Our tenth graders have been studying quadratics (a function that follows a parabolic path) for the past month. A quadratic is a function that follows a parabolic path, basically a smooth function that goes up, reaches a maximum height and then comes back down. The question we hoped to answer at the end of the unit, was how do we take the lessons about quadratic equations that we’ve learned and apply them to real life?

The grade 10 students used their knowledge of quadratic equations and creativity to build catapults for launching gumballs. By measuring the path of the gumball, students can create equations that model the path of their parabolas. Once everyone had an equation, the math teachers set up a target challenge. The goal was to now use their equation to determine whether or not they could hit the target.

This was a real opportunity to see the creativity and engineering skills of our students, as well as some good old competition!

Until the next launching…

On Wednesday February 29th, several brave individuals took to the stage to share their stories of bullying, their experiences with hatred, taunting and outright malicious behaviour.

I sat in the audience and heard my colleague and friend, Ms. Gopal, tell her childhood story of racism and hardship.  She shared her story of being the only coloured family in their neighbourhood, how she felt about it, what she struggled with, what a boy named Stuart did and how his actions impacted her life.

I heard a grade 12 student, Siwan Doyle who I’ve taught now for 2 years, speak of the bullying she experienced.  I listened as she told me about the exclusion she felt as a middle school student. How her love and talent with the harp, her ability to excel at school and the bullying she experienced left her feeling alone and hurt.

The audience, faculty and students alike, sat with tears welling in their eyes, struggling to hold onto their emotions while trying to silently share strength with the presenters whom we call friend, teacher, or student.

The entire assembly was moving.  It brought on quite a bit of thought, reflection and discussion.  Many of us, regardless of the fact that we don’t speak of it, have been victims of bullying or maybe even the perpetrators of it.  You may have been taunted, shunned or outcast.  You may have been name-called, threatened or even hurt.  Whatever the form of bullying, whether it be due to economic standing, sexual orientation, ethnic background or whatever else may be different about you…it’s wrong!

As Ms. Gopal said, “It’s good to celebrate our diversity, but it’s also important to pay attention to our similarities, that way we can see that we aren’t so different”.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Noah:  Ms. Remtulla, would you like a sticker?
Me:  What does the sticker say?
Noah:  S.A.D.
Me:  What does that stand for?
Noah:  Singles Awareness Day.  We’re boycotting Valentine’s day.
Me:  You’re in Grade 7!

The Grade 7s boys decided that they were anti-valentines and they went around handing out stickers promoting their day instead.  The popularity of their creation grew as the day progressed.  Faculty wore stickers, and chuckled the entire time.  The older kids wondered how little Grade 7s managed to create such a frenzy!  They even ran out of stickers!

Happy S.A.D everyone!

One of my students was a young musician in Grade 12.  He struggled a little bit with math but more so needed some motivation to finish.  For him, it was a means to an end.  He knew that he wanted to play saxophone.  He was brilliant at it!  He knew he wanted to start an orchestra.  Me, I can’t even play an instrument at all, let alone read music.  His talent amazed me and mine for math worked for him.  An odd pairing for sure, but in the end he did just fine.

10 years later, he stood in the school’s auditorium and played with his quintet.  He is an exceptional musician who travels around the world playing jazz and other forms of music.  It was a wonderful treat at the end of very busy exam period to simply enjoy the talent that Daniel has brought to the world.

Mr. Barry and I set up a chat window for the students to call coordinates from one room to the other, some were assigned our battlefield and others were in charge of strategizing our attack on Mr. Barry’s class.  A very tech savvy game but also loads of fun!

Many of the customers watched with curiosity and even began discussions of their own. Some commented that they wish they had done similar “fun” activities when they were in school. And others were tempted to ask for the results to make more informed coffee purchases!

How To Be More Interesting (In 10 Simple Steps)  (written by Jessica Hagy for Forbes, click on link for actual article)