A word from the teachers:

 

Français avec Mme Desbiens:

We are still working on our Urban Legends unit, looking at adverbs, adjectives, verbs (imparfait & passé composé).  This is our focus until the December break:

Reading: predicting, current events, reading logs, reading responses, shared reading, guided reading.

Writing: New report, Narrative, Explanation

Oral: presentations, oral participation (in French), group discussion, Drama activities, current events.

Writing traits:      

Ideas: (what is my message? Is it clear? Did I try to make it interesting? Do I have enough information?)

Word choice: (Have I used words that I really love? Does the reader know the meaning of the words I chose? Have I used new words? Did I try not to repeat the same word too often?)

 

Arts visuels avec Mme Desbiens:

 

This term we will focus on 2 of the 6 elements of design: line and colour.  We will create art works using a variety of traditional forms and media technology, to express ideas, feelings and current issues.  We will also interpret artwork (message conveyed) and how it reflects beliefs and traditions.

 

Drame avec Mme Desbiens :

 

Students have created a skit using the Code of Behaviour.  They are presently working on a play using an Urban Legend.  They have to engage actively in drama exploration and focus on examining multiple perspectives related to their theme.  They also have to develop their ability to interpret others’ drama pieces.

 

Science with Mrs. Richards:

Upon completing the Interactions with Ecosystems unit in Science, the Grade 7 students will then begin a unit on Pure Substances and Mixtures until winter break.

The Grade 8 students will soon be finishing their Cells unit and then they will begin their unit on Fluids.

 

English and Health with Miss Martin:

The year is moving by so quickly! Now that the new timetable has been put into place, I will be teaching Gr.7/8 D English and Health.  If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at the school. I look forward to working with all of the students and meeting all of you!  This month, we are looking at:

English: Descriptive Reading and Writing (focusing on improving writing by implementing figurative language tools), Independent Reading, Journals, Beginning a Culture/Diversity reading and writing challenge

Health: Healthy Eating, Active Living, Self-Esteem and Body Image

 

Éducation physique avec 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.

 

Histoire et géographie avec Mme Swift:

 

Grade 7

We have now finished our first geography unit, and are beginning the history program with the study of La Nouvelle France.  So far, we have looked at the reasons for establishing a colony in North America, and what motivates people to emigrate.  Next we will examine the different attempts at establishing a colony, and students will write a letter from the point of view of a colonist.  We will be learning about the importance of the fur trade in Nouvelle 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.  Finally we will look at la guerre de Sept Ans and the fall of la Nouvelle France.

 

Grade 8

We have completed the first unit in history on La Confédération and are now beginning the first geography unit which is Patterns in Human Geography.  In this unit, we will examine the main patterns of human settlement and population distribution, and identify factors that influence where people live and how they use land.  Students will complete a project where they will take a close look at the neighbourhood surrounding our school and analyse how the land there is used.

 

Mathématiques avec M. Lord :

 

In mathematics, we will be completing the data management portion of the curriculum (Chapter 3 in Accent mathématique) and slowly make our way into patterns and polygon measurements.

Dates to remember :

 

November 6^th – Step Ahead Math (1 :30 – 2 :30)

November 11^th – Remembrance Day

November 16^th – PA Day

December 4^th – Student-led conferences

December 11^th – Report cards go home

December 18^th – Christmas Break begins at 2:35 until January 4^th!!!

 

Interesting websites:

 

http://www.bibliovirtuelle.ca/ (virtual library)

http://www.kidadoweb.com/ (a little bit of everything…)

http://users.skynet.be/asterixlegaulois/ (Asterix info)

http://www.free-tintin.net/ (Tintin info)