Category: Assignment Info

Independent Project Research Links April 14 Post #1 of 3

Hello Everyone!  Many thanks to Ms. Ho, our Suncrest librarian, for providing some links for each student to access for their independent project. I will also be adding to this list over time. Please scroll down to find your name and topic, and then please go to each website and review it for information, taking notes as you go for your project. Don’t forget to put the website in your list of resources if you use it for information.

JOONE:  SENSE OF TASTE 

How does our sense of taste work? 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279408/ 

The science of taste 

https://foodinsight.org/the-science-of-taste/ 

 Taste disorders 

https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders 

Special senses:  taste 

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/austincc-ap1/chapter/special-senses-taste-gustation/ 


YICHEN:  MARINE FOSSILS 

National Geographic:  fossils 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil/

Fossil management in British Columbia 

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/natural-resource-use/fossil-management 

Grand Canyon:  marine fossils 

https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/fossils.htm 

American museum of natural history 

https://www.amnh.org/shelf-life/episode-06-the-tiniest-fossils

 

CHARLES:  PLANETS / SOLAR SYSTEM 

Nasa science:  solar system exploration 

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/ 

The nine planets 

https://nineplanets.org/ 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  solar system 

https://www.britannica.com/science/solar-system 

National Geographic:  solar system (requires free sign up) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/our-solar-system/

 

MAVIS:  HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS POLAR BEARS 

WWF:  polar bears and climate change 

https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/polar-bears-and-climate-change 

Polar bears international:  polar bears 

https://polarbearsinternational.org/climate-change/ 

Carbon brief:  polar bears and climate change:  what does the science say? 

https://www.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-and-climate-change-what-does-the-science-say 

National Geographic:  4 ways polar bears are dealing with climate change (requires free sign up) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/09/150904-polar-bears-dolphins-seals-climate-change/ 


SASHA:  HISTORY AND SCIENCE OF CHOCOLATE 

Live science:  chocolate facts, effects and history 

https://www.livescience.com/61754-chocolate-facts.html 

Michigan State University:  chocolate science, history and fun facts (5 part series) 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/chocolate_science_history_and_fun_facts_part_1 

Explain that stuff!:  the science of chocolate 

https://www.explainthatstuff.com/scienceofchocolate.html 

Malaysian journal of pathology:  the history and science of chocolate 

http://www.mjpath.org.my/2013.2/history-and-science-of-chocolate.pdf 


DANIE:  SHARK EVOLUTION, PREHISTORY / MODERN 

Natural history museum:  shark evolution, a 450 million year timeline 

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/shark-evolution-a-450-million-year-timeline.html 

National Geographic:  these sharks have evolved to walk on land – and they did it quickly (NG allows 3 free online articles) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/01/walking-sharks-new-species-evolving-fast/ 

Evolution institute:  the intriguing history of shark evolution 

https://evolution-institute.org/the-intriguing-history-of-shark-evolution/ 

CNN  How Sharks Adapted to Suit Environment
 

AMBROSE:  APPLICATIONS OF GREKE AND EGYPTIAN MATH 

Greek legacy:  how the ancient Greeks shaped modern mathematics (video) 

https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/ancient-greeks-modern-mathematics 

 Explorable:  Egyptian mathematics 

https://explorable.com/egyptian-mathematics 

 Institute of mathematics and its applications 

https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/11-14/ 

 Mathigon:  applications of mathematics 

https://mathigon.org/applications 

 

MICHAEL:  CONFUSTION, FIRE, FLAMMABILITY, MATCHES, FIRE CHIEF 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  combustion 

https://www.britannica.com/science/combustion 

 Combustion reactions in chemistry 

https://www.thoughtco.com/combustion-reactions-604030 

 Nova:  the science of fire (click on printable version and follow links) 

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/science-fire.html 

 Science learning hub:  what is fire? 

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/747-what-is-fire 

 

 ELLA:  BIRDS OF PARADISE COURTSHIP  

BBC:  the mysterious dating dances of the birds of paradise 

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150129-why-do-birds-of-paradise-dance 

 Cornell lab:  birds of paradise project 

http://www.birdsofparadiseproject.org/ 

 San Diego zoo:  birds of paradise 

https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/bird-paradise 

 PBS:  nature 

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/search-results/?q=birds%20of%20paradise#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=birds%20of%20paradise&gsc.page=1 

 

NIHAL:  SYNESTHESIA 

Encyclopaedia Britannica:  synthesia 

https://www.britannica.com/science/synesthesia 

 American Psychological Association:  everyday fantasia:  the world of synthesia 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/mar01/synesthesia 

 Synesthesia test 

https://www.synesthesiatest.org/ 

 Science news for students:  the colorful world of synesthesia 

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/colorful-world-synesthesia 

 

LEO:  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – ALEXA 

Alexa:  what is artificial intelligence? 

https://www.getsmarter.com/blog/career-advice/what-is-artificial-intelligence/ 

 Cnet:  Amazon’s future vison of AI, warehouse bots and Alexa 

https://www.cnet.com/news/amazons-future-vision-of-ai-warehouse-bots-and-alexa/ 

 Science Focus:  exploring artificial intelligence with Jim Al-Kahlili 

https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/exploring-artificial-intelligence-with-jim-al-khalili/ 

 The future of artificial intelligence 

https://builtin.com/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-future 

 

 MIA:  HOW IS ANIMATION MADE? 

How products are made:  animation 

http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Animation.html 

 How computer animation works 

https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/computer-animation1.htm 

 How stuff works:  the future of animation 

https://computer.howstuffworks.com/web-animation8.htm 

 

AYDEN:  VOLCANOES 

National geographic:  volcanoes explained (3 free articles then free subscription required) 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/volcanoes/ 

 Smithsonian:  global volcanism project 

http://volcano.si.edu/ 

 USGS:  volcanoes 

https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/volc/text.html 

 Live science:  volcano facts and types of volcanoes 

https://www.livescience.com/27295-volcanoes.html 

 American museum of natural history:  space volcanoes in 360 

https://www.amnh.org/shelf-life/space-volcanoes-in-360 

 

 WARREN:  VIRTUAL REALITY 

Franklin institute:  virtual reality 

https://www.fi.edu/virtual-reality 

 History of virtual reality 

https://www.vrs.org.uk/virtual-reality/history.html 

 Learning hub:  the very real history of virtual reality (+ a look ahead) 

https://learn.g2.com/history-of-virtual-reality 

 

SHERA:  DRAGON’S TRIANGLE / DEVIL’S SEA 

National geographic:  another Bermuda Triangle, the Devil’s Sea (video) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWwitNJ45FU 

 Maritime manual:  the unsolved mystery of Devil’s Sea 

https://www.maritimemanual.com/devils-sea-dragons-triangle/ 

 Ancient origins:  Bermuda triangle of the Pacific 

https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/bermuda-triangle-pacific-devil-s-sea-connected-missing-ships-and-other-strange-021511 

  

VICTORIA:  CONSTELLATIONS 

NASA:  constellations 

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/dictionary/Constellation.html 

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/constellations/ 

 NASA:  more to explore:  stars, constellations and astronomy 

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/more_to_explore/Stars-Contellations-Astronomy.html 

National Geographic:  stars – facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/universe/stars/ 

Lunar and planetary institute:  about constellations 

https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/skytellers/constellations/ 


LUCIA:  METHANE EFFECTS ON CLIMATE 

United Nations:  why methane matters 

https://unfccc.int/news/new-methane-signs-underline-urgency-to-reverse-emissions 

 Phys.org:  methane bubbles are effect and cause of rise in temperature 

https://phys.org/news/2017-11-methane-effect-temperature.html 

 Environmental defense fund:  climate impacts of methane emissions 

https://www.edf.org/climate-impacts-methane-emissions 

 National geographic:  methane facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/methane/ 

 Climate and clean air coalition:  methane 

https://ccacoalition.org/en/slcps/methane 

 

ABHINANDA:  RENEWABLE ENERGY 

Energy hub:  creating a global sustainable energy system 

https://energyhub.org/ 

 United Nations:  ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy 

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/ 

 Government of Canada:  renewable energy facts 

https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/data-and-analysis/energy-data-and-analysis/energy-facts/renewable-energy-facts/20069 

 

DASHA:  TINY HOUSE REVOLUTION 

Tiny house movement 

https://thetinylife.com/what-is-the-tiny-house-movement/ 

 We the tiny house people (documentary) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDcVrVA4bSQ 

 Full history of the tiny house movement 

https://cozeliving.com/tiny-house-movement/ 

 

 NINAD:  SUPER VOLCANOES (YELLOWSTONE) 

National Geographic:  supervolcanoes – facts and information 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/earth/reference/supervolcano-yellowstone/ 

 USGS:  what is a supervolcano?  What is a supereruption? 

https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-supervolcano-what-a-supereruption?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products 

 Stanford news:  new source of energy-critical lithium found in supervolcanoes 

https://news.stanford.edu/2017/08/16/supervolcanoes-key-americas-electric-future/ 

 BBC science:  supervolcanoes 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/1999/supervolcanoes_script.shtml 

 

STEPHANIE:  DEEP SEA EXPLORATION (MARIANA’S TRENCH) 

Mariana trench 

https://www.marianatrench.com/ 

 National Geographic:  the Mariana’s trench:  deepest place on earth 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/activity/mariana-trench-deepest-place-earth/ 

 NOAA fisheries:  Mariana’s trench marine national monument 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/marianas-trench-marine-national-monument 

 Live science:  Mariana trench, the deepest depths 

https://www.livescience.com/23387-mariana-trench.html 

 Nautilus live:  science of deep sea exploration 

https://nautiluslive.org/science 

 

CARL:  DYXLEXIA 

International dyslexia association 

https://dyslexiaida.org/ 

 What is dyslexia? 

https://www.understood.org/en/learning-thinking-differences/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia 

 Celebrate dyslexia 

https://celebratedyslexia.org/ 


STELLA:  VEGANISM 

Vegan society 

https://www.vegansociety.com/ 

 Vegan health 

https://veganhealth.org/ 

 Vegetarian and “healthy” diets could be more harmful to the environment 

https://www.cmu.edu/news/stories/archives/2015/december/diet-and-environment.html 

 BBC:  are there health benefits to going vegan? 

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200122-are-there-health-benefits-to-going-vegan 

 

Independent Project Update April 8 Post #2 of 2

Hello Everyone,

This is a specific update about independent project. We don’t know exactly when or if we will return before the end of the school year, so, we will plan as if we are not going to be together in person. It is important we still finish our projects and share them with one another and our learning community! And we can still do that in so many different ways.

What can I be doing on Independent Project right now?

Continue to do research online, to ask questions as you research, and to look for answers to those questions. Make sure you are taking notes and recording your resources. You will be required to do a bibliography. During April, we will be doing research.

In MS Teams, there is a section called CLASS NOTEBOOK. I have been showing this to each person I meet with individual on video conference this week, but you can find it yourself.

  • If you go to the General Channel of our Division 5 Team, you will see a tab at the top right next to Assignments. It is called Class Notebook.
  • Inside, you will see a section with your name, and this is your online journal that only you and I can see.
  • There is a folder you can click on marked Independent Project. Inside here, you can put notes, thoughts, questions, pictures, and drawings about your project. This is one way you can share your research process with me.

If you are taking notes in something else, please make sure you can share it with me. For example, if you are just making a MS Word document, you can upload that to One Drive and share it with Ms. D. That will work, too. Class Notebook, though, allows me to see things in progress. It would be better to put future brainstorms and notes there to show me your work.

In MAY, we will be working on presentation pieces. So, you can think about what format (see options below), but for now, focus on DEEP RESEARCH. I will be checking in with you about each of your projects.

Do I still do primary research?

Yes, you still need to do some primary research. Remember, primary research is first-hand research you do and document yourself, rather than reading about it on the internet. So, it can include the following options in this time of remote learning:

  • Create an experiment, write up the experiment using the scientific method, do the experiment at home, and then take pictures and document your results. Write a conclusion and think about what you have learned.
  • Create a survey that can be sent out to lots of people. Before you send it out, send it to Ms. D for review, and let’s talk together about how it can be sent and who we will send it to, okay?
  • Learn to Do Something. Many of you are learning to do some new things as a result of this time at home, so this is primary research, when you experience something yourself, first hand! If you learn a new skill, think about what you will produce with the skill to show you have learned it. Document the process of learning — rough drafts, planning documents, pictures of you learning or experimenting with something, etc.
  • Do an interview with an expert. If your parents know of someone you can connect with via video conference for an interview, this is an option. I am also going to be putting out your topics to our community and on Twitter, to see who I can find from the education community I correspond with online.
  • Visit a Virtual Museum. On the list of activities for this week on the blog, I put a link to virtual museums. Doing a visit and documenting your notes from it would also be a form of primary research.
  • Another idea? I am flexible and open to your ideas. Please contact me if you came up with something that is better than the ideas above.


I can’t find any more resources, so what do I do?

Some of you may be able to find extra resources on EPIC, Tumblebooks, Audible, or the other free online book resources I listed.

Ms. Ho, our librarian, and I are going to be working on accumulating resources online to put on blog page for you, based on the list of topics for our class. Stay tuned for more information.

Spend time doing primary research for your topic. Instead of looking up information, look for experiences or experiment online that you could do at home that would help with better understanding your topic.


How will we present?

Even if we are not in person, we will still find a way to present our projects to the class community, our parents, and some members of the Burnaby School District, just like we would have done in the second week of June.

It is likely whatever you create will need to be in some format that can be shared online via a link or upload to the blog.

Some options to explore are:

  • Make an Online Book: I will be creating a new Book Creator class account. Book Creator is an app that allows you to make a book with pictures, drawings, and text, and you can tell us about your topic through that.
  • Make a PowerPoint: Your Microsoft 365 account gives you access to a variety of applications including PowerPoint. You can make an informative slideshow to share. In fact, you can also present and record a presentation with your voice in PowerPoint, and share that.
  • Make a Video: You can create a speech with props and visuals, record it, and then share the video online.
  • Do a Live Conference: You can do a video conference online with the class, where we see your video, and we are listening through an audio connection.
  • Make art or something crafty and Present it! You can make art online or through hands-on crafty materials at home, then take pictures of your final product and explain it with a written explanation. If you want a series of pictures, you could make a slideshow of pictures showing your independent project process, or how you learned something new.
  • Another idea? Ask! There are many other ways online to present information. Have an idea, just ask me.

We need to start thinking about how this will be done now, so we can begin working on it during the month of May.

Okay, that’s all for now. Thank you for continuing your work in these strange circumstances. I am here to support you. Email me if you ever want to talk in person, because I am generally available from 9 AM to 3 PM at the computer, and we can video chat so you can get your questions answered!

All the best,

Ms. D

Art Project: Photography, Objects Important To You April 6 Post #3 of 3

Hello Everyone,
The artist and photographer Gregg Segal did an interesting photography project called Daily Bread, in which he took pictures of children from around the world with all of the food they eat in a seven day period. Do some reading about him on his website, and also Google his name under images and you will see more examples. The pictures are great visual ways to quickly see what a child eats, both in terms of how much food they eat in seven days, and what kinds of cultural foods are their favourites!

The pictures are always done with the person laying down on their back, surrounded by foods, and on a solid, coloured background. Someone holds the camera above the person, so all of the objects and the full length of the person can be seen.

Your task will be different. I would like you to take a similar looking picture, taken from above, but I want the theme to be OBJECTS IMPORTANT TO ME OVER THE LAST THREE WEEKS AT HOME.

Here are the steps for this project:

  1. Do a brainstorm of all of the things that were important to you during this time at home. What kinds of things helped you get through this time? What could you  not live without? What snacks are important to you? What book is your favourite? Which toys are your favourite?
  2. Gather the objects together.
  3. Figure out how much space you need for your photo. While lying down on the ground, mark out a rectangular space for your picture around you. This way, you will know where objects can be placed.
  4. Lie down in the space, and arrange the objects in such a way that they can all be seen clearly by the viewer.
  5. You may also want to take a picture of you in your favourite comfy outfit. Try  not to do PJs, please, but fleece pants are okay. As long as it looks appropriate.
  6. Once the entire scene is set up, have a parent or sibling take a picture of you from above. Don’t go to them until you are all ready.
  7. Post the picture in your e-port with an explanation of some of the objects.
  8. Put the link to your finished e-port in MS Teams assignments so I know you are done.

Have questions? Please let me know!

SCHEDULE OPTIONS April 6th, Post #2 of 3

Hello Everyone,

Here is an update of possible activities for the week of April 6th. Remember, USE THIS LIST! Don’t sit around bored. There are things to do! Do something from EACH category, EACH day.

Take a deep breath, find a comfortable spot where you think you can do some learning, and find an activity you like to do. 

You don’t have to do them in this exact order, you don’t have to do all of the optional activities, and your schedule can be designed to suit your family. But, please choose something from each list (or use activities from your own family’s choices) and commit to a chunk of time to do each category.

There are NEED TO DO & OPTIONAL assignments. NEED TO DO assignments will sometimes be explained more on the blog and in MS Teams on the assignments tab. Some may require you to submit something in MS Teams.

I hope this helps structure your time this week! Let me know if you have questions.

_______________________________________________________________________

MAKER HOUR (60 minutes)
Do something creative! Make something new!
Take a picture to document your work!

Need to Do:

  • Making art to share with everyone. Ms. D will provide a separate blog entry about how to do this.
  • Provide an e-port entry with a picture of you doing one of the MAKER HOUR choices (or another category below other than INDIE READING), and explain how it went. What did you do? What did you learn? How did it go?

Optional Choices:

FITNESS HOUR (60 Minutes) 
Get moving, get some exercise, get your heart pumping!

Need to Do:

  • Listen to this news story on BBC about a football player in Africa who has created a shoe workout to keep herself in shape. Then, create your own shoe workout. Have someone video tape you doing the workout. Save the video in One Drive. I will put a separate post about how to share videos with us using your e-port or the blog.
  • Part of fitness is also monitoring your MENTAL HEALTH. What are you doing to help keep your spirits up? I use the app CALM. Ask your parents for help to get the app for free. If you can’t, then find a quiet space, put on some nice music, look at a pleasant image, and do some deep breathing to calm yourself. It is good to do this at the beginning and the end of your day.

Optional Choices:

INDIE READING (30 minutes) 
Reading, preferably offline but if you are out of books and need to go online, at least not news or current events articles.

  • Go on to EPIC and read books from the class assignments list.
  • Build a fort with a blanket over a table or chairs and do some reading under it
  • On Amazon.ca, if you have the Kindle App, there are lots of free books to read
  • With a library card, use online resources for Burnaby/Vancouver Public Libraries
  • Use Audible for free right now to listen to tons of online audible stories.
  • Use the Burnaby School District’s Tumblebooks Account to access books online. Press the ebooks tab at the top. I sent you an email about how to access this, as you need a user ID and password.
  • Higher Level Reading — Project Gutenberg free ebooks
  • Open Library — has non-fiction and fiction options, some great for IP!
  • Need a break from reading, but love words? Complete a word search or a crossword puzzle.

SERVICE (30 minutes) 
Clean and help! A great way to help everyone in your family and community feel better during this stressful time!

  • Participate in the 7PM NOISE outside, done by the community to say thank you to our first responders and healthcare workers!
  • Create messages of hope, hearts, or other beautiful things to hang in the window or on the balcony that people in your neighbourhood can see from their windows.
  • Make a homemade gift for members of your family, and learn how to wrap them using Furoshiki, the art of Japanese gift wrapping
  • Prepare a musical performance to share with your family after dinner.
  • Organize a family game activity.
  • Create a dinner night, with fancy napkins, table, outfits, menus, decorations, etc. so when you can’t go out, there is something fun to do at home.
  • Make a shopping list for the family
  • Unload or load the dishwasher
  • Sweep or vacuum the house
  • Call a grandparent, family member, or friend to help them feel connected during this time of isolation
  • Help with the laundry — loading, folding, putting things away
  • Dust the house or blinds
  • Clean windows
  • Help with the garbage, recycling, or compost runs
  • Clean off counters
  • Wipe doorknobs and high-touch spaces with cleaner
  • Take care of a pet
  • Clean the toilet
  • Organize recycling
  • Watch your younger sibling so your parents can have a break
  • Make a dinner for your family so they have a break from it!

GENIUS HOUR (60 minutes) 
Learn something new and document your learning in some way.

Need to Do:

  • Have a one-on-one video conference meeting with Ms. D to talk about how you are doing on your independent project research. Check your email to RSVP for your meeting. If the time doesn’t work, suggest new times.
  • Look at this document and make sure you understand how to cite your sources for your project bibliography. Do the practice examples they give you. If you are using Easy Bib, you still need to ensure your bibliography has correct format and lists resources correctly. Each type of resources (book, website, etc.) is cited in a different way.
  • The Burnaby School District has provided a Digital Web Quest to talk about digital citizenship. As we are using technology even more, I think it is a good idea for you all to do the web quest this week. It says it is for secondary students, but I think it will help you, too.
  • Read Can You Believe It on the Exploratorium’s website and find out the seven questions you should ask yourself when reading scientific claims (such as those about COVID-19 in the news.)

Optional Choices:

UNIT, NUMERACY, LITERACY HOUR (60 minutes)
Specific learning opportunities at grade level or connected to our unit.

Need to Do:

  • Write a pen pal letter (see blog, April 6 post #1 of 3).
  • Go to Science Snacks on the San Francisco Exploratorium’s website and do the activity called Life Size to understand the size of microscopic things. If you can’t print out the handout, just make a list of your own of the items on the handout using scrap pieces of paper.
  • What are all of the currency forms for Canadian money? Write them down (bills and coins), and then think of all the different ways you could make $19.99 using those bills and/or coins. Record them on an MS Word document to turn in, or draw it and turn in a picture of it!

Optional Choices:

Questions? Email me!

With kindness,

Ms. D

Good Morning! Monday, April 6th Post #1 of 3

Good Morning, Everyone!

I hope you all had a nice weekend! Most importantly, I hope you did something that wasn’t in front of a screen. I went to the Pacific Spirit Forest this weekend for a walk. It is one of the regional parks in Vancouver that is still open. There were not many people, as there are so many trails everyone can be spread out, so physical distancing was easier. We also enjoyed the sunshine on our patio. So did my plants! They are all starting to show more green. I hope you were able to get some fresh air, too, and have calm time with your families.

THANK YOU to everyone who has learned how to post their assignments in Microsoft Teams. If you haven’t done this, please take some time today to figure it out or ask me questions about it, so you will be able to send me your assignments. Three assignments were due to be posted, two on Friday and one today.

Each day I will post a video message, but it may not always be in the morning. For example, today I have a meeting, so I will post something later today.

Please continue to work on the categories. An update of the category suggestions and assignments will come later today on the blog. So, in the meantime, please continue with options I provided last week, plus today’s assignment — see below.

I will be scheduling one on one video conferences with you. Starting tomorrow afternoon I will be gradually meeting with all of you, so look for a meeting invite in your email box. If the time doesn’t work, then you can let me know and we will schedule a different time between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. I look forward to talking with you about how you are feeling, what you would like to work on, and your independent project.

I am turning on MS Teams again for comments, but there are now two tabs. The General tab is for Ms. D to post announcements, important questions, or information. The Connect with Classmates tab is for you to ask questions of the whole group. Use the GOLDEN RULE when posting in either section. Please avoid one-word reactions such as ok, sure, or LOL. Just use the emoji reactions for that (they are located on the three dots at the far right of any comment made, just roll your cursor over the far right end of any comment.) Please be kind and be critical thinkers as you post. Help us find positive ways to connect. Ask people what they are doing! Answer my random questions!

Pen Pals Assignment, due Thursday, April 9th. Your first assignment this week is to connect with someone by writing them a letter in email. Write 3 paragraphs.

  • Start the letter with Dear _______,   Note I used a comma, as this is a personal letter. Then skip a space.
  • The first paragraph will ask them how they are doing and tell them how you are spending each day. 5-8 sentences. Skip a space.
  • The second paragraph will tell them something funny that happened to you once, and then invite the person to share something funny with you. 5-8 sentences. Skip a space.
  • The third paragraph will tell them what you would do the next time our class is all together or you can have a real play date with someone. Then, ask the person what they would do. 5-8 sentences.
  • Finally, sign off by saying I hope to hear from you soon and include a salutation.
  • Edit your letter before sending. Send it to the person in email, and then CC me (putting Ms. D in the second line of the addresses) so I know you have sent it and can see the letter.

Here are the match ups. Each person writes the other person.

Ayden — Nihal

Warren — Ambrose

Carl — Charles

Mia — Abhinanda

Victoria — Mavis

Dasha — Shera

Joone — Lucia

Michael — Leo

Stella — Danie

Sasha — Yichen

Ella — Ninad — Stephanie
(Ella writes Ninad, Ninad write to Stephanie, Stephanie writes to Ella)

More to come! I look forward to your letters.  🙂

Ms. D

Reading Around the World 4/2 #1 of 3

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your patience as we get everything set up on MS Teams. If anyone is unable to view my videos from the Morning Message or is unable to log in to TEAMS, please let me know via email right away. This week is really about making sure everyone is set up so we can move forward.

Now, I want to talk about READING AROUND THE WORLD!

So, you all had a Reading Around the World Challenge Booklet that I provided earlier this year. Some of the books will be hard to find now that you don’t have immediate access to a library or the school. So, I am going to start giving you reading assignments using the online library EPIC.

  1.  Go to EPIC website.
  2. Click on the blue LOG IN button at the top right
  3. Click on the blue STUDENTS & EDUCATORS button in the middle of the screen
  4. Put in our CLASS CODE under the STUDENT LOG in, on the left side (I will email you the code)
  5. Choose your NAME on the next screen
  6. Go to MAILBOX to look for assigned books I have picked for you to read
  7. Click on a book, then once it loads, press the HEART button to add it to your reading list.
  8. As you read, I will be able to see your progress. Thus, we can continue with READING AROUND THE WORLD!

You are also able to add any other books you want to your favourites list.  You can also search for books. I hope this provides us with another tool for reading, as I know many of you have used up your resources at home.

Kindly,

Ms. D

Morning Message Each Day 4/1

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are doing well today! In the shared Google album link I sent to you in email, I have added a Morning Message for you. Each day, I will try to post a message for you.

If you haven’t responded to your Outlook email from school yet, please do that so I know you are reading my emails. Many thanks!

I am looking at how we can get connected via video conferencing, but in the meantime, we can connect on Microsoft Teams using the messages on our main page or “channel” as it is called. Make sure you check the feed for our class there. Please let me know if you can’t access it.

Our main goal this week? Finish the 3 basic assignments I posted, and then use your schedule from one of those assignments to some of the activities listed. Submit your assignments and e-port entries, and you will receive responses from me showing I saw it! I am loving the e-port entries so far, and thank you for sharing your thoughts!

I will be asking you about your schedule in a future e-port, so please make sure you are creating something you can use daily, so you get a routine going for yourself!

I hope you are all having a good day, and please don’t hesitate to contact me about ANYTHING. I am here to help support you and also to listen if you need it.

With kindness,

Ms. D

New Unit Information and Beginning Brainstorm 3/31, #3 of 3

Hello Everyone,

Hopefully you have already read the last two blog posts, you found MS Teams online, and you are getting ready for our distance learning by getting set up at home. Please let me know via email or on the TEAMS general conversation page if you have any questions.

Yes, we will be doing a new unit! You will have to imagine our UNIT WALL, but here is the info for you to start thinking about.

Unit Focus Statement:

Humans create a variety of systems and tools to get their needs and wants met.

This will be an inquiry into:

  • The nature of needs versus wants
  • Our use and management of natural resources (renewable and non-renwable)
  • Systems we create to get our needs and wants met
  • Government systems
  • How we use scientific information to get our needs and wants met (Rocks and Minerals, Geology, Geography, Chemistry)
  • Basics of Economics and trade here and around the world
  • Financial Literacy, Proportionate Reasoning, Budgeting
  • French-speaking countries in the world

Core Competency Focus:

Critical Thinking

Your Questions:

Assignment # 3 is going to be making a chart. Can you make a T chart in MS Word or any other program you can save and upload, using the Microsoft tools you have online, that will show things you think are needs versus wants in this world? Can you do this in collaboration with someone from class by contacting them via phone or via email? (Remember, you have everyone’s emails in Outlook, you just need to be sure you know a person’s first and last name.)

Due by next Monday, April 6th

How to Access Microsoft Teams 3/31, #2 of 3

Hello Everyone,

Your next task is to get in to Microsoft Teams successfully, so we can all meet in the same place. First, read this entire blog post carefully!

How can I get to Microsoft Teams?

  • Log in to your One Drive account at home.
  • If you look up in the top left corner, you will see a small grid of dots. Click on it.
  • There will be a menu of O365 Apps (Applications). Click on “All Apps”
  • Choose the app called TEAMS (it has a purple icon/symbol)
  • A new screen will come up for TEAMS, click on O-365 Suncrest Division 5 Team
  • Scroll to the top of the GENERAL page to see my posts there from the start.

What can you do in the program Microsoft Teams?

  • You can have a group written conversation on a topic or ask questions on the main page GENERAL section by replying to prompts Ms. D puts up on that page. Make sure you are on topic. Scroll through the page before you post a question. If you have a question for a specific member of the team, you can put an @ symbol in front of their name to address them, but it will be visible to everyone.
  • You can be in a video conference with any number of members from our class team. Ms. D has to lead those meetings and send you an invite to join.
  • You can see your assignments on the assignments tab at the top.
  • You can upload your assignments using the assignments tab, and then it will show me you are done with something I assigned.

Submitting assignments:

  • For our first assignment on the e-port, finish the e-port entry. Then, view your post online. Copy the LINK to your e-port entry that is in the address bar of your browser. Then, paste the LINK in the assignments part of TEAMS. Press submit and it will show me you are done!
  • ALL assignments on the eport can be done that way.
  • If the assignment is something else, like MAKING YOUR SCHEDULE AND TAKING A PICTURE OF IT, which is assignment #2, then you can upload a photo and submit it under that assignment.
  • Questions, ask Ms. D.

What MS Teams is NOT:

  • It is not a hangout where we chat at any time — it is for school.
  • It is viewed by everyone, visible by myself and District people, so please use the Golden Rule.
  • It is not a place to put spam like tons of pictures and random messages that are not on topic. It will ruin our ability to communicate learning together, so please don’t do it.
  • It is not perfect — there will be some hiccups along the way, but we will be patient with the technology and make sure it works for us.  Thank you for your cooperation and collaboration so we can make distance learning work!

Okay, go check it out! If you have problems accessing it, let me know.

Ms. D

Please read: Video Conferencing Tips 3/31 #1 of 2

Hello Everyone,

I am so glad to see many of you have already written your e-port on Documenting History. I hope you are also setting up a schedule for yourself using the six categories I gave you. I will be sending you emails to show you how I am doing each of the categories, too!

Our next task will be getting everyone set up in Microsoft Teams and connecting via videoconferencing.

Please read these tips about video conferencing and communicating as we begin working together online.

What makes a quality video during a video conference?

  • Find a space in your home where direct light will not be streaming IN to the camera, because then you will be washed out when we see you.
  • Figure out what will be behind you when you video conference with us. It is best to have a blank, less busy, or neutral background. Look at the videos I send later today as an example.
  • If you can put a light behind your computer, so light is shining on your face, that is a good idea. But, make sure it isn’t too bright. Natural light is the best, so facing toward an open window is great.
  • Your video screen needs to have your face and shoulders in the shot. Prop up your device so it can be at the right level for this.
  • Get dressed and make yourself presentable! Pajamas are cool, but maybe not in a video conference.
  • Look at the camera while you are speaking, NOT at the picture of you on the screen or the picture of the person. It is hard, but do your best!
  • Make sure you have your device set up so it doesn’t move. Put it on a table or make something it can prop up against so you don’t have to touch it.
  • Find a private space as best as possible, or at least let everyone in your house know you will be on a call.

What is proper etiquette during a video conference?

  • When you log in, start by making sure your audio is muted and video off.
  • Remember, the person who called the meeting is the leader in charge, like the person who is the chair of a class meeting.
  • Wait until the meeting leader says it is time to give your input. Until then, keep your microphone on MUTE.
  • When you would like to speak, raise your hand and be recognized by the leader to speak before you turn on your microphone.
  • Only one person speaks at a time.
  • Remember, we can see what you are doing. Don’t do anything that will distract from the meeting.
  • Remember, we all need to be respectful and courteous. Be kind, understand that this tool is new to many people, and be patient when the technology doesn’t work.
  • Go to the bathroom before a conference call. Don’t ask to go to the bathroom during the conference call. If you have an urgent situation, leave the call, and then you can rejoin later.
  • Please don’t take video or snap photos during the conference call of your screen, etc. We don’t take pictures of or record one another without permission.
  • Do not “chat” during the meeting using a sidebar. That isn’t any better than the sidebar conversations we have during class. Do your best to listen to the entire conversation.

Chatting with one another in EMAIL or on MS Teams:

  • When you send emails to one another or to Ms. D, think about how we are trying to support one another with kind words.
  • Think about the tone of what you are writing, and ask if it is respectful or the write kind of writing for the audience you are speaking to.
  • Avoid using a bunch of emojis. A quick smiley face is great! A whole sentence made out of 10 emojis is sometimes annoying, as it doesn’t really say anything to me. Use words.
  • Use a greeting and salutation, or ask how the person is doing before immediately asking the person for something in email.
  • Use pleases and thank yous. It helps with the tone of your mail and people will want to help you more.
  • Don’t attach documents and videos in mail. Use other ways, such as sharing documents in One Drive with one another, or using links to photos in a shared album like Ms. D will do.
  • Remember that we are still in school when we are learning in an electronic environment, even though you are physically at home.
  • Remember the Golden Rule we discussed in class.

Okay, if you have read and you understand this, then take a moment now to find a videoconferencing space that will work best for you. 

Thank you,

Ms. D

 

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