A wee update

Humanities 9
We started a new unit last week...the Explorers and Colonial Canada...history is FUN!  A small cartoon project will be introduced this week.

FNS 12
Chapter 1 is done and the chapter 2 test will be on Wednesday.  We're having some fabulous guest speakers visit our class and enhance our learning.

FNS 12 FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!

We've been having a great time in FNS12 learning about traditional Aboriginal people in BC and their connection to the land.  Here's some pictures of our NEATure walk and a guest speaker, Phil Umpherville.

Due dates for Humanities 9

Back to the Future Project is due Febrary 18.
Aboriginal unit test February 19.

Welcome BC First Nations 12!

I'm so happy to be teaching BC First Nations 12 again.  I have a great crew this year and I already have a list of guest speakers and a potential field trip planned.  Check out these short videos I showed my students.

 

Guest speakers galore!

What fun we've been having in Humanities 9 with our guest speakers.  I'm impressed with my 9s in their ability to pay attention and show respect to the Elders who have come to visit our class.

Somebody POOPED in class yesterday!

Yes, the hazards of having a four legged "guest speaker" in class. Daryle Mills brought in 2 of his sled dogs to meet our class and one of them made themselves at home. We had a great lesson from Daryle though, about survival skills, dog sledding and Cree culture. He finished the lesson with a story about Spider Woman. A super cool day in class, despite the poop.

What? No cellphones in class?

Yes, it's true. There will be no cell phones, iPods, MP3 players allowed in class anymore. I have allowed these devices in class in the past, for the students to play music while they work. However, I'm finding it increasingly difficult for the students to manage their useage of their devices. They've been texting each other, playing games, watching videos, "snapchatting" DURING class when they should be listening, engaging in discussions or working. If a student needs a computer to type or research, I will provide a computer for them. I'd rather spend my time with my students teaching them and helping them learn, rather than policing their device useage.

Aboriginal 101

Here's some videos that I love to show at the beginning of my Aboriginal unit. The racism and stereotypes that I hear in class are shocking and I wonder how my students have such strong opinions. I'm aboriginal and I do not like the stereotypes I hear about myself. These videos address the lack of knowledge many Canadians have about Aboriginal people and the racism that Aboriginals face. Enjoy!

Here's 2 links (I can't figure out how to link it like the first video). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmYu-Wppp3c http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire/2012/01/aboriginal-101.html

Happy New Year!

Hello and welcome back to school in 2014! I hope everyone had a great break. I was up to my eyeballs in drywall dust, paint and boxes as we madly tried to finish our renovation before Christmas. Thankfully we got enough done to put up the tree in time and have family over for dinner.

We are hitting the ground running here at Isfeld. My Socials 11 will be preparing for their Provincial Exam at the end of January. We are starting the new year with the government unit.

My Humanities 9s are starting the Aboriginal Unit. The big question is: "What does it mean to be Aboriginal?" My hope is to dispell myths and rumors, reduce racism and teach about the rich culture and heritage of Canada's Aboriginal people.

Family Movie Night

I'm excited to tell you about my grade 9s plan to have a Family Movie Night at 6:30pm, December 13 in the multipurpose room. We will be showing ELF for FREE! We will have a concession as well, so you can buy some goodies and munchies for the film. Come in your PJs, bring your kids and enjoy a special evening on us. We will be collecting donations and the proceeds from the concession will go towards Free the Slaves. https://www.freetheslaves.net/ My 9-2s are SO excited about this project!



If you want to help out, that would be great too :)

Crash course!

Free the Slaves

My 9-2s are fundraising for Free the Slaves, they have tonnes of ideas, stay tuned to what we decide on. Here is the organization that we will be helping:

http://www.freetheslaves.net/

Jumpstart!

Hey everyone! My 9-1 class is fundraising for Jumpstart (with Canadian Tire). This organization helps kids get involved in sports when they can't afford it. 100% of the funds raised goes directly to the kids who are being helped. The 9-1 class has elected to keep the money in the Comox Valley to help local kids. We are having a bake sale on Dec 4,5,6. Please support my kids.

Thanks and have a super week!

SS 11 videos we've watched recently

Rick Mercer's rant on the treatment of Canadian veterans.

The real story of "Keep Calm and Carry On."

Report cards are coming, report cards are coming!

My eyes are square and blurry as I try to meet the deadline for uploading my report cards on Tuesday morning.  The report cards will be handed out to students on November 18, please watch for them.  Parent-teacher-student conversations are on the 21st.  If you wish to speak to a teacher, call the school and make an appointment.  Of course, you can email me any time to chat about your child.

Humanities 9 videos we've watched recently

Iqbal, Freedom Heroes

Ishmael Beah, author of A Long Way Gone, speaks with George Strombo.

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.