Friday, May 20, 2011

May 23-27

Dear Students:

In order to embrace the new, we must release the old. A trapeze artist cannot swing from one bar to another without letting go. An important part of preparing for the new school year is to review the past year—to release it—and to learn from it.…
The following questions should stimulate your thinking for this process. I hope that you take time out of your busy schedule to ponder where you are and where you've been.
Reflect upon what you did, how you felt, what you liked, what you didn’t and what you learned. Try to look at yourself and your experience with as much objectivity as you can—much like a biographer would.
Here are some suggestions to get you started in mulling over the past year—perhaps the last decade.
1. What did I learn? (skills, knowledge, awareness, etc.)
2. What did I accomplish? A list of my wins and achievements.
3. What would I have done differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant events of the year past?
6. What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were my biggest challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
8. How am I different this year than last?
9. For what am I particularly grateful

This is the last week of school and we will continue to learn until the very last day. We will review important Scientific procedures and concepts. Please make sure your book is in good condition to be returned and that you search for your amazing scientific demonstration to share with the class.


Grades Published in Power School


Key Terms Chapter 21






Important Dates to Keep in Mind
May 26 Books will be Collected
May 26 Science Demonstrations

Friday, May 13, 2011

May 16-20

Dear Students:

This week we continue with Chapter 21. We will be focusing in the chapter content as well as the Chapter Project. Please make sure you work on your work pack in a daily basis as well as the Key Concepts, for they will better prepare you for our evaluation.

Project requirements:

• Make a Solar System Model/poster to demonstrate your topic.

• Color your components as close as possible to the images that you can find in books or the internet.

• Prepare your display with planetary statistics for each planet or subject.


• To make your project more advanced, develop a scaled model or any other type of attractive visual.

• Review the rubric before presentation date.


Important Dates to Keep in Mind

May 18 Test Chapter 21
May 18 Key Concepts Due
May 19 Project Presentation

Grades posted in Power School
]
Chapter 20 Content Test
Chapter 20 Key Terms Quiz
Key Terms Chapter 21

Friday, May 6, 2011

May 9-13

Dear Students:

This week we will be working on Chapter 21: Stars, Galaxies and the Universe. Your project for solar system has also been assigned. Make sure you become an expert on the topic chosen so you can transmit these important concepts to the class.

Getting Started:

First, get to know about your topic. Read as much information about the topic as you can find. Try both the Internet and the library; try the NASA web site, Zoom Astronomy, Nine Planets, a good search engine, an encyclopedia, and individual books on astronomy and the Solar System.
As you're reading about your topic, take notes on key information, such as your planet's size, temperature range, its position in the Solar System, moons, atmosphere, any unusual features, when it was discovered, etc. A graphic organizer can be useful for this.

Make your presentation neat and informative. Start working as early as possible.

Important Dates to Keep in Mind

May 11 Key Terms Due
May 18 Test Chapter 21
May 18 Key Concepts Due
May 19 Project Presentation

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