Astronomy: Think-Tac-Toe (2015-2016)

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 13th (25 Points Possible)
2nd Submission (Optional) - Due Date: May 20th (2.5 Bonus Points Possible)
3rd Submission (Optional) - Due Date: May 27th (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.  The Astronomy: Think-Tac-Toe will be discussed in detail during science class on April 29th.

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

Students of the Month: April

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

Social Studies: Andrew H.

Science: Ava D.

English: Lindsay B.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Novilie B.

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

Students of the Month: March

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

Science: Sarah D.

English: Sydney S.

Social Studies: Lauren P.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Brianna F.

Figurative Language & Grammar Practice Activities

Online Lesson Instructions

You will need a set of headphones for this activity. You can use your own or get them from the bin at the front of the room.

Step 1: Type in http://my.hrw.com or you can click the link provided on the right-hand side of the Supernova Team Blog.

Step 2: Enter a user name and password for the online English and science textbooks (There is a link to a  list of usernames and passwords on the right-hand side of the Supernova Team Blog.)

Step 3: Click on the link that says, “Go to the Online Textbook”.

Step 4: Click on blue tab that says, “Student Resources”

Step 5: Select from the first drop-down menu “Unit 5: Poetry”

Step 6: Select from the second drop-down menu “Assessment Practice”

Step 7: Click the blue button that says, “Go!”

Step 8: Click on the “Student Resources” tab.

Step 9: On the left-hand side of the page under “Online Extras” click “Level Up: Figurative Language”. You are also to click on the yellow "Practice" tab and complete the activities after each tutorial.

Step 10: In addition, you will work through the "level-up" lessons on Narrator and Speaker, Rhythm, Rhyme, and Elements of Poetry.

Step 11: Finally, you will complete the "Interactive Practice Test" that is listed first under the "Online Extras.

Additional Options:  

1.  You can read your independent novel.  The next A.R. Quiz is on Tuesday, April 19th.

2.  You can practice your figurative language terms on Quizlet for the test on Friday, April 8th.

3. You can also log on to No Red Ink, and complete the three grammar practice activities that I have "assigned" to you.  If you need to set-up a No Red Ink account, you are to follow these instructions.
If you do not complete the online activity or the  No Red Ink "assignment(s)", they are not homework.  

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 Codes for No Red Ink

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 1: 15-16:                     d33wxwxx

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 4/5: 15-16:                  acdcekea

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 6/7: 15-16:                  8h48433f

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 8/9: 15-16:                  h8d49kxc

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 10: 15-16:                   837x8mmk

Step 4: Type in your username. It has to be 20 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.

Science Class: 3/24/16

After turning in your "Forecasting Lab," please complete step 1.  After completing step 1, you may explore the websites listed in step 2.

1. Finish - Weather Maps: Online Activity (Due 3/31)

2. Explore:

• Station Models
• How Did Clouds Get Their Names (Video - Headphones Needed)
• Where Do Snowflakes Come From? (Video - Headphones Needed)
• Interactives: Weather

Middle Level Education Month

March is Middle Level Education Month!

CH 11 Vocabulary

Students of the Month: February

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

Social Studies: Crescenzo G.

Science: Tanner R.

English: Jonathan Q.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Madison S.

English 8: After the Test

1. You can read your independent novel. The next A.R. quiz is on Tuesday, March 22nd.  

2. You can also log on to No Red Ink, and complete the activities that I have "assigned" to you.  If you need to create an account for No Red Ink, you can follow the directions from my post on 9/3/15.

3. You can work on the bonus assignment that was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, on the Supernova Team Blog.

CH 10: Weathering and Soil Formation - Vocabulary

Help Your Classmates Win a Contest!

Dear Supernovas,

This fall, a few of our seventh grade students decided to participate in a contest to make a video that advertises a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) career-based company. For this project, students traveled to a company and were able to learn about manufacturing and STEM related careers.

While on the tour, students received a first-hand experience on the many different faces of manufacturing. For the competition, our students were selected to film for AUMA Actuators.

AUMA Actuators is a company specializing in making actuators, a device whose job is to move and control a system. This company has locations throughout the world, but the factory in Southpointe is the only one in the United States!

One of the components of the project is a mini-competition to see how many views and likes the students’ video will get. In order to win, we would like everyone to watch and vote for our video.

Voting starts on Monday, February 8th, and goes until Friday, February 12th!

Here is the link: http://bit.ly/videocontest2016

We appreciate your help!

Miss Moniodes, Enrichment Support Teacher

The Supernovas are Using Metacognitive Strategies While Reading The Giver

The Supernovas started reading The Giver today in class! In preparation for today, the students completed a web quest to gather background information on the author, Lois Lowry. The students specifically focused on Lowry's childhood experiences, her relationship with her ailing father, and her focus on the importance of memories. The students also researched utopian societies, dystopian societies, and euphemisms.  A pre-reading exercise was also completed where the students were asked to focus on the novel's three main themes: the importance of memories, the importance of being an individual, and the importance of having a sense of family. 

Pictured above is Ethan S. who is using his metacognitive reading strategies bookmark that was specifically created for reading this novel.  The students are also using a pros and cons chart as they read as a way to connect with the text and with the main character, Jonas, and his experiences in the novel.  A detailed reading guide is also being utilized to assist the students with focusing on the symbolism in the novel.  

English 8: The Giver: Chapters 1-5 Terms

The terms have been posted on Quizlet for Chapters 1-5 of the novel, The Giver.  The test is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 9th.  The terms in the link are the 14 terms that are specifically on the test.  You will not be assessed on the entire list that appears below in the flashcards.

English Class on Monday, February 1st

The Giver Web Quest

To complete The Giver web quest, you can use the research resources available on the LMC webpage. The passwords to the LMC sources are located on the top of the chromebook cart. You can also use the Scholastic website for information on the author of our novel, Lois Lowry.

If you are having difficulties answering the questions by using these options, you can do a general search on the web.  However, you need to be sure that you are using credible sources for your information.

Students of the Month: January

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

Science: Maura O.

English: Natalie B.

Social Studies: Logan C.

Outstanding Supernova Citizen: Nazarine P.

Done with your T.D.A?

Online Lesson Instructions

You will need a set of headphones for this activity. You can use your own or get them from the bin at the front of the room.

Step 1: Type in http://my.hrw.com or you can click the link provided on the right-hand side of the Supernova Team Blog.

Step 2: Enter a user name and password for the online English and science textbooks (There is a link to a  list of usernames and passwords on the right-hand side of the Supernova Team Blog.)

Step 3: Click on the link that says, “Go to the Online Textbook”.

Step 4: Click on blue tab that says, “Student Resources”

Step 5: Select from the first drop-down menu “Unit 4: Theme and Symbol”

Step 6: Select from the second drop-down menu “Text Analysis Workshop: Theme and Symbol”

Step 7: Click the blue button that says, “Go!”

Step 8: Click on the “Student Resources” tab.

Step 9: On the left-hand side of the page under “Online Extras” click “Level Up: Theme”

Additional Options:  

1. You can read your independent novel.  The next A.R. Quiz is on Tuesday, February 16th.

2. You can also log on to No Red Ink, and complete the activities that I have "assigned" to you.
3. You can work on the bonus assignment that was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, on the Supernova Team Blog.

If you do not complete the online activity or the  No Red Ink "assignment(s)", they are not homework.  

The Supernovas Are "Super-Focused" on Their Text Dependent Analysis Papers

The students of Mrs. Porter's period 8/9 English class are hard-at-work on their text dependent analysis papers. For the project, they are to write a five-paragraph, persuasive essay explaining their view of technology and its impact on traditional ways of life and the world. The students were required to use at least one piece of evidence from a selection of four different texts in each of their three body paragraphs. This essay was challenging because the students were required to connect the four texts that they read during Unit 2. The students also practiced identifying credible sources by finding a fact or statistic to use as the "hook" for their introductory paragraphs. The papers are due on Friday, January 29th, by the end of the period. The outstanding student work will be posted on Mrs. Porter's bulletin board in room 403!

Mr. Wolf's Scientific Scholars - 1st and 2nd Nine Weeks

The first half of the school year has come to a close.  This year's entire Supernova class has been doing a fantastic job! I'm confident that their hard work will continue throughout the rest of the school year.  Below are Mr. Wolf's Scientific Scholars from the 1st and 2nd nine weeks based on overall grades.

English 8: Bonus Opportunity for the Third Nine Weeks

The 2016 MLB Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is open to all students in grades 4 through 9. This is a chance for students to submit an essay about barriers or obstacles they have faced or are currently facing in their lives and how they used the values exemplified by Jackie Robinson (citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence and teamwork) to deal with those challenges.

For more details on the contest, you are to visit www.scholastic.com/breakingbarriers. To enter, please follow the instructions listed on the website. All entries must be either mailed or submitted digitally no later than Monday, March 14th. If you would like Mrs. Porter to review your work or mail your submission for you, it is due by Monday, March 7th.

Prizes for winning entries include trips to the 2016 MLB All-Star Game in San Diego, laptops, classroom visits by Jackie’s daughter Sharon Robinson and more. In addition, the Pirates will provide two complimentary tickets to a 2016 home game (based on availability) to all students who submit an essay and the school with the most entries will win a “Pirates Day” at their school!

If you would like to participate, you must submit a hard copy of your entry to Mrs. Porter by Monday, March 14th. If you follow all of the directions, you could earn up to ten bonus points for the third quarter. 

The Science of Tsunamis, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes

English 8: Creating Your Hook for TDA # 2

For this paper, you are required to include a fact or statistic from a primary source other than the four pieces from our textbook to create your hook. You are encouraged to use the search engines that are found on the LMC website. The fact that you select for your hook must relate to the point(s) that you are discussing in your paper. You must incorporate the fact that you select into your writing and use an in-text citation. You must include the source of this fact in your work cited page that you will create using by NoodleTools. Remember: You are to access NoodleTools through your Google account.

CH 7 Vocabulary - Plate Tectonics

English Class on Wednesday, January 6th

When you finish the test, you have the following options:
- You can read your independent novel.  The next AR Quiz is on Tuesday, January 19th.
- You can complete the "assignment" on No Red Ink by following the given directions.
- You can complete the online textbook activity by getting an instruction sheet from the front of the room and a set of headphones.

If you get done with this, you are to go to No Red Ink and complete the "assignment" that has been shared with you.  This is not for a grade.  If you do not get to complete the No Red Ink activity in class, it is not homework.

If you joined the Supernova Team later in the year, or did not create a No Red Ink account at the beginning of the year, you are to follow these directions:

Creating a No Red Ink Account

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 Codes for No Red Ink

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 1: 15-16:                     d33wxwxx

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 4/5: 15-16:                  acdcekea

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 6/7: 15-16:                  8h48433f

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 8/9: 15-16:                  h8d49kxc

Mrs. Porter’s: Period 10: 15-16:                   837x8mmk

Step 4: Type in your username. It has to be 20 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.

Layers of the Earth Rap Song