Friday, September 16, 2011

Friday, September 16

Geometry: Students took the 1.1-1.4 quiz. Completing the 1.5 notes is homework (we will go over the notes on Monday). Students need to use their textbooks to help them complete the notes, the examples in the notes are very similar to the examples in the book.

Science: Today we completed Investigation 1-A by collecting data with the cars and the tracks. Students investigated how changing distance between photogates (independent variable) affects the amount of time it takes for the car to travel between the photogates (dependent variable). Homework is to complete the "Candy Coated" Lab, final draft is due on Monday, this is a TEST grade!!!!!!!

Language Arts: Students took a "MAZE" reading assessment. Our first vocabulary quiz went very well. Students need to remember to have their AR book with them every day, as when they are done with their quiz or classwork they may use that time to read. The AR computer was open and many students used this time to get up to date with their quarterly 3 book requirement. Great Job 8th Graders! Homework: READ!  New Vocab on Monday and the beginning of our Science Fiction Unit.

Pre-Algebra: We finished talking about lesson 1.1.  Homework is worksheet 1.1 2 - 28 evens.

Humanaties: Students reviewed constitutional values, discussed the pursuit of happiness as found in the Declaration of Independence and related it to a conversation about higher education. Homework is to complete a three paragraph "college entrance essay." Paragraph one is to list the college you would like to attend and why. Paragraph two is to say what you would like to do/be when you grow up and why. Paragraph three is to tell why the college should choose you above all others.

Algebra (Graham) Quiz today - no homework. Have a great weekend!

Algebra (Hill): Today we completed our first quiz covering chapter 1. Homework: Read through each of the example problems in section 2.1 of the textbook. Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Thursday, September 15

Science: Today we peer reviewed the "Candy Coated Lab". Final draft is due on Monday, September 19. Click here for a copy of the rubric.

Geometry: Completed the 1.4 notes (measuring angles & angle bisectors). 1.4 worksheet is homework. 1.1-1.4 quiz tomorrow!

Language Arts: Due today - Text Reading Strategies Students made "Cootie Catchers" with their vocabulary words. They then practiced their words. We then worked on long reading selection test taking skills. Students have a packet of a sample test to take tonight and we will review it tomorrow. Homework- Study vocabulary words, Reading Test Model - "Finding a Bit of History". Tomorrow - Vocabulary Quiz - Review Reading Test Model.

Art 7/8: Sketchbook covers continued. Most students are on the black marker portion.

Advanced Art grade 8: Day 3 of still life. Value bars will be completed today. Demonstration on blending stumps and into about "Flower Pun" drawings.

Spanish I: Alphabet quiz on Tuesday, Sept 20th.  Retakes on today's vocab quiz can be at any lunch time starting tomorrow. Date homework is due tomorrow.

Humanities: Students celebrated Constitution Day and discussed how this document provides use with shared values. No homework.

Pre-Algebra: We started new notes on variables and expressions.  Students were given a take home quiz on stem-and-leafs and box-and-whiskers.  They can use any notes or homework assignments to complete this.  It is a quiz grade.

Algebra (Graham): Homework Worksheet 1.5B (evens only), Quiz tomorrow over sections 1.1-1.5. I can feel the high stress level in our discussions about the upcoming quiz. They can look over problems and examples in the textbook, look over their notes, and come and see me in the tech room at lunch (they need to get a pass first).

Algebra (Hill): Today we studied problem solving strategies as they apply to story problems. Homework: Page 32 problems 14-18

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wednesday, September 14

Geometry: Today we completed section 1.3 notes with a discussion and explanation of the distance formula (pythagorean theorem in disguise!). Homework is to complete the 1.3 worksheet. 1.1-1.4 quiz on Friday.

Science: We continued with investigation 1-A with a discovery of how two photogates can work together and how they collect data from a car on a track. Rough draft of the "Candy Coated Lab" is due tomorrow for peer review. Final draft is due on Monday, September 19. THIS IS A TEST GRADE!

Spanish I: vocab quiz tomorrow. Alphabet quiz on Tuesday

Pre-Algebra: We finished our double stem-and-leaf plots. Homework- worksheet 12.2, # 1 - 5, 9 - 15, 17

Language Arts: Students used all their vocabulary words in sentences and then shared. We then continued our reading strategies with learning what to look for in a text book. If not finished this is due for homework. Second hour also had our magazine strategies on "Modern Cowboys" to complete today as we had assemblies yesterday and Monday. Homework: "Minders, Ranchers, and Cowhands" text book reading strategies worksheet, study for vocabulary quiz on Friday, and READ!

Physical Education: SEPTEMBER FITNESS QUESTION- Describe in detail how physically active you were over the summer. Highly active = 2 or more hours a day; Moderately active = 1 or more hours a day; Low activity less than an hour most days of the week. You have been pre-tested in push ups, sit ups, sit n reach, shuttle run and mile run for the Presidential Fitness Test. What areas do you most need to focus on to show improvement? You can compare your scores to the chart posted in the gym. Essays should be of high quality, informative, neat and completed on time. Papers are due on or before Monday, September 26, 2011.

Algebra 1(Hill) Today we used box and whisker plots to compare sets of scientific data. Homework review your notes from section 1.1-1.4, there is a quiz on 1.1-1.5 on Friday.

Algebra (Graham) We worked in groups solving problems on p.27 in the textbooks. There is no homework tonight! Remember, Quiz on Friday.

Humanities: Students reviewed current event expectations, worked on a "practice" current event and discussed freedom of press in preparation for Constitution Day. Homework is to have parents sign expectations sheet.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tuesday, September 13

Geometry: Began taking notes on section 1.3 (midpoint and distance formulas). We completed the first half of the notes, through the midpoint formula. Homework is to complete #1-15 on the 1.3 worksheet. First quiz will be Friday, September 16!

Science: Today students were introduced to some of the equipment we will be using this year, such as photogates and timers. Tomorrow we will break out the cars and tracks and see how the photogates are used to collect extremely accurate data. Homework is to complete a rough draft for the "Candy Coated Lab" for peer review on Thursday. The final lab is due on Monday, September 19.

Art 7/8 : Students continue working on sketchbook covers. Today I will demonstrate adding black marker to the drawing.

Advanced Art grade 8 : This is day 2 of still life drawings. Students will also work on creating 2 value bars today. One will be blended and the other textured.

Pre-Algebra: We continued to work on Box-and Whisker plots. We were making double Box-and Whisker plots with partners in class. We did not get finished. No homework.

Spanish 1- Reminder: Spanish I vocab quiz this Thursday

Algebra (Hill): What we did today, Today we studied how to represent and solve inequalities. Home work: Section 1.3 Problems 3-33 only the multiples of three

Algebra (Graham): We started notes on section 1.3. Their assignment is to do the problems on the back of the notes. Quiz Friday! (sections 1.1 to 1.5)

Language Arts: We had another assembly during 2nd hour, so work was light so 2nd hour could catch up with the rest of us :) Please use 3-4 vocabulary words in your journal entry. Write at least a half a page on one of the following prompts:  Would you rather be a dog or a cat? Give at least three reasons why. Who or what makes you laugh? Why? Topic of your choice. Students discussed and answered questions on strategies of reading a Magazine article. Silent reading time for AR requirements. Reminder: Friday is our first Vocabulary quiz, please work on studying and using the words.

Humanities: Students continued our conversation on current events related to values in class today. No homework.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Monday, September 12

Geometry: Students began class by doing a problem solving puzzle related to line segments. We also discussed appropriate behavior in the office as part of the PBIS expectations. Finally, we completed 1.2 notes (Using Segments & Congruence), 1.2 ENTIRE worksheet is homework. We will have our first quiz on Friday.

Pre-Algebra: Today we started to talk about box-and whisker plots. We made on together. No homework.

Algebra (Graham) We did a problem solving activity today, ask your son or daughter about it. We are continuing to review MEAP type problems. I handed out the code for accessing the textbook online...try it out. Homework worksheet 1.3

Algebra (Hill):  Today we practiced converting patterns into expressions and translating verbal phrases into expressions. Homework:  Section 1.3 Page 18 Problems 3-12 odd, 15,16,17,and 31

Course 3 (Graham) We went over MEAP practice problems. We debriefed about our Bar Graphs and introduced histograms. We passed out textbooks today. I handed each student a code for accessing the book online. Try it out! Homework worksheet on Bar Graphs and Histogram

Humanities: Students shared 9-11 interviews, discussed the relationship between current and historic events and compared and contrasted four news sources in class. No homework.

Language Arts: We reviewed the Expectations for behavior during "Indoor Recess".  Vocabulary list #1 was presented, students copied the words into their "Vocabulary" section of their binder and then the definitions were discussed and written down as well.  Due to multiple assemblies and a field trip this week each hour will be at a different place in the lessons.  All will get each lesson planned and will be prepared for our Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.

Science: Today we worked on writing the "Conclusion" and "Critique/Reflection" sections of the Candy Coated Lab. This is the last day we will work on the lab in class. Homework is to complete a rough draft of the lab for the peer review on Thursday, September 15. The final draft will be due on Monday, September 19.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Friday, Sept 9

Science: Today we worked on making the graphs and writing the results section of the "Candy Coated Lab". On Monday we will complete our conclusions and critique reflection. Homework is to make sure that students have completed their candy research. See yesterday's post for a copy of the lab handout.

Geometry: Completed 1.1 notes. The rest of the 1.1 worksheet is homework (posted yesterday).

Spanish I students: vocabulary quiz next Thursday on the Etapa Preliminar words

Pre-Algebra: We finished talking about stem-and-leaf plots. Students jumped rope so that we could gather data. Homework-Make a stem-and-leaf plot with our "jump" data.

Humanities: Students shared "value interview" responses, discussed 9-11 and were introduced to a 9-11 interview they are expected to give parents this weekend. Homework is to complete the 9-11 interview. Interview questions are attached.

Algebra (Hill) Today we evaluated expressions,translated verbal phrases into expressions, and applied the order of operations. Homework: Review your notes from section 1.1,1.2,and 2.7 Have a wonder full weekend! (Graham) We practiced for the MEAP. Problems are in their homework section of their notebooks. Take a look at them. I got them from a search on Google "8th grade MEAP math problems" Lesson 1.2 on order of operations. Homework p. 10 (3-18 multiples of 3, 25,27,29,34,36) Sorry about the hassle of bringing the book home. I will get the code soon. It's good exercise ;) Have a great weekend and Go Blue!

Course 3: Finished our Bar Graphs. No homework.






Thursday, September 8, 2011

Thursday, September 8

Science: Today we collected data for the "Candy Coated" Lab. Tomorrow we will graph the data and work on data analysis, drawing conclusions and reflection. Students will need to have their research completed by Monday. Click here for a copy of the lab.

Geometry: We began our investigation into geometry by coming up with definitions for line segments by comparing pictures of segments to pictures of non-segments and completed half of the notes for section 1.1. Homework is 1.1 worksheet #1-8.

Language Arts: Students "personalized" their Personal Journals with colored paper, pictures and drawings. When personalization was done their first entry was to be started. After Personlaizing your Personal Journal, please pick one topic and write a half a page:
1- Explain what you like and dislike about your name.
2- Write freely about your biggest fear.
3 - Topic of your choice.

Summer Reading AR quizzes were taken, a few students needed to spill into tomorrow, no worries I will open up our computers tomorrow as well.

Algebra (Hill): What we did today- Solving algebraic expressions. Homework- section 1.2 Problems 1-16 even 22-28 even and 36

Algebra (Graham): Took notes on sections 1.1/2.7. Ask what is the difference between a math sentence and a math expression??? Homework - page 5. (#3,6,9,12,26,28,35).

Course 3: Started work on Bar Graph project - no homework

Pre-Algebra: We started to talk about Stem and Leaf plots.  No homework.

Art 7/8 : Students begin sketchbook covers today using the Elements and Principles of Design. They will also incorporate their name and 1 IB Trait and 1 Attitude.

Advanced Art 8: Portfolios and sketchbooks need to be purchased. Students are currently working on a grid about the Element and Principles of Design.

Humanities: Students were introduced to our first IB question, "How do values affect our world?" and discussed values and their sources in class today. Homework is to interview parents about values. Interview questions are attached.