Blog 24 - Wednesday, December 13, 2017

FINAL BLOG OF 2017!

Tell me about your 2017.

Was it a GOOD/BAD year?

What are your goals for 2018?

Explain.



P.S. Good Luck on your MID-TERM Exams and Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Blog 23 - Monday, December 11, 2017

With Christmas and New Year's right around the corner, please tell me about your:

BEST or WORST Christmas break!

Why was it the BEST or WORST?

Explain.

Blog 22 - Wednesday, December 6, 2017

I love sitting with my family and watching Christmas (Holiday) movies. 
Hearing my kids LAUGH during Home Alone or Elf is PRICELESS!

For this blog, tell me about your favourite Christmas movie and/or song.

Why is it your favourite? When did you first start watching/listening to this movie/song?

Explain.

Blog 21 - Monday, December 4, 2017

It is DECEMBER - and even though the Holidays are still three (3) weeks away you can't tell me that you are not already thinking about them.

For this blog, tell me about a person who is CRAZY about CHRISTMAS!

What makes them crazy?

Is this person fun to be around? Or, do they drive you nuts?

Explain.

Blog 20 - Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Your BLOG topic is FREE CHOICE!  You could blog about whatever it is you want, except what you've already blogged about!  You could go on a rant or you could simply blog about something important to you.

Be creative and write about something you feel important or something you would like to tell your audience. Write about something you are passionate about.

You must remember your audience.  It is not simply me (Mr. Katz) reading this blog!  

If you will be ranting about a certain individual, you need to leave their name out of this.  You could give them a pseudonym (example: Mr. Ed) or simply leave their name as anonymous.

Make sure your language is appropriate.  Do not go on swearing tangents.

Blog 19 - Monday, November 27th, 2017

This week is Pride Week at St. Thomas!
St. Thomas is known for its emphasis on student involvement and school spirit. All throughout the week we will be celebrating our school and the students in it.
Are you looking forward to this week's events?
How do you think school spirit has shaped your high school experience so far?
Explain.

Blog 18 - Monday, November 20, 2017

There will only be ONE (1) blog this week!
No school Thursday or Friday - YAY!!!

For this blog - I want you to use FlipGrid
Enter Code: baabff

It is not often that you get a chance to BRAG about something.

For this BLOG - I want you to BRAG for 1:30.

You could brag about some medals or trophies (and show them).
You could brag about something you drew or a mark that you got.
You could brag about how AWESOME you are.

Have fun!

Post 17 - Wednesday, November 15th, 2017

Many studies suggest that high school students experience a high amount of stress and anxiety due to their heavy course load. Do you agree with this?
If so, what could be done to improve the situation?
Explain.

Blog 16 - Monday, November 13, 2017

An extremely controversial topic is the name and/or mascot of certain professional teams. Many North American sports associations have used names and/or mascots that derive from indigenous culture. While many believe this is a way of honouring native culture, others argue that it is offensive and promotes harmful stereotypes.
What do you think?
Should teams begin to change their names out of respect for the indigenous population?
Explain.

Blog 15, Wednesday, November 8, 2017

It seems like EVERY year I am posting a blog topic about GUNS.

Recently, the following acts occurred:
LAS VEGAS - 59 dead, 527 injured
NEW YORK CITY - 8 dead, a dozen injured
TEXAS - 26 dead, a dozen injured

When will this END?

What is your view on GUN CONTROL?

Blog 14 - Monday, November 6, 2017

Thanks for allowing me to present my project to you last Friday.
As you could see, digital citizenship is pretty important for me. 

Being a good digital citizen includes:
- being aware of your digital footprints;
- demonstrating safe and respectful online etiquette;
- not cyber-bullying, sexting, or posting inappropriate photos and/or videos,
- making important decisions about what to post to social media sites; and,
- not downloading or uploading inappropriate content

For this blog, I would like you to CREATE an important Digital Citizenship message using MEMES!

A meme in a generic message about a behaviour that is passed around on-line.

Using makeameme.org, create a MEME about being a GOOD Digital Citizen.  On the blog site, write an explanation about the meme you've created.  Explain why you've chosen that image? Explain the text on your meme!  How is your meme effective?

TURNING IT IN: You need to PRINT your MEME.  

Blog 13 - Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Term 1 has come and gone.  We are already in November!

Tell me about your Term 1. How did it go? Explain.

Did you set any goals for yourself in term 1? 

What did you do well with?

What do you still need to work on?

What are your term 2 goals?

Explain.

Blog 12 - Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Halloween should always be FUN! 
It is a time when we get to dress up and eat LOTS of candy!

Tell me about your BEST Halloween memory?
Explain.

Blog 11 - Monday, October 23, 2017

At the end of Fahrenheit 451, Granger tells Montag about the passing of his grandfather and the mark he left on the world. Montag begins to wonder what kind of legacy he will leave after his own passing.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave after you've passed away?
What do you want to be remembered for?
Explain.

Blog 10 - Wednesday, October 18, 2017

In the Fahrenheit 451, books are rare and valuable.
Throughout the novel, we follow Montag as he discovers the power of literature and risks his life to preserve books.
If you were a rebel in the F451 society, which book would you want to save?
Why is this book so important to you?
Explain.

Blog 9 - Monday, October 16, 2017

This week Saint-Thomas High School will be hosting its annual OPEN HOUSE!

During OPEN HOUSE, Saint-Thomas showcases the things it does well.

What are some of the things that make Saint-Thomas a GREAT school?

What are some recommendations for improvements?

Explain.

Blog 8 - Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Your MOCKUMENTARY projects are due on Monday, October 23.

What is your mockumentary about?

How is your project going so far?

What do you have left to complete?

What are some of the challenges you will have to overcome?

Are you looking forward to watching the other projects?

Explain.

Blog 7 - Monday, October 2nd, 2017

In Fahrenheit 451, Montag has an outburst when he hears the jingle for Denham's Dentifrice on the subway.

What is one commercial that you dislike beyond others?

What about it is so annoying?

How do you react when you see or hear it?

Explain.

P.S. - SHARE the link!

Reminder! This will be your only blog for this week!

Blog 6 - Wednesday, September 27th, 2017

On Wednesday, you were given the opportunity to review tweets, articles and videos related to the subjects of race and technology. In small groups you responded to this content and answered a few prompts. For this blog, I want you to reflect on your conversations.

What were some of the more interesting points that came up during your discussion?

Did someone mention an idea that you had not considered before?

Why do you think activities like these are important?

Explain.

OR if you were absent answer the following question:

Do you think there should be a governing body that controls Internet and technology use?

Consider the possible effects of the latest technological advancements… Could they pose a threat to society?

Should the government or an outside group try to protect citizens from technology?

Explain

Blog 5 - Monday, September 25, 2017

Music plays an important role in our lives!

Tell me what genre(s) you listen to, why you like certain artists, which concerts you've been to.  I want you to help me understand your musical preference.

Can you include a playlist? What are seven (7) songs you are currently listening to?

Blog 4 - Monday, September 18, 2017

THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE (1) BLOG THIS WEEK.  

Early in the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag is questioned by Clarisse about whether or not "he is happy" (7).  Montag feels as if he is being challenged by this "pure" teenager.

Who do you feel challenges you? On the blog site, write about someone you feel challenges you.  Explain your reasoning.  (It could be a friend, a parent, a coach, a sibling, a teacher, etc)

Plus, take a SELFIE with the person that challenges you.  
E-mail the selfie to gkatz@lbpearson.ca 

Good Luck :)

Blog 3 - Wednesday, September 13, 2017

In the novel Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Montag meets Clarisse and she asks him one simple question:

"Are you happy?" (Bradbury 7)

If Clarisse asked you this question, how would you respond?

Explain.

Blog 2 - Monday, September 11, 2017

Although technology is a GREAT TOOL, it does have some limitations.  One limitation is that it could ALIENATE or ISOLATE an individual.

What do you think the world will look like in 100 years as technology continues to advance?

Explain.