Happy Memorial Day!!

I hope everyone has a GREAT Memorial Day!  Be safe and have fun!

This week in Math we will be finishing up Unit 5.  On Tuesday, we will be reviewing the four ways of solving quadratic equations (factoring, square root method, completing the square, and quadratic formula).  We will be having a quiz on these methods on Wednesday. On Thursday, students will receive a review for the rest of the unit, for our test on Friday. 

In Science we will be finishing up the Solar System Unit.  We will read about the size and composition of the sun.  We will also look at universal gravity and graph the various gravities of objects orbiting the sun.  We will finish up the unit with looking at the effects of gravity, before completing a review for the test which will be the following week.

In Advisory we will continue working on the review for the final!

Other notes:

• Washington DC Mandatory meeting - Wednesday 3:30pm
• Explore Test for 8th graders - Thursday morning

Any questions?  Just ask!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are continuing our solving of quadratic equations.  Last week we learned how to graph by factoring.  This week we will find an easy way to find the vertex of the function and use the vertex and the x-intercepts to make a rough graph.  Later in the week, we will look at how to solve equations that are not factorable by using the square root method, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula.

In Science we are going to look at the how to classify different objects in space, where we are in the solar system, and how far away all the planets are from each other, in the solar system.

In Advisory we will be starting a more intense review for the final.  I will be passing out a review sheet and giving suggested problems for you to study, to review all that was learned this year.

Questions? Just ask!

Space Superstars

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their Sun, Moon, and Earth Test:

• NiJaia (95%)
• DaShawn (95%)
• William (91%)
• Nate (82%)
• Christina (100%)
• Tyre (91%)
• Cameron (82%)
• Dominic (82%)
• Zoe (86%)
• Floyd (91%)
• Kahleel (82%)
• Patrice (95%)
• Laura (82%)
• Quishon (100%)
• Angelique (91%)
• Christina (100%)
• Treasure (86%)
• Marshell (82%)
• Nick (100%)
• Char (86%)

Way to go everyone!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be continuing our studies of quadratic functions.  We will focus this week in looking for other patterns to help us graph quadratics easily.  We will have a review of Lesson 5.1-5.2 on Wednesday with our Embedded Assessment #1 on Thursday.

In Science we will be having a Unit Review on Monday with our test on Tuesday.  Starting on Wednesdsay, we will start our last unit, focusing on the entire Solar System.

In Advisory we will start looking more in depth on topics that will be on the final.  This week we will review the differences between parallel and perpendicular lines and systems of equations.

Any questions?  Just ask!

Creative Moon Phases Project

I am so pleased with the creativity everyone had with creating the 8 major moon phases.  Below are some of the great projects that were completed:

Awesome job guys!  

One Tough Math Test

This was definitely one of the hardest math tests yet, but I want to send out a HUGE CONGRATS to the following people that received an 80% or higher on the test (Please note that I did "curve" the test, and I didn't count two of the questions, so 2 of your incorrect questions weren't counted against you!).  Everyone can check out engrade to see your most recent grade, or check out your grade in class tomorrow. 

• DaShawn 91%
• NiJaia 96%
• DeAnna 96%
• Christina 83%
• Zoe 96%
• Kevin 89%
• Ananda 83%

Congrats again.  Tomorrow we will be starting our last unit on Quadratic functions!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be finishing up Unit 4, by taking our test on Monday.  PLEASE refer to the study guides given in class on Thursday and Friday to help you study!  On Tuesday, we will start our last unit, Unit 5, dealing with Quadratic functions. 

In Science we are going to wrap up our unit on the moon, sun, and Earth, by completing a project regarding imaginary planets.  We will be comparing their rotation and revolution period with Earth, as well as their axis tilt and number of moons.  Students will work on the project on Tuesday and Wednesday, and have Thursday to present it in class.  Students will also get a review sheet at the end of the week to prepare for Monday's test.

In Advisory we are going to start a more rigorous review for the final.  A list of topics that will be covered on the final, will also be given.

Please note that information regarding Gateway Projects will be sent home on Monday.  PLEASE look over this information thoroughly and let me know if you have any questions.

If you have not turned in money for Cedar Point, but still plan to go, please turn in the money as soon as possible, along with the permission slip!

On Monday, we will finish up MAP testing, with the Language test.

Any questions?  Let me know!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will continue practicing to simplify rational expressions.  We will also keep working with multiplying and dividing those expressions and learn how to add and subtract them as well. At the end of the week, we will be reviewing for our test.  Tentatively, our Unit 4 test will be on Friday.  Since I was absent on Friday and there is a dance on Wednesday, I may push the test until next week, depending on how much extra review we need.  I will keep everyone updated as the week progresses.

In Science we are going to have our quiz about the moon phases.  Then we will start to wrap up this unit by looking at how the moon affects ocean tides and get a better understanding of ocean tides altogether.

In Advisory we will continue practicing skills we learned at the beginning of the year.  We will solidify x and y intercepts as well as slope and linear functions.  Either this week or next week we will complete the practice Explore test.

Reminders for this week:

• Math MAP testing will take place on Monday.
• The Spring Fling Dance is on Wednesday from 1-3pm.  Students that attend (tickets are $5 at the door) will be allowed free dress.
• There will be a District-wide Free Dress Friday this week for $1 (or more).  Proceeds of this fundraiser will go to the family of an elementary school student that attends Mark Murray Elementary School that was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic disease that leads to progressive brain damage and adrenal failure.  If you would like to donate more towards his care, that would be greatly appreciated!
• Students attending Washington DC are expected to have their final payment turned in by Monday this week!
• Money for Cedar Point is due on Friday, with your signed permission slip!

Any questions?  Let me know!

Weekly Notes

This week in Math we are going to continue factoring trinomials.  We did the "easy" trinomials last week, and now we will move to the harder ones, now that we understand the basic method for breaking them down.  Later in the week we will add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational expressions.

In Science we are going to finish up our ideas with moon phases.  Later in the week we will have a quick review and a quiz to show knowledge on everything we've learned this unit so far.

A few reminders:

• Reading MAP test is on Tuesday
• We will be discussing Gateway requirements during the week
• During Advisory we will continue starting our review for our last interim assessment and final exam.

Questions?  Let me know!

Welcome to 4th quarter

Today everyone's grades start out at 100%.  Will you keep your grade this high?  Remember, today is the starting period for qualifying for Cedar Point.  You are not able to fail more than one class with a 69% or below, or have 5 or more signatures on your card in order to go.

In Math this week, we will continue multiplying polynomials.  We will review what we learned before break, with multiplying binomials together (using FOIL or the graphic organizer), and then look into special cases of multiplying polynomials as well as bigger polynomials.  Later in the week we will study how to factor (deFOIL) problems from larger polynomials to smaller binomials.

In Science we are going to look at the moon and it's phases.  Hopefully everyone completed their moon phase sheet over break so we can learn the names of the phases and look at the cycle of moon phases a little better.  At the end of the week, we will look at a moon phase simulator on the computer and have a final discussion of moon phases.

In Advisory we are going to review major skills that we have learned over the year.  This will help us prepare for the final exam at the end of the year, as well as the last interim assessment which we will have later in May.

Don't forget you had 20 questions to complete over break.  Hopefully you have successfully completed it, because this will be your first grade for 4th quarter.  Let's finish strong everyone!  If you have any questions, let me know!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to continue looking at polynomials.  We will go from adding and subtracting polynomials to multiplying polynomials later in the week.

In Science we are going to further our studies on why the seasons occur.  We will then look at all the affects of the Earth rotating on it's axis and revolving around the Sun.

Remember, we do not have school on Friday, as well as all next week, for Spring Break.

Weekly News

This week in Math we will continue our studies of radicals.  Last Friday, we started with simplifying radicals as well as adding and subtracting them.  We will practice those skills this week in addition to multiplying and dividing them.  We will have our first quiz of this unit later in the week.

In Science we will be continuing our study of the Earth and the Sun and be able to completely explain the reason for the seasons that we have.  We will review what causes the day, the year, and the seasons, and wrap up the rest of the week with a quiz over what has been taught so far. 

In Advisory we will be using this time to practice working with radicals to better prepare us for the quiz we have at the end of the week.

Please remember that there is No School on Friday due to Teacher Professional Development.

Weekly News

This week in Math students will be continuing their studies of exponent rules.  We will look at negative powers, zero powers, as well as power of a power and quotient of a power.  Students will use all 6 exponent rules to simplify expressions.  For the remainder of the week, we will look at exponential growth and exponential decay situations and identify the type of equation and graph they each make.

In Science we will further our studies of the sun, moon, and Earth, by looking specifically at what happens to cause the day/night cycle that we have.  We will look at what happens when the Earth rotates and what gives us different time zones.  We will end the week by looking at what causes our seasons.

In Advisory we will be using this time to really solidify exponential rules and practice simplifying expressions with exponents.  We will also start going over practice problems for the upcoming interim assessment.

Questions?  Just ask!

Hip Hip Hooray!

I am pleased to announce the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on today's Math test for Unit 3:

• Cameron 81%
• DaShawn 100% (WOOHOO!)
• Khaila 81%
• Zoe 96%
• Tyre 92%
• Christina 96%
• Trinity 96%
• Kevin 100% (WOOHOO!)
• Troy 92%
• Katie 85%
• Treasure 81%
• Nick 81%
• Angelique 81%

Congratulations!  Way to go!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be completing our Unit 3 test (on Monday).  On Tuesday, we are going to start Unit 4, beginning with basic exponent understanding.  We will then look at rules with exponents and transfer that into simplifying expressions with exponents in them.

In Science we will be working on our new unit on the Earth in Space.  This unit focuses on the sun, the moon, and the Earth and all the relationships that the three objects have together - different shapes of the moon, how/why we have different seasons, the tides, etc.  We will be doing an experiment with shadows, relating it back to the movement of the sun through the sky. 

In Advisory we will be continuing our practice with skills from the interim assessment.  We will be using our dry erase boards and competing for class points, in order to review these skills.  If anyone wants to bring in dry erase markers for the boards, I will give 200 points for each marker, for your table. 

Remember, students have NO SCHOOL on Friday, due to teacher professional development. 

Any questions?  Please ask!

Science Rockstars

I am very impressed with the scores, overall, on today's Evolution test.  Today, I would really like to commend those students that received a 90% or higher.  Yes, you passed if you received an 80% or higher, but we need to kick it up a notch.  Those with a 90% or higher REALLY show that they know their stuff!  Congrats to:

• Kevin 93%
• Christina 90%
• Ananda 90%
• Trinity 93%
• Tyre 90%
• Khaila 97%
• Zoe 93%
• Quishon 90%
• Char 97%
• Patrice 97%

Keep it up guys!!!  Feel free to check out engrade to see your most up-to-date grade!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be wrapping up Unit 3.  We will be reviewing substitution and elimination methods of solving systems of linear equations.  We will then move to graphing systems of linear inequalities.  On Wednesday, we will be starting a 2 day review of Unit 3, for our test on Friday.

In Science we will be taking our Evolution Unit Test.  On Monday, we will finish our last activity and complete a rubric discussing dodo birds.  Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a review for the test that will take place on Thursday.  On Friday we will start our new unit on the planet, Earth.

In Advisory, we will use this time to go over skills that are needed for the upcoming math test since it contains a lot of skills.  Questions that students have should be asked during this time.  Also, aside from Monday, feel free to come up at lunch for help if more practice is needed.

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be studying how to solve systems of linear equations.  Students will learn about how to solve by graphing, elimination, and substitution and will be taught when to use each of the different methods.

In Science we will be looking at the differences of organisms based on skeletons (fossils).  We will also look at the different DNA sequences of different organisms and use it to classify animals.  At the end of the week, students will apply their understanding of natural selection by looking at a situation involving pigeons and dodo birds.

In Advisory students will continue practicing skills with inequalities, absolute values, and probability.  Please remember that on Wednesday, tic-tac-toe is due.  If you need more sheets, please make sure to complete what you have and have me check it ASAP!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Weekly News

This week in Math, we will be looking at the difference in equations between parallel and perpendicular lines, looking at the slopes of those lines.

In Science, we will be looking at the origin of species and how new species are created. We will discuss mutations and how they can affect any given species.

Remember, this week is a short week (2 days) because of mid-winter break. Students will be receiving homework over the break to practice the skills being taught, so they don't forget them in those days off. This assignment is due on Monday, when students return, and is NOT considered extra credit. Students should also be working on their tic-tac-toe assignments that are due the week after we come back from break. Students should have at least two good (over 70%) assignments done by this point.

Any questions? Let me know!

Embedded Assessment #1 Results

Sorry for the delay in results, but a round of applause is awarded to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on the first quiz of Unit 3:

• Kevin 85%
• Ravin 95%
• Christina 90%
• Ananda 80%
• Trinity 90%
• Khaila 85%
• Nick 95%
• Kavon 100%

Way to go guys.  As our skills get progressively more difficult please make sure you understanding the skills.  If you feel that you are getting behind and more and more confused, please ask for help sooner rather than later!  

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to learn how to graph inequalities on the coordinate grid.  On Wednesday and Thursday students will be completing Embedded Assessment #1 for Unit 3.  This assessment is on p.163 of their book so feel free to look at it ahead of time.  On Friday, we will begin to look at relationships between parallel and perpendicular lines.

In Science students will continue studying evolution.  On Monday we will finish our role-play of evolution theories.  Then we will look at the effect of the environment and the role of predation in the process of natural selection with a few activities for the remainder of the week.

In Advisory we will be looking at concepts that were done incorrectly on the second interim assessment. 

Any questions?  Please ask!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be starting Unit 3.  Unit 3 begins by teaching students about piece-wise functions.  Piece-wise functions are functions where there is more than one pattern within a set of data.
In Science students will continue the Evolution unit.  This week we will focus on geological time scales and relate them to personal time lines.  Students will also learn about the Law of Superposition and look at stratigraphic columns to help determine how old rock layers are.

In Advisory we will continue using this time to go over Math homework, as well as practice some of the skills that need extra practice from the 2nd Interim Assessment.

Any questions?  Please ask!

Unit 2 Test Scores

Congrats to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on their Unit 2 Math test:

• NiJaia 91%
• Cameron 82%
• Christina 86%
• Ananda 95%
• Trinity 95%
• Tyre 86%
• Khaila 82%
• Quishon 82%
• Nicholas 95%

Way to go!  On Monday we will be starting Unit 3!  Hope you are ready!!!!

Embedded Assessment #3 scores

I am saddened to say that a majority of the class didn't do as well as I had hoped for this quiz, even though it was very similar to the review that was given on Friday.  We will discuss how to bring this grade up, tomorrow.  In the meantime, I am VERY VERY proud of those students that did do extremely well on this quiz.  Congrats to:

• Kevin 87%
• Christina 93%
• Katie 100%
• Angelique 87%

Way to go you guys!  Keep in mind that our unit test is on Thursday.  Be sure to study extra hard for this one!  It is the first major test of the third quarter.

By the way, Engrade is currently updated to reflect your grade so far third quarter in math. Feel free to check it out!

Weekly News

This week in Math we are going to be reviewing Unit 2.  On Monday we will have our last Embedded Assessment (on p.131) of this unit.  On Tuesday and Wednesday we will be reviewing key concepts of the entire unit for the Unit Test on Thursday. 
In Science we are going to continue our Evolution unit.  We will be looking at various fossil activities to see what can be determine from fossils as well as the limitations that fossils have.  We will then turn to looking at the geological time scale, and how we can divide the time on Earth into different eras. 

Important dates:

• January, 30, 2012 - $70 due for students going to Washington DC
• February 3, 2012 - No school due to Teacher Data Day

Any questions? Let me know!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be finishing up Unit 2.  This will include reviewing x and y-intercepts as well as making equations from real-life situations.  At the end of the week, we will review these concepts and prepare for next weeks quiz (Embedded Assessment #3).  As a heads up, next week we will be reviewing the entire unit to prepare for the Unit 2 test.  If you are having difficulty in any of the topics discussed, it would be a good idea to get help sooner rather than later!

In Science we are going to be moving back into the books!!  Our first unit is on Evolution.  We will be starting the unit by looking at how the elephant has evolved over time and how some elephants have become extinct over the years.  This will move us into the study of fossils at the end of the week.

In Advisory we will wrap up our practice from the first Interim Assessment as we have our second assessment later in the week.

For those students that are going to Washington DC, the next payment of $70 is due on January 30th!

Weekly News

This week in Math we will be working on writing equations, given different types of information.  First we will be writing an equation, given a point and slope.  Then we will write equations given two points.  Finally, we will work on translating between point-slope form, slope-intercept form, and standard form.  On Friday, we will be looking more closely at x-intercepts and y-intercepts.

In Science we will be completing our last mini-unit on photovoltaic (solar) cells.  We will complete an investigation throughout the week, and answer analysis questions on Friday.

On Tuesday, we will be completing our MAP test for Math.  The goal number to be on grade level for the middle of 8th grade, is 232.

Please remember there is no school on Monday due to observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  See you Tuesday!

Embedded Assessment #3 Results

Congratulations to the following students for receiving an 80% or higher on today's Math quiz:

• NiJaia (100%)
• Tyre (100%)
• DaShawn (100%)
• Khaila (100%)
• Ananda (100%)
• Christina (106%)
• Dominic (88%)
• Trinity (106%)
• Angelique (94%)
• Laura (100%)
• Nick (106%)
• Troy (94%)
• Kiera (82%)
• Quishon (94%)
• Char (100%)
• Patrice (94%)
• Katie (94%)
• Kavon (94%)

Weekly News

Welcome 2012.  I hope everyone had a fantastic 2 weeks off and that you are feeling all rested and ready to go in this new year!

In Math we are going to continue Chapter 2, dealing with Linear functions.  We are going to start off by discussing the difference between direct and inverse variations and look more closely at the difference in the equations used for each one.  We will be completing Embedded Assessment #2 on Thursday (with a review on Wednesday).  On Friday, we will be reviewing slope-intercept form.

In Science we are going to start one of our last mini-units: Wet Cell Batteries. We will be looking at energy conversion and students will be creating and conducting an experiment that uses a wet cell chamber to convert chemical energy to electrical energy.

In Advisory we will be reviewing our last major topic from Quarter 1 Interim Assessment: Probability.  Students will ultimately be tested on all of these review topics on the next interim assessment.

Any questions for this week?  Feel free to ask!