Report Cards Coming Home

Old School Reports

Hello
Happy Valentines Day! It is that time of year again...report cards. Students will be bringing home their reports today and the back page has two sections that need to be filled out, cut, and returned to the school by next Monday.
There is no allocated day for interviews (should be...) but I will be happy to meet with all those who have questions or concerns regarding their child's progress. Please email me and we will work out a time before or right after school that fits everyone's schedules. I will be contacting some of you this week to set up an interview as I would like to touch base and discuss your child's plan for success in term 2.
Many students had a great first term and it has been a pleasure teaching all of them in grade 8. Term 2 is a fresh start and the last leg of their elementary school journey so I wish for all of them to end it with a feeling of success.

Thanks
Mr. Brooks

HS Course Selections Coming Home

Today the students received their high school course selection books and forms. In the computer lab we signed up for their mypassport account. The course selection process will be both done online and in paper form as this is the first year that they have used the online process and well bad things can happen with technology...
I have checked off the course selection level that I would recommend based on the student's performance so far this year and on the information given to me by the high school regarding the level of difficulty each level presents to the students. I have explained to them too that it is important to choose the level that they can be successful at and which lines up with their future career plans. Last week we did do some online activity using the web site careercruising.com and the students are able to access this site at home as well. This site gave them some ideas about possible career choices and lets them know what choices they have to get to that career - be it workplace experience, apprenticeships, college, or university. So take some time and discuss with your child what might be the best choices for them. Feel free to contact me or the guidance office at NGDHS if you have any questions about the level or the process.
Have a good weekend.
Mr. Brooks
Oh yes and there will definitely be a Math Club this Monday for all those kids who just love alternate, corresponding, and interior angles...yay!

Novel Study Feedback

Novel Study Feedback

1. Seek your strengths (power of choice)
   
2. Neatness and organization go a looooong way
   
   1. Table of Contents
      
   2. All tasks labeled and with title (number and letter)
      
   3. All work in order and grouped by task
      
   4. Name on all loose parts (art, brochures, media)
      
3. Use a check list (Table of Contents) to track completed work (hand all in at once)
   
4. Plotline and character sketches are two different things so separate
   
5. Six GOOD questions
   
   1. QAR (types of questions – Right There, Search and Locate, In My Head, Author and Me, On My Own)
      
   2. ? is one or two sentences
      
   3. Use 5 W's to help
      
   4. Higher level questions that require paragraph answers
      
   5. ANSWER your own questions (proof, connections, details, evidence from book)
      
6. Do what you know and Google what you don't
   
   1. Obituaries
      
   2. News Articles
      
   3. Scripts
      
   4. Advertisements
      
7. Can use technology but has to be more that a cut/paste image with a piece of text added to it (check with me)
   
8. Make sure you follow your TIMELINE
   
9. Have it with you at ALL times in case given chance to work on it

Game Projects Marked...Whew...

Firstly I wish to say congratulations to the students who really put forth alot of effort in their Board Game Project. I have spent the day marking the design, rules, and write ups and I must say I am really impressed with some of the students. When looking at a project this size you really get a good understanding of which students have developed a good eye for detail, time management, and pride in their work. We will be hosting a game day soon where other students will test out the student's creations and give feedback on their games.
I have uploaded a number of pictures of just the game boxes that I have recieved and marked so far. There are unfortunately a number of students who still owe the project and hopefully they will be done by Monday.
I will adding a link shortly to flickr ... turns out our technology at the school doesn't allow for media sharing sites...go figure.

Game Project Photos

Have a good weekend
Mr.Brooks

Snow Days

Well, another snow day! The data management test will be rescheduled for tomorrow so hopefully everyone takes advantage of the time to do a little more studying. This will be the major component for your report card mark so you need to do well.
All art projects are due tomorrow (Healthy Eating for Teens poster).
A number of students have not completed their Board Game Project which was due on Monday and a number still owe the written components even though the game is complete.

Thanks
Mr. Brooks

Upcoming Meetings Re: New NGDHS for Students

Gr. 6,7 NG Information:
Feb. 13th @ 1:00 pm in the gym for students
6:30 pm at NG for Parents

Gr. 8 NG Information:
Feb. 1 @ 1:00 pm in the gym for students
Feb. 8th @ 7:00 pm at NG for Parents (Open House)
Feb. 2 @ 6:30 pm at SBR for Parents

Back to Blogging

Hello
It has been a while since the last update so here is what is happening in our classroom.
The students' portfolios have been sent home for a signature. In them you will find a number of writing, math, and art assignments and tests that the students have been doing since the Interm Report. Please just sign the front of the folder and return it to the school by this Friday.
Our board game project is finally coming to a close. Students have been working hard since before Christmas to design their board games that make use of a coordinate grid. This project involves a Math, Art, Media, and Language component. From what I have previewed and observed some students have put alot of thought (critical thinking) and effort into their work so I look forward to seeing all of the final projects.
In Science we just had our Living Things Quiz in class. Most students did fairly well but some still did not prepare for the quiz by studying their notes and work. These are included in the portfolio that was sent home. Students this week are also presenting their DT projects of the crane and the car. Each team made up a PowerPoint which they will use to present their solutions and design plans to the class. Soon we will begin studying cells using the microscopes.
In Art we are completing our Healthy Eating for Teens posters (again Art, English, and Media).
In English we have been really focusing on note taking through jot notes by having the students read a variety of nonfiction texts which apply to all of the projects we have been working on. On of the things each project will be assessed on is the use of the information that the students have pulled from these readings.
The last few weeks have been very busy for everyone and it has been great to see how some of the students are able to manage their time and work. Skills that are always needed.
Reminder report cards will go home on Feb 14th (Happy Valentines!).
Thanks
Mr. Brooks