Hello Everyone

Hello Students, Parents and Friends

My name is Miss Desjardins (call me Miss D) and I will be with you for the next 7 weeks. I want to first thank you for welcoming me into your classroom. I have some very exciting units for us to explore together and look forward to meeting and getting to know each and everyone.


Miss D's Eights this is YOUR blog.

This blog is designed for us to best communicate. Information about new units, special days, and extra games and homework help will be posted and updated weekly, so check it regularly!

Homework Helpers

HOME WORK HELPERS

Teens Link

-full of helpful links for every subject matter

Homework Help for Teens

-homework help by subject

Merriam-Webster dictionary

-free online dictionary and thesaurus

List of Dictionaries

-large list of every possible dictionary needed

Encyclopedia Britannica

-Great reliable encyclopedia

Teen Help

-great resource site for teens

Visual Arts: String Art

As you will figure out very quickly, one of my passions is ART. I have a great first art project for us to explore.

One of my favorite introductory art projects is a string art design. It is both beautiful, fun and everybody can make a masterpiece. STRING ART is a form of ‘popart’ that became very popular in the 1970’s. It is created with coloured string, matt board and patience.
The picture above was created by a fellow grade 8 student. You too will create something to be proud of.

NOTE:
Grade 8 Arts expectations: Visual Arts
produce two- and three-dimensional works of art that communicate a variety of ideas (thoughts, feelings, experiences) for specific purposes and to specific audiences, using a variety of art forms;

Check out this great String art website, full of inspirational ideas

String Art

HISTORY: The Wild Wild West

The “Development of Western Canada” is one of the grade 8 HISTORY strands that we will cover together.
We will discover how the early Canadian settlers made western Canada their home. We will be mainly focusing on: the contributing factors and the effects of the development all from a variety of perspectives.

This will be NO ordinary assignment. You will all be participating in “The Great Migration to the Wild Wild West” a simulated settlement game, each with your own identities and quests. Let’s see who will defeat the odds and survive the great migration.

NOTE:

Grade 8 History expectations: Development of Western Canada

outline the main factors contributing to the settlement and development of the Prairie provinces, British Columbia, and Yukon, and describe the effects of development on various groups of people in the region from a variety of perspectives

Canadian History Websites:

Great to use during research!

Library and Archives Canada

The Canadian Encyclopedia

CANADA IN THE MAKING

Early Canadiana Online

Language:Creative Writing

Writing is not only for essays, novels or notes. Writing is all around us. Some of the most enjoyable pieces of written work we don't even think about! Like the writing of our favorite advertisement slogan, song, or the writing of the hottest tv show scripts and movies.

Together we are going to explore the wonderful world of scripts and script writing as well as a study of our favorite writers.

I challenge you all to "Spectacular Scripts", a classroom script writing contest. The winning script will be turned into a dramatic masterpiece to be performed by our class and showcased to all.

Let's start 'write' away!

NOTE:
Grade 8 Language expectations: Writing
draft and revise their writing, using a variety of informational, literary, and graphic forms and stylistic elements appropriate for the purpose and audience

Teen writing websites:Check out these great teen writing website full of helpful hints and tips. You can even read other teens work or even post some of your own!

Teen ink

Weekly reader

Teen link

Geography: The Game of LIFE

Together we will also be exploring the crazy world of Economics through our GEORGRAPHY unit on “Economics Systems”.
To better understand economics we will start off our unit with a real “Game of Life”. Before we dive into what is an economy, we must first understand the basic needs of life and how to get them.

You will each be given a character, your life scenario and a budget. You will have to work hard, make some money, pay rent, and budget for all of life necessities. Will you have enough to pay for groceries? Will you go to college? What kind of job will you have? Let’s play the GAME of LIFE and find out what kind of LIFE will you have?

From there we will build on the knowledge just learned from the Game of Life and analyze the following questions:
What factors fuel an economy? How does the economy affect you? Why does one economy thrive while others fail? How does the Canadian economy compare to other countries economies?

NOTE:
Grade 8 Geography expectations: Economic Systems
compare the economies of different communities, regions, or countries, including the influence of factors such as industries, access to resources, and access to markets.

GAME:
Moneyopolis

Check out this awesome game all about Money. Cha-ching!

Language: The Joy of Reading

If it’s to escape reality, to entertain ourselves, to learn something new, or conquer new worlds, BOOKS are wonderful and powerful things.

Together we are going to learn new and exciting things about our favorite literature genres.
We will be doing book reports, literature circles and all kinds of fun and engaging activities with books.

Check out a list of Books That Are Too Good to Miss.

How many have you already read?

NOTE:
Grade 8 Language expectations: Reading
read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary, graphic, and informational texts, using a range of strategies to construct meaning.