Hey, Panel judges!

We have been working towards the completion of our TRANSFORMATION: CRANNY project for months now; and the due date is coming up fast!  

While we have talked frequently about the parameters of this project; we have yet to hear from our students how they want us to 'view' and 'understand' their designs.  So, let's take a moment and get some feedback from the students (and any of you parents out there!)

PBL: Criteria for the Project and the Presentation

• What are the three TOP criteria for consideration when your (students') DESIGN/PRODUCT is evaluated by the guest panel?
• What are the three TOP criteria for consideration when your PRESENTATION is viewed by the guest panel? 

We should establish two sets of criteria, since your PRODUCT and PRESENTATION may be quite different (quality and your comfort level~)

so let us know what you think by responding to the post here!

The power of 'Preview' in learning.

One of the most important things I learned as a student at a younger age was that 'previewing' what you are about to learn can be a very powerful tool.  Preview your learnings can look very different, from person to person; nowadays, in the so-called 'information age', previewing is made easier since many of us have access to digital medias and can operate search engines.  What did I do before I set off to build a shed in my backyard this past summer? I watched two videos on YouTube; then went to the local hardware store to chat with a few handymen; went home and build a shed.  I would not have known what to ask at the hardware store had I not 'previewed' what I need to do on YouTube.

#winning #scored

You get what I am trying to say, yes?  =) 

One of the buzz words in 21st century education is 'Flipped Classroom.' (For more information on 'Flipped Classroom' model, please check out this resourceful site and videos, as well as the pros & cons for flipped learning)  The concept of 'flipped' learning, put it simply: students 'preview' their learnings on their own, at home, the night before the lesson; the next day, students work in small groups or 1-to-1 with the teacher to consolidate their learnings through a series of practices or one larger inquiry task.

Now, what does this concept have anything to do with us in the intermediates?

We recognize that we all learn differently, and at different pace.  Through digital media, we can gain access to countless learning materials, most notably a non-profit organization called Khan Academy, before, during and after a lesson in the classroom.  Through our class blog, the teachers will share links that will allow the students to 'preview' what they are learning; but at the same time, these resources are also good 'review' links after the lesson.  Students can now learn at their own time, and follow their own pace, while still have the opportunities to meet with the teachers (and peers) to clarify any misunderstandings or consolidate their learnings.

Here is an example of what services, such as Khan Academy, has to offer for learners; this is a video lecture on Angles (basic information):


Angle Basics: Definition of an angle. How to denote an angle using points on the angle (including the vertex)
***NOTE: teachers will preselect what is suitable for our students; not all videos through Khan Academy, or similar services, are appropriate for our learners.  Some videos are meant for students in secondary and post-secondary education.
***NOTE: our views on the flipped classroom model may vary, from teacher to teacher.  What we are implementing in the intermediate classrooms do NOT fully comply with the 'flipped' model; rather, we are taking a 'Blended' approach.


So, what do you think about this way of learning?

Helpful? Confused? Excited?

Please share with us your views, and perhaps any questions/concerns.

Manage your Google Profile

Hi 7/8ers~

Many of you have begun to explore what Google Apps for Education has to offer~ Our goals this year are listed here:

• Cloud Computing (using Google Drive to collaborate, share and produce work)
• Document our learning online (using Google Site to collaborate with each other, document our learnings, and publish our findings/reflections)
• Social Learning (using Google Blogger to create online learning network, provide feedback to one another, and explore the potential of 'social learning' via social networks)

While we are excited about the benefits and potentials of online tools, we have to also learn bout Digital Citizenship, as well as how we can protect ourselves while participating in group learning via the cyber space.  Your teachers have been talking about the THREE Ps for a while: Don't share Personal information; Think twice before posting Photos of yourself; and Positively represent yourself at all times.  

Based on these principles, please take a moment to upload an Avatar as your profile picture as opposed to using your real photo.  You may also choose to use a random picture (nature, for example) as your profile image.  I have included screen shots here that demonstrate how you can create an avatar using Bitstrips (if you have an account) and save as a JPEG image.  Come see me or your teachers if you have any questions or need more instructions~ 

  STEP 1: Create a comic strip using your avatar.

 STEP 2: Choose "Download" from the tool bar.

STEP 3: Select 'Download JPEG Image and use the image as your profile in Google Account Settings.

Transformation Cranny & Google Site update

We are progressing towards the conclusion of our TRANSFORMATION: CRANNY project. Here is a brief progress checklist for all groups; please see your teachers if you need assistance or clarification.


TRANSFORMATION: CRANNY at this point, you and your group should:

• - Have a clear idea of what are you going to ‘show’ at the presentation 
• - All items in your presentation material should be in ‘draft form’ already 
• - Start practicing your presentation 
• - Your presentation should not exceed 10 minutes 

  GEOMETRY: Google Site

• - Finalize the design of your site
•  - Provide an overview on the ‘homepage’ 
• - Start a section to include math ‘reflections’ (all members)
•  - Shared the site with your teachers.

Student reflections in Math: Geometry (shared via Gapps)

We started with an exploration task.

Since both the grade 7s & 8s are learning about bisectors and geometric properties [specifically angles in a triangle (7/8) & angles created by intersecting lines (8)]; it's a good idea to get students thinking about what they've already learned, while getting familiar with the tools used commonly when exploring geometry (compass, ruler, protractor, etc.)

Grade 8s started with an exploration about constructing circles using ONLY the compass, while provided with a) centre and a point on the circle; b) centre and the radius; c) three points on a circle;  Students were expected to discover that the opening of the compass is the radius of the circle; and they also began to question whether there's a connection between the centre of a circle and the centre of a triangle.

Grade 7s started with an exploration about angles; they were provided with a sheet of paper, with no tool allowed, and were asked to construct three angles: 30, 45, and 60 degrees, as accurate as possible.  Students were expected to discover the purpose of angle bisectors, while activating their background knowledge about angles.

Both grades then continued with an investigative activity (finding the midpoint of a line segment) and began to think about bisectors.

Check out some of the student reflections here:

Grade 7 students in Mrs. Fairbarn's Class
Grade 8 students in Mrs. Fernandes' Class

How does these concepts relate to our lives?  What are some real-life applications involving bisectors, angles, and geometric properties?

Looking forward to hear your feedback~

Geometry!!

CC-BY-NC 2.0 by EricGjerde

We are now entering our Geometry unit (both grade 7 & 8) in all three classes.  You can see a brief unit overview here.  We will be exploring angles, shapes, geometric attributes for 2- & 3-D figures, and learn to construct and manipulate these figures using a variety of tools, especially compass, ruler, protractor, and etc.

What are some of your background knowledge in Geometry?  What have your learned in the past? What do you wish to clarify this time around?  What are some of the challenges your have experienced in the past learning?  Share with us and we can learn from each other!

To parents:  You can get involved!  Simply start a conversation about how tools of measurements are used in your daily life and around the household.  You can also share what you know (ie. constructing a shape) with your children.

Students will also start constructing Google Sites that outline/document our learning in this unit!  Stay tuned!

Hey everybody, just a reminder that classroom photos will be on Monday, November 5th, don't forget your SMILE:)

Launching PBL> Transformation:Cranny

We spent a good deal of time working together to get the project TRANSFORMATION: Cranny off the ground in the past two weeks.  Students in both Ms. Fernandes & Fairbarn's classes have been putting their heads together and getting familiar with the project; and we also just introduced the idea to Ms. Rauti's grade 7s this morning as well.

The concept behind PBL is all about student inquiry.  Students are introduced to a real-life challenge that requires critical thinking, collaboration, and sound communication in order to complete the task: all three, arguably, are key skills in the 21st century, both at school and work place.

True to the essence of student inquiry, we wanted the students to take ownership in their learning.  We started by presenting the challenge; from that point on-ward, students took over and dictated our directions.  In small groups, our learners work together to create a comprehensive list of 'considerations' for this type of projects (such a budget, timeline, etc.); they then brainstormed for a list of required 'skills' for each consideration (for example, you need to know basic computation and/or working knowledge of budgeting softwares, in order to plan the budget for the project.)  The outcome of this inquiry becomes the learning goals and success criteria for future mini-lesson focus and inquiries.

What do you think about the list we've created here?  Do you see anything you can add to our list of considerations and skills? We'd love to hear your input.

Parents: are you working in the field of financial planning, city planning, interior design, office furniture retails, architecture, or marketing?  Would you be interested in participating in this project as a member of the panel or a guest speaker?  Please contact the intermediate teachers if you are interested! 

Project Based Learning & Transformation: Cranny

Recent educational researches have shown that students learn best when concepts and ideas are embedded into real-life challenges in the classroom.  Our intermediate classes will explore this approach in term one through our Transformation: Cranny project.  Students will learn to work together, in collaboration and with guidance of the teachers, towards completion of this authentic project, while exploring curriculum connections in Math, Language, and the Arts, as well as developing important learning skills outlined in the Growing Success Document (with specific focus on Responsibility, Organization, Collaboration and Initiative)

We are happy to answer your questions regarding the project, as well as any feedback you may have.  Please check back here frequently for project updates and student blogs.

Happy learning to all~

Check out our library here!

You can access library news, literacy tips, and interact with your teacher librarians via our new Learning Commons Blog, using the QR code above or via:

http://mceslearningcommons.blogspot.ca/

Looking forward to learning with you!

Welcome!

And.....here we go!

By AlicePopkorn (CC-BY-NC-ND)

Welcome to our online journey together this year!  This blog is created for students and parents, as well as all the intermediate teachers here at MCES.  We will explore new issues, document our learnings, share our thinkings, and work together towards our collective learning goals!

Here are a few examples of items you may find in this blog:

- new events/tasks announcements (from your teachers)
- documentation of learning opportunities (lesson, field trip, special programs) written by teachers/students
- extended discussions based on issues explored in the classroom
- additional resources/links

This is OUR blog.  Although your teachers are the first ones to maintain/create this blog, you will all have the opportunity to 'guest blog' on this site.

We are looking forward to learning with you this year!