Ricketts Language - SMART idea graphic organizer for naming of polar bear cub Due: Thursday, March 6th

The graphic organizer is due:  Thursday, March 6th
If you need to work at home on this assignment, you can put your ideas on a WORD document and then e-mail or use a USB to then paste your ideas into the SMART ideas program at school.

Success Criteria for planning web for naming the polar bear

Our class has started to use the SMART idea software program.  Students are to create a graphic organizer (web) to prove their opinion about the name given to a polar bear cub at the zoo.  This is the success criteria for the web so far. Students are encouraged to be thinking of additions to this list as we will be adding to it in the near future. 

• Shape with specific colour in the middle for name you choose
• Different shape and colour to list reasons ( 3 reasons provided)
• Different shape and colour for details ( at least 2 important details)
• Name must make sense and be appropriate for an animal in a publicly funded zoo
• Provide 3 sensible reasons why you choose the name
• Provide at least 2 important details for each reason 

***Students need to have read in detail about the life of the polar bear cub.  Check below for the link to the Toronto Zoo if necessary.

Ricketts Math - Grade 7 ONLY - Ordering, addition and subtraction of integers test Tues. Mar 4th

Grade 7 students have been working on ordering, adding and subtracting integers.  We can use tiles and number lines when doing addition and subtraction operations.

Ricketts - Visual Art - Norval Morrisseau written work and 2 re-creations of his paintings

Our class has been examining the life of  Norval Morrisseau and his unique painting style.  The written work about his life and art style and the 2 re-creations of his paintings are due Thursday, Feb.  27th.

Our next step will be to use his style to make a creation of our own.  We will sketch our artwork and then use paint.

Ricketts and Marshall's Class - Maryvale Library Walking Trip - Monday, March 3rd

Ms. Ricketts class AM / PM will be walking to Maryvale Library for a presentation on Monday, Mar. 3rd. Our presentation starts at 9:45 AM and will walk back to school for lunch time.  Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather.  Below is a description taken from the "Engineers Without Borders" website to that explain the program.  Mr.Marshall's AM / PM students will attend in the afternoon session.

Water for the World

Water for the World Workshops are delivered to Toronto Public Libraries by EWB volunteers to school students (Grades 5 to 9) during the National Engineering Month in March. This interactive workshop generates discussions on local and global water issues, and what youth can do about these issues.

In the next 25 years, a third of the population will face severe water scarcity. With 20 percent of the world’s total freshwater resources and the longest marine coastline of any country in the world, Canada plays a pivotal role in managing global water resources. The next generation of Canadians must be well equipped to tackle the world’s water challenges. EWB aims to ignite a sense of pragmatism to develop systemic change leaders.

Ricketts Language - Name the Polar Bear

Toronto Zoo name baby polar bear link

Ricketts Math - Math Test Mon. Feb. 24th

Please review concepts that have been taught that include:

order of operations, pattering, algebra

CHANGE - No integers yet for gr. 7

RickettsLanguage - Spelling List # 12 Olympics Inspired part 2

Here are this week's spelling words:

skeleton, slalom, tournament, Alpine skiing, bobsleigh, confidence, schedule, national anthem, icicle, thermometer, freezing and temperature

Ricketts - Visual Art

Use this link to read about First Nation artist Norval Morrisseau and complete your questions.  After you can make your own re-creation of one of his paintings.

Norval Morrisseau Biography

Maslak Mcleod Gallery - Morrisseau Paintings

Ricketts Language - Poetry Assignment Due: Tues. Feb. 18th

We have been working in class on various types of poems that will be published in our own classroom "Poetry Anthology".  There are 6 poems that need to be submitted:

perspective poem, my heritage poem, definition poem, Clerihew poem, cinquain poem and an Olympic inspired OR free choice poem

Success criteria we developed in class for an effective poem includes:

• SHOWING not telling what you want to communicate in poem
• use of the 5 senses
• use of rhyme when appropriate
• grammar and spelling are appropriate for poem (break rules when it fits)
• a variety of font types and sizes when appropriate
• punctuation is used to help in how to read the poem
• organization of each line and stanza is planned carefully to help make poem look appealing and easily understood by read
• demonstrate an expanded and highly descriptive vocabulary
• use of simile and metaphor (at least 2 of your choice)

We also will include an "About the Author" page that is a paragraph written in 3rd person with a photograph of each author.

I can't wait to see the finished product of our Poetry Anthology!  

Spelling List # 11 - Olympic Inspired spelling words

Thanks 6/7 students for the following Olympics inspired words:

opening ceremony, determination, biathlon, athletic, physical ability, perseverance,  international competition, achievement, encouragement, stadium, podium and medalist

Urban Voices - Due date for parental form and poetry or artwork is Wed. Feb. 12th

Students are encouraged to submit their poetry or visual art for the chance to be published in the TDSB 2014 Urban Voices book.  Please e-mail Ms. Ricketts your poetry by Wednesday, Feb. 12th and submit your permission form if you would like to apply.  michelle.ricketts@tdsb.on.ca

Ricketts Language - Reading factual information and making inferences based on what we read

READING WITH A  PURPOSE AND FOR UNDERSTANDING -  The purpose for reading is to find factual information related to moving to another country.  Using 8 facts you will make inferences based on what is important to you as someone who is relocating to this country.  Use the examples below that we created in class to guide you in writing your responses.

Fact from text

The temperature range in Mexico is from +10 - +30 degrees Celsius.

Fact from text that demonstrates higher thinking through inferencing (using the information that I read to draw a conclusion OR make a judgment)

The temperature range in Mexico is +10 - +30 degrees Celsius.  If I lived there I would no longer be able to have a “White Christmas”.  Maybe my family and I would start a new tradition by celebrating Christmas at a 5-star resort on one of Mexico’s beautiful coast lines.(thanks Sadiq for helping us with this inference)

DUE:  Tuesday, Feb. 11th

Spain?? Let's GO Netherlands!

Students in Mr. Marshall's class, please remember to wear any orange clothing that you have.

Also, a reminder to those students with overdue library books and/or unreturned math tests; I would like books and signed tests returned tomorrow. That's Thursday.

Lastly, to all of Mr. Marshall's grade 8s, please have the original draft and second draft of your persuasive writing piece with you tomorrow morning. That's Thursday.

Olympic Ceremonies at TW - Ricketts' class SPAIN

DON'T FORGET YOUR YELLOW, RED AND BLACK clothing for representing Spain at the 2014 Olympics!!!

Un, Dos, Tres!

Ole, Ole, Ole!

Ricketts Math - Algebra and Graph Problem Solving Question NEW DUE DATE: Mon, February 10th

In class we used this question to create algebraic equations and a double line graph to explain our findings:

Bowling for Dollars!!

You want to invite your friends to a  bowling competition.  You haven't yet decided how many games will be played in the competition, but you are confident that you will play at least 2 games and at most 5 games. There are two bowling sites quite nearby and you are trying to decide which offers the better deal.  At site 1 each person would pay a rate of $3.50 per game plus a one-time $3.00 fee for shoe rental.  At site 2 each person would pay a rate of $4.50 per game, but there is no shoe rental.  Which site offers the better value?

Now it's your turn... Create a question that involves the comparison of 2 options for a better deal.  

Use chart paper to:

• Write out your question
• Include all calculations on the chart to show the algebraic equations for the 2 options 
• Make a double line graph to explain your findings.  
• Answer your question using a sentence to explain which is the better deal
• Make sure your chart paper design is attractive and easy to understand 

DUE: Monday, February 10th

Spelling Test # 10 - Kearney Inspired...

Thanks grade 5 and 6 students for a great excursion to Kearney!  Welcome back!

excursion, co-operative, Inuit games, strength, agility, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, experience, environmental footprint, organic, conservation and energetic