Dear secondary 5 students:

I am extending my best wishes and hopes for your and your family’s well-being and health. Nothing is more important than this at this time.

The circumstances for teaching and learning are not ideal, and I hope you all can somehow access what I will be posting. Please remember that I will not be evaluating you at this time, but I would like to give you some work that I feel will be of interest and can be of use for you in the future. You will be receiving this work via your board emails by Monday, April 6, 2020. Your board emails consist of the first three letters of your last name, the first three letters of your first name followed by @edu.emsb.qc.ca.

Of all of the secondary fives I have taught, you are the most knowledgeable about the world around you. I know that you are fully aware of the gravity of this pandemic and how important it is to remain quarantined for a while. By the same token, I also know that you can’t help but feel slighted by the turn of events as this is your graduating year. We all wish it were otherwise for you. Focus on the fact that this will pass and that though we cannot retrieve missed moments your futures will hold many more.

Some unexpectedly good things that have come from this pandemic for all of us: we are spending more quality time with our families, we have realised how quintessential all health field workers, caretakers, mail carriers, grocers, garbage men are, and we have realised that our health is of utmost importance. We are also learning to value things that we took for granted like taking a walk.

Take this time to stay in touch with your classmates, even those that are not as social. Call family or friends that you only see once in a while. Sleep in, it is good for your immune systems. Don’t overdo it with video games, and memes which offer instant but fleeting gratification. Take this opportunity to reflect and introspect. Take a stab at a new skill. Work on improving both your emotional and physical health and keep your minds stimulated. The suggested school work could help with the latter. Working independently and managing your time will be an invaluable asset not only for CEGEP, but for all future endeavours.

I truly do miss each and every one of you and hope we are back at school as predicted- even if it is to challenge me. If you need to reach out and talk for any reason please feel free to email me at shalaris@emsb.qc.ca.

Respectfully,

Ms. Halaris

Here are also some examples I feel you will enjoy in addition Sarah Key's: If I Should Have a Daughter which you can access by clicking above. Please watch the ministry's link to completion as Sarah Key's explains the writing process.

1.Click here for a poem on bullying. The poet Shane Koyczan explains what prompted him to write this poem and then begins the poem to the backdrop of the animated version. the animated version is really well done so you may want to watch it on its own .

2.If you want to hear a slam poem that is an apology letter to future generations for what we have done to our environment and our world, click here.

I would love to share some of your poems with the group on this website.

A regular poem to end with a more positive note.

Assignments for April 13 to April 17, 2020

Dearest students ,

I hope my Jewish students had a Happy Passover and those of the Christian faith a Happy Easter, despite the social restrictions. I am sure that many of you found creative ways to celebrate. I am also sure that there was more time to reflect on the meaning of these holidays, and that you felt the love of your families and friends despite their absence. When things get back to normal, I hope you reflect back on this time and remember what is most important.

This week I want you to complete the work for Fahrenheit 451 and do the work prescribed the ministry. The ministry suggests you write a letter to your future self, or an opinion essay . An article of your own would be a good alternative as well. You are experiencing history. Write something worthy to document it and share with future generations. Though the ministry suggests that you only write about positive events and how your reality has changed I would leave it a bit more open ended as writing is both cathartic and healing. I'm sure you have strong feelings, concerns and beliefs concerning this pandemic. Here is your opportunity to speak your mind. I truly value your opinions and perspectives and would really appreciate reading what you have written.

Continue to stay safe and stay healthy.

Ms Halaris

***If you are experiencing anxiety,stress or inability to focus due to "pandemic overload" please read the article below.

Ministry lesson plan for the week of April 20- 24

Dear students,

I am enjoying talking to my group of assigned students, but would like to hear from the rest of you as well. I hope you are taking time to reflect and think about two or three positive things in your lives daily and getting some fresh air.

Though the work suggested by the ministry will not be marked it does help keep your minds sharp. This week you are asked to comment on song lyrics and perhaps create some of your own. perhaps you do not want to write words but compose some music- shout out to Nathan?

Below you will find the ministry assignment,some links to encourage you to complete the task and perhaps motivate you to do something similar.

I have also added a link to spot fake Covid news- perhaps some of you might find this interesting and give me some of your wit and sarcasm.

I am also sharing how some of your classmates are spending their quarantine, feel free to share what you deem interesting or even share your talents..

Ms Halaris

click here if you would like some inspiration to create your own lyrics. perhaps you would like to write something inspirational, or change the lyrics of a pre existing song. perhaps you would like to sing a song for us and send us the clip. In this you tube clip , Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Andrea Bocelli amidst other talented musicians performed "The Prayer"to finish the 'Together at Home' broadcast for Coronavirus relief. What would you like to comment on or create ? Share it with us.

Assignments for the week of April 27 to May 1, 2020

Dear students,

I really appreciated , the emails and sample writing pieces I received from students the past week. Ii know it is hard working from home, but I hope you are trying to do something each day. Despite the limitations we have a lot to be grateful for. Try to think of at least three things each morning. Today I was grateful for my health, the fact that I am not alone under quarantine- although my kids can get a bit messy etc and that I have access to knowledge, entertainment as well as access to friends at my fingertips thanks to technology. Thinking like this helps me put things in perspective.

This week you are asked to write a short story. I am adding two links. One is a general how to, and the other it is from the author of Harrison Bergeron which 'i think many of you are familiar with.

I am very appreciative of pictures sent to me, which I unfortunately can not share lest some of you decide some unnecessary or snide comment- even if in jest. I am though sharing part two of Shalom's blog and adding a review of how to use APA in text citing. I will be adding other links and suggestions next week along with how to cite with MLA.

As always I wish you health and look forward to when I see you in person rather that communicate through emails. Please reach out if you need to talk or share.

Ms.Halaris

Click here to access Kurt Vonnegut's video on how to write a short story.

Click here for a more detailed way on how to write a short story. The speaker speaks a bit quickly but she is thorough..

Click here if you want to access Shalom's weekly blog. As an English teacher I do feel somewhat compelled to correct some spelling and grammar mistakes, but it is entertaining and informative.

Ministry work for the week of May 4, 2020

Dear students,

Some students have emailed me to tell me they could not access the ministry's directives. Though I am working to correct this glitch, you will see that once it is corrected that I have been providing you with the explanations and some resources to do exactly what the ministry requested. In other words, you have not missed a portion of the lesson. I have been clarifying, giving you tools to work with, and sometimes adjusting the assignment to suit your tastes and interests. I have also been adding additional assignments that I feel will assist you in the future.

Below is a snapshot of this week's assignment.

This week the ministry wants you to contemplate on what is a hero. Our initial reaction to the word 'hero" evokes images of fictional characters. Heroes can be everyday Many individuals we would have normally dismissed as heroes, have emerged as exactly that just during this pandemic.The mailmen, sanitation workers, the clerks in essential services stores, and of course all the people from the cleaners to the doctors in the health care institutions. Let us not forget you. Yes you too are heroes , for staying home, compromising some of your education, sacrificing milestone events, and alleviating physical socializing to protect those that are most vulnerable. Click on the links below to access the ministry suggested links... as they do not always work on the pic. and to access my suggested additional work. Check in this week for more ways to cite.

In the past weeks the ministry asked you to create a slam poem and to write a short story. if you have not already done so , below i have provided you with a sample of a short story with a "Seuss like" rhyming scheme that has been produced as a short clip. I hope this inspires you. as in previous weeks I have added Shalom's link to his blog for your enjoyment.

Continue to stay safe and I hope to see you soon.

Ms.Halaris

links to Ministry videos

Click here for TEd Talks video

Click here for access to Global news video

Additional assignment and link to Shalom's blog.

Watch the video, give commentary and create your own poem or short story. Click here for a wonderful uplifting sample.

click here for Shalom's blog. Here is one of the latest. i am sure you can access the others

Ministry work for the week of May 11, 2020

Dear Students,

It was nice seeing some of you last Thursday at school even under the strict directives.. I hope you enjoyed the rainbow balloons as you entered the school. These were courtesy of Student Life. It was a small gesture, to add a little colour to a day that may have been a bit bittersweet or scary for some - teachers and all school staff included. Ideally we would like things to return to normal and finish the year with the much anticipated outings and celebrations, but for now our safety and health is more important.

This week the ministry wants you to explore playgrounds around the world and create a type of photo journal if you will. Feel free to write an article, blog, poem etc about this topic.

Look below for the ministry's links as well as others suggested by me. I have shared some pictures of last Thursday.

Few of you have been sharing. I would love to see more of your work. According to the latest ministry directives we will have to be contacting you every day. It still remains unclear in what capacity or duration will be doing so. there was some vague clarification about evaluations for this last term. I will write you only once it has been clarified and finalised; otherwise, it is pointless .

Please relay a very Happy Mother's Day to your moms and or maternal figures in your life. These are the moments to cherish all others will fall into place.

Ms.H

click here for images for James Mollison's playground project.

click here to read an article about the James Mollison project here.

click here for photography tips with a camera.

click here for photography tips with a smart phone.

Ministry work for the week of May 18, 2020

Dear Students,

This week we commence online teaching; nevertheless, I will continue to post the assignments on my website as well. I will be using Teams as this is what our school board wants us all to use for any online teaching come September. As we get more comfortable- who am I kidding-as I get more comfortable with Teams I will be posting the homework in the note section of Teams.

This week the Ministry asks that you write a defence for one of the books that was to be in this year's Canada Reads Challenge. You are to read the exerpts of each book , listen to the highlights of the first "episode" and write a defense of your own for one of the books. This will only be due next week . I would prefer a video or audio recording so I can use this as part of an oral mark . It should be no longer than three minutes. This will be due in two weeks.

Preparing a Defence!

Information for students

Canada Reads: One Book That Brings Canada Into Focus

Canada Reads is an annual "battle of the books" competition organized and broadcast by Canada’s public broadcaster, the CBC. During the competition, five Canadian personalities champion five different books. This year’s theme is “bringing Canada into focus.” Each book will represent one view of Canada or one personal experience of our vast country. Find out more about Canada Reads 2020 here: Canada Reads. You can also listen to a special spotlight episode where the author discusses their book. Make notes as you read or listen. 

Prepare a Canada Reads Defence  · Watch this highlight video from Canada Reads 2019. Notice the types of arguments used to defend the book.

· Use your notes and ideas from reading and listening or viewing to produce a short defence of one of the Canada Reads 2020 books. Write down and/or make a video or audio recording of your defence.

Material required

· Paper, pen, phone, tablet or computer.

Information for parents Above all, activity is designed to be simple. We hope it will appeal to your child. The bes

Click here for the highlight video from Canada Reads.

click here for the contenders of Canada Reads 2020

click here for the spotlight videos. On the bottom of hte page you will find other links to help create your defence for the books.

On Tuesday, your first virtual class with me, we will be discussing proper behaviour on Teams, and then we can discuss your feelings on this pandemic.I hope to touch upon how the pandemicis being portrayed by the media,how it has been treated by politicians and how people are coping etc. It will be a tall order for forty minutes but I am confident that we will at least pique everyone's interest. all materials used in this virtual lesson will be include in thsi website after the lesson .

The purpose of this lesson is to write an article that is inspired by this pandemic. This will be due on May 25, 2020. I am looking for a small article of 300 words, but if you have more to say, than by all means go for it.