Geography: Migration

GRADE 8's: We are beginning a new unit in Social Studies!  Before coming to class on Tuesday, please take some time to watch the following video:

Human Migration: Push and Pull Factors

Be prepared to come with any questions you might have, and at least one interesting point from the video to discuss in your table groups.  Be familiar with the concept of push and pull factors; we will use this knowledge to conduct case studies on different people who have migrated to/from their countries.

PARENTS: The above link to the video will introduce your child to the push and pull factors of migration.  If you have a migration story that you are willing to share with the class, please send it in with your child - we would love to hear it!!  As a class, we will then analyze what the push and pull factors were in your story.  See below for the curriculum expectations that are being met through this section of our "Migration" strand.

Overall & Specific Expectations (Ontario Curriculum - Social Studies, Grade 8):

Strand: Geography - Migration

Overall Expectations: Students will ...

- identify factors that affect migration and mobility, describe patterns and trends of migration

in Canada, and identify the effects of migration on Canadian society

- connect the real experiences of Canadians to information about the causes and effects of
migration.

Specific Expectations:  Students will ...

- identify the push and pull factors that influence people to move (e.g., push: drought,war, lack of freedom, discrimination and persecution; pull: employment opportunities, security, climate);

Image of Push/Pull Factors: Haughton, S. (No Date). Migration [Online Image]. Retrieved from http://geography.parkfieldict.co.uk/the-united-kingdom/population-and-migration

Science: Plant and Animal Cells

GRADE 8's: Great work in class today - your plant and animal cell models look fantastic!!  I am excited about getting out the microscopes next week to see how those organelles look in real plant and animal cells.


Reminders:
- If you haven't yet finished your legend/key to accompany your cell model, make sure it is finished by Monday.

- Don't forget to review for your upcoming "Cell Organelles" quiz!  In order to brush up on your facts, please visit the TD Flashzone website and perform the following activities:

•  "Cells Drag and Drop Activity"
•  "Cell Functions Drag and Drop Activity" 

PARENTS:  The above link provides a great review of what we've been learning in class.  Feel free to check out the website to get an idea of what your child needs to know for the upcoming quiz.  These activities will prepare each student to answer questions about plant cells, animal cells and their organelles.  See below for the curriculum expectations that are being met through this section of our "Cells" strand. 

Overall & Specific Expectations (Ontario Curriculum - Science and Technology, Grade 8):

Strand: Understanding Life Systems - Cells

Overall Expectations: Students will ...

(3) demonstrate an understanding of the basic structure and function of plant and animal cells and cell processes.

Specific Expectations:  Students will ...

(3.2) identify structures and organelles in cells, including the nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, vacuole, mitochondria, and cytoplasm, and explain the basic functions of each (e.g., the nucleus holds all the information needed to make every cell in the body)

(3.3) compare the structure and function of plant and animal cells

Image of Science Class: National Research Council Canada (NRC). [Online Image]. Retrieved from: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/education/teachers/life/module_7-9.html

Customs & Cultures - Spotlight on Japan

One of the great things about living in Canada is that we have friends and neighbours from all over the world!  I'm always excited to learn about new traditions and customs.  Knowing about other cultures helps us to recognize that our way of doing things isn't necessarily the best way, and certainly not the only way.  We have much to learn from other people!  Between now and the end of the year, we will take time to explore how our friends in other parts of the world live.

Our cultural focus for this week is Japan - the land of the rising sun.  Japan is a special country to me because I had the opportunity to live and teach there for more than a year!  I loved taking part in Japanese culture and traditions, and would love to share some of my knowledge and experiences with you.  Follow the links below to learn about life in Japan:

National Geographic - Japan

Yahoo - Around the World (Japan)

Japan - KidsWeb

Image of girl: Toma, Mashi. (2011, January 26). Kimono Robe [Online image]. Retrieved from http://mashitoma.blogspot.ca/2011/01/i-want-to-wear-kimono.html
Image of mountains: Cubix Internet Studio. (2012). Mount Fuji and Plum Blossoms, Japan [Online image]. Retrieved from http://crispme.com/roundup-15-amazing-hq-japan-wallpapers

Hamilton - The City of Waterfalls

Did you know that Hamilton is home to over 100 breathtaking waterfalls?  Hamilton is the perfect place for waterfalls because the Niagara Escarpment runs right through the city!  The Niagara Escarpment is like a cliff or a steep slope that separates our city into areas of higher and lower elevation.  Our school is located on a higher elevation on top of the escarpment ("on the mountain"), but downtown Hamilton is located on a lower elevation at the bottom of the escarpment.  Since the escarpment provides both high and low surfaces, water can flow down easily, thus creating our many waterfalls.

Many of the waterfalls are easy to get to and all of them are fun to visit!  There are many hiking paths and lovely views along the way.  One of my favourite waterfalls here in Hamilton is Webster's Falls.  Not only is it beautiful, but it's a great place to have a picnic, to barbecue, to enjoy a hike, to play soccer, to take pictures, or just to relax.  Do you have a favourite waterfall here in Hamilton?  Next time your family is wondering what to do on the weekend, why don't you suggest checking out one of our local waterfalls?




Follow this link for more information on the City of Waterfalls.

Image of Waterfall: Bashir, Adil. (Date unknown). Webster's Falls, Ontario, Canada [Online image]. Retrieved from http://intensiveknowledge.blogspot.ca/p/worlds-amazing-places.html

Hello and Welcome Grades 8's!

Welcome Grades 8's!

Hello Grade 8's.  I hope you all had a fantastic holiday, and that you are ready for 2013!  The start of a new year is a great time to try new things.  That being said, I am excited that we have this opportunity to discover different ways of using technology.  This blog will help us explore all kinds of interesting websites and point us to cool internet-based tools to learn all about the world around us.  I will be posting some things just for fun or interest's sake, but other postings will be a component of our required studies.  As we start this journey together don't forget to have fun!

Note to Parents: A very special welcome to you as well!  I hope you will join us on our new blogging adventure.  As with your children, I too will be learning as we go along.  Many of the resources and technologies that we'll be using are ones that I'm currently discovering myself.  Since many of you are far more technologically-oriented than I am, I invite you to share with me any resources, ideas or suggestions that you might have in order to make this component of our curriculum as enriching as possible.