Happy Halloween!

We survived another Halloween...always an interesting day as a teacher...

SS11: We are finishing up our WWII research projects, which are due on Tuesday. Some amazing topics!

Humanities 9: We are in the middle of our Global Awareness novel study. Poems based on writing about the documentary "Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children" are due on Monday.

SS 11 update

We are completing the Interwar Years...ending with a big question: Which period, World War One or the Interwar Years (1919-1939) were the most significant in terms of political, economic and social change in Canada? The Interwar Years test will be on Wednesday, October 23rd. Have a wonderful weekend!

Humanities 9...some important info coming up!

Here is a letter I am sending home on Monday for my grade 9 parents...please have a look! Also, check in with your child about their interim report if you haven't seen it already.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We have begun a novel study in Humanities 9 called “Global Awareness.” We will be learning about youth from around the globe and how their lives are so much different from our own. We will be looking at some really tough issues, including child slavery, poverty, child soldiers, child prostitution, AIDS, and human rights. Last week each student chose a novel to read from the following titles: 

Sold  Garbage King  Three Cups of Tea  Throw Away Daughter  A long Way Gone  Iqbal  I am a Taxi  Chanda’s Secrets  Bitter Chocolate 

The Breadwinner Each student is required to read one novel from the selection over the next 5 weeks. I find most students read 3-4 novels because the books are so interesting. On October 28 and 30 the school will be showing the documentary “Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children” in B block. This is a film about the use child soldiers around the world, particularly in Africa. This film features Romeo Dallaire, the UN Commander during the Rwandan genocide.  In the film there is some mild swearing and discussions about war and soldiering. If you do not wish your child to see this film, please contact me as soon as possible and I will arrange an alternate learning experience. You can see the trailer for the film on YouTube. This film will also be shown at the Stan Hagan Theatre at NIC November 5 at 7:30pm if you wish to see it yourself. Entry is by donation.

On November 8 at 7pm in our Multi-purpose room we will be hosting a guest speaker, Michel Chikwanine, a former child soldier from the Congo. He was brought here by the Girls Go Global group from Robb Road School. A $10 donation for entry is suggested if you chose to go. Michel is the narrator in the film, “Fight Like Soldiers, Die Like Children.” If you have any questions or concerns about this unit or anything in Humanities 9, please contact me directly.

Yours in learning,
Chantel Parsons Humanities 9 teacher

Humanities 9 Global Studies

Watch this video to see what we discussed today.

Happy Long Weekend!

And happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate Thanksgiving! :) Humanities 9 We have begun our novels for our Global Awareness novel study. Some pretty deep stuff. Stay tuned for our guest speakers, documentaries and projects! Socials 11 We are now very depressed, looking at the Depression Era of the 1930s. All work pre-1930s should be handed in now. The 1920s and 30s test will be next week.

SS 11 Update

Last week we completed The Great War. Tests will be handed back today. We are now studying the 1920s...thinking about "Who missed the ROAR of the 20s." Here's a video that is kind of off topic, but explains socialism and current wealth distribution in the US...since the 1920s are leading to the Great Depression...this is kind of relevant.

Update on Hum 9

In Humanities 9 we are just about finished the unit, "Who do you think you are?" I have received some amazing writing from both classes, which makes a teacher like me giddy with joy with the awesome writing possibilities this year. There are some things we need to work on in our writing: -paragraphs...using them -dialogue technique and rules -capitalizing letters appropriately This week we will be writing about a family dinner...should be fun :)

Things I learned this week

I learned a lot this week about my grade 9s, the most connected generation the world has ever seen. They can work their iPods and cell phones with their eyes closed, in the dark, under water, while watching TV and eating a sandwich...yet these students cannot email an attachment, save data on a USB stick, or figure out PowerPoint. I take it for granted that they know these things considering how connected they are. So, back to basics in the modern age... :)