End of the Road

"The end is near."  After 174 days of freedom, choice, stress and homework we've all made it to the last week of grade 6.

So many memories,the first year of grade 6; locks & lockers~ panic and frustration, spirit week, Malaysia Week, assessment, grades, bake sales, Ancient Egyptian diaries, team celebrations and more!

The grade 7 teachers can't wait to meet you all in August, so to help them to get to know you, they have asked that you reflect on the year; both academically and work habits, as well as set some goals for grade 7. Remember your blog from grade 6 will move with you to grade 7, in a way it also becomes a mini portfolio of you as a learner. And even if you're leaving ISKL, this digital memory will travel with you forever.

In a well structured blog post, take the time to reflect on the following (Please answer the following questions as thoroughly as you can.)

1. What piece of work and learning are you most proud? Explain.

2. What were your greatest challenges? Explain.

3. Reflecting on your growth this year, what did you learn about yourself as a learner?

4. To evaluate your work habits, choose 1 of the following from each category (and provide explanations):

a) Behavior

Could be improved
Satisfactory
Perfect - the model student

Explanation:

b) Participation

None
Satisfactory
Actively participate in class

Explanation:

c) Organization

Needs serious help
Satisfactory
I'm super organized

d) Effort

Needs serious help
Satisfactory
I always go above and beyond what is required.


5.  Based upon your reflections, write two personal learning goals for Grade 7 next year.

Goal 1 - In Grade 7, I plan to


Goal 2 - In Grade 7, I plan to


6.  Is there any more information about yourself that you would like the teachers to know?


7.  What was your favorite activity lesson in Humanities this year?  What did you enjoy about it?


8.  What activity do you wish we could have spent more time on?


9.  Finally, cast your minds back to the first few months of middle school (when you arrived in Grade 6 ) what "Words of Wisdom" or "Advice" could you pass on to the Class of 2018?

Enjoy,
Mr. Fischer
in collaboration with Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Narsiman

Books, Books

This year we've read the good, the bad, and the boring. Now, as experts, let's compile a summer reading list for each other. So, grab your favorite book that you've read in Grade 6, take a screen shot of yourself with it, and answer the following in complete sentences on your blog:

Title ___________________________
Author _________________________

1. This book made me think about ...

2. This book challenged me as a reader by ...

3. Don't read this book if ...


Please have this finished by Wednesday, 18 May.

Cheers,
Mr. Fischer

Web. 16 May 2011. https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uovTvL5DSgmFh-BpyL3VDzj9h1tfvU8qL0LAfyksf9ummp99pdZfWPdWKoJCfd2sOBfCS1p1RHdi19e9q6TEmB28onCXwmlJRD-m-yiOhZe2DD8KuHNW-NPl6oX7y9ZbVNJC93aSb0z-/s1600/Brothers+Karamazov.jpg.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Dir. Sergio Leone." Perf. Clint , Eastwood. 1966, Film.

Literature Circles 4 Blog

The theme of a work of literature reflects the author's purpose for writing. It carries a message that the author wants the reader to get. He/She wants the reader to think about what happens in the story and learn something about life.



For White Mountains readers, In Chapter 6, The Castle with the Red Tower, the idea of freedom is explored.


"The bitter thing was all the spirit, all the gallantry, was wasted. For even more than inferiors, they accepted and looked forward to being Capped. It was a part of becoming a knight, or of turning from a girl to lady. Thinking of this, I saw how good things could be meaningless in isolation. What value did courage have, without a free and challenging mind to direct it?" (p. 111)


In two well structured paragraphs explain how the above quote and the rest of the chapter relates to the theme, freedom.


Graphic Source: http://www.odegardletters.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/castle-garden500.jpg

For Giver readers in Chapter 16, the idea of freedom and choice are also explored:

" Gabriel's breathing was even and deep. Jonas liked having him there, though he felt guilty about the secret. Each night he gave memories to Gabriel: memories of boat rides and picnics in the sun; memories of soft rainfall against windowpanes; memories of dancing bare-footed on a damp lawn.

"Gabe?"

The new child stirred slightly in his sleep, Jonas looked over at him.

"There could be love" Jonas whispered.

The next morning, for the first time, Jonas did not take his pill. Something within him, something that had grown there through the memories, told him to throw the pill away"

In two (or more) well structured paragraphs explain how the above quote and the rest how chapters 16 ~ 18 relate to the themes of freedom and choice.

Literature Circle 3

The Giver/White Mountains Blogpost 3

Chapter 6—The Castle of the Red Tower

As Will, Henry and Beanpole continue their journey to the White Mountains, the boys gain new understandings and are exposed to a variety of emotions. In well structured paragraphs, please answer the following questions:-

1. How were the Tripods able to control the people?

2. Find evidence (quotations from the novel) to show that even though Will is comfortable living at the castle, he is frustrated that the Comte, Comtesse, and Eloise have been capped.

3. Find evidence (quotes) to show how Will feels about being capped.

Enjoy
Mrs. Narsiman, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Fischer

Graphic Source: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/02/ec/4d/the-red-tower.jpg


For The Giver group...
As we move towards our final two literature circles , its time to read some of your groups amazing blog posts.

The Task:

1. Choose two people from your group.

2. Read blog post 1.

3. Next, write a comment on each blog post - your comment should contain information related to ideas that you had during the discussion and how reading the blog post has added to your understanding of the novel.

Please note - The comment places on each blog post should be 5 or more sentences. QUALITY PLEASE. Check spelling, grammar and word choice.
If you are unable to write a comment on the person's blog (if they have used a non-blogger template for the background ) please write your comments on your own blog.

The whole aim of Literature Circle discussions is very similar to our School wide Learning Results:

* Live Ethically

* Think Creatively

* Collaborate Constructively

* Learn Enthusiastically

* Communicate Effectively.

If people in your group have not completed their Blog Posts, please give them a gentle nudge - you will need their posts to place comments on. This assignment is graded.:)

Graphic source: http://www.collaborativeconsultingalliance.com/Collaborate%20Puzzle.jpg

Egypt Real GDP/Capita

Web. 5 Mar 2011. <http://www.visualizingeconomics.com/2011/02/16/long-term-growth-of-egypt-and-china-1-2008/#>.

Blog Post One Reflection- The Giver and The White Mountains

The first step that you need to do is only read the blogpost that should be completed for the novel that you are reading. If you are reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, continue reading... If you are reading White Mountains skip the Giver information...





In Lois Lowry's novel, Jonas and his family live in the "perfect society" , it could be described as a Utopian Society: , life is safe, orderly, and predictable. Rules are strictly adhered to; every aspect of a person's life is carefully planned. People rarely make choices on their own; everything is decided for them by the community.

For this blog post, you have the choice of journal responses ~ Please read the following three responses and CHOOSE one:

1. Would you want your future to be decided by others ? Why or Why not?
2. How do you feel about the "standard practices" and "rituals" in the community?
3. Why is interdependence fostered in the community?

Guidelines for Blog Post - Minimum 3 paragraphs, include examples and evidence from the novel.

Enjoy.





So far you've read 2 chapters of The White Mountains and discussed it in your first literature circles group. We really hope you are enjoying your time reading the story, and we know that stories are more interesting if you can make a personal connection. So, in that spirit, write a brief (2-3 paragraph) blog post answering the following question:

How is Will just like you?

Enjoy!

Web. 3 Mar 2011. http://jordanruting.com/my%20career.jsp.

Pharaoh iMovie Reflection

Post your iMovie on youtube.com and display the link on your blog.

Evaluate your iMovie in regards to the given rubric.  In addition, reflect on the collaborative production of your movie; what worked and what didn't?  (~2-4 paragraphs)

This post will include a peer reflection in regards to the rubric, MLA citation, and personal specific opinion of someone not associated in the creation of your movie. (~3 paragraphs)

Make sure you complete this by 11 February 2011.

Enjoy,
Mr. Fischer



Web. 7 Feb 2011. <http://www.google.com.my/imglanding?imgurl=http://www.kidsactingco-op.com/images/movie_production.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.kidsactingco-op.com/&h=320&w=317&sz=22&tbnid=YqhH-E-vuTTSyM:&tbnh=226&tbnw=223&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmovie%2Bproduction%2Bpicture&zoom=1&q=movie+production+picture&usg=__90MdaTyyx-kNUr7_nDatokgbK9A%3D&sa=X&ei=TqVPTaeDKsX5rAeTm8zZBg&ved=0CBgQ9QEwAA>.