Maps 'n' Stuff

We have been working with maps in our physical geography lessons. At first we linked the theme of pirates with geography; running around the school, using coordinates to find the hidden pirate codes.


Then we worked with the traditional map of Greenland, adding lines of latitude and longitude, towns and locations, and features like the Arctic Circle.


We also made some more fantastical maps showing Greenland without the icecap! How long will it be before the ice melts? That's a question for a future GEO lesson!


Thanks, as always, to the brilliant 8th grade students including, Rico, Malu, Laura, Najannguaq, Naja and Pija, for showing their work here!

Let the battle begin!

Arghhh! So you be wanting to play Pirates, eh? Arghhh! Swapping a Geography lesson for English the Captains launched their ships and raced for treasure island! Captain Jan Peter launched his ship while Captains Annaukak and Qasiaq talked strategy.


When ships met on the same square there was trouble. Firing their canons the winning Captain blasted the other Pirates back to the starting line. Captains Aqqalunnguaq and Naja had to start over just when they had reached the island!


Captain Nikki sneaked up on the Pirate ship in front of him.


With a few good rolls of the dice and a lot of luck, Captain Nikki rolled his "Pieces of 8" to win the first game!


Having worked hard on his Pirate test, Captain Karl fought his way to the island to win the game together with Captain Hans!

It was a good day with lots of hard work and plenty of pirating! Arghhh! ; )

Pre-Battle Preparations!

Today was the big day for sea battles. We also needed to use the treasure island map before it fell apart! But before we got anywhere near the treasure island map the students has to figure out my scribbles on the blackboard!


Then it was time for a quick pirate test! Captain Karl took time out to check his answers.


Captain Najannguaq worked hard on her test!


After the test we blew off some steam with the Pirate Game. Lots of pirate commands and running about was just what we needed before the battle was to begin!

8th grade Pirates!

The treasure map is ready - let the sea battles begin!

Wednesday 26th August, be there! ; )

Arggghhh! Getting Started!

Getting started in 8th grade has been exciting. Everyone has thrown themselves into the topic of Pirates! I have only taught 9th and 10th grade before, this is going to be fun!

eight2ten is an idea and a goal: to follow the academic development of English language teaching from 8th grade all the way to 10th. I hope to teach this class for the next three years and see what effect that will have on their grasp of the English language and ultimately their grades.

I haven't decided if this is going to be an interactive blog just yet - but students and parents, even colleagues are encouraged to comment - please write your names and be sure to write in English! ; )

Ultimately, the blog will function as a showcase of the work going on in the classroom with photos and examples of the student's work.

We have started with the topic Pirates! because it is fun, interesting and seems to be engaging all the students at one time - not an easy task with 20+ 8th graders! : ) We will be working with all kinds of material and, as you can see in the pictures, we are not afraid to launch into big projects. Here we are preparing our desert island and pirate ships for a huge race to be the first to find the buried treasure.

We will also incorporate different subjects, not least Physical Geography, as I also happen to be teaching this subject.

So, keep a weather eye on the horizon and see how this develops. By all means join in with comments if you like - 8th graders! That goes double for you guys! :P

The Best High School in Greenland

Okay, so there are lots of good high schools in Greenland ... but we have high ambitions! ; )

We have made a short video to kick off this blog for 8th grade English. The idea is simple: make English as fun and dynamic as possible and keep it going for 3 years! I hope to keep this blog alive from 8th to 10th grade following this particular class all the way.

I hope you enjoy seeing what we get up to in class!