8th grade - Before you return from the hurricane

Today I passed out a copy of the letter I gave parents during OPEN HOUSE. It was about the Science Project Options for 8th grade students. Here's a copy.

Dear Students and Parents,

All students at Julia Landon College Preparatory and Leadership Development School are expected to complete a science project. This year students in the eighth grade may choose from several options for their project. Each option has guidelines for completion. Student projects will be graded according to appropriate criteria for the option chosen. By choosing an option, a student is committing to completing that style of project. Parents must approve the option chosen by their child. It is each student’s responsibility to choose an option, obtain parental permission to complete the option, and complete the project according to established rules and/or policies.

The options possible include:

o   An individual or a 2 member team science project that follows the traditional format. Each student will complete all forms required for the project. All rules for Intel –ISEF, SSEF, and NEFRSEF will be followed. Projects in this option are eligible to seek entry into the school science fair. Participants of the school science fair are eligible to be selected to advance on to the DCPS science fair and/or NEFRSEF. Winners at NEFRSEF may be selected to attend the Florida Science Fair. Rules and information about forms and dates can be found at http://www.nefrsef.org/ . Minimal teacher assistance will be available in class and students who choose this option are eligible to meet with interested and available science teachers for after school coaching by appointment. Students are expected to present their projects in class

o   Toshiba ExploraVision. In this option, students work on a team of 2-4 students. The team is sponsored by a teacher from JLCP. Full information can be found at www.exploravision.org . Students are expected to present their projects in class. Minimal teacher assistance will be available in class and students who choose this option are eligible to meet with interested and available science teachers for after school coaching by appointment. All dates can be found on the webpage.

o   E-cybermission. In this option, student teams choose to complete a mission in one of several categories by first identifying a problem in the community and then using the scientific method to develop a solution. Full information can be found at http://www.ecybermission.com/. Students are expected to present their projects in class. Minimal teacher assistance will be available in class and students who choose this option are eligible to meet with interested and available science teachers for after school coaching by appointment. All dates can be found on the webpage.

An informational meeting for parents about the different options will be held on Tuesday, September 12. It will be held in Room 309 from 3:25 until 4:00.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Pamela L. Smith, NBCT and Daniel Geary

Eighth Grade Science Teachers

______________________________________
Explore the science project options and discuss them with your parents. I may post the agreement letter that you will have to ask your parents to sign. If I do post it, it will be available on FOCUS for you to download. Otherwise I will pass it out at your next class.
________________________________________________
PENDA Reminder: All assignments (9/4 and 9/11) are considered due on Monday, 9/11, at 7:00 AM.
Penda will issue new assignments on Friday that will be due on 9/18. Use your time wisely.
__________________________________________________
If you missed class we began this project.

Pure Substances and Mixtures Flipbook
25 point classwork assignment

The purpose of this flipbook is to help you keep track of the definitions, examples, and questions generated by these topics. (In the past, this has been a very difficult topic for 8^th graders.) 

Use your FUSION textbook (pg. 350-362) and the ScienceSaurus books to create your foldable.

Elements (5 points) ü Definition (outside flap) ü 3-5 Common Examples ü Draw an atomic model of an element of your choice. ü Explain how elements can be classified.	Compounds (5 points) ü Definition (outside flap) ü 3-5 Common Examples ü Draw a model of one compound (molecule) of your choice. ü Explain how compounds can be classified.
HETEROgeneous Mixture (5 pts) ü Definition (outside flap) ü 3-5 Common Examples ü Pick one of your examples and sketch it. Make sure you can see why it is heterogeneous! ü If you were to grab a handful of a heterogeneous mixture, how much of each substance would you get with each sample?	HOMOgeneous Mixture (5 pts) ü Definition (outside flap) ü 3-5 Common Examples ü Pick one of your examples and sketch it. Make sure you can see why it is homogeneous! ü If you were to grab a handful of a homogeneous mixture, how much of each substance would you get with each sample?

Answer the following questions in your ISN (Complete Sentences) (5 points)

1.     What is the difference between a compound and a mixture?

2.     Why do all samples of a pure substance have the same chemical properties?

3.     Would muddy water be considered homogeneous or heterogeneous? Justify your response!

4.     Is a chocolate chip cookie a heterogeneous or homogeneous mixture? Justify your response!

5.     How can you tell the difference between HETEROgeneous and HOMOgeneous mixtures? 

7th grade: Before you return from the hurricane

Please try to develop a testable question for your science project. Additionally, if you are planning on doing a team project (2 people) you must have parent approval. I will send out a letter for you to take home, complete, get it signed, and return it to show me your parents not only support you doing a team project; but also support your choice of a team member. I may post this on FOCUS over the hurricane days just like I posted the science project handbook. During your next class we will explore sound and waves. Wear the appropriate shoes.

This will be my blog site for the 2017-2018 school year until further notice :(

I have tried multiple times to access a more versatile site for this school year. I even bought the domain name. Alas, due to limited time and other resources I find myself using the old tried and true spot. SO.....

Here we go for the year. You will find information about some assignments, information to extend learning and sometimes just a reminder or two.

Thursday and Friday May 18 an 19

The quiz on balancing equations is on!!! Yes, Bday takes it on Thursday and A day takes it on Friday.

Bday students who were on the fieldtrip will have a chance to check their Balancing Act worksheets and check them in before the quiz. Anyone who was NOT on the fieldtrip and was absent Tuesday  MUST bring a re-admit to class. Get yours in the office BEFORE school starts by bringing a note from your parent about why you were absent and give it to Ms. Mobley.

A day students will begin a new unit of study so BRING your EARBUDS or HEADPHONES to class. There is a lot of listening to do and you will need either buds or phones to hear the lectures.

Bday you may need yours on Thursday, but definitely on Monday you will need them.

Reminders for the week of May 15.

We just spent several days where you developed, revised, and wrote a lab report about the on-line lab. A Day must have theirs uploaded on Monday. Bday on Tuesday.

You just go to classzone.com to enter the book. Remember, you already activated it.

Every class had an introduction to balancing equations. The sheet will be finished in class the first day. There will be an exit ticket where you balance a few equations. If you don't understand, be prepared to ask questions. Remember to show all of your work.

Yes, I know that the college trip is next week and some of you will be on the trip. No worries. Remember, science is everywhere so enjoy the museum trips.

The rest of us will be in class. We are going to go deeper into some topics. I will have graded assignments for students who are not on the trip. If you are absent then you have make-up work to do. Stay well and come to class.

Week of May 1

Almost all of you took the SSA this week. I hope your scores reflect the amount of effort that you have been putting in to get ready for this test. Now that it is behind us, it's time to look forward to BIOLOGY !!!

We started our first unit by reviewing Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration; but, we went deeper than earlier this year. Catch up if you missed class by going to FOCUS and downloading the worksheet where you compare the two concepts AFTER you watch the videos by the Amoeba Sisters. 

https://youtu.be/uixA8ZXx0KU

https://youtu.be/4Eo7JtRA7lg

Week of April 24

Monday and Tuesday: Students will receive Sample Questions for the Grade 8 Florida Statewide Science Assessment. Yes, they should cube 2 the questions. Student who do not take Geometry may work on these during holding time along with other reviews provided by core subject teachers.

Tests are being returned so that students may make test corrections if desired. The sore strips should all be ready and distributed by 4A on Wednesday These may also be completed during holding. Geometry students should at least review their errors before the SSA which is May 2.

This week is the last check for on-time completion of the SSA review assignment. Be prepared to report your scores either on Wednesday - A day or Thursday - B day.  If your score is not complete on that day then I will accept late scores after the SSA. However, the idea is to finish before the SSA so that you do great on the test!

SSA is on Tuesday, May 2. Eat a good breakfast, it's a long test and you will need energy to get through the whole test in one day..

Upcoming events week of April 17.

• Life Science Benchmark Checkpoint- B Day April 17th/A Day April 18th

SSA READING (for real) Wednesday and Thursday.

Computers will not be available when other grades are using them for testing so work on your benchmarks and chapters at home if necessary. Remember, you want to be finished before the Science SSA on May 2.

Reccovering partial credit on the Benchmark Checkpoints

Anyone who scored less than 14/14 on the Nature of Science Checkpoint may complete test corrections and submit the test and the corrections by Thursday.  You may recover 1 point for each correctly answered question and an explanation of why you got it wrong and what the answer should be and why.

If you took Benchmark Checkpoint for Physical Science on time or on the make up day you will receive the questions and a score strip. The strip will tell you if you got the answer right or wrong - not  the correct answer.You may download the form from the Physical Science checkpoint in FOCUS. You may download it and print one out for each question you missed. These should be submitted no later than Thursday 4/20. Each correctly completed correction will be worth 3 recovery points.

Data has been collected from SSA Review Assignments and grades should be rising.

B day students submitted data today about how many chapters they have read and what percentage of their benchmarks have they remediated. Their input will be reflected in FOCUS as soon as I enter it.

A day will submit data  on Friday.

There will be a checkpoint next week. Refer to the earlier post that lists all the checkpoint dates.

You are encouraged to complete Benchmark Remediations in the form of guided notes at home so you can complete them.

Remember to read one chapter a day from the on-line book.

If you need time on-line, I will be tutoring on Monday from 3:15-4:15. Just go to the cafeteria until I pick you up.

Penda is still a home learning assignment each week.

WHAT ARE THESE ZEROS FOR THE CHAPTERS AND BENCHMARK REVIEWS???????

Ok, Time to relax. Roll you mouse over the assignments. See where it says these are interim grades that will be updated as progress is made?  Yes, that's the plan. The ZERO is to remind you about what you have reported now - before I have collected data. Your grade will increase after data is collected during the last class period of the week for your class. So, on Thursday I will pass out data charts to each B-day student. Each student  will tell me which chapters were read and will receive 5 pts. per chapter. Each student will also calculate what percentage of benchmarks have been remediated and that percentage will be entered. The same will happen for A day students on Friday. Next week, data will be collected from A day students on Thursday and B day students on Friday and each student who makes progress will see the scores grow. Anyone who is absent or doesn't report their data on time will need to be proactive the next class period.  I will also upload a file for the Check-in document so students may submit it straight to Focus each week as long as it is updated and uploaded on time.

Ok, see that's not so bad. By April 27 everyone will have had enough time to read the 18 chapters and remediate the benchmarks. If you need to work at home to complete the assignment, then that's what you should do. Be advised that these 2 assignments are the only classwork grades you will receive this month, so it's important that you do the work.

Daily Assignment- Don't fall behind if you are absent; get ahead if you have lots to do!

Go top Mr. Geary's blog.
Click on "SSA REVIEW MATERIALS" in the top banner.
The password is the same as the history password ;)
The top entry is the book you are to read for review purposes.

Each day you are to read, take notes, and complete the exercises for a chapter of the on-line review book Yes!!!!!!!!   EVERY DAY!! This means you have home learning everyday in addition to PENDA. On class days you can do this in class.

Then, in class you will refer to your Mock SSA data that you prepared and put into the data table. This is how you work on your individual assignments.  Complete one or more benchmarks each day.

You may/must do more benchmarks at home if you don't have enough class days to finish your individual review.

Some group and class lessons will address benchmarks that are common to several students in class.

Future plans and dates

The SSA is on May 2. You will CUBE2 it and mark your answers on the answer sheet. You may write in the test booklet.

To get ready for the SSA, YOU will be working every day in class to review and remediate benchmarks.  You will be using the resources provided on Mr. Geary's blog (on-line review book and benchmark lessons and reviews) to focus your review for YOUR data. You may work on these at home also. You have 24/7 access to these materials. 

Please note we will have in-class assessments on the following days.

• Nature of Science Benchmark Checkpoint - A day/ April 3/ B day April 4.

• Physical Science Benchmark Checkpoint – B Day April 6th/ A Day April7th

• Earth/Space Benchmark Checkpoint – B DayApril 12th/ A Day April13th

• Life Science Benchmark Checkpoint- B Day April 17th/A Day April 18th

If you missed class on Friday, 3/31. We are reviewing for the SSA!!!!!!!!!!!

Please go to Mr. Geary's blog which is Geary Science.  On the header is the phrase SSA review. Click on that. It will ask for a password. Use the one from the history blog. There is an on-line book that I want you to start reading. Take notes and do the practices from at least one chapter (2 is better). That will keep you fairly current with what we are doing today. We are also revisiting the Jason Roller Coaster simulator, but if you have reviewed it you are good to go.

Have a great weekend. 

We will be using the book and the reviews posted on this site for data driven review. You will work mainly on what you need along with a few selected topics that Everyone will benefit from reviewing. 

JASON Roller Coaster Creator

Go here and  get ready to build your best coaster.

http://gated.jason.org/digital_library/cfy/4851.aspx


Go through the tutorial first and then build your coaster

Welcome to the last 9 weeks!!!

Monday and Tuesday are Reviews of 8.N.1 - Nature of Science

After completing the activity in class you will prepare a formal Lab Report based on the data for the Control Group and the Test group.

Lab Reports will include
Testable Question;
Hypothesis;
Identification of Test Variable, Outcome Variable, and Controlled Variables;
Results which include a complete, neat, data table of data and means and an analysis of the data (is there a 10% difference in the means);
Conclusion- Do the results support the hypothesis? Explain why or why not?

Did you get a D or F on either or both of the tests- Atomic Theory or Mixtures, Acids Bases?

A re-test for Mixtures, Acid/Bases, and pH will be given after school on March 13.
A re-test for Atomic Theory and Periodic Table will also be given after school on March 13.

Anyone who scored a D or F on either or both of the tests may re-take the test(s) and attempt to raise the grade for either or both tests. The best re-test grade possible is a C.

There will be no other date available for a re-test.

Go to the cafeteria after school and have a seat. Either I or Mr. Geary will pick you up. You will have until 4:15 to finish testing. Be sure you have a plan for transportation for 4:15. If you are walking to the Community Center I would like a note from your parents giving you permission to walk there or to another destination. You will be excused at 4:15 and escorted to the door on Thacker Ave.

Update for 3/03/2017 and UPCOMING TEST

All students should have completed pp.401-411.

B day assignments Assigned on Friday and expected to be finished on Friday. Last check in is onTuesday:

• Gizmo: Cell Energy Cycle (search for it after logging in.) If you didn't get the SEG download your own
• Gizmo: Plants and Snails (download the SEG if you did not get one on Wednesday).
• Photosynthesis/Respiration activity along with its 7 questions. 
• Study Guide. I will put the study guide file into Focus and you can download it if you need one. 

B DAY TEST - Tuesday, 3/7

A Day Test is on Friday, 3/10.

Only 4A soccer players and managers have received the Cell Cycle Gizmo. Everyone else will complete it in class on Monday.
A day will complete Gizmos:Snails and Plants and the study guide on Wednesday. Reminder: Monday and Wednesday both have special schedules (Monday is the in-school game and Wednesday is Early Dismissal).

A day students who want the study guide early may download a copy from Focus.

What's on the test????
Carbon Cycle, Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration, and Conservation of Mass and Energy.
Check out the study guide

NASA Spacecraft Avoids Collision with Martian Moon Phobos

This is what makes science and math great!



NASA Spacecraft Avoids Collision with Martian Moon Phobos

RE-Test Day for D or F on test(s)

A re-test for Mixtures, Acid/Bases, and pH will be given after school on March 13.
A re-test for Atomic Theory and Periodic Table will also be given after school on March 13.

Anyone who scored a D or F on either or both of the tests may re-take the test(s) and attempt to raise the grade for either or both tests. The best re-test grade possible is a C.

There will be no other date available for a re-test.

Friends of Landon - Please read and share

Friends of Landon will be conducting a fundraising campaign Feb 27 – Mar 3 to transform the current media center into a 21-century collaborative Learning Commons. The fundraising goal is $12,000. Friends of Landon will be accepting cash and checks on campus and online through the FOL website (https://www.friendsoflandon.org/).

Bonus Opportunities for 3rd nine weeks - choose 1

You have some options for earning up to 2 bonus points for the third 9 week grading period. Choose one of the following. Any bonus activity is due on or before March 10!

• Jacksonville Science Festival: Saturday, Feb. 25 at Metropolitan Park go to  http://jacksonvillesciencefestival.com/ for more infoRequirements: attend the festival. Choose 3 booths or exhibits and explore them. Take a selfie (or have someone take a picture of you) at each. Print the selfie out and identify what you were doing and why.  Use details so we understand what you were up to!!

• Anchor Chart directions are previously posted on this blog and the topics are posted on Focus for the 2nd nine weeks.

• Watch the video "Treasures of the Earth: Metals (lik below) It is very interesting look at  important metals. Develop a free form map or other visual   to explain why metals have made such a difference to mankind. Be sure to include gold and illustrate why it is so very special, why it doesn't bond well with other elements, why it doesn't "rust",  and where it came from along with other interesting facts and factoids,. The map should be drawn on white paper or computer generated.  It should be colorful, organized, and should have no spelling errors. 

http://www.pbs.org/video/2365886855/

The Mock SSA is coming!!!!! What can you do???

Even though we are almost finished with all of the new content for the year, it's time to begin reviewing for the SSA in the Spring. This test used to be known as the FCAT 2.0. It tests student knowledge, application, synthesis, and ability to think and read over content for 3 years. My intent is for each and every student to be as prepared as possible.

You have looked at your data from the district's baseline and scrimmage. Now, the MOCK SSA is almost here. You will again be tested over the 3 years of content that build on what you learned in elementary school. You can start getting ready by reviewing 6th and 7th grade benchmarks that you know you have been tested upon previously - even if you did well. You can also go back over some of your PENDA lessons. The more you frontload before the Mock the better you should do. And the more you review before the SSA the higher your score should be. Remember, this test is not just a test of science. It's a test of how well you read science. Let's get serious together in getting you ready!!!

E-Cybermission

Read the post below!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keeping you in the loop 02/17/2017

Check-up on Mixtures, Acids & Bases, and pH scheduled for next week.
B day = Tuesday, 2/21.
A day = Wednesday, 2/22.

Check out the International Space Station as it passes over Jacksonville. Just "google it" or use another search engine to find out the pertinent data. It was great last night.

E-cybermission is due on 2/22. Have everything ready by Tuesday so we can collectively submit it.  
It seems I have to do the final upload!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't really remember that part, but they contacted me to remind me. We can do this in class.

Use PENDA to continue reviewing an learning new concepts. Much of it will be on the test (SSA) in the spring and on the MOCK SSA that you will take soon. You are expected to do your PENDA each week.

Each week during the 1st class of the week you are required to add the titles and scores for all Penda assignments due that week. Then you add them together and record the score on the grade sheet. If this sounds too much like work to you ;) then all you have to do is take a screen shot of everything due that week and print it out before you come to school. Then just add it to your ISN and total it up.

Don't forget, Monday is a holiday. Pack the right book bag for Tuesday or just use one!

Posting Grades

I am posting grades daily, but it seems like I can only do so many a day due to all of the demands on my time for Exploravision, Bright School,  and NEFRSEF. I anticipate being caught up by Wednesday when I can start putting in the quiz grades. Students, if you have a question about your grade see me in class (B day will have to wait until Wednesday). Please don't send e-mails until after we have spoken. That just takes more time away from posting grades. THANKS.

If you have been absent...

Assigned on Thursday and Friday
Gizmo: Element Builder - up to and including B #3.
Modeling Atoms- all
A3K Molecule Movie
There's gold in the ocean.

Report the A3K scores if you have not already reported them.
Monday, A Day students reported Penda scores due 1/30.
B Day students will report same scores on Tuesday,

Assigned on Monday- Fusion pp. 372-373

You are responsible for reporting Penda and A3K scores. Be sure to report them along with your re-admit.

Some students have not submitted the data analysis signed by parents. Make sure it comes in ASAP.

Assignments due next week

If you have not submitted your data analysis or had it signed by your parents do it this weekend.

Fusion pp. 350-363 due as you walk into class.

PENDA

DEADLINES are approaching for Exploravision and Bright Schools

If you are completing projects for either Toshiba Exploravision or Bright Schools remember that everything must be uploaded on time. You can't do it from home, it needs to be submitted from school. Either Mr. Geary or I will have to log you in to the website so you can upload your submissions.

The DEADLINE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!!

YOU MUST HAVE ALL OF YOUR PROJECT UPLOADED FROM SCHOOL BY FEBRUARY 3. THAT IS A FRIDAY. NEITHER MR. GEARY NOR I WILL BE IN SCHOOL ON FEBRUARY 6!

SCHEDULE A TIME TO COME AFTER SCHOOL TO UPLOAD YOUR PROJECT. THE FOLLOWING DATES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE:

January 26

February 6

DATA Analysis

Each student received data from the baseline and the winter scrimmage. The analysis helps us to see where you may have made growth and how much. Yes, a few students may have dropped and if you are one of them DON'T WORRY. Later this nine weeks we will be spending time on reviewing, reteaching, and learning more about these benchmarks. If you have many mastered bench marks don't worry, you will have opportunities to not only review, but to possibly go deeper into the concepts.
SO... the data analysis is important. Sharing the data with your parents is important also. The data will be used to identify which small group you may work with on certain days or which assignments you may have in the future. Make sure you turn it in.

Bonus Points for 2nd term

Students,
Your bonus does not add to your score in the gradebook. I have to manually change your grade to reflect the points on your report card. I have done that on the reports. If you want to check your grade talk to me in class. Please do not e-mail me this weekend. I am doing my own homework!  See you next week.

If you were absent 01/12 or 01/13

If you were absent on Thursday or Friday you have some work to do.

Watch the video “The Amazing Birth Of A Hand Blown Glass Pitcher”

at

https://youtu.be/dtxrtKd-Vao

Then do #12 on p. 347 of Fusion.

The question asks you to describe in your own words the glassblowing process. You may present this in paragraph form, as a cartoon or comic strip or as a free form map. Point out where physical and chemical changes occur. This should be a product that you will be proud to hang up for others to see. 

Fusion p. 339

Gizmo: Chemical Changes Activities A and B. 

Other really good glass blowing sites
https://youtu.be/1rtQQRikrwY
https://youtu.be/gYXh00gQZ_A

If you were absent on Thursday or Friday in 2017

The assignment is to add chemical properties to your foldable. You can do this by reading pp. 318 - 321 in Fusion. Then you should read and do all of pp. 322-325 in Fusion. This really should be finished if at all possible before you come to class so that you have  enough time to work on the lab activity scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.

Penda grades for  due dates 12/12, 12/19, and 12/26 were calculated by adding all of the scores you earned for the due date. The 3 very large scores were reported, recorded, and posted. Please calculate the total points you earned for each of the 3 due dates and be prepared to report them in class.