Glasses

Don't forget the glasses!!

Keep an eye out for VoiceThread

I'm in the middle of giving you feedback for the rough drafts so keep on checking your accounts to see if I've responded to your posts. Also if you haven't posted your work just yet, this is a friendly reminder to post it ASAP!

Tech Survey Reminder

This is a last minute reminder that if you haven't filled out the survey on what kind of tech we should have at Mackenzie Glen, do so now! It's your last chance to have your input!


You can fill out the survey anonymously at:

8seb.blogspot.ca

Mystery Quests: Working Women in New France

Here's that link that we'll be using in history over the next couple of weeks:

http://www.mysteryquests.ca/quests/18/indexen.html

Familiarize yourself with the website and the layout. In particular, look at the "Supporting Materials" section where you'll find all the primary documents. As I mentioned today, some are a bit difficult to read so keep your eye out on Drop Box where I'll be posting some of the "translated" versions in our history folder. We'll continue with this task next week.

Remember: your role is to decide which is the better job for your "cousin," Rose. Think critically!

-Mr. Charalambous

P.S. I have some students asking for extra copies of assignments and success criteria that they've misplaced. Keep in mind that I'm always uploading assignments into the different files on Drop Box. Should you lose something, that's the first place you should check!

 

New Graphic Organizers

Have a look in the language folder in our Drop Box account under "graphic organizers." I've uploaded some new G/O for you to use when organizing your ideas for writing. 

Tech Survey

Mr. Sebastian is conducting a survey on technology in the school. He wants to know what tech you use in class and what sort of tech you would like to see us using in the future. Please take a minute to fill it out because it's information that affects your tech in our class!

You can fill out the survey anonymously at:

8seb.blogspot.ca

 

What do you think?

Hey 7A

Today with a round table group we read an article (that you can access on VoiceThread) called "Pen and Paper vs. Computer -- What do you think?"

Have a look at what we did. What do you think about this? What works? What doesn't? What specifically can we improve upon? You should always be reflective on your work!

Organizing our information for writing

Today we looked at all the different methods of organizing our information. But which way is the "right" way? 

Obviously we learned today that there is no one right way. However we did see that regardless of the organization, there are a couple of things that need to be in your Thinking Books:

• is there a title/headings and subheadings? 
• is the main idea/message represented? 
• have you colour coded or asterisked important points? 
• is the information easily accessible? 
• is it organized/flow in a way that makes sense?
• have I included questions and comments about the text?

 

Welcome!

Welcome to 7A!

Please feel free to browse the classroom and try out the iPads! We have them cued to our class blogs and Drop Box!
 

New Vocabulary

We've recently introduced the concept of a Word Wizard. Your job is to define new words for your group in order to develop your vocabulary. I took the opportunity today to do just that for the recent article we read in class.

Disclosed
Make (secret or new information) known

Pupils
(Not the thing in your eye!) In this case, it's a student in school.

Solitary
Done or existing alone. "E.g., He lives a solitary existence."

Eroding
Gradually wear away. "E.g., The strong winds gradually eroded the rocks." 

Partial
Existing only in part; incomplete.

Incentive
A thing that motivates or encourages one to do something: E.g., "an incentive to conserve."

Tandem
Having two things arranged one in front of the other; together.

Alluded
To suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at. "Mr. C alluded that we might have a test next week."

Arbiter
A person who settles a dispute and has ultimate authority over a matter. 

Panel
A discussion of a subject of public interest by a group of persons forming a "panel" -- usually before an audience.

Organizing our Writing

We've been talking about how we can begin organizing our writing. I want you to begin by looking at this different examples from over the years. Consider the following:

• What are the advantages and the disadvantages of each organizer?
• Have you identified the main ideas?
• Can you access the information in a quick manner?
• Does it make sense for you? 

-Mr. Charalambous

Something to think about

Today in language we had quite a powerful conversation about writing. 

I really want to leave you with a thought: are traditional forms of writing becoming less and less important? Is writing important? Has it just evolved (changed) into something else?

What do you think?

Drop Box

A new file folder has been posted in our math folder for Integers. We're starting our new unit tomorrow and I want to encourage you to download any of the worksheets that I post there. Similarly, there are new readings in our New France unit that you can access next week. When you have time, regularly review the readings we do in class!