Jack and the Beanstalk

Drama 9 Performance Photos

Today the Drama 9 class performed Jack and the Beanstalk to a huge audience from Gibsons Elementary and did a great job, wowing the audience. I managed to take a few photos from where I was pinned at the side. I'm sorry that I missed some. I took a few with backs to the camera so am not posting those and there is some blur, as everyone was moving quickly.

Congratulations everyone! You were fantastic.

Jack's mother (Parker) tells Jack (Dexter) to sell the cow (Thalia.) Abbey and Kody are in the sound crew.

Ri, the beanstalk, all lit up.  "Ooh, Ah," said the audience.

Fee Fi Fo Fum, says  the giant (Chris) to his wife (Morgan.)

The giant demands the hens (Harrison and Josh) lay golden eggs. 

The attentive primary audience. 

The giant demands the golden harp (Reegan) sing. Storytellers Katie and Audree are visible, too.

Thank you to Dominique's School of Dance, for providing so many of the costumes, including the vine and the story tellers' fairy costumes.

End of Term

Wow, we found out on Monday what the most basic needs of students are: not self-actualization through education, not even the sense of belonging in classes and with friends. No, it is running water for the physiological need of thirst and the health safety need of cleanliness!

In English 9 we have been looking at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in relation to the survival of the characters in our novels.  English 8 will be looking at in in the literature circle unit next term.

There is only one week left of classes before the end of term. All junior students go to class as usual next week, but not on Friday, which is semester turn around day.  Please note the change of block order on Wednesday and Thursday.

Today students received their second semester timetables and were advised to photograph them or copy down the new information because the school cannot afford to print extra copies for those who have lost them.

English 9

Students are working on several wrap up projects for the literature circle unit: 

1. A poster and an essay which goes with it. We have the computers tomorrow afternoon to work on the final draft of the essay. Both essay and poster should be finished at home over the weekend.

2. A talk show style performance in a group.  Students have formed groups, chosen roles to play and started to write their scripts. They will finish up and rehearse Tuesday and perform Wednesday.

English 8

Students are revising their memoirs. This week, adding sensory detail and precise vocabulary.  The package of drafts including the final draft is due next week.

French 9

We continue to wrap up the food unit is preparation for the unit test in early February with Madame Keller. I have enjoyed teaching these students and know they are very lucky to have such a great French teacher as Madame Keller for the second half of the year.

Drama 9

Our first performance of Jack in the Beanstalk was today for the Cougar Crossing Class and it was fantastic.  If you can make it Monday morning at 9:20 we will be doing a final performance for four classes of primary students from Gibsons Elementary at that time and hope you can make it.  The students are very entertaining.

January 17

English 9:  Students are now working on a final project for the literature circle unit:  a poster showing what helped their character survive and an essay explaining it.  These are due Friday, January 25. Next week they will start their second project, a group "talk show" oral presentation. They have seen a sample from a previous year and will receive an assignment sheet next week.  The performances will be on Wednesday, January 30, which is our last class of the term.

English 8:  Students have just completed the first draft of their memoir. Next class they will practice using the rubric which I will use to mark it.  The final draft is due Wednesday, January 30 for block B1 and Thursday, January 31 for block C2.

French 9:  We have only five more classes together before the class moves next door to Madame Keller.  The food unit test will be in early February with her. We will spend the rest of our days finishing the food unit.

Drama 9:  We aslo have only 5 more classes until this class is over!  Our production of Jack in the Beanstalk is looking good.  We will have two performances:  Thursday, January 24, at 10:30 for the Cougar Crossing students and Monday, January 28 at 9:25 for the primary students of Gibsons Elementary. Parents of the grade 9s are invited to attend either of these two performances.  We would like to thank Dominique's School of Dance for lending us so many of the costumes!

Happy New Year

Welcome back to school!

English 9:  This week we are writing a rough draft of a five paragraph essay about survival in a novel from the literature circle unit. This is the first time students have written a five paragraph essay so we are going slowly and learning it thoroughly. Next week we will work on the good copy and the poster part of the project.

English 8:  This week we began a memoir writing unit with discussions of different scenarios and what the students thought the person should say. (eg:  your friend asks you if you like her outfit. You don't think it looks flattering. What should you say.) The class discussions were lively and full of varied opinions. We also discussed a short story with a moral dilemma. Then students brainstormed topics for memoirs around issues of lies and truth telling.  Next week students will choose one topic to begin webbing and writing.

French 9:  On Wednesday the Maple Man came to Elphinstone to explain how maple syrup is made and the culture surrounding it. Students all got to taste maple candy.  Thanks to Suzanne Keller for organizing this event. Please ask your child about it.  In class, we are learning the new verbs VOULOIR (to want) and POUVOIR (to be able to) in the food unit.

Drama 9: This week we practiced speed performances of our play, Jack in the Beanstalk.  This strategy was very helpful. Next week, everyone but the sound crew and the narrators will be off script.