LC Webinar Update

 The Learning Commons digital citizenship webinar for this Friday the 12th  has been postponed.

DimensionU for Students

Dear Student and Parents,

 Have you read the book “Enders Game” or seen the movie? There is a program called DimensionU that is a lot like that. In this Academy, students take a kind of paintball approach to learning how to learn. This multiplayer game is all about fun, skill, strategy, and collaboration.  But, hey, should you benefit from the 400+ Math and Literacy skills, that’s OK too. J

Here’s an introduction to DimensionU -http://safeshare.tv/w/IGHXbzSISe

There are four very different scenarios in which to play, but the skills covered can be both targeted and comprehensive.

        Math Skills Overview:           http://www.dimensionu.com/assets/resources/DimensionU%20Math%20Skills-overview.pdf

      Literacy Skills Overview:       http://www.dimensionu.com/assets/resources/DimensionU%20Literacy%20Skills-overview.pdf

Here’s an example of what the game looks like; this is an intro to “Meltdown.”

       http://www.dimensionu.com/dimu/home/uvideos.aspx?ref=top%20menu%20dimu

You’ll see the introductions to a number of other DimensionU games as well, next to the Meltdown one. Have a look, and imagine playing this against 10 other students. Then imagine that 4 of them were on your team. Starting to get the picture? J 

The really cool thing is that two of these games can now be accessed on your MAC, your iphone, android phone, PC, etc., etc. http://www.dimensionu.com/dimu/home/games.aspx?ref=top%20menu%20dimu  The rest will be soon. On this page you also see some super games that will challenge your gaming skills, while making you an expert in Cartesian Planes.

To sign up for this subscription please click on this Fluidsurvey link.

https://fluidsurveys.com/s/Dimension-U-Registration-2014-15/  

Training will follow in January care of Gord Holden:)

God Bless,

Pippa Davies

Chair HCS Blended Learning Commons

Learning Commons : www.hcslearningcommons.org

Twitter:  @PippaDavies

Skype:  philippajanedavies

OverdriveELibrary (e and audio books)

L4U Catalogue  (books and kits)

HCS Learning Commons

Creating Christian Community

Through Discipleship, Literacy and Innovation

Devotional Site to Use with Your Kids

Have you been looking for something different to use as a devotional with your kids? One parent suggested this site as one you can use as is, or you can join and use the fuller version.  Check it out and see if it fits you and your family.  :)

Keys For Kids

Remembrance Day Art

Are you looking for something that is a beautiful piece of art that creates a sharing point about Remembrance Day?  Click the link for That Artist Woman then scroll to the bottom of the page and look at her Remembrance Day art projects.  The Mixed Media Poppies, Remembrance Day Painting and Van Gogh are my favourite projects.  Yesterday, I had a parent tell me that she still has a piece her daughter did with me (as a 7 year old) and it is hanging up, framed in their house.  That was four years ago!!  The art ideas and instructions are very good and I would encourage you to check it out.  :)

Remembrance Day Painting from that artist woman (link above)

Remembrance Day Resources

Photo by Terry Reimer

Many Canadian communities do a wonderful job of observing Remembrance Day through ceremonies and programs.  It would be wonderful for your children to know more than just what is shared at the ceremonies.  here are some resources for you to look at:

Canadian WW1 Memorials You May Not Know

Information for Past and Present

Book Clubs for K-8

Book Clubs are ready for HCOS students!  Follow the link for the book club information for the all the elementary grades.  Check it out at at Book Clubs  There are many great books planned!

Portfolios

Hi Everyone!

For those of you who would like the portfolio dates for your calendar, please write down:

Term 1 Nov. 7

Term 2 Feb. 19

Term 3 May 30

Portfolio time is still a month away but I wanted to let you know that Bruce and I have been working our schedule to try to fit in a visit.

Over the past couple of years, we've been trying to create more of a connection with our Ft. Nelson families and Bruce was able to visit last years to coincide with portfolio time.  This was very successful and well received by the families.  Therefore, we are doing that again!  Bruce is able to come up and visit (unfortunately, I can't make this trip) and has sent out his schedule to you via email.  Please feel free to sign up for a visit if the times work for you.  He would love to see you and represent both of us.  :)

If you would still like to submit your portfolio electronically, please do that.  I've been going through dropbox, facebook albums and email attachments to view the great things that you are doing with your kids!

Art Ideas

Have you considered creating art projects based on famous artists?  There are so many great artists out there and a reasonably easy way to learn about an artist is to do an internet search and read 1-2 articles about the artist, then do an image search and find an image to model after.  Your child's image does not have to be exact - the intent is to include the sense and 'feel' of the artist.  There are so many projects that fit this and I hope you consider experimenting!  What a great way to introduce your child to famous artists!

With children, Piet Mondrian is one of my favourites to model after!

Try Georgia O'Keefe, Kandinsky, Ted Harrison, and Jackson Pollok to start out.  :)

Healthy Living

HCOS is taking part in the the 60 Minute Kids Club!

All you have to do is commit to living healthy and active over the next 60 days. We’ll help you with challenges and tools to keep track of your progress and keep you motivated.   See attached for more information! Or go to http://60minkidsclub.org/ to sign up right away….

If your kids are signed up, let me know and I can use this as a PE/ DPA tracker.

Memorization Challenge

Would you like to participate in the HCOS Memorization Challenge?  It is a great way to stay accountable, connect with others and be focused on memorizing God's word!  Find out how to register at HCOS Memorization Challenge

Have fun!!

Novel Study Ideas

Are you looking for some creative ideas for novel studies?  There is value to the traditional question and response method and I would encourage including that at times.  However, there are so many things that you could be doing, especially for those children who read books faster than you can have them sit down to answer chapter questions!  Perhaps try out some of the following general ideas and personalize them to the book your child is reading/has read:

1.  build a model of the house or an interesting location in the book or specific chapter
2.  create a 2D or 3D map showing the travels of the main character
3.  write a review of the book including a summary, the highlights and lowlights and reasons for their own critique
4.  research an interesting aspect of the book and write a report about it (a location, a skill/job/trade, a medical/emotional condition, a type of animal, etc)
5.  find one (or more) concepts in the book that could be used to symbolize God, His love or a fruit of the Spirit, and give reasons
6.  do a word study by choosing some interesting vocabulary and learning/writing their meanings
7.  choose a section of the novel to present to your family as a monologue, memorize it (word for word or the 'flavour' and content) and present it to your family (costumes are optional!)
8.  explain what the general message(s) of the story is/are
9.  create a crossword puzzle of the key words/interesting vocabulary of the story and write the clues so that someone else can fill in the answers (which are the chosen words from the book)
10.  compare the book to other books by the same author or that have a similar theme and write about the similarities between them
11.  identify a personal connection made in each chapter (connections are when something you read reminds you of something else), connections can be to personal experiences, other books, media items, family discussions, even world events
12.  find a descriptive section in the book and draw a picture (paint, model, etc) of what you imagine the author is describing - with details (special item like a treasure chest, a main character, the view described by the author...)
13. create a set of comprehension questions for your family to give back to you as the test for the book (make them good or they won't use them!)
14.  act out your favourite scene in the story and recruit your family members to play parts alongside of you.

Keep going with your ideas!  :)  Having your child write either answers or responses/reflections about a book and then doing one of the above ideas is enough work for kids who want to finish the book the same day they start it.  If your child spends a week reading the novel, then have him/her finish two of the above projects, along with some writing.  If your child spends longer reading the book, you may want them to complete one of the above assignments for every chapter or every other chapter.  The main goals are cultivating a love for reading and helping to ensure your child is understanding what he/she is reading.  Have fun with this!

Virtual Grade 6-8 Book Club

Are you interested in joining a book club?  Grade 6-8 students are invited to join our HCOS Virtual Book Club.  Check out the details at:

Grade 6-8 Virtual Book Club

Reading Clubs

Join and become a reading buddy!  Check out the information at

K-3 Reading Buddies

Want Access to More Free Resources?

The Heritage Christian Schools Learning Commons is having a webinar to show you the resources available to you as HCOS families and how to access those resources - some practically instantly (digital sources)!!  Check out:

The Learning Commons

BC Lions Faith Night

Do you enjoy Canadian football?  Think you may be in the Vancouver area in November?  Check out this opportunity!  https://fluidsurveys.com/s/bc-lions-faith-night-2014/

*A word of warning this event runs LATE and thus is not recommended for young children. It was after 11pm when we were exiting the building last year.

After the game, some of the Lions' players and coaches will address a crowd of atendees for this event. They will share a Christian message with us, answer some questions and even sign a few autographs. (This was a great event last year.)  

The Learning Commons

The Learning Commons is a resource-packed virtual place for our HCOS families to visit, use, tour, download from and more!  Here is a newsletter to help you to discover some of the cool stuff they have available for you!  Follow the link:

The Learning Commons

WOW!

Our Ft. Nelson WOW - Week of Welcome - event is this Friday at the pool from 1:30-2:30.  I believe this is the same event as last year and the year before (it must be a great time!).  When you arrive, let the staff know that you are with HCOS and then go have a swim!  Have fun everyone!  Bruce and i are sorry that we won't be there for the event - perhaps one day we will be attending this WOW!  :)  We are looking for someone who would be willing to pick up the coffee and donuts form Timmy's.  If you can, please respond on the Facebook page.  Thanks!!

Have a great time everyone!

SLPs and Reporting

What a treat it is to connect with families to consider the learning goals and plans for this coming year!  I have enjoyed the calls and emails that have given a picture of what you plan to do for homeschooling this year.  I'm still waiting for some more information from a couple of you, however most of the SLPs are done and many of you are already in the swing of sending in your learning reports.  Thank you everyone!  It's a pleasure to work with you and pray for you.

We are all in this together!

Want to Go to Space?

What does it take to go from teenager to space explorer? Retired NASA Astronaut, Commander John Herrington, will share his personal journey as a youth who didn’t think the world held much opportunity for him, but who discovered that he could truly be whatever he wanted to be. And so can you!

Join us for a free PIR Live Event on Sep 11th, 2014, at 12:30-1:30 PM EDT. Tune in to the live webcast and post questions on Twitter using the hashtag #askHerrington!

For more information, visit  http://www.vroclive.com/Public/Live_Event/Flyer_Meet-an-Astronaut_Herrington.pdf

To join the conversation, register at http://bit.ly/1lYZpr1 

As long as you can watch a YouTube video with your computer/device, you will be able to tune into this webcast — no special software required. 

Welcome to a new school year!

Hello HCOS families!

My name is Niki Hildebrandt.  My husband, Bruce, and I were able to visit some of our family in New Zealand this summer.  This is a picture of a moment that captured our trip: joy in God’s creation and joy with our family.   What a blessing!

I love to explore, try new things and see where God wants to take me.  What a privilege to be called to partner with you and your family in your educational journey!

What a great year is before us that will no doubt have highs and lows, opportunities to learn and grow, and find joy in growing closer to God.  I’m so excited to get moving!

I am interested to know how you would like to do your reporting this year as there are lots of options and I want to make sure that we choose something that fits you.  Please email me directly with your choice of reporting style (email, phone calls, blogging, etc) so that I know what your preference is (and that you were able to get to this link).

May our Father give us wisdom as we all continue to journey to become the people that He has designed us to be. 

Niki Hildebrandt  nhildebrandt@onlineschool.ca