8th Grade Science - Guest Speaker

The 8th grade science classes welcomed Mark Kleinginna to CMS to share his knowledge and expertise in the energy field.  

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Rorschach Inkblot Test

The students pictured above are Mrs. Porter's period 6/7 English class. 

     The students are currently reading the short story, "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes.  The story is about a dynamic character named Charlie who is chosen to undergo an experimental surgery to increase a person's intelligence. Before Charlie was selected for the experimental surgery,  he was given a series of psychological tests.  One of the tests that was administered to Charlie was the Rorschach test.     

     The Rorschach test also known as the Rorschach inkblot test is a psychological test in which subjects' perceptions of inkblots are recorded and then analyzed using psychological interpretation, complex algorithms, or both. Some psychologists use this test to examine a person's personality characteristics and emotional functioning. It has been employed to detect underlying thought disorder, especially in cases where patients are reluctant to describe their thinking processes openly. The test is named after its creator, Swiss psychologist Hermann Rorschach. 

      The students assumed the role of a psychologist, created inkblots, and asked three other students what they thought his or her inkblot looked like.  The students recorded their responses and analyzed the results.  The students also decided if they thought this test was an effective way of determining someone's personality. 

     

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

The vocabulary list has been posted for the short story, "Flowers for Algernon" on Quizlet. 

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: Brandon J.
Science: Josh L.
English: Katelyn O.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Jordan U.

"Robo-Legs" & "Eureka: Scientific Twists of Fate" Research

  Both of the articles that the students are currently reading in Mrs. Porter's English class contain references to important people and events related to the selections’ essential question: How has science changed our lives? 

    To better understand these topics before reading, the students completed a mini-research project. The students selected a topic at random from an envelope. They were required to find six to eight facts by using the search engines provided by the school's library. The students were reminded to evaluate their resources as they worked. The topics researched were the C-Leg, prosthetics, robots in medicine, Isaac Newton, Dr. Edward Jenner, smallpox, Louis Pasteur, and Alexander Fleming.
    Next, the students met with the other students in the class that had selected the same topic. As a group, they selected what they thought were the six most interesting facts about their topic. Then, they created a poster and shared their information with the class.  As each group shared their information with the class, the students were encouraged to ask the presenting group questions.

   

Science Class: Friday - 12/5/14

You will not be getting into your groups today.  Please complete all the steps in order.

You may complete some of the "Presentation Notes" that are located at the back of your "Energy Research and Presentation Notes" packet while watching the videos.

1. Watch - Hydroelectric Power - How it Works (Headphones Required)

2. Watch - Nuclear Power - How it Works (Headphones Required)

3. Watch - Chain Reaction - Nuclear Power (Headphones Required)

4. Watch - Geothermal Power Plant (Headphones Required)

5. Watch - Biomass in Pennsylvania (Headphones Required)

6. Watch - Fossil Fuels - Electricity (Headphones Required)

7. Watch - Solar Powered House - Bill Nye (Headphones Required)

8. Once you have viewed ALL the above videos, you may use the rest of the time to research your specific energy resource.

• Energy Debate Information and Useful Websites

2014-2015 Carson Scholar Nominee

    Congratulations to Jenna Rush who has been nominated by Mrs. Porter as the Canonsburg Middle School's Carson Scholar Nominee.  Each teacher in the building has the opportunity to nominate one student for Dr. Taranto's approval, but only one student can be nominated to the Carson Scholars Fund by the Canonsburg Middle School.

    Jenna was selected because of her academic performance and her extensive list of service activities.  She has been approved as a nominee by the Carson Scholarship Foundation and now has to go through an extensive application process.  Please check back in March to see if she won the scholarship!

For more information on the Carson Scholarship, or to see the qualifications that a student must have to be nominated, please check out the Carson Scholars Fund website.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list has been posted on Quizlet for "Robo-Legs" and "Eureka: Scientific Twists of Fate".  The test on these terms will be Tuesday, December 9th.

Energy Research Debate General Information: 14-15

Energy Research Debate (Digital Copy)
Energy Research and Presentation Notes (Digital Copy)

Google Presentation (AKA: Google Slides) Due Date: December 15, 2014

• Create in Google Drive
• Share with Mr. Wolf: wolfp@cmsd.k12.pa.us
• Power Companies: Share with your group members
• Power Companies: Make sure your group members have permission to edit
• How to Name Your Google Presentation (AKA: Google Slides):
• Power Companies: classperiod_energyresource
• Example: 4-5_hydropower
• This would be the name of the file for the power company researching hydropower in my period 4-5 class.
• Panel Members: classperiod_energyresource_panel
• Example: 6-7_fossilfuels_panel
• This would be the name of the file for the panel member researching fossil fuels in my period 6-7 class.

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

Energy Resource Quiz (15 Points) - December 19th, 2014

Advanced English 8: Swarm Theory Mini-Research Project

    Bees, ants, and wasps are examples of highly social insects. Though individually not intelligent, as a group these insects are capable of highly complex behaviors. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as “swarm intelligence.”
    The students of Mrs. Porter's Advanced English class researched swarm intelligence because this topic was discussed in their last short story, "Hallucination". Their goal was to find out what insects and other animals show this type of intelligence and what complex behaviors they perform. With the information that they gathered, they made a poster showing what they had learned about swarm intelligence. The students also wrote a minimum of three paragraphs explaining their findings and also created a works cited page.

    The students also selected from one of the two essential questions to guide them with their research.  Question 1: How could studying swarm intelligence help humans solve real-world problems? or Question 2: Why are computer scientists interested in the idea of swarm intelligence?  To get inspired before they started their research, they listened to the Canonsburg Middle School Band's performance of a song called "Swarm Theory".    

Egg Drop Award: 14-15

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.

Kinetic and Potential Energy Lab

The Supernova students conducted a lab in science class to calculate the gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy of various objects.

English 8 & Advanced English 8 Bonus Opportunities

Bonus Opportunity # 1 
The Fairchild Challenge at Phipps Conservatory

This activity is optional and it is not a requirement for class. Once you have submitted your project to me, Ms. Moniodes, Enrichment Facilitator, will be selecting the entries that will be sent in to the competition. I will let you know if she selected your entry. If you have followed all of the directions, I will add 15 bonus points to your grade. If Ms. Moniodes selected your project as one of the two entries from our school, I will give you an additional two points. This bonus is due by Wednesday, December 3rd because Ms. Moniodes needs to submit all entries by Friday, December 5th.

Your Challenge: The close relationship between people and plants is nowhere more obvious than in the plants we consume for food. For this challenge, students will explore the theme of people and edible plants. Examples include harvesting, food preparation, food shopping and how/where/when we eat plant foods. Environmentally-themed photos are encouraged.

Entry Requirements:

• Create an original photo essay comprised of three photos. 
• On a separate sheet of paper, write a brief caption (150 words maximum) to explain how your photo essay illustrates the relationship between people and edible plants. Also, include a list of the scientific and common names for the featured plant(s), as well as native region of the plant(s). 
• Photo size: 8” x 10” for each photo (8 ½” x 11” standard computer paper is acceptable). 
• Name of school and student photographer(s) must be on back of photo 

Bonus Opportunity #2

Elks Drug Awareness Essay Contest

This activity is optional and it is not a requirement for class. The following directions were provided from The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Once you have submitted your project, I will be selecting the entries that will be sent in to the competition. I will let you know if I selected your entry. If you have followed all of the directions, I will add 15 bonus points to your grade. If I select your project as an entry from our school, I will give you an additional 2 points. This bonus is due by Thursday, December 18th because I need to submit all entries by Friday, December 19th.

The theme for the 2014-2015 contest is: “Refuse to Use…You’re Never Alone”

Rules:

• The contest is open to all 8th grade students. 
• Participants must write their essay themselves, but they may get help from teachers, parents, or friends in the form of ideas. 
• No longer than 200 words 
• Must be on 8 ½ x 11 paper 
• Handwritten or hand-printed (No typed or computer generated text.) 

Judging will be based on the following:

• Closeness to the theme 
• Neatness 
• Originality 
• Correct grammatical structure 

Each entry must have the following information on the back of the essay:

• Student’s full name, grade, address, and home phone number 
• School’s name, school’s address, school’s phone number 
• Elk’s Log Name & Contact Info.: 

Canonsburg Elks #846
600 Ridge Avenue
Canonsburg, PA 15317

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "Hallucination" Terms

The vocabulary list for "Hallucination" has been posted on Quizlet.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "The Monkey's Paw" Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list for "The Monkey's Paw" has been posted on Quizlet.  Your test on these terms will be on Thursday, November 13th.

Science Class: 11/10/14

Please read all of the following items before beginning your assignment.  Don't forget that your Rube Goldberg project is due tomorrow.  If you owe any late work, please give your work to the teacher.  If you were absent Friday, get the following handouts from the teacher:

• Pendulum and Roller Coaster Online Lab
• Egg Drop Activity

A. If you still need to improve/take your CH 8 Schoology test, you may take your final attempt(s).

• All attempts must be completed by the end of class.

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

• 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 Friday, November 14th.

C. Examine the answer key from Thursday's homework if you are still confused with calculating K.E. and G.P.E.: "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 

D. If you finish everything else, explore the "Energy Skate Park" simulation.

"The Monkey's Paw" Mini-Research Activity and Gallery Walk

Directions for Class on Friday, November 7th 

You are to decide upon a common superstition to research from what we discussed as part of the bell work for today. You are to use the search engines on the LMC website (http://atthecmslmc.weebly.com/) and click on the “Ready to Research” tab.  You are permitted to use any of the search engines provided on this page.  You do not need to create a works cited page for this in-class assignment. 

Once you have recorded your findings in the packet, you are to create a poster that depicts your superstition and incorporates some of the facts that you learned about it.  Your poster should be an “infograph,” meaning that it is to be a combination of illustrations and written words (your facts) to help the viewer(s) understand the topic. 

When ten minutes remain in class, you will display your poster on the bulletin board in the back of the room so that others can view your work while you view the work of others.  You must complete a gallery walk exit slip on another student's work.

Research Questions

1.  What is the superstition that you are researching?

2.  Where did this superstition originate or come from (location)?

3.  Can this superstition be tied to a specific person or group of people?

4.  What is the story behind this superstition?

5.  Are there other forms or variations of this superstition, perhaps in modern times or from other countries?

6.  If a person believes in this superstition, how do they react when presented with whatever the superstition is?  (Include whether this is harmless or potentially life-interfering belief.)

The Other Midnight Riders Cross-Curricular Project

      The students read and discussed the poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride” in English class with Mrs. Porter.  While in social studies with Mr. Faith, the students studied Colonial America.  For the project, the students were to research the other midnight riders who assisted in warning the people about the impending British attack.  The students were to determine how accurate Henry Longfellow’s poem was as compared to the actual historical accounts.  The students researched and analyzed the real-life accounts of the other midnight riders in order to gain a richer knowledge of the events that lead up to the American Revolution.  After the research was completed, the students rewrote Longfellow’s poem.  However, this time, the students were to be as close to the actual events as possible in their poems.  By writing their own historically accurate poems, they gave each rider the credit that they deserved for their contributions to the American Revolution.      

Standards Covered:   Social Studies: 8..3 America History  & English 1.3.8A-F, H-L; 1.4.8.M-W 

Pictured above are group members analyzing the poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride”.

 Pictured above are students gathering research on the other midnight riders.

Pictured above are students composing their historically accurate poems.

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: Max S.
Science: Cameron W.
English: Lily O.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Caitlin K.

Science Class: 10/27/14-10/28/14

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

1. If you did not complete your CH 8 guided note packet on Friday:

• Open "Chapter 8 - Work and Machines" PowerPoint.
• Go to slide 38 and check your answers to the key questions for section 2.  
• 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. 

2. 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 11/5/14)

3. 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.  Turn in the activity sheet once you are finished.  (Due 11/5/14 - Bonus)

4. Click on "Science Materials" under the "Helpful Links" on the right side of the blog.  Please explore the 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.

5. 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.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: The Hitchhiker Terms

The vocabulary list for The Hitchhiker has been posted on Quizlet.  The test on these terms will be Thursday, October 23rd. You can access the link by clicking the title of the radio play.

Read and 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 4 points per nine weeks. Mr. Wolf has the discretion to determine the point value for each submission based on accurate scientific content, ability to make an accurate connection to class, neatness, and length.  Typically, each submission is worth no more than 2 bonus points.

Science Friction

The Supernova students conducted a quick lab in science class to examine various types of friction.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Friday, October 3rd

English 8

Option 1: 
You are to log on to No Red Ink.  If you need assistance with this, you are to check the blog post from Friday, September 5th with the instructions. You will have to scroll down on the blog because there have been many posts since I made that post.

When you have logged on, you will see that you have an assignment labeled: 
"Benchmark 1 Practice" 
You can complete the assignment labeled "Grammar Practice 1: Sentences and Fragments", too. If you did this assignment before, you do not have to do it again.  However, it is excellent practice for your benchmark test that begins on Monday, October 6th. 

(Note: If your teacher used No Red Ink last year, you should "leave" that class so that you don't get confused about what you need to do when you log on to No Red Ink.)

Both of these assignments have 50 questions.  These assignments are not for a grade!


Option 2:
You can work on the bonus assignment that is due October 20th.  This assignment is optional!  The post describing the bonus assignment is from Friday, September 5th as well.


Option 3:  
You can read your independent novel.  The AR quiz is on Monday, October 13th.

Advanced English 8

You are to read your independent novel.  If you are done with your independent novel, you are to begin working on your independent novel project.  The sheet with the instructions was distributed in class on Wednesday, October 1st. 

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.

Science: Claire F.
English: Caitlin K.
Social Studies: Natalie W.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Estee C.

Supernova Sprint: 14-15

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

Measurement Week: 14-15

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.

9/15 - Length Lab
9/16 - Volume Lab
9/17 - Mass Lab
9/18 - Density Lab

English 8 & Advanced English 8: "The Tell-Tale Heart" Vocabulary List

The vocabulary list for "The Tell-Tale Heart" has been posted on Quizlet. The vocabulary practice homework is due on Thursday.

Advanced English 8: Extended Vocabulary List # 3

Extended Vocabulary List # 3 has been posted on Quizlet.  You can access the list by clicking the link.  The quiz will be on Thursday and worth 10 points.

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Class on Friday, September 12th

First:
You are to log on to No Red Ink using the account that you created last week in class.  If you need assistance with this, you are to check the blog post from last week with the instructions. You will have to scroll down on the blog because there have been many posts since I made that post.

When you have logged on, you will see that you have an assignment labeled: 
Grammar Practice 1: Sentences and Fragments
(Note: If your teacher used No Red Ink last year, you should "leave" that class so that you don't get confused about what you need to do when you log on to No Red Ink. 

This assignment has 50 questions.  This assignment is not for a grade.

Second:
When you have finished the assignment in No Red Ink, you are to log on to the online textbook by using the links on the Supernova Team blog.

Step 1: You are to log on and click the link that says "Go to the Online Textbook" which appears next to the picture of the book.

Step 2: Select from the first drop-down menu "Unit 1: Plot and Conflict" and "The Ransom of Red Chief" from the second and click "Go!"

Step 3: Click the tab that says "Student Resources" 

Step 4: You are to go through the "Level Up" activities under the heading "Online Extras". You are to go through the level up activities for conflict, making predictions, and fragments and run-ons.  * For each of the three level up activities you need to click the "Tutorial" tab first and then click the "Practice" tab. 

Step 5:  If you get done with this, you can click on the "Grammar Notes: Run-On Sentences".

Third:
You can also use the link on the Supernova Team blog for Quizlet and practice your vocabulary terms for your test on Tuesday.  Be sure that you are selecting the list for "The Ransom of Red Chief". 

Reminder:  The work for "The Ransom of Red Chief" is due on Monday.

ACS - National Chemistry Week: 2014 Illustrated Poem Contest

The Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society (ACS) is sponsoring an illustrated poem contest for students in Kindergarten - 12th grade.

Contest Deadline: Entries must be received by Friday, October 24, 2014.

Details: Contest Information

Scientific Models: 14-15

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. In addition to physical models, the students also learned about mathematical and conceptual models.

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

The vocabulary list for "The Ransom of Red Chief" have been posted on Quizlet.  You may access the website by clicking on the link.  The vocabulary practice assignment is due on Thursday, September 11th.

Advanced English 8: Extended Vocabulary List # 2

Extended vocabulary list # 2 has been posted on Quizlet.  You can access the list by clicking the link.  The quiz will be on Friday and worth 10 points.

Science Class: Schoology Sign-Up

1. Sign-in to: Schoology

• Note: If you do not already have a Schoology account, you will need to create one using the access code listed below and your school email/password.  You will also need to enter your first name, last name, and your birthday.

2. Click on "Courses" and select "Join"

3. Enter the following access code: 9VVJQ-Z7FFN

4. Explore the Schoology site, the Supernova Blog, and/or the Science Materials page while the rest of the class completes the sign-up process.

The "Wright" Stuff

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

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Schoology Instructions

Step 1:  Go to Schoology

Note: If you already have a Schoology account, you do not need to create a new one.  You just need to log in using your username and password and click courses. Next, you will click join, add your class code from the list below, and click join. (If you created a Schoology account for another class and did not follow the directions that I have below for new users, you need to edit this in Schoology.) 

Step 2:  Click the blue sign up button in the top right-hand corner of the screen and click student.

Step 3:  Enter the access code for your class period.  The best option is to copy and paste from the list below.

Period 1:    N8F8Z-NQ2V5

Period 4/5: T6TJ2-N87WW

Period 6/7: CVX7W-QHFB3

Period 10:  FNVZJ-62GQ6

Period 11:  SP5ZW-6KQ25

Step 4: Type your first and last name

Step 5: Type your school email which is 19 your last name first initial (in most cases) @ cmsd.k12.pa.us

Step 6: Type your password which is your student I.D. number followed by cmsd.

Step 7: Select your birthday from the drop-down menu.  This is just to verify your age for access to the site. 

Step 8: Click the blue register button.  

English 8 & Advanced English 8: NO RED INK Instructions

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. 

Note: If you already have a No Red Ink account, you do not need to create a new one.  You just need to log in using your username and password. You will copy and paste the class code from the list below and click join class. (If you created a No Red Ink account for another class and did not follow the directions that I have below for new users, you need to edit this in No Red Ink.) 

Directions for an Account with No Red Ink

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

Step 2: In the center of the page, it says: "Sign up for free" and click student.

Step 3: 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 1: English 8: Class Code: 45574a52

Period 4/5: English 8: Class Code: bbf55b6a

Period 6/7: English 8: Class Code: 2e0bd751

Period 10: Advanced English 8: Class Code: fe86a87e

Period 11: English 8: Class Code: 544cb6ef

Step 4: Type in your username.  It has to be 19 your last name first initial (You are to use whatever you use to log on to the student computers or the first part of your school email address.)

Step 5: Type in your password.  It has to be your student ID number followed by cmsd

Step 6: Type your first name, last name, and select your gender.

Step 7: Click the box to agree to the privacy policy.

You are to use this site to practice grammar skills.

Science Homework and Bonus Opportunity: Designing a Controlled Experiment

Required Homework:

• Complete the following paper: Designing a Controlled Experiment
• Due: 9/12/14
• This homework assignment is worth 2 points.

Optional Bonus Opportunity (4 Bonus Points Possible): 

• Actually conduct the experiment that you designed during the homework.
• 2 Bonus Points: Provide visual proof that you conducted the experiment.  
• This can be as simple as a photograph of your experiment. 
• 2 Bonus Points: Organize the data you collected in a chart, table, graph, or written paragraph.  
• This bonus work can be turned in with the homework, or it can be emailed to Mr. Wolf.  
• Due: 9/12/14 - (Unless arrangements are made with Mr. Wolf due to your experiment requiring additional time.)

Are any of Mrs. Porter's students Interested in bonus?

You can earn 15 bonus points in English by entering The Sky's the Limit Writing Contest.  In order to receive the bonus points, you must follow all of the requirements that are specified on the contest's website. The deadline to submit the project to Mrs. Porter is October 20th so that the bonus points can be added to the first quarter's grade.  The contest's official deadline is November 1st.  

Advanced English 8: Extended Vocabulary List # 1

The first extended vocabulary list for the year has been posted on Quizlet.  You can access the list by clicking the link.  The quiz will be on Friday and worth 10 points.

Everyone's a Star on the Supernova Team!

Supernova students took part in a "getting to know you" activity in Social Studies class this week. Students were randomly placed into groups in order to get to know students from different social circles. Once in groups, the students shared their interests and activities with their partners. Next, their partners created personalized stars to be placed on their lockers.

The 1st Week: Science Class

Mission Impossible

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

Welcome 2014-2015 Supernovas!

Welcome to the CMS Supernova team blog.  Please use the blog to view announcements and updates throughout the school year.  Utilize the "helpful links" on the right-hand side of the page to access commonly used team resources.  We hope you have an enjoyable 8th grade year!

Reminder:

• Handbook Forms (Yellow) - Due 8/29/14
• Return to your homebase teacher
• Emergency Cards - Due 8/29/14
• Return to your homebase teacher
• T-Shirt Orders (Optional) - Due 9/5/14
• Return to Mr. Wolf

The Giver Movie

The Giver movie will be in theaters on August 15th! Click on the embedded link to visit the movie's interactive website and to watch previews of the film.

Supernova Students of the Year: 2013-2014

The following students have been selected as the Supernova Students of the Year for the 2013-2014 school year.

Science: Jessica C.

Social Studies: Sophia K.

English: River I.

Outstanding Citizenship: Kiara W.

I Never Saw Another Butterfly Web Quest

Once you have completed the penny project research packet, narrative, and works cite page, you are to pick up the packet and start the I Never Saw Another Butterfly web quest.

There's a Penny on the Floor Project

    Have you ever wondered where your money has been before it makes it to you?  The journey could be very interesting in some cases.  You are going to imagine the first year of “life” that your penny had and write a narrative explaining its journey.  

    You are going to answer the 13 questions that you received in your project packet.  As you gather research, you are required to keep track of your sources in NoodleTools.  You are also encouraged to use Mrs. Barbarino's Ready to Research? link on the LMC website.       After you have completed your research, you will be writing a narrative that incorporates six of the facts that you gathered.  The completed penny project packet (worth 30 points), the narrative that incorporates six facts and the works cited page that follows the guidelines that are specified in the project packet (worth 100 points) are due on Wednesday, June 4th.  If you fail to complete this project by the deadline, you will not be attending 8th grade Appreciation Day. If you were absent from class, you will be given an extension to complete this project.