Monday, August 29, 2016

Required Homework and Bonus Opportunity: Designing a Controlled Experiment

Required Homework:
Optional Bonus Opportunity (2 Bonus Points Possible)
  • Actually conduct the experiment that you designed during the homework.
    • 1 Bonus Point: Provide visual proof that you conducted the experiment.  
      • This can be as simple as a photograph of your experiment. 
    • 1 Bonus Point: 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: 9/9/16 - (Unless arrangements are made with Mr. Wolf due to your experiment requiring additional time.)

Friday, August 26, 2016

English 8 & Advanced English 8: No Red Ink Quotes Practice Activity

Once you have completed your book cover project and your outline for your informal presentation, you are to log-on to No Red Ink and complete the "Quotes Practice" that has been assigned to you.

This practice is NOT graded.  No Red Ink requires that a point value is placed on the assignment, but this practice will not count as a grade. You can use your score to assess your own performance.

This practice will prepare you for an upcoming writing assignment.

If you do not get to complete the No Red Ink practice today, it is not homework.  You will have an opportunity to complete this practice next week.




Thursday, August 25, 2016

English 8 & Advanced English 8: Online Account & Class Instructions

Task #1: Schoology Instructions
(Period 10 is to skip Task #1)

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 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.

Class Names                                                   Codes

Mrs. Porter’s English 8: 16-17: Period 1        QSMN4-K4KG8

Mrs. Porter’s English 8: 16-17: Period 4/5      HW7FT-9PV36

Mrs. Porter’s English 8: 16-17: Period 6/7      GMGZR-64S3D

Mrs. Porter’s English 8: 16-17: Period 11       WCSRK-NXPQD

Step 4: Type your first and last name

Step 5: Type your school email which is 21 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.

Task #2: No Red Ink Instructions

No Red Ink is a web-based learning platform that helps students to improve their grammar and writing skills.  You are to follow the directions below to 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.  If you had a No Red Ink account last year for another class, you are to remove yourself from that 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 Creating an Account with No Red Ink

Step 1: Go to No Red Ink

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.

Class Names                                           Codes

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 1: 16-17                 chhxacxf

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 4/5: 16-17 ca9kcwae

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 6/7: 16-17 kwmda8md

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 10: 16-17 wkcv3vh9

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 11: 16-17 md93kmax

Step 4: Type in your username.  It has to be 21 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.

Step 8: You are to select your preferences. The website will prompt you to do this.

Task #3: Online Lesson

You are to complete the level-up activity by using the online textbook.  All of the instructions are on the sheet. Please be sure that you are completing all parts of the activity.  You will need headphones to complete this task. When you select your username and password pair from the list, you are to select your desk number.

Task #4: Gathering Book Cover Supplies

If you finish the online textbook activity, you can begin or continue to gather supplies online for your book cover.  All supplies are to be brought with you to class tomorrow.  Please let me know if you need a pass to the LMC or computer lab 312 for tomorrow morning to print out your supplies. 

Monday, August 22, 2016

Advanced English 8: A Long Walk to Water AR Quiz & Discussion # 1 on Schoology

Activity #1: Accelerated Reader Instructions


Step 1: You will use the Accelerated Reader Quiz Link under the Helpful Links on the Supernova Team Blog.

Step 2: You will take the AR Quiz on A Long Walk to Water.  (You can check for your AR username and password on the list on the front table.) You are able to use the novel while taking the quiz.
  


Activity #2: Schoology Instructions & Schoology Discussion Directions


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, 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 sign up button in the top right-hand corner of the screen and click student.

Step 3: Enter the access code.

Advanced English 8 Class Code for Schoology

Mrs. Porter’s Advanced English 8: 16-17: Period 10:      3V2HC-24HKC

Step 4: Type your first and last name

Step 5: Type your school email which is 21 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.

 Schoology Discussion Directions

Once you have joined the class, you can begin the discussion.  You are to reference the rubric attached to each of the discussion questions.  This discussion is worth 8 points. You have to submit a response before you can see other responses from your class.  


Thursday, August 18, 2016

Welcome 2016-2017 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 - Beginning of the Year Forms to Turn-In:
  • Handbook Form (Yellow) - Due 8/31/16
    • Return to your homebase teacher
  • Emergency Card - Due 8/29/16
    • Return to your homebase teacher
  • T-Shirt Order (Optional) - Due 9/2/16
    • Return to Mr. Wolf