Momentum Learning Centre - A tutoring and learning centre in Quesnel, B.C.

Back to School Again!

9/19/2016

I hope everyone was able to take some time to rest, relax and get refreshed for the new school year!
Fall is early this year, and I saw this picture on my morning's feed and thought that it was quite appropriate for the changes that always happen in our lives as school gets underway. All of a sudden we're hit with assignments, due dates, team sports starting, deadlines, new teachers and different expectations, as well as the general change of daylight and weather. It's hard to get everything completed that we feel has to be done!
Here's a little reminder that sometimes we just need to let some things go!

Congratulations to Momentum's graduates!

6/27/2016

Graduation is always an accomplishment that should be celebrated. However, it is made even more special for me when I get to see "my kids" walk across that stage. Although I consider all of the students I work with "my kids" that are part of my big Momentum Family, I am not always able to work with a student through to grade 12. When I do work with students into their graduation year, I feel so privileged to be part of their growth and maturity. I hear about their wishes, wants and woes, and become a part of their life for this short time. It is these students who continuously re-affirm my purpose here at Momentum Learning Centre, and for that I am forever grateful!

A quote to remember that is applicable in all stops along the road of life, from my days as a 4 year old in Montessori Pre-school:

I can do anything, even if I need help!

Shakespearean Fun!

4/12/2016

I recently had a student come in, who's English class was studying Macbeth. As part of a project, she had to write an assignment using Shakespearean English! At first, that sounded rather daunting, but I found a couple of sites that definitely helped.

First of all, never forget "No Fear Shakespeare" which shows the play in both shakespearean English and then regular English, side-by-side, like this:

It makes it much easier to then figure out what is going on, if reading the play itself is proving difficult. It is also handy for parents who may have forgotten what is really going on in each scene or act.

My newest finding, in regards to writing in Shakespearean English, is two translators: English to Shakespearean (by LingoJam) as well as Shakespeare Translator (by Schmoop). Although, in translating, we did find some errors and things that didn't quite make sense, it sure made it easy to take a regular paragraph and translate it. Then, we could tweak it and make small adjustments!

Below is the first paragraph translated into Shakespearean English via the LingoJam Translator. You can see that capitals are lost, and you'll have to add them back in.

i recently had a student cometh in, who's english class was studying macbeth. as parteth of a projecteth, she had to writeth an assignment using shakespearean english! at first, that sound'd rath'r daunting, but i found a couple of sites that definitely holp. first of all, nev'r forgeteth "no feareth shakespeare" which shows the playeth in both shakespearean english and then regular english, side-by-side, liketh this:

and the Schmoop translator.

I recently hadst a inhorn man cometh in, who's English class wast studying Macbeth. As part of a project, the lady hadst to writeth an assignment using Shakespearean English! At first, that sounded rather daunting, but I hath found a couple of sites that forsooth holp.

Depending on what it is you're writing, one or the other translator will make more sense.
Can you imagine someone's annual Christmas Letter translated this way? Hahaha! That would be fun!

Come make snowflakes!

12/1/2015

Happy December!!
Two years ago, I sent out a general invitation to the public to come make snowflakes. Many snowflakes were made, created, and hung from our hallway ceiling for the next two years.

As life would have it, that lovingly saved large ziploc bag full of snowflakes carefully cut by my students, parents and the general public has gone missing.

So!! Here's a great way to start December off! Another invitation to come create snowflakes!
You can come when you need a break or when you have some spare time, and create away! Everything is here, from scissors, to patterns, to pre folded pieces of paper!!! As long as the building is open, you are welcome to cut and snip!

Welcome to the 2015-2016 School Year!

12/1/2015

The new school year is well under way, and as you can see, I haven't stayed on top of putting updates here. I generally put updates on my Facebook page first, but will now start updating here as well!
I do apologize for any inconveniences I may have caused! I've just been too caught up working with all my homeschool and after-school students :D

Math tutoring at QJS!! A great opportunity!

2/14/2015

I was looking over my Facebook feed yesterday and happened upon Quesnel Junior School's weekly update. Each week, they update what has been going on. This is a GREAT resource for parents as well, as we all know that what happens at school does not always get communicated at home. Anyhow, within their post was this truely EXCITING opportunity for those students needing help in Math at QJS as well as some grade 7's!! Below, I've copied the section from their Weekly Update (and made bold the important information).

Second semester is officially underway, marking the half way point of this school year. This is when students begin to lose a bit of focus on their studies. Hopefully by identifying this problem, it will help everyone to remember to keep their focus on their academics.
In order to help with this focus, we have a new after school math tutoring service that will be offered beginning on Wednesday, February 25th. This service is aimed at supporting grade 8 students who need extra support with math. The tutors for this program are David Law, and Rick Prosk, both exceptional teachers who belong to the Quesnel Retired Teachers Association. Students or parents who would like their son/daughter to access this service should contact Mrs. Knauf at QJS in order to get their name on the list. Students from Grade 7 will also be invited to join this group. In addition, students who need to access Public Transit will be given free bus passes in order to get a free ride home. - this must be prearranged with Mrs. Knauf.
Quesnel Junior School's Facebook Page Feb 13th

This is amazing!! free math tutoring arranged by a local school themselves. I'm so glad to hear of this! Please do take advantage of this great program being offered!

For your convenience, the school phone number is 250-992-2131, and Mrs. Knauf's email address is marissaknauf@sd28.bc.ca

Exam Time Again: Good Luck everyone!

1/23/2015

To all highschool students in BC, good luck on exams!
I have two tips for you. Make sure you catch up on your sleep the week before exams, so that means now! Also, please try to eat something in the morning before your exams; help feed that brain!
For those students in Quesnel, here are some details!

Quesnel Junior School
Exam week is February 2-6. They have posted the Exam Schedule here on the QJS Facebook Page!

Correlieu Secondary School
In-Class exams are next Thursday and Friday

Jan 29th - A & B block
Jan 30th - C & D block

Provincial Exams are the following week Feb 2-6th

Check out the schedule here! PAGE 3 is our district's schedule as they had a choice due to the strike at the beginning of the year

Elementary Students
No Exams for these guys!

have fun with your regular classes, skiing at Troll, cross country skiing at Hallis Lake.

Enjoy the fact you don't have any exams while you can!

Happy October! Fall Is Here At Momentum

10/4/2014

Every season I like to change the display outside my office door. I was sad to take down my summer bumblebees, but this is a good replacement! Good thing I won't have to rake up these leaves!

School Time! A good resource to keep up in class

9/19/2014

I've mentioned this website before, but I'm going to show you how to access it again! Follow along to get to some cool resources including videos (aligned with your course textbook), quizzes and online live tutoring! It covers Math 4 and 9, as well as most core grade 10, 11 and 12 courses!!

Go to www.learnnowbc.ca and click on the Login button

I can give you my login information so you can try it out (just send me an email, message through facebook or text message). Setup your own free account afterwards if you want to use this often!

Once you've logged in, Click on Tutoring and Study Centre

Click on one of the three headings (they all take you to the same place)

Select your Grade

These are the courses that offer videos, quizzes or Live tutoring for your grade!

The Red checkmark will indicate that you can have live tutoring (a window will come up with a chat program similar to Skype), Green is the Quizzes, and my favorite the Yellow lightning bolt for the Video Lessons! I'll show you what they look like in the next picture...

Here, I clicked on the Yellow Checkmark for Foundations of Math 11. Here, you see there are a variety of lessons. Just click on the lesson you're currently on and you can watch a video instruction lesson as well as examples. Such a great resource!!

As I said above, if you would like to see what it's like for yourself, please contact me and I can give you my username and password to try out. Its also very simple to set up your own account. Often a parent account is easiest as you don't need the PEN number for your student!
Happy Studying!!

Welcome to September! (and an extended Summer Break)

9/1/2014

Welcome to September, the traditional time for Back-to-School activities and events including school supply shopping, new (or new to you) clothes and signing up for those fun after-school activities! Although, this year tomorrow won't be the official start of school (we'll have to wait to see what happens), I thought I'd show you a few things of interest you may not know about yet!

Central Registration at the Rec Centre
Registration for many teams and programs throughout the community is available in one spot! This Wednesday, September 3rd from 6pm - 8pm!

2014-2015 District Calendar
This has been available on the district's website for a few weeks now, and you can find it here. This will give you a good guideline as to what should happen once school goes back. However, depending on the length of time, be aware that this may change.

Temporary Education Support ($40/day Payment)
Regardless of your opinions on this offering from the BC government, should you choose to register, you can at this website here. FAQs are available here.
Some of the fine print you may not be aware of:

Payments will be processed within 30 days after the month that the labour disruption ends (ie. if it ends Sept 9th, Payments may not arrive until after October 30th.)

also,

Only children 12 and under can receive these payments
They must be attending a BC Public School (not private/independent school students)
Only one parent may register (if you share custody of a child, only one parent can register)
If you cannot register online, you need to phone the numbers provided and a paper one will be mailed to you