LES NOUVELLES DE 7A

NOVEMBRE/DÉCEMBRE 2009

Our class has been very busy over the past month. Here is a brief update as to what we are doing in the various areas of our program over the final part of this term.

Français

Dictées and verb quizzes continue to happen on a weekly basis. We have completed our review of the three groups of regular verbs, and will look at reflexive verbs and the imperative next. In addition to this, we will focus more on learning irregular verbs in the present tense, concentrating on a couple at a time. This is something that students should be studying regularly.

The class has spent a lot of time learning about adjectives recently, and are now using them in writing descriptive paragraphs. We will do a few practice pieces in class and then an assignment for evaluation.

We are continuing to read short texts and books together. At this point, we continue to focus on basic comprehension of the stories, and using the dictionary to find meaning.

Mathématiques

In math, we are working on the Data Management unit. We will use a variety of different diagrams for representing data, and then we will take a look at the measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode).

Our third unit for this term will be on Measurement. We will look at units of measurement, conversion of metric units, and practical applications of measurement. Then we will focus on area and volume.

Histoire/Géographie

We have now finished our first geography unit, and are beginning the history program with the study of La Nouvelle France. We have looked at Samuel de Champlain’s explorations and his efforts to establish a colony in North America. Students will be learning about the importance of the fur trade in New France, and the relationship between the Europeans and the Native Peoples. We will examine the role of the missionaries and learn about the life of the colonists. Students will be doing a poster project on a person who was important in the development of the colony. Finally we will look at La Guerre de Sept Ans and the fall of la Nouvelle France.

Arts visuels

Students are presently finishing their “art découpé” which will be due the week of November 5. Our next project will be a study of the work of Piet Mondrian and his modern art. Following that, we will work on self portraits made with recycled materials, so please keep collecting those fabrics, buttons, ribbons, threads, wrapping paper, old calendars, and birthday cards mentioned in October’s newsletter.

English & Science

(with Ms. Richards)

In English, we will be starting to learn about memoirs and journal/diary writing with an emphasis on Non-Fiction reading and writing in November. We will then move to comparison writing with the 2010 Olympics as our theme.

Upon completing our Interactions with Ecosystems unit in Science, we will then begin our Pure Substances and Mixtures unit until winter break.

Éducation physique

(with M. Parent)

Students are finishing their volleyball session, working on fitness and co-operative games and will be starting basketball in late November and early December.

Health

(with Ms. Martin)

This month we are studying the topics of healthy eating, active living, self-esteem and body image. Students will be setting an annual healthy goal that they are able to complete during the school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

As you already know from the Voyageur de Vanier, our student-led conferences will be in the morning on December 4, and the first term reports will go home on December 11. On the P.A. Day on November 16, I will be planning and preparing reports, but I will also be available to meet with parents. If you would like to set up a time that day, please contact me.

Thank you for your continued support. I ask that you check your child’s duo-tang to sign recent evaluations, and check his/her agenda weekly.

À bientôt!

Julie Swift