Prisms Homework Blog: 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Mummers' Play Script on Google Docs
Friday, Dec. 23, 11 AM: Hilltown Winter Solstice Celebration: Come sing with us, celebrate the days beginning to get longer again, and see the Prisms' Mummers Play! 11:00-12:00 in the All School Space.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/23: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 23-24
- Light in the Forest, ch. 11-12
Due Thurs., 12/22: Revise your Native American contact story
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Fri., 12/16: 2000-2500 words
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Wed., 12/21: Complete 3.1 and follow-up, and Applications #1-5 on p. 33. You will need a ruler.

Grade 8

All

Test Wed., 12/21, covering material on linear equations from Moving Straight Ahead and identifying different graph models in Thinking with Mathematical Models
Due Wed., 12/21: Your 4x6 notecard, with the notes you think will be important for the test (optional).

Algebra B

Test Thurs., 12/22, covering material on solving for a variable in equations and inequalities, and writing and graphing inequalities.

Science:

Week of 12/19-12/23: Heredity Research Project presentations
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Health:

Download the following Family Activity worksheets. The activities are not required, but we encourage parents and students to do them together to strengthen dialogue at home about sexual health. Please feel free to contact Emilie or Deb at school with questions.

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

NewspaperWood: Paper goes back to its roots

Dutch industrial designer Meike Meijer has a special twist on recycling: instead of turning wood into newspaper, she's turning newspaper back into wood. Layering and pressing old newspapers together, she gets a material that she can use to make furniture and such. The layered newspaper even ends up with a wood-like grain to it. Click above to read more about the process and see some of the products built from it.

Monday, December 19, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Mummers' Play Script on Google Docs
Friday, Dec. 23, 11 AM: Hilltown Winter Solstice Celebration: Come sing with us, celebrate the days beginning to get longer again, and see the Prisms' Mummers Play! 11:00-12:00 in the All School Space.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/23: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 23-24
- Light in the Forest, ch. 11-12
Due Thurs., 12/22: Revise your Native American contact story
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Fri., 12/16: 2000-2500 words
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Tues., 12/20: Complete #11-24 odd and

Grade 8

All

Due Tues., 12/20: Review problems for test
- Leaky Tire Problem a-e, challenge: f-h
- Handout, p. 65-66, #1 and 2
Test Wed., 12/21, covering material on linear equations from Moving Straight Ahead and identifying different graph models in Thinking with Mathematical Models
Due Wed., 12/21: Your 4x6 notecard, with the notes you think will be important for the test (optional).

Algebra B

Test Thurs., 12/22, covering material on solving for a variable in equations and inequalities, and writing and graphing inequalities.

Science:

Week of 12/19-12/23: Heredity Research Project presentations
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Selective Cleanup Creates Reverse Graffiti

British newspaper The Guardian invited a variety of public figures to redesign money. Some took the idea on a more design-focused track, others aimed to reconceptualize money. Pictured above is author Jonathan Franzen's reimagining and below is Audrey Niffenager's. Click either picture to see a slideshow of the whole slew of them.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Rubric for final Herdity Project

Hi everyone - !

Hope the Dance was a success!

Below is the Rubric I will use to evaluate your Heredity reports. We will begin presenting them this Monday, some come ready to deliver your presentation.

Some folks have already signed up for times; I will have to assign some of you to a time this Monday, so send me a note if you prefer Monday, and you can be one of the first to go!

John VB

RUBRIC for Heredity Report - Final Draft
For the Poster, Powerpoint or Written report

	Advanced(4)	Proficient (3)	Developing (2)	Beginning (1)	Points
Shows comprehension of topic in report, through reading and interpreting scientific texts	demonstrated thorough comprehension of topic	demonstrated sufficient comprehension of topic	demonstrated some comprehension of topic	demonstrated some important misunderstanding of topic	X 2
Materials (poster, powerpoint, written report) were produced with care	well-edited with few if any errors; polished products with attention to detail	has editing errors but do not interfere with understanding; products have a finished look	editing errors do interfere with understanding at times, or products look partially finished	editing errors make it hard to understand, or products are submitted unfinished
Presentation to an audience	presentation showed very effective use of information and materials, holding attention of audience throughout	presentation showed effective use of information and materials, holding attention of audience much of the time	presentation showed somewhat effective use of information and materials, holding attention of audience some of the time	presentation was read from the report, or materials were not presented in an organized way; audience attention drifted

Friday, December 16, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Mummers' Play Script on Google Docs
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Masquerade! 8-10:30, Clean-up until 11:00. A snack or drink is your ticket in!

Humanities:

Due Mon., 12/19: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 20-22
- Light in the Forest, ch. 9-10
Due Thurs., 12/15: Write first 1500 words of story (see Tools menu→Word Count). Include flashback with primary source info.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Fri., 12/16: 2000-2500 words
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Nada

Grade 8

ничего

Science:

Mon., 12/19: Final project should be ready. Sign up for a presentation slot in the River Classroom.
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 13 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Selective Cleanup Creates Reverse Graffiti

Belgian artist Strook created this unique piece not by adding paint or poster, but by removing moss from this wall in Leuven, Belgium using a pressure washer. Click the photo to see details of the work.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Mummers' Play Script on Google Docs
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Mon., 12/19: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 20-22
- Light in the Forest, ch. 9-10
Due Thurs., 12/15: Write first 1500 words of story (see Tools menu→Word Count). Include flashback with primary source info.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Nada

Grade 8

ничего

Science:

Thurs., 12/15: First draft due (one day later than originally planned)
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

8th Grade Project:

Due Thurs., 12/15: Possible research topics due.
Moment of Zen:

Historically Accurate Disney Princesses

Skeptical of the costume design for Disney's princesses, L.A. based illustrator Claire Hummel decided to do her homework. Researching clothes from the geographical location and time period each character is situated in, her results update the characters in sometimes striking ways. Click above to see more of her recontextualizations.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Mon., 12/19: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 20-22
- Light in the Forest, ch. 9-10
Due Wed., 12/14: Write first 500 words of story (see Tools menu→Word Count). Develop characters.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Nada

Grade 8

ничего

Science:

Thurs., 12/15: First draft due (one day later than originally planned)
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/14: Have second scratchboard composition finished by next Wed. It will be due first thing that morning.

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

So Many Baby Tortoises!

One of many cute distractions from ZooBorns, a website that keeps up with new little furry, feathery and scaly bundles of joy from zoos around the world.

Monday, December 12, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Wed., 12/14: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 20-22
- Light in the Forest, ch. 9-10
- Due Wed., 12/14: Write first 500 words of story (see Tools menu→Word Count). Develop characters.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Tues., 12/13: In Stretching and Shrinking, do Applications #1 and 2a-c on p. 9, 1.1 and 1.1 Follow-up. You will need rubber bands and tape to do the stretching transformation and a centimeter ruler to take measurements of your pre-image and image.

Grade 8

Due Tues., 12/13: Complete exponential growth/decay problems from Algebra book/photocopy assigned to your group and begun in class today. Assigments are as follows:
- Group A: Tyber, Ella, Abby, Jesse
  p. 497, #29-31, 33
- Group B: Shomari, Ryan, Noah, Dory, Ben, Rosie, Tori, Maire
  p. 498, #11-13, 17
  Challenge: p. 482, #31 and p. 488, #34
- Group C: Zach, Bella, Jess, Lucien, Jason
  p. 482, #31; p. 488, #34; p. 499, #18-20 (a-c)

Science:

Thurs., 12/15: First draft due (one day later than originally planned)
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Thurs., 12/15: First draft due
  - Mon., 12/19: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/14: Have second scratchboard composition finished by next Wed. It will be due first thing that morning.

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

The First Paris Air Show (1909)

Friday, December 9, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/9: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 11-13
- Light in the Forest, ch. 5-6
- Due Mon., 12/12: Complete bottom three bands of your timeline.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
All
Due Mon., 12/12: Do Math's Mates 2.3 according to usual protocol, including any attached N/A problems. Please contact Grace if you have questions.

Algebra B

Due Mon., 12/12: Do "Fruity Math" #3 and 4 and any corrections necessary on #1 and 2

Science:

Test Mon., 12/12: It will look just like the study sheet.
Wed., 12/14: First draft due
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/14: Have second scratchboard composition finished by next Wed. It will be due first thing that morning.

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Dodecahedron Full of Chickens

Eric Weston built this rather unique backyard chicken coop as a project with his son. Here's what he has to say about it:

I got the basic idea for a plywood dodecahedron from a late 60s Popular Science magazine article I read in my youth. The author of that article built it as a meditation space, with a circular hole cut in one panel. Instead, we hinged one panel and put a hook and eye at the top, so we could lock up the chickens overnight, safe from raccoons and other varmints.

One other point, we hung a heat lamp from the top to warm the chickens during the winter. At night, the red light leaks through the vertices.

My son’s friends have been unpersuasive in trying to talk us into painting numbers on the side to make it look like a D12.

Click above to see more angles of the dodecahedral coop.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Fri., Dec. 9: Prisms field trip to Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association in Deerfield, 11:30 am - 3 pm. Blue House lunches will be ready in time, but pizza orders will not, so plan lunch and lunch orders accordingly.
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/9: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 11-13
- Light in the Forest, ch. 5-6
- Due Mon., 12/12: Complete bottom three bands of your timeline.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Test Thurs., 12/8: Variables and Patterns unit test. Review Notes in your Math Binder in preparation for your test this coming Thursday.

Grade 8

Due Thurs., 12/8: On p. 42, do Applications #2 (chocolate chip thief?)

Science:

Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due, including specific question and presentation plan. You will not get class time to work on this before Friday, so plan homework time accordingly.
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/14: Have second scratchboard composition finished by next Wed. It will be due first thing that morning.

Health:

Grade 7 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)
Grade 8 Family Activity - Dec. 6 (.pdf)

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Why do Apes love cats?

If you're like me, you loved the book Koko's Kitten about Koko the signing gorilla's partnership with her tailless cat, Ball. But Koko and Ball are not the only simian-feline partnership. Click above to read/see pictures of other such friendships with a brief analysis of why non-human apes get along with cats as much as human apes do.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Fri., Dec. 9: Prisms field trip to Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association in Deerfield, 11:30 am - 3 pm. Blue House lunches will be ready in time, but pizza orders will not, so plan lunch and lunch orders accordingly.
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Wed., 12/7: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 5-7
- Light in the Forest, ch. 3-4
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Test Thurs., 12/8: Variables and Patterns unit test.
Due Wed., 12/7: Review the quiz that was handed back today and come up with a list of skills you can work on in preparation for your test this coming Thursday.

Grade 8

Due Wed., 12/7:

All: Do. 3.1 and 3.1 Follow-up, #1-4 on p. 38-39
Algebra B:
- correct p. 364, #43-48 and do Fruity Math #1 and 2
- In Thinking with Mathematical Models, do Applications #1 on p. 41

Science:

Wed., 12/7: Bring in all sources (books or printouts of websites) for in-class research time.
Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/7: Spend a focused 30 min. working on the draft of your bee illustration with borders

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

What have you got in your head?

Sara Asnaghi's nine food-brains, made out of everything from chili flakes to birdseed, and including a brain sandwich.

Monday, December 5, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Wed., 12/7: Read novels & complete reading log
- Fools Crow, ch. 5-7
- Light in the Forest, ch. 3-4
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Tues., 12/6: p. 66, #6 and p. 58, #12 a and b
Challenge: p. 67, #7

Grade 8

Due Wed., 12/7:
- Algebra B: correct p. 364, #43-48 and do Fruity Math #1 and 2

Science:

Due Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic.
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/7: Spend a focused 30 min. working on the draft of your bee illustration with borders

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you today about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

How phenotypical...

Canadian photographer Ulric Collette found himself fascinated by the similarities in the faces of closely related people. To better examine this, he photographed pairs of close family members (parents & children, siblings, cousins) and created one portrait of the pair with each contributing one half of the face. The results are astonishing, ranging from one composed of twins, which looks like one woman with a different hair style on each side of her head, to uncannily similar half male/half female faces (like the artist's self-portrait with his cousin, above). Click the photo to see more of Collette's "Genetic Portraits" which include the names and ages of each person photographed and their relationship to each other. The site is in French, so this is what you need to know to decipher it:

mère - mother
père - father
fils - son
fille - daughter
soeur - sister
frère - brother
cousin(e) - cousin
jumeaux - twins (masc./mixed)
jumelles - twins (fem.)
ans - years

Friday, December 2, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/2: Revise Sing Down the Moon essay. Include at least one semicolon and one colon.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
All
Due Mon., 12/5: MM 2.2 and any attached N/A problems according to usual protocol (no calculators, work for * problems shown on separate paper,
Grade 8
Due Fri., 12/2:
- Algebra B: P. 349, 13-17 odd, 18, 20, 26, 28

Science:

Due Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic.
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/7: Spend a focused 30 min. working on the draft of your bee illustration with borders

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you today about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Pedaling Steel: These aren't just decorative

Looking like a crazy modern art piece, these specially-designed wheels of steel are made to ride on. The flower-like design is actually the key to the wheel's strength and stability. Click above to read more about the wheel's design and to see video of it in action.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Fri., 12/2: Revise Sing Down the Moon essay. Include at least one semicolon and one colon.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Fri., 12/2: On p. 76-7 of Variables and Patterns, do #1 and 3.
Challenge: p. 67, #7

Grade 8

Due Fri., 12/2:
- Algebra A: In Thinking with Mathematical Models, do 2.3 and 2.3 follow-up, #1 and 2 only (p. 30).
- Algebra B: P. 363, #1-3, #5-11 odds only; p. 364, #43-48

Science:

Due Fri., 12/2: Submit proposed topic for heredity research project.
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/7: Spend a focused 30 min. working on the draft of your bee illustration with borders

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you today about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

The Wafflizer: 30 Answers to the question, "Will it Waffle?"

For those of you who have heard me describe this project in rapturous tones, here's the link. Chicago newspaper web editor Dan Shumski decided to stretch the limits of what could be cooked in his waffle iron. He started on his own with simple goals, like waffle-baked chocolate chip cookies, but later enlisted top Chicago chefs to take wafflizing to another level. They waffled up creations like waffled falafel and waffled polenta. All in all the project ranged from the absurd (Thai style waffled squid salad) to the sublime ('Smoreffles) and things that fit both descriptions (twice-waffled bread pudding). Click the waffle-baked pretzel to read Shumski's 30 waffle-ready recipes.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

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
Wednesdays: Mummers Play Rehearsal Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Thurs., 12/1: Revise Sing Down the Moon essay. Include at least one semicolon and one colon.
Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Thurs., 12/1: On p. 65 of Variables and Patterns, do #3 and 4.

Grade 8

Due Thurs., 12/1: In Thinking with Mathematical Models, do Inv. 2.1, a-d and Follow-up. In 2.1d, you only need to predict the breaking weight for the bridges, you don't need to test them.

Science:

Due Thurs., 12/1: read pp. 221-228, and answer the following questions on lined paper:
- p. 225, #2-3; p. 229, #1-6
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Atelier:

Due Wed., 12/7: Spend a focused 30 min. working on the draft of your bee illustration with borders

Tech:

Due ASAP: If Dan L. talked to you today about your magazine project, you need to find time outside of class to work on it in the Tech Lab.

Moment of Zen:

Deconstructionism

Todd McLellan breaks it down for you: taking apart common mechanical household items and setting out all their pieces. Click to see more of McLellan's deconstructions.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

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., 11/30: Mummers Play Meeting! First meeting is this week. Interested parties must attend or contact Seana with their excellent, compelling reason they cannot attend. Rehearsals will take place every Wednesday between here and Solstice from 3-5 PM in the River Classroom.
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Long Range Project: Stories of White and Native American Encounters
First Draft Due Mon., 12/19
Final Draft Due Thurs., 12/22: Write a story, diary entries or a series of letters from the perspective of two people living in the early 1800s in West Virginia. The first chapter, letter or diary entry should be set in the year 1800. The final chapter, letter or diary entry should take place in 1838.
Ample class time will be dedicated to this project and related, short-range deadlines will be updated

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Nada

Grade 8

Due Wed., 11/30: On handout, p. 296-297, do #6-8, 10, 12, 17-24
Challenge: #25-27

Science:

Due Thurs., 12/1: read pp. 221-228, and answer the following questions on lined paper:
- p. 225, #2-3; p. 229, #1-6
Long Range Project: Independent Heredity Research
- Each student will pick a topic relating to work in Science about heredity, relating to a particular inherited trait such as eye or hair color, hereditary diseases such as Sickle Cell anemia or muscular dystrophy, or ethical question regarding human interference in heredity such as selective breeding for traits in plants and animals, cloning, or a particular genetically modified organism. Each student will present their research either in an essay or Powerpoint presentation.
- Deadlines:
  - Fri., 12/2: Submit topic proposal
  - Tues., 12/6: Submit 2-3 reputable sources about your topic
  - Fri., 12/9: Outline of info due
  - Wed., 12/14: First draft due
  - Fri., 12/16: Final draft due

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Microscopic Wasp

Measuring at just 100 microns (0.10 mm) in length, the Megaphragma wasp or "fairy fly" is the smallest multicellular animal in the world. In fact, there are varieties of single-celled animals that are larger than it. The parasitic wasp lives in Guadalupe and feeds off the eggs of other insects. Click above to find out more about how its body accommodates being so small.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

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
Sat., Dec. 3: Winter fair!
Fri., Dec. 16: Prisms/Purples Dance. Job sign-ups and song request lists up in both classrooms.

Humanities:

Due Tues., 11/29: Finish essay begun in class about Sing Down the Moon and share with Beth on Google Docs.
- Introduction: Background, main idea (answer the question), briefly describe three main examples
- 3 middle paragraphs
- Conclusion: Restate main point, closing

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Nada

Grade 8

Due Wed., 11/30: On handout, p. 296-297, do #6-8, 10, 12, 17-24
Challenge: #25-27

Science:

Due Thurs., 12/1: read pp. 221-228, and answer the following questions on lined paper:
- p. 225, #2-3; p. 229, #1-6
Begin thinking about topic for heredity research project.

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Does # of genes indicate complexity?

If it does, we need to reevaluate ourselves, because it turns out the water flea has 35% more genes than we do, about 8,000 more. Click to read more at National Geographic.

Monday, November 21, 2011

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

Humanities:

Due Mon., 11/28:: Finish Sing Down the Moon. Keep track of discussion questions and reactions in writing.

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Tues., 11/22: In Variables & Patterns do #11 on p. (can someone fill this in for me?) about paying off a stereo on an installment plan.

Grade 8

Nada

Science:

Due Tues., 11/22: Complete Guinea Pig Genetics worksheet.

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Anamorphic Graffiti

Thursday, November 17, 2011

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
Bring In Pictures for the DC Slideshow by Wed., 11/16 If you have just a few pictures to share (5 or less) you can email them to Grace. Otherwise, bring in your camera (don't worry about the cord) and we'll add them to the pool.

Humanities:

>Test Fri., 11/19 on the Constitution
Due Fri., 11/18: Read Ch. 9-12 of Sing Down the Moon and answer questions.
Full text of the US Constitution via National Archives

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Fri., 11/18: In Variables & Patterns do p. 4.2, 4.2 Follow-up as well as #3-7 on p. 55-56

Grade 8

Due Fri., 11/18
- In Moving Straight Ahead, do p. 86-87 #15 and 17
- In Algebra book, do p. 337 #32-44 (center column only), p. 338 #46-54 odd, #66 and p. 339 #6-9

Science:

Nada

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Anamorphic Graffiti

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

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
Bring In Pictures for the DC Slideshow by Wed., 11/16 If you have just a few pictures to share (5 or less) you can email them to Grace. Otherwise, bring in your camera (don't worry about the cord) and we'll add them to the pool.

Humanities:

Modern Constitutional Convention tomorrow!
Due Fri., 11/18: Read Ch. 9-12 of Sing Down the Moon and answer questions.
Full text of the US Constitution via National Archives

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Thurs., 11/17: In Variables & Patterns do p. 4.1 & 4.1 Follow-up

Grade 8

Due Thurs., 11/7
- In Moving Straight Ahead, do 6.2 & 6.2 Follow-Up (p. 81 - °F <-> °C)
- In Moving Straight Ahead, do 6.3 & 6.3 Follow-Up (p. 82 - The Mysterious Disappearance of the Irish Elk)

Science:

Due Thurs., 11/17: In photocopied packet, read p. 213-217 and answer questions 1-4 on lined paper.

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Click for larger version

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

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
Bring In Pictures for the DC Slideshow by Wed., 11/16 If you have just a few pictures to share (5 or less) you can email them to Grace. Otherwise, bring in your camera (don't worry about the cord) and we'll add them to the pool.

Humanities:

Modern Constitutional Convention tomorrow!
Due Fri., 11/18: Read Ch. 9-12 of Sing Down the Moon and answer questions.
Full text of the US Constitution via National Archives

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Wed., 11/16: In Variables & Patterns do p. 42 #1 and #3.

Grade 8

Due Tue., 11/15: In Moving Straight Ahead, do 6.1 & Follow-up as well as #12 and #14 on p. 85-86

Science:

Nada

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

Imagine if this were your walk to school

To be fair, these students from Pili Village in Xinjiang Province in Northwestern China only walk to school and back once a year (they board at the school), but man, what a walk. Nearly 125 miles away, without clean drinking water to be collected along the way, their route crosses four freezing cold rivers, a 650' chain bridge and four single-plank bridges made of just two pieces of wood. To avoid having to cross the turbulent Yarkand River, they must go around to bypass numerous mountain cliffs, gravel and rapids. The threat of falling rocks is ever-present, and beneath the cliff trail which is only a few inches wide can only fit half of a foot, is the steady stream of flood. From dusk till down, it takes two days and a night to complete the journey.

Monday, November 14, 2011

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
Bring In Pictures for the DC Slideshow by Wed., 11/16 If you have just a few pictures to share (5 or less) you can email them to Grace. Otherwise, bring in your camera (don't worry about the cord) and we'll add them to the pool.

Humanities:

Due Tuesday, 11/15: Finish packet addressing effectiveness of current Constitution in preparation for Modern Constitutional Convention on Wednesday. You will need a copy of the Constitution.
Full text of the US Constitution via National Archives

Math:

Graph paper link on the sidebar →
Grade 7
Due Tue., 11/15: In Variables & Patterns do 3.4 and 3.4 Follow-up. Begin by completing the table examining possible tour profits begun in class today.

Grade 8

Due Tue., 11/15: In Moving Straight Ahead, do #3-7 and 13 on p. 81-84

Science:

Nada

Español:

Bring home all Day of the Dead materials!

Moment of Zen:

What it Looks Like Inside a Wave

Photographer Clark Little specializes in underwater photography, and has gotten attention for his fascinating photos taken from inside waves. Click above to see more of Little's photos along with some of him at work among monster waves.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Click any photo for a larger version
There will be a more extensive slideshow of photos from the DC trip presented in the next week or so, and we'll be sure to keep you posted.

Thanks to the many picture takers on the trip who offered a picture of our adventures through their lens. Though photos are not marked individually, I would like to thank Alison Janssen, Tyber Oborne, Bella Jaeger, Jess Klitus-Flaim, Jenn Palmer and Barbara Neulinger for their contributions.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 in Photos

Click any photo for a larger version