Last Week of School!

Hello 7A Families,

I hope you have all had a wonderfully restful weekend.  Here is an update for all of the events going on this week!  Normally I would update this on the blog, but it's a little late coming to all of you, so I figured this would be the fastest and best way to get this information to everyone.  And for the lateness, I am very sorry, I was super sick last week. 

Monday
Today is our winter cook-out!  We will build a fire on the top of the hill at St. Patrick's Island and engage in some heat and temperature activities, as well as some winter games.  I will bring ingredients for s'mores as my holiday gift to the kids.  If anyone wants to bring anything else to have at the cook-out that is welcome as well.  We will be eating at St. Pat's (weather looks great!) so please make sure your child has a lunch today.

Also, even though the weather looks good, please make sure your child is dressed to spend the day outside.  One of the things we're encountering is ankle socks, which greatly impacts the ability to stay warm.

There is still room for parent volunteers on this trip.  We have 0 volunteers from our class for this day.  We are only able to do this activity because we are using the extra volunteers from Ms. Luff's class.  Please e-mail me if you would like to come.

Tuesday
We don't have any field studies today, but student's will be sharing their bridges with their peers.  This will involve testing the bridges with Newton Meters to see how much force they can hold.  This will be a very exciting day for the kids!  Please talk to them at home about how it went!

Wednesday
AM - We will be going to the Zoo today (weather permitting) from 8:15 to 11:15.  We will be looking at animal adaptations to winter, and animal structures.  We have 2 parent volunteers, but have room for more if anyone would like to join.

PM - The grade 7 team would like to invite all parents to view the bridges the kids have been working so hard at.  We will be having a grade-wide celebration of learning from 1:30 - 2:50 this day.  Each class room will be set up with the bridges.  Students will have an opportunity to visit the other classes, and parents are welcome to see all of the bridges as well.  We would love to have as many parents as possible come! 

Thursday
As e-mailed out earlier, this is our winter solstice day!  It is a special Langevin tradition, and we hope you are all able to join.  Here is a schedule for the day's events:

8:10 – 8:30: In homerooms
8:30 – 9:45: Buddy winter STEAM challenge

9:45 – 10:00: Recess/Nutrition Break

10:00 – 11:00: School gathering in the gym

11:00 – 12:00: Potluck Luncheon with families in classrooms
**It will be a non-uniform day with a $2 donation going to the CWES.

Parent's can take their child home after the potluck, but there will be regularly scheduled school for those who stay until the end of the day.

That's everything for the week.  I will re-post all of this on the blog for easy access.  Please let me know if you have any questions, and I look forward to seeing you all at one of the many events we have planned throughout the week.

Brandie

Class Update - Tuesday, Dec. 3

Hello 7A Families!

Well, we've made it to December!  We have two and half weeks left until winter break, and the end is in sight.  As usual, we've been very busy!  Here are some important updates:

Curriculum
Language Arts

• Students are beginning a research project on a global agricultural issue.  This will focus on writing outcomes, and representing ideas through a variety of media.
• We are just about to finish the book A Monster Calls.  We are focusing on thematic analysis, so our summative project will be to complete an artistic representation of themes that are present in the book.  We hope the have this completed before winter break.

Math

• We are working on adding and subtracting fractions with different denominators.  We will have an assessment on all of the fraction concepts we have worked on this Friday.

Social Studies

• We are working on the Footprints of Exploration project.  Student's have chosen an exploration, and they will be mapping the exploration route using GIS software.

Science

• Students are just about finished their bridges!  We will be done them by Friday, and will be testing them on Monday.  

Field Studies
Tomorrow we are going to the Central Library to conduct research on our agriculture project.  If you are able to pack your child's library card (if they have one) that would be great!

A reminder that we are skating TWICE next week!  We will walk to Olympic Plaza with our skates and spend the morning skating.  If your child has their own skates, they are welcome to bring them.  They are also welcome to bring their own helmets, but they MUST be real hockey helmets, no bike helmets please.

Homework
There is homework tonight, and there will likely be homework regularly until winter break.  Tonight's homework is that all students should have their research done for the social studies project.

Please let me know if you have any questions!
Brandie

Assessment and Parent-Teacher Conferences

Hello Everyone,

It was great to touch base with so many of you last night.  If you were unable to make any of the scheduled times work, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule meetings anytime over the next few weeks after school.

One of the things that we wanted to talk about in conferences (although I didn't always get the chance), was about some of the changes in assessment. 

How is My Child Doing in School?
This link will take you to a document that described assessment in the CBE.  It does a good job of explaining what the 1 - 4 scale means, and defines some commonly used terms that are often used to describe different programs and assessment methods.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/How-is-My-Child-Doing-in-School.pdf

K-9 Mathematics - Revised Report Card Stems
This link will take you to a new document that explains the new math report card stems.  Previously, stems were designed to address skills that are relevant to all units and ways of mathematical thinking.  These new stems are more of a delineation of the different units.  For that reason, not all stems might be reported on in the January report card.  Teachers will ensure that competency in the previous report card stems will be described in report card comments, and through the assessments that are conducted through out the year.
https://www.cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/K-9-Mathematics-Revised-Report-Card-Stems.pdf

I hope everyone has a great long weekend,
Brandie

Field studies until the end of the year

Hello Families,

Please take note of the rest of the field studies for the year.  This will take us all the way to winter break.  You will notice that three forms came home today.  I know that they all look the same, but please check them carefully.  They are each for three different trips.  Please return them as soon as possible.

Additionally, as the weather turns, the likelihood of trips having to be cancelled increases.  I thank you all in advance for your patience and flexibility.  

There will be information coming from our volunteer co-ordinator shortly about how you can help volunteer for one of these excellent days!

Brandie

St. Patrick’s Island

Date: November 25 

Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Purpose: We will continue to collect data for our longitudinal ecosystems studies.  We will also engage is a creative writing task focusing on figurative language.

Volunteers required: At least 2

The Alex Community Food Centre and Fuse 33

Date: Nov. 28

Time: 8:45 – 12:00

Purpose: Students will visit the Alex Community Food Centre, to talk about food shortages and urban gardening in Calgary.  From there we will visit the Maker Space at Fuse 33, as this will be providing students with ideas about how to construct a living wall and other structures to build an indoor garden.

Volunteers required: 1

Central Library and the National Music Centre

Date: December 4

Time: 10:00 - 12:00

Purpose: We will be using the library to teach students about different opportunities to engage in research, and the importance of social infrastructure (social studies curriculum connections).  This will be a final tour for our structures unit.

Volunteers required: At least 1

Skating at Olympic Plaza

Date: Dec. 10 and Dec. 13

Time: 8:15 - 11:15

Purpose: We will be skating as part of the grade 7 Outdoor Education Program.  We will also use this opportunity to do some activities for our Heat and Temperature Unit.

Volunteers required: At least 3

St. Patrick’s Island 

Date: Monday, Dec. 16

Time: 10:00 - 2:30

Purpose: We will be doing some heat and temperature activities on St. Patrick’s Island.  This will include making a fire, having a cook-out, and building snow shelters (if there is snow!).

Volunteers required: 3

Calgary Zoo

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18

Time: 8:15 - 12:00pm

Purpose: We will continue heat and temperature activities at the zoo, including examining animal adaptations for survival.  We will also revisit our structures unit and look at the structures that have been built for the animals.

Volunteers required: 3

Other Important Dates:

-Inside Education guest speakers in class (Agriculture Program) – November 29^th

-Dare to Care anti-bullying presentation – Dec. 10th

-Winter Solstice Assembly and last day of school – Dec. 19th

Bridge Walk Pictures

November Bridge Walk

While we were on this trip we learned about the different types of bridges - beam, truss, arch, suspension, and combinations of these types.  We saw expansion joints on the Centre St. Bridge, learned about aesthetics at the Peace Bridge and how a bridge can change an entire area, and we learned about how suspension bridges sway, and that's okay!

Weekly Updates - November 17

Weekly Updates - November 17

Hello parents!  I hope everyone is having a restful weekend.  The weather has been great!  Please see below for a list of updates:

Curriculum
Things are moving along in curriculum.  In math, we have completed review on simplifying fractions, equivalent fractions, and converting mixed numbers to improper fractions.  We will be moving onto ordering fractions and adding and subtracting this week.

In Language Arts we continue to read A Monster Calls.  This is a book with very mature themes about death, as the protagonist's mother is dying from Cancer.  The students have been very thoughtful when talking about the book.  This would be a very interesting conversation to have at home with your children.  Ask them what they are reading! 

Student's also continue to work on independent reading.  We are starting to spend a half an hour reading to start the day every Tuesday and Thursday.  Students are keeping reading logs, which is supporting accountability.  I will start a new program with all of them shortly using a reading program called "Notice and Note" for their independent reading.  If you have questions about it please let me know, or talk to me about it at conferences!

We continue to write in class as responses to A Monster Calls.  We are working on grammar, and will be moving onto persuasive writing shortly.

In science the students are working on a bridge building project.  They are extremely excited about it. 

In social studies we are learning about the 13 colonies the British settled when they came to Canada.

Field Studies
This week's architecture walk is being reschedules.  Because of the Bridges project we are not yet ready to study architectural features in our structures unit.  I believe it is better for us to finish what we are working on in class, rather than moving on to our next field study.

This week the grade 7 team will be planning the rest of the field studies until the end of December.  You will be sent out the volunteer requests shortly.  Please remember that without volunteers these field studies do not happen, and if we do not have enough volunteers I will have to cancel trips.  This has a tremendous impact on the type of learning we do at Langevin, and is one of the key reasons we are such a special school.

Parent Conferences
This is just a reminder that parent conference bookings are open now.  They opened this Saturday.  I've copy and pasted the information from the school newsletter about how to book:

Langevin Families:

We are preparing for the November 21-22 Parent/Teacher Conferences. Bookings open on November 16^th (8am) and close on November 20^th (11pm). We have asked the booking system to send out reminder emails to families (sent the day before).

Apologies for a reminder email you may have received yesterday regarding two grade nine teachers whose interviews must occur on alternate dates.

Please mark your calendars:

School Conferences | November 21 (3:00 pm -7:30 pm) & November 22 (8:00 am – 1:00 pm) 

·       Bookings Open | November 16 @ 8:00 am 

·       Bookings Close | November 20 @ 11:00 pm 

·       How to Book? 

·       Parent Guide (click to open the step-by-step with screen shots). 

·       How to access: 

My (School) Conference For Parents 

All parents with children enrolled in the Calgary Board of Education schools have access. Parents must first create a new PowerSchool parent account to be able to use this CBE application and the guide link below. 

Parents login: MyCBE | PowerSchool > myCBE Apps > my School Conferences 

See you all soon!

Brandie

Dare to Care

Hello Parents,

Please see the below information about the anti-bullying program that will be coming to the school in December.  There will be two presentations at the school (Dec. 10 for 4 - 6, and Dec. 12 for 7 - 9), and there is a special evening for just parents.  Many of the surveys parents have filled out express a concern about bullying in schools.  This is one of the many ways we are working at Langevin to address those concerns, and to continue making our school a safe and caring place to learn.  We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

Brandie

December 4, 6:30 - 9:00

PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT: BULLY PROOFING YOUR CHILD

All parents want their children to be happy and successful.  Finding out that your child is having problems because of bullying, either at school or online (cyber-bullying), can be an upsetting and stressful experience. Bullying behaviour is not always easy for adults or children to recognize or define. A fight between friends or siblings or rough play between children with equal power is conflict, not bullying. Bullying is when a person or group of people repeatedly and intentionally use their power to hurt, embarrass, threaten or exclude another person.

Participants in the 2.5 hour Parent Information Night will learn about the scope of the problem in schools/sports today as well as the difference between normal peer conflict and bullying. Tips and guidelines will be provided so parents can help their children make positive choices both on-line with social media and other technology and in their daily face to face interaction. To conclude the evening, parents will also learn six, non-reactive life skills. Since it is likely that all children/youth will experience some form of bullying or cyberbullying at least once during their school career, parents will be able to reinforce these skills at home and, as a result, children will feel more confident and competent in dealing with bullying situations.

                           

The Dare to Care program is the recipient of the coveted Imagine Canada award and was recently awarded the Government of Alberta Inspiration Award for Leadership in Bully Prevention.

All parents are strongly encouraged to attend.

Math and Science Unit Tests

Hello Parents,

Your child should have brought home their math and science tests last night to go over them with you.  I have asked that they are returned by Monday with your signatures on them.  We also worked on some goal setting around the results, which they put on the back of the science test and on Iris.  Please have a discussion with you child about this, in particular, how do they intend on achieving their goal?

Thank you all for your support at home.

Field Study Pictures

Hello Families!

Below are some great pictures from the field studies we have had so far.  

Grammar Unit

Hello Families,

All 7A students will be working on an online grammar unit for the next two weeks.  Can you please remind your child to bring headphones to school every day?

The Grammar unit we are on now is all about nouns!  If you want to see what the kids are working on, go to Khan Academy and search, "Parts of Speech: The Noun".

www.khanacademy.org

Thank you!

Class Update - November 6th

Hello families of 7A Students,

I updated the website last week on a Wednesday, so I'm going to do another update this Wednesday.  After this year it should be pretty regular on Thursday's or Friday's.

Language Arts
-We continue exploring theme in A Monster Calls.  All students have their own books so they are following along as we are listening to the audio book.  We are also reading aloud as a class, individually, and in small groups.

We are going to start doing concentrated grammar lessons during our writer's workshops.

Social Studies
We have completed looking at French immigration to Canada, and are now moving to British immigration to Canada.

Science
We are currently working on summarizing our learning in the structures unit so far.  The students have chosen a famous building from somewhere around the world and are doing a structural profile on it.  They are being assessed on their use of technology (to put together their presentation), conceptual understanding, and how they completed research.

Math
Students have completed their integer unit test and we are moving onto Fractions.  Tomorrow we will start representing equivalent fractions, and simplifying fractions.  This is review, but it is an important concept to go over and ensure there is a solid understanding. 

Important Dates

• November 8: Remembrance Day Assembly
• November 11: Remembrance Day - No School
• November 12: Bridge Walk 1  - 8:15am - 12:00pm
• November 13: Junior Achievement presentations in class
• November 14: Bridge Walk 2 - 10am - 2:00pm
• November 19: Architecture Walk - 10:00 - 2:30pm
• November 21: Half Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences
• November 22: Parent Teacher Conferences, No School
• November 25: Inside Education Presentation - In School
• December 4: Calgary Central Library and the National Music Centre - 10:00am - 2:00pm
• December 9 - 13: Skate Shack at the school

**I was asked to create a calendar function for this blog, but I have been unable to do it.  My apologies.  Please continue to regularly check this blog or the class website for information.

Remembrance Day Assembly

Dear 7A Families,

I want to let you all know that the grade 7 classes have been working hard on the Remembrance Day assembly.  The assembly will be from 10:00 to 11:30. 

Students have created art that is symbolic of the theme, "Why we remember".

All grade 7 classes will be presenting during the assembly. 

Our class specifically will also be representing the MC's, and will act as ambassadors.  The ambassadors will go to each class and lead them to the assembly.

We are asking, if possible, that students dress in formal way in red, white, or black colours.

Please ask your child about the assembly and the ways they have contributed to it!

Student Services

Student Services: A note from student services

Hello, 

Please see the attached November calendar and special events for Teen Programs at our Renfrew location. Our programs provide a safe and inclusive space for all teens.

Most of our programs are FREE. The only charge for our programs is for off-site trips and we charge $10/youth. Youth need to have a membership package filled out in full to attend off-site trips. Transportation is provided from Renfrew.

If you have any questions regarding the calendar please feel free to e-mail myself or the youth programs e-mail.

Cheers, 

Chyenne LaRose
Youth Programs Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her
Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary

Mobile: 403.968.9600 

Wednesday, October 30 Update

Hello 7A Families,

I hope everyone is doing well!  Here is what we are working on in class:

Language Arts
-We are creating reading logs for our individual reading time
-We have started a class novel study, using the book A Monster Calls.  For this each child has a copy of the book to read aloud.  We are using varying reading styles, from class read aloud, students taking turns reading, following along with the audio book, and reading in small groups.  The purpose of this structure, and the scope and sequence of the reading program for the year, is to gradually increase reading skills and move from large group, to small group, to independent.
-We will continue with our writer's workshops and working on grammar
-students completed a reading comprehension activity as a summative task for our first novel, No Fixed Address

Social Studies
-We are examining push and pull factors in immigration
-Students are going to research why individuals in France chose to move to New France
-We are going to show our learning through creating immigration posters to entice people to move to Canada. 

Math
-Today we did an introduction lesson to fractions.  We will continue this after our unit test on Integers, which is tomorrow!

Science
-Students completed their unit test for Ecosystems and Interactions yesterday. 
-We are moving in Structures and Forces.  We did an introduction activity for this unit last week when we went to the central library to look at the entries to the Mayor's Urban Design Awards.

Reminders...
-Tomorrow is picture retake day
-There is no school on Friday

Take care and let me know if there are any questions!
Brandie

Friday, September 27 Update

Class Update - Sept. 27, 2019

Hello Families!

It's been another huge week in class 7A.  Monday we had an awesome trip to the zoo, and Tuesday we had an even more awesome trip to Lake Louise!  On Wednesday we worked with our buddies to winterize the naturalization area and planted many bulbs that will come up in the spring.

In curricular news, we are moving along really well!

Science - Students wrote their first quiz in science on concepts from the ecosystem unit.
Math - We are nearly finished our mean, median, mode, range and outliers component of the statistics unit.  We will have a quiz on this next Thursday.
Social Studies - We have a presentation on Monday about the ways of life of the first nations people.  We will be jumping ahead in the curriculum to look at residential schools so that we can pair that learning with Orange shirt day.
Language Arts - Students continue to work on their science fiction short stories.  We also are continuing in our regular writer's workshops, read-alouds, and individual reading.

Next Week
Monday - Social Studies presentations
Tuesday - Science Presentations
Wednesday - St. Patrick's Island field study
Thursday - Math Quiz
Friday - Crossroads Market field study

It has been an awesome, and very busy year so far, thank you all so much for the support you have given us so far.

Finally, I wanted to share with all of you that I will be away from October 7 to 21.  We will have Kat Han as the substitute teacher for that time.  She is a regular in the school, and has been with the class already on the days I have been away.  I will give highly detailed and interactive plans for her to follow while I'm away.  If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me at blferrell@cbe.ab.ca

I will post another update next Friday!  Have a great weekend!

Brandie

Class Website

Hello Families,

I'm starting to post school related content (learning materials, project outlines, etc.) on my class website.  Here is how to access it:

https://sites.google.com/educbe.ca/msferrell7a/home

This should assist in work completion at home, and hopefully saving a few trees!

Brandie

7A Update - September 19, 2019

Hello 7A Families,

I am SO sorry that is has been since the first week of school that I have posted.  The beginning of this school year has been off to a whirlwind of a start.

We have already gone on two field studies, with two next week!  I think we had super fun and educational experiences at both Journey 2050, and Beakerhead.  Both of these trips are laying the foundation for in class learning as well.

As I go through forms and ensure I have everyone's media releases I will be able to start posting pictures.  If you DO NOT want a picture of your child in the blog (despite having a media release signed), please let me know.

Curriculum Updates
Science - We are working on a species profile to compliment our learning about ecosystems.  We are going to start looking at elements of the plant unit as well, and how to set up an experiment.

Math - We have completed a review of important concepts from previous years and engaged in some creative problem solving.  We have also learned about mean, median, and mode, and will use this statistical learning in the creation of our experiments.

Social Studies - We are learning about the ways of live of some of the First Nations People of Canada.  

Language Arts - We are working on quite a lot here.  We have started our routine of daily writer's workshops, are beginning a short story unit to work on different reading comprehension skills, and are reading No Fixed Address as part of a class read aloud.  The author will be coming to the school to do a presentation for the grade 6's and 7's as part of Calgary's Word Fest.

Upcoming Field Studies

Calgary Zoo

Date: Monday, September 23th 

Time: 9:30 - 2:30

Purpose: We are going to study the habitats of the different species at the zoo, and reflect on whether or not their needs are being met, we will also examine different species and their adaptations for survival.

Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

REMINDER .... this trip starts at 7:30am and returns at 5:30pm.  Students MUST be at school at 7:15.  Thank you!

St. Patrick’s Island

Date: Wednesday, October 2

Time: 9:45 - 2:30

Purpose: We are going to conduct an ecological study here.  This is going to be the first of many trips to St. Pat’s, as the students will choose a part of the park, and creating a longitudinal study that will be followed throughout the year.

Crossroads Market

Date: Friday, October 4

Time: 8:10 - 12:25

Volunteers required: 3 - 5

Purpose: This is going to be an inquiry-based field study, where the students will journal about the different stands in the market and what they are observing about these small businesses.  This will start the process of our marketing fair in the spring.

**This is a walking field trip, and it is approximately 3.5K each way.  Please be prepared for any type of weather.

Bridgeland Scavenger Hunt – Outdoor Education Activity run by PE

Date: Friday, October 18

Time: 8:00 – 12:30

Volunteers required: as many as possible (up to 7)

Purpose: Students will learn navigation strategies and the history of Bridgeland through this interactive Outdoor Education activity!

Ralph Klein Park

Date: Wednesday, October 23

Time: 8:10 - 2:50

Volunteers required: 3

Purpose: We will be participating in the Bioblitz program.  We will also study their LEED certified education building as part of our structures and forces unit, and study the rooftop garden, making connections to the Plants unit.

Pearce Estate Park

Date: Monday, October 28th

Time: 9:00 - 2:30

Volunteers required: 3 - 5

Purpose: We will conclude much of our ecosystems unit here, as well as do a study of Harvie Passage.  We will examine how rivers shape landscapes, and how humans can impact the natural environment.  This is part of our planet earth unit.

**This is a walking field trip, and it is approximately 3.5K each way.  Please be prepared to walk and spend the day outdoors.

Welcome to 7A!

Hello Students and Parents!

Welcome to your grade 7 year.  This year you will be in the 7A homeroom, with me, Ms. Ferrell, as your teacher.

Forms
Your child should have come home today with a few forms and letters. The main package of forms will be coming home later this week.  This will contains many important sheets, such as media releases, permission to try out for athletics, and many others.

While all of these forms are important and should be returned in a timely manner, it would be greatly appreciate if you looked at the FINE ARTS AND DESIGN options selection form with your child tonight and returned it by tomorrow, Wednesday, September 4th.  This is required so we can create our options classes and start them by Thursday at the same time as band.

Supplies List

• lined paper (1 pack) 
• grid paper (1 pack) 
• geometry set  
• scissors 
• erasers (many) 
• 30 cm ruler  
• pencils and pens 
• 5-6 duotangs (no binders or coiled notebooks please) 
• pencil case/pencil box  
• fine-point sharpies or markers 
• scientific calculator (must have the pi button as an option) 
• This is very important, as we are asking that students NOT use their phones in class as calculators. 
• pencil crayons 
• pencil sharpener 

Field Studies

We have already planned three field studies for September!  We do not have a classroom co-ordinator yet, so if you are able to be a parent volunteer on any of these trips please let me know immediately!  My e-mail is blferrell@cbe.ab.ca 

The field studies are:

• September 9th: Journey 2050 at the Stampeded grounds
• Time: 8:30am - 2:30pm
• Volunteers required: 3
• Purpose: During this field study we will be learning about agriculture in Alberta, different types of land use, and the future of the global food supply.
• September 18th: Beakerhead at Prince's Island Park
• Time: 9:00am - 2:30pm
• Volunteers required: 3 
• Purpose: During this field study students will be exposed to what is possible when the world's of science and art collide.  This immersive experience will be the basis of much of the work we will do this year in projects.
• September 24th: Lake Louise and Moraine Lake 
• Time: 7:30 - 5:30
• Volunteers required: 3
• Purpose: During this study we will bus to Lake Louise and take the sight-seeing gondola up the ski hill for the Bear Program and a hike.  We will have a lunch buffet at the ski hill before heading to Moraine Lake.  While there we will walk along the lake shore and learn about the mountain building process.

That is everything for now!  I look forward to meeting all of you in the upcoming year!

Brandie