Some due dates

Wednesday:  Data Management Test
Thursday:  Geography Quiz
Friday:  Final Polished Business Letter

Montreal Meeting Tonight

Just a reminder that a representative from Temple and Temple Tours will visit the school tonight to provide information about our trip to Montreal.  Despite the 'Snow Day', the meeting will go ahead as planned.  See you there!

Business Fair

It's November which means we need to start thinking about Business Fair, our big Quebec trip fundraiser.  Please think of a business idea and speak to Mr. Bowhey or Mr. Durance about what you'd like to do.

County Champs!

Congratulations to the Nottawa Nighthawks Flag Football team, 2014-2015 Simcoe County Champions!

Heaven Shop Novel Study

Chapter 13

1.    Comparing Binti’s environment at Gogo’s house with her environment at Uncle Wysom’s house: How have her circumstances improved? How have they worsened?

2.    Compare Binti’s current relationship with Memory with the relationship Binti used to have with her sister in Malawi.

3.    How does Memory feel about Binti? Why?

Chapter 14

4. What does Binti learn through the experience of struggling through the improvisational play?

*Question #1 will be done with your group*

Vocabulary

• Triumph, wavered, demerits, dispersed, praise, pastor.

Picture Yourself in Grade 9

All of our Grade 8's will be visiting CCI on Wednesday November 5th, in order to get introduced to some of the optional courses offered at the school.

Immunizations

The HPV and HepB immunizations that are scheduled for next Thursday will still be given on that day.  However, those athletes competing at the Area Flag Football Championships that day will receive their immunizations on the following Wednedsay (October 22nd).

High School Visit

Our first visit to CCI will occur on Wednesday, November 5 at the 'Picture Yourself in Grade 9' day.

Flag Football

Nottawa will be hosting Admiral in Flag Football Tuesday, October 14th (the Tuesday following Thanksgiving Monday).

Newspaper Deadlines

Four articles written by tomorrow.  All articles by Friday!

Flag Football Tonight!

Flag today after school versus Cameron St., Connaught, and Byng.  Come on out and cheer on our 'Hawks!

Thanks.

Thank you to the parents who helped sell pizza at our 'Meet the Teacher Night'.  A BIG thanks to Mrs. Soychak who organized our parent volunteers.

Flag Football

Our first first Flag Football game will take place here at Nottawa on Wednesday, October 1st.

Due Thursday!

1)  'Metaphor' song with appropriate lyrics
2)  Novel study
3)  One article (in pencil only) transcribed onto newspaper

Science Lab

Our first science lab is due Wednesday.  Don't leave it until Tuesday night.  Get it done tonight, so you can ask questions tomorrow.

Volunteers Needed!

Only 2 parents have contacted Mrs Soychak about volunteering on 'Meet the Teacher Night'.  Please contact either me or Lori if you can volunteer, or all money raised will go to the school's general fund, instead of to the Grade 8's.

Meet the Teacher Night

Mrs. Soychak has graciously offered to organize parent volunteers for our meet the teacher night.  Those wishing to help should contact her directly (or through me) to let her know when you're available to sell pizza and/or juice boxes.  We have the following time slots available:
4:30pm - 5:00pm
5:00pm - 5:30pm
5:30pm - 6:00pm

Meet the Teacher Night

Nottawa's 'Meet the Teacher Night' is scheduled for next week (Sept 25th).  Parents of Grade 8 students are needed to help with preparations leading up to the 25th as well as with selling pizza and drinks on the night itself.  Please contact Mr. Bowhey, Mr. Durance, or Mr. Comish if you can help.  All proceeds will go toward your child's Grade 8 trip to Montreal.  Please help us help you.

Google Drive

Today we learned how to log on to Google Drive so that each student can work on documents they've begun here at school, at home.  To best facilitate this, computers at home should be equipped with Google Chrome (a free search engine which takes the place of Internet Explorer).

Newspapers

Things are starting to move forward with our newspapers.  Every article (around 7 in total) should have details included by tomorrow.  A first sentence for each article is due by Friday.

Are you ready for some football?

Flag Football tryouts will begin this Monday @ 2nd break.  Be sure to bring your P.E. stuff and cleats.  Let's continue our winning tradition!

Logins

Everyone was able to Log on to our brand new Chrome books today.  Thanks Mr. Comish!

Welcome back!

Class lists seem to be settled now.  Time to start work!

Grad

Our Graduation will begin at 7pm on Wednesday.  Although there will be a photo booth available for pictures beginning around 5:30pm and the graduate group shot is scheduled for 6:45pm.  Don't be late!

Track

Congrats to all of our athletes who competed in today's Area Track and Field Championships.  A big shout-out to Karen Dawson (mother of "Top Junior Boy", Xander) who spent the whole day helping out in the tent.  Thanks!

Health and Sexuality

Health classes will begin this week.  Please hand in your permission form on Monday!

Confederation Conference

Conference is tomorrow (Friday).  Don't forget your costume!

Essays

2nd paragraph for the indepedent essay is due tomorrow!  rough copy due Wednesday of next week.

Independent Essay

9 Quotes are due Wednesday!

Independent Essays

Independent essay topic was due today.  Thesis is due tomorrow.

Movie Trailers due next week

Movie trailers are due Wednesday of next week!

Movie Trailers

We have begun work on our movie trailers.  Storyboards due this Wednesday.

Commercials

Due this coming Tuesday!  Last weekend to work on them.

Novel Studies, March 24-28

The Giver.  Chapters #12-13

1.     There is much talk of “precision” of language in the novel.  What is missing from the ‘Community’s’ language lessons that would help Jonas in this chapter?

2.     As on page 90, the author often writes phrases like, “she replied automatically” to describe the manner in which people of the “Community” speak.  What message is the author trying to send by using phrases such as this?

3.     Why do you think the “Community” removed the ability to see colour from its people?  What problems could the presence of colour lead to?

4.     How is Jonas’ attitude toward the “Community’s” rules beginning to change?

Vocabulary

·      Admonition, occupational, fleeting, relinquished, entirety

 Kicked Out.  Chapter 8.

1.    What did Dime do to make sure she didn’t sleep in and miss school?

2.    Why did Dime think Lena was fighting for Gabe?

3.    How has the way Dime feels about Lena changed?

Vocabulary

• Psyche, entire, imagined, insecure, hostile

My Side of the Mountain.  Pages #85-106

1. Explain what happens on the first night Sam lights a fire in his tree.
2. On page 92, why does the author refer to the sun as “cold [and] steely”.
3. What did Sam do to keep from being seen by hunters?

Vocabulary

·         Boldly, scheme, resented, cavort, indignity.

Lord of the Nutcracker Men.  Chpts 11 and 12

1. What does Aunt Ivy mean when she says, “The war will kill him”?
2. What do you think the dream that Johnny had about his father and the Sergeant means?
3. Though he is beginning to learn about the horrors of war, Johnny is still quite naïve.  Find an example of his naïvety in this chapter.
4. Describe how Johnny’s relationship with his Aunt Ivy has changed since he first arrived in Cliffe.

Vocabulary

• Fancied, quavered, Heroic, bursts, tattered, gait.
• Petty, heaving, ghastly, dismal, plodded.

The Outsiders.   Chapter 6

1. How do you think Dally’s parents and childhood have influenced the way he is now?
2. Why doesn’t Dally want Johnny to turn himself in?
3. What “other side” of Dally is revealed in this chapter?
4. What’s your definition of a hero?  Do the three boys prove themselves to be heroes according to your definition?  Explain.

Vocabulary

·         Doggedly, bewilderment, pleading, detached, plasma

Post March Break Novel Studies

The Giver.  Chapters #10-11

1.      Why does the ‘Community’ feel it is necessary to keep memories of things that have been removed?

3.      What does the Giver mean when he says, “It is how wisdom comes.  And how we shape our future”?

4.      What is meant by “sameness”?  Why is it so important to the survival of the community?

5.      What does the Giver mean when he explains to Jonas that honour is not the same as power?

Vocabulary

·         Hastily, conspicuous, deftly, conveyance, quizzically.

My Side of the Mountain.  Pages #68-85 

1. Although Sam’s senses are not as good as Frightful’s, they have improved.  Provide evidence from the novel to support this statement.
2. Despite his fear of the man Sam finds sleeping at his camp, Sam decides to greet him instead of moving camp.  What makes him decide this?
3. What does Sam do to battle his loneliness?

 Vocabulary

·         Furtively, chittering, devoted, fragrant, evidently. 

Lord of the Nutcracker Men.  Chapters 9 and 10.

1. What is James referring to when he writes, “You might find it rather familiar, son”?  Why would it be familiar to Johnny?
2. When Sarah tries to explain the reality of war to Johnny, he stops her.  Why do you think he does?
3. What name have the soldiers given to where the communication trench meets a steam?  Why have they named it that?
4. Initially, Johnny thinks his carving of Harry Black is dancing.  Later, he realizes he’s not.  What does he finally conclude Harry is doing?  How does he come to this ultimate realization?

 Vocabulary

• Boche, clambered, astonishing, reconnaissance, swaths.
• Forage, sappers, meddling, cordite, rigors.

Kicked Out.  Chapter 7.    

1. Does Dime actually hate her parents?  Explain.
2. hen Dime tells Darren that her parents love him more than her, what is his reaction?  What do you think his reaction says about what Dime thinks?
3. Why does Darren love Dime so much?

 Vocabulary

• Rumors, faded, burst, ignore, blazed.

The Outsiders.  Chapter 5

1. What does Ponyboy mean when he says, “I was supposed to be the deep one”?
2. Johnny thinks of Dally as a hero.  Do you think he is a hero based on what he did?  Explain.
3. Examine Robert Frost’s poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay”.  What do you think the poem is saying?  How might this apply to the characters in the novel?
4. Who’s the spy for the Greasers?  Does this surprise you?  Why or why not?

 Vocabulary

·         Reluctantly, sullen, eluded, imploringly, gallant, indignant

Novel Study (March 3-6)

The Giver.  Chapters 8 and 9.

1. What is the difference between being ‘assigned’ and being, ‘selected’?
2. What do you think the Receiver meant when he claimed Jonas had, “the Capacity to See Beyond”?
3. What made Jonas feel “different” and “separate”?
4. What name does the community give to the term, bedroom.  Why do you think they call it that instead of bedroom?

Vocabulary

• Indolence, solemnly, spontaneously, unnerving, anguish.

Kicked Out.  Chapters 5 and 6. 

1. Are Gabe and Tiff good friends to Dime?  Explain.
2. Why did Dime go out the ‘preppy’ door?
3. What really made Dime cry while watching “Old Yeller”?
4. Why did Darren yell at Dime?
5. When someone questions Dime’s decisions and life, what does she do?

 Vocabulary

• Scouted, stoop, mumbled, obvious, teased.

My Side of the Mountain.  Pages #58-68.

1. Why might it be dangerous for Sam to set his deer trap in the summer?
2. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the summer season.
3. Why did Sam take the sparrow that Frightful had caught from her?

Vocabulary

·         Threadbare, frayed, recognition, steely, preening.

The Outsiders.  Chapter 4.

1. Why was the park a good place for Johnny and Ponyboy to cool off?
2. What three things did Johnny say they needed to get out of their predicamet?
3. What did Ponyboy say was the best way to deal with Buck Merril?
4. What would your advice be to Johnny and Ponyboy if they came to you for help? Explain?

 Vocabulary

·         Ruefully, hermit, premonition, unceasingly, finality.

Lord of the Nutcracker Men.  Chapters 7 and 8.

1. How has the way in which Johnny’s father ends his letters changed?  Why do you think he has made this change?
2. Do you think Mr. Tuttle knows it was Johnny who ruined his roses?  Explain.
3. Johnny’s father uses an analogy to explain how it felt to leave his trench.  What is an analogy?  What analogy does he use?  Why is this analogy effective?
4. Why was the letter Johnny’s father wrote to him in this chapter Johnny’s favourite?  What does this tell you about Johnny’s understanding of the War?

 Vocabulary

• Loath, blight, barren, parapet, barricade.
• Nuisance, kinship, lunatic, sergeant, sniper.

Novel Studies (Feb 24-28)

My Side of the Mountain.  Pages #41-58

1. Why do you think Sam is so excited to get his falcon?
2. What lesson did the visit from the forest warden teach Sam?
3. Why was getting a deer so important to Sam?

Vocabulary

·         Shinnied, exertion, raving, resolved, berated.

Kicked Out.  Chapters 3 and 4.

1. Compare Darren’s strategy with dealing with Dime to that of his parents?  Which do you think will be more successful?
2. Why does Dime like Gabe so much?
3. Dime acts tough.  Is she as tough as she acts?  Explain.

 Vocabulary

• Aide, lecture, combat, rippled, unconscious.

The Giver.  Chapters #5-7

1.      What do you think the pills that Jonas now has to take, do?

2.      What did front-buttoned jackets symbolize?  Explain the symbolism.

3.     Explain the significance of the new-child’s name, “Caleb”.  What is your opinion of this tradition?

4.     Was the way the ‘Community’ corrected Asher’s speech, appropriate and effective?  Explain. 

Vocabulary

·         meticulously, scrupulously, prestige, chastisement, sheepish.

The Outsiders.  Chapter 3

1. Do you think Ponyboy and Cherry will ‘hook up’?  Why or why not?
2. Compare how the death of Pony’s parents has affected each of the three brothers.
3. What happens when Pony comes home after his curfew?  Why do you think Darry reacts this way?
4. At the end of the chapter, how does the author foreshadow that bad things are going to happen?

 Vocabulary

·         Impersonally, ornery, resignedly, aloof, quivering

Lord of the Nutcracker Men.  Chapters 5 and 6

1. Define ‘irony’.  Why was it ironic that Mr. Tuttle gave so much money to Johnny for his ‘guy’?
2.  What day was Johnny commemorating when he made his “guy”?  Describe the origin of the holiday.
3.  The author used the ceremony that Johnny went to as a metaphor.  What is a metaphor and what do you think the burning of Johnny’s ‘guy’ was supposed to represent?
4.  If Sarah’s voice, clothes, shape and hair aren’t like a boy’s, why did Johnny think, “she was exactly like a boy”?

Vocabulary

• Fizzly, suffragettes, livid, treason, whittle
• Sector, churned, atrocious, lolling, gangly.

Radio Ads

We start radio ads this coming week.  Try to come up with an idea and a 'hook' this weekend for your commercial.

MSOTM. pp. 25-40.

Pages #25- 40

1. Did Sam make any mistakes his first few weeks on his own?  Explain.
2. Why did Sam consider hickory to be such a valuable tree?
3. Why do you think Sam decided to walk the old lady home?

Vocabulary

·         coltish, vague, fretting, citified, reaped.

Outsiders. Chapter 2

The group question is bolded.

1. Are the names Ponyboy and Sodapop nicknames?  Explain.
2. Why doesn’t Ponyboy like referring to Sodapop as a dropout?
3. What do you think Ponyboy means when he compares Two-Bit to a “Chessy cat”?
4. There are a lot of references to cigarettes in this novel.  Do you think the author is glorifying smoking (making it seem like a good thing)?  Explain.

 Vocabulary

·         Vaguely, nonchalantly, incredulous, hastily, roguishly

Giver. Chapters 3/4

*  If you have read ahead and know the answer to #5, skip it and answer #6.  Group question is bolded.  

1. What is the ‘community’s’ opinion of biological mothers?
2. Using evidence from the novel, describe what you think it means to be “released”.
3. Why was there no real need of a mirror in the community?
4. Described what happened to the apple that Asher and Jonas were playing catch with.  What do you think this could mean?
5. Why does the author describe Gabriel’s eyes as, “knowing”? (p. 25)

Vocabulary

·         chastise, petulantly, acknowledged, hoarded, nondescript.

LOTNM. Chapters 3/4

The group question is bolded 

1. Did Sarah’s father respect generals?
2. What about Johnny’s battle scene in his aunt’s garden was inaccurate?
3. How does the tone of the latest letter from Johnny’s father differ from the first two?
4. How did the author foreshadow that Mr. Tuttle was in the parlour waiting for Johnny?

Vocabulary

• Swagger stick, abide, satchel, lieutenant, Horlicks
• Gouged, barrage, private (from the novel!), waif, artillery.

"My Side of the Mountain" Novel Study #1

Pages #1 – 24.  #2 is the Group Question

1. Why do you suppose Sam ran away from home?
2.  What were the stomach contents of the first fish that Sam caught?  Is that good or bad?  Explain.
3. What did Sam discover while digging for worms?  Why did that worry him?

Vocabulary

Define the following words (as they are used in the novel), indicate the part of speech, and then use each in a full sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.  Be careful of the different parts of speech in your sentences!

·         moans, folly, hushed, comfortably, exhibited.

"The Outsiders" Novel Study #1

Chapter 1.  #2 is the Group Question

1. Compare and contrast the ‘Socs’ and the ‘Greasers’.
2. What’s the difference between ‘tough’ and ‘tuff’?
3. Do you think Darry loves Ponyboy?  Why does he treat Ponyboy the way he does?
4. How do Ponyboy’s relationships with Darry and Sodapop differ?  Explain.

Vocabulary

Define the following words (as they are used in the novel), indicate the part of speech, and then use each in a full sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.  Be careful of the different parts of speech in your sentences!

·         Editorials, irresistibly, wisps, dissect, sarcasm

"The Giver" Novel Study #1

Chapters #1-2.  #3 is the Group Question

1.  What changes will occur in Jonas's life after "The Ceremony"?
2. What word would you use to describe the ‘community’?  Give evidence from the novel to support your choice of the word.
3. Who is Asher?  How is he different than Jonas?
4. How would you describe the nature of the family's dinner conversation?

Vocabulary

Define the following words (as they are used in the novel), indicate the part of speech, and then use each in a full sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.  Be careful of the different parts of speech in your sentences!

·         Pondered, disposition, nurturing, prominent, transgression. 

"Lord of the Nutcracker Men" Novel Study #1

Chapters 1 and 2.  #2 is the Group Question

1. What nationality were Johnny’s ‘Nutcracker Men’?  How do you know?
2. Why were people in Johnny’s neighbourhood disappearing?  Where do you think they were going?
3. Does Johnny understand what war means?  Explain.
4. Explain why Johnny’s mother went to the kitchen while she and Johnny were talking about Zepps and fighting.

Vocabulary

Define 5 of the following words (as they are used in the novel), indicate the part of speech, and then use each in a full sentence that demonstrates that you understand its meaning.  Be careful of the different parts of speech in your sentences!

• Bayonett, tanner, puttees, khaki, ‘Tommy’.
• Lorries, zeppelin, barrister, queuing.

Grad Photos

Photo orders are due this Friday!

Option Sheets

CCI Guidance will be visiting our class on the 27th of February to help us input our course options for Grade 9.  Be sure to have your yellow Option Sheets filled in, signed, and handed back to Mr. Bowhey no later than the 21st of February.

Bouyancy Lab

Due Thursday!

Things to do on a snow day (besides GTA 5)

Geography Brochure:  Rough edition due Tuesday.     Chapter 11 Geography Quiz:  Wednesday.     Invention:  5 slides due Thursday.

Inventions!

Inventions, which have taken a back seat of late, will be starting tomorrow.  Please come to school on Tuesday with your idea and be prepared to begin work on it.

Correction!

Tonight's information session @ CCI is for ALL Grade 8 students.  ALL parents of Grade 8 students are encouraged to attend.

Students with IEP's

Parents of students with IEP's are invited to attend a Grade 8 Information Night at CCI.  January 15 at 7pm.

Essays due tomorrow!

Language Homework

Essays due this Wednesday.     Speeches will be presented beginning this Thursday.     5 NEW Independent Novel Study journal entries (for a total of 15) are due Friday.

Grad Photos this Thursday!

Graduation Photos will take place this Thursday, January 16.     Composite order forms were sent home today.     Recommended attire:  Boys:  white dress shirt and tie,     Girls:  white blouse.

Mathletics

Don't forget to sign up for "Mathletics", a Math program offered by Mrs. Garvan which will operate from mid-January until the end of February.  This free program will be deliverd from 10:40 - 11:20, three times per week.  For more details and an online registration form, check out the school website.

Things to do on a 'snow day'.

Speech:  Due January 16th.     'The Heaven Shop' essay:  Due January 17th.     Independent Novel Study:  5 NEW journal entries due this Friday.     Business Fair Package:  Due this Friday!