Oct.31

Have a safe & enjoyable Halloween evening !

Great job on your realistic eyes!

Oct.30

Geography

Language

Copy & paste your Paul Fleishman onto school letterhead provided so we can mail out to author.  Submit on Friday.

Math Corrections

Oct.28 IMPORTANT REMINDER

At this point, the following tasks should have been completed in full and submitted for assessment.  Please ensure you are up-to-date.  Your task tracker will be sent home very soon with your progress report card.

Summer Prezi

Geography Place of Interest

Geography 2 Districts/Cultural Neighborhoods

Geography Ontario Region

Geography Niagara Escarpment

Novel Monologues 1-5

Novel Lessons x12 + Monologues 6-11

Novel Letter to Author

Family Life Crest

Family Life Self-Concept

Family Life Personality Poem

Art Melted Crayon

Art Accordian Still Life

Art Autumn Acrylic on Canvas

Art Autumn Perspective

Art Eye Ball

MATH CORRECTIONS U2 RATIOS, RATES

Oct.28

Math Fractions, Ratios, Rates, Percents

https://www.khanacademy.org/math/cc-sixth-grade-math/cc-6th-ratios-prop-topic/cc-6th-describing-ratios/v/introduction-to-ratios--new-hd-version

Geography U3 Movement

Read text pgs. 48-51 to identify 3 examples of natural movement affecting landforms with real-life examples.

Kortright Trip permission form & cheque due tomorrow please.

Oct.23

Complete your Personality Poem for Family Life as per sample below:

Continue working on Niagara Escarpment geography task due Monday (Di Croce/Tassone)

Continue to revise/edit letter to Seedfolks author due Friday (Di Croce/Tassone)

Continue working on your short 1-2 minute healthy/active living video; presentations begin Friday (Di Croce) 

Have a solution to the math problem of the week ready to share for tomorrow's skype after French with St. Maria Goretti's grade 7:

In football, the player who kicks the ball is called the punter.  During a recent football game, the punter kicked the ball 5 times.  His longest kick was 44 yards (40 metres) and he averaged 35 yards (32 metres) per kick.  Each of his kicks was a different positive integer length.  Your task is to determine the minimum possible length of the punter’s shortest kick.

Solution:

Oct.21

Health (due by Fri. Oct.25th)

Success Criteria

• ensure your video has a specific focus/theme/message
• ensure you understand your target audience i.e. children, young adults
• benefits & consequences of sedentary vs active lifestyle
• benefits & consequences of balanced eating habits vs unhealthy
• text that raises questions and prompts audience to think and evaluate their habits
• images that bring to life the text 
• background music that complements your theme
• have a final concluding message or slogan to raise awareness

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2CFhtoKd_0


Language (due by Fri. Oct. 25th)

Success Criteria

• ensure you are aware of your audience i.e. author Paul Fleishman
• ensure you are focusing on the writing trait of "Voice"
• put yourself in the letter by writing in the 1st person point of view "I"
• are you clearly expressing your personal point of view, thoughts, feelings?
• have a focus: which character's monologue had the greatest impact on you? was it engaging, inspirational, taught you a valuable lesson? 
• offer your own unique perspective on the story, express how the book made you feel, your level of enjoyment and pleasure in reading it

Geography (we are working on it throughout the week)

Niagara Escarpment Task

The Niagara Escarpment is an important region in our province.  As you have travelled north-west of Toronto you may have seen signs along the highway indicating that you were entering escarpment territory.  You are to use the text and sample below, as well as online sources to map this area, describe the region, its distance, the regions it passes through, its unique landforms, species and vegetation.  You are welcome to use PowerPoint, Prezi or create a handout.

Below are some Prezis to inspire and provide you with some prompts:

http://prezi.com/yugsmqnhnqpt/niagara-escarpment/

http://prezi.com/gggjcehk7j0v/the-niagara-escarpment/

Key Ideas:

• Ridge of sedimentary rock extending 700+km from Tobermory, Ontario to Niagara Falls
• Extends through the regions of Bruce, Grey, Simcoe, Dufferin, Peel, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara
• Biosphere Reserve (conservation area composed of unique flora & fauna that are protected from urbanization/development)
• Tourist/recreational area for hikers, campers, rock-climbers, zip-liners, cottagers and anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors/natural wonders
• Landforms consisting of forest, grasslands, wetlands, rolling hills, waterfalls
• Major waterfalls: Niagara, Albion, Devil's Punchbowl, Webster's
• Fauna: eagles, hawks, salamanders, rattlesnakes, squirrel bat
• Flora: sugar maple, white cedar, orchids

Great job on the autumn art in perspective!

David:

Gabby: 

Dale: 

Sophia: 

Jessica: 

Austin: 

Camilla: 

Jaden: 

Sarah: 

Oct.17

Language (Tassone & Di Croce)

A draft (rough copy) of your letter to Paul Fleishman about which character had the greatest impact on you or was most inspirational will be checked tomorrow in class.  Have it ready to go for peer conferencing to revise and edit it. 


Geography (Tassone & Di Croce)

Your Region task is due tomorrow.  Remember to follow the sample from Oct.3 blog entry.


Health (Di Croce)

Continue working on your video that will raise awareness about healthy living and eating habits among young adults.


Skype

A reminder to all that we will have a brief meet-and-greet with a grade 7 class from St. Maria Goretti (TCDSB) tomorrow after French at 1.05pm.  We will begin to work with them on math problem-solving activities.  We are also organizing a similar experience with a school in Ohio, USA.  

Oct.16

Geography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto

Our region of Toronto can be characterized by the following geographical traits and landmarks:

·                     Population: 2.5-3 million people, international population/immigrants

·                     Region Type: urban, cosmopolitan, economic centre

·                     Boundaries: Steeles to the north, Lakeshore to the south, Don Valley Parkway to the East and HWY 427 to the west

·                     Townships: Etobicoke, North York, York, East York, Scarborough, Midtown & Downtown Toronto

·                     Government: City Hall (local/municipal) on Queen St. & Queen’s Park (Ontario Provincial Legislature) College & University

·                     Economy:  construction, media, banking, medical, manufacturing, hospitality/tourism

·                     Climate: typical 4 seasons, wind chill, hot/hazy/humid

·                     Highways: 401, 400, 427, DVP, Gardiner Express Way, 407 ETR, QEW

·                     Railways: VIA Rail, Go Transit, RTL (Rapid Transit Line or Streetcars)

·                     Subway Stations: TTC, Union, Wilson, Yorkdale, Downsview

·                     Airports: Pearson (TPIA YYZ), Toronto City Island Billy Bishop

·                     Stadiums: Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre, Ricoh Coliseum, Varsity Stadium, BMO Field, Molson Amphitheatre

·                     Theatres: Mirvish Theatres (Princess of Wales, Cannon, Royal Alexandra)

·                     Shopping Centres: Eaton Centre, Sherway Gardens, Yorkdale, Dufferin Mall, Woodbine

·                     Recreational Areas: High Park, Humber River Trail, Downsview Park

·                     Landform: Scarborough Bluffs escarpment

·                     Major Streets: Yonge, Bloor, Eglinton, Front, Spadina

·                     Cultural Neighborhoods: Little Italy, Portugal, Chinatown, Greektown, India

·                     Languages: English, Chinese, Italian, other European

·                     Religions: Christianity, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox

·                     Key Districts: Financial, Underground city shopping (PATH), Distillery, Yorkville/Hazelton Lanes

·                     Education: U of T, York U, Ryerson, TCDSB, TDSB, Seneca/Humber/George Brown Colleges

Oct.15

Health

Your task is to create a video (MovieMaker or iMovie) that promotes active living and/or healthy eating habits to young adults; one that encourages the benefits of transitioning from a sedentary lifestyle to one that builds strength, energy, motivation and self-confidence.  Below are your inspirations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2CFhtoKd_0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAclAwZ6YjQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAaOiEvjcGM


Geography

     

Our region of Toronto can be characterized by the following geographical traits and landmarks:

• Population:
• Region Type:
• Boundaries:
• Townships:
• Government:
• Economy:
• Climate:
• Highways:
• Railways:
• Subway Stations:
• Airports:
• Stadiums:
• Theatres:
• Shopping Centres:
• Recreational Areas:
• Landform: 
• Major Streets:
• Cultural Neighborhoods:
• Languages:
• Religions:
• Key Districts:
• 
  

Language: Writing

Your task is to write a personal letter to the author to let him know which of Seedfolks characters had the greatest impact on you as a reader.  Explain to him which character you will remember the most.  Which character is most inspirational? Which character left an impression on you? 

• carefully re-read the monologue of the character you select
• what does the character do or say that you agree with? 
• what does the character do or say that could be inspirational?
• what does the character's actions promote? i.e. living in community
• what can we all take from the character and apply in own life? i.e. hope
• how did the book make you feel? share your personal opinions

Below is a sample:

Dear Paul Fleischman,

I just finished reading your novel Seedfolks in Mr. Di Croce's grade 7 class at St. Simon school in Toronto.  I found it to be one of most inspirational novels that I have read to date.  I writing to let you know that one character, in particular, moved me and spoke to me the most - that character is Sae Young.

The reason why I felt Sae Young had such an effect on me is because you showed that she went through so many tragic and heart-breaking situations yet managed to eventually rise above it all.  She struggled to have a child but was unsuccessful, her husband died at a very young age and she nearly was beaten to death when her business was robbed.  I really felt a lot of compassion and empathy for her.  After reading her monologue, I could almost put myself into her shoes and really feel her suffering and insecurity.

After all that happened, Sae Young was afraid to even step outside her door.  I personally feel that nobody should be fearful of going outside to explore the world around them and to simply live out their life as they please to the fullest each day.  No one and nothing should stop you from doing that.  If I were able to actually speak to Sae Young and give her advice, I would tell her not to be afraid and I would try to boost her self-confidence and trust in others.    I would tell her not to let her past affect or prevent her from creating a positive future for herself.  

In the end, I did feel much better when she actually was able to step outside her door and go visit the Gibb Street Garden. She was finally enjoying herself and interacting with others.  She was doing something that made her feel happier and fulfilled.  She was living her life again.  She didn't let the fear of what if? get in the way of living out her life.  I was particularly moved when Sae Young said that just being near people again after such a long time "feel good, like next to fire in winter".

As a reader, I felt satisfied that you had this character overcome this obstacle and not take life for granted.  We only live once, so you have to enjoy your life. Thank you for teaching us the importance of overcoming personal fears and establishing positive relationships with others.   We shouldn't isolate ourselves; instead, we need to interact in a friendly and positive manner with everyone, irregardless of race, religion or language.  I am convinced that this will lead to a more fulfilling life, emotionally and spiritually.  

If we spend our lives worrying or second-guessing ourselves, then we will miss out on so much.  This is what I have learned from your character Sae Young.
Looking forward to another well-written and inspirational novel of yours,

Joe Smith
Gr.7 Student

Oct.10 Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving - have a wonderful weekend with your family & friends :)


Excellent work everyone in developing your inferencing skills to identify and present the key themes of our novel Seedfolks - you all did well in highlighting important life lessons!

Great participation in our 1st Rosary celebration of the year!

Super acordian & autumn art pieces!