Just like that and it's December!! My oh my, how time flies!
Students are creating a "Physics of" poster this week to show what they know and understand about motion, forces and energy. We will also have a notebook check Wednesday, and our final unit assessment on Thursday!

A new year already??? 2015-16 !!!
NGSS!  Say it with me!!!!!!
Next Generation Science Standards are the thing!  Our students will be better prepared and more challenged (in a good way :-) than ever before.

Looking forward to our first unit, Energy, Machines and Motion.  Can't wait!

Our first notebook check is tomorrow, 9/10/15!

We are getting ready for our first assessment of the 3rd quarter..."Introduction to Genetics!"

Students have been

• learning about dominant and recessive traits,
• completing Punnett squares,
• researching genetic diseases,
• and reading about stem cells!

Welcome Back Chieftains!!

I hope you are ready for a fun, challenging year in 8th grade Science!!

We're starting off busy, collecting data and figuring out what it means...thought for the week, "Math + Science= BFF's!"

Children's Science Books are due next Friday, March 21!!
Use your writing outline and facts to get your ideas down, then create your book!

See Rubric Below:

Writing Rubric		5	4	3	2	1
Introduction	The introduction captures the reader’s attention and explains science concepts covered in the book at the appropriate level for the intended audience. Hook sentence, transition sentence, thesis statement.
Body of Writing (paragraphs)	Transitional phrases are used and relate to previous ideas. Information contains detail in own words.                                                               x 4 (20 points) Each page or paragraph concludes with a closing idea.
Conclusion	The summary sentence should summarize the main ideas without being repetitive. It should also begin with a transition. One sentence from each body paragraph should remind the reader of the importance of the topic and ideas. Explain and connect the importance of ideas from the book to real life or the world.
**********	**************************************************************************************
Presentation Rubric		5	4	3	2	1
Front Cover Title Page Back Cover	Title, author, illustration, design Title, author, illustrator, year, graphic or fancy lettering Inside-2 main resources used for facts and ideas in the book (use proper format) Outside- 2 signed reviews of the book (2 people who have read your book)
Illustrations	Original illustrations are detailed, attractive, creative and relate to the content in the book.
Spelling  & Punctuation Neatness & Effort	There are no spelling or punctuation errors in the final draft of the book. The book has no distracting errors or corrections and is easily read. It appears the student spent time and effort getting things just right.
**********	**************************************************************************************
Book finished by due date	Books due Friday, March 21 by the end of the class period.		x	Turned in after school.	x	x
Participation in Reading Day at Vale	Students walk to Vale Elementary to read books to target audience, (2nd grade).		x	x	x	x
Total Points/ Grade	________/ 55 points possible

 

 

3rd quarter progress reports handed out today!!!!  How are you doing?
Saturday School time available this weekend if you need some extra time! :-)


We are getting ready for our first Earth in Space assessment next week. It will cover information from Lessons 1-4.

Attention all 8th graders!!!

This is important!!  Notebook check this Friday, 12/13!  Make sure everything is ready to be checked .

AND.... Cube Research projects are due next Wednesday, December 18!!!
Be prepared to present to the class!!

PS- did you figure out whether the substances in class today were pure or mixtures?????