Thursday, May 31, 2012

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
Ambrose Redmoon

Language Arts: Today we had time to revise our second draft of our research papers.

HW: Final drafts of research papers will be due tomorrow!

Math 8: Today we introduced Stem-and-Leaf Plots (Lesson 16)

HW: Lesson 16T/16

Algebra: Today we continued working with factoring trinomials, lesson 9.6, when 1st term coefficient is greater than 1 or negative.

HW: worksheet 9.6 A

Social Studies: Today we took the TKAM quiz over chapters 12-20.

HW: Tonight's reading is chapters 23-24!

Science: Today we continued to work on our tops. We should be just about done gathering data.

HW: None

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit. We cannot flower and grow without it.
Jesse Lair

Language Arts: Today we had time to complete a "Works Cited" list and reviewed expectations for the final draft of the research paper.

HW: Final draft of the Research Paper is due on Friday, 6/1.

Math 8: Today we had time in class to complete Lesson 15T/15 and begin looking at Lesson 16, Stem-and-Leaf Plots.

HW:Lesson 16tT16

Algebra: Today we had time in class to work on completing 9.5A (factoring trinomials) in class.  After completed, students were to pick up Pizzazz worksheet (yellow and double sided) focusing on multiplying and factoring polynomials (pg 84) and factoring polynomials (pg 90)

HW: Pizzazz Worksheets (double sided)

Social Studies: Today we talked about Atticus' closing statement in chapter 20.

HW: Quiz tomorrow over chapters 12-20.  Also, read chapters 22-23.

Science: Today we started testing our tops.

HW: None

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.
Feodor Dostoyevsky

Language Arts: Today we spent time typing up students' second draft if their research paper.

HW: Students who have not completed a first draft or a conference review of their paper should do this on their own time. (Their first drafts should have been done over a week ago!)

Math 8: Today we continued working with histograms, explored Lesson 15 "Analyzing Histograms" as a class (15T)

HW: Finish Lesson 15T/15

Algebra: Today we answered individual question from Review Packet over the weekend and began Lesson 9.5, "Factoring Trinomials"

HW: Complete 9.5 Study Guide and Benchmark Review packet if not finished

Social Studies: Today we discussed chapters 17-19.  We talked about the start of the trial against Tom Robinson.

HW: Read chapters 20-22.

Science: Today we started to build our tops in class.

HW: None

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The most gifted members of the human species are at their creative best when they cannot have their way, and must compensate for what they miss by realizing and cultivating their capacities and talents.
Eric Hoffer

Language Arts: Today we had time to start typing our second draft of the westward expansion research paper.

HW: The last day Reading Response Project 1 will be accepted is tomorrow.

Math 8: Today we finished Lesson 12 (5-number Summaries of Data) and began looking at Histograms (Lesson 14)

HW: Lesson 14T/14

Algebra: Today we continued working with the "Zero-Product Property" when factoring for polynomials

HW: 9.4A (all)

Social Studies: Today we discussed chapters 12-14.  Ms.. Linahan read aloud chapter 15.

HW: TKAM chapter 16

Science: Today we continued to work on our inquiry labs.

HW: None

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Not houses finely roofed or the stones of walls well builded, nay nor canals and dockyards make the city, but men able to use their opportunity.
Alcacus

Language Arts:Today we reviewed our first House on Mango Street quiz and continued working on our reading and notes.

HW: Reading Project 1 is due and will not be accepted after Thursday, 5/24.

Math 8:Today we reviewed answers to "Climbing the Ladder" activity and began Lesson 12, "Five-Number Summaries of Data".  Students were given a copy of the Lesson to take home with them so they can refer to book lesson as we only have enough textbooks (Data Analysis) for an "in-class" set at this time

HW: Lesson 12T/12

Algebra:Today we worked on "Interdisciplinary Application", combining the Pythagorean theorem and multiplying polynomials to solve real world examples.  Also began "Investigating Algebra Activity" as a lead in to Lesson 9.4 (Zero-product Property)

HW: Finish Interdisciplinary Application (#1-8) AND Investigating Algebra Activity (#2-9)


Social Studies:Today we took TKAM quiz #2 over chapters 6-11.

HW: Should be read through chapter 15 tonight.

Science: Today we thought about our iterations, sketched them, and wrote a preliminary procedure.

HW: None - all work must be done in class.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Language Arts: Today we had time to read The House on Mango Street (pages 28-42) and work on reading projects.

HW: Complete Reading Project by Thursday, 5/24.

Math 8: Today we finished "Climbing the Ladder" review of Measures of Center, Lessons 6-10 in Data Analysis.  Reviewed answers in class.

HW:Lesson 12T - 5 Number Summaries of Data, read through handout given in class.

Algebra: Today we continued working on "Special Products" of polynomials, students were asked to identify method of solving as well as identify the special rule being applied in each problem.

HW: finish Special Products worksheet if not completed in class
    Interdisciplinary Application (goldenrod)

Social Studies: Today we discussed chapters 10-12in TKAM.

HW:  Chapters 13-14; Quiz tomorrow on chapters 6-10

Science: Today we worked on our Inquiry/Engineering lab.

HW: None, and there won't be. This is an official work sample, and thus, must be totally done in class.

Friday, May 18, 2012

We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.
Bertha Calloway

Language Arts: Today we had time to read from The House on Mango Street and completed our first quiz, which checked our general understanding.

HW: Reading Projects were assigned to all students and will be due Thursday, 5/24. Some class time will be given on Monday to continue work on these projects but students may also need to spend some of their own time on them.

Math 8: Today we had a shortened period due to assemble schedule.  We self-corrected our assessment from Thursday on Sums of Triangles and Quadrilaterals.  Returned "Lines & Angles"  textbook and checked out "Data Analysis" textbook.

HW: None

Algebra: Today we had a shortened period due to assemble schedule, so today was a day fro the students to catch up on the week's work and ask questions. 

HW: "Special Polynomials" worksheet, if not completed during class

Social Studies: Today we had our hearing checked during class.  As students came back, or waited, they were given time to read ahead for the weekend and work on their study questions.

HW:  Chapters 11-12 are on the schedule for this weekend.  Don't forget, quiz #2 is Tuesday.

Science: Today we worked on our background information for our Engineering/Inquiry Lab

HW: None

Thursday, May 17, 2012

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.
Rachel Carson

Language Arts: Today we continued reading through and taking notes on House on Mango Street.

HW: There will be a quiz that checks students general understanding (on pages 1-27) tomorrow in class.

Math 8: Today we took assessment on Learning Targets 8.3.2 (sums of angles in triangles) & 8.2.4 (sums of angles in quadrilaterals)

HW: BRING TEXTBOOK!! ("Lines & Angles")

Algebra: Today we worked independently on a Problem Solving workshop.  After completing the workshop, we began Lesson 9.3 Study Guide, investigating "Squares of Binomials" and "Sum and Difference Pattern"

HW: finish 9.3 Study Guide and 9.3A

Social Studies:Today we reviewed chapters 8 and 9.  We discussed what was happening and introduced a new main character.

HW: chapter 10 reading in TKAM

Science: Today we finished watching "Lions and Hyenas," to give the kids another look at adaptation and variation.

HW: Finish the worksheet if not done in class.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Algebra
Today we had a work day to practice on multiplying polynomials.  Student were to complete 2 worksheets in class, worksheet A focused specifically on multiplying monomials and polynomials, while worksheet B focused on only multiplying polynomials.

HW: Finish worksheets A & B,  if not completed during class


Math 8
Today we had a study day to get ready for assessment on THURSDAY on "Sums of Triangles and Quadrilaterals" covering lessons 7-13 in their Lines and Angles book.  Students were given a choice between a crossword puzzle and a word search to study vocabulary, as well as, completing a Practice Quiz for the assessment tomorrow (answer key provided).

HW:  Study for assessment!  review Lessons from book and complete Practice Quiz

Language Arts
Today we reviewed the reading projects and assignments that students are to complete for our new text, The House on Mango Street. Students had some time to begin their reading.

HW: None

Science
Today we watched a video and took notes.

HW: none

Social Studies
Today we discussed the Emancipation Proclamation and President Lincoln's intent for issuing it.

HW: Read chapter 8-9 of TKAM.  Chapters 6-10 quiz is next Tuesday.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

You know how to paint a room real fast? Just put paint rollers on your feet and somehow figure out how to skate up the walls and across the ceilings.
Jack Handey

Language Arts: Today we continued looking at student work on a given reading target.

HW: None

Math 8: Today we further explored angle sums of quadrilaterals, looking specifically at Special Quadrilaterals (parallelograms & isosceles triangles).

HW: Lesson 13T/13

Algebra: Today we introduce multiplying polynomials (FOIL method), section 9.2 in MDL book. 

HW: 9.2A, odds only, show work!

Social Studies: Today we took TKAM Quiz #1 on chapters 1-5.  We then graded it.  After that was completed, we discussed chapters 6-7.  Students then had time to read chapter 8 or work on their Emancipation Proclamation HW questions.

HW:  Read chapter 8 and complete Emancipation Proclamation HW questions

Science: Today we took notes pertaining to tops (anatomy and physiology), and engineering vocabulary.

HW: None

Monday, May 14, 2012

He that breaks a thing to find out what it is has left the path of wisdom.
JRR Tolkien

Language Arts: Today we looked at student examples of work in various reading targets and discussed the difference between non-proficient, proficient, and highly proficient work. 

HW: Rough drafts of research papers are due tomorrow!

Math 8: Today we worked on "Angles Sums of Quadrilaterals", finding the missing angle of a 4 sided figure, knowing that the sum of all four angles must add up to 360 degrees.

HW: Lesson 12T/12

Algebra: Today we practiced adding and subtracting polynomials (in class worksheet) as a review from last week. 

HW: finish worksheet in completed in class, also Problem Solving Workshop (2 problems)
    (optional Challenge problems on back side of Prob. Slv. wrkshp)

Social Studies: Today we watched a video about the Civil War and answered questions.  We reviewed those in class.

HW: Make sure you have your study questions for chapters 1-5 done.  A quiz will be given on Tuesday over these chapters.  Chapters 6-7 are to be read if not completed over the weekend and the character chart.

Science: Today we started our Inquiry/Engineering unit by gathering background information on toy tops.

HW: None

Friday, May 11, 2012

Since no one is perfect, it follows that all great deeds have been accomplished out of imperfection. Yet they were accomplished somehow, all the same.
Lois McMaster Bujold

Language Arts: Today we reviewed three reading targets (connect/respond, literary devices, and character analysis) and had time to practice these using our new text, The House on Mango Street.

HW: The rough draft of the research paper is due on Tuesday, 5/15.

Math 8: Today we had a catch up day for Lessons 7-11 in Lines and Angles

HW: finish any missing work from Lessons 7-11

Algebra: Today we continued working on adding and subtracting polynomials

HW: worksheet 9.1A

Social Studies: Today we used the whole period to enjoy TKAM!  Chapter 5 is on the schedule for this weekend!

HW: Chapter 5 and make sure study questions are done by Tuesday, as there will be ch 1-5 quiz that day.

Science: Today we finished our OAKS testing.

HW: Have a nice weekend AND wear sunscreen!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.
Norman Vincent Peale

Language Arts: Today we reviewed students' Language Arts progress reports and goals. We also got a preview of the text we are finishing the year with, The House on Mango Street.

HW: The rough draft of the research paper is due on Tuesday, 5/15.

Math 8: Today we explored the relationship between parallel and similar triangles (Lesson 11)

HW: Finish lesson 11T/11

Algebra: Today we took assessment on Building Exponential Functions

HW: Benchmark 5 packet/study guide, only through Part 2

Social Studies: Today we discussed chapters 2-3.  We then read chapter 4 in class!

HW: Keep up on study questions for chapters 1-5.  Second quiz on TKAM is Tuesday, May 15.

Science: Today we did OAKS testing again.

HW: None

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
William Shakespeare

Language Arts: Today we continued working on the first rough draft of our research papers. Most students should be working on their body paragraphs at this point.

HW: Rough Drafts will be due on Tuesday, 5/15.

Math 8: Today we continued working on Lesson 10, Congruent and Similar Triangles in class.  Students who were able to complete assignment were given the opportunity work on Challenge assignment or to explore Lesson 11 on their own

HW: Lesson 10T/10 (and challenge)

Algebra: Today we worked on practice quiz for assessment on building exponential functions

HW:  Finish practice quiz, study for assessment

Social Studies: Today we took a short quiz on Chapter 1 of TKAM.  Students then had the remainder of the period to read chapter 2.

HW: Read chapters 2 & 3.  Don't forget to keep up on the study questions.

Science: Today we watched a video on the Galapagos Islands.

HW: None academically. Tomorrow the kids are finishing up their OAKS testing. Eat a good breakfast and bring a good, high protein lunch. Bring a snack to eat before testing.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

"All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” –Walt Disney

Math:  
Algebra
Today we self corrected "Function Notation" assessment from last week and worked with story problems showing exponential growth/decay

HW:  Problem Solving workshop (choose any 3 of the 5 given)

Math 8
Today we finished up lesson 9 (Special Triangles) and began Lesson 10 (Congruent and Similar Triangles).

HW: finish Lesson 10T/10 worksheets

Language Arts:  Today we worked on our Western Expansion paper:

HW: Rough draft due May 15.  Last day for Call of the  Wild Re-Do is TOMORROW

Science: Today we took the Science OAKS test.  

HW:  None

Social Studies: Today we listen to Ms. Linahan read chapter one of To Kill A Mockingbird (TKAM)  We then discussed what was happening in the opening chapter.  Study questions were handed out.

HW: Look through study questions and see if there are any you can answer for chapter one.

Monday, May 7, 2012

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that truly heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' but 'That's funny...' 
Isaac Asimov

Language Arts: Today we started the first draft of our research paper, which is Step Two of the Writers' Workshop. 

HW: Tomorrow I will be checking to see if students have completed their outlines/pre-writes, which is Step Two of the Writers' Workshop. Come to class with this step completed! Also, any students wanting to take the RE-DO opportunity for the Call of the Wild final need to turn in their work by Wednesday!

Math 8: Today we completed Lessons 7 & 8 in class and began exploring Lesson 9 (Special Triangles)

HW: Finish Lesson 9T and Lesson 9

Algebra: Today we went over Exponential growth packet from over the weekend and discussed exponential decay as well. 

HW: Lesson 8.5 C (odds only), challenge and answer key available

Social Studies: Today we defined prejudice.  We took a questionnaire to ready ourselves for To Kill A Mockingbird, that we start reading tomorrow in class.

HW: none

Science: Today we reviewed for our OAKS test tomorrow.

HW: Go to bed early AND eat a good breakfast. Bring a healthy lunch.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.
Josiah Gilbert Holland

Language Arts: Today we continued working on our research paper outlines/pre-writes.

HW: Students have one week from today to re-do any section of the test where they received a "No Score". They will not be accepted after 5/9. The deadline was extended since some students did not receive their tests until today.

Some students need to complete additional research for their topic if they do not have sufficient supporting details for their research paper.

Math 8: Today we explored classifying and finding sums of triangles, Lessons 7 & 8 in Lines and Angles

HW: Lesson 7/8 packet

Algebra: Today we worked with exponential growth models including simple and compound interest

HW: Exponential Growth Packet (8.5 in MDL)

Social Studies: Today we watched a video concerning the Civil War.  Students were asked to answer some questions pertaining to the video.

HW:  Please make sure your Recruit Poster is done by Monday.

Science: Today we did more review to prepare for our OAKS testing on May 9th and 10th.

HW: None! Have a great long weekend.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

He that studieth revenge keepeth his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal and do well. 
John Milton

Language Arts: Today we began step one of the Writers' Workshop process by using an outline/pre-write to plan our research paper.

HW: No official homework, but complete independent research if you need to!

Math 8: Today we took assessment on identifying Lines and Angles

HW: Math 8 reflection for spring conferences

Algebra: Today we reviewed HW (8.5A) individually as students corrected their own work with an answer key.  Worked on Pizzazz worksheets, identifying functions from graph and story problems.

HW: Pizzazz Packet (4 pages)

Social Studies: Mrs. Linahan was absent today. I think the kids continued to work on their notes.

HW: Do what you know you need to do.

Science: Today we took a short assessment on Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Plate Tectonics. We then started our science review in preparation of OAKS testing next week.

HW: None