Students of the Month: May

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

Science: Collin W.
Social Studies: Blaise P. 
English: Melanie J.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: John M.

Project Based Learning: Behind the Switch

Canonsburg Middle School, in partnership with CONSOL Energy, provided students the opportunity to conduct project-based learning (PBL) relating to the use of fossil fuels, both now and in the future, as viable energy sources.  The students had the option to create a learning center, documentary, or website. 

Throughout the process, the students had virtual contact with their CMS Science Teachers, CONSOL representatives, and fellow group members through the “Behind the Switch” Wikispace. Chromebooks were issued to each student as a general tool to aid with the project.

The students presented their projects at Frank Sarris Public Library.  In attendance were representatives from CONSOL, parents, Canon-McMillan Administrators, CMS Science Teachers, and members of the media.  The Supernova team representatives were Katelyn S, Antonia G, and Megan G.  They did a fantastic job with their presentation! They created a website that can be viewed at the following link: https://sites.google.com/a/cmsd.k12.pa.us/consol-environmental-tech/home

Below are some pictures from the presentations:

Observer-Reporter Article: http://www.observer-reporter.com/or/story11/06-02-2012-Canon-Mac-students-work-with-Consol-Energy-

Canon-McMillan Patch Article: http://canon-mcmillan.patch.com/articles/canonsburg-middle-school-students-partner-with-consol-energy-on-research-projects

Science Class: 5/29/12 - 5/30/12

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

1. Finish your guided notes on volcanoes using the following link: "Chapter 9 - Volcanoes."  Please take your time and read the information that is given.  Also, examine all pictures and diagrams.

2. Complete "Mr. Wolf's Science Survey: 2011-2012" to provide feedback on your experience in science class this year.  This data will be used to help Mr. Wolf improve his class.

3. Complete "Webquest: Tornadoes and Hurricanes."  Make sure you have a paper copy.  This assignment will be graded for accuracy.  Please take your time.

4. Complete the guided notes for "Chapter 16-3: Severe Weather."  Make sure you have a paper copy.

5. Complete all missing/late assignments.

6.  Once have completed all the steps listed above, please choose from the following options.  Do not log off your computer or work on material from another class.  Most of the websites listed below utilize sound.  Please use headphones if they are available.

• Explore: Inside a Tornado 
• Explore: Chasing Tornadoes
• Explore: Storm Surge Animation
• Complete a "Read and React" paper.
• Complete "Calendar Enrichment/Bonus"
• National Geographic: Volcanoes 101 (Video)
• Explore:  Weather World
• How the Earth Was Made - Hawaii (Video)

Science Class: 5/24/12

Please complete all steps in order.  Please remain quiet and on task during the entire class period.

1.  Complete any missing assignments.

2.  Ensure you have a paper copy of the "Volcano Research Activity."  Complete the activity after reading the following information/instructions.

• Helpful Websites: http://www.diigo.com/user/wolfpaul/volcanoes.  The links that state "research various volcanoes" will help you find information on specific volcanoes.  
• When you get to the section that allows you to use "Google Earth," you are only permitted to use the application to complete the task of locating volcanoes.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in additional work and/or loss of computer privileges.  
• Google Earth Volcanoes Link: Once the link opens click on "Open in Google Earth" for all the full functions. 

3.  If you finish early you may choose from the following options:

• Explore the helpful websites listed above.
• Explore other volcanoes using the Google Earth volcano link listed above
• Explore information on earthquakes using the following link:  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/ 
• Complete a "Read and React" paper for bonus.

Career Research Cross-Curricular Project

The Supernova Team just finished the career research unit.  The students selected and researched a career of their choice.  The students wrote a research paper for English class which followed the MLA format.  In social studies, the students designed career brochures and powerpoint presentations that were used at the career fair which took place in the school's library. 

Science Class: 5/22/12 (Tuesday)

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

1. Click on the link below to complete an earthquake quiz. You are allowed to take the quiz up to three times. If you do not score a 25 out of 25 (100%), retake the quiz until you score a perfect or you have used all three attempts. Only your best score will be recorded in the gradebook. You may use your notes, book, and internet to help you with the quiz.

• Chapter 8 - Sections 1 & 2 Online Quiz (Earthquakes)
• Chapter 8 - Sections 1 & 2 (Earthquakes) - PowerPoint Notes

2.  Please complete all missing/late assignments.

3. Complete: "Webquest: Earthquakes".  (DUE Tomorrow: 5/23/12)

• Show your green certificate (5 points) to Mr. Wolf once you reach step 4.  If you complete this assignment outside of class, you must print or email your certificate to Mr. Wolf.  
• When working on the National Geographic website, please take your time and read through each step on the lab.  DO NOT SKIP TO TAB 7.  
• When completing step 16: Click on "Real-Time Earthquake Map" to help you answer this question. 
•  Don't forget about the optional bonus paragraph. 
• Please turn in the webquest paper once it is complete.  (7 points)

4. If you finish early, please choose from the following options:

• Explore Volcanoes (National Geographic):  http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/forces-of-nature/ (CLICK ON THE VOLCANO TAB)
• Explore Virtual Volcanoes:  http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/pompeii/interactive/interactive.html
• Complete a "Read and React" bonus paper

The terms for "The Hitchhiker" have been posted on Quizlet. You may access the Quizlet website by clicking the link in the title of the radio play.

The Advanced English 8 students read the play, "The Diary of Anne Frank" and the novel, The Diary of a Young Girl. As a culminating activity, the students selected from six quotes from Anne's diary. The quotes were based on the themes of freedom, goodness, giving, courage, happiness, and humanity. Each student wrote an essay about the ways that he or she had been inspired by the life of Anne Frank to value that specific theme in his or her own life. The students also created a leaf based on one of the six themes. Each student wrote Anne's quote on one side of the leaf and his or her own original quote on the other side of the leaf. This project was based on the Anne Frank Tree Interactive Monument. Anne Frank often admired the chestnut tree in the courtyard behind the secret annex and wrote about the tree in her diary.

The students pictured above with our Anne Frank Tree are Kate, Brittany, and Taylor.  The tree was placed in the auditorium for the Holocaust survivor speaker. 

For more information, you can visit the Anne Frank Tree Interactive Monument. You can also leave your own quote or message on the virtual tree.

Solar System Song

Below is a student created song on the solar system.

The students of Mrs. Porter's English 8 and Advanced English 8 classes are writing career research papers. The students will be completing their research in the CMS Library and are to use the career pathfinder to gather research. The students are encouraged to use the Purdue OWL website to assist them with using MLA format for the in-text citations. The students will be using NoodleBib to create their works cited pages. The papers are due at the end of class on Wednesday, May 16th. The students will also be holding a career fair in the school's library.