Technology

At my conference, teachers are learning about many new applications that can enhance the curriculum. I am wondering what sites or technology tools you use at home to communicate with friends, research, complete homework, etc.

How much time do you typically spend on the computer and what do you use it for? What technology do you have at home?

Letters

In today’s reading, Peak received a packet of letters from home, including a special card from Rolf stating “I miss you. I want you home.” Peak wrote in his moleskine, “With those two sentences, he had done more for me than Josh had ever done or could do. When Josh arrived late that afternoon, I didn’t tell him about the Moleskine or the letters. He didn’t deserve to know.” p. 125, Letters

What do you think Peak means by this? How will this affect his relationship with his dad? With Rolf? Can you connect with Peak’s feelings?

Boys Only Classes?

“Canada’s largest school board is poised to go boy-crazy, with boys-only classes, “boy-friendly” instruction and an all-boys grade school among ways the new director hopes to help young males do better in school.” This article on the parentcentral.ca website caught my interest. Do you think that boys learn differently than girls? Do boys enjoy different types of reading or book genres? Do they like the same activities as girls? Is this a good idea in your opinion? Why or why not? What do you think might be the benefits or the drawbacks of having boys only schools or classes?

Grades

Peak received no grades at the Greene Street school he attended. If you did not receive a grade for any of your work in your classes, what would change?

Zopa

Zopa was introduced to us last week in our reading. He is certainly a mysterious character. What do you think of him so far? How will he be incorporated into this story?

Characters in Peak

What do you think of the characters in the novel Peak so far? Think about their character, their attitude and their traits. Give evidence for your opinions.

Welcome 8-1, 2009!

Welcome everyone to our class language blog. This will be your first post. I hope everyone has had a good start to the school year and is enjoying their classes (as much as can be expected since it is still school). What are you looking forward to this year? What are your goals both for school and extracurricular activities? What are your suggestions for topics or activities in language that you would like to do?

We will be starting with an Identity Book Project which will include a Grandparent interview and a biography written by a friend. We will also be working on a Superhero project where you will be designing your very own superhero and making a comic using the program ComicLife on the computer.

Looking forward to seeing your responses. Don’t forget to check your spelling and to comment on each other’s posts. (You can check some of the older posts from former students to get an idea of how a blog works.)

Grade 8 Reflections

Looking back on your final year as an elementary student, what are some of the most important things you have learned and what experiences will you take with you as you graduate?

MOVIE TRAILER VOTING

Now is the time to place your vote for the books you would like to see as trailers. You may submit your first, second and third choices, giving reasons for each choice. Place your vote by writing your blog response here. Of course, you must be willing to read or reread any of the books you vote for . (Choose titles from the list in the previous post with any additions suggested by our class in their blog responses.)

Happy voting!

Novel Suggestions for Trailer Project

What novels do you recommend as choices for our trailer project? Let’s discuss some titles here before the actual voting starts.

Listed below are the titles from class so far. Feel free to add to the list. I have made some suggestions too.
The Hunger Games
Safe as Houses
The Uglies
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle
You Can Run
Point Blank
Sketches
Crackback
Gemini Summer
Peak