Friday, November 15, 2013

Canadian History - general

Writing and Canadian History from the folks at Excellence in Writing.

Begbie Contest Society Primary Sources in the Classroom http://www.begbiecontestsociety.org/control.htm 

Thomson Rivers University
Hist 1221 Post-Confederation
http://www.tru.ca/distance/courses/hist1221.html 

Canadian Virtual University
http://www.cvu-uvc.ca/english.html 

All things "Donna Ward" https://www.donnaward.net/ are excellent for Canadian History. This scope and sequence http://www.donnaward.net/PDF/Scope_Sequence_Handout.pdf is an excellent guide for how to cover all aspects of Canadian History. I particularly like her idea to cover the history of Britain, France and Spain: since these countries were pivotal to Canadian history.


Canada as a Constitutional Monarchy Lots of detailed info about the relationship between Britain and Canada  http://www.canadiancrown.com/

Vocabulary flash cards relating to government/civics
http://quizlet.com/12151235/grade-10-canadian-civics-flash-cards/

Ontario Online Grade 10 Civics Course: scope and sequence
https://www.virtualhighschool.com/courses/outlines/chv2o.asp

Canadian History Websites - Government of Canada:  This looks excellent.
http://www.canada.ca/aboutcanada-ausujetcanada/hist/canada-eng.html

A quiz for high school and up.  lots of great questions
http://www.citynews.ca/2007/11/09/could-you-pass-this-canadian-history-quiz/

Repertory of General Databases for Canadian History: Portraits of famous Canadians among other interesting and useful sites.
http://thenhier.ca/en/content/repertory-general-databases-canadian-history

100 Greatest Events
http://www.listology.com/blindsider/list/100-greatest-events-canadian-history

Primary Sources! This looks excellent but access seems to be for York University people only.  Needs a closer look.
http://www.library.yorku.ca/cms/help-with-research/guide-to-finding-primary-resources/canadian-primary-sources/

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Remembrance Day - Part 2: Boer War

Why study the Boer War:

1) first overseas conflict in which Canadians served
2) Canadians Sam Steel and John McCrae served (alongside Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Gandhi, Winston Churchill and others)
3) Canadian military reputation
4) Demonstrates the relationship between Britain and Canada and the continuing conflict between French and English Canada.  Both of these affect Canada in the century to follow.

Boer War:

Wikipedia overview
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boer_Wars

Breaker Morant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breaker_Morant

Canadian War Museum - Boer War
http://www.warmuseum.ca/education/online-educational-resources/dispatches/for-queen-and-country-canadians-and-the-south-african-war-1899-1902/

Attestation papers and other documents for a Canadian volunteer
http://angloboerwarmuseum.com/Boer70w_hero25_adams.html\

Spion Kop
http://www.angloboerwarmuseum.com/Boer29_battles2.html

Excerpts from John McCrae's letters & a good overview of the war and aftermath for Canada
http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP11CH2PA3LE.html

Canada's ties to Britain or why Canadians volunteered for the Boer War
http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP11CH2PA2LE.html

Biography of John McCrae - author of In Flanders Fields
http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP11CH2PA6LE.html

Popular Christian hymn in Canada "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" as Canadians became aware of the casualty toll in South Africa.  From this website:  http://www.angloboerwarmuseum.com/Boer29_battles2.html

Battle Lines: Last Boer War Veteran - video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WyF8KaVyt8

Trailer for Breaker Morant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMfPBqDcy9M 

How peace was finally achieved:
http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/peace-vereeniging
http://www.tshwane.gov.za/Services/ArtsCultureandHeritage/Melrose%20House/Anglo-Boer%20War
http://www.anglo-boer.co.za/intro/peace-treaty-vereeniging.php

Thursday, October 17, 2013

High School Graduation: Transcripts, Diplomas, Requirements

Transcript Templates:

http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/hs-transcript.htm

http://www.hslda.org/highschool/academics.asp#TR

Transcript How To's:

http://www.hslda.org/elert/archive/2010/02/20100204100924.asp

http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/01/how-to-prepare-an-official-high-school-transcript-for-your-homeschool-graduate.html 
I like the suggestion on this website to first check your "state's" graduation requirements.  The other thing that can be helpful is to check your Department of Education weighs courses. Is a full year course worth 5 or 6 credits?  Is a half year course worth 3 or 1?

Professional Help - if you don't want to do it on your own:

http://homeschooltranscripts.com/

http://heav.org/resources/online-homeschool-transcript-service/

http://www.thehomescholar.com/
The Home Scholar has a webinar to teach you how or they can prepare transcripts for you.

Diplomas to print:

http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/diploma.htm

Diplomas and other grad gear to purchase:

http://www.homeschooldiploma.com/

High School Courses and Diploma Prep courses:

http://communityprograms.rdpsd.ab.ca/  (Alberta)

https://www.virtualhighschool.com/credits.asp  (Ontario)

"Accumulated Credits" from Alberta Education for a High School Equivalency Diploma:

http://www.education.alberta.ca/students/hsed/alternative1.aspx

Eligibility

A person, 18 years or older as of September 1 of the current school year, who is deficient in the credits needed for an Alberta High School Diploma, and who has been out of school for at least 10 consecutive months, and who wishes to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma, should apply to the principal of a senior high school in the community. The principal will forward the High School Equivalency form to the Information Services Branch, indicating that the following requirements have been met. All necessary documents should be included with the letter.

Accumulated Credits Listing

The candidate shall obtain 100 school credits as set forth below:
A minimum of 60 credits must be gained through classroom instruction in a school or other institution accredited by or acceptable to Alberta Education (for out-of-province students), offering approved senior high school courses, as follows:
– a high school course in mathematics
5 credits
– a high school course in science
3 credits
– English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2
5 credits
– one other 30-level course, other than English Language Arts
5 credits
– additional high school courses
42 credits
A minimum of 40 additional credits, which must be earned as follows:
– additional high school courses
– additional approved adult education courses under recognized agencies;  
e.g.,
public colleges, institutes of technology, extension divisions of universities, adult evening classes and/or
– a maximum of 15 credits for maturity, according to the following scale:
     • age 21-24 (inclusive)       5 credits
     • age 25-29 (inclusive)     10 credits
     • age 30 and over            15 credits
– a maximum of 5 credits for extensive travel
– a maximum of 5 credits for extensive reading or private study
After you have received your High School Equivalency Diploma you may need a copy of your official high school transcript. There is a fee for each copy of your transcript. The Transcript Request form is available from high schools, post-secondary institutions, or from
Transcript Unit
10044 - 108 Street N.W.
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 5E6

Phone: (780) 427-5732
Fax: (780) 422-2137


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Princesses are People Too - European Royalty Unit Study Planning in Progress



Princesses are People Too
Royalty Then and Now
A Social Studies Unit Study for Nicole Murray
2013 -2014

1.            Read all the instructions and assignments before beginning. Assignments do not need to be completed in the order they appear on the list, with the exception of #13 which must be completed after #12. Every page should have an underlined title. Neatness counts. Underline titles with a ruler. Print neatly. Use a ruler so your captions are straight. Finally got questions? Please ask!

2.            Create a beautiful title page for your notebook. Worth 7 points

3.            You will be using books and the internet to work your way through this unit study. Please keep a thorough bibliography. I should be able to click each link and see where you got all the information for every assignment except perhaps #2. Do you need to learn how to do a bibliography?  Ask your mom! Worth 10  points.

4.            Use an outline map of the world and the internet.  Look up "countries with royalty". Use a symbol, or a colour to show each country that currently has a monarch on the throne.  Check your sources carefully. Some lists include "pretenders", and countries or monarchies which no longer exist. Title your map with the current year and "Countries with Royalty". Worth 25 points
  
5.            In a couple of sentences identify three ways monarchies are abolished. Include in your notebook.  Worth 5 points.

6.            Research thrones.  Print photos of 5-10 thrones from various kingdoms and label them with the name of the kingdom or country where they were used and the monarch who used them.  Worth 20 points.

7.            Royal Titles. Read this article. Make a page in your notebook identifying various royal titles.  http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100119151117AAYBOp4  Worth  7 points. On a separate page write out the complete title of Queen Elizabeth II. Worth 3 points.

8.            British royal family. Read FAQ  page http://www.britroyals.com/faqs.htm

9.            This looks like an interesting website. Have a look around. http://www.royalty.nu/

10.          Vocabulary:  Write these words and phrases in your notebook.  Define each word. Worth 2 points each.

Monarch
King
Queen
Prince
Princess
Pretender
Morganatic marriage
Usurper
Imposter
Divine Right of Kings
Order of Succession
Hereditary monarchy
Elective monarchy
Abdicate
Head of state
Absolute monarch
Regent
Peerage

11.          Research 5 – 10 monarchs. These monarchs can be from the same royal line or country or from a variety of lines and countries. Make a page for each monarch and their reign. Include the same facts on each page: age when they came to the throne, royal name, age when they ceased to reign, name of country or countries, what is their reign known for (peace and stability for example), any other interesting fact. Or use the Monarch template – mine or one of your own design.  Worth 20 points each.

12.          Create a family tree for our family. Work with mom to produce a tree for her side of the family,  then work with dad to produce a similar tree for his side of the family. Include in your notebook. Worth 10 points

13.          Create a family tree for Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain (and Canada) Include in your notebook. Include her ancestors and descendants. It’s gonna be big! Worth 10 points.

14.          Make a list of all the countries Queen Elizabeth II reigns. Worth 5 points.

15.          Watch the Coronation ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II   about 1 hour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxuYJ1Udm5E (7 parts watch all)   Make a page in your notebook.  Worth 5 points.

16.          Watch The Queen’s Palaces = Buckingham part one of two watch both   1 hour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvx3o48Rc1U  Make a page in your notebook. Worth 5 points.

17.          Watch The Queen’s Palaces = Windsor part one of two watch both 1 hour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0Vi6XtB5hY    Make a page in your notebook. Worth 5 points.

18.          Then and Now.  Choose a recent monarch and one from “long ago”.  Using Excel or Word columns to compare their responsibilities. Worth 10 points.

19.          Is there something else you want to know?  Is there some interesting rabbit trail you’d like to pursue as you read and study?  Use as many pages as you like to show what you’ve learned along the way.  Worth 20 points per rabbit trail.
               
20.          Read Our Island Story on Kindle.

Art Unit Study



This is part of a larger study about European Royalty, but can be used on it's own.  It is designed with my artistic middle school daughter in mind.

1) Sister Wendy’s Story of Painting:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHzvbQ26q7Q    Each episode is about 30 minutes. Make notes for each video using the Cornell Note Taking System.  Notes will handed in for grading (need a rubric for this) and be the basis for a brief oral report on each episode.  Each oral report will also be graded. (need a rubric for this) (about 10 weeks)
2) Read:  Great Artists by Jennie Ellis Keysor Volume 1 - 5 (Complete 1 Volume every 2 weeks)


Unfortunately all of the art work on these pages are reproduced in black and white. Please find at least one for each artist in colour. Use this image, the artist’s name, birth and death dates and a list of the artist’s most famous works (or your favourite) from each volume to make a page.  This could all be done on the computer and printed out, or created by hand. Johanna could teach you to create a power point which you could show at the end of your reading.  Don’t forget to include a link to any Internet sources you use including the Keysor books.

3) Optional:  FBI’s website devoted to stolen art which I thought might interest you:

Friday, September 13, 2013

Note Taking


Note Taking

I used the information below, which I gleaned from this website, to teach my middle and high school students about formal note taking.

Note taking is a useful skill which can help you learn material presented by lecture or in the form of text. Note taking can help you focus, participate as an active learner or listener and retain important information in long term memory.  After all, if you're going to spend the time reading the book, listening to the lecture or taking the course you may as well actually learn, understand and retain the information and ideas presented. If you have learned the information, you will be able to recall it accurately and rapidly.

The ability to write neatly and rapidly are important skills for note taking and for life. Strive to improve in these two areas.  Although people talk about 100-150 words per minute and we think at 400-500 words per minute, we can only write about 30 words per minute. So practice, practice, practice.

Attending a lecture, listening to a podcast, or watching a video also requires excellent listening skills.  Focus on the topic, listen to everything the speaker says before accepting or rejecting ideas. Don't follow rabbit trail thoughts.  Listen for verbal cues: there are three kinds of ..., in conclusion, to summarize, emphases tone of voice and gesture  Look carefully at anything that is written for the students on a blackboard.

The goal of note taking is not to transcribe what the speaker is saying, but to capture the most important points, arguments, salient details in order to review them and recall them

The same is true of note taking from text.  The idea is to capture the author's main ideas in a condensed format and your own words so you can review and recall the information at a later date.

Notes:
Uniform paper easy to file
Title the page, use a date or the lecture title
Be brief
It's O.K. to use symbols or abbreviations but be consistent
Be neat. If you can't read it later; it's useless
Use your own words except for formulas, definitions, and facts.
Use quotation marks if you're not using your own words.
Use outline format if this suits the material and the speaker's style.(Show example of outline and discuss parts)

Cornell Note Taking Method, show page format and tell how it is used.



Review right after lecture or reading make any corrections or additions as necessary. Do you have questions about the material? Write them down or ask them now. 5-10 minutes

Before the next class review your notes.  Condense them, recite the main ideas, and reflect.  What's the big picture? 5-10 minutes

Show the video  I didn't use this video because I couldn't get it to load, but there are lots on YouTube which demonstrate The Cornell Note Taking method. 










Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Summer Camps with a learning focus

Sait Calgary

http://www.saitsummercamps.ca/recreation-schedule.html

Quick Draw Animation Society - Calgary
http://www.quickdrawanimation.ca/


Pixel Blue College - Edmonton - Summer Camps

July 8 – July 12
3D Animation
 
           
August 5 – August 9

3D Animation

July 15 – July 19
2D Character Animation
 

August 12 – August 16
2D Character Animation

July 22 – July 26
Audio Production
 

August 19 – August 23
Audio Production

July 29 – August 2
Photo Re-touching for Social Media
 

August 26 – August 30
Photo Re-touching for Social Media
http://pixelbluecollege.com/

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Puzzles and Games

Printable puzzles:  I like this site because of the variety of puzzles: acrostics, logic, crosswords, drop quotes, number puzzles, sudoku, cryptograms and word searches.  http://www.printable-puzzles.com/download.php?p=l&f=jmdoYo2BY6GZlw%3D%3D

Dragonbox+  http://shop.wewanttoknow.com/collections/frontpage/products/dragonbox

This 5.99 game/app is supposed to a fabulous help for teaching equation solving generally and algebra specifically.  There are 2 levels +5 and +12.  I bought the +12 level.  It is challenging for me. The 11 yo and 14 yo pursued the first few levels and the high school student is making her way through all ten levels.  I haven't managed to do all ten levels yet.  I am not sure how or if it will really help the Algebra student, but it's fun to play.

About.com's puzzle pages have some harder dot to dot and maze puzzles. This link is for autumn themed puzzles. http://puzzles.about.com/od/holidaypuzzlesforkids/a/KidsAutumn_4.htm

English Language Arts

Grammar Monster:  
http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/which_that_who.htm