Last week before the holidays!

Two thank yous:
I neglected to acknowledge all of those who helped with our last Family Night Potluck. We had an amazing turnout! It was nice to visit with everyone and enjoy the yummy food. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Our UCSD fieldtrip was a great success because of the help of our drivers. We couldn't have done it without you. Our Student Ambassador, Bijan, told us that he thought we were a great class and he appreciated how well behaved and attentive we were compared to most middle school student tours he gives!

Upcoming Events
• Pizza Friday Fundraiser $3 one slice $4 two slices

• 7th Grade Bake Sale: Friday

• Winter Break: Dec 20-Jan 2

• No School Monday Jan. 3: Professional Growth Day for teachers

• Jan 20 Reily's Farm in San Bernardino(2 hours north). This all day trip is a living history exploration of the Revolutionary War. The trip includes dramatic and cultural workshops, a light lunch and two mock battle scenarios. The cost is $20 which includes the fieldtrip, lunch and gas. Please bring money asap as we need to pay a deposit now. So far we have these drivers: Lisa(6), Tony (4), Crystal (4), Kaleb (4), Andrew C (3), Andrew G (3), James (4), Elena(5), Brittney (?)


Class Happenings
Math:
Students had a math test today covering functions and graphing. Our next unit includes solving algebraic equations in single step, two step and multiple steps. The goal of this unit is to help students look at an equation and break it apart into smaller, understandable steps. Algebraic equations are all around us. We use them in science, money, measurement, food etc. My hope is to take away the fear of "the algebra monster" by giving students the tools to solve any math problem.

Science:
We are almost ready to present our "second round" of posters. Students chose elements or groups of elements from the periodic table to create a poster and presentation. I have seen a great improvement as well as dedication to researching the information compared to the first time around with the atomic theory posters. We took a little more time than I expected to finish up but the results far outweigh the time lost. I am using this time to teach the importance of doing excellent work as opposed to mediocre work. During presentations of their elements, students will also be assessed on their listening as well as speaking skills.

Two weeks left until winter break! We have much to do!

Upcoming Events

• Friday December 10 7th and 8th grade Field Trip to UCSD
So far we have enough drivers for 35 students. We need 40. Here is what I have so far. () = number of passengers:
Lisa(6), Andrew C (3), Maggie (4), Crystal (4), Eddie (4), James(4), Brittney (6), Tony (4), Andrew G (?)

• Jan 20 Reily's Farm in San Bernardino(2 hours north). This all day trip is a living history exploration of the Revolutionary War. The trip includes dramatic and cultural workshops, a light lunch and two mock battle scenarios. The cost is $20 which includes the fieldtrip, lunch and gas. Please bring money asap as we need to pay a deposit now. So far we have these drivers: Lisa(6), Tony (4), Crystal (4), Kaleb (4), Andrew C (3), Andrew G (3), James (4), Elena(5), Brittney (?)


Class Happenings
Math:
Students continued learning about and identifying the slope and y-intercept. We finished the Stretching Slinkies Project and started Who Wins the Race?, an inquiry into how do we figure out a word problem? Students are using graphs diagrams and words to explain how they came up with their conclusions. Eventually students will use their conclusions to determine slopes and y-intercepts.

Science
We critiqued our posters about the discovery of atoms and will be using that information to create even BETTER posters to represent the periodic table, metals, nonmetals and metalloids. This information will be used for the mystery next week.