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!