Good morning Division 7,

Can you believe it’s already Wednesday? Time feels like it is going by both very quickly and slowly at the same time.

A few things to discuss today:

1. FreshGrade
2. Sharing Circle
3. Learning Opportunities

1. FreshGrade

Your parents (and some grandparents) should have received an email from FreshGrade yesterday. Once they have read and accepted conditions, I will email them an access code to allow back-and-forth communication (photos and comments). This platform makes it easier for people with tablets and smartphones to relay information.

2. Sharing Circle

If you hover over the “Sharing Circle” page on top, right of the blog, you can view some of the Cherry Blossom art submissions from the class. Some submissions included a brief description (e.g. materials used) that will be visible once you click the photo. If you have not sent your art in yet, it is not too late! 🙂

3. Learning Opportunities

While the blog posts follow a Monday to Friday schedule, each student is experiencing this learning journey at their own pace. This means that the amount and the time you complete activities will vary greatly. The following is a prescribed Tuesday day-plan if your circumstances allow for it.

Please include the following on your to-do list today:

a.) Morning Journal
b.) Science – Plan
c.) Literacy – Write/Edit
d.) Math – Khan Academy
e.) Reading – Epic!,  IXL or Khan Academy
f.) Body break, Service, Social break

a.) Morning Journal

During this time of social-distancing, I find myself missing a lot of things – the class (of course), my friends, hiking and camping new places, and hugs. However, I find this time to be a really good opportunity to slow down, reflect and nurture hobbies I would otherwise be too busy or exhausted to spend enough time on. Whether in person or through video chat, I also find myself spending a lot more intentional time with my family, friends and LUNA (my dad’s dog — photo below). This is a silver-lining of the otherwise challenging situation.

During this time, I am able to spend a little bit of time each day in the forest for a run or bike ride. I also now have time to practice some crafts such as embroidery, weaving, and painting. All this time and energy for these hobbies helps me feel more at ease than normal.

 

What hobbies are you exploring more during this time? Please respond in the comments.

b.) Science – Plan

Most of you should have accessed the Microsoft “assignment” document in Teams. Please let me know if you are experiencing trouble with access.

Please work on the planning stage today (or complete yesterday’s research task).

Part 2: Planning

You will be using materials in your home to recreate the structure you have researched.

• List all materials you will be using.
• Illustrate your blueprint (plan of what you will do):

This is a scientific drawing of your plan. Be sure to:

• Include a lot of detail in your work
• Label all parts of your structure and what materials you will be using

c.) Literacy: Write/Edit

Yesterday you should have read through the Mysteries of Harris Burdick book and decided on a picture to work on (brainstorm and plan).

Today, please work on writing and editing/revising.

Part 3: Write

Start writing your story.
Remember: 

• Show, don’t tell! (Don’t just tell the reader what is happening, describe what is happening giving hints and sensory detail).
• Be mindful of spelling, grammar and punctuation. If you are stuck on how to spell a word, GUM it (give it a try, underline, and move on). Go back to that word at the editing stage of your writing.
• Please review when to use new paragraphs while writing.

Part 4: Revise and Edit

Use a coloured pen to make changes. If you are typing, make changes directly. 

Read your work out-loud either to yourself or another person.
Consider the following as you read through your work:

d.) Math – Khan Academy

The majority of you are consistently practicing math on Khan Academy. Keep it up.

e.) Reading

f.) Body break, Service, Social break