Enjoy the Break

Happy Holidays! 

Thank you everyone for a great start to the year. See you in 2016!

Writer's Notebook - Emotions

Poem: "Fear," by Raymond Carver from All of Us (Vintage).

Fear

Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive.
Fear of falling asleep at night.
Fear of not falling asleep.
Fear of the past rising up.
Fear of the present taking flight.
Fear of the telephone that rings in the dead of night.
Fear of electrical storms.
Fear of the cleaning woman who has a spot on her cheek!
Fear of dogs I've been told won't bite.
Fear of anxiety!
Fear of having to identify the body of a dead friend.
Fear of running out of money.
Fear of having too much, though people will not believe this.
Fear of psychological profiles.
Fear of being late and fear of arriving before anyone else.
Fear of my children's handwriting on envelopes.
Fear they'll die before I do, and I'll feel guilty.
Fear of having to live with my mother in her old age, and mine.
Fear of confusion.
Fear this day will end on an unhappy note.
Fear of waking up to find you gone.
Fear of not loving and fear of not loving enough.
Fear that what I love will prove lethal to those I love.
Fear of death.
Fear of living too long.
Fear of death.

I've said that.

To do...December 14

1. Math - worksheet (back of page) #1 b, c, d; 2 a, d, g; 5 a, c, h, i
2. Science test - Thursday
3. History - worksheets due tomorrow
4. Grade 8 Montreal trip - forms and first installment due Wednesday

We need some empty pop cans for an activity this week.

Macro vs. Micro

Grade 8 Health- Macro vs Micro Nutrients

Essential Nutrients

1.  What are Macronutrients?

2.  Where are Macronutrients found?

3.  List 3 food sources for the Macronutrients (Carbohydrates, Fats, Protein)

4.  What are Micronutrients?

5.  How do we get Micronutrients in our diet?

6.  What's the difference between Fat-Soluble or Water Soluble vitamins?

http://www.wolframalpha.com/

To do...December 9

1. Math test - Friday
2. Math review - p. 277 #4, 5, 6, 8; p. 279 #4, 5, 6, 8; worksheet "Word Problems"
3. Science - 6.5: 7 questions and 2 bold words
4. Literacy - Thinking book (be prepared to conference before holidays)

Holiday Concert - Thursday @ 6:30

Ugly Sweater - Friday

Writer's Notebook - Wednesday

The Hour of Code

Resources:
Code.org

Scratch - Animate Your Name

Writer's Notebook - Days

“Days” by Billy Collins... if you could go back to one day, one moment, which would you choose?

To do...December 5

1. Math worksheet - #2, 3, 6, 8, 10
2. Math test - next Thursday
3. History text next Tuesday
4. Science - two diagrams with questions due Monday

• December 16th - Montreal Trip Cheques are due 
• 1. Deposit $100 + $38 (optional) insurance dated for December 16th, 2015 
• 2. Second payment - $220 (dated for January 25th, 2016  
• 3. Final payment - $245 (date for March 25th, 2016) 
• PLEASE MAKE ALL CHEQUES PAYABLE TO HIGHVIEW P.S.  OR YOU MAY USE THE NEW "CASH ONLINE" SYSTEM (when it is ready)

• Janurary 14th - Grade 8 Information Night at Aurora HS
• Holiday Concert - Thursday, December 5

Writer's Notebook - "On Turning Ten"

To do...December 1

1. Math - p. 271 #12, 14-16
2. Math checkpoint tomorrow
3. History - test next Tuesday, Dec. 8
4. Science 6.4 #2-6, bold words; 2 systems written out
5. French test signed

Williams information night - tonight

Grade 8 trip information night - tomorrow night

Spoken Word Examples

To do...November 30

1. Math - p. 270 #5, 6, 8, 9, 10 (need to verify for #9)

2. Checkpoint - Wednesday (solve equations, draw diagrams, verify solutions)

3. Blogpost due Friday

4. History - Confederation booklet

Williams info night - tomorrow @ 6:30 to 8:30

Grade 8 trip meeting - Wednesday @ 6:30 (library)

Poinsettias order due tomorrow

JERSEY day tomorrow (Go Leafs Go!)

Problem of the Day

Creating an EFFECTIVE blog post

Learning Goal:

·         create a blog post that communicates how to create an EFFECTIVE blog post

Success Criteria:

•  informative (audience will have clear idea how to make an EFFECTIVE blog post)
•  interesting title
• well organized and "clean"
• different types of media
• colour and fonts to emphasize your ideas

Grade 7 students will be evaluating how successful you have been. They will rate you on two aspects:

ü  How engaging is your blog post?

ü  How informative is the post?


Due: Friday, December 4

Grade 8 Trip - Information Meeting

Hello parents/guardians of grade 8 students,  

          We have started to plan our year end trip to Montreal, which is scheduled for May 24-26th, 2016. There will be a parent information meeting on Wednesday, December 2nd at 6:30 in our library. 

            A representative of the tour company will be there to provide information and answer questions.  An information/forms package will be handed out to each family in attendance. If you are unable to attend, we will give your child the package at school the following day. 

Hope to see you there, 

Grade 8 Teachers. 

To do...November 2

1. Math - Solving Equations worksheet (ensure you have diagrams for the 3 questions indicated)
2. Literacy - final draft of narrative due (turn in on Google Classroom & hand in rubric with self assessment)
3. Science - bolded words (10) & 6.1 questions #2, 3, 4, 5

Discussion Starter

Questions to consider:

Why does this happen?

How could it change?

How do we create effective blog posts?

What features do blog posts have? (not all posts have all features)
What do you like or dislike about these examples?
What draws you to some posts?

Spicy Learning Blog

Life Hacker

SB Nation

Edutopia

Soul Pancake

Pernilles Ripp


In your group, record what makes a SUCCESSFUL blog post.

To do...November 23

Upcoming dates:

• December 1st - Grade 8 Information Night at Dr. G.W. Williams SS
• December 2nd, 6:30 pm in Highview Library - Parent Meeting for May trip to Montreal
• Janurary 14th - Grade 8 Information Night at Aurora HS

Homework:

1. Literacy - Make prediction for The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night-time (in Google Classroom)
2. Math - p. 261 #12-14, 17 (Let statements required)
3. Math Checkpoint (translate, create and solve algebraic expressions) tomorrow
4. Learning Skills - self assessment due tomorrow

Temple Grandin - Autism

To do...Nov. 19

1. Math - worksheet #13-26 (answers written out properly) and #5, 9, 11 and 13 (right side)
2. Literacy - narrative (a couple of people have not completed your rough draft!)
3. History - worksheet completed & good copy of diaries due Monday
4. Science Test - tomorrow

Super Hero Day

To do...November 18

1. History - diary due Monday
2. Science test - Friday
3. French Quiz tomorrow
4. Math - worksheets

To do...November 17

1. Math - words to symbols worksheets #2-4, 2 (back), 1
2. Literacy - FISH assignment must be completed during morning recess tomorrow

Grade 8 Graduation date is Monday, June 27 (save the date)

We are also looking for volunteers to help coordinate our Greek Pita sales this year (alternating Wednesdays will be going to help support the grade 8 trip)

Thanks.

Fish Evaluation

Looking for a Coordinator

Dear Families,

We are beginning to plan and think about our annual grade 8 trip. Our QSP contact has suggested a Tasty Batters Fundraiser (selling cookie dough) as a possibility. We are looking for one or two parents to coordinate this fundraiser. If you are interested please let me or Mrs. Snow know.

Thanks,
Mr. Congram

Sketch Note Examples

To do...November 13

1. Math - p. 254 #5, 6, 8, 10
2. History - write your first diary entry
3. Science - 5.6 questions and bold words & lab due Wednesday
4. Science Test - Friday
5. French - Quiz Thursday

Terry Fox Run - Monday (not too late to donate)

To do...November 12

1. History Conference - period 1 and 2 (be prepared)
2. Math - worksheet with graph of algebraic expression
3. Literacy - theme response (with your partner) needs to be done for Monday
4. Thinking Books - be prepared to hand it in
5. Math test and checkpoint #7 signed (deadline: Monday)

Terry Fox Run - period 4 (come prepared to participate)

Visual Patterns

Visual Patterns

To do...November 5

1. Math Test - Friday
2. Blog Post - "Acts of Kindness" due Monday
3. History - review information on your colony

Read this article in preparation for 4 Corners

Is Google hurting our memory?






LOST MEMORIES (French, English Subtitles) from Francois Ferracci on Vimeo.

To do...November 2

1. Math - p. 326 #6 def, 8 def, 9
2. Literacy - first draft of narrative (some time in class on Tuesday)

Upcoming dates:

Wed., November 4 - In-class reading assessment (plot diagram & questions)
Friday, November 6 - Fractions Unit Test
Monday, November 9 - Blog Post due
Wednesday, November 11 - Thinking Books (I will begin to collect for assessment)

Halloween Moment

Tuck me in (short film 2014) from Ignacio F. Rodó on Vimeo.

To do...Oct. 27

1. Math - worksheet 5.6 #1-12 (on separate page)
2. Literacy - plan for Science Fiction narrative completed
3. History - two paragraphs

To do...October 26

1. Math - p. 314 #9, 13

Acts of Kindness Blogpost

Learning goal: to explore how KINDNESS can change the world

Over the next 2 weeks you will be expected to do things:
1.  Witness Acts of Random Kindness in the world and comment on them
2.  Perform Acts of Random Kindness.

You will have to comment on 5 Acts and perform 4 to 5 of your own. 

Success Criteria:
* No repeats.  Each act that you perform must be DIFFERENT!
* You can not get paid in money or trade an act for an act.
* You must document all of your Acts of Random Kindness on your blog.
* You must give details of your Acts of Kindness
* Each log entry should have: 
    a)  a good description of what you did or witnessed and who it was done for.
    b)  a good description of the recipient's reaction
    c)  a good description of how you felt afterwards.  

Stuck for ideas, click here.

Due date: Monday, November 9th

To do...October 23

1. Math - no assigned homework, BUT you should ensure you are able to multiply fractions
2. Literacy - your idea for SCI-FI narrative should be set

To do...Oct. 22

1. Math Checkpoint signed
2. Math - worksheet #5.5 #21-36 (front) and #11-20 (back) - written out properly!
3. French - crossword
4. Science test tomorrow

Don't forget our food drive goal!

To do...October 21

1. Science Test - Oct. 23
2. Science - Genetic Testing Project due tomorrow (Oct. 21)
3. History - handout due tomorrow

To do...October 20

1. Math - 5.5 worksheet #11-15; p. 299 #12 and p. 303 #10, 11, 13, 18
2. Math Checkpoint - multiplying fractions
3. History - handout with p. 96 in red book

Hawk Food Drive - class challenge to contribute 100 items by next Friday

To do...October 19

1. Math - worksheet 5.5 #1-10
2. Math - checkpoint #4 signed

Literacy Activities Evaluation

To do...October 16

1. Math - multiplying fractions models and p. 303 #5, 8, 9
2. Literacy Activities due Monday (shared with Mr. Congram)
3. "The Collecting Team" - needs to be read (time in class to complete plot diagram
4. History - handout due Monday

Great job House Captains!

To do...Oct. 15

1. Literacy - "Collecting Team"
2. Science Test - Oct. 23
3. History - handout due Monday

Spirit Assembly tomorrow - wear your colour!

Fish - chapter 3 Question

Created with Padlet

To do...October 14

1. Math - p. 292 #7, 9c d, 10, 11, 14, 16, 17
2. History - questions due tomorrow

Go Jays Go!

Grade 8 - High School Info Nights

To do...Oct 13

1. Math - p. 292 #6a, 8b, 9ab

Photo Day tomorrow (our pictures will be at the end of the day)

To do...Oct. 8

1.  Math p. 288 #4-6, 11-13, 15
2.  Literacy - Plot diagram completed for "Follow the Water"
3. Blue and White Day (Go Jays!!!)

Plot Diagram

To do...Oct. 7

1. Math - p. 284 #1-4, 5a, 6ab, 9
2. Thinking Book - conferences ongoing
3. "Follow the Water" - make sure you are done
4. Math checkpoint #3
5. Finish history chart for Friday

Which one doesn't belong?

Pre-reading Question - Fish

To do...Oct. 5

1. Math Test - Tuesday (first two periods)
2. Literacy - "Follow the Water": read and notes its features
3. Thinking Book - conferences continue throughout this week
4. Math checkpoint #3 signed
5. Science - onion cell lab due Oct. 6
6. History - handout for Tuesday

Global Read Aloud

Global Read Aloud

Global Read Aloud - Fish

Another Writing Contest

Speaker's Award for Youth Writers

What is the message?

LOST MEMORIES (French, English Subtitles) from Francois Ferracci on Vimeo.



The OceanMaker from Mighty Coconut on Vimeo.

To do...Sept. 30

1. Math - p. 22 #7, 8, 16a & "Powers of Ten" chart
2. Blog post presentations continue tomorrow
3. Math Test - Tues., Oct. 6 

Math Test will include the following concepts:

• prime and composite numbers
• prime factorization
• factors, multiples, GCF, LCM
• place value (standard, expanded forms using powers of ten)
• multiplying and dividing by powers of ten

Literacy Activity - writing

To do...Sept. 29

1. Math - place value worksheet
2. Unit test - next Tuesday, Oct. 6
3. Thinking Book - Oct. 5 (be prepared to conference with Mr. Congram
4. ART - quote
5. French Quiz - signed

Asking Questions - images

In From the Cold

Created with Padlet

Digital Tools Rubric

To do...Sept. 25

1. Digital tools blog post - Tuesday
2. Math checkpoint #1 signed by Tuesday
3. Math homework - word problems
4. Science - bold words (Tuesday)
5. History - chart "American Civil War" p. 99-100
6. French - finish worksheet

Doodling

In From the Cold

Created with Padlet

Kid President - Pep Talk for Teachers and Students

Science Fiction Comparison

Created with Padlet

Factors and Multiples Game

Factors and Multiples Game

Digital Learning Tools

Learning Goal:

·        find and demonstrate a NEW digital tool to use in your learning at school (needs to be accessible for most: Chrome extension, mobile app, online tool etc.)

Success Criteria:

ü  summarize the tool (what it does)

ü  how it could be used

ü  create an example using the tool

ü  list advantages and disadvantages

ü  provide some instructions on how to use it

Due: Tuesday, September 29

Possible tools:

Epic BYOD toolchest

Google Drive Apps

Chrome Apps

Challenge Question - if you solve it you will be admired by all

A certain number has exactly eight factors including 1 and itself. Two of its factors are 21 and 35.

What is the number?

To do...Sept. 18

1. Math - text p. 10 #9, 10, 14, 15 (textbook is on blog under Math Resources)
2. Math Checkpoint - Monday (powers, GCF/LCM, prime/composite numbers)

Participation Trophies

Participation Trophies

To do...Sept. 17

1. Math - p. 10 #5 (tree method) and #7 a-d (stack)
2. French Quiz - Sept. 22

To do...Sept 16

1. Math - textbook p. 6-7 #7, 9, 11, 14, 22, 23

What is literacy?

Which one doesn't belong?

In the each set of four numbers, decide and justify which number does not belong.

What is Science Fiction?

Three Key Features

• speculation about humanity's future
• impacts of science and technology on people
• settings in an alternate time and place.

To do...Sept. 14

1. Math worksheet (both sides) - factors, multiples, powers, square roots
2. Literacy - summary of kindness article (no more than 10 sentences)
3. History - finish worksheet
4. Science - p. 101  #3, 4, 5

Acts of Kindness

Choose an article from Kindness Research and summarize what you read in no more than ten sentences.

To do...September 11

1. Literacy - ONE word blog post
2. Math binder with 5 dividers by Monday
3. Independent reading material by Monday
4. Any forms for Mr. Congram or the office
5. Gym clothes for next class
6. Science - title page & p. 97 #1-3
7. Art - rough copy due next class
8. French - need binder and dividers

Writing Contest

Write Across Ontario

To do...September 10

1. ONE word - created for class display
2. Review blog with your parents (have your parents fill in the parent contact link)
3. Bring something for independent reading by Monday
4. French worksheet due next class

Math Diagnostic

ONE word - blog post

Learning Goal: present the ONE word you have chosen that will make a difference this year

Success Criteria:

• visually represent your word
• explain the meaning of the word (it might have more than one meaning)
• why did you choose the word?
• give at least one personal experience that illustrates why the word makes sense for you

Due date: Monday, September 14th

Writing Diagnostic Task

To do...Sept. 9

1. Science - p. 97 #1-3 and title page (due Monday)
2. Forms signed and returned (office forms & technology forms for Mr. Congram)
3. ONE word - make sure you have some options
4. House Captain applications due Friday

ONE WORD

To do...September 8

1. Science - p. 96 #2-4 (due Wed.)
2. Get MADD form signed tonight!!!

What should every teacher know about me!

Group Challenge

Drop the Golf Ball

1. Each group has 20 straws, 50 cm of masking tape and a golf ball.
2. The goal is to build a container that will catch a golf ball dropped from about ten feet. Your group will have 20 minutes to design and build your container.
3. Each group selects a “ball dropper” who stands on a table and hold the golf ball at eye level.
4. Each team places its container on the floor under where they think the ball will land.
5. Each group gets three attempts and the group that gets a ball to go into their container and stay wins.

Smile Campaign

Boy Loses Parents

Smile Campaign

Parent Contact Information

Welcome to our classroom blog. 

This will be my primary means of communicating with you about what is happening in the class each day. On the top right corner of the page, you can subscribe to our blog and receive a daily email between 3 and 5 pm directly to your email. Before the students leave at the end of the day, the students and I will complete a blog entry indicating all homework, upcoming assignments, and important events happening at our school. Agendas will not be mandatory in my class this year. My hope is that between home and school we can develop a plan that will work for the individual student. However, agendas are available at a cost of $6.00.

On the blog I will be posting a great deal of useful information, such as:

• homework assignments
• assessment information (how work is being marked)
• learning goals for literacy and math
• links to provide students with extra practice
• texts (videos, readings etc.) for students to enrich class discussions and activities 
• links to all online tools we will be using in class
• calendar of events

I would also like to compile email addresses for the parents/guardians in the class, so that I can occasionally send out group emails about important events, projects, etc. You can click on the link below to fill in the contact information of up to two people for each student:

PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION

If you need to contact me, I would prefer if you email me directly using my board email address timothy.congram@yrdsb.ca or call the school at 905-727-6642 (email is probably the most reliable if you looking for a timely response).


Thank you for taking the time to fill out this form. I'm looking forward to a great year!

First Day Checklist

timetables

lockers

textbooks

homework/blog/agendas

Lunch routines

Entry/Exit/Fire Procedures

Classroom Rules

Personal devices (iPods/iPads/laptops)

House Captain applications

Read important article

Questions/concerns

Welcome Back Letter

Welcome back!

Today is the first day of over one hundred eighty days we are going to spend together.  My greatest hope is this will be a time of great learning and fun together. I recently saw the quote, "I care more about the people my students become than the scores they get on tests." The more time I spend teaching, the more this idea seems to hold true for me.

This will be my eighteenth year of teaching. Man, am I getting old? I think this will be my tenth year at Highview. I never thought I would stay at one school for this long, but Highview has been such a great community it is hard to imagine leaving. I am really excited to be teaching grade 8 this year. I have always thought that the grade 8 students in a school set the tone for the whole school. In other words, the best schools usually have the best grade eights! One of my goals for you this year is to find opportunities to develop your leadership skills. I have no doubt that this is a class full of leaders.  

Since I will be learning about you, I thought I would share a little bit about me. I was born in Sarnia, but my family moved to Toronto when I was only five. I am the third of four boys (my poor mother). Two passions ruled my childhood, sports and comics. The year I moved to Toronto was the first year the Blue Jays existed. I have been a die-hard fan ever since. I've celebrated the two World Series victories and suffered through some rough seasons. Obviously, I've been joined by a few more people on the bandwagon this year. There is nothing better than playoff baseball. I played baseball in high school, even playing with a couple of eventual major league players. I credit comic books for my reading passion. 

My biggest influence during my teenage years were my experiences at camp. From working at a summer camp, I discovered I wanted to be a teacher and I loved spending time in the great outdoors. Eventually, I even met my wife at camp. My wife and I still spend parts of our summer on canoe trips whenever possible.

This past summer was a quiet one for me. In the spring, my wife and I brought home a new puppy, Finnegan. A puppy meant we couldn't travel too far, especially since he throws up every time he gets in the car. I took him to puppy class and I am glad they didn't hand out report cards at the end. 

A large part of my leisure time this summer was spent playing golf. No matter how badly I play, I can't wait to get out again to see if I can get better.  It certainly keeps me humble. During the school year, my sport of choice is volleyball. I play a couple of nights a week.

My big passion all year long is reading. Mr. Kaufman calls my book collection a library! Though my library is not growing very fast, because I'm reading more and more e-books. I read about 20 books this summer, including a number of books in preparation for teaching grade 8. I hope we will be able to share many great books together. What are your favourite books?

I hope over the next days and weeks I will have the opportunity to get to know all of you better. What is important to you? It looks like a great year ahead.

                                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                                                T. Congram