Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tuesday, November 30 (A Day)

Science: Worked on the practice test for Unit 2 test and simile review. The practice test is due tomorrow for 4th & 6th hour and Thursday for 1st & 5th hour. "Is the Force with you?" lab is due tomorrow. Unit 2 test is Friday, December 3.

Geometry: Congrats to everyone on their success on the chapter 4 test, the class had a 98% average! Today we began chapter 5, relationships in triangles. 5.1 worksheet is homework.

Pre-Algebra: We discussed lesson 3.5 more. Homework-worksheet 3.5, # 9 - 24.

Algebra: Discussed section 4.3 (x- and y- intercepts). Assigned worksheet 4.3 Reminder: Quiz over sections 4.1 to 4.3 on Friday!!

Social Studies: Students discussed current events, worked on folders and finished protest projects in class. Homework folders and protest projects are due tomorrow. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - Today we started our new unit, biographies and autobiographies. Students were to define; biography, autobiography, memoir, journal and diary. We then went on to read a biography about Jackie Robinson. Students had to answer a couple of questions regarding the reading. We will be reading many stories like these in class and discussing the importance of them. HW - finish their fiction novel for the quiz tomorrow.

Art 7/8: 2nd hr. begins Holiday Caring/Sharing Cards. 4th and 5th hrs. will receive a demonstration today on etching and will begin etching into their Picasso scratch art.


Adv. Art grade 8: Demonstration today on chalk pastels.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Monday, November 29 (F-Day)

The 8th grade would like to welcome Miss Reed, Mrs. Petersen's student teacher, for the next 5 weeks. Miss Reed is finishing her certification through Ferris State University with concentrations in applied physics and mathematics.

Geometry: Took the chapter 4 test. Homework is 5.1 activity on page 294.

Science (4th & 6th Hour): Played Jeapardy review and started the practice test review. We will continue working on the review tomorrow and will go over it in class on Wednesday. The unit 2 test is Friday, December 3. "Is the Force with you lab?" is due on Wednesday, December 1.

Algebra: 2nd and 4th hour were assigned homework for section 4.2 All classes.... there will be a quiz on Friday covering sections 4.1 to 4.3

LA - Grammar - Combining to Imitate. Students took notes and discussed "elements of plot," major and minor characters. We used The Pigman story as our model. HW - students must plot out their fiction novel using the elements of plot and tell who the major and minor characters are. They must also finish up their fiction novels since they will be taking their A.R. quiz on Wed. 12/1.

Social Studies: Students shared current events and finished taking notes on a video about the American Revolution in class. No homework. Protest projects due Wednesday. Homework folders due Wednesday.

Art 7/8 : 2nd hr. turned in their Pablo Picasso inspired scratch art today. They will be starting Caring/Sharing Holiday cards tomorrow. 4th and 5th hr. will continue working on the scratch art.




Advanced Art grade 8: We did not meet today due to it being "F" day. Tomorrow we will continue working on the fruit bowl still life. I will demonstrate chalk pastel techniques.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tuesday, November 23 (E Day)

Science: Today we peer reviewed the rough drafts of "Is the Force with You?" and had an opportunity to do research on Isaac Newton in the media center. Final labs are due Wednesday, December 1. Unit 2 test is Friday, December 3.

Geometry: Went over the chapter 4 practice test. Chapter 4 review (odds) is due on Monday. Chapter 4 test is Monday. 

Algebra: 2nd and 4th hour: We did an activity using the book the Math Curse. It is due on Monday. It is meant to be fun, not stressful. Everyone got started on it in class, some finished. 5th hour: finished notes for 4.2. Assigned homework for 4.2. They had plenty of time to work on it in class. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pre-Algebra: We took notes on lesson 3.5, (inequalities with multiplication and division). Homework-worksheet 3.5 # 1 - 8, 18, 19 (most students finished in class).

Social Studies: I am sorry I did not post to the blog yesterday as I was out of the building. Students discussed current events, reviewed chapter six and began to work on a mini-poster project in class. Posters are due Wednesday. Current events are due "C" and "F" days. Monday is an "F" day.

LA - students were granted Amnesty and were allowed to make up missing projects with a small penalty. Students that had all their assignments handed in were allowed to do Thanksgiving activities or read their fiction novels. HW - reading their fiction novels. A.R. quiz will be on 12/1

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday, November 22

Science: Worked on the rough draft of the "Is the Force With You?" lab. Rough drafts for peer review must be completed for tomorrow. See attached rubric. Final lab is due Wednesday, December 1.

Geometry: Completed the 4.8 notes. Chapter 4 practice test is homework. Chapter 4 test Monday, November 29.

Algebra: 2nd and 4th hour: took notes on section 4.2/ homework practicing 3.8 (Practice A #1-4,7,10,13 Practice B and C #1,4,7,10) 5th hour: took notes on section 4.2/ homework 4.2 worksheets

Pre-Algebra: Students took a quiz on lessons 3.1 - 3.3.  No homework.

LA - Students finished up their "text to text" responses from last week. We discussed;setting, tone, mood, and conflict. Students will be taking their accelerated reader quiz on 12/1. HW - reading at least 30 pages a night in their fiction novel.


Technology - Students reviewed how to submit an assignment in Moodle, Module 0 was completed in class ending with review of computer program skills, downloading their Technology Log, and pre-test on Technology skills. This is to get a base line on student tech skills and to measure how much the use of Moodle has helped students' tech skills when they take the Michigan Educational Technology Standards Test at the end of the year (this is required by all Michigan 8th graders). Next week we will begin Module 1, the skills and procedures for the use of an online classroom should be in place and students will begin to be more self sufficient in the use of our Moodle class. http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/berkley/course/view.php?id=107

Friday, November 19, 2010

Friday, November 19 (C-Day)

Science (3rd & 5th Hour): Worked on data analysis and conclusion section of our "Is the force with you lab?". We will be peer reviewing rough drafts on Tuesday, November 23.  Final labs are due Wednesday, December 1.

Algebra: 2nd and 4th hours:  Did not meet. 5th hour:  Hexagon Train Project
 
Pre-Algebra:  Reviewed for quiz on Monday.
 
LA - I only met with 3rd hour today. Students reviewed The Pigman and we discussed the literary elements; setting, mood, tone and conflict. How are these important to the story and how can you prove it? Students were asked to cite examples from the novel. We also defined each of these elements and students were then asked to do the same assignment with their fiction novels. This was done during class. If they did not finish, it is homework. HW - students should be reading at least 30 pages of their fiction book a day.
 
Technology: Students did some Moodle clean up.  The checked to be sure that their "Applying a Process" assignment was graded...if not they didn't upload it to Moodle correctly.  Students retook the Copyright Quiz if need be, this quiz has been reopened until Saturday night. Students then completed all three assignments in 'Finding My Place in the World".  We will move on to complete Module 0 on Monday. http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/berkley/course/view.php?id=107
 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thursday, Nov. 18 (B Day)

Science: Worked on methods section and graphs for the "Is the Force With you Lab?" Rough drafts for peer review are due Tuesday.

Geometry: 4.7 notes were completed (isosceles and equilateral triangles) and we started 4.8 (congruence transformations). 4.7 worksheet is homework. Chapter 4 test is Monday, November 29. 

Algebra: Went over sections 4.1 and 4.7.  We did section 3.8 today.  It is on re-writing equations (ie.  solve for y).  This is a very important section.  We will spend 2 days on it.  We also did a project called "Hexagon Train".  Ask your child about it.  We are going to debrief on Monday about our different methods of solving it. Today's topics were "stressful".  Some kids were out of their comfort zone because the assignments did not come easily to them.  Sometimes a little stress is a good thing.  We are asking them to challenge themselves. 

Social Studies: Students checked 6.2 section assessment, read 6.3 and worked on 6.3 notes in class. Homework is to complete 6.3 notes. Current events due "C" and "F" days.
 
LA - We read the Pigman aloud up to Ch 6. Students did an activity where they had to discuss and find the setting, mood, tone and conflict of the story so far. They did this in groups and we discussed as a class. We then went through each literary element by defining what each of them are and how it relates to the story.
Students will then have to do the same assignment with their fiction novels they are reading. This is called "text to text" learning. The purpose is to help them get a better understanding of their novels as well as the literary elements. HW - students should be reading at least 30 pages a night in their fiction books. Please note that their A.R. quiz is on 12/1.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Wednesday, November 17 (A-Day)

Science: Collected data for "Is the Force with you?". We will continue working on this lab for the remainder of the week and next week. Peer review is Tuesday, November 23, final lab is due Wednesday, December 1.

Geometry: Went over the 4.6 notes and returned 4.1-4.5 quizzes. 4.6 worksheet is homework. Chapter 4 test is Monday, November 29.

Pre-Algebra: We went over 3.4. We started review for our quiz on Monday.


Social Studies: Students checked 6.1 guided reading, read 6.2 aloud and began to work on 6.2 section assessment in class. 6.2 section assessment is homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tuesday, November 16 (F-Day)

Science: 4th & 6th hours did investigation 3-1 (Momentum & the 3rd law). All classes will be collecting data for the "Is the Force with you lab?" tomorrow so they must be sure to bring any necessary supplies!

Geometry: Took the quiz on 4.1-4.5. 4.6 notes are homework.

Algebra: Notes for sections 4.1 and 4.7 Coordinate plane and graphing functions. No homework today!!

Social Studies: Students shared current events and concluded an introduction to the American Revolution in class. 6.1 guided reading due tomorrow. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - I only met with hours 2,4,6 today. Students worked on grammar. They had to write the model sentence, imitate the model with the examples given, and then come up with their own sentence to match the model. We discussed the correct answers, and students volunteered to share their sentences with the class.

We then moved on to the "text to text" lesson. Students were to bring their fiction book to class so they could be part of the lesson. We discussed "point of view", what it is, and the different types that are used in novels. We used the Pigman novel as the model. How does the author use point of view, and why did the author choose to develop the characters this way. Students were then asked to write down the point of view that their fiction book was told from, why the author chose this way, and how was it important in developing that character.  We will share and discuss tomorrow. HW: reading their A.R. fiction novel, the quiz will be on 12/1.

Tech Rotation 2 - Utilized the online course "Career Forward" to explore some questions students may have regarding their path. This is accessed through the Moodle course. http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/berkley/ Students were then to post a response on the Moodle Forum

Monday, November 15, 2010

Monday, November 15 (E Day)

Science: Worked on planning our Unit 2 lab "Is the Force with you?" Students will collect data for this lab on Wednesday and will continue working on the lab for the remainder of the week.

Geometry: Went over the 4.5 notes (proving triangles congruent by AAS & ASA). 4.5 worksheet is homework. 4.1-4.5 quiz tomorrow.

Algebra: Great work on the algebra tests! B+ average! Your kids are doing a great job! Homework today is a review graphing worksheet.

Pre-Algebra: We took notes on lesson 3.4.  Homework-worksheet 3.4, #9 - 26.

Social Studies: Students received folder and quiz grades to begin class. Students were then introduced to chapter 6.1 ("Tighter British Control") and began to work on 6.1 guided reading. 6.1 guided reading due Wednesday. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - The class discussed The Pigman Ch. 1-3 and they were supposed to have their fiction books picked out. Their A.R. quiz for their fiction book is Dec. 1st. Students also got caught up on their grammar.  HW - reading their fiction book

Friday, November 12, 2010

Friday, November 12 (D-Day)

Science: Completed notes on Newton's 3rd Law and momenteum (pg. 58-61). Quizzes were returned, quiz corrections are homework.

Geometry: 4.4 notes in class (SAS & HL), 4.4 worksheet is homework. 4.1-4.5 quiz Tuesday, November 16.

Algebra: After the test the assignment is Read over section 1.6 and do page 38 (3-22 all). Have a great weekend!

Social Studies: Students turned in homework folders, completed chapter 5 quiz and were introduced to chapter 6 (coming of the American Revolution) in class. No homework.

LA - We continued working on grammar, sentence chunking. I collected their persuasive essays, which were due today. Students returned their Iqbal novels and we started a new novel The Pigman by Paul Zindel. We will be reading this book in class together. HW - Students must have a fiction book that they are to be reading outside of this class by Monday. It should be an Accelerated Reader book. Some students may be reading a fiction book right now and they can use that as their outside reading book. The book should be completed by the time we get back from Thanksgiving break.


Technology - students finished watching "Exploring Careers: What's Right For You" and posted responses in the Forum "Picking a Career is a Lifetime Process".  They then commented on another student's posting.  This forum is graded and worth 2 pts.  All students must post an appropriate (meaning staying on topic) post and reply to earn these points.  Negative points will be given for off topic or inappropriate posts or replies.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thursday, November 11 (C-Day)

Science: Investigation 3-A (Momentum and Newton's 3rd law of motion) in class today. Weight vs. Mass homework is due tomorrow (see yesterday's post for a copy).

Algebra: Test tomorrow.  I will not see 2nd and 4th hours today, however, they have the review and all the answers to help them study.  All Algebra classes will be testing tomorrow.  Good luck!

Pre-Algebra: We took notes on lesson 3.3, solving equations with variables on both sides.  Homework- worksheet 3.3, # 1-13.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Wednesday, November 10 (B-Day)

Science: Finished notes/discussion on gravity & weight and took the Unit 2 Quiz. Mass vs. Weight is homework.

Geometry: Went over the 4.2 homework and 4.3 notes (SSS triangle congruence). 4.3 worksheet is homework. 4.1-4.5 quiz on Tuesday, November 16. We also discussed the chapter 4 test, which will either be Tuesday, November 23 or Monday, November 29 (before or after Thanksgiving). TBA

Algebra: We reviewed in Algebra today! The review was attached to yesterday's blog. 2nd and 4th hours received all the worked out answers to the review today because I won't see them tomorrow.  I am moving 5th hour's test to Friday as well. I am available at lunch and before school for extra help. Happy Studying!

Pre-Algebra: We took notes on lesson 3.2. Homework-worksheet 3.2, # 1-16.

Social Studies: Students worked on chapter 5 assessment and began to review for chapter 5 quiz on Friday. Chapter 5 quiz and homework folders due friday. No current events for "C" day students this week. Chapter 5 study guide is attached.

LA - We discussed the end of the novel Iqbal. Students were involved in many activities that related to the book. They wrote a small reflection summary after the discussion and I collected their work for a classroom grade (credit/no-credit). HW - students should be typing up their final drafts of their persuasive essay which is due this Friday, 11/12.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Tuesday, November 9 (A-Day)

Science: Went over Newton's 2nd Law homework and organized binders. Took notes on gravity and free fall (click here for the notes). Unit 2 quiz tomorrow!

Geometry: Went over the 4.1 homework and took notes on 4.2 (proving triangles congruent). 4.2 worksheet is homework. Chapter 4 quiz Tuesday, November 16.

Algebra: Test on Sections 6.5-6.6 this week. 2nd and 4th hour classes will test on Friday, 5th hour class will test on Thursday. They are doing a great job! Students are welcome to come see me at lunch or before school for help. Click here for a copy of the review.

Pre-Algebra:  We took notes on the first lesson of chapter 3.  Homework-worksheet 3.1, # 1-22.

Social Studies: Students reviewed 5.2 and 5.3 and began working on chapter 5 assessment in class. Students will have an opportunity to finish chapter 5 assessment in class tomorrow and it is due Friday. Folders and chapter 5 quiz on Friday. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - We discussed the novel Iqbal, for the first part of the hour. For the second half of the class period students peer edited each others papers. I passed out a editing sheet for them to follow to help with their revisions. Rough drafts were due today, it was a homework assignment. HW - Finish their persuasive essays. The final draft is due this Friday. The Iqbal novel MUST be completed for tomorrow's activity. **Attached is the editing sheet that we used in class **

Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday, November 8 (F-Day)

Science (4th & 6th Hours): Completed Investigation 2B- Newton's 2nd Law and watched Bill Nye- Motion. Unit 2 quiz on Wednesday, November 10.

Geometry: Began chapter 4 with an activity investigating interior and exterior angles in triangles. Went over th 4.1 notes, 4.1 worksheet is homework.

Algebra: 2nd and 4th hour Algebra got their tests back.  They need to be signed and returned tomorrow.  Great job on the tests!  A- average overall.  Assignment for today:  finish problems in notes for 6.5/6.6 and worksheet 6.4B (1-15 odd)

Social Studies: Students shared current events and finished an introduction of early American presidents. No homework.

LA - Today I met with hours 2,4, and 6. Students worked on persuasive activities to help them with their persuasive paper. They had time in class to work on their persuasive essays and get help from me and other students in the classroom. I also passed back their "Nothing but the Truth" quiz that they took last week and went over it with them.  HW - Read "Iqbal" - pg 32-74 due by 11/9.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Friday, November 5 (E-Day)

Science: Worked on investigation 2B- Newton's 2nd Law. Students must have binders organized (Daily science, notes, homework, labs, quizzes/tests) by Tuesday for credit.

Geometry: Took the chapter 3 test. Homework is 4.1 notes.

Pre-Algebra: Chapter 2 test today. No homework.

LA - Today we discussed the novel "Iqbal", up to chapter 5. Students were given the choice to work on their persuasive essays or read their novel for the remainder of the hour.  HW - Work on essays (the rough draft is due Tuesday 11/9). Read pages 32-74 in "Iqbal", for Tuesday's discussion.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Thursday, November 4 (D-Day)

Science: Newton's 2nd law notes, pages 35-38 and we went over the acceleration homework that was due today (beware of UNITS!). Newton's 2nd law worksheet is homework and we will have a daily science quiz tomorrow. Unit 2 quiz on Wednesday, November 10.

Geometry: Went over the chapter 3 practice test and practiced constructions. Chapter 3 review #1-6 & 9-22 is homework. Chapter 3 test tomorrow!

Pre-Algebra: Students reviewed for their test tomorrow.

Algebra: Still testing in Algebra.  5th hour did a GREAT JOB!  A- average.  They will get them to look at today.  They need to have their parents sign them and bring them back tomorrow.

LA - Student's chose a topic for their persuasive essay paper. The rough draft is due on Tuesday, 11/9 for peer editing, and their final draft is due Friday, Nov. 12th. I introduced their new novel "Iqbal" and gave them some background information. We read the introduction together.  We started doing grammar, which consisted of breaking apart sentences and "chunking" them together in order for them to make sense. HW - Students need to read up to page 31 in their novel by tomorrow for class discussion. They should also be working on their essays.

Social Studies: Students reviewed 5.1 and worked on 5.2 in class. Homework is to complete 5.2
Art 7/8: Picasso scratch art plans transferred onto tag board, marker added and demo on oil pastel.

Advanced Art grade 8: Day 2 of still life drawing. Students continue coloring "Nonobjective Circular Art."

Technology - Students took another typing test on http://typingtest.com and were given the opportunity to retake their Copyright Law quiz, this quiz can be retaken up to 3 times. Our research process assignment is mostly complete and students then moved on to review note taking skills and research hints. Next week we will move on to finishing up Module 0 and reviewing Finding My Place. There will be three posts due next week. http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/berkley/




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Wednesday, November 3 (C-Day)

Science (1st & 5th Hours): Today we began our investigation of Newton's 2nd Law but looking at how force and acceleration (change in speed) are related. We also watched Bill Nye: Motion.  Acceleration homework (see yesterday's post for a copy of the assignment) is due tomorrow for all classes.

Algebra: 5th hour takes our test today. 2nd and 4th hour tomorrow.

Social Studies: Students watched CNN student news, discussed the election and current events and concluded a video on presidents in class. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.
Technology - Students took their first touch typing test on http://www.typingtest.com , this will start every class period for the rest of the year, with hands covered. Touch typing is a very important life skill, so we will be sure everyone knows their home rows before I send them off to High School. Students then moved on to their Copyright Law quiz in Moodle - this quiz is re-doable...every 10 hrs up to 3 times. http://moodle.oakland.k12.mi.us/berkley. Students then moved on to Module 0 in Moodle...They had an investigation process to review and an assignment to complete, due November 11. This assignment is completed in Word and submitted through Moodle, this can be done anywhere with internet access, it does not have to be completed in school.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tuesday, November 2 (B-Day)

Science: We began our notes on Unit 2 - Newton's Laws of Motion- by doing a jigsaw note-taking activity. Acceleration problems are homework.

Geometry: Worked on the chapter 3 practice test, which is due on Thursday. Chapter 3 test is Friday.

Algebra: We reviewed today all hour! Big Chapter Test on Wed./Thursday Look over your 2 review packets (you have the answers to both), look over your last quiz, look over past homework assignments and warm-ups. Good Luck!!

LA - Students took their novel quiz today. They also returned their novels "Nothing but the Truth." If it is not returned today they need to try and return it ASAP. I also introduced their next assignment which is their persuasive essay and is due on 11/12. The assignment and rubric are attached.  On Thursday they will be receiving their new novels "Iqbal". HW - none.

Art 7/8: Demonstration today on transferring the Picasso plan onto tag board and adding the black marker.



Advanced Art grade 8: Day 5 on still life drawings. Drawings will be checked today. Students continue working on "Nonobjective Circular Art" drawing.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Monday, November 1 (A Day)

Science: Today we finished investigation 1A: mass and inertia. We looked at how mass affects speed of a car on an incline track and compared that to the data we collected last week on the flat track.

Geometry: 3.6 notes in class, 3.6 worksheet is homework. Chapter 3 test is Friday, November 5.

Algebra: Algebra students are working hard on reviewing for our test on Wed. (5th hour) and Thursday (2nd and 4th hours). Tomorrow they should have 2 review packets complete and be prepared with questions for Tuesday. Ask them to explain the solution to 12y + 6 = 6(2y +1) to you!

Social Studies: Students were introduced to chapter five in the text, read 5.1 and worked on a graphic organizer intended to introduce aspects of the emerging American identity of the eighteenth century (see p. 118 in text). Homework is to complete the graphic organizer. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - Students wrote a summary on "What they made of the end of the book (Nothing but the Truth) and was it fair or not fair?" We then discussed the end of the novel. Homework: study for the novel quiz which is tomorrow. 2 essay questions each worth 5 points. Students must bring their books with them, they will need it for the quiz and I am also collecting them.

Art 7/8 : Begin Picasso scratch art plans today. Students will be using Picasso's "cubism" approach.

 Advanced Art 8: Students will begin coloring with colored pencil their "Nonobjective Circular Drawings."