Thursday 28 March 2013

What Makes a Good Teacher?

You know Kathleen in the office? She and her daughter Elizabeth have been checking out our blog tonight and posted a question for you. Elizabeth is starting university in the fall and will be studying to become a teacher. What she wants to know is "What makes a good teacher?" You've all had several teachers so far and are great commenters, questioners and advice-givers. How can you answer that question? Leave a comment, or a few comments, here. I told her we'd also tweet some answers for her next week.

UPDATE: Thanks for your fabulous, thoughtful comments! Gabby even wrote a post on her blog to answer this!

UPDATE #2: We are tweeting with the hashtag #gt209!

Tuesday 26 March 2013

New gym game - by Molly

This is Laryssa's new gym game looks so fun!!!!!!!!!!!
It's based on her where project





-photos and words by Molly

Sunday 24 March 2013

On the Digital Degus' Blogs - March 24th, 2013

My absolute favourite thing is when students use their blogs to "take an idea and run with it"! I know it's fun to post a bunch of silly links on your blog, but if you don't tie it into something we're doing in class, it's hard for me to link to your blog on here. Try to think of ways that you can extend your learning with your blog and I will feature your posts in our Digital Classroom. Some people have started two blogs now: one professional/educational blog and one fun/personal blog. That's a great idea!

I know how much I love hearing from students, parents and friends in the comment area on my blog. Make sure to visit your classmates' blogs and leave some comments about their hard work! Often, they ask questions to their readers, that's a great way to join the conversation too!

It was impossible to tell, but Finley tells her readers that she was super nervous to sing "Just Walk Away, Renee" at the Talent Show last week. Head on over to her blog and tell her what you thought of her performance!

It's always hard for me to be away from my Digital Degus and although I had a great two days of workshops, I really missed you guys and I wondered what you were up to! Luckily, my "understudy", Fiona, blogged about the learning I missed and I was able to hear about your cool inferring and ISS Math lessons from her blog. I also got to learn about Street of Rock from Fiona! I don't know if you saw the colourful art outside the French room on Friday, but Fiona explains what she did in her Math elective to make that awesome mural!

Goofy Gabby posted another version of the song "Trouble". I'm not going to ruin it for you, but make sure your volume isn't turned up too high when you watch it!

Liam found a really cool French version of Gagnam Style made by students studying French. I wonder if you could re-write a popular song with French lyrics?

I hope you've been following Mel's awesome adventures in Florida. She's now on her way home, on a LONG car ride! Hopefully, she'll be back on Monday!

Remember when we looked at PinWords in class? Well, Miguel made some posters over there! This would be a great idea for a project! He's also wondering what you'd like him to blog about. Let him know!

Oh dear, Molly's been following the news in Costa Rica and is very happy she didn't stay on this beach! Scary!

Check out Pat's post about commenting, he makes some great points!

One of our class hockey stars, Thomas, likes to post about sports. Check out the video he found of a nine-year old hockey star!

Vickie is wondering what your favourite subject in school is. She explains what she loves about French.

I'm still checking your blogs, Jackson, Camden, Sophia and Millie! I can't wait to see more ideas that you run with appearing on there!

Also, I know that Hunter, and Kaleigh are starting blogs (or have started them) and we'll link to those on Monday!

Saturday 23 March 2013

Lip Dub Ready!

Gabby's Birthday Party

To celebrate her birthday, Gabby invited the entire class to join her and Raul from Luv2Groove to learn a new dance!

 She even invited me to come by! It was great to see so many of the Digital Degus hanging out together on the weekend and getting together to celebrate one of their classmate's birthdays.
Two of the cutest things ever: the partiers were listening to "The Royal Condition"'s album and when it was time to sing "Happy Birthday", they all broke out in "Panjang Umurnya"!

Talent Show - Photos

 Jackson and Camden rockin' out!
 Hunter and Liam. I got a little teary eyed when the audience started swaying and waving and singing along!
 Finley blew us all away with her amazing pipes!
 Kaleigh worked hard to live blog the event.
 Cutest Gagnam Style ever!

 I couldn't even see Toby over his music stand while he played "Itsy Bitsy Spider" on his uke - so adorable!
A fabulous clown told hilarious jokes!



Earth Rangers - Bring Back the Wild Assembly Photos

If you want to help the Earth Rangers Bring Back the Wild, visit their website!
 Barn Owl.
 Tiiu draws deforestation.
 The amazing Gabby and Vickie wrote a fantastic "Thank You" to the presenters.
 A tegu.
 The absolutely adorable pine martin.









Photography with Kate - Formal Portraits


Kate came in this week to work with us on our photography project. She taught us about formal portraits.

We practiced framing photos.




We looked at some photos Kate had taken and tried to recreate the way she would have set up the photo.
The students then scattered around the school in pairs to take formal portraits of one another. I stayed in the classroom with a few groups.
Kate set up a studio in the classroom.

Erika posed her model!



Kate helped Erika find some interesting angles.

 Fiona and Gabby tried to find great light.
 Gabby got the giggles.