IMPORTANT REMIDNERS/EVENTS:
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION:
All HISD Magnet High School Coordinators were on campus last week to speak with our 8th graders and to hold a high school “fair” in the Multi-Purpose Room. We are proud that our students behaved well for our guests and presented the coordinators with intelligent, thoughtful questions when visiting each high school’s table. The students received a lot of information, and hopefully, they passed the information on to you. If you have any questions at all, the high school coordinators encouraged inquiries via email or phone. Ms. Graves, our Pin Oak Magnet Coordinator, encourages all students to consider and apply to several schools, instead of betting on getting into one school. The time to attend tours and apply for high school is approaching quickly, so please spend some time with your child discussing options.
HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS: Necessary documents
Ms. Perez, our records clerk located in the front office, is available to provide school records (necessary for applications) to students upon request. Requests will be filled within 48 hours. Please encourage your child not to wait until the last minute to obtain these important documents. In addition, some schools require teacher recommendations via letters or school-specific forms. Please read the instructions carefully and allow teachers ample time to complete these. Most recommendation forms are to be signed by the parents, then completed by the teacher, and directly mailed to the school, not given back to the student. Please provide addressed, stamped envelopes with these requests. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
PIN OAK in the SPOTLIGHT!
The National Middle School Association is having their annual conference right here in Houston this year. This is very exciting because Pin Oak has been chosen to be a tour stop for NMSA Conference attendants. Educators and Administrators from all over the nation will be visiting our campus on Thursday, Nov. 8th. We look forward to seeing our students represent Pin Oak positively and sharing the great things that are happening here with others. We are proud to represent HISD!
Information from the Pin Oak School Store:
If you have comments/questions, plead direct them to: pinoakschoolstore@gmail.com
Now that we finally have some cool weather, stop into the school store before or after school or at lunch on Wednesday or Thursday to purchase your hoodie. We are fully stocked in all sizes and the cost is $25 each.
Parents, the school store now accepts Visa or MasterCard for your convenience!
Also, beginning Wednesday, all Halloween merchandise is 1/2 price. Be sure to stop in for a bargain!
Pin Oak Middle School PTO: www.pinoakpto.org Pin Oak Middle School: www.pinoak.us
English:
Next week, we will finish reading the play, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” We will continue our study of sentence diagramming and learn about verbs. Students should be prepared to be quizzed over diagramming very soon! We will begin reading Daniel’s Story, a Holocaust novel, in class soon (students are not required to purchase the book).
UPCOMING DATES:
Independent Book Projects: CHANGE IN DUE DATE! I have pushed the due date forward, due to scheduling conflicts, to W/Th, Nov. 7-8. This should be helpful for many students who have not yet finished their books, of which there appears to by many.
NEW PROJECT introduced Friday, Oct. 19: Pre-World War II European Jewish Life Photo Project. Students were given the assignment sheet in class. This is due on Th/F, Nov. 1-2.
FIELD TRIP:
8C will visit the Holocaust Museum-Houston on Monday, Nov. 19, 2007. This is a powerful experience for our students, and we hope that every student will be able to attend. We will need parent chaperones for the trip, so please email me if you are able to help. HISD requires a background check for any volunteer, so those with that process already completed are welcome, and those who need to complete the process should contact the HISD Administration Bldg. This can take some time, so the sooner the better. Thanks to any that can help out!
History:
Most of the History Fair Projects are quite well done. The exhibits are attractive, the documentaries are informative, and the one performance I have seen is interesting. However, there are some that exhibits that need some attention. If the pictures and other papers are not evenly cut or the background is not matching, the whole project does not look neat even though the information may be excellent. I have suggested to some that they improve the appearance of their projects by Friday. The students are presenting their projects to the classes; all House C exhibits are on display in the House Commons where they will be judged to advance to the All-School Fair which is November 6, 7, 8. Those advancing will be announced next week so any improvements need to be done immediately. The project grade is based in the annotated bibliography, process paper, presentation of information, and the information itself.
This week my second period had guest teachers on Tuesday. These are four men from the Sharpstown, Bellaire, and West University Rotary Clubs who will be coming on Tuesdays for the next four weeks instructing the students in some basic economics. My eighth period class also had a guest speaker. This was Ann Linsley, advanced geography teacher at Bellaire High School. Ms. Linsley is going to Antarctica in a few days on a research expedition and she brought part of the clothing she will have to wear there to show the students and explained the project to them. They will be able to communicate with her by e-mail and web cam when she is in Antarctica. Mrs. Parchman and Mr. Scott brought their students so most of the 8th grade students were involved with this presentation. On Wednesday, the seventh period had a pep rally. Therefore, those classes all will have some “catch-up time”.
Those missing the test over Chapters 3 and 4 on Wednesday will take it on Friday. The scaled timeline over Chapters 5 and 6 will be due on October 31 and November 1. This is a very important assignment and should be well done along with drawings and other decorations representing that period in history. We will continue our class discussion on Chapters Five and Six.
The students also are receiving the maps on Europe for the Holocaust Project this week. We will spend one day in class using the historical atlases to work on this map. The other map can be done for homework because it is a map of current Europe. I am giving the students a website where they can locate information about the death camps.
A number of the students will be receiving low grades on their progress reports because there are three assignments many have not submitted. These are the two assignments relating to Plymouth and Jamestown and the map of the colonies with their products. Please encourage your student to stay current with assignments. These need to be in immediately. The Declaration of Independence activity brought in a number of very clever bumper stickers.
Science:
It is GREAT to be back!
ALL CLASSES
TLW
1. Describe ionic and covalent bonds.
2. Explain how to determine oxidation numbers.
3. Write formulas and names for ionic bonds.
4. Practice math skills completing formula problems.
All classes will have a unit test on chemistry Friday, November 2.
Please be sure your child is using the study guide to prepare for this major exam
I will be assigning a small project for the week of November 5-9 and will send information about this next week.
Thank you for all your kind wishes and prayers during the time I was gone I can’t tell you how much they meant to me and my family.
Thank you
Jamie Scott
Math:
Algebra 1:
Students are off and running using our new Carnegie Software! We are currently working on laptops on Thursdays and Fridays. Students need to bring their Carnegie materials to class each class period. For this week, students do not need to bring in their red textbook or practice book. We are currently working in the linear equations section in the Carnegie text. We’ve just begun Chapter 3 in Carnegie.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period:
Students have completed Chapter 2 of the text and are now working in Chapter 3, “Real Numbers and the Pythagorean Theorem”. This week, students will concentrate on taking the square root of and estimating the square root of numbers. Students will also use Venn Diagrams and will learn to compare real numbers. Specifically, students will cover sections 3-1 to 3-4. Students will use Neufeld Math on Friday. This is a computer software program that helps student master math concepts.
Pre-Algebra 5th Period:
Students will finish chapter 2 with the study of exponents and scientific notation. Because of early release on the 31st, students will begin Chapter 3 and will take the Chapter 2 exam on Monday, when more time will be permitted to complete it. Students can expect to cover square roots on Wednesday and Neufeld Math on Friday. This is a computer software program that helps student master math concepts.
Foreign Language Department BLOG: See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
WEEKLY UPDATE 10/22-10/26
IMPORTANT REMIDNERS/EVENTS:
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. This is a great opportunity for our students to meet with different schools and get information on requirements for potential students. We expect students to conduct themselves appropriately during this program.
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Each day will have a theme, so please encourage your students to participate. In addition, the Homecoming Game is Wednesday night, so come out and support the Chargers in their last game of the season!
Monday: wear red
Tuesday: wear favorite team jersey or T-shirt
Wednesday: wear all blue in support of Homecoming
Thursday: dress as chosen future career
Friday: wear mismatched clothing
English:
We will continue our study of the Holocaust and will begin reading a play from the literature book, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” We will also read a children’s book entitled, The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust. Students will answer questions over this in groups, and will participate in literature circles to discuss their thoughts and opinions.
We will also continue studying grammar, and will begin sentence diagramming this week.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, there was a student/faculty volleyball game during 8th period for students who purchased a ticket. I do not stop teaching for events like this, so class went on as usual for those students who did not attend. For those that chose to attend, it was explained to them that they are missing class time and class work that they are responsible for. On this day, we watched a video for which they are to write a reflection piece. For students who attended the game, I am offering one day after school for them to watch this video. Tuesday, Oct. 23 is the only day I will do this. This was made very clear to them before they left for the game, so if your child is not able to attend on this day, they made a poor decision in deciding whether to stay in class or attend a voluntary event.
UPCOMING DATES:
Independent Book Projects: CHANGE IN DUE DATE! I have pushed the due date forward, due to scheduling conflicts, to W/Th, Nov. 6-7. This should be helpful for many students who have not yet finished their books.
NEW PROJECT introduced Friday, Oct. 19: Pre-World War II European Jewish Life Photo Project. Students were given the assignment sheet in class. This is due on Th/F, Nov. 1-2.
History:
This should be a very busy weekend for some of the students. History Fair projects are due on Monday/Tuesday. The students will present the projects to the class and then place them in the House C Commons. The projects will be judged for entry into the All-School Fair on November 6, 7, 8. I expect the students with documentaries and performances to be ready with their scripts and papers on Monday/Tuesday, but they may be performing on another day. Presently, I need only three copies of the research papers if a student is entering that category. Mr. Frankum has a group of historians who will judge these for the entire school. This is a major assignment for this six weeks period so it is critical for the students’ grades for them to do well.
Since History Fair projects are due on Monday/Tuesday, I have moved the due date again for the scaled timeline of the Revolution to October 31/November 1. This assignment requires to students to make a list of all the dates relating to this period, place these dates on a scaled timeline, and decorate the timeline with appropriate drawings or sayings of the period. This is an important assignment and I felt the students needed a little more time.
In conjunction with the Holocaust project in English, the students will be completing a map of Europe as it was during World War II. In addition, they will be labeling the locations of specific death camps and completing a graph relating to the deaths there. I will give the students a website to use for this information.
On Wednesday/Thursday, the students worked on an activity relating to writing the grievances in the Declaration of Independence into English words used today. It was somewhat more involved than many thought it would be. Many discovered there were a number of vocabulary words they really did not understand. Ask to see their bumper stickers. If they did not finish the project in class, I expected them to complete it for homework due this Friday, October 19.
Science:
Mr. Scott has returned to school. He was greatly missed in his absence by his students and team members. Please email Mr. Scott with any questions you may have, and he will begin posting to the BLOG again next week. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and well wishes for his speedy return to POMS.
Math:
Algebra 1- All Sections:
We will be working in sections 3.1-3.5 in the McDougal Littel book. We will, at the same time, be working on sections 3.2-3.5 in the Carnegie Text. These chapter sections deal with Solving Linear Equations. Students will continue to increase their understanding of linear functions and the solving of one and two step equations.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period Only:Students are finishing chapter 2 material. Students in 3rd Period will have an exam on Chapter 2 on Wednesday, October 24th. We will conclude the week with section 3-1 of the textbook: Square Roots.
Pre-Algebra 5th Period Only:
Students in this section will continue through Chapter 2, finishing up sections 2-7, “Solving Equations with Rational Numbers”, 2-9, “Powers and Exponents”, and section 2-10, “Scientific Notation”. We are tentatively planning to hold an exam on Monday, October 29th, covering Chapter 2 material. If this date changes, which depends on the readiness of the students for the exam, I will let you know via this blog.
Foreign Language Department BLOG:
See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. This is a great opportunity for our students to meet with different schools and get information on requirements for potential students. We expect students to conduct themselves appropriately during this program.
Next week is Red Ribbon Week. Each day will have a theme, so please encourage your students to participate. In addition, the Homecoming Game is Wednesday night, so come out and support the Chargers in their last game of the season!
Monday: wear red
Tuesday: wear favorite team jersey or T-shirt
Wednesday: wear all blue in support of Homecoming
Thursday: dress as chosen future career
Friday: wear mismatched clothing
English:
We will continue our study of the Holocaust and will begin reading a play from the literature book, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” We will also read a children’s book entitled, The Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust. Students will answer questions over this in groups, and will participate in literature circles to discuss their thoughts and opinions.
We will also continue studying grammar, and will begin sentence diagramming this week.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, there was a student/faculty volleyball game during 8th period for students who purchased a ticket. I do not stop teaching for events like this, so class went on as usual for those students who did not attend. For those that chose to attend, it was explained to them that they are missing class time and class work that they are responsible for. On this day, we watched a video for which they are to write a reflection piece. For students who attended the game, I am offering one day after school for them to watch this video. Tuesday, Oct. 23 is the only day I will do this. This was made very clear to them before they left for the game, so if your child is not able to attend on this day, they made a poor decision in deciding whether to stay in class or attend a voluntary event.
UPCOMING DATES:
Independent Book Projects: CHANGE IN DUE DATE! I have pushed the due date forward, due to scheduling conflicts, to W/Th, Nov. 6-7. This should be helpful for many students who have not yet finished their books.
NEW PROJECT introduced Friday, Oct. 19: Pre-World War II European Jewish Life Photo Project. Students were given the assignment sheet in class. This is due on Th/F, Nov. 1-2.
History:
This should be a very busy weekend for some of the students. History Fair projects are due on Monday/Tuesday. The students will present the projects to the class and then place them in the House C Commons. The projects will be judged for entry into the All-School Fair on November 6, 7, 8. I expect the students with documentaries and performances to be ready with their scripts and papers on Monday/Tuesday, but they may be performing on another day. Presently, I need only three copies of the research papers if a student is entering that category. Mr. Frankum has a group of historians who will judge these for the entire school. This is a major assignment for this six weeks period so it is critical for the students’ grades for them to do well.
Since History Fair projects are due on Monday/Tuesday, I have moved the due date again for the scaled timeline of the Revolution to October 31/November 1. This assignment requires to students to make a list of all the dates relating to this period, place these dates on a scaled timeline, and decorate the timeline with appropriate drawings or sayings of the period. This is an important assignment and I felt the students needed a little more time.
In conjunction with the Holocaust project in English, the students will be completing a map of Europe as it was during World War II. In addition, they will be labeling the locations of specific death camps and completing a graph relating to the deaths there. I will give the students a website to use for this information.
On Wednesday/Thursday, the students worked on an activity relating to writing the grievances in the Declaration of Independence into English words used today. It was somewhat more involved than many thought it would be. Many discovered there were a number of vocabulary words they really did not understand. Ask to see their bumper stickers. If they did not finish the project in class, I expected them to complete it for homework due this Friday, October 19.
Science:
Mr. Scott has returned to school. He was greatly missed in his absence by his students and team members. Please email Mr. Scott with any questions you may have, and he will begin posting to the BLOG again next week. Thank you for your patience, understanding, and well wishes for his speedy return to POMS.
Math:
Algebra 1- All Sections:
We will be working in sections 3.1-3.5 in the McDougal Littel book. We will, at the same time, be working on sections 3.2-3.5 in the Carnegie Text. These chapter sections deal with Solving Linear Equations. Students will continue to increase their understanding of linear functions and the solving of one and two step equations.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period Only:Students are finishing chapter 2 material. Students in 3rd Period will have an exam on Chapter 2 on Wednesday, October 24th. We will conclude the week with section 3-1 of the textbook: Square Roots.
Pre-Algebra 5th Period Only:
Students in this section will continue through Chapter 2, finishing up sections 2-7, “Solving Equations with Rational Numbers”, 2-9, “Powers and Exponents”, and section 2-10, “Scientific Notation”. We are tentatively planning to hold an exam on Monday, October 29th, covering Chapter 2 material. If this date changes, which depends on the readiness of the students for the exam, I will let you know via this blog.
Foreign Language Department BLOG:
See link below
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
Monday, October 15, 2007
A Message from Mr. McDonough: Monday, Oct. 15, 2007
Upon Mr. Scott’s return, his INC grades will be changed to their appropriate grade. In light of the upcoming magnet application time frame, Pin Oak administration has decided that they will reprint report cards for all of Mr. Scott’s students with the updated grades. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you,
Mr. McDonough
Upon Mr. Scott’s return, his INC grades will be changed to their appropriate grade. In light of the upcoming magnet application time frame, Pin Oak administration has decided that they will reprint report cards for all of Mr. Scott’s students with the updated grades. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you,
Mr. McDonough
Thursday, October 11, 2007
IMPORTANT REMIDNERS/EVENTS:
Your students received their REPORT CARDS* today, Friday, Oct. 12th.
*Every student will have an “INC” (Incomplete) for Science or IPC (Mr. Scott). Due to illness, Mr. Scott was not present, and thus unable to input his grades for our students. He will fix this upon his return.
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. This is a great opportunity for our students to meet with different schools and get information on requirements for potential students.
Some classes will be participating in a program sponsored by the Houston Area Rotary Club in the coming weeks. The volunteer Rotarians will be leading activities in the classrooms that teach the students about life skills (finances, jobs, etc.) This is a great opportunity for learning, and we are pleased that some of our students will be able to participate during the time the Rotarians are available to be here. The program will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
DRESS CODE: A new addition to the dress code this year is Identification Badges. All students must have their ID badge on their person, and it must be visible. Please make sure your student has their ID badge every morning when they leave for school, in addition to being in compliance to other dress code requirements. Lost ID? Replacement ID’s are $5.00.
Sabor Latina is Friday, Oct. 12 from 6-8. Latin dancing and music for all! (Sponsored by POMS Foreign Language Dept.)
Please check out our Foreign Language Department's BLOG by following the link below.
http://pomsfl.wordpress.com
English:
Last week, our schedule didn’t allow for us to begin our Holocaust unit, so we will start this week. We will be studying some background into this time period before we begin with literature. The students will be making butterflies this week that go along with a poem from a child that perished in the Holocaust (“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” by Pavel Friedman). Each student will attach a picture I will give them of a child that either perished or survived the Holocaust, but they will not know what the child’s fate is yet. We will hang the butterflies on the windows in the C House Commons, and with the sun shining through, it looks amazing. I encourage all of you to come up and see it sometime. At the end of our unit, I will reveal the fate of each child the student’s had, and the ones that perished will be taken down, which is a fantastic visual representation of the tragedy that was the Holocaust. This is very meaningful for the students.
We will also be doing sentence diagramming and will continue reading and journaling in class daily. FYI: I will be off campus on Wednesday, Oct. 17 for a training session.
UPCOMING DATES:
Literature Terms TEST, Friday, Oct. 19, 2007.
Independent Book Projects due OCT. 1/NOV. 1. Please monitor your child’s progress on this assignment, as it counts 3 times in the gradebook.
History:
This week, the students took notes and discussed the mnemonic OPTIC. This is used to analyze painting, pictures, or other types of graphics. The students will be using this during the rest of their careers in HISD so they need to practice using it. It is unlikely it will be taught again so anyone who was absent this week on either Monday or Tuesday should be sure to attend tutorials on Monday, October 15. The students may use OPTIC for extra credit assignments if they go to the Museum of Fine Arts or other art museums. They must analyze at least three paintings that depict the period 1607 to 1876 or are the Remington paintings.
The new assignment is to read Chapter 6, answer the section assessments and chapter questions 1-23. The students should make a list of all the dates and events in both chapters 5 and 6. Those dates should be entered on a scaled timeline which can be decorated with pictures from the period.This is due in two weeks October 24/25.
The next big History Fair date is October 22/23. The completed project is due on those dates; the students will present their projects to the class that day.
History Fair Dates:
Process Paper due, October 8/9
Final Project due: October 22/23
All School Fair: November 6, 7, 8
Science:
Mr. Scott is out ill. Please email him with any questions you may have, and he will respond as soon as he is able. Because of his absence, all students have received an “INC” (Incomplete) for his class for the 1st six weeks. Mr. Scott will correct this when he returns. Our team appreciates your understanding.
Math:
Algebra 1:
This week, the algebra classes across campus will begin using the Carnegie Math Program. Our students are excited to use the new laptops and program. We will begin in Chapter 3 of the text. In addition, students can expect a test on material from Chapter 2 of the red textbook (non-Carnegie materials). Students will further investigate linear equations, graphing functions, and solving for a variable.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period Only: Students are deep into their study of Chapter 2. This week, we will focus on adding and subtracting unlike fractions (2-6), solving equations with rational numbers (2-7), powers and exponents (2-9), and scientific notation (2-10). The following week, we will continue the study of scientific notation, however, students will have a brief introduction to it during this week.
All Classes: Tutoring for math is available on Thursdays. Students wanting to redo work that was graded within the grading period, may do so after school on Fridays. Help should be sought on Thursdays, prior to coming to redo work on Fridays. Though tutorials are not usually full, redo sessions close to the end of a grading period are almost always full, due to procrastination. Please ask your child to redo work as soon as they know they did not perform well on an assignment (they know this in class, as they see their grade before I do). Encourage them to check their textbooks for assistance, get notes from classmates when absent, and make-up work promptly. Please email Ms. Qureshi for more information about Math and Knitting.
Friday, October 5, 2007
WEEKLY UPDATE 10/8-10/12
IMPORTANT REMIDNERS/EVENTS:
Parents, thank you so much for your support and involvement this first six weeks of school. We encourage and welcome you to be a part of our “family” in 8C. If you feel your child is struggling and needs tutorials, please monitor that they attend. The earlier we address issues, the better chance the students have of being successful. On that note, please encourage your students to ask for help as soon as they need it, and not to wait until the very last week or two (or day(s)!) of a grading period. At that point, the hill they have to climb is much steeper. We want all of our students to be responsible and successful!
FYI--REPORT CARDS will go home on Friday, Oct. 12th. The 2nd six weeks begins on Monday, Oct. 8th.
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. Time TBA (information via Ms. Graves, Magnet Coordinator)
Some classes will be participating in a program sponsored by the Houston Area Rotary Club in the coming weeks. The volunteer Rotarians will be leading activities in the classrooms that teach the students life skills (finances, jobs, etc.) This is a great opportunity for learning, and we are pleased that some of our students will be able to participate during the time the Rotarians are available to be here.
English:
This week, we will be doing some grammar activities, including sentence diagramming and learning about verbs. We will also be starting our unit on the Holocaust this week. We will study background information about WWII and will later get into literature from that time period. I am sending a letter home for you to read on Tuesday and Wednesday next week concerning the Holocaust unit, so please ask your child to see it.
UPCOMING DATES:
Independent Book Projects due OCT. 1/NOV. 1. Please monitor your child’s progress on this assignment, as it counts 3 times in the gradebook.
History:
Some of the students had questions about the process paper for the History Fair project so I extended the date to Monday/Tuesday, October 8/9. I know some already had theirs, but I prefer to wait to collect them all at the same time.
In addition, their assignment for next week is to read Chapter 5 and answer the section assessments and chapter questions 1-28. We will be doing other things in class, but this will give them the background they need for the class work.
The library is open before and after school and during lunch time. Many students are sitting in the cafeteria visiting when they have work to do. Please encourage them to make better use of their time by using the library for reading or study.
History Fair Dates:
Process Paper due, October 8/9
Final Project due: October 22/23
All School Fair: November 6, 7, 8
Science:
Mr. Scott is out ill. Please email him with any questions you may have, and he will respond as soon as he is able.
Math:
Please email Ms. Qureshi for more information about Math and Knitting.
Parents, thank you so much for your support and involvement this first six weeks of school. We encourage and welcome you to be a part of our “family” in 8C. If you feel your child is struggling and needs tutorials, please monitor that they attend. The earlier we address issues, the better chance the students have of being successful. On that note, please encourage your students to ask for help as soon as they need it, and not to wait until the very last week or two (or day(s)!) of a grading period. At that point, the hill they have to climb is much steeper. We want all of our students to be responsible and successful!
FYI--REPORT CARDS will go home on Friday, Oct. 12th. The 2nd six weeks begins on Monday, Oct. 8th.
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. Time TBA (information via Ms. Graves, Magnet Coordinator)
Some classes will be participating in a program sponsored by the Houston Area Rotary Club in the coming weeks. The volunteer Rotarians will be leading activities in the classrooms that teach the students life skills (finances, jobs, etc.) This is a great opportunity for learning, and we are pleased that some of our students will be able to participate during the time the Rotarians are available to be here.
English:
This week, we will be doing some grammar activities, including sentence diagramming and learning about verbs. We will also be starting our unit on the Holocaust this week. We will study background information about WWII and will later get into literature from that time period. I am sending a letter home for you to read on Tuesday and Wednesday next week concerning the Holocaust unit, so please ask your child to see it.
UPCOMING DATES:
Independent Book Projects due OCT. 1/NOV. 1. Please monitor your child’s progress on this assignment, as it counts 3 times in the gradebook.
History:
Some of the students had questions about the process paper for the History Fair project so I extended the date to Monday/Tuesday, October 8/9. I know some already had theirs, but I prefer to wait to collect them all at the same time.
In addition, their assignment for next week is to read Chapter 5 and answer the section assessments and chapter questions 1-28. We will be doing other things in class, but this will give them the background they need for the class work.
The library is open before and after school and during lunch time. Many students are sitting in the cafeteria visiting when they have work to do. Please encourage them to make better use of their time by using the library for reading or study.
History Fair Dates:
Process Paper due, October 8/9
Final Project due: October 22/23
All School Fair: November 6, 7, 8
Science:
Mr. Scott is out ill. Please email him with any questions you may have, and he will respond as soon as he is able.
Math:
Please email Ms. Qureshi for more information about Math and Knitting.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
WEEKLY UPDATE 10/1-5
IMPORTANT REMIDNERS/EVENTS:
If athletes (football players, volleyball players, etc.) need to stay after school with an academic teacher to make up work or tests, the students should let their coaches know before staying. They also should ask their teachers to give them a pass or note to the coaches. Please make sure your student athlete is aware of this.
This week completes the 5th week of the six weeks grading period. Please monitor your students and encourage them to get all work turned in before teacher-specific deadlines. Thank you for your support and assistance at home.
FYI--REPORT CARDS will go home on Friday, Oct. 12th.
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. Time TBA (information via Ms. Graves, Magnet Coordinator)
English:
This week, we will begin doing some grammar activities and will begin our background study of the Holocaust (depending on if the necessary materials from the Holocaust Museum arrive when scheduled). With the end of the six weeks approaching next week, I will not accept any work, late or otherwise, after Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Students received a project choice list to accompany their independent reading books. This list is one they should keep and refer to when completing each project. The due date for the first project (over the Holocaust/WWII book) will be due OCT. 31-NOV. 1. Please monitor that your child is reading their book at an appropriate pace to allow them time to complete a quality project. Thank you for your assistance with this.
History:
The students had a major test this week over all the material to date.
This will be a part of the six weeks grade. If your student has not passed the test over the world map, he/she really needs to make up this test. It will be the only test they can make up all year. I expect to see them by Monday after school or it will be too late after that. Students also may come during advisory.
The advanced assignment is Chapter 4, pp. 98-127. Read, answer all questions, and define all vocabulary terms in the assessments and questions.
The process paper for the History Fair is due on October 4/5. This paper is critical for the project. The students should refer to the website for additional assistance. Also, Mrs. Powell is helping students on Tuesday and Thursday in the library if any wish to stay for additional help.
History Fair Dates:
Topic and Group (If any): September 7
Annotated Bibliography (at least 25 sources): September 24/25
Process Paper: October 4/5
Project Due: October 22/23: Present to class, House Fair
All School Fair: November 6,7,8
Science:
ALL Classes
TLW: 1) Apply critical thinking strategies to conduct exploratory investigations; "Stink-o-Rific" and "Flame On"
2) Compare and contrast endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions.
3) Explain the relationship of elements to react chemically and form new substances.
4) Apply the laws of Conservation of Matter and Conservation of Energy to the classroom investigations.
PLEASE RETURN IPC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTERS
Math:
Algebra 1: 2nd, 4th, 6th:
Students will cover Chapter 2: Properties of Real Numbers. Students will finish the chapter at the beginning of next week (Tuesday, October 2nd and will take an exam covering the material on Tuesday, October 8th. This chapter is mainly a review of 8th grade topics. Students have already covered section 2.5 in their text which involves the distributive property.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period:
Students were tested last week on Chapter 1. Chapter 2 involves the Rational Number System. Students will focus on the following sections:
2-1 Rational Numbers;
2-2 Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers;2-3 Multiplying Positive and Negative Fractions;
2-4 Dividing Positive and Negative Fractions;
2-5 Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions;
Students can expect a mid-chapter assessment for learning. This assessment will be graded, but not recorded. Students will use this assessment to determine what areas in chapter 2, sections 2-5, they have yet to master. Students will then use this information to review content not yet mastered.
Pre-Algebra 5th:
Students can expect an assessment on Wednesday, September October 3rd covering Chapter 1 material. Last week, students spent time reviewing order of operation and working with positive and negative integers. We will complete the study of Chapter 1 with an in class review of the chapter on Monday, October 1st, followed by the exam on October 3rd. Students will work with the Neufeld Software Package on Friday, October 5th.
If athletes (football players, volleyball players, etc.) need to stay after school with an academic teacher to make up work or tests, the students should let their coaches know before staying. They also should ask their teachers to give them a pass or note to the coaches. Please make sure your student athlete is aware of this.
This week completes the 5th week of the six weeks grading period. Please monitor your students and encourage them to get all work turned in before teacher-specific deadlines. Thank you for your support and assistance at home.
FYI--REPORT CARDS will go home on Friday, Oct. 12th.
Important Info regarding Magnet HIGH SCHOOLS: Magnet High Schools will have representation on the Pin Oak campus on Oct. 19th. Time TBA (information via Ms. Graves, Magnet Coordinator)
English:
This week, we will begin doing some grammar activities and will begin our background study of the Holocaust (depending on if the necessary materials from the Holocaust Museum arrive when scheduled). With the end of the six weeks approaching next week, I will not accept any work, late or otherwise, after Wednesday, Oct. 3.
Students received a project choice list to accompany their independent reading books. This list is one they should keep and refer to when completing each project. The due date for the first project (over the Holocaust/WWII book) will be due OCT. 31-NOV. 1. Please monitor that your child is reading their book at an appropriate pace to allow them time to complete a quality project. Thank you for your assistance with this.
History:
The students had a major test this week over all the material to date.
This will be a part of the six weeks grade. If your student has not passed the test over the world map, he/she really needs to make up this test. It will be the only test they can make up all year. I expect to see them by Monday after school or it will be too late after that. Students also may come during advisory.
The advanced assignment is Chapter 4, pp. 98-127. Read, answer all questions, and define all vocabulary terms in the assessments and questions.
The process paper for the History Fair is due on October 4/5. This paper is critical for the project. The students should refer to the website for additional assistance. Also, Mrs. Powell is helping students on Tuesday and Thursday in the library if any wish to stay for additional help.
History Fair Dates:
Topic and Group (If any): September 7
Annotated Bibliography (at least 25 sources): September 24/25
Process Paper: October 4/5
Project Due: October 22/23: Present to class, House Fair
All School Fair: November 6,7,8
Science:
ALL Classes
TLW: 1) Apply critical thinking strategies to conduct exploratory investigations; "Stink-o-Rific" and "Flame On"
2) Compare and contrast endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions.
3) Explain the relationship of elements to react chemically and form new substances.
4) Apply the laws of Conservation of Matter and Conservation of Energy to the classroom investigations.
PLEASE RETURN IPC ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTERS
Math:
Algebra 1: 2nd, 4th, 6th:
Students will cover Chapter 2: Properties of Real Numbers. Students will finish the chapter at the beginning of next week (Tuesday, October 2nd and will take an exam covering the material on Tuesday, October 8th. This chapter is mainly a review of 8th grade topics. Students have already covered section 2.5 in their text which involves the distributive property.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period:
Students were tested last week on Chapter 1. Chapter 2 involves the Rational Number System. Students will focus on the following sections:
2-1 Rational Numbers;
2-2 Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers;2-3 Multiplying Positive and Negative Fractions;
2-4 Dividing Positive and Negative Fractions;
2-5 Adding and Subtracting Like Fractions;
Students can expect a mid-chapter assessment for learning. This assessment will be graded, but not recorded. Students will use this assessment to determine what areas in chapter 2, sections 2-5, they have yet to master. Students will then use this information to review content not yet mastered.
Pre-Algebra 5th:
Students can expect an assessment on Wednesday, September October 3rd covering Chapter 1 material. Last week, students spent time reviewing order of operation and working with positive and negative integers. We will complete the study of Chapter 1 with an in class review of the chapter on Monday, October 1st, followed by the exam on October 3rd. Students will work with the Neufeld Software Package on Friday, October 5th.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
WEEKLY UPDATE 9/24-28
GENERAL REMINDERS: Friday, Sept. 21st is EARLY RELEASE @ 1. Please arrange necessary transportation. Progress reports also go home. Thank you to those who attended open house Wednesday night. It was a pleasure meeting you all, and we look forward to working with you this year to make our students a SUCCESS!!
Want to meet with us? Schedule a team meeting with Ms. Qureshi--squreshi@houstonisd.org
English:
IMPORTANT INFO:
Wednesday and Thursday of the current week (9/19-9/20), students received a grade print out from me (for my class only) that should clarify the grade you will see on Friday’s progress report. Many students are performing well, and have all work completed and turned in on time. I do have a number of students whose grades are low—and the main reason is missing work or many late assignments. Please speak with your child on a daily basis and monitor the work they are doing at home to be involved in their progress at school. Please bear in mind that with as many students as we each have in our charge, it is difficult to alert parents immediately when something is missing or late. Feel free to check in with me frequently if you know your child is having issues with turning work in on time, or just to check in on their progress. I will be happy to reply to inquiries to keep you updated. cparchma@houstonisd.org
THIS WEEK:
On Monday and Tuesday, we will be watching the 1963 version of Lord of the Flies in class. This will be a good refresher for the test on Wednesday/Thursday. As I will tell the students, the test is over the novel, so any changes made to the text that are portrayed in the movie, should be disregarded. Friday, Sept. 21, I sent home a movie permission slip for you to sign. The movie contains very brief and mild nudity and cursing. Any child that does not have a signed permission slip will be sent to another room for the duration of the movie. Wednesday/Thursday is the Summer Reading Test. It will be over Lord of the Flies and their one choice book (Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie OR Ties that Bind, Ties that Break). It will be multiple choice and have 4 mini-essay questions. Please encourage your child to review these books. See below for other important items due this week.
Upcoming important dates:
Summer Reading Journals are due Sept. 26-27. This is also the day of their Summer Reading Test.
Book Checks are Sept. 25-26 and permission slips are due on the same day. No book projects will be accepted if I do not receive a permission slip.
Literature Term Quiz…if any student received a score below 70, they may bring it up to a 70 by doing the following (deadline is Tuesday 9/25). Write each of the 15 terms and definitions 3 x each, and write 1 example of each on notebook paper. Staple to quiz and turn in.
History:
Most of your students are working really hard and doing a good job. The vast majority of my students earned an A or B average this three-week grading period. Please encourage them to keep up the good work and suggest any with a lower average come for tutorials. Mine are on Monday. The major reason for poor grades is not doing their work or not submitting it on time.
I usually make the advance assignments on Monday to be due the following week. The assignment this past Monday follows:
Read Chapter 3. Answer the chapter assessments and questions 1-22 on pp. 94-95. These form the basis for our class discussions. In addition, they have a map of the early colonies to combine into one map. The maps are on pages 77, 83, 87, combine the products for the legend, and color as three groups, New England, Middle, and Southern.
This is due on September 26, not Monday.
On Monday, the students should have their annotated bibliographies for the History Fair Project. They are to have a minimum of 25 resources which can include pictures, movies, political cartoons, books, websites, and articles from newspapers, magazines, and interviews.
History Fair Dates:
Topic and Group (If any): September 7
Annotated Bibliography (at least 25 sources): September 24/25
Process Paper: October 4/5
Project Due: October 22/23: Present to class, House Fair
All School Fair: November 6,7,8
Science:
Math:
Algebra 1: We will finish Chapter 1 on Tuesday and have an exam covering Chapter 1 on Thursday. Friday, we plan to begin working with our new Carnegie Software. All lab work and work that needs to be done that is past due must be finished by Friday. The note taking guide and vocabulary for chapter 1 is due are due on Thursday.
Pre-Algebra 3rd Period: On Monday, we will begin Chapter 2. An assessment will occur on Thursday. Students will begin working with the Neufeld Software on Friday.
Pre-Algebra 5th Period: We will continue to work in Chapter 1, working supplemental sections in class with unfinished work to be done at home. Students will spend time reviewing order of operations as well as working with negative numbers. Students will also review solving for a variable. Please look for supplemental materials to come home during the week.
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