Tuesday, September 27, 2011

English 30-2:

Children's stories look fantastic and we'll be sharing them with students at Nakasuk School on Friday, September 30.

Currently, both blocks are reading novels and responding in various ways.  Block A is reading Fallen Angels, while Block B is reading Generals Die in Bed.  Both are excellent war novels, exposing such themes as friendship, isolation, dehumanization, desperation, and man's reaction in the face of adversity. 

Socials 10-1:

On Monday, September 19, the class voted on which famous Canadian poster represented the most influential Canadian, and Mike Myers was selected.  Since then, students have been working through textbook information regarding history's influence on who Canadians are today.  The next textbook assignment is due on Friday, September 30.  In addition, they are now working on a demographics project which is due on Friday, September 30.  When time permits, we will be continuing our work on Canada's citizenship quiz preparation.

I am away on medical this week from Tuesday, September 27, until noon on Thursday, September 29.  If you need to reach me during that time, please don't hesitate to email.

Have a great week.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Happy Friday, Everyone!

Socials 10-1:.
Students are currently working on a famous Canadians project.  Their task is to prove to the class, using poster text only, that their chosen Canadian is the most important and influential person in the history of our country.  This is their first work with persuasive text, which is a major focus of the Social Studies skill curriculum.  The poster is due for Monday's class.

Today, students begin work on a textbook assignment about Canadian history and its contribution to our Canadian identity.  This assignment is due for Tuesday's class.

Here are today's class notes:

Notes:  Who We Are

Socials 10-1

Over the course of this unit, we are trying to find solutions to the following “big” questions:

1.        What forces have shaped, and continue to shape, the Canadian national identity?

2.       How has the relationship between Aboriginal, French, and English cultures contributed to the evolution of our nation?

3.       How did Canada develop a policy of official multiculturalism?

4.       What forces challenge Canada’s current identity, and what forces present opportunities for positive change?

So far, we’ve studied Canada’s geography.  Geography shapes people in many ways.  For example, warring aboriginal nations developed a system whereby they respected the land areas of other nations.  Immigrants arriving in Canada could only travel so far east, west, and north due to lack of funds or transportation, so settled in common areas with individuals who spoke the same language or practiced the same religion.  Landforms restrict travel as well, like large bodies of water or mountains.  In addition, people settle where there are sustainable resources to support them, like arable land and fresh water.  All of these factors shape our population.

In addition to geography, the people around us also shape our identities.  When we interact with other cultures, we often adopt some of their practices or social norms.  Humans typically surround themselves with people who share their ideologies or values, thus this shapes the people we become.  Thus leaders emerge in societies who are shaped by us but in turn influence the development of the population.  Canada’s first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, is a good example of this.  In addition, societies develop media; media is both shaped by people and people are shaped by them.  Consider the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and its influence on the national identity.

Challenges, like war or famine, also shape people.  When humans face shared difficulties, they typically either come together or fall apart.  In the case of Canada, we have been brought together by adversity.  Take, for example, the war of 1812; Canada, a British colony, went to war against the U.S.  We won that war, and in fact burned the White House, but most importantly, fused as a nation.  The Battle of Vimy Ridge, during World War I is another example of a country taking pride in combating adversity as a nation.  On a smaller scale, cultures come together and have stronger bonds due to common enemies; consider the Jews during Hitler’s reign or the Inuit who were relocated to Canada’s uber north.

History also shapes humanity.  Canada has a rich First Nations and immigrant history in spite of its youth as a country.  We’ve experienced revolutions, rebellions, and crises, along with positive and peaceful change.

Read the assigned textbook pages and complete the assigned questions in order to learn more. 

English 30-2:
Students are completing their children's stories today.  Next week, we'll take our books to buddy read at Nakasuk School.  We'll also start a novel.

Enjoy your weekends, everyone!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

English 30-2:
Students are currently studying story structure and style by both reading stories and creating their own children's stories.  Published stories are due on Friday, September 16.

Socials 10-1:
Students continue their study of Canada and its regions.  There will be a map test on Wednesday, September 14.  Students are also analyzing news stories from the internet.

Happy Tuesday!

Welcome Back to Inuksuk High School!

Here we are at the beginning of yet another fantastic school year!  This semester, I have two different classes over three blocks:  English 30-2 and Social Studies 10-1.  If you are a student or the parent of a student in one of these classes, then "this blog's for you"!

English 30-2:
Students are beginning the semester by writing chapters of what will ultimately become their, "Senior Memories" autobiographies.  In addition, we are doing some reading and responding.

Socials 10-1:
Students begin by mapping Canada and getting to know some of the terms involved in the study of Diversity and Pluralism.

On Wednesday, September 7, students will write a quiz about the political geography of Canada and current events.

Students, please return parent forms including email addresses.

That's all for now.  Please don't hesitate to call or email if you have any questions or just wish to chat.  My email link is on the blog and my classroom number is 979-5281 ext. 2508.  Here's hoping the school year is good to us all!