Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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.

Monday, October 29, 2012

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

Thursday, October 25, 2012

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.

Friday, October 19, 2012

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.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

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.

Monday, October 15, 2012

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.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Thursday, October 11, 2012

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 5th.
               You must have your accelerated reader bonus test handed in to me or Mrs. Barbarino by Friday, October 26th 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.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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.

Monday, October 8, 2012

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.

Monday, October 1, 2012

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.