Grade 8 Thesis

Why do you deserve to go into high school?

Assignment outline:

GRADE EIGHT THESIS

Grade eight is really the last year that anyone can consider you to be a child. After grade eight, once you enter high school, life has the possibility of changing for you. You get more responsibilities and your teachers expect even more from you. The same is true for many of you at home. You may be getting a job soon, having new relationships and learning to balance your time that wants to get stretched in many different directions.

You have to have a mature outlook to deal with all of this, and your behaviour speaks louder than any words.

This is what the grade eight thesis is about. A thesis is an in depth examination of something. It is an independent project where you make the decisions.
Your job is to make a presentation to our class, either live or recorded, that shares with us the evidence that you are ready to be a mature high school student.
Your thesis can share many different types of information with us:

* accomplishments to this point in your life
* what type of a person that you want to be remembered as
* talents
* your work ethic (homework completion, chores, etc.)
* strengths and weaknesses
* volunteer efforts
* goals for the next few years
* your worries and concerns

The idea of this thesis is not to only concentrate on school. While school may play a part in your presentation, your thesis needs to be about your life as a whole. How can you show that you are growing in responsibility and maturity? How can you show that you are capable of becoming a high school student who can make good decisions? How have you changed?

I am looking for evidence of reflection (that you have taken the time to think about yourself) and creativity.

Here is an example of another grade eight student's thesis.



If you are looking for a web 2.0 tool to help you get started, check out this blog.

Good luck, and have fun!! I can't wait to see what you come up with:)

How fast can you type?

Good Morning!

Here is a link to a site that will help you practice your typing skills. Have a look and try it out!

Black Violin

Yesterday our class went to the Grand Theatre to see The Black Violin perform. It was amazing!!!! Black Violin is an American hip hop duo from Florida comprising two classically trained string instrumentalists. Kev Marcus plays the violin and Wil B. plays the viola. D.J. T.K. and Beat Down drummer joined Kev and Wil B. for their performance. They take classical music and in their words "stank it up". They mixed rap, hip hop, techno, you name it with classical pieces. We had a blast! Kev and Wil B. (the two violinists) wanted the crowd to yell, scream, clap, dance, get out of their seats. The First Avenue P.S. audience did not disappoint!

Check out a sample of The Black Violin performing.







Here is a link to their website too.

Your assignment is to write a review of the Black Violin's performance at The Grand Theatre. Include what you thought the show was going to be about, anything that surprised you, your views on violin music (before and after the show), your favourite part, and anything else that you think is important or relevant. Please find your favourite video of the Black Violin from You Tube and include it as well.

Leave a comment below to let me know what you thought of the show as well as to say that you are finished the assignment.

Thanks, happy listening!
Mrs. Dowker

Awesome Artwork Made with Sharpies

Nowadays, Sharpie markers come in more than basic black––they’re available in every color of the rainbow, and in just about every size and shape. They’re great for everyday labeling and organizing, but did you know that they could also be used to decorate everything from guitars to fingernails? WD teamed with Sharpie to find the most unique creations from talented artists across the globe. From a Lamborghini turned objet d’art to a wall mural, check out how different artists uncapped their creativity. - By Olivia Putnal

Get inspired to draw outside the lines with these 5 marker masterpieces.

George Ramos spent two weeks on this intricately designed Lamborghini––he used Sharpie markers to create the design and then topped it off with a clear coat of paint to protect the pattern. The car was displayed at the Concorso Italiano, a festival celebrating Italian style, in Monterey, California, and received plenty of appreciative nods. Photo courtesy of George Ramos.

Peter Bragino created a custom design on his Ibanez guitar using an industrial-strength Sharpie marker––no sanding or topcoat was needed to preserve the long-lasting design. He penned this intricate work of art at his Brooklyn, New York, art gallery, THECEEFLAT. Photo courtesy of Peter Bragino.

Okat can always go barefoot thanks to his custom trompe-l’oeil shoes. Tracing his own feet over a pair of slip-on Vans first with pencil, he then drew over the lines with a black Sharpie. He used acrylic paint to fill in the feet with a shade close to his own skin tone. At first glance, you wouldn’t even know these were shoes—they almost look like the real thing! Photo courtesy of Iamokat.com.

One day Charlie Kratzer took a look at his basement’s bare, cream-colored walls and decided to spice things up a bit. Instead of using wallpaper or paint, the lawyer picked up $10 worth of Sharpie markers. He used famous people and works of art as inspiration for this grand illustration. And Sharpie artwork was the just the beginning for this budding artist—he learned to paint, and now displays his works upstairs as well. Photo courtesy of Charlie Kratzer.

What could you turn into Sharpie Art? Think about it and let me know what your idea is. Post your thoughts in the comment box below.

Mrs. Dowker

Grade 8 Science Mini Movies

For science, we were asked to learn the parts of a microscope as well as their function. This can be pretty dry, so we made it more exciting by creating our own instructional videos, labelling the parts of the microscope and well as how they are used. Take a look at our creations, we're quite proud of them!

Callie & Lexxy's Video



Dylan & John's Video



Brittney and Savanna's Video



Hannah & Cindy's Video



Kya & Casi's Video

Cell Phone: From Brick to Slick

Ah, the good old days, when cellphones were the size of bricks. Some were so big you had to carry a separate bag containing their electronic innards, and if you weren’t careful, you might end up with a dislocated shoulder by the end of the day.

Fast forward to today, where cellphones have gotten plenty smart. One factor should catch your eyes: Notice how different all the phones start looking around 2007. Wonder what happened then (cough! iPhone cough!)?

This infographic from Wilson Electronics (maker of cellular signal boosters for buildings and cars, so they know about these things) takes you from Dr. Martin Cooper’s laughable handset (that looked more like a cream-colored shoe than a phone) up to today’s darling of the moment, the Apple iPhone 4S.

Tell me in the comments how many of these cellphones you’ve used, which one was your favorite, and how you would compare your previous model to today’s latest phones.

Also, I would love to know why you could or couldn't live without your phone! Please post your comments below.

Thanks,
Mrs. Dowker

2011 A Year in Review

Looking Back at 2011 – A Year in Review Assignment

Part 1: What Will You Remember Most From 2011?

Something to think about – What national, international, cultural and personal events in 2011 stand out for you most? Why?

Take a moment and record the first 10 things/events from 2011 that come to mind when you think about the year as a whole. This can be anything – relating to your life personally, media, global, entertainment, trends, controversy etc.

Part 2: I'd like you to watch these two videos:

Video #1: Zeitgeist 2011: Year in Review(A Google Spin Off Video)



Video #2: 2011 – The Year in Rap and Rhyme

The Year in Rap: 2011 from Flocabulary on Vimeo.

Part 3: Images and Videos of the Year

The Nyiragongo Crater in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the world's largest lava lake, one of the wonders of the African continent. The crater bubbles 1,300 feet deep. (Olivier Grunewald)

Anti-government protesters celebrate inside Tahrir Square after the announcement that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had resigned on February 11, 2011. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)


Scroll down to images and videos of the year (please keep in mind that any “best of” list is subjective. Major news events were used as a guide). There are several top photo lists in this section, please view The Big Picture/ 2011 Year in Photos Part I, Part II, Part III

Media Analysis – What makes an effective photograph? What types of events were captured? How did you feel as you viewed different photos? What made you feel this way?

In a short paragraph, describe what a photograph should have in order to make a “best of “list like this. Please support your answer with an example, making specific reference to at least one of the photos that you viewed.

(If you enjoyed these pictures, check out the National Geographic Photography Contest Winners for 2011 here.)

Part 4: Words of the Year (this should make you laugh)

Click this link for the words of the year: New York Times/ which words from 2011 will live on? Collecting the past year’s words is like sifting one’s pockets at the end of a trip. Some things you’ll keep, some you’ll discard. Please read the text at the top of the page and scroll through some of the catchwords that were snagged throughout 2011. Some are new while others are oldies that have resurfaced and taken on new life!

Evaluation - Can you think of any words that are not on this list that should be. Reflecting on my last year of teaching, the word “epic” seems to have wormed its way into grade 8 students everyday vocabulary. What do you think?

From the New York Times list, select what you think would be the top three words – which will have longevity (ie – these will stick around for some time)? Be sure to explain your reasoning for each choice.

Are there any words that were listed that you feel will be easy to forget about in 2012?

Part 4: Writing Task - Your Review of 2011 – Ideal length, approximately 1 page.

You may take some time to view some of the other categories on the retrospectives list - - there are lots of interesting “best of” lists that can fit a unique interest of everyone – enjoy!

Tell us about what you’ll remember most from this year, whether it’s a news event, something that’s gone viral on the internet, a new innovation or fad etc. An event in your own life, or something else entirely may even be included - - it’s your choice as this is your reflection of 2011. How would you sum up this year? What are you looking forward to in 2012?

Formatting tips for a well-organized piece of writing.

A catchy title that will grab your reader’s attention

Paragraph 1 - Your introduction should generally discuss 2011 and memorable moments/events

Paragraphs 2, 3, and 4 - You should have distinct body paragraphs that discuss some of the events that you feel are most memorable. For example, perhaps the passing of Steve Jobs makes your list. You would have a distinct paragraph for this. You would need to be sure to fully discuss why this was such an important event and touch on how his life influenced so many. I would recommend selecting 3 significant events to focus on (i.e 3 body paragraphs).

Paragraph 5 - Your last paragraph should be a conclusion. How would you sum up this year and what are you looking forward to in 2012. You may even want to put a creative twist on this and predict what 2012 may have in store for us.


Good luck!! I can't wait to read your thoughts and opinions:)

Mrs. Dowker

P.S. "Just because these are interesting:)

Popcast: The Best Albums of 2011

Arts | The Year in Television

Arts | The Year in Video Games

The 10 Best Books of 2011

Fashion and Style | 2011 Red Carpet Hits, Misses and Risks

Technology: Award Time for Ideas That Shine

Lens Blog | Looking Back at the Year in Sports

And here is a link to many, many other lists from 2011.