Cool Rap About Energy and Black Holes

My friend Stefan told me to check this video out. Pretty cool science, but the music is somewhat odd.

Happy Holidays!

Canada a Leader in GHG Emissions

The following article on the CBC website states that Canada emits 2.6% of the world' s CO2 into the atmosphere each year. Read the article and look at the chart. Estimate how many metric tons of CO2 China and the U.S.A emit. Estimate the sum that Canada, Italy and Australia emit.
CBC Article on CO2 Emissions

Based on the fact that Canada has 0.5% of the world's population, how can we as a country reduce our impact. How can we as a class reduce our impact?

COP15

The "COP15" conference, or the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, starts today and goes until December 18. This is an historic meeting of nations, as the fate of the world will be negotiated.

Head to the COP15 website and have a look around at the "news" and the "facts" pages.

1) Where is Copenhagen?
2) What will be discussed?
3) What is Canada's position on signing an agreement with other countries to reduce carbon emissions (You may have to ask your parents about this at dinner)?
4) If you were a politician, what would your opinion be on whether or not Canada should reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses?
5) If we don't agree with Stephen Harper's opinion, what can we do? Go to David Suzuki's website for a clue!

More Troops in Afghanistan

Yesterday, President Obama announced that he will be sending in more troops to battle the Taliban in Afghanistan. He wants to send in 30 000 more. There are already 34 800 American troops in Afghanistan.

Other countries, including Canada, are lending support too (although Canada is pulling out by 2011). Interestingly, Canada has suffered the most fatalities per ca pita (what does this mean?). Here are some of the countries participating:

Total Number of Troops as of today: 71 030
U.S.A. - 34 800
Canada - 2 830
Spain - 1 000
Australia - 1 350
France - 3 095
Germany - 4 365
Great Britain - 9 000
Netherlands - 2 160
Italy - 2 795
Poland - 1 910

Given these numbers (total number of troops subtract countries listed above), how many troops are coming from countries not listed? Use Front-end rounding to find out.

If President Obama sends 30 000 more troops and Great Britain sends 500 more, how many total troops will there be? Use compatible (friendly) numbers to get an accurate estimate.

Fridge Facts

The average Canadian household opens the fridge door approximately 22 times per day. Does this sound reasonable? Explain your answer in 3-4 sentences.

Without using a calculator, how often would your household open the fridge door in a year? In your lifetime?

What's the Deal with Homework?

I recently attended a conference and saw Alfie Kohn speak. He raises some really interesting points related to homework. Here's a little clip from an American talkshow:

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Oddly enough, I read an article on the plane from the Globe & Mail that discussed the merits of homework, but in a Canadian context. A Calgary family actually went to court to ensure that their kids are not bogged down each night with meaningless tasks. Check out the article here:
Globe& Mail Homework Article

Discuss with your family at dinner or in the car/bus. What do you think?

Remembrance Day 2009

Each year, we celebrate Remembrance Day on 11th month, on the 11th day, at the 11th hour.

Canadians have been going to war for a long time, but we really established ourselves as a country during the First World War (WWI). Between 1914 and 1919, we sent approximately 620 000 troops to Europe to fight. 67 000 were killed and 173 000 were injured. Many of the killed were never found.

1) Put each of the above figures in expanded form (6 x 10 000 etc.)
2) First, visit the Canadian War Museum website. What were the causes of WWI?
3) In your opinion, why do we celebrate Remembrance Day?

Answer all questions in complete sentences. Proof read your responses before posting. Have a family member read over your post. Use capitals at the beginning of sentences and on proper names.

Poverty Statistics

Place Value Game

Here is a cool game on place value. Well, it's not really a game and it's somewhat lame, but give it a try.

War Dance Math

The war in northern Uganda has affected many people. Almost 2 million people have been displaced and forced to live in camps for their protection. 2 million! Wow! Write out 2 million in numbers (place values).

Each month, The Patongo School closes when the United Nations delivers food to the 60 000 people in the camp. What does the 6 represent? Can you compare 60 000 to another population closer to home?

Can you write out the following number in English?
123 456

Variables! Oh My!

Write a word problem for the following equation. Solve the equation and verify the right answer following your problem.

4 + n = 36

Darfur is Dying

Visit this website: http://www.darfurisdying.com/

Play the video game and do some research on the conflict happening in Darfur, a region in Sudan. What are some things we can do as a class to help reduce the affects of poverty and war on people throughout the world?

Please proofread your answers. Use paragraphs, capitals and other conventions that are part of good reading.

International Day of Climate Action

Kellen & His New Friend!

Recently, Kellen made a new friend, Ned. Ned lives in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta. Say "Hi Ned".

Kellen is 3 years older than Ned.
a) Write an expression for Kellen's age.
b) Kellen is 10 years old. Write an equation that compares Kellen's age with Ned's age.
c) Solve the equation to calculate the age of Ned

School Killing Creativity

Watch the following movie. Do you agree that school is killing creativity? Explain why in full sentences that have been proofread.

Cool Pattern Game

Try cracking some of these codes:

Triangle Fun!

Take a look at the pattern to the right. What's happening? Create a chart and mathematical expression that explains what is happening. Without using a chart, how many sides would figure 73 have?

Take a look around your house. Do you see any patterns that can be expressed as a chart and mathematical expression?

Chez Moi!

Écrivez ce qu'il y a chez toi. Par exemple:
Chez moi, il y a 3 personnes. Il y a ma soeur, mon frère et moi. Je suis le plus grand....

Patterns, Charts, Rules & Expressions

Solving Problems with Patterns!

Mr. Henderson sells steak knives to make up for his poor salary as a public school teacher. He earns an extra $25 per week and is saving up to by a razor for his beard.

1) How much money has Mr. Henderson collected at the end of one week? Two weeks?
2) Make a table to show the amounts for the first eight weeks. Write rules for the pattern.
3) Will Mr. Henderson ever collect a total of $240? $250? $260? How do you know?
4) Based on the table you made, express the pattern as a mathematical expression (2+2=4).

Book Review Time!

As you know, I have asked each of you to do 30 minutes of independent reading each night. Please take a moment and tell us what you have been reading and whether or not you would recommend to a classmate.

Terry Fox Run Pattern Blog

After cancer surgery, Terry Fox decided to run across Canada to raise funds for cancer research. He created the "Marathon of Hope" which continues to raise funds today.

Every September, people around the world take part in the Terry Fox Run. The run raises millions of dollars for cancer research.

This September, Mr. Henderson will run 10 kms.

Mr. Henderson made this table to find out how much he would get from each pledge:

Amount per Kilometre Amount Pledged
10 cents $1.00
20 cents $2.00
30 cents $3.00
40 cents $4.00
50 cents $5.00

Mr. Henderson will run around a 400 metre track

Here is part of a table. It shows how many laps he needs to complete to run 10 000 metres.

Number of laps Distance in Metres
1 400
2 800
3 1200
4 1600
5 2000

1. What patterns do you see in the tables (write the rules)?
2. One of Mr. Henderson's friends pledged 60 cents per km. What is the amount pledged?
3. How could you find out how many laps Mr. Henderson will run?

Patterns - Wow!

Think of a cool pattern. Write it down in your notebook using terms, English and counters. Submit your pattern (in terms ie. 2, 4 , 6, 8) on the blog!

Try to figure out some of your friends' patterns. Try and trick your parents!

Bienvenue au Français Intensif

Bienvenue au Français Intensif. This post will be the only one you respond to (except for Math) in English. Following your first day, answer the following questions:

1) How did you feel before you started speaking French today?
2) How did you feel after speaking French?
3) What are some things you are looking forward to or perhaps unsure of?

Please respond in full sentences and read over your writing before submitting.