IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Post-field trip “Activity Fest”
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration (Awards Ceremony), 6:30
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony* at Butler Field House; No school for 8th graders, 9 am
*Students received an informational brochure on Thursday, 5/15 about Schlitterbahn and 8th Grade Promotion. Please pay close attention to the dress code expected at the promotion ceremony. We would hate for anyone to have to sit in the stands and watch promotion instead of walk across the stage due to dress code violations. Thank you for your support and attention in advance.
This Friday is the multi-cultural program. Many of our House C students are participating; you are welcome to join us in our celebration of our many cultures at Pin Oak. The talents of our student are amazing and are being showcased in the various performances this week in the fine arts and Pin Oak Idol.
We have learned that Darius Altman received a first place at the FotoFest for his project he did for History Fair on the Space Program.
Caroline Batten, Audrey Einhorn, and Erin Garza learned recently that they are finalists in the Christopher Columbus Contest some of our Dissertation students entered. The girls along with their Mr. Granthum, their dissertation advisor, will be traveling to Disney World to participate in the finals.
This will be the last update for the school year. Our team has truly enjoyed having your children as students this year. We are sad to see them leave, but are confident they will all enjoy high school and have exciting futures in front of them. Thank you for sharing your children with us this year!
Sincerely,
Your 8C Cluster
Ms. Linsley, Ms. Qureshi, Mr. Scott, and Ms. Parchman
English:
We had LTF testing this week, which has put us behind schedule in getting projects presented in class and reading in Mango Street. That is what we will be doing for the last bit of school. Students already have a large number of grades for my class, and there will not be many more.
All late work is due by Wednesday the 21st—no exceptions. Grades are due Friday the 23rd for 8th Grade, but I will be on the field trip to Schlitterbahn and will need to time to grade assignments and enter final grades by the 22nd. It is very possible that students that brought home high grades on progress reports have dropped if they have not turned in some assignments between then and now—especially the IRP, which counts three times. Please encourage students to get missing work in before the deadline.
History:
The big landform project assigned over a month ago was due this week. Some of them are spectacular and will be a wonderful project to keep for geography in ninth grade. I will return the project and the grade on a separate sheet next week. Ask to see the project and the grade. Unfortunately, some of your children did not submit the project. The students will receive a grade for this project in both history and science.
I am sure we are going to hear great things about many of our students in the future as they continue with their academic careers. Please keep us informed; we consider these “our kids” and are interested in their successes. We wish them “the best!”
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for Science information.
Math:
Algebra I: Final exams are on Wednesday during 1st and 3rd Period.
Students should report to their first period teachers to check in, although all teachers will receive a list of students attending final exams. After checking in, all students in Algebra 1 classes should report to the multi-purpose room with two sharpened number 2 pencils. Students should not bring cell phones, mp3 players, calculators, or calculator-enabled watches to the final exam room. Thus, it is best to leave such items at home to insure their safety.
Students have three assignments due on Tuesday, May 20th (10.5 from the text, Quadratics and Polynomial Test Exam 1 (for practice as homework), and a handout which requires them to graph quadratics. Students can turn in any missing homework by Monday, May 19th. I will not take late work after Monday. Students who will be absent Monday need to find a way to get any missing work to me on Monday.
Carnegie units are due by Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 P.M. The printouts available to students show what unit the student completed, as of the end of the last six weeks. Please add six to this number to determine how many units your child should complete by Wednesday. As the students are fully aware, additional units, beyond the required six, are extra credit. These extra credit units must be completed by the aforementioned deadline. Students finishing all units of the software will receive free geometry software for next year. If your student has finished the units by the day before graduation, please have him or her discuss this with me so that I may submit his/her name.
There will be no homework this week of final exams.
Pre-Algebra:
Final exams for pre-algebra will be given during class time on Monday. The test is comprehensive and contains content from the entire year. Students have been instructed on how to review for the final exam. Students who have missing or late work will need to submit it at the beginning of the class period prior to taking the final. No additional homework will be assigned and no work taken after the final exam. Please ensure that your student has the assignments complete. Students in pre-algebra received printouts during the week of May 11th. These reports show their current grade and what missing work they have. Please ask to see the printout.
On another note: Two weeks ago, students who were in danger of failing for the year signed for and received letters home that stated what they needed this six weeks in order to pass math for the year. These letters were for the parents and students. If you have seen some low report cards come home at any time during the year, please ask your student if he/she received a letter from Mrs. Qureshi. Alternatively, feel free to email me.
There will be no homework this week of final exams.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Weekly Update 5/12-5/16
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME FRIDAY, MAY 9th.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Post-field trip “Activity Fest”
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration (Awards Ceremony)
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House; No school for 8th graders
Opportunity for comments on the school accountability laws to your representatives:
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE:
Public School Accountability, Select
TIME & DATE:
12:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2008
PLACE:
Houston, Texas
CHAIR:
Sen. Florence Shapiro and Rep. Rob Eissler
The Select Committee on Public School Accountability will hold a hearing on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, Room 104, 1865 Aldine Bender Road, Houston, Texas, 77032. The Committee will hear invited and public testimony on issues related to the Public School Accountability system. Public testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person.
English:
We are continuing Mango Street with the short amount of time left in the year. In addition, we are doing some work with poetry and our last independent book unit. Project are due Monday/Tuesday, May 12-13. Please make sure your child is working on this and turns this in on time.
Laying the Foundation testing will take place this week Monday-Thursday for approximately 45 minutes each class period. This test will occur during normal class periods; we are not on a testing schedule. Monday/Tuesday is multiple choice and Wednesday/Thursday is Free Response (writing). With the time left in each class period, we will present projects. We won’t get through all of them, so we’ll finish up the following week.
Wednesday/Thursday, May 7-8, I sent home individual reports for my class with each student. This should provide you with a breakdown of specific assignments for my class that made-up the progress report grade you’ll see on Friday 5/9; however, the reports I gave are more current than the progress report grade, so please focus on my report for “real-time” status. Missing assignments should be taken care of immediately. There is no extra credit this grading period. Students who were absent for the Boston field trip should get work in ASAP. The work was posted in my room before they left, but only a few picked up the work. After next Tuesday, I will count work late for these students.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Projects Due MAY 12-13. These count three times and there isn’t much time for late projects. Please make sure your child submits a quality project on time to avoid any bad surprises on report cards.
History:
All students have due next week the big project on Landforms. This is a grade for history and science. It is a grade for one of the first projects for those attending Bellaire in Pre AP Geography. The students may inquire of their teachers in other schools if those teachers do a similar project or if they can receive credit for the project. The students received this assignment a month ago. Since it takes some time to grade these, we cannot take them late. I have told the students not to tell me at the last minute that computers did not work or they left it at home. Mr. Scott and I expect the students to have this assignment on time. I am including the assignment again on this Update.
Our last history test was this week and the grades, hopefully, will be on the grade reports the students should have either May 9 or the following Monday. Please ask your student for both the grade report and the progress report. There will be some geography tests or quizzes so students should not assume they have no more work to do.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Please email Ms. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME FRIDAY, MAY 9th.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Post-field trip “Activity Fest”
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration (Awards Ceremony)
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House; No school for 8th graders
Opportunity for comments on the school accountability laws to your representatives:
JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE:
Public School Accountability, Select
TIME & DATE:
12:00 PM, Monday, May 12, 2008
PLACE:
Houston, Texas
CHAIR:
Sen. Florence Shapiro and Rep. Rob Eissler
The Select Committee on Public School Accountability will hold a hearing on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center, Room 104, 1865 Aldine Bender Road, Houston, Texas, 77032. The Committee will hear invited and public testimony on issues related to the Public School Accountability system. Public testimony will be limited to 3 minutes per person.
English:
We are continuing Mango Street with the short amount of time left in the year. In addition, we are doing some work with poetry and our last independent book unit. Project are due Monday/Tuesday, May 12-13. Please make sure your child is working on this and turns this in on time.
Laying the Foundation testing will take place this week Monday-Thursday for approximately 45 minutes each class period. This test will occur during normal class periods; we are not on a testing schedule. Monday/Tuesday is multiple choice and Wednesday/Thursday is Free Response (writing). With the time left in each class period, we will present projects. We won’t get through all of them, so we’ll finish up the following week.
Wednesday/Thursday, May 7-8, I sent home individual reports for my class with each student. This should provide you with a breakdown of specific assignments for my class that made-up the progress report grade you’ll see on Friday 5/9; however, the reports I gave are more current than the progress report grade, so please focus on my report for “real-time” status. Missing assignments should be taken care of immediately. There is no extra credit this grading period. Students who were absent for the Boston field trip should get work in ASAP. The work was posted in my room before they left, but only a few picked up the work. After next Tuesday, I will count work late for these students.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Projects Due MAY 12-13. These count three times and there isn’t much time for late projects. Please make sure your child submits a quality project on time to avoid any bad surprises on report cards.
History:
All students have due next week the big project on Landforms. This is a grade for history and science. It is a grade for one of the first projects for those attending Bellaire in Pre AP Geography. The students may inquire of their teachers in other schools if those teachers do a similar project or if they can receive credit for the project. The students received this assignment a month ago. Since it takes some time to grade these, we cannot take them late. I have told the students not to tell me at the last minute that computers did not work or they left it at home. Mr. Scott and I expect the students to have this assignment on time. I am including the assignment again on this Update.
Our last history test was this week and the grades, hopefully, will be on the grade reports the students should have either May 9 or the following Monday. Please ask your student for both the grade report and the progress report. There will be some geography tests or quizzes so students should not assume they have no more work to do.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Please email Ms. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weekly Update 5/5-9
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME FRIDAY, MAY 9th.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
English:
We are continuing to read The House on Mango Street. There is a quiz on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6 over the first 4 vignettes. We are also beginning our poetry unit this week. Students will write bio-poems. Friday brings our second literature circle discussion group—students should be completely done with the book by now. Testing week should have given them ample time to catch up. I still have students without a parent approval from on file. They will not receive credit for book-related assignments until I receive the form or a note signed by a parent approving their book choice. No emails or phone calls will count; I need a hard copy with your signature on it please.
I will send home class-specific reports before or on the day of progress reports for you to review. This is a break-down of what you’ll see on the school-generated report. Please look at it and encourage your child to remedy missing assignments and low grades by turning in missing work, and by staying on top of assignments and due dates. I will not offer extra credit this grading period.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13 (these dates may get shifted due to LTF testing…TBA. Until then, students should count on projects being due on these dates)
History:
TAKS is over! It seems as it has gone on for months with students taking tests at different times. We now hope for improvement in all the scores. The students will test this next week over the Civil War and Reconstruction. All Civil War Battles maps and Chapter 16 study guide are now past due and need to be submitted immediately. These will be included in the Progress Report grade. All students should be working on the Landforms project assigned last month. This project is due May 12/13. Students will receive a grade in science and history; it may be one of their early project grades in Bellaire High School PreAP classes this next fall. However, in order to receive an acceptable grade in all of these classes, the students must follow the directions very carefully, the work must be of very high quality, and the assignment cannot be late.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Algebra 1:
LTF Testing will be next week between the 5th and the 9th of May. The final date is pending. We are shooting for May 8th, but this has not yet be confirmed. Students will learn the exact date on Friday May 2nd. The Chapter 9 exam is temporarily cancelled. With TAKs and LTF testing, students need a break. The test for Chapter 10 will include Chapter 9 material. We will begin Chapter 10 this week.
Students are diligently working through Chapter 9 and will begin Chapter 10 on Tuesday. Sections to be covered are 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 10.1, and 10.2. We are continuing the study of factoring, finding intercepts of quadratics, and graphing them. Because of the upcoming Boston trip, the assignments have already been given to the students. Please confirm that your student has written down the assignments.
Pre-algebra:
Students will begin Chapter 10: Equations and Inequalities. Students will focus on sections 10-1 & 10-2. Vocabulary for Chapter 9 is due on Wednesday, May 7th. Students should also begin learning the vocabulary for Chapter 10. The Chapter 9 test is cancelled. The Chapter 10 test will include questions from Chapter 9. I think the students have had quite a few tests in the past week, and that they need a break.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME FRIDAY, MAY 9th.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
English:
We are continuing to read The House on Mango Street. There is a quiz on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6 over the first 4 vignettes. We are also beginning our poetry unit this week. Students will write bio-poems. Friday brings our second literature circle discussion group—students should be completely done with the book by now. Testing week should have given them ample time to catch up. I still have students without a parent approval from on file. They will not receive credit for book-related assignments until I receive the form or a note signed by a parent approving their book choice. No emails or phone calls will count; I need a hard copy with your signature on it please.
I will send home class-specific reports before or on the day of progress reports for you to review. This is a break-down of what you’ll see on the school-generated report. Please look at it and encourage your child to remedy missing assignments and low grades by turning in missing work, and by staying on top of assignments and due dates. I will not offer extra credit this grading period.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13 (these dates may get shifted due to LTF testing…TBA. Until then, students should count on projects being due on these dates)
History:
TAKS is over! It seems as it has gone on for months with students taking tests at different times. We now hope for improvement in all the scores. The students will test this next week over the Civil War and Reconstruction. All Civil War Battles maps and Chapter 16 study guide are now past due and need to be submitted immediately. These will be included in the Progress Report grade. All students should be working on the Landforms project assigned last month. This project is due May 12/13. Students will receive a grade in science and history; it may be one of their early project grades in Bellaire High School PreAP classes this next fall. However, in order to receive an acceptable grade in all of these classes, the students must follow the directions very carefully, the work must be of very high quality, and the assignment cannot be late.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Algebra 1:
LTF Testing will be next week between the 5th and the 9th of May. The final date is pending. We are shooting for May 8th, but this has not yet be confirmed. Students will learn the exact date on Friday May 2nd. The Chapter 9 exam is temporarily cancelled. With TAKs and LTF testing, students need a break. The test for Chapter 10 will include Chapter 9 material. We will begin Chapter 10 this week.
Students are diligently working through Chapter 9 and will begin Chapter 10 on Tuesday. Sections to be covered are 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 10.1, and 10.2. We are continuing the study of factoring, finding intercepts of quadratics, and graphing them. Because of the upcoming Boston trip, the assignments have already been given to the students. Please confirm that your student has written down the assignments.
Pre-algebra:
Students will begin Chapter 10: Equations and Inequalities. Students will focus on sections 10-1 & 10-2. Vocabulary for Chapter 9 is due on Wednesday, May 7th. Students should also begin learning the vocabulary for Chapter 10. The Chapter 9 test is cancelled. The Chapter 10 test will include questions from Chapter 9. I think the students have had quite a few tests in the past week, and that they need a break.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Friday, April 25, 2008
Weekly Update 4/28-5/4
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Report Cards went home on April 23rd.
Next week is a testing week. Monday is a Charger Day, Tuesday-Friday will be testing schedules in the morning, and then shortened classes the rest of each day. Please encourage your child to get some rest, eat a good breakfast, and bring pencils/books.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
We are reading The House on Mango Street in class. The novel is a great backdrop to teaching many “Laying the Foundation” concepts, which students will be tested on in May. We will also begin a short poetry unit to be done in conjunction with The House on Mango Street. We will look at lyrical poetry, which I feel the students will particularly enjoy.
With the testing on campus next week, our schedule will be a compressed one. Please encourage your child to bring their independent reading book with them every day to read after testing. Books should be completed and literature circle questions should be answered by Friday, May 9th (see below). Using any free time after testing will allow extra reading opportunities to catch up or get ahead on their reading schedule. Some students have still not returned a parent approval form for their book. Until I receive it, no full credit will be given for any book-related assignments, so please speak to your child about their status.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
All the students now have packets for review for TAKS. Some have been attending the after-school reviews which also will help them.
The packets are a series of questions for each objective covered on the TAKS. The District Social Studies Department provided this information to us to help the students in the review. Parents can help by going over this material with the students. Our TAKS is on Friday, May 2. The students’ grades on this test will be a part of their final averages for this six weeks grading period.
This test is important for class placement next year in high school. Also, some magnet programs may revoke transfers for students who do not pass all the TAKS. In addition, this course is a major part of the 10th grade TAKS and the exit exam from high school. The students should keep all the review material for use for those tests.
We basically are through with the Civil War and Reconstruction this week. Those who need to complete work on maps and other materials still need to complete them.
The Landforms project is due May 13/14. Please encourage your student to keep working on it.
We wish great success to Darius Altman, Drew McMillian, and Scott Shelton who will be participating in the State History Fair May 3. This is a great honor for our school to have so many entries and we appreciate greatly the work these young men have done.
Science:
All Classes:
Well, this is where the rubber meets the road, push comes to shove, crunch time, and the going gets tough and the tough get going ……
Your child should have finished teaching you all of the nine lessons last week; I am asking you to sign the log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grades.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week your child has final grades relating to;
1. The homework packet all five objectives done.
2. Parent signing log for all nine lessons taught.
3. Study guide (highlighted and summarized).
4. 30 index cards summarizing homework packet.
Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids. I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives. I am also here every day after school except Friday for tutorials, I have not had a very good response and would hope the kids I have asked to come will be here Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights. Jamie Scott
Math:
Please contact Ms. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Report Cards went home on April 23rd.
Next week is a testing week. Monday is a Charger Day, Tuesday-Friday will be testing schedules in the morning, and then shortened classes the rest of each day. Please encourage your child to get some rest, eat a good breakfast, and bring pencils/books.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
We are reading The House on Mango Street in class. The novel is a great backdrop to teaching many “Laying the Foundation” concepts, which students will be tested on in May. We will also begin a short poetry unit to be done in conjunction with The House on Mango Street. We will look at lyrical poetry, which I feel the students will particularly enjoy.
With the testing on campus next week, our schedule will be a compressed one. Please encourage your child to bring their independent reading book with them every day to read after testing. Books should be completed and literature circle questions should be answered by Friday, May 9th (see below). Using any free time after testing will allow extra reading opportunities to catch up or get ahead on their reading schedule. Some students have still not returned a parent approval form for their book. Until I receive it, no full credit will be given for any book-related assignments, so please speak to your child about their status.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
All the students now have packets for review for TAKS. Some have been attending the after-school reviews which also will help them.
The packets are a series of questions for each objective covered on the TAKS. The District Social Studies Department provided this information to us to help the students in the review. Parents can help by going over this material with the students. Our TAKS is on Friday, May 2. The students’ grades on this test will be a part of their final averages for this six weeks grading period.
This test is important for class placement next year in high school. Also, some magnet programs may revoke transfers for students who do not pass all the TAKS. In addition, this course is a major part of the 10th grade TAKS and the exit exam from high school. The students should keep all the review material for use for those tests.
We basically are through with the Civil War and Reconstruction this week. Those who need to complete work on maps and other materials still need to complete them.
The Landforms project is due May 13/14. Please encourage your student to keep working on it.
We wish great success to Darius Altman, Drew McMillian, and Scott Shelton who will be participating in the State History Fair May 3. This is a great honor for our school to have so many entries and we appreciate greatly the work these young men have done.
Science:
All Classes:
Well, this is where the rubber meets the road, push comes to shove, crunch time, and the going gets tough and the tough get going ……
Your child should have finished teaching you all of the nine lessons last week; I am asking you to sign the log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grades.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week your child has final grades relating to;
1. The homework packet all five objectives done.
2. Parent signing log for all nine lessons taught.
3. Study guide (highlighted and summarized).
4. 30 index cards summarizing homework packet.
Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids. I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives. I am also here every day after school except Friday for tutorials, I have not had a very good response and would hope the kids I have asked to come will be here Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights. Jamie Scott
Math:
Please contact Ms. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Weekly Update 4/21-25
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Report Cards will be going home on April 23rd.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary. We have started on pre-reading activities this week.
“The Kindness Quilt” is in the process of being made. Upon its completion, we will have a revealing party for the 8th grade participants. The quilt will hang in the library. Be sure to check it out before the end of the year!
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
This past week and next week the students are working on material for TAKS and over the Civil War and Reconstruction. They will test on the Civil War and Reconstruction late next week. We then will continue with TAKS review.
TAKS is important because the scores may determine the level of classes for which the students will qualify in high school. The students should keep all the review materials because these materials will help the students when they take their exit exam from high school in the eleventh grade. Currently, thirty-five percent of the exit exam is from this eighth grade course.
The rest of the year will be spent on geography. These assignments are very important for preparation for ninth grade geography and for their grades this next six weeks. At this time of the year, it seems as if eighth graders often slack off and their grades fall. They need to be reminded that transfers can be revoked for failing grades. Also, students need to prepare for using technology in high school. Many teachers accept assignments online or, at least, require all assignments to be printed so it is important students have access to computers and printers. All public libraries have these facilities so if you do not have the computers readily available for student use at home, please make arrangements for your child to use a public library. Following is the assignment for the last project. I will show the students examples of how to do this project on Friday.
Landforms and Water Bodies
In chart form, provide
A. definition
B. process of origin
C. a hand-drawn illustration and a
d. “real world” example of each of the following
physical features.
Sources you may wish to consult:
http://www.geology.com/
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/gaculty/ritter/glossary/glossary_A.html
The project must be bound neatly.
Due: No later than May 14/15. You cannot expect to print these at school because they must be in color.
Water-Formed Features:
Aquifer Arroyo
Bay Beach Canyon Cape
Coral Reef Delta Estuary Fjord
Geyser Glacier Gorge Gulf
Hanging Valley Lagoon Lake Oxbow Lake
Point Bar River Sea Sinkhole
Shoreline Springs Strait Stream
Tarn Valley Wadi Yazoo
Land-Formed Features:
Alluvial Fan Archipelago Atoll Caldera
Cirque Continental Divide Delta
Drumlin Dunes Ergs Graben
Hogback Horst Island (2 types)
Isthmus Kame Karst Kettle
Levee Mesa Moraine Mountains (2)
Buttes Peninsula Plateau Plains
Volcano
Science:
All Classes
Well, this is where the rubber meets the road, push comes to shove, crunch time, and the going gets tough and the tough get going …….
What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lessons covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught by your child the third set of lessons in the series; Lesson # 5 Atomic Structures, Chemistry, and Lesson # 6 Astronomy. Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids. I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due. Next Friday, the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective # 4 are due for a major grade. I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights.
Jamie Scott
Math:
Algebra 1:
Last week, we worked on Chapter 8 material. We finished exponential functions, including exponential growth and decay. We began the study of Chapter 8, with adding and subtracting, then dividing polynomials. Students began studying factoring and how it pertains to x-intercepts on a graph. Students will continue factoring, learning about special cases. Sections in Chapter 8 that will be covered include: 9.4, solving polynomials in factored form & 9.5 Factoring quadratics; this week’s topics are essential for success on the end of year exam. Please insure your student completes the homework assignments as assigned. Students should be diligent regarding attendance as well. Brand new topics they have not seen before will be presented.
Pre-Algebra:
Last week, students finished sections in Chapter 7 and covered relevant sections in Chapter 8. Students have 8-4 & 8-5 due on Monday. Please check to see that your student has completed the assignment. Vocabulary for Chapter 8 is also due on Monday. Students will turn their attention to Chapter 9. In preparation for TAKS, we have studied topics covered in 7, 8, and 9. There will not be a test covering 7 & 8, but there will be for Chapter 9. We begin this week with sections in Chapter 9: Statistics. Making a table and histograms will be the topic for Monday (9-1 & 9-2). Circle graphs and measures of central tendency will be Wednesday’s topic (9-3 & 9-4). Friday brings the beginning of Section 9-5: Measures of Variation.
We will complete Chapter 9 next week, a test will follow the following week, then we will turn our attention to Chapter 10: Linear and Non-Linear Functions. We will review linear patterning in preparation for this task.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Report Cards will be going home on April 23rd.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary. We have started on pre-reading activities this week.
“The Kindness Quilt” is in the process of being made. Upon its completion, we will have a revealing party for the 8th grade participants. The quilt will hang in the library. Be sure to check it out before the end of the year!
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
This past week and next week the students are working on material for TAKS and over the Civil War and Reconstruction. They will test on the Civil War and Reconstruction late next week. We then will continue with TAKS review.
TAKS is important because the scores may determine the level of classes for which the students will qualify in high school. The students should keep all the review materials because these materials will help the students when they take their exit exam from high school in the eleventh grade. Currently, thirty-five percent of the exit exam is from this eighth grade course.
The rest of the year will be spent on geography. These assignments are very important for preparation for ninth grade geography and for their grades this next six weeks. At this time of the year, it seems as if eighth graders often slack off and their grades fall. They need to be reminded that transfers can be revoked for failing grades. Also, students need to prepare for using technology in high school. Many teachers accept assignments online or, at least, require all assignments to be printed so it is important students have access to computers and printers. All public libraries have these facilities so if you do not have the computers readily available for student use at home, please make arrangements for your child to use a public library. Following is the assignment for the last project. I will show the students examples of how to do this project on Friday.
Landforms and Water Bodies
In chart form, provide
A. definition
B. process of origin
C. a hand-drawn illustration and a
d. “real world” example of each of the following
physical features.
Sources you may wish to consult:
http://www.geology.com/
http://www.uwsp.edu/geo/gaculty/ritter/glossary/glossary_A.html
The project must be bound neatly.
Due: No later than May 14/15. You cannot expect to print these at school because they must be in color.
Water-Formed Features:
Aquifer Arroyo
Bay Beach Canyon Cape
Coral Reef Delta Estuary Fjord
Geyser Glacier Gorge Gulf
Hanging Valley Lagoon Lake Oxbow Lake
Point Bar River Sea Sinkhole
Shoreline Springs Strait Stream
Tarn Valley Wadi Yazoo
Land-Formed Features:
Alluvial Fan Archipelago Atoll Caldera
Cirque Continental Divide Delta
Drumlin Dunes Ergs Graben
Hogback Horst Island (2 types)
Isthmus Kame Karst Kettle
Levee Mesa Moraine Mountains (2)
Buttes Peninsula Plateau Plains
Volcano
Science:
All Classes
Well, this is where the rubber meets the road, push comes to shove, crunch time, and the going gets tough and the tough get going …….
What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lessons covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught by your child the third set of lessons in the series; Lesson # 5 Atomic Structures, Chemistry, and Lesson # 6 Astronomy. Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids. I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due. Next Friday, the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective # 4 are due for a major grade. I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights.
Jamie Scott
Math:
Algebra 1:
Last week, we worked on Chapter 8 material. We finished exponential functions, including exponential growth and decay. We began the study of Chapter 8, with adding and subtracting, then dividing polynomials. Students began studying factoring and how it pertains to x-intercepts on a graph. Students will continue factoring, learning about special cases. Sections in Chapter 8 that will be covered include: 9.4, solving polynomials in factored form & 9.5 Factoring quadratics; this week’s topics are essential for success on the end of year exam. Please insure your student completes the homework assignments as assigned. Students should be diligent regarding attendance as well. Brand new topics they have not seen before will be presented.
Pre-Algebra:
Last week, students finished sections in Chapter 7 and covered relevant sections in Chapter 8. Students have 8-4 & 8-5 due on Monday. Please check to see that your student has completed the assignment. Vocabulary for Chapter 8 is also due on Monday. Students will turn their attention to Chapter 9. In preparation for TAKS, we have studied topics covered in 7, 8, and 9. There will not be a test covering 7 & 8, but there will be for Chapter 9. We begin this week with sections in Chapter 9: Statistics. Making a table and histograms will be the topic for Monday (9-1 & 9-2). Circle graphs and measures of central tendency will be Wednesday’s topic (9-3 & 9-4). Friday brings the beginning of Section 9-5: Measures of Variation.
We will complete Chapter 9 next week, a test will follow the following week, then we will turn our attention to Chapter 10: Linear and Non-Linear Functions. We will review linear patterning in preparation for this task.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Weekly Update 4/14-18
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Report Cards will be going home on April 23rd.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
From PTO:
PIN OAK IDOL:
We are having our third & final meeting for "Pin Oak Idol". I would like to get everyone together for this final planning secession. We need your help & guidance with this event. I'm hopeful that some of you have worked this event in the past & have ideas, knowledge or suggestions that we can use to make this a successful project. The event is currently scheduled for Friday May 16th. Auditions will be held on April 9th & 10th at 4:00 - 5:15 at the school.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
All work for Cycle 5 was due by Wed. 4/9.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
*No assignments related to this unit will be accepted without a parent approval form on file.
History:
The students have study guides for the chapters on the Civil War (Chapters 15 and 16) which must be completed by Monday/Tuesday. In addition, the map of the battles is due on the same days.The test over the Civil War will be in another week.
We are covering some TAKS review during the discussion over this material. Intensive TAKS review will begin later next week. All the students have a packet now on the objectives TAKS covers; they need to know the terms and be able to answer questions relating to these objectives.
Several of our Dissertation teams have been invited to present their community service projects at the Global Issues Conference at Texas A&M on April 17. During various breakout sessions the students will be leading discussions on their projects and participating in sessions on other significant global issues presented by other students.
We still parent/adult volunteers to help chaperone the students going Schlitterbahn in May.
Science:
All Classes
I have started preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS. Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over. I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times.One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that. What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lessons covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught by your child the second two lessons in the series;Lesson # 3 Food webs, weather, and earth systems. Lesson # 4 Metric measurements, Life science and Genetics. Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids.
I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due. Next Friday the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective #2 and3 are due for a major grade. I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights.
Jamie Scott
Math:
Email Ms. Qureshi for info about Math
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Report Cards will be going home on April 23rd.
8th Grade Eng-of-Year Activities:
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
From PTO:
PIN OAK IDOL:
We are having our third & final meeting for "Pin Oak Idol". I would like to get everyone together for this final planning secession. We need your help & guidance with this event. I'm hopeful that some of you have worked this event in the past & have ideas, knowledge or suggestions that we can use to make this a successful project. The event is currently scheduled for Friday May 16th. Auditions will be held on April 9th & 10th at 4:00 - 5:15 at the school.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
All work for Cycle 5 was due by Wed. 4/9.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
*No assignments related to this unit will be accepted without a parent approval form on file.
History:
The students have study guides for the chapters on the Civil War (Chapters 15 and 16) which must be completed by Monday/Tuesday. In addition, the map of the battles is due on the same days.The test over the Civil War will be in another week.
We are covering some TAKS review during the discussion over this material. Intensive TAKS review will begin later next week. All the students have a packet now on the objectives TAKS covers; they need to know the terms and be able to answer questions relating to these objectives.
Several of our Dissertation teams have been invited to present their community service projects at the Global Issues Conference at Texas A&M on April 17. During various breakout sessions the students will be leading discussions on their projects and participating in sessions on other significant global issues presented by other students.
We still parent/adult volunteers to help chaperone the students going Schlitterbahn in May.
Science:
All Classes
I have started preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS. Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over. I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times.One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that. What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lessons covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught by your child the second two lessons in the series;Lesson # 3 Food webs, weather, and earth systems. Lesson # 4 Metric measurements, Life science and Genetics. Have you signed the log stating that you have been taught the lessons? This is a major grade for your kids.
I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due. Next Friday the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective #2 and3 are due for a major grade. I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Thanks so much for all you support this year, let’s all pull together and make for one last real effort to push our kids to the greatest heights.
Jamie Scott
Math:
Email Ms. Qureshi for info about Math
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Weekly Update 4/7-11
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
The end of the grading period is April 11; please encourage your children to pay close attention to individual teacher deadlines. Report Cards will be sent home April 23rd.
8th Grade End-of-Year activities are approaching in the coming months, most notably our 8th Grade trip to Schlitterbahn-Galveston and our 8th grade Promotion Ceremony. Information packets were sent home this week. Please read over the material and be aware of money/form deadlines to ensure your child can attend/participate in everything we have planned. It is a memorable time for our students.
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
From PTO:
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 pm
Pin Oak PTO General Meeting: Preparing for College
The Pin Oak MS PTO invites all parents to a General Meeting on April 8, 2008. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm with presentations by Pin Oak PTO President, Ann Nichols, and Pin Oak Principal, Michael McDonough. They will speak about school and PTO accomplishments this year.
At 7 pm, we welcome speaker Paula Fendley, HISD College and Career Readiness Coordinator. Ms. Fendley will speak to parents about preparing for college. This program is appropriate for 6th through 8th grade parents. We hope to see you there!
PIN OAK IDOL:
We are having our third & final meeting for "Pin Oak Idol". I would like to get everyone together for this final planning secession. We need your help & guidance with this event. I'm hopeful that some of you have worked this event in the past & have ideas, knowledge or suggestions that we can use to make this a successful project. The event is currently scheduled for Friday May 16th. Auditions will be held on April 9th & 10th at 4:00 - 5:15 at the school.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
EXTRA CREDIT—I have an extra credit assignment that has been posted in my room. If your child would like to take advantage of it, please note the deadline of April 4. In addition to this opportunity, I will be giving some extra credit points for any student who decides to participate in our 8th Grade Class Project, “The Kindness Quilt.” A handout was sent home before Spring Break. The personal narrative that accompanies this optional activity is mandatory and is worth a grade. The due date for the 1-page (1 page only), typed paper is Monday/Tuesday, April 7-8. That Tuesday is the TAKS Math Test, so students can drop by any time to turn in their paper after testing, even if they do not have my class that day.
All work for Cycle 5 is due for my class by Wed. 4/9.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
This week probably has been a week of excitement and possibly disappointment with the notification from the various high schools to which your student applied. If you have any question about high schools, programs or courses, please ask or have your student inquire of us.
On Tuesday night, April 8, at 7:00 P.M., there will be a PTO Meeting at which one of the HISD counselors will speak about high school credits and college. We certainly encourage you to attend.
If your student is in PreAP classes this year, I certainly will encourage you to be sure he/she is enrolled in PreAP classes next year. It is difficult to go from regular classes to PreAP, but the student can move to regular classes from the PreAP.
History: We now are on the Civil War. With the film Glory the students have had a good introduction to horrors of this war. We have been studying the causes leading to the war and the resources of both the North and the South. We have started class discussion on Chapter 15 and will continue with Chapter 16 next week. The map of the Civil War was due this past week.
During all this time, we are reviewing for TAKS and will have an intensive review for a few days prior to the exam. Much of the TAKS exam for history is content so reading their books and reviewing the tests they have taken during the year will help them. I am encouraging the students to keep all the review materials for high school because 50% of the test they take in 10th grade is from this eighth grade course and 35% of the exit exam for high school is from this course.
Science:
All Classes
I have started preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS.Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over. I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times.
One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that. What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lesson covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught the first two lessons in the series;
Lesson # 1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. Lesson #2 Maps, Rock cycle and minerals.
Please be sure to sign the log stating that you have been taught the lessons.
I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due.
Next Friday the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective #1 are due for a major grade.
I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Math:
All Classes:
Students will take the Math TAKS on Tuesday, April 8th. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s rest on Monday.
Algebra 1:
Students will return to studying algebra with Chapter 8, “Exponents and Exponential Functions”. We will do a final review of TAKS topics on Monday. Tuesday brings the TAKS, and beginning Wednesday, we will cover Chapter 8 material, beginning with where we left off (8.5-8.6). This will complete the chapter. The Chapter 8 test will be next week (the week of April 14th).
Pre-Algebra:
Students will continue working in Chapter 7, “Measuring Area and Volume”. Students have covered this topic in preparation for TAKS, so the plan is to cover the chapter faster than average speed. Students are familiar with area and volume, surface area, both lateral and total, as well as and scale factor changes as the affect area and volume. We will cover sections 7-1 to 7-2 this week.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
The end of the grading period is April 11; please encourage your children to pay close attention to individual teacher deadlines. Report Cards will be sent home April 23rd.
8th Grade End-of-Year activities are approaching in the coming months, most notably our 8th Grade trip to Schlitterbahn-Galveston and our 8th grade Promotion Ceremony. Information packets were sent home this week. Please read over the material and be aware of money/form deadlines to ensure your child can attend/participate in everything we have planned. It is a memorable time for our students.
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
From PTO:
Tuesday, April 8, 6:30 pm
Pin Oak PTO General Meeting: Preparing for College
The Pin Oak MS PTO invites all parents to a General Meeting on April 8, 2008. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm with presentations by Pin Oak PTO President, Ann Nichols, and Pin Oak Principal, Michael McDonough. They will speak about school and PTO accomplishments this year.
At 7 pm, we welcome speaker Paula Fendley, HISD College and Career Readiness Coordinator. Ms. Fendley will speak to parents about preparing for college. This program is appropriate for 6th through 8th grade parents. We hope to see you there!
PIN OAK IDOL:
We are having our third & final meeting for "Pin Oak Idol". I would like to get everyone together for this final planning secession. We need your help & guidance with this event. I'm hopeful that some of you have worked this event in the past & have ideas, knowledge or suggestions that we can use to make this a successful project. The event is currently scheduled for Friday May 16th. Auditions will be held on April 9th & 10th at 4:00 - 5:15 at the school.
English:
We will be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
EXTRA CREDIT—I have an extra credit assignment that has been posted in my room. If your child would like to take advantage of it, please note the deadline of April 4. In addition to this opportunity, I will be giving some extra credit points for any student who decides to participate in our 8th Grade Class Project, “The Kindness Quilt.” A handout was sent home before Spring Break. The personal narrative that accompanies this optional activity is mandatory and is worth a grade. The due date for the 1-page (1 page only), typed paper is Monday/Tuesday, April 7-8. That Tuesday is the TAKS Math Test, so students can drop by any time to turn in their paper after testing, even if they do not have my class that day.
All work for Cycle 5 is due for my class by Wed. 4/9.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
History:
This week probably has been a week of excitement and possibly disappointment with the notification from the various high schools to which your student applied. If you have any question about high schools, programs or courses, please ask or have your student inquire of us.
On Tuesday night, April 8, at 7:00 P.M., there will be a PTO Meeting at which one of the HISD counselors will speak about high school credits and college. We certainly encourage you to attend.
If your student is in PreAP classes this year, I certainly will encourage you to be sure he/she is enrolled in PreAP classes next year. It is difficult to go from regular classes to PreAP, but the student can move to regular classes from the PreAP.
History: We now are on the Civil War. With the film Glory the students have had a good introduction to horrors of this war. We have been studying the causes leading to the war and the resources of both the North and the South. We have started class discussion on Chapter 15 and will continue with Chapter 16 next week. The map of the Civil War was due this past week.
During all this time, we are reviewing for TAKS and will have an intensive review for a few days prior to the exam. Much of the TAKS exam for history is content so reading their books and reviewing the tests they have taken during the year will help them. I am encouraging the students to keep all the review materials for high school because 50% of the test they take in 10th grade is from this eighth grade course and 35% of the exit exam for high school is from this course.
Science:
All Classes
I have started preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS.Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over. I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times.
One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that. What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lesson covered in class. I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
DUE DATES FOR WORK
This week you should be taught the first two lessons in the series;
Lesson # 1 Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. Lesson #2 Maps, Rock cycle and minerals.
Please be sure to sign the log stating that you have been taught the lessons.
I have also given the students a home work packet that is separated by objectives and each Friday another objective is due.
Next Friday the sheets from the homework packet relating to objective #1 are due for a major grade.
I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials, so if your child is struggling through a lesson please have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice.
Math:
All Classes:
Students will take the Math TAKS on Tuesday, April 8th. Please ensure your child gets a good night’s rest on Monday.
Algebra 1:
Students will return to studying algebra with Chapter 8, “Exponents and Exponential Functions”. We will do a final review of TAKS topics on Monday. Tuesday brings the TAKS, and beginning Wednesday, we will cover Chapter 8 material, beginning with where we left off (8.5-8.6). This will complete the chapter. The Chapter 8 test will be next week (the week of April 14th).
Pre-Algebra:
Students will continue working in Chapter 7, “Measuring Area and Volume”. Students have covered this topic in preparation for TAKS, so the plan is to cover the chapter faster than average speed. Students are familiar with area and volume, surface area, both lateral and total, as well as and scale factor changes as the affect area and volume. We will cover sections 7-1 to 7-2 this week.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Weekly Update 3/31-4/4
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
The end of the grading period is April 11; please encourage your children to pay close attention to individual teacher deadlines.
8th Grade End-of-Year activities are approaching in the coming months, most notably our 8th Grade trip to Schlitterbahn-Galveston and our 8th grade Promotion Ceremony. Information packets were sent home this week. Please read over the material and be aware of money/form deadlines to ensure your child can attend/participate in everything we have planned. It is a memorable time for our students.
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
Students received their TAKS and Stanford testing scores Friday, March 28. Pin Oak set new records this year with 8th Grade Reading, and I am so very proud. School-wide, our 8th grade class had a 98% passing rate and 71% commended. WOW!
We have been presenting Independent Book Projects for Biographies/Memoirs, so we will finish that up this week. Book checks for our next unit (Free Choice) are Monday/Tuesday, March 31-April 1. Students must have their book in class and a parent approval form filled out and signed by you. These forms were sent home Thursday/Friday, March 27-28. We will also be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
EXTRA CREDIT—I have an extra credit assignment that has been posted in my room. If your child would like to take advantage of it, please note the deadline of April 4. In addition to this opportunity, I will be giving some extra credit points for any student who decides to participate in our 8th Grade Class Project, “The Kindness Quilt.” A handout was sent home before Spring Break. Money and fabric for this activity were due Friday, March 28, no exceptions. The personal narrative that accompanies this optional activity is mandatory and is worth a grade. The due date for the 1-page (1 page only), typed paper is Monday/Tuesday, April 7-8. That Tuesday is the TAKS Math Test, so students can drop by any time to turn in their paper after testing, even if they do not have my class that day. It will be the final assignment graded for the Cycle 5 grading period.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
Important Note to Students and Parents:
For this last independent reading unit, I had some students who did not have their projects on time because of an incorrectly published date on the blog (one of the days was a Saturday, which is obviously wrong). While I apologize for the incorrect date on the blog, students were given the correct date in class from day 1—verbally, on a hand out, on the board, and were reminded of the due date several times the week before Spring Break. I always encourage students to not only keep the hand outs I give them that contain due dates, but to also record due dates in their planners. Students should always, always refer to what they are told IN CLASS by me when it comes to assignments and due dates. Because of the error on the blog, I will accept the projects late without penalty by ONE day, but in the future, please advise your children to pay attention in class and write things down.
History:
A number of the students did not submit their Reform Charts from Chapter 14. This is a major grade. Any other past-due work must be in by Monday/Tuesday of next week. All students previously received a grade report with their missing work. I have posted on the board all the assignments for this six weeks grading period.
There will be a test over Chapters 12, 13, 14 on Wednesday/Thursday next week. Also, a map on the Civil War is due on those same days.
It is a critical time for your students; they have a lot of activities with the end of school approaching. Sometimes, however, the students forget that school work needs to come first. Transfers to magnet programs can be revoked if the students do not finish the year with satisfactory grades and conduct and placement in advanced classes can be jeopardized. Please help to keep your student focused.
Science:
All classes:
We will be starting a new unit covering Waves, Sound, and the Electromagnetic spectrum.
This next week we will be focusing on The Nature of Waves. The students will be conducting a large number of very simple labs and demonstrations to firm up conceptual ideas and correct any misconceptions, and then through calculations and a mastery check using reflection cards we will complete the unit.
TLW:
1.recognize that waves carry energy.
2. Compare and contrast transverse and compressional waves
3. Explain the relationships between frequency, wavelength
4. Calculate various data relating to waves including speed, wavelength, and frequency
5. Explain how waves can combine in constructive or destructive interference
Starting In April we will be starting preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS.
Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over.
I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times. One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that.
What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lesson covered in class.
I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
This teaching opportunity is only one of the seven planned interventions but I know from past experience it can be very rewarding for both the student and parent, so for the rest of the year when you ask what did you learn today I hope you wont hear ..nothin
I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials so if your child is struggling through a lesson please be sure to have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice
Math:
All Classes:We are preparing for TAKS. Students are working in and out of class to get ready for TAKS. Students who failed last year’s math TAKS have received letters detailing problem areas, along with packets to assist in helping them prepare for the TAKS test. All students are working on packets for TAKS. Please ask your student how they are preparing in class. Please email Ms. Qureshi for math information
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
The end of the grading period is April 11; please encourage your children to pay close attention to individual teacher deadlines.
8th Grade End-of-Year activities are approaching in the coming months, most notably our 8th Grade trip to Schlitterbahn-Galveston and our 8th grade Promotion Ceremony. Information packets were sent home this week. Please read over the material and be aware of money/form deadlines to ensure your child can attend/participate in everything we have planned. It is a memorable time for our students.
Friday, May 23—Schlitterbahn and Activity Fest
Wednesday, May 28—Academic Celebration
Thursday, May 29—Promotion Ceremony at Butler Field House
Chaperones for the Schlitterbahn trip and volunteers to help set up/decorate/chaperone other events are needed. If you are an HISD approved volunteer and are interested in chaperoning, please let any of us know and we will pass on your offer to the appropriate people. If you are not an HISD approved volunteer but want to become one, please email Ms. Deitra Kendrick a dkendric@houstonisd.org or call her at 713-295-6500 x 326 for detail.
English:
Students received their TAKS and Stanford testing scores Friday, March 28. Pin Oak set new records this year with 8th Grade Reading, and I am so very proud. School-wide, our 8th grade class had a 98% passing rate and 71% commended. WOW!
We have been presenting Independent Book Projects for Biographies/Memoirs, so we will finish that up this week. Book checks for our next unit (Free Choice) are Monday/Tuesday, March 31-April 1. Students must have their book in class and a parent approval form filled out and signed by you. These forms were sent home Thursday/Friday, March 27-28. We will also be working on “Laying the Foundations” activities. The Laying the Foundations assessment is in May; exact date, TBA. Soon, we will begin reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros in class. No purchase of the book will be necessary.
EXTRA CREDIT—I have an extra credit assignment that has been posted in my room. If your child would like to take advantage of it, please note the deadline of April 4. In addition to this opportunity, I will be giving some extra credit points for any student who decides to participate in our 8th Grade Class Project, “The Kindness Quilt.” A handout was sent home before Spring Break. Money and fabric for this activity were due Friday, March 28, no exceptions. The personal narrative that accompanies this optional activity is mandatory and is worth a grade. The due date for the 1-page (1 page only), typed paper is Monday/Tuesday, April 7-8. That Tuesday is the TAKS Math Test, so students can drop by any time to turn in their paper after testing, even if they do not have my class that day. It will be the final assignment graded for the Cycle 5 grading period.
Important Dates for Independent Reading Unit 4: FREE CHOICE
Book Checks-M/T 3/31-4/1 (Parent Approval forms due)
Literature Circle # 1 (over the first half of the book)-Friday, April 18
Literature Circle #2 (over the second half of the book)-Friday, May 9
Projects Due MAY 12-13
Important Note to Students and Parents:
For this last independent reading unit, I had some students who did not have their projects on time because of an incorrectly published date on the blog (one of the days was a Saturday, which is obviously wrong). While I apologize for the incorrect date on the blog, students were given the correct date in class from day 1—verbally, on a hand out, on the board, and were reminded of the due date several times the week before Spring Break. I always encourage students to not only keep the hand outs I give them that contain due dates, but to also record due dates in their planners. Students should always, always refer to what they are told IN CLASS by me when it comes to assignments and due dates. Because of the error on the blog, I will accept the projects late without penalty by ONE day, but in the future, please advise your children to pay attention in class and write things down.
History:
A number of the students did not submit their Reform Charts from Chapter 14. This is a major grade. Any other past-due work must be in by Monday/Tuesday of next week. All students previously received a grade report with their missing work. I have posted on the board all the assignments for this six weeks grading period.
There will be a test over Chapters 12, 13, 14 on Wednesday/Thursday next week. Also, a map on the Civil War is due on those same days.
It is a critical time for your students; they have a lot of activities with the end of school approaching. Sometimes, however, the students forget that school work needs to come first. Transfers to magnet programs can be revoked if the students do not finish the year with satisfactory grades and conduct and placement in advanced classes can be jeopardized. Please help to keep your student focused.
Science:
All classes:
We will be starting a new unit covering Waves, Sound, and the Electromagnetic spectrum.
This next week we will be focusing on The Nature of Waves. The students will be conducting a large number of very simple labs and demonstrations to firm up conceptual ideas and correct any misconceptions, and then through calculations and a mastery check using reflection cards we will complete the unit.
TLW:
1.recognize that waves carry energy.
2. Compare and contrast transverse and compressional waves
3. Explain the relationships between frequency, wavelength
4. Calculate various data relating to waves including speed, wavelength, and frequency
5. Explain how waves can combine in constructive or destructive interference
Starting In April we will be starting preparations for the end of course exams, including the IPC Final, the Laying the Foundations Pre-AP exam and the TAKS.
Our children have been given study guides that cover every thing they should have learned since 6th grade. This guide is very comprehensive and I have put a great deal of effort to assure that what is in the packet meets all of the state and national standards our kids will be tested over.
I have built into my curriculum opportunities for us to work with these guides during the course of the next month, and my goal is to have our kids process the material in the packet at least 7 times. One opportunity is to simply go over the packet, and then another is to have the students create a lesson plan to teach the class, so on like that.
What I will be asking from you is to let your child teach you two lessons a week; these will be 5 minute explanations of the lesson covered in class.
I will also ask you to sign a log verifying that your child taught you the weekly lesson and I will take this for a weekly grade.
This teaching opportunity is only one of the seven planned interventions but I know from past experience it can be very rewarding for both the student and parent, so for the rest of the year when you ask what did you learn today I hope you wont hear ..nothin
I am also here every Tuesday after school for tutorials so if your child is struggling through a lesson please be sure to have them stay for help. I can also stay other days if given advance notice
Math:
All Classes:We are preparing for TAKS. Students are working in and out of class to get ready for TAKS. Students who failed last year’s math TAKS have received letters detailing problem areas, along with packets to assist in helping them prepare for the TAKS test. All students are working on packets for TAKS. Please ask your student how they are preparing in class. Please email Ms. Qureshi for math information
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Weekly Update--SPRING BREAK
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Progress Reports went home today, March 13, 2008. Please ask your child to see it.
English:
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class. Wednesday 3/26 is a GREEN DAY. Thursday 3/27 is a BLUE DAY!
Kindness Quilt fabric and $5.00 due Friday, March 28. Ask your child to see the information sheet about this 8th Grade Class Project.
History:
The student received progress reports today. If the student has low grades, most likely that student has not submitted the required work. That will be due when the vacation ends. Also, the Reform Chart from Chapter 14 assigned two weeks ago is due the first day I see them in class. That means periods 3 and 7 will be due on Tuesday and the rest on Wednesday. These must be in on time.
I have given the students a number of extra credit assignments they may do this class. If they take a trip any place, they may keep a journal, a map of their routes and places visited, pictures, brochures, and what they learned. I encourage them to visit a museum or special park and describe what they learned there. In addition to a trip, the students may still visit the Lucy Exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science, the Pompeii Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, or use OPTIC to analyze historical paintings. They also may tour Houston riding the train and visiting various areas in the city. On this Sunday, March 16, there is a free family day at Bayou Bend at the Ima Hogg Mansion. This is at Westcott and Memorial from 1:00 until 5:00. There are activities for all, gardeners will be speaking and explaining the gardens, there will be music and dance, and the opportunity to make some craft item. For credit for this, the student should write what he/she learned, saw, and did, take some pictures and describe the activity and place.
Please refer to past Blogs about the extra credit work.
The students have received assignments through Chapter 15, the beginning of the Civil War which we will be studying until TAKS.
Have a nice break.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for Science/IPC information
Math:
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Progress Reports went home today, March 13, 2008. Please ask your child to see it.
English:
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class. Wednesday 3/26 is a GREEN DAY. Thursday 3/27 is a BLUE DAY!
Kindness Quilt fabric and $5.00 due Friday, March 28. Ask your child to see the information sheet about this 8th Grade Class Project.
History:
The student received progress reports today. If the student has low grades, most likely that student has not submitted the required work. That will be due when the vacation ends. Also, the Reform Chart from Chapter 14 assigned two weeks ago is due the first day I see them in class. That means periods 3 and 7 will be due on Tuesday and the rest on Wednesday. These must be in on time.
I have given the students a number of extra credit assignments they may do this class. If they take a trip any place, they may keep a journal, a map of their routes and places visited, pictures, brochures, and what they learned. I encourage them to visit a museum or special park and describe what they learned there. In addition to a trip, the students may still visit the Lucy Exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science, the Pompeii Exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts, or use OPTIC to analyze historical paintings. They also may tour Houston riding the train and visiting various areas in the city. On this Sunday, March 16, there is a free family day at Bayou Bend at the Ima Hogg Mansion. This is at Westcott and Memorial from 1:00 until 5:00. There are activities for all, gardeners will be speaking and explaining the gardens, there will be music and dance, and the opportunity to make some craft item. For credit for this, the student should write what he/she learned, saw, and did, take some pictures and describe the activity and place.
Please refer to past Blogs about the extra credit work.
The students have received assignments through Chapter 15, the beginning of the Civil War which we will be studying until TAKS.
Have a nice break.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for Science/IPC information
Math:
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Weekly Update 3/10-3/13
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Progress Reports go home Thursday, March 13th.
We will be out for the Spring Break holiday from Friday, March 14th (no school on Friday) though Monday, March 24th (no school Monday). Enjoy!
English:
We will finish up with 12 Angry Men. We will begin to work on content related to Laying the Foundation, a Pre-AP test that will be given in May. We will also begin talking about an 8th grade (all POMS 8th graders, not just 8C) project called “The Kindness Quilt.” More details to follow. We are excited for our 2007-2008 8th grade class to participate, as it will be a lasting artifact to leave behind at POMS.
Students received an assignment about the motifs in the play 12 Angry Men on Thursday/Friday, March 6-7. This is due Wednesday/Thursday, March 12-13.
Spring Break is around the corner. I encourage all students to set themselves up to relax and enjoy the time off; however, Independent Book Projects are due the week following Spring Break, so they need to be aware and plan accordingly. They should be done with their books, so encourage them to start now—and get it done early. With all the extra time given on this particular unit, I am expecting spectacular projects.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
The last unit for Independent Reading is approaching. It will be free choice, as along as it follows previous guidelines for length and age-appropriateness. A parent approval form will be required. Book Checks are March 31-April 1.
History:
We felt our film festival last week to introduce the Civil War was quite successful. The work the students are doing relating to the day includes a writing assignment, a map, and an image. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product this Friday. Originally, we were going to have the work submitted by Monday, but it was more involved than we anticipated and since Wednesday was TAKS, we elected to change the due date to this Friday, March 7.
Some of the timelines the students submitted this week were just excellent. I am anxious to have some laminated and displayed in the hallway. However, some still are not following the requirements for a scaled timeline. This is a social studies skill the students are expected to have. All timelines for me must be horizontal and done to scale. Please refer to the instructions given in past updates or contact me if you still have questions.
Another skill the students are expected to have is constructing a chart. I have given the students specific instructions on what I expect. They may use the computer to do their charts, but the charts must be in “box form” with all entries in a horizontal row the same height.
Following is the assignment for the Reform Chart which is due the first day I see the students for class after Spring Break.
Chapter 14:
Chart on the Reform Movement. You should do this on plain paper or a small poster board. The chart must be done in chart form, complete, and neatly done. The reforms to be included are in Chapter 14 in the summary at the end of the chapter. You may use additional outside sources to help complete this chart.
Chart Form:
There must be rectangles for each section, the rectangles on a line must be all the same size, and the chart should be horizontal on the paper.
Following are the format and areas that must be answered.
Chart: The Age of Reform, 1820-1860
Reform:
Reason:
Leaders:
Results:
Problems Encountered:
The students will test on Monday/Tuesday over chapters ten and eleven. Those who have not completed their study guides should do so by then because these will be collected at that time for a grade.
Progress reports will be distributed on March 13, but they probably will not include this test.
With Spring Break coming, I know some of the students will be going to interesting locations. Again, they may complete an extra-credit project relating to their trip. This should be a booklet with pictures, brochures, maps, and a description of what they observed and learned. I would request that they visit a museum or some other area that includes learning. If a student is remaining here, the same type of project may be developed by touring Houston and going to some of the museums. Otherwise, the student is being a tourist in this city as if it were another location. The museum exhibits still can be used for extra credit. These assignments must be thorough, well written, and documented with tickets, pictures, and brochures. A new exhibit Pompeii is coming to the Museum of Fine Arts shortly.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for Science/IPC information
Math:
Algebra 1:
Last week, students completed Chapter 7 in their text. This week, students will begin the study of exponents and exponential functions. Students will cover sections 8.1 through 8.4 in their textbooks. Students are expected to complete six additional Carnegie Units during this six week period. Please ask your student to show you what unit s/he is currently in. The six units each six weeks will count as a test grade. Next week, after spring break, students will complete Chapter 8 and will review for TAKS. A test on Chapter 8 will follow the completion of the chapter.
Pre-Algebra:Students have completed Chapter 6 in their text. Students will have a test on Wednesday, covering Chapter 6 material. The exam will be open notes, but not open book. Students will need to bring their own notes. I encourage them to revise and clarify their notes prior to the exam. Students will begin Chapter 7 on Monday.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Progress Reports go home Thursday, March 13th.
We will be out for the Spring Break holiday from Friday, March 14th (no school on Friday) though Monday, March 24th (no school Monday). Enjoy!
English:
We will finish up with 12 Angry Men. We will begin to work on content related to Laying the Foundation, a Pre-AP test that will be given in May. We will also begin talking about an 8th grade (all POMS 8th graders, not just 8C) project called “The Kindness Quilt.” More details to follow. We are excited for our 2007-2008 8th grade class to participate, as it will be a lasting artifact to leave behind at POMS.
Students received an assignment about the motifs in the play 12 Angry Men on Thursday/Friday, March 6-7. This is due Wednesday/Thursday, March 12-13.
Spring Break is around the corner. I encourage all students to set themselves up to relax and enjoy the time off; however, Independent Book Projects are due the week following Spring Break, so they need to be aware and plan accordingly. They should be done with their books, so encourage them to start now—and get it done early. With all the extra time given on this particular unit, I am expecting spectacular projects.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
The last unit for Independent Reading is approaching. It will be free choice, as along as it follows previous guidelines for length and age-appropriateness. A parent approval form will be required. Book Checks are March 31-April 1.
History:
We felt our film festival last week to introduce the Civil War was quite successful. The work the students are doing relating to the day includes a writing assignment, a map, and an image. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product this Friday. Originally, we were going to have the work submitted by Monday, but it was more involved than we anticipated and since Wednesday was TAKS, we elected to change the due date to this Friday, March 7.
Some of the timelines the students submitted this week were just excellent. I am anxious to have some laminated and displayed in the hallway. However, some still are not following the requirements for a scaled timeline. This is a social studies skill the students are expected to have. All timelines for me must be horizontal and done to scale. Please refer to the instructions given in past updates or contact me if you still have questions.
Another skill the students are expected to have is constructing a chart. I have given the students specific instructions on what I expect. They may use the computer to do their charts, but the charts must be in “box form” with all entries in a horizontal row the same height.
Following is the assignment for the Reform Chart which is due the first day I see the students for class after Spring Break.
Chapter 14:
Chart on the Reform Movement. You should do this on plain paper or a small poster board. The chart must be done in chart form, complete, and neatly done. The reforms to be included are in Chapter 14 in the summary at the end of the chapter. You may use additional outside sources to help complete this chart.
Chart Form:
There must be rectangles for each section, the rectangles on a line must be all the same size, and the chart should be horizontal on the paper.
Following are the format and areas that must be answered.
Chart: The Age of Reform, 1820-1860
Reform:
Reason:
Leaders:
Results:
Problems Encountered:
The students will test on Monday/Tuesday over chapters ten and eleven. Those who have not completed their study guides should do so by then because these will be collected at that time for a grade.
Progress reports will be distributed on March 13, but they probably will not include this test.
With Spring Break coming, I know some of the students will be going to interesting locations. Again, they may complete an extra-credit project relating to their trip. This should be a booklet with pictures, brochures, maps, and a description of what they observed and learned. I would request that they visit a museum or some other area that includes learning. If a student is remaining here, the same type of project may be developed by touring Houston and going to some of the museums. Otherwise, the student is being a tourist in this city as if it were another location. The museum exhibits still can be used for extra credit. These assignments must be thorough, well written, and documented with tickets, pictures, and brochures. A new exhibit Pompeii is coming to the Museum of Fine Arts shortly.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for Science/IPC information
Math:
Algebra 1:
Last week, students completed Chapter 7 in their text. This week, students will begin the study of exponents and exponential functions. Students will cover sections 8.1 through 8.4 in their textbooks. Students are expected to complete six additional Carnegie Units during this six week period. Please ask your student to show you what unit s/he is currently in. The six units each six weeks will count as a test grade. Next week, after spring break, students will complete Chapter 8 and will review for TAKS. A test on Chapter 8 will follow the completion of the chapter.
Pre-Algebra:Students have completed Chapter 6 in their text. Students will have a test on Wednesday, covering Chapter 6 material. The exam will be open notes, but not open book. Students will need to bring their own notes. I encourage them to revise and clarify their notes prior to the exam. Students will begin Chapter 7 on Monday.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Weekly Update 3/3-3/7
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Report Cards went home Wednesday, Feb. 27th. If you have not seen it already, please ask your child to show you their report. IMPORTANT DATE: The TAKS Reading Test is Wednesday, March 5.
The teachers seized a teaching moment for this Friday, February 29. We are having a film festival using films relating to the Civil War and the Buffalo Soldiers. By the time you read this message, you should have signed a permission slip for your student to see the film Glory and one from the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. No student will be permitted to see the film if they do not produce a permission slip Friday morning. They will be another related activity with Ms. Hennagir in the library and getting much of the same Civil War content. The students have the following assignment relating to this “teaching moment”. They will receive grades from the four of us in the 8 C Cluster.
House C, Grade 8 Film Festival
Lessons: February 29, 2008
Map:
1. Write all the locations mentioned in both films.
2. Label each location mentioned on the map.
3. Label neatly all the states.
4. Color according to Union and Confederate States, Union Territories
Writing Assignment:
1. Assume the persona of a soldier fighting in the Civil War by creating your own name and personal life details. Write in a brief paragraph.
2. Write a letter home in the voice of your persona. Include your experiences, hopes, dreams based on actual events from the movie such as battles, travels, and locations. Some creative information may be added and is encouraged, but the following is required:
Include:
The date and location
Five to six factual statements about the events that took place in the movie.
(It must make sense in the context of your letter and should be woven in where appropriate.)
3. The letter must have paragraphs and be indented properly with correct spelling and grammar.
4. The letter must look old and authentic and be put into a similar envelope. This can be done creatively; it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out and buy special materials.
5. The assignment is due on Monday.
English:
Next week is a big week—The Reading TAKS Test is Wednesday, March 5th. We have been preparing all year, so I know they are ready (and ready for it to be over!). Please encourage your child to dress in layers, eat a good breakfast, and get restful sleep the night before.
We will continue doing some TAKS prep/practice on Monday/Tuesday. Thursday and Friday will be spent continuing our reading of the play, 12 Angry Men. Students will be receiving a project-ish assignment next week relating to 12 Angry Men.
Spring Break is around the corner. I encourage all students to set themselves up to relax and enjoy the time off; however, Independent Book Projects are due the week following Spring Break, so they need to be aware and plan accordingly. They should be done with their books, so encourage them to start now—and get it done early. With all the extra time given on this particular unit, I am expecting spectacular projects.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27(this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
(American History)
The students have received their assignment for Chapter 13 which relates to the increased differences between the North and the South. This will be due, at the earliest, March 5/6 and it probably will be the following week before we actually start discussing it. Some of your students need to learn that they must do their homework. Those who had it the other day were able to use it on their test. It is a grade for everyone and I will not take it after we have the test over the material.
Time lines over Chapter 12 are due on Monday/Tuesday.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Email Mrs. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Report Cards went home Wednesday, Feb. 27th. If you have not seen it already, please ask your child to show you their report. IMPORTANT DATE: The TAKS Reading Test is Wednesday, March 5.
The teachers seized a teaching moment for this Friday, February 29. We are having a film festival using films relating to the Civil War and the Buffalo Soldiers. By the time you read this message, you should have signed a permission slip for your student to see the film Glory and one from the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. No student will be permitted to see the film if they do not produce a permission slip Friday morning. They will be another related activity with Ms. Hennagir in the library and getting much of the same Civil War content. The students have the following assignment relating to this “teaching moment”. They will receive grades from the four of us in the 8 C Cluster.
House C, Grade 8 Film Festival
Lessons: February 29, 2008
Map:
1. Write all the locations mentioned in both films.
2. Label each location mentioned on the map.
3. Label neatly all the states.
4. Color according to Union and Confederate States, Union Territories
Writing Assignment:
1. Assume the persona of a soldier fighting in the Civil War by creating your own name and personal life details. Write in a brief paragraph.
2. Write a letter home in the voice of your persona. Include your experiences, hopes, dreams based on actual events from the movie such as battles, travels, and locations. Some creative information may be added and is encouraged, but the following is required:
Include:
The date and location
Five to six factual statements about the events that took place in the movie.
(It must make sense in the context of your letter and should be woven in where appropriate.)
3. The letter must have paragraphs and be indented properly with correct spelling and grammar.
4. The letter must look old and authentic and be put into a similar envelope. This can be done creatively; it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go out and buy special materials.
5. The assignment is due on Monday.
English:
Next week is a big week—The Reading TAKS Test is Wednesday, March 5th. We have been preparing all year, so I know they are ready (and ready for it to be over!). Please encourage your child to dress in layers, eat a good breakfast, and get restful sleep the night before.
We will continue doing some TAKS prep/practice on Monday/Tuesday. Thursday and Friday will be spent continuing our reading of the play, 12 Angry Men. Students will be receiving a project-ish assignment next week relating to 12 Angry Men.
Spring Break is around the corner. I encourage all students to set themselves up to relax and enjoy the time off; however, Independent Book Projects are due the week following Spring Break, so they need to be aware and plan accordingly. They should be done with their books, so encourage them to start now—and get it done early. With all the extra time given on this particular unit, I am expecting spectacular projects.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27(this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
(American History)
The students have received their assignment for Chapter 13 which relates to the increased differences between the North and the South. This will be due, at the earliest, March 5/6 and it probably will be the following week before we actually start discussing it. Some of your students need to learn that they must do their homework. Those who had it the other day were able to use it on their test. It is a grade for everyone and I will not take it after we have the test over the material.
Time lines over Chapter 12 are due on Monday/Tuesday.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for information about Science.
Math:
Email Mrs. Qureshi for information about Math.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Weekly Update 2/25-2/29
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
A new six weeks is underway. Report Cards for CYCLE 4 will be sent home with your children on Wednesday, Feb. 27th.
English:
We are continuing our TAKS practice in class. For additional help, targeted students have been placed in TAKS Reading tutorials held during advocacy daily. TAKS Court was “in session” Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 20-21 and will continue Monday/Tuesday of this week. We are having a good time! Students are working hard, and I feel confident they will feel prepared for the 8th Grade Reading TAKS on Wednesday, March 5!
We didn’t quite finish 12 Angry Men yet, so we will continue to work towards that. Students will receive a project-like assignment over motifs and 12 Angry Men. All work will be done at home and will require a variety of media formats. Students will receive an assignment sheet with all the details. Due date: T.B.A.
Our second literature circle discussion group was held on Friday, Feb. 22. At this point, they should be completely done with their book, and beginning to think about their projects. Due date for project is below. They have some time to do it, so I am expecting some very nice, well put together projects and presentations!
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27(this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
The students have received their assignments on Chapters 11 and 12. Chapter 12 includes a timeline which is due on March 3. I have told the students that all writing drawing, etc. must be horizontal. The only vertical lines on the entire timeline are the lines representing the years.
In addition, each student is to select a term or name from the Chapter 11 assignment and write a question relating to that. For instance, one of the terms is mudslinging. A type of question could be, “Give an example of mudslinging in the current political campaigns.”
Many of the students are not reading their text material. It is critical that they read the material so they can participate in class discussion. Some obviously are just looking for answers and sometimes not in their books. Please tell them that Wikipedia is an unacceptable source of accurate knowledge.
The students have an opportunity to do extra credit work in this class. This is a social studies class and I feel very strongly that students need to get out and experience the world. Some of these assignments already have been offered. However, each assignment must be accompanied by tickets showing admission, brochures, and a lengthy explanation of what the student learned and a description of what he/she saw. It would be nice to have a picture of the student with the exhibit if permitted.
The teacher interview previously given may also continue for the rest of February and the Law Day announcement previously posted follows.
Also, as a part of Black History Month, the students may attend a concert at the Hobby Center on February 28. This A Black History Musical. There is announcement posted in my room. It is “A dramatic musical performance that will take you form Africa across the Merciless Atlantic Ocean, the slave trade of the Americas and the rise to prominence again. This one-in-a-kind production is filled with dramatic singing of musical selections in Opera, Jazz, Broadway, Folk Songs, Gospel, Chants, Spirituals and Much More! ! !”
There is an admission fee of $10 to $20. The student will have to include a program, the ticket, and a detailed review with impressions of the music. I do not know anything about his, but it is at the Hobby Center and was on brochure that came from a school office. The sponsors are the Ambassadors of Houston/Prairie View A&M.
I am including again the OPTIC assignment for analyzing historical paintings at one of the art museums.
OPTIC:
Mnemonic for a variety of activities in studying historical paintings and photos.
Each letter should have a thorough answer. Pay attention to details. Three different paintings must be in the assignment and you must hand in a copy of the painting with the assignment. The period of time that the paintings may cover is 1760 through 1876. However, you may include the Remington paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts.
O: Conduct a brief overview of the picture. What is happening? Describe it in detail.
P: Key in on parts of the painting. Note any elements or details that seem important. Look at all the people, what they are wearing, what items do they have in their hands, what they are doing.
T: Read the title so that you know what the subject is. You probably should do some research on this unless there is something next to the painting describing the reason for the painting.
I: Use the title as the foundation and the parts of the painting to detect and specify the interrelationships between the people portrayed in the painting and the environment.
C: Draw a conclusion about the painting as a whole. What is the overall feeling of the painting? Was this an everyday event or an event filled with drama? Do the people seem happy and proud or anxious and desperate?
From: Linking Early U. S. History to World Geography
Law Day Poster Contest:
The Houston Bar Association is sponsoring the following poster contest for students in elementary and middle school. The theme is “How Rules Promote Fairness and Opportunity.”
Instructions:
1. “All posters should represent the students’ interpretations of this theme.”
2. All posters should be on standard size poster board.
3. All entries become the property of the Houston Bar Association
Due Date: Monday, March 3.
Prizes:
$50 to $200 for winning plus an invitation to an awards luncheon and the display of the entries at the Family and Civil Courthouses.
Pin Oak had eight entries which advanced to the Regional History Fair at Houston ISD. Of those, five, all from House C, won awards. They are:
Individual Exhibit: Drew McMillian
Individual Performance: Scott Shelton
Individual Documentary: Darius Altman
These students all won second place in their respective categories and all advance to the State History Fair.
In addition, Chris and Joaquin Buitrago won Honorable Mention.
A sixth grade group exhibit placed third.
This is an excellent showing for Pin Oak and, particularly, for the House C Eighth Grade. Congratulations to all and good luck to those at State.
Science:
All Classes; The next week we will be completing a different rotation of lab activities using Cambridge Physics equipment. We will be doing experiments using inclined planes, Lever systems, pulleys and wheel and axle systems to investigate the role of work and power as it applies to mechanical advantage of systems.
The students will complete investigations relating to force and mechanical advantage using levers, gears, and pulley systems.Students will be expected to apply the correct mathematical formulas under experimental conditions. Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next week.
TLW:
1. Define force mathematically and describe its relationship to motion
2. Compare and contrast the three types of friction
3. Predict the results of balanced and unbalanced forces in experiments
4. Describe and apply Newton’s three laws to examples of motion
5. Relate the force of gravity to free fall, projectile motion and orbital motion
6. Explain the relationships between gravitational force, mass, and distance and mass to weight
7. Define and apply work in terms of force and distance
8. Describe power as work over time
9. Demonstrate mastery of all the mathematical formulas and units of measurement for work, force, Mechanical advantage of inclined planes and levers.
Math:
Algebra 1:
Students will continue in Chapter 7. Tuesday, the focus will be on mastery of Section 7.6, “Systems of Inequalities”. Students will also enhance their study of algebra with the Carnegie Software during class time on Tuesday and Friday. Thursday brings a review of Chapter 7 with the Chapter 7 Review in class. Students will also take a quiz over Objective 5 material on Thursday. Their Objective 6 Packets are due on Thursday as well. The following Tuesday, March 4th, brings the Chapter 7 Exam.
Pre-Algebra:
Students will continue in Chapter 6. They will learn about congruent polygons and symmetry. The sections to be covered are 6-4 & 6-5. Students will have the Objective 5 Packet quiz on Friday, February 29th. Objective 6 Packets are also due on the 29th.
Knitting:
Students are working on knitting samples, demonstrating understanding of two important stitch combinations: knit and purl. Students should be working on their stockinette stitch swatches with garter stitch edges. They are due next week (Thursday).
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
A new six weeks is underway. Report Cards for CYCLE 4 will be sent home with your children on Wednesday, Feb. 27th.
English:
We are continuing our TAKS practice in class. For additional help, targeted students have been placed in TAKS Reading tutorials held during advocacy daily. TAKS Court was “in session” Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 20-21 and will continue Monday/Tuesday of this week. We are having a good time! Students are working hard, and I feel confident they will feel prepared for the 8th Grade Reading TAKS on Wednesday, March 5!
We didn’t quite finish 12 Angry Men yet, so we will continue to work towards that. Students will receive a project-like assignment over motifs and 12 Angry Men. All work will be done at home and will require a variety of media formats. Students will receive an assignment sheet with all the details. Due date: T.B.A.
Our second literature circle discussion group was held on Friday, Feb. 22. At this point, they should be completely done with their book, and beginning to think about their projects. Due date for project is below. They have some time to do it, so I am expecting some very nice, well put together projects and presentations!
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
PROJECTS are due March 26-27(this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
The students have received their assignments on Chapters 11 and 12. Chapter 12 includes a timeline which is due on March 3. I have told the students that all writing drawing, etc. must be horizontal. The only vertical lines on the entire timeline are the lines representing the years.
In addition, each student is to select a term or name from the Chapter 11 assignment and write a question relating to that. For instance, one of the terms is mudslinging. A type of question could be, “Give an example of mudslinging in the current political campaigns.”
Many of the students are not reading their text material. It is critical that they read the material so they can participate in class discussion. Some obviously are just looking for answers and sometimes not in their books. Please tell them that Wikipedia is an unacceptable source of accurate knowledge.
The students have an opportunity to do extra credit work in this class. This is a social studies class and I feel very strongly that students need to get out and experience the world. Some of these assignments already have been offered. However, each assignment must be accompanied by tickets showing admission, brochures, and a lengthy explanation of what the student learned and a description of what he/she saw. It would be nice to have a picture of the student with the exhibit if permitted.
The teacher interview previously given may also continue for the rest of February and the Law Day announcement previously posted follows.
Also, as a part of Black History Month, the students may attend a concert at the Hobby Center on February 28. This A Black History Musical. There is announcement posted in my room. It is “A dramatic musical performance that will take you form Africa across the Merciless Atlantic Ocean, the slave trade of the Americas and the rise to prominence again. This one-in-a-kind production is filled with dramatic singing of musical selections in Opera, Jazz, Broadway, Folk Songs, Gospel, Chants, Spirituals and Much More! ! !”
There is an admission fee of $10 to $20. The student will have to include a program, the ticket, and a detailed review with impressions of the music. I do not know anything about his, but it is at the Hobby Center and was on brochure that came from a school office. The sponsors are the Ambassadors of Houston/Prairie View A&M.
I am including again the OPTIC assignment for analyzing historical paintings at one of the art museums.
OPTIC:
Mnemonic for a variety of activities in studying historical paintings and photos.
Each letter should have a thorough answer. Pay attention to details. Three different paintings must be in the assignment and you must hand in a copy of the painting with the assignment. The period of time that the paintings may cover is 1760 through 1876. However, you may include the Remington paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts.
O: Conduct a brief overview of the picture. What is happening? Describe it in detail.
P: Key in on parts of the painting. Note any elements or details that seem important. Look at all the people, what they are wearing, what items do they have in their hands, what they are doing.
T: Read the title so that you know what the subject is. You probably should do some research on this unless there is something next to the painting describing the reason for the painting.
I: Use the title as the foundation and the parts of the painting to detect and specify the interrelationships between the people portrayed in the painting and the environment.
C: Draw a conclusion about the painting as a whole. What is the overall feeling of the painting? Was this an everyday event or an event filled with drama? Do the people seem happy and proud or anxious and desperate?
From: Linking Early U. S. History to World Geography
Law Day Poster Contest:
The Houston Bar Association is sponsoring the following poster contest for students in elementary and middle school. The theme is “How Rules Promote Fairness and Opportunity.”
Instructions:
1. “All posters should represent the students’ interpretations of this theme.”
2. All posters should be on standard size poster board.
3. All entries become the property of the Houston Bar Association
Due Date: Monday, March 3.
Prizes:
$50 to $200 for winning plus an invitation to an awards luncheon and the display of the entries at the Family and Civil Courthouses.
Pin Oak had eight entries which advanced to the Regional History Fair at Houston ISD. Of those, five, all from House C, won awards. They are:
Individual Exhibit: Drew McMillian
Individual Performance: Scott Shelton
Individual Documentary: Darius Altman
These students all won second place in their respective categories and all advance to the State History Fair.
In addition, Chris and Joaquin Buitrago won Honorable Mention.
A sixth grade group exhibit placed third.
This is an excellent showing for Pin Oak and, particularly, for the House C Eighth Grade. Congratulations to all and good luck to those at State.
Science:
All Classes; The next week we will be completing a different rotation of lab activities using Cambridge Physics equipment. We will be doing experiments using inclined planes, Lever systems, pulleys and wheel and axle systems to investigate the role of work and power as it applies to mechanical advantage of systems.
The students will complete investigations relating to force and mechanical advantage using levers, gears, and pulley systems.Students will be expected to apply the correct mathematical formulas under experimental conditions. Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next week.
TLW:
1. Define force mathematically and describe its relationship to motion
2. Compare and contrast the three types of friction
3. Predict the results of balanced and unbalanced forces in experiments
4. Describe and apply Newton’s three laws to examples of motion
5. Relate the force of gravity to free fall, projectile motion and orbital motion
6. Explain the relationships between gravitational force, mass, and distance and mass to weight
7. Define and apply work in terms of force and distance
8. Describe power as work over time
9. Demonstrate mastery of all the mathematical formulas and units of measurement for work, force, Mechanical advantage of inclined planes and levers.
Math:
Algebra 1:
Students will continue in Chapter 7. Tuesday, the focus will be on mastery of Section 7.6, “Systems of Inequalities”. Students will also enhance their study of algebra with the Carnegie Software during class time on Tuesday and Friday. Thursday brings a review of Chapter 7 with the Chapter 7 Review in class. Students will also take a quiz over Objective 5 material on Thursday. Their Objective 6 Packets are due on Thursday as well. The following Tuesday, March 4th, brings the Chapter 7 Exam.
Pre-Algebra:
Students will continue in Chapter 6. They will learn about congruent polygons and symmetry. The sections to be covered are 6-4 & 6-5. Students will have the Objective 5 Packet quiz on Friday, February 29th. Objective 6 Packets are also due on the 29th.
Knitting:
Students are working on knitting samples, demonstrating understanding of two important stitch combinations: knit and purl. Students should be working on their stockinette stitch swatches with garter stitch edges. They are due next week (Thursday).
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Weekly Update 2/18-22
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
A new six weeks is underway. Report Cards for CYCLE 4 will be sent home with your children on Wednesday, Feb. 27th.
English:
With TAKS less than 3 weeks away, it is time to start with some intense review and preparation. While we have been preparing all year, I like to have students practice for TAKS by actually doing TAKS practice tests. To make it as fun as possible, we will be doing an activity in class called “TAKS Court,” complete with costumes, roles, and music (think People’s Court)! Students will PROVE their answers are correct by referring to the text, and DISPROVE other answers to ensure they choose the best answer choice available. Along the way, they will get to take charge as a lawyer, a bailiff, a jury member, a judge, a witness, etc.
We will also be finishing reading the play 12 Angry Men in class. There will be related questions over the play.
Persuasive papers over “The Lady or the Tiger?” were due Friday, Feb. 15th. They will be counted for two grades over their content. One separate grade will be given for following format requirements. A hand out was distributed about a week and a half ago that listed the formatting requirements.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
2nd Literature Circle Discussion groups will be on Friday, Feb. 22. Questions are due and groups will meet. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
We are beginning some intensive TAKS review within our cluster during Advisory. In addition, warm-ups will relate to TAKS review, and as we cover material in class, I will comment that this may be covered in TAKS. Mrs. Anne Powell will be offering TAKS review after school. If your student is having difficulty in history or did not do well on the Stanford last year, you may want to consider having your student take Mrs. Powell’s review in addition to what we are covering in our class and Advisory.
The students should be working on Chapter 11 study guide. As soon as we test on Chapters 8, 9, 10 at the end of the week of February 18, we will move directly into this material over the Jacksonian Democracy.
Many of the students are working on the extra credit opportunities. These were on the update last week. Since this is the last week of the six weeks grading period, any of these coming in after February 15 will be on the next six weeks grading period. Following is another extra-credit assignment that also is an opportunity for the students to enter an interesting contest.
Law Day Poster Contest:
The Houston Bar Association is sponsoring the following poster contest for students in elementary and middle school. The theme is “How Rules Promote Fairness and Opportunity.”
Instructions:
1. “All posters should represent the students’ interpretations of this theme.”
2. All posters should be on standard size poster board.
3. All entries become the property of the Houston Bar Association
Prizes:
$50 to $200 for winning plus an invitation to an awards luncheon and the display of the entries at the Family and Civil Courthouses.
Science:
To Start off I want to thank you all for being so supportive of the mouse trap car project , I saw some of the most creative and original designs I have ever seen. The cars were great and we collected valuable data, I would like to stay on this and complete more activities but I simply must move on, but again thanks again I had a great time watching your children struggle at times to make their car work and then find the solution and make it happen.
All Classes; The next week we will be completing a rotation of lab activities using Cambridge Physics equipment.We will be doing experiments using roller coasters to measure speed and acceleration, and cars and ramps to investigate the role of mass on an accelerating body. The students will also complete investigations relating to force and mechanical advantage using levers, gears, and pulley systems.
Students will be expected to apply the correct mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next week.TLW:1. Distinguish and calculate between speed and velocity2. Calculate acceleration and apply under experimental conditions3. Define force mathematically and describe its relationship to motion4. Compare and contrast the three types of friction5. Predict the results of balanced and unbalanced forces in experiments6. Describe and apply Newton’s three laws to examples of motion7. Relate the force of gravity to free fall, projectile motion and orbital motion8. Explain the relationships between gravitational force, mass, and distance and mass to weight9. Define and apply work in terms of force and distance10. Describe power as work over time11. Demonstrate mastery of all the mathematical formulas and units of measurement relating to speed, acceleration, force, work and power
Math:
Algebra 1:Algebra 1 students should have completed at least Unit 3 of Carnegie. Students can work not only during class, but also after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays in my classroom. Students are currently working on Objective Packet 6, which is due Thursday, February 21st in class. Students will cover sections 7.3 through 7.6 in the textbook. This will complete the chapter. Homework will be assigned in each section. Tuesday, homework sections 7.1 & 7.2 are due.
Pre-Algebra:Pre-algebra students have begun their study of geometry. Students completed a mini-lab on Friday and will continue moving forward through Section 6.5. Objective 6 will be due on Monday, February 25th. Please ask to see the Objective 6 packet. Students should work on it a little each day, rather than during a marathon session.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
A new six weeks is underway. Report Cards for CYCLE 4 will be sent home with your children on Wednesday, Feb. 27th.
English:
With TAKS less than 3 weeks away, it is time to start with some intense review and preparation. While we have been preparing all year, I like to have students practice for TAKS by actually doing TAKS practice tests. To make it as fun as possible, we will be doing an activity in class called “TAKS Court,” complete with costumes, roles, and music (think People’s Court)! Students will PROVE their answers are correct by referring to the text, and DISPROVE other answers to ensure they choose the best answer choice available. Along the way, they will get to take charge as a lawyer, a bailiff, a jury member, a judge, a witness, etc.
We will also be finishing reading the play 12 Angry Men in class. There will be related questions over the play.
Persuasive papers over “The Lady or the Tiger?” were due Friday, Feb. 15th. They will be counted for two grades over their content. One separate grade will be given for following format requirements. A hand out was distributed about a week and a half ago that listed the formatting requirements.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
2nd Literature Circle Discussion groups will be on Friday, Feb. 22. Questions are due and groups will meet. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
We are beginning some intensive TAKS review within our cluster during Advisory. In addition, warm-ups will relate to TAKS review, and as we cover material in class, I will comment that this may be covered in TAKS. Mrs. Anne Powell will be offering TAKS review after school. If your student is having difficulty in history or did not do well on the Stanford last year, you may want to consider having your student take Mrs. Powell’s review in addition to what we are covering in our class and Advisory.
The students should be working on Chapter 11 study guide. As soon as we test on Chapters 8, 9, 10 at the end of the week of February 18, we will move directly into this material over the Jacksonian Democracy.
Many of the students are working on the extra credit opportunities. These were on the update last week. Since this is the last week of the six weeks grading period, any of these coming in after February 15 will be on the next six weeks grading period. Following is another extra-credit assignment that also is an opportunity for the students to enter an interesting contest.
Law Day Poster Contest:
The Houston Bar Association is sponsoring the following poster contest for students in elementary and middle school. The theme is “How Rules Promote Fairness and Opportunity.”
Instructions:
1. “All posters should represent the students’ interpretations of this theme.”
2. All posters should be on standard size poster board.
3. All entries become the property of the Houston Bar Association
Prizes:
$50 to $200 for winning plus an invitation to an awards luncheon and the display of the entries at the Family and Civil Courthouses.
Science:
To Start off I want to thank you all for being so supportive of the mouse trap car project , I saw some of the most creative and original designs I have ever seen. The cars were great and we collected valuable data, I would like to stay on this and complete more activities but I simply must move on, but again thanks again I had a great time watching your children struggle at times to make their car work and then find the solution and make it happen.
All Classes; The next week we will be completing a rotation of lab activities using Cambridge Physics equipment.We will be doing experiments using roller coasters to measure speed and acceleration, and cars and ramps to investigate the role of mass on an accelerating body. The students will also complete investigations relating to force and mechanical advantage using levers, gears, and pulley systems.
Students will be expected to apply the correct mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next week.TLW:1. Distinguish and calculate between speed and velocity2. Calculate acceleration and apply under experimental conditions3. Define force mathematically and describe its relationship to motion4. Compare and contrast the three types of friction5. Predict the results of balanced and unbalanced forces in experiments6. Describe and apply Newton’s three laws to examples of motion7. Relate the force of gravity to free fall, projectile motion and orbital motion8. Explain the relationships between gravitational force, mass, and distance and mass to weight9. Define and apply work in terms of force and distance10. Describe power as work over time11. Demonstrate mastery of all the mathematical formulas and units of measurement relating to speed, acceleration, force, work and power
Math:
Algebra 1:Algebra 1 students should have completed at least Unit 3 of Carnegie. Students can work not only during class, but also after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays in my classroom. Students are currently working on Objective Packet 6, which is due Thursday, February 21st in class. Students will cover sections 7.3 through 7.6 in the textbook. This will complete the chapter. Homework will be assigned in each section. Tuesday, homework sections 7.1 & 7.2 are due.
Pre-Algebra:Pre-algebra students have begun their study of geometry. Students completed a mini-lab on Friday and will continue moving forward through Section 6.5. Objective 6 will be due on Monday, February 25th. Please ask to see the Objective 6 packet. Students should work on it a little each day, rather than during a marathon session.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Friday, February 8, 2008
Weekly Update 2/11-2/15
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
The six weeks is ending this week. Some of us have specific dates for work to be turned in, which have been made known to your children.
English:
We are continuing to work on our persuasive papers in class, but some writing should be done at home. Final papers, typed, are due on Friday, Feb. 15, and will be counted twice. A hand-out was given to students that gives very specific formatting instructions on it. I am available after school to help with papers in addition to the class time I set aside to work one on one, but I have had very few students attend. Learning to effectively write a persuasive and/or analytical paper is very important. This type of writing will be seen again and again in English and other subjects throughout high school and college.
ALL WORK is due by Thursday, Feb. 14. EXTRA CREDIT is also due by Thursday, Feb. 14.
Literature Circles were on Thursday/Friday, Feb. 7-8. Questions were due and groups met to discuss their books. Participation grades were also awarded.
We have finished the film version of 12 Angry Men, and students took 2 quizzes: one for each half of the movie. It was an open-note quiz, which many students did not take advantage of. I have recorded the higher grade of the two quizzes. We will begin reading the play in class this week. Roles in the play were given to volunteers.
With TAKS on the horizon (March 5!), we will also begin doing some TAKS practice in class. One activity will be “TAKS Court” where students will have to prove their answers and defend them against others; the verdict will be left to a “jury” to decide. Because of TAKS, the students will have more time than usual to complete their IRP’s—see date below.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
2nd Literature Circle Discussion groups will be on Friday, Feb. 22. Questions are due and groups will meet. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
Extra Credit Assignment:
Following are several opportunities for the students for extra credit. This is a social studies class. It is my feeling that, as a part of their study, the students need to have an opportunity to explore the world. These activities will provide that opportunity.
This is Black History Month. Three of the following relate to Black History so they do need to be done this month. These are the assignments to the students.
1. Select a black teacher you had between pre-school and grade seven who had a positive influence upon your life. Try to contact the teacher, interview that teacher asking questions such as why he/she went into teaching, comment upon some interesting experiences, where did he/she go to college, did he/she have any famous students. The student should have a picture taken with the teacher. The write-up should include the reaction of the teacher when told about being selected. This all should be typed and presented in a booklet of some type.
2. Visit the Buffalo Soldiers Museum; prepare a report on the various exhibits and why they are significant. Select your favorites. Take some pictures; include those and the ticket for admission in your journal. Again, this should be quality work, typed, neatly presented.
3. Visit the Lucy exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science. This is from Ethiopia. The students can learn a lot about Ethiopia as well as about the Lucy exhibit itself. Include your admission ticket in your presentation.
4. Ongoing project: Use OPTIC to analyze three different paintings in an art gallery. These must be from 1607 to 1876 and/or the Remington paintings which depict the Old West. They are painted later, but the subject matter is quite appropriate. We covered OPTIC earlier this year. It is on one of the earlier blogs.
Continuing work: We are continuing the work on Chapters 9/10 with a number of people, events, and vocabulary for the students to identify.
The students took another test over the Constitution on Monday. The students must learn this material. They also will have daily quizzes relating to TAKS review and material we have covered. Some on the Constitution, in particular, will be repeated until all the students show comprehension of the material.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for questions concerning Science/IPC.
Math:
Algebra 1:Students will begin learning about systems of equations (Chapter 7 McDougal Littell Textbook). This week’s focus will be on solving systems by graphing, substitution, and the addition/subtraction methods.
TAKS is right around the corner (April 8th for Math)! Students are currently working on Objective 5, in preparation for the TAKS test. The Objective 5 Packets are due on Tuesday, February 11th.
Students can expect an open notes quiz on Friday, February 15th, covering early sections in Chapter 7. Students have been learning how to take notes in math to support learning and to facilitate review. Please ask to see their notes to make sure they are writing study questions. Open note quizzes will be given, so good note taking skills will mean better performance on these quizzes.
Students in Algebra 1 are working on the online Carnegie Software. The requirements regarding completion of units as homework & class work have been detailed in each Algebra class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. The Carnegie assignments are a significant part of your student’s grade and are required for successful completion of the course.
Pre-Algebra:
Students will begin learning about geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, angles and polygons will be the focus this week, followed by symmetry and translations the following week. This is a short chapter,(Chapter 7 Glencoe Textbook), with the completion of the chapter occurring early next week.
Students will take a quiz on the Objective 4 Packet material on Monday February 11th. The Objective 5 Packets are due on Monday as well.
Students can expect an open notes quiz on Friday, February 8th covering early sections in Chapter 6. Students have been learning how to take notes in math to support learning and to facilitate review. Please ask to see their notes to make sure they are writing study questions. Open note quizzes will be given, so good note taking skills will mean better performance on these quizzes.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
The six weeks is ending this week. Some of us have specific dates for work to be turned in, which have been made known to your children.
English:
We are continuing to work on our persuasive papers in class, but some writing should be done at home. Final papers, typed, are due on Friday, Feb. 15, and will be counted twice. A hand-out was given to students that gives very specific formatting instructions on it. I am available after school to help with papers in addition to the class time I set aside to work one on one, but I have had very few students attend. Learning to effectively write a persuasive and/or analytical paper is very important. This type of writing will be seen again and again in English and other subjects throughout high school and college.
ALL WORK is due by Thursday, Feb. 14. EXTRA CREDIT is also due by Thursday, Feb. 14.
Literature Circles were on Thursday/Friday, Feb. 7-8. Questions were due and groups met to discuss their books. Participation grades were also awarded.
We have finished the film version of 12 Angry Men, and students took 2 quizzes: one for each half of the movie. It was an open-note quiz, which many students did not take advantage of. I have recorded the higher grade of the two quizzes. We will begin reading the play in class this week. Roles in the play were given to volunteers.
With TAKS on the horizon (March 5!), we will also begin doing some TAKS practice in class. One activity will be “TAKS Court” where students will have to prove their answers and defend them against others; the verdict will be left to a “jury” to decide. Because of TAKS, the students will have more time than usual to complete their IRP’s—see date below.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
2nd Literature Circle Discussion groups will be on Friday, Feb. 22. Questions are due and groups will meet. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
Extra Credit Assignment:
Following are several opportunities for the students for extra credit. This is a social studies class. It is my feeling that, as a part of their study, the students need to have an opportunity to explore the world. These activities will provide that opportunity.
This is Black History Month. Three of the following relate to Black History so they do need to be done this month. These are the assignments to the students.
1. Select a black teacher you had between pre-school and grade seven who had a positive influence upon your life. Try to contact the teacher, interview that teacher asking questions such as why he/she went into teaching, comment upon some interesting experiences, where did he/she go to college, did he/she have any famous students. The student should have a picture taken with the teacher. The write-up should include the reaction of the teacher when told about being selected. This all should be typed and presented in a booklet of some type.
2. Visit the Buffalo Soldiers Museum; prepare a report on the various exhibits and why they are significant. Select your favorites. Take some pictures; include those and the ticket for admission in your journal. Again, this should be quality work, typed, neatly presented.
3. Visit the Lucy exhibit at the Museum of Natural Science. This is from Ethiopia. The students can learn a lot about Ethiopia as well as about the Lucy exhibit itself. Include your admission ticket in your presentation.
4. Ongoing project: Use OPTIC to analyze three different paintings in an art gallery. These must be from 1607 to 1876 and/or the Remington paintings which depict the Old West. They are painted later, but the subject matter is quite appropriate. We covered OPTIC earlier this year. It is on one of the earlier blogs.
Continuing work: We are continuing the work on Chapters 9/10 with a number of people, events, and vocabulary for the students to identify.
The students took another test over the Constitution on Monday. The students must learn this material. They also will have daily quizzes relating to TAKS review and material we have covered. Some on the Constitution, in particular, will be repeated until all the students show comprehension of the material.
Science:
Please email Mr. Scott for questions concerning Science/IPC.
Math:
Algebra 1:Students will begin learning about systems of equations (Chapter 7 McDougal Littell Textbook). This week’s focus will be on solving systems by graphing, substitution, and the addition/subtraction methods.
TAKS is right around the corner (April 8th for Math)! Students are currently working on Objective 5, in preparation for the TAKS test. The Objective 5 Packets are due on Tuesday, February 11th.
Students can expect an open notes quiz on Friday, February 15th, covering early sections in Chapter 7. Students have been learning how to take notes in math to support learning and to facilitate review. Please ask to see their notes to make sure they are writing study questions. Open note quizzes will be given, so good note taking skills will mean better performance on these quizzes.
Students in Algebra 1 are working on the online Carnegie Software. The requirements regarding completion of units as homework & class work have been detailed in each Algebra class. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. The Carnegie assignments are a significant part of your student’s grade and are required for successful completion of the course.
Pre-Algebra:
Students will begin learning about geometry and spatial reasoning. In particular, angles and polygons will be the focus this week, followed by symmetry and translations the following week. This is a short chapter,(Chapter 7 Glencoe Textbook), with the completion of the chapter occurring early next week.
Students will take a quiz on the Objective 4 Packet material on Monday February 11th. The Objective 5 Packets are due on Monday as well.
Students can expect an open notes quiz on Friday, February 8th covering early sections in Chapter 6. Students have been learning how to take notes in math to support learning and to facilitate review. Please ask to see their notes to make sure they are writing study questions. Open note quizzes will be given, so good note taking skills will mean better performance on these quizzes.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Weekly Update 2/4-2/8
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Progress Reports went home Wednesday, Jan. 30th.
The blog format and colors have been changed--enjoy!
English:
We are continuing to work on our persuasive papers in class, but some writing should be done at home. Final papers, typed, are due on Friday, Feb. 15 and will be worth 2 grades. This is in addition to the other grades that have been/will be taken for "effort" along the way. Students have received a handout that includes all formatting requirements, in addition to some helpful examples.
We will continue our study of 12 Angry Men. We are finishing up the movie, and will begin reading the play next week. We will do play/movie related activities along the way. Students will have a quiz over each half of the movie. Notes may be used, if students decide to take notes during the viewing, and bring them on quiz days.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
Book Checks (students bring their books to school to receive a grade) were January 23-24. This time, we will have 2 literature circle discussion groups: 1st (half the book should be read at this point) on Feb. 7/8 (the school day schedule has changed since this date was assigned, therefore, BLUE day students will have literature circles on Thursday, 2/7, and Green Day students will have literature circles on the orginal date, Friday, 2/8. Because of this, no student may attend the faculty/student basketball game being held during 7th period Thursday. If a student attends, they will be counted absent, as teacher permission is required to attend. Literature Circles #2 2nd (book should be completely read) on Feb. 22. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
All the students received grade reports and progress reports this week. Please ask your student for them if they have not shared them with you. The Constitution project was 25% of the grade so if a student did not do this as instructed, it is possible the grade was low. There were 170 points total and many had perfect project grades. I have told the students to look at their projects and check over the rubric.
The major Constitution test was this week; even though we had spent some time on this material and reviewed thoroughly for the test, some of the students did not do well on the test. Their grades reflected that. Questions from this test will be included on the next test late next week.
We now are covering the Jefferson Era, the War of 1812, and Indian warfare during this period, and going into the Reform Movement shortly. Work due this week and on Monday/Tuesday covers Chapters 8 and 9. The students have the assignments with these chapters on handouts.
Science:
All Classes
This week 1/28-2/1 we will be using the mouse trap cars (see project requirements bellow) to apply the mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next two weeks.(See specific objectives from previous blog)
MOUSE TRAP CAR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
1. Car must travel a minimum of three meters
2. Car must be powered by mouse trap(s)
3. Original designs preferred and rewarded but not required, students may use kits
4. Cars are due 1/28 and 1/29 ready to be tested.
No Class Time for Construction, No late work
GRADING REQUIRMENTSDAY ONE: 1/28 or 1/29.
Aesthetics, students should decorate, paint or generally make their car their own (1 grade)
2. Car rolls under mouse trap power for at least 3 meters (1 grade)
3. Car is complete and ready to conduct experiments on the day it is due (1 grade)DAY TWO AND BEYOND
4. Student will complete experiments with their car about speed, acceleration, force, work, and power (5 grades)
5. Each experiment must have a complete data table, graph of results and conclusion demonstrating understanding of problem.
6. Extra credit for original designs and constructions (1 grade) I would encourage students to attempt to design and construct an original car, see the internet, but will allow students to construct kits (a good place to find kits are Hobby Lobby or any model store), but there is no reason for students to not have a completed car.
Math:
Pre-Algebra:
This week, students will complete Chapter 5 and will take an assessment on the content of Chapter 5. The exam will be Friday, February 8th. Students will complete the chapter on Monday and will review on Wednesday. Time each class period is being devoted to discussion about the six objective packets. The Objective 4 Packet is due Monday, February 4th. The Objective 4 Quiz will be the following Monday, at which time the Objective 5 Packet will be due. Regular homework will be due as posted in class. To recap:
Monday: Objective 4 Packet due;
Wednesday: Review for the Chapter 5 Exam/Discussion on Objective 5;
Friday: Chapter 5 Assessment;
Following Monday: Objective 4 Quiz/Objective 5 Packet due;
Algebra:
Students will complete Chapter 6 this week and will take an assessment covering the Chapter. The test will be on Friday. Students have the Objective 4 Quiz on Thursday, February 7th. On the same day, the Objective 5 Packet is due. Regular homework will be due as posted in class. To recap, the following assignments are due this week:
Thursday: Objective 5 Packet is due and the Objective 4 Quiz will be taken;Friday: Chapter 6 Assessment;
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Progress Reports went home Wednesday, Jan. 30th.
The blog format and colors have been changed--enjoy!
English:
We are continuing to work on our persuasive papers in class, but some writing should be done at home. Final papers, typed, are due on Friday, Feb. 15 and will be worth 2 grades. This is in addition to the other grades that have been/will be taken for "effort" along the way. Students have received a handout that includes all formatting requirements, in addition to some helpful examples.
We will continue our study of 12 Angry Men. We are finishing up the movie, and will begin reading the play next week. We will do play/movie related activities along the way. Students will have a quiz over each half of the movie. Notes may be used, if students decide to take notes during the viewing, and bring them on quiz days.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
Book Checks (students bring their books to school to receive a grade) were January 23-24. This time, we will have 2 literature circle discussion groups: 1st (half the book should be read at this point) on Feb. 7/8 (the school day schedule has changed since this date was assigned, therefore, BLUE day students will have literature circles on Thursday, 2/7, and Green Day students will have literature circles on the orginal date, Friday, 2/8. Because of this, no student may attend the faculty/student basketball game being held during 7th period Thursday. If a student attends, they will be counted absent, as teacher permission is required to attend. Literature Circles #2 2nd (book should be completely read) on Feb. 22. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
All the students received grade reports and progress reports this week. Please ask your student for them if they have not shared them with you. The Constitution project was 25% of the grade so if a student did not do this as instructed, it is possible the grade was low. There were 170 points total and many had perfect project grades. I have told the students to look at their projects and check over the rubric.
The major Constitution test was this week; even though we had spent some time on this material and reviewed thoroughly for the test, some of the students did not do well on the test. Their grades reflected that. Questions from this test will be included on the next test late next week.
We now are covering the Jefferson Era, the War of 1812, and Indian warfare during this period, and going into the Reform Movement shortly. Work due this week and on Monday/Tuesday covers Chapters 8 and 9. The students have the assignments with these chapters on handouts.
Science:
All Classes
This week 1/28-2/1 we will be using the mouse trap cars (see project requirements bellow) to apply the mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next two weeks.(See specific objectives from previous blog)
MOUSE TRAP CAR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
1. Car must travel a minimum of three meters
2. Car must be powered by mouse trap(s)
3. Original designs preferred and rewarded but not required, students may use kits
4. Cars are due 1/28 and 1/29 ready to be tested.
No Class Time for Construction, No late work
GRADING REQUIRMENTSDAY ONE: 1/28 or 1/29.
Aesthetics, students should decorate, paint or generally make their car their own (1 grade)
2. Car rolls under mouse trap power for at least 3 meters (1 grade)
3. Car is complete and ready to conduct experiments on the day it is due (1 grade)DAY TWO AND BEYOND
4. Student will complete experiments with their car about speed, acceleration, force, work, and power (5 grades)
5. Each experiment must have a complete data table, graph of results and conclusion demonstrating understanding of problem.
6. Extra credit for original designs and constructions (1 grade) I would encourage students to attempt to design and construct an original car, see the internet, but will allow students to construct kits (a good place to find kits are Hobby Lobby or any model store), but there is no reason for students to not have a completed car.
Math:
Pre-Algebra:
This week, students will complete Chapter 5 and will take an assessment on the content of Chapter 5. The exam will be Friday, February 8th. Students will complete the chapter on Monday and will review on Wednesday. Time each class period is being devoted to discussion about the six objective packets. The Objective 4 Packet is due Monday, February 4th. The Objective 4 Quiz will be the following Monday, at which time the Objective 5 Packet will be due. Regular homework will be due as posted in class. To recap:
Monday: Objective 4 Packet due;
Wednesday: Review for the Chapter 5 Exam/Discussion on Objective 5;
Friday: Chapter 5 Assessment;
Following Monday: Objective 4 Quiz/Objective 5 Packet due;
Algebra:
Students will complete Chapter 6 this week and will take an assessment covering the Chapter. The test will be on Friday. Students have the Objective 4 Quiz on Thursday, February 7th. On the same day, the Objective 5 Packet is due. Regular homework will be due as posted in class. To recap, the following assignments are due this week:
Thursday: Objective 5 Packet is due and the Objective 4 Quiz will be taken;Friday: Chapter 6 Assessment;
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Friday, January 25, 2008
Weekly Update 1/28-2/1
IMPORTANT REMINDERS/EVENTS:
Progress Reports go home Wednesday, Jan. 30th.
The Pin Oak PTO is asking for help in putting together gift baskets for Family Game Night beginning in February. Each cluster is responsible for one basket. These will be made possible by donations from students and parents. Our cluster’s theme is MUSIC. We think it might be easiest to collect one dollar from each student and purchase items for the basket at one time.
In all core classes, late policies for each teacher have become more stringent in effort to encourage students to be on time regarding work, as high school teachers will expect.
A message from Bellaire High School:
High School is almost here! We can’t wait to meet you and your parents! Please come to our information night for zoned 8th graders:
Bellaire High School
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 7 p.m.
Bellaire H.S. Auditorium - Entrance on South Rice
English:
We are continuing our work on persuasive essays about the story we read in class, “The Lady or the Tiger?” Grades are being taken along the way for completion, and the amount of grades taken for the final result (the typed paper, due date TBA) hasn’t been decided quite yet. It will either be 2 grades or 3. Learning this writing style and format is so important, as it will be seen again and again in English and beyond. Quite a bit of time is being given in class to work on papers so I can be available to consult with, but some writing/editing should be done at home. If you do not see your child working on their paper at home, something is wrong. Ask them to see it. Any/all assistance you can offer at home is greatly appreciated.
This week, we will begin reading 12 Angry Men, the play. First, we will watch the Henry Fonda movie version, as I believe that seeing it performed—as it was written to be—will be helpful before reading the play in class. We will be doing related activities for this unit.
Please bear in mind that extra credit opportunities this semester will be very limited. Students need to focus on turning work in that is QUALITY work and handed in ON TIME. This, combined with the new, more stringent late policy will lead to much lower grades for students if they do not keep up. Encourage your child to utilize their planner EVERY day, do homework first thing when they arrive home, and to ASK questions if they need help.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
Book Checks (students bring their books to school to receive a grade) were January 23-24. This time, we will have 2 literature circle discussion groups: 1st (half the book should be read at this point) on Feb. 8 and the 2nd (book should be completely read) on Feb. 22. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
Many of the Constitution projects were excellent; there were a possible 170 points and many received all 170. Some received extra credit for submitting the project early or doing outstanding work. Then, there were those, that in spite of having six weeks to complete this project, turned in very poor quality work or none at all. Please ask your student to see the project and the grade sheet accompanying it. This is 25% of the grade for the six weeks so if the student did not do the project or if he/she received a low grade, that student needs to do some extra credit work immediately.
The students had their major test over the Constitution/Bill of Rights this week. The grade on that will be reflected in the progress report out this next week, January 30.
Your students received their advance assignment on Chapter 8 due on Monday/Tuesday, January 28/29. It is imperative they all complete their work on time from now on because we shall be moving rapidly through the rest of the material.
TAKS review has started; TAKS review questions will be the warm up at the beginning of the period. By now, all students should have a spiral notebook to use for this class. The TAKS questions and review belong in this notebook. TAKS review for history will be during my tutorials on Monday. Also, Mrs. Powell will be running TAKS tutorials after school. In addition, students from Episcopal High School are here to work with any student on any subject after school in the library.
Congratulations to Jacob Stewart! He is our all school winner for the GeoBee. He will take a written test to determine if he advances to the State GeoBee. Runners up are Darius Altman and Drew McMillian.
Science:
All Classes
This week 1/28-2/1 we will be using the mouse trap cars (see project requirements bellow) to apply the mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next two weeks.
(See specific objectives from previous blog)
MOUSE TRAP CAR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS1. Car must travel a minimum of three meters2. Car must be powered by mouse trap(s)3. Original designs preferred and rewarded but not required, students may use kits4. Cars are due 1/28 and 1/29 ready to be tested. No Class Time for Construction, No late work GRADING REQUIRMENTS
DAY ONE: 1/28 or 1/29
1. Aesthetics, students should decorate, paint or generally make their car their own (1 grade)2. Car rolls under mouse trap power for at least 3 meters (1 grade)3. Car is complete and ready to conduct experiments on the day it is due (1 grade)
DAY TWO AND BEYOND4. Student will complete experiments with their car about speed, acceleration, force, work, and power (5 grades)5. Each experiment must have a complete data table, graph of results and conclusion demonstrating understanding of problem.6. Extra credit for original designs and constructions (1 grade)I would encourage students to attempt to design and construct an original car, see the internet, but will allow students to construct kits (a good place to find kits are Hobby Lobby or any model store), but there is no reason for students to not have a completed car.
Thanks and drive safely
Math:
Algebra 1: We will continue to work on inequalities, extending our study to inequalities in two variables. We will continue to work in Chapter 6. Tuesday, students will have a quiz covering objective 2. Some classes have taken the quiz and will not be repeating it. This will be for the classes that have not taken it. The objective 3 quiz will be Friday for the classes that have not taken it. The Objective 4 Packets will be due on Friday. Students can come for additional help on Thursday. They should complete as many questions as they can and seek assistance earlier than Thursday. Thursday is good for last minute questions and for assistance with Objective 3 concepts. I will be glad to help students throughout the week, even during advisory.
Pre-Algebra: Students are diligently working through Chapter 5 of the text. We will soon finish the chapter and will have a Chapter test next week. Students need to make sure they have done the vocabulary for the chapter. Students have a quiz on the Objective 2 material on Monday.
Students in all classes have received back both their objective 2 & 3 packets with grades on them. They should correct errors and study the packets to prepare for the two short quizzes (10 questions each) that will draw from the packets. The quizzes are the first meeting of the week (Monday or Tuesday, depending on the class), and the last meeting of the week: Friday for all students. Friday, students have due Objective 4. We will spend time in class each meeting discussing questions students have on these packets.
All students have been asked to keep all their objective materials (Objectives 1-6, both packets and returned quizzes). We will review for the TAKs over the course of the semester. Students need to have them available in class. Please make sure your student has graph paper, highlighters, and colored pencils to use in class. We are practicing taking good notes and writing study questions from those notes. Please ask your student to show you their returned Objective Quizzes and packets. All incorrect answers should be corrected.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
Progress Reports go home Wednesday, Jan. 30th.
The Pin Oak PTO is asking for help in putting together gift baskets for Family Game Night beginning in February. Each cluster is responsible for one basket. These will be made possible by donations from students and parents. Our cluster’s theme is MUSIC. We think it might be easiest to collect one dollar from each student and purchase items for the basket at one time.
In all core classes, late policies for each teacher have become more stringent in effort to encourage students to be on time regarding work, as high school teachers will expect.
A message from Bellaire High School:
High School is almost here! We can’t wait to meet you and your parents! Please come to our information night for zoned 8th graders:
Bellaire High School
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 7 p.m.
Bellaire H.S. Auditorium - Entrance on South Rice
English:
We are continuing our work on persuasive essays about the story we read in class, “The Lady or the Tiger?” Grades are being taken along the way for completion, and the amount of grades taken for the final result (the typed paper, due date TBA) hasn’t been decided quite yet. It will either be 2 grades or 3. Learning this writing style and format is so important, as it will be seen again and again in English and beyond. Quite a bit of time is being given in class to work on papers so I can be available to consult with, but some writing/editing should be done at home. If you do not see your child working on their paper at home, something is wrong. Ask them to see it. Any/all assistance you can offer at home is greatly appreciated.
This week, we will begin reading 12 Angry Men, the play. First, we will watch the Henry Fonda movie version, as I believe that seeing it performed—as it was written to be—will be helpful before reading the play in class. We will be doing related activities for this unit.
Please bear in mind that extra credit opportunities this semester will be very limited. Students need to focus on turning work in that is QUALITY work and handed in ON TIME. This, combined with the new, more stringent late policy will lead to much lower grades for students if they do not keep up. Encourage your child to utilize their planner EVERY day, do homework first thing when they arrive home, and to ASK questions if they need help.
INDEPENDENT BOOK UNIT: Biography, Autobiography, and Memoirs
Book Checks (students bring their books to school to receive a grade) were January 23-24. This time, we will have 2 literature circle discussion groups: 1st (half the book should be read at this point) on Feb. 8 and the 2nd (book should be completely read) on Feb. 22. PROJECTS are due March 28-29 (this is AFTER TAKS and SPRING BREAK) and will be presented in class.
History:
Many of the Constitution projects were excellent; there were a possible 170 points and many received all 170. Some received extra credit for submitting the project early or doing outstanding work. Then, there were those, that in spite of having six weeks to complete this project, turned in very poor quality work or none at all. Please ask your student to see the project and the grade sheet accompanying it. This is 25% of the grade for the six weeks so if the student did not do the project or if he/she received a low grade, that student needs to do some extra credit work immediately.
The students had their major test over the Constitution/Bill of Rights this week. The grade on that will be reflected in the progress report out this next week, January 30.
Your students received their advance assignment on Chapter 8 due on Monday/Tuesday, January 28/29. It is imperative they all complete their work on time from now on because we shall be moving rapidly through the rest of the material.
TAKS review has started; TAKS review questions will be the warm up at the beginning of the period. By now, all students should have a spiral notebook to use for this class. The TAKS questions and review belong in this notebook. TAKS review for history will be during my tutorials on Monday. Also, Mrs. Powell will be running TAKS tutorials after school. In addition, students from Episcopal High School are here to work with any student on any subject after school in the library.
Congratulations to Jacob Stewart! He is our all school winner for the GeoBee. He will take a written test to determine if he advances to the State GeoBee. Runners up are Darius Altman and Drew McMillian.
Science:
All Classes
This week 1/28-2/1 we will be using the mouse trap cars (see project requirements bellow) to apply the mathematical formulas under experimental conditions.Many of the objectives covered will inter-relate and be repeated throughout the next two weeks.
(See specific objectives from previous blog)
MOUSE TRAP CAR PROJECT REQUIREMENTS1. Car must travel a minimum of three meters2. Car must be powered by mouse trap(s)3. Original designs preferred and rewarded but not required, students may use kits4. Cars are due 1/28 and 1/29 ready to be tested. No Class Time for Construction, No late work GRADING REQUIRMENTS
DAY ONE: 1/28 or 1/29
1. Aesthetics, students should decorate, paint or generally make their car their own (1 grade)2. Car rolls under mouse trap power for at least 3 meters (1 grade)3. Car is complete and ready to conduct experiments on the day it is due (1 grade)
DAY TWO AND BEYOND4. Student will complete experiments with their car about speed, acceleration, force, work, and power (5 grades)5. Each experiment must have a complete data table, graph of results and conclusion demonstrating understanding of problem.6. Extra credit for original designs and constructions (1 grade)I would encourage students to attempt to design and construct an original car, see the internet, but will allow students to construct kits (a good place to find kits are Hobby Lobby or any model store), but there is no reason for students to not have a completed car.
Thanks and drive safely
Math:
Algebra 1: We will continue to work on inequalities, extending our study to inequalities in two variables. We will continue to work in Chapter 6. Tuesday, students will have a quiz covering objective 2. Some classes have taken the quiz and will not be repeating it. This will be for the classes that have not taken it. The objective 3 quiz will be Friday for the classes that have not taken it. The Objective 4 Packets will be due on Friday. Students can come for additional help on Thursday. They should complete as many questions as they can and seek assistance earlier than Thursday. Thursday is good for last minute questions and for assistance with Objective 3 concepts. I will be glad to help students throughout the week, even during advisory.
Pre-Algebra: Students are diligently working through Chapter 5 of the text. We will soon finish the chapter and will have a Chapter test next week. Students need to make sure they have done the vocabulary for the chapter. Students have a quiz on the Objective 2 material on Monday.
Students in all classes have received back both their objective 2 & 3 packets with grades on them. They should correct errors and study the packets to prepare for the two short quizzes (10 questions each) that will draw from the packets. The quizzes are the first meeting of the week (Monday or Tuesday, depending on the class), and the last meeting of the week: Friday for all students. Friday, students have due Objective 4. We will spend time in class each meeting discussing questions students have on these packets.
All students have been asked to keep all their objective materials (Objectives 1-6, both packets and returned quizzes). We will review for the TAKs over the course of the semester. Students need to have them available in class. Please make sure your student has graph paper, highlighters, and colored pencils to use in class. We are practicing taking good notes and writing study questions from those notes. Please ask your student to show you their returned Objective Quizzes and packets. All incorrect answers should be corrected.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com/
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