Last Post

Hi all! Sorry for the late post-I will blame it on pregnancy! As we discussed, you need to complete exercises 1-6 for the post WWII period and hand them in to Mr. D'Alfonso in my portable by Monday May 7th (then you will get 7-12-due when you return). As for the reflective piece (due by may 15 to Ms.Kauppila's email)-please respond to: How has Canada matured as a nation during this period? Her email: kauppila_j@sd36.bc.ca Thanks for everything-will miss you guys:)! Cheers, Mrs.samson

SS11-Monday April 23

Hi all, First, if you did not write the test on Thursday-email me ASAP-you need to complete the alternate assignment by Tuesday! -also-I will not post your next unit tasks until Tuesday-my laptop broke so I am doing everything on my iPad (I don't have my word processing ability until I see a keyboard!) I am away tomorrow ( sick) so if you want essay prep-see me tues-fri this week! -reminder you need to come to class on Thursday-any last improvements due then, as I am done work as of Friday. Look forward to seeing you all on Thursday! Cheers, Mrs Samson

SS11-Important Notice

Hello All,

I must admit I am slightly frustrated today.  You have a Government test today in my room during blocks 3&4-you knew this last week and I have only received a few emails that you 'can not' attend due to work experience however there seems to be many more that 'can not attend'.  My expectation is this: You are here, period on Thursday (unless you have made alternate arrangements with me PRIOR to today) if you are not you are in an "I" zone as this is a summative assignment.  The reason I can not have a ton of different 're-writes' is because I do not have time to create a whole new test (plus it is not fair to those who worked hard to write it on Thursday and some of you get to write it on Monday).......I have an alternative assignment that you must complete (and trust me it is much harder than just a test) and email to me by Tuesday April 24 (no lates accepted).  So, if you did not write the test on Thursday, email me ASAP and I will email you the attached alternate assignment, which will be due Tuesday April 24.

Cheers,
Mrs. Samson

SS11-April 13

Well.....today was our LAST official day together :(  I would just like to tell you all that it was an absolute PLEASURE to teach you and I am so proud of what you have all accomplished.  It is a very hard adjustment to be asked to 'think in a different way' and you all rose to the occasion!  I hope that you look at history not as a 'bunch of old facts' but as a series of events that you can now trace to your own lives and use as reference in interesting critical thinking discussions.  Anyways, enough with my 'mushy talk'-thank-you for being such a great class.

Now-for the 'details'....
-you need to come to my class (usual time-blocks 3/4) for your Government test (only multiple choice/short answer) on THURSDAY APRIL 19-mark this down!!  If you can NOT make that time, you need to email me asap and we will set up an alternate time for you to take your test.
-you got your essays back today-PLEASE see me about how to improve, I am available anytime at lunch or blocks 3/4 to help and I would LOVE to help you out-so use this time!!  Just email me if it is a certain day/time that you want to come in, otherwise just pop in my portable and I will likely be there!

Assignment for the 'last part' of government: Human Rights (ch.10 in textbook, pgs. 30-37 in workbook)
- please pay special attention to this unit as it is important and many of the topics will resurface in your 'human geography unit.'
1) Complete a 1 paragraph reflection on: 'Are there certain rights that should be protected NO MATTER WHAT as humans?'  Therefore, no matter what country/situation certain human rights should ALWAYS be protected at all costs....  Provide reasons and examples for your answers.  Email me this asap samson_l@sd36.bc.ca
2) You need to see me on Monday (any time) and collect the exercises for this chapter.  They will be due to me on the 'test day' for completion........

**Keep checking the blog!!  This is how I can communicate with you and I assume you are reading it EVERY DAY (I won't post everyday but check it so you are informed as quickly as possible!)

SS11-April 5

Happy Easter All:)!!  Today we started our 'Government' unit and brainstormed ways that we could effect change on the government (as Canadian citizens).  Although this unit TENDS to be vocabulary focused, I want to utilize your thinking skills as much as possible, so be ready to participate and answer some hard questions in your reflective journal.

As for work: at this point, your portfolio was due today, interviews will begin on Tuesday.  If you have not handed in a summative project and want to not receive an 'I' from me, I suggest you give it to me on Tuesday.  **Those of you who have not handed in a portfolio and have NOT talked to me, you need to email me this weekend and discuss your reasons-ignoring this is NOT a good idea and only prolongs the inevitable conversation.

For cue cards: Wednesday is the due date for WWII terms (choose 30/74 from Workbook to complete).  For the government unit (which is heavily vocab  based) cue cards are very important.  However, after speaking with a few of you-you are concerned about adding significance to all of them-SO, I will make a few concessions.......Here they are:

-I encourage you to (when you have the time, ENSURE you know all 74 key terms for the government unit)
-for ME, however I will choose the following 32 that I would like you to complete (the numbers correspond with the workbook term numbers)
2, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 27, 31, 33, 36, 40, 43, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 60, 61, 62, 63, 65, 70, 71
**reminder you WILL have independent work time all class on Tuesday and I will only be assigning a few exercises, so if you utilize your class time, you should get these all done! 
-We will touch base in class about a 'realistic' due date but likely it will be the Friday before you leave me:(

**One more thing!!  Your Workplace Safety Lesson is PAST DUE-I am giving what I have to Mr. Derbyshire on Tuesday, so give it to me then if you want me to hand it in, otherwise, as far as I am concerned you are 'big people' and you will responsible for getting it in to Mr. Derbyshire yourself (no one will chase you).

Have a great Easter-don't eat TOO much chocolate................

SS11-April 2

Hi guys,

Sorry this is a later post-I had a staff meeting after school and I just put my daughter to bed now-so I apologize if you were looking for it earlier.  As you all know, essay test tomorrow:)  As we discussed, you will write 2 essays (one in the first block, one in the second block) each block will have 'different options' you only need to write on one topic per block.  Please bring your own paper and a writing utensil!  Remember, an outline is an EXCELLENT idea and I will be looking for it-remember to always provide specific examples to your answers and tell me the significance!!  Good luck, don't be nervous-I know you will all do great!  Here is the list of 'possible' essay topics (hint, hint) that we discussed today:

1) Describe Canada's contribution to the Allied war effort.  Provide examples.

2) How is Canada's home front effected by WWII.  Provide examples.

3) Hitler adopted a 'final solution' during WWII.  Using examples from 1933-1945, provide examples of his attempts.

4) Is war ever justified?  Provide examples specifically from 1930-1945 (but you could include others, just focus on the events we have been studying).

5) Using examples from 1930-1945, describe the human atrocities that occured and how they could be prevented in the future.

SS11-Mar. 30

Happy weekend everyone!!  We covered LOTS today-including detailed discussions on each battle in WWII and how Canada played a role in some of them (remember this is what is REALLY important in this course).  We also discussed Pearl Harbour and its effects on WWII and finished off with an introduction in to 'human atrocities.'  With WWII, inevitable everyone thinks of the horrible things the Nazis did in the Holocaust, however I have introduced you to a few other atrocities that also occured during this time.  My purpose in introducing you to these horrible events is not to 'make you feel bad' but to give you knowledge and hopefully, together we can take that knowledge and apply it to what we know about today's world (as human atrocities are STILL happening in the world TODAY) and what can we do as 'the average Canadian citizen.'  Is it our duty to help?  Can we help?  Why do these things happen?

Homework for this weekend: Choose ONE of the stories I gave you on Friday (Ukraine, Ethiopia or Nanking) and write a journal entry from the perspective of a historical figure within that atrocity.  For example, it can be someone directly affected by the tragedy or it could be from a government official ordering it/trying to stop it or it can be from someone comitting the atrocity.  Remember, I need to see a 'personal account' and you need to include specific historical details about the event.  Bring this completed for Monday morning:)  Have a great weekend!