Friday, October 1, 2010

General Announcements:

• 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 & 8:
  • Due Mon., 10/4: Complete MM 1.3 according to usual protocol, with work shown for * problems on separate paper and completing any attached n/a problems from 1.2.

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 10/4: Copy the timeline and mark key Indian periods.

Science:

• No homework

Language Arts:

• Due Mon., 10/4: With your parents, read through letter about the citrus fundraiser, fill out and sign it and have one or both of your parents sign it.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due Fri., 10/1: Releer p. 1 de Pobre Ana.(Reread p. 1 of Pobre Ana)
• Grade 8:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Lee cuento 1: Verdadero o falso (Read story 1 - true or false)

Atelier:

• Due Wed., 10/6: 12 in square observed self-portrait. Use black pencil.

Moment of Zen The above photo is from science class one week ago (Fri., 9/24), in the Mill River behind the school. The photo below is from Friday, 10/1, after two days of heavy rain brought the river to levels nearing those of the snowmelt-fueled spring swell.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

General Announcements:

• Due Thurs., 9/30: Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week, which we will look at as a class during our class meeting next Thursday. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• 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:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Complete #3 on p. 11-12 of CMP book. You will need the big sheet of grid paper handed out today.

• Grade 8:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Write answers to the Math Reflections on p. 14. Use the glossary as needed.

Social Studies:

• Quiz this Fri., 10/1

Science:

• Due Wed., 9/29: Read Science Packet about Biomes, pp. 108-112.
• Due Thurs., 9/30: Answer questions 1-5 from p. 113 of Science Packet on separate paper.

Language Arts:

• Due Wed. & Thurs., 9/29 and 9/30: Read 20 min each day in independent reading book. Do any make-up work or incomplete work that is remaining not turned in. Remember to have your book with you at all times.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Lee el párrafo primero de Pobre Ana (Read the first ¶ of Pobre Ana).
• Grade 8:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Narra/representa los dibujos del "Cuento de Maiela". (Narrate/act out the drawings of the "Maiela Story")

Atelier:

• Due Wed., 10/6: 12 in square observed self-portrait. Use black pencil.

Moment of Zen I'll see your double rainbow and raise you one more. (from Spaceweather.com)

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

General Announcements:

• Due Thurs., 9/30: Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week, which we will look at as a class during our class meeting next Thursday. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• 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:
  • Due Wed., 9/29: Complete #2 on p. 11 of CMP book.

• Grade 8:
  • Due Wed., 9/29: In CMP book, complete #5 on p. 10, #8 on p. 11 and #9 on pp 12-13. For #8, actually make a graph of the data before answering the question, to assist you in having more evidence to support your response. You will need 1 cm grid paper, printable at right.

Social Studies:

• Quiz this Fri., 10/1
• Due Wed., 9/29: People bringing in materials for the frog project:
  • Tori
  • Rosie
  • Bella
  • Jaylene
  • John
  • Kaleigh
  • Ruben
  • Maible
  • Abby & Dory
  • Liam
  • Evan
  • Jesse

Science:

• Due Wed., 9/29: Read Science Packet about Biomes, pp. 108-112.
• Due Thurs., 9/30: Answer questions 1-5 from p. 113 of Science Packet on separate paper.

Language Arts:

• Due Wed. & Thurs., 9/29 and 9/30: Read 20 min each day in independent reading book. Do any make-up work or incomplete work that is remaining not turned in. Remember to have your book with you at all times.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Lee el párrafo primero de Pobre Ana (Read the first ¶ of Pobre Ana).
• Grade 8:
  • Due Thurs., 9/30: Narra/representa los dibujos del "Cuento de Maiela". (Narrate/act out the drawings of the "Maiela Story")

Moment of Zen tax·on·o·my/tækˈsɒnəmi/—Taxonomy is the practice and science of classification. The word finds its roots in the Greek τάξις, taxis (meaning 'order', 'arrangement') and νόμος, nomos ('law' or 'science'). Taxonomy uses taxonomic units, known as taxa (singular taxon). (from Pop Chart Lab)

Monday, September 27, 2010

General Announcements:

• Due Thurs., 9/30: Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week, which we will look at as a class during our class meeting next Thursday. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• 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 & 8:
  • Due Tues., 9/28: Turn in all homework due Monday (MM 1.2 and revised CMP assignment).

Social Studies:

• Quiz this Fri., 10/1

Science:

• Due Tues., 9/28: Write 1 ¶ on the topic: What is/are the source(s) of energy for our River Ecosystem?

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 9/28:
  1. Complete evaluation sheet for Camp Hi-Rock trip handed out Friday.
  2. Have your independent reading book chosen—new to you and fitting one of the categories on the form provided you today in class. Read for 20 min. in this new book to you. Have book in class on Monday. (The books should be of a size that they can be carried in backpack and from class to class easily.)
  3. Complete any portfolio elements not completed with quality at this time.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • No hay tarea .
• Grade 8:
  • Quiz Tues., 9/28: Prueba sobre el vocabulario de "El pelo de pepe." (Vocab. quiz on "El pelo de pepe.")

Moment of Zen

On Demand Northern Lights

We're not totally out of luck for seeing the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) the old fashioned way around here—especially those who live farther out in the hills where there's less light pollution, but here it's a rare and precious event (see the "Current Auroral Oval" at SpaceWeather for updates about when to look up for this). In the higher latitudes, though, it's a far more commonplace event. So for those other times, the Canadian Space Agency (ASC-CSA) has developed AuroraMAX - a live camera from Northern Canada which takes a shot of the sky every 10 seconds. You can watch it live at night (except during the summer, when the Midnight Sun washes out the view) or check out their gallery of featured videos for some of their best captured time-lapse displays.

Friday, September 24, 2010

General Announcements:

• Due Thurs., 9/30: Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week, which we will look at as a class during our class meeting next Thursday. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• Read about the Prism's 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 & 8:
  • Due Fri., 9/24:
    1. Complete Math's Mate 1.2 according to protocol discussed earlier (see 9/10/10 HW blog here for more detail on this). Complete all attached problems not attempted on 1.1. Make sure to show work for * problems on separate paper.
    2. Rework any CMP assignment returned to you for quality revision according to criteria discussed in class today.

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 9/27:
• Finish your thank you card for the person from our trip to Camp Hi-Rock whose name you drew during class meeting. Cardstock will be provided tomorrow, or you may use your own materials (max. size is a 9 by 12 inch sheet of drawing paper, folded in half to 9 by 6 inches). Sign it from yourself but also "for the Prisms"

Science:

• Due Mon., 9/27: Shade in your sketch from Friday's river observation with colored pencils. Be sure to give your sketch context, i.e. don't just draw the frog, draw the rocks, water and plants around it.

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 9/24:
  1. Complete evaluation sheet for Camp Hi-Rock trip handed out today.
  2. Have your independent reading book chosen—new to you and fitting one of the categories on the form provided you today in class. Read for 20 min. in this new book to you. Have book in class on Monday. (The books should be of a size that they can be carried in backpack and from class to class easily.)
  3. Complete any portfolio elements not completed with quality at this time.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • No hay tarea
• Grade 8:
  • Quiz Fri., 9/24: Prueba sobre el vocabulario de "El pelo de pepe." (Vocab. quiz on "El pelo de pepe.")

Moment of Zen I don't think this is what they meant when they said that art imitates life, but this photo sure looks like an abstract painting. Taken from Robert Haas's book Through the Eyes of Vikings, this is just one of an impressive set of aerial photographs from around the Arctic Circle that make the Earth look like abstract art without being messed with in the least. Click the picture to see more from Haas's Arctic collection.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

General Announcements:

• Due Thurs., 9/30: Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week, which we will look at as a class during our class meeting next Thursday. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• Read about the Prism's 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:
  • Due Thurs., 9/23: Complete #1 on p. 10 of CMP book. Be sure to answer questions in complete sentences and state the question in the answer. You will need 1 cm. grid paper. Additional paper, if necessary, can be printed out using the link at right.
• Grade 8:
  • Due Fri., 9/24:
    1. Write an edited, legible entry in your LA journal of ~1 page on the topic: "What I Learned/Relearned from Henry". It will be copied and sent to him. Bring to math class with you.
    2. Complete Applications #1 on p. 9 and #4 of p. 10 of CMP book. Show how you got your answers. Explain by restating the question in the response and using complete sentences. You will need 2 sheets of 1 cm grid paper. You may print out additional paper using the link at right.

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 9/27: Finish your thank you card for the person from our trip to Camp Hi-Rock whose name you drew during class meeting today. Cardstock will be provided tomorrow, or you may use your own materials

Science:

• No homework

Language Arts:

• Due Fri., 9/24: Write out your 2 min speech for presentation of "C" book project to an All School audience. See directions on the form provided this morning.

Spanish:

• Grade 7:
  • No hay tarea
• Grade 8:
  • Quiz Fri., 9/24: Prueba sobre el vocabulario de "El pelo de pepe." (Vocab. quiz on "El pelo de pepe.")

Moment of Zen

What's Your Caption?

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

General Announcements:

• Share Your Hi-Rock Trip Photos! We have set up a Flickr group for the class's trip last week. For security reasons, it is a private, invitation only group. You will need a Flickr account to view or contribute to the group (if you have a Yahoo account, you already do). Prisms and their parents should let me know if you want an invitation to the group. Send an e-mail to gmrowicki AT hilltowncharter with the following information:
  1. Your name
  2. The e-mail address to which the invitation should be sent
• Read about the Prism's 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:
  • Due Thurs., 9/23: Complete 1.2 on p. 9 of CMP book using your jumping jack data. Write all responses in complete sentences and restate the question in your answer. Refer to the model provided today.
• Grade 8:
  • No homework
    • Note: We did film Henry's presentation today, and we will make this available to whomever would like to share it at home as soon as possible, though it's not entirely clear in what format this will happen yet.

Social Studies:

• No homework

Science:

• No homework

Language Arts:

• No homework

Spanish:

• Grade 7 & 8:
  • No hay tarea

Moment of Zen

Iceland: On A First Name Basis with Volcanoes

In Iceland, the phone books are organized alphabetically by first name. Instead of having family last names like we do, folks in Iceland are known by their given first name and patronymic. A patronymic is based on your father's name and indicates you as son of __________ or daughter of __________. Musician Björk's full name is Björk Sigmundsdottir. Iceland being related to English as it is, the breakdown of Sigmundsdottir is actually fairly transparent: Sigmund's daughter. If she had a brother, he would be Sigmundson. Other cultures still highly integrate patronymics - In Russia and many other former USSR nations, the patronymic is a middle name, and people are formally addressed not by their family name (e.g., Mr. Dostoyevsky, Ms. Akhmatova) but by first name and patronymic (e.g. Fyodor Mikhailovich, Anna Andreyevna). (Read more about patronymics around the world). But, Iceland has the coolest volcanoes (see above), sitting as it does on the line between the American and Eurasian plates as they spread apart, so they get the picture.