Happy Holidays!

Get outside. Stay by the fire, read, and be cozy. Enjoy time with friends and family. Rest. See you in 2018.

Winter Solstice and Narnia Celebration

Pancake Breakfast this morning.

Block 2 and 3 as per the schedule.

Winter/ Christmas Stations afternoon.

Tomorrow is our crazy gift exchange. Bring an anonymous wrapped gift to add to the pile. I am bringing a few.

Snow Day and Tomorrow

Well that was a dramatic day of weather.
The superintendent will announce whether schools are open or closed by 6 am tomorrow. There is snow in the forecast, but they don't think that it will hit like last night's storm.

NEVER do this...but we can be amused at his risk.


Tomorrow will be a regular rotation day so long as mother nature agrees to lay off. Stay tuned to your radios/computers tomorrow morning (hopefully you have power).
Today's word for an entry to open a window: chaos.

December 18th to 22nd

So here is what our week looks like:
Monday: We are away in Victoria (Legislature Tour, IMAX Film, and Bay Centre Trees/Shopping)
Band Concert (I wish I could be there but I have a horrible ear infection)
Tuesday: We welcome a new student. Class Rotation as usual.
Wednesday: Class Rotation as usual.
Thursday: PANCAKE Breakfast in Narnia and a FUN afternoon.
Friday: Gift Exchange Game DIV 4 and 5. Wrap a gift new or used (if new, no more than $10; I recommend no more than $5) and we will play a game. The afternoon is saved for the Talent Show :-)

S.S. Viking Inquiry Due Dates:

Div 4 December 19th
Div 5 December 20th

Today's word is

SNOW

December 14th

Band Rehearsals

Today's summaries:

While the band went through rehearsals, sections of the band not in session had a choice of:
1. working on overdue work (eg. the dystopian story)
2. working on the Viking Inquiry
3. reading The Giver
4. working on a Hygge Art Piece
5. Code Academy work

Div 3 S.S. You had your last project development block. The project will be checked for completion on the final due date: December 20th. Teaching sessions will start on that day.

Div 5 English. You read The Giver. We are annotating the text, but we will read to the end of the book at our own pace. I will be introducing a culminating activity choice set for you to do once you have read the book.

MARS MISSION PLANNING = Departments met to determine what should be included in the cargo manifest. It was not an easy task planning for an indefinite amount of time on a ship.

Today's word...


manifest (for an entry to open the calendar)

December 13th

Tomorrow is X-mas colours day.

Today's summaries:

English Div 4 and 5: You are reading "The Giver". Currently, you should have read Chapter 1. If you are home sick, you can read the pdf version here or you can have it read to you (which sounds like a restful thing, if you aren't feeling well):

Social Studies Div 3: You were given a project development  block for your Viking Inquiry (Due Dec 20th)

English Div 4: You were given a final work block for your Dystopian story and then asked to submit it. I will email parents/guardians tomorrow, if I don't have a copy for their information and yours.

Today's word is: release.

Tuesday, December 12

Tomorrow is Festive Music Day

Today's summaries:

English Div 5: You started The Giver novel study. We read the start of Chapter 1 and annotated it.

Math Div 4: You wrote a quiz on relating decimals, percent, and fractions. You started a mini shopping unit.

Humanities Div 4: You had work time to complete the Dystopian short story and the Social Studies project.

Today's word...oops I didn't do a draw yesterday so instant prize to the first with this one.

Santa Claus is coming to town...

December 11th

Tomorrow is PJ day.

Div 4 Math: We did a quick review for tomorrow's check up. Then, we watched a portion of a documentary on how math is in everything, EVERYTHING. If you want to watch the rest of the video, you can find the link on the math page under Beauty and Math.

Div 3 and Div 5 Social Studies: You were given a project development block.

Div 5 English: You were shown an article on China's surveillance state. Then, we brainstormed as to how we are watched/monitored in Canada. Your stories are due today. I will send email reminders home tomorrow for those who have not handed them in

Div 4 English: You were given a work block to finish your stories.

For a draw ticket to open the chocolate door today...

PJ

This week December 11th to 15th

Xmas Hair Day tomorrow.

Exploratory forms can start coming in at 7:30 a.m. First come, first choice.

Hackergal is meeting in Ms Dvorak's room at lunch this week.

It's spirit week:
Monday Crazy Xmas Hair
Tuesday PJ Day
Wednesday Music in the Halls all day (by request)
Thursday XMas Colours and Socks
Friday Santa HAT day and photos with the Christmas Dragon

This week's academics:

Math: We will be learning how to determine averages using percent. You will be managing your mark books in the second and third terms.

English: Div 4 will be finishing off their stories while Div 5 will be electronically submitting them tomorrow for publication. We are going to read The Giver, an award winning dystopic novel.

Social Studies Div 3 and 4: Monday is your last full in class block to get your Viking Inquiry done. You will be presenting your inquiry results starting on the 14th.

For Science and Math, click on Ms Abell's link to get to her blog.


Today's word for a chance at opening up our chocolate santa calendars....
Hair.

Friday, December 8th

What a gorgeous day and morning having hot chocolate by the fire.

Here are today's summaries and some deadlines:

Math Div 4: You were given time to complete the practice sets and ask for help.

English Div 5: You had your final wrap up block for your short story, a dystopia. This is due shared with me by Monday, Dec. 11th. If you don't share it, I will be informing families because you will have to get it in on your own time.

English Div 4: You had a block to work on your short story, a dystopia. This was block 4 of 5 in class drafting/proofreading/editing blocks. Given this timeline, you will be asked to share your stories by Wednesday, December 13th.

S.S. Div 3: You were given a block to work on your Viking Inquiry. This was block 2/3 in class work blocks. The project is due on Thursday, December 14th.

Here's to a great weekend. Enjoy the outdoors!!!!

Thursday, Dec 7th

Hot chocolate by the fire pit tomorrow. Yum. Bring your mug.

Today's summaries:

Math: You worked on the practice pages to do with relating percents, fractions, and decimals. The link to that work is here. Scroll to the bottom of the page. There will be a check up for this skill on Tuesday. If you are having troubles with the concept, please drop in at lunch or after school for help.

SS Div 3: You had a project work block (2/3). There is one in-school block left. The due date for completion is December 14th.

English Div 5: You had a final in class block to work on your dystopian stories, but I will allow one more block tomorrow for completion. They are due on Monday and if they are not submitted, I will email home to notify your family that a major assignment deadline has been missed.

Today's word is...

Hot chocolate

Wednesday, Dec 6th

Why is percent so important? So you don't cheap out on tips :-)

Welcome TTOC. Thanks for coming in.

I am at the Board Office this morning so I am leaving this post for all of you:

I have class lists on the desk for the TTOC please help them to take attendance and deliver it to the office if they don't have MyEd access.

Block 1: English 8 Div 5 - You should be working on your Dystopia drafts. Some of you are at the editing and proofreading stage. If you are, you should get two of your peers to proof and edit your piece. Those peers should initial your draft to indicate that they have done the job.

Block 2: Social Studies 8 Div 3 - You should be putting together your Viking projects. They are due on the 14th. If the chrome books are not working, then you will view the attached video. Before viewing the video,  complete a KWL chart on a piece of lined paper in your binder. What do you know about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.we will be discussing the shift from polytheist to monotheist, Abrahamic religions at a later point.

Block 3: Social Studies 8 Div 4 - You should be putting together your Viking projects. They are due on the 14th. If the chrome books are not working, then you will view the attached video. Before viewing the video,  complete a KWL chart on a piece of lined paper in your binder. What do you know about Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.we will be discussing the shift from polytheist to monotheist, Abrahamic religions at a later point.

I will be back after lunch and will do the draw then.

Math Div 4: We will finish the relating decimals, fractions, and percents note page and begin to work on practice sets.

Thanks for being an awesome group.

Today's word is: percentage

December 5th

English Div 5: You were drafting your stories (Block 3/5). I was very impressed at your focus and productivity.

Math Div 4: You started a unit comparing fractions, decimals, and percent. For the lesson, see the Math link.

English Div 4: You had a drafting block for your Mars dystopias (Block1/5)

S.S. Div 4: You had a Viking Inquiry work block.


For an entry to open today's chocolate window: futuristic

December 4

Today's summaries:

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You were given a work block. By this point, you should have had your project plan approved and should have begun work on it. You will be given three blocks of S.S. to assemble the project. If you miss a class, you have to make up the time. This brings the deadline to: Wednesday, December 13th. You will present your projects from that date on.

Catch up Blocks or Entertainment/End of Term Celebration depending on whether you were done or not. In the end, it was your choice and your consequence.


For an instant prize: animation.

This week, December 4th to 8th

TERM 1 ENDS ON MONDAY.

Monday we will be giving you two options:

1. Catch up blocks 3,4, and 5: Work on outstanding first term I work. Check the lists on the homework boards to ensure that you are not missing credits.

OR

2. Mantracker Rain or Shine, campfire lunch, and PJ movie afternoon (bring a pillow and snack, if you want)​. Mantracker will be muddy regardless of what the weather is doing so we are recommending a change of clothes/footwear.

This week:

English: You will be writing out your rough draft of your dystopian scenario. This is an in class writing assignment.

S.S.: You will be working on your Viking Inquiry. We will be setting a presentation/completion date which I will post to this site.

Math: You will be investigating decimals, fractions, and percent. Human beings have created brilliant ways of representing parts of wholes and they have a relationship with each other; we will be looking into that relationship.

Today's word is: perform

December 1st

Congratulations Ms Bertucci on completing the practicum component of your teaching degree. We feel special witnessing your 25 year dream come true. Welcome to the best job there is, teaching. We will miss you, but we know that you'll be back :-)

Course Summaries (November 29th to Dec. 1st)

English Div 5: You are writing a dystopia based around our Mars mission. This is an in-class writing assignment. Currently you are drafting the story. We decided on three class blocks to write the draft, proof and edit it. The due date will also be determined together.

English Div 4: You brainstormed for a scenario that would see you leaving for Mars earlier than planned. The ideas you came up with were brilliant.

Math Div 4: You have been working with Tessellations. Many of you have gravitated to this beautiful type of math.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You should have completed your notes on your inquiry topic, had them marked, organized them into sub-categories, and planned out your presentation idea for approval. If you have done all of the preparation, you can begin the project. We are working on this in class, so bring what you need to class to do what you have planned to do.

Have a great weekend. Welcome to December and two months of HYGGE and Winter COZZZY

November 28th

Today's course summaries:

English Div 5: You watched the screen version of Harrison Bergeron and then compared it with Kurt Vonnegut's text version.

Math Div 4: You Tessellated organic shapes as inspired by Escher

English Div 4: You did a reader's theatre for Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron and then discussed the Dystopic qualities of this short story.

S.S.: You were given a work block to complete your research and to start organizing your notes. Some of you are beginning to work on the expressive part of this inquiry otherwise known as "the project". Past Due: Viking Research and Notes


Today's word is: equality

November 27th

NOTICE: All OUTSTANDING assignments need to be submitted by this Friday, December 1st for marking to make it in for the first term. (See the lists on the "To do" board to see if you have work outstanding)

Course summaries:

Math: You were introduced to Tessellations and created a few of your own using standard, geometric shapes.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You were given a research block and asked to submit your research for marking. If you completed your notes and had them marked, you were given the next step to this Inquiry: Construct and Make Meaning. Essentially, you are now organizing your information or facts into groups under subtitles of your own design.

English Div 5: You conducted a readers' theatre and read

English Div 4: You listened to "All the Summer in One Day" by Ray Bradbury and discussed it. Then, you determined whether it was dystopic based on the criteria chart.

Today's word: Forget

This week, November 27th to DECEMBER 1st

This is Ms Bertucci's last week and December 1st marks the realization of her 25 year dream to become a teacher. You helped make it happen.

Math: Ms Bertucci is serving up some fun with Tessellations this week to conclude her practicum in this subject.
Here is a lifelike Tessellation so you know what you have in store...


English: This is Ms Bertucci's last week of her teaching practicum and she will be continuing to explore Dystopian Fiction. You will be asked to write some of your own dystopic scenarios relating to our Mars Mission. These assignments are in class assignments so if you are absent, make sure to come in at lunch when you return to complete the work that you missed. There is a list on the "To Do" board of students who have outstanding work that needs to be submitted for credit.

S.S.: We will be finishing up the research end of our Viking Inquiry. You will hand in those Research Booklets for marking tomorrow and we will be looking at how to organize information into categories and subcategories. NOBODY should be working on the project beyond finding and organizing information. Stand back from the poster board people!

AND from Ms Abell's desk:

Science - Interactive notebooks were collected on Thursday before students left for their long weekend. I have evaluated the books that were handed in and made suggestions where I could to improve. The notebooks will be handed back tomorrow. We are graphing this week! We are looking at how to determine which graph is appropriate and how to construct line, bar and pie graphs (sequence in that order). Practice graphs will be given initially for practice, but then data will be given to create graphs that will be evaluated. Please check blog for concrete due dates etc. http://workspacedemadamea.blogspot.ca/

FSL - students will be writing an -er verb quiz on Tuesday (they were given a crossword to help them review last week). We will also finish up reading the children's stories for an oral mark and by the end of the week we will be looking at new vocabulary concerning the family. 

Today's word is: Tessellation

Thursday, November 22nd

Course Summaries and Notices:

S.S. Div 3: You used the block to research and work on your project notes. You are finding out really interesting stuff about the Vikings. The research packages are due on November 27th.

English Div 4: You analyzed the Lottery and filled out a "Dystopia Check-List Chart". You listened to "The Pedestrian" by Ray Bradbury. Check the To Do board to see if you are missing work; some of you are and don't seem to care.

English Div 5: You filled out a "Dystopia Check-List Chart" looking specifically at "The Lottery" and "The Pedestrian". You then listened to Ray Bradbury's "All Summer in a Day".  Check the To Do board to see if you are missing work; some of you are and don't seem to care.




Have a Great Weekend.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov 21 and 22nd

Course Summaries and Notices:

English Div 4 and 5: Please look at the To Do Board to see if you are on missing assignments lists. This is your "to do". Many of you did not submit The Lottery response. You are continuing to explore dystopia by looking at its opposite, Utopia. You brainstormed what an ideal country would be like. Then, you read an African American folk tale describing a Utopia and inferred what the people who wrote it lived like to wish for such a world. After that, you revisited your own Utopia and wondered why you hoped for the items that you listed.

Math Div 4: You did a review on fractions and then wrote a quick assessment to see where you are at with that skill.

S.S. Div 3 and 4: You were given another RESEARCH block. A reminder that ONLY the research for the project is due on November 27. The reason behind this goes back to the first unit. How do you know what you know about your topic? Show me the evidence or your audience will not believe you. Once you prove to me that you know what you know, I will be teaching you how to organize information into subcategories. THEN, and only then, will I allow you to even start a project. We will decide on a reasonable due date as a class based on how much build/write/create time that you think you will need.

November 20th

Thank you Mr McKenzie for covering the class while Mrs Bertucci and I did training at the board office for an inquiry project that we want to do with you.

This is what we had planned for you:

Math: You were given a review of multiplying fractions and then a short assessment on that skill.

SS: Both divisions had investigation or research blocks. Div 3 your research booklet is due on Nov 22nd and Div 4 yours are due on Nov 27th.

English: You read The Lottery, a Dystopic short story, written by Shirley Jackson in 1948. You had questions to answer on this story. Did it remind you of a contemporary teen dystopia?


today's word is ...sacrifice

This week, November 20th to 23rd

Calendar Notes:

Early Dismissal Thursday, November 23rd at 11:58. The bus schedule has been adjusted accordingly.
Parent Teacher Interviews 1 to 7 Thursday, November 23rd (see the Journey Middle School Homepage for instructions)
Pro D Day, Friday, November 24th

Subject Notes:

S.S.: You will be given class time to research and complete notes on a topic of your choice addressing this question: How were the Vikings an advanced civilization? Div 3's last work block is November 22nd and Div 4's is November 27th. While you are encouraged to think about your ideas for your project, you are discouraged from starting until you have finished, submitted, and had your notes marked.

English: Mrs Bertucci is teaching a Dystopian Fiction Unit. You will be reading short stories and writing your own Dystopic stories as a part of this focus study.

Math: Mrs Bertucci is conducting a review of operations with fractions. You are being coached to think like a problem solver.

And from Mme Abell's desk:

This week in Science we will be looking at the exciting world of data organization :0)​ No homework is to be expected, but I will be collecting interactive notebooks again on Thursday before you leave for a long weekend.

In French we will be finishing off reading the children's books that were due last week. You will also be practicing for another -er verb test that will be on Tuesday, November 28.

(Several of you have not yet handed in their interim report cover pages with your feedback, please inquire with them :0/)

Here's to a short, but fabulous week.

Mrs Bridal and her band of merry teachers at Journey

For an instant prize tell me this saying from a very famous dystopic piece by George Orwell, 1984...

Wednesday and Thursday Nov. 15 and 16th

Course Summaries:

Math Div 3: You wrote a retest on adding fractions. Most of you did really well; the mistakes that you were making were mechanical. You were adding incorrectly, you didn't determine the lowest common denominator, or you didn't simply your answer. These are easy to fix, but they require time and an attention to detail.

English Div 4 and 5: You finished your notes on Dystopia. Div 5 started to present their Literary Bumper Stickers.

Social Studies Div 3: You have used 2/4 research blocks for your inquiry topic. You will be asked to submit that research for marking on November 22nd at the end of class. (DIV 4 Your first work block will take place tomorrow).


Today's word for an instant prize. Conform.

Tuesday November 14th

Class Summaries

English Div 4 and 5: You started a new unit on Dystopia today and tricky Mrs Bertucci had you believe that she had started one of these new world orders in the classroom. Teen Dystopian Fiction is one of the most popular genres out there and you are going to delve into it starting now.

Math Div 4: You wrote a review assessment. Mrs Bertucci was able to get a good feel on how well each student understands fractions, compares fractions, and operates with fractions. While some of you are very fluent with fractions, others need more time. So, we are going to provide an overall paced review.

S.S. Div 4: You were assigned the Social Studies Inquiry about Vikings. The link to the project can be found on the SS link under Unit 2. This is a Guided Inquiry and you are at the "INVESTIGATE" stage. You will be given 4 research blocks to research your own inquiry. Partners are allowed, but the usual caution applies: working in a partnership should not be an excuse for not finishing on time. If you anticipate that being a problem, don't work with a partner.


Today's word is UTOPIA for an instant prize  SEE ME before Recess to get it.

This week, November 14th to 17th

Calendar Notes:

Wednesday: Birth of the CPR Presentation 9 to 10

Friday is Litter Literacy (We will be cleaning up the grounds for all to enjoy)

Thursday, November 22nd is early dismissal (12) and PARENT/TEACHER interviews (1 to 7). Mrs Abell and I interview together so that we can report on all the academic subjects. Please go to the school website for updates on the registration start date and system.

Course Notes:

S.S.: The Viking Inquiry has been launched and you are sailing off into your research to find out more about a topic of interest. The question we are investigating in this inquiry is: How were the Vikings an advanced civilization? To date you should have a topic in mind. We will set a date for research completion this week.

Math: You will be writing a review quiz on Tuesday and then starting a unit comparing fractions, decimals, and percent. This is a part of the curriculum, but also incredibly important to understand for life.

English: You are going to begin a new unit this week. Your Literary Devices bumper stickers look great and will adorn the alcove for your parents to see.

Here's to a great week

Today's word is: bizarre

November 9th

Today's Summaries:

Math Div 4: Some of you used dice to construct random fractions to divide in a competition. Others chose to do the classic "worksheet", you solved a series of division questions involving predetermined fractions.

The Victoria Youth Orchestra came and performed. Here is a sample of what we saw:

Today's word is: orchestra

Nov. 8th

Today's Summaries:

English Div 4 and 5: You reviewed some more literary devices and were assigned a bumper sticker to work on in class. This is a graded assignment so if you were away, you are expected to catch up.

S.S. Div 3: You were assigned the beginning of an Inquiry. You have to come up with a topic that speaks to the question: How were the Vikings an advanced civilization? You will get a research block tomorrow. The research that you do is as important, if not more important, than the project work. How are you going to make your project credible (believable)?

Math Div 4: You were given a practice set converting mixed numbers to improper fractions. This is a foundation skill that you need to multiply mixed fractions. Again, many of your difficulties are based in slow math fact retrieval; you can speed this up or improve your fluency by practicing this daily. All you need is a deck of cards and 10 minutes a day...the rest is up to you.

Today's word is what type of literary device this is an example of.......