7-1 Humanities Semester Reflection

Tuesday, December 18th, 2018

Homework:
-Share the Math & Science assessment that were sent home yesterday (Math: MIA Fractions & Decimals, Science: Landform Rubric).  
-Go into PowerSchool with your parents, look up the Math MIA to see the comments that are included. These comments go through what you are able to do and what areas still need practice.

Semester Reflection

Friday, December 14th

Reminders:
- Bring a mug for hot chocolate on Monday
- PJ Day on Monday

Thursday, December 6th

Thank you to all students and families who were able to make it in to conferences.  Several parents mentioned that they could use some guidance on how to check grades through PowerSchool.  I made up a little "How To" sheet that might be helpful and have put a link to it below.

Checking Grades on PowerSchool

Wednesday, Dec. 5th

We are looking forward to seeing you at Student Led Conferences.  

Reminder:
- There is no School tomorrow or Friday
- Please bring in donations for the Sock Drive

Math:
- The 15 questions for adding fractions practice are under the Math-Tasks tab.  There are also practice games under Math-Resources.
- If you want to review simplifying fractions, or converting improper fractions into mixed numbers, check out the 2 review resources under the Math-Resources tab (Gr 6 workbook and SpyGuys)

The following notes are class notes collected from 7-1 and 7-2 for the novel A Stranger at Home
- students were given several opportunities to collect individual notes, and should compare these
notes with their own for clarity

Chapter 1:

Olemaun came home after being at residential school for two years

She wasn’t used to her families food or language; she only remembers

a few words of her own language

Her mom didn’t recognize her; her dad does

Her dad calls her Olemaun - she likes this, and says it feels like, “a beautiful

dress that was far too big for me to wear.” (p. 9)

She is now 10 years old

Her mother gave her a parka that she had when she was little

She asked her father about going back to Banks Isl. and he said no

Chapter 2:

She woke up early at the school, and still woke up early at home

She tries to make bannock, but she has forgotten how; she burnt it and wasted ingredients,

so they had to go back to the Hudson’s Bay Co., she uses baking soda instead of baking powder

Her dog almost bites her hand because it doesn’t recognize her

A stranger appeared, and she called him a devil - Duvilak

She wanted to play with Agnes, but her mother pulled her away - forbids her to speak English

Chapter 3:

Olemaun started to pray at the dinner table, her dad refuses to pray

She and her sisters go fishing

She tries to impress her mom by catching fish, she has trouble but she catches

less and smaller fish than her younger sister and mother, she is disappointed,

Maybel catches a ten pound trout

While fishing, her mom and sister laughed about fishing trips she wasn’t a part of

Chapter 4:

She asks her dad if the stranger is the devil and he says no

Agnes tells Olemaun that she is not allowed to play with her or any children

that know the white ways (from the school)

P. 55 “My tears fell into the ocean, and I wished my spirit was in those tears,

because then I could follow the current back to the place where I belonged.”

P. 55 “His massive shoulders were slumped forward and his entire body breathed longing”

She enjoys hunting for eggs in the traditional ways of her families

Olemaun thinks that the stranger is homesick

She thought that the Dubalik wanted to smile but had forgotten how

Chapter 5: 

Olemaun’s feet hurt because she is used to wearing shoes at school

Her mom wanted to learn to read and write, but she was frustrated very quickly,

her mom didn’t understand the point of trying to write her name

Olemaun doesn’t know how to teach her mom because her Inuvialuktun is limited

An elder spoke to her and then yelled at her, but she could only say sorry,

she didn’t understand

She had nightmares about residential school

She didn’t understand the people that were getting angry with her

Stoic: a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their

feelings or complaining

Olemaun’s feet are tender and bruised after running along the shore,

she puts on her grey stockings and canvas shoes from school

Frustration fueled her running

Chapter 6:

Dubilak left, and Olemaun is sad about that

Shared the rock with mothers name on it

She started to pray but her dad got mad

She got her family scent back so the dogs would play with her

She saw children outside, they taunted her about her language and

shoes - she wanted to play with them

She gave Agnes “Gulliver’s Travels”

Her friend agnes ran away for a full day, and two days to walk back

She felt betrayed

Olemaun’s father apologizes

Chapter 7:

Her sister’s got dolls and she got a sled

Her family builds a cabin - instructions in Inuvialuktun - bondings

A shimmer of pale light illuminated the snowy hill between us and the lake

Christmas - Family residential school - sleep, nicer meals, nice plates, less chores

Her father was hired by the RCMP - routine checks on towns and trappers

Chapter 8:

Her younger sisters are going to residential school - her dad is making her

go to protect her sisters - her dad’s words floated around inside her

Trip to husky lake - she took her own dog sled

Hunted and fished - her dad broke the news that she would have to go back

Sad and mad about going back - but wanted to make her sisters understand

On the boat the sisters got afraid - mom cut their hair

Note - Lena written on it - wants Olemaun to help her read

Agnes escaped again - Olemaun didn’t get to say goodbye

She saw the Dubilak again, on a barge

Themes

People change

How had Olemaun changed - how did she adaptation

Residential school - erasure of culture

Facing herself - Margaret v. Olemaun - she had to find herself again

Didn’t fit into the society - judgement - shame -

People who came back were changed

No one recognized her

Lonely - not the same as her family

A stranger in her own house because of language - clothing, food, hunting

Her family treated her differently - schedule - wake early vs. sleep in

Tuesday, November 27th

Reminders:
-Band Camp Wednesday-Friday
-Student Led Conferences next week - Wednesday & Thursday

Homework:
Science: We are working on our Landform Tasks (under Science Tab). If you are going to Band Camp make sure you have at least Step 1-3 fully done.
Math: We are exploring three strategies for adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators. There are practice equations under Math-Tasks. The first method we've explored is the visual method.

Thursday, November 22.

Reminder: No School tomorrow

Homework:
Math: Please finish the reducing fraction task. You can find it under Math-Tasks.  For more practice reducing fractions or on division in general, check out the links under Math-Resources.

1st Book Report Due November 27th

Book Report #1


Our first book report is due next week on the 27th of November. The rubric for the book report is available here.

What instructions were given?
Your instructions were to read a text of your choosing and write a report. The report should include what happened, whether you like the text or not and why, and information about which perspective it is written from.


What qualifies as a text?
You were asked to choose a source material that would be interesting and somewhat challenging for you. That might be a magazine, a novel, several chapters of a novel, a novella, or even a short story.

Tuesday, November 19th

Math/Science Updates

Math: 
Students have been exploring the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percents.  We did some work adding, subtracting, and multiplying with decimals.  Students are now reviewing how to find equivalent fractions using common factors and multiples. They will build on this skill by adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.  From there, we will explore percent, converting between forms, and ordering mixed groups of fractions, decimals and percents. Our culminating activity will be a budget task that will allow students to apply all of these skills.

Science:
Students have been building their knowledge of how the landscape of the earth changes through sudden events and slow, incremental processes.  They are examining how geologists use evidence to develop theories about events of the past.  We are just starting a project exploring unique landforms.  A link to task sheet is posted under the science tab.

Friday, November 16th

Homework

Math: Please finish the four word problems on the "Multiplying Decimals" sheet (posted under Math-Task tab). This is due for Monday.

Science: Look for strange, unusual, or unique land formations you might want to explore in our next Science task.  (Reminder - DO NOT look up how they formed yet - that part comes later in the task).

Update from School Council

Dear Parents

The second TMC School Council fundraiser of the year Is in high gear!!! We have teamed up with Dieleman’s Fundraising Sales. The campaign runs until Friday November 9. You can either submit the orders on the form provided or order online at www.shopdfscanada.com using School Group ID: 6790. You can register your student and send out the link to friends and family to order. 

All funds raised through this school council initiated fundraiser will go towards school programming, enhancements and additional activities for students (for example: Grade 9 Farewell activity). 

If you have any questions please email tmcfundraisingcommittee@gmail.com. 

Thanks for your support!

Tuesday, November 6th

Reminders:
-Remembrance Day Assembly on Friday: students are welcome to wear uniforms (scouts, guides, cadets) if they would like. Remember the expectations for this Assembly are different than others.
-Poppies: We will be handing out poppies on Friday. Students are encouraged to bring donations.

Homework:
-Math check-in on adding & subtracting decimals in on Thursday this week.  There are practice games under the Math-Resources tab and some of the questions we're working on in class under Math-Tasks.
-Science: Your Volcano & Earthquake pages are due on Monday.  The assignment sheet/rubric are under the Science Tab.  
-Humanities: If you have not handed in your 200 word writing assignment, then it is overdue.

Weekend Humanities Homework - November 2nd

Canadian Perspectives

Why is it important to consider the perspectives of the many different

people that make up Canada?

Please write 200 words (+/- max 10 words)

Thursday, October 25th

Reminders:
-No school tomorrow
-Retakes on Monday
-Oct. 31 - Feel free to wear a costume! Dance in the PM
-WE Scare Hunger - bring in non-perishable food items for the food bank.

Tuesday, October 23rd

Reminders:
Auditions for Annie run this week
No school Friday (PD Day)
Retakes Monday, Oct. 29th
October 31st - You are welcome to wear costumes to school as long as they are appropriate (no weapons please).  There is a dance during Period 5 & 6 and there will be alternate activities available.

Homework:
MATH
Review Order of Operations for our MIA on Thursday
-Solving an equation
-Turning a word problem into an equation and explaining your thinking

Updates:
MATH - we are wrapping up our work with order of operations and are moving into our next area of focus, "Numbers Smaller than a Whole".  This study will include representing numbers as fractions, decimals, and percents; relating forms of representation; adding numbers together in these different forms; adding/subtracting fractions with different denominators.  
*If this was an area that was tricky last year, try some of the pages in the grade 6 workbook (under Math-Resources) to review these concepts.
SCIENCE - students have been working in groups to explore Tectonic Plates and their Boundaries (see "Pop-Up Pangaea" - a video link under the Science tab).  They are now starting an assignment explaining/representing Volcanoes and Earthquakes.  This is a part of our Planet Earth study looking at the sudden changes that natural disasters cause to the landscape.  From here, students will do a larger project that will incorporate all of the learning so far.  A task sheet will be posted when it is ready to go.
*The Coulee exploration tasks are almost finished being assessed.  As soon as they are the assessment will go up on PowerSchool and the rubrics will be sent home. Look for a notice on the blog soon.

Friday, October 19th

Homework:

Humanities Your News Brief, based on the interview questions you asked your parent/guardian, is due Monday.

Science: Your Layers of the Earth project is due Monday.

Wednesday, October 17th

Homework:

Humanities: Your interview is due tomorrow.  We will be using the answers to start the next part of our work around Canadian Identity.

Science: Your Layers of the Earth visual representation is due by Monday.  Remember that it must show all four distinct layers, be labelled or have a legend, and give information about each layer.

Update:
Science - I am going through and marking all of your Coulee Exploration work.  As I wrap this up, hopefully by Monday, the assessment/feedback will be posted in PowerSchool.  A rubric will also be sent home next week.

Friday, October 12th

Reminders:
We did our Math MIA (Mini Independent Assessment) today.  It will come home on Monday.

Homework:
Science
- Coulee Exploration: Steps 1-4 due Monday.  The task sheet is under the Science tab.
-LAYERS OF THE EARTH: 
This is an at home project due by Monday October 22nd, so you have about a week and a half to get it completed.  You need to create a visual or 3D representation that clearly shows the 4 layers of the Earth. You need to include information about each layer (see the notes under the Science tab).  BE CREATIVE :)

Math
- No assigned homework, but check out the new Order of Operations and Exponent games under the Math-Resources tab.

Humanities
-Interview assignment.  
Take home the copy of the interview questions about Canadian Identity and Citizenship. (Extra copy will be posted under the Humanities tab). You need to interview a family member and capture their answers (in writing, typed, recorded, etc).  This assignment needs to be done by Thursday Oct. 18th.  

Wednesday, October 10th

Reminders:
-Please return demographic reports (signed or corrected)
-MIA on Friday - it is a final check on integer (addition/subtraction) and a first check on order of operations and exponents. 

Homework:


Assigned: 
-Step 1 through 4 of the Coulee Exploration is due (preferably Friday, but it can be Monday if you need a little more time).

Optional:
-Finish the math questions (Math-Task tab)
-Practice your basic facts (especially if you are choosing to use a multiplication table as a support)
-Look for an example of a "good" interview - talk to your parents/guardians about what makes it "good"
-Review for the MIA

Humanities Homework for Wednesday October 10th

Please edit this writing selection for tomorrow.

Not Quite Narwhal

I did really enjoy story cause it shows that no matter what species
you are you can be accepted by the animals, and who you are is
who you are, and if you change or learn something new, you can
be saffe, and make a friend and the author wanted to show that
everyone should be together and accepting and maybe if the
rhinoceros is a unicorn to, then it can be a part of the friends

Friday, October 5th

Reminders:
-No School on Monday (Happy Thanksgiving!)
-If you still have your Entertainment Books to bring in, please do so ASAP.

Homework:
-Coulee Exploration 
       -Step 1&2 are overdue
       -Step 3 due Monday
-Math: 
       -Do some Integer practice games 
       OR 
       -Teach your parents/guardian how to play "In Betweeners"
       OR
       -Review Order of Operations (you could use the review 
        resources at the under the "Math-Resources" tab.

Update:

Math
We are wrapping up our investigation of adding and subtracting with integers, although these will come up again in our next topic of study. Our new topic of study is Order of Operations.  Students are building on their knowledge from last year and adding in exponents.

Science
We will be finishing our Coulee Study next week and moving into our Planet Earth topic.  Students will be exploring how the Earth has changed over time.

Humanities
We are continuing our study of Canadian citizenship and identity.  Students have been developing their ability to take surface level questions deeper by looking at "follow-up questions".
Students have also been exploring different forms of poetry including Haiku, Free Form and Diamantes. Both studies have asked the students to look at language, symbols and imagery.

Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

A Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Please follow this link for more information: bit.ly/CanRights

Monday, October 1st

Reminders:
-All students need to take home their MIA check in on integers, get it signed, and bring it back tomorrow.
-An email will be coming home to explain how to check grades/comments on assignments through PowerSchool. Students, work with your parents/guardians to look up your score & comment on the MIA.

Language & Symbols: Poetry

Our examination of language and symbols has centered on poetry this week. Please ask your student about one of our daily poetry assignments.

• Haiku (Senses & seasons)
• Free Form Poem (4 lines that break poetry rules)
• Photo Impression Poem (Words and inspiration taken from photos in class)
• Diamante Poem (Comparing two ideas or objects)

+ Analysis of William Carlos Williams' "This Is Just To Say"

+ Poetry Daily Double: Ezra Pound's "In A Station of the Metro"

Wednesday, Sept. 26th

Reminders:
- Terry Fox run on Friday, bring your Twoonies of Terry!
- You should be picking/have picked a novel for your first book report. The reading and project will be done at home. More information will be coming soon.

Up Date:
- Our "20 Minute Homework Challenge" will begin on Monday.  Feel free to get started on the 20 minutes (minimum) per night now.  The tracking sheet will be ready to go soon.
- Our first MIA (Mini Independent Assessment) is tomorrow in Math. This is a mid-point check in to see how everyone is doing with adding and subtracting integers.  Parents, expect to see the assessment coming home on Monday for your signature.

Monday, September 24th

Reminders:
-Your aerial view of the school field/your backyard is due tomorrow.
-There are practice sheets for adding and subtracting integers under "Math-Tasks".

Parents:
We are going to the Coulee in Period 5 tomorrow (1:15-2:15) - we need a few volunteers - if you are able to help us out, please email Ms. Varner. Thanks!

Learning Conferences

Thank you to all of the families who joined us for the first Learning Conferences of the year.  If you were unable to make it in, and were interested in setting up a time to meet in the next couple of weeks, please email us.

September 20th, 2018

Reminders:
-No school tomorrow
-Entertainment Book fundraiser ends on the 28th

Homework:
-Check out the strategies for adding integers under Math-Resources
-Science: Aerial view of the school field or your backyard due Tuesday

September 18th, 2018

Reminders:
-Photo Day was today, look for more information about ordering in the next week or two
-Welcome Breakfast tomorrow at 8AM, on the compound weather permitting
-Conferences are Thursday and Friday this week.  If you were unable to book, and would like to arrange an alternate time, please email Ms. Varner or Mr. Tollestrup
-Early dismissal Thursday and no school Friday

Homework:
Check out the new links under the "Math- Resources" tab. There are sites to review concepts from last year and some games to practice our current work on integers

Humanities: 
-Have a conversation at home about "Why is the heart a symbol of love and caring?"
-Make sure that your reflection on "Not Quite Narwhal" is completed in your Humanities book

Updates:
Math: 
We began our year by tackling different Math problems using logic and reasoning. Using our Problem Solving Template (see link under "Math Tasks") we worked to pull key information, develop a strategy, and justify our answers.

We have now started reviewing how to order and sort positive and negative integers.  We are starting to explore strategies for adding and subtracting these numbers. (see the Extreme Temperatures activity under "Math Tasks")

Humanities:
We started the year off by analyzing Current Events.  Students were encouraged to begin by identifying the basic information (Who, What, Where, When, Why) and then start to consider the scope of the event, the stakeholders, and identify possible bias.  This investigation of Current Events will continue throughout the year.

As a part of our investigation into Identity, we are exploring "Language & Symbols". The students are being asked to critically examine how language and symbols change over time and how they reflect the cultural traditions/values.

Reminders

Band
Grade 7 Band students remember to bring your instrument to school for band class starting next week!
Band B: Monday, Wednesday
Band A: Tuesday, Thursday

Conferences

Learning conferences are next week: Thursday Sept. 20th and Friday Sept. 21st. Thursday is an early dismissal for students and there are no classes on Friday.  Log in through your MyCBE account to book.

School Photos
School photos are Tuesday, Sept. 18th. A handout was sent home with students on Friday.

ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FUNDRAISER

We are starting off right away with our first fundraising campaign of the year with Entertainment Books! The campaign will run from September 14-September 28.

Just a quick overview, online apps can be purchased for $20 or a Calgary edition book for $40 (which also includes the online app).  Students can also order online (info how to do this is in the student’s package).  40% of sales come back to TMC!!

Payments can be made via Cash, Cheque (payable to TMC School Parent Council) or Credit Card (information how to do this is in student’s information package).

We will be sending home a book with each child. The books will be delivered to the class on the morning of Friday September 14. Each book is numbered and is assigned to the student. There are student labels on all of the envelopes in the bag so you know which book belongs to which student. If the students bring back their book because they do not want to purchase it, we ask that you return it to us and we can account for that on our end. We will be making rounds in the mornings to each class to check if there are returned order forms and we will be filling the orders on the spot in each class so students will receive their ordered books right away.  We will begin filling orders daily starting September 17, before nutrition break.  

If you have any questions regarding this fundraiser, please contact Lisa McGregor at TMCFundraisingCommittee@gmail.com  

Last year we raised approximately $3500 with this fundraiser alone.  Because of our fundraising efforts last year we were able to fund for the school:

• Curtains, mics & lights for the drama performances
• Offset cost of field trips or bringing in experts (2016/2017 each grade was given $1000 to spend)
• Replacing photos of our magnificent students in the hallways
• Grade 9 Farewell
• Art supplies
• Weight bench with free weights
• Equipment for the foods room
• 3D printer
• Compassion Care Fund (2017/18 $1500), to help students who have financial hardship in paying for field trips
• Digital cameras
• Human torso models
• Ukuleles
• Art graphic tablets
• And more!!

CTF - Course Descriptions

Students, we will be signing up for CTF and Fine Arts courses tomorrow in class.  There is a list of the courses that you will get to rank below.  You will have the opportunity to identify your top choices and class lists will be assembled over the weekend.  As we mentioned in class, your final 2 class assignments could be from any of your top 4 choices, so make sure those top 4 are classes you'd enjoy!  (The only exceptions are Band & French: Band lists are already made, and anyone who would like to take French can).

Courses:

Band
French
Foods
Calligaraphy
Lego-Animation
Media Literacy
Mindfulness/Yoga
Art: Pencil & Colour
Art: Composition & Printmaking
Film making
Videogame Design

More information about the courses is in the email sent to your parents.

Monday, Sept. 10th

Reminders:

• Please bring back your forms ASAP
• Your Name Plate is due to Ms. Varner
• Make sure you have at least one of the math problems fully done, including justifying your answer.

Welcome

Welcome Students of 7-1 & 7-2

We are very excited to have you in our classroom this year. We are sharing classrooms 223 and 224 and hope to create a safe and supportive learning environment together!

A little about Ms. Varner:

I helped open Twelve Mile Coulee school back in 2012 and have enjoyed watching the school grow and develop into the supportive learning community it is today.  My passion is investigating the world we live in and our place within it. I am constantly learning and I look forward to continuing this journey of exploration together this year.

A little about Mr. Tollestrup:

I have been teaching at Twelve Mile Coulee school since 2014 and had the opportunity to meet this cohort of students as a Physical Education teacher. I am passionate about art, reading, writing, and community. I am a dedicated life-long learner, and find meaning in making empathetic human connections, let’s connect and learn together.