Thrusday December 15

What we did today

Block 1: Today we did a practice geography challenge. We only did three rounds, each round consisting on ten questions. The questions were based on Canadian history. Most of them asked for the names of people or places an event took place. Once we were done the rounds, we went over the answers. Afterwards we got our novels and spent the rest of the block reading.

Block 2: We had some more time to read. After ten or twenty minutes we went into the groups based on the book we read. Ms. Lees then explained that we had to make a history web based on the book we were reading. Today though we only needed do the headings. Before class was about to end we discussed the learning intention for today's activities.

Purpose

Block 1: The mock geography challenge was supposed give an idea on what the actual geography challenge is like. At the same time we are learning about the history of Canada. We were given time to read in class because in block two we needed to read the book before we can do the actual headings.

Block 2: We were given more time to read so we have enough background knowledge to make the headings for the web. The reason we were put in groups based on the book was to work on our collaborating skills with other people. This way it is easier to discuss what the headings we should have. The whole purpose of the web though was to make the history easier to process than reading a list. We discussed the learning intention for what we did today because our blogs seem to have shallow learning intentions.

Connections and Reflections

I honestly did not know anything about the people or history of Canada, so the entire thing was very confusing for me. It is good to learn about the history of the country you are living in. The geography challenge reminds me more of a Canadian history contest than a geography contest. I am glad we went over the first couple of rounds so I know where I am at, and what to brace myself for later on.

I prefer reading a book then reading a textbook even if the book is history based. Textbooks can be dreadfully dull. You don't laugh at a textbook, or cry at the end of a textbook. If you are becoming an author the setting of a place is very important. Your characters will be shaped from the setting, and your story will be shaped too. If your story takes place in a modern day, then the characters will mostly likely have never met or encountered Ancient Romans.

Making a history web is better than a report because you will have to be extremely fussy about grammar. We only did the headings because we only read so much of the book, and can't make a proper web yet. Though if we had lots of informations to process, then a web is that best way to do it since you can find the sections easily. This is true in buisness because you only have so much time to present your idea. If you use a web as a visual aid then it is easier to connect it to your other ideas for people to understand.

The learning intention, is like the reason to do something. If you are learning biology, than the purpose is for you to know biology to become a doctor.

Homework: Read your novel!

Events: Pancake breakfast tommorow at 7 am! Bring food bank items

Jessica is posting on Friday