeal to and why?  For example - perhaps the FH book club would appeal to those who really enjoy reading and sharing books, but also those who might need extra conversational practice or want to expose themselves to varied genres of literature, share their love of literature outside their regular grade or English class.

2.  Write from the perspective of an "alien" -  try to explain the club to someone from outside our world.  Listen to "I'm a Stranger Here" by Five Man Electrical Band to give you an idea as to how this might be done:

The first clip - does not have a video but does include the lyrics in written form to follow along. The second clip has a video with images added by another to go with the words.
 

 3.Write a jingle or radio ad for the club you attended - Be informative but "sell" the club to your audience.  If you can audio record or video tape yourself "performing" the jingle or radio ad. Minimally - Write the jingle in your post and tell your audience what tune goes with it.  (minimum 15 lines)

4. Describe the club to your audience. Attach a collage of words or images to represent your initial impressions or response to the club. (These will likely include both positive and critical thoughts as well as queries or questions - that is ok.) Create online or upload pictures, draw and take a picture to upload

5. Describe the 5 Ws and H of your club / extra curricular choice and then offer write about the pros and cons of joining the club. Consider the skills, connections, interests you would build upon as well as the commitments required and any worries or concerns you may have about joining the club.  You may also list questions you still have after attending your club event - perhaps the event was not as informative as you thought it might be so this is the perfect place to write down your questions.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Welcome to your Humanities 8 Class Blog!

Finally, I have cleaned up the blog for another great year and I look forward to our class working together to make this blog useful for everyone!  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember we will be in the library on Tuesday - see you then!

Your first challenge:  Look at the sidebar on the right and review the course outline again with your parents. (We did review it in class earlier this year).

Fill in the following Google doc form: