Cultural Identity – What It Means to Be You

What does culture mean to you? Do you identify with one or many cultures? How does being Canadian shape your beliefs and values? 

As we often do, we will start with a quick video to get our minds thinking. You may quickly notice that what we may perceive as normal, everyday occurrences add up to the very fabric of our culture. 

Next, we will look at the many things that help shape and change culture by participating in a classroom discussion and note taking activity.

Finally, we will reflect on our own personal experiences to continue developing our critical thinking and communication skills. 

Here are some links to Brainpop Videos that can help us with our learning.

Immigration
Religion

Oniva - Geography of Canada!

Where have you travelled in Canada? Today we will watch a video and learn a little more about the many French-speaking places across the country.

Oniva - Geography!

Bonne fête du Canada!

As you may know, Canada's 150th Birthday is coming up so our next unit will be about Canada! Today you will start by watching a quick video and then have a discussion about some of the activities and foods you enjoy that are considered "Canadian". You will then be working on a crossword and map of Canada to build your vocabulary. Our final product at the end of the unit will be writing a book about Canada that I can share with other classes and the world online. Let's start with the video.



 


What are some things you love about Canada? Now you will work on the word search. Following that, complete the map (colour it in as well) by labeling the provinces, territories and oceans in French. If there are some you are unsure of, have Mr. Reiger look them up online and you can search together. You will be handing in your work at the end of class.

 Have a good time and Bonne fête du Canada!

Hans Rosling - Proving We Know Less Than We Thought

May 17th, 2017 Hans Rosling knows a lot about the world - and he likes to show that perhaps you do not! He has demonstrated in many of his viral videos that humans often have preconceived notions (ideas that they believe to be true with little to no actual "proof") that may be incredibly inaccurate. 

Today we will start by learning a little more about Hans Rosling and his research and tomorrow we will watch one of his videos.


May 18th, 2017 Yesterday we spent time learning and discussing Hans Rosling and his research about the world around us; specially how we may think we are correct in our thinking on a variety of world issues when in reality our perceptions may be incredibly inaccurate.

Today we will continue by watching one of Rosling's videos and have a class discussion.

After watching the video and answering the questions on the handout, how do you think media influences your understanding of the world? What is the message that Hans and Ola are trying to get others to understand? What are the ways we skew information? How can we make improve our ability to make sense of the world?

Another Influential Person - Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai, often referred to simply as Malala is a young person who has already had a world of experiences.  Today you will watch a video and read about Malala to gain a better understanding of this incredible individual.  You also have the opportunity to read bout her in the book, My Name is Malala which I have here in the classroom.

Take time to reflect and think about the incredible sacrifices and contributions Malala has made for the rights of women and children in the world. She is most definitely a Change Maker and someone you might want to learn further about after today's lesson. You will be handing in your work at the end of class.

Malala - Brain Pop Video

May 10th - ELA period 3

Today you will be typing your essays about Jane Goodall. Here is an example of what it should look like.  Take note of the size and justification.  Be sure to save in OneDrive. Once done, read your writing to at least 3 different classmates and then to an adult.  Aim to have this done in one class. 

Sketchnote - Time to Build Your Independence

After hearing about the massive effects climate change is having on the Earth and watching and discussing causes and effects, you will now have the opportunity to take notes independently by creating a "Sketchnote" or by using another note taking method you may find helpful.  We are doing this to practice this skill of gaining and synthesizing new information while comparing it to our prior knowledge.  This is a skill set you need  in order to be good problem solver, critical thinker and change maker.

So far you have done a wonderful job synthesizing the National Geographic/Bill Nye video in your very own "Sketchnote".  (The video is here below in case you'd like to check it our again or share it with others).





Today, we will check out a few more BrainPop videos and during this time, you will add to your new "Sketchnote".  You will be working in small groups to watch the videos (deciding when and where to pause the video) and take notes - all to gain a better understanding of the topic and to build your understanding.

Climate Change

Air Pollution

Fossil Fuels

Humans and the Environment

After watching all the videos, be sure to share your learning with each other by comparing and contrasting your "Sketchnotes".  You may find that your peers have included ideas you hadn't thought of and would like to add.

As well, be sure to check out your peers' work as inspiration here!

Climate Change - What Would It Take For You To Change Your Behaviour?

Update!  Here are our #sketchnotes based on our learning from Bill Nye and his fantastic National Geographic Explorer documentary Bill Nye's Global Meltdown. 

Yesterday as part of our David Suzuki 30x30 Challenge I have been taking a few classes outside to get a little more fresh air while learning! 

Unfortunately, I also saw this . . .

Why is it after all we have learned over the years - about recycling, reusing, reducing, that will still have a school ecosystem that looks like this?!!! What would it take for students at Chief Peguis to make changes? 

Today we will continue learning for one of the worlds most notable experts on Climate Change, your friend and mine, Bill Nye.  In this video, which is a more detailed version of the one you previously watched will show us in detail what is happening to our planet.  Perhaps he can give us some ideas as to how we can really make a difference! 

While watching, we will also practice our note taking skills.  This is something you will need to be proficient at during our next ELA unit in 7D, 7E and 7F - more on that later.  First, let's watch a quick Brainpop to get us in the frame of mind for notetaking. 

Note Taking Skills

Concept Mapping

Time to begin! 

Tell me about . . . .

In French we have just finished writing and speaking about ourselves.  Today we will use time to begin writing about someone else! It can be a famous person, a friend or even a family member! Whoever it is, you will need a picture of them so we can create a new Chatterpix to share with your classmates and the world!

You have continued to build your reading, writing and speaking skills in French this year so this will be another opportunity to show me what you know!

Let's start with a frame to help us out.  Using the template I will model for you, write a paragraph from the perspective of a famous person.  After filling in the blanks, you will be able to piece the information together to create a 30 second (or you could create 2 if needed) Chatterpix about your person.

Why are we doing this? To learn about each other's preferences, to practice our research skills (which we will be further developing in our English classes this term), to share our learning with others, and to read and write in French!

Let's get started!

Breakout EDU - I Love to Read 2018

Welcome to I Love to Read Month!!! We have a special surprise for you today - you will be working together with classmates to solve mysteries, puzzles and riddles, all while learning more about your friendly neighbourhood school library!

Before we begin we have a video to watch that will explain the rules of the game. Next we will learn more about our what our job will be and what we can win!

 Best of luck to you! Get ready to think creatively, cooperate with your classmates and have fun!

 
Breakout EDU - Rules to Follow from Mrs. Steinhoff on Vimeo.




Breakout EDU - I Love to Read 2018 from Mrs. Steinhoff on Vimeo.

You have 30:00 minutes for this mission - your time begins now!