Up to December 5th, 2016

Grade Seven Update

Tech Effects: How do changes in technology affect you?

In this unit of study our literacy goals are:

1.    Critical thinking: Asking questions as we read non-fiction pieces to increase our understanding.

2.    Organizing our ideas in writing: text features that we see in various types of reports, articles etc.

3.    How to deliver an oral presentation. (* Do you want to build a robot?) * Insert melody of Frozen song here. J

4.    Analyze the narrative text pattern too using a very suspenseful story! J

5.    Plus some fun surprises too! J  Looking forward to learning with you again this term.

·       Be sure to involve your parents and guardians too. How has technology changed? How does in impact their lives? 
* At home reading requirement remains too. ( 2 hours at home reading per week)

 Great Grade Eight Debates due December 5th. 

*Be sure to refer to our graphic organizer and checklist to ensure you understand all of the criteria. Feel free to conference with me soon to make sure you feel comfortable with your subject matter before debates begin. :) Thanks!

Grade Seven Tech Effects Update

Dear Students of Grade Seven,

I hope you enjoyed our critical thinking activity where we examined the pros and cons of virtual schools. What do your parents/guardians think of this topic? Would they be for or against virtual schools and why? 
Writer's Workshop paragraphing exercise continues tomorrow. This is formative practice, please review our notes and if you have questions please see me.
Happy reading and don't forget our two hour at home reading requirement. You can spread out the reading time according to a schedule that works for you and your family.
Thanks!
Mrs. Thain :)

December 5th...The Great Grade Eight Debates! :)

Just a reminder grade eight that I have placed the due date for our debates on  Google Classroom. If you finished your speech before then, simply upload all documents and turn it in. :)
* Be sure to include all points from my "handy hand out" of our success criteria. Check your list twice.
* Also, please do not hit share as that sends it as an email.     Forgot how to do this to Google Classroom?
1. Select the assignment in Google Classroom
2.Go to Drive
3Select document ( Your speech/slides)
4.Add
5.Turn it in....  :)
This is important as I can easily see all assignments organized into 4 classrooms as opposed to 112 emails to scroll through. :)Thanks in advance and have a great day! 

November 14th to 18th Update

Grade 7: Our new theme is Tech Effects. Have you asked your parents/guardians what technology was really popular when they were in grade seven? :)

Narratives and Reading Ladders were a huge commitment and I thank you for your effort in all areas. Please see my feedback in SAS and in Google Docs if you submitted work through my Google Classroom. All reading ladders will be graded by the end of this week. I had over 100 narratives to read and some were 26 pages typed so they took an extensive period of time to read and comment one. It was SO worth it because I have witnessed growth in your writing already and we are only in November! Can you tell I am proud of you? 

Please keep reading each week at home for two hours per week. * You can decide which schedule works best for you. If you want to work ahead, look at our goals for our new theme and do some research on inventions you would love to see. What will your robot be able to do? Will it be as impressive as the robots in use in hospitals and hotels? :)

Grade 8: Debate research continues, be sure to record all websites and sources that you use to defend your argument. Do you remember our success criteria we chose that shows what a strong debate has to have? We will review in class. At home reading requirement remains. See me for a copy of MLA format to help you give credit to your sources. 

* If you were out due to illness or did not choose a topic as of Friday, please see me and one will be provided for you. 

Thank you and have a great day! :)

Mrs. Thain 

Update for November 8th to 15th

November 8th ....grade seven reading ladders due.
November 10th...grade eight reading ladders due. 

Grade Seven Special Project: 
Thank you so very much to all of my grade seven students for coming up with such thoughtful ways we can "Step Up" to help our community. I am overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. Please remember that we do not all have to bring in an item for the food bank...only if you feel you are able. No stress allowed. :) 
Please see attached poster to let you know more about our special project if interested. 

Grade Eight: A reminder that our two hour reading requirement per week is ongoing. We will be researching topics for our debates soon so if you have a favorite topic you feel strongly about, see me.

Thanks!

We Would Love Your Help!

We are doing something special to commemorate our grade seven Step Up Literacy Project!

How can you help? Non-perishable food items like:

Soup, spaghetti, KD, cereal, canned meat/veggies, and juice can be dropped off in room 309! J

Or

If you wish to support The Humane Society they are accepting: canned food for dogs and cats, fleece blankets, cat toys, used pet carriers. * see website for more details.

 Please bring donations to Mrs. Thain’s room (309) if you are able to help by November 30^th. Thank you from 7E and 7F!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Up to November 10th

* Thank you to all students, in my four classes for sharing your ideas and efforts with me each day. We have been working hard together and I truly appreciate the risks you take each day as learners.

Grade (7-3 and 7-7) 7 LA: November 8th your Reading Ladder progress report is due. My graphic organizer that I gave you contains all of the questions too, but if you need extra help or clarification, just let me know.
* Our Step Up unit will be wrapping up shortly and I look forward to seeing what issue you would like us to help with as a group.
( Please be sure to do your at home reading each week. How will you hit the two hour total target?)

Grade (8-3 and 8-7) 8LA: November 10th your Reader Ladder report is due. Please let me know if you have any questions about expectations.
* We will wrap up our presentations over the next few days regarding our Procedural Reports. I thank you for your professionalism and for the way some of you even managed to add some humour to your reports. What a creative group you are and I appreciate you!

Have a good day!

Mrs. Thain