Week 31

Math 

In mathematics this week, students learned about balanced equations, and then utilized their knowledge of algebraic equations to both explain and demonstrate preserving equality (same value) on both sides of the equal sign.

  

Students then created two separate equations (using different operations) of equal value. Then, substituting a variable, students had to record both the variable value, and the value of each side on the back of their task sheet. Once students recorded their question and answers, they then moved to practice balanced equations as they moved throughout the room to solve the equations of their classmates. 

  

  

ELA 

In writing this week, students completed their final edits to their dialogue and narration short story and worked on a corresponding illustration to display with their final writing piece. They also began to look at the steps to plan for a short story, and completed a draft story template of their own. 

 

In reading, students completed a summative assessment on the comprehensive strategy of clarifying. Using a longer fiction story, students were provided with specific vocabulary words to define, explain in context, and then to infer and describe the importance of the word in context to either the character or the story.  

  

  

Social Studies 

In social studies, students looked at the following learning objective: 

·      I can appreciate the relationship between the values of a society and the model of government adopted within a society. 

Students were placed in three different groups representing the different classes of the Ancient Athenians – citizens, metics and slaves.  The four citizens, the only ones with voting power, were then offered a variety of proposals for their community. The payment of each proposal included different options of payment and/or slave labour.  Students quickly identified how often the option chosen greatly benefitted the higher class of the society they were role playing. 

 If we were to do this scenario again, which group would you want to be a part of, why? 

C.C. – “I would want to be a citizen because you have lots of power over what others do and you wouldn’t need to do lots of work.” 

 What facts can you gather that prove this was an unfair scenario? 

C.C. – “It is unfair as some sit around and do nothing and the others are forced to do work and are bossed around. The Metics had to pay money, although they did not have any decision making.” 

D.M. – “It is not fair as not everyone was able to participate and slaves were assigned work. Metics had to give money and only the citizens made decisions.” 

 What inferences can you make about this society that we adopted here today? 

C.C – “Ancient Athenians would have thought it worked well, but there are better ways to live your life that do not include bossing others around.” 

O.N. – “Unfair because if you are a slave, you don’t get the benefits. You are treated poorly and have to do all the work.” 

D.M. – “Society has improved from this, and that democracy was unfair and we have adapted to different ways of how we vote and have a lot more freedom now.” 

  

 

 

In French, students are learning about types of dwellings, rooms in their homes and the structure of a room. To practice and demonstrate their understanding of this new vocabulary, students designed a blueprint of a home. They were required to label all the rooms and include 2-3 furniture pieces in each. Next steps will be to write a small script, that they will use to present their floor plan orally. 

Example:  

Voici ma maison.  

Voici la cuisine. Dans la cuisine, il y a une table. 

Voici le salon. Dans le salon, il y a une télévision. 

  

Science 

Learning Intention: I can recognize evidence of recent human activity, and recognize evidence of animal activity in a natural outdoor setting. 

On Monday, we headed out for a community walk. The focus of the walk was linked to our science unit on evidence and investigation. Students were asked to observe and document any evidence of animal activity that they noticed along the way. We noticed many nests and had a perfect view of the beautiful Osprey.