Genius Hour blog

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Harrison is magical..

I agree Lauren, Harrison Hot springs is a magical place - my first time staying there last summer too!

My Magical Moment

     My magical moment was when I went to Harrison Hot Springs last year in the summer. My family and I went to Harrison Hot Springs for 4 days, and it was the first time I had ever stayed in a hotel. I was really excited to swim in the outdoor and indoor pools and look at the nature. In my opinion, Harrison Hot Springs is a good place to go on vacation. It was a very nice experience, and I hope that I can go again this year.

Zach's Slam Poet Performance Response

Zach's slam poet performance was really unique and interesting for me. I'm personally not a great fan of poetry and can never understand their meanings. However, Zach's performance really caught my attention and I overall enjoyed it very much. It was really cool to see someone say their poem as if were a speech with rhythm. I think the way he adjusted his volume and body movements really made people want to listen more carefully. I liked how he added little humorous stories in between his poems and explained about each poem. He was also making eye contact with us the majority of the time which made the audience feel connected to him as if he were talking to us individually. My personal favorite poem that he wrote was the one about his mother. Even though I didn't quite understand every word he was saying, I just felt like that was the most emotional one out of all the poems he performed. Seeing Zach perform slam poetry was a very fun experience and I got a chance to learn new things from the performance. I hope to see more slam poets in the future someday.

Thank You Zach for you performance, it was absolutely wonderful to watch!

Things that are or should be obsolete in school

A blogger has recently come up with a list of 14 obsolete things in 21st century schools.the blogger doesn't want to make the current system better he wants to change it. Some the things on his list are no wifi in schools, banning phones and tablets, starting school to early,  and unhealthy cafeteria food. These are only some of the obsolete things. I agree with most things on this list.

I absolutely agree with most  of the things that he put on the list. One of the things I agree with is school starting to early. I agree with this because if school started later I think kids would be more awake and energized to work and learn.When  school starts to early kids can be tired and not want to do work. Another thing I agree with is not banning phones. Phones aren't just used for texting and calling they can be used for so many things.for example if you need an answer or if you are not sure what a word means you can search it up. You can do so many productive things with a phone or tablet to help you. You can do many things with technology teachers should be embracing it.


Fraser heights is a modernized school for lots of reasons. Our school has wifi and teachers let us use our phones and electronic devices for educational purposes. We have a twitter so people can know whats going on in school. Fraser heights is teaching us new ways to learn with devices to for future uses.



   http://ingvihrannar.com/14-things-that-are-obsolete-in-21st-century-schools/

Does Kindness and Music Make a Difference?

    In today's society, most songs romanticize drugs, alcohol, swearing, and other things along those lines. Another thing that happens in today's society is that people isolate themselves from the world to listen to music, and they could be listening to any type of music, from a different language such as K-Pop (Korean Pop) to heavy metal music. A lot of songs are about either wanting love or not wanting love and wanting money and such instead.

    Kindness and music can definitely affect a person's personality, and the thoughts in their head. If for example, somebody was listening to happy and bubbly music, they would also feel happy and bubbly, however, if they were to listen to screamo, rap, or heavy metal, they would feel things like anger.

I believe that these songs are ones that will make you happy, followed by reason why I think that:

1. Pharrell Williams - Happy 
This song is in general a very upbeat, happy song that just makes you want to dance. The song gives off a very good vibe that you can't help but tap your foot to. Also, the song name has happy in it, so you know it will make you feel happy.

2. American Authors - Best Day of My Life
A song like this deserves to be on this list because it is a very happy song that makes you smile and think about all the positive things from your day.

3. Imagine Dragons - On Top of the World
This song is just so upbeat and positive that you will feel a lot better after you switch from listening to rap songs, to this song. It make you feel like you're on top of the world because you are so happy.

4. Little Mix - Change Your Life
Change Your Life makes you feel happy to be you, and Little Mix is telling the people that are listening that you should change your life to learn to be happy with yourself, and thatès what really makes you feel good.

5. Christina Grimmie - Feelin' Good
Christina Grimmie is a really positive person with good vibes, so this song just makes you "feel good" and appreciate everything.

Hanna Kim C.E Kind Music

     Music is a beautiful feeling that touches your heart like no other feelings. The majority of the people nowadays are listening to music all the time through the radio, Mp3 players, phones, and tons of other electronics. It's almost as if people can't survive without music. The types of music people listen to depends on your taste which can vary? From rap to country, there are so many different genres. It seems however that songs these days being produced have very little meaning to it and contain very explicit language, violence, and sexuality. If music is something we listen to in our daily lives, it would definitely affect the way we think and feel. Listening to harsh music can make you feel depressed, violent, and even rebellious. However if you start intending to types of music that make you feel happy and let's you see the brighter side of the world, you will start thinking more positively and happily in general.  Some very positive songs that you should check out are

-Happy by Pharrell William

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

- Good day by Nappy Roots
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxKVAcqyD8I

-Take a Walk by Passion Pit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6W0TzNxE2A

-Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yBnIUX0QAE

-Chocolate by the 1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWVSXHwoeug

-Best Day of My Life by American Authors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutzv7JjX7k

-Everybody by Ingrid Michealson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlFCfkyuQM0

-Be ok by Ingrid Michaelson
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NEFk5vb9ac

Current Events - Should Communal Dining Come to Surrey?

     People are having mixed emotions about if Vancouver's communal dining idea should come to other areas. It is a nice idea that you can meet new people, however, most people now-a-days are on their phones while waiting for food and while eating, regardless of if they are with family or not. People in today's society, presumably kids and teens, will most likely not interact with others, unless spoken to or unless it is necessary. Vancouver's idea has been in motion since 2012, and they have been encouraging more restaurants to do this.

     In a lot of ways, this is a very good idea, because if you are looking to make more friends and interact with others. It will also help you talk more and learn to venture out of your comfort zone. This helps us bond with our peers and learn from each other. It also benefits your manners at the table, and if people start to bond, there will be less isolation.

     This idea is definitely not for everyone, as many people are shy and do not want to be bothered. Also, some people don't feel comfortable talking to strangers. Most people that go out to dinner are not there to meet new people, they are there to be with the person they came with. At a long table, I feel there is no privacy to talk about personal things, and you will not have any time alone with your family or friends. You would also have to watch what you say to make sure that you aren't revealing too much to a stranger, because you never know who you are actually talking to. Mr. Tostenson of the National Post said a very true fact, which was "Gyms, bars and concerts are probably better places to meet strangers. The restaurant industry is not there to satisfy those kinds of connections," he later added "It's an interesting topic, but I don't think it's going to go anywhere. It is a nice idea, however, if every restaurant were to have only communal dining tables, people would not be happy about that, and they might even protest if they are that upset.

     In conclusion, if they start making all restaurants communal, I won't like that because when I go out, it's to talk to the other people that I go out with and enjoy a meal with them, not to meet other people. I also don't think think this will increase socializing because people won't socialize any more than they would if they were at a bar, concert, club, etc.

Sources:

http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/02/06/how-to-turn-vancouver-into-a-cheery-engaged-city-get-strangers-to-share-a-meal-at-communal-tables-report-says/




http://www.vancouversun.com/Dining+with+strangers+among+recommendations+make+Vancouver+more+engaged/9451336/story.html




http://www.straight.com/food/social-feeds-communal-meals-make-dinner-party-vancouver




http://www.bcliving.ca/food/vancouver-communal-dining-and-long-table-restaurants

   Denarius R.                           Should Women's Hockey be in the Olympics?


Women's hockey is being questioned of being in the Olympics because the sport only has 2 really powerful teams, which are Canada and USA, so there is not that much competition. Personally I think women's hockey should be in the Winter Olympics because it is just as important as the men's. When Canada beat USA in overtime this year in Sochi, everybody cheered and everybody chanted. In Canada we love our hockey with a really big passion, and we would be devastated to see the Winter Olympic sport be removed from the Olympics. Even the NHL commissioner said that he would be "distressed" to see womens hockey go in the Winter Olympics. International Ice Hockey Federation President Rene Fasel also replied saying "Women's Hockey will never be removed from the Olympic Schedule".


      So in conclusion I think Women's Hockey should stay in the Winter Olympics because it brings Canada together just like how Men's Hockey does, and I think all Canadians and sports fans around the world agree with me.

C.E Communal Dining Restaurants?

Would you like to be seated beside complete strangers while you eat at a restaurant with your family, friends, or maybe even a date? Vancouver has been encouraging long tables in many restaurants to hopefully make it a friendlier and more social area since 2012. Even though there already is quite a bit of communal dining restaurants, the suggestion of creating more is greeted with mixed reactions.




I understand why many of such highly intelligent people are encouraging more of the communal dining tables. In our generation nowadays; many of us as kids, teens, and adults aren't very interactive due to the many different social network sites and electronic devices. I mean, why take the time to meet other people when you can stare at your phone, right? Well, that's where our society is going wrong. Every single one of us as humans need to interact with other humans and tell stories, laugh, cry, and learn to engage a conversation. I believe that for this reason, long tables are a great idea for people to socialize and make new friends. My mom was telling me a few days ago about how there wasn't any space in a food court. She ended up sitting with another lady and starting talking to her. As they talked, my mom gained more knowledge just by listening to the other lady talking about her job, country, and family. I realized that not only are you making new friends, but by talking to different people, you are gaining more knowledge.




Despite all the advantages of the communal dining tables, there are still many who disagree with the idea of eating with complete strangers. The whole point of going out for dinner is to spend more time with the person you're eating with; However if you are seated with other people, you wont necessarily be free to talk about the things you want to. In other words, you wont have much privacy in a long table. Ian Tostenson of the B.C. Restaurant Association says, "It's a nice idea but I doubt it will change much." Most people like to eat with the people they already know and wont be too happy if all the restaurants have communal dining tables.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-made-friendlier-by-communal-restaurant-tables-1.2524317



In conclusion, I personally don't agree with the idea of having communal dining tables in Surrey. It is true that people should interact more and less through the internet, but I rather eat alone with my family/ friends rather than with complete strangers because I wouldn't be very comfortable. I'm quite sure many other people feel the same way and so I don't think all the restaurants should have a communal dining table, but leave a few for other people who are like the idea.

Current Event post on Communal dining in restaurants? Should we have them in Surrey?

                    Communal dining in restaurants?  Should we have them in Surrey?

            This idea of eating together with strangers is not a bad idea. I wouldn't mind enjoying a meal with a couple of people I don't know. For example, people in our generation seem to have theirs head down and ear-buds plugged in when waiting for food even if they are with their  own family.When you interact with more people it can help you gets benefits, such as more friends, socializing skills, and lots more.This gives us an opportunity for the people who are more loner and have not much friends.Therefore, communal dining in restaurants are a favorable idea.
             Sitting on a chair in a cafe together will help people interact more instead of people playing on their electronics. Playing on a phone while eating will separate iteration with our families, what is the point of going to a restaurant with someone if you are not even going to talk to them.Data collected from "Screen lock app" says that and average person checks their phone up to 110 times every day.Imagine how much hours you are taking away from socializing. Basically, and average person is spending more time just tapping on a small screen than just talking with the ones near you. At the end this will help people to get off their phones talk more to people face to face!
              Communal dining can even help you learn!For example, we are constantly talking and meeting new people for people who are more to the shy side it will help them to be more sociable. That one skill can lead to much more like making new friends outside of the restaurant.Also,we share information like our own cultures and then we get interested in that specific person. Maybe just from one idea can lead to more then just friendship.
              In conclusion, this idea is no different then a bar because when u sit by a bar you tell someone to go away when they sit beside you it is the same as this idea.This will help people to get better at socializing.which will lead to less phones and more talking with real people.Therefore I support this idea of communal dining in surrey.


BY:Minho Cho

Communal dining in resaurants? Should we have them in Surrey?

Surrey might start having communal dinning in restaurants.  Restaurants are being encouraged to have more “long table” dinners. It’s basically one long table where strangers sit beside each other or across from each other. They want to start doing this because they want strangers to interact and get to know each other. They want Vancouver to be a more welcoming place and engaged city for residents and immigrants.  

Some say it’s a good thing. People think that it’s good because it will get people to talk more and know more people, make new friends. Also people think that you will have better manners. Ending social isolation in Metro Vancouver is another reason why it’s good.  People will have better socializing skills. This long table idea will let people bond and talk to new people. Those are just some of the reasons why it’s good.

Some say it’s not such a good thing. Some people think that others would like to go with people they know and want to talk to. Groups of people would probably want to stay close together and just speak to each other. If people are doing business or talking about personal things I don’t think they would be to fond of random strangers listening in on their conversation. Or sometimes people maybe just want to be alone and with different strangers sitting around them might bug them. Those are reasons why it might not be the greatest idea.

My opinion is that I don’t think I would like it. I wouldn’t because when I go to dinner I like to sit with my family and spend time with them. I also wouldn’t want to talk about personal things with random strangers .In pictures it seems like you sit really close to people to and I like it when its spaced out and not so stuffy. People go out for dinner because they want to spend time or talk to the people that they go with. That’s why I wouldn’t be to fond of it.

This “long table” idea is getting mixed reviews. Some like and some don’t. We will have to wait and see what happens. Restaurants in Vancouver have started the long tables maybe when they get more reviews on it surrey will decide.

http://www.vancouversun.com/Dining+with+strangers+among+recommendations+make+Vancouver+more+engaged/9451336/story.html

http://www.bcliving.ca/food/vancouver-communal-dining-and-long-table-restaurants

 http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/canada/britishcolumbia/story/1.2524317

 

 

 

 

Revised Current Events: No Letter Grades -

    Recently, 30 Surrey schools and 20 Maple Ridge schools have decided to try out a new program that it removes the letter grading system and instead replaces it with an in-depth description of how the student is doing. There are two different sides to this story, as some people believe that the switch was a good idea, and others think that it should be kept as is.

     The School Districts are replacing the tradition letter grading system. They think that doing in-depth feedback is better for giving more information about projects and essays,and how you are doing in class. The District is doing this so that the parents and students know more of what the teachers are thinking, helping them see their strengths and weaknesses in the subject or project. They believe that if you get an A, you know you're doing well, however, you don't know what you may be struggling in or what you're excelling at. This new grading system is only applied by the school districts, not the provincial Ministry of Education, and depending on how the Surrey and Maple Ridge pilot projects go, the Vancouver School Board may or may not follow in their footsteps, after they see the project results in the summer.

    Some people like this idea of getting rid of the letter grade, other think that if you get rid of it, teachers will have a harder time figuring out if that particular student is passing or failing. Based on the comments of this article, some parents, students and apparently teachers do not like the new program because it leads to hiding the students failure in some cases. One parent named Ginu Pereiera says that a grade to her is a motivating factor,and if the student gets a B, it helps the student strive for an A. Most kids like coming home to an A, and if they get, say, a C- in a subject, in most cases they try harder to get a better grade. Without the letter grade system, they won't know exactly how well they are doing, leading them to believe that they don't have to work as hard to get a good grade, which allows them to pass. A poll on this website shows that 63.67% of people think students should get letter grades, while 29.88% say they shouldn't. 

    Based on the information I have researched, as well as my own beliefs, my thoughts are undecided. On one hand, I think that it may be good to have detailed feedback on your work, so that you and your parents know your strengths and your weaknesses, and being on the same page as your teacher. However, I also believe that if they take away the grading system, students will start to slack off and not do their work to the best of their abilities, because instead of getting a C, for example, they would just get a description of what they might be doing wrong. Like I said earlier, it may be harder for teacher to figure out if the student is passing or failing. I am leaning more toward the side of keeping the letter grade program, however, both sides have good things to offer.

Links:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-school-district-extends-its-no-letter-grades-program-1.2485832

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/01/surrey-maple-ridge-schools-longer-issuing-letter-grades-students/

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/dozens-more-surrey-schools-consider-scrapping-letter-grades-1.1630197

Current Events

Schools in surrey and maple ridge are taking out letter grades and replacing it with wide depth feedback, though the parents do have the choice for the teachers to give letter grades to their children, wide depth feedback are the main priority. My thoughts on this is that it has pros and cons, the pros are that the parents will be able to hear what their child has accomplished and the things they haven't finished. The cons are that the parents will have trouble understanding the child's actual mark. More than 30 schools have joined this plan and more are expected to join. This will definetely change the whole school system in a good way or a bad way.

Revised Current Events

Surrey is deciding if they should get rid of letter grades. The new program is being called constructive feedback. 39 schools have joined and they are expecting more to join this program. The plan is to take out letter grades and replace it with in-depth feedback. They want to give more information on projects and tasks.

Instead of using letter grades like A, B, and C they want to give more knowledge to the parents and students on how their projects and tasks were done. It would give a better understanding of how the students are doing. With this new system it will help parents and students see where their strengths and weaknesses and where they also need help. The principle of George Vanier Elementary in Surrey said that letter grades are good but if you see an A they know that the student is doing well but it limits how students and parents connect over their education. They are hoping that with removing grades it steers people to more descriptive feedback.

Some people don’t want to get rid of the letter grades. When someone sees a good letter grade it strives them to keep on doing well. Or when someone isn’t doing that well they get motivated to do better and try to get higher letter grades. Some people also think that if they need help on something the teacher should talk to them and their parents straightforward.

My opinion is that they should keep letter grades. Letter grades give more motivation for some people to do better. It would probably be easier for teachers too because they already have a lot to do and writing a paragraph for every student in every subject would be difficult and a lot more work. Letter grades are better to see if you’re doing good or not. If the teachers give you the feedback you will know what you have to better but not how well you’re doing and what your grades are.

With this new system it will help give parents better feedback. It will be better for parents because they will know more on how their child is doing in school. The district will decide during the summer if they will change to the new program permanently.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-school-district-extends-its-no-letter-grades-program-1.2485832

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Surrey+Maple+Ridge+schools+letter+grades/9365634/story.html

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/dozens-more-surrey-schools-consider-scrapping-letter-grades-1.1630197

Current events

        Letter grades, besides the fact it puts a lot of stress on kids it also makes them think they are not good enough if they don't get straight A's. Students get letter grades which is okay but they should really write more of a explanation why they get the mark and what they base it on. Add notes on how they can improve and do better in the class. It shouldn't be all about the letter grade though.

They should show the percentage on the class because it can show how close you are to getting up your improvements and it can be like a way to boost your self and set yourself a goal. I really think they should also base a percentage on how hard the student tries because not everyone is super smart. Some kids put in lots of effort but can't understand no matter how hard they try!

If i ran the system i would put letter grades so they can see how they are doing but that shouldn't be super important. Percentage because it can be a goal setter for you and comments that say how you can improve and do better and get your grades up and just be a better student.

I honestly think not getting a letter grade would have both advantages and disadvantages to it. It would be helpful for students and parents to understand where the student specifically needs help and not just on bringing up a grade. Some parents also seem to think that the letter grade is the only thing important, but in reality, the student might be weaker in a specific thing that cannot be described in just a letter grade.

 At the same time, if all students got comments instead of the letter grade, some students might take advantage of not getting graded and put poor effort in their works. For me, I would be more scared to get a really bad grade with a letter or a percentage, rather than just a comment on where I need to fix. Some students might feel that they're never doing a good job because of the constant comments about what they need to do better. For example if a student got a B in Math and worked to an A, they would feel proud. However if the comments said to fix a certain error and the problem is fixed, the next comment is going to ask to make a change to something eles.

Most parents seem to be fine with the new no grade report card system to see where their child stands. I think that they should still keep the letter grade, but also add comments and feedback. It shouldnt be just a grade, or just a comment. There should be a letter to state their grade and comments to explain how they can do better. In conclusion, I think that getting rid of the whole grade isnt the best idea, but still can work if both are in the report card.

Can someone help me understand what we are suppose to comment on these posts... I'm not sure what to post thats why I haven't commented

              CURRENT EVENTS

I think this idea of no letter grade thing is not the ideal idea but not a bad idea. To start off with tit would be harder for people who get A's to come home with nothing but a letter from a teacher in their progress only. However, this can help the kids to take criticism more effectively, for kids only care about the letter grade. Also, parents can know what their child is at. For example, the parent can read where there progress is at. Mainly it is just harder to summarize a mark

For kids who receive higher marks in the A's and B's it would be harder to tell if they got one or not. Because of, the teachers only are supposed to say there progress not their work. For instance, a student can get a high mark on test but do poorly on finishing homework. However, if another student does complete their homework on time and does test, but both poor on mark. it would say only that the other person is doing better than the person who gets better marks. Mostly, the person who does the work for poor marks would say they did better. Therefore, it would be hard sometimes.

 Sometimes, it can be an advantage because kids are very self conscious and are very vulnerable to criticism 

. Therefore, it will train them to take criticism in a way to improve the student’s skills. It will make the kids get better in school. Therefore, kids will not only look at the mark but really take the time to read over their mistakes.

Lastly, parents can know what progress their children have made. For example, if a student did not do much homework their parents can help them learn more with their knowledge. Often time’s kids are scared to tell their parent because of the consequences, but parents can help by reminding them to do it.

Finally, kids should take this as an advantage or a disadvantage it can be help in both ways.

Current Events -

     Recently, 39 Surrey schools have decided to try out a new program that changes the way we see how we are doing in each subject. They are doing this, contemplating if they should get rid of the letter grade indefinitely. 

     The School District is doing this instead of the tradition letter grading such as A, B, and C. They think that doing in-depth feedback is better for giving more information about projects and essays,and how you are doing in class. The District is doing this so that the parents and students know more of what the teachers are thinking, helping them see their strengths and weaknesses in the subject or project. They believe that if you get an A, you know you're doing well, however, you don't know what you may be struggling in or what you're excelling at. 

     While some people like this idea of getting rid of the letter grade, other think that if you get rid of it, teachers will have a harder time figuring out if that particular student is passing or failing. Based on the comments of this article, some parents, students and apparently teachers do not like the new program because it leads to hiding the students failure in some cases. A lot of kids like coming home to an A, and if they get, say, a C- in a subject, in most cases they try harder to get a better grade. Without the letter grade system, they won't know exactly how well they are doing, leading them to believe that they don't have to work as hard to get a good grade, which allows them to pass.

     In my opinion, I am not on either side of this. On one hand, I think that it may be good to have detailed feedback on your work, so that you and your parents know your strengths and your weaknesses, and being on the same page as your teacher. However, I also believe that if they take away the grading system, students will start to slack off and not do their work to the best of their abilities, because instead of getting a C, for example, they would just get a description of what they might be doing wrong. Like I said earlier, it may be harder for teacher to figure out if the student is passing or failing. I am falling more toward the side of keeping the letter grade program, however, I still am not too sure about it.

Link:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-school-district-extends-its-no-letter-grades-program-1.2485832

                                                           CURRENT EVENTS


      Surrey is taking out letter grades and giving wide depth feedback, 39 schols hav joined this program and more are expected to join. Im on both sides with this because i like letter grades because theyre more simple and easy. But wide depth feedback is good because it tells you about projects and tasks. Thats why im on both  sides on this one

Current Events

Surrey is deciding if they should get rid of letter grades. The new program is being called constructive feedback. 39 schools have joined and they are expecting more to join this program. The plan is to take out letter grades and replace it with in-depth feedback. They want to give more information on projects and tasks.

Instead of using letter grades like A, B, and C they want to give more knowledge to the parents and students on how their projects and tasks were done. It would give a better understanding of how the students are doing. With this new system it will help parents and students see where their strengths and weaknesses and where they also need help. The principle of George Vanier Elementary in Surrey said that letter grades are good but if you see an A they know that the student is doing well but it limits how students and parents connect over their education. They are hoping that with removing grades it steers people to more descriptive feedback.


With this new system it will help give parents better feedback. It will be better for parents because they will know more on how their child is doing in school. The district will decide during the summer if they will change to the new program permanently.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/surrey-school-district-extends-its-no-letter-grades-program-1.2485832