"ExCELL" at cells!!

What is the smallest part of any living thing?? If you said a cell....you're right! Click here to discover the parts of a cell. Choose either an animal cell or plant cell...or BOTH!

**NOTE: Remember we will be starting to make our models of the cell next week. Use this resource to help you choose whether you want to create an animal or plant cell. Click on cell model to get some ideas for building your model!**

PARENTS' CORNER: As a part of the Ontario Curriculum for Science, by the end of grade 8, students are to expected to be able to "identify organelles in cells through observation and explain their function", and also "describe, using their observations, differences in structure between plant and animal cells". Your children will be creating a model of either a plant or animal cells. You may want to help him/her start gathering materials!




Images:
Cell: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=cell
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner

Fun with Fractions!

Well grade 8's, we have successfully accomplished adding fractions with the SAME denominator, can you guess what comes next?! You got it...adding fractions with DIFFERENT denominators!! Click here to begin. First, go to the learn button for an explanation on how to add fractions with different denominators, then test your skills by clicking on the practice button. Now, you are ready to play the game!!! Click on play to begin!

If you would rather watch a video to help you understand how to add fractions with different denominators, then get the popcorn ready and check this movie out!
Get started and good luck!

PARENTS' CORNER: As a part of the Ontario Curriculum for Mathematics, by the end of grade 8, students are to expected to be able to "solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with simple fractions". You are encouraged to show your children how fractions can be used in everyday life. For example, if you are baking, have your child help you portion the quantities! Have some fun with it!




Images:
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner
Peanuts: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=fractions+cartoon

To have great poets there must be great audiences too. ~Walt Whitman

!!Attention all grade 8 poets!!

We are currently experimenting with poetry in our classroom-here is your chance to practice writing poems and even PUBLISH it for the rest of us to read! Give it a shot! Use the poetry idea engine to help you until you are ready to write and publish your own free verse! Don't be shy!
Need some help to get started? Click here for some tips on writing poetry!

PARENTS' CORNER: As a part of the grade eight Language Arts curriculum, students are to "write complex texts of a variety of lengths using a wide range of forms (e.g., a free verse or narrative poem, or a limerick)". Thank you for your support and be sure to read your child's fantastic poem!







Images:
Poetry: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=poetry
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner

Social Studies with Your Confederation Buddies

Grade 8's, we are currently learning about Confederation in class. To learn more about this topic, click here ! What are YOU waiting for?!
Do you know the reasons for Confederation?? Take the challenge to find out...click on the picture below!

PARENTS' CORNER: As a part of the grade eight Social Studies curriculum, students are investigating regional interests and other factors that led to growth of Canada, as other provinces and territories joined Confederation. It is expected by the end of the eighth grade that students, "identify external and internal factors and events leading to Confederation and identify the roles of key individuals, the main events leading to the signing of the British North America Act". For example, the Charlottetown, Quebec, and London Conferences.




Confederation: http://www.americanrevolution.com/ppl_canadian_fathers.html
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner

Stay tuned for this weeks events...

Looking forward to another fantastic week!
Things for you to explore...

Young Authors Day is coming up next week! Get your practice on ZuZu! ZuZu is an online magazine for kids to share their writing and artwork. You can read about where other kids live and tell kids all over the world about your home town! Here is YOUR chance to write your ideas for making the world a better place, or give your opinion about something going on in your neighbourhood or in the world. You could also write about someone you know who has done something difficult or brave!




As we know, next week is also EaRtH DaY! Grade 8's, go on this CyberHunt and see if you can become earth friendly!Also, click here to take a tour of Recycle City and see what they are doing to improve their city or play the Dumptown Game!





PARENTS' CORNER: Earth Day is this week! Work with your child to discover things you can do in your own house to help the environment. For example, recycling! Thank you for your support!






Images from:
zuzu: http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=zuzu&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2
Think Green: http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/thinkgreen.htm
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner

Helpful Hints!

Visit these websites to keep up on what's happening around us!

District School Board of Niagara - Want to know what is happening in our school board?
www.dsbn.edu.on.ca

National Geographic - Interested in learning more about wildlife? Check this out! Who knows what you might learn!
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/kids/index.html

Canada Science and Technology Museum: Kids Zone - Lots of awesome activities, articles, and interactive features like the Inventions Gallery, where students just like you can submit their own inventions to be showcased online! It could be YOU!
http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/kidszone.cfm

Canada e-book - Check out what is going on in our country, Canada: the land, the people, the economy and the state.
http://www43.statcan.ca/

These links might be helpful to you while you are doing your homework so take advantage of them!

www.dictionary.com
http://www.askforkids.com/
http://kids.yahoo.com/

PARENTS' CORNER: Encourage your child to use these links to limit surfing on the internet while doing homework. These sites are reliable and kid friendly, enjoy!






Images:
Scientist: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=inventor+cartoon&btnG=Search+Images
Parents' Corner: http://images.google.ca/images?gbv=2&svnum=10&hl=en&q=parents+corner

Welcome To Miss Miller's Virtual Classroom!

Welcome to Miss Miller's Virtual Classroom!

A new and exciting year awaits us! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of you. I look forward to our learning experiences together! This website will be used as a communication tool between students, parents, and myself! Important information for students and parents will be posted on this website. This may include websites related to classroom lessons and classroom notices. In order for students and parents to be aware of classroom events, please check the website regularly for updates. You may get in touch with me if you have any questions and/or concerns.

Miss Miller

Image: http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/mediakit-backtoschool.html