FEBRUARY 29 (LEAP DAY!)

HOMEWORK:

• Do some research on the major political parties in Alberta
• Try and decide who you would vote for
• You will be voting in our own election this Monday so be ready

This week in Humanities:

• We handed back and reviewed the Chapter 6-7 test
• Please return your signed test assessment/report as soon as possible
• We began chapter 8 including learning about the important words in that chapter; students had to define and write a sentence for each of these words
• We wrote a spelling test on Thursday
• A school wide writing assessment took place on Monday - well done preparing grade sevens!
• We watched "Song of the Paddle", a movie that shows some of the great symbols of Canada including the canoe

YOUR MID TERM EXAM WILL BE NEXT THURSDAY. IT WILL COVER MAJOR EVENTS FROM CH 1-7.

• The mid term has 30 multiple choice, a matching section and a fill in the blanks section with a word bank
• It is recommended that you study this weekend
• Consider teaming up with one or two others in class and making notes, that way you can study the important stuff with out having to re-read the textbook

FEBRUARY 22

PREPARATION FOR THE COMMON WRITTEN ASSESSMENT

1. Complete a plan for a narrative response. Develop a plan for a narrative response using the writing recipe. Practice writing a response from your plan. Your narrative response must have three parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Plan each paragraph using our recipe! Bring your plan to class on Monday because you can use it during the common written assessment!


2. Plan a friendly letter and make a template that shows the format for a letter. Using the plan you created, practice writing a friendly letter to a relative or friend, about a special relationship in your life. You may use your plan and letter template (not the practice letter) on Monday in your common written assessment!

General tips for preparing:

- Write your letter and narrative response in “first person” tense. This means using “I and me” and writing your letter from your perspective. Here is a sentence that demonstrates first person tense:

I am writing you to tell you about a special relationship I have with my dog Cedar. Cedar and I have shared many special moments together.

- When you plan each sentence in your letter or narrative response, use words that are appropriate and effective

- Always identify the purpose of your letter when writing any letter

-Practice will make you better so practice writing a narrative response and letter from your plans more than once. Remember, you ARE ALLOWED to use your plans during the assessment

WEEK OF FEB. 19

SPELLING TEST:

• We completed a standardized 50 word spelling test Wednesday
• We use these tests to assess your progress with spelling

SOCIAL STUDIES TEST:

• Chapter 6-7 test is Thursday - you must study for this evaluation!

1. Re-read sections of the textbook that seem unclear
2. Create notes using the writing recipe and study them
3. Test your knowledge either on your own or with a family member or partner; create your own questions. Can you answer them?

* I put the important events list at the bottom of this post*

Good luck grade sevens! Be sure to get a good nights rest, eat a big healthy breakfast and bring some snacks so you are not disadvantaged when it comes time to write the test!

COMMON WRITING ASSESSMENT:

• We will have a writing assessment this Monday
• Practice writing another friendly letter, and make a cheat sheet for writing letters that shows the proper format (you will be aloud this format sheet during the test!)
• Practice writing simple stories using the writing recipe; we will talk about this on Thursday and Friday

NOVEL STUDY:

• We have begun reading "See's Behind Trees" in Language Arts
• If you miss a day where we read the novel, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for reading what you missed at lunch or after school; you could also rent the book from the public library and catch up on your own time. WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A BOOK TO TAKE HOME, THERE ARE TOO FEW BOOKS!

Major Events to Know about for tomorrows test:

1775 – The invasion of Quebec by Americans. Why did Americans invade?
1783-1791 – United Empire Loyalists migrate to colonies in Canada (remember though, Canada is not a country yet). Why did they leave the United States?
1784 – Nova Scotia is divided. Why?
1776 – Joseph Brant the Mowhawk leader helps secure land for his First Nation
1791 – Constitutional act: divides Quebec into Upper and Lower Canada
1812-1814 – The Americans go to war with the British. The war ends with the treaty of
Ghent in 1814. Who was Tecumseh? How many First Nations people died in the fighting?
1815-1850 – 800,000 immigrants migrate to British North America.
1847 – Irish Potato famine and migration of Irish to BNA
1792 and on – Underground railroad to Canada. What was the underground railway?
1837 – Rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada. Who was upset and why were they upset?
1838 – Lord Durhams Report: Durham blames most of the problems in Canada on the division between French and English. What happens after the report?
1864 – Maratime and Quebec conferences lay the foundations for Confederation
1867 – The Dominion of Canada is now a nation

HAVE A WONDERFUL BREAK!

Friendly Letter:
Your assignment over the break is to create a friendly letter. I strongly recommend planning out your letter using the writing recipe. Your letter must be formatted in block format (business letter format) or at least in a friendly letter format (as demonstrated in class on February 12th and in the websites below).

Here are some helpful websites for understanding the format for a friendly letter. There are also some sample letters:

http://www.letterwritingguide.com/friendlyletterformat.htm
http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000144.htm

Social Studies Test:
You will have a test on chapter 6-7 on the Wednesday after the break. Please study! Make notes using the textbook and review all the work that was related to the learning in those chapters (for example, be sure to study the chapter 7 close activity).

Sees Behind Trees:
We will begin the novel "Sees Behind Trees" after the break. I hope you are excited about reading this novel!

February 5

Parent Teacher Interviews:

Thank you parents, guardians and students who attended conferences. Parents/guardians can contact me anytime via email or voicemail:

tamang@cbe.ab.ca

Canadian Identity Projects: Are due on Tuesday!

We will begin presenting on Wednesday. You will be assessed in 3 areas:
1. Power Point as discussed in the directions for the project
2. Presentation Skills
3. Team work: cooperation amongst members of your group

Language Arts:
1. "Sees Behind Trees" is an exciting book we are starting this week. We will read the book in class time.

* No spelling test this week because of the Canadian Identity Presentations