Algebra Unit 2 Embedded Assessment #1 Results

Congrats to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on your quiz today:

• NiJaia (80%)
• Christina (90%)
• Nate (80%)
• Trinity (95%)
• Tyre (80%)
• DaShawn (80%)
• Quishon (100%) 
• Laura (80%)
• Katie (80%)
• Nick (90%)
• Char (80%)

Keep it up guys!!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be taking our first Embedded Assessment for Unit 2.  Students completed a review on Friday to help study for this quiz.  For the rest of the week, we will be looking at different situations that are linear, and use this information to review what was taught last year with "starting number" (y-intercept) and "pattern" (slope) and use it to make equations, graphs, and tables.
In Science we will be completing analysis questions based on our electric motor activity from last week.  We will then be taking a day to review sound, light, and electric motor concepts before our test on Wednesday.

This week we will be having a Career Fair on Thursday afternoon, allowing students to meet with and ask questions with adults of different careers.  Students are asked to come with questions to ask these adults, especially if they are interested in that career themselves. 

Since there were not enough students that paid the $50 deposit for Washington DC, the deadline has been extended until Monday, December 19th.  Please bring your money in by then, if you haven't done so already, and would like to attend the trip.

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to continue our understanding of functions, by specifically looking at linear functions.  A majority of this week will focus on the slope of a line and all the various ways you can determine slope of a line.  Friday we will be completing an Embedded Assessment.  As usual, feel free to look at it ahead of time to see what topics you should be studying.

In Science we are starting another mini-unit.  This unit is on Electricity.  We will start off by reading about different energy sources on Monday.  Later in the week, students will be creating a motor and a generator and noting the differences between the two.  We will end the week by reviewing these topics and answering analysis questions.

In Advisory we will spend some time going over homework from last week (last week's homework sheet is due on Tuesday) as well as reviewing ratios and probability.

Don't forget that if you plan on going to Washington DC, the $50 non-refundable deposit is due on Monday.

Super Science Students

Congrats to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on today's science quiz on sound and light waves:

• NiJaia (96%)
• Ananda (90%)
• Trinity (93%)
• Tyre (93%)
• DaShawn (87%)
• Marshell (100%)
• Christina (87%)
• Quishon (93%)
• Laura (93%)
• Katie (100%)
• Nicholas (83%)
• Kahleel (87%)
• Char (96%)
• Kavon (80%)
• Kiera (87%)
• Kyle (80%)
• Troy (96%)
• Angelique (96%)
• Patrice (90%)
• D'eja (96%)

Way to go!!!!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are starting Unit 2 - Linear Functions. We will be introducing relations and functions and figuring out how to determine if graphs or tables are functions using the vertical line test. Then, looking at functions, we will be determining the domain and range of those functions, using set notation.

In Science we will be answering our analysis questions from our sound activity on Friday. Then we will read a section regarding waves - sound and light wave characteristics, and answering analysis questions regarding that. At the end of the week, we wil be having a quiz over our short "Waves" unit.

In Advisory we will be continuing to practice skills from the last interim assessment. This week we will focus on analyzing graphs and proportions.

Any questions? Please ask!

Algebra Unit 1 Rockstars

A HUGE pat on the back to the following students who received an 80% or higher on today's Unit 1 Algebra test:

• Trinity (86%)
• Khaila (82%)
• Tyre (89%)
• Kevin (96%)
• Christina (89%)
• DaShawn (89%)
• Marshell (82%)
• Quishon (96%)
• Treasure (82%)
• Troy (86%)

Way to go guys! Keep it the great work as we move into Unit 2, dealing with linear functions.

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be wrapping up our first unit in Algebra - Patterns and Equations. On Monday, students will review absolute value equations and inequalities, that was taught last week. Then, Tuesday through Thursday will be spent reviewing each of the major sections of the unit, in order to prepare for Friday's unit test.

In Science we will be starting our next unit on "Waves, Electricity, and Magnetism". Our first section of the unit will be spent looking at waves - the different parts of waves, how waves are created, and the different types of waves. The rest of the week will be spent looking at sound energy and sound waves.

In Advisory we will be looking at various types of graphs. Although most students understand bar graphs, line graphs, and pie graphs, students have shown difficulty with understanding how to analyze the graphs correctly.

Remember, that I will not be there on Monday, but all work is to be completed by the end of the day and turned in to the sub. If you were absent on Wednesday, before Thanksgiving, it is your responsibility to get the notes from a classmate and complete all work as well! See you Tuesday!!

Light Unit Test Results

I am very pleased with the results of the Light Unit Test that you took today. Congrats to the following people who received an 80% or higher! (Feel free to check out engrade to see your most current grade in class too!)

• DaShawn 95%
• Dominic 100%
• Christina 100%
• Nate 90%
• Caron 81%
• Cameron 86%
• NiJaia 90%
• Ravin 86%
• Trinity 100%
• Khaila 95%
• Kyle 81%
• Quishon 90%
• Char 86%
• Kavon 86%
• Nick 95%
• Treasure 81%
• Patrice 90%
• Angelique 81%

Congrats again! Way to go!

Weekly News

Happy Thanksgiving Week! It's a time of year to appreciate the things we have and to acknowledge things we are thankful for. I am thankful for many things, but mostly thankful for my health and my family. What are you thankful for?

This week in Math we will be focusing on solving one-variable inequalities and compound inequalities. Students will solve them like multi-step equations, but will then have to graph their result on a number line based on the inequality given. On Wednesday, we will be discussing absolute value and will solve various absolute value equations.

In Science we will be wrapping up our unit on Light and Color. On Monday we will review the major concepts of the unit and on Tuesday we will have our Unit Test.

In Advisory we will continue practicing math skills that students have difficulty with, on their interim assessment. This week's skill is reading and interpreting various graphs.

Any questions? Please ask!

Science Spectrum Superstars

Today, we had a quiz on Lessons 4-6. The following students received an 80% or higher on the quiz:

• Trinity (80%)
• Nicholas (80%)
• Char (80%)
• Troy (80%)
• Christina (80%)
• D'eja (80%)

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to continue our focus of solving equations. Early in the week we will practice solving multi-step equations as well as give an explanation for each step that is completed. We will have a quiz on this (Embedded Assessment #2) on Thursday. On Friday, we are going to start learning about and solving inequalities.

In Science we are going to review activities 4-6 on Monday and have a quiz of this material on Tuesday. We will start Activity 7 on Tuesday, after the quiz. This activity will allow students to combine different beams of colored light to make other colors. Students will also look at the position of shadows and how they are affected by different colors of light. Later in the week, Activity 8 will be completed, which includes the idea of how much energy is transferred when light is used, and how long it takes for this light energy to be transferred.

In Advisory we are going to continue using it as extra Math time. We will go over homework problems from the week as well as review the skills that students had difficulty on, on the Interim Assessment that was completed 2 weeks ago.

Any questions? Just ask!

New beginnings!

Monday marks the first day of the second quarter. I found out on Friday that although I thought that grades were going to continue where you ended in first quarter, that is actually not the case. All grades are brand new as of Monday. That means that everyone starts out with 100% - an A! It is up to you to keep this grade. In Algebra, this is very important in making sure you keep a passing grade so that you can use this as High School credit. Every grade from here on out will be figured into your Algebra grade.

This week in Math we are going to first start off by reviewing the different types of numbers and properties. Unfortunately, fewer people did well on last week's quiz than I had hoped, so we are going to review all those topics first! Then for the rest of the week, we are going to start solving equations. Last year we did "solve for the unknown", also known as "one-step" and "two-step" equations. This week we are going to review that, but also add in "multi-step" equations and story problems. As mentioned above, it is critical to take good notes and use them for your class assignments, to make sure you are getting the procedure correct.

In Science we are continuing our study of color. We will be discussing why certain objects are certain colors and if those objects will always be that color, in an activity called "Is an orange always orange". We will also look more closely at combining colored light. This week we will also be having another quiz, so be sure to keep up with all the assignments and questions we go over in class.

Science Spectra-superstars

Today was our first quiz on Light and Color -- focusing mainly on the view of white light, using a diffraction grating or spectroscope. Congratulations to the following people for receiving an 80% or higher on this test.

• NiJaia 90%
• Kevin 80%
• Ravin 90%
• Christina 80%
• Caron 80%
• Trinity 100%
• Jerkirean 80%
• DaShawn 100%
• William 90%
• Khaila 80%
• Floyd 90%
• Marshell 80%
• Quishon 80%
• Laura 90%
• Nicholas 90%
• Kahleel 90%
• Kavon 90%
• Troy 80%
• Angelique 90%
• Patrice 90%

Also, feel free to check out engrade for your most up-to-date science grade. We won't have any other graded assignments this week so the grade that is listed on engrade is your grade for this quarter!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to continue looking at different sets of numbers. Friday we looked at whole numbers, natural numbers, and integers. This week we will add rational numbers and irrational numbers to that. We will also look at the different properties of numbers (commutative, associative, identities, and inverses). At the end of the week we are going to review Lessons 1.1 - 1.3 and have a quiz on Friday. This quiz will be the last grade for this quarter, which ends on Friday.

In Science we are going to continue looking at color and light. Last week we focused on looking at the spectra of white light and this week we are going to focus on looking at spectra of different color lights. Will the spectra look the same or will it look different?

Any questions about this week? Let me know!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be starting ALGEBRA!!! We will start this unit by investigating patterns. As most of you should remember, many of the graphs we make have patterns to them. We will be looking at patterns in tables and graphs. We will also recall how to make equations and expressions, and use them to solve different situations.

In Science this week we will be starting our unit on Light and Color. Our first sections to study are looking at the light spectrum and making and using a spectroscope.

Other news this week:

• We will be going on a field trip to Greenfield Village on Wednesday. We will be leaving at 10am and returning at 3pm. Students are expected to bring a bag lunch, unless they requested one from the school. Students must be in full uniform.
• On Thursday, from 5-7pm, there will be a Harvest Festival. Parents and students are welcome. Please be sure to return the form indicating that you will be in attendance if you plan to come. Extra forms can be found in the office. Students that attend the Harvest Festival will be given a ticket for free dress on Friday.
• On Friday, there is a school dance in the afternoon. Tickets are on sale during lunch, for $3, but if you wait until the day of the dance, tickets are $5.
• We only have 2 more weeks left this quarter. Please be aware of your grade and feel free to check out engrade whenever you need to, to double check your grades.

Questions? Let me know!

Pythagorean Theorem Rock Stars!

Congratulations to the following students that received an 80% or higher on today's quiz:

• William (110%)
• Ananda (110%)
• Jerkirean (110%)
• Michael (100%)
• Nate (90%)
• Tyre (90%)
• Kevin (80%)
• NiJaia (100%)
• Caron (100%)
• DaShawn (100%)
• Christina (100%)
• Ravin (90%)
• Cameron (100%)
• Trinity (100%)
• Kavon (90%)
• Kyle (90%)
• Laura (90%)
• Kiera (90%)
• Troy (80%)
• Nick (100%)
• Patrice (80%)
• Treasure (90%)
• Char (90%)
• Quishon (110%)
• Taylor (90%)
• Angelique (90%)
• Christina (90%)
• Marshell (100%)
• D'eja (80%)

Science Superstars

I am so proud of the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their first science test, based on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration:

• Ravin 87%
• Nate 87%
• Caron 95%
• DaShawn 95%
• Ananda 84%
• Khaila 87%
• Cameron 95%
• Christina 97%
• William 97%
• Trinity 97%
• NiJaia 87%
• Kevin 100%
• Laura 95%
• Kavon 89%
• Angelique 92%
• Patrice 89%
• Nick 95%
• Troy 84%
• Marshell 87%
• Christina 82%
• Treasure 97%
• Kyle 89%

Way to go everyone!!!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be finishing up our mini-unit on Pythagorean Theorem. Last week we found out how to use the theorem to solve problems of various types, and we proved the theorem as well. This week we are going to be given 3 side lengths and we have to use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine whether or not those 3 sides make a right triangle or a different kind of triangle.

In Science we are going to be finishing up our unit on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. We will be completing a review as well as a unit test during the week. Don't forget that since we have Science and Math MEAP this week, we will not be having science on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Any questions? Feel free to ask!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be starting Unit 6 -- Pythagorean Theorem. The Pythagorean Theorem is a formula that is used to find the length of any missing side of a right triangle, as long as you have measurements for 2 of the 3 sides.

In Science we will continue working on our mini-unit on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. We will be taking our Reading MEAP test on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, so we will not be completing Science on those days.

Do not forget to check out your grade on engrade (www.engrade.com). We have about 4 more weeks until the end of the first quarter, so you will want to make sure your grades are where they should be. You have only a limited time to improve those grades!

Unit 5 Test Results

The results are in. For the first test, this isn't bad at all! Congrats to the following students that received an 80% or higher on the test (don't forget to check out engrade if you want to see your current grade after this test was figured in):

• NiJaia 80%
• Kevin 88%
• Christina 85%
• Ananda 80%
• Trinity 98%
• Tyre 80%
• DaShawn 98%
• William 85%
• Laura 93%
• Nick 85%
• Char 88%
• Kyle 85%
• Angelique 83%
• Patrice 80%

Way to go! Keep it up!

Math Quiz #2

Today was Embedded Assessment #2. Here are the results:

• Dominic 90%
• NiJaia 93%
• Kevin 83%
• Christina 87%
• Trinity 87%
• DaShawn 93%
• William 83%
• Quishon 83%
• Laura 97%
• Katie 83%
• Nicholas 87%
• Char 90%
• Kiera 83%
• Kyle 83%

Congratulations to all the students that received an 80% or higher!

Weekly News

Happy October!

This week in Math, we will be finishing up Unit 5. On Monday we are going to look at graphs that are designed to mislead you and determine ways that people make graphs to make the data look different than what it really should look like. On Tuesday we will have a review for Embedded Assessment #2. Wednesday is the Quiz (Embedded Assessment). On Thursday we will have a review of the whole unit, with the Unit Test being on Friday.

In Science we are going to start a unit on Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration. Although we have talked about Photosynthesis in the past, this mini-unit will really go in-depth with this topic and how plants make their food.

Last Friday everyone received a username and password to be able to find out their grade at any time. Have you checked out your grade yet? Remember, everyone must bring the bottom of their paper back signed on Monday and if you logged in to see your grade and can tell me your Math and Science grade so far, you will receive extra credit!

Science Updates

Now that we've had some quizzes in Science, I want to congratulate the following students for maintaining an 80% or higher average after all of our MEAP review:

• NiJaia 88%
• Cameron 86%
• Ravin 83%
• Christina 90%
• Caron 91%
• Ananda 95%
• Trinity 83%
• Tyre 88%
• DaShawn 97%
• William 91%
• Khaila 90%
• Quishon 93%
• Katie 88%
• Nicholas 81%
• Char 81%
• Angelique 90%
• Treasure 87%

Congratulations again! I hope you keep it up when we start our normal 8th grade topics!

Weekly News

This week, in Math we will be continue our study of different graphs. Last week we looked at box plots, stem plots, and scatterplots. This week we will look further at scatterplots, double bar graphs, and line graphs. Students will also consider different situations where simulations are better to use than collecting actual data. We will look at various ways to conduct simulations, to understand this concept better.

In Science, we will be finishing our review of various scientific concepts, by looking at Earth Science topics. On Wednesday, students will be having a quiz on each section - physical, life, and earth, and will be able to use their completed worksheets from last week and this week to complete them. On Thursday, we will be playing Jeopardy as one final review.

In Advisory we will be using this time to extend our math understanding. We will be looking at the weekly homework and going over practice problems to help reinforce topics discussed during class. Students are urged to bring their math homework and binder to advisory to get the most out of this review/homework help time.

Any questions? Let me know!

Awesome Math Scores

It's crazy to think that we've already had our first major math quiz. This quiz was on probability and box and whisker plots. Congratulations on the following people for receiving an 80% or higher on this quiz.

• Trinity 86%
• Ananda 90%
• Kevin 93%
• Christina 83%
• DaShawn 93%
• Tyre 93%
• William 86%
• Troy 83%
• Treasure 93%
• Nick 83%
• Angelique 100% (AWESOME!!!)
• Quishon 86%
• Char 86%
• Laura 86%

Congrats again! If you found that you aren't on this list this time, it is very important for you to make sure you are focusing in class and doing everything that is asked. Concepts are going to become harder as we move through 8th grade, and I will try to make it as easy as possible for you, but you are still going to have to give 100% focus.

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to spend most of our time looking at graphs -- primarily box and whisker plots, stem and leaf plots, and scatterplots. Students will learn how to make them, read them, and analyze them. We will also review the measures of central tendency, as they relate to these different graphs.

In Science we will be continuing our review of Life, Physical, and Earth Science as we review for the MEAP test. Each day, we will focus on one of the major branches of science, reviewing 4 major concepts within each branch. This is an intense review since it covers material learned in 5th - 7th grades, so students are strongly urged to stay focused and take notes to review all this information as weeks get closer to MEAP testing in October.

In Advisory we will continue spending our time reviewing math concepts from last year. Using the pre-test that was taken the first week of school, students will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding any information they are unsure of. Again, as with science, it will be in the students best interest to come to class focused and take notes on anything that is new to them, so they can review it before MEAP.

Any questions? Feel free to contact me, or leave a message under this post!

Science questions

Some questions came up in class. Be the first to answer them on the blog (with your name) and receive extra credit!

1) Why is symbol for Iron, Fe?

2) What is a metalloid?

Weekly News

This week we will be starting our "normal" days, with Science and Social Studies in the morning and Math and ELA in the afternoon.

In Math we will be starting a unit on probability and statistics. We will first start with using the common rock, paper, scissors game to look at experimental versus theoretical probability. We will then use Tree and Venn Diagrams to determine various probabilities for specific events. Towards the end of the week we will review measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, range) and also discuss outliers. Using this data we will begin to understand and create box and whisker plots, after identifying median, lower quartile, upper quartile, minimum and maximum.

In Science we will be using our practice MEAP test as a basis for review for this years Science MEAP. Since the Science MEAP covers material from 5-7th grade, we will be spending each day going over major concepts taught in these 3 years. I will basis each day's lesson off of the questions that a majority of students got incorrect from their test last week.

In Advisory we will be using this time to review major concepts from Math last year, for this year's MEAP test. Students took a practice test last week as well, and we will go over questions that many students got incorrect. We will also have a few mini-lessons to teach concepts that were never taught last year because we ran out of time.

I look forward to starting the year off on a good note. Please remember on Monday to bring all of your supplies to class. For Science, you need a notebook (which you are to purchase on your own, or purchase one from me for $.25). For Math, you need to bring your binder and notebook that I provided to you. Remember, you need your planner for each and every class!

Welcome back 8th grade leaders!

I am so happy to be starting a brand new school year. I can't believe how much you all have grown in the past 3 years! I look forward to working with you this year and preparing you even more for high school.

Today in school you received the following pieces of information. Please review them with your family and return them to school, signed, ASAP:

• Communication Log (just to be filled out -- nothing to review)
• Classroom expectations
• School-wide expectations

Please remember that YOU are the leaders of the school this year.  Especially since we are working more closely with our fellow 6th and 7th graders on our floor, it is important that you hold yourself to a high standard.  Those younger students are looking up to you...you are the role model!  

I'm bbbaaaaccccckkkk!

I couldn't stay away for the last week of fun! But, before the fun can begin, we have one last science quiz and test to take. Congrats to the following people who received an 80% or higher on today's science quiz. Remember, there was lots of extra credit, so those above 100% get a double congrats!!

• NiJaia 128%
• Cameron 100%
• Christina 128%
• Ananda 100%
• Richard 100%
• Michael 100%
• Nate 128%
• Trinity 128%
• Jerkirean 114%
• DaShawn 128%
• William 100%
• Khaila 142%
• Chandler 114%
• Quishon 100%
• Laura 142%
• Nick 86%
• Char 128%
• Kavon 100%
• Kiera 86%
• Troy 128%
• Angelique 128%
• Patrice 114%

Great way to end the year. I hope you all do just as well on Wednesday's test! Congrats again!

The boys are here...

Everything went as planned on Thursday and two very healthy boys were born.

Logan Matthew Perez was born at 3:04pm (6 lbs and 8 oz.) and Ellis Steven Perez was born at 3:05pm (5 lbs and 15 oz.)

We are all home from the hospital now and things are going well. Here are a few pictures of the boys..

All bundled up and sleeping peacefully (Logan on the left and Ellis on the right)

Ellis

Logan (unfortunately I got his picture when he was crying!)

Ellis is on the left and Logan is on the right

I hope all is well at school! Talk to you soon!

Moving Straight Ahead Test Results

Awesome, awesome, AWESOME job everyone. I am very pleased with how well you did with this unit (it's considered the hardest one in 7th grade). All I ask now is that you don't forget it all for next year! =) Congrats to everyone who received an 80% or higher on this test.

• Trenton (90%)


• NiJaia (82%)


• Christina (90%)


• Caron (87%)


• Richard (100%)


• Nate (87%)


• Trinity (95%)


• Jerkirean (95%)


• DaShawn (100%)


• William (97%)


• Khaila (100%)


• Deacon (100%)


• Chandler (87%)


• Marshell (93%)


• Quishon (103%)


• Laura (95%)


• Katie (82%)


• Jordan (90%)


• Nick (100%)


• Char (103%)


• Kavon (93%)


• Kyle (85%)


• Troy (98%)


• Patrice (103%)

Please, please, please keep up the great work while I'm gone! I will miss you all, but I will see you soon!

Investigation 4 Quiz Results...

Congrats to the following students that received an 80% or higher on the last quiz for "Moving Straight Ahead". Let's hope that everyone keeps up the great work for the test next week!

• Chandler (85%)
• Marshell (90%)
• Quishon (95%)
• Laura (95%)
• Katie (85%)
• Jordan (85%)
• Nick (95%)
• Char (95%)
• Kavon (95%)
• Kiera (80%)
• Kyle (85%)
• Angelique (90%)
• Patrice (90%)
• Tyree (85%)
• Trenton (95%)
• NiJaia (95%)
• Cameron (90%)
• Christina (95%)
• Richard (90%)
• Nate (95%)
• Trinity (95%)
• Jerkirean (100%)
• DaShawn (100%)
• William (90%)
• Khaila (95%)
• Deacon (95%)

Awesome work everyone! I look forward to you all doing this well (if not better) on the test next week!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be finishing up the book "Moving Straight Ahead". Investigation 4 deals with understanding "slope" and using it along with "y-intercept" to be able to graph linear equations. Students should be able to identify slope and y-intercept using a graph, table, and equation.

In Science students will continue studying genetics but looking at the difference between asexual and sexual reproduction. Students will then look at the probability of inheriting various genes from their parents and further understand the difference between dominant and recessive genes.

FYI: Please remember that this will be my last full week at school before I leave on maternity leave. Because I won't be there, this blog will not be updated weekly with what we are doing in class or quiz/test results. Please contact Ms. Fisher if you have any questions regarding what you are doing on a weekly basis, or what type of progress you are making in math and science.

Investigation 3 Math Quiz

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their Investigation 3 Math Quiz today, based on solving two-step and multi-step equations:

• NiJaia (85%)
• Cameron (85%)
• Christina (100%)
• Caron (85%)
• Ananda (92%)
• Nate (85%)
• Trinity (100%)
• DaShawn (100%)
• William (92%)
• Khaila (100%)
• Deacon (85%)
• Chandler (92%)
• Quishon (92%)
• Laura (92%)
• Katie (85%)
• Nick (92%)
• Char (100%)
• Kavon (85%)
• Troy (100%)
• Angelique (92%)
• Patrice (92%)

What a great job everyone! Keep it up for Investigation 4 next week and the test the following week!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will continue our use of pouches and coins to understand the idea of solving equations. We will move from the visual idea of how to do it, to the more symbolic way of doing it with numbers and variables. By the end of the week, students should have a very good idea of how to solve different types of equations, using the same process we used with the pouches and coins.

In Science we will be starting a new unit on "Genetics". Since our last unit on "Cells" was very short and this unit ties into it quite well, we will not be testing the "Cells" unit separately, but will have one big test at the end of the "Genetics" unit. We will start the unit by looking at traits for 6 human characteristics. We will then look at the purpose of genetic testing and different types of reproduction that could cause a trait to be carried down to offspring.

Any questions? Feel free to email me or leave a comment!

Science Notebook Quiz scores

I'm happy that a majority of you are keeping good notebooks with correct answers, good vocabulary books and, keeping up with worksheets from readings and experiments. Congratulations to the students with an 80% or higher on this quiz:

• NiJaia (100%)
• DaShawn (92%)
• Christina (100%)
• Richard (100%)
• Jerkirean (85%)
• Trinity (100%)
• Nate (96%)
• Cameron (85%)
• Caron (92%)
• Ananda (92%)
• Khaila (100%)
• Jordan (100%)
• Patrice (85%)
• Quishon (92%)
• Troy (92%)
• Nick (85%)
• Char (100%)
• Kavon (100%)
• Laura (100%)
• Katie (100%)
• Angelique (92%)

Congratulations again everyone! Have a good 3-day weekend!

Math Rockstars, yet again! =)

I am so pleased with the level of understanding that the students are showing with our most difficult unit so far this year. Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their Investigation 2 Quiz:

• Trinity (87%)
• Richard (80%)
• William (100%)
• Cameron (87%)
• DaShawn (93%)
• Nate (90%)
• Caron (93%)
• Ananda (100%)
• Christina (93%)
• Khaila (80%)
• Trenton (87%)
• Deacon (80%)
• Jerkirean (87%)
• Marshell (100%)
• Laura (87%)
• Katie (97%)
• Jordan (93%)
• Nick (100%)
• Char (100%)
• Kavon (93%)
• Kyle (87%)
• Troy (87%)
• Angelique (87%)
• Patrice (93%)
• Tyree (80%)
• Quishon (100%)

Awesome job everyone! Keep it up!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be continuing our study of equations. On Monday, we will review topics from Investigation 2 and have our quiz on Tuesday. On Wednesday, we will be starting Investigation 3, which deals with solving equations. Although we have dealt only with equations on a few situations, students will be able to practice 2-step equations and multi-step equations in order to solve problems instead of always relying on a table or graph.

In Science we will continue our study of cells. We will address the concepts of cell respiration, functions of the cell membrane, and the general structure of all cells. We will also talk about the relative size of cells and determine how they can function so well when they are so small.

In Advisory we will use our time to have class meetings and address concerns that students have.

Please remember that there is no school for students on Friday due to Teacher Professional Development.

Any questions? Let me know!

Science questions..

In science today, a lot of questions arose that I didn't have answers for. Feel free to do some research to answer any of the following questions and post them as a comment. Extra credit goes to the students that have the correct answers!

• Explain, in detail, the pasteurization process.
• When was soap made/created/used?
• When were outhouses used?
• When did people start to have plumbing in their house to allow for running water and toilets to be used?
• Any other questions that you had? Just comment and tell me the question you had and what the answer is!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to continue our work with linear relationships, found in tables, graphs, and equations. Students are going to be given multiple scenarios where they have to find out when and where two linear relationships will cross (or in real-life scenarios, this means where the values of two different relationships will be the same). They will be introduced to the mathematical terms "y-intercept" and "coefficient" and realize that they already know what these are, but just haven't known the technical word to it yet. At the end of the week, students should have a basic understanding of the role of the y-intercept and the coefficient in tables, graphs, and equations.

In Science students will look at different infectious diseases and learn about scientific discoveries regarding these different diseases. Students will also be able to look at various types of cells and analyze the similarities and differences among these cells.

I look forward to seeing everyone after their week long break. I hope everyone is well rested and ready to finish out the second trimester strong! PS -- only 2 more weeks of the second trimester. This gives you only a short time to improve your grade if you weren't happy with your progress report last week.

Moving Straight Ahead -- literally...

I am very impressed at how easily the students remembered all the graphing ideas that we learned at the beginning of the year in September...they really are moving straight ahead in their education. In this book we are going to further study linear relationships, and so far we have some very good results. The following students received above an 80% on today's Investigation 1 quiz:

• Trenton 91%
• NiJaia 109%
• Christina 109%
• Caron 82%
• Ananda 91%
• Richard 109%
• Nate 100%
• Trinity 100%
• DaShawn 109%
• William 91%
• Khaila 100%
• Deacon 109%
• Chandler 100%
• Marshell 91%
• Laura 86%
• Katie 100%
• Jordan 100%
• Char 82%
• Kavon 91%
• Troy 100%
• Angelique 91%
• Osaze 91%
• Patrice 82%
• Kiera 82%

Congrats and keep up the great work!!!

Weekly News

This week in Math, we will continue our first Investigation of "Moving Straight Ahead". This investigation is a good review of how to build tables, graphs, and equations, looking at various real-world situations. Students should use this investigation to review how the pattern shows up in the table, graph, and equation, and most importantly, how to determine the numbers used in an equation. We will review this unit on Thursday, and have a quiz on Friday.

This week we will not be doing Science lessons as normal because of Exhibitions.

In Advisory students will be presenting their exhibition. If you have any questions regarding this exhibition and the requirements set forth, please refer to previous blog postings, or the exhibition rubric passed out in class last week.

The exhibition schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday - 9:15am - Michael, 1:30pm - William, 2pm - DaShawn, 2:30pm - Richard
• Wednesday - 1pm - Deacon, 1:30pm - Jerkirean, 2pm - Christina, 2:30pm - Trinity
• Thursday - 1pm- Ananda, 1:30pm - Trenton, 2pm - Khaila
• Friday - 1pm - Nate, 1:30pm - NiJaia, 2pm - Caron, 2:30pm - Cameron

Any questions? Let me know!!!

Math ROCKSTARS!!

I am so very pleased to announce the following good news. Congrats to the students receiving over an 80% on the Comparing and Scaling Unit Test. Even more, congrats to the students who did some extra credit and got even above a 100%!!!!

• DaShawn (113%)
• Christina (108%)
• Trenton (100%)
• Ananda (83%)
• Trinity (110%)
• Deacon (82%)
• William (109%)
• Khaila (102%)
• NiJaia (104%)
• Caron (97%)
• Cameron (94%)
• Richard (108%)
• Nate (92%)
• Floyd (85%)
• Char (105%)
• Laura (91%)
• Troy (106%)
• Angelique (89%)
• Marshell (83%)
• Katie (103%)
• Kyle (100%)
• Jordan (89%)
• Patrice (105%)
• Nick (103%)
• Osaze (95%)
• Kavon (86%)

WOW!!! I am so pleased by these scores. I hope you keep it up!!!

Investigation 4 Quiz Results are in...

Congratulations and a BIG high five to all the following people for receiving over an 80% on their Investigation 4 quiz. I hope you keep up the momentum and do this well (if not better) on the test on Wednesday:

• Caron (83%)
• Khaila (96%)
• Trenton (96%)
• Nate (92%)
• Trinity (100%)
• DaShawn (96%)
• Ananda (88%)
• Christina (100%)
• Floyd (88%)
• NiJaia (92%)
• William (83%)
• Richard (100%)
• Kyle (96%)
• Katie (100%)
• Jordan (88%)
• Angelique (92%)
• Troy (96%)
• Osaze (92%)
• Kavon (83%)
• Char (92%)
• Chandler (100%)
• Marshell (92%)

WOW! I LOVE that the list is getting longer with each quiz. Keep it up everyone!

Weekly News

This week in Math, we'll be finishing up our unit on "Comparing and Scaling". On Monday, we'll be taking our Investigation 4 Quiz. On Tuesday, we'll be reviewing the entire unit, recalling information regarding ratios, fractions, differences, percents, rates of change, unit rates, and proportions. Students will complete a study guide that they should study from, for the test on Wednesday. On Thursday, we'll be starting our next algebra unit entitled "Moving Straight Ahead". In this unit, we'll pick up where we left off in "Variables and Patterns" (our first book), and continue our studies in graphing, making tables, making equations, and solving equations (solve for the unknown). STUDENTS -- PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR GRAPH PAPER STARTING ON THURSDAY. I will have some graph paper for your use, but each day you don't have your own paper, you will get points deducted from your table!!!

In Science we will be starting a biology unit. We will begin by looking at infectious diseases, which will give the students an idea of how some diseases are spread from one person to another, such as with colds and the flu. We will do a model of this type of "spreading" of diseases, and then look further into what things contribute to disease transmission (moving from one person to another). This unit is very helpful especially this time of year, so I'm hoping students learn a lot from these activities.

In Advisory students will be practicing their exhibitions in small groups. Students will be expected to email me their presentation or have it on a flash drive to use with the smart board, in order to practice it. Exhibitions are next week, so students might also use advisory time to work on writing out notecards, making an agenda, or practicing in other small groups. This is the time to make sure everything is just perfect, so please use this time wisely!! If you have not signed up for an exhibition, please do so quickly, before the "good times" run out!

Any questions? Let me know!

Chemistry Unit Test results...

I apologize for the delay in scores for all you ansy people =), but congratulations to the following people for receiving an 80% or higher on their unit test. This was a very long unit, so I am impressed at all that you guys learned and remembered since November!

• DaShawn (95%)
• Cameron (91%)
• NiJaia (91%)
• Richard (91%)
• Jerkirean (80%)
• Trinity (97%)
• Khaila (82%)
• William (82%)
• Christina (97%)
• Ananda (85%)
• Jordan (91%)
• Angelique (91%)
• Patrice (100%)
• Troy (97%)
• Katie (91%)
• Marshell (94%)
• Chandler (88%)
• Osaze (85%)
• Kyle (82%)

Way to go guys! I hope you continue this high level of work as we start our new unit next week!

Another snow day!

It's another snow day everyone! Enjoy another day off! Remember tomorrow will be your science test and your last check-in for advisory!! See you then!

Snow day!!!

In case you haven't heard yet, we are officially closed for tomorrow. Enjoy your day off, but don't forget that you have math homework to do and a Science Test on Thursday!!

It's Exhibition Time!

It's about that time again! Exhibitions will be the week of February 14th-18th, and the times offered are: 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, or 2:30pm daily. Please make sure to return the form sent home or respond on this blog entry to confirm your time. It is first come, first serve, so please try to decide quickly in order to ensure you get the time that you want.

Notes about exhibitions:

• Students are required to have a powerpoint presentation. They should have a slide for EACH project that they have and it should reflect whatever it is they are talking about (bullet points of the information, pictures reflecting their information, etc.). They should not merely have "MATH" as a slide that they are going to show while they read information for it.
• Students may want to have note cards to help them remember information, but they should never have to read directly off the notecards. Remember, they are the "professional" of this career so they should know the information well enough that they can just speak from knowledge about it, using the notecards as a back-up.
• Students are required to have 3 Math projects, 2 ELA projects, 2 Science projects, 2 Social Studies, and 2 Personal Qualities projects.
• Students must show depth of knowledge in each topic. Many students know basic information of their career, but their job is to research information to add to that basic information to make it "new" information. They don't want to bore the class with information that everyone already knows.
• Students have 15-20 minutes to present their exhibition. Any time over or under this timeframe will result in a deduction of points. It is their responsibility to practice their exhibition to make sure they are within this timeframe.

Again, feel free to respond on this blog posting, or send the note in with the date and time you choose. I will then confirm the choice you have suggested so you can know exactly when your child's time is going to be. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.

Weekly News

This week in Math, we'll be finishing up Investigation 4 of Comparing and Scaling. This investigation deals with writing and solving proportions and is a wrap-up of what we've done for the entire unit. We will be finishing up Investigation 4 on Tuesday, with a review on Wednesday and a quiz on Thursday. On Friday, we'll start a review of the entire book for our test next week.

In Science we will be finishing up our chemistry unit. On Monday the students will get a review sheet to complete in class and we'll go over all the answers on Tuesday, with the Unit Test being on Wednesday. Starting on Thursday we'll start our new unit, with our first lesson being on Infectious Diseases.

In Advisory students will be expected to show me their last section by Friday. At this point all of their sections should be done and they should be preparing their notecards and agenda's for their exhibition. Remember, if you check-in before Friday with all 5 sections, you will be given the "exceeding" mark for "preparation" at exhibitions. Any students that have had to go to Wallstreet because they are behind in work will receive a lower grade since they haven't kept up with the work throughout the check-in process. Exhibitions will be the week of February 14th. Notes will be going home this week to sign up for a date and time.

Any questions? Let me know!

Investigation 3 Quiz results....

Congratulations on the phenomenal scores from this quiz today. Extra credit was given for students that found the difference between the prices at each of the stores for the various problems, so an extra WOOHOO to those with over a 100%!!!

• Jerkirean 100%
• Khaila 109%
• Trenton 100%
• NiJaia 91%
• Michael 82%
• Ananda 100%
• Richard 100%
• Nate 118%
• DaShawn 127%
• Trinity 109%
• Christina 109%
• Char 127%
• Marshell 91%
• Laura 100%
• Osaze 91%
• Chandler 127%
• Patrice 127%
• Angelique 100%
• Kyle 118%
• Troy 118%

Congrats again! Keep it up!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will continue our studies on rates. Students will be looking at unit rates (the amount for one of something) AND will be able to determine how to set up the rate to solve (which number goes on top of the fraction and which number goes on the bottom). Students will have a quiz at the end of the week over these skills.



In Science we are going to continue talking about various ways of handling waste. We have already talked about dilution and incineration, so now we will look at "reclaiming metal". Towards the end of the week, we will start reviewing for the Unit Test for next week.



In Advisory students should be done with 4 of their 5 projects. Any students that are not caught up with all their projects will have Wallstreet until they are done with them. Our last check-in is on Friday, February 4th.

Any questions? Let me know...

Investigation 2 Quiz Results Are In!!!!

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their quiz:

• Ananda 86%
• Richard 93%
• DaShawn 100%
• Trinity 100%
• Cameron 86%
• Jerkirean 90%
• William 90%
• Nate 86%
• Troy 86%
• Kyle 100%
• Marshell 93%
• Chandler 93%
• Laura 93%
• Char 100%
• Angelique 100%
• Nicholas 90%
• Osaze 93%

Congrats again and keep up the good work!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be continuing our study of ratios. On Tuesday we will review information from Investigation 2 and have a quiz on Wednesday. On Thursday, we will start Investigation 3 where we will study the idea of unit rates. Friday we will continue this as we look at speed.

In Science we will start out the week finishing our experiment from Thursday regarding open and closed systems. We will complete one more chemical reaction and discuss the changes in mass between the experiments. Later in the week, we will be looking at the concept of incineration as a possible way to get rid of waste (and compare it to dilution that we already talked about last week).

In Advisory it is expected that students are finishing up their 4th project (ELA, Social Studies, or Science). A check in will take place later in the week to check for this project to be done. Unfortunately a few students never checked in their third project, so they have now received a zero for preparation of that project. Although I still want to see that it is done, it will be marked down as "late" at this point. Please do not fall behind -- exhibitions will be here before we know it!

Remember, there is no school on Monday in honor of MLK Day. Enjoy and see you Tuesday!

Comparing and Scaling Investigation 1 Quiz...

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their first quiz --

• Cameron (80%)
• Christina (95%)
• Richard (90%)
• Nate (83%)
• Trinity (100%)
• DaShawn (88%)
• Chandler (80%)
• Marshell (90%)
• Adam (83%)
• Laura (88%)
• Katie (90%)
• Char (90%)
• Kavon (80%)
• Kyle (85%)
• Troy (90%)
• Angelique (95%)
• Osaze (80%)
• Patrice (90%)

Well done class! I hope this great work continues as we move into Investigation 2, tomorrow!!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to take our first quiz for Comparing and Scaling. Then for the rest of the week, we are going to continue our study of ratios (part to part and part to whole) in different real-life situations to see how they are used on a daily basis. We will analyze data also to determine which ratios are better in different scenarios.

In Science we are going to be finishing up our investigation on diluting the copper chloride mixture from the circuit boards last week. We are going to talk about how much it has to be diluted in order to make it okay to dump in the water supply. We will also look at the Law of Conservation of Mass in a closed and open system, as well as look at incineration as a method for handling toxic wastes.

In Advisory, students should continue working on their projects. Most students checked in their third section on Friday, but the following students still need to check-in:

• Cameron (1 more needed for ELA and 2 for personal qualities)
• Damera (Math, ELA, and personal qualities)
• Christina (your third section is still needed)
• Caron (Math, 1 more for personal qualities, and ELA)
• Ananda (your third section is still needed)
• Richard (your third section is still needed)
• Michael (1 more for ELA)
• Nate (1 more for ELA)
• Jerkirean (your third section is still needed)
• Deacon (1 more for ELA)

Our next check-in for the 4th section is on 1/21/11. You can always check in early too!!

Don't forget, due to Teacher Professional Development, there will not be school for students on Friday, 1/14/11.

Happy 2011!!

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday break and is ready to come back to school in 2011!

Remember, there is no school on Monday, January 3 for teacher development.

This week in Math students will be starting a new unit called "Comparing and Scaling". This unit continues to discuss scale factor and the idea of proportions. Students did very well with the last book, so I anticipate that students will be just as successful with this book. This first week of the unit students will be looking at comparison statements that are used by various companies in the real-world and they will be asked to judge the quality of these statements mathematically. REMEMBER -- if you had homework to do over break (mandatory for students under an 80% in class -- extra credit for those that were above an 80% in class), it is due on Tuesday!!!!

In Science we will continue our Chemistry Unit and will look at circuit boards. Students will get the chance to actually "etch" a circuit board (more information on what that means will be given in class!) using a copper chloride solution. Then, we will use the copper chloride solution to further investigate the concentration of copper chloride.

In Advisory it is expected that students will be ready to check in their ELA projects on Friday. Although I hope that everyone was able to spend some quality time with their family and relax over break, I hope some time was used for project work.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday. Enjoy your last day off tomorrow!!