2/29/08 Homework Post (C Day)

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE:

MONDAY= B DAY TUESDAY= A DAY WEDNESDAY= B DAY CLASSES IN THE MORNING–THEN A FIELD TRIP

THURSDAY= A DAY FRIDAY= B DAY

YOU NEED TO BRING A SACK LUNCH FOR WEDNESDAY, AS WE WILL BE ON A FIELD TRIP (CAREER FAIR) IN THE AFTERNOON.

Literacy:

HERE IS A LINK TO AN AMAZING SITE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME OF THE MORE DIFFICULT WORDS/REFERENCES IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD:

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/

Homework: Finish Chapter 6, 7, and 8 and take notes on details that seem important. Due Monday (B Day) or Tuesday (A Day)

5-6B students need to remember to bring back their permission letter. 5-6B students also need to begin their storyboard.

Extra credit opportunities:

1. Memorize one of the poems from the bulletin board. Make an appointment to recite it to Ms. Baker

2. Find a “real” use of a TKMB vocabulary word. Xerox.

3. Post the poem that you wrote on COL.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8 -

• We discussed how to get started on our MSA online project.

Homework:

• Meet with groups to put together presentation document.

Challenge Algebra -

• Discussed the Investigation 3 GGG packet answers.

Homework:

• 10.6 #7-23

Science:

Composition notebooks have been handed back. Grades for those as well as pen pal letters will be posted over the weekend.

Homework:

1. Calculate the proportion/ratio of water to copper sulfate for the synthesis of Blue Vitriol.
2. Work on Lab Report.
3. Correct CTQs and resubmit for grading.
4. Research for pen pal letter #3.

Social Studies:

We have started the World Religions Unit today.

Homework: Read pp. 43-47 (Judaism) and 144-148 (Christianity) and fill in information on history, rituals, sacred texts, symbols, and beliefs on your paper or on the chart.

For Monday (B Day) and Tuesday (A day) read pp.256-264 on Islam. Add to your chart. The chart should be completed be next class. BE COMPLETE!!!

2/28/08

Literacy:

During class, students adopted a perspective other than that of Scout and wrote from his or her point of view. Then, students began to read chapter 4 of To Kill A Mockingbird.

HERE IS A LINK TO AN AMAZING SITE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME OF THE MORE DIFFICULT WORDS/REFERENCES IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD:

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/

Homework: Finish Chapter 4 and 5 and answer the questions (see handout).

5-6B students need to remember to bring back their permission letter. 5-6B students also need to begin their storyboard.

Extra credit opportunities:

1. Memorize one of the poems from the bulletin board. Make an appointment to recite it to Ms. Baker

2. Find a “real” use of a TKMB vocabulary word. Xerox.

3. Post the poem that you wrote on COL.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8 -

• We reviewed the answers to the second half of the review packet
• Students took the KHM Unit Test

Homework:

• Finish your problem from MSA.
  • While you are reworking the problem, brainstorm ideas about methods for teaching this concept on the internet to students all over the word.

Challenge Algebra -

• Students warmed up by practicing problems from 10.2 and 10.3
• Next, student received their Chapter 10 Mid Chapter Tests back
• Then, we discussed our answers to the Investigation 2 packet and started on the investigation 3 packet

Homework:

• Finish the Investigation 3 packet

Science:

Flame testing was a lot of fun and the learning was evident. Thanks for the wonderful behavior and inquiry effort.

Homework:

There is no homework. I do not want students to write CTQs for this lab. I would suggest working on memorizing the 50 elements and maybe researching for the third pen pal letter. But those are just suggestions.

Social Studies:

We have started the World Religions Unit today.

Homework: Read pp. 43-47 (Judaism) and 144-148 (Christianity) and fill in information on history, rituals, sacred texts, symbols, and beliefs on your paper or on the chart.

2/27/08 Homework

Literacy:

During class, students adopted a perspective other than that of Scout and wrote from his or her point of view. Then, students began to read chapter 4 of To Kill A Mockingbird.

HERE IS A LINK TO AN AMAZING SITE TO HELP YOU WITH SOME OF THE MORE DIFFICULT WORDS/REFERENCES IN TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD:

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Belmont_HS/tkm/

Homework: Finish Chapter 4 and 5 and answer the questions (see handout).

5-6B students need to remember to bring back their permission letter.

Extra credit opportunities:

1. Memorize one of the poems from the bulletin board. Make an appointment to recite it to Ms. Baker

2. Find a “real” use of a TKMB vocabulary word. Xerox.

3. Post the poem that you wrote on COL.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8 -

• We reviewed the answers to the second half of the review packet
• Students took the KHM Unit Test

Homework:

• Finish your problem from MSA.
  • While you are reworking the problem, brainstorm ideas about methods for teaching this concept on the internet to students all over the word.

Challenge Algebra -

• Students warmed up by practicing problems from 10.2 and 10.3
• Next, student received their Chapter 10 Mid Chapter Tests back
• Then, we discussed our answers to the Investigation 2 packet and started on the investigation 3 packet

Homework:

• Finish the Investigation 3 packet

Science:

Flame testing was a lot of fun and the learning was evident. Thanks for the wonderful behavior and inquiry effort.

Homework:

There is no homework. I do not want students to write CTQs for this lab. I would suggest working on memorizing the 50 elements and maybe researching for the third pen pal letter. But those are just suggestions.

Social Studies:

We have started the World Religions Unit today.

Homework: Read pp. 43-47 (Judaism) and 144-148 (Christianity) and fill in information on history, rituals, sacred texts, symbols, and beliefs on your paper or on the chart.

2-26-08 Homework

Literacy:

During class, Ms. Baker conducted reading conferences with students as they read Chapters 1-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework: Finish Chapters 1,2,3 and answer the questions (see handout). 5-6B students need to remember to bring back their permission letter.

Extra credit opportunities:

1. Memorize one of the poems from the bulletin board. Make an appointment to recite it to Ms. Baker

2. Find a “real” use of a TKMB vocabulary word. Xerox.

3. Post the poem that you wrote on COL.

Mathematics:

Algebra 8 -

• Discussed the answers to review questions 1-6, 10-14
• Then discussed the major concepts from investigation 1 and investigation 3.
  • Students created and copied down a list of important concepts to study.
• Students collected their past quizzes and assignments to study from as they were leaving class.

Homework:

• Finish review packet
• STUDY FOR THE KHM UNIT TEST!!!
  • Look over problems from each investigation
  • make up practice problems for each type of question

Science:

We discussed the ideas behind PS 16 and opted to do that as a demonstration on Wednesday while flame testing in class. The flame testing will allow us to identify the components of the gray powder (hopefully).

Homework:

Students need to revise their PenPal Letter #2. Perfected copies will be “mailed” to Mrs. Sermos’ clas on Wednesday.

Social Studies:

Homework: Read pp. 53-57. Answer questions 1-5 on p. 57;

Read 72-82. Answer questions 1,2,3,4,5, and 7.

Due: A day – Wed. Feb. 27.

B day – Thur. Feb 28.

2-25-08 Homework (A Day)

Literacy:

During class, Ms. Baker conducted reading conferences with students as they read Chapters 1-3 of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Homework: Finish Chapters 1,2,3 and answer the questions (see handout).

Extra credit opportunities:

1. Memorize one of the poems from the bulletin board. Make an appointment to recite it to Ms. Baker

2. Find a “real” use of a TKMB vocabulary word. Xerox. Put your n

Mathematics:

Challenge Algebra -

• We discussed the homework questions from investigation 1.
• Then we discussed problem 2.1.
• Students who needed more time to work on the previous evenings’ homework, then worked on homework, while other students worked on a permutation challenge problem.
• We finished class by discussing the difference between the starting value and the growth factor, and where each goes in the general equations.

Homework:

• Finish investigation 2 packet

Algebra 8 -

• Discussed the answers to review questions 1-6, 10-14
• Then discussed the major concepts from investigation 1 and investigation 3.
  • Students created and copied down a list of important concepts to study.
• Students collected their past quizzes and assignments to study from as they were leaving class.

Homework:

• Finish review packet
• STUDY FOR THE KHM UNIT TEST!!!
  • Look over problems from each investigation
  • make up practice problems for each type of question

Science:

We discussed the ideas behind PS 16  and opted to do that as a demonstration on Wednesday while flame testing in class.  The flame testing will allow us to identify the components of the gray powder (hopefully).

Homework:

Students need to revise their PenPal Letter #2.  Perfected copies will be “mailed” to Mrs. Sermos’ clas on Wednesday.

Social Studies:

Homework: TEST ON AFRICA UNIT!!!!!!!!

B DAY – Test on Africa an Tuesday, Feb. 26

Homework: Read pp. 53-57. Answer questions 1-5 on p. 57;

Read 72-82. Answer questions 1,2,3,4,5, and 7.

Due: A day – Wed. Feb. 27.

B day – Thur. Feb 28.

Announcements–This Week

Roses are Red,Violets Are Blue

The Teachers were Excited about the Snow Day

What about you?

Monday will be an “A” day. Be sure that you bring your materials for A day classes. For Literacy, check the blog from February 19th to see the homework that is due tomorrow. Start the week off right; be sure that you do not come to class without your work and your supplies.

Other reminders:

1. Your community service artifact is due this Friday. EVERY student on the team is expected to show their artifact to the 8-South teacher who is helping to lead that particular service project. If you are unclear as to what is expected of you, then see an 8-South teacher on Monday.

2. Amanda, Kate, Nikki, and a few other students would like 8-South to try out a Project Peanut Butter mathematics game (like freerice) and give feedback by posting to the forum. To access the game, go to COL and click  8-South Team Area.  Then, under Project Peanut Butter, click on Peanut Butter Game Version 5 and start playing.  Thanks. 

2. Wednesday is a late start day.

2-20-08 Homework Post (B Day)

ATTENTION PARENTS:

The Kaleidoscopes, Hubcaps, and Mirrors Unit Test will be on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.

Today in class, students participated in a Poetry Gallery, reading and analyzing poetry by writers such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Gwendolyn Brooks. We will start To Kill a Mockingbird next class.

Homework:

This work is due on Monday (A) or Tuesday (B)

1. In your WNB, write a response to the following:

What were the important messages (big ideas) in Twelve Angry Men?

2. Go on COL and follow the directions for “Poem: Family Member.” BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

3. Write a free choice piece in your WNB. You might look on COL for ideas. There is a forum titled, “Writer’s Notebook: Ideas for Third Quarter.”

Mathematics:

Algebra 8-

We checked out answers to ACE(5) #6, 7, 9-12, and 17. Then we took a practice quiz over Investigation 5, which was scored in class. This practice assessment provided students with immediate feedback of their understanding of the material. At the end of class, students had time to work on their “KHM Review Packet” which prepares them for their Unit Test which will be on Tuesday.
Homework:

• KHM Review Packet #1-6, 10-14

Science:

Student, in class, completed a “Tootsie Pop activity.” This was a tactile way to learn chemical formulas inductively.

Homework:

Students have their Pen Pal Letter #2 due on Friday!!! This should be far better than the last one and should be a lot more fun to write. Go in depth and find the intricate history of your element. Are you blamed for the destruction of our planet? Have you been known to kill people? Do people prize you for your beauty? How were you discovered and by whom?

The only other homework would be to focus attention back on PS15. This lab was a difficult one and, as we have picked up more information, the students are able to give more effort and insight toward this work. Chemical formulas should now make a little more sense to us and we should maybe start to understand balancing equations.

I will post a lab report on Clayton Online Learning this week. It is not a sample of what I expect, it is a sample of corrections I am recommending for others. If one student is having trouble with CTQs and turning them into a lab report, many amy also be struggling from the same thing. Why not learn from others. Note: It takes a great person to submit their work for others to see corrected. Thank you to those volunteers.

Social Studies:

Homework: TEST ON AFRICA UNIT!!!!!!!!

A DAY – THURSDAY, FEB. 21

B DAY – FRIDAY, FEB. 22

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Watch African American Lives 2 on Channel 9 Wed. Feb 13 at 8 PM. Write a two paragraph reflection, addressing the following: What did you find interesting or surprising in the show? What were the different ways in which idea of race was discussed?

The reflection will be due by Tuesday, Feb. 19.

2/19/08 post (A day)

Literacy:

Today in class, students participated in a Poetry Gallery, reading and analyzing poetry by writers such as Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou, and Gwendolyn Brooks. We will start To Kill a Mockingbird next class.

Homework:

This work is due on Monday (A) or Tuesday (B)

1. In your WNB, write a response to the following:

What were the important messages (big ideas) in Twelve Angry Men?

2. Go on COL and follow the directions for “Poem: Family Member.” BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY!

3. Write a free choice piece in your WNB. You might look on COL for ideas. There is a forum titled, “Writer’s Notebook: Ideas for Third Quarter.”

Mathematics:

Challenge Algebra -

• We took another look at Scientific Notation
• We did problems 6-39 from Lesson 10.4
• We Fininshed problem 1.2 and some f problem 1.3 from our Growing, Growing, Growing packets

Homework:

• Finish Problem 1.3 and the follow-up #3
• ACE(1) #1, 2, 3, 10, 13

Algebra 8 -

• Organized work to be turned in next class
• Took a look at homework Problem 5.4
• Started homework problems ACE(5) #5-14, 16, 17

Homework:

• Finish ACE(5) #5-14, 16, 17

Science:

Student, in class, completed a “Tootsie Pop activity.” This was a tactile way to learn chemical formulas inductively.

Homework:

Students have their Pen Pal Letter #2 due on Friday!!!  This should be far better than the last one and should be a lot more fun to write.  Go in depth and find the intricate history of your element.  Are you blamed for the destruction of our planet?  Have you been known to kill people?  Do people prize you for your beauty?  How were you discovered and by whom?

The only other homework would be to focus attention back on PS15. This lab was a difficult one and, as we have picked up more information, the students are able to give more effort and insight toward this work. Chemical formulas should now make a little more sense to us and we should maybe start to understand balancing equations.

I will post a lab report on Clayton Online Learning this week. It is not a sample of what I expect, it is a sample of corrections I am recommending for others. If one student is having trouble with CTQs and turning them into a lab report, many amy also be struggling from the same thing. Why not learn from others. Note: It takes a great person to submit their work for others to see corrected. Thank you to those volunteers.

Social Studies:

Homework: TEST ON AFRICA UNIT!!!!!!!!

A DAY – THURSDAY, FEB. 21

B DAY – FRIDAY, FEB. 22

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Watch African American Lives 2 on Channel 9 Wed. Feb 13 at 8 PM. Write a two paragraph reflection, addressing the following: What did you find interesting or surprising in the show? What were the different ways in which idea of race was discussed?

The reflection will be due by Tuesday, Feb. 19.

2/14/08 X Day

Once again, we witnessed excellent behavior from our 8-South students, as we journeyed to the Repertory Theatre to see a production of Twelve Angry Men. We look forward to our next field trip, which will be to various religious sites, in conjunction with the World Religions unit in Social Studies.

Remember that your Literacy homework is due on Tuesday (A) or Wednesday (B). The directions can be found on COL (8-South Literacy) under “Find a Poem to (Hopefully) Love.”  You also are expected to have a two-page, free choice entry in your WNB.

Enjoy your looooong weekend.

2-13-08 Homework Post (C Day)

Newsletter and Grades

Parents, if you have not already checked, the February newsletter has arrived and can be accessed by clicking on the “Pages for Parents” tab on the right side of this screen. Also, progress reports should be mailed out sometime this week. We suggest using our anecdotal feedback, combined with your child’s grades on PowerSchool, to help them evaluate their progress through this quarter. Trends consistent over multiple classes would be the first issue to address. While the majority of 8-South students are having a successful quarter, please remind your child of the importance of: arriving to school on time, meeting with teachers following an absence, and putting forth their best effort on tests and projects.

This week’s schedule is:

A B C X (field trip) No school

Don’t forget your $8 for Thursday’s trip to the Repertory Theatre to see Twelve Angry Men. Aren’t you starting to wonder what they’re so angry about anyway?

YOU WILL NEED TO BRING A BROWN BAG LUNCH FOR THURSDAY.

You will need to dress in your fine threads, as if you are going to an 80th birthday party for Grandma.

GUYS–Button-down shirts or sweaters; preferably no jeans

Want to learn how to tie a tie in 10 seconds? Click below:

http://www.instructables.com/id/The-Fastest-Way-to-Tie-a-Tie—How-to-Tie-a-Tie-in/

GIRLS — Long, fancy dresses (i.e. Ms. Baker at the Tea Party) JK. You know how to look nice. If you’re not sure, come ask Ms. Baker.

Sorry, girls…I have no fun links for you to click.

Literacy:

Today in class, Ms. Morrison came to talk about Clayton High School.

Homework:

1. Go on COL (8-South Literacy) and click on “Find a Poem to (hopefully) Love.” Follow the directions. This work is due in your WNB on Tuesday the 19th (A) or Wednesday the 20th (B). If done correctly, you should work on this assignment for more than one night, which is why I am giving you so much time.

2. Write a free choice piece in your WNB. This piece should be at least two pages. Need help coming up with an idea? Look in the Writer’s Notebook ideas forum on COL.

Mathematics:

Challenge Algebra -

• Discussed homework answers from Lesson 10.3
• Took notes on Lesson 10.4
• Turned in comp books for grading
• Received Chapter 9 Tests Scores

Homework:

• Chapter 9 Test Corrections (Due Tuesday February 19th)

Algebra 8 1-2(B), 5-6(B)-

• Discussed problem 5.4 and the major concepts from this investigation

Homework:

• ACE(5) #5, 6, 9-12, 17   (Due Wednesday, February 20th)

Algebra 8 5-6(A)-

• Discussed Problem 5.3 and started on Problem 5.4

Homework:

• Problem 5.4 (Due Tuesday, February 19th)

Science:

Sorry to post so late. Students practiced working within the periodic table today in class. We also worked on our calorie equation using, but this time included the energy needs when changing the state of matter. This worksheet is in preparation of our upcoming quiz.

Homework:

Students should be:

1. Reviewing the worksheet we did in class. The quiz on Wednesday will be over this very information.
2. Revising/editing their CTQs and summaries for PS15. There are no answers in science, only better questions. As we discuss these thoughts and ideas, we find our original theses under scrutiny. That scrutiny forces us to ask better questions and the cycle continues.
3. Researching for their 2nd pen pal letter. Again, use the resources at hand (websites the librarians arranged, textbooks in class, library books, etc.)
4. Entering their pre-lab for PS16.
5. Memorizing their 50 most common elements.
6. Checking Clayton Online Learning for challenge opportunities.

Social Studies:

Homework: Complete the map started in class and complete he chart on West African trading kingdoms.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: Watch African American Lives 2 on Channel 9 Wed. Feb 13 at 8 PM. Write a two paragraph reflection, addressing the following: What did you find interesting or surprising in the show? What were the different ways in which idea of race was discussed?

The reflection will be due by Tuesday, Feb. 19.