Dec. 2019

Thurs.19Dec

Science

  • Warm up of electricity formula practice before today's ICA.
  • 904 had some time getting reacquainted with block coding in the blockly.games web app. We will be doing some more coding (mostly block based, but with some access to Java for those interested) after the break, as well as working with Micro:bits and Sphero robots if time permits.... 903 will not get left behind, it's just the way the schedule fell that 904 got to do it first.
  • Math ICA from earlier this week will be visible in PowerSchool later this afternoon and returned tomorrow along with today's science ICA.

NS HOMEWORK HUB has been updated (a bit)... our math textbook is now available (and looks like it's downloadable) as well as a handful of instructional videos. The link is on the GNSPES launch page under Supports.

Mon.16Dec

MATH

  • More practice with linear relations (intersecting lines, rearranging equations). We will be focusing more on this after the break - notes in File Storage. ICA (open notes) tomorrow will be similar to the last one but with some word problems on it like those on the handout from Fri.13Dec. Today's class involved discussing a number of these problems and how to generate equations and/or graphs for the various situations.
  • New items in File Storage: Handout from Fri.13Dec , and class notes from today featuring solutions to a selection of problems from the handout from Friday.
  • Here is a helpful website with plenty of practice material [sorry, I meant to have this up before the weekend for your convenience]: AlgebraLab.org

HL8

  • As we move through our focus on healthy relationships, we have started discussing matters concerning pregnancy with the following learning targets in mind:
        • Identify the early signs of pregnancy and understand the importance of early prenatal care.
        • Evaluate the different options related to unintended pregnancy (including raising the child, adoption or abortion) and explore the challenges related to each of these options.

Thurs. 12Dec

MATH

  • Practice with linear relations (intersecting lines, rearranging equations). We will be focusing more on this after the break - notes in File Storage. More practice tomorrow with interpreting word problems - translating to equations and solving for one variable or the other

SCIENCE 903 and 904

  • Practice with electricity formula... focus on Metric system conversions. Plenty of practice tomorrow - if you want a sneak peek, see File Storage.

HL8

  • Bystander/Bullying billboard was completed today in class.
  • ***I shared a video detailing the structure of the imperial measurement system. I also mentioned that there would be a quiz on this and that details would be on the website. Towards the end of the discussion I shared three countries and displayed a map showing where they are located (the countries were USA, Myanmar and Liberia - those country names are all I will be asking for when it's time for the quiz). Please do not share this with any of your classmates as this has been an exercise in active listening.

Mon.09Dec

MATH

  • ICA06 from last week was returned and answered reviewed (answers are in File Storage for reference). This turned out to be a more challenging assignment than I anticipated, but many students were not using the procedures as rehearsed in the classes leading up to the assignment. Results can be viewed in PowerSchool. More assignments will be offered to allow students to demonstrate understanding before the end of the unit.
  • HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: Graphing activity (Google Classroom for assignment details and link to the interactive platform). Time was given to start this task in class today. Due by 9pm tonight.
  • Mid Year Exam... End of January (aligned with high school exam week, Jan 16-20): This will feature content from the first four units of grade 9 Math (ch.1-4 from our textbook). We'll be taking a bit of time leading up to the exam to review everything and discuss format. It will be written during regular class time so it will not be a full scale, 2hr sitting as can be expected with the June exams. This will provide students one more opportunity to navigate the challenges of cumulative assessments before reaching the higher stakes events of high school.

SCIENCE 903 and 904

  • Introduction to Ohm's Law and practice using formula.
  • See File Storage for slide decks, formula triangles and wheel, and a page of practice questions using Ohm's Law (V=IR)
  • Circuit simulator assignment (from before the weekend, in Google Classroom): Due tonight (9pm).

Fri.06Dec

MATH

  • Recap and Q&A from last night's homework assigned following the ICA
    • Be sure that all assigned work from this week is completed before arriving for class on Monday. Handouts are in File Storage as well as some notes from this week.
    • New today... we looked at a handful of physics formula to use as practice with rearranging equations to isolate certain variables, as is required when working with linear relations. More of this will come later in the winter as we focus more on solving equations rather than establishing equations for linear relations.
    • The next few months are going to be quite heavy with algebra, so it will be critical to remain vigilant with regular practice and organization to stay on top of things. I continue to be available on Tuesdays over lunch break to help with minor problems

SCIENCE 904

  • Circuits... See File storage for slide deck of notes we discussed, with particular attention to the PHET simulator.
  • Circuit simulator assignment was continued (In Google Classroom) - due date is 2pm on Monday so it should be completed over the weekend.

HL 804

  • Wrap up chat and notes on bullying and bystanders. Billboard poster assignment started...more time next class to finish this.
  • 803 - you'll be starting the billboard poster assignment next class.

Thurs.05Dec

MATH

  • ICA (open notes) was today ... most arrived prepared with notes in order, which was good to see.
  • Upon completing the ICA students were first expected to finish any unfinished work from last night, then...
    • Pg.178, #4-11 (homework for tonight)

SCIENCE 904

  • Circuits... See File storage for slide deck of notes we discussed, with particular attention to the PHET simulator.
  • Circuit simulator assignment was started (In Google Classroom) - due date TBD, one more class will be provided for working on this assignment.

Wed.04Dec

MATH

  • Chat about last night's homework items ...
  • See File Storage (by 2:30pm) for board notes from today.
  • New items assigned from today's handout (finish for homework): pg. 95-96, #11,13-18, 32-34 ... some time was provided to begin in class.
  • Expect an ICA on Thursday on linear relations - determining equations from data tables, word problems and from graphs, and graphing linear relations from equations, data tables and word problems. This will be open notes, so students are strongly encouraged to have their class notes and homework practice in order should they need to refer to them during the assignment.
  • Helpful website: MATHWAREHOUSE.COM has a helpful series of examples and practice questions dealing with all of our recent material concerning linear relations

SCIENCE

  • Circuits... See File storage for slide deck of notes we discussed, with particular attention to the PHET simulator.
  • Circuit simulation assignment started today (903 only) - due date TBD, one more class will be provided for working on this assignment.

Tues.03Dec

MATH

  • Chat about last night's homework items ... a handful of questions regarding process for graphing linear relations (yesterday's class topic).
  • New Handout in class "writing equations of lines" containing plenty of examples and lots of practice questions. Handout is in File Storage in case you need an extra copy or were absent today.
  • Sorry, no class notes to upload today... Mimio was not working :(
  • Homework assigned from today's handout: pg. 95-96, #4-7, 19,21, 27-31, 35-37 ... some time was provided to begin in class and lunch time extra help was offered today to clarify any instructions from this morning.
  • Expect an ICA on Thursday on linear relations - determining equations from data tables, word problems and from graphs, and graphing linear relations from equations, data tables and word problems. This will be open notes, so students are strongly encouraged to have their class notes and homework practice in order should they need to refer to them during the assignment.

Mon.02Dec

MATH

  • Quick recap of last week's focus on linear relations, focusing on the weekend homework items.
  • Homework: Handout from class "More Linear Relations Practice.pdf" #1-6, two parts of #7, and all of #8
  • Handout and some notes from today's class are in File Storage.

HL803

    • Practicing Active Listening - conversation activity following some reminders and discussion of active listening skills/tips.