'Tis the Season to be Jolly!

Canadian History - This week we are learning about some of Canada's major contributions to the Second World War. We will be starting to watch a film this week that shows what life was like for German teenagers during WWII. I am hoping to finish up the WWII unit by Christmas break so that we can focus on
post-WWII once they return.

World Religions - We have been celebrating Hanukkah as well as Christmas in our class since our current unit happens to be Judaism. We are learning about Judaism's contributions to Islam and Christianity. We will be finishing up Judaism before Christmas break and will then begin Christianity just in time to appreciate its significance to our society today [hence the holiday:)]

Lest We Forget

It's Remembrance Week in Mrs. MacLeod's classroom! Both of my history classed will be participating in remembrance day activities this week. I am hoping that my students gain a better understanding of why it is so important for us to remember..... Do your part! Post "Like" on the Canada Remembers Facebook Page, wear a poppy, take a minute of silence at 11am on November 11th, or go to a cenotaph or Remembrance Day activity in your community! Lest we forget.....

In religions class we are beginning the Buddhism unit. Your Hinduism tests will be returned this week!

Hallowween is coming and the Pumpkin's getting fat!

History Welcome to the Interwar Years, the third unit in your history course. Throughout this unit we will be learning about various things that took place in Canada during the 1920s and 1930s. We will explore some of the important people and events and we will also hear some of the 'sounds' of the era. We will be looking at Canada's political, social, economical status as well as Canada's technological contributions. Don't miss it!

Religions We will be continuing to learn about Hinduism for the remainder of the week and then we will ease into our Buddhism unit. The Hinduism and Buddhism unit tests will be written at the same time. That will not be until the first week in November. I hope that you are taking home many thoughtful dinner-table conversations this week :)

Where Have You Been?

Kidding..... sorry I did not update this sooner, but I am in the process of learning how to link my markbook marks to this program.... in the meantime, here is what we are up to in my classes this week....


Canadian History Academic - This week we are continuing to learn about the First World War ! We are going to be writing letters home from the trenches and we will also be watching a little bit about what life in the trenches would have been like. We will be continuing to work on this unit next week as well.

World Religions - Well a unit test is a heck of a way to start a week! I hate giving tests on Mondays, but I was peer pressured by the students to have it on Monday instead of last Friday. Now that we have the Early Religions unit out of the way, we will be learning about some religions that will not be learned about in our 'major religions' units. Some of these religions include Scientology, Wicca and Rastafarianism! Fun!

Canadian History Applied - We are going to be writing letters home from the trenches and we will also be learning some more about what it was like to be in the trenches and on the home front during the First World War!

WELCOME BACK !!!

Well, here we are again for another exciting school year! I hope you all had a fabulous and relaxing summer and are ready to get back into the swing of things here at DSS! If you are new to blogging, basically, you can come here and see what is going to happen in your class this week, as well as view your marks, see due dates and get reminders for tests and projects. Below, I will give a brief explanation of what we will be doing in each of the courses and I will try to keep it updated weekly.

CHC 2D1 - Canadian History
This week I will be introducing you to the course and giving you a brief explanation of the things that we will be doing throughout this semester. We are going to begin this course by exploring how Canada became a country and what kinds of things students your age were doing in Canada in the year 1900.

HRT 3M1 - World Religions
This week we will be learning about how to define the word religion and we will be getting a brief overview of the different religions that you will be learning about in this course. We will begin a research project either late this week or early next week. Looking forward to an awesome semester!

CHC 2P1 - Canadian History
This week I will be introducing you to the course and giving you a brief explanation of the things that we will be doing throughout this semester. We are going to begin this course by exploring how Canada became a country and what kinds of things students your age were doing in Canada in the year 1900.

May 31 - June 11th

Geography - Students were given their summative project that is worth 15% of their final mark. I would encourage parents to ask to see their child's assignment booklet and to help to keep the student on task. This summative assignment is to be worked on in stages (that are indicated in the assignment booklet) and students need to make sure that whatever they are not able to complete during class time that they must complete on their own time at home. Please contact me if you would like a copy of your child's summative assignment.

World Religions - Students have been given their summative assignments and we have begun working on them during class time this week. After some mild whining and complaining..... I have made a couple of changed to the summative task. We have kept the mandatory essay, but we have changed choosing two additional options to finding one additional option. We also added an information chart to the summative task. For the chart, students are to use the "10 features of religions" that we learned in the first week of class down the left hand column, and across the top they are to put all of the religions that we learned about. Students are encouraged to put the major religions that we learned about, the alternative religion that they presented about at the beginning of the year and also any other religions that they feel necessary. The chart will be assessed using a rubric, therefore, the more you do on your chart, the more likely you are to getting a level 4. I would encourage parents to ask to see the summative assignment page and to assist their child with staying on task and reaching due dates.

History - Students in American History are also working on their culminating tasks. They are creating a board game for the class to play. They have chosen a subject area for their games and are busy making questions and designing boards. I would encourage students to make good use of class time, as I am giving them a great deal of time to complete this task. Any parents interested in finding out more about this assignment are encouraged to ask their child to see the assignment, or can contact me at the school for a copy. (905)774-7401 (ext. 730432)

May 14th

Geography - We finished our Human Systems Unit Test last week and have started a new unit called Human and Environment Interactions. Throughout his unit, students will become aware of the effects that humans have had and are having on the environment. Students will be accessing their 'ecological footprint.' We are also going to see some 'across Canada' footage via the Globe Trekker.

Religions - We are still working our way to the end of the Christianity Unit. I have decided to substitute our unit test with a summative assignment. For this assignment, we are going to be interviewing different Christians within our community and communicating that information in the form of a written assignment. These assignments will be due Wednesday May 19th. Thursday we will begin our unit on Islam.

American History - We will be having a "Civil War Jeopardy" on Monday, May 17th to prepare us for our Civil War unit test on Tuesday May18th. We will be experimenting with 'university style' lectures and working at perfecting our 'point form note' taking. We will be looking at America during the "Gilded Age!"

HALF WAY THROUGH !!!!!

Yes, it's true..... we are half way through the semester....

Geography - Tuesday is your Natural Systems unit test!! Make sure to study!!! Also, you need to make sure that if you owe me any work, that it is in by Thursday!!! We will be having a work period on Wednesday (also taking up the test) so make sure you get A LOT DONE!!!

American History - We are working on our 'president' assignment!!! Now, tell me that this ISN'T the COOLEST assignment that you have been given!!!

World Religions - Monday - Buddhism unit test ! (SUPER EASY!!)
Tuesday - Into film for Judaism
Wednesday - slide show on Judaism
Thursday and Friday - more Judaism (shocking, I know)

April is almost here!!!

Geography - We are currently working on a National Parks of Canada Assignment. Each student has been assigned a different National Park to research. They must display their research in either poster, brochure or slide show format. We will be working on this project in class on Monday March 29, Tuesday March 30, Wednesday March 31 and Thursday April 1st. These projects will be due on Tuesday April 6. Make sure that you follow the instructions carefully and that you have found all of the required information. Have a great long weekend!

American History - This week we are beginning to learn about the set-up of the American government. We will be learning about the first president of the United States of America as well as learning a little bit about the current president. We will be working our way towards the American Civil War, which we will begin after the long weekend.

World Religions - We are working on a poster project for Buddhism. We will have class time on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to work on them and they will be due On Wednesday April 7th. We will be finishing up the Buddhism unit next week and you can expect that there will be a test on Friday April 9th.

March Break At Last!!!

I hope that Everyone has a safe and fun March Break!!!

Geography - We have been working on a number of things in geography this week including plate tectonics, national parks and ecozones. When we get back after March Break we will be finishing up this unit and having a unit test (prob on Thursday.)

Religions - Well, we have finally finished our unit on Hinduism and are ready to start our unit on Buddhism. We are going into the break having watched 7 Years in Tibet and will return after the break ready to learn all of the elements of this religion.

American History - We have reached the Declaration of Independence!!! Yay!!! We are going to watch The Patriot before the break, and when we return, we will be moving past the revolution and into the constitution.

Have a great week!!

February 8-12 2010

HRT 3M1
This week we are going to delve into our own personal thoughts and beliefs about religions. We are going to be looking at some controversial issues in the news, concerning religion. We will also be starting a project that is sure to give us a better understanding of many ancient religions.

CHA 3U1
This week we will be "Exploring Exploration" :-P We will be learning about some of America's first peoples and some early European settlements in America. We are going to start a research project that focuses on early exploration and the 13 colonies.

CGC 1P1
This week we are going to learn the "do's and don'ts" of Map-Making. We will be practicing and refining our cartography skills.... We are also going to be learning a little bit about this AWESOME country that we call HOME!

Semester Two !

Block A - HRT3M1 - World Religions Room 120


Block C - CHA 3U1 - American History Room 120



Block D - CGC 1P1 - Geography of Canada Room 120