12-20-07 Homework Post (A Day)

For information regarding the Shaw Overnight Trip, please consult the sheets you have taken home or download them in the science section of this blog.

Literacy:

Of Mice and Men essays were due on Tuesday. You will get them back after break.

Homework:

Have a great break! Enjoy yourself. Choose a book to read and dive into it. Bring home your writer’s notebook and consider doing some writing to get third quarter off to a strong start.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

Today students learned about parallel and perpendicular lines.

Homework:

• The homework is to post three replies to service project discussions in the new “Final Service Project Discussions” forums.
• Then go to the “Ideas for Cashing In team Credit Points” discussion and either post one original idea for a reward, or post three replies to other students’ ideas.

Challenge Algebra -

In class today, student took their final test of the year!

Homework:

• NONE

Science

We discussed our upcoming overnight trip (set for January 9-11). If your child does not bring the form home for you to see, you can download a copy here. There is a small cost associated with the trip ($35), but it is sure to be a great outing! A permission slip can also be downloaded here. WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE OVERNIGHT (JAN 9-11). PARENTS, PLEASE CONTACT MR. WILMSMEYER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!!

Homework:

Autobiographies are due Thursday and Friday (as students have science class).

Social Studies:

Go to Clayton Online Learning and view the philosophy discussions. Post at least twice either directly in response to a question or as a reply to another’s post.

Read and outline notes pp. 130-140. Due after winter break!!

12-19-07 Homework Post (B Day)

See the Science section for all your overnight paperwork needs!!

Literacy:

All Of Mice and Men essays were due on Tuesday. If you have not turned in an essay, then tomorrow would be the very last day to earn partial credit.

Homework:

None. See above.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

In class, students discussed finding intersection points to solve systems of equations using graphing calculators.

Homework:

• The homework is to post three replies to service project discussions in the new “Final Service Project Discussions” forums.
• Also, post either one idea for a reward for team credit, or three lengthy replies to other students’ ideas.

Science

We discussed our upcoming overnight trip (set for January 9-11). If your child does not bring the form home for you to see, you can download a copy here. There is a small cost associated with the trip ($35), but it is sure to be a great outing! A permission slip can also be downloaded here. WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE OVERNIGHT (JAN 9-11). PARENTS, PLEASE CONTACT MR. WILMSMEYER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!!

Homework:

Autobiographies are due Thursday and Friday (as students have science class).

Social Studies:

Go to Clayton Online Learning and view the philosophy discussions. Post at least twice either directly in response to a question or as a reply to another’s post.

Read and outline notes pp. 130-140. Due after winter break!!

12-18-07 Homework Post (X Day)

Today was broken into two blocks of speakers. Our morning speakers spoke to the students in a split session. The boys went to the auditorium for a testicular cancer lesson. Girls had several speakers lead lessons on breast cancer. We ended the day with Dr. Shaner presenting a slideshow on sexually transmitted diseases.

Literacy:

Students turned in their Of Mice and Men essay to Ms. Baker today.

Homework:

None. Take a break.

Mathematics:

NO Homework!!!

Science

Autobiographies are due on Thursday and Friday!!!

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Read and outline notes pp. 130-140. Due after winter break!!

12-17-07 Homework Post (B day)

Check the science section for news about our upcoming overnight outing!

Literacy:

Students did independent reading, worked on drafts for writing contests, built vocabulary through freerice.com, and posted to new forums on Clayton On-Line Learning.

Homework:

All essays, regardless of class period, will be due on Tuesday morning. These essays will need to be at least five paragraphs, typed, double-spaced, and final draft quality.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

Today students learned about parallel and perpendicular lines. Then we learned how to use and troubleshoot the graphing calculator.
Homework:

• The homework is to post three replies to service project discussions in the new “Final Service Project Discussions” forums.

Science

We discussed our upcoming overnight trip (set for January 9-11). If your child does not bring the form home for you to see, you can download a copy here. There is a small cost associated with the trip ($35), but it is sure to be a great outing! A permission slip can also be downloaded here. WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE OVERNIGHT (JAN 9-11). PARENTS, PLEASE CONTACT MR. WILMSMEYER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!!

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Go to Clayton Online Learning and view the philosophy discussions. Post at least twice either directly in response to a question or as a reply to another’s post.

Read and outline notes pp. 130-140. Due after winter break!!

12-14-07 Homework Post (A Day)

Check the science section for news about our upcoming overnight outing!

Literacy:

Today in class, students conferenced with Ms. Baker about their Of Mice and Men essays. The rest of the class period was devoted to outlining and drafting.

Homework:

All essays, regardless of class period, will be due on Tuesday morning. These essays will need to be at least five paragraphs, typed, double-spaced, and final draft quality.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

There was a unit test today on Moving Straight Ahead.

Here is what certain students said about the math test: from Andes D-P “It was very long, but easy.” from Eco D-P “FRUSTRATING!”

The test for “A” day students will be tomorrow.

Homework:

None. Can you believe it?

Challenge Algebra -

In class today, we discussed Lesson 6.6 in depth, and practiced the skill of writing systems from situations.

Homework:

• Chapter 6 Review
  • Movies will be posted by 8:00pm on Sunday
• Study for test on Thursday

Note: Extra study seesions will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at lunch.

Science

We discussed our upcoming overnight trip (set for January 9-11). If your child does not bring the form home for you to see, you can download a copy here. There is a small cost associated with the trip ($35), but it is sure to be a great outing!

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Go to Clayton Online Learning and view the philosophy discussions. Post at least twice either directly in response to a question or as a reply to another’s post.

12-13-07 (B Day) Homework

Check the science section for news about our upcoming overnight outing!

Literacy:

Today in class, students conferenced with Ms. Baker about their Of Mice and Men essays. The rest of the class period was devoted to outlining and drafting.

Homework:

All essays, regardless of class period, will be due on Tuesday morning. These essays will need to be at least five paragraphs, typed, double-spaced, and final draft quality.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

There was a unit test today on Moving Straight Ahead.

Here is what certain students said about the math test: from Andes D-P “It was very long, but easy.” from Eco D-P “FRUSTRATING!”

The test for “A” day students will be tomorrow.

Homework:

None. Can you believe it?

Science

We discussed our upcoming overnight trip (set for January 9-11). If your child does not bring the form home for you to see, you can download a copy here. There is a small cost associated with the trip ($35), but it is sure to be a great outing!

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Final newspaper due Friday, Dec. 14 (A day). No homework for B day students.

12-12-07 (A Day) Homework

Literacy:

Today in class, Ms. Baker collected writer’s notebooks. Then, students conferenced with Ms. Baker about Of Mice and Men essays. The rest of the class period was devoted to outlining and drafting.

Homework:

All essays, regardless of class period, will be due on Tuesday morning. These essays will need to be at least five paragraphs, typed, and final draft quality. Students will have one more large block of time during class to write and to conference.

Mathematics:

NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

The Unit Test over Investigations 1-4 of Moving Straight Ahead will be given next Thursday the 14th (B Day students) and Friday the 15th (A Day students). The grade on this test has the most weight in second quarter grades for Algebra 8 students.

Algebra 8-

In class today, students received their Investigation 4 Quiz scores, checked their Unit Test Review packets, and worked on a second round of review worksheets.

Homework:

5-6(a)

• Pages 3-8 of the new review worksheets
• Bring your “cheat sheet” to class Friday
• Study for your Unit Test

Challenge Algebra -

In class today, we discussed the students notes and answers from Lesson 6.4. Then we dove into Lesson 6.6 “Classic Applications of Systems.” This can be a more challenging lesson for Challenge Algebra students. It takes time, so only a few problems are assigned. Each type of problem needs to be worked, studied, and fully comprehended before the next test which is next Thursday. This is the reason we will go over Lesson 6.6 again for half of the class on Friday, before reviewing for the test.

Homework:

• Finish all five problems in the packet
• Do Lesson 6.6 #8, 9 out of the book

Science

Last night’s “one time only” chat went very well. Expect two more sessions in the upcoming days (maybe Saturday and Monday…who knows). If you want to email me a draft of your work, I will give you some “expert” feedback and you can rebuild from there.Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Homework: Read and outline notes pp. 116-118. Final newspaper due Thursday, Dec. 13 (B Day) and Friday, Dec. 14 (A day).

12-11-07 Homework Post (B Day)

ONLINE CHAT?

For those who have questions about their current Autobiography of a Germ project, Mr. Wilmsmeyer will host an online chat in Clayton Online Learning. Simply go to the General 8 Science page at 8 (or thereafter) and choose to join the chat. This “chat room” is an all-new program to Clayton Online Learning…be the first to try it out!

Literacy:

Today in class, Ms. Baker collected writer’s notebooks. Then, students conferenced with Ms. Baker about Of Mice and Men essays. The rest of the class period was devoted to outlining and drafting.

Homework:

All essays, regardless of class period, will be due on Tuesday morning. These essays will need to be at least five paragraphs, typed, and final draft quality. Students will have one more large block of time during class to write and to conference.

Mathematics:

NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

The Unit Test over Investigations 1-4 of Moving Straight Ahead will be given next Thursday the 14th (B Day students) and Friday the 15th (A Day students). The grade on this test has the most weight in second quarter grades for Algebra 8 students.

Algebra 8-

In class today, students received their Investigation 4 Quiz scores, checked their Unit Test Review packets, and worked on a second round of review worksheets.

Homework:

1-2(b)

• Pages 3-6 of the new review worksheets
• Bring your “cheat sheet” to class Friday
• Study for your Unit Test

5-6(b)

• Pages 3-8 of the new review worksheets
• Bring your “cheat sheet” to class Friday
• Study for your Unit Test

Science

One Time Only Chat* this evening from 8-9 in Clayton Online Learning. Join and ask all the questions you have. Experts** will be standing by to help*** in any way they can!!!

*-”one time” unless other times come up, **-”experts” is sometimes loosely applied. Not in this case, of course!, ***-”help” does not mean write the paper for you or tell you what to write, but to make one more confident in their abilities to complete the assignment.

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ. The interview questions can be downloaded here.

Social Studies:

Homework: Read and outline notes pp. 116-118. Final newspaper due Thursday, Dec. 13 (B Day) and Friday, Dec. 14 (A day).

12-10-07 (A Day) Homework Post

Holy Cow! After school on Friday, Brett Rapponotti went on the website freerice.com and helped to donate 17,080 grains of rice to the hungry! Way to go, Brett! If you have not visited freerice.com–go there! It’s a great way to build your vocabulary AND to do community service.

The following 8-South students took on Ms. Baker’s challenge option and wrote a seventh chapter to Of Mice and Men: Brett Rapponotti, Matthew Millett, Jackie Leong, Micah Goodman, Micah Vriezelaar, Katie Lefton, and Tyler Ponder. Check out their creative, beyond-the-book ideas, which will be hanging in the classroom this week.

Literacy:

Today in class, students went over the Explore test results with Ms. McGraw. Then, they worked on the plan for their Of Mice and Men essay.

Homework:

Work in your Writer’s Notebook.

Mathematics:

NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

The Unit Test over Investigations 1-4 of Moving Straight Ahead will be given next Thursday the 14th (B Day students) and Friday the 15th (A Day students). The grade on this test has the most weight in second quarter grades for Algebra 8 students.

Today, students took the Investigation 4 Quiz and then worked on their review packets.

Homework:

• Finish review packet
• Make two sided so-called cheat sheet
  • Investigation 1 and 2 concepts on the front
  • Investigation 3 and 4 concepts on the back

Challenge Algebra-

Students received their Chapter 5 tests back today, checked their homework packets, and took their Chapter 6 Mid-Chapter Quiz.

Homework:

• Test Corrections
• 6.4 Notes
• L6.4 #7-21

Science

I would hope students have progressed beyond their ancestry research and moved into the research on their actual organism/virus. There is so much to mention, where to start…

• The page of links the librarians created for you (SO MUCH BETTER THAN GOOGLE)
• The ancestry questions Ms. Sermos posted
• The ancestry writing sample Mr. Wilmsmeyer posted for you
• The ancestry forums (bacteria, viruses, etc.)
• The organism forums (Syphilis, Chlamydia, etc.)
• The videos you need to watch and answer questions to (could you post answers on the forums page? I think so).

Homework:

In addition to their research projects, students need to interview two (2) individuals from different generations with regards to music and songs they listened to when they were 8th graders. Interviews will be checked on Friday. Wednesday will be our last research day for Autobiography of a Germ.

Social Studies:

Homework: Read and outline notes pp. 116-118. Final newspaper due Thursday, Dec. 13 (B Day) and Friday, Dec. 14 (A day).

12-07-07 Homework Post (B Day)

THE DECEMBER NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Copies have been flying off the shelves in bookstores nationwide, but we have an electronic copy available for you, our wonderful students and parents. You can simply click here, but it will also remain on the parents section to the right side of the screen. Click and enjoy!

Baby pictures in the Yearbook?

If you are interested in submitting your child’s baby photo in the yearbook, click here!

Literacy:

Today in class students began to brainstorm ideas for the Of Mice and Men essay.

Homework:

Keep working in your WNB. Essay Plan (handout) is due next class.

Mathematics:

NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS:

The Unit Test over Investigations 1-4 of Moving Straight Ahead will be given next Thursday the 14th (B Day students) and Friday the 15th (A Day students). The grade on this test has the most weight in second quarter grades for Algebra 8 students.

Algebra 8-

Today, students took the Investigation 4 Quiz and then worked on their review packets.

Homework:

• Finish review packet
• Make two sided so-called cheat sheet
  • Investigation 1 and 2 concepts on the front
  • Investigation 3 and 4 concepts on the back

Science

I would hope students have progressed beyond their ancestry research and moved into the research on their actual organism/virus. There is so much to mention, where to start…

• The page of links the librarians created for you (SO MUCH BETTER THAN GOOGLE)
• The ancestry questions Ms. Sermos posted
• The ancestry writing sample Mr. Wilmsmeyer posted for you
• The ancestry forums (bacteria, viruses, etc.)
• The organism forums (Syphilis, Chlamydia, etc.)
• The videos you need to watch and answer questions to (could you post answers on the forums page? I think so).

Homework:

Your assignment is due on the last day you have science before break (Dec. 20 or 21). If you wait until the last minute, you will not turn in a quality product. I will do one progress check between now and then, but you are old enough to set your own work schedule. You have several long term projects due in other classes so I am giving you this freedom of schedule. Don’t let it destroy your quality of work.

Social Studies:

Homework:

Students should review the rubric for the Greece newspaper project while they make revisions of their feature articles and editorials. Also, each group should discuss the remaining elements of the project with each other and start that work. THE FINAL NEWSPAPER IS DUE ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 (A DAY) AND FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 (B DAY).

Read and outline notes pp. 116-118.