Identification of Acids and Bases

Zareh Demirdji Experiential Learning, Science and Math No Comments

Although we have temporarily returned to fully online learning, the show must go on. One of the more “colourful” experiments in chemistry is the one where students try to identify everyday household items as either acidic or basic, and not having access to a lab wasn’t going to stop the grade ten science class from the experience. Having “commandeered” some basic pieces of equipment (test tubes, litmus paper, and a funnel) the identifying acids and bases lab was relocated to my kitchen. Students were given a list of everyday household items (vinegar, pepsi, lemon juice, liquid soap, baking soda, orange juice, mouth wash, and milk) and had to hypothesize whether they were acids or bases.

Each substance was reacted with a bit of red cabbage juice, which contains a natural pH indicator that changes colors depending on the acidity of the solution (very acidic solutions turn the indicator a red color, and basic solutions a greenish-yellow color). This gave students a quick, surface level indication of whether the substance was an acid or a base. To be a bit more accurate, however, we also tested the pH of each substance using a piece of litmus paper. This lab nicely sets up our next experiment where we will look at the applications of acid base reactions.

Learning to Plan

Zareh Demirdji Academics, Healthy Living No Comments


With the first unit on leadership in the rearview mirror, the grade 12 recreation and healthy active living class is headed into its second unit, the facilitation of recreation and leisure. In this unit, students will be learning how to collect relevant information about a target group, analyse the data, and use it to plan a physical activity event. They will learn about the nitty gritty of planning by learning to take into consideration the who, what, where, and how of events, while also being mindful of safety guidelines, procedures and considerations. By the end of the unit, students will have the necessary knowledge to plan a physical activity event for a kindergarten class with various needs.

Effective Leadership Skills

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The grade 12 recreation and healthy active living class has worked diligently, solidifying their knowledge of the various leadership styles. More importantly, they have been putting their knowledge to practice, by analyzing various leadership scenarios and identifying the most suitable leadership style for each and why it would be the most effective. The class has also shifted into looking at the major leadership skills and how they help a leader lead more effectively. Students have delved into communication, conflict resolution, decision making and goal setting skills, looking at the features of each, and how they help improve a leader’s effectiveness in various situations and scenarios. As the leadership unit winds down, we will continue our analysis of leadership skills and styles in various contexts before moving on to unit 2.

Leadership in Recreation and Healthy Active Living

Zareh Demirdji Healthy Living No Comments


Leadership is a position that many chase. What exactly does it take to be a leader? Do you need to be in a position of authority or have a specific title to be a leader? Are some better suited to be a leader than others? The grade 12 recreation and healthy active living class looks to answer all of these questions, as well as look at the various skills and attributes of effective leaders. Students have been analysing many leadership scenarios and determining which leadership styles are being used, which are best suited for each as well as which would be the worst. In later units, we will look at how to facilitate and plan recreation and healthy active living events for various target groups and how to mentor development in others by making healthy active living plans for them.

The Ups and Downs of Working for Pay

Zareh Demirdji Academics, Science and Math No Comments

The up sides of working for pay are fairly self evident. The most obvious up side is that you get to make money to pay for your basic needs. Of course, we all use the money we make to buy things that we want. I mean, as the saying goes, “you gotta live a little.” If you are extremely lucky, another upside to working for pay is doing something you love, and experiencing fulfillment and meaning while doing it. But there are, of course, several downsides to working for pay. It can stress you out from time to time (hopefully a seldom occurrence), you can get injured on the job, and it takes away from your time to partake in the slue of other various personal endeavours.

As they began their last class looking at the topic of employment, the aforementioned is what the grade twelve Personal Life Management class focused on. They first worked on a simulation activity that took them on a journey of being a new mechanic. Along the way they were presented with various work and life experiences and had to reflect on each one. They shared their reflections with one another as they discovered that working has both advantages and disadvantages. This led them into another self reflection on all the things they do for fun and relaxation. The class then discussed different ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance.