Superbowl 2019

In class today we talked a little bit about football.  For many of you, your sport of "football" is kicking the soccer ball.  Here in North America, football is used with this kind of ball:

This weekend is the Superbowl - a huge football game in the United States,  which millions of people watch.   It is also the biggest day of the year for advertising!  The Superbowl is famous for the incredible commercials!   Whether you watch the football or not, take a look at some of these very famous ads. (They are the part that I like!)   They are great for ESL.  Some use very little language, but still get across a very effective message.  Think about:  Who is the intended audience?  What advertising techniques are used to sell the product?  Which one do you like best?  Why?

Here are some of the BEST Super Bowl Commercials EVER!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YISTzpLXCY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fghG7zF5GK8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPKgC8KPBMg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_FWKLpoGBc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dQRCOEeHaY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8ZnwjTxLnw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDb-7DY3CjU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Ep0O5fWN4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFxzDwjsj-A

The Sound of Thunder

We will be reading another short story - The Sound of Thunder and writing a descriptive paragraph.   
Practice the vocabulary on this website:

https://quizlet.com/61635420/a-sound-of-thunder-ray-bradbury-flash-cards/

Here is the comic book version of the story:  

Comic version of A Sound of Thunder Click here...https://marswillsendnomore.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/all-ive-got-to-worry-about-is-shooting-my-dinosaur/sound-of-thunder-ec-comics-1/

The employees at EC Comics loved Sound of Thunder so much they adapted it for comics. But, they didn’t credit Bradbury at all. Legend has it that Ray saw the story and sent them a nice note about what a great adaptation it was – a diplomatic way to get credit, for sure!   His name is at the bottom of this one...

Here is an old video that could help!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxgbZAwIhVw

Give Peace a Chance

After Veterans Week we have had some great discussions about Peace.   Now we will read stories about Peace and put our ideas together into a poem!  


Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes:
Listen to the story:
Chapters 1 - 3
Chapters 4-6
Chapters 7-9

Read the story:
Read the story
How to make a Crane

Period 2 -  Try writing an Acrostic poem about Peace.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/acrostic/

Period 3 and 4 - Try writing a Diamante poem about Peace.  Your first word is Peace - follow the directions from there.
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/diamante/

The Saint Mother Teresa High School Peace Prize!
Who will YOU nominate?   Design a poster or google slides to tell us more about your person:

Read about those who have won the Nobel Peace Prize for Peace initiatives:
https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace

We will be practicing the Prayer for the 21st Century and reading short stories about Peace.   

Learning new Literary Terms!

Period 3 and 4:

Wow!  I am so enjoying reading your Two Truths and a Lie Narrative Writing!  What incredible stories.  We are now beginning a short story unit! 
I have given you a list of Literary Terms we will be using this semester.   Knowing these terms well,  will help you with the assignments that are coming up.

For fun, you can use Quizlet to learn the new terms, play a couple of games and then try the test.   (Without looking at your paper!) 😀
Show me your score.
https://quizlet.com/21416467/literary-terms-scholastic-scope-flash-cards/

Period 2:  Try this Quizlet to learn some new words:

https://quizlet.com/331166685/esl-literary-terms-flash-cards/

Learning about Terry Fox and Get Ready for the Titan Trek!

This looks like a busy week!

Monday:  Remember to wear orange to remember those who suffered under the Residential System.  

The Titan Trek is also coming up!  Followed by Thanksgiving Weekend- no school on Friday or next Monday!  

Around Ottawa last weekend and this week, you may have heard or seen the Terry Fox Run.   It was 35 years ago that he captured the hearts of all Canadians.   We watched a short video about Terry Fox and are looking at character traits.

Here are a couple little videos that give you more information about Terry.

ESPN Terry Fox Video

Celebrating Canada 150 - Remembering Terry Fox

If you have time this chilly Sunday, here is a link for the Terry Fox movie.  It is older, but gives you more details about his character and why he is such an important hero for Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPcXMg3E9KQ

Who are the important heroes in your country?

Homework:

Period 2:  IXL, and research about Terry Fox in your language

Period 3 and 4:   IXL, and Show, Don't Tell sheet.   This week we will be working on narrative writing.

Growth Mindset!

Hi Everyone - hope you had a good start to the week.

Period 3 and 4 - remember to work on your Growth Mindset song lyric questions in your google Drive - due Thursday. I have already seen some incredible answers! Keep up the great work!

Watch this video and fill out the TED Talk Listening sheet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc

How do these videos demonstrate elements of a Growth Mindset?  Work with a partner and brainstorm a list of qualities/examples that you saw in the videos?

https://youtu.be/inNMktqIkh0

https://youtu.be/C-COvO9tDaM

https://youtu.be/AWtRadR4zYM

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a great first week and a relaxing weekend!  We have an amazing group of students who are settling in to their new school extremely well.   Also, I hope all of our former ESL students had a good week - let us know how your new adventures in college, work, new schools, or university are going... I wish you well!

Homework - organize your binders - get dividers and divide up your subjects.

Period 2 - work on your Meet —�— in the past, present and future assignment and have your classroom expectation sheet signed

Period 3- read over the article I gave you on Friday. There will be a shit reading assessment about this. Circle words you don’t understand and look them up. Also have your sheet signed by your parents.

Also, Meet the Teacher Night, is this Wednesday night at 6:30.  I would encourage parents and guardians to come and meet your child's teachers and see their new classes. 

Students - to make it easier for your parents - Give them the room number for each class so they know where to go. I look forward to meeting them!

Our school policies and expectations are outlined in the student handbook.   View the complete 2018-2019 Student Handbook.

Enjoy this sunny weather!

Learning about Canada through Picture Books!

Canadians Love Hockey!

This week we are also talking about winter sports in Canada.  The Period 2 group will be reading The Hockey Sweater.  

This famous song pretty well sums up Canadian's feelings about hockey.  It is often played at hockey games.   Listen to the words and fill in the worksheet. 

The Good Old Hockey Game 

Here is the video of the story that was made by the National Film Board of Canada.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgydkfnUEi8

 

The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier 

This is one of my favourite short stories!  It not only tells us a lot about how hockey was such an important part of small town life but also a lot about Canada many years ago.  

 An extract from Roch Carrier’s “The Hockey Sweater” on the Canadian $5 bill.

 Maurice Richard was a well-loved hockey player in Canada.  Here are a couple little videos about him. 

Maurice Richard 

Who is your hero?  Why?

 

Summer Activities sponsored by OCISO

Summer is quickly approaching and it will be more fun and enjoyable if you can keep busy.  Here are a couple of posters for summer activities by OCISO.  Check them out - they look interesting! 

A World of Tulips! Join us for Open House next week!

This is a busy time of year!  We were chosen to paint giant tulips which will be displayed at the Ottawa Tulip Festival which runs from May 11th to the 21st.   Visit the Aberdeen Paviollion at Lansdowne Park and you will be able to see our finished creations!

We have a lot happening.  We have been enjoying incredible documentaries at the Hot Doc festival - many touching on the importance of preserving your culture, following your dreams and never giving up. 

Upcoming events:

May 8th - ESL Parent Engagement Evening  - Understanding the School Community and Our Neighbours!   Parents are invited to join us in the Learning Commons from 6:00pm to 8:00pm - to meet other ESL families in our community and learn more about Child and School Safety.

May 10th -  Foods from around the World - Bake sale at lunch - bring food from your country to add to our sale.   All proceeds will go towards our field trips!

May 10th - 4-8pm - Open House - join us for a barbeque, displays and special events.  We will also have a bake sale at that time - with food from your countries.  Shopping, baking or selling?  You can receive volunteer hours for your assistance!  Get involved and have fun!  It is always an exciting evening!

May 14th - field trip to the Tulip Festival - bring in your forms and $5
raindate on the 17th.  Come and see the finished tulips, go for a hike and take pictures of the beautiful gardens!

May 16th - Field trip to Carleton University Sports Camp - bring in your forms and money

Thank you for everyone's support and co-operation at this very, very busy time!  You are a remarkable group!!

Speak Up!

So proud of your efforts on the Literacy Test!  You worked so hard...

We have a busy spring! So excited about the Tulips we will be decorating for the Tulip Festival.  We also have a few more fun activities to coming up to look forward to!

Period 3 and 4 - Keep reading and working on your Independent Novel Visual Essay. Conferences are next week.

The Emperor's New Clothes - you will love this hilarious play based on the short story by Hans Christian Andersen. An informational text about finding the courage to speak up follows the play.

Discussion Questions for the Week: Please answer below!

Essential Questions: 

Why is it important to speak your mind?

What can make it difficult to speak up?

How can vanity be harmful?

IXL-I hadn't given homework for awhile, but so proud that you are self-assessing and working on areas that you feel you need to improve. 

You may have already done some of these, so try the ones you haven't done yet.  Finished?  Try a couple more areas you want to work on! 

Period 2: 

Antonyms and Synonyms:

Level B:  O.1, O.2, O.3, O.4, O.5

Level C:  L.1, L.2, L.3, L.4, L.5, L.6, L.7, L.8

Level D:  L. 1 to L.7

Period 3 and 4:

Level F:  N. 1 to N.9

Level G:  M.1 to M. 9

Level I:   J. 1 to J. 6

YOUR opinion does matter!

In the next couple of weeks, in preparation for the Literacy test, we will be writing a News Report, as well as a series of paragraphs expressing our opinions.

To get us thinking - here are some samples of the opinion essay topics from previous years.  Can you pick a topic and think of at least 3 arguments for or against?
 -Should zoos exist?

· Are today’s famous people good role models for young people?

· Is it a good idea for high school students to have a part-time job?

· Are cellphones necessary in school?

· Is participation in extracurricular activities an important part of secondary school life?

· Do teenagers place too much importance on what they wear?

· Should every student be required to take a Physical Education class every year of high school?

· Should Ontario high schools allow students to eat junk food and sell junk food in their cafeterias?

· Should the sale of junk foods be banned from Ontario secondary schools?

· Should Canada join the United States?

-Is it important for teenagers to pay attention to world news?

Watch these little videos about writing an opinion piece and make notes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaT1T9ObyLY

Here are some tips for writing your opinion essay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5NrNcaWfiA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv1KACtQyLA

Transition words are CRUCIAL for the opinion essay.  Watch this little video about the use of transition words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aksqJCgAMA 

Try these IXL exercises to practice:
Level H:  E.11
Level J:  L.1
Level K:  L.1 
 
Now- you are ready to write!! 

 

International Women's Day!

March 8th is International Women's Day.  We will learn about the history of this day and the school will be having special activities to raise awareness.

Discussion Questions for the Week:  Choose one or more and write a detailed response:
1.  Should we have International Women's Day?  Should we be doing special activities in the school?  Why or why not?  Why do you think we chose those activities? 
2.  Do women face inequalities in your country?  Explain?
3.  Who is a famous woman in your country?  Tell us about her.
4.  What should this year's focus be for women?  In Canada?  Internationally?
5.  Do males and females have equal educational opportunities in your country?   Explain
or....
It is Celebrate your NAME week!
6.  How did you get your name?  Why is it important?  What does it mean?

We will be learning more about Malala!   Watch this little video and try the quiz! 
https://www.eslvideo.com/quiz.php?id=26000

IXL for the Week:
Period 2:
Rhyming - Listen to the words:
Level B- E.1, E.2, E.3, E.4
Level C-  Statements, questions, commands A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5
Level D- A.1, A.7
-Also download Duolingo, pick your language and try some of the exercises.

Period 3 and 4:  Practice the OSSLT exercises on Workspace!
Level Capitals and Commas:
Level F:  J.1, J.2, J.3, J.4, J.12
Level H:  Using dashes - I.6,
Level J:  F.10 using ellipsis

We will have an exercise/dance class for girls on Friday afternoon - remember to bring your running shoes and t-shirt.  
Also, remember to bring in your Sugarbush forms and money. 

Watch this Inspiring Video!

Another Inspiring Video - Her Voice is My Voice!

Hidden Figures!

Based on a true story, Hidden Figures tells the story of three brilliant African-American women at NASA.  Hidden away from their colleageauges at NASA and the public, they serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history - the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit - an amazing achievement that amazed the world.

Even though Hidden Figures tells a story that took place many years ago, it is still timely and relevant - in light of ongoing struggles and conversations about race and gender. 

Here is an article about Katherine Johnson:  https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_kjohnson.html  

and a little video about her life:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aR8WhKCC8w

Here are some discussion questions for you to consider:
Discussion Questions #4:  Pick one or more to comment on below:
1.  Hidden Figures: Think about the world around you.  Who are the Hidden Figures in it?  How can we help bring them to light?
2.  Examples of the "Impossible" - Look around you and think about people in your communities.  Do you see any "impossible miracles" there?  If so, who are they and how do they inspire you?
3.  Twice Oppressed, Twice Triumphant - Consider the members of your community or where you lived?    Where have you seen oppression and where have you seen people overcome it? How does this inspire you?

4.  Shared Dreams/Shared work: Where in your communities do you now see a need for change?  What small actions could set that change in motion?  How can you be a "first" in your community?
5.  It's all about Education:  Think about your educational experiences.  Where has education shaped or changed your life?  Where have encounters with others shaped your life?

Happy Valentine's Day! The History of Valentines. Video Listening Activity!

Today is Valentine's Day!   A day to tell the people close to us that we love them.  This week is also Kindness Week - we will be focusing on this theme all week.

Great Similes!  Which one do you like best?

Listen to the History of Valentine's and try the quiz.  Let Mrs. B. know how you do!
https://www.esolcourses.com/content/topics/valentinesday/listening/history-of-valentines-day.html

http://www.henry4school.fr/Celebrations/valentine/val-videos.htm

Brighten someone's day - send an animal ecard! We will also be writing a letter telling someone special how much you appreciate them.  That means a lot!

http://online.nwf.org/site/PageNavigator/ecards?id=52

Figurative Language:  We talked about Similes comparing love to an object at home.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!   Can you find a song that compares love to another object?