It’s April this week! Spring is in the air. The snow is only months away from melting. All is good in the world. We are also facing a pair of short weeks due to the Easter holidays this weekend. Now’s a great time to get caught up on any missing work. Here’s what’s happening in class:

AVI3O Grade 11 Art students have finished their watercolour culminating assignments. Many of them have transformed from rough ideas into beautiful pieces of art. I will matte some of them this week so they can be put in a school display case. Pictures to come!

Students are going to spend some time looking at art criticism and art history this week.

ENG1D Grade 9 English students are past the halfway point in their study of the novel The Chrysalids. The class has been very good at discussing a number of topical issues that are connected to the novel, including issues in the news such as Bill C-51 and Indiana’s Religious Freedoms Bill. It’s important to get students comfortable discussing in the class as this prepares them for future seminar discussions that we will hold, focusing on elements of the novel. It’s important that students keep up reading the novel. They are expected to complete chapter questions which are used to foster the discussions. The questions, (for review), can be viewed on the ENG 1D – Assignments page.

NBV3E Grade 11 Aboriginal Beliefs and Values students are working on a small project that focuses on the Seven Grandfather Teachings. My expectation is that students will work alone or in pairs to research information about a teaching of their choice. The research will then be organized into large displays that are eye-catching and informative. I’d like to include images of GCHS on them, too. Ideally we will create a large display for the entire school.

Midterms are fast-approaching. It’s really important that students check in with me to ensure they’re all caught up with assignments. Students are also reminded to take advantage of the 12:05PM Activity Period if they need extra help.

Have a great couple of SHORT weeks!

AVI 3O Grade 11 Visual Arts students have been working with watercolour techniques. Here are some samples of their creative process as they build on ideas:

The theme of their final watercolour piece is A Moment in Time, where they will capture something – anything – happening. Students will play with light an colour to come up with an appropriate composition. Students will then use the Critical Analysis Process to create an artistic statement about their painting.

Welcome back! Here’s hoping everyone had a fun and refreshing March Break. It’s now time to get into the swing of things. In four short weeks it will already be midterms. Time flies!

AVI3O Grade 11 Art: This week, we’ll start talking about the Critical Analysis Process to help organize how we react to art. We will also be focusing on some Art History as we talk about a number of different periods and some examples from each.

ENG1D Grade 9 English: This week, we will begin our study of the novel The Chrysalids by John Wyndham. This novel explores themes like religion, change, and acceptance. Our study will include a mix of discussion, debate, question-and-answer, and some writing. It is imperative that you read the novel.

NBV3E Grade 11 Aboriginal Beliefs & Values will end the Identity Unit by focusing on Aboriginal common threads and beliefs, a study of the Medicine Wheel, and a look at Canada’s Indian Residential Schools system – a sad chapter in our history. These last components will likely bring us right to the Easter break.

Thanks so much for visiting the site. If you have any questions or comments, let me know! Enjoy your week!