1. How to Survive and Thrive
Grade 8
How to Survive and Thrive

2. Important Information
Mr. Galea: English, Geography, Religion, Family Life, Visual Arts, Drama, Health, Phys Ed.
Mr. Quintana: Mathematics and Science
Mrs. Reda: Dance and Music
Library every Wednesday
Gym every Friday
Important Information

3. What does it mean for your child to be “successful” this year?
High Marks?
An improvement on grade 7 marks?
More of an interest in school?
Finding a passion in a field of study?
For me, my goal as a teacher is to make learning the priority over anything else.
Learning vs. Grades

4. English Program
The English program is designed to cover all aspects of the grade 8 curriculum but also help your daughter or son in grade 9.
I tend to focus on writing, reading, oral communication (listening and speaking) and media literacy as separate entities in order to really get into them in a meaning ful way. As the term and year progresses, they get combined and so do students comfort level.
Highlights of the program include: descriptive writing, essay writing, examination of short stories, study of a Christmas Carol, movie trailers, graphic novels vs. regular novels, podcasts, poetry, speeches/TED Talks.

5. Geography and History Geography in term one, History in term two.
Focus is on Human Geography – how human’s interact with the world around them.
Focus is on Canada’s relationship with the rest of the world.
History is focused on Canada’s confederation and key events that come in the years after leading up to WW1.
Basis of the subjects isn’t on content but on inquiry and inquiry process – developing a question, researching, presenting in a creative way that interests them.
Geography and History

6. Homework
Basis of homework is unfinished work in class, review of notes, study for assessment pieces.
If you’re expecting your son or daughter to have their nights filled with hours of homework – that is simply not happening and if it is, there is something wrong.
Extension and inquiry questions will be given that will allow students to explore more at home using the internet as a tool.

7. Odds and Ends Camp Muskoka – November 8-10 Chromebooks Twitter
Class Website

8. Questions . . . Comments . . . . Concerns . . .