November 20:
- We will continue to explore the big ideas of various texts and text types as we move through the term. Review at home by way of talking about what you read, listen to and watch together will go a long way! Focus being on the big lesson, theme or message of the text.
- We are going to begin exploring the idea of "judgment" and opinion in our responses. We will be looking at the elements of strong opinions vs surface opinion statements. This ability helps students to dig deeper into the big ideas of texts and helps to make meaning in a way that solidifies and expands comprehension. We will explore exemplars and create our own before moving onto a independent opinion piece.
- We will also be reviewing paragraphs in our writing. Some students have difficulty determining when to "chunk" ideas into paragraphs and new idea sections. Review and home discussion are always helpful.
- We are plugging through our exciting country project (document below) and have been discussing the idea of "culture" and what that means. I have attached an example of the "iceberg" culture approach/understanding. While some of the ideas may need reworking, the framework itself is very helpful. (Source on bottom of PDF)
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November:
- We have officially entered into the land of projects: Create your own country!!! Students are working in pairs to complete this project. It is a large project that will be completed over the course of many weeks. Students are given a lot of class time and there is the expectation that some group work will occur outside of school time. We are working through this project together; one step at a time. I have asked students not to work ahead at this point. This is a large assignment and components can easily be lost or misunderstood if we don't work through together.
- Through this project, students will be learning about Quebec and Canadian natural resources and the economy, imports and exports, various cultures and religions, various political systems and much more.
- In ELA, we are starting to respond to texts. We read The Imaginary Garden and did a practice "one pager" response together. Students are now working to create their own "one pager" response for "The Heart and the Bottle" by Oliver Jeffers. One pagers are a great way to demonstrate learning and understanding, especially for reluctant writers. Students can use various parts of the brain and different modalities to express themselves. I highly recommend googling one pagers to see the amazing examples there our in the learning community! This is a great explanation: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/one-pagers/
- Two of our Chelsea students will be reciting a poem at the cenotaph for the Remembrance Day ceremony. Good luck to them :)
October 10
Sept 24
- We are in full swing with our poetry package. Students are demonstrating their learning by "publishing" a book of various types of poems, some of which they've chosen themselves. I am assessing needs as we move forward; therefore, no concrete due date has been set. Agendas and websites will be updated when this changes.
- We are using time in Ethics and Social Studies to discuss the election and debate, and also to learn about Spirit day and the Canadian Charter or Rights and Freedoms. Students will use this information as a springboard for a social justice comic creation.
- As we continue to learn about governments, the economy, industry, rights, privileges etc. the students will be gathering important knowledge that they will use to create their first Social Studies group project. More details to come :)
Sept 24
- Learning about and practicing figurative language to help us with our upcoming "poetry package" culminating assignment and figurative language quiz
- Identifying and creating similes and metaphors
- Learning about Leonardo Di Vinci and the Mona Lisa
- Creating our own "modern day Mona Lisa" in art classes
- Discussing the Student Vote project: election, Canadian government, democracy, platforms, debates etc.
- Listening to Wolf Hallow
- Discussing orange shirt day and residential schools. Age appropriate resources and books are used. If ou'd like to continue a dialogue at home, cbc has a few resources to start with https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/what-is-orange-shirt-day
September 16
- geography test on Wednesday
- Practicing juicy words
- Starting our colour poetry assignment (see ELA for checklist)
- Will be discussing and practicing figurative language (ie simile, metaphor etc)
- Listening to reading "Wolf Hollow"
September 11:
- Studying for geography quiz
- Talking about and practicing using "juicy" descriptive language
- Doing mini lessons about word choice, language, rhyme patterns and poetry
- Discussing heroism and characteristics of "hero" in relation to 9/11 (grade appropriate resources found on 911memorial.org and kidskonnect)
September 8: Currently we are working on:
- reviewing the geography of Canada
- gratitude journalling
- graffiti name art
- practicing "quick writes"
- discussing class responsibilities and expectations of students and teachers
- getting to know one another
- (this upcoming week) a poetry unit in ELA