September 9

Welcome back to school everyone!

Humanities 8

Today I introduced myself and included a timeline of all the schools I have taught at and how I am very happy to return to Isfeld after a 6 year hiatus.  Next we discussed the origins of Labour day and the important role that unions have played in bringing us things like the 8 hour work day.   We also briefly looked over the course outline (see below). Key things like my email address and assessment were emphasized.  

A review of nouns and adjectives preceded an activity where students worked with their neighbour to figure out a suitable adjective which starts with the first letter of their first name that would describe them.  Then the neighbour was asked to introduce their partner with their adjective and name.  Students were then challenged to introduce a whole row of students to the rest of the class using their matching adjective.  This activity helps students and myself to remember the names of our class.

Humanities 8 - Course Outline 2015

INSTRUCTOR:               Ms. McCall                                          EMAIL: Lee.Mccall@sd71.bc.ca
Location:                     Portable 1                                            BLOG:mccallworld.blogspot.ca
 
Overview

This course combines the Learning Standards for English 8 and Social Studies 8.  The course focuses on the communication, thinking and personal & social core competencies. 

SOCIAL STUDIES 8 – THE BIG IDEAS

Ø  Contacts and conflicts between peoples stimulated significant cultural, social, political change.

Ø  Human and environmental factors shape changes in population and living standards.

Ø  Exploration, expansion, and colonization had varying consequences for different groups.

Ø  Changing ideas about the world created tension between people wanting to adopt new ideas and those wanting to preserve established traditions.

ENGLISH 8 – THE BIG IDEAS

Ø  Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy.

Ø  Exploring text and story helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world

Ø  Developing our understanding of how language works allows us to use it purposefully.

Ø  Purpose, audience, and context guide the author’s choices in the construction of text.

Ø  Language can shape ideas and influence others.

Ø  People understand texts differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.

Ø  Texts are socially, culturally, and historically constructed

ASSESSMENT (ENGLISH)

·         20% of your mark will be based on tests and quiz scores.

·         20% of you mark will be based on participation in daily activities, discussions and debates. 

·         60% of your mark will be based on projects and assignments.

ASSESSMENT (SOCIAL STUDIES)

·         20% of you mark will be based on participation in daily activities, discussions and debates. 

·         40% of your mark will be based on tests and quiz scores.

·         40% of your mark will be based on projects and assignments.

Note:

v  Students will be assigned an I (Incomplete) if the student is not meeting the minimal expectations for the course.

v  Students will use My Site to create E-portfolios where students will upload examples of their work for parents to view.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS  - “The Ps and Qs”

·         Be Present (attend and use digital devices only with permission)

·         Be Punctual

·         Be Prepared (pens, pencils, paper, binder, eraser, ruler, pencil crayons, novels & textbooks)

·         Be Positive, Polite and Patient

·         Ask Questions

·         Produce Quality Work

·         Work Quietly

English 10 

Today I introduced myself and included a timeline of all the schools I have taught at and how I am very happy to return to Isfeld after a 6 year hiatus.  Next we discussed the origins of Labour day and the important role that unions have played in bringing us things like the 8 hour work day. We also briefly looked over the course outline (see below). Key things like my email address and assessment were emphasized.

The main activity of the day involved a brainstorm about identity, a theme we are going to focus on this term.  Students were put into groups of 4 and asked to discuss the following questions:

What is identity?

What factors influence identity?

A speaker for each group reported out and we completed a web brainstorm on the board as a class.

ENGLISH 10 - COURSE OUTLINE  2015-2016

Instructor : Ms. McCall                                                                          Email: lee.mccall@sd71.bc.ca

Location: Portable 1                                                                                    Blog: mccallworld.blogspot.ca

                                               

COURSE OBJECTIVES

·         To enjoy the benefits and pleasures of language in all its forms – reading, writing, theatre, public speaking, film and other media.

·         To communicate effectively in written, verbal and visual forms.

·         To make connections to other areas of study and to life outside the classroom.

·         To think critically, creatively and reflectively.

·         To work respectively and collaboratively with peers.

Units will include: Non-Fiction, Poetry, Novel studies, Short Stories, Shakespeare, media

ASSESSMENT

Each term is worth 40% and the Provincial exam is worth 20%.

Assessment activities will include:

·         Quizzes and Tests – 20% of term mark

·         Daily activities and participation – 20%  of term mark

·         Projects (group and individual) and assignments -60% of term mark

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

 “The Ps and Qs”

·         Be Present (attend and turn off your iPods and cell phones)

·         Be Punctual

·         Be Prepared (pens, pencils, paper, binder, eraser, ruler)

·         Be Positive, Polite and Patient

·         Ask Questions

·         Produce Quality Work

·         Work Quietly