Inquiry Questions for Genius Hour- How to Start!

Wondering how to formulate your questions for your Genius Hour project?
This video will help:

Still not sure? Check out this graphic from Powtoon that explains how to formulate your question. Remember, it can't be a question that can be answered on Google!

Genius Hour Project- What Are We Up to?

In December,  we began talking about our weekly inquiry projects that will be based on our passions. To learn more, check out this video on Genius Hour.

Ask your child to share what we are learning and take a look at the introductory letter that explains the process and how you can help.

The concept originated with "Moonshot Thinking".

We were also inspired by Caine's Arcade:

The Shoebox Project: Our Way of Giving Back to Homeless Women in Vancouver

Division 2 is excited to be coordinating Cavell's holiday giving initiative for 2018!

Take a look at the Shoebox Project and join us in making a difference for women living in poverty in Vancouver.

Drop off your donations by December 4th to your classroom teacher or room 202.

Your little gifts really can make someone feel less isolated,  more connected with the community, and hopeful about humanity!

Get inspired ideas and get inspired by checking out the website
 http://www.shoeboxproject.com/vancouver.html

Canada's Food Guide- Build Your Own Plan to Healthy Eating

Once you have a computer, please log on to create your own Food Guide.
http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/eating-nutrition/healthy-eating-saine-alimentation/food-guide-aliment/my-guide-mon-guide/index-eng.php

It's Taco Tuesday! Learn the Knife Skills You'll Need to Make Lunch

Our Food Studies unit is in full swing and today you will participate in 4 stations with your groups.

1) Watch the Video Tutorial with the Tween Chef
Please play the link below to view the Tween Chef's tutorial on knife skills.

2) Food Safe Activity: 

Perils at the Picnic http://www.fightbac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/grades4-8fbicase.pdf ( also on paper)

3) Reading Comprehension: Slice and Dice

4) Real Knife Skills with Ms. House and Ms. Holms: bring your apron and wash your hands first.

At the end, we will use our chopped ingredients to make tacos together.

Welcome to Division 2!

Welcome to division 2!

For today's team building activity, you'll need to use this link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5A5aXLmhOXDZLWtXXl_Uhh32gnIqUhOEgMJTa7iQ4xbjUNA/viewform

Good luck!

This Week's Spelling Story Winner

I was confident I  could finish my horrible spelling story. I was hesitant, trying to cram spelling words into sentences like superintendent and malignant. The due date was Monday so I had to be persistent on completing it. Or, I could be an immigrant and move to the Philippines, be a farmer for the rest of my life. My current state was frustration. How could I consistently make spelling stories? I hastily scribbled out words and kept editing my story. I was insistent to make it concise and was picky where I put my words. I typed my last sentence and hoped my words were sufficient.
- Marcus Su

Our Collaborative Poem

The following was a collaboration between all students in division 2. Students began by using the five senses to investigate, observe, and reflect on their own wishing stones. They each shared their best lines and then we worked together to structure the stanzas, sharpen the sensory language, and build a cohesive piece. After three revisions and some editing, this is our first poem together. Enjoy!

Stepping Stones: The Stories Our Stones Tell

By Division 2

Wishes waiting

in each crack

Like glowing jade rings in a cool damp cave

Or slippery sea glass polished by a roaring ocean.

Stones that feel like fresh bark on damp cool trees

Like dry paint, ready to be scraped off

Like the black in the eyes of a wolf

ready to leap on its prey.

Like a stroll through the forest on a brisk fall day

Or the ink black night when I lost my special doll.

  

Wishes echoing

in each crack

A deep rumble

A heavy rock plunked into the ocean

The beats of a drum- deep and rhythmic

Like an earthquake in the snowy mountain tops.

A loud rattling of rocks bashing together

shells breaking on the beach,

Thunder rumbling in to nothing on a stormy night 

Like Fireworks booming in the sky

To an orchestra of tap dancers.

Wishes hiding

in each crack

Polished and cold as ice

Rough like the shell of an old crab

Shaped like a tear, yet firm and solid

Like shells at the beach

Laying still in the sand waves crashing over them

As if someone tried to slice it in half but only left a scratch

Smooth and curved like a scratched piece of glass

Rough like the spine of a humpback whale,

Weathered with age

And glossy like the back of a baby dolphin

That has just come up for breath.

Taste our wishes

Hidden in stones

Salty, like a warm ocean breeze on a sunny summer day

And a damp sidewalk after a spring rain shower.

Sweet like someone dipped them in seven delicious layers 

of chocolate

Wishes waiting

In the crevices

Tickle your senses

Like a cool brush of paint against my palm

Fluttering petals of cherry blossoms

Yearning for you to take notice.

This week's Spelling Story Winner

Dylan’s Spelling Story

Sucked into my computer, I blast the community of seven feet tall insects that have taken over the local college. Slowly, they are connecting into one giant insect, but I am trying to stop them. I consider running away, but I decide to stay and fight. Could this be the conclusion of my video game life?

I am very concerned I will lose the tournament. I need to collect the omega plasmatonic- sound-wave- grenade. The insects must contribute food to their leader, they leave the battlefield, giving me the time to look for this special weapon.

“I see it!”

Behind me I hear a dark low voice, kind of like Darth Vader, but without the heavy breathing. He says:

“Hello, human.”

On my screen it says: THE LEADER APPEARS.

I am startled. I yell, “Night Hunter!”

“I have been waiting for fifteen years to defeat you! I commuted here to win the tournament but I also get to defeat my greatest enemy. It’s like a double kill.”

Kindness Month- Well Done, Kindness Crews!

Division 2 did a lot of outreach this month in order to spread kindness across the school. Helping others made us all feel good.

Choose Kind: Viewing the movie "Wonder"
We booked a gigantic field trip for all our intermediate friends to join us at a viewing of "Wonder". What a great way to start "Kindness Month"!

Pink Kindness Notes for the Staff:It started with kindness notes to all teachers, support staff and custodial staff.



Hot Chocolate Kindness Crew- For the Whole School
We also formed kindness crews and delivered hot chocolate to each class in the school.


Kindness Jars- For Our Class
Finally, we made kindness jars for each person in our class and reflected on something we appreciated about them on little notes. All the little jars were filled with all the little notes so that whenever we need a boost, we just have to read the notes we received.


"Famous" Acts of Kindness- When Stars Do Good Deeds, A Critical Thinking Discussion
Last Friday, during our afternoon meeting, we reflected on "famous kindness" the act of doing something for others in the public eye. We had a great discussion about Drake's latest video, "God's Plan". Some of our questions were:
Should famous people get publicity for being generous?
Should thy do good deed anonymously?
Does Drake think he's God?
Does it take away from his good deeds if he makes it into a music video?

The Model UN Summit: Talks on the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Fourteen nations. 54 students. Two classes.
They all came together yesterday to present their country's resolutions on how to solve the world's largest refugee crisis.

After months of  preparation, research, and collaboration, these students spoke confidently about this global issue.

                                

Learn more about Model UN and all it entails in this short clip: