PSAs

Hi 7s:

Just a reminder that your PSAs are due tomorrow and I'm looking forward to seeing them! Also, keep an eye out for the health form that will be going out sometime tomorrow.
 

BORC

This is just a friendly reminder that this Monday, June 2nd, we'll be heading to BORC for the day.

Please remember to bring a litter-free lunch (lunch will not be provided by BORC) and dress appropriately for the weather, e.g., sunscreen, hats, shorts...etc.

The long range forecast is predicting a high of 26 degrees but also possible thundershowers. We'll be going either way however, rain or shine, so keep an eye on the weather. You may need to bring a rain coat or rain boots. And remember -- follow an appropriate dress code!

The official BORC handout says:

• sun hat & sunscreen
• closed toe shoes
• light, long pants
• light jacket
• cool/wet weather:
• boots, rain coat & pants
• extra socks

Make sure you have a good breakfast on the day of the trip as you will need extra energy for an active morning!

Soccer Rec. Team -- Thursday, May 29 Practice Canceled

This is just a reminder that tomorrow's after school game is canceled. We'll see you next Tuesday!

VoiceThread Feedback

Keep an eye out on VT for your feedback on the media analyses that we've been working on. I should have them wrapped up by Monday. Over the weekend continue to research the social and health effects of alcohol and tobacco with your partner.

Other than that, enjoy the weekend!

Commercial Agriculture

Intensive Farming
Agriculture in which much labour is used to get food from small plots of land

Extensive Faming
Agriculture in which little labour (but often large machinery) is used to work big farms

Subsistence Agriculture
Farms that only produce only enough for the farm family

Commercial Agriculture
Farming that produces a large surplus of one of or a few types of crop, livestock or other product for profit.

Organic Foods
Foods produced without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, additives, preservatives, growth hormones or genetic alterations.

Missed Notes

This is a message to all 7s and 8s:

If, for any reason, you've missed any notes or lessons, I've really done my best to make sure that you can access them at any time by posting all my slides and handouts to DB (mrc7a@mgps.ca).

Please take this opportunity to revisit the site (if you haven't) and download anything you may have missed.
 

Monologues

Here are some tips, 7A:

Be less than two minutes. Two minutes is more than enough to show your stuff. In fact, the auditors have already made their decision after 30 seconds, maybe even less.  

Have a clear objective. You can't just stand there and talk. You have to be actively talking to someone you've imagined, and you must be trying to get something from them.  

Try to have a distinct beginning, middle, and end. A beginning: A strong first sentence to capture attention. A middle: Lots of juicy content. An end: A strong finish. When your monologue has structure, the auditors are more likely to remember you.

Contain conflict. Drama cannot exist without conflict. Who wants to see a play about everyone getting along? 

What's the most important thing in your writing?

We had a rich discussion today with regards to writing and I wanted to take a minute to emphasize a couple of things.

Regardless if you're writing a short story, an essay or even a newspaper article, if you're not communicating, you're not getting your ideas across to your reader.

Your goal as a writer is to follow those rules and conventions that allow you to be able to communicate your ideas to the reader (paragraphs, proper grammar and punctuation...etc).

Communication is key!

Just some food for thought! 

VT

Your feedback has been posted on VT. There are a couple of general comments that I'd like to point out: 

• Make sure that you're supporting your ideas with direct textual evidence
• Explain any quotes that you use for inferences. Make sure you're connecting them to the trait
• The more evidence you can find, the stronger your case is. 

I think we've done a good job on this task so far. We've learned enough to identify criteria that would make for a good response. 

Please make sure that you listen to my comments -- if you have any questions or concerns about it, speak to me.

Supporting your Ideas

 Hi 7s,

I thought I'd take the opportunity to post some of your group work on the blog. Some of these responses are better supported than others. Keep that in mind moving forward. Inferences need to be supported. The stronger the evidence (textual) the stronger the inference. 

Which of these has the most convincing evidence? Think critically about your own work as well. Have you supported your ideas?

Angelique Criteria

VT Feedback

For those of you who have already posted your work to VT, I've given you your feedback -- check it out. There are many, however, who haven't. Please don't wait until last minute to post!

I hope you're all enjoying March Break!

Drop Box

Hey 7s,

This is just a reminder that any handouts or important information is still posted on our Drop Box account. There is a new Geography folder for this term as well. 

 

VoiceThread Feedback

Hey 7s,

Just a heads up -- your feedback is up on VoiceThread. Have a listen before Tuesday.

Enjoy Family Day!

Lake St. George

Hi 7s

I've uploaded the a list of things you'll need for Lake St George next Monday. I'd also like to suggest that you bring either slippers or indoor running shoes for the cabins and don't forget to bring some quarters for the pay phone to call your parents! 

Please keep in mind that it will likely be quite cold next week. It's incredibly important that you dress for the weather. Boots, hats and warm gloves are a must. I also strongly suggest that you bring snow pants and long-johns (thermal pants) as well. Even I'll be bringing snow pants!

In addition, you'll need to make sure you don't forget to bring a towel for the shower, toothbrush, shampoo and tooth paste!

Thanks! 

P.S. Don't forget to bring one pillow and a sleeping bag with you. If you don't have a sleeping bag you can bring sheets...but don't forget: space is limited!
 

Think BIG

So here is a picture of the questions you came up yesterday. Today we'll be conducting the interviews. 

Keep in mind that you need to have dynamic questions. Don't stick to the script! Listen to their responses and follow up a response with a relevant question.

 

 

Newspapers

As we start Geography this term, we will have a particular focus on issues that relate to geographic inquiry, current issues and environmental concerns. You'll notice that on FlipBoard I've created a new "magazine" that has a number of different articles for you to read  during our Language Block. 

Remember -- a sign of a good reader is if they know to choose texts that suit their level.

If you have newspapers, please feel free to bring them in at any time!

Heritage Minutes

I've viewed the majority of your rough cuts and I'm very pleased with what I see, 7A. They're looking great!

Fortunately for a lot of you, the scenes can be filmed in school so bring in your props this Monday to potentially start filming your final copies. I'm looking forward to it!