Character may be manifested in the great moments, but it is made in the small ones.
Phillips Brooks

Language Arts: Today we began work on our writing sample. Students will have almost four days in class to write an essay demonstrating their writing proficiency through the persuasive mode. Students began this process by choosing a topic and completing a pre-write/outline.

HW: If students did not complete the pre-write in class, they should finish it up at home.
Also, remember that Chapter 3 reading and notes need to be completed by Monday (3/5). Students who want an extra opportunity in making a connection to the text need to submit it by Wednesday (3/7).

Math 8: Today we completed our 3rd and final day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Algebra: Today we completed our 3rd and final day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Social Studies: Today we were in the library finishing our final draft editing for the research paper. The paper and poster are due Friday!

HW: complete your paper and poster!!

Science: Today we finished looking at hominid skulls and identifying key features. We then did a compare/contrast worksheet.

HW: Finish worksheet if not done in class.

If what you seek is Truth, there is one thing you must have above all else...an unremitting readiness to admit you may be wrong.
Anthony de Mello

Language Arts: Today we reviewed Chapter 2 and discussed possible themes that have emerged. We also began work on Chapter 3 reading and notes. Finally, students received a final progress report so that the know where they stand (and what they need to do) in the closing weeks of the trimester.

HW: Chapter 3 needs to be read and notes need to be completed by Monday, March 5th.
Also, students have the option of writing a connection to the text to help improve their reading scores. They have the option of comparing and contrasting themselves to one of the characters in the book. This connection is due by Wednesday, 3/7.

Math 8: Today we completed our 2nd day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Algebra: Today we completed our 2nd day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Social Studies: Today we were in the computer lab to edit and finalized the president research paper. Tomorrow will be last day for computer access and editing or poster completion in class.

HW: research paper and poster are due Friday at the start of class.

Science: Today we identified key features in seven different hominid and modern primate species. We looked at museum quality skulls loaned to us from OHSU and answered questions.

HW: None

We are most nearly ourselves when we achieve the seriousness of the child at play.
Heraclitus

Language Arts: Today we didn't have our regularly scheduled Language Arts class. School counselors from Sunset and Westview high school came to give students information on the high school they will likely go to next year. Counselors addressed Oregon requirements for graduation, getting college-ready through high school, and the many new opportunities that come with becoming freshmen next year.

HW: (ASSIGNED LAST WEEK....) Finish reading Chapter 2 and complete character notes by tomorrow.

Math 8: Today we completed our first day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Algebra: Today we completed our first day of OAKS testing in the computer lab

HW: no HW

Social Studies: Today we finished viewing the presidents video and answered the questions. Students then were given time in class to work on their presidents poster or their HW, War of 1812 handout. Lastly, Tuesday and Wednesday we will begin the computer lab to type final version of research paper. Paper and poster are due THIS Friday, March 2.

HW: War of 1812 handout

Science: Today we learned key concept vocabulary in preparation for our skull lab.

HW: Make sure you know these vocab words: sagittal crest, dental arcade, prognathism, occipital bun, nuchal plain, zygomatic arch, supraorbital tori, foramen magnum. (Don't worry...you'll be able to use your science journals during the lab!)

The opportunity for brotherhood presents itself every time you meet a human being.
Jane Wyman

Language Arts: Today we had some time to work on writing in the persuasive mode. Students received feedback on their pre-writes (a.k.a. outlines) and began writing parts of their persuasive essay.

HW: Finish reading Chapter 2 and complete character notes by TUESDAY. (Some new characters that you should add at least one Concrete Detail with Commentary for are: Sol-leks, Joe, Billee, Pike. You may also choose to add on significant quotes for Buck, Francois, Perrault...)

Math 8: Today we continued working with the Pythagorean Theorem, looking at converse relationships and identifying information in story problems. Handed back Math Sample Test taken after winter break to review over the weekend, answers were provided for students. Went over how to get to online practice test.

HW: 1. Review Mathematics Sample test - Grade 8 (answers given)
2. Online practice test http://www.oaks.k12.or.us/students.html

Algebra: Today we did a Jigsaw review with OAKS (state test) type questions. Handed back Math Sample Test taken after winter break to review over the weekend, answers were provided for students. Went over how to get to online practice test.

HW: 1. Review Mathematics Sample test - Grade 8 (answers given)
2. Online practice test http://www.oaks.k12.or.us/students.html

Social Studies: Today we viewed a video on the presidents and answered questions about them. The video covers Washington through Monroe.

HW: rough draft if not completed and perhaps the quotation poster if not done too!

Science: Today we finished watching "A Murder of Crows."

HW: Nah...

Every great work, every big accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to the vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes failure and discouragement.
Florence Shinn

Language Arts: Today we continued reading Chapter 2 and had some time to take notes on characters. We also spent time clarifying how to identify significant concrete details (textual evidence) to help support our analysis of characters.

HW: Finish reading Chapter 2 and complete character notes by TUESDAY. (Some new characters that you should add at least one Concrete Detail with Commentary for are: Sol-leks, Joe, Billee, Pike. You may also choose to add on significant quotes for Buck, Francois, Perrault...)

Math 8: Today we examined squares and square roots, including estimating roots of non-perfect squares. Worked on a guided practice exercise as a class and started HW.

HW: Lesson 17T - "Converse Pythagorean Theorem"

Algebra: Today we worked on several different pieces as sort of a catch up day...
1. Finished Problem 5.3 - "Exploring Exponential Equations"
2. Be "experts" on 3 problems given to group, ready for Oaks Review Jigsaw on Friday
3. Finish/self correct Learning Target 8.3 review (gold packet)

HW: Pizzazz pg. 150 - "What are the two favorite letters of children?"

Social Studies: Today we turned back the second rough draft to students who turned one in. Students had the opportunity to work one more day on their poster.

HW: rough draft if it has not been turned into Ms. Linahan

Science: Today we started watching the DVD, "A Murder of Crows," a video that shows the evolution of crows.

HW: None!

Everyone takes the limits of his own vision for the limits of the world.
Arthur Schopenauer

Language Arts: Today we began reading through chapter two of Call of the Wild. We also looked at more examples of imagery and symbolism and practiced writing commentary for these devices.

HW: None
The pre-write (assigned as homework last Friday) needs to be brought to class completed tomorrow.

Math 8: Today we discussed Squares and Square Roots and did review worksheet as a class. Began looking at Pythagorean Theorem formula to find the missing side of a right triangle.

HW: Lesson 16T - The Pythagorean Theorem (front and back)

Algebra: Today we used graphing calculators to aid in Exploring Exponential Equations. Students were asked to copy the graphs from their calculators and record observations about the graphs.

HW: Oaks Review - Lines and Angles packet (gold, multiple choice)

Social Studies: Today we continued to work on one of two tasks: #1- if rough draft #2 (typed) is not completed, worked on getting it to Ms. Linahan & #2- work time on Presidential Quote poster. BOTH ARE DUE MARCH 2. Presidents #1-44 test has been cancelled until the 3 rd trimester! Sorry for the confusion.

HW: complete rough draft and get to Linahan!

Science: Today we had an informal on demand assessment of evolution, variation, advantage, and adaptation.

HW: Just get your late work done!

Silent gratitude isn't much good to anyone.
Gladys Bronwyn Stern

Language Arts: Today we discussed the definition of "themes", the difference between themes and topics, and spent time investigating possible themes for Chapter 1. Some classes also had time to review the quality of their commentary in their notes.

HW: None for students who have completed Chapter 1 notes.

Math 8: Today we reviewed possible answers for HW Problem 1.2 (A-D). Began estimating the areas of squares and triangles, worked on Problem 1.3 (A-C) in class.

HW: Lesson 8T (yellow sheet) - Evaluating Geometric Formulas (front and back)

Algebra: Today we corrected and answered questions to Pythagorean Review (blue packet). Discussed main points of Problem 5.2 ("Operating w/ Exponents") and began Problem 5.3 ("Exploring Exponential Equations"). This is classwork, as students need a graphing calculator to investigate with the problems.

HW: Oak Review (yellow) - 12 questions total, was broken down into 3 problems per table group. Tomorrow students will discuss/share answers with students from other table groups (jigsaw).

Social Studies: Today we worked on one of two tasks: #1- if rough draft #2 (typed) is not completed, work on getting it to Ms. Linahan & #2- work time on Presidential Quote poster. BOTH ARE DUE MARCH 2.

HW: Practice presidents #1-44 for Friday's test.

Science: Today we attempted several tasks without opposable thumbs to understand the evidence that supports primate evolution. We then read from the book and worked on a guided reading worksheet.

HW: Finish worksheet.

There's nothing noble in being superior to your fellow men. True nobility is being superior to your former self.
Ernest Hemingway

Language Arts: Today we worked on completing a pre-write in order to map out a persuasive essay.

HW: Complete your pre-write if you didn't do so in class. You will need to bring it, completed, next Thursday.
Reminder: by TUESDAY, students should add one concrete detail and commentary for EACH of the following characters on their BIG notes sheet: Toots & Ysabel, Dave, Spitz, Judge Miller, Manuel, Man in the Red Sweater, Perrault, Francois. Also, they should have all commentary completed for the concrete details that were given for Buck's character; (notes for Buck are on the green sheet).

Math 8: Today we reviewed HW from yesterday, working with coordinate grids to locate points and find distances. Today we looked at using the coordinate grid to help plan future parks in a given city.

HW: LPF, pg10, Problem 1.2, A-D

Algebra: Today we reviewed HW (5.1 A-F) and discussed patterns in our Powers Table. Worked on warm up focussing on what to do with negative exponents (find reciprocal and change exponent from positive to negative)

HW: Problem 5.2 A-E (green), and Pythagorean Theory review packet (3 pages, blue). I know it's a lot of work, but you have a 3 day weekend, plus we have Oaks testing a week from Monday when you will have nearly a week without HW.

Social Studies: Today we were in the computer lab to type up the bibliography for the research paper. Today is the last day for computer lab. Rough draft #2 was due at the end of class. If the rough draft was not turned in, then it became homework over the weekend.

HW: Rough draft #2 (typed) if not turned in at the end of the period Friday.

Science: Today we looked at the Honey Badger's advantages and adaptations which help it to survive and reproduce.

HW: Finish summary paragraph or advertisement on the Honey Badger. This assignment will be due on Wednesday. Have a great three day weekend!

The path to success is to take massive, determined action.
Anthony Robbins

Language Arts: Today we reviewed the parts of a persuasive essay. Students were also introduced to a court case that will serve as the topic for their persuasive writing practice.

HW: None from today.
Reminder: by TUESDAY, students should add one concrete detail and commentary for EACH of the following characters on their BIG notes sheet: Toots & Ysabel, Dave, Spitz, Judge Miller, Manuel, Man in the Red Sweater, Perrault, Francois. Also, they should have all commentary completed for the concrete details that were given for Buck's character; (notes for Buck are on the green sheet).

Math 8: Today we reviewed HW and worked on Warm-up #9. Started "Looking for Pythagoras" by reviewing our knowledge of coordinate grids and investigating their relation in city street maps.

HW: LPF, pg 8-9, Problem 1.1, A-E

Algebra: Today we explored patterns with exponents, focusing specifically on "predicting the ones digits".

HW: Problem 5.1, A-F

Social Studies: Today we spent day #3 in the computer lab finishing rough draft #2. It is due at the end of class tomorrow.

HW: writing rough draft #1 if not done.

Science: Today we took the Oregon Student Wellness Survey.

HW: Finish Bird Lab

When I was fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have him around. When I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.
Mark Twain

Language Arts: Today we practiced identifying and analyzing symbolism as we finished reading Chapter 1. Students also had some work time to complete their Chapter 1 notes, which are due by Monday.

HW: Tomorrow, they should bring in the homework that was assigned last Friday. Students needed to label the different parts of a persuasive essay.

By MONDAY, students should add one concrete detail and commentary for EACH of the following characters on their BIG notes sheet: Toots & Ysabel, Dave, Spitz, Judge Miller, Manuel, Man in the Red Sweater, Perrault, Francois. Also, they should have all commentary completed for the concrete details that were given for Buck's character; (notes for Buck are on the green sheet).

Math 8: Today we took an assessment on solving systems of linear equations in two variables using tables or graphs (LT 8.1.6) and identifying the relationship between those systems (LT 8.1.6)

HW: Missing Angles worksheet for triangles and quadrilaterals (front and back)

Algebra: Today we took an assessment on displaying and describing single and two variable data (LT11 & LT12) as well as identifying bias in sampled data (LT13)

HW: Powers, Exponents and Order of Operations worksheet (front and back)

Social Studies: Today we spent day 2 of 4 in the computer lab typing up our rough draft. Presidents test for all 44 POSTPONED until Feb. 24.

HW: complete rough draft if not already done.

Science: Today was Day 2 of our Egyptian Origami Bird lab.

HW: Finish the analysis questions.

I think the prime reason for existence, for living in this world, is discovery.
James Dean

Language Arts: Today we continued working through Chapter 1, paying special attention to an example of imagery and symbolism in the text. We also discussed how to write commentary for the concrete details (text evidence) we pull out of our book.

HW: Find a concrete detail (CD) for Judge Miller and one for Manuel to record in your notes; then write at least one sentence of commentary for the CD.

Math 8: Today we reviewed yesterday's HW and started a practice Quiz in class on solving systems of linear equations by graphing and by using a table as well as identifying whether the lines will be parallel, intersecting, or the same line.

HW: Study for Quiz

Algebra: Today we finished Jeopardy Questions and worked on Practice Quiz for tomorrow's assessment on Two Variable Data and Identifying Bias.

HW: Study for quiz

Social Studies: Today we began typing our first page of the research paper. Students also put together their heading and formatting margins and began typing. Rough draft #2, typed, is due Friday.

HW: Make sure rough draft number one is completed and passed through Linahan. President's test, #1-44, has been MOVED to Feb. 24.

Science: Today we bred the "Egyptian Origami Birds to observe the effects of mutations on the evolutionary success of the birds.

HW: None, we will continue the lab tomorrow - it's a hard one.

There are some duties we owe even to those who have wronged us. There is, after all, a limit to retribution and punishment.
Cicero

Language Arts: Today we discussed symbolism and imagery, two of the literary devices we'll be focusing on in our next text. We also began reading Chapter 1 of Call of the Wild.

HW: Find the pages where the examples of symbolism and imagery are in the notes sheet (mark the page in your notes) and write at least one sentence of commentary on each device in your notes.

Math 8: Today we reviewed HW from the weekend and began review for Quiz on Wednesday

HW: Finish Practice quiz

Algebra: Today we reviewed HW from over the weekend and began on working on student developed "Jeopardy answers"

HW: No new HW

Social Studies: Today we turned in to Ms. Linahan the rough draft of the presidents paper and research notes. Many students did not have a rough draft completed, so please encourage students to complete one. We start typing the second draft tomorrow.

HW: presidents paper rough draft (if not completed) and presidents #1-44 assessment on Friday.

Science: Today we modeled adaptation within a species to see how this may lead to the evolution of a new trait and the development of a new species.

HW: Finish questions on the worksheet. Also, finish your summary if you didn't do it over the weekend.

A laugh is a smile that bursts. ~Mary H. Waldrip

Algebra
Today we looked at how graphs and data can be used to persuade opinion. Discussed within table groups to discover who, what, where , why, OR how the data collected/display could be misleading. Worked in class on worksheets L25 and L25T, students were to have finished in class.

HW: Complete L25 and L25T if not completed during class, ALSO.. Histogram worksheet (L14) AND Stem-&-Leaf worksheet (L17). It seems like a lot, try to space it out over the weekend.

Math 8
Today we reviewed HW from yesterday and continued to work as solving systems of linear equations, however now by using tables instead of graphs.

HW: Lesson 24 worksheet - "Solving Systems using Tables"


Language Arts
Today we revisited the basics of the persuasive mode of writing, as our next Writers' Workshop will be based on it. Students defined the mode and we discussed the "essential parts" that make up a persuasive essay.

HW: Finish labeling the parts of the sample persuasive essay.

Science
Today we finished watching the cuttlefish video and answered the rest of the worksheet questions and then wrote a short paragraph matching Darwin's principles of Natural Selection to the cuttlefish. We then wrote a summary paragraph explaining how the cuttlefish uses physical traits or features to survive and reproduce in its environment.

HW: Finish the summary if you don't finish it in class.

Social Studies
Today we took a Bill of Rights assessment to check understanding of the amendments. Students then had the remainder of the class to work on their research paper rough draft. It is due Monday.

HW: complete rough draft if it is not done.

A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits. ~Richard Nixon

Algebra
Today we reviewed and analyzed Box-and-Whisker Plots and finished completed Warm Up #11.

HW: Box-and-whisker plot worksheets - L18 & L19

Math 8
Today we continued working on identifying perpendicular and parallel lines and how they relate to systems of two linear equations.

HW: Worksheet L22 - "Parallel, Intersecting or the Same Line"
Worksheet L23 - "Solving Systems by Graphing"

Language Arts
Today we worked on developing our background knowledge in preparation for our next novel, The Call of the Wild. We also reviewed the targets that students would be assessed on through this next unit, which will carry through to the end of Trimester Two.

HW: Complete map, with special attention to the labeling of Alaska. Also, review the key vocabulary words and literary terms connected to this unit; (know the definitions!).

Social Studies
Today we looked at different scenarios covering the Bill of Rights.

HW: work on rough draft for presidents paper, due Monday 2/13/12

Science
Thursday:
Today we watched the first part of the video, "Cuttlefish: King of Camouflage" and answered questions on our worksheets.

HW: None

The only thing that overcomes hard luck is hard work.
Harry Golden

Language Arts: Today we discussed our connections between the movie and play version of the Anne Frank story. The discussion was aimed at preparing students for their next opportunity to make connections in our next reading, Call of the Wild. Students also had an opportunity to build background knowledge for this text by reading various articles on topics such as sledding, the Klondike gold rush, and Malamute dogs.

HW: None

Math 8: Today we complete worksheets on Parallel and Perpendicular lines.

HW: Finish Mean and Range worksheet review

Algebra: Today we worked on finishing our survey project write up.

HW: Finish survey write up. It is due on Thursday.

Social Studies: Today we completed our discussion on the first 10 Amendments. We then looked at some scenarios to figure out which amendment was broken or protected. Students then completed an exit slip on the First Amendment.

HW: Be working on your president research paper, due Monday, Feb. 13

Science: Today we discovered the result of Natural Selection by simulating rabbit populations with beans.

HW: Finish lab if not done in class.

Character builds slowly but it can be torn down with incredible swiftness.
Faith Baldwin

Language Arts: HW: For students who have been watching the movie, think of and write a text (play) to text (movie) connection. For students who haven't been watching the movie, write any connection to the text (play). Connections are due Friday.

HW: Stems due tomorrow.

Math 8: Today we allowed for 30 minutes to finish "Climbing the Ladder". Introduction to using slope in order to identify whether two lines are parallel or perpendicular.

HW: finish worksheet - "Slope of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines" (front and back)

Algebra: Today we did a short activity on www.classzone.com (eworkbook 13.5) within table groups where we analyzed Sampling Methods and biases when given situations. Last 25 minutes of class were given to work on Survey Project (due tomorrow, 2/8/12). Students will be given time in class to finish.

HW: Survey Project Individual Write Up

Social Studies: Today we did an assortment of "house cleaning" items. Including, passing back papers, receiving alternate assignment for missing work, review of due dates for research paper, and also receiving a writing organizer for the research paper. First rough draft due next Monday, Feb. 13.

HW: Handwritten rough draft due Feb. 13 & presidents #1-44

Science: Today we learned about Punctuated Equilibrium by doing a mini-lab using the Peppered Moth as an example.

HW: None

The only gift is a portion of thyself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Language Arts: Today we had some time to develop a connection between the play and movie version of the Anne Frank story. We also continued watching the move.

HW: For students who have been watching the movie, think of and write a text (play) to text (movie) connection. For students who haven't been watching the movie, write any connection to the text (play). Connections are due Friday.

Math 8: Today we continued climbing the ladder exercise from Friday. When finished with activity, students were to apply what they worked to a real world situation, in this case choosing a cell phone service.

HW: Real World Application: Cell Phones

Algebra: Today we discussed and received an outline to use to summarize the results of our Survey project. Students had time in class to finish any graphing of data collection and begin working on Individual Write-Up

HW: Rough Draft of Write-Up ready for Wednesday.

Social Studies: Today we spent our last day in the library (except 8th period). Dates were decided and written in planner so students know due dates. The important dates to know are:
* Feb. 13: handwritten rough draft due and NOTES
* Feb. 14: Begin typing rough draft paper in class
* Feb. 17: Presidents test #1-44; typed copy of rough draft DUE
* Feb. 21 & 22: Poster work day in class (students should have quote by this date)
* March 2: President paper and quotation poster DUE

HW: if you need more information, you should be finishing up your notes tonight or tomorrow; start organizing information into paragraphs.

Science: Today we used a reading guide to better understand Mechanisms of Evolution.

HW: None.

Close scrutiny will show that most "crisis situations" are opportunities to either advance, or stay where you are.
Dr. Maxwell Maltz

Language Arts: Today we continued to watch the Anne Frank movie. We also went over an example of a conflict Anne was facing, as students are to take notes on the different conflicts they observe during the movie.

HW: None

Math 8: Today we worked on "climbing the ladder" to identify the solution to two linear equations by graphing the lines and identifying the point of intersection (if possible).

HW: Median, Mode Review worksheet

Algebra: Today we had class time to organize the results of our Survey Project. Students were to have their survey's completed by today and graphed in a histogram by Monday. Students were asked to identify any biases that have occurred thus far in their data collection.

HW: Have surveys completed and graphed by Monday

Social Studies: Today we spent day #4 in the library researching our president. Students will have Monday in the library to gather information. They should have the majority of their information for the paper. Today is the presidents assessment on #22-44.

HW: None

Science: Today we finished our labs and then identified adaptations in an organism.

HW: Finish labs if not done in class.

Perfect as the wings of a bird may be, it will never enable the bird to fly if unsupported by the air. Facts are the air of science. Without them a man of science can never rise.
Ivan Pavlov

Language Arts: Today we continued watching the Anne Frank movie and taking notes on the different conflict that Anne faced throughout her life.

HW: None

Math 8: Today we reviewed HW and gave and extra day to finish (solving linear equations by graphing)

HW: same as yesterday + Median/mode review

Algebra: Today we corrected over the HW for the week and gave classtime to complete any missing answers. We discussed using histograms when displaying our survey results as well as how we record survey answers.

HW: worksheet, pg 210 - Practice 13.7 (story problems)

Social Studies: Today we spent day #3 in the library researching our president. Students will have two more days in the library to gather information. Today or tomorrow is the presidents assessment on #22-44.

HW: study presidents!

Science: Today we did our same poker chip procedure, except we added in a scavenger. We created a data table and then graphed both of our sets of data.

HW: Finish lab.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.
Muriel Strode

Language Arts: Today we continued watching the Anne Frank movie and began taking notes on the different forms of conflicts that Anne is facing.

HW: None

Math 8: Today we Picked up new textbook from library, "Looking for Pythagoras

HW: Complete Pizzazz worksheet, pg 161 (graph on back)

Algebra: Today we reviewed Stem-and-Leaf Plots and histograms

HW: complete worksheet 13.7

Social Studies: Today we spent day #2 in the library researching our president. Students will have three more days in the library to gather information. Tomorrow is the presidents assessment on #22-44.

HW: study presidents!

Science: Today we predicted and tested if a given trait (handspan) provided an advantage for survival.

HW: Finish lab questions. If questions are not finished by the beginning of class tomorrow, you will not be able to participate in part two of the lab.