Tuesday, November 30, 2010

The Supernova Egg Drop Competition: 2010-2011


The Supernova students will be utilizing physics concepts learned in science class to design and construct a capsule that will protect a raw egg (from breaking) as it is dropped from an elevated position. The top three students from each class will receive a certificate as a reward for their design and hard work. The top overall Supernova student will be awarded the egg drop trophy pictured above.

Science Enrichment: Science Connections

If you are interested in representing your team on a field trip that shows the way technology is used in the real world, here is your chance.

Write an essay (no longer than 300 words) explaining the importance of science education for your generation. Turn in the essay to your science teacher no later than Dec. 10th 2010.

If chosen, you will attend a field trip to a local company that specializes in technological development. Once the field trip has ended, you will create a presentation for your team that represents what you learned while on the trip.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Art Inspires Narrative Writing

The Supernova Advanced English students traveled to the Carnegie Museum of Art for the third year in a row to explore the connections between art and narrative writing. The students prepared for the trip by analyzing and interpreting literature and discussing the similarities to analyzing and interpreting art work. While at the museum, the students were divided into small groups to discuss four specific pieces of art work. As a culminating project to this fabulous experience, the students wrote short stories with an emphasis on setting, character, plot, and theme. The students were instructed to select their favorite piece of art from the museum. When returning to school, the students received interpretation and analysis packets that focused on initial reaction, description, formal relationships of shapes and images, contextual examination, personal experience, and contextual judgment on the piece of art that they had selected. Based on this analysis, the students wrote short stories to reflect their selected piece of art. The students also designed book covers for their short stories. The students were permitted to use multiple forms of media to produce their book covers. Please check back soon for pictures of the students' art work.

Scholastic Book Fair

The Scholastic Book Fair is being held at the middle school December 1-10. The fair is also open in the evening on Thursday, December 9th from 6pm - 9pm which is before and after the winter band concert. The Supernova Team will visit the fair on Wednesday, December 8th. They will be accepting cash or checks made payable to the CMS Activity Fund.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

English 8: Stave One from A Christmas Carol Terms

The vocabulary list is posted on Quizlet for the terms from Stave One from the novel, A Christmas Carol. The students are encouraged to click on the link embedded in the title of the novel to study the vocabulary terms for the upcoming test.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Rube Goldberg Project and Student Samples: 2010-2011 (Update 9)


Assessment Anchor - S8.C.3: Principles of Motion and Force

Below is a link to some sample videos from this year's Rube Goldberg project that was completed by the Supernovas for Mr. Wolf's science class. While working on the project, the students experienced forces such as gravity and friction. They also utilized simple machines to make their work easier by changing the size and/or direction of the applied force.


Rube Goldberg Student Sample Videos: 2010-2011

(Note: Additional videos may be added at a later date.)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "The Tell-Tale Heart" Terms

The vocabulary list is posted on Quizlet for "The Tell-Tale Heart" terms. The students are encouraged to click on the link embedded in the title of the short story to study the vocabulary terms for the upcoming test.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Chapter 9: Energy (PowerPoint Notes)

Click on the link below to view the PowerPoint notes for "Chapter 9: Energy".

Monday, November 8, 2010

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Students of the Month: October

The Supernova teachers would like to congratulate the following Supernovas for earning student of the month honors for the month of October.


  • Social Studies: Harsha
  • English: Emily
  • Science: Jessica