Minor Details - October 11

October 11 - 14, 2022

History - The Treaty of Utrecht

Students have investigated the settlement of the Haudenosaunee and Algonquin First Nations and the arrival of the British and French in North America. We had a great discussion about the impact the Europeans had on First Nations and how their attitudes toward colonization affected the traditional way of life of First Nations people.

Our next investigation will be into the Treaty of Utrecht and how decisions made in 1713 after the War of the Spanish Succession affected disputed lands in North America.

Students are encouraged to talk about what they are learning at home to be prepared to share their insights during class discussions. Assignment descriptions and materials are posted in the Google classroom for reference.

Using Equations to Model Word Problems

Being able to write equations to model word problems is a significant algebraic concept in grades 7 and 8.

We are working through solving problems like the one you see here in order to develop confidence and mastery. There will be lots of practice problems and frequent "low stakes" quizzes to give students opportunities to assess how they are progressing.

History - Canada from 1713 to 1800

Students are beginning their investigation into Canada before Confederation. In the first few classes, we are focussing on the disputes between Indigenous peoples, British and French over who "owned" land. A particular focus will be on the Treaty of Utrecht and how this affected the First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities as well as New France and the British.

We are developing and practising a variety of reading strategies to make sense of complex ideas. We will have regular class discussions to consolidate their understanding and part of the final assessment for the history unit will include students' participation in these discussions.

Student Votes - Port Colborne Municipal Election

Today students are developing research skills in order to determine the personalities and platforms of people running for election in Port Colborne. Their task is to write a paragraph that uses specific evidence from their research to make recommendations for which candidates would best represent them, their families and Port Colborne. If you would like to do your own research, click here.

On behalf of our class, I emailed all of the candidates running for positions of councillor in Wards 1 and 2 to ask them whether they would support our proposal to replant select grass medians with native plants if elected. At the time of writing, I have received replies from 5 of the 10 candidates I emailed. Each one of them has pledged enthusiastic support for our venture. (If you would like to know which of the candidates replied, send me an email and I will let you know).

Please take time to talk at home about what your child learned about the candidates running for election and make it a family event to vote on Monday October 24.

We hope to present our proposal to city council at their first council meeting after the election.

Peace Poster - "Lead with Compassion"

Students have an amazing opportunity to demonstrate a fundamental concept of the visual arts curriculum and participate in an international contest.

Starting this week, students will create an original work of art that expresses their feelings, ideas, and point of view on the issues of "peace" and "leading with compassion". This is the focus of the 2022-2023 Lions International Peace Poster Contest. The vision of the contest is to "allow students ages 11 to 13 to share their unique images of peace with others so that we may all have greater tolerance and international understanding".

The assignment criteria are posted in our Google classroom and completed art work must be submitted by Tuesday, November 1. There are amazing cash prizes offered to winning artists.

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