SCIENCE FAIR COMING SOON!

7th Grade:
We are currently studying rocks and minerals and have taken our first quiz from the unit. We have gone over the five characteristics of a mineral and the several properties by which geologists identify the different minerals. We have used the Moh's scale as well to rank the hardness of several minerals. For instance, diamond is the hardest mineral known and is ranked at a 10. However, it is not the rarest. Ask your child they should know which one it is :)

We will begin studying rocks next week. This part of the unit is broken down into four sections; Igneous rock, Sedimentary Rock, Metamorphic Rock and the Rock cycle. We will be doing many assignments during class including vocabulary, enrichment and review worksheets, and making a poster of the rock cycle. Please talk with your child to make sure they are keeping up with work during the class period.

Bellwork is a very important part of each day. This is a device that encourages attendance and promptness as well as a way for every student to begin class focused on science. Please make sure to check with your child that they are continuing to do daily bellwork and turning it in. Unfortunately, I have many students who finish bellwork everyday but are not turning it in.


8th Grade:
We just finished the final unit of Chemistry part III just over a week ago. I have graded their exams and will be updating grades soon.
We are now beginning our Biology unit. We have just begun our section on the cell.
We have been discussing Robert Hook's discovery of the cell in the 1600's and the cell theory. We have began discussing each organelle and its function within the cell. Students have been drawing and labeling and will be doing a lab to help reinforce their understanding sometime next week.
Once we have reviewed the cell and its parts we will begin studying Heredity in detail. Practicing unit vocabulary with your child would be a great study skill. We will be doing many activities during class time and having a better understanding of the vocabulary will help tremendously.

Bellwork is a very important part of each day. This is a device that encourages attendance and promptness as well as a way for every student to begin class focused on science. Please make sure to check with your child that they are continuing to do daily bellwork and turning it in. Unfortunately, I have many students who finish bellwork everyday but are not turning it in.

GRADES:
Grades were posted 2 weeks ago. I have some catch up grading to do this weekend and I should have new grades posted by Monday or Tuesday.

Reminder: Science fair grades will be added 2/19/10 and will not be a part of their progress report. If the project was not completed on time or was incomplete this could significantly affect their 3rd quarter grade.

****Progress reports will be coming home 2/8/10. ******
Please make sure to review and discuss progress reports with your child. This is the best opportunity to make sure that your child is on track and staying focused. Please sign and return progress reports in a timely manner.

SCIENCE FAIR:
We are at the home stretch for the science fair! Yay!!!

These are the assignments that I have collected in each students Science fair folders.
Please make sure your child has turned in each of these:

Permission slip
Hypothesis
Materials/Procedures list
Data (including graph)
Conclusion

Mr. Jones has been reviewing the abstract with all classes. He has been working with the students to develop their abstracts for their projects.
Abstracts are due 2/8/10.
Final boards due 2/17/10!!!!!!
Each assignment is expected to be typed
You can find an example of board set up in the science fair packet
Science Fair exhibition and judging will be on 2/19/10

AIMS:
We have began to prepare for the AIMS test. 8th graders will be taking a science AIMS and I will spend a portion of each week reviewing standards with each class. I will be doing some review with 7th graders of scientific inquiry but I will be concentrating more on test taking strategies and tools with them.

Quick Tips:
Preparation for your first test should begin after the first day of class; this includes studying, completing homework assignments and reviewing study materials on a regular basis.

Budget your time, make sure you have sufficient time to study so that you are well prepared for the test.

Go over any material from practice tests, HW's, sample problems, review material, the textbook, class notes...

Eat before a test. Having food in your stomach will give you energy and help you focus but avoid heavy foods which can make you groggy.

Get plenty of sleep

Try to show up at least 5 minutes before the test will start.

Set your alarm and have a backup alarm set as well.

Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room.