Friday, April 29, 2011

May 2-6

Dear Students

Our test to Chapter 20 will be Wednesday, May 4. Please prepare for it by reading Chapter 20 from your textbook and then using your work pack to review. Study your Key Terms and Key Concepts.


Weekly tips:
How to study Smarter, not Harder

Study the Middle
The best time to review is soon after learning has taken place. The beginning and the end of material is best remembered, so pay close attention to the middle which is likely to be forgotten. The peak of difficulty in remembering is just beyond the middle, toward the end. change your method of review.

Connect Ideas Whenever Possible
The more association you can elicit for an idea, the more meaning it will have; the more meaningful the learning, the better one is able to retain it. Always note similarities in ideas and concepts, and put them in their proper place in a larger system of ideas, concepts and theories. A bare literal understanding is often of little valuable. Never be satisfied with a hazy idea of what you are reading. If you are not able to follow the thought, go back to where you lost the trail.


Grades Posted in Power school this week

Oral Presentation: Chapter 20
Chapter 20: Project

Important Dates to Keep in Mind

May 11 Key Terms Due
May 18 Test Chapter 21
May 18 Key Concepts Due

Friday, April 15, 2011

April 26-29

Dear Students:
Project presentations were a success. You have accomplished much throughout the school year and you are now mastering Oral Presentations a lot better.
We are going to have our Easter break from April 16-25. Classes resume on April 26.
As we return, we will continue to learn about the Solar System through lectures, videos and class activities. We will solve our Key concepts and Workpacks as well.

Important Dates to Keep in Mind
April 26 Classes resume
May 04 Key Concepts Due
May 04 Workpack Due
May 04 Test Chapter 20
Weekly tips:
Break up task into workable and obtainable steps
Prioritize assignment and activities.
List and/or post (and say) all steps necessary to complete each assignment

Friday, April 8, 2011

April 11-15

Dear Students:


This is our last week before Semana Santa’s break. We will begin a new Chapter full of wonderful information that will enrich our knowledge in science.
We are beginning Chapter 20: The Solar System. Our Solar System is a vast region containing the sun, planets, and many other objects. We will be studying all these interesting parts and details that influence our planet.
The Rubric for Oral Presentations will be used for this project. Make sure you practice at home before the real thing .

Some of the topics covered in this Chapter are:
Observing the Solar System
The Sun
The Inner Planets
The Outer Planets
Comets, Asteroids and Meteors
Is there Life Beyond Earth?


As we approach the end of this school year, I encourage you to practice your skills of organization and discipline:
1. Listening
2. Following Instructions
3. Questioning
4. Exhibiting Leadership
5. Communicating Effectively
6. Organizing: Time, Things

Important Dates to keep in mind

April 13 Key Terms Chapter 20
April 13 Class Project/ Oral Presentation Rubric
April 16-25 Semana Santa
May 4 Test Chapter 20

Friday, April 1, 2011

Coming Soon

April 4-8

Dear Students:

I have decided to postpone your test to Chapter 19. The new date will be this coming Wednesday, April 6. The content of this chapter as well as the fact that we have reviewed the Scientific method thoroughly, has not allowed us to complete the content. Please make good use of this opportunity as we approach our mid –term reports, April 15.
Your Chapter projects have been assigned and will be presented April 13. Don’t forget this time a creative surprise is required. Look for one that will make your presentation memorable. Review the rubric and practice with your group.
We have reviewed the Scientific Method and have learned important terminology related to it. Please keep these terms in mind for they will be applied often in the course of Science.


Some of the goals we want to achieve through our presentations are:
1.Being able to communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
2.Students will be familiar with the character of scientific knowledge and inquiry and how it is achieved.
3.Practice sequencing and completing steps to accomplish specific tasks
4.Pose explanations based on evidence derived from one's own work.


Important Dates to keep in mind

April 6 Chapter 19 TEST
April 6 Chapter 19 Key Terms TEST
April 13 Chapter 9 Project