Water walk and updated calendar

Hi folks,
I have added the last of the due dates for science and English to the class calendar. In Science, the kids are creating 3-D models of small areas of land, which must contain certain water and earth features, and have an attached legend naming the element and describing how it was formed/what it is. We will present these projects on Monday May 30 and Tuesday May 31. All students have now started their models, and will work on them in class every day this coming week; however, it may be necessary to finish up at home. This is a group project, and the students picked their own groups, knowing they would share a final mark for it. For the rest of that week and the following Monday, we will be using the models in class to explore human interaction with the earth and water systems. The last two days of class will be devoted to studying and creating "cheat sheets" for the final exam the following week.

Cheat sheets: for Science, each student is permitted to make up and use one HAND WRITTEN, single-sided 8.5"x11" piece of paper with important facts and concepts written on it. These may be brought into the science exam; however, photocopies and sharing will not be permitted, even if someone has forgotten their own page on the day of the exam. I will collect these pages with the exam. Below is an outline of topics students can expect to see on the final.



In English, we are reading Animal Farm by George Orwell. The students are reading one-two chapters per class (they should have read up to Chapter 3 by Tuesday), and are doing worksheets/activities for each chapter. At the end of the book, we will do a final project. This can be done individually or in groups, and will be presented around the campfire on our camping trip. For those students who are leaving before that date, presentations can be done for me on Beach Day. Students will need to have finished reading the book in order to do this final project, and can work ahead of the class pace in order to get more time for the final project before they go.

On a social justice note, this coming Tuesday afternoon, the Scorpions will be taking part in the Central Middle School Water Walk. This walk is to raise awareness about how inaccessible water is to certain populations in the world, and is being held in conjunction with raising money to help buy a water truck for a community in Africa. (It also aligns nicely with our current unit in science!)

If you are able to join us from 1-3pm on Tuesday, we would be most appreciative. We would ideally have 4 parents - 2 would go with Div 15 (O'Connor) and 16 (Mazzei) to walk to the ocean and fill our empty milk jugs with water, then return to Carnarvon park to pass them off to Div 14 (Levesque) and 17 (Brault), who will return the water to the ocean, then return back to the school. The first group will leave Central at 1pm sharp, and return by 2:45ish. The second group will leave Central at 1:15ish, and return by 3pm. Please let us know via email if you are able to come!

Students often get overwhelmed around this time of year. They will be wrapping up all subjects, as well as preparing for final exams, so there is a lot on the go. If class time is used effectively, the work load for after school does not need to increase dramatically, though some revision ahead of time is always advised. Please be reminded of the Curriculum Completion day on June 3rd, which starts at 11:33am, and which will provide a supervised work period for students who have fallen behind in their work.

Thanks for your support,
Mme O

Lots on the go!

Hi folks,
We have lots on the go, so I wanted to bring your attention to the calendar above. It has been brought up to date for the remainder of the school year with regards to field trips, school events and final exams, as well as for the current assignments for socials, French, English and science. You'll be getting a form further explaining our upcoming field trips in the next little while.

Please also note the new tabs outlining the short story brochures for English (due Monday) and Socials Renaissance project.

Thanks,
Mme O

Heads up

Hello parents,
I just wanted to give you a heads up that we will be starting health education in Science today (all divisions). As is suggested for grade 8s, the main focus will be on healthy choices with regards to drugs/alcohol and sexual activity, as well as the risks associated with those choices, and strategies for communicating and standing by their choices. We will also very briefly cover the male and female reproductive systems.

I have placed an anonymous question box in my classroom so that I can address student queries, but please do feel free to ask them about the class discussions - though the students may not thank me for saying that!

I will be using information from the BC Health files, and the Grade 8 "Healthy Choices" manual developed by VIHA. For more information on sexual health, you can go to the following sites/centres, recommended by VIHA:
Facts of Life Line
Operates an anonymous telephone information and referral service for youth with sexual health concerns. Phone hours are limited.
Phone: 1-800-739-7367

Island Sexual Health Society
Operates sexual health clinics for residents of the Capital Region. Services include sexual health counselling, pregnancy testing, pregnancy options counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, pelvic examinations, birth control, emergency contraception and referrals to community resources. Clinics are located at Camosun College, Peninsula Health Unit, West Shore Health Unit, and the main Victoria location. Appointments are made through the Victoria location.
Phone: (250) 592-3479
Website: www.islandsexualhealth.org

Victoria Youth Clinic
Provides confidential and free health services for youth aged 12-24 years. Services include assistance with medical problems, health counselling, mental health, birth control, pregnancy testing and counselling, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Phone: James Bay Clinic (250) 388-7841 or Downtown Clinic (250) 383-3552
Website: www.victoriayouthclinic.ca
Email: office@victoriayouthclinic.ca

Options for Sexual Health
More information on STIs, pregnancy and testing.
http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/resources/youth

Mme O