October 28 - Science

In Science today, we looked at viscosity by conducting a flow rate lab of various substances.  Questions to wrap up the activity are:
1)  Write a concluding statement that answers the question stated in the problem and ranks the fluids based on flow rate.
2) What were possible sources of error in how we conducted the experiment.  What could we have done differently to get more accurate results.
3)  What would you expect to happen if we heated or cooled the substances as well?

Humanities - Oct 28

This week, students have been involved in a group project to apply their learning about the Middle Ages.  They have been asked to create a newspaper from the perspective of one of the groups located within the feudal system.  We looked, today, at the assessment criteria in order to guide the students as they progress through the project.  Students will be provided with time to work in class this week.  Project due date will be announced later this week.

We are looking forward to sharing with you at student led conferences this Thursday.  Please remember to book an appointment online if you have not already done so.

Humanities - Fri.Oct. 24th

Today in Humanities we continued our conversation around the changes in Medieval Europe after the Black Death. We are focused on using this equation: Isolation --> Contact --> Change. 
This activity/conversation was recorded and documented in D2L in Humanities --> Content --> Medieval Europe --> gr.8 ch.1 wrap up answers.

There is no homework this weekend! :)

October 23 - Science/Math

Today in Science we researched information about Alberta's Oil Sands. 

Research information of how oil sand extraction and refining are done.  Try and connect concepts of mixture separation, fluids, particle model to your summary.  

Prompting questions to start based on our class discussions.    

- How is the oil/bitumen separated from the sand

-How is the bitumen transported from extraction to refining

- How is the raw material that we get different from other traditional oil drilling processes.  

- How do we find the oil sands

-How much is produced

Humanities - Oct 23

Today, we had a class discussion around current events and the connection to worldview.  As well, we completed a summary for the concepts found in chapter one.  We continue to emphasize the importance of how contact can lead to change.  In this case, contact with the Black Plague led to a change in the structure of society and, more importantly, a changing worldview.
Students will begin working on a group project over the next few days to apply their understanding of these concepts.

Humanities - Oct 21

Students read about the Black Death and reflected on the efffects of this disease on the fuedal system.  This work was completed and shared in class. 

Science- October 21st

Today we completed a Paper Chromatography lab.  The following questions are to be completed in your science journals.

1)  What did you observe with the various types of markers in each of the solvents.  

2) Which pigments/markers were more soluble in water and which were more soluble in alcohol

3) Use the particle model of matter to show your understanding of ink solubility when you changed the solvent.

4)  Analyze your hypothesis.  Which colored markers had the most surprising results.  Which ones had the least?  Propose an explanation for these results

5)  Research chromatography on the World Wide Web.  Report on the uses of chromatography in other technological applications.  (Try to find a couple of uses) 

Humanities - Oct 20

This was our last day to work on the essay regarding the Middle Ages.  Students were asked to work on this essay at home tonight.  If students need more time to complete the writing, they were encouraged to advocate for more time.  Students were asked to spend no more than 30 minutes on the writing. 

Our next steps for learning now include reading about the Black Death and its effects on the feudal system.  This will lead us into an inquiry into the worldview at the time of the Renaissance.

Math/Science - October 20th

Today in Math, we reviewed strategies of converting mixed numbers to improper fractions and coming up with other equivalents using our pattern blocks.

Please ensure that you have finished the Addition and Subtraction of Fractions review for tomorrow.

Please pre-read pages 28-32 in the Science text, and glance at the 'Hidden Colors' lab on page 34-35. We will be doing a version of this lab on Tuesday.

Humanities Oct 16

Today we began with a short lesson on sentence structure.  Variety in sentences is key at the grade eight level.  Students were introduced to six ways to start a sentence and then were encouraged to begin to consider how they might use these ideas in their writing.  Ongoing practice will be provided. 

Students also continued to work on their four paragraph essay comparing the Middle Ages as represented in film and the realities of the Middle Ages.  They are encouraged to connect their thinking to the elements of worldview - beliefs, values, economy, time, geography and knowledge.  Students will continue to work onthis essay in class tomorrow.

Thursday October 16 - Science

Today in Math we created pattern blocks for our fraction operations chapter

In Science, you are to pick three mixtures from the lab that we did last Friday and show me your understanding of different ways that you can separate them.  One of the substances must have a liquid in it, one has to have two solids, and the third can be anything else.  Make sure that you summarize two possible separation methods and also why each one works.  I am looking to see if you can make connections between the separation method chosen and the physical or chemical properties of that substance.

Oct 14. - Humanities

Today we started to work on our essay organizers.  Students created a thesis statement to argue whether or not the film was an accurate representation of the middle ages and began to collect supporting evidence.  We will have more time to work on this assignment in class tomorrow.

Dare To Care - Part II Session

Reminder to 8-02 that you are participating in the Life's Challenges Part II presentation with Dwayne Peace Tuesday, Oct 14th from Noon-3:00pm

Remember to BRING A LUNCH due to the modified schedule.

Friday, October 10 - Math/Science

Today we looked at various mixtures and brainstormed suggestions as to how you could separate the mixtures using various techniques to keep the original materials.

No math today...we'll start Fraction operations on Tuesday.

Humanities - Oct. 9

Today we finished the movie, A Knight's Tale.  We will begin our written reflections next week.  There is no humanities class tomorrow.  Have a great long weekend - Happy Thanksgiving!

Humanities - October 8

As a class, we finished our discussions around the Middle Ages and the feudal system.  Students were asked to consolidate their understanding in a journaling activity called a 'CSI'.  We continue to watch the film "A Knight's Tale".  From here, the students will be asked to create a film review which critiques the portrayal of the middle ages as seen in the film.  In their writing, students will be asked to consider the elements of worldview including, beliefs, values, society, geography, time, economy and knowledge. We will likely begin this written assignment on Monday.

Humanities - Tues. Oct. 7th

Today we took up the homework from yesterday (Ch. 1 Medieval Europe Questions). These questions can be found in D2L in the Content Section. Tomorrow we will complete this together and the answers will be posted on D2L. 

Math/Science - October 6th

Reminder of your Integers Test - Tuesday, October 7th.  Chapter Review on page 318-319

We also discussed writing a quiz in Science this week.  Due to the 'Dare to Care' assembly on Wednesday, we will postpone the quiz until Thursday.

Humanities - Oct 2

Students worked on some vocabulary connected to the feudal system.  This involved having students provide a definition, facts and examples of the following roles: king, lord, knight, serf and peasant.  As well, they were asked to write about the worldview of each of these people.  In this, they were encouraged to reflect on the values, beliefs, knowledge, societal roles, ecomony, geography and time for each of these roles.  This work is due tomorrow.  Students were encouraged to advocate for themselves if this due date was going to present a challenge.