The Science Behind December 21st, 2012

A lot of excitement and attention has been generated in the media about the date of December 21st, 2012. Please click on the following link and/or view the video to learn what NASA has to say about what will happen on this date.

2012: Beginning of the End or Why the World Won't End?

Video: 12-21-2012 Just Another Day

C-MITES: Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary and Secondary Students

C-MITES offers several enrichment programs for students throughout the calendar year.  Click on the link below to learn more about the student programs and the registration process.  

http://www.cmu.edu/cmites/

Students of the Month: December

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

Social Studies: Reid T.

English: Raven S.
Science: Abby B.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Kelsey B.

How to Work on Your PowerPoint at Home (Edmodo), Sharing Options, and Energy Pathfinder

PowerPoint Due Date: December 13, 2012

Working on the PowerPoint at Home:

Throughout the energy research debate, you may want to work on your PowerPoint at home. You can use the codes below to join our science class on Edmodo.

Period 2: 1r3t9v

Period 6/7: 4f96ve

Period 8/9: 67h869

Period 10: qtokl3

Period 11: a1roul

Once you join the class, you can add the PowerPoint to your "backpack." After you finish working on it at home, make sure you upload the current file to your "backpack" so you will have it available at school.  You can also save other file types and various links to your backpack.  

Sharing and Submitting Options 

Option 1: You can share with your group members by attaching your current version of your PowerPoint, links, pictures, and other files to a "Post" on the class homepage using Edmodo. Use the codes above to join our class. You can also submit the final version of your PowerPoint using the "Final Energy PowerPoint Submission" assignment. 

Option 2: You can save and submit your most recent PowerPoint on the "Accell" share drive on the school's network.  

• Click on "My Computer" 
• Click on "Accell" 
• Click on the folder titled "Mr. Wolf" 
• Save the file in the folder for your class period.

Energy Pathfinder

Please use the following pathfinder to help you get started with your research.  The pathfinder can also be accessed from the library's website.

http://cmspathfinders.wikispaces.com/Energy

Pittsburgh Pirates Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest

It is time to submit your entries for the Pittsburgh Pirates Annual Jackie Robinson Art, Essay, and Poetry Contest. One of the most significant moments in Major League Baseball history was when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. In celebration of the anniversary, the Pittsburgh Pirates have invited CMS to participate in their art, essay, and poetry contest. Any student who wishes to participate is to see Mrs. Porter for a copy of the contest rules and entry form. All submissions are due to Mrs. Porter by Friday, March 8th.  Any student who participates and follows all contest rules will receive bonus points towards their third quarter English grade.

Winning prizes include (subject to change & availability):

-          Pittsburgh Pirates complimentary game tickets

-          Special on-field pregame recognition

-          Autograph item(s)

-          Pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities

-          Complimentary Food & Beverages

-          Pirates Promotional package                                                                                                      You can review the winning submissions from last year by clicking this link. 

Students of the Month: November

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

Social Studies: Olivia T.

Science: Matt P.

English: Katie W.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Alexis S.

Rube Goldberg Videos: 2012-2013

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

Below is a link to Mr. Wolf's SchoolTube channel for viewing Rube Goldberg videos.  Once you click on the link, it would be helpful to sort the videos by "Most Recent" in order to see the videos from this school year.

Mr. Wolf's SchoolTube Channel: Rube Goldberg Videos

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.  The students had the option to create a video or make a poster.  The project packet is shown below.

Rube Goldberg Project 

Kinetic and Potential Energy Lab: 2012-2013

Below are some images of the Supernova students conducting a lab in science class. They had to take measurements and calculate the kinetic and gravitational potential energy of various objects. 

English 8 & Advanced English 8: No Red Ink!

NoRedInkis a web-based learning platform that helps students improve their grammar and writing skills. Click the link in the title of the website to learn more about it.  If you are interested, you are to follow the directions below to create an account.  It is not mandatory that you create an account.

Directions for an Account with No Red Ink

Step 1: Type the address  http://www.noredink.com/ in the search bar.

Step 2: Click the blue Student button.

Step 3: Type in your username.  It has to be 17 your last name first initial

Step 4: Type in your password.  It has to be your student ID number

Step 5: Type your first name, last name, and select your gender.

Step 6: Type in the class code for your specific class period.  Be careful and use the correct class code.  The best option is to copy and paste the code that you need from the list below.

Period 2: English 8: Class Code: 45574a52

Period 6.7: English 8: Class Code: 2e0bd751

Period 8.9: English 8: Class Code: bbf55b6a

Period 10: Advanced English 8: Class Code: fe86a87e

Period 11: English 8: Class Code: 544cb6ef

You are to use this site to practice grammar skills.  There will not be assignments or quizzes given to you from this site. 

New Gym Turns Workouts Into Watts

In science class, we have been learning about energy conversions and the Law of Conservation of Energy.  This is a great video and article on this topic.



Link to CNN Article: New Gym Turns Workouts Into Watts

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "Flowers for Algernon" Terms

The vocabulary terms for "Flowers for Algernon" have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms and the short story will be on Friday, December 14th.

2012 Dodgeball Tournament Champs!

Congratulations to Mrs. Porter's homeroom for winning the dodgeball tournament!

Egg Drop Awards: 2012-2013

Mr. Wolf's 8th grade science class conducted an egg drop activity as one of the final projects for the physical science portion of the school year. The objective of the activity was to utilize physics concepts learned in class to design and construct a capsule that will protect a raw egg (from breaking) as it is dropped from an elevated position.

English Bonus Opportunity for the Second Quarter!

The students in Mrs. Porter's English 8 and Advanced English 8 classes have a chance to earn bonus this nine weeks by participating in the Letters About Literature Contest. Students who are interested in earning bonus are to click the helpful links provided and to follow all of the directions.  The submissions will be collected and mailed together by Mrs. Porter.  The last day to turn in the bonus is Friday, January 4th.  Please see Mrs. Porter for an entry form, if you are interested.

Letters About Literature Contest Overview

How to Enter 

Frequently Asked Questions

Science Class: November 9th

Please read all of the following items before beginning your assignment.  If you were absent yesterday, get the following handouts from the teacher:

• Problems on Energy
• Pendulum and Roller Coaster Online Lab
• Chapter 9: Energy (Guided Notes)

A. Examine the answer key from last night's homework: "Problems on Energy"

• Check to see if you were using the proper formula and processes.
• Ensure that you showed your work for each question.
• Check to see if you have the right answer with the proper units
• Remember that 1 Newton-Meter is equal to 1 Joule 

B. Complete the "Pendulum and Roller Coaster Online Lab" that was given to you yesterday.

• Your username and password is listed at the top of the lab. 
• Any letter of the alphabet will work for the last part of the username/password as long as you use that same letter for both the username and password.
• The "Energy of a Pendulum" portion of the lab, 1st page (front and back), will be graded for completion. 
• The "Roller Coaster Physics" portion of the lab, 2nd page, will be counted as bonus points if it is completed. 
• The due date for the lab is Thursday, November 15th.

C. Don't forget that your Rube Goldberg Project is due Monday, November 12th. Ask the teacher for paper if you need it for your poster. If you don't have a working video to turn in to Mr. Wolf, then you need to do a poster.  Example posters should be displayed in the front of the computer lab.

D. If you still need to improve your "Chapter 8: Work and Machines" Quia score:

• Follow the instructions: "Science Class: November 7th" 
• All attempts must be completed by Monday

E. If you finish your online lab early, explore the "Energy Skate Park" simulation.

Science Class: November 7th

Please complete the following steps in order. Please remain silent and on-task during the entire class period.

1. Complete the Chapter 8 Quia Activity by clicking on the following link - Chapter 8: Work and Machines.  Read the guidelines below before starting.

Activity Guidelines

• You are allowed to take the activity up to three times. 
• You may use your notes, book, and internet to help you with the activity.  Don't forget that you can access the PowerPoint notes and other items from the chapter by using the "Science Materials" link listed on the right side of the blog. 
•  If you do not score a 30 out of 30 (100%), retake the activity until you score a perfect or you have used all three attempts. 
• Only your best score will be recorded in the gradebook (if it is higher than your benchmark score).
• All attempts for the activity must be completed by Monday, November 12th.  
• You may work on the activity at home.
• The activity can be saved if you are in the middle of an attempt at the end of the period. 
• You are not allowed to communicate the answers with other students.  The school’s cheating consequences will be followed if you are caught sharing answers. See your student handbook for more information.

2. Finish any work that you currently owe. Mr. Wolf will be around to let you know if you owe any work.

Past Due Assignments

• Chapter 6 Test Corrections - Due 10/31 - (Digital Copy of Handout)
• Work and Simple Machines - Web Activity: Due 11/2 - (Digital Copy of Handout)
• Webquest: Simple Machines - Web Activity: Due 11/2 -  (Digital Copy of Handout)
• Bell Work: 10/22-11/2 - Due 11/5 - (Digital Copy of Handout)

3. Once your finish all the above steps:

Option 1: Click on the following link to explore some interactive websites on simple machines.
Simple Machines: Interactive Websites

Option 2: Complete a "Read and React" paper for bonus.

Option 3: Individually work on your Rube Goldberg Project.  We will NOT be spending additional class time on this project.  Due 11/12 (Monday)

Test Date Change & New Vocabulary Terms for "Hallucination"

"The Tell-Tale Heart" test has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 31st for all of Mrs. Porter's English 8 classes. This will now be the first grade for the second nine weeks.  The vocabulary list for the short story, "Hallucination" has been posted on Quizlet.  Your test on these words and the short story will be on Thursday, November 8th. Mrs. Porter's Advanced English class will be taking the test as scheduled on Tuesday, October 30th due to their persuasive commercial project schedule.

Science Class: 10/29-10/30

Please complete the following items in order. Please remain quiet and on-task during the entire class period.

1. Open the "Work and Power" worksheet. Scroll through the document to find the answer key from last week's homework. Check your answers with the answer key provided.

2. Open the "Mechanical Advantage" worksheet. Scroll through the document to find the answer key from Friday's homework. Check your answers with the answer key provided.

NOTE: There is a small mistake on the answer key provided by the book.  Correction - Answer to Question 3-c. "1,800 N / 4 = 450 N"

3. Open the "Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency" answer key from Friday's homework. Check your answers with the answer key provided.

4. You should have read CH 8-3 over the weekend. Open "Chapter 8 - Work and Machines" PowerPoint. Go to slide 45.  Read through each slide in section 3 of the PowerPoint.  Complete the rest of your guided notes for chapter 8 as you view the presentation. Examine, in detail, how each simple machine (lever, included plane, wedge, wheel and axle, pulley, screw) makes work easier. Try to answer the review questions in your guided notes before you view the answers on the PowerPoint.

5. Complete the "Work and Simple Machines" activity. This handout will be provided for you by the teacher.  Ensure you fill in your answers on the answer sheet as you work through the activity. Turn in the activity sheet once you are finished.  Due Friday

Digital Copy of the Handout: Work and Simple Machines (Digital Copy)

6. Complete "Webquest: Simple Machines". This handout will be provided for you by the teacher. Ensure you write in the answers on your handout as you work through the activity. A digital copy is also available in the "Science Materials" website.  Turn in the activity sheet once you are finished.  Due Friday.

7. Click on "Science Materials" under the "Helpful Links" on the right side of the blog.  Please explore the new format of this website.  Try accessing the "Rube Goldberg Project" from the "CH 8 - Work and Machines" section.  Read through the project.  Let Mr. Wolf know if you have any issues.

8. If you finish early:
Option 1: Click on the following link to explore some interactive websites on simple machines.
Simple Machines: Interactive Websites
Option 2: Complete a "Read and React" paper for bonus.

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.

Science: Nate S.

English: James S.

Social Studies: Kate C.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Carlee P.

NFPA Fluid Power Challenge

Please see below for an enrichment opportunity.  If you are interested, please gather your team and see Mr. Wolf for further details.  If you are unable to gather your own team, Mr. Wolf will let you know if other students expressed interest.  The teams must be registered before December 5, 2012.  

COMPETITION INFORMATION

Workshop day: Thursday, March 21, 2013

Challenge day: Tuesday, May 7, 2013

NFPA Fluid Power Challenge is a skills based competition for middle school students. The program challenges the students to solve a real life engineering problem using fluid power (hydraulics and pneumatics).   The event includes a Workshop Day where teams come together to learn about fluid power, build a pneumatic lifter and receive their challenge kits. Teams then take their kits, including tools and supplies, back to school to work on the challenge problem, develop a portfolio, and then build a prototype.

On the Challenge Day, teams return to build their fluid power mechanisms and then compete in a timed competition. The teams of four students, ideally 2 girls and 2 boys, will need to attend both days.

Further Information about the Challenge can be found at http://www.nfpafoundation.org/FPChallenge/Index.aspx

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

The vocabulary terms for "The Tell-Tale Heart" have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms and the short story will be on Tuesday, October 30th.

How it works - The Incandescent Lightbulb

Energy 101: Light Bulbs

Energy 101: Light Bulbs

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "The Ransom of Red Chief" Terms

The vocabulary terms for "The Ransom of Red Chief" have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms and the short story will be on Thursday, October 25th.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "Raymond's Run" Terms

The vocabulary terms for "Raymond's Run" have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  The quiz on these terms and the short story will be on Friday, October 19th.

Spelling Bee

Attention Canonsburg Middle School students interested in the Spelling Bee: On Wednesday, October 31, 2012, the spelling bee will be held during homebase. One champion will be crowned. All interested 8th grade students should see Mrs. Porter in room 403 and all interested 7th grade students are to see Mrs. Drakeley in room 303 by Friday, October 26, 2012, to receive your list of study words.

Felix Baumgartner's Historic Jump

Learn more about Felix and the science behind his jump by visiting the Red Bull Stratos Website.

English Bonus Opportunity

                For bonus this nine weeks, you can read an accelerated reader novel of your choice.  The points that you earn from taking the test will be doubled and added to your total grade for the class. 

                If you decide to take on this challenge, you will have to select two novels from the library this time.  One of the novels that you select will still be counted as a grade in the second nine weeks.  The other novel will be for this bonus opportunity.  It is your choice as to which novel you use for the bonus and which novel you will use for your next accelerated reader quiz which is on Monday, November 5^th.

               You must have your accelerated reader bonus test handed in to me or Mrs. Barbarino by Friday, October 26^th so that the bonus can be added to your grade. 

*The instructions for the bonus were given to the students on Thursday, October 11th.*

Elements of Literature Terms

The elements of literature terms have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.  All of the terms must be defined in your glossary packet by Monday, October 15th.

Read & React: All Year Science Bonus Opportunity

The Supernova science students have the opportunity to earn bonus points throughout the year by completing open-ended "read and react" assignments. The students are to read about current events that relate to some of the science topics discussed in class. The written articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, online, etc. After reading the article, the students are to write a short reaction paper, at least one page in length, explaining how the article is related to the science topics discussed in class. This is an ongoing bonus opportunity offered throughout the year, up to a maximum of 10 points per nine weeks. Mr. Wolf has the discretion to determine the point value for each submission.

Advanced English 8: Extended Vocabulary List # 3

The terms for extended vocabulary list #3 have been posted on Quizlet. You may access the Quizlet website by clicking on the link.

The Supernova Sprint: 12-13

The 8th grade science students conducted a lab to analyze their velocity and acceleration throughout a 30 meter dash. Below is a short presentation of the Supernova students conducting their experiment.
 

Students of the Month: September

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

English: Kayla R.

Science: Jerry F.

Social Studies: Rodney T.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Nate S.

Mr. Wolf would like to remind his students that their next test is scheduled for Tuesday, September 25th.  Remember to study the following:

• CH 1-3: Models (Guided Notes)
• CH 1-4: Measurement (Guided Notes)
• Volume Lab Notes
• Mass Lab Notes
• Density Lab Notes
• CH 1-3 and CH 1-4 Study Guide

NOTE: Remember that almost every presentation, worksheet, lab, simulation, project, and online video can be viewed at home by clicking on the "Science Notes and Documents" link on the right hand side of the page.  Majority of the worksheets and other handouts given in class are printable.  If you experience any issues with a link, please let Mr. Wolf know by emailing him at the email address listed below.  If possible, the link will be updated or the requested document will be emailed to you.  

Mr. Wolf's Email: wolfp@cmsd.k12.pa.us    

Measurement Week: 12-13

The Supernovas just finished conducting various science labs that involved different types of measurement. The students practiced using units in the modern metric system while conducting their labs. 

9/18 - Length Lab
9/19 - Volume Lab
9/20 - Mass Lab
9/21 - Density Lab

eCYBERMISSION

eCYBERMISSION is a web-based Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition free for students in grades six through nine where teams can compete for State, Regional and National Awards while working to solve problems in their community.  Click on the link below for more information. 

eCYBERMISSION Website

Advanced English 8: Travel Blog

The Advanced English 8 students will be creating a travel blog on Kid Blog based on the city that they selected for their travel research projects. Edmodo will be used to connect the students to helpful tools to assist them while creating their blogs. All blogs are to be completed by Monday, October 1st.

Science Class: The First 3 Weeks

Mission Impossible

Mr. Wolf's science class conducted an activity on the third day of school that emphasized the importance of communication in science.  The students had to work together to accomplish a task that most thought were impossible

Breaking the Stereotype

Mr. Wolf's science classes were asked to sketch a scientist.  The majority of students shared certain characteristics in their sketches.   A student volunteer dressed up in each class as the "stereotypical" male scientist as the students named common items in their sketches.  After the activity, the students examined examples of real-life scientists in various fields of work.  The students had the chance to see that women can become scientists, and that not all scientists work in a lab, have crazy hair, carry around beakers, and wear lab coats.

The Scientific Method

After learning about how the American aviation pioneers, Orville and Wilbur Wright, used scientific processes while designing their aircraft, Mr. Wolf's science class took to the skies in an attempt to utilize the scientific method to improve on their own paper airplane design.

Steps of the Scientific Method:
1) Ask a question
2) Form a hypothesis
3) Test the hypothesis
4) Analyze the results
5) Draw conclusions
6) Communicate results

Scientific Models

The Supernovas took a hands-on and creative approach to learning about how physical models can be used to replicate an object on a more convenient scale.

Science Test Reminder: 9/11/12

Mr. Wolf would like to remind his students that their first test is scheduled for tomorrow.  Remember to study the following guided notes:

• Introduction to Physical Science and Earth Science
• The Scientific Method   

NOTE: Remember that almost every presentation, worksheet, lab, simulation, project, and online video can be viewed at home by clicking on the "Science Notes and Documents" link on the right hand side of the page.  Majority of the worksheets and other handouts given in class are printable.  If you experience any issues with a link, please let Mr. Wolf know by emailing him at the email address listed below.  If possible, the link will be updated or the requested document will be emailed to you. 

Mr. Wolf's Email: wolfp@cmsd.k12.pa.us