Friday, May 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
• Thurs., May 26: Instrumental Music Festival featuring guitar/bass students, violin students/orchestra, and ukulele club.
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Due Mon., 5/23: Math's Mate 3.5 according to usual protocol, including any attached N/A problems.

Language Arts:

• Due Tue., 5/24: Read Ch. 31-35. Compose one fair and significant quiz question & answer per chapter (5 total).

Social Studies:

• Due Mon., 5/23: Answer questions 1-21 about Medici.

Science:

Nada

Moment of Zen:

Painting or Photograph?

It's not what you think...click for details.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Islamic Center of Western Massachusetts Trip Info

There's no new homework today, but here's some important information about tomorrow's field trip.

Things to bring:
• Good traveling lunch: We will be bringing Blue House café lunches, but outside of that, bring food that can be eaten right out of the bag. Don't expect to be able to heat up food.
• Appropriate Dress:
  • A raincoat: tomorrow's going to be another rainy one.
  • Inside the Center: Respectfully modest dress is expected inside the center. Here are some guidelines:
    • Men: Long pants, clean socks, plain shirt
    • Women: Long pants/skirt, long sleeves, clean socks, head scarf (bring a pretty scarf you like or a nice piece of fabric - I'll show you how to wrap it, but you can also look up different hijab styles online)

We will be meeting with the imam at the center, eating lunch, observing the midday prayer (dhuhr), and then returning to school.

Here's a quick "How to Make Salaat (prayer)" video if you want to get a sense of the process of Muslim Prayer:

Tuesday, May 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
• Drivers Needed:
  • Thurs., May 19 - To the Islamic Society of Western MA in West Springfield (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS 10:30 am, return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip OR if you are willing to lend your minivan to the cause to be driven by one of the teachers.
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Nada

Language Arts:

• Due Th., 5/19: Read Ch. 29 & 30. Write 3 quiz questions plus answers for each chapter for a total of 6 questions. These should be fair and significant—to know if the person read the chapters (on separate paper).
• Due Fri., 5/20: The first draft of the research paper elements is to be completed. Therefore, those who are not done by the end of today are to stay for Homework Club this week until all of the first draft is done.

Social Studies:

• Due Wed., 5/18: Complete your thank-you card for one of the St. Mary's community members we met with on Friday or to the community as a whole on the paper handed out by John. Optionally, illuminate one of the letters in your text.

Science:

Grade 8 only
• :

Tech:

• Due Wed., 5/18: Bring in photos for yearbook any way you can: on camera, flash drive, CD, prints to scan.

Moment of Zen:

Why child labor laws

A stunning proportion of coal miners in this part of northeastern India are kids, some as young as 8. This is technically illegal, but so is the poor state of safety precautions and equipment for all workers. Click to read more.

Monday, May 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
• Drivers Needed:
  • Thurs., May 19 - To the Islamic Society of Western MA in West Springfield (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS 10:30 am, return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip OR if you are willing to lend your minivan to the cause to be driven by one of the teachers.
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Nada

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 5/17: Read Ch. 24-28 and do a two-page jounral entry with just 2 question.
• Due Fri., 5/20: The first draft of the research paper elements is to be completed. Therefore, those who are not done by the end of today are to stay for Homework Club this week until all of the first draft is done.

Social Studies:

• Due Tues., 5/17: Complete your thank-you letter to one of the St. Mary's community members we met with on Friday or to the community on the paper handed out by John. Optionally, illuminate one of the letters in your text.

Science:

Grade 8 only
• : Final MCAS Science & Technology session morning of Tues., 5/17.

Tech:

• Due Wed., 5/11: Bring in photos for yearbook any way you can: on camera, flash drive, CD, prints to scan.

Moment of Zen:

Nun Crossing

In case you missed it, this was on the other side of the church at St. Mary's Monastery.

Tuesday, May 10, 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
• Drivers Needed:
  • Fri., May 13 - To St. Mary's Monastery in Petersham, MA (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS after All-School (about 9:30 am), return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip.
  • Thurs., May 19 - To the Islamic Society of Western MA in West Springfield (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS 10:30 am, return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip
• Fri., May 13: Your student-produced, student-DJed 6-7-8 dance, 7:30-10:30 PM. Bring your own rocketship!
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Due Wed., 5/11:
  • MCAS Math testing this Tues., and Wed., 5/10 and 5/11
  • Do probability problems assigned. Show how you got your answers. (Turn in Thurs., 5/12)
  • Bring to school an independent reading book in addition to Nonna...
  • Eat a very good breakfast—Snack will be very late on Tues. & Wed. because of MCAS.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 5/10: Read Ch. 22 and 23 and do a 1 page journal entry. Be ready for quiz.

Social Studies:

• Nichts

Science:

Grade 8 only
• Due Thurs., 5/12: Complete all parts of MCAS packet handed out today.

Tech:

• Due Wed., 5/11: Bring in photos for yearbook any way you can: on camera, flash drive, CD, prints to scan.

Moment of Zen:

Bees Solve Complex Problems Faster Than Supercomputers?

Click to read more...

Monday, May 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
• Drivers Needed:
  • Fri., May 13 - To St. Mary's Monastery in Petersham, MA (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS after All-School (about 9:30 am), return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip.
  • Thurs., May 19 - To the Islamic Society of Western MA in West Springfield (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS 10:30 am, return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip
• Mon., May 9: DJ meeting/workshop, 3:05-3:45 in the Tech Lab. Arrange transportation accordingly. If you want to DJ the dance, you must attend. Contact Grace if you have questions about the meeting. See DJ Guidelines.
• Fri., May 13: Your student-produced, student-DJed 6-7-8 dance, 7:30-10:30 PM. Bring your own rocketship!
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Due Tues., 5/10:
  • MCAS Math testing this Tues., and Wed., 5/10 and 5/11
  • Do probability problems assigned. Show how you got your answers.
  • Bring to school an independent reading book in addition to Nonna...
  • Eat a very good breakfast—Snack will be very late on Tues. & Wed. because of MCAS.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 5/10:
  • Read Ch. 18-21 - do 1½-page journal entry!
  • Completed graduation song form.

Social Studies:

• Due Fri., 5/5:

Science:

Grade 8 only
• Due Tues., 5/10: Answer open response questions #28, 31, 40.

Tech:

• Due Wed., 5/11: Bring in photos for yearbook any way you can: on camera, flash drive, CD, prints to scan.

Moment of Zen:

Shark Rider

Six-year old Enal, of the Bajau people of Indonesia, plays with his pet shark? The Bajau Laut live in close contact with the ocean, living in stilted houses over the water, but have a complex relationship with it. While spitting in the ocean is still a disrespectful taboo, pressured fishing conditions have led them to destructive fishing techniques, including using homemade bombs which destroy the coral reef. For now, though, Enal and his pet shark.

Thursday, May 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
• Drivers Needed:
  • Fri., May 6 - To Hills Chapel at Smith College for a dance rehearsal in the morning. E-mail Deirdre if you can drive some Prisms there at 10:15 am or back at 11:45 am.
  • Fri., May 13 - To St. Mary's Monastery in Petersham, MA (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS after All-School (about 9:30 am), return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip.
  • Thurs., May 19 - To the Islamic Society of Western MA in West Springfield (click for directions/map). Leave HCCPS 10:30 am, return by 2:30 pm. Email John if you can help drive for this trip
• Fri., May 6: Music festival, featuring the Prisms' hip-hop routine, at Helen Hills Hills Chapel.
• Mon., May 9: DJ meeting/workshop, 3:05-3:45 in the Tech Lab. Arrange transportation accordingly. If you want to DJ the dance, you must attend. Contact Grace if you have questions about the meeting. See DJ Guidelines.
• Fri., May 13: Your student-produced, student-DJed 6-7-8 dance, 7:30-10:30 PM. Bring your own rocketship!
• Eighth Grade Project resource page updated 4/27, including project deadlines through the end of the project. Page will be updated as I get new information.
• Download Ukulele Club documents (links fixed) here.

Math:

Grade 7 & 8
• Due Mon., 5/9: Complete Math's Mate 3.4 according to usual protocol, including any attached N/A problems from previous sheets.

Language Arts:

• Due Tues., 5/10: Read Ch. 18-21 - do 1½-page journal entry!

Social Studies:

• Due Fri., 5/5: More detailed color sketch of your fresco image on 12 by 12 drawing paper.

Science:

Grade 8 only
• Due Fri., 5/6: Answer all multiple choice questions in practice test packets from 2009 and 2010.

Tech:

• Due Wed., 5/11: Bring in photos for yearbook any way you can: on camera, flash drive, CD, prints to scan.

Moment of Zen:

A mass ordination of 34,000 Buddhist monks at Dhammakaya Temple in Thailand, as photographed by Luke Duggleby.