Day: September 30, 2015

Today we went over the criteria for our first project together. Each student will be doing some research to become an expert on one system of the human body. They will use this expertise to help diagnose a patient! First, they will take notes while recording the resources they use to find information. Second, they will write a two-page report and provide a diagram of their system. Then, after they have this information, students will be placed in groups and given a case study of a patient with a medical problem, complete with notes about their condition and symptoms.

While notes on marked projects can be done in class and at home, the written report is only to be worked on at school. I should be able to see it in progress. Also, there should be significant notes, as the student is becoming an expert, not just providing superficial information on the body parts of the system. The criteria sheet along with a rubric is in their blue binder.

We also had an opportunity today to visit the school library. As a reminder, ALL books checked out need to return to school for Tuesday mornings to be either returned or renewed. Unfortunately, if students are missing a book, they may not check out new ones until it is brought in. In addition to our regular library time, there is an open check out time after lunch from 12:55-1:15 PM. Students should return to class after lunch break, check in with me, and I can give them permission to visit Ms. Ho and check out books.

We had another class meeting, this time led by one of the students, and with Ms. D as a guide. We agreed as a class to have a Halloween Party and to chip in together to provide decorations, food, and drinks. Students will be welcome to wear costumes. This party will likely take place on October 30th, Friday. Please stay tuned for more information as the student Halloween committee will be drafting a letter to send home about the event. We also discussed having a card club (for Pokemon lovers), a cookie-making day later in December, and a class movie of some sort. Committees were formed to discuss and propose ideas on these things at next class meeting.

In the afternoon, we did javelin throws using straws! This was for a math discussion on MEAN and also allowed for review of measurement skills. Students threw clear plastic straws from a given point in the room as hard as they could, and we recorded each person’s distance. Each team of eight found the mean of their distances, and then I asked the class to find the whole class’s mean distance. For homework they were asked to come up with an activity involving “mean” that we could do with other students in the class. They should have it written down briefly so they can share it with us tomorrow.

TOMORROW: Welcoming assembly and Terry Fox Run! Busy day tomorrow. Please wear comfy clothes! Bring donations for Terry, if you can. Also, there were three notices sent home for your review. Anyone who still has not turned in agenda money, the body packet, or the probability games packet, please get them in ASAP.

Have a great night!

Today we had a busy day with two major activities that were important community-building events. Every month we have a Celebration of Learning at Suncrest, and today’s assembly highlighted music! We all had an opportunity to hear the school song sung by the entire school for the first time. The students and I agreed that it is a catchy tune! In the afternoon, we had the Terry Fox Run. After a brief assembly to remember Terry and why we run every September, we celebrated the fundraising the school did over the past week to raise $500 toward cancer research. Then, students ran the route around the school, receiving house colour points (toward a year-long competition) for each lap. It was a warm afternoon, but our class ran hard!

Students continued to work on their body systems expert research. Some students asked, “How much note taking is enough?” To which Ms. D responded, “Well, it is important to make sure you have enough information to respond to the section headings I gave you in the project criteria. Also, remember when researching that you always want more than one perspective. I recommend at least three sources.”

Another question was, “Can we copy from the book even though it is copyrighted?” And I answered, “Yes, you can copy from the book for notes, but then when you go to do your report, it should be your own words, otherwise it becomes plagiarism. It is also important to say where the information is coming from. Give the person credit for their work.” As a reminder, all writing should be done at school, and I will need to see the writing in progress during class time. For homework, students were asked to continue looking for resources to further their research.

Another thing that came up is revisiting criteria for participation and work done in class. Even though there are not letter marks for formative assessment type work, including homework, it still should be completed if you want to do well overall in terms of marks. Please revisit the participation rubric that applies to all subjects. Also, please note that on projects such as our body systems expert report, I have provided a specific rubric for marks. Both participation throughout and projects are important.

We watched Bill Nye’s Brain Video to review the parts of memory and to introduce the scientific method and writing of lab reports, which is something they will learn this year and actively use this Friday or Monday in an experiment about germs! They completed a short experiment about brain/nerve/muscle reaction time using a ruler and then had to write out a quick lab report with a partner. Fun fact: Bill Nye went to my university! I think his story of how he became an educator and why is inspiring.

Finally, we had a discussion about pathogens as we will be discussing germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. They read a short article and began to answer questions about these things in class, and more time will be given tomorrow to complete these before we do some experiments.

Remember: YPC Concerts and Pizza Money due Monday. Agenda money due as soon as possible. Bring a jar.

I hope everyone had a great day!