Thursday, 5/19

Tomorrow is the day! You will be doing a scavenger hunt with all of the projects. The projects look GREAT!!

Tuesday, 5/17

We will be completing our alternative energy projects, due Thursday. The alternative energy fair will be held on Friday. Presentations will begin on Monday, 5/23.

Wednesday, 5/4

Students have had 2 days (Monday and Tuesday) in the library and should by this time have their 5 summaries (2 from books & periodicals and at least 3 websites) As soon as they have completed different components, they can simply show them to me and I will sign off on each one. We are currently working on crossword puzzles made up of the "release items" from the MEA's. These are a review of some of the things we have studied this year. The MEA's are this coming Tuesday and are just for science. As they complete the crossword puzzles, they can work on the alternative energy projects.

Please, please, please make sure they have the checklist and, if possible, a folder so they don't lose track of their papers as they will then be turned into the actual project!

Sunday, 5/1

I hope all of you enjoyed this wonderful weekend! Maybe spring is actually here! :) We are now working on our alternative energy projects. We will be in the library for class both Monday and Tuesday to work on the projects. The project is online even though the date is 2010.

Wednesday, 3/30

In science, we have played around with pendulums, tested our predictions, and tomorrow, we learn about the man himself. Just in case the weather doesn't cooperate on Friday, we will begin either Friday or Monday to repeat one of Galileo's pendulum experiments. This will take 2 days and students need to come prepared with ruler and calculators!

Sunday, 2/13

Last week, we began our astronomy presentations. I must say, the presentations I have seen so far are fantastic! I hope this continues for all as students have had a lot of in-class time!

We will, hopefully, take the astronomy test on Friday.

Monday, 2/7

Students are completing their astronomy projects. Presentations will begin this Thursday, 2/10. Most students have shown me the 15 facts they are concentrating on and the 3 questions and answers from their facts. They are working on their keynotes, etc. A good rule of thumb for the number of slides is to have 12 slides (1 for title and 1 for sources) They will need to be able to TALK about their topic without reading from their keynote. They are allowed to use notecards so they are not tempted to read.

Please make sure to check over the rubric (http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/bjh/staffandteams/grade8/bowen/astron/astron_rubric_2011.htm) to see what the expectations are.

Tuesday, 1/24

Students will have had in-class time all this week along with a couple of days last week, to work on their astronomy projects.

The schedule for the Astronomy presentations is as follows:

Friday, 1/28 - 15 Facts are due for checking

Monday, 1/31 - 3 Questions and answers are due for checking.

Thursday, 2/10 - Presentations in front of class will begin!

Again, for the descriptor, all required papers (rubric, etc) are on the school website under 8th grade, science, Astronomy Project 2011

I checked with Ms. Blake since their Biography Day presentations will begin and she said since I have given them in-class time, it wouldn't interfere with the project for social studies.

I have mentioned to students that they are not to READ their keynotes, etc. as it wouldn't be a "display of their knowledge" on their topics. I will also be asking questions of them. Some of the questions I would expect them to know (i.e. if they're doing 'Galaxies' I would expect for them to be able to list the 3 main classifications of galaxies! Some will be questions they might not know (maybe I won't either!)

As they go up to present, they will hand me their "lesson plan" (15 facts, 3 questions and answers, and the rubric).

Happy Snow Day 1/12/11 NO SCHOOL!

I hope all of you have had a wonderful day off! Tomorrow we will continue working with our boats! We will predict how our boat design will work with some changes. We will finish choosing our topics and then will continue with our boats on Friday. I will, however, take points off your grade if I find water and/or equipment on your lab tables.

Please be ready with your 5 research questions.

See you tomorrow.

Sunday, 1/9/11

We will talk about any questions you might have as far as the astronomy research and the presentations are concerned.

We may then begin choosing topics. Students may NOT choose the same topic, but, after doing their research, may present at the same time.

During their research, students will

Keep track of their sources as they go along
Make a list of at least of what they think are the most interesting and important facts
Come up with 3 questions and answers
Make them into a presentation to "teach" what they learned.

Note: IF the do a keynote, they need to have a MINIMUM of 12 slides (title slide, 10 slides of their information and a sources slide

Sunday, 1/2/11 THEY WON!!

We will be beginning our astronomy unit. Go to the school website and look at the astronomy project. This will be our big project for quarter #3. You can get an idea of how to choose topics and the types of projects you can do. See you tomorrow!

Saturday, 1/1/11 Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to you ALL! I wish you all the best in 2011! When we return on Monday, we will begin our Astronomy unit. Have a great weekend and GO PATS!