The grade 9 class has touched on proper essay formatting before, but never like this! Yes, they know the usual 5 body paragraph essay with the oh-so typical introduction, body, and conclusion format, but what they didn't know was how important that introduction paragraph is! This week the 9s were learning all about writing effective hooks, how to capture the reader's attention, how to incorporate general and specific information, and last but definitely not least, they were working on how to write the perfect list thesis.
We reviewed what a hook was (from rhetorical questions, to relevant quotations, to even starting statements), and how to funnel down from general information to specific information, and what a list thesis really was. "A thesis? What's a thesis?!", they cried! Oh, it was music to my ears. I love teaching about proper thesis writing. No, I'm not crazy, I just love to teach it because it was something I struggled with in school, even in university, so when it finally clicked in my brain, I felt the need to share my enthusiasm!
What I had the 9s do (after we did some group examples) was have them pick a topic from a list I provided and write their own introductory paragraph. Most of the topics were great starting points for a persuasive paper. There was everything from the benefits of school sports and locker searches, to the more controversial issues like euthanasia and social welfare. Once the students picked a topic, they had to write out their introduction paragraph (with a hook, general and specific information, and a thesis) and stagger their sentences on a scrap piece of paper to cut out. When they were done, they handed their pieces to a partner to see if they could put together their introduction. You see, I told them that they would know their introduction paragraph was effective if people could take their separate sentences and piece them back together in the right order. If someone could do that, then you know your introduction paragraph was a success.
Check out some of the pictures of the students trying to piece together their classmate's introduction paragraphs! I think we got the hang of it!
The grade 9s were introduced to their final unit before their PAT preparation and it seems that they're really getting into it! The students were given the task to prepare a duotang of mini assignments about an age-appropriate novel of their choice. The authors range from John Green to Stephen King. The genres are so diverse and it's interesting to see even the most reluctant learners reading their novels and EXCITEDLY sharing what they read after each class! 
As we begin our unit, the students were broken into groups and given a list of 20 items. All of these items were taken on the Endurance by Shackleton and his crew. Once their ship was stuck in ice and sinking to the bottom of the ocean, the men had to decide what items to take for survival and which ones to leave behind. It was up to the students to decide which items were the most important and which ones they could part ways with. They needed to list their items from 1 (being the most important) to 20 (being the least important). It was interesting to see and hear what rationale and explanations the students came up with to make their lists. While some felt that taking a rifle and ammunition was the most imperative for survival, others felt that having matches and lumber would help far more than anything else. 
The students placed themselves into reading groups where they read together, work on chapter booklets, and analyze everything from character motivations to relationships. Along with our readings, we have our Kahoot quizzes (find one of our quizzes at https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/f00d8162-24c5-473f-81f4-9e3f8c39e07a). These quizzes are a fun way for the students to remember moments in the novel and experience an interactive comprehension test. 
The grade 7 classes have been working on their Genius Hour projects. Every Friday the students get 80 minutes to research a guiding question of their choice. While some students are researching world history, others have decided to go the citizenship route. Topics range from the evolution of hockey, to fundraising for the local SPCA, to creating their own poetry portfolio! 
I'm more than thrilled to see what these kids come up with! They are all truly geniuses in their own right. With each Genius Hour class that passes, the more and more involved they are and willing to share their information and ideas with their peers. It's great to see such hard work and enthusiasm! 
It seems like quite the assignment, but this class seems to be all for it. Their ideas and discussions are already blowing me away. I can't wait to see their presentations and learn all about their new nations!
The grade 7s don't know it yet, but soon they'll be gaining pen pals all the way from Macao (one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China - the other being Hong Kong). I had a connection to one of the teachers at the International School of Macao who hooked me up with an amazing junior high teacher at the school who accepted my request to start a pen pal program! I'm ecstatic to get the letters in the mail (they were stamped and sent out yesterday)! 
Their school looks like nothing I've seen before. I'm thrilled to learn more about their culture and school life.
