How We Express Ourselves: Curriculum Letter

Dear Parents,

Our last Unit of Inquiry (UOI) has been in the making for some time now.  This unit revolves around time in nature and the impacts it has on one’s self expression and discovery of ideas, feelings, beliefs and values.   This unit falls under the transdisciplinary theme: How We Express Ourselves. Our central idea reads as follows: Self expression and discovery are enhanced through time in nature.

We are inquiring into the following:

1. How nature affects us
2. Time in nature leads to happier, healthier and more creative human beings
3. Self expression in nature

The PYP Transdisciplinary skills that are of particular focus this UOI are thinking skills, self-management skills and communication skills. The PYP Attitudes that will be highlighted in this UOI are: appreciation, curiosity and creativity.

We have been tuning into this UOI over the past weeks through dedicated and purposeful experiences in nature.  Our Yurt project and ‘Wednesday’s with Gordon’ have exposed the class to different experiences one can reasonably expect to have in the outdoors.  The idea of attaining a state of flow while strimming, or noticing a sense of wonder or awe in building a tiny shelter and fire in the middle of a forest are experiences we can now point to as we explore how these events make us feel, why it makes us feel certain ways and what this means to us as we grow older in a world shaped by man made boxes(think: TV’s, fridges, cubicles, rooms, houses, etc).  Reflection will be a fundamental part of this UOI as many of the experiences we have in store are simply lived and then thought about afterward.   A planned one week camping trip gives our learning a purpose as we will get a chance to knowingly identify these experiences, as opposed to our experiences to this point, which to the kids anyway, were simply fun.   There is a great deal of science and research on this topic, and we will explore TED’s and articles so that the class sees the connections between the science that says time in nature is fundamental to our self expression, discovery and purpose (not to mention well being).

In Math this UOI, the Grade 7 group is currently exploring probabilities as they apply to chance events. This topic involves the use of fractions, decimals and percentages. They will be assessed with an in-class assignment. Next, we will be introducing algebra by exploring one-step linear equations that have integer values and solving for ‘’x’’. This will be the final unit of Math 7.  The Grade 8 group will be completing Math 8 with a unit on pre-algebra. They will be graphing linear equations, and solving for ‘’x’’ in equations that have positive or negative integers, decimals or fractions.

In Science this UOI, we will continue a Chemistry exploration with an individual project on a Chemical Compound. We will do an activity on the Superheroes of the soil, exploring creatures that aid in decomposition of organic matter.  We will be observing examples during the camping trip. If time permits, we will explore the issue of bias in science reporting.

In French, we will be continue to practice reading, writing and speaking sentences that use the following verb tenses: présent, imparfait, passé composé and futur proche.  Independent vocabulary studies on a topic of choice are ongoing. Most students are currently writing a narrative based on a topical dictionary they have created.

In Language Arts the five strands of listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing & presenting are integrated, taught and reinforced in all areas of inquiry throughout the day.  In this UOI, narrative is our text type. We will be exploring and writing narrative poetry primarily. Our reading program in the classroom will revolve around two last novels.  The first is FableHaven, a book that a majority of the class has lobbied for.  We are already a quarter of the way into this novel.   The second is a book called The One and Only Ivan which fits well with our Unit.  FableHaven will see the class engage in both comprehension and open ended questions at the end of each chapter, while we will finish the year with Literature circle groups to discuss The One and Only Ivan.

In the art room this unit we will look at the art of Georgia O’Keeffe and Emily Carr, two artists who were greatly inspired by nature. We will keep our sketch books handy for plenty of drawing and sketching outdoors. students will also have an opportunity to create gyotaku (fish prints) hopefully this time on location from our own catch. (With assistance again from Marine Biologist and avid fisherman Kyle Hicks )

In addition to fish printing we will explore botanical printing with a visit to Ms. Rachel’s studio and gardens.

I hope this letter has clarified some of the curriculum we will cover.

One last point…In regards to our camping trip, please save the dates of June 12-16.  I’ve had lots of help in trying to find an appropriate destination, that includes the experiences that I am looking for.  I was very much hoping the Cape Chignecto Trail would be a possibility, but for various reasons (logistics mostly) it has been eliminated.  A couple of organizations (YMCA, Brigadoon) that offer packages have also been eliminated.  The Graves family has kindly offered use of their land which is still a possibility as is a week at Keji.  I’m heading there this weekend to scope out the possibilities and do some risk assessing and pricing.  I hope to have more details for you within a week’s time.

Thanks for Reading,

James

Curriculum Letter- Social Justice Unit

Dear Parents,

Our next Unit of Inquiry (UOI) is underway as of this past Tuesday.  We still have one last learning experience to complete for our last UOI on social media, and that will take place after our GIN conference.  Our next unit revolves around social justice issues, and in this day and age, social justice issues are advanced through social media, so I intend to take advantage of that in a couple of weeks time.   As mentioned this unit revolves around social justice. We will use the lens of non government organizations to explore student chosen topics.  Initially the class will be working in groups to prepare for a conference to be held at KES on May the 2nd.  This week the class has been placed in groups (with some negotiation) chosen a topic and started the research process bu compiling lists of potential resources.  Running concurrent to this I am sharing The Secret Path, a graphic novel based on the experience of a First Nations boy’s escape and ultimate death trying to make it back to his family from a residential school near Kenora, Ont.   This issue, along with all the issues we uncover these next few weeks, are heavy/depressing/sad.  Looking at how we can make a difference is crucial to the teaching and learning of these topics.  This aspect(making a difference-taking actions) has been built into our conference at KES in a creative way, as we will mix student groups on the day to address potential actions for the various presentations that take place.   The unit falls under the transdisciplinary theme: Sharing the Planet. Our central idea reads as follows: Reaching a resolution during periods or moments of conflict is influenced by the actions and reactions of all involved.

We are inquiring into the following:

1. Causes of conflict (local and global)
2. Human rights and equity
3. Strategies used to resolve conflict
4. Consequences of resolutions

The PYP Transdisciplinary skills that are of particular focus this UOI are research skills, social skills and,thinking skills. The PYP Attitudes that will be highlighted in this UOI are: empathy, tolerance and appreciation

We have been tuning into this UOI with the help of a documentary on the ivory trade as well as the aforementioned Secret Path graphic novel.  We will find out, sort out and take our understandings further through group and individual research into various social justice issues;  Some near (local), and some far (global).

In Math this UOI the grade seven students will be exploring repeating and terminating fractions. We will then look at adding and subtracting fractions and progress into probability, while the grade eight students are completing the evaluation of fractions as applied to the order of operations. We will follow this with a comparative study of different types of graphs.

In Science this UOI, we are beginning a unit on Chemistry, starting from the comparison of different types of matter and leading to the interactions of molecules in chemical reactions.

In French, students are taking on a vocabulary study on a topic of their choice. Using the verbs and nouns, students will practice some creative writing with an emphasis on using proper time frame and person when conjugating verbs.

As always, in Language Arts the five strands of listening, speaking, reading, writing and viewing & presenting are integrated, taught and reinforced in all areas of inquiry throughout the day.  In this UOI, the exposition is our text type. Our reading program in the classroom will return to the format of literature circles after our book report work is completed.

In Art, Ms. Rachel is looking at how artists depict social justice issues through visual art, while the class tries their own pieces related to the issues they are researching

If you have any questions please ask.

Thanks for Reading,

James

The Power of Social Media and the Arab Spring

For homework, please complete the exercise we started this morning in class.  Using the country you were assigned and/or chose, answer the following three questions.

(Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Yemen, Saudi Arabia)

1. What Happened
2. Why did it happen?
3. What role did social media play?

 

REMINDER: Remember to bring in the book you will be reading for your book report. I need to see it, and ok it, before you get into it.
If you are reading Freak the Mighty, or I AM Malala your literature circle work is due on Wednesday.

Is all this Technology making us anti-social?

Please produce a Discussion piece using the following prompt and in response to the question: Is all this technology making us anti-social?

Either a written piece, or a video recording…

Remember the format of a discussion text is four paragraphs.

• intro
• pros
• cons
• conclusion that includes your stance

Due Thursday, April 6th.

Update and Curriculum Letter

Hi There,

Please click on the link below to see out current UOI’s curriculum letter.  My apologies, this was meant to go out on March 1st the day we started the unit.  It got lost in the shuffle.

Here it is Curriculum Letter #4

Soon we will move into a new unit that revolves around Social Justice issues.  On this front, please save the date of May 2nd, as I am in the planning stages with Kings Edge-Hill to hold a one-day Global Issues Network(GIN) Conference.  These conferences are common place in other parts of the world, and so Kings is eager to see how one works.  It is a student driven conference where all our kids will be presenting in groups.  The idea behind GIN  is that issues are viewed through the lens of a non-government organization (NGO’s).  In the past there has been a Model United Nations endeavor between the Booker School and Kings.  MUN uses a governmental lens to explore issues.  GIN is the other side of that coin.  Our mini GIN conference is taking the place of the old MUN experience and differs in that it is a big part of our upcoming UOI.  In other words it is not optional but a part or our unit’s learning experiences.
As the details get hammered out, I will let you know.  At this point the morning of May 2nd is important to book off if at all possible.  The event will take place in the Library at Kings.  Besides presentations, there will be a fair, and we are hoping to have both student and guest speakers as well.

Looking even further ahead, our last unit will revolve around the idea that self expression and discovery are enabled through time in nature.  Our Yurt building and our soon to start visits with Gordon Porter are building towards this.  We hope to have a camping trip in June which will be a big part of this unit as well.

And finally looking at the recent past, our class is slowly working towards some sort of a plan to share our 3D printer with the school community and eventually the wider community as it is now fully functioning.

So… lots going on.  Everything is connected, and the units are running their natural courses.  This aspect is absolutely brilliant.

Report cards will be sent home digitally on Monday.  If you need a hard copy please let me know.  If you have any other questions please let me know.

 

 

Yurt Construction Project and SLC’s

Hi Everyone,

As I type the building has a certain buzz to it, as Student Led Conferences are fully under way.  If you are coming later this afternoon, please make sure your child/ren are wearing their school uniform.

Next week, our last week before March Break, is a full one.  On Tuesday and Wednesday I will be away presenting to the Ohio chapter of the IB.  More importantly is the very cool undertaking our class is going to begin on Monday and then continue on Thursday.  We are going to build a Yurt with the help of the Angela Johnston.  Like the title of this class blog, this is one more example (think…3-D printer) where I am a co-learner.  I can’t tell you how excited I am, and the project comes at a perfect time as we look to balance all this technology in our classes immediate periphery with some nature.

On Monday, we are going to head to the Ansems’ farm to build some skimming stations, and work out the math for some hypothetical dimensions/length of poles etc.
For Monday (and again Thursday) we are in need of hatchet’s, bill hooks, hand saws, and hammers.
Thursday we will cut our poles using a stand of trees on the Ansems’ land.  We would be grateful if we could borrow these tools for next week. We’ll store them in the garage at school.

Friday we were going to try and pull of an assembly, but this is not going to be possible with the students off campus two days and myself out of the country for two more days.   We will start term 3 off instead, with an assembly the first Friday back.

And to finish where this post started…I will be sending a SLC feedback form to you via email.  We would appreciate any feedback you have.

Have a nice weekend,

James

Cinder

 

Hi There,

Lots going on here in the G5-7 class, these days.  This week we have 3-D Ron coming back for a visit on Friday (so long as the weather doesn’t change…).

Next week Monday is a holiday and Friday are student led conferences.  The following week we will host an assembly on the last Friday before we start our Spring Break.

On the teacher front, Jake will be attending a PD session in Halifax on Thursday, Feb. 23rd, and I’ll be in Akron Ohio presenting to the Ohio chapter of the IB on Action on February 28th and March 1st.

 

In the meantime, and because of all these snow days I have some work for the students to get to tomorrow.  We have just finished our novel, Cinder and to wrap it up we have a couple of engagements to complete.  One of those is described below…Please choose one.

Essay Prompt 1:

In the novel, Cinder, Marissa Meyer successfully blends sci-fi and fairytale to create a unique story. In a detailed essay, explain the two genres and how the author uses both to create a new, compelling plot.

Be sure to include:

A definition of each genre.

Examples of each genre from the novel.

How the novel is similar yet different from the two genres.

 

Essay Prompt 2:

Although Cinder is officially considered a fairytale, the heroine Cinder, is very different from traditional female characters in fairytales. In a detailed essay, explain how female characters in traditional fairytales are portrayed and how Cinder differs from those characters.

Be sure to include:

The traditional role of female characters in fairytales. 


The role Cinder plays in this fairytale and how it differs from the traditional female character type. 


Text details from the novel to support your answer. 


Homework for the Family

Hi There,

As you most likely know, we have started to build our 3-D printer.  For weeks now, Jake has been teaching science and math topics that support our technology unit.  Now that the printer is in our room, and we have something tangible, we will begin to look at the 3-D printer though a social sciences lens.

To begin this process, the class was asked to read a blog post/op-ed and complete a reflection exercise called a Connect/Extend/Challenge.

I would recommend that all parents read this piece as well.  It will only take you 3 or so minutes.  Here it is:  tech-sam-sherrit-blog-post

The post alludes to the “latest gizmo’s”.  Well we are now building a “gizmo”.

My aim is to bring perspective to our 3-D printing adventure.  You will be able to help in this process, and one such way is to read the post, and then ask for your child/ern’s perspectives on the article.  Ask to see what they have written today.  (Do not worry, they know you will be asking).  Have a discussion.  The whole thing is an exercise in perspective taking.  Your child’s perspective, your perspective as well as the author’s (who is a good friend of mine).

Please feel free to comment here on the blog, the results of your discussions.  I’ll check in with the class again tomorrow as well as the next day.

James

This Week Jan 16-20

Hi There,

This week is a four day week, as Friday Jan. 20th is a professional development day for teachers.  On Thursday, Jan. 19th, I’ll be giving a presentation on Inquiry Based Learning from 4:00-5:00 in our classroom.  The presentation will be more interactive than the Intro to the PYP presentation from last term.  I hope some of you might be able to work it.

This week the class has some reading and comprehension homework due on Wednesday.  We are also attempting to write proper short stories this week.  I will wait and see how we are going before assigning a due date(meaning potential homework task).

Robotics will start up again beginning tomorrow, Tuesday Jan. 17th.  It will run from 3:15- 4:30.

Jake and I spent a lot of this past Sunday with “3-D Ron” at his office at NSCC Waterfront in Halifax.  We were hoping to start building the printer this week, but he asked that we start on Monday, Jan.23rd.  This is ok by us, as he wants to ensure everything is perfect, including vireo tutorials he is putting together for us.  It’s taken some time for this to get going, but the wait will certainly be worth it, based on our afternoon with “3-D Ron”.

Hope everyone has a good week.

James

 

Term Two, Week Two

Tonight for homework you all need to produce the first drafts of your assembly segments for this Friday’s assembly.  Please remember the criteria we discussed…

• your spoken piece must be put to memory(cue card for support is ok), unless sharing a snippet of your own work which you can read, but the introduction must be put to memory
• Your aim is 3 minutes
• Presentation skills include presence, voice, eye contact

 

Please begin reading Chapters 6, 7 and 8.  You do not need to finish all three chapters for homework, but please read as far as you can.

 

Dear Parents,

I hope you will be able to attend this Friday’s assembly.  It will begin at 2:30, and will finish as close to 3:15 as possible.

Below is our weekly schedule for term 2.