Earth Science 30 Outline

Welcome to the Earth Science 30 course outline for students in Onion Lake. You will find an outline for the course here, however the class is being offered on Google Classroom. Log on to the Google Classroom form with your valid Onion Lake email and register with Mr. Spahich. My email address is below. Your email will most likely be your first initial, followed by last name, @oledu.ca. I will upload assignments and resources to Google Classroom throughout the course and not on this blog.

Earth Science 30 Course Outline

Eagleview Comprehensive High School

Instructor: Mr. Spahich (kspahich@oledu.ca)

Prerequisite: Environmental Science 20 or Physical Science 20

 Welcome to the Earth Science 30 course! This course examines our planet’s geological origins and the geological timescale as a foundation to guide decision making with regard to the use of its mineral and energy resources, the maintenance and remediation of the environment, and response to geological hazards. This online classroom will enable students to develop visual-spatial reasoning skills and an understanding of the role of various data analysis such as Geographic Information Systems. Students will also explore the historical and contemporary significance of Earth Science and related careers. This online format serves to support students as they explore this course, and come to understand the concepts outlined in the Saskatchewan curriculum for this class. One of the major goals of this course is to help students understand more about the physical world they live in, and investigate how various earth systems interact with one another. The main units will focus on the careers available in the field of Earth Science, foundational understandings of this branch of science, a look at the land around/ underneath us, and a look at the different areas of the atmosphere and its composition. Course Topics: Career Exploration and Self-Directed Study Foundations of Earth Science Lithosphere Atmosphere and Hydrosphere Evaluation: Assignments and Projects 50% Unit Tests and Quizzes 30% Final Exam 20%

Psychology 20

Welcome to Social Psychology (Psychology 20) at ECHS with Mr. Spahich. This blog thread will be updated as I add more information, just be sure to click on the "Psychology 20" tab at the top of the main blog to see all the posts relating to this specific grade 11 course.

Much of what is studied throughout Psychology relates to the four domains of development, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  As human beings, we are largely impacted by the world around us (Nurture) while we are also a product of the genetics we inherited at the moment of conception.  This course seeks to look at how these dynamics impact our lives and the lives of those around us.

Lets Get Started!

Welcome to this blog. In the early days of Covid 19 Onion Lake was using blogs to communicate with students and have information accessible for them. The high school is now utilizing Google Classroom.

This new website and classroom is designed to help students continue your learning while at home.  Much of what we learn takes places outside the confines of a physical building such as our school. This is true of not only the practical and applied arts type classes such as Construction and Carpentry, but also our academic classes like Science, Math, and ELA.

My own children have been utilizing online classes for most of their school career, and they haven't seen any changes as a result of the Covid-19 virus.  It has been business as usual, and as the staff in Onion Lake embrace more online tools to help student learning, this will likely become more normal for all of us in the future.

I will be uploading assignments to my Google Classroom for students to engage in.  I will also post messages, pictures, and videos to help students continue in their learning from home.

For any questions please email me at kspahich@oledu.ca

Strange times are upon us, and rest assured myself and the other staff in Onion Lake will continue to find ways to support your growth, learning, and answer questions as best we can.  Lets all take this opportunity to learn new things, and continue to expand ourselves and our understandings.


Stay safe out there,

Mr. Spahich

Introduction to Entrepreneurship 20

What is Entrepreneurship?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to do something you enjoy for the rest of your life, and get paid for it?  That is what many entrepreneurs do each day.  There may be some things that entrepreneurs do that they don't like as much, but most of the time it is very rewarding and enjoyable.

This course will teach you about what qualities good entrepreneurs tend to have, what types of things you need to know about starting and running a business, and finally looking at some ideas for your own small business venture.  Click on the video below and learn some more about Entrepreneurship 20 at ECHS.

Building a Greenhouse - Wall Framing

This post is primarily for students enrolled in either Construction 20 or 30

Construction 10 students or for that matter anyone curious about wall framing may find this page interesting.

In class we looked at housing foundations and the different options that exist, from ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) to more traditional wood framed and cement walls reinforced with rebar.  We then looked at floor framing methods, and how to calculate things such as how many floor joists are needed depending on the size of the structure and how headers are used to cap off the ends.

Once the foundation has been laid, and first floor set up with sub floor installed, it is time to back fill and get started on the walls.  Wall framing is a lot like floor framing, with some notable differences.  First off, wall frames are normally assembled laying down, and then hoisted up into position either by a crew of workers or using machines to assist (if the wall section is particularly large). The terms used for the main members are called wall studs, whereas in floor framing the main supporting pieces are called joists.  There are different types of studs, but the main ones include regular wall studs, trimmers (used beside window and door openings), and cripple studs (used to support window sills and above headers on windows and doors.  Trimmer and cripple studs are shorter than regular wall studs and do not extend from the sill plate at the bottom to the top plate the way a regular wall stud does.

Below are a series of videos I have put together to illustrate how to go about laying out and starting to build a typical wall frame.  In my case it is for a 2x4 framed structure that will eventually be used as a greenhouse for growing plants and vegetables.  I'll be using recycled windows and some left over (and often twisted) lumber. Click on the links below to see the progress of the greenhouse.

Part 1 - Planning and Laying out a Greenhouse

Part 2 - Starting assembly of Greenhouse walls

Part 3 - Assembling Walls

Part 4 - Walls and Window openings

Part 5 - Roof Framing

Part 6 - Doors and Windows

Part 7 - The Completed Project

Feel free to email me any pictures or videos of any projects you are currently working on. Ask questions as well, and I'll try to respond to you as soon as I can to help you along the way.

Portable & Stationary Power Tools

There are two main types of power tools, those that you can easily move around and that you bring with you to the work piece, and others that are generally fixed in one location and you bring the work piece to the tool.  The easy-to-move tools are called Portable Power Tools and include such things as drills and circular saws.  The larger tools that typically don't get moved are called Stationary Power Tools and often include things such as table saws.

This video is a good introduction to some of the types of Portable Power Tools you may find and why they are useful.

Assignment 1:
List 5 different Portable Power Tools
Explain in detail how a carpenter would properly use the tool



This video talks about some various Stationary Power Tools and what they are used for.

Assignment 2:
List 5 Stationary Power Tools
Explain how to use a table saw in a safe and proper way if you were to rip cut a small piece of wood.


No matter what type of tool you are using safety is always the most important thing to consider.  Some rules and guidelines were mentioned in the videos, but feel free to do some additional research to find out what other things you should do to keep yourself safe, either in a woodworking shop or on the job site.


Assignment 3:
List 5 safety rules to follow when working in a shop such as the one at Eagleview.
List 3 different types of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) that a carpenter would likely use or wear

Measuring & Layout Tools

Did you know that the tape measure isn't the only tool a carpenter can use when measuring for things such as cuts or angles?  There are various measuring and layout tools available to choose from, however when you are just beginning there are a few very important tools you will likely want to have.  Watch the video below to learn about some of the options available.

Assignment:
List as many of the measuring tools that the construction shop at Eagleview has.  Don't worry if you don't list them all, just try to come up with as many as you can.