You will visit and complete the following website tutorial to discover questions that you can ask yourself and things to think about before determining if a website is reliable or not.
After completing the tutorial, write a blog post teaching other Grade 6 students the most important things to consider when choosing a reliable website.
TASK #2: Public Service Announcements
Watch the PSA below called "Kids Talk Climate Change"
Write a blog post discussing the following:
1) Was this PSA effective? Use evidence to support your thinking (e.g., Were the images, actors, music, facts/statistics, special effects, slogan/phrase effective?)
2) What does climate change mean to you?
3) What would you do to stop climate change?
TASK #3: Anti-Bullying Week
In November, "Anti-bullying Week" happened
A couple of years ago, Canadian artists released this song during Anti-Bullying Week in Canada, and all the proceeds (money raised) went to Kids Help Phone.
Watch the video on the right of the page
After watching the video, write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) What is the message of this video? Use evidence from the song and your own ideas to support your answer.
2) What is the most powerful line of the song to you?
TASK #4: New Ontario Menu Legislation
Do you ever wonder about the nutrition in your fast food meals?
Well, starting January 1, 2017, you may have noticed that restaurants (with 20 or more locations) are required to clearly display the calories of their foods and drinks under the Healthy Menu Choices Act.
Calories are NOT bad for you...your body needs calories from food for energy (To read more about what calories are, visit the Kids Health Article).
The calorie count of foods and drinks need to be displayed on menus, menu board and on restaurant apps.
Click here to read a CBC article about this new law
Click here to visit the Government of Ontario's website with information about this new law
Write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) Do you think this new law is an effective one?
2) Do you think having the calorie counts posted in restaurants will encourage people to make healthier choices? Support your answer using evidence from the text and your own ideas.
TASK #5: Your Choice
Write a blog post about a topic of your choice
SCIENCE
TASK #1: The Five Kingdoms
Click here to watch a video about the Five Kingdoms. After watching the video try the "TEST YOURSELF QUIZ".
Write a blog post listing each of the kingdoms and the characteristics of each.
TASK #2: Connections
Choose a book (or more than 1 book) from the classroom bin of Science books. Write a blog post that describes some of your learning.
Please watch the video, then try the "TEST YOURSELF QUIZ".
Once you have had some time to explore the information about Plant Adaptations, write a blog post summarizing the things you have learned.
Task #4: Animal Adaptations
Click here to watch a video about animal adaptations.
After watching the video try the "TEST YOURSELF QUIZ".
Write a blog post about some of the specific animal adaptations that you learned about in the video.
Task #5: What Does the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Say?
Click here to visit the WWF Blog Site and read the article called "Massive Plunge in Wildlife Expected by 2020..."
In the article it stated, "It’s often said that the world needs more Canada, but how do we compare? We know that in Canada, our ecological footprint is even greater: If all the world lived like Canadians, we would need 4.7 Earths."
Write a blog post discussing:
1) What are your feelings/thoughts/reactions to this quote?
2) Do you think it is important to care about the environment? Why or why not?
3) What are some realistic things you and other Canadians can do to help the environment?
Task #6 : Invasive Species
Click here to watch a short video about invasive species
Write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) What are the invasive species discussed in the video?
2) What impacts did these species have when they were introduced into the new environments?
Task #7 : Reducing Electricity at Home and at School
You are going to conduct an inquiry (research) related to electricity.
Write a blog post that includes the following information:
1) Find different ways to reduce electricity use at home or school.
2) How can we reduce (lower) the impact of electricity generation (creating electricity) on the environment?
The following websites might help you in your research:
Write a blog post answering the following question:
1) In the video, the interviewer exclaimed, “Wow! This changes everything!” when he was talking about the 3D printer. What does he mean? What does it change for astronauts in space and the space program? What does it change for people here on earth?
GROWTH MINDSET
TASK #1: Prior Experiences with Growth Mindset
Watch at least two of the following videos about Growth Mindset
Write a blog post about a time in your life when you have used a Growth Mindset to help you overcome a challenge
TASK #2: "The Iceberg Illusion"
Click here to see an image explaining the "Iceberg Illusion"
Write a blog post discussing:
1) What do you think the author/illustrator of this image means by "Success in an iceberg?"
2) In what ways does this image relate to having a Growth Mindset?
3) What did you learn from this image?
TASK #3: Growth Mindset Quotes
Pick 2 of the following growth mindset quotes that you find inspiring
Write a blog post discussing:
1) What do the quotes mean to you?
2) How do the quotes relate to having a growth mindset?
3) How will the quotes change the way you think or act?
TASK #4: Growth Mindset in the Media
Look at the advertisement for Thompson Rivers University
Write a blog post discussing:
1) What is the message of this advertisement? Use evidence from the advertisement and your own thinking to support your answer.
2) How does this advertisement relate to having a growth mindset?
3) How does this advertisement change the way you think or act?
Write a blog post describing any interesting things you learned about "Me to We" (e.g., what do they do, etc.)
If you could start a foundation or organization to help others or anything in the world, what would it be called? What would be your mission? How would you help or raise awareness?
PoemsTASK #3: Literature Circles
Research some information about the author of your Literature Circle Book
Write a blog post about what you have learned about this author
Are there any other novels written by this author that you would be interested in reading? Explain what they are and why.
TASK #4: Humorous Poems Choose any two of the following 'silly poems' by Kenn Nesbitt. Write a blog post comparing and contrasting the two poems (how are the same and how are they different)? For example consider:
Does he use interesting vocabulary?
Is the content similar?
Is there an underlying theme to his poems?
Does he want readers to learn anything from his poetry?
***Remember to include direct quotes from the poems to support your thinking.
Charlie Wenjack was an Ojibway boy (Aboriginal) attending Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora, Ontario. He became lonely and ran away. He died trying to walk 400 miles home to his father, who lived and worked on an isolated reservation in northern Ontario.
Singer for the band "The Tragically Hip" Gord Downie has recently completed an album, graphic novel and animated film telling the story of Chanie Wenjack
Click here to visit Gord Downie's website and read/watch some information about Chanie's life
Write a blog post about your thoughts/feelings/reactions to Chanie Wenjack's story (e.g., How does this story make you feel? How would you feel if you were taken away from your family/culture/traditions and forced to go to a residential school?
TASK #2: Canadian Art and Culture
"Art" has many definitions. Search "Canadian Artists", to find out about different Canadians who have contributed to the Culture of Canadian Art.
You might choose to find out about a painter, a sculptor, a dancer or a musician.
Create a short biography (e.g., a description about someone's life) about them - explaining what made them an important Canadian Artist.
Post your biography on our blog.
TASK #3: National Sweater Day
On February 2, 2017 the World Wildlife Fund is holding National Sweater Day across Canada
Click here to learn more about National Sweater Day
Search for more information about National Sweater Day if necessary
Write a blog post explaining what National Sweater Day is, when it started, and what its goals are
If you could create your own "Day" across Canada to help protect the environment, what would your idea be? Explain.
GLOBAL ISSUES
TASK #1: The Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians Baseball Team is currently playing in the World Series, however, they have been in the news recently for a different reason
There has been a controversy over the team's name "Indians." The Indians' name and mascot, Chief Wahoo, is a cartoon drawing of a man with red skin and a feather tucked into its headband. Many people feel this is offensive and discriminatory.
Click here to read an article about this controversy.
Write a blog post about the following:
- Do you think the Cleveland Indians should be required to change their name and logo/mascot? Why or why not?
TASK #2: Women's Marches
Click here to read an article on Teaching Kids News called "Millions Around the World Join Women's Marches"
Write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) Why do you think these marches were taking place?
2) Do you think these marches should be taking place? Why or why not?
3) Many nations from all over the world have offered assistance to women and refugees in light of Donald Trump’s announcements this week. In your own life, when have you seen others offer to help when things got tough? Why do some people move towards solving problems when others don't?
TASK #3: Equality on the Ice
Click here to read an article on Time for Kids called "Equality on the Ice"
Write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) What are your thoughts about this article?
2) Do you think that men and women should be paid equally? Why or why not?
TASK #4: The Coral Reefs Are in Danger!
Click here to read an article on Time for Kids called "Coral Reefs Face Extinction"
Write a blog post answering the following questions:
1) Why are coral reefs so important?
2) What are scientists doing to help prevent the extinction of the coral reefs?