POL schedule

Here is the POL schedule https://docs.google.com/a/innovationsacademy.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArTfWy2KwbyrdDI1Z0NsZmZseWt3LV9RRzhGSHhJakE#gid=0

Week of Jan 14-18

Reminder!  No school Monday January 21.  It's Martin Luther King Day. 

Upcoming events: 

8th Grade POL's have been changed to Jan 28 thru Feb 1.  Parents, please come.  Individual student schedule will go out Tuesday.

Riley's Farm Revolutionary War Field trip on Wednesday Jan 30.  Cost $15.  A note went home Friday.  Please read it for details!

Report Cards will be going home on Friday February 1.

The Map

Traveling to the next coordinate

A sampling of the questions

Hard at work

Looking for treasure

Math:  This past week we honed our graphing skills. We practiced using linear equations to create a graph of a line, as well as using graphs to derive the equation of a line.  We compared parallel and perpendicular lines and their graphs.  As an assessment of the content they have been practicing, students participated in a Math Treasure Hunt.  Our school was put onto a coordinate plane and students had to go to specific coordinates on our school campus to find a math question.  Ten questions and treasure were found all over the school.  The students really enjoyed finding the "treasure" and answering the same type of problem that could have been easily given on a regular sit-down test in the classroom.  I was also able to assess students' ability to plot points on a graph as they used their map to walk to the points around campus.

Testing for simple sugars using Benedict's solution and heat

 Science:  We learned about elements, compounds and macromolecules this week.  As part of our murder mystery, students performed two of the four tests we will use to determine what type of macromolecule - complex carbohydrate, simple sugar, lipid or protein was found in the murder suspect's stomach at the time of the crime.  (Vomit was found at the crime scene and it was determined that it was not the victim's!)

Students chewed up crackers

Before

After:  Iodine was an indicator used to test for complex carbohydrates

LOOKING AHEAD:
Our main focus for the upcoming week will be preparation for POLs.  We will also continue our murder investigation in science, and students will learn about solving systems of equations in math.

Happy New Year!

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing break.  Thank you to all who showered me with wonderful gifts this season.  I feel so loved!! I am so excited for the rest of our school year. Tony and I have so many great things in store for this class!  We will move fast and furious during these last months as we make the final preparations for high school. 

 **SPECIAL NOTE**  In my experience as an 8th grade teacher, I am very aware of the stress and excitement many students encounter in the last six months of their middle school life.  Parents, if you are new to the 8th grade experience, be prepared for a student who may feel frustrated, sad, apathetic, or "done" with 8th grade.  We typically see 8th grade burnout start right before Spring Break.  We also see the panic that comes as some students realize they may not see some of their friends again after graduation.  

Fear not!! And remember patience!! Tony and I are very aware of this phenomenon and are armed with strategies to make the best of our last few months together. We keep pretty busy, which helps combat many of the issues stated above.  We often brag about what an amazing group of kids we have this year.  I appreciate their enthusiasm, their honesty and their compassion for one another. I am also so grateful for the family support we have this year.  Thank you!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Thursday January 10, 3:45  Parent Meeting for Sacramento Trip and High School Information

Thursday January 17, 3:45  Sacramento Parent meeting(for those who couldn't make the Jan 10 date)

Monday January 21:  No School. MLK Day

Jan 22- Jan 25 9:30 - 12:00: Presentations of Learning (Schedule coming soon)

CSI SCIENCE:
On Tuesday, we kicked off our endeavors into Chemistry with a murder mystery. Students will record evidence, interview suspects, perform tests on the evidence, and have a mock trial as they figure out whodunnit.  During the mystery, students will look at atomic structure and learn about important biochemicals critical to life including carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. 

MATH CHANGES:
We made a few more adjustments to our two math classes with some movement of students from one class to the other.  Both classes are still devoted to 8th grade math curriculum with an emphasis now in BOTH classes on the Algebra standards.  One of the classes is moving at a somewhat slower pace in order to hone basic skills needed to be successful in math.  We are currently working on "How To" Posters to help us understand:
- linear equations in the form y=mx + b
- recognizing slope (m), y-intercept (b) from the equation
- writing a linear equation by looking at a graph 
- graphing a line given a linear equation, 
- writing a linear equation given a point (x,y) and slope (m)
- writing a linear equation given two points.
- finding the slope of a line parallel to another line
- finding the slope of a line perpendicular to a line

   Weekly quizzes have been changed to Fridays.  There are no Language of Math words in this Friday's quiz, but we will include problems associated with the topics listed above.  At this point students should be able to plot coordinates on a graph and recognize slope and y-intercept from an equation in the form y = mx + b.  If not, please practice with your student at home. 
 Example:  Given the linear equation y = 4x - 2.  What is the slope (m) and y-intercept (b)?
Answer:  m= 4, b = -2