CHANGE AGENT EXHIBITION!

Next Monday March 6 is our Change Agent Exhibition!

Students, this is the interview sheet you will be using at the exhibition!

An email has gone out or will go out to all parents about this exhibition! We are also inviting the guests we have had in our classroom over the duration of this project!

Here is our invitation!

Hello,

On March 6, in the middle block (12:00-12:45 approximately), we will be holding our Change Agent exhibition. This is an opportunity for students to share what they have done with each other and with the community at large.

You are welcome to attend this event!

The class will be divided in half, with one half 'presenting' and the other half interviewing/viewing. Each 'presenter' will have a booth, with a laptop, and will be able to show their accomplishments.

The Change Agent project started in September of this school year and lasted until March. Students were given this challenge: to choose an issue that they cared about and then take action on that issue.

This project was based in part on the UN Global Goals.

This project is similar in spirit to Genius Hour or Passion Projects, which other schools have implemented. This is the first time we have done this in our class.

We have had numerous guest speakers in our class in regards to this project:

• Denise Cole and Glenn Stephenson from the SCDSB Equity and Inclusion Resource Team
• Sandra Willems, Shanty Bay PS parent & a local graphic designer
• Grade 8 Orillia artist/student, Ani, her mom and photographer Jeff Buchanon
• Phil Hall, local Oro Medonte Councillor
• Margaret Prophet from the Simcoe County Greenbelt Coalition

After March Break we will be seeking feedback from students, parents and the community as to their thoughts on the project and ways to improve it (a survey link will be on the class blog!).

For more information, please go to the Change Agent page on our class blog.http://mrsjohnsonintermediate.blogspot.ca/

No need to RSVP, just drop in at around 12:00 pm!

Regards,

Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. Czarnota

Thank you to the Alzheimer's Society!

Yesterday we had guest speakers in our class.

These guest speakers were arranged by a grade 8 student, Nick. His Change Agent project is on the Alzheimer's Society.

For his community action, he asked a guest speaker to come in.

This was a really great presentation! Thank you so much for educating us on the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and on the importance of kindness, empathy and patience!

CARDBOARD!

Reminder! Ms Kostritch needs you to bring in cardboard for your cardboard chairs!

THANK YOU TO SANDY WILLEM!

I would like to thank Sandy Willem for joining our class last week to share her knowledge of graphic design. Sandy is a graphic designer who is a parent of a grade 7 students and lives and works in our area.

She shared the online digital tool canva.com and taught students how to use this.

Thank you so much for visiting our class last week!

REMINDER

OUTDOOR DAY THIS THURSDAY!

Reminder to everyone that our next OUTDOOR DAY is this Thursday!

We won't spend the whole day outside BUT a good portion of it so please come prepared for the weather! Come dressed to enjoy the winter !

As usual, hot chocolate and 'fake fire' to follow!


IF YOU HAVE SNOWSHOES PLEASE BRING THEM!!!

GEOMETRY QUIZ SUPPORT MATERIAL

On Friday there will be a Geometry Quiz.

With the snow day, we've had a bit of disruption but my plan is to go ahead.

These are the topics covered and LINKS to where you can find resource material on our math blog.

GRADE 8
corresponding & supplementary angles, 

the angles in a triangle, 

angle relationships in parallel lines

http://mrsjmath.blogspot.ca/p/geometry.html

GRADE 7

types of triangles by definition, 

congruent vs similar

http://mrsjmath.blogspot.ca/p/geometry-type-of-triangles-congruency.html

STEAM: Cardboard Armor

On Friday of last week, we did our latest biweekly STEAM challenge.

This one involved cardboard and make-do, which are little blue screws that screw into cardboard.

The challenge was to create a helmet and chest plate first. Then you could extend the design to include arms, legs, and decorative elements.

All of this took place within about three periods. Then we went on a tour of the school to show off our creations.

STEAM emphasizes design planning: brainstorming, creating, revising, solving problems, taking initiative, building confidence in one's ideas, trial and error, collaborating, using materials and time wisely, and so on. Many of these skills are transferable across the curriculum.

Here are some picture of our creations.

GUEST SPEAKER: Phil Hall Oro Medonte Councillor

Yesterday, local Councillor for Ward 3, Phil Hall, came to speak to our class.

He spoke about the different levels of government, and how he came to be Councillor and what it means to be a Councillor. He discussed some of the current issues facing Oro Medonte right now.

Students got the chance to tell Mr. Hall about the places they love in Oro-Medonte and Shanty Bay, places like the Church Woods, the Dock at line 2, the beach at Line 9, and so on.

Students also presented some of their concerns, such as how cold it is at the arena, how some roads need to be fixed, and the problem with the dumping at  line 1.

I think it was AWESOME for students to meet their local representative and see how the decison making process works in a democratic system.

Also, we talked about what it means to be a citizen in a democracy, how you have the right to be informed,, to contact your local Councillor (or MP or MPP) with concerns.

In the context of our Change Agent project, we learned how it is possible to take action at a local level.

I think it was an informative day for everyone! Thank you, Mr. Hall, for visiting!