This is a photograph of the highway leading into my hometown of Marathon. It’s what I see after spending three and a half hours driving from Geraldton. It’s the home stretch.

In a way, we’ve been doing our own three and a half our drive, and we’re down to the last few kilometres. We’re in the home stretch, too. It’s two weeks before the end of the semester. It’s time to start thinking about completing culminating assignments, time to start studying for exams, and time to start thinking about next year. The final stretch goes by fast.

For AVI3O – Grade 11 Visual Arts students, that means it’s time to get cracking on your final studio pieces. Remember, this culminating project is worth 30% of your course mark. If you need extra time, we can make arrangements to work during the lunch hour. Also, don’t forget about the written components of this project. All of our remaining class time is devoted to the culminating project. Remember, the due date is Thursday, June 18.

In ENG1D – Grade 9 English, we will complete our Merchant of Venice culminating assignments, including a detailed film review and tabloid newspaper assignment, (find them under ENG1D – Assignments). Next week we will wrap things up and spend a few days completing exam review.

Finally, in NBV3E – Grade 11 Aboriginal Beliefs & Values, we will continue working on the course culminating assignment. We have a few more days in the computer lab so hopefully students are prepared to make the most of this time. Some students are coming close to finishing their assignment while others need to get cracking. If you need extra time or help, let me know and we can make some arrangements. The due date is Thursday, June 18.

So, focus on the home stretch but don’t forget about the rules of the road. Work to get what you need done and you can relax with your feet up when you get at your destination.

Have a great week.

I’ve been following the final report of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee with keen interest as the issues in the report align with the curriculum topics of NBV3E – Grade 11 Aboriginal Beliefs & Values.

The content of this report – and the effects of Canada’s Residential School System on generations of families – is an integral part of the course. I hope that more Canadians become informed through the Commission’s findings.

Justice Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is interviewed by CBC:

Many GCHS students have family members who are directly affected by the Residential School System. Issues of health, family issues, language, education, and sovereignty resonate among them. By shedding light on these issues – and through the Commission’s recommendations for support – we can move towards building a better society.

Yup. It’s June. Seriously. I know, I’m as shocked, too. It’s been a really great semester but all good things come to an end. It’s time to start wrapping this up as the semester, (and the thirteen[!] days left of it). As mentioned in a previous post, most classes are working on final culminating assignments. Given the date, this means it is absolutely time to stop procrastinating. It’s time to be productive. It’s time to succeed!

AVI3O Grade 11 Art students are finalizing their culminating project. It’s worth 30% and it involves a fair amount of work. Attendance is the first key in unlocking success. Each day students are away is one less day available for studio projects. Students are expected to check the assignment’s success criteria to track their progress. See me if there are questions or issues.

ENG1D Grade 9 English students are about to complete reading The Merchant of Venice. I can confidently say that the class understands the play – and (gasp!) in some cases even appreciates it. Students have worked well with the oral communication components of this unit and we’ve had some great discussions on the aspects of Shakespeare’s work. A tabloid news article, a unit test, and a film review will wrap up the unit – and the bulk of the term work for the semester. You can find all of the assignments on the ENG1D – Assignments page!

NBV3E Grade 11 Aboriginal Beliefs & Values students completed The Rez Sisters today. As expected, the play pulled at some heartstrings, made students smile – and most importantly, shed some light on issues affecting both on and off-reserve First Nations populations. If you are reading this and have a chance to check out the play, DO IT. Seriously. It’s good. Students have one last set of review questions, (which we will endeavour to complete together) and then the remaining time this semester will be devoted to the Culminating Assignment. It’s mentioned in a post below, too.

Thank you again to students, parents, and guardians for making this semester so awesome. As excited as I am for summer, I’ll miss having fun learning with everyone every day. It’s been a total blast.