Socials 10-4: Tuesday, 30 Sept: Climate graphs and the climate zones of Canada

Today we started by reviewing the physiographic regions of Canada and then I reminded you how to convert climate data in a table to a graph.  We talked about how pairing the graphs with a map will give us a better sense of what the different regions would be like to live in.  We discussed the difference between a wet (humid West Coast cold) and a dry (Eastern cold).  Next you created four climate graphs: remember that the line that joins the temperatures should be fluid and not necessarily join each dot perfectly.  For homework, please read pp. 104-105 in the text and copy the climate regions from the map on page 105 onto a blank outline map of Canada (shade and label the zones). Thanks for your good work today.

Socials 8-3: Tuesday, 30 Sept: The Globe Lesson 3

Today we took turns at the interactive whiteboard reviewing the lines of latitude and their coordinates. We also reviewed the hemispheres and the cardinal and intermediate points of the compass rose.  We ended by learning how to use the bracketing strategy to estimate latitude and longitude when a point does not fall directly on a line.  Finally, we learned how to combine latitude and longitude to arrive at a set of geographic coordinates; don't worry if you didm't get that last piece because we'll be doing more of that next class.  Thanks for your participation.

There is no homework.

Socials 11: Tuesday 30 Sept: The Steps to Passing a Law

Today we began with our last practice quiz on the federal system.  You will note that each quiz includes a "challenge" question and even a question that you've not studied before: that will not be the case on tomorrow's "real" quiz.  Please study to ensure a good outcome.  Next we examined the steps (readings) to passing a law.  Here is the link to the government site that describes the process.  Your only homework is to prepare for the short quiz.

Socials 10-2: Monday Sept 29: Climate graphs

Today we learned how to create graphs to show monthly average temperature and precipitation.  We then practiced although the sample blank graphs had some inaccuracies - sorry.  We ended the class by reviewing page 104 to see the different climate regions of Canada.  I asked students to come to class tomorrow ready to make some observations about each region based upon the graphs that we made and the ones found on page 105 of the text.

ex. Calgary, on the edge of the Semi-arid and Cold Winter region has a precipitation pattern that is the opposite to ours: their wetter season comes in the summer and their winters are quite dry. Also, while our temperature is moderate (0-25 degrees) all year, they have a cold winter and a moderate summer.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Monday 29 Sept: The globe Lesson #2

Today we reviewed our learning about lines of latitude and extended the lesson to include hemispheres and the cardinal points.  We also learned how to plot latitude on a line and how to estimate latitude off of a line.  We started to examine how we can pair a line of latitude and a line of longitude to find a specific point on the globe.  We'll continue that process next class.  There is no homework.

Socials 11: Monday 29 Sept: 3 Levels of Govt.

Today we started with a 10-question quiz on the federal system - expect a quiz that counts soon.  Next, we complete Study Guide #6: Three Levels of Canadian Govt.  I was pleased with the level of focus from everyone in class.  There was lots of collaboration be done and I encourage sharing your learning to save time. For homework, I asked that you complete the table at the top of Study Guide #7, How a Law is Made. Knowing the steps to passing a law is a must know in SS 11.

Click on image to enlarge

Socials 8-1/8-2: Intro to the Globe

Today we looked at the ways the globe is divided with horizontal and vertical lines.  We examined the primary lines of latitude and longitude.  We also learned how those lines are measured. In SS 8-2 we learned about the secret to success by watching the TED Talk on marshmallows, and in SS 8-1we ended by testing our knowledge of the globe by analyzing a sample for mistakes.  Everyone did well today.  Enjoy the weekend, there is no homework.

Socials 11, Friday 26 Sept: Ideology

Today our review activity was to share one fact or term from the government unit with our classmates. Next, I used the Funnyisms PPT to introduce the concept of political ideology.  We then used the Political Spectrum PPT to see in more detail how tradition and change can affect ideology. Both PPTs can be accessed via the SlideShare link at the top right of the blog's homepage.

I noted that this lesson is difficult for many students because it falls outside of their experience.  Don't worry if you found today's lesson challenging; we will be using these terms throughout the course. I hope you soon feel comfortable enough to interrupt me and ask questions whenever I use a term with which you are unfamiliar.  We ended the class by completing (and then debriefing) Ex #2 (pp. 3-5 in the Falk workbook).  There is no homework.

Socials 10-2: The physiographic regions of Canada

Today we started with a review of the six physiographic regions and noted how a basic knowledge of the make-up of Canada will help us later to understand why certain activities occurred in some places but not others.  It will help us to see why some places developed differently than others.  Next, we did  a jigsaw activity where, in groups, we all took one region and discovered why/how it was formed and what resources can be found there as a result.  We used the computers to extend our research and then to curate our learning as a blog comment.
Please read pp. 104-107 in your text before next class.

Socials 11: Government Jeopardy

Today we reviewed what we've learned about government (and some of what we had not yet learned) using a PPT Jeopardy format.  We counted points for fun, but it was all about reviewing and reinforcing more than winning (right?).  We also reviewed the Part B questions from Ex. #5.  In that discussion I noted the reasons why the P.M. in Canada has more power in his or her country than the president of the U.S. has in his or her country.  We ended by doing a political spectrum questionnaire.  You discovered roughly where on the political ideology spectrum you fall.  Tomorrow we'll examine the spectrum and hopefully dissect the levels of government in Canada.  There is no homework.

Socials 8-3: The Globe: Lesson One

Today we examined the main lines of latitude and the system used in determining a line's altitude (degrees) and how to measure lines of longitude. I was very pleased with the level of engagement.  Here are some board notes; try to put this to memory (however, we will be reviewing this material a number of times).  Thank you to those of you who have posted your comment to Tuesday's post - if you haven't, please do so before our next class.

Click images to enlarge

Socials 10-4: Deconstructing the geographic regions of Canada

Today we began by creating name tags from expert instructions.  Next, we confirmed our learning from yesterday's class by quickly adding boundary lines to the outline map of Canada.  We then looked at the geographic regions map and discussed other ways we could divide Canada.  In groups, we researched details about each of the six regions (remember, there are other ways to divide this space into more regions).

Please review your notes and add three details about your region in the form of a comment below.

This map includes more regions in our "Arctic Region"

Socials 11: finishing our look at the federal government

Today we began with a brief oral quiz to review some of yesterday's ideas. Only by repeating the terms will we master them.  Next, we completed the PowerPoint (PPT) and then reviewed the complete terms list.  I also asked that you consider checking out the news to keep abreast of Canada's interactions with the rest of the world.  The news will discuss many of the ideas we are studying and take your learning out of the vacuum of the classroom. We ended by debriefing the first section on Worksheet #5 and I asked that you complete the four questions of Section B for homework. This is not for marks but is intended to get you into the workbook and thinking for 20 minutes so please understand that copying from a friend is a waste of your time - we'll review the answers in class.

Welcome Socials 10-2

Today we got our text books and then did an activity in pairs where we added the political boundaries to an outline map of northern North America from memory.  I introduced the idea of meta-cognition and explained that how we think is often more important than what we think.  For homework, I asked that you take a second outline map and add the physiographic regions of Canada.  We discussed ways to accommodate for the possibility that there are differences in the maps on the Internet.  Please come with your completed maps to Friday's class.

Thanks for your positive energy today.

Welcome Socials 8-2

Today we did the Grade 8 orientation activity in the gym with all of the other grade 8s in the school.  Thanks go to Sue Lamb our Community School Coordinator for her efforts to organize the event on a short timeline.  We began with a welcome song by Andy and his Sechelt language students and then we met in small groups to speak. Afterwords we got on the bleachers for a "Class of 2019" photo and then had bannock dogs for lunch.  There is no homework.  Next class we will get our textbooks and talk about success and gratification to help set the tone for the rest of the year (and the years to follow).  Thanks for your participation today.

Welcome Socials 8-1

Today we got our course outlines and our textbooks.  We also watched a Ted Talk on marshmallows.  I asked that you all comment on the post to discuss your thoughts about your learning this year.

Intro to Socials 11 and the Canadian Federal System

Today's class began with our visit to the library to get our text and our workbook (Falk).  The Falk book is not hard covered so please take care with it.  We also reviewed the course outline and the Key Elements section of the curriculum guide.  We'll use the Key to keep track of our learning from time to time.

Look for this slide or click here.

We got started right away by looking at our federal power-sharing model of government.  Remember the two houses of parliament and Section 91 and 92.  Can you remember what an MP is?  If you look at the top-right corner of the blog you will see a link to my PowerPoint presentations via SlideShare.  Today's slides are found on page three.


Please come to class with both books and the first part of Activity 5 completed.

Intro to Socials 10 and the map of Canada

Today we began by getting our text and the course outline.  I also issued a copy of the curriculum "Key Elements" that can act as a checklist for the topic we will examine this year.  I then asked you to work in pairs to add the political boundaries to an outline map of Canada.  The results were encouraging.  You could separate Canada from the USA and also add many of the provincial borders.  Some brave souls came to the front and shared their ideas on the interactive white board - bravo!  I think your class is showing lots of life and you seem to have a playful spirit (we had lots of laughs).

I asked that you take a second outline map and add the physiographic regions of Canada.  This isn't as easy as it seems because different maps will have different answers (ie. number of regions) - analyze a few examples and then synthesize them onto your blank map.  We'll compare our answers on Thursday.

Welcome to your class blog Socials 8-3

Well, you made it to high school.  Congratulations.  Please take a moment to think about how you will measure your success this year and what you will be able to do to to support that.

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