Finding a book that suits you.

Bookflavor is a recently launched site that helps you find books that suit your personal tastes. Simply type in an author, title or genre and Bookflavor will generate recommended titles. Simply click on a book cover to read a review.

NFB interactive

Now that you'll be enjoying some time away from studying and classes take some time to explore the National Film Board's interactive videos. These are a series of innovative and interactive videos about the world and our place in it from a uniquely Canadian point of view.

Study Help

PLEASE SEE MRS. KUHN IN THE LIBRARY TO GET YOUR USER NAME AND PASSWORD. THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO REVIEW FOR EXAMS IN ALL GRADES.

With exams just around the corner, many of you are looking for online practice questions and exams. ExamBank is a powerful resource for British Columbian students in all grades. Originally set up to help students prepare for their provincial exams, it has now been expanded to offer online study resources in academic subject areas for everyone!

By using this web site, you can join the hundreds of thousands of Canadian students who have enhanced their learning experience by writing randomized practice exams that relate directly to the curriculum as outlined by British Columbia's Ministry of Education. The computer will mark your practice exam as soon as you're done, so that you can immediately see where your strengths and weaknesses lie. As the service is entirely web-based, no software needs to be installed, and it works equally well on Windows, Macintosh, or any other computer system with an Internet connection. In addition, web delivery allows us to continually update and add content to our database of tens of thousands of questions.

To write an exam, or see the exams available, click on the grade level to the left. YOU NEED A USERNAME AND PASSWORD. PLEASE SEE MRS. KUHN IN THE LIBRARY TO GET ACCESS.

Disease Diaries

Disease diaries is the biology 12 class' blog where you will learn about various disease: causes, symptoms, and cures. Here is one of the many glogs created by the students. To see more go to directly to the blog.

Semi Finals Have Begun

WE'VE MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALS
NOW LET'S WIN THIS THING!
Remember to vote EVERYDAY and tell all your friends and family.

http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf9123

Chemistry help

Now here's a site for all of you Chemistry students. ChemEd DL is an excellent resource for all things chemistry. There's the periodic table with interactive links, 3D molecular models and much more.

PHOTO COMPETITION

Are you a budding photographer/videographer ? Love the outdoors and skiing? Can you put together a good story in a few short paragraphs? Check out this contest:

FIVE SIMPLE STEPS TO WIN.

1. Sign up to our forums.


2. Create a post with a photo/video and 100 word (min.) creative description - (jpeg 72 ppi 500 pixels max width, swf flash file)


3. Name the post: PHOTO COMP - “name of you post here”


4. Visit often to see what others are posting.


5. Repeat steps 2-4 often.

If you haven't signed up get started!

PRIZES include a cat skiing trip, new skis and bindings, a weekend at Whitewater and more.

Listen, Learn, Reflect and Take Action

Take a few minutes a day to watch a TED talk. Guaranteed you will learn and be inspired to spread the ideas to others. Choose a theme, a specific topic or simply browse the many engaging ideas presented by speakers from around the globe.

WE NEED YOUR VOTES

VOTE DAILY

Help Rossland get a Neighbourhood Learning Centre!

The Neighbourhoods of Learning Committee has applied through the Aviva Community Fund grant competition to receive up to $100,000 to help renovate RSS to add Neighbourhoods of Learning spaces for use by community groups and organizations, and help keep K-12 education in Rossland. Vote for Rossland at:

www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf9123

RSS GAZETTE now online

RSS GAZETTE
Rossland Secondary School now has its own online newspaper thanks to the generosity of the Rossland Telegraph. Follow happenings in the community and school. Add to the dialogue by providing your insights. Articles and editorials are written by our own students.

Hot off the press

Newest issue of Scratch Magazine now available.
The Scratch Magazine provides a forum for youth in the Columbia Basin to share their art and ideas with each other. The magazine is created by and for youth as a way to examine issues in their lives, and propel their creativity forward through sharing. For more information on how to submit your writing, photography or artwork go to scratchonline. Copies of the free mag are available in the library.

Library as learning commons

What do you want your library to look like?

Credit: Peter Mauss/Esto

Our world is changing. Our libraries should reflect that change. We need to accommodate for small and large groups, student and staff presentations, teaching and learning, and comfort in a flexible space. The library should be technology infused with digital media areas and room for socializing and meetings. Resources should reflect inquiry based learning. Tell us what you would like your school library to look like. We are up for big changes.

Shauntay Grant

Students and staff had the pleasure of meeting Shauntay Grant this morning. Shauntay is a spoken word performer, writer, broadcast journalist and musician. She is Halifax's 2009/10 Poet Laureate. Shauntay's soulful voice, accompanied by her drum, livened up the school as she entertained us with a few of her spoken word poems. She uses her family and life experiences as her inspirations. In the space of an hour she sent a powerful message about the power of possibility. For more information on Shauntay check out her website on myspace.com

ARE YOU GAME?

Do you feel like a mental challenge? A good laugh? Tired of sitting around at lunch? The library now has several games that you can check out and use during school hours. Try out Bananagrams, a scrabble like game where you make as many words crossword style as you can from the tiles in your hand. Or how about Apples to Apples, the game of hilarious comparisons. If you have a great sense of humour try out What? the game of questions. Challenge yourself to create the most imaginative and unlikely answers to stump the rest of the players. If they don't guess you wrote the answer you get the points.

Meet JR: Video interview and FAQ about the 2011 TED Prize winner

JR is an anonymous photographer and artist who uses guerrilla art to provoke, question and engage people in meaningful dialogue. He makes you think. Watch the powerful video trailer to learn more about this clandestine artist.

DEAR

On Monday October 25, 2010 RSS will be participating in Drop Everything and Read. From 11:00 - 11:19 staff and students will pick up a book and read. Encourage your teacher to bring in his/her favorite childhood book and share it with the class or bring in a novel or magazine your currently reading. Reading for only 20 minutes a day will help you succeed in school and in life. Try it!

Staff and students share their thoughts on the proposed closure of RSS. Thanks to Maddie Snelgrove for conducting the interviews and creating the video. Post your thoughts by leaving a comment on the blog.

The possibilities...

The Future of the Book. from IDEO on Vimeo.

We want to hear from you.

You know who you are. You've read all the books I've recommended and keep coming back looking for more. You take out two or three novels at a time and return them, read, a few days later. I'll make you a deal: you start creating digital book reviews using an online program called voicethread and I'll keep you well stocked with great books. The reviews will help others find worthwhile reads and warn them about the bad ones. In addition, you'll be given extra English credits and for every digital book review your name will be put into a draw for some fantastic prizes. I'll hold an informational meeting in the library Wednesday at lunch.
Wednesday at lunch for anyone interested.

Gone Wireless

Let me welcome you back to a new school year. Over the summer, RSS went wireless which is great news for those of you who can bring your own laptops to school. If you aren't sure how to get connected we can help.
Speaking of help, most of you have figured out where to get questions answered and problems solved: the library. I may not know everything but I do know where to look for answers and solutions. The library is open from 8 - 4pm and most days at lunch as well.
Of course I haven't neglected the many avid readers that frequent the library. Over the summer I bought a ton of new graphic novels, several spoken word poetry books/CDs and the latest best sellers and award winners. If there's a title you are dying to read let me know and I will add to the 'wish list'. Hey, the best part of my job is buying the books.
By now you may be a bit more familiar with terms like glogster, google docs, web 2.0 and wikis. The library is the place to come if you would like to learn more about any of the online tools that can help you design new and creative ways to show what you have learned. You'll also find it a lot easier to collaborate with classmates using some of the web 2.0 tools available.
Finally, make sure to welcome all the new students from around the world, including the Ukraine, Thailand, Sweden and Chile.

RSS Mural

The mural went up today outside the front doors of Rossland Secondary School! Thanks to Nathan Rose, Dayna Mortimer, Erin Lukar, Lise DeGrief and Lada for the beautiful addition to our school.

Youth Advisory Committee

For more information check out cbt website

Free audio books all summer long

Sync YA literature to your earphones all summer long. Free downloads of the newest audio books like The Hunger Games, The Angel Expirement, Bloody Jack, The Looking Glass Wars and more!

All book titles along with more details can be found at Sync.

Emotions Personified

Students in Mrs. Smith's English 12 class have been working on creative projects focusing on creating metaphors for emotions. Michaela Daniel produced a powerful project on terror.

Make your life easier - sign up for Google Docs today.

Guaranteed that using Google Docs will make your life easier. You will no longer need to email assignments back and forth between home and school nor will your files refuse to open on school computers. You can work on a collaborative project from any computer with an internet connection and even do it simultaneously with those in your group from the comfort of your own home. Google docs works with power point projects, word documents and excel spreadsheets. Sign up is simple and you will soon wonder how you managed without it. Watch the video from the folks at Common Craft to get a better idea of what it is all about.



Here are some more web 2.0 tools that will help you organize, research and present your learning.

Easy Web 2.0 Tools for Teachers

View more presentations from pingable.

Skate 4 Cancer

Thanks to Camille Craig for bringing this to my attention. For every view of this video, one dollar will be donated to Skate 4 Cancer. Watch it and pass it along to everyone you know.

WIN AN iPAD

Shmoop High School Essay Contest: Win an iPad
In celebration of National Poetry Month, Shmoop announces our first essay contest for high school students.
Answer this question in 500 or fewer words:

In Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” …

Examine the relationship between the speaker in the poem and his environment, which includes not only the woods themselves but his horse, the owner of the woods, and the community. Include in your discussion an examination of Frost’s use of language and imagery, focusing on how these contribute to the meaning of the poem and help him to achieve his purpose. Be sure to support your ideas with evidence from the poem.

* Read the Shmoop Learning Guide for the poem
* Visit Poets.org to read the full text of the poem

Contest is open to all students and entry deadline is May 28, 2010. For further details follow the link to Shmoop.

Propaganda Project English 9

Brogan Pastro created this poster to bring awareness to the problem of homophobia. You can read in depth discussions around this and other issues on the English 9 wiki.

Sponsorship 101

Are you a skier, snowboarder or mountain biker looking for sponsorship deals? Here are some pointers to get you started. Remember you have to market yourself and there are some great social networking tools that can help you get the word out.

Sponsorship 101

View more presentations from nkuhn.

Water Inquiry Wiki

Water is an essential part of our every day existence that we often take for granted. Our inquiry into water will take us in different directions: examining water as a natural resource, a commodity, a tool, as well as the politics of water and its place in cultures around the world. You will direct your own focus of learning and will share your findings with others. The wiki will be a place for discussions, resources and questions.

http://waterinquiry.wikispaces.com/

Get the 411 on texting

Welcome to TextEd.ca, your online source for everything textual. Get the 411 on texting and relationships, including healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, how to deal with harassment, and how to cope with stress. Through a variety of games and activities you can test your texting knowledge, find out how to use this great technology safely, and learn what to do when someone crosses the line. Sign the iChoose! Declaration and let the world know that you choose respect in your textual relationships!

Love, Hate and Propaganda

Attention all budding artists. If you have a creative touch, this is the place for you! In conjunction with the CBC/Radio-Canada series, "Love, Hate, and Propaganda", we are throwing out a challenge to secondary and post-secondary students! Choose a cause that you believe in, create a poster or video to support it, and then send it to us. If you manage to convince our jury, you can win some great prizes!
You can use photos, moving images, graphics, illustrations, sounds and music to support your message but only if you have created these elements. All entries must be created by and be the original work of the contestant, and must not violate the rights of any third party - for example, you cannot download material from the internet or cut images out of print publications. For more contest information as well as excellent resources on the propaganda campaigns of WWII check out CBCs website.


http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/lovehatepropaganda/contest/register.html

English 9 Wiki

www.rssenglish9thewave.wikispaces.com

Follow the link and request to join the wiki.

Human Rights - English 10

The following links will provide you with a good starting point for your research on human rights in Canada and around the world.

ART 10

LOST by Tomek Setowski

For your upcoming art projects, please take some time to browse the following links:

http://www.setowski.art.pl/
http://www.kinseyvisual.com/
http://obeygiant.com/
http://www.blainefontana.com/
http://www.deviantart.com/
http://wwar.com/artists/
http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/mcgee/index.html#

Internet Safety

Check out the pageflake page for internet safety links. You'll find more videos and information on protecting your online reputation, cyber bullying and how to keep your posts private.

Digital Booktalks

Produced by the grade 6/7 boys in Mrs. McKinnon's class, these digital booktalks cover a wide range of action adventure books for guys.

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko



Goal: the dream begins by Robert Rigby



Drums,Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

Haiti T-Shirt Fundraiser

Mr. Winckers and RSS students have created this logo to silkscreen on t-shirts and reusable hemp bags. All funds from the sale of the goods will be donated to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquake. T-shirts and bags will be on sale in the foyer at RSS for $10 each. Your support will allow the people of Haiti to begin rebuilding their lives.

What's your sentence?

We would love to read your sentence.  Post it in the comment box below.


Two questions that can change your life from Daniel Pink on Vimeo.

ATTENTION ONLINE USERS

Protecting Your Online Reputation

Do you have a Facebook account?  What about Twitter?  Are you posting pictures online?  Are your friends uploading their latest photos?  Watch this newest video from Common Craft about protecting your online reputation.  You may want check out the sites below and find out what your online profile looks like.

123people.com 

pipl.com  

wink.com

Writer's Workshop with Angie Abdou

Are ideas and characters continously popping into your head?  Do you have the urge to try writing short stories, poems or songs? Have you started writing only to get frustrated and put it away?  Do you secretly harbour a desire to be a writer? 
On Friday January 15, 2010 RSS will be hosting Fernie author Angie Abdou.  Abdou will be conducting a writer's workshop in the morning for students in Grades 10 -12.  Bring your enthusiasm and willingness to try your hand at the craft of writing. You might be amazed at what you come away with.  Plese register with Mrs. Kuhn in the library before Wednesday January 13th. 
Check out Angie Abdou's website to learn more about her novels, writing and living the life of an author.