ATTENTION: SUPERNOVA BLOG BEING REPLACED BY SCHOOLOGY

The Supernova Blog will be discontinued and replaced by Schoology.  Each student has access to Schoology and uses it frequently in their classes. 

If you are a parent or guardian of a Supernova student, please talk with them if you would like to view their Schoology material.  I believe it is the intention of the school district to eventually grant parents/guardians "view only" access to their child's Schoology account.  

OK GO - Upside Down & Inside Out - Discussion Board Videos

Designing a Controlled Experiment - Required Homework and Bonus Opportunity

Required Homework:

• Complete the following paper: Designing a Controlled Experiment
• Due: 9/18/17
• This homework assignment is worth 2 points.

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.  Turn in your data along with your homework sheet.    
• This bonus work can be turned in with the homework, or it can be emailed to Mr. Wolf.  
• Due: 9/18/17 - (Unless arrangements are made with Mr. Wolf due to your experiment requiring additional time.)

Science Class: 12/17/18 (If Schoology Isn't Working)

If Schoology isn't working, follow the steps listed below:

1. Complete your "Energy Resources - Student Notes" using the Energy Infobook posted below.

• Energy Infobook

2. Extra Time: If Schoology is down and you can't complete your independent lesson, watch the video posted below.

• Powering the Future: The Energy Planet (Headphones Required)

Science Class: 9/1/17

Please complete the following steps in order. Please remain silent and on-task while given time to work on the Chromebooks.

1. Log-on to Schoology and complete the, "Procedures and Guidelines Check."  Please retake the check until you earn all 5 points.

• I am anticipating some issues with some of your Schoology accounts.  Please see me if you have issues logging into Schoology and accessing the activity.

2. Use the following PowerPoint to complete your guided notes for the scientific method.  Please take your time and read through each slide.

• The Scientific Method - PowerPoint Notes

3. Watch - What’s the Difference Between a Scientific Law and Theory? (Headphones Required)

4. Work on your "Science Career Picture and Paragraph" - Due 9/7/17

• You should have a paper copy of this.  

Welcome 2017-2018 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 9/06/17
• Return to your homebase teacher
• Emergency Card - Due 9/01/17
• Return to your homebase teacher
• T-Shirt Order (Optional) - Due 9/08/17
• Return to Mr. Wolf

Supernova Students of the Year (2016-2017)

The following students have been selected as the Supernova Students of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year.

Citizenship - Benton S.
Science - Charlize G.
English - Delaney L.
Social Studies - Max T.
(Pictured from left to right)

Mr. Wolf's Science Class Survey (2016-2017)

Please complete the following anonymous survey to help Mr. Wolf improve his science class.

• Mr. Wolf's Science Class (2016-2017)

Mr. Wolf's Scientific Scholars - 4th Nine Weeks

English Class on Wednesday, May 24th

For class today, you are to go to No Red Ink and complete the assigned activities.  The activities on No Red Ink are NOT GRADED.  You do not need headphones if you are on the No Red Ink website. 

When Disaster Strikes (Final Student Project)

FINAL CLASS ACTIVITY: When Disaster Strikes (Student Copy)

• Helpful Websites: https://www.diigo.com/user/wolfpaul/natural_disasters
• Google Presentation (AKA: Google Slides) Due Date: May 30th, 2017
  
  • Create in Google Drive
  • Share with Mr. Wolf: wolfp@cmsd.k12.pa.us
  • Share with all your group members
  • Make sure your group members have permission to edit
  • How to Name Your Google Presentation (AKA: Google Slides):
  • classperiod_yournaturaldisaster
  • Example: 4-5_hurricanes
  • This would be the name of the file for the group presenting on hurricanes in my period 4-5 class.
• What to Include in Your Google Slides Presentation 
• Title Slide - Include the name of your natural disaster and all of your group members.
• Define - Include a basic description of your natural disaster.
• Hazard Map (Likely Locations) - Include a visual map that shows areas that are more likely to experience your natural disaster. 
• Science Details and Diagrams - Include the details of how your natural disaster works.  Describe any scales that are used to measure or classify your natural disaster.  Have at least 1 diagram or other visual to help explain your natural disaster. 
• Warning Signs - List any warning signs that your natural disaster is about to happen. 
• Preparation and Emergency Kit - How should you prepare for your natural disaster? What items should you include in an emergency kit?
• How to React - How should you react during the natural disaster to increase your chance of survival? 
• What to Expect - What would you expect to take place while the natural disaster is occurring? What will be the aftermath?
• Case Studies - Provide as much details as possible for a real-life example of your natural disaster.
• Works Cited - Include a list of the resources that you used. 

Science Class: 5/17-5/19

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

1.  Complete: "Webquest: Earthquakes."  Read the instructions listed below before starting the webquest!!!!

• Show your green certificate (4 points) to Mr. Wolf once you reach step 4 on the webquest.  If you complete this assignment outside of class, you must print or email your certificate to Mr. Wolf.  
• Due 5/23/17
• 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.   
• Please turn in the webquest paper once it is complete.  (4 points)
• Due 5/23/17

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

• Watch: Raging Planet - Volcanoes (Headphones Required)
• Watch: Megaquake - The Hour the Shook Japan (Headphones Required)
• Link 1: Google Drive
• Link 2: SchoolTube
• Explore Volcanoes (National Geographic):  (CLICK ON THE VOLCANO TAB) 
• Explore Virtual Volcanoes:  http://discoverykids.com/games/volcano-explorer/
• Explore Additional Earthquake or Volcano Websites:
• Earthquake Websites
• Volcano Websites
• Complete a "Read and React" bonus paper

Students of the Month: May

Career Research Paper

No Red Ink Career Research Practice

Go to No Red Ink

You are to complete the “Career Research Practice” activity. The score that you receive from the activity will not be counted toward your grade. Reminder: No Red Ink allows the teacher to track the student’s performance to see which students are completing the assigned activity.  If you don't finish the activity in class today, you are encouraged to complete it for homework to prepare you for the career research paper.

Career Research Paper Resource

You are to use the Purdue OWL website to assist you with using the MLA format for your in-text citations. You will be using NoodleTools to create your works cited pages. 

Supernova Students of the Month: April

Astronomy: Think-Tac-Toe - 2016-2017

Mr. Wolf's 8th grade science classes are conducting a student choice activity in which they choose and complete astronomy activities.  The due dates for the activities are listed below.  The students are only required to complete one activity.  They can complete up to two additional activities for bonus points.

1st Submission (Required) - Due Date: May 4th (25 Points Possible)
2nd Submission (Optional) - Due Date: May 11th (2.5 Bonus Points Possible)
3rd Submission (Optional) - Due Date: May 18th (2.5 Bonus Points Possible)

Helpful Astronomy Websites

Astronomy Think-Tac-Toe (Printable PDF File)
Note: Students wishing to complete the wild card will need prior approval from Mr. Wolf.  The second and third submissions are worth 2.5 bonus points instead of the 25 points listed on the document.  Also, the students can select any of the projects listed on the board.  They do not need to get a winning tic-tac-toe board.  However, they cannot complete the same project twice.

Student Song Examples from Previous Years (Option # 2):
Solar System Song
Space Story Song

Science Class: 4/6/17

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

1. Watch: What If The Sun Disappeared?
2. Watch: Questions No One Knows the Answers to (Full Version)
3. Finish: The Planets of Our Solar System  - Note: You were given this in class yesterday.  If you were absent, extra copies can be found in the "Make-Up Work" area. 
4. If you finish the items above, please pick from the following options: 
• Explore: The Scale of the Universe
• Explore: Gravity and Orbits
• Explore: The Seasons
• Explore: Your Weight on Other Worlds
• Explore: Phases of the Moon
• Explore: Eclipses
• Explore: NASA
• Explore: Tides
• Explore: SciShow Space YouTube Channel
• Explore: A Guide To Space - Fraser Cain - YouTube Channel
• Explore: NASA - YouTube Channel
• Explore: Astronomy Crash Course - YouTube Channel

Anne Frank House Instructions

You are to use the embedded links to explore the Secret Annex that Anne called home during her time in hiding. You will need headphones for this activity.

The steps below take you through navigating the Anne Frank website. You are to take your time and explore. Along the top of the page is a bar with different options for you.

1. Click on the "Enter the 3D house" link at the top of the page and explore the 3D house. This page can take a while to load. You can get to the 3D house by clicking the Secret Annex link.

2. Click on the “About the house” link and explore the page. Be sure to click on the link that says “See it on Google StreetView”

3. Click on the “Who is who?” link and explore the page by clicking on the arrow beneath the person's picture and caption.

4. Click on the “Outcome” link and explore the page by clicking on the various links.

5. Finally, you are to explore the timeline to gain an understanding of that time period.

This can be an emotional and mature topic. If at any time, you are uncomfortable with the subject matter, you are just to click on another link. You do not have to view the entire Anne Frank site.

Students of the Month: March

Gravity and Orbits Simulation

Click to Run

Mr. Wolf's Scientific Scholars: 3rd Nine Weeks

Science Class: 3/22-3/24

Please complete all the steps in order when given time to use the Chromebooks during class.

1. Complete your Chapter 16 Test on Schoology.  - Due 3/23

2. Complete: Webquest: Tornadoes and Hurricanes - Due 3/28 

• Link to the Website Used: http://www.nationalgeographic.org/interactive/forces-nature/
• This will be graded for accuracy.  Please take your time.
• Turn this in once it is complete.

3. Complete any late work that you owe.  

4.  Once have completed all the steps listed above, please choose from the following options.  

• Explore: NOAA - Severe Weather 101
• Explore: Storm Surge Animation
• Explore: The National Hurricane Center
• Explore: Live Science - Tornadoes
• Explore: Inside a Tornado (Headphones Required)
• Explore: Chasing Tornadoes (Headphones Required)
• Explore: Interactives - Weather
• Watch: Raging Planet - Lightning (Headphones Required)
• Watch: Raging Planet - Tornadoes (Headphones Required)
• Watch: Raging Planet - Hurricanes (Headphones Required)
• View: CH 16-3 - Severe Weather (PowerPoint)
• Complete a "Read and React" paper.

Delaney L. is the 2017 Carson Scholar!

Delaney L. has been selected as the 2017 Carson Scholar for the Canonsburg Middle School. A teacher is permitted to nominate and submit an application for one student out of the entire school who fits the description of a Carson Scholar. The contest was open to all students at the Canonsburg Middle School who met the academic requirements. Mrs. Porter was Delaney's nominating teacher and was required to write about her reading activity, attitude toward learning, leadership ability, scholastic work ethic, motivation, and achievements. Delaney was also required to list her school activities, extracurricular activities, community service, and she wrote an essay based on a given prompt.

Delaney will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for her college education. Her academic achievements and service to her community are what make her a future leader of tomorrow. Delaney will also receive a medal, certificate, and her name on the Carson Scholar Trophy at Canonsburg Middle School. In addition, Delaney has been invited to attend the Pittsburgh Carson Scholars Fund's Annual Awards Banquet.

Students of the Month: February

Oroville Dam - Nearly 200,000 Evacuated

ABC News Video Link

Symbolic Mask Project

"Is beauty truly in the eye of beholder?" was the essential question that the students focused on while reading and discussing "the lesson of the moth" and "Identity".  After analyzing the symbolism in both poems, the students were tasked with designing their own masks that represented who they are on the inside.  The students were instructed not include images that have to do with their outward appearance.  Instead of the masks covering students' identities, the masks that the students created were used to represent those traits that others may not usually notice.

Pictured above are Jada M. and Jadine V. with their masks. 

CH 10: Weather and Soil Formation - Vocabulary

Students of the Month: January

Science Class: Minerals and Rocks (1/23-1/27 and 1/30)

During class, you will be given time to work on the Chromebooks.  Please complete the following steps in order.

1.  Complete and turn in the "Mineral Identification" Gizmo activity.

• Website Used: https://www.explorelearning.com/
• You do NOT need to complete: "3. On your own" 
• Note: The Mineral Key is on the last few pages of the packet. 
• Due: 1/25

2.  Complete and turn in: "Web Activity: Rocks & the Rock Cycle"

• This assignment will have two separate grades.
• The packet will be graded for completion.
• The 15 point quiz at the end of the activity will also be graded.
• You may take the 15 point quiz at the end of this activity as many times as you like before reporting your score to Mr. Wolf.  
• If you take the quiz at home, please print the first page that shows your name and score.  You do not need to print the other pages.  
• The test results AND packet are both due 1/31.

3. Pick from the following options once everything above has been completed:

• Mountain Scavenger Hunt - 2 BONUS POINTS!!! - Due 1/30
• Website Used: http://www.mountainprofessor.com/
• The History of the Earth - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room. 
• What Does the Earth Look Like? - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room.
• How the Earth Was Made (Ring of Fire) - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room.
• How the Earth Was Made (Hawaii) - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room.
• Rocks - Additional Websites - Explore
• Volcanoes: Interactive - Explore
• Virtual Volcano - Explore
• CH 4 Vocabulary - Study
• Science Simulations (Gizmos) - Explore - Use the same username and password that you used for the Mineral Identification activity.  See Mr. Wolf if you don't remember your username and password.  

Mr. Wolf's Scientific Scholars - 2nd Nine Weeks

"Flowers for Algernon" Cooperative Reading Groups

The students of Mrs. Porter's English 8 classes are currently reading the short story, "Flowers for Algernon".  Before the students started reading, they discussed identifying character traits, examining the structure of a text, and the author, Daniel Keyes.  The students also discussed how a short story or novel is adapted in to a screenplay, and the author, Stirling Silliphant, who adapted "Flowers for Algernon" into the screenplay, Charly.

While reading the story and the excerpt from the screenplay, the students worked in cooperative reading groups. The students analyzed the story by tracing the main character's dynamic change and his changing character traits.  The students also worked on a discussion guide as a group and analyzed the structure of the text.

Plate Tectonics: Online Activity

During class, you will be given time to work on the "Plate Tectonics: Online Activity."

• Link to the Website Used for the Activity 
• Plate Tectonics: Online Activity (Digital Copy)
• Due 1/23

Once you finish the activity, please turn it in to the bin.  Then choose from the following options:

• Mountain Scavenger Hunt - 2 BONUS POINTS!!! - Due 1/30
• Website Used: http://www.mountainprofessor.com/
• The History of the Earth - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room. 
• What Does the Earth Look Like? - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room.
• How the Earth Was Made (Ring of Fire) - Watch: Headphones are in the back of the room.
• Interactives: Dynamic Earth - Explore
• Plate Tectonics - Additional Websites - Explore
• CH 7 Vocabulary - Study