Literary devices, figurative language

To build on what we have learned on the CASI test, the Write Traits lessons, and the Language and Writing text, we will focus this week on making our writing more interesting to read. Today we read some examples of alliteration from my favourite author, Dr. Seuss. The assignment is to create your own alliterative sentence and have a fun or interesting image to accompany it. This is due tomorrow. Also in literacy we began work on our final projects for our recently completed novel study. The class will be given a block of time in each literacy class this week to work on the project, with presentations scheduled for next Monday. In math we put Pythagorus and our knowledge of square roots together to solve some more challenging questions. The homework is due tomorrow, with the unit test still scheduled for Thursday.

The novel's conclusion!

So that's why it's called the hand of Robin Squiers! And it's based on a true story! who would have guessed? The novels have all been collected (Arvind and Nada if you're out there - please bring your books on Monday). Next week we will break into smaller groups to complete a project based on the book. Congratulations to Johnny, Saed, Maryam and Tiyyaba on being selected for student of the month for September. The theme this month was to honour students who are off to a great start. The date of the potluck has been changed so it no longer conflicts with the cross country meet.

Geometer's Sketchpad

We continued to work with Geometer's Sketchpad today in math class. The students created right angle triangles and tested them using the formula a squared + b squared = c squared. The students also created problems (with solutions) of their own. In literacy class we near the end of our novel study. Next week the students will be given class time to work on a project of their choice as a way of demonstrating their knowledge of the book. Please note that the date for Fighting Island ahs been changed from October 15 to October 16.

It's a beautiful day...

...for DPA! As the students did not have gym today, and we had the extra band period, we went outside for the last twenty minutes of the day and played soccer and basketball. There will not be very many days like this. In math we worked on Pythagorean triangles using Geometer's Sketchpad. We will finish this activity tomorrow. In literacy we completed Write Traits lesson #3. There is a writing assignment that goes with this activity that will help students learn how to add more descriptive detail to their writing. This assignment is due on Friday.

Student parliament

Congratulations to Eman and Sukhman for their election to student parliament this year. I know they will do a great job. And thank you, too, to the other students who took the time to prepare a speech in the hope of obtaining a position on student council. In math we worked on perfect square numbers and using that information to estimate square roots. In history we are working on a map that shows the political landscape of Canada as it looked prior to Confederation.

Picture Day Tomorrow!

Just a quick note before soccer... Please remember that it's picture day tomorrow. In Math we continued our previous lesson on Pythagorus. Please check the homework section. In Literacy we discussed literary devices, such as metaphors and similes - more on that tomorrow.

Math test results are in and...

...the class did a great job! After taking up and discussing the test today it is expected that the students will have the tests signed by their parents. Please return your signed test by next Wednesday. In math class we learned about the Pythagorean Theorem today and learned to apply it to solve some triangle problems. More on that next week. In Literacy class we read from both Robin Squiers and Catching Fire, as well as our Friday Feedback sheets. Have a great weekend!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Ahoy Mates! This is your captain speaking (typing, really, but you know...). Today we participated in Talk Like a Pirate Day, and it's not as easy as it looks! We also have all of our Jolly Rogers proudly now hanging in the classroom. We are scheduled to finish the novel next week, at which time we will start our novel projects (you read it hee first). In math we started chapter two today, and its focus is on the Pythagorean Theorem. It's a short unit and we will likely finish it next week. Wednesday's test is marked and will be handed back tomorrow.

Math review

We completed our work on section 1.6 of the math textbook today, followed by a review for tomorrow's test. The test will be during the language block to ensure there is enough time to complete the test. Please remember to have a calculator - it really will help. In literacy class we read two more chapters from the hand of Robin Squires, and tonight's job is summarizer (usually an easy one to do). And a reminder - pirate flags are due tomorrow.

Pirate Flag

As we continue to read the book The Hand of Robin Squires we have to the realization that Robin's uncle is, in fact, a pirate! Who knew? Today we studied the history and meaning behind real pirate flags (there really was a Captain Jack!), and how these flags symbolically represented the captain's personality. The students will now create their own pirate flag that is representative of their own personality. This assignment is due on Wednesday. In math we concluded our use of Geometer's Sketchpad to draw circles. We will take up our remaining math homework tomorrow, as well as review for our test on Wednesday.

Cross Country Day

Thank you to Mr. Mousseau and Mr. Bulat for organizing a great day outside, and all the money raised will go to a great cause. We had our first math quiz of the year today, and many students in the class did quite well; a great confidence booster going into the test on Wednesday. For others, it helped highlight those areas requiring improvement. In literacy class we continued to read from both Robin Squires and Catching Fire. No homework in either one for the weekend. We also did our Friday Feedback sheets today. Remember the more specific and detailed your goals and reflections are, the more it will help you. Have a great weekend!

CASI

Today we wrote the CASI reading comprehension test. All students in grade 8 will write the same test, and it will help us identify strengths and areas requiring improvement. This test will likely be marked by Monday. In math we used a program called Geometer's Sketchpad to solve a problem that required the drawing of a circle. For those who did not have enough time to complete the assignment we will work on the laptops again on Monday. Also in math, there will be a "surprise" quiz tomorrow on calculating area and circumference of a cirlce. Tomorrow is cross country day so please be dressed ready to run (or walk). Pink Blazer shitrs are encouraged, if you have them. You may also wear other Blazer attire or running clothes. Let's show some school spirit!

Area formulas

Today we completed section 1.6 of the chapter, our last section of new material. It involved manipulating known formulas to solve more challenging problems. This homework is due tomorrow. Our test has been moved to Wednesday, from Tuesday, to a day where when we have a double period to ensure enough time to complete the test. In literacy our job today is word wizard, which is due tomorrow. Pick some new challenging words, provide a definition, and use in a sentence.

John A. Macdonald

Today we were introduced to Canada's greatest prime minister, John A. Macdonald. We learned about his humble beginnings as an immigrant to Canada, and how we was able to overcome great cultural divisions in Canada to unite our country through a process called Confederation. In math we dervied the formula for area of a circle and applied it to several different problems involving diameter and radius.

Calculating circumference

Building on our previous math lesson we learned today how to calculate the circumference of a circle if given the diameter or radius. In literacy class we read one more chapter of our novel. Tonight's literature circle job is illustrator. Please remember to include a short paragraph describing the picture you have drawn. This is due tomorrow. We also learned how to write a free verse poem today. Your poem can focus on summer vacation or back to school activities. Your poem must also include an image or illustration as they will be posted in the classroom. Your poem is due on Wednesday.

Friday feedback

Oops! It's only the first week and I ran out of time completing the blog yesterday. Sorry! Today we completed our first Friday feedback sheet. This form encourages the students to reflect on what they learned during the week, goals they have for themselves, and the beginning of a plan on how they would like to achieve their goals. It also includes a section where they can give feedback to their teachers so we now how we can improve, too. The students will complete this sheet every Friday. We also learned about the relationship between circumference and diameter of a circle, which is called pi. The students will explore this relationship further through today's homework and other assignments next week. The unit test for this chapter will be Tuesday, September 17. Have a great weekend!

Write Traits Wednesday! Woohoo!

Today we did our first lesson from the Write Traits guide. This book is designed to improve student writing, from the initial idea development to publishing of the final draft. We will do one lesson from this book each and every Wednesday, surely something to look forward to. The lessons contained in the Write Traits books can be used across all subject areas. In math we started our review, with some mental math problems that touched on a number of different strand areas. We also reviewed the three step math lesson and the problem solving model, concepts the students have learned in previous grades. Tomorrow we will start on chapter one, with a focus on area and perimeter of a circle.