Friday, September 20

Science: Today we went over the expectations for writing GREAT short answers in science class. These guidelines should be followed for every assignment students complete in science this year (and every class all the time!). Homework is to complete the "Scientific Processes" worksheet, be sure to write great short answers!

Geometry: Today we went over the practice test. The chapter 1 test is Monday, students should study for the test! Some suggestions for preparing for the test include doing the review at the end of the chapter or doing some of the problems in whatever section students found most difficult. When using the book it would be helpful to do odd number problems so that students can check their answers in the back.

Spanish (Tomlinson): Review sheet due Monday (write out all number words in Spanish); Etapa preliminar test on Wednesday; map quiz on Friday.

Spanish II: Verb sheets are due on Monday. Verb quiz on Tuesday. Two paragraphs due by Thursday on the All About Me project.

French I: Vocab quiz on Monday. Flash cards due Monday

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we wrote from a journal prompt and worked in groups to construct paragraphs for the newsletter. Independent reading for 15 minutes. Homework: Finish your newsletter story and save/print a copy. You should be finishing your book-of-choice over the weekend.

C.Reading- Logs due Monday

Algebra:  We started notes for section 2.5.  Each class got to a different point.  By Monday, students need to have up to but not including the last section of the notes.  The last section is examples of simplifying fractions (a-f)  we will finish that on Monday.

Pre-Algebra: We explored integers and discussed how to compare and order them. HW: 1.4B (4-26 Even) Remember to study for Monday's quiz over 1.1-1.4 (evaluating expressions with variables, powers and exponents, order of operations, comparing and ordering integers)

Course 3: Today we reviewed for our Chapter 1 test.  It is on Monday.

Thursday, September 19

Science: Today students used the data they collected yesterday to practice graphing.

Geometry: Worked on the practice test for Monday's test. Click here for part 1 and part 2 of the practice test.

Spanish II: Verb sheets are due on Monday, verb quiz on Tuesday. Two paragraphs sue by Thursday on the All About Me project. Lab day tomorrow.

French I: Vocab quiz on Monday. Lab day tomorrow

C. Reading:  Reading Log due Monday

R. Room Math:  Math packets due Friday.

Humanities: Students were introduced to our first IB summative assessment rubric.  This rubric, and four square writing prompt, is intended to answer the IB Guiding Question "How do values affect our world?"

-Homework is to  begin to write a five paragraph essay in which you attempt to answer the IB question.  The rubric for this assessment is attached.  This paper is due on Monday, September 23.

-Current events are due Wednesday, September 25.  A current event template is attached.

-Please note that I will be out of the classroom on Friday and Monday.  If there are questions, please email me.

Art 7/8: Hrs 1,4,5- Students have filled book with drawing paper. We are continuing our art work for the cover of the sketchbook. This will include student name using rhythm, movement, positive and negative shapes.

Advanced Art grade 8: Hr 6:- Students have started their first still life drawing in their new sketchbooks. Each table chose 3 wooden, white shapes and designed a still life. Lights are turned off to enhance the value! Started "Shattered Values" yesterday.....first project!

Course 3: Today we started our test review.  Our test is on Monday.  We will review more tomorrow.

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we wrote our thoughts from a journal prompt. Continued with Reader's Workshop- Lesson 3. Independent reading/conferring. Homework: Continue reading your book of choice. Begin writing your news article or prepare interview questions with your partner(s).

Pre-Algebra: We worked on following order of operations when evaluating expressions. There will be a short quiz over 1.1-1.4 on Monday. The quiz will cover: evaluating expressions when given a variable, powers and exponents, order of operations, ordering/comparing integers. HW: 1.3B (1-21 odd) and start reviewing for quiz (come with any questions)

Spanish (Tomlinson)- Study for retake!!!  Etapa preliminar review sheet due Monday. Write out all numbers in Spanish words.

Algebra:  wkst 2.2 and 2.3, multiples of 3

Wednesday, September 18

Science: Today we continued with investigation 1-A and learned how the cars can be used on the track with photo-gates. No homework.

Geometry: Today we are wrapping up chapter 1 with 1.7 notes on area and perimeter formulas. We will spend the remainder of the week reviewing for the chapter 1 test on Monday. Next week we will be using the notes only occasionally and will be exploring geometry through student discovery.

C.Reading:  Reading Log

R. Room Math:  Math packet and X facts

Humanities: Students took the Constitution post-test and discussed Core Democratic Values in class today. No homework.

ELA - Day 4 of our Writer's Workshop Launching Unit.  We discussed figurative language and it's uses in writing.  We then practiced using these literary devices (figurative language) in our own writing and shared these poems with the class. Homework: READ! Journal entry #7

Spanish II: The verb sheets that we started today in class will be due on Monday, Sept 23rd. Check my blog franciscaroth.weebly.com for the list of verbs and book pages. Remember that you can use your new verb app if you have a smart phone, or else go to http://spanishconjugator.com/ to find the conjugation.

French I: Continue practicing your vocabulary for the quiz on Monday, and practice memorizing your skit. You will act out the skits tomorrow

Spanish (Tomlinson): Prepare for retake (study questions you answered incorrectly); continue to review flashcards and Etapa Preliminar for test on Wed. 9/25.  Flashcards and letter to a friend were collected!  

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we wrote a journal prompt and discussed several ideas for a middle school newsletter. Homework: Begin researching articles on your assigned newsletter topic. Begin organizing your facts/interview questions. Read your book.  

Algebra:  We took our quiz today.  Homework:  worksheet 2.1 (attached)

Tuesday, September 17

Science: Students turned in their "How Do Scientists Communicate" labs and we continued to work on getting to know how the CPO timers and photo-gates work. No homework!

Geometry: Quizzes were returned and we went over them. Students may do quiz corrections with explanations for partial credit, quiz corrections are due on Friday. We also completed the 1.6 notes on polygons, 1.6 worksheet is homework. Test on chapter 1 is Monday, September 23. 

Spanish (Tomlinson): re-take of Etapa Preliminar on Friday; test postponed until Wednesday (9/25).  Study flashcards, chapter in book or http://quizlet.com/26370058/etapa-preliminar-vocab-flash-cards/  on quizlet.  Chapter review distributed tomorrow (Wednesday).

C.Reading:  Reading Log due Monday.

Canvassar: Math:  Math packet homework.

Spanish II: Study all the verbs we went over today, for a verb quiz on Tuesday, Sept 24th

French I: Study vocab on pg 45 (the purple section) for a quiz on Monday, Sept 23rd

Algebra:  We have a quiz tomorrow.  It is covering sections 1.1 to 1.4.  We discussed simple interest today.  Homework:  Simple interest problems and review problems for the quiz.

ELA - We continued our study of poetry with Day 3 of our Writer's Workshop Launching Unit.  Students should still be reading every night and writing in their journals. Homework- Read, Journal entry #5

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we began with writing from a journal prompt. Continued with Reader's Workshop Lesson 2, and finished with Independent reading. (I assessed students while reading.) Homework: Bring in magazine or newspaper article for tomorrow. Continue to read from your book of choice.

Course 3: Today we talked about using variable in formulas.  Homework is worksheet 1.6, #1 - 10, and 17.

Humanities: Students observed Constitution Day by discussing some of the more interesting aspects of this important document.  Homework is to study for our Constitution post test. No current event this week.

Pre-Algebra: Today we used a problem solving four-square to work through word problems. We looked for patterns and used what we know about exponents to write a general expression for the pattern. HW: continue practicing powers and exponents by completing the back page (1.2 classwork) of the notes packet

Monday, September 16

Science:Today students were introduced to the CPO science equipment by investigating how a photo-gate is used to start and stop the timer. Final drafts of "How Do Scientists Communicate" labs are due tomorrow.

Corrective Reading:  Reading logs will be passed out today and due the following Monday.  Last weeks reading log is due today.

R.Room Math:  I am passing out a short math homework packet that needs to be returned to me by Friday.  Also, please practice your (X) facts daily.

Spanish II: Work on All About Me project. not due until October.

French I: Start practicing vocab words on the first section of pg 45 for a vocab quiz next week.

Chinese: We will continue on first speaking quiz, and take first dictation. 

Humanities: Students brainstormed Constitution facts prior to taking a Constitution pre-test in class. We will have a post-test on Wednesday. No homework.

ELA -Vocabulary Words of the week: (should be written in notebook in vocabulary section) pervaded - to spread throughout; faltered - to be unsteady in purpose or action.

Writer's Workshop Day 2 - See instruction/mentor text packet. Homework: Journal entry #4 - 20 ordinary things (see WW Day 2 packet). READ!

Geometry: Today we investigated other methods for completing constructions of segment and angle bisectors besides paper folding. We also went over the notes for section 1.5. Homework is the 1.5 worksheet. 

Spanish (Tomlinson): Write a letter (en espanol) to a friend in Chile.  Use a greeting, introduce yourself, tell where you are from, and ask that friend 3 questions.  Meet in hall for Computer Lab in Avery tomorrow.  

Algebra:  We discussed equations and inequalities.  We did several problems that will help students with their Problem Solving Workshop #1.  Homework is to finish any problems that we did not finish in class on worksheet 1-4 and to finish the PSW #1 (see Friday's blog if you lost your PSW #1)

Pre-Algebra: We finished up our discussion of writing a variable expression for word problems. We also review powers and exponents (1.2). HW. 1.2 (all) - you may use a calculator but all steps must be shown!

Course 3: Today we took a quiz on lessons 1.2 - 1.4.  We began doing one-step equations.  Homework is worksheet 1.5, #1-17.

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we practiced "Turn and Talk" with a Stargirl topic. We returned Stargirl, and began a Reader's Workshop lesson on our book of choice.  Independent reading time was given.  For Homework, read your book of choice. 

Friday, September 13

Science: Students peer-reviewed their "How Scientists Communicate" labs. Final drafts of labs are due on Tuesday and must be completed on students' own time as we will be moving on to our next unit in class on Monday.

Geometry: Took the chapter 1 quiz. Homework is to complete the 1.5 notes. Students should use their textbooks to help complete the notes!

Spanish II: map quiz on Monday. Practice the websites you learned about today at the lab.

French I (for the 8th graders in this class): Make sure your maps are finished by Monday. Practice the websites you learned about today at the lab.

Corrective Reading:  Reading Logs are due Monday.  Remember you need to pick a different readers response activity for each day.  You need to read 5 days, and do 5 different activities.

R. Room Math:  We will begin Number Worlds Monday.  Continue working on your X facts!

ELA - Students came to class prepared with their journals personalized and their novels ready to read!  We started our Writer's Workshop Launching Unit (Day 1 attached) and began our exploration of Poetry. Please remember to read every night...weekends too :)

Spanish (Tomlinson): Continue to practice vocab; look through Etapa Preliminar (test Friday 9/20). Enjoy the weekend. Lo siento!  anade por favor: Bring in  flashcards (actual cards or email electronic version).

Course 3: We reviewed for our quiz.  Quiz on lessons 1.2 - 1.4 is on Monday.  There is extra practice at the end of chapter on in the text (pages 46 and 47).  No homework.

Humanities: Students discussed sources for current events and shared current events in class. No homework.

Pre-algebra: Today we practiced translating verbal expressions to numbers and looked at writing expressions for word problems. HW: 1.1 "classwork" worksheet (front and back)

Algebra:  Assigned our first Problem Solving Workshop (PSW#1, answer sheet 1, answer sheet 2).  It is due on Tuesday.

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we discussed partner talks and read Stargirl. We checked out a book of choice in the media center. Homework- Finish Stargirl and begin reading a book of your choosing by Monday. 

Thursday, September 12

Science: Students worked on writing the rough draft of their lab report and we also went over the rubric and general lab report guidelines. Rough drafts are due tomorrow for peer review.

Geometry: Today students investigated angle classifications and took some notes on section 1.4. The 1.4 worksheet is homework. Tomorrow we will have our first quiz on sections 1.1-1.4.

Spanish II - no homework, Spanish II: map quiz on Monday, Sept 16th

French I - no homework

Chinese: Sign up for the Chinese Club can be found here!

Spanish (Tomlinson): Continue to Spanish translations of 26 vocab words/phrases for quiz tomorrow.

Pre-Algebra: Today we worked on evaluating expressions and began discussing how to translate verbal expressions to numerical expressions. Homework: 1.1 (1-25) Please remember to show all steps and label each problem.

Humanities: Students discussed current even expectations and analyzed possible we'd sources in class today. No homework, but please turn in parent signatures if you have not done so.

Course: Today we talked about variables and variable expressions.  Homework is worksheet 1.3,  9 - 16, 21 - 29.

Creative Writing: Today in Creative Writing we finished writing the argument pre-assessment essays and read Stargirl quietly when finished. Homework: Finish reading Stargirl by Monday. (9/16/13)

Algebra:  We talked about expressions, order of operations, and translating verbal expressions in to mathematical expressions.  All should be review.  Homework: 1.2 (attached)