Block A - Integrated Studies > Tuning Questions

The focus continued on formulating the essential question for our free inquiries.  Everyone who finished Project Planner #1 were able to work on an activity that hopefully fine tuned their questions.  After the activity, the final question should be submitted onto Google Classroom under Block A - Essential question.

The remaining people need to complete the Project Planner #1 and submit their inquiry question onto Block B - question I am pursuing.

Next inquiry day is Block B.

Block A - Integrated Studies 8> Inquiry and Fair trade presentations

The week began with our first lesson on the final inquiry. The focus of the lesson was about finding a topic/passion where you could formulate a question for your inquiry. For Monday, your project planner #1 should be completed with the BIG ESSENTIAL question so we can fine tune them in class. There is a checklist for the questions along with the planner on Google classroom.

Block G & A - Integrated Studies 8 > Fair trade presentations and intro to final Inquiry

Today, only one group was prepared to present in Block G. Thanks Lynna, Precious and Ria.  Block A we were able to get through 3 groups (thanks to you all!). We will definitely have the rest of the groups going next class.

The remainder of the class was spent on informing ourselves on the new Inquiry (info sheet is on Moodle page).  After reading it over quickly, everyone was given a second handout:  Final Inquiry - Getting Ideas ( on Moodle as well), to work on for the rest of the period (It will help for coming up with ideas for your inquiry).

Block A > Integrated Studies 8 > Group time to work on Fair Trade assignment

Today was one of the final sessions to work together as a group.  Everyone should be prepared to present their information on Friday which means there needs to be time to practice before that day. Please be sure you are prepared.

Block A - Integrated Studies > Citing our sources in APA format

We carried on from finding reliable sources to citing the Chocolate sources using Bibme.org in order to create a properly formatted Reference page in APA style. We were able to view a Prezi that explained everything and then tried to cite our 3 chocolate sources we found the other day (Topic 32 on Moodle). 

We will check our citations next class.

Block A - Integrated Studies 8 > Same thing I said for Block G

Here is a recap of the past wee.

This week we started with learning a little bit about Chocolate and where it is grown in the world which will hopefully lead us to connecting to trade. There is a brief lesson on Moodle under Topic 30.

From here, we moved on to refreshing our skills on finding quality sources by using Google Scholar and taking part in an activity, analyzing articles on Bees and pesticides. Topic 31 on Moodle.

A - Integrated Studies 8 > Catch up day

The class was given the period to catch up on work that is due: Current Events assignment, Trade City assignment and the Trade game reflection.  The last 2 listed are found on Moodle and should be submitted through Moodle.  These should be completed in the next few days.

Enjoy your spring break.

A & G - Integrated Studies 8 > Trading simulation

With a limited amount of time, students were placed into groups representing a specific country and participated in a simulation where they had to trade specified goods.  Everyone was very involved having to deal with new trade situations and the price of goods increasing or dropping.

Remember to finish and submit the reflection questions found under Topic 29 on Moodle.

A & G - Integrated Studies > Reviewing the Silk Road and reviewing Bibliographies

We quickly went over the information on our Silk Road tour and trying to draw comparisons to the cities. The remainder of the class was spent on reviewing  Bibliographies since we are still having trouble with listing sources.

G & A - Integrated Studies 8 > Silk Road tour & price of sugar

Students added one more city to their work on the Silk Road virtual tour.  The remainder of the class was spent starting the documentary, THE PRICE OF SUGAR.

Next class, we will go over the tour information and talk about what we have seen so far in the documentary.

G & A - Integrated Studies > Silk Road Tour

Students learned about the Silk Road back in the Middle Ages that connected Europe to Asia and opened up trading. The period was spent going on a virtual tour to various stops on the road and compiling information like products, influence on Cultures and today.

Silk road virtual tour

G&A - Integrated Studies 8 > Researching on global trade networks (past and present)

Today, everyone was given a work session to complete the assignment on Global trade networks in Middle Ages and today. Don't forget to make a bibliography of your sources.

G & A - Integrated Studies 8 > Moving on to Mapping early trade routes in the Middle Ages

We worked on and quickly reviewed an activity on trade routes in the Middle ages, noting principal commercial centers, trade fair locations and trade routes. Next, the focus will be on a trading network assignment, chosing a country and city in the Middle Ages and comparing the past to the present.

For next class, everyone should finish the first 3 questions on the Middle ages section of the assignment.

A&G- Integrated Studies > Still thinking Globally and looking at Middle Ages too

We quickly reviewed the Global Connection questions, talking about the advantages and disadvantages while also investigating our top trade partners and import/export products. The remainder of class was introducing ourselves to the Middle Ages by working on a summarizing activity using a Middle Ages website and a graphic organizer. All the information for the summarizing activity is on Moodle.

For next day, finish the graphic organizer and bring 3 pencil crayons to class.

A & G - Integrated Studies 8 > Connecting Globally

We looked at all the items we own, in our backpack and tried to document and  map their origins.  We made a few observations about where the items come from and why.  We will continue the discussion next day. Please finish the questions posted on Moodle.

A & G - Integrated Studies 8 > Building structures

The class spent the class in small groups with the challenge of building the tallest structure, mainly composed of straws, that could support a softball. Everyone worked well in groups, trying to use their critical and creative side to meet the challenge.

For next class, make sure that you are signed up for the Current events presentations.

A - Integrated 8 > Current events - taking time to summarize

The class was introduced to a new Current Events assignment that every one will take turns presenting.  A format was introduced. Then, we quickly moved on to a summarizing activity so we have practice when doing the current events assignment

For next class, everyone must finish the first summary box. Also, find 3 reliable news sources that you can use for the Current events activity.

A - Integrated Studies 8 > Assessment and Questioning

The first half of the class focused on preparing for Assessment week next week. Everyone has an assessment form that needs to be filled out before conferencing in class. It is important to review the learning levels, then the assignments you have done to determine what you feel you deserve. You need to provide evidence of the work you have to explain your choice.

The second half dealt with the process of creating questions for Inquiry. We did not finish the lesson so the task is to brainstorm questions referring to the theme of Connection and have them ready for next class.

All the work is found on Moodle.

A - Integrated Studies > Practicing our reading skills

Today, we shared our completed storybooks in small groups while getting a brief lesson about reading to a young audience.

How to read aloud to a young audience - powerpoint

In small groups, we each shared our stories, then offered feedback about the story and our presentation skills through 2 stars and a wish. 

A - Integrated Studies 8 > Story book work

The period was used to complete the storybooks. They are due on Monday.  Remember to create a catchy title.
Also, don't forget to do the following on Moodle:

1.  Submit bibliography and notes from the project on the Energy exit assignment final pieces.

2. Topic 16 - Energy Reflection