Friday April 22, 2016

Good evening ladies & gentlemen,



Please find below an update on what we have been working on in class, and where we are currently headed.  Your homework is also below.  :)

Math
Our next unit will be Chapter 8 (Variables, Expressions & Equations).  As always, students are reminded, and strongly encouraged, to take advantage of extra help sessions at morning recesses when they notice that there are particular aspects of the unit that they are giving them difficulty.  These sessions do not need to take the entire recess, but can be extremely helpful in clarifying concepts.

Social Studies
We have completed the grade 7 History curriculum, and have moved onto our Geography studies.  Some students still need to present their final History assignment, and will be doing so during our upcoming Social Studies periods.  The reason why some have completed their assignments, while some still need to present, is due to the type of assignment they chose to complete.  For those students who decided to write a report, they have handed their assignment in.  Other students chose to create presentations, and so those students are coming and presenting to me during our weekly Social Studies period.

For Geography, students have been given the outline for what our classes will look like each week.  There will be a section in the textbook that we will be covering, and they will be required to read that section, and be given questions/assignments to complete which allow students to respond and work with the material they have learned.  The goal is to provide students with authentic learning opportunities which allow them to develop their skills in reading and responding.  We will have class discussions on the materials to add to our learning.  During this time students are required to add to their notes that which they are learning from our conversations.  This too is a meaningful process in that it works to develop their oral communication skills in listening and responding.  It teaches students to listen, contribute and synthesize/develop new learning using that which they have read and discussed.  It is the goal to create learning opportunities which resemble real-world scenarios that they have either already experienced, or will be experiencing in their future.

Literacy
Students have completed their second novels for their Social Justice Unit.  They have also handed in their Figurative Language Assignment.  As a next step, we will be examining expository writing (5 paragraph essays) and once we have learned the characteristics of these essays, students will be completing their own.  The topics will focus on themes from our Social Justice Unit.

In Oral Communication, we are learning about what makes an effective oral presentation.  Our big theme is "Presentations That WOW!"  We have, and will continue to, examine various presentations that "wow" an audience, and determine what makes these presentations so effective so that we can apply these same characteristics to our own presentations.  Topics include, novelty, confidence, practice, preparation, length, topic, audience & inspiration.

As always, please never hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.  Education is always most effective when parents and teachers partner together to meet the needs of each individual student.

Math Lessons

Literacy - Please choose a question for your essay.  Use the list given out in class to choose from.  (Due Monday)

Math - Please complete p. 87 & 88 in your workbook.  Please make sure that you draw pictures to represent each step of the equation.  (Due Monday)

Geography - Please read chapter #8 on Rivers, and then answer the following questions.  There will be a multiple choice test which will be based off of the homework questions (in other words, you need to study the answers to the homework questions).  It is not an open book test.  You are expected to complete all the homework questions, study them and be prepared for your test.  If you are having difficulty with any questions, please make sure you come see me for extra help. (due Thursday)

1. 1. Why is it so important to protect the Oak Ridges Moraine?  
   2. On page 169, read section “Major River Systems” and explain what would happen to Canada if we had no rivers.
   3. Why do you think rivers always flow to oceans or other large bodies of water? (see p.169)
   4. p.171 #2 - Use page 313 and the blank map of the world provided to you.
   5. Explain the difference between Dendritic & Trellis drainage patterns.  Make sure to include how each forms. (p. 176)
   6. P.177 & 178 #1, 2, 9

Science - Please make sure that you keep up to date with Mrs. Foster's assignment sheet.

Science Centre - Permission forms are overdue.  Please let me know if you will be unable to attend. 

Tin Roof Fundraiser - Please feel free to share the following links with your parents, and discuss with them what we will be doing here at school to support those who could use our support in Uganda.  Thank you in advance :)   https://goo.gl/UagQfw

 Our class page:  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/tin-roof-global/lug-a-bucket/team/mrcarr/member/mr-carrs-class/ 

Have a great evening!

Mr. Carr

jonathan.carr@yrdsb.ca

www.twitter.com/jonathanwcarr1