Tuesday, December 21, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Thursday, 12/23: All HCCPS family are invited to attend the annual Winter Solstice celebration, featuring the fabulous Mummers' Play, as presented by the Prisms. Celebration begins at 11 AM!
• Thursday, 12/23: Will be the last day of school before the break. It will also be a half day, with dismissal at 12:30.

Math:

• All: Due Wed., 12/22:
  • Make sure to bring your CMP book to class.

Language Arts:

• Due Wed., 12/22: Bring your copy of The Gift of Sarah Barker.

Social Studies:

• Nada

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Science:

• Due Wed., 12/22 Finish reading 13.2 on Evolution. Answer questions 2-7 on p. 265 using complete sentences on separate paper.

Spanish:

• All:
  • Study "Verb III" sheet; know for Monday.
  • Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
    • www.conjugation.org
    • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Due Tues., 12/21: Make sentences out of the 5 verbs you picked from the list today.
• Grade 8:

Moment of Zen:

The Living Gömböc

Or...how tortoises solved a 3D geometry problem it took us humans up to the last few years to solve. Click above to read what a Gömböc is and how tortoises are related.

Monday, December 20, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Thursday, 12/23: All HCCPS family are invited to attend the annual Winter Solstice celebration, featuring the fabulous Mummers' Play, as presented by the Prisms. Celebration begins at 11 AM!
• Thursday, 12/23: Will be the last day of school before the break. It will also be a half day, with dismissal at 12:30.

Math:

• All: Due Tues., 12/21:
  • Make a thank you card for Deanna for her presentation on searching databases when doing research. Use printer paper folded into card shape. Have spelling edited by an adult before adding color to it.

Language Arts:

• Test Tues., 12/21: On topics in all of The Gift of Sarah Barker.
• Due Tues., 12/21: Read Chs. 23-26 and Epilogue of ...Sarah Barker. There will be a test Tuesday—open response questions with paragraph answers. Be sure to have your ...Sarah Barker book with you

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 12/21: Drawing of the Middle Way, contrasting prince and ascetic.

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Science:

• Due Wed., 12/22 Finish reading 13.2 on Evolution. Answer questions 2-7 on p. 265 using complete sentences on separate paper.

Spanish:

• All:
  • Study "Verb III" sheet; know for Monday.
  • Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
    • www.conjugation.org
    • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Due Tues., 12/21: Make sentences out of the 5 verbs you picked from the list today.
• Grade 8:

Moment of Zen:

Another Good Reason to Look Up

For the first time in 372 years, the Winter Solstice, a full moon and a total lunar eclipse will occur together on Dec. 21st. In addition, the Ursid meteor shower, normally unremarkable, could put on a bit of a show while the eclipse darkens the night sky.

Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory inspected a list of eclipses going back 2000 years for NASA. ”Since Year 1, I can only find one previous instance of an eclipse matching the same calendar date as the solstice, and that is Dec 21, 1638. The next one will be on Dec 21, 2094.”

“It’s perfectly placed so that all of North America can see it,” said eclipse expert Fred Espenak of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. The entire show, which is expected to last 3 1/2 hours if skies are clear, begins at 11:41 p.m. PST Monday.

(Source: NPR)

Friday, December 17, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• All: Due Mon., 12/20:
  • Complete Math's Mate 2.2 according to usual protocol, highlights of which include:
    • No calculators
    • Show work for * problems on separate paper
    • Complete any attached N/A problems, which may ask you to reference the 2.1 worksheet.
    • If you're stuck on a problem, comment on this blog post with your question, and I will respond as soon as I can.

Language Arts:

• Test Wed., 12/22: On topics in all of The Gift of Sarah Barker.
• Due Mon., 12/20: Read Chs. 19-22 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz on these chapters Monday.

Social Studies:

• Eat something "mindfully" this weekend.

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Science:

• Due Mon., 12/20 Finish reading handout on Evolution. Answer questions 1-9 on p. 265 using complete sentences on separate paper.

Spanish:

• All:
  • Study "Verb III" sheet; know for Monday.
  • Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
    • www.conjugation.org
    • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Write 10 sentences with verbs from Pobre Ana
• Grade 8: Finish "La Cucaracha Estela" cuento; find and translate 5 new vocab. words.

Moment of Zen:

Art students in São Paulo, Brazil, made a sculpture of a monkey out of 10,000 flip-flops. It was created for recent Pixel Show, a international art and design fair held in São Paulo.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• All: Due Tues., 12/14:
  • Nada

Language Arts:

• Due Fri. 12/17: Read Chs. 16-18 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz on these chapters Friday.

Social Studies:

• Fri., 12/17: Quiz on Hinduism/Gandhi

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• All:
  • Study "Verb III" sheet; know for Monday.
  • Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
    • www.conjugation.org
    • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Write 10 sentences with verbs from Pobre Ana
• Grade 8: Finish "La Cucaracha Estela" cuento; find and translate 5 new vocab. words.

Moment of Zen:

TreeHotel: Yes, Really

Apparently, TreeHotel, located in Northern Sweden, isn't unique in putting guests up in the trees, but takes the idea to new levels, with each tree-bound unit sporting a different concept: the Mirrorcube (pictured above), the Bird's Nest (below), and the UFO are just a few of the inaugural treehouses of TreeHotel, which opened with 6 rooms and plans to expand to 24. Click on the photo above to read an initial review of it by the Swedish newspaper The Local (in English) or on TreeHotel to visit the hotel's website (also in English).

So...field trip?

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Test Wed., 12/15 and Thurs., 12/16
• All: Due Tues., 12/14:
  • Study for unit test, using homework and textbook from this unit.

Language Arts:

• Due Th. 12/16: Read Chs. 11-15 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz on these chapters Thursday.

Social Studies:

• Fri., 12/17: Quiz on Hinduism/Gandhi

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Science:

• Due Wed., 12/15: Completed prewriting for Succession story
• Due Thurs., 12/16: Completed Succession story

Spanish:

• All: Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
  • www.conjugation.org
  • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Write 10 sentences with verbs from Pobre Ana
• Grade 8: Finish "La Cucaracha Estela" cuento; find and translate 5 new vocab. words.

Other:

• Grade 8:
  • Due Wed., 12/15: A letter to Emilie describing what you will do to contribute to a productive classroom environment in Wellness. The letter should be a page in length (typed, double spaced or neatly handwritten), well-formatted and well-edited.

Moment of Zen:

TreeHotel: Yes, Really

Apparently, TreeHotel, located in Northern Sweden, isn't unique in putting guests up in the trees, but takes the idea to new levels, with each tree-bound unit sporting a different concept: the Mirrorcube (pictured above), the Bird's Nest (below), and the UFO are just a few of the inaugural treehouses of TreeHotel, which opened with 6 rooms and plans to expand to 24. Click on the photo above to read an initial review of it by the Swedish newspaper The Local (in English) or on TreeHotel to visit the hotel's website (also in English).

So...field trip?

Monday, December 13, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Test Wed., 12/15 and Thurs., 12/16
• All: Due Tues., 12/14:
  • Study for unit test, using homework and textbook from this unit.
  • Come to class with two questions that you think will be relevant to demonstrating your understanding of this unit. You do not need to have the answers to these already.
  • Make sure the question paper is formatted as shown in class - heading, then each question getting half the space on the paper.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues. 12/14: Read Ch. 9 & 10 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz on these chapters tomorrow.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 12/14: Answer questions 1-7 on Gandhi Study Sheet
• Fri., 12/17: Quiz on Hinduism/Gandhi

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Finish & study verb wheel using the following sites:
  • www.conjugation.org
  • www.verbix.com/languages/spanish.shtml
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

National Geographic's 10 Weirdest New Animals

The editors of National Geographic highlight the 10 strangest species discovered in 2010. Highlights include the Yoda bat, the ninja slug, the pink handfish pictured above, and a new, purple octopus. Click above for pictures and details on this year's crop of weirdest animals.

Friday, December 10, 2010

General Announcements:

• Sorry for blog lateness - I forgot to hit "Publish" on Friday and have been away all weekend. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket! We'll also be collecting canned goods to donate to the Food Bank at the door, so if you can, bring a can.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  Due Mon., 12/13:
  • Complete Math's Mate 2.1 according to usual protocol, highlights of which include:
    • No calculators
    • Show work for * problems on separate paper
• Grade 7: If not already done, complete the graph from #1 on p. 138 (part of homework due Fri.). You can always print out 1 cm grid paper from the link on the right-hand sidebar.

Language Arts:

• Due Mon., 12/13: Read Ch. 7 & 8 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz.

Social Studies:

• Nada

Atelier:

• Monday, 12/13: After school Atelier session from 3-4 PM with Joy to work on 3-layer images.
• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Spanish:

• Continue working on your Manzanas a Manzanas cards as you like - the more we have, the more fun the game will be! Comment if you want to clarify which word to use.

Moment of Zen:

The Ultimate Pie Apple?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7: Due Fri., 12/10:
  • Jane's Group: #1, p. 138 - do according to rubric
  • Grace's Group: #12 on p. 68.
• Grade 8: Due Fri., 12/10:
  • Jane's Group: Complete #1-9 on p. 70 and #10-12 on p. 71
  • Grace's Group: Complete #10-12 on handout/p.71

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 12/10: Read Ch. 5 & 6 of ...Sarah Barker. Be ready for a quiz.
• Due Fri., 12/10: The permission slip is to be returned signed or with comment signed be parent on back of form.

Social Studies:

• Nada

Atelier:

• Monday, 12/13: After school Atelier session with Joy to work on 3-layer images.
• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

No Optical Illusion Required

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7: Due Th. 12/9:
  • Using internet resources, find information on careers that require a knowledge of mathematics. Print it out and bring to class. Autobiographies by people working today are especially interesting to read. Be sure to have the web site address (URL) on the printout so we can find it again.
• Grade 8: Due Wed., 12/8:
  • Jane's Group: 5.3, (iii) (p. 69)
  • Grace's Group: In 5.2 on p. 68, do parts A-D for equations (iii) and (v). You will need the 4-quadrant graph paper and work shown on lined paper.

Language Arts:

• Due Th. 12/9: Read Ch. 3 & 4 of ...Sarah Barker. Complete a journal entry on: How Sarah was "shakerly" in Ch. 3 and how Abel was "shakerly" in Ch. 4. Write well-developed paragraphs and edit them for English conventions.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 12/7: Nada

Atelier:

• Continue working on your project as needed. You know what needs doing.

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

In Case Anyone Was Unclear: A Guide

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7: Due Th. 12/9
• Grade 8: Due Wed., 12/8:
  • Same assignment for both classes, but different due dates as noted above. Using internet resources, find information on careers that require a knowledge of mathematics. Print it out and bring to class. Autobiographies by people working today are especially interesting to read. Be sure to have the web site address (URL) on the printout so we can find it again.

Language Arts:

• Due Th. 12/9: Read Ch. 3 & 4 of ...Sarah Barker. Complete a journal entry on: How Sarah was "shakerly" in Ch. 3 and how Abel was "shakerly" in Ch. 4. Write well-developed paragraphs and edit them for English conventions.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 12/7: Write 2 paragraphs wrapping up our study of Hindu gods, following the instructions on the yellow sheet handed out today.
  • ¶1: Select the two most interesting (to you) of the Hindu gods and goddesses, and write what you find interesting, inspiring or surprising about each one of them. Use your notes on the Hindu gods to help you refer to specific details about each god.
  • ¶2: Based upon the stories and descriptions of the Hindu gods and goddesses, what did you learn through the survey about Hindu beliefs? What qualities or virtues seem important to Hindus? What is valued by Hindus?

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

How To Make A Duct Tape Duck:
A Step-By-Step Guide

Monday, December 6, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7: Due Th. 12/9
• Grade 8: Due Wed., 12/8:
  • Same assignment for both classes, but different due dates as noted above. Using internet resources, find information on careers that require a knowledge of mathematics. Print it out and bring to class. Autobiographies by people working today are especially interesting to read. Be sure to have the web site address (URL) on the printout so we can find it again.

Language Arts:

• Due Th. 12/9: Read Ch. 3 & 4 of ...Sarah Barker. Complete a journal entry on: How Sarah was "shakerly" in Ch. 3 and how Abel was "shakerly" in Ch. 4. Write well-developed paragraphs and edit them for English conventions.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 12/7: Write 2 paragraphs wrapping up our study of Hindu gods, following the instructions on the yellow sheet handed out today.
  • ¶1: Select the two most interesting (to you) of the Hindu gods and goddesses, and write what you find interesting, inspiring or surprising about each one of them. Use your notes on the Hindu gods to help you refer to specific details about each god.
  • ¶2: Based upon the stories and descriptions of the Hindu gods and goddesses, what did you learn through the survey about Hindu beliefs? What qualities or virtues seem important to Hindus? What is valued by Hindus?

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

Eat Your Heart Out, Spirograph

Joseph Griffith's bike-powered drawing machine. In his artist's statement, Griffiths describes his hybrid art: "[My work seeks] to transcribe the living relationship between man and machine...simultaneously celebrating and denying the human touch. Directly engaging the audience in the creative cycle, my work seeks to reevaluate the human position in the technological equation, and realize the potential for art to permeate in everyday life."

Friday, December 3, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• :
  • All: Nada

Language Arts:

• Due Mon., 12/6: Bring the following to class:
  • Read ch. 1 & 2 in ...Sarah Barker.
  • Write a well-developed and well-edited journal entry: What does it mean to be "unshakerly"? To Sarah? To Abel?

Social Studies:

• Nada

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

In Case You're Not Sure What To Do With All Your Free Time

Here's a maze in the shape of Einstein's Head. Click for full size version.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Friday PE: This Friday afternoon, PE will be tied into our study of Hinduism by yoga practice with John. Bring a mat if you have one and loose clothes.
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Due Th., 12/2:
  • Grade 7: None
  • 7A: 4.2 on p. 56
  • Grade 8: Read pp. 54-65 carefully. Do 5.1 - you'll need access to a set of stairs at the beginning of this assignment. Follow all directions carefully. Show all calculations clearly.

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 12/3: Bring the following to class:
  • From One Experience to Another to turn in
  • Your current independent reading book.

Social Studies:

• Nada

Science:

• Test Fri., 12/3: This test will cover our study of river ecology.
• Due Fri., 12/3: Final version of cover for your science notes featuring an image from some part of our River Ecology study, colored with colored pencil. The cover must also include the title "The Ecosystem of our River"

Spanish:

• Grade 8: Nada
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

Can You Have Your Flag and Eat It, Too?

When Project Food Blog, a competition between food bloggers for attention and a cash prize, announced that contestants would have to reimagine and present their distinctive version of pizza, Taiwanese-American participant Jen of Tiny Urban Kitchen was a little stumped. Despite her extensive knowledge and experience with Asian cuisine, she'd never made a pizza.

As pictured above, her unique take was to make turn pizza-making into a travelogue of sorts: each of her pizzas takes the form of the flag of a country she's visited, and is described not only in terms of its toppings, but with photos and brief anecdotes from her travels. Click above to read about her travels and how she managed blue for her flag pizzas without food coloring.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Friday PE: This Friday afternoon, PE will be tied into our study of Hinduism by yoga practice with John. Bring a mat if you have one and loose clothes.
• Parents! Signup sheets for conferences are up in the entranceway to the Prisms' River Classroom, and slots are going fast! Check in soon to make sure you get your choice of time, and remember that conferences will be with the teacher, parent and Prism student.
• Parent Meeting Tues., 12/14, 6:30-8 PM
The meeting will take place in the third-floor classroom. We will start planning for Coffeehouse, Graduation (which is put on by the 7th Grade parents) and let you know what's coming up for 8th Grade Project.
• Fri., 12/17 - 6-7-8 Dance!: A production of HCCPS Student Council and the dance committees now forming, we invite HCCPS students in grades 6-8 to get their best moves on from 8-11 PM. A snack or drink to share is your admission ticket!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Due Th., 12/2:
  • All: Update supplies as necessary. To be checked in Th. 12/2:
    • calculator
    • small stapler
    • glue stick
  • Grade 7: #8 on p. 57-58
  • 7A: #13 on p. 29
  • Grade 8: #28 on p. 51 using the symbolic method we discussed in class (refer to your notes).

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Nada

Science:

• Test Fri., 12/3: This test will cover our study of river ecology.
• Due Fri., 12/3: Final version of cover for your science notes featuring an image from some part of our River Ecology study, colored with colored pencil. The cover must also include the title "The Ecosystem of our River"

Spanish:

• Grade 8:
  • Prueba jueves, 12/3(Test Th., 12/3): Prueba sobre los conjugaciones de los verbos regulares. (Quiz on conjugations of regular verbs)
• Grade 7: Nada

Moment of Zen:

Enough Rockets

Always thinking of new and interesting ways to view the world, the folks at National Geographic made the map of the US based on translations of place names from their origins in Native American languages. While not exhaustive, they picked some remarkable ones. Guess which place's name means, "It makes a loud noise over there all the time," which means, "A good place to dig potatoes," and where "Gnat Town" is. Click the picture above to go to NG's interactive version of the map, where you can magnify different areas to read the fine print. Click here to read about the process of translating these names through their many origins to their current form.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Friday PE: For the next few weeks, PE on Friday afternoons will be tied into our study of Hinduism by yoga practice with John. Bring a mat if you have one and loose clothes.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Due Wed., 12/1:
  • Grade 7: #2 on p. 55
  • Grade 8: #27b on p. 50
    • In the table for each of the equations, use the x-values:
      -1, 0, +1.
    • Make tables on lined paper.
    • Use a ruler to make tables & draw straight lines.
    • Show all calculations

Language Arts:

• All:
  Due Wed., 12/1: The homestudy needed for Tech - due to Jane by 8:30 am.

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 12/1: 3¶ write-up about your god/goddess, following structure on project sheet.

Science:

• Test Fri., 12/3: This test will cover our study of river ecology.
• Due Fri., 12/3: Final version of cover for your science notes featuring an image from some part of our River Ecology study, colored with colored pencil. The cover must also include the title "The Ecosystem of our River"

Spanish:

• Nada

Moment of Zen:

Rocket Week Continues

While the US Government documented its nuclear experiments in excruciating detail, most of those images are still highly classified. German newspaper Der Spiegel recently ran a story about some of the military photographers who worked on this during its heyday in the mid-late 20th century, including a slideshow of some of those images that have been released. Images of the blasts themselves, like the one above, were shot on special XR (extended range) redscale film, which makes them look like something surreal.

Monday, November 29, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Friday PE: For the next few weeks, PE will be tied into our study of Hinduism by yoga practice with John. Bring loose clothes and a mat if you have one.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Due Tues., 11/30:
  • Grade 7: #1 on p. 54
  • Grade 8: #27a on p. 50
    • Each table of x-values for each equation should have -2, 0, +2.
    • Make tables on lined paper.
    • Use a ruler to make tables & draw straight lines.
    • Show all calculations

Language Arts:

• All:
  Due Tues., 11/30: Complete a quality sketch of the essay visual to be produced in Tech classes. Use the essay info in your LA journal but make the sketch on separate 8½ by 11 plain, white paper.
  Bring to pm class with Jane.
• Grade 8 Only:
  Due Tues., 11/30: In LA Journal, write at least 3 topics you are interested in researching for your 8th grade project. They are to build on a connection to the Prism curriculum this or last year (see "Possible Curricular Touchstones for 8th Grade Project" for some ideas from LA and Math).

Social Studies:

• Due Thurs., 11/30: Artistic representation of your Hindu god/goddess. See details on project sheet.
• Due Wed., 12/1: 3¶ write-up about your god/goddess.

Science:

• Due Tues., 11/30: Design a cover for your science notes featuring an image from some part of our River Ecology study, colored with colored pencil. The cover must also include the title "The Ecology of our River"

Spanish:

• Nada

Moment of Zen:

The Russian Space Program still rents its land from Kazakhstan, near a town the USSR built for the purpose and named Baikonur (Kaz. "rich with light"), and fires off its rockets about as far inland as you can get. While most of the USA's space program cast-offs splash down in the water, Russia's land out in the desolate scrub of the steppe, which better resembles the expanses of Nevada where the US performed its nuclear tests in the mid to late 20th century (incidentally, Kazakhstan was the major proving ground for the USSR's nuclear program as well). There, they are quickly harvested for their titanium-rich scrap metal. Click the picture to see more photos of space junk harvesting.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Half Day Tomorrow! (Wed., 11/24) - Because of the holiday, pickup for all students (including Prisms) will be at 12:30, and there will be no Homework Club. Please plan accordingly, and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Nichts

Language Arts:

• Rien

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 11/24:
  • Have at least one source about your Hindu god/goddess. Bring in the hard copy (book or printout) to John by 8:45 am.
  • Complete sketch of ATMAN-BRAHMAN with colored pencil.

Science:

• ничего

Spanish:

• Nada

Moment of Zen:

Squash Use #327: Thwarting Robbers

A would-be convenience store robber in Manchester, NH was undone when one of the store's customers bonked him over the head with a squash earlier this month. Click the picture above (Squash Use #164: Making Pictures of Dinosaurs) for more on this story.

Monday, November 22, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Test Tues., 11/23: Math's Mates Term 1 Test
• Due Tues., 11/23:
  • Review Math's Mates sheets from the previous term, especially 1.5-1.8, as they will be very similar to your test tomorrow.
  • Complete 12.3 (third page in "Analyzing the Citrus Sale" packet), practicing finding percents of various numbers.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 11/23: Have current independent reading book with you at all times and Reading Record form.

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 11/24: Have at least one source about your Hindu god/goddess. Bring in the hard copy (book or printout) to John by 8:45 am.

Music:

• Due Tues., 11/23:
  • Bring an instrument if you have one!
  • Write a verse of 4-5 lines about religion or a religion to work into a larger composition.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:

Moment of Zen:

Volcanos: Hogging All The Awesome?

Explosions, lava, ash, steam, lightning? As if volcanos weren't impressive enough, vulcanologists (volcano scientists) are increasingly documenting the occurrence of lightning as part of a volcanic eruption. Here's some more links to pictures of volcanic lightning and possible scientific explanations.

• Volcanic Lightning in Iceland
• National Geographic gallery of Volcanic Lightning
• Discovery article about lightning and volcanos

(h/t Liam M.)

Friday, November 19, 2010

General Announcements:

• OK, folks - I need your help. I have the math assignment, and I'm pretty sure there's no LA homework, but please stick a comment up if you know there to be Science or Social Studies over the weekend.

Math:

• Due Mon., 11/22:
  • "Scaling a Recipe" (brownie math) sheet, work shown on separate paper
  OR
  • 5.4/5.5 (fraction/decimal/percent practice) - both sides of one sheet, work shown on separate paper

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 11/19:

Social Studies:

Science:

• Due :

Spanish:

• Grade 7:

Moment of Zen:

Buildings That Look Like What They Sell

Follow the link for 9 more including a building that looks like a bulldozer, a BMW building made to look like engine parts, and a financial building which draws its inspiration from old-school computer program punch cards.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Due Fri., 11/19: Math's Mates 1.8 and any attached N/A problems from previous sheets. Work for * problems should be shown on a separate sheet of paper. No calculators.
• Test Tues., 11/23: Math's Mates Term 1 Test - it's just like a regular Math's Mates, but you do it in school.

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 11/19: Complete with quality: "Charting the Course" — this must be edited.

Social Studies:

• Nada

Science:

• Due Fri., 11/19: Answer attached questions about the reading on the "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico

Spanish:

• Grade 7:

Moment of Zen:

This is what happens when you don't fold the map correctly and it wrinkles.

But actually it's what a recent earthquake in New Zealand did to railroad tracks.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

General Announcements:

• If you ever notice something missing or wrong on the blog, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Wed., 11/17: All citrus orders must be picked up. Someone from the class will be on hand during AM dropoff, midday (k-5) pickup, and afternoon (6-8) pickup until 4:30 to help you find your order and check it out. If you cannot pickup on Wed. 11/17, please contact me to make other arrangements.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• On 3.8 sheet handed out today (Mixed # division), do even #s only. Work for these problems must be shown on separate paper.

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Quiz Thurs., 11/18: Quiz on the geography of South Asia
• Due Thurs., 11/18: On two-page map handout, look at the list of South Asian countries on second page. Color each of the names, then color the country on the first page the same color as its name. On other map handout, identify countries and major bodies of water by name.

Science:

• Due Thurs., 11/18: In packet, read 94-101 and answer questions 1-3 on separate paper.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:

Moment of Zen:
Click map for larger version

What if the largest countries had the biggest populations?

Curious folks decided to see what would happen if they lined up the lists of the world's countries in order by land area and by population, then, for each list number, map the name of the country with that population onto the shape of the country with that land area.

A couple things to notice:

• Four countries, the US, Yemen, Ireland and Brazil, have the same position on the population list as the area list.
• The South Asian countries, usually squished into a small corner of the map, occupy several of the largest areas, including Canada (India), Greenland (Vietnam) and Australia (Pakistan).

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

General Announcements:

• Apologies for late blog - I spent this afternoon organizing citrus orders. Also, if you notice something missing or wrong, comment to let me know about it - I don't always have the whole picture. -Grace
• Wed., 11/17: All citrus orders must be picked up. Someone from the class will be on hand during AM dropoff, midday (k-5) pickup, and afternoon (6-8) pickup until 4:30 to help you find your order and check it out. If you cannot pickup on Wed. 11/17, please contact me to make other arrangements.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• On 3.7 sheet handed out yesterday (Mixed # multiplication), do odd #s only. Work for these problems must be shown on separate paper.

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Due Thurs., 11/18: On two-page map handout, look at the list of South Asian countries on second page. Color each of the names, then color the country on the first page the same color as its name. On other map handout, identify countries and major bodies of water by name.

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• Grade 7:

Moment of Zen:

Monday, November 15, 2010

General Announcements:

• Wed., 11/17: All citrus orders must be picked up. Someone from the class will be on hand during AM dropoff, midday (k-5) pickup, and afternoon (6-8) pickup until 4:30 to help you find your order and check it out. If you cannot pickup on Wed. 11/17, please contact me to make other arrangements.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• On 3.7 sheet handed out today (Mixed # multiplication), do even #s only. Work for these problems must be shown on separate paper.

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Nada:

Science:

• Due Tue., 11/16:
  • Using information from simplified stream food web, create a food pyramid on the back of the same sheet.
    Notes:
    1. Ignore the relationship between the hellbender and the tadpole.
    2. If an animal fits into more than one level of the pyramid, it goes in the higher/narrower level.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due Tue., 11/16: Comic of 1st page of Pobre Ana
• Grade 8:
  • Due Tue., 11/16: Dibujos de 6 cosas que "le parece bonito."

Moment of Zen:

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

General Announcements:

• Reminder: There is no school for students this coming Thursday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day) and Friday, 11/12 (Professional Development Day).
• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Nada

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 11/15: Type a bibliograpy (using citation protocols here) for every source used in your timeline research.

Science:

• Due Mon., 11/15:
  • Type (12 pt. Times or similar) summary of the Bioassessment.
  • Include your drawing of an image from the activity—~1/3 page.
  • Notes on bioassessment available here

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due :
• Grade 8:
  • Due :

Moment of Zen:

Scientists Excited At Cluelessness About Bubbles

Something big is going on at the center of the galaxy, and astronomers are happy to say they don’t know what it is. A group of scientists working with data from NASA’s Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope said Tuesday that they had discovered two bubbles of energy erupting from the center of the Milky Way galaxy. The bubbles, which will be in a paper to be published Wednesday in The Astrophysical Journal, extend 25,000 light years up and down from each side of the galaxy and contain the energy equivalent to 100,000 supernova explosions.

“They’re big,” said Doug Finkbeiner of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, leader of the team that discovered them. The source of the bubbles is a mystery, [but] what it’s apparently not is dark matter, the mysterious something that astronomers say makes up a quarter of the universe and holds galaxies together.

"Rapid Bioassessment" Notes

Notes for your Summary of the "Rapid Bioassessement" of our Mill River - 11/9/2010

¶1: What is a "bioassessment"?
• collect bugs (benthic macroinvertebrates = riverbed-dwelling insects you can see)
• collect from 3 different sites on a 30 ft stretch of our river
• return to same site each year to collect; report data ro Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

¶2: Procedure
1. with a kicknet, collected samples
2. kept 3 different bins, one for each site
3. Brought bins inside
   1. with spoons, we ordered bugs into ice cube trays
   2. refined our ordering using a field guide key to identify specimens accurately
4. labeled each sample, added alcohol to the containers, and sent to DEP

¶3: What our results tell us:
1. found more than 5 of 2 kinds of instect that need a lot of Oxygen (O₂) to survive
2. shows "exceptionally good" water quality in our River: there's much O₂ in our river here at school!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

General Announcements:

• Reminder: There is no school for students this coming Thursday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day) and Friday, 11/12 (Professional Development Day).
• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7:
  Due Wed., 11/10:
  • Complete 4.1 on pp. 50-51

• Grade 7B:
  Due Wed., 11/10:
  • Complete #19 on p. 31

• Grade 8:
  Due Wed., 11/10:
  • Do #16 but do graphs by hand. Be sure to have rubric glued onto paper and have grid paper.

Language Arts:

• Due Wed., 11/10:
  • Redo Open Response Question answer.
  • Return all originals with "new stuff".
  • Complete Venn diagram and first paragraph only:
    • First sentence
    • bullet 3 main ideas to develop—in sentence form

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 11/10:
  1. Complete Drawing of Hindu aum symbol.
     
  2. Revise/edit your 3¶ summary of timeline research. Your revised version should be typed, double-spaced, and 12 pt of Times New Roman or similar font.

Science:

• Nada

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due Wed., 11/10: Comic Strip of p. 1 in ch. 2 of Pobre Ana
• Grade 8:
  • Due Wed., 11/10: ¿Qué te parece bonito? Me parece bonito... (3 cosas)

Moment of Zen:

Ok, Jason

There you are.

Monday, November 8, 2010

General Announcements:

• Reminder: There is no school for students this coming Thursday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day) and Friday, 11/12 (Professional Development Day).
• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  Due Tues., 11/9:
  • Work for another 20 min. on the Math League sheet you worked on today. This will include at least 5 problems.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 11/9: If the Venn diagram for your essay has not been completed by the end of the second LA class, it is to be completed for homework.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 11/9: Revise/edit your 3¶ summary of timeline research. Your revised version should be typed, double-spaced, and 12 pt of Times New Roman or similar font.

Science:

• :

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Nada

Moment of Zen:

Hidden Art Gallery

When most art galleries put up a new show, the opening is a grand event aimed at helping the artists' work get sold; the show hangs for weeks in a well-lit public location, then is replaced by something new. Not the Underbelly. This unique display space, which puts aside the usual characteristics of an art gallery. Located in an abandoned, unfinished tunnel of the New York subway, it's virtually inaccessible. The space's custodians are trying to keep its whereabouts on the downlow because, well, they aren't really supposed to be there either.

So what's the point? The group wants to challenge the commodification of art, which in the last decade or two has grown to legitimize and, therefore, commercialize street art. They look to reclaim its outrageous, illegal secrecy.

Click above to read more about the development of the idea and the process of creating the art in the space.

Friday, November 5, 2010

General Announcements:

• Reminder: There is no school for students this coming Thursday, 11/11 (Veterans' Day) and Friday, 11/12 (Professional Development Day).
• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  Due Mon., 11/8:
  • Complete Math's Mate 1.7 according to usual protocol, highlights of which include:
    • No calculators
    • Show work for * problems on separate paper
    • Complete any N/A problems from 1.6 on attached sheet

Language Arts:

• Due Mon., 11/8: Finish reading "Blue Moon in a White Sky" in From One Experience to Another, and respond to one of the three questions on the sheet handed out today, following the rubric guidelines for "Proficient" and "Advanced" in the handout for information about how to go about completing your writing.

Social Studies:

• Due Fri., 11/5:

Science:

• Due Fri., 11/5:

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Nada

Moment of Zen:

The Amazing Collapsible Family Muscle Car

37-year-old artist and photographer Liz Cohen, has spent the last eight years in body shops across the country, building a custom hybrid like no other – with her own hands. Her collapsible Trabantimino is part Trabant, the VW of Soviet East Germany, as extinct now as the Berlin Wall, and part 1973 Chevy El Camino. Currently on display at New York's Salon 94 Gallery.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

General Announcements:

• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8: Nada

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Due Fri., 11/5:
  1. Final version of cover for the unit, following parameters on sheet handed out.
  2. Final, edited draft of of 1¶ summary of our study.

Science:

• Due Fri., 11/5:
  • Complete packet categorizing invertebrates.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Nada

Moment of Zen:

What do you get when you cross a giraffe with goose?

Apparently, you get an Azhdarchid, the largest flying animal to have ever lived, standing about 20 feet tall (male giraffes average about 18') and with a wingspan of up to 50 feet. Click above to read more about the azhdarchid and several other lesser-known prehistoric monsters at Environmental Graffiti.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

General Announcements:

• All materials left over from Day of the Dead ofrendas need to be taken home ASAP!
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8: Nada

Language Arts:

• Nada

Social Studies:

• Due Fri., 11/5:
  1. Final version of cover for the unit, following parameters on sheet handed out.
  2. Final, edited draft of of 1¶ summary of our study.

Science:

• Due Fri., 11/5:
  • Complete packet categorizing invertebrates.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Nada

Moment of Zen:

What do you get when you cross a giraffe with goose?

Apparently, you get an Azhdarchid, the largest flying animal to have ever lived, standing about 20 feet tall (male giraffes average about 18') and with a wingspan of up to 50 feet. Click above to read more about the azhdarchid and several other lesser-known prehistoric monsters at Environmental Graffiti.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

General Announcements:

• Citrus Online Orders fully functional until Friday, 9AM! Click the grapefruit on the sidebar to visit our sale's site!
• Thurs., 10/28: Field trip to Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls in the AM. Students will arrive at school at the regular time and, hopefully, be back in time for lunch.
• Wed., 10/27: Día de los muertos: Join us for a pot-luck Day of the Dead celebration from 6:30 to 8 PM in the All-School Space.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  Due Thurs., 10/28:
  • Complete Math's Mate 1.6 according to usual protocol, highlights of which include:
    • No calculators
    • Show work for * problems on separate paper
    • Complete any N/A problems from 1.5 on attached sheet

Language Arts:

• Due Thurs., 10/28:
  • Read "Hamish McTavish is Eating a Bus" by Gordon Korman in your short story book. Write 3 well-edited quiz questions with answers.
  • Bring in your Literary Parade costume. Check it in with Grace Thursday morning.

Social Studies:

• Ongoing:
  • Continue researching your era of the River.
  • Make sure you have Bibliography card for each resource you use, following these citation formats.

Science:

• Grade 8:
  Due Thurs., 10/28:
  • Answer questions 1-5 on River Logging worksheet.
• Grade 7:
  Due Thurs., 10/28:
  • Answer questions 1-6 on River Logging worksheet.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Disfrutar nuestra fiesta para el día de los muertos.

Moment of Zen:

Las guerras de estrella para los muertos

For Day of the Dead, Chicano artist José Pulido has created a set of Star Wars-themed drawings inspired by traditional drawings for the holiday of the partying dead. Click above to see more.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

General Announcements:

• Last Day for Citrus Orders: Tomorrow, 10/27See details, access printable documents HERE
• Citrus Online Orders fully functional until Friday, 9AM! Click the grapefruit on the sidebar to visit our sale's site!
• Thurs., 10/28: Field trip to Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls in the AM. Students will arrive at school at the regular time and, hopefully, be back in time for lunch.
• Call for Drivers Thurs., 10/28 (AM) - We still need 3-4 more parent volunteers to drive 13 students to Turners Falls and back Thursday morning.
• Wed., 10/27: Día de los muertos: Join us for a pot-luck Day of the Dead celebration from 6:30 to 8 PM in the All-School Space.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7
  • Due Wed., 10/27: Complete 3.1 on p. 37
  • Grade 7A: Finish 2.3 and Follow-Up #2 only
• Grade 8
  • Due Wed., 10/27: Complete the two Order of Operations questions given to you at the end of class today.

Language Arts:

• Due Thurs., 10/28:
  • Read "Hamish McTavish is Eating a Bus" by Gordon Korman in your short story book. Write 3 well-edited quiz questions with answers.
  • Bring in your Literary Parade costume. Check it in with Grace Thursday morning.

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 10/27: Turn in 5 new notecards following notecard protocol (incl. Quote, Topic Heading, Source #, Your Name, Page #) and 2 copies of the source for these quotes.
• Ongoing:
  • Continue researching your era of the River.
  • Make sure you have Bibliography card for each resource you use, following these citation formats.

Science:

• Nada

Atelier:

• Due Wed., 10/27: Hard copy of an image (photo, painting, drawing) of the river during your era.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Day of the Dead page
  • If you plan to stay after school to help set up for the celebration, you need a note signed by your parents giving you permission to do so. Deena will provide a snack for her willing workers.
  • Due ASAP:
    • Decide what dish you will bring for the pot luck Wed. night. Comment on blog post with what you're bringing. We already have a lot of desserts, so think about dinner foods!
    • Collect boxes you may use for your altar: check home, cardboard dumpster, grocery store.
    • Have completed:
      • arch
      • photograph of your ofrenda subject
      • decorative cloth to cover boxes for altar

Moment of Zen: >

12 oz KING SIZE Soda!

This 1950s soda ad highlights changing ideas about serving size over the last 50-60 years: in many places a small soda is 20-30 oz. Click to read more about it at Sociological Images.

Monday, October 25, 2010

General Announcements:

• Citrus Orders due Tomorrow, 10/26 and Wed., 10/27. See details, access printable documents HERE
• Citrus Online Orders fully functional! Click the grapefruit on the sidebar to visit our sale's site!
• Thurs., 10/28: Field trip to Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls in the AM. Students will arrive at school at the regular time and, hopefully, be back in time for lunch.
• Call for Drivers Thurs., 10/28 (AM) - We still need 3-4 more parent volunteers to drive 13 students to Turners Falls and back Thursday morning.
• Wed., 10/27: Día de los muertos: Join us for a pot-luck Day of the Dead celebration from 6:30 to 8 PM in the All-School Space.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7
  • Nada
• Grade 8
  • Nada

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 10/26: Make a Venn Diagram—three columns on lined paper—comparing and contrasting the characters of Jamie and Ted in "My Brother's Keeper". There should be 5-6 items in each column.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 10/26: Turn in 5 new notecards following notecard protocol (incl. Quote, Topic Heading, Source #, Your Name, Page #) and 2 copies of the source for these quotes.
• Ongoing:
  • Continue researching your era of the River.
  • Make sure you have Bibliography card for each resource you use, following these citation formats.

Science:

• Due Tues., 10/26: We will be in the river Tues. afternoon gathering Benthic organisms. Wear or bring appropriate clothing/footwear (i.e. shorts, water shoes/boots/spare shoes that can get wet) or a change of clothes/shoes.

Atelier:

• Due Wed., 10/27: Hard copy of an image (photo, painting, drawing) of the river during your era.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Day of the Dead page
  • Due ASAP:
    • Decide what dish you will bring for the pot luck Wed. night. Comment on blog post with what you're bringing. We already have a lot of desserts, so think about dinner foods!
    • Collect boxes you may use for your altar: check home, cardboard dumpster, grocery store.
    • Have completed:
      • arch
      • photograph of your ofrenda subject
      • decorative cloth to cover boxes for altar

Moment of Zen: A Brief Reflection on Last Week's River Cleanup In addition to finding a few new friends (like Mr. Tiki, above) the Prisms picked up over 500 lbs of garbage from in and around the Mill River last Monday. Many of the larger metal pieces have been donated to a local sculptor to be reimagined and recreated. Thanks to all involved!

Friday, October 22, 2010

General Announcements:

• Thurs., 10/28: Field trip to Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls in the AM. Students will arrive at school at the regular time and, hopefully, be back in time for lunch.
• Call for Drivers Thurs., 10/28 (AM) - We still need 3-4 more parent volunteers to drive 13 students to Turners Falls and back Thursday morning.
• Wed., 10/27: Día de los muertos: Join us for a pot-luck Day of the Dead celebration from 6:30 to 8 PM in the All-School Space.
• Citrus Sale! - Fruit Website back up as of 10 AM today!. See details, access printable documents HERE
• Read about the Prisms' ongoing observations in defining intelligent here.
• We need tissues! Cold season is upon us and we need nice tissues for sore noses. If every Prism family donated one box of tissues, that would almost certainly get us through the worst of tissue season.
• Fridays: Bring sneakers, clothes to run in and water bottle for Frisbee!

Math:

• Grade 7
  • Nada
• Grade 8
  • Due Mon., 10/25: Study your notes and assignments and the textbook for the Check-up Test on Inv. 1 and 2. This "studying" includes writing the answers to the Reflection Questions on p. 34.

Language Arts:

• Due Mon., 10/25:
  • Read "My Brother's Keeper" by Jay Bennett (starts on p. 15) and be ready for a quiz on the reading.
  • Write 3 quiz questions with answers:
    1. One about a main idea
    2. One about a detail
    3. One your choice

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 10/25: Write 3 ¶ summary following protocol given.
• Ongoing:
  • Continue researching your era of the River.
  • Make well-formed notecards (according to model) with information from your sources.
  • Make sure you have Bibliography card for each resource you use, following these citation formats.

Science:

• Due Mon., 10/25: Complete Connecticut River Watershed map, showing elevation.

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • Day of the Dead page
  • Due Fri., 10/22: Begin researching Latin food you may bring as part of the pot luck (see Food Resource sites on Day of the Dead page). Comment on blog post with what you may bring.
  • Due Mon., 10/25:
    • Collect boxes you may use for your altar: check home, cardboard dumpster, grocery store.
    • Have completed:
      • arch
      • photograph of your ofrenda subject
      • decorative cloth to cover boxes for altar

Moment of Zen:

...and Other Important Facts

Click above to see more "informative" pieces of flapdoodle and poppycock, addressing such important scientific questions as, "Why do leaves turn brown in the fall?"; "How do mustaches grow?"; "How does Horsepower compare to Spongecake Power?" and "How are bees like the Swedish government?"