Happy Holidays!

We made it! 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Holiday Season. Whatever is beautiful, whatever is meaningful, whatever brings you happiness... May it be yours this Holiday Season and throughout the coming year. 

Students: Enjoy and relax. Don't forget to take care of yourself. I hope these holidays rejuvenate you so that you return in January full of energy and enthusiasm!

December 14th to 18th

 Geography:

This week students will be using our Geography classes to finish up their research project on a natural disaster. They will use these last classes before the break to create an infographic to share their research findings which is part of the last step of the Inquiry Process. Success criteria for a successful infographic as well as some examples are posted in Workspace. Students are encouraged to use a template from Canva or Piktochart to create their infographic.

Infographics are due at the beginning of class on Thursday.

Religion:

Students are finishing up their Book Creator project. Students have been researching how another country celebrates Advent and Christmas. They are presenting their findings by creating an electronic book using Book Creator.

Electronic books are due Friday by 8 am.

Students have received ample time in class to complete these tasks but if extra time is needed, students may work on these projects at home.

December 7th to 11th

 Geography:

This week,  students are continuing to work on their Natural Desaster Infographic Project. This week they are finishing up their research and drawing conclusions that will answer the research question before beginning to create their infographic. 

The "Research" step is due at the beginning of class...

7-1: Wednesday

7-2: Tuesday

7-3: Wednesday

The "Drawing Conclusions" step is due at the beginning of class...

7-1: Friday

7-2: Thursday

7-3: Thursday

Details are posted in Workspace. If a student is falling behind, he or she is encouraged to work on this project at home.

Religion:

Students are finishing up their Advent Calendar this week. Once finished they will begin a little research project in which they will research Advent and Christmas traditions of another country and compare them to their own. They will then produce an online book using Book Creator to present their findings.

Advent Calendars are due...

7-1: Tuesday

7-2: Thursday

7-3: Wednesday

Drama:

We will be starting our Voice Unit. We will review some key techniques of voice before practicing with a Christmas Reader's Theatre task.

November 30th to December 4th

Happy 1st Week of Advent!

Geography:

This week in Geography, students are finishing up their Climat Graph Assignment. For this assignment, students were to create a Climate Graph for the city of Beijing. They are to then analyze it, by answering a series of questions that were modeled in class. This is an in-class assignment. Students are 3 work periods to complete this task.

Religion:

This week will start with a review on Advent. From there, students will embark on their first Advent project - An Advent Calendar. Their calendars will have to have a theme and present a message and picture or video for each day. More details are posted in Workspace.

Drama:

Students are finishing up the Mime Unit this week. They will have one class to wrap up the Creative Process and practice. Presentations will be Thursday and Friday.

Reminder: Students are responsible for any work that they missed while away. Students can follow with work on Workspace. If there is a Snow Day, work at school will continue, students at home are expected to keep up with what is being done in class.

November 23rd to 27th

 Geography:

This week in Geography, students are exploring the natural and human factors that affect the climate. They are describing how each factor affects the climate, finding a picture that represents the factor as well as identifying if the factor is a physical process or human activity.

From there, we are going to do some work with climate graphs. We will learn about climate graphs and interpret a couple together before students will create and interpret one formally for a mark. This assessment will go into next week.

Religion:

This week, students are finishing up their presentations on an assigned community and presenting their work. 7-1 and 7-2 began presentations today and 7-3 will present Wednesday After that we will take some time to do a brief overview of the Bible as it is the story of our Christian community before embarking on our Advent Unit.

Drama:

Students are working on their Pink Panther Mime presentation. This is their final assessment for the Mime Unit. Both classes will serve as work periods as groups work through the Creative Process to produce their mime choreographed to music from Pink Panther.

November 16th to 20th

 Geography:

This week, students are finishing up their group project in which they were to research a natural process or human activity that affects the world's waterways. They will be presenting their findings to the class. Presentations are today for 7-2, Wednesday for 7-3, and Friday for 7-1.

Once the presentations are finished, we will be starting a new unit on Climat. We will start off by looking at the different climate zones around the world and we will work to be able to describe them as well as identify them from looking at images.

Religion:

The assignment "Lettre de Dieu" is due today for 7-1 and 7-2. It is due Wednesday for 7-3.

This week, we start a new theme. The new theme that we will be exploring is community. Students will have the opportunity to identify the communities of which they are a part before being assigned one community in particular to reflect on. Students will work in groups to reflect and analyze one specific type of community before presenting their thoughts to the class.

Drama:

This week students will work on and present a practice Mime sketch where they will be going to the movies. They will then start their assessed task for the unit.

All always, more details can be found in Workspace for all subjects!

November 9th to 13th

 Geography:

This week, we are starting a group project in Geography. Students will be working to research either a natural process or human activity that affects waterways. Students will answer some guiding research questions and then present their findings to the class through a Google Slide Presentation. Students will have three work periods to complete this task before presenting them next week. As per usual, the details of the assignment and the rubric are posted in Workspace.

Presentations will be :

7-1: Friday, November 20th

7-2: Monday, November 16th

7-3: Wednesday, November 18th

Religion:

This week, students will be completing an assessment. Throughout the last weeks, we have been exploring what it means to be a well-rounded and whole person. Students will be writing a letter to themselves as they imagine God would write to them, explaining how He hopes you will grow as a person this year. Students will have two classes to complete this task. Details of the assignment along with resources to help students complete this assignment are in Workspace.

Letters are due:

7-1: Monday, November 16th

7-2: Monday, November 16th

7-3: Wednesday, November 18th

Drama:

This week we continue to examine and analyze different types of mime. Up to now, students have watched mime performances by Charlie Chaplain and Marcel Marceau. Coming up, they will examine a couple of more modern mime performances before completing a journal entry. Through their journal entry, they will reflect on the different types of mime, the challenges that mimes face as well as the similarities and differences between the different mime performances that we saw.

November 2nd to 6th

And just like that, we are into our third month of school... where has the time gone?!?!

 Geography:

This week in Geography, we are starting a new unit. This unit will explore waterways and oceans. By the end of the unit, students will be able to describe the different types of waterways as well as explain how natural processes and human activities affect the world's waterways and oceans.

This week, students will discuss the importance of water for humans. Students will complete a graphic organizer in which they will describe the different types of waterways. We will then read about hydrographic systems.

Religion:

This week in Religion, we continue to explore and discuss what it means to be well-rounded and normal through discussions, reading, and reflection questions.

Drama:

This week in Drama, we are starting a new unit. The new unit is on Mime. We will begin the unit by watching, analyzing and comparing some famous mimes such as Charlie Chaplin and Marcel Marceau.

October 26th to 30th

 Geography:

This week we are continuing to work on our mapping skills. Students are continuing to practice using latitude and longitude in a variety of ways before a small assessment of the skill. We will then take some time to learn about and analyze Topographic Maps.

Latitude & Longitude Assessments will take place:

7-1: Wednesday

7-2: Tuesday

7-3: Wednesday

Religion:

This week in Religion we will be exploring what it means to be a well-rounded person. We will reflect on the way in which students in Grade 7 can become more well-rounded. We will then proceed to discuss what it means to be normal. 

Drama:

Students will have the first class this week to finish up their Tableaux Assignment. In groups, they are creating a Family Vacation Photo Album. While following the Creative Process, students are to come up with 5 Tableaux scenes that depict activities that a family would do on vacation. During the second class of this week, students will be presenting their assignments.

October 19th to 23rd

 

Geography:

This week in Geography, students are finishing up their Land Reclamation Research Project in which they are writing a newspaper article. Project details are posted in Workspace for those who are interested. Once finished this project, we will be taking some time to review and practice latitude and longitude.

Projects are due:

7-1: Friday

7-2: Thursday

7-3: Wednesday

Religion:

We are starting off the week by finishing up the Collage Assignment in which students are presenting images about themselves. The details of this assignment are also posted in Workspace. From here, we will be talking about and reflecting on new beginnings for the remainder of the week.

Collages are due:

7-1: Tuesday

7-2: Tuesday

7-3: Wednesday

Drama:

Students will begin their Tableaux Assignment this week. They will have multiple classes to create their series of Tableaux scenes for assessment. Once again, they will be required to follow all of the steps of the Creative Process to create their piece of art.

Grade 7&8 Virtual Stress Coping Sessions

OCSB Mental Health workers are offering 5 coping with stress sessions to grade 7 and 8 students over google meet.

The sessions will be offered after school over two weeks alternating days. Sessions will last 30-45 minutes.

Topics in this group include: signs and symptoms of stress, techniques for coping, developing protective factors, and how COVID-19 affects our stress.

Check out this LINK for more information and registration.

October 13th to 16th

 Geography:

This week in Geography, students are working on a little research project. The project is based on a land reclamation project of their choosing. They are to research the project and write a short, 200-250 word,  newspaper article on it. Detailed instructions are posted in Workspace. Students will have 3 work periods to complete this task. Students are encouraged to complete the research chart before starting to write their article to ensure that they are including all of the necessary information in their newspaper article.

Don't forget! Quiz tomorrow! All students having their first Geography quiz tomorrow. For the quiz students have been instructed to review the following:

• Types of landforms - They should be able to identify the different types of landforms studied in class as well as give one concrete example of where each landform is found in the world.
• Naturel factors that shape the world's landforms - They should be reviewing descriptions/definitions of these.
• Human factors that shape the world's landforms - They should be reviewing descriptions/definitions of these.

If a student is absent for the quiz, they will be expected to write the quiz the day that they return to school.

Religion:

This week in Religion, we are starting a new unit. During this unit, we will be exploring the following themes: "Who am I?", "Am I normal?" and "Do I belong?". This week, students are reflecting on who they are as a person and creating a collage to show who they are. This is an evaluated task. Instructions are posted in Workspace.

Drama:

We are starting a new unit in Drama. It is a unit on Tableaux. This week's classes are serving as an introduction to the art form.

A reminder to parents and students:

When a student is away, they are still required to keep up with classwork and assignments. Everything is posted in Workspace. Students are to check the Workspace to see what they are missing and to complete the work. If the student has a question, they are more than welcome to email me for clarification. If extra time is needed because the student is too sick to complete the work, allowances will most certainly be given! 

October 5th to 9th

 Geography:

This week in Geography, we will be examining the natural and human forces that shape the world's landforms. Students will have the chance to read and discuss the natural forces that shape our landforms. We will then collaborate to explore the various human forces that shape the world's landforms.

A quiz in on the horizon!

All students (7-1, 7-2 & 7-3) will have a quiz on Thursday, October 15th. Students should start reviewing what we have done in class each evening to prepare for the quiz late next week. For the quiz students have been instructed to review the following:

• Types of landforms - They should be able to identify the different types of landforms studied in class as well as give one concrete example of where each landform is found in the world.
• Naturel factors that shape the world's landforms - They should be reviewing descriptions/definitions of these.
• Human factors that shape the world's landforms - They should be reviewing descriptions/definitions of these.

If a student is absent for the quiz, they will be expected to write the quiz the day that they return to school.

Religion:

This week in Religion, students are working on and finishing up their Final Task Assignment for our Digital Citizenship Unit. They have been assigned a choice board from which they need to complete two of the tasks drawing upon what has learned and discussed during the unit.

Students will have class time this week to complete the assignment.

Drama:

Students will have one last class to prepare for their presentations for the Modernization of a Fairytale Assignment. Presentations will take place this Thursday for all classes (7-1, 7-2 & 7-3). I can't wait to see what they have come up with! They have been working very hard!

September 28th to October 2nd

 Geography:

** Map of Canada Assignments will be handed back early this week. Ask your child about it!

We have been studying different types of landforms. This week, students will work to describe and locate different kinds of landforms as well as how landforms can affect tourism.

Heads up, a quiz is coming up in a couple of weeks!

Religion:

In Religion, we are coming up on the end of our Digital Citizenship Unit. To finish up, we are looking at what makes a website reliable. Students will start their final assessment for this unit at the end of this week. They will have a couple of classes to complete it. It will be due before Thanksgiving weekend. Stay tuned for a more precise due date.

Drama:

Students are continuing to follow the Creative Process to modernize a classic fairytale. Students are still in the "Plan" and "Explore" steps of the process where they are planning their piece of dramatic art and practicing it.

What has been going on in class?

This is what we have been up to since the beginning of the year...

Geography:

We started off our Geography course by looking at what is Geography. Through various class discussions and activities, we talked about how the physical environment relates to humans and vice versa, we practiced describing where a place is located as well as reviewing key mapping elements. This week, students started their first assignment. They are creating a map of Canada while using the key mapping elements that were reviewed in class. 

7-3 had their last work period to complete their map yesterday (Thursday). If it hasn't been finished in class, it is for homework. It is due Tuesday, September 22nd.

7-2 will have Monday's class to finish up their map. If it is not finished in class it is for homework. It is due Tuesday, September 22nd.

7-1  will have Monday's class to finish up their map. If it is not finished in class it is for homework. It is due Wednesday, September 23rd.

Religion:

Every year, students are to complete a Digital Citizenship Unit created by the school board. The unit uses the parable of The Good Samaritan to teach students how to behave online. So far we have looked at what it means to be a responsible citizen, why it is important to help those in need as well as the etiquette needed when posted something to social media. Students have been working hard to participate in group discussions and reflective activities during Religion.

Drama:

In Drama, we have reviewed some key information such as what it means to "join in", the benefits of drama, and what it means to be a good audience member. Students also rocked an introductory activity where they interviewed their peers. To finish off this week, we used a Mr. Bean skit to practice working through the Critical Thinking Process.

2020-2021 School Year

Welcome to a new school year and welcome to my website! I will be teaching your son or daughter Religion, Social Studies, and Art.

In an effort to be environmentally friendly, this is where I will be posting classroom announcements, due dates, resources at other useful information during the school year to keep you updated. You and your child will be able to refer to this site to see what is happening each week in class. I encourage you to refer to the site regularly to stay involved and up to date with your child's education. You may also decide to sign up to receive notifications via email on the right side of the page. Please note that specific assignment details and rubrics will be posted in Hapara Workspace.

Course outlines have been posted on the school website. Please review the course outlines with your child.

This year, students will be using a combination of materials to assist in their learning. They will be doing very little work by hand. A lot of their work will be done online. If your son or daughter has an electronic device such as a Chromebook/laptop or tablet, they will be expected to bring it to every class. Please remind them to bring their charger for their device as well. In addition to this, they are asked to have the materials listed below.

For all 3 classes, students must have:

- a 3 ring binder filled with lined paper ;

- a pencil and eraser;

- a couple of differently colored pens (blue, black, red etc.)  for revising their work;

- pencil crayons;

- a ruler;

-scissors;

- a French-English dictionary.

Students are asked to have these items in class with them by September 14th and every day after that.

Should you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact me by email at amanda.oflaherty@ocsb.ca or by phone at (613) 591-9955.