Updates for March 28th

It's time for an update, to make sure that we're all on the same page with everything at school, in all classes, bands, choirs, etc. Here we go!

- All band practice charts for March are due BEFORE the Easter break. Please have them to me, with your minutes totalled at the top and a parent or guardian signature, by Wednesday, April 4th @ 3:30pm

- We have been joined by several of our Japanese students in senior music classes. In Senior Choir we have been working on the Japanese children's folk song, Hotaru Koi. I would like to look at Seasons of Love shortly in Senior Choir... stay tuned (no pun intended).

- Jazz Choir is working on Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King, in 4-part SSAA a cappella. It will be beautiful! And, for something completely different, get ready for a toe-tappin', knee slappin' good time with our newest piece, The Pop Bottle Hoedown. Yeehaw!

- IP 20/30 is submitting our Work2Live and SaskEnvironment video contest submissions before the Easter break. We will be putting them onto a DVD (using the iDVD program) next class so that we can mail them with the release forms, etc. before their respective deadlines (April 20th for Work2Live and April 29th for SaskEnvironment).

- IP 10 will be beginning a new project today.... the long-awaited MUSIC VIDEO! This will be a major project and will take several classes to complete. Given the time allotted to this assignment, it will also be worth a substantial portion of this term's grade. It's also going to be a lot of fun - and of course, there will be a "movie night" at the end of it all!

- Computers 9I are compiling the video footage for their news broadcast, which is due on Monday, April 23rd. We have had many class periods to plan, film, and edit this project, so no extensions will be permitted (unless extenuating circumstances require one, in which case, see me to make a plan).

- We have been doing some African drumming in Music classes this week. Rivier students have got rhythm! Our theory classes will turn into African drumming classes as we get closer to the end of the school year. That being said, those that have theory to do will need to use that time to complete all assignments and quizzes before the final June report card. Stay tuned for an African drumming ensemble sign-up sheet for the final concert!

- Rivier is in charge of putting together a choir for the Celebration of Life mass on Friday, April 20th (evening). I will be there to sing and play the piano, and I need as many of you with me as possible. It is a great opportunity to represent our school and our music program, and our talents are always so appreciated by everyone. There will also be a pizza party for all singers who are involved in this mass..... added bonus! I will be posting a sign-up sheet on my homeroom door asap.

- We (the IP 20/30 class and I) are looking for yearbook photos from ALL grade levels. We want candid shots of you and your friends and classmates, either on the outside school grounds or in the classroom, hallways at lunch, etc. If you want to be represented in the yearbook, please submit photos to us asap! We will do our best to represent everyone, but it is difficult to do without the help of the student body.

- Computers 8M is almost finished the photo editing unit. Soon it will be time to develop our photo editing e-portfolio by compiling our best work into an iMovie presentation, complete with titles, transitions, and background audio. When this assignment is complete we will be having a "movie night" class where we can see each other's work (maybe we'll even watch the iMovies that you made in Grade 7 Computers class that we ran out of time to watch!).

- Just a reminder that Parent-Teacher Interviews are tonight (Wednesday) from 4-7pm and tomorrow (Thursday) from 4-6pm. There are no interviews on Friday!

- Choral/Vocal Jazz 30 - there has been talk about doing a Grade 12 number for the final concert. At this point it is looking like "For Good" from Wicked. I may have a lead on an SSA version so that we can get a bit of extra harmony in there vs. the duet music that I have currently. We will work out a time to get together and learn it. It shouldn't take long at all.

- I will not be here on Friday, so Mrs. Moon is subbing for me. Choral 10/20/30, she will be teaching the music for Celebration of Life with you during your 3rd period rehearsal. Please consider signing up for the mass. I know it is a Friday evening which is a lot to ask, but your leadership and talents are so appreciated. (Plus, free pizza!) :o)

Whew! Lots to think about. I'm glad we are getting things organized. We only have a couple days left until Easter break! Time is really flying by. Before you know it, we'll be tightening up loose ends for our June concert, and then it will be Grad.... YIKES!

I'm thinking about an "Around the World" theme for our final concert. What do you think? So far we have:

- 3 Russian Folk Songs (Russia, of course!) - Senior Choir

- Pop Bottle Hoedown / Can You Feel the Love Tonight (USA) - Jazz Choir

- O'Leary's Ceili Band (Ireland) - Senior Band

- Walkabout (American swing jazz) - Level 3 Band

- Sakura, Sakura (?) (Japanese folk song) - Level 1 Band

- Cha Cha Del Sol (Spanish) - Level 2 Band

- African drums (Africa, of course!) - Various students

- Hotaru Koi (Japanese children's folk song) - Senior Choir

- Seasons of Love (American Broadway) - Senior/Jazz Choir

- The Steppes of Russia (Russian folk) - Senior Band

- The Happy Wanderer/Val-de-ree (USA) - Senior Band

- She's Like the Swallow (Canada) - Chandra, Quinn, Rebecca, Miss Campbell

- Prayer of the Norwegian Child (Norway) - Cassidy and Shea

This could be a lot of fun! Your thoughts? Any song suggestions?

*Edit* - I just thought of some more good ideas. O Canada for band (any level), plus possibly Pokarekare Ana (New Zealand) for any number of voices. It's easy, I've taught it to most of the senior students already (3-4 years ago, mind you), and it's a song near and dear to my heart, as I learned it when I was teaching on my internship in NZ in 2007. Also, when I was interning and singing with the Wellington Youth Choir, I did a really cool arrangement of O Canada with God Defend New Zealand, their national anthem. I arranged them as partner songs, meaning that they're both sung at the same time.... AND it would give us an opportunity to sing in the Maori language! That might be kind of cool for senior choir I'm thinking.

So many ideas! :o)

IP 10/20/30 plans for March 22nd-23rd

IP 10 assignment for Thursday and Friday, March 22nd and 23rd:

Create an April bathroom reader to hang up starting the week before Easter. Try a new template, a new topic, and find some new and exciting material that you can share with the school. You can use Pages or Microsoft Word to create your 1-page project (newspaper template). If you finish early, you may either post to your blog (a school-appropriate topic of your own choice), or construct another bathroom reader. There are many stalls in this school, so the more, the merrier! When you are done, please label them with your last name first, April bathroom reader, and hand in to the IP 10 drop box.

IP 20/30 assignment for Friday, March 23rd:

Go through your yearbook pages and add an appropriate "infinity" quote to each of your pages (or wherever is appropriate - candid pages, spirit days, etc.). Do any finishing work you can on the pages containing events that have already happened (i.e. Blessed Marie Rivier page, school portraits and class pictures, Sound of Music, sports, student retreat, Mexican Week, etc. Can Sr. Basketball be done now?). Continue to add photos, scan grad pics (Keisha), upload photos that you've been taking or collecting from students, add your text, etc. If you can't do much with your pages at the moment, look up infinity quotes that may be used on other pages and save them in a Microsoft Word document.

IP 10 blog post - Odd Jobs profile

Welcome back ladies! It's time to get back into blogging, starting with our next assignment, the "Odd Jobs" profile. What is that, exactly? Well, we all know some of the most common jobs that maybe we even dreamed of doing when we were younger: teacher, doctor, lawyer, firefighter, movie star, fashion designer, construction worker....

This assignment is a bit different. For this post, do a bit of research into a weird or unusual occupation, learn about it, and write about it. Have you ever considered, for example, being a drawbridge tender? How about a jelly donut filler, fingerprint analyzer, or a skyscraper window washer?

Guidelines for the assignment:

1. Identify the occupation

2. Give a description of the duties required of such a position (as specific as possible, where appropriate)

3. Find out the hourly wage or annual salary of such a position, if possible

4. Choose a photo or video to complement your writing

5. Outline two or three benefits and drawbacks of finding yourself in such a career

6. Tell your audience whether you would ever consider doing this job (or something similar) yourself

A creative writing style will enhance your post for the viewing audience. Use descriptive language and engaging words to grab the attention of the reader.

Happy blogging! :o)

IP 10 blog - Someone I Admire (with Mrs. R)

This is primarily a writing assignment. For this assignment, you will be highlighting someone whom you admire. This person could be famous, related to you, living or not living, etc. Choose a high quality photo of this person to include in your blog post if you have access to one.

Please include the following in your writing while you brainstorm this blog post:

- Who is the person you admire?

- Who are they, what is their "story," etc.?

- How do you know this person?

- What qualities does this person have that you admire? What qualities of this person do you wish you could exemplify?

- Has this person accomplished anything in their life that you are particularly proud of?

- (Include any other topics you'd like to write about that are related to the person you admire)

Please note that this post should NOT just be one large paragraph. Structure your writing as you would in an English class, with thoughts flowing from paragraph to paragraph.

Happy blogging!

IP10 blog post - travel destinations

Hi IP 10! Your next assigned blog post is your "dream travel destination." For this post, the following elements need to be included (but you are not limited to only these!):

- The name of your destination

- The cost of flying from Saskatoon to your destination at the time of the year you'd like to travel (you can search this on www.expedia.ca)

- At least 3-4 photos of your destination that appeal to you (touristy photos, landmarks, cultural or atmospheric photos, etc.)

- One YouTube video related to your dream travel destination

- A short list of tourist attractions available at your destination (do your research!)

- At least one well-written paragraph describing the appeal of this destination to you

- Any interesting facts about your destination

Remember to upload your photos before you start doing any text entry, as this will allow you to avoid any major formatting issues. Happy blogging!

IP 10 blog post - money-free weekend

The newest IP 10 blog assignment is to compile a list of things that you can do for fun. Sounds easy, right? The catch is, though, that your list has to include ONLY things that are FREE (or very inexpensive)! It's fun to brainstorm cheap entertainment ideas, and it might just open your eyes to how much there really is to do out there if you're broke. :o)

So, next time you heave a sigh on an idle Saturday afternoon, proclaiming dramatically, "There's NOTHING to do!" or "But I'm SO bored!", check out your classmates' blogs or refer to your own list of fun things to do without spending money.

Happy blogging!

IP 10 blog photo post

Hi ladies! Yesterday we worked on embedding videos from YouTube to our blogs. Today we are going to learn how to post pictures.

When you post pictures to your blog, it is best to upload them first before you write any text. Insert the pictures, and THEN write your text AROUND the pictures.

Choose a minimum of 3 pictures to post to your blog. They can be related or unrelated; just choose 3 that you are interested in and can write something about. Save them to your desktop (or anywhere else on your computer that you will know where to retrieve from). In your blog posting box, click on the photo icon (between the spell check and the video reel icons). Upload your picture as you would an e-mail attachment. You can upload multiple photos at one time by clicking "Add another image."

Once you have added the images to your blog post, enter your text around them. Tell a story about the picture, explain the context around where the photo was taken, or tell your audience why it appeals to you. Your finished post should have 3 photos and sections of text.

IP 10 blog video assignment

Hi IP 10 (those in the classroom today and those reading this post from a remote location!) :o)

So far your blog should be updated with one introductory post, an edited template with your choice of backgrounds, fonts, colours, etc. and at least one countdown ticker from www.mycountdown.org.

Your next blog assignment is to find a video on YouTube (it MUST be school appropriate - not of a bullying nature, no inappropriate language, suggestive actions, skimpy dress, etc.). Once you have found the video you wish to embed on your blog, click on "Share" underneath the video. Click on "Embed" and uncheck the box underneath that says "Show suggested videos when the video finishes." Once you have done that, copy the HTML code that pops up in the box (using Apple (Command) + C on your keyboard, if you remember your keyboard shortcuts unit from a couple years ago!). Once you have copied the HTML code, you can go back to your blog to insert it.

Your blog posting box has two tabs on the top right corner. One says "Edit Html" and the other one, which you default to when you create a new post, says "Compose." Click "Edit Html" and paste the code that you just copied from YouTube. Once you have copied the code, click back to the "Compose" tab and you should see your video, or at least the box that it will play in once it loads.

Write a post describing why you chose this particular video, or highlighting some interesting information about the content of the video. For example:

This video highlights the experience of Equinox at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. The Mayans who built the ancient city of Chichen Itza were brilliant architects, astronomers, and mathematicians. Those who have studied the great pyramid of Kukulcan ("El Castillo") have discovered many interesting formulas in the number of steps on all sides of the pyramid, the shapes of the steps, and most interestingly, the way the shadows fall on the Equinox. As the sun sets on the Equinox, shadows are cast on the steps of El Castillo, forming the image of the serpent Kukulcan.

I was able to see the pyramid of Kukulcan when I went to Mexico at Easter of 2011, and while of course I wasn't able to see the shadows cast on El Castillo, I found the experience absolutely fascinating. There was also a lot of neat shopping at Chichen Itza as well. As you walked down a long dusty path to the palapa that sold water (which we needed often!) there were many tables set up and Mexican people selling clothing, jewelry, carvings, and other items.

I am planning to go back to Mexico at Easter of 2013, and another visit to Chichen Itza is on my itinerary!

IP 10 blog assignment

1. Choose a background, template, layout, etc. that suits your tastes.

2. Edit the header font, colour, header background colour, etc. to personalize the look of your blog.

3. Create a post of your own choosing and publish it to your blog.

4. Go to www.mycountdown.org and choose something to count down to. Once you have created your countdown widget using that site, go back to your blog and embed it on one of your side panels. Your blog is starting to look more full and complete now!

Food for thought...

The IP 10 class has been busy working on their resumes. We go to great lengths to put our best foot forward on a resume, but we should really be asking ourselves if we're putting our best foot forward on Facebook....

IP 10 sample planning guide for Rivier iMovie

IP 10 Rivier Promotional iMovie Project Planning Guide

Topic ideas:

1. Residents

2. Religious/Spiritual Life

3. Music Department

4. SLC Activities/school spirit

Background audio ideas:

1. Don Ross guitar instrumental – Upbeat? Slow?

2. Piano instrumental

3. Band music? Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra?

Key photos to include/photos to take:

1. Group photos of bands/orchestra groups/choirs

2. Choir singing at Sacred Heart

3. Telemiracle audition photos

4. Candid shots of bands outside in front yard with instruments

5. Choir at Variety Night

6. Orchestra 30 at Christmas concert

Quotations that might fit with my topic to enhance the presentation:

1. “Life without music would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzche

2. “Music fills the infinite between two souls.” – Rabindranath Tagore

3. “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” – Aldous Huxley

4. “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and on which it is impossible to remain silent.” – Victor Hugo

Flow of ideas/blueprint:

1. Scene/Idea 1: Start with music quote and audio playing, slow fade from white transition to start

2. Scene/Idea 2: Bands – Levels 1-4, theory program, performance opportunities (use title slides for information, photos for viewer interest)

3. Scene/Idea 3: Orchestra 10-20-30 – Pull-out program, can learn violin, viola, cello, bass, take course for credit (only high school program in SK)

4. Scene/Idea 4: Choir/Jazz Choir – performance opportunities, pictures from church, Telemiracle, Christmas caroling, Variety Night, etc.

5. Scene/Idea 5: “Having fun” – candids from all groups

6. Scene/Idea 6: End with music quote to wrap up presentation

Other brainstorm ideas:

Fade to black at end, intersperse quotations throughout, leave text on screen for 6-7 seconds? – Time it, have others read it, etc. Experiment with fonts/title screen backgrounds? Other iMovie effects? Videos? Take own photos for high resolution.

IP 10 ticket design assignment

Dance ticket information:

"Miracle Masquerade"

Rivier Academy Gym - 1405 Bishop Pascal Place

November 25th, 2011

8:00-11:00pm

Tickets $10 each

Chemical-free

Snack and drink items for sale on-site

Please come in masquerade costume

Rivier Academy Trade Show info

The choir/jazz choir are hosting a trade show at Rivier Academy (in the library) on Saturday, December 3rd. IP 10 class, we will be making posters today that we can print to advertise around the community. The following information must be included:

Rivier Academy Trade Show (title prominently displayed on the poster please)

Saturday, December 3rd, 2011

10:00am-4:00pm

Rivier Academy Library - 1405 Bishop Pascal Place, Prince Albert, SK (please use 15th St. doors)

No gate fee

Rivier choirs will be Christmas carolling from 12:00-1:00pm

All proceeds go towards funding the Rivier Choir & Jazz Choir's trip to Telemiracle 36 in Regina - March 3rd-4th, 2012

Featuring: Local craft, beauty, food, accessory, and clothing vendors, a "bake walk" (mix and match to select the baking of your choice; pay per pound of baking), chili lunch, raffle prizes, and a silent auction

Search Google images for high-resolution (large) photos to use on your poster. Classic Christmas photos may be the best choice, but it is up to your artistic discretion. Before you hand in your posters to the IP 10 drop box, have a classmate or two proofread it first.

Thanks for your help!

IP 10 resume brainstorm

Resume brainstorm:

· Name/contact information (mailing address, phone number, e-mail address)

· Education

· Volunteer/work experience (service hours?)

· Awards and Accomplishments

· Training (swimming/piano lessons, CPR/First Aid, babysitting course, lifeguarding, martial arts, dance, etc.)

· Hobbies and Interests

· Skills and Abilities (communicates well with others, time management, punctuality, multi-tasking, types 85 wpm, computer processing skills, athletic (volleyball, basketball, badminton, track), social/works well with people, works well under pressure, works well independently and in groups, trustworthy, strong math skills, responsible, dependable, honest)

Education

Volunteer Experience

Work Experience

Training

Hobbies and Interests

Skills and Abilities

References (3-4)

IP 10 "movie night" date change - due date unaffected

The student retreat on Tuesday is for the afternoon only, leaving us with a class on Tuesday morning after all. If we can do our "movie night" then, that would be ideal. It may take us two classes to view all of the presentations. This event is always fun, as it gives us a chance to see the work of our classmates as well as serve as inspiration for our future iMovie video/photo projects.

Please have your exported iMovies handed in by 3:30 today. Thanks!

IP 10 iMovie due date reminder

IP 10 - Just a reminder that you have now had your last class period to work on your major iMovie presentations. We will be having our "movie night" on October 5th (it may take 2 classes to get through everyone's iMovies). You are welcome to bring popcorn or snacks/drinks to class to add to the atmosphere if you wish. I will be burning all presentations to DVD so we can watch them on the TV in the music room.

Several of you have already handed in your completed major assignments. If you are not yet finished, please remember that it is now your responsibility to get the iMovie finished, exported, and handed in to the IP 10 drop box by no later than Tuesday, October 4th. If you have any outstanding mini assignments (Kids, Titles and Transitions, Music and Sound Effects), please see to it asap as they are now overdue.

I will be burning the DVD on Tuesday, so please have your iMovie submitted by Friday if possible (you have no school on Monday due to teacher inservice). On Tuesday we will be busy with the retreat, so that day is out as far as work time goes.

Thanks - I'm looking forward to seeing all of your projects. Even the mini practice assignments have been looking good!

IP 10 iMovie intro

Use the following picture for your iMovie (click to enlarge it, then drag it to your desktop so it's ready to drag into iMovie):

1. Drag the photo into iMovie 5 times.

2. For your first slide, zoom in on the boy in the khakis.

3. For your second slide, start zoomed in on the girl with the brown hair and zoom out to show the boys on either side of her.

4. Next, zoom in on the blonde girl.

5. Next, zoom in on the boy on the left.

6. For your final slide, keeping your Ken Burns boxes the same size (large), pan from left to right.

Updates all around!

Science 7 - Notes on the theory of plate tectonics, types of boundaries (converging, diverging, transform), brainstorm and discussion on earthquakes and volcanoes

Comp 8I - Nature Quote, start April calendars when you finish the nature edit

Comp 8M - April calendars

IP 10 - Brainstorming for news broadcast video project

IP 20/30 - Start thinking about when you will begin filming for your movie trailer video project - the brainstorming and planning process should be coming together now with some concrete ideas for how you will shoot each clip, camera angles, costumes, effects, etc.

Jazz Choir - We're Doin' a Show/What a Wonderful World - memory work on Wonderful World should be almost done now

Senior Choir - Body Talk, new piece(s) TBA, Early One Morning/Fare Thee Well, Love for final concert as well

All bands - Online theory marks have been printed and will be 30% of your report card mark again this semester. Practice charts for March are due by this Friday, and need to be signed by a parent or guardian to verify that your minutes have been completed. CONGRATULATIONS to the Level 3 and Level 4 bands who played at Music Festival yesterday and scored marks of 87 and 88 (Level 3), and 86 and 87 (Level 4). We are so proud of you! Way to go!

Junior choir opportunity - If you want to sing with the choir for the Way of the Cross celebration on April 18th, please let me know. We will be singing "Sing Hosanna," "Eat This Bread," "Look at the Cross," "All You Who Pass This Way," and "Jesus, Remember Me."

Online safety

To go along with the online safety presentation by Rob Nickel that we were fortunate enough to attend on Wednesday, here's the address to use to check in on your Windows Live profile (if you have a hotmail e-mail account, etc.):

http://members.msn.com/youraddress123@hotmail.com

Just use your own e-mail address after the last slash in the address and it should pull up your profile if you have one. In addition to upping our security settings on facebook, this is a good place to check if you're concerned with how much of your personal information is out there on the net.

Things to do on a limited budget

1. Weather permitting, go for a bike ride through parks, along riverbank paths, or even around your own neighbourhood.

2. Go through your closet and ask yourself whether you have worn each item in the past 6 months. If the answer is no, or if those items don't fit, are out of style, etc., then clear them out and make way for new things. Donate your used clothing to Value Village, the Salvation Army, Community Living, etc. or have a garage sale. You will feel liberated by clearing space in your closet, while also getting that warm and fuzzy feeling by helping others in the process. You may even make some money to boot!

3. Reorganize the furniture in your room. Even the smallest changes can make a big difference in how refreshed you feel (it will also help you to clean out a stash of things under your bed that you otherwise don't pay much attention to!).

4. Give yourself a manicure/pedicure at home. Soak your feet in a bubble bath (or a foot spa if you have one), paint your toenails with a fresh coat of polish in a fun summery colour, and finish the process with a nice smelling lotion. This pampering is sure to lift your spirits and leave you feeling oh-so-pretty! Besides, you are worth it!

5. Organize your CD collection, DVDs, books, etc. Alphabetize them by title, artist, author, etc. to make them easy to access quickly.

6. Open your window and let the light pour in while you clean your room. I mean REALLY clean your room. This means dusting, washing walls, sweeping/vaccuuming the floor, doing laundry, cleaning under your bed, hanging up your clothes, etc. Listening to music helps not only to make this task go faster, but it can even make it (GASP)... fun! It'll be worth your hard work to see and enjoy the end result.

7. Bake. Anything. Call a friend over to help you, or at least to help you enjoy it when it's all finished!

8. Learn to cook something new with an unusual ingredient like risotto, pine nuts, or couscous.

9. Record a video message to a friend and send it in an e-mail.

10. Read a book whilst laying on the beach, in a hammock in your backyard, in a cozy chair, or in the bathtub... anywhere that's relaxing and free from outside stress.

11. Paint a picture. If you're not an artist, paint something abstract with experiments of bold colours and swirls.

12. Plan a vacation. Research airfare costs, attractions, accommodations, transportation, etc. and imagine that you are already there. If means allow, you may actually choose to start saving to make this idea a future reality.

13. Go for a walk around your neighbourhood and take pictures of things that you might otherwise take for granted from day to day. If your camera has a digital macro feature, you can get up close and personal with trees, branches, berries, cracks in the sidewalk, blades of grass, etc. You might be surprised at what artistic shots you can get, even in your own backyard!

14. Learn to play that old piano sitting in your basement (or clarinet, or trumpet, or guitar, or saxophone, or accordion...)

15. Write a poem.

16. Read your favourite book again. Or, visit the public library and pick up a new one entirely.

17. Plan a "cupboard potluck" with some friends. The rule is that nobody can buy new groceries to make their dish, but rather use things that they already have in their cupboards, fridge, freezer, etc. It's a good excuse to get together with friends, have a good meal, and use up food that otherwise hasn't been touched. (Check the expiry dates first.) ;o)

18. Organize a swap party. Invite 10 of your closest friends and instruct them to bring over 10 of their items that they no longer need or want: their old clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, DVDs, books, etc. Then, swap one item for one item among your friends, and everybody comes out with some "new" things to enjoy!

19. Write letters to friends or family members telling them why you appreciate them. Send them in the mail.

20. Make a list of 20 things to do when you're bored and have little money. :o)