Ms MacInnes' Cedar Grove Blog

Students used their time today to complete many outstanding assignments. Today, we also had numerous class discussions with serious and, at times, heavy content.  These discussions are healthy and are normal for this age group.  I always encourage, however, students to touch base with their families regarding the content, as I recognize that each family has their own set of morals and ethical codes in which they follow.  The topics were dealt with maturely by our students.  It is wonderful to work with such an inquisitive group of individuals! Please do not forget that tomorrow is our Secret Santa gift exchange and that Friday we make gingerbread houses.

Students are now expected to have their assignments in math and language arts complete.  Most have handed these in to me. Please remember that on Thursday and Friday we will have pyjama day or ugly sweater day.  It is the students' choice as to which they will wear on either day.  We will have our Secret Santa gift exchange on Thursday and make Gingerbread Houses on Friday. On Friday, students will need a sturdy piece of cardboard covered in tin foil, some decorative candies for their house, a small ziplock bag, and patience!!  If any parents would like to come in to help, we would be ever so appreciative!

Today students were given more time to complete their Math Journals and Language Arts assignments. Students then worked on a few collective math questions.  These are not for homework. Students worked through the play this afternoon and are doing a fabulous job! We can't wait to perform tomorrow and Wednesday!

Today students worked towards completion of their projects. They did a fantastic job with the play!!

Students today had much of the day to work on completion of assignments. Due this coming Tuesday, December 18th are: Math Journal Touching Spirit Bear Summaries Story Plot Diagram Character Attributes Outline Hot Seat Presentations Please see the links to Math Journal and Language Arts for more information on these assignments. Students also had some time to work on their Hominid Projects.  Please search the link on the blog for these projects as well. Discussion:  Students have been showing extreme patience and a strong work ethic the past few days and have been flexible with all of the interruptions due to the play.  Please know that they should be very proud of their behaviour.  Who taught them these fine leadership qualities?  How will these qualities help them later in life?

Story Plot Diagram Hot Seat Hot Seat Questions Do you like sports? Where are you from? How old are you? Have you ever changed in your life? What do you think about other people? Who has given you the most support in life? What is your favourite animal? Do you like school? Who are your friends? Do you still want power? What is your favourite colour? Can you ever forgive yourself? Others? What’s your family background? What is the biggest issue you’ve overcome and how? Have you forgiven Cole? Do you trust Cole? How long have you been drug or alcohol free? Are you okay? Are you able to let go of the pain others have caused? How are you able to forget your past and move forward? Do you visit you dad in jail? Where are you living now? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

Math Journal Sample:

Today students focused predominantly on Language Arts, Math, and our upcoming play. Students were asked to complete a Math Journal.  Students will have more time to work on this project over the next couple of days.  The project will be due on Tuesday, December 18th.  I have created an entry that is specific to the Math Journal on the blog. In Language Arts, students are asked to complete their chapter summaries up to and including chapter 28 in Touching Spirit Bear.  We have now concluded the novel and will be working on three projects over the next week.  These projects will be amalgamated and put on a separate blog entry labeled Language Arts Projects. Thanks to students and their patience while we work through the play.  It is coming along and is very exciting!

Sorry for not posting yesterday. Today students must make sure that they are up to date with Touching Spirit Bear.  Chapter 27 is for homework.  Students will need to hand in their final summaries tomorrow. Story Plot Diagrams will also be due by the end of the week.  We will begin preparations for our Hot Seat project tomorrow. Tomorrow students will be working on their math journals.  Please see the rubric below:

Today students were assigned chapter 24 from Touching Spirit Bear, which will be due on Monday.  Students will want to make sure they are completing their chapter summaries and adding as many details about their thinking as possible.  A strong entry includes what you think about a chapter, why you think it, and what happened in the story to make you think that way. Students were given a large portion of time today to begin completing their paragraphs for their hominid project.  Please remember that you can search on the blog for the hominid project link for information to help you find success on the project.  You will likely want to make sure that you have colour coded your notes into the following categories: geography, time, appearance, technologies, and social customs. I expect most students to have at least one paragraph complete by the end of the afternoon.  You need to have one paragraph on appearance, technologies, and social customs and another para...

Please remember that your video note-making is due tomorrow.  Please include the colour coding and legend of categories (social, technology, appearance, geography, time). Chapter 22 in Touching Spirit Bear is also due.  Tomorrow you will have some class time to work on your story plot diagram and we will read chapter 23 together as a class. Tomorrow, students will go outside for a bit of PE with Mr Metcalfe after recess.  Please make sure that you are dressed appropriately! Finally, students will want to have earbuds (perhaps as a holiday present!) in class for working on research and viewing documentaries. Discussion:  Is music important?  Why are some people more musical than others?  Is it something that people are born with or can it be learned?  How is listening to music different from making music?

Students were assigned chapter 22 from Touching Spirit Bear .  In Language Arts, a story plot diagram was assigned.  This is one of three projects that students will complete based on the novel.  Students have been provided a checklist and a template from which to view when completing this assignment.  The due date for the story plot line is Tuesday, December 11th. Students also completed a math test today. Please remember that all students should at this time be off book and have their lines memorized for the upcoming play. Discussion:  Please discuss the activity in Indigenous Education today.  Remember that if you are interested in bringing the satchel home that you first describe what it is to your family and then ensure a note letting me know your family is okay with you bringing it home.

Students are still expected to complete chapter 20 in Touching Spirit Bear by tomorrow. There will be a math quiz tomorrow, based on the pre-quiz given yesterday in class. It is important that students have a pair of inexpensive ear-buds as part of their school supply requirements.  This is to allow students to view documentaries to enhance their research practice on projects.  For example, students are being asked to view a documentary about their chosen hominid and then complete a note-making assignment. Please see the notes below for French: The band practice information is also below: Discussion questions: Why is it important to be true to your word?  Is it possible for a reputation to be recovered?

Today students wrote a math pre-quiz.  They will write the quiz on Wednesday. Students have also been assigned chapter 20 in Touching Spirit Bear. I will collect their social studies notes tomorrow. All students with lines in the play must be off book by tomorrow. Sorry for the late entry...🙃