Sept.30

Novel Study: Hatchet Chp.15 Plot Diagram rising action

Brian is learning to survive through a process of much trial and error; taking time and strategizing, thinking before he acts. 

He comes to realize a very important lesson: "so much of all living was patience and thinking".  You have to work towards a goal and plan, plan and plan.

Brian's senses are becoming increasingly more acute (in touch with nature) and it's helping him hunt for food - his greatest challenge was hunting the "foolbirds" for his First Meat.  Any accomplishment involves planning, patience, hard work and self-motivation.


Hatchet Creative Writing Checklist: (final copy due Thursday)

- is the writer's voice (his/her personal feelings, opinions) clearly evident in the  piece?

- are the writer's 3 must-haves clearly identified with supporting reasons for each?

- is the writer's preference of stranded location & season clearly identified with supporting reasons

- does the writer clearly explain how he/she would react in that situation with supporting reasons?

- are the writer's ideas easy to read and follow because of proper sentence structure, punctuation and spelling?


Science: Pure Substances & Mixtures
Read & complete.  Corrections tomorrow.

Sept.29

For example:

 

My family enjoys visiting Etienne Brule park.  It is located just behind the Old Mill in the Kingsway community of Etobicoke, Toronto.  

The park is situated approximately in the  north west corner of Jane and Bloor, south of Dundas, east of Prince Edward.  The Humber River flows through it.  Pictured below is a mental map of its location:

This park is a destination for dog walkers, bird and fish photographers, recreational fishing, children, baseball leagues, and anyone who enjoys being among nature.

My wife, Linda, is particularly fond of this park since she recalls her dad photographing her as a child on the playscape and taking her on nature hikes when they lived in the area.  We enjoy interacting with other dog walkers, watching our dogs play together or just sittting by the Humber River listening to the flowing waterfalls as we slow down to enjoy some quiet family time in the heart of our busy city.  Our children love collecting acorns, chasing the squirrels and playing on the monkey bars.   

Novel Study: Hatchet Chp.13-14 Plot Diagram rising action

After missing the attention of the passing rescue plane, Brian becomes deeply depressed and attempts suicide but does not go through with it.  Out of this despair, comes a "new Brian" with a renewed self-confidence to survive whether he is rescued or not.

Brian has an encounter with a skunk and it affects him for over 1 month.  He realizes that for him and for all animals, food is first.  Brian reinforces his shelter to make it safer and creates a food storage shelf.  He learns to attract fish to a newly enclosed pond which will serve as a primary food source.

Sep.26

Getting ready for Terry Fox community walk:

Italian:

"Mi Presento" task due Tuesday Sept.30th

Novel Study: Hatchet Plot Diagram Chp.11-12:

Brian notices that his mind and body have changed; they are now working together and are adjusting to the wilderness. 

Brian finds himself in “survival mode” and his senses are becoming sharp. 

Brian is inventing a bow/arrow/spear to fish.

When Brian misses the attention of the passing rescue plane, he looses hope; he realizes he may not be able to keep up “the survival game” indefinitely. 

Novel Study: Hatchet Writing Task:

Begin a draft copy of open-ended respon

If you were stranded alone, like Brian, and had no way of contacting the outside world (no electrical outlet, no wi-fi, no smartphone) what 3 things would you absolutely want with you and why?  Where would you prefer to be stranded – in the woods? on an island? during the spring or winter season?  How do you think you would react in this situation?

Math: Rates

If it's easier, email the following tasks by Monday to stsimongr7@gmail.com and I will print them out for you, no worries:

• Geography Districts/Neighborhoods .ppx
• Science Lab 2 write-up .doc
• link to your Math Prezi

Sept.25

Tomorrow we begin Math Rates Prezi oral/visual presentations.  Once presented, your group is to share it to stsimongr7@gmail.com for blog posting.

Tomorrow Geography Districts/Neighborhoods & Science Lab 2 are to be wrapped-up, printed and/or emailed.

Homework: Math workbook 2.3 pg.14 solving rate problems.

Sept.24

Novel Study: Hatchet Chp.9-10 Plot Diagram rising action

With determination and patience, Brian discovers how to use his hatchet to build a fire that he refers to as his new friend, allowing him to feel less alone. 

Brian is beginning to adjust to the wilderness, to co-exist with his new surroundings, and learning some survival strategies to manage his incredible hunger.

Brian discovers his next new food to consume – turtle eggs.

We continue to work collaboratively this week on the following tasks using assistive technology:

1. Geography: 2 Toronto Districts/Neighborhoods mapped with icons on PowerPoint 
2. Math: 7 real-life examples of rates & equivalent rates showcased using Prezi - remember to add all members so that you share, revise & edit from anywhere.
3. Science: Lab 2 write-up Changes of State: solid-liquid-gas.  Follow scientific method format.  You may document your observations using a table, digital pictures or video (email lab write-up & attach video file)

Success Criteria/Rubrics:

Criteria

Content: ·         Compass ·         2 different districts/neighborhoods ·         4 major intersections boxing in region in line with compass directions ·         Variety of key district landmarks i.e. TTC station, park, school, church, library, shopping centre, monument etc. ·         Icons numbered with proper name ·         Icons accurately located N-S-W-E of intersections ·         Brief description of district, key highlights to note

Presentation: ·         PowerPoint ·         Neat, legible ·         Chronological, balanced

Criteria

Content: ·         Rates definition ·         7 rates in different contexts ·         Proper units of measure ·         Accurate calculations for equivalent rates showing scale factor ·         Conclusion: sum up your learning

Presentation: ·         Prezi ·         1 frame = 1 idea ·         Chronological path ·         Icons for context ·         Clear, legible

Sept.23

Showcase your understanding of rates in a Prezi, for example:

http://prezi.com/brwqbwmnyolj/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Novel Study: Hatchet Chp.8 Plot Diagram Rising Action

Brian is injured by the porcupine that stumbles into his shelter looking for berries.  Brian begins to realize that self-pity or feeling sorry for yourself accomplishes absolutely nothing.  Brian has a dream that prompts him to realize the importance of his hatchet - a precious tool for building a fire starting from the sparks it generates when contacting rock.  Now he finds himself looking for some fine, soft tinder to start his first fire that will begin his journey towards surviving the elements.

Sept.22

Tentative Schedule:
Please note subjects are cross-curricular and integrated, for example, media literacy integrated into geography task

We begin working collaboratively on our Toronto Districts/Neighborhoods task on PPT, using our Kingsway handout as a reference point.  Click link for additional city regions to choose from:
http://www.toronto.worldweb.com/SightsAttractions/DistrictsNeighbourhoods


Novel Study: Hatchet Chp.7 Plot Diagram Rising Action

Brian winces in severe abdomen pain from the "gutcherries".  He is injured, insect-bitten, starving, weak, afraid and miserable overall; as a result, he is mentally overwhelmed from the crash and cries in self-pity.  He begins to get to know the woods and finds sweet raspberries, ignoring the wild bear that also comes to feast on them but does not bother or attack him.

Math: Rates, Proportions

Be prepared to share your examples as a group orally & visually.

Science: Check Your Understanding

The three states of matter are solid, liquid and gas.

Rock: solid

Grape juice: liquid

Air: gas

Water changes from a solid to a liquid when heated because particles move faster and spread farther apart causing a change of state.

Solids have a definite volume because its particles are packed tightly together and are highly attracted to each other.

Liquids have a definite volume but not a definite shape.  Gas doesn’t have a definite volume nor a definite shape

1.2 Changing States

Solid particles: little movement, very close attraction

Liquid particles: more movement, beginning to spread apart

Gas particles: highly active, plenty of spreading

Table:

Solid: yes, definite shape, yes definite volume

Liquid: no, definite shape, yes definite volume

Gas: no, definite shape, no definite volume

Apple juice: liquid

Water vapour (steam): gas

Wood: solid

Science Lab 2: Changes in State (pg.16)

Purpose: We are conducting an experiment to determine what happens when matter changes state from a solid to a liquid to a gas.

Hypothesis: 

1.  If we place an ice cube in a plastic sandwich bag, squeeze out the air and seal it tight, place it in a microwave oven for 60-90 seconds approximately, then we think….because…according to the particle theory… 

2.  If we remove the sandwich bag from the microwave oven as soon as it inflates, then we think....because...

Procedure:

Text pg.16 1,2,3.

Observations:

Procedure	What I see happening?
Ice cube in sealed sandwich bag 60-90 seconds in microwave
Removal of ice in bag upon inflation from oven

table or digital photographs or video of your observations

Analysis:

A.

Sept.19

Geography: Toronto Districts & Neighborhoods

Team task: maximum 4.  Any 2 districts/neighborhood from suggested list discussed in class i.e. Distillery, Greektown, Underground PATH, Yorkville etc.

Page 1: PowerPoint map.  Key intersections boxing in region. Key landmark icons numbered within region with 1 actual picture.  

Page 2: describe the location and area facts.  List map icons.  Follow Kingsway example.

We will work on this task throughout the week.  

Submit next Friday.

Novel Study: Hatchet Plot Diagram 

Rising Action Chp.6

Brian builds a shelter and finds food - some bitter berries that he gorges upon and that cause him stomach pain.  He continues to have flashbacks of his mother's affair, the secret which bothers him.

  

Math: Numeracy Unit 2

Science 1.2 More About Matter

complete:

Check Your Understanding

Changing States

Sept 18

Geography: Place & Location

1.          A place or location refers to your position on our planet, Earth.

2.          Your home address is located in a neighborhood or residential  area which forms the community of Humberlea.

3.          Humberlea boundaries include Sheppard Ave. on the north, the Canadian National railway on the east, the Humber River on the west and Oak Street on the south side, home to Satin Finish hardwood & Visioneering lighting manufacturers.

4.          Stores and shopping plazas are located in a business or commercial  area.

5.          The borough or village or town of Weston is part of the city or municipality of Toronto. 

6.          Toronto is part of the province of Ontario.

7.          Cultural areas or districts such as Little Italy, Chinatown or Greektown are commonplace in a multi-cultural city such as ours.

8.          Ontario is part of the country or nation of Canada.  Besides provinces, countries may be also divided into states, territories or regions.

9.          Canada is part of the continent of North America.

10.      North America is part of the Northern Hemisphere.

11.      The Earth is part of our solar system or Milky Way Galaxy.

12.      A sketch of an area, neighborhood, or major road intersection as you picture it in your mind is called a mental map.

13.      Factories and manufacturing plants are located in industrial areas.

14.      Farming, agriculture and livestock are located in rural areas.

15.      The streets of our city are like a grid running north-south and intersect with streets running east-west forming quadrants of neighborhoods/communities.

16.      G.P.S. stands for Global Positioning System.  It pinpoints your exact location on earth using lines of longitude and latitude and important landmarks, or tourist destinations.

17.      A precise spot on earth with clearly defined boundaries is called an absolute location. 

18.      An estimation/approximation of a spot on Earth is called a relative  location.

19.      People decide to locate places in certain areas for physical or economic reasons (e.g. access to highways, landforms, bodies of water, potential employment) and social reasons (e.g. population, culture, language).

20.      Crossroads Shopping Centre is located on the south-east corner of Highway 401 and Weston road.

21.      St. Simon School is located on the north side of Wallasey Ave. on the east side of Weston Rd., just north of Walsh/Albion.

22.      One would travel west  on Wallasey from St Simon in order to reach Weston Road.

23.      One would travel north on Weston road from St Simon to reach St. Basil’s on Starview Blvd. or the Carmine Stefano Community Centre.

24.      One would travel south on Weston road from St Simon to reach Crossroads Shopping or the Superstore Gas station, on the north-east corner of Oak & Weston.

25.      Beckers is on the north-east corner of Weston Road and Gaydon Ave, across from the Petro Canada gas station.

26.      The general area of Weston/Hwy 401 has a combination of 3 distinct areas, namely: commercial (i.e. Crossroads Shopping, restaurants), industrial (i.e. Hardwood flooring & lighting manufacturing on Oak St.) and residential (houses, apartments, townhomes, parks & recreation).

2-3 Real-life examples in and around Humberlea, Weston, Toronto, GTA of:

Economic Locations (building, working, manufacturing, commercial)

Crossroads Shopping Centre, Yorkdale Mall, Vaughan Mills, Spielman’s Garden Centre, Home Depot, Lowes, Rona…

Political Locations (government buildings, making, passing, enforcing laws) 

City Hall (municipal), Queen’s Park (provincial legislature), court houses, police stations, firehalls, driver’s license/passport offices…

Social Locations (recreational centres, entertainment districts, theatres) 

Carmine Stefano Community Centre, Pine Point Arena, Habitant Arena, Strathburn Park, Princess of Wales Mirvish Theatres, Rogers Centre, Air Canada Centre…

Religious Locations (spiritual, faith)

St. Jude Church, St. Phillip Neri, Riverside United Church…

Cultural Locations (heritage, language, ethnicity) 

Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown, Bloor West Village (Ukranian/Polish)…

Natural Locations (environmental, conservation) 

Humber River Trail, Kortright Centre, McMichael…

Educational Locations (learning, training)

York University, Seneca College, St. Basil High School, University of Toronto…

Novel Study: Hatchet Chapter 4

Plot diagram Theme (lessons):  maintaining a positive attitude and motivating yourself when faced with a challenge in life; you must always believe in yourself because you are the most valuable asset you have; self-confidence

Plot diagram Rising Action (key events): Brian realizes he's truly alone, may not be rescued and has to motivate himself to survive.

Science Lab 1: Particle Theory of Matter
Follow write-up handout.  Due tomorrow.