Class Title Middle School Science
For the week of:  August 30-September 3, 2010

Over the past two weeks, both seventh and eighth grade classes have completed a unit on the Scientific Method and have begun our Matter, Matter Everywhere unit with a short section on measurement and the metric system. Our focus has been on controlled experimentation, accurate measurement, collection of data, and data analysis. Our lab work has included practice in measuring length, mass, and volume, and in understanding the difference between mass and weight. 

This week we will continue our unit on Matter with lab practice on finding density. We will also begin studying the states of matter with emphasis on observing, interpreting, and graphing phase changes.

A special opportunity for once-weekly environmental studies has come our way, and we will have our first session this week. Phil Hawn is leading the course, which will be done during science class this semester and will involve both classroom study and hands-on labs. 

Both seventh and eighth graders will continue to have parallel studies in physical science as preparation for our REACH trip, which will include a session on stream physics. Following the REACH trip, the two classes will follow different course topics.

In grammar, we are reviewing parts of speech and sentence structure. Tuesday, we will have a test on nouns, their type, number, gender, function, and case. On Wednesday, we will have a quick review of verbs, beginning with what we already know and then will move to more advanced topics, including conjugations, voice, and mood. Our practice on verbs will be complemented by a simultaneous review of sentence structure.

We have finished our first Wordly Wise lesson, but we will not have a lesson due this week. I am considering making Wordly Wise lessons a two-week assignment so that I can have a few minutes with each student to review the lessons individually in an attempt to highlight quality work that takes full advantage of this curriculum. 

The introductory mini-unit on lifelong learning was fun and informative. I was very impressed with the students' ideas and follow-up questions surrounding both their historic timelines and their future predictions. This week we will move headlong into Communication as an Art. The first section will explore a broader understanding of communication that will set the stage for our year-long study. 

As a related project, we are beginning our work with the yearbook. Mrs. Christian and I will be guiding them as they make plans and implement them. Already our discussions are raising issues they have not previously had to consider. As we have begun discussing the objectives of the publication, the many groups who will read, enjoy, and use it, the economics of it, and the responsibilities of "speaking for" others as writers, photohgraphers, and editors, I have been pleased with the more mature approach they are taking. Their first assignment – a draft of a page outline showing what we will include in the book – is due on Wednesday. 

Friday is our first Current Events Day. Both Mrs. King and I will be on hand to hear their presentations. Every student has received the guidelines for preparing and delivering a news report. Students are responsible for adhering to the guidelines. They will receive grades in both Humanities and Language Arts.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the Annual Fund Kickoff on Thursday evening (Sept. 2). There is time allotted for classroom visits. I hope to see you then. 

Mrs. T.