science unit 3

language f.y.i.

We will be wrapping up Small Steps & Prezi plot diagram with presentations this week.

Our next novel with audio & ebook will be:

The Breadwinner

by Deborah Ellis

Eleven-year-old Parvana lives with her family in one room of a bombed-out apartment building in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city. Parvana's father - a history teacher until his school was bombed and his health destroyed - works from a blanket on the ground in the marketplace, reading letters for people who cannot read or write. One day, he is arrested for the crime of having a foreign education, and the family is left wihtout someone who can earn money or even shop for food.

As conditions for the family grow desperate, only one solution emerges. Forbidden to earn money as a girl, Parvana must transform herself into a boy, and become the breadwinner.
The Breadwinner is a novel about loyalty, survival, families and friendship under extraordinary circumstances. A map, glossary and author's note provide young readers with background and context.

Nail String Art

I am looking into getting the necessary materials (woodboards, nails, felt, thread) to attempt this classic geometric art activity:

 

Check out these links for a variety of pattern ideas you may want to try out: 

 

http://www.stringartfun.com/section.php/2/1/free-patterns/1709bdb5139a3faca594eb0902d41f52

 

http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/string/flower.html

 

http://www.caron-net.com/kidfiles/kidsjuly.html

 

http://www.mathcats.com/crafts/stringart.html#patterns

 



Toronto Star article Dec 26th "Bumbling mayor re-energized city"

A clear example of the writing trait "voice" - after reading this article, do you really think this journalist likes our mayor?

http://www.thestar.com/printarticle/1306824 
A hard copy is available on pg. GT2 of today's Star.

Read to live.  Live to read.

Toronto Star Dec 26th article "Automobile sales go Gangnam Style"

Interesting article about how Koreans in wealthy Gangnam district prefer prestigious German cars over their boring domestic brands of Hyundai or Kia. 

Click on link to read http://www.thestar.com/printarticle/1304554 

If you get the Star, the full article is on page B7 in Business section.

Read to live.  Live to read.

dec 21

Wishing you and your families a joyous Christmas break and happy New Year - thank you kindly for all your generous tokens of appreciation :)

papier mache day

 

It was a great day with papier mache and local artist Ken Kettlewell from http://www.innercityangels.ca

 



dec 19 small steps prezi

Today we add character profiles (protagonist/antagonist/supporting/supporting in minor roles) to Exposition & police interrogation to Rising Action.  Click link to see example:
http://prezi.com/xmtlbhqdmg4c/small-steps-by-louis-sachar/?auth_key=3258dfb21dc25cbca2489c72e4bf92504e5c323d&kw=view-xmtlbhqdmg4c&rc=ref-11254811