Let's Think Critically

Based on viewing Black Robe, prepare a question that gets us thinking critically about Colonialism, film making, stereotypes or all of the above. How did this film impact you?

First Nation Elder Visits Our Class

http://files.me.com/bacbuf/qyfc2l.mp3

Mary Courchene, pictured in the middle, visited our class on June 9 (Kids in the picture are not from our class). She spoke about her time at Residential School and the CBC was there to record the session.

Plains of Abraham - Ummm...

HBC: A Different Perspective from 1970

The Worst Environmental Disaster - Ever

A United States Government official stated yesterday that the BP oil leak is the biggest environmental disaster ever in American history. Here is a link to the story on the BBC.

Have a look at the picture here. Note the scale at the bottom of the map. Using the scale, estimate the perimeter and the area of the oil slick (in KMs). What would the P and A be in cm and mm?

Finally, what does the fact that BP and the U.S. Government have failed to work together on finding a solution say about Colonialism today (Neo-colonialism)? Who is really in charge of protecting the environment?

We Must Rise WITH the Occassion

Rabbit-Proof Fence

1. Molly, Daisy and Gracie embark on a long trip through the Australian outback. What do you think this trip represents in terms of Colonialism?

2. Describe some of the language that is used in Rabbit-Proof Fence, Avatar, and Canada: A People's History that really encompasses what Colonialism is about.

3. Using Google Earth, see if you can locate the Rabbit-Proof Fence, or what is now known as the Dingo Fence.

Dialogue, Schmialogue

Create a short dialogue between two people that includes a pair of homonyms. Be sure to include all the proper punctation and conventions when using dialogue.

Rainduck's Weather Station

Nice job Rainduck!

Clouds & Daily Weather Data

Here is the link to get daily (second-hand) data for Winnipeg for the days that you were not able to collect first-hand data: Environment Canada

Here is the link for the different cloud types. Be sure to check tomorrow morning what kind of clouds you see when you wake up. Cloud Types

Remember to come to blog on the previous day's blog (My weather station video) and let us know what patterns you detect on Monday and Tuesday in terms of air pressure, humidity and temperature.

Weather Stations!

We're Killing Our Oceans

Lit. Cirlce 4

Now that you have really delved into your books, let us know the following:

1) Who is telling your story? From what perspective is the story being told?
2) What does this story say about how Canada, in a European sense, was formed?
3) What character do you feel shares some of your character traits and why?
4) If you were the main character, how would you have reacted to some of the conflict so far? Be specific.

Snot-O-Rama

Sorry for being away the past few days. Hana and I have had the flu and it has not been pretty. Below are the blogs that you need to get done for tomorrow (Wednesday). We will be discussing your responses in greater detail.

Good luck and see you tomorrow!

Violent Weather

Based on the article you read in your groups, how can we, with our basic weather stations and our eyes, determine if violent weather is coming to our area? What are the warning signs?

What are things we should do when we detect these signs?

Colonialism

Based on the stories in "Goodbye Buffalo Bay", "Avatar", "Canada: A People's History", and "The Story of Stuff", give your definition of colonialism by giving specific examples. What did it look like in 1650? What did it look like in 1950? What does it look like now?

Lit. Cirlce 3

After reading in your Literature Circles today, designate someone else to respond to the following:

In all literature, there is conflict. Conflict moves the story and ensures that things and events happen. Identify, in full sentences and by giving specific examples, the following types of conflict:

1. Human versus Human
2. Human versus Nature
3. Human versus Self

Be sure to have your group members proofread your comments and please identify yourself with your nickname.

Literature Circle 2

After reading your book today, designate someone in your group to answer the following questions about your book so that the rest of the class can learn about Canadian History.

1. What year and setting is your story taking place?
2. Who are the main characters and what character traits do they exhibit?
3. What is the plot, so far?
4. What do you forsee as the solution in the book?

Be sure to answer in full sentences and have the people in your group proofread your response.

Henderson's Green Thumb

Check out Mr. Henderson's math garden! Our 10 x 10 garden helped us understand decimals and also allowed the students to make fun of their teacher. You were such non-believers! Look! I created life!

Poetry is Fun!

Now that we have had fun creating Haikus, give us your poem that you created in class today based on your found and circle poems.

The Price of Friendship

In 1609, Samuel de Champlain becomes friends and allies with the Huron. The Huron ask Champlain to hep them in a battle against their long-time enemies, the Iroquois. Champlain and the Huron defeat the Iroquois, signaling a long friendship with the Huron and starting a long war with the Iroquois.

1. What were the benefits for both the First Nations groups (Huron, Algonquin and Montagnais) and for the French by becoming allies? What did each group get out of the friendship?

2. What do you foresee as some of the problems?

Let's Blow Stuff Up!

Base on the experiments we were conducting today, try changing the variables at home (adding more baking soda, changing the acid, etc.) and see what combinations produce the best "rocket" or production of CO2. Let us know what happened! Be sure to where safety goggles and don't point your rocket at anyone or anything.

Water: Guess the Physical States!

Based on what you know of the physical states of matter, explain, from a molecular perspective, what is happening to the matter (glacier on top of the volcano) in this case.

Flights all over Europe have been canceled due to the ash being spewed into the atmosphere.

For more info, read and watch the article from the BBC.

Pancake Madness!

Watch the video below on how I make pancakes. I forgot to add eggs, so if you want to try this at home, be sure to add an egg to the mixing bowl.

1) What is the sum of the flour and milk, in cups?
2) Is there a physical or chemical change to the substances? Is it reversible or irreversible? Why?

Apps-olutely Fabulous!

Given we have 5 ipod touches in the class now, do some research on a really cool app that will help us attack the curriculum. It can be a game, but make sure that it helps us research ideas or practice skills.

Be sure to use complete sentences and check your spelling and conventions.

Dare to be Different!

Find more videos like this on Ning in Education

Earth Hour

CBC News - Manitoba - 1970s' Manitoba poverty experiment called a success

CBC News - Manitoba - 1970s' Manitoba poverty experiment called a success

Wavin' Flag

In class, we started using similes and metaphors to make out writing more powerful. As our Haiti Fundraiser is coming up on Friday and in light of the new "Wavin' Flag" song we listened to by Canadian artists, share a chorus and verse that speaks to something in your life. Be sure to use literary tools to help make your words powerful!

Please make sure that when you acquire the track, that you do so legally.

Goodbye Buffalo Bay -Literary Circle #1

In your groups, choose the following roles:
1) Chair Person / Blogger
2) Note Taker/ Time Keeper
3) Protagonist / Vocab Detective
4) Antagonist / Comma Sleuth

1. In chapter 18, Lawrence and his grandmother sit down for tea. They talk about berries and the medicine plants near the beach. Kokum remarks that young berries are less bitter and that as they age through the summer, they become more bitter - but they are still good.

What do you think Kokum and/or the author meant by this? Why is this statement powerful? Is it?

2. Lawrence goes hunting for moose for the first time. What was interesting about the process of how the hunted and prepared the meat? Why was Lawrence thoughtful about how they were getting home?

3. In chapter 19, why did Lawrence thank Sister Theresa?

Whizzball Game on YourDiscovery.com

Whizzball Game on YourDiscovery.com

Hennie on the Roof!

As part of your simple machine quiz, draw and explain (in English) three different ways of getting Mr. Henderson on top of the school. Be sure to explain the relationship between work and distance and how your machine creates a mechanical advantage. You can submit your answers on paper tomorrow [I know - we're killing trees :(]


Bonus: What simple machines is Mr. Henderson using in the video below? And yes, he does in fact run into his friend.

Meme's Compound Machine

Thanks "Meme" for bringing in your compound machine. We were able to identify a number of simple machines!

Question Period

We will be hosting our first Question Period next week. In conjunction with our work on persuasive speeches, do some research on the CPAC website and blog what you think happens in the the House of Commons during Question Period. Also, here is a podcast of Question Period on March 9. You can load it into your ipod for super fun times!

Voting in Room 10's House of Commons

Agenda for March 10

Goodbye Buffalo Bay - March 10

1. Based on the research that we have done in class and the reading of Goodbye Buffalo Bay, create a journal entry of your first night in a Residential School.

2. What was odd about Christmas at the Residential School?

3. Why does Lawrence want to run away?

Math - March 10

Solve the following problems using the Division strategy of your choice. Please indicate what strategy you used. When you are done, you can continue with the Math Frog sheet I gave you yesterday.

1. Seventy-four people are going on a camping trip. Six people can go in each car. How many cars are needed?

2. Mr . Henderson is hosting a dinner party. He has invited 3 of his friends over to eat his world famous triple cheese lasagna. One pan of lasagna has 35 pieces of lasagna. How many pieces does each friend (and Mr. Henderson) get to eat?

3. 384 ÷ 6

4. 122 ÷ 2

5. 470 ÷ 8

6. When you divide a 3-digit number by a 1-digit number, will the answer ever be a 1-digit number? Explain how you know.

Rage Against the Simple Machine

Check out this video that Rainduck found. Identify the types and quantities of simple machines. Prizes to the most accurate! Here is the Youtube link.

Agenda for Monday, March 8

Goodbye Buffalo Bay Questions
Please write you answers in complete sentences and make sure to re-read before you post a comment. You should be using capitals and periods. I am also looking for answers that are more than one sentence.

1) What do you think happened to Marcel? What do the boys think happened?
2) Why do you think Lawrence likes going to Sister Theresa's classroom after school?
3) Why did the school take ice form the Bay and put it in the ice house and cover it with saw dust?
4) What was significant about Lawrence stealing the gun?

Earthquake in Chile

I found this lesson on another teacher's blog and thought it would be perfect for us as we have been discussing the earthquakes in both Haiti and Chile and how the development level of each country has determined the death toll.
Photo taken from: http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/chile-earthquake-radius.jpg

Thank you Mr. Hartwell!
***********************************

Read this article. Here is another article. Some scientists state that the massive earthquake in Chile changed the length of our day.

1. Why would an earthquake change the length of our day?

2. How large was the earthquake?

3. Locate Chile on an online map. On what continent can it be found?

4. Explain what caused the earthquake.

5. Here is an earthquake simulator. Run several simulations to get familiar with the program. Research typical Chilean ground, prevention and recent magnitude (questions 2) and run a simulation. Does it match what you have learned about Chile?

6. (Mr. Henderson's question) Even though the earthquake in Chile was more powerful, why was Haiti completely devastated?

Cool Division Game

Clash of Cultures

In class, we have been reading, viewing, and writing about Residential Schools in Canada. Many of us are angry and confused about how Canada could allow this to happen. Based on our research into traditional First Nation cultures and what we know of European culture, what are the differences in values between these two cultures? What do Aboriginal cultures value? What do European cultures value? To help you answer this question and explore more into Residential Schools, go to the CBC website. Here you will find a tremendous amount of information, audio clips and video.

Fair Trade Challenge!

Take the Fair Trade One Month Challenge - Can pur classroom do it from March 1st to 31st? Let's try! This is a contest run by Assiniboine Credit Union.

Supporting social justice and the environment, one cup of coffee at a time…

Do you ever think about how the products you enjoy are made? Do you ever wonder about the people who produce them?

Many of the products that originate overseas, including tea, coffee and chocolate, come to local stores through a system of trade that leaves the producers and workers who grow them impoverished, forcing them to use agricultural practices that are damaging to the environment.

There is, however, an alternative to this unsustainable practice. It’s called Fair Trade. According to the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), Manitoba’s leading organization in the promotion of Fair Trade practices, Fair Trade is an approach to international trade that is based on a more equitable and sustainable form of exchange among producers, traders and customers. By purchasing products labeled Fair Trade, you ensure that the people who produce the products can earn a fair income and can follow more environmentally sustainable production practices.

To learn more about Fair Trade, the One Month Challenge, and where you can find Fair Trade products, visit the Fair Trade Manitoba website at fairtrademanitoba.ca

How to take the One Month Challenge and be entered to win an ACU Prize Package:

1. Sign up for the challenge online at the special ACU sign-up page at
fairtrademanitoba.ca/get-involved/omc/acu-individual

2. Learn where you can find Fair Trade products in your community at fairtrademanitoba.ca/buy/

Simple Machine Fun @ MB Museum!

On our trip to the Manitoba Museum, we had quite a bit of fun playing around with simple machines. I think the teachers may have had the most fun!

The Clovis Point - From Theory to Fact to Theory

Who Came First?

In class, we have been discussing various theories on how the first people came to North America and eventually to South America. Many of the theories contradict each other or suggest different migration periods. Below are articles and a podcast (CBC) from last week discussing another migration period. Have a read and listen! We are part of history my friends!

Article from Nature
The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Science : Now, ancient human genome studied
Quirks & Quarks Podcast

Four Old White Guys

Research the political party you sit with in class. What does the party stand for? Who is the leader? (Photo from The National Post)

http://www.conservative.ca/
http://www.liberal.ca/
http://www.ndp.ca/
http://www.blocquebecois.org/

May The Force Be With You!

Based on the experiments we did today, one person from each group needs to answer the following questions:

1) How can you set the ball in motion?
2) How can you change the speed of the ball?
3) How can you slow down the ball without stopping it?
4) How can you change the direction of a moving ball?

Simple Machines

Now that you know a little of what a simple machine looks like, what examples did you and your partner find around the school? Please use complete sentences and proofread your responses.

The House of Commons

On Friday, we started transforming our class into the House of Commons - one of the houses that governs our Country (the other being the Senate). Next week we will start to establish who is sitting where and why. Do some research, talk to your parents and/or call 1-800-O-Canada and blog what components make up the House of Commons. Who sits in the House? How many people sit? What is discussed?

Fructose Challenge!

This week, we are challenging ourselves to go fructose-free. Please blog periodically about how you feel physically and psychologically at the end of each day.

What does fructose do to our bodies? Why is it in everything? Why do we crave chocolate bars and soft drinks? Talk to your family, your doctor, friends, teachers and strangers on the bus about this (Well, people might think you're odd)!

Haiti in Crisis!

Last night, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7 hit the area of Haiti. The capital city, Port-au-Prince, was devastated due to the fact the most people live in extreme poverty.

1) Given that there is so much poverty within the city and country, what are some of the problems that Haitians and relief workers will face?

2) Haiti has a population of 9 million. Each woman, on average, has nearly 4 children. The life expectancy is 61. What does this say about the population in Haiti?

Discuss both your answers with your family. Be sure to write your answers using capitals and other conventions (good writing habits).

Book Review Time

Mr. Henderson will be heading to McNally Robinson this weekend to stock up on some literature for our classroom library. Can you give him some suggestions? Write a brief book review, using paragraphs and proper conventions, selling him on your favourite book!