Science - Chapter 1-1 & 1-2: Introduction and the Scientific Method (Notes)

As an introduction to 8th grade science, we will begin the year by introducing physical science and Earth science.  Next we will study the scientific method.  Below are links to the notes on which the entire first exam will be based upon.  

The Undefeated Supernova Team

The Supernova Team remains undefeated in the Cup of Knowledge competition. The Supernova students selected three students out of the whole team to represent them in this academic competition. The Supernova teachers would like to congratulate to Hunter, Jake, and Rachel for winning the cup for the Supernova Team!

Outstanding Supernova Students!

At the 8th grade awards ceremony, many Supernova students came away with top honors. Kaley Wybranowski won the American Legion Award. Kayleigh Brink received the C.H.A.M.P.S. Award. Both Rachel McMurdy and Rachel Rozak won the band director's award and a service award for their dedication to the band. Finally, our 2010 Carson Scholar, Cassie Popovski, won the Spanish award for being the top student in Spanish for the school year. Congratulations to all of the Supernova students who received awards at yesterday's ceremony!

Pictured above is Kaley Wybranowski accepting her American Legion Award.

Advanced English Art Work

The Advanced English students created art work to represent poems that they had written in class. The poems were inspired by a field trip taken in May to the Carnegie Museum of Art for the poetry inspires art tour. To create their works of art, the students used acrylic paint on canvas. The students' art work and poems will be on display in Mrs. Porter's room next year. To read more about the students' experience at the Carnegie Museum of Art, scroll down to the previous blog post.

The students pictured above are Hunter, Jake, Lexie, Rachel, and Emily

Supernova Students of the Year

The Supernova team teachers would like to congratulate the three students who were selected as "Students of the Year". These students performed at an advanced level throughout all four nine week periods. Jake was selected for social studies, Hunter was selected for science, and Rachel was chosen for English. Each of the students received a medal and an award certificate.

The Anne Frank Leaf Project

The Advanced English 8 students read the play, "The Diary of Anne Frank" and the novel, The Diary of a Young Girl. As a culminating activity, the students selected from six quotes from Anne's diary. The quotes were based on the themes of freedom, goodness, giving, courage, happiness, and humanity. Each student wrote an essay about the ways that he or she had been inspired by the life of Anne Frank to value that specific theme in his or her own life. The students also created a leaf based on one of the six themes. Each student wrote Anne's quote on one side of the leaf and his or her own original quote on the other side of the leaf. This project was based on the Anne Frank Tree Interactive Monument. Anne Frank often admired the chestnut tree in the courtyard behind the secret annex and wrote about the tree in her diary.

For more information, you can visit the Anne Frank Tree Interactive Monument. You can also leave your own quote or message on the virtual tree.

The students pictured above are Evan, Cassie, and Paige.

Supernovas of the Month for May

The Supernova Team teachers would like to congratulate the following students who have been selected as "Students of the Month" for May. Rachel McMurdy was selected for English, Brady Moyer was chosen for social studies, and Gabrielle Trest was selected for science.

Mrs. Porter's Advanced English Students Skype

Mrs. Porter's Advanced English students shared their favorite books from when they were in kindergarten. Next, the students worked in groups to develop, write, and illustrate their own children's books using the Build A Book website. Finally, the students shared their books with Mrs. Schutt's Extended Kindergarten class at Wylandville Elementary through Skype. The students enjoyed the experience of creating their own books as well as sharing their books and illustrations with the kindergarten students.

English 8: "The Ruum" Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list is posted for "The Ruum". You may access the Quizlet website by clicking the link.

The quiz on these terms will be Friday, May 28th.

"The Ruum" terms

Art Inspires Poetry Tour

Mrs. Porter's Advanced English 8 class had a wonderful day at the Carnegie Museum of Art! The students were broken up in to four groups. Each group analyzed and interpreted five works of art. the students recorded their thoughts in an idea book as they toured around the museum. As shown in the photo, the students had their own seats. This way they were able to sit and admire the works of art, discuss, and write.

After the formal tour, each student selected his or her favorite piece of art. The students were instructed to draft a poem that is representative of the mood and meaning of their selected work of art.

During the week of May 24th, the Advanced English students will be writing their final poems and painting. Check the blog for pictures of their art work and examples of their poetry.

Space Story Podcast

Mr. Wolf's 8th grade science classes recently completed a student choice project based on the topic of astronomy.  Below is a podcast of a song produced by the Supernovas' very own "Rachels" and some of their friends.

Credits:
Lyrics by Rachel M., Rachel R., Cara P., and Natalie D.
Vocals: Rachel M. and Rachel R.
Keyboard: Rachel R.
Drums: Tim F.
Flute: Cara P.
Recorded and Produced by Matt R.

  

  

English 8 and Advanced English 8: "A Tragedy Revealed: A Heroine's Last Days" Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list is posted for A Tragedy Revealed: A Heroine's Last Days. You may access the Quizlet website by clicking the link.

The quiz on these terms will be Thursday, May 13th.

A Tragedy Revealed: A Heroine's Last Days Terms

Science: Enrichment Activity

Bonus (Optional): Although many societies base their calendars on the movements of the sun or the moon, a calendar's starting date is often linked to cultural or religious traditions.  For example, both the Muslim and the Hebrew calendars are based on the phases of the moon, but they differ in a number of significant ways.  Research a calendar used by another culture and find out the cultural significance of the calendar's starting date, the number of days per month, and the number of days per year.  Write a short paragraph to explain your findings.  

Career Research Paper

Mrs. Porter's English 8 and Advanced English 8 students are encouraged to use a pathfinder in conducting their research. The pathfinder is composed of websites that the students can use to gather research on the careers that they have selected. The students will be working on the project in class starting on Monday, May 3rd. The project will be due on Friday, May 7th.


CAREER PATHFINDER

Supernovas of the Month for April

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

David: English
Kasey: science
Shreya: social studies

(Listed from left to right)

Astronomy: Think-Tac-Toe

Mr. Wolf's 8th grade science classes are conducting a student choice activity in which they try to create a winning tic-tac-toe board by choosing and completing three astronomy activities. One activity will be due on each of the following due dates.

Due Date 1: May 4th
Due Date 2: May 11th
Due Date 3: May 18th

Astronomy Websites

English 8 and Advanced English 8: "The Diary of Anne Frank" Act Two Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list is posted for "The Diary of Anne Frank" Act Two. You may access the Quizlet website by clicking the link.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" Act Two.

Congratulations 403!

Mrs. Porter's homebase won the door decorating contest for the eighth grade! Mr. Taranto challenged all homebases to decorate their doors for the PSSAs. The theme of the door was "Going to the Movies." The girls pictured from left to right are (back row) Jordan, Danielle, (front row) Cassie, and Hunter. To see other doors watch Mr. Taranto's video on the CMS page.

Poetry Anthology Projects

Mrs. Porter's English classes constructed poetry anthologies that were composed of ten poems. Each student wrote six original poems and analyzed and interpreted four poems of their choice. The students also created decorative covers using Publisher. The students pictured from left to right are Hunter, Jake, and Rachel. These students received awards from Mr. Taranto for their excellent performance on this project. The students pictured above also entered their best poems in a poetry contest. Check the Supernova Team Blog to see if they win!

Supernova Field Trip

The Supernova Team will be attending the Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit at California University on Friday, May 14th. In this program, the students explore Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente. This exhibit will not only explore his athletic achievements, but also his social and humanitarian efforts. Field trip forms are due to Mr. Faith by Monday, May 3rd.

English 8 and Advanced English 8: "The Diary of Anne Frank" Act One, Scenes 4 and 5 Vocabulary Terms

The vocabulary list is posted for "The Diary of Anne Frank" Act One, Scenes 4 and 5. You may access the Quizlet website by clicking the link.



"The Diary of Anne Frank" Act One, Scenes 4 and 5

Advanced English Field Trip

Mrs. Porter's Advanced English class will be going to the Carnegie Museum of Art on Wednesday, May 12th. These students will be visiting the museum to analyze and interpret art and relate those skills to analyzing and interpreting literature and poetry. This trip is a great way to connect the subjects of English and art through a cross-curricular experience such as this. After the gallery tour, the students will be participating in a writing workshop conducted by the museum that has been specially designed to meet their advanced needs. When the students return from the field trip, they will be using acrylic paints to illustrate the poems that they wrote during the writing workshop. Check the Supernova Team Blog at the end of May for pictures of the students' art work.

If you are interested in attending an art workshop on your own, check out the link below.

Summer Arts Camps at the Carnegie Museum of Art

Astronomy PSSA Notes for Take-Home Quiz

Click on the link below to view the completed note packet on our solar system.  This note packet should be used when completing the take-home quiz that will be given on Friday, April 16.  The quiz will be due during the next science class.

Astronomy PSSA Notes (Our Solar System)

Supernovas of the Month for March

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

• Steven : Science
• Christy: Social Studies
  
• Joe : English
  

(Listed from left to right)

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BlogThis!

Free summer online workshops.