Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Mindset: What is mindset?


Every so often a truly groundbreaking idea comes along. This is one. Mindset explains:
  • Why brains and talent don’t bring success
  • How they can stand in the way of it
  • Why praising brains and talent doesn’t foster self-esteem and accomplishment, but jeopardizes them
  • How teaching a simple idea about the brain raises grades and productivity
  • What all great CEOs, parents, teachers, athletes know
Mindset is a simple idea discovered by world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck in decades of research on achievement and success—a simple idea that makes all the difference.
In a fixed mindset, people believe their basic qualities, like their intelligence or talent, are simply fixed traits. They spend their time documenting their intelligence or talent instead of developing them. They also believe that talent alone creates success—without effort. They’re wrong.
In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment. Virtually all great people have had these qualities.
Teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the worlds of business, education, and sports. It enhances relationships. When you read Mindset, you’ll see how.

This quote is from the Website: Mindset: What is Mindset
We did a small quiz in class, to ascertain what our mindset was. Ask your child (in 7/8A) how they scored!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

8C: Fluids Lab DUE!

Hello 8C! Your fluid lab was due today. I think I got 2...
With track and field being a little mixed up with the rain I completely understand. Please feel free to hand it in to me on FRIDAY. I have a supply teacher in tomorrow. PLEASE DO NOT GIVE IT TO THE SUPPLY TEACHER!!!!! WHEN IN DOUBT, SEND IT ON THE CLOUD!

Pyro Board: 2D Rubens' Tube! Thanks Nicole!!! WICKED!!!

Monday, May 12, 2014

7/8A: don't forget~!

Science: make sure to answer your Sponge Lab Questions!
Language: group 2 presents their short stories tomorrow and their figures of speech
Language: I am still wanting Daily Free Write Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays - aiming at 1 to 2 pages a night!

8C and 8D: Flow Rate and Viscosity Lab

The lab we worked on today is due next Wednesday, May 21st. You might not have me for science that day; however, our regular science class will be missed due to Track and Field the day before (8C)Here is the Lab: Comparing the Flow Rate of Different Liquids

You will need the Class Results to complete question 3 in the data analysis. And, here is the rubric your lab will be marked against.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Language 7/8A Short Story Assignment

Dear 7/8A Language,

I really need you to find a great Canadian short story. What is a short story? Well have a look at Wikipedia's definition of a Short Story.

The search is easy if you know where to look. THE LIBRARY!!!! Please go to the library. If you want to find a polar bear, you go to the North Pole. Don't look in Fergus. You want a great CANADIAN short story - go to the library! They have hundreds of them!

Make sure your short story is complete. Often, part of a short story will be online, but not the entire story. Make sure you have the entire story.

Success Criteria for choosing a Short Story:

  • It's classified as a short story (read the back of the book)
  • It's Canadian (as in, it is written by a Canadian Author)
  • It is interesting in Language. This is a difficult one to classify, but make sure it has some 'depth'; when you read it you like the words and it makes you think about things in your life.
  • You bring it to school on your assigned day: Group 1 on Monday, Group 2 on Tuesday and Group 3 on Wednesday.
Good luck!

May Newsletter

General Notes to Parents (and students):

  • Indoor shoes: please make sure your child/you have indoor shoes. I need you to change them before you come into the classroom even in nice weather. It is respectful to keep our learning areas as clean as possible. Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this.
  • Homework: I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER (did I say NEVER?) assign homework over a weekend. IF your child is doing homework over the weekend, that is because he or she has: left it to the last minute, or is choosing to do his/her homework a this time. To me, weekends should be family time; relaxing time. I can guarantee you, if it is Sunday night and your child says, but this is due Monday/tomorrow, please know it was not assigned Friday. I almost always give a week to work on any assignment. I do this so students will learn to organize their time.
  • Failing Science: If your child was in danger of failing or was failing Science during second term, you received a phone call from me within the first two weeks in March. If your child was doing satisfactorily up to that point, but is now struggling with our new unit, you will receive a phone call this week or next. If you do not receive a phone call, please consider your child passing (getting over 60%). If you want to meet with me, to see how your child is progressing, please, just use the contact form on my website and I will set up a time to meet with you; or, call Mrs. Oliver and Ms. Gallant and they will help you.

Language this month:

For the month of May, we will be working on:
  • Figures of Speech 
  • Short Stories 
  • Dialogue writing 
  • Oral Book Report 

Grade 7 Science:

This month, we will continue our work on Structures:
  • stability, centre of gravity and symmetry 
  • exploring forces 
  • examine the relationship between design and function 

Grade 8 Science:

This month, we will continue our work on Fluids:
  • comparing viscosity of various fluids 
  • use 'gizmos' to examine flow rate, volume, mass, pressure 
  • extension: fluids in the workplace