Change the World

This is the first of two assignments this week.

If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? Why would you make this change?  Make sure you develop your answer before you publish it!

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students. Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Desert Island Dilemma

If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island for 1 year, which 5 objects would you bring with you? Keep in mind that there is NO electricity on the island! Choose you objects carefully and then explain your choices in a brief paragraph.

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Book Spine Poetry

One of the students' tasks was to create a small poem using only the spines of books found in our library. Click through the slideshow below to see some of the fantastic and creative end results!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

100 Word Story

Your task this week is to create a short story using the following picture and only 100 words.  Not 99.  Not 101.  One hundred exactly!

Photo courtesy of Jane Hewitt

Make sure you study the picture closely and let your imagination run wild!  Be as creative as you can and don't forget to include the picture in your post!

I look forward to reading what you come up with and make sure you check your spelling and grammar before you publish it!

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Describe Your Future Robot Servant

Imagine a future in which we each have a personalized robot servant.  What would yours be like?  What would it do?  What would it look like?  What would it talk like?  What features would it have?

Create a new blog post answering these questions, plus anymore that you can think of.  Don’t forget to include an introduction, body and conclusion!

Please double-check your writing before you hit the submit button.  Have you answered all of the questions?  Did you fix all of your grammar/spelling mistakes?  Did you take your time and really develop your answer?

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts.

Good luck and be creative!

Mr. Boettger :-)

Historical Journal/Triarama

For this blog entry, I would like you to add what you think is the best part of your recent history/social studies project.  What demonstrates your best writing?  The most interesting?  The most creative?  Grade 7s:  Was it a certain journal entry or two?   Grade 6s:  Was it the interesting facts?  The biography?

Please double-check your writing before you hit the submit button.  Have you answered all of the questions? Did you fix all of your grammar/spelling mistakes?

Don’t forget to jazz up your post with pictures or videos.  :-)

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger :-)

Fall Fair Poem

Grade 6 Poem:

Leaves are falling, soft as snowflakes,
Red and yellow, gold and brown;
The breeze laughs gaily in the treetops,
Shaking all the colour down.

Leaves are covering the gardens
As my blanket covers me.
When cold winter comes, the flowers
Will be warm as warm can be.

Grade 7 Poem:

In autumn when the trees are brown
The little leaves come tumbling down
They do not make the slightest sound
Until the wind comes puffing by
And blows them off towards the sky.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you,
and the storms their energy,
while cares will drop away from you
like the leaves of Autumn.

Challenge #1!

Your first blogging assignment is to create a post revolving around you.  Tell us about yourself.  What are your interests?  What are your goals?  What do you want to do when you get older?  The main rule is to be creative.  The introduction may take the form of a Prezi, a Slideshare, a poem, a story, a video, an audible, or a list of facts.  The possibilities are endless.  Remember….be creative!

Also remember to be internet safe and not add any personal information.

Once this has been completed and posted on your blog, read and respond to at least 3 other people’s posts.

Good luck and have fun!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Epic

Epic is an upcoming 3D computer animated film loosely based on William Joyce's children book The Leaf Men and the Brave Good Bugs. The movie tells the story of a young girl named Mary Katherine, who lives in a cabin in the woods with her father and dog. One day, while out searching for her father, Mary Katherine happens upon a group of glowing, falling leaves. She catches one of the leaves and is shrunken down. In her new minuscule state, she discovers a group of warriors, known as the Leafmen. Mary Katherine works with the Leafman as they fight the Boggans and their villainous leader Mandrake to save their miniature world and, in the process, saves the real world.

Watch the trailer below and then answer the following question:

Epic features a miniscule world where the residents depend on and defend the forest. Writers and filmmakers often try to create thought-provoking stories to help shine a light on a variety of important issues in our society. What message(s) do you think the filmmakers are trying to share with this story?

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 2 peers.


Mr. Boettger  :-)

Animal Testing - Yes or No?

The human brain has over 100 billion nerve cells - it is the most complex organ in the human body. Scientists spend a great deal of time studying the human brain and, while they have discovered a lot, they have yet to fully master and understand this remarkable organ. Understanding the connection between brain cells, behavior and disease is important and scientists have developed a variety of new techniques that will help them map brain activity.

Watch the video and then answer the following questions:

In the video you saw laboratory tests being conducted on mice.

1.  Are you 'for' or 'against' scientific tests on animals?
2.  If scientists were not able to test on animals, how would they conduct their experiments?
3.  Are there any instances when you would support animal testing?

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Three Truths and a Lie

Hello Grade 6/7's!

Clearly list four statements about yourself. Three of the statements should be true and one should be made up. These could be places you've been, things you've done, your likes/dislikes, etc.  The more creative, the better! Just remember to keep it appropriate for school! Thanks! :-)

After I have approved the comments, you must respond to at least five (5) of your peers by guessing which one of their statements is false.

Please remember the usual rules and have fun!

Mr. Boettger :-)

Welcome Back!

Hello my trusty Grade 6/7's and welcome to your very first "blog" question!

Establishing Expectations for Behaviour: The Dos and Don'ts for Online Student Communication

Please read the "Dos and Don'ts for Online Student Communication" below:

- Use each other's names.  Using a person's name when you respond to his/her posting creates a friendly online tone.  However, do not use the person's full name.  Instead, please use the username the school board has given to you (the first four initials of your first name and a random 4 digit number).

- Read questions and conversational postings carefully to avoid unnecessary confusion.

- Compliment your peers when they post strong responses or contribute original ideas.

- Ask questions.  If anything is unclear or you want further information or insight on a topic, just ask.  If you have a question, there are probably other members of the group who are confused and need further clarification as well.

- Be considerate. Remember that your peers cannot see your body language or hear your tone of voice, so you need to keep your language direct and respectful.

- Avoid slang, jargon and sarcasm.

- Listen to all ideas presented.  Remember there is no right or wrong in a discussion.  A variety of perspectives add depth and I love depth!  :-)

- Stay open minded.

- Respond instead of reacting.  Do not write a response if you are angry or upset.  Instead, wait until you have had time to calm down and collect your thoughts.

- Really read your peers responses.  Avoid skimming.  Respect the time your peers have spent articulating their thoughts by reading carefully and thoughtfully.

- Reread your messages before sending them to ensure that your ideas are clearly communicated and supported.

- Critique the content, not the person.

- Do not present your personal opinions as fact.  Back up your ideas with information to strengthen your statements.

- Courteously answer all questions addressed directly to you.

- Make "I" statements when respectfully disagreeing.  Sharing an opposing opinion or idea is an important part of discussion, but it needs to be presented in a constructive manner that encourages further discussion.

- Do not use all caps when writing.  It is interpreted as yelling.

- Avoid emotional punctuation, like exclamation points, unless you are complimenting an idea shared.

Have I missed anything?  Is there anything that you would like to add to the list?  Please let me know in the comments section.

Thank-you for your feedback and let's have a great year blogging!  :-)

Mr. Boettger

Please remember this about the internet and privacy:  Photo courtesy of Dave Hoffman

As well as this:  This picture pretty much sums everything up!  I can't remember where I found it.  So, apologies to the person that made it.  When I find it again, I will give the proper credit!

Be safe everyone!

You've Won!

Hello my trusty Grade 7's!

Pretend you are winning an award for doing outstanding work at school (congratulations by the way!).  Write an acceptance speech thanking everyone who helped you be a good student.  Don't forget to add in some advice for future students on what it takes to be successful.  Your acceptance speech should be approximately one paragraph long.

I look forward to reading your paragraphs!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

One Word (actually that's two!)

This could quite possibly be the shortest blog post yet!

If you only had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?  

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two people.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Favourite Novel

It is almost the end of the year and I am looking for some feedback.  I read seven (!) novels to you this year - and I would like to know which one was your favourite.

This week's task is as follows:

1.  Vote on which book you liked the most.  Not what your friends liked - YOU.
2.  In the comments section, tell me the novel you chose and why you liked it the most.   Then give me your favourite part or least favourite part from that novel.

Thanks for your feedback.  I appreciate it.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Yearly Reflection

The school year is almost over, and it is time to reflect a little bit.

In your opinion, have you grown and changed since the beginning of this school year?  If so, what changes and/or discoveries have you made about yourself this year?  What do you think caused this change or discovery?

If you do not think you have experienced personal growth or discovered anything new about yourself, why not?  Did you resist change, or did this occur by accident?  Is there anything you would change now?  It is never too late.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

More Health Quizzes!

Same routine as always.  Feel free to use any resource you would like to find the answer.  Good luck!

Click here and here to go to the bigger version.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Desert Island Dilemma

If you knew you would be stranded on a desert island for 1 year, which 5 objects would you bring with you? Keep in mind that there is NO electricity on the island! Choose you objects carefully and then explain your choices in a brief paragraph.

Once you have completed your selections and posted your explanation, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

As always, I look forward to reading your responses.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Science - Heat Assignment

Same drill as always!  Feel free to use whatever resource you would like to find the answer!  Take your time and read the questions carefully.  No silly  mistakes! :-)

Click here for the full screen version.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger

Health Assignment

Same routine as always.  Feel free to use any resource you would like to find the answer.  Good luck!

Click here  to go to a bigger version of the assignment.

Do Your Peers Impact Your Health?

If yes, describe their impact.  Is it negative or positive?  If not, explain.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Glogster!

I am super-pumped about the next set of projects that we are going to be working on in class over the next few weeks!  The first project (which you will receive in the next few days) that you will be working on is designing a biography poster of a historical figure using a program called Glogster.

I have included a few tutorials below to get you started.  I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Copy of Glogster Tutorial on Prezi

Earth Day: Do You Worry About the Environment?

The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. (from http://www.earthday.org/)

Answer the following questions:

Do you worry about the environment?  Why or why not?
Where do you learn about the environment?
What do you think the biggest problems facing the environment are?


Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Future You

Think about what you will be doing in twenty years. Give me as many details as you can.

For example:

Where will you be living?
What will you be doing for a living?
What kind of car will you be driving?
What kind of house will you be living in?
Will you want to be married or still single?

And so on...

Please take your time and write at least 5 Sentences.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Structures Quiz

Welcome to your next online assignment Grade 7's!

Feel free to use any resource you would like to find the answer.  Take your time and read the questions carefully.  I want to try and eliminate all silly mistakes. :-)

I've tried to make things a little easier by embedded the quiz right into the blog.  However, if you would like to see a full-screen version, just click this link.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-) 

The Marshmallow Test

It could be argued that our culture is now being fuelled by immediate gratification.  When we want something, we want it now and more often than not, our wish is granted.  For example, if we don't know something, we can look it up on-line and usually have the answer within seconds.  Like a song you heard on the radio?  You can easily download the song within minutes.  If you are hungry and don't have the "time" to make something, any number of fast food restaurants are more than happy to cook you dinner in a record amount of time.

Watch the video below and answer the following questions:

- What are some other examples of people being unable or unwilling to wait?
-  Is this a positive move in the right direction, or a negative one?
-  Describe what is going through one of the kid's mind as (s)he tries to resist the temptation to eat the marshmallow.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Kiln People

Kiln People  is novel written by David Brin and I can't say as though I have read it (and therefore can't recommend it), but the concept of the novel is rather interesting.

Kiln People, is about a society where you can create clay copies of yourself to do various tasks (e.g. mental tasks, dangerous tasks etc.) while you do something else.  Then at the end of the day, you download their memories back into you. 

So, here is a pretty deep question for this week.  If you had 5 copies of yourself to use this week, what would you have them do? 

Once you have completed your answer, read and respond to at least 2 peers.

As always, I can't wait to see your responses. 

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Fears and Phobias

Since we are studying "fears and phobias" in class right now, I thought that these videos were more than appropriate and quite honestly very cool.

This week's blog question came from me watching this 60 Minutes episode on Alex Honnold.  As I watched Alex climb, I couldn't figure out if he was crazy, brave or a little bit of both.  The one conclusion I did come to is that there is NO WAY I wouldn't even think about attempting it.  If you are interested in viewing the 60 minutes interview, it is found below.




The above video led to the next video on three extreme sports. Watch the video and then answer at least one of the following questions:

1. These athletes participate in some unique and extreme sports.  If you could undertake any sporting adventure, what would it be and why?  Remember, you can go anywhere and do anything!

OR

2.  These extreme athletes explore nature, including mountains, rivers, and waterfalls, through their hobbies.  Imagine that you could explore anywhere in the world.  What kind of lands would you like to explore?  How would you like to explore them (e.g. on foot, by bike, via helicopter, etc)?  Don't forget to explain why you chose that kind of terrain and transportation.  

Here is this week's video:



 As always, I look forward to reading your responses!

 Mr. Boettger :-)

The Fun Theory

The Fun Theory is a Volkswagen initiative and it is dedicated to the thought that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people's behaviour for the better. What do you think?

Watch the following videos and then answer this week's blog question:

Find the fun:

Now it's your turn to try the fun theory. Choose a task that is typically boring and make it fun! Describe why your game or "angle" on the chore is more entertaining.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger :-)

Multiplying Decimals

Here is a quick review of how to multiply decimals.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

We Made the Local News!

Front page no less!  How cool is that?!  Congratulations and great job everyone!

Check out the article below:

Midland Free Press - March 14, 2013

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Kid Tsunami Survivors

Some Japanese tsunami victims had to leave everything behind, including their houses and all of their things.  I would like you to think about the things that you value.

Imagine that you are collecting donations to send to kids who lost their possessions in the tsunami.  Brainstorm at list of at least 5 objects that you could send them to make them feel at home.  Start by thinking of things that you love and value.  Be creative and remember to think about the small things in life that help you keep a positive attitude.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Anti-bullying Video Complete!

Here is an anti-bullying video that the 2013 Grade 7 students made for our assembly.  We worked really hard on it and we hope the positive message comes across.  Thanks for watching!

Storybird!

Hello my trusty Grade 7's!

Here is the next technology assignment that I am very excited about.   You are going to be using a program called "Storybird"  to write a children's picture book.  More details for the project will come later this week.

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Check out the following two videos to get an idea of what you are in for!  :-)

Analyzing an Ad

There's more to advertising a successful message than meets the eye. Unlike many advertisements, this Hyundai commercial doesn't spend much time talking about the product it's advertising.

After you have watched the commercial below, answer the following questions:

1.  Explain what you think the ad wants you to think or feel about the product, and then tell me whether you think it successfully communicates those ideas or not.

2.  Tell me what emotions the ad attempts to create, and what kind of customer you think it is trying to reach.

Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Is Technology Making Us Lazy?

Go to the following site and read both arguments for and against technology making us lazy.  Carefully consider both sides of the argument, " Is technology making us lazy?", then vote yes or no and justify your position in the comments section.

Is Technology Making Us Lazy? Yes or No?




Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Oz

In honour of Alexandra winning the speech competition yesterday, I thought I would do a blog post on the "Wizard of Oz".  Congratulations to you and Rory (3rd place) for doing an amazing job yesterday!  You represented our class very well!  I tip my hat to the both of you!

The world of L. Frank Baum's "The Wizard of Oz comes to life again in the upcoming film "Oz: The Great and Powerful". Set before the events of "The Wizard of Oz", the film depicts the adventures of Oscar Diggs, a stage magician who finds himself contending with real witches in the fantasy world of Oz.

Watch the trailer below and then answer the following two questions:

1.  In the trailer, the good witch Glinda encourages Oscar Diggs to let people believe he can do real magic so that he can help them. Does this dishonesty make you think Glinda isn't so good? Or are there times when white lies are good, or even necessary? Explain (That means back up your answers!!!)  :-)

2.  The character of Oscar Diggs says "I don't want to be a good man, I want to be a great one." What do you think he means by this? Does "greatness" have connotations that make it very different from "goodness"? Do you think it is better to be good or to be great? Which would you rather be?   Explain (That means back up your answers!!!) :-)


Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Airborn Trilogy - Kenneth Oppel

Having just finished reading the  "Airborn" Trilogy think of at least two questions you would like to ask Mr. Kenneth Oppel.  Be creative and try not to ask him something he may have been asked several times before.  To make sure you don't do this, check out the "Frequently Asked Questions" section of his website.  

When you think you have at least two (2) well thought out questions, please post them on the class "Wallwisher"  found below.

Or you could use the following QR code.   For those that have the capability to read this, please let me know if it worked.  Thank-you.

Mr. Boettger  :-)

Created with Wallwisher

Happy New Year!

Welcome back to school!  I hope and trust that everyone had a fantastic holiday!  It's good to be back isn't it? :-)

Your blog question this week is a very simple one.  New year resolutions have always been a time for reflecting on the previous year and more importantly improving "who" you are for the upcoming year.  It's time to reflect on the changes you want to make for this upcoming year!

What are your new year resolutions and how are you going to make sure you are going to accomplish them?


Once you have posted your response, read the responses posted by your peers and reply thoughtfully to at least two other students.  Compliment strong points, make connections, ask questions and build on ideas shared!

Mr. Boettger  :-)