November 1

How is it November 1?!

Today's schedule: C D B A

C block: Humanities 8
Today is the start of our new unit: The Fall of Rome. We'll be working on maps of the Roman Empire.

D block: Socials 11
We'll watch an episode of "Boom and Bust," which will show the booms of the 20s and the beginning of the Depression. Afterwards, I'll give you a worksheet to complete after you look at these Stock Market Crash questions:

What is the significance of Tuesday, October 29, 1929?
Why do you think this happened?

Please define these terms: Red Scare (Communism), Autonomy, Depression, Branch Plants, Slums, Urbanization, Group of Seven

Here is a sheet with some important economic vocabulary.

A block: Law 12
We'll talk about Property Crimes, and then the rest of the class will be used for finishing up the crime assignments or watching an episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

October 31

Today's schedule: B A D C

A block: Law 12
We're going to look at the nitty gritty bits of various crimes and talk about what will happen if youth commit them.

D block: Socials 11
We'll be going back to the library to finish off our research from last class. For those of you who were away, here is the assignment. If you finish your research and paragraph, you'll start reading about the Stock Market Crash of 1929.

What is the significance of Tuesday, October 29, 1929?
Why do you think this happened?
How could such an event affect ordinary people?
Please define these terms:
Red Scare (Communism), Autonomy, Balfour Report, Depression, Branch Plants, Slums, Urbanization, Group of Seven

C block: Humanities 8
Last block of the day = Halloween party!

Have a safe night, everyone!

October 30

Today's schedule: C D A B

C block: Humanities 8
After Silent Reading, you will write a reflection on our unit on World Religions. I will hand back your marks for your presentations and posters. To get started on our new unit of Ancient Rome, we'll discuss what leadership qualities are important in a good leader.

D block: Socials 11
I will hand back your letters/photographs from WWI today. We're going to work on an assignment about those who "Missed the Roar" of the 1920s. The worksheet is here, and I'd like you to download it to your computer and fill in the answers. We'll be in the library doing some research in our textbooks and this website.

A block: Law 12
I've booked the library for you to work on your perfect crime assignments. Remember, they're due on Friday!

October 29

Today's schedule: A B C D
A block: Law 12
Today, we'll quickly go over what happens when the accused is awaiting trial - I'll give you a few notes. You'll read the issue on page 176 and then discuss in partners. I'll show you some articles on the Robert Dziekanski case, too. After that, we'll watch an episode from Law and Order: Criminal Intent.

C block: Humanities 8
After Silent Reading, you'll write your World Religions quiz. Don't worry, it'll be fun! After that, we'll write a poem as a class and check out the earthquake that occurred over the weekend in BC.

D block: Socials 11
We'll talk about what life was like in the 1920s. I'll show you some videos and photographs, and we'll discuss what life might have been like. What did people do? How did they live? Would you have wanted to live in the 1920s? What was the economy like? I'll give you some more time to work on your timelines.

As an exit slip, you all have to show me that you can dance the Charleston (I'm kidding!). 

October 26

Today's schedule: C D A B
9:05-10:00 - C block
10:05-10:25 - AG
10:30-11:25 - D block
11:25-12:05 - lunch
12:10-1:10 - A block
1:15-2:15 - B block
2:15-3:15 - X block

C block: Humanities 8
We'll do some Silent Reading, a current event and a creative writing activity.

D block: Socials 11
You'll have the whole block to work on your "famous Canadian from the 1920s" business cards. I revamped the assignment to make it a bit easier to understand and will bring in an example to show you!

A block: Law 12
We'll be hanging out in the computer lab so that we can get some work done on the perfect crime assignments. Feel free to bring any sort of art supplies that you may need!

Have a nice weekend!

October 25

Today's schedule: D C B A

D block: Socials 11
Today, we'll be heading to the computer lab to do some research. You're going to create an advertisement for four different public figures from the 1920s. You'll have to research who they were, what they were good at and what their accomplishments were.

C block: Humanities 8
After Silent Reading, we'll finish up the World Religions presentations. To finish up our unit, we'll take some notes on religions. You'll need all this information for the test you have on Monday!

A block: Law 12
Today, we're going to take a look at the Getting Arrested and the Awaiting Trial processes. In groups of 3-4, you'll come up with a brief summary and a visual (a tableaux or short skit) to explain a specific concept. After the presentations, you can continue working on the questions on the Police and Investigation Processes and/or your perfect crime assignments.

October 24

Today's schedule: B A D C

A block: Law 12
I'll give you a bit more class time to finish up the questions that we started today. After that, I'll talk about your next project: creating some sort of visual that portrays the perfect crime. You can do a cartoon, a poster, a Powerpoint, a skit... it will be up to you to decide how you would like to explain the crime (which will start at the thought and go all the way to the arrest... in a lawful order!).

D block: Socials 11
Yesterday, we talked about the emergence of labour unions and a bit about the Red Scare from Russia. Today, you'll be drawing up your very own 1920s timeline. I will give you a list of events to include, and it will be your job to put them in chronological order with a short explanation of what happened and its relevance.

C block: Humanities 8
You'll be presenting your World Religions posters today! Remember to speak clearly, look up at your audience and smile! No one likes a grumpy presenter :)

October 23

Today's schedule: C D B A

C block: Humanities 8
Today's the day! You'll be putting your World Religions posters together (I'll give you some class time after Silent Reading) and then you'll be presenting them to one another.

D block: Socials 11
We can relax now - you got through WWI! Today, we'll start looking at what was going on in the world after the war. We'll talk about what was going on in Russia (the Bolshevik Revolution) and what effect that had on Europe and Canada. You'll read the first few pages of Chapter 3 in your textbook and use these as guiding questions while you read:

 1. What did soldiers returning to Canada after WWI face?

 2. What rewards did workers, who had taken wage reductions during the war, face afterwards?

 3. Why were there so many strikes in the years after WWI?

 4. What political ideas may have influence union leaders in western Canada in this period?

 5. What was the OBU?

 6. Define collective bargaining.

 7. What did Winnipeg’s metal and building workers demand when they went on strike in 1919?

 8. Describe the effects of this strike on Winnipeg.

 9. How did the Citizens Committee of One Thousand see the strike?

 10. What was the federal government’s response?

 11. Describe the events of Bloody Saturday. What happened to the strikers after it was all over?

 12. Which side do you think was right? Explain.

 13. Who was JS Woodsworth?

A block: Law 12

You'll be checking out Chapter 5 today and defining these terms and answering these questions:

Please define and explain the following: lineup, accused, detained, summons, warrant, Police Services Act, telewarrant, evidence, disclosure

1. What are the duties of police officers?

2. What process do police have to go through in order to search for evidence?

3. What are the rules of search laws?

4. Look at the R. v. Clayton case on page 156 and answer questions 1, 3 and 4.

5.  List three rights a Canadian has on being detained or arrested.

6. What happens to the fingerprints and photographs of people who are acquitted of a crime? Do you agree with this procedure?

7. What are the steps to getting arrested?

8. What are citizens’ rights?

9. What happens during the Awaiting Trial period?

10. Read the piece on Alan Borovoy on page 172. Answer questions 2 and 3. 

October 22

Today's schedule: A B C D

A block: Law 12
I won't be handing back the quizzes today as not everyone in class has written them yet. We will start a new chapter - the police investigation and how to get arrested (or more... how not to get arrested!). I promised that we'd watch some sort of video, so it'll be your choice - an episode of the Black Widow or one from Law and Order.

C block: Humanities 8
Today's your last day in the computer lab - you have to finish up your research and your written parts of your project. If your group is pretty far along, you may start thinking about how you'll like to set up your posters.

D block: Socials 11
Today's your WWI unit test! I know you'll do fine because you finished up your WWI review package :)

October 18

Today's schedule: D C B A

D block: Socials 11
I'll hand back the charts you completed yesterday in class about what life was like in Canada during WWI. You'll do a worksheet on the Paris Peace Conference details, and I will then hand out a WWI Review Package for you to fill out before your unit test (which is on Monday!).

C block: Humanities 8
After Silent Reading, we'll talk about what your posters should look like, and what kind of format you should be writing out your research in. Many of you are getting to the stage where you're writing out your answers - those of you who are at this stage should think about printing out your paragraphs and having someone peer edit your answers. This will be due on Tuesday, and I'll give you Monday to put the finishing touches on it!

A block: Law 12
You'll have a chapter quiz on your Introduction to Criminal Law unit. Good luck! Afterwards, we'll start talking about the next chapter: The Police - Investigation, Arrest and Bringing the Accused to Trial.

October 17

Today's schedule: B A D C

A block: Law 12
We'll continue our discussion on cyberbullying and how it fits into our criminal law unit. I'll give you some time in class to study for the Chapter 4 quiz you have tomorrow!

D block: Socials 11
You'll be presenting your topic to other groups today (no - not in front of the class, don't worry!). Each of you will have a chart to complete, and you'll hand that in before the end of class. We'll talk about Italy (they switched sides a few times), and about the end of WWI.

C block: Humanities 8
Before we go back to the library, we'll talk about the posters and what you should expect from each other. How will you contribute to your group's project?

October 16

Today's schedule: C D A B

C block: Humanities 8
Today, you'll be going to the library in your research groups, and starting your projects on World Religions! Mr. Errico will do a researching seminar with you, and help you locate textbooks and various sources that you'll find useful for your projects.

D block: Socials 11
Today, you'll be in the library in your expert groups, working on this assignment.

A block:
We'll be discussing cyberbullying and how it fits into the Criminal Code. I will be giving you hypothetical scenarios that you will rate, and then we will talk about real-life cases, such as the current one of Amanda Todd.
Some questions to consider:

• how would you feel if the government and/or authorities read through your Facebook pages, your private emails... anything online?
• How does cyberbullying differ from offline bullying?
• How should rights to freedom of expression be balanced against rights to security of a person?

October 15

Today's schedule: A B C D

A block: Law 12
Today, you'll have the rest of the block to work on your fairy tale briefs.

C block: Humanities 8
After Silent Reading, you'll have the opportunity to do a free write in your journals. I'll give you some interesting sentence starters, and it'll be up to you to write a creative story. Afterwards, you'll get into your groups and get ready for your creation story presentations. One of the class groups will present their current event from last week.

For the rest of the week, we'll be working on our World Religions research project. You'll be in mixed groups and will be working in the library.

D block: Socials 11
Today, we'll go over Canada's changing identity. You did some work last week on these battles, and we will go over a few more details. We'll talk about various war technologies (tanks, airplanes, u-boats, poisonous gases...) and the types of fighting (battle of attrition and total war). I will show you a short clip from Canada: A People's History on Vimy Ridge, and we will discuss why Vimy Ridge is so important to Canada.

The chronological order of the battles that the CEF played a major part in are: Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele.

October 12

Today's schedule: A B C D
*X block day*

A block: Law 12
You'll be working on your fairy tale briefs in the library this morning. You could check out National Geographic for some Grimm fairy tales or here for some other ones. The creepier, the better!

Here's yesterday's example of the Three Little Pigs: R. v. The Big Bad Wolf.

C block: Humanities 8
Today, our first group will present their current event. Afterwards, we'll get into groups and you'll create your own creation story!

D block: Socials 11
We'll be going over the CEF today. First, you'll work on this worksheet - you'll find the answers in your textbook. After that, we'll watch a 25 minutes video about the Canadians in WWI.

You will also have to answer these questions:
1. Why was trench warfare used in WWI? What led to using trenches? What were the conditions like?

2. What was "No Man's Land"? What was in this area? What would happen if you entered in?

3. What types of weapon technology made it so dangerous for soldiers in the trenches?

4. What is a battle of attrition?

5. Who was Sam Hughes? What was his role in WWI?

6. What was the War Measures Act? Who implemented it?

October 11

Today's schedule: C D A B

C block: Humanities 8
I'll read out two additional creation stories after Silent Reading. We will then start talking about what a "God" is - there are so many religions and many interpretations. You will take some notes (this is important, as you'll have a quiz on these next week!). We'll look at how Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Shintoism view God. I'll show you some symbols of the different religions as well.

Reminder: your "What Am I?" poems are due today! Good copies should be written in some sort of creative form.

D block: Socials 11
Today, we'll go over the pop quiz from last class to ensure that everyone understands the steps that led up to WWI in Europe. Then we'll ask: "Europe's at war - what does this have to do with us?"

I'll give you some notes on Sam Hughes, the Minister of Militia and Defence in 1914, and we'll take a look at some propaganda posters used in Canada. After, we'll take notes on War in Europe and talk about trench warfare.

A block: Law 12
Today, we'll take a look at "how to read a case" - this came up a few times yesterday when we were summarizing the criminal cases. We'll talk about the different levels of courts in Canada, and then I'll read out a fairy tale, and we'll discuss all of the criminal issues involved! Your homework will be to take a fairy tale, and write up a case brief on it!

October 10

Today's schedule: B A D C
*Short blocks (45 minutes) due to 2 hour early dismissal*

A block: Law 12
Today, we'll look at the cases you bring to class. I'll hand out the case model analysis sheet, and you'll write up some summaries.

The case summaries are due tomorrow.

Use the Case Study Analysis Model and write up a summary of a case.

            Please include:

·      Elements of the criminal offence

·      Parties to the offence

·      Type offence

Please write up a good copy summary that outlines the various levels in the case.

Citation: Cite the source (what page in the textbook? What website did you use?)

Applicable Laws: what section of the Criminal Code was broken?

D block: Socials 11
You'll finish up your map of Europe in 1914 after the pop quiz on the countdown to war. I'll give you a handout for you to fill in - you'll take brief notes on why certain countries went to war in 1914. We'll also look at various propaganda posters that were used in Canada, and we'll talk about Sam Huges, Robert Borden's Minister of Militia and Defence.

C block: Humanities 8
We'll finish up our culture maps of British Columbia, and then you will listen to two creation stories. We'll compare and discuss them afterwards - how are they different? What are some similiarities?

October 9

Today's schedule: C D A B

C block: Humanities 8
Today, we will be talking about the letters that you wrote last week. We'll talk about what to look for when writing, such as run-on sentences and punctuation use. I will also hand back the "What Am I?" poems, and talk about formatting poetry. You will also do a free write in your journals.

D block: Socials 11
We'll start talking about WWI today. We'll do an exercise that will help us to understand why countries fight, and then discuss the MAIN causes of WWI (militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism). We'll also talk about the "12 steps to War."

If time, I'll show you this funny video clip that outlines the complicated start to WWI.

October 5

Today's schedule: A B C D

A block: Law 12
After talking about the "parties of offenses," we'll watch an episode from Law and Order - Episode 10, Season 9, "Hate." A group of young white supremacists are charged after a student was murdered. The DA wants to nail their ring leader, though, even though he does not act on his words.

C block: Humanities 8
Current Events day! We'll do short skits on the current event, and you'll present them in small groups. We'll spend the rest of class writing up our summaries and if there's time, we'll watch a short video.

D block: Socials 11
We'll wrap up our introduction to WWI unit today (hopefully!). We'll talk about technology, residential schools and the suffragist movement. I gave you some time to read a book called My Name is Seepeetza to give you an idea of what residential schools were like for Aboriginal children. We watched a short episode from Canada: A People's History on the women's movement, and I handed out these questions for you that will be due on Wednesday.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

October 4

Today's schedule: D C B A

D block - Socials 11
Today, we'll finish up with the election presentations. So far, your presentations have been great and the debate has been heated! Nice work.

We will (hopefully) work on the beginning part of our WWI unit. I'll discuss the Laurier era, and will assign some homework. Please do questions 1 and 2 on page 9 and questions 3 and 4 on page 13 (in your textbook, Counterpoints). Check out this website for some further information on what Canada was like in 1900.

Some of you have asked about other homework I've assigned. If you get these in by Friday, I'll mark them; any later and no dice! I assigned questions 3 and 4 (a and b) on page 258 and also asked you to complete these lobbyist questions.

C block - Humanities 8
Today, after silent reading, we'll discuss our community rules and we'll talk about the "teams in the classroom" idea.

We'll go over what you looked up last night - what interesting current events did you find? In groups of 4 or 5, you will create a tableaux that represents your story (make sure one of you narrates so that we understand what you're trying to portray!).

Tomorrow, we'll do a current event. Please feel free to look for your own news to share!

A block - Law 12
After you hand in your Human Rights' posters, we'll get started on the criminal law unit. I'll have you fill out some worksheets so that I know what you're interested in. We'll discuss criminal vs. civil law, the Canadian Criminal Code, the definition of a crime, actus reus and mens rea and immoral vs. illegal behaviours.

Please answer the following questions (use Chapter 4 in your textbook as a reference):
1. Which level of government oversees criminal law and what is the main source of criminal law? What pros and cons can you think of for this?

2. Elements of a crime - what are the two conditions for an act to be a criminal offence? What are the three types of offences?

3. Describe a "wrongful deed" that does not involve intent or knowledge.

4. How is recklessness a factor in deciding if an action is criminal?

5. Should culture be a factor in deciding if an action is criminal? What about socio-economic status?

6. In what three ways can someone be a party to a crime?

You missed out on a Law and Order episode last Friday, so we'll make it up tomorrow!

October 3

Today's schedule: B A D C

D block - Socials 11
Today, you will present your election challenge. Your goal is to persuade at least 3 people in class to vote for your party!

If there's time, we will do a brief introduction to our next unit, World War I.

C block - Humanities 8
I have booked the library computers so that we can work on the letters of introduction. Good copies will be due at the end of this class.

You will also do some research on current events in the world that interest you. Check out some of these websites to look for some good articles: CBC, Globe and Mail, CNN. If you find a cool story on one site, try to look for a second source, maybe a video or another news article.

We will be setting up our own Twitter accounts to help with Current Events. If there are any issues with you having your own account, I will make a class account for anyone to use.

October 2

Today's schedule: C D B A 

C block - Humanities 8
The plan for today: Silent reading, Community-building activity and letters. We didn't get to the letters today, but we'll have time tomorrow. I had you in pairs thinking up rules for our classroom community, and then put you in groups of 4 to mash together your ideas and think of a team name. You're all so creative!

We watched a cool video on World Air Traffic. You can see it here.

I'll have a master list of classroom rules for tomorrow. Reminder that we'll be in the library after Silent Reading tomorrow!

D block - Socials 11
Today, you worked on your Election Challenge assignment, which you'll be presenting tomorrow. Remember to include a written summary of your political party. Check out the assignment outline if you're stuck!

October 1

Today's schedule: A B C D

C block - Humanities 8
Today, we wrote in our journals, and our question was "what is your favourite time of year?" After that, we worked on our "What Am I?" poems, and two volunteers read theirs allowed - thank you for sharing!

I wrote you a letter to introduce myself to you in hopes that you will write me one in return. On Wednesday, we will go to the library and work on these, and they will be due at the end of class.

D block - Socials 11
Government unit test today! Good luck!