Ms. Kassam's Humanities Blog

Update: We are finishing up Renaissance projects (probably seeing them at home this weekend) and working on displays and costumes. Parent teacher interviews - It was lovely to meet so many parents over the last couple of days. Assessment/Check In: Sentence and main idea quiz was shared with the students and we re-investigated sentence types. Students have a much stronger understanding - open up a book and ask them to identify the sentence type of any line you choose! Writing Contest: https://www.ripplefoundation.ca/kids-write-4-kids/kids-write-4-kids-creative-challenge/ Next Week: It's a full week next week, so you better get lots of rest on this long weekend. I will be looking at your Renaissance research charts over the weekend and your duotangs, next week. Have a wonderful long weekend!

Update: Full speed ahead with the Renaissance Faire project. I'm impressed with the tremendous on task actions of everyone. Here are the three reflection questions you need to answer for the third page of your project duotang: 1. How effective was your artifact design compared to the making of it? Any challenges? 2. How has the 'making' process been going? 3. What's your plan for next week in relation to: artifact, display and costume? The quiz on main idea and sentence types will be returned early next week. We did more work around these two concepts this week and there have been some breakthroughs! Things you might like to see from your child: a. Renaissance investigation questions and research b. Main idea exit tickets c. Sentence worksheets d. News article exit tickets This week we also headed to Ralph Klein Park to complete a water study and develop a stronger understanding of how this man made wetland support sending cleaner water downstream. N

Update: Much work has been done this week on identifying the main idea and identifying different types of sentences. There were a number of struggles when these areas were first identified, and now more confidence is being demonstrated. There will be a quiz on Tuesday to identify where gaps may still exist and need to be addressed. Renaissance Faire Project: Students have completed their research into their investigation question and sub-questions. They are now in the process of designing their artifact, determining the materials they will use, and creating their 'building' timeline. We are trying our best to develop excellent project planning skills that will see students well into the future. Students have been given specific instructions not to spend a vast amount of money on their projects. Sourcing materials from a variety of places/people, reducing project size, etc. are all manageable responses to the cost. Next Week: Monday - Remembrance Day - no school Tue

Update: We watched a series of Renaissance videos this week to get a better idea of the advancements during the Renaissance times. Following this, we began to develop investigative research questions for the Faire project, and we worked on refining the questions to actually allow for investigation and deeper thinking, rather than simple answers. Those questions are to be finalized already and students are developing a chart with their categories of questions to begin research next week. This week, we also read an article about "Economic Globalization" and students were asked to identify the main idea after reading and annotating the text. Interested in Law? A youth law conference will be held at U of C Law School on Saturday, November 2nd from 8:45 am to 4 pm. More info and registration at www.youthleadersinlaw.com. Time Change: An extra hour of sleep this weekend! Next Week: Monday: Complete up to Read Theory 12, have Renaissance question finalized and char