Happy Holidays

A great final week of 2019.
In Hums, we have continued to read our novel, Sees Behind Trees. We did some acting in small groups and finished up our double entry journals.
In Math class, we were to be wrapping up our floorplans. We worked through a checklist of items to be completed. The students were thoroughly engaged in this project, and everyone has something to be proud of!
Have an excellent break and I will see everyone on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

Power Up

We are continuing with tickets as instant feedback when students are working well. As we approach the Winter Break, it is really important students catch up on their work.

Secret Ballot

https://forms.gle/xo2RsScXFwMG5dH58

December 9-13

In HUMS this week we have continued to read our novel and complete some reflections around our reading. The students are really enjoying "Sees Behind Trees" and the adventures experienced so far. We have talked about what it is like to be in transition between child and adult, as well as relationships during the journey.


In Math, we are finishing up our Area and Perimeter floor plan work. Students have enjoyed being entrepreneurs and creatively designing their houses.

We also said goodbye to Ms. Sas on Friday. We look forward to when she returns in the spring for her second practicum.

7-1 Science

This week, students did two labs on heat and temperature. They should now have handed in two graphs on hidden heat experiments from last week. On Thursday, December 12, 2019 students were introduced to precis writing (60 word maximum summary) of a piece of science writing. This time they had a choice of 4 short articles on science topics related to planet Earth. We were fortunate to have Ms. Nicholls (a literacy expert) and Ms. Cruikshank (an educational assistant) help students with this task. On Friday, November 13^th we expect Ms. Nicholls will be back and she may possibly be here next week as well. The goal is to help increase student’s science literacy and non-fiction reading skills while also increasing their understanding of the science curriculum. They do this by reading an interesting piece of science writing and making a summary of it. Students will be doing a number of precis writing assignments throughout the rest of the school year.

December 2-6

7-1 Science

Students created two line graphs that visually represent their findings of the previous two labs/experiments. They are exploring the specific heat capacity of water and what happens during the two phase changes from ice to water and from water to water vapor. Friday we did a third lab exploring the concepts of expansion and contraction.

Power Up 25th to 29th of November

We continue to encourage students to use this time for their own benefit; to explore further in an area of interest, get support in a certain subject or simply to focus on what needs to be done at this time. We are also starting to do mini-lessons. This week and next week will be on listening skills. Students are also earning tickets when they meet expectations. Good job!

Week of Nov. 25-29

7-1 Science

Students did an experiment exploring the changes of state of H2O and the corresponding plateau. They continue to learn about heat and temperature. The specific heat capacity and uniqueness of water has been a focus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN7VQas4OgQ

Explorers Google Form

https://forms.gle/DfGqiUxpuwPp2y5M7

Power Up

In Power Up we have pretty much completed our one on one student/teacher conferences. Students were able to self-assess and get feedback in terms of: how well they are using their time in Power Up to catch up on assignments, study/review, organize (binders, material, calendar…), focus in class, and practice their skills. We continue to encourage students to use this time for their own benefit; to explore further in an area of interest, get support in a certain subject or simply to focus on what needs to be done at this time. 

November 12-15

A fun week in classes for all.
In HUMS, we have been working on the Age of Exploration. We spent time researching

7-1 Science

Watched video: Bill Nye – Heat   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh2FmNJnrKU

Students are learning about the particle model of matter, the difference between heat and temperature as well as three methods of heat transfer (conduction, radiation and convection). There are 4 labs coming up in the near future.

November 4 - 8

7-1 Science

Students have been working on heat and temperature unit. They should also hand in their Continental Drift Theory assignment this week. All mind maps on planet Earth should be completed and handed in at this time. Mr. Davis has been doing one on one interviews with each student to determine their current level of understanding of planet Earth and its geological processes. 

Octber 28th to October 31st

In Power Up, students have started one on one conversations/meetings with the teacher to exchange feedback on: how well they are using their time in Power Up to catch up on assignments, study/review, organize and practice their skills…We are also getting feedback from core teachers to see how well they are doing in terms of: completing assignments and handing them in on time, improving their skills in areas of need and general achievement. There is always time in Power Up for students to work on various assignments and if needed, get additional support. Students should use this time in a way that benefits them and this would be reflected in their other classes.

In HUMS, we have completed our presentations and reflections around First People of North America. Next week, we are a full week of classes, so a spelling list will be coming. We will move forward in our historical timeline up into imperialism and global expansion.

In Math, we have spent a couple of weeks working with fraction, decimals, and percents. We will continue with this idea, trying to bring some very practical ideas in connection with a bit of a project. 

Secret Ballot

https://forms.gle/CtuKhePmbrF4PLSp9

Week Oct. 21-25

In HUMS this week, we have progressed our research project around the first peoples of North America. We will begin presenting these on Monday in class.

In Math, we have continued to work with fraction, decimal, percent converting, as well as rounding decimal numbers.

In Science, we are almost finished the unit planet Earth. They’ve added some supporting details to their mind maps and did an assignment on plate tectonics as well as a review on the rock cycle.

Power Up

This week we continued to catch up and practice skills. Students are allowed to practice their reading skills on Read Theory and Khan Academy for math skills.

Power UP

Power Up:

In addition to regular catch-up and practising skills time in Power Up. This week we watched 2 videos on brain development:

 

The adolescent brain (Dan Siegel) :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1u5OEc5eY

How to practice effectively...for just about anything - Annie Bosler and Don Greene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2O6mQkFiiw&list=PLJicmE8fK0Ei7nZRhCz2zjNgt-NYPUk1a&index=4&t=0s

 

And reflect on 2 questions (we will continue to explore next week as some are not finished)

 

Q1: What are the 2 main things that happen to the brain during adolescence?

Q2: What is one thing/area where you could use more practice to become better at this skill?

Week of October 18

In HUMS this week, we have worked on some mapping skills. We have created three versions of information on the same map. One map is included below for student reference for those who have not yet completed the work. We listened to an Ojibway creation story and thought about some connections and answers provided within the text. On Thursday, we went outside to spend some time with some nature and to explore the Indigenous Smudge process. Students have access to a sage smudge whenever they request.

In Math, we have continued to work with Fractions, Decimals, and Percents and have completed 4.1 in our textbook.

Power Up:

In addition to regular catch-up and practising skills time in Power Up. This week we watched 2 videos on brain development:

The adolescent brain (Dan Siegel) :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O1u5OEc5eY

How to practice effectively...for just about anything - Annie Bosler and Don Greene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2O6mQkFiiw&list=PLJicmE8fK0Ei7nZRhCz2zjNgt-NYPUk1a&index=4&t=0s

And reflect on 2 questions (we will continue to explore next week as some are not finished)

Q1: What are the 2 main things that happen to the brain during adolescence?

Q2: What is one thing/area where you could use more practice to become better at this skill?

Week of October 18

7-1 Science

Students should be finished their mind maps this week. Things to be included:  Earth’s formation and history, life’s origins, rock cycle, plate tectonics, continental drift/convection, minerals, erosion, mountain formation-block mountains, volcanoes, fold/fault mountains, earthquakes 

Video students watched and discussed this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhZcEY5PCQ&feature=youtu.be

7-1 Science

Students have learned more about mountain formation, earthquakes and other geological processes on Earth. They should be very close to completing their mind map. Topics that need to be included: Earth’s history and formation, rock cycle, plate tectonics, convection, continental drift and evidence for, minerals, erosion, mountain formation (fold, block, volcano) and earthquakes. The deep thinking students require to turn these ideas into pictures really helps them clarify their understanding and gives them personally created pictures that helps them remember the information long term. Expect there to be a planet earth test at some point in the relatively near future.

In Social Studies this week we played our review game, Grudgeball, and we watched “The First Face of America” to deepen our understanding of how human life came to be on our continent based on our knowledge gained from advanced science. The students were really engaged in the story of Nia.

In ELA, we finished our first full writing assignment of paragraph writing. From here on, we will be blending our Social and ELA classes into a Humanities.

For Math, we started our unit on Fractions, Decimals, and Percents. Please access our foldables to help with examples, and use Khan Academy at home to help with identified struggle areas.

7-1 Science

Students continue to add their growing knowledge and understanding to their mind maps on planet Earth.

Power Up:

In Power Up, students can catch up on various assignments or prepare for quizzes. This gives them lots of time to complete assignments from various subjects and homework when time is used efficiently. We have been keeping track of what students are working on for this period to support them in becoming more independent. Check-ins are made with each student to provide additional support as needed.

Week ending September 27th


7-1 Science

Students have started working on developing a mind map on planet Earth. The deep thinking required to figure out how to represent an idea via a picture, helps students learn the material better and store it in their long term memory. As they learn things about Earth they will add it to their map.

In ELA this week we have continue to work on paragraph writing and spelling. We worked on topic sentences, and four types of paragraphs: narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive. Next week will see another spelling list and more paragraph practice.

For Social Studies, the students have worked hard to create their first digital research presentation. Students will be sharing these presentations starting on Monday.

In Math, we have continued to work with Integers in chapter 9. We will be having a test next week on adding and subtracting integers.

In ELA this week we have been working hard on our first oral assignment, Where I see  myself in 15 years… Students will participate in a lottery draw on Monday to decide our presentation order. We have explored practice strategies and ways to overcome some anxiety. On Friday we completed our first spelling test as well. All marks will be posted in Power School.

In Social Studies, we have spent all week watching The History of the World in 2 Minutes and creating our own timeline along the way. Next week, we will take this timeline and create a research project to share with the class.

In Math, we have begun to work on chapter 9, Integers. Our focus this week has been around understanding what an integer is and how to add them. Next week, we will be getting into subtracting integers.

In Science, we have been developing a deeper understanding of the rock cycle, soils and how rocks are identified and classified. Next week we will be going deeper into classification and comparing how students have described and classified rocks and how that compares with how geologists do it. While they are learning about this they are also building their skills in note taking and classification.

Power Up:

In Power Up, students continue to have the opportunity to work, catch up on various assignments or prepare for quizzes. Students have received a calendar for planning, goal setting and we will take more time to use this tool as we move along. We also completed a survey about work habits, relationship with teachers and level of autonomy in class. It was really interesting to see the self-awareness as well as the honesty. This is great feedback to better understand individual needs.

Thank you!!!

Andréanne Plante

Students Services, Learning Leader

David Thompson Middle School

Calgary Board of Education

t | 403-777-7470

f | 403-777-7479

Blog

Power Up:

In Power Up students had the opportunity to work, catch up on various assignments or prepare for quizzes. Students plan what they need to work on for the period and keep track of their progress in each class (focusing on their individual needs). We will start working with a calendar to plan and organize, set monthly goals as well as tracking achievements. As we move forward, we will be looking at learning strategies, learning styles and varied activities to promote learning, growth mindset and well-being.

Andréanne Plante

Students Services, Learning Leader

David Thompson Middle School

Calgary Board of Education

t | 403-777-7470

f | 403-777-7479

Math 7-1
Students are working on fractions, decimals and percents. Emphasis is on developing a deeper understanding of fractions and converting fractions, decimals and percents back and forth. Please keep in mind that knowing your math facts is very important to your overall success in math.

Science 7-1
Students are starting the Planet Earth unit. Currently they are building their basic knowledge and understanding of the rock cycle. For those of you that have the time or resources, I would encourage you to consider taking your child to visit the Glenbow Museum that currently has a rocks and minerals exhibit.
For further questions or concerns please email Mr. Davis    cvdavis@cbe.ab.ca

In ELA this week we have completed two tasks already. On Thursday we worked on an editing skills page, and the students have completed their first writing assignment. Everyone has written a letter to me, explaining some things which I need to know in order to have a successful year together. Next week, we will begin our first oral task.

In Social, we have started a conversation about the history of the land. We sat outside a few times to acquaint ourselves to the land around our school and to think about the history of that one piece of land. We have watched a video which talks about the idea of Pangea and the super continent. Next week, we will be progressing forward in time and look at how people first came to North America.

In Math, we have set some personal goals and completed an initial test. Tests will be discussed on Monday, and we will begin our work around integers next week.

Email is the best way to communicate with me. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to fire me an email to the following address: testrickland@cbe.ab.ca