English and science update, with a little reminder for good measure

Hello everyone,
I want to bring your attention to a new tab I have added to the blog, outlining the poetry project the students are currently working on in English class.

We've been writing poetry for a few weeks now, and I am blown away by the calibre of writing, and the sophistication of higher order thinking demonstrated in the poems that have been turned in. The students are all at different stages of the project, but for those who have moved on to looking for gems of poetry by published poets, I have included a list of suggested poets, as well as links to examples of how to write the introduction and personal response paragraphs on the poetry anthology tab. The project will be due after the winter break (Jan 4), but there is plenty of time to finish before school's out, so you aren't left with homework over the holidays!

In Science, we'll be having an open book quiz on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems next week, as well as the crossword quiz on the 11 body systems that I told you about ages ago, but then forgot about! All the information you need for the crossword quiz is on page 56-57 of your text book!

Now for one last reminder:
Yearbooks are still on sale, and the last day to buy them at the earlybird price is next Tuesday. Here is a link to the order form, just in case you need it . ;)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mwZTblcUMdoMgZAbG70WoadJQLlVAsB4UY9s7TvP42Q/edit?hl=en&authkey=CO_Uqf4J

Have a lovely weekend,
Mme O

Events around town, and an update

Hi folks,
I received an email from the teachers' Social Justice committee, telling me about a couple of neat events going on today, and I thought I'd pass them along. Sorry for the late notice! I only received the email this morning.

St Aidan's United Church “Just Christmas” Fair Trade Fair
Date: Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 11:00 - 15:00
Address: 3703 St Aidan's St, Richmond at Cedar Hill X
This is a terrific Christmas fair with fair trade crafts from around the world.
---

RESULTS Canada Fundraiser
with guest speaker Katleen Félix
Sunday, November 21st , 1 ‐ 3 pm
Hotel Grand Pacific Ballroom
463 Belleville Street
Free admission
Results Canada is a national network of volunteers committed to creating the political will to end global poverty. Through education and advocacy, Results volunteers have made a difference in the lives of millions of people. Come out and be inspired by the hard work and dedication of the Victoria group, and hear from the director of Fonkoze, a microcredit organization in Haiti.
www.results-resultats.ca
---

Also, this is not a social justice event, but if you happen to be near the downtown public library around 4pm today, my choir will be doing a free 30 minute caroling concert in the outside atrium! :)

For classroom news, I was so happy to have met with 28 families last week during parent-teacher interviews! Thank you for taking the time to come and speak with me.

Currently in English, the kids are working on poems using symbols; however, they will also be coming to 2 parents/guardians/aunts/uncles/grandparents with surveys about your life when you were twelve. This is for an upcoming poem called "Where I'm from," and I thank you in advance for your help with this! It's a very neat experience for the kids to learn more about your childhood, and incorporate that into a current project.

In science, we'll be delving into the cardiovascular and respiratory systems this week.

Please note that curriculum completion forms were sent home last week, and need to be returned by Monday morning. Students who have returned their forms and are not required to stay for curriculum completion will be dismissed at 1:44 on Thursday afternoon. Friday is a professional day, so there is no school.

Thank you, and I hope you're enjoying your weekend,
Mme O

Félicitations!

Salut tout le monde!
I just received this fabulous video, which celebrates the accomplishments of two of our students in grade 8 French Immersion. With their parents' permission, I share it with you now. Congratulations, Puck and Reece!



On an academic note, I want to say how incredibly impressed I am with the quality of writing that's going on in English right now. We've just started poetry, and you are reminding me why I love teaching it! Really well done.

Science is also going well, with lots of peer teaching going on. Your posters are very comprehensive - if a little strange looking!!

Keep up the great work!

Parents, I hope to connect with many of you next week during Parent Teacher conferences.

Bon weekend!
Mme O

Winter grocery baskets and field trips

Chers parents,
Winter grocery baskets and presents for children in families experiencing financial hardship are being offered this year. If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, I have forms in my classroom that I can send to you, or you can pick one up from the office. Completed forms can be faxed to Santas Anonymous.

Please check out the updated calendar to see all of our upcoming field trips. We'll be sending home a permission form in the next couple of days outlining what we'll be doing, and asking for one parent volunteer per class to come and join us on each field trip. I hope you can join us! Please remember that no child will miss out due to financial hardship - please talk to Mr Burgers or Mr Ross if you are in need of assistance.

Merci, et bonne journée,
Mme O