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Reading: Chp3 Wendell & Chp4 Gonzalo corrections below. Begin Chp5 Leona
Science: Lab 1 Particle Theory of Matter due by Friday
Math: begin Order of Operations
Geography: Humberlea Google Map, City of Toronto key areas and travel routes
Wed is Curriculum Night
Novel Study: Seedfolks (revise & edit your reading responses)
Chp3 "Wendell"
Originally a farmer from Kentucky, Wendell is a school caretaker, living on the ground
floor of the building overlooking the vacant lot.
Ana depends on Wendell to help her out since she’s a senior that’s
not too mobile; unfortunately, they also connect over ethnicity.
Having been a farmer, Wendell knows the right time for planting
certain vegetables. Indirectly, Kim has helped Wendell reconnect with his farming skills.
Wendell now realizes that it’s useless to dwell on things that have gone
wrong in his life and that can’t be changed. He decides to focus on more positive things
like helping others.
Wendell visits the lot to “change it big” by offering his help and expertise,
putting his efforts and energy in the garden.
At first, Wendell seems irritable, anxious, pessimistic
(worried about phone ringing with more bad news)
but then becomes positive, helpful, caring, optimistic, religious.
Chp4 "Gonzalo"
Gonzalo speaks English, whereas his Dad does not.
They are both from Guatemala, same culture.
Gonzalo is a young student; Dad is an expert farmer.
Gonzalo is involved in the community/has adapted; Dad is like a fish
out of water/culture shock.
As an immigrant, you must adapt to a new way of life, environment
and start from square one; you have to learn new customs, language, culture.
Tio Juan is not able to (function) communicate in English
with others and find work; he felt confused; instead he’s an expert gardener/farmer,
just like Wendell.
Theme: In life we all have to have a purpose, a calling, a vocation, a passion,
a reason to wake up in the morning that keeps us going forward;
in order to grow, you must also be open to change.
Before the garden, Gonzalo’s Uncle felt lost, without a purpose, toddler-like,
disconnected; after the garden, he now rediscovered his passion,
rekindled his purpose in life, and will most likely teach and inspire others to garden.
Gonzalo is proud of his Uncle and of the fact that he can now
use his talents to help others, instead of wandering about at home aimlessly.
Chp.5 "Leona"
It’s ironic that Leona’s grandmother outsmarted and outlived her doctors
that are supposed to know better; it’s ironic that her natural herbal remedy
was more effective than their traditional medications.
It’s ironic that to get the garbage problem cleaned up, Leona had to show up
with actual garbage in hand for the city to understand the problem.
Leona wants the lot to be respected by everyone; she doesn’t want it to
continue being a dumping ground; she wants people to take pride
and ownership of the lot.
It’s ironic that the lot is referred to as being “vacant” because it’s not
really empty at all, it’s full of trash.
Conflict: lot contamination and city workers not ignorning Leona
Climax (high point in conflict): Leona showing up with garbage in hand
Resolution: getting a meeting with someone from Public Health Dept.
Theme: in order to reach a goal, you have to find the right path, work hard,
and never give up.
Before the garden, Leona is ashamed and disappointed
in her fellow residents that are disrespecting communal property.
After the garden, Leona is hopeful and optimistic that her hard work
will pay off in freeing the lot from the garbage problem.
Leona is confident, relentless, determined, respectful,
resourceful, problem-solver.
Geography "City of Toronto" task corrections:
Math "order of operations" corrections:
Order of operations corrections continued:
Work on handout #2 Order of Operations pg.11
Begin Science 1.2 More About Matter, Changes of State
Geography Place Location text pg.4-15
Seedfolks Chp 6 Sam
Geography textbook corrections (revise & edit your responses):
Chp.6 Seedfolks: Sam corrections (revise & edit your responses)
Begin reading Chp.7 Virgil
Order of Operations handout 2 pg.11 corrections:
**Review multiples, factors, powers/square roots, order of operations**
Geography: 6 Landmarks on separate maps due next Wed
Thank you kindly to all the parents that came out to see our classroom and meet me this past Wednesday evening. I look forward to a productive and positive year. I would like to reiterate our curriculum and class conduct below:
Math:
Our students can access their personal device or school-issued device for Knowledgehook, a fantastic math app (created here in Ontario & strictly following provincial ministry curriculum) to better engage students' interest in math. Your child is currently working on Mission 1 involving multiples/factors, powers/square roots, and order of operations:
