Monday, October 6, 2014

Grade 12 English Homework:

• LOTF Essay due: TOMORROW
• Vocab List 5 Exercise A

Grade 10 Math Homework: 

• pg. 4 #1odd, 2even, 3odd, 4even, 5odd, 6even, 7odd, 8even, 11odd, 12even, 13

Grade 9 English Homework:

• Vocab List 6 Exercise A & B
• Lit Review #1 due: TOMORROW

Grade 11/12 Bible Homework:

• Find an article (print or Internet) that indicates some "common day gods" people are putting their trust in
• If you are using an article found on the Internet please post the URL link as a comment on this blog post

A Wet End to a Great Week

On Friday we traveled as a school to Tillsonburg as our soccer team competed in their tournament. It was a beautiful morning as we watched our team work hard, however around lunch time the clouds covered the field and it began to pour. Some of the spectators decided to join the team out in the rain and cheer them to victory. Unfortunately they lost their lead in the last minute of the game, but the fans cheered loud from the sidelines for the valiant effort put forth. Looking forward to another great week at Mount Salem as we begin new units and delve into interesting topics. See you tomorrow!

Grade 12 Homework:

• Different version of "Bonny Barbara Allan" and question on pg. 14
• Grammar/Vocab Quiz (Verbals & List 4) TOMORROW
• Lit. Review #1 due: TOMORROW
• LOTF Essay due: Tues. Oct. 6

Grade 10 Homework:

• NONE! We begin Systems of Linear Equations tomorrow

Grade 9 Homework:

• Vocab/Spelling Quiz (List 5)
• Lather and That's All Questions #1-5 due: TOMORROW
• Lit. Review #1 due: TOMORROW

Grade 11/12 Homework:

• Finish ch. 4 in Life-Shaping Decisions and write a brief response stating whether you agree with the last paragraph and your reasoning for your opinion

Fresh Starts

A bit of a crazy start to October, with a shortened and shuffled day due to Picture Day at the elementary campus, and High School chapel. Despite the craziness, we were able to learn new concepts, review for upcoming tests, and demonstrate our understanding of what we have learned thus far. Wednesdays are my favourite day at Mount Salem because we get to join together at the end of the day and fellowship with one another. This week's Student Council chapel was based around team building. The awesome benefit of being a small school is that we can join together as a family unit and lift one another up. It was great to see the students work through the various team-building challenges this afternoon!

Grade 12 English Homework:

• comment on this blog post with your country/folk song that tells a story
• make notes on the intro to Medieval Literature
• Vocab/Grammar Quiz - Mon. Oct. 6
• Lit. Review #1 due: Mon. Oct. 6
• LOTF Essay due: Tues. Oct. 7
• ****Dylan, Michael, and Travis: Vocab Ex. C & D (List 4)

Grade 10 Math Homework:

• study for tomorrow's test on Trigonometry of Acute Angles (Ch. 8)

Grade 9 English Homework:

• study for Vocab/Spelling Quiz tomorrow! (List 5)
• Lather and That's All Questions due: Mon. Oct. 6
• Lit. Review #1: Tues. Oct. 7 **NEW DUE DATE

Grade 11/12 Bible Homework:

• read your Bible
• think of prayer requests to bring tomorrow!!

The End of September

Although it was a rainy start to the day, this last day of September proved to be an exciting and interesting day at Mount Salem. With several upcoming assignments and tests the students have been working hard to meet deadlines, and I have been trying to do the same. I told my students that my goal was to hand back an assignment before another of the same kind was given. I have been doing my best, but today the Gr. 11/12 Memory Quiz was postponed until tomorrow as they do not yet have last week's quiz back yet. I want my students to know that while I am expecting from them their best effort, I am holding myself to the same standard. 

Grade 12 English Homework: 

• Vocab Exercises A&B
• Grammar Exercises 19-21
• Movie/Novel Review due: Wed. Oct. 1 - TOMORROW!
• Vocab/Grammar Quiz- Mon. Oct. 6
• Lit. Review #1 due: Mon. Oct. 6
• LOTF Essay due: Tues. Oct. 7

Grade 10 Math Homework:

• Review: pg. 430 #2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12
• Trigonometry of Acute Angles Test - Thurs. Oct. 2

Grade 9 English Homework:

• Conflict Short Story Re-write
• Vocab/Spelling Quiz - Thurs. Oct. 2
• Lit. Review due: Mon. Oct 6

Grade 11/12 Homework:

• Ch. 3 Memory Quiz - TOMORROW
• College Ad. Assignment due: TOMORROW

The End of Week 4

Grade 12 English - Today the students were given their outline for the culminating Lord of the Flies essay. We began watching the 1990 film and the students are already complaining that its nothing like the book! Music to my ears! 

Homework: Brainstorm ideas for LOTF essay, and decide on the structure that you will be using (expository, persuasive, analytical, or argumentative). 

                      Lit. Review #1 due: Monday, Oct. 6

Grade 10 Math - The students demonstrated a thorough understanding of how to use the Cosine Law in last night's homework. Today we solved a few word problems as a class and then the students were assigned nine questions to be completed and handed in for grading on Monday. Two of the questions involve the students creating their own word problems and I look forward to seeing their creativity with these questions! Remember to show all of your steps and a therefore statement for every word problem. 

Homework: pg. 403 #12, 14, 18

                      pg. 411 #8, 11-15

Grade 9 English - Today in English we finished off learning about setting and symbol by reading the short story Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. We listened to the first half of the story and I guided the students to note the described setting and various symbols used. Over the weekend the students are required to finish reading the story and create a 10-image story board depicting the plot, setting, characters, and symbols. They have been given a rubric detailing how I will be evaluating the assignment. I look forward to seeing their work on Monday!

Homework: Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Storyboard due: Monday, Sept. 29

                      Lit. Review #1 due: Monday, Oct. 6

Grade 11/12 Bible: Starting our class off in prayer, it was great to hear the students sharing concern for friends and family, and being able to join together and lift our praise and petition to the Lord. Later we discussed our Job Fulfillment Interviews that had been previously conducted this week. As a class, we came to the conclusion that job satisfaction seems to have a lot to do with the employees attitude and perspective. We know through our reading this week that we will not be able to find lasting fulfillment in anything aside from God's plan for our life. Enjoy your weekend with no Bible homework, seniors!

               

Wait...September is Almost Over..?!?

At the beginning of this week, one of my grade twelve students came up to me and said, "Mrs. B, I ventured to your blog on the weekend to confirm what our assignment was, and it hasn't been updated since the first day of school!" This was a wake-up call, realizing that I needed to make sure I set time aside to keep this blog updated, especially since my students and parents are actually using it!

And here it is Thursday night already... Alas, I have made time, am sitting down, and will give a brief update on all the happenings in Mrs. B's classroom this month!

Grade 12 English - Tomorrow will mark the end of a four-week study of William Golding's The Lord of the Flies. The students have done an excellent job analysing this gripping text by way of our 8-part literature circle. We have discussed the many different themes that arise in the novel, such as: leadership, power, hope, civilization, and the heart of man. Tomorrow we will discuss expectations for the culminating essay in which each student will devise a thesis based on a topic discussed in class. 

Homework: Chapter 12 Lit. Circle Roles

                   Study for Vocab/Grammar Quiz (List 3 Vocab, Parts of Speech Grammar)

                   Brainstorm LOTF Essay Topics

Grade 10 Math - The grade tens have worked diligently through their first unit: Trigonometry of Right Triangles. On Monday the students wrote their unit test with most responding that the test was "was easier than they thought it would be". This was encouraging to know that their hard work during the unit had paid off! We have begun the second unit where the students are using the Sine and Cosine Laws to solve for side lengths and angles in acute triangles. The students are encouraged to use the skills they now have to solve more challenging problems. 

Homework: Pg. 409 #1, 3-5

Grade Nine English - The grade nines have been exploring many literary elements found in the short stories we have been studying. Their love for reading has been evident as I have even had to ask some to "join us back in this world!" I am encouraged to see them so excited about reading! Today a few students were able to read the most recent short stories they had written, and I was blown away by their sense of imagination and high level of writing ability. 

Homework: Study for Spelling/Vocab Quiz (List 3 & 4)

Grade Eleven/Twelve Bible - My seniors have been quite the energetic group and it has been a pleasure getting to know them over the past four weeks. We have been discussing post-secondary decisions (mainly focusing on career), and discerning what the Word of God say in regards to these choices. The students have shared their thoughts in many different forms, most recently being in mini-scenarios. The drama teacher in me loved seeing my students step a little out of their comfort zone (some more than others) to demonstrate their understanding of this week's topic. I look forward to growing with them as we continue to study God's Word. 

**A big thank you to all the parents who have given their time to be interviewed for various class assignments. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Homework: None for tonight!!

Off to a Great Start!

Today was an exciting day as we began our school year at Mount Salem Christian Secondary School. Introducing our theme "Equipped to Thrive", we shared our key Scripture with the students and explained how God has given us each the ability to thrive in the calling He has placed on our lives. After meeting each of the students I know this will be a successful year as we learn and grow together.

In Grade 12, we began our novel study on William Golding's Lord of the Flies and discussed our Literature Circle format that we will be using to study the book. After talking with the grade twelves in last period I found out that all of the students had read to chapter four and one of the students had finished the entire novel! Seeings as their other courses do not start for a couple of days I could see they put their extra time to use as I had only required them to read the first chapter! The students will be exploring different roles as they analyze this text throughout the next two weeks.

The Grade 10 Math class showed off their superb Math skills in a Guys vs. Girls showdown, reviewing concepts learned in previous grades. The boys did beat the girls 5:3, however a valiant effort was put out by all. I am excited to see this group excel in this course as they seem to have a strong understanding of the material. Tonight's review homework (pg. 326 #1-8 odd letters) will prepare them as we begin the Trigonometry of Right Angles unit tomorrow.

After lunch the Grade 9s started off their high school English career as we learned more about Cause and Effect as seen in narrative. In pairs, the students rearranged a scrambled short story with ease! They are an inquisitive group and work well together. As we continue to study short narratives I look forward to reading their work.

Finally we finished off the day with the Grade 11/12 Bible course where we looked at the different decisions we have made throughout various stages of life. They are a vivacious group with much to say, but know how to focus themselves to get the tasks done. I look forward to delving into God's Word as we study how to make godly life decisions.

Overall I am so excited to get to know each of the students better, and pray that God would use me to encourage and lead the students into understanding both spiritually and academically.

-Mrs. B