Grade 7/8 Math practice

Here are a couple great websites to practice algebra for your test: Math Worksheets, Math Jeopardy, Two step equations, Subtraction/Integer work, Multiplication work, Integer work

Gr. 7/8 New France Fashion

Hello Gr. 7/8's!

Here are some excellent research links if you want to learn more about New France Fashion.

An excellent video on the details of soldier's uniforms and some women casual clothes.

The History of Makeup to learn more about the great efforts women (and men) went to look good.

Watch two different videos on the layers of the hoop skirt and pocket hoops.

An in depth look at the layers of 18th Century female clothing

A break down of all of the parts of 18th Century clothing

Clean Water Ambassadors!

We've been talking a lot about our water footprints and water conservation. In the last couple of Science classes we've started looking into water supply in other countries.

We formed groups today in class for our culminating task. "You are going to become a clean water ambassador. Your job will be to investigate and learn about the critical water situation in your assigned country. You will each select one country from the list on the webpage (only 1 group per country)." (Ruth Urdaneta, Southern Adventist University, http://questgarden.com/110/06/9/101012143035/index.htm)

In your groups, please go to Water Conservation and write down on a piece of paper your group's first and second choice (labelled) and submit to Miss Mullen. I will do what I can to make sure you get your first choice.

After you know your country, you can begin your task! Make sure you follow the instructions (on the webquest) carefully. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me.

Parents: In addition to investigating their own personal water consumption, (as mentioned previously) students will "use technological problem-solving skills to design, build and test a water system device that performs a practical function or meets a need" (Ontario Curriculum: Science and Technology, p. 151). At the end of the project they will also be responsible to present their research "use a variety of forms to communicate" (Ontario Curriculum: Science and Technology, p. 151). If you have any concerns or questions about this webquest, please contact me. I will be happy to speak with you!

Image from Water Conservation

Journal Article

Welcome back to the class blog! Tonight, I would like you write a journal response based on these two quick activities:

1. This short (2 min) video is about the Uses of Water. (Make sure you go to the Segment menu on the right and click "Uses of Water")

• What surprised you the most while you were watching?
• How much water do Canadian's usually use a day? Keep in mind, this video is from 1998, there have been a lot of changes in our society since then.
• Do you think we use less or more water now in 2011?

2. Calculate the Water Footprint your house makes.

• What surprised you the most about your water footprint?
• How is this calculation different/same from the one in the video?
• Why do you think they are different or the same?
• Is there anything we can do to reduce our water footprint?

Parents: As a part of the Science and Technology grade 8 curriculum, students are expected to "evaluate their own personal water consumption, comparing it with personal water consumption in other countries, and propose a plan of action to reduce personal water consumption to help address water sustainability issues." (Ontario Curriculum: Science and Technology, p. 150) Students will share their thoughts in their journal to develop their point of view, as stated in the Ontario Curriculum: Language Arts ("identify their point of view and other possible points of view" p, 145). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Image from: Water Footprint Calculator

To get things started...

This next week, we are going to be talking about the Water Cycle and Water Conservation.

Here is a great video reviewing the topic of Water Cycles, watch carefully, I might ask specific questions about it in class this week. (click the green button that says: Play Video)

Now, you know its an exciting topic when you can RAP about it!

Test your WaterSense with this arcade style game! Don't worry if you don't get all of them correct. We are going to start learning about it this week, afterwards you can go back and test how much you learned! (Its an American site so some of the measurements are different, do what you can!)

Parents: We are beginning our Science unit on Water. We will start by reviewing the Water Cycle and the various states of water on earth. We will also be talking about how we use water and sometimes waste this valuable resource. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this unit.

Image from Center for Educational Technologies

A Couple Resources

Sometimes while you are working you can't find just the write word, thats when a Thesaurus comes in handy! I use this all the time to give more variety and help it sound better. Just type in the word you are thinking of in the search bar and click "Search" and see what the results bring you!

Another one of my favourite websites is Wikipedia If you ever have a question about something in your textbook or when you are watching the news, you can type it in and see what information comes up. Be careful though because anyone can correct it, so make sure you think critically about what you are reading.

Hello Grade Eights!

Welcome to our new class blog!

We will be using this as a class over the next couple of weeks to share information, homework and links with you.

Through this blog, we are going to learn about the importance of water through watching interesting videos and doing fun activities. I'm excited to hear about what you've learned and the class discussion that will follow!

Stay tuned for my upcoming posts!