Friday, April 29, 2011

Friday, April 29

Science: Peer reviewed the I-Search Instrument project. The final draft is due on Wednesday. Rubric is attached.

Geometry: 12.1 notes in class, 12.1 worksheet is homework.

Pre-Algebra: We continued to work on lesson 8.2. Today we learned how to graph linear equations. Homework-worksheet 8.2, #14 - 22. Make sure you write your ordered pairs and then graph each equation.

LA - students watched the video about Stephen Crane who wrote the book "The Red Badge of Courage" and it gave a synopsis of the story and the protagonist Henry. This is a story about the Civil War. They had the remainder of the hour...20 minutes, to read and complete their novels.  HW - reading their novels which need to be completed by Tuesday 5/3.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Thursday, April 28 (A-Day)

Science: Worked on rough draft for the I-Search instrument research project. Peer review of rough draft is tomorrow. Final draft of paper is due on Wednesday, May 4.  Click here for the rough draft planner and rubric.

Geometry: Made Platonic solids to introduce chapter 12. 12.1 notes are homework.

Social Studies: Students reviewed 15.4 and were introduced to chapter 16 in class. Homework is to complete 16.1 free choice (notes, summary, section assessment, etc.) by Friday. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Pre-Algebra: We started to work on lesson 8.2 (linear equations in two variables). Homework-worksheet 8.2, # 2-9.

Algebra: Test tomorrow over sections 10.1-10.3. Look over practice test and your notes. Know how to find axis of symmetry and vertex of a parabola-and find its domain and range. Happy Studying!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Wednesday, April 26 (F-Day)

Science: Investigation 21 A & B (frequency & pitch and straw instruments). Students also had an opportunity to work on their rough drafts of the I-Search paper and quiz corrections.

Geometry: Took the chapter 11 test. No homework!

Social Studies: Students shared current events and reviewed the causes of the Civil War. 15.4 guided reading and homework folders due Thursday. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Algebra:  (2nd and 4th only) Lesson 10.3.  Homework (odds only) attached.  Remember test on Friday over sections 10.1 to 10.3.

Technology - Students worked on their Family Budget. Project and rubric are attached.

LA - Today was F day so another block schedule where I do not see every 8th grade student. Today they read "Louisa May Alcott's Civil War Journal and also a story on Abe Lincoln. This is to give student's more background information on the Civil War, since students are reading historical fiction novels based on the Civil War. They also had to do 3 grammar exercises on Appositive's. Once students completed all of their classwork they were free to continue reading their novels. HW - novels are to be completed by Tuesday May 3rd. I will be introducing their writing assignment on Wednesday may 4th.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday, April 26 (E-Day)

Science: Continued working on the I-Search Research Project. Click here for the rough-draft planner and rubric. We will peer review the rough drafts on Friday, final paper due Wednesday, May 4.

Geometry: Went over the chapter 11 practice test. Chapter 11 review is homework, chapter 11 test tomorrow!

Art 7/8 grade: Students continue working on their "Color Explosions." These are due by the end of the week.



Advanced Art grade 8: We are spending 2 class periods organizing our portfolios for high school review. The portfolios will be sent to the high school by early next week. Today we will also begin to put together our flower vase still life. Each table will design their own. Students will be painting this still life on canvas and using acrylic paints.
 
Pre-Algebra: Today we started our unit on linear equations. It is a big unit.  Homework-worksheet 8.1, all.
 
Social Studies: Students reviewed 15.3, read and took notes on 15.4, and then began work on 15.4 guided reading. Homework is to complete 15.4 guided reading.  Homework folders are due Thursday. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - Grammar - absolute phrases. I returned their tests and we went over them. The boys took a quiz on their reading (to make sure they are reading!).  HW - Student's novels need to be completed by Tuesday 5/3

Monday, April 25, 2011

Monday, April 25 (D-day)

Science: Worked on research for the I-Search Instrument project. We will work on the project for most of the rest of the week, peer review on Friday, April 29. Project is due on May 4.

Geometry: Went over the 11.7 homework and worked on the chapter 11 practice test. Practice test is homework, chapter 11 test on Wednesday.

Technology - 8th graders tried to take their Legacy Day Survey...yet somehow the Berkley Website is not working again (problems last week that were "fixed") and no one in IT was able to fix it. If you were unable to take the survey during class please click this link  https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dDZFcUJyX3VJMkVmbWJ5MmpRSVoxMUE6MQ#gid=0


Plan (rough draft of project and design brief) was due today. Next Due date for the Family Budget is May 19th when we will begin presenting projects. Click here for the Design Folder, Design Brief and Rubric.

Algebra:  Worked on section 10.2/10.2 extension.  We are having a test this Friday over sections 10.1 to 10.3.  Attached are the assignments 10.2 and 10.3 and a practice test.

Social Studies: Students reviewed 15.2 in class, were introduced to 15.3 and summarized one section of 15.3 in order to teach it to classmates tomorrow. Homework is to complete work on 15.3. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Pre-Algebra: Students either took their quarterly assessment or their chapter 6 test.  No homework.

LA - Students took their short story literary test. They had the whole hour to take it. HW - reading novels: B-Ch 7,8,9 and G-Ch 10,11,12,13

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Thursday, April 21 (C-Day)

Science: Started planning the I-Search research project and did several investigations with sound.

Pre-Algebra: Students either took their quarterly assessment or their chapter 6 test. They will take the other one on Monday.

Spanish: Spanish students who missed Spanish or were late because of the fire drill will be finishing or taking the vocab quiz on Tuesday, April 26th

LA - Today we continued with our Historical Fiction unit and read and discussed the Civil War journal by Louisa May Alcott. Students were given the rest of the time to study for their test on Monday as well as get caught up on their novel homework. HW - Study for the rescheduled test on Monday 4/25 and read your novels B-7,8,9 and G- 10,11,12,13

Technology- The "Investigate" section has been checked for accuracy and completion, the next due date is Monday, April 25 - Students should have their "Plan" section completed for checking. This will get us half way through the project! After the students' rough drafts have been checked they will begin on the "Create" section of the design process (simply making a product for presentation). The next due date is for the final project to be presented- May 19th will begin presentations. Please don't forget those EDPs that we printed out from Career Cruising, we are still missing 29! That is 25% of the 8th grade class! Let's get this important document in!

Algebra:  5th hour only...Started chapter 10!  No homework.

Social Studies: Students shared current events and watched a video on the Civil War in class today. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Wednesday, April 20 (B-Day)

Science: Took a quiz on Sound and discussed Legacy Day. Students will be signing up for Legacy Day next week in technology.

Geometry: Spent a good amount of time going over the 11.6 homework (it's not hard, it's TEDIOUS!) and the 11.7 notes. 11.7 worksheet is homework. Chapter 11 test is Wednesday, April 27.

Social Studies: Students reviewed 15.1, read 15.2 and began to work on 15.2 notes/section assessment in class. Homework is to complete 15.2. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Technology- the Investigate section of the Design Folder was due Thursday, April 14th, this step in the Design Process is very important as when I check the students' research I can make sure they are on the right path for the whole project. Please be sure this is in ASAP!  Design (rough draft, speech rough draft, design brief) is due Monday, April 25th. Again this step is very important as I can see that a student is moving along in the project and their final project will be on target. Final Family Budget Project is due Thursday, May 19th, we will begin presentations on May 23rd.

LA - Students reviewed the questions from yesterday's reading assignment. They did group work for the book discussion today. We also did some grammar. HW - B-10,11,12 and G - 10,11,12,13: this is not due until Tuesday 4/26.  Please also remember that the test was changed to Monday 4/25.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tuesday, April 19 (A Day)

Science: Jigsaw notetaking on pages 444, 445, 447, 454 & 455. Wave Interactions worksheet is homework. Quiz tomorrow (open note and homework).

Geometry: 11.6 notes (area of regular polygons) in class. 11.6 worksheet (odds) is homework. Chapter 11 test on Wednesday, April 27.

Pre-Algebra: We went over the counting principle and probability. Homework-worksheet 7.7 all /7.8 5-7.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Monday, April 18 (F-Day)

Culinary Arts made 2 types of salsa (regular and mango-cucumber), bean dip and quacamole.

Science: 4th & 6th hour practiced drawing and making waves with a slinky and taking measurements of frequency, wavelength & amplitude. No homework, quiz on Wednesday.

Geometry: Took the 11.1-11.4 quiz and worked on 11.5 notes. 11.5 worksheet is homework. Chapter 11 test is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 27.

Social Studies: Students shared current events and reviewed chapter 14 in class. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Spanish 8/Spanish I vocabulary quiz on Wednesday, April 20th

Technology-Students had one last chance to get their "Investigate" in, the next due date is Monday, April 25th for their "Plan".  It is very important that students keep up with completing each section as the whole folder (Investigate, Plan, Create, and Evaluate) will be checked again.  These due dates are for spot checks to be sure students are on the right track and are moving along in the process at an appropriate pace. Click here for Design Folder and Rubric.

LA - students worked on delayed adverbs. I let them work on their reading homework.  Boys - Ch 3 due 4/19 and Girls Ch 5,6 due 4/19 (this was assigned last Friday). ***I have moved the test to Monday 4/25 *** HW - Boys - read Ch 3 and Girls read Ch 5,6





Friday, April 15, 2011

Friday, April 15 (E-Day)

Science: Watched "Characteristics of Waves" video and went over the Waves worksheet. Quiz on Wednesday, April 20.

Geometry: 11.4 notes completed in class. 11.4 worksheet is homework. 11.1-11.4 quiz on Monday, April 18.

Social Studies: Today students reviewed presentation options for chapter 14 and presented sections of the chapter to the class. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - Today we had a book discussion on "With Every Drop of Blood" - Ch2 and "In my Father's House" - Ch. 4. I gave the students the rest of the hour to study for their test on Tuesday. Students were able to make flash cards, quiz each other, re-read the short stories and ask me last minute questions. HW - Boys - Ch 3 and Girls - Ch 5-6. Study for their test Tuesday 4/19.

Pre-Algebra: We worked on the counting principle tree diagrams. Homework-worksheet 6.8, all

Algebra:  Here are the answers for the Chapter 9 Practice Test.  Have a great weekend!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Thursday, April 14 (D-Day)

Science: Practiced calculating speed, wavelength and frequency as well as drawing waves. Waves worksheet is homework. Quiz on Wednesday, April 20

Geometry: Went over 11.2 homework and 11.3 notes (Area and perimeter of similiar figures). 11.3 worksheet is homework. 11.1-11.4 quiz on Monday, April 18. I am very concerned that "Spring Fever" has shown up this week in many students. Nearly 1/2 the geometry class did not have thier homework completed today (and they had 2 days!).

Social Studies: Students were introduced to chapter 14 and began to work on "lesson plans" for presentations tomorrow. Homework is to complete all notes required for presentations. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

LA - We did book discussions on the novels that are being read in and out of class. The boys discussed the first chapter of "With Every Drop of Blood", while the girls discussed the first 3 chapters of "In my Father's House." HW - Boys - Ch. 2, Girls - Ch. 4. They should also be studying for their test on Tuesday. Go WINGS! :-)

Algebra:  Assignment is Pre-test Warm-up.  Test is next Tuesday.  Reviews are attached (Practice Test & Revew Stations).

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Wednesday, April 13 (C-Day)

Science: Groups practiced making waves based on specific characteristics and calculated the speed of their waves. Quiz on Wednesday, April 20.

Algebra:  5th hour only today- more factoring!!  There will be a Chapter Test next Tuesday (4/19)

LA - Today was C day so I only met with one 8th grade class. We read the short story "The Necklace" - and discussed it's story elements. Students were assigned their historical novels yesterday. The boys are to read Ch1 in "With Every Drop of Blood" and the girls are to read Ch 1-3 "In my Father's House." Book discussion will continue tomorrow. HW - Reading their novels and studying for their test on Tuesday 4/19.

Spanish I and Spanish 8 vocabulary test on Wednesday, April 20th

Pre-Algebra: Students worked on their scale drawings all hour. No homework.

Art 7/8 grade: Students are working on "Color Collision." We talked about organic/free-form/abstract/natural shapes. Students are creating a design using these kinds of shapes. Then, using watercolors, they will blend colors to form secondary and tertiary colors. The final design will be based on color theory.



Advanced Art grade 8: Students continued working on their monochromatic chair collage. Black marker was demonstrated today.

Technology: Students worked on the "Investigate" section of their Design Folder for the Family Budget. The check date is tomorrow.  The next section "Plan" consists of a short narrative essay explaining how the student is going to present their Family Budget and a rough draft of their project. This section is due April 25th.

Social Studies: Students discussed CNN student news and shared current events in class. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tuesday, April 12

Science: Jigsaw notes pages 436-443. Waves quiz on Wednesday, April 20

Geometry: 11.2 notes (area of trapezoids, rhombuses and kites). 11.2 worksheet is homework. 11.1-11.4 quiz on Monday, April 18.

Pre-Algebra: We did a lesson on probability and odds. We did some probability experiments. Homework-worksheet 6.7, all.

Social Studies: Students checked 13.4, turned in homework folders and discussed westward migration in class today. No homework. Current events due "C" and "F" days.

Algebra:  Continued factoring.  No homework tonight!

L.A. - We finished taking notes on the test for next week 4/19. Students will be given a study day on Friday 4/15 - this day will be used to make flash cards, test each other, re-read the short stories and ask me any last minute questions. We started our "Historical Fiction" unit. What is historical fiction and why is it important to read? The boys are reading "With Every Drop of Blood" and the girls are reading "In my Father's House." The theme of these stories are how families deal with each other during a time of war, this time it is the Civil War. HW - Read Ch1 - boys and Ch1-3 -girls due on 4/14

Monday, April 11, 2011

Monday, April 11 (A-Day)

Science: Investigation 20-A making waves in water and with slinkies! Waves quiz on Wednesday, April 20.

Geometry: Went over the chapter 10 test and started chapter 11. 11.1 notes (area of parallelograms and triangles) were completed in class, 11.1 worksheet is homework. 11.1-11.4 quiz on Monday, April 18.

Pre-Algebra: We reviewed similar figures. We went over 6.6 homework. We took notes on probability and odds. No homework.

Social Studies: Students checked 13.3 section assessment and began to work on 13.4 guided notes in class. Homework is to complete 13.4 guided notes. Homework folders are due tomorrow (Tuesday). Current events are due "C" and "F" days.

Spanish 8 and Spanish I vocab quiz has been moved to Wednesday, April 20th

Algebra: Welcome back! Today we reviewed factoring (introduced it to 5th hour). Our homework today was worksheet 9.5 and Factoring Trinomials II.  Upcoming Test: Chapter 9 test scheduled for Tuesday, April 19

LA - Students read "Tell Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. We discussed conflict, theme and P.O.V. We also starting reviewing for their literary elements test which is next week. Tuesday April 19th. HW - studying for the test.