April 15, 2011 Update: Math & Science - Students are currently working on Data Management and Probability in math class and studying various levels of classification with respect to body systems (currently cells) in science. Science ISU projects are fast approaching. Please ask your son/daughter to show you what he/she has completed thus far. To view their presentation date, please refer to the correct class number page (806 or 807) in the science section). In Physical Education, students are learning new techniques in manipulating shuttle flight in Badminton. In Health, students are developing their knowledge of drugs and their understanding of how drug abuse can affect one's life.
March 24th, 2011 Update: Math classes have moved on to their next math unit of Geometry. This unit will focus on the application of Pythagorean Theorem in calculations related to 3-D structures. It will also focus on Transformations and application of transformations within a Cartesian Plane. Science classes have moved on to their final unit for the year (Life Systems). Students are currently examining the structure/function of various organelles found throughout the cell (animal & plant).
February 9th, 2011 Update: Parents, there is no formal date for interviews this term. Hopefully, you've been staying up-to-date with your son/daughter's progress on the class site and engrade. If you have any questions regarding your son/daughter's report card (Subjects I teach: Learning Skills, Math, Science, Physical Education, Health), then please send me a message on engrade and I will get back to you promptly. For all other subjects, please contact the assigned teacher (teacher names can be found on the report card).
February 7th, 2011 Update: Please stay up-to-date on Engrade with your son/daughter's progress. Report cards will be coming home February 10th, 2011.
January 31st, 2011 Update: Term 1 report cards are almost completed and all the raw marks are available for viewing on Engrade. Learning Skills should be reviewed as 4=E, 3=G, 2=S, and 1=N (usually task not completed or no work attempted) I will also post the rubric comments related to the learning skills on Engrade for you to view the actual comments that students review before completing the task being assessed in class. January 24th, 2011 Update: I have finally figured out how to remove the % marks from Engrade that do not belong to your son/daughter. Now the only grade you see is his/her actual report grade for each unit. The only exception may be health and science because the final report mark will be a combination of more than one unit mark (e.g. science mark is fluids + water unit averaged 50% each, health could be 33.3% for each unit if there are 3 units covered in the term)
January 19th, 2011 Update: Class 807 parents, please review your son/daughter's goals on www.myblueprint.ca, so that you can easily identify what you can do at home to help support your son/daughter in achieving his/her goals. You may also suggest other goals related to your son/daughter's home life in which they could record and achieve with your support.
January, 18, 2011 Update: Parents, in science students should be wrapping up their design challenge for fluids (with some mechanical advantage additions). Part 4 of the Design Challenge that is due Jan 28th, requires that students completely correct and upgrade all prior parts of their project. Students also must conduct tests/retests of their device to make it functional (moving due to hydraulic or pneumatic power). Once their device is functional, they need to analyze their device and incorporate and identify how simple machines have been used to make their device either easier to use or more efficient (works faster). In math, we just completed our final term 1 unit on Patterning & Algebra. I will be marking the final assessment over the next couple of days and the final assignment mark will be posted on Engrade shortly thereafter. Due to the addition of the final assignment mark, the current unit mark for Patterning may need adjusting because the final assignment mark carries the most weight of all assignments completed in the unit because it should show mastery of the concepts learned. We have started floor hockey in physical education classes and homework for your son/daughter requires that they practice their hockey stance with a hockey stick (or with a broom while they are sweeping the floors at home). In Health classes, students continue to work on their Growth and Development unit. Your son/daughter must be researching every night from the weblink found in the Physical Education Page of this website. Some of the major topics include: Abstinence, STIs, healthy relationships, and contraception.
January 17, 2011 Update: Parents, please note that there may be 2 different marks related to each subject grade (e.g. 78 65%). The actual mark that I've assigned will always be on the left (e.g. 78) and the mark on the right is an automatic percentage calculated by Engrade that has no meaning whatsoever (e.g. 65%).
If at any time you wish to get a hold of me, then please leave me a message below and I will contact you during business hours (9am - 3pm).
All parents from all classes I teach are now invited to view their son/daughter's marks on Engrade. Please send an email below to request access. I need your email address and the name and class number of your son/daughter. Thank you. Engrade If you have not received the Engrade evite to your email, then please try sending me an alternate email address or check your spam/trash (the evite may have been automatically deleted or moved by mistake)
I have spoken with Mr. Vieira and he has also decided to begin posting 807's marks on Engrade for the subjects he teaches. He will be using my site, so parents you should receive a weekly update when new marks are posted on Engrade. Please look for Mr. Vieira's class marks as well to stay informed regarding your son/daughter's progress.
Any parent of any student from one of Mr. Dobbie's class can request their son/daughter's marks by submitting an email address below.
To date, 68% of parents have registered from class 807. If you have not yet received an email invitation from me to view your son/daughter's marks on Engrade, then please send me your email below.
FAQs from parents: What information can Engrade provide me? Parents, please be advised that Engrade will provide you with all the raw marks I have for your son/daughter in math, science, PE, health, and learning skills. Please focus on the raw marks only. The overall percentages are not accurate until the end of term. The Engrade software does not take into account the highest and consistent mark for the subject.
What does code M mean instead of a mark for an assignment? Also, please be advised that if your son/daughter does not complete an assignment, then he/she will receive code M, meaning that he/she may need to brush up on his/her learning skills to make sure all assignments are finished according to the expectations outlined in a timely fashion.
What does code E mean instead of a mark for an assignment? If there is an E instead of a mark, then it means your son/daughter had a valid reason for an incomplete assessment.
How would you know if your son/daughter is having extreme difficulty with a subject? If you recognize that your son/daughter is frequently receiving code M instead of a mark, then he/she should be coming in for extra help during lunches with me and he/she does need your help at home to make sure his/her homework is being completed fully and accurately. If your son/daugter have received only 1 M but have a minimum of 3 other grades, then the M will not even be considered when I assign a final grade.
What do the learning skills marks mean? When I assess learning skills in class, I assign one of four levels based on their performance with the task (e.g. POTW completion).
How do the Engrade percentages relate to the learning skills codes N,S,G,E on the report card? I assign either 25%(N), 50%(S), 75%(G), or 100%(E) based on the learning skill being assessed.
Any other questions? Please send inquiries below. Thank you, Mr. Dobbie
Welcome Parents! Hopefully, you have all had mulitple opportunities to browse our class website. I would really appreciate your feedback. Please take the time to complete the following survey. (Parents only please). Survey Responses: How can you check if homework is being completed? Parents, if you are interested to know whether or not math/science/health howework is being completed, then please check the 806 or 807 page to see what has been assigned and ask your son/daughter to show you his/her work. Be sure to watch the videos to make sure your son's/daughter's practice questions that were completed for homework have been done completely. Question: Are there study notes available? Every day in class students make notes based on the activities covered in class. They are encouraged to review their notes and practice the concepts taught. In some cases, re-writing the notes may be required. From time to time, I will photograph the blackboard and post the class notes online, so students and parents can review the information covered in class but the videos always have more detail.
Lougheed, Middle, School, math, science, Mr. Dobbie, Mr. Dobie, mr.dobbie, mr.dobie