Grade 8 Science at a Glance for Dec. 3rd to 7th

Grade 8's! You should be working madly in class, trying to finish your Cell Projects - either a stop-animation movie of the Cell Cycle, or a 3D body system. If you have forgotten what I wanted, here is the SUCCESS CRITERIA:
Success Criteria for Cell Biology Task #2

You will also need next period to create an oral presentation (2 minutes, MAX) for your body system. This will include the following SUCCESS CRITERIA:

Success Criteria for Oral Presentation of the Body System

or

Success Criteria for Oral Presentation for Cell Biology - Cell Cycle

All work needs to be completed in class. If you do not feel you can complete it in the time allotted, please come in during any 2nd Nutrition Break to work on it. Please do not work on it at home.

But, why Mrs. Bibby Smith? Why can't I work on it at home?

Because, dear Student, some parents just LOVE doing projects and oral presentations, and I want to know what YOU can do!

Gr. 7 Science at a Glance for Dec. 3rd to 7th

Grade 7's! You should be working madly in class, trying to finish your professional, scientific posters. If you have forgotten what you are supposed to do, here is the SUCCESS CRITERIA:
Success Criteria for Posters

You will also need next period to create an oral presentation for your ecosystem. This will include the following SUCCESS CRITERIA:
Success Criteria for Oral Presentations

All work needs to be completed in class. If you do not feel you can complete it in the time allotted, please come in during any 2nd Nutrition Break to work on it. Please do not work on it at home.

But, why Mrs. Bibby Smith? Why can't I work on it at home?

Because, dear Student, some parents just LOVE doing posters and oral presentations, and I want to know what YOU can do!

December Newsletter

HO HO HO!

Dear Parents and Students,

As of Monday, I will no longer be teaching the Language Arts' portion of the curriculum. My wonderful colleague, Ms. Baker, will be taking over this class. She comes to JD Hogarth with a plethora of experience and talent. For now, I will be continuing with the Science portion of the curriculum.  Class 7/8A knows Ms. Baker and is excited to have her full time for Language! Welcome, Ms. Baker!!!

Here is the link for Ms. Baker's Blog: http://patricebaker.blogspot.ca/

Grade 7 Science:

We will be finishing our Biology unit on Ecosystems this month, ending with the creation of a Scientific Poster and Oral Presentations. All work is to be done in class. Students will be dismantling their ecosystems and bringing home their 'pets'. Our next unit will be Mixtures and Solutions - a Chemistry Experiment-based unit.

Grade 8 Science:

We will be finishing our Cell Biology unit this month, ending with the creation of either a stop-motion animated film of the Cell Cycle, or, a working model of a system of the body. All work is to be done at school. Our next unit will be a highly-condensed version of the 7's Mixtures and Solutions - to introduce the Scientific Process and Chemistry Experimentation. It will involve a more in depth look at the Periodic Table and elements (preparation for high school!!)

For the next two weeks in December, you will be able to come to the Science Room during second Nutrition Break to work on anything you owe me. NO EXCUSES FOR NOT GETTING ANYTHING IN TO ME. Anyway, it's cold outside and nice and warm in my room!!! Please, come see me if you want to improve your mark/do extra work, ... anything.

Remember, check the blog on Fridays - I will be posting what's coming up for the next week!

Cheers and here's to having a wonderful December.

Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012

Scientists -
Check this out:

capuchin monkeys and fairness

Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012

Grade 8B:
Well, some of you were prepared for today, and some of you were not. Let this be a warning to other grade 8 students: COME PREPARED!!

Grade 7/8A:
- Please finish your posters at break tomorrow. Well done everyone!
- a few reminders - report cards? College Hts forms? Novel studies? Anyone? Anyone? Anyone?........

Monday, Nov. 26, 2012

Class 7/8A:
- please return your technology use form
- Get your Novel Study Mark Sheet Signed and bring back
- Gr. 8's - please bring in your College Heights form
- Reading 20+ mins

Absolutely fantastic Advisory period today. Despite Ms. Meredith not being able to make it, we had two excellent presentations from McKenzie

and Jessica.
You both had done so much research into your choice fields. Very, very well done, ladies.
Next week: Breanna and Taylor C!! We are looking forward to them both!

Class 7D:
- The clock is ticking! Starting Today or Tomorrow, you need to take 7 consecutive days' worth of observations (excluding weekends of course!)
- If you are doing a Biome in a Box, it is due, in my room, by Wednesday, with the brochure. You will be responsible for presenting to your classmates during next week's science class.

Sunday, Nov. 25, 12 - Sick Science!!

We gotta do this...

strawberry dna

Grade 7 Science at a Glance for Nov 26 to 30

Science at a Glance for the week of: Nov. 26th to Nov. 30th

Grade 7's: (except 7D - see farther below)

This is a HUGE week for you. You will create a Scientific Information Poster for your Ecosystem! This is your final project for this unit. All of the tasks you have learned so far in Science will be applied to this project:
- Drawing a Scientific Diagram with correct, neat labels
- Drawing a Food Chain for your ecosystem
- Using correct Vocabulary for your ecosystem, such as Detrivore, Carnivore, etc.
- Synthesizing the information from your daily observations and drawing conclusions about the success or lack of success of your ecosystem.

I will provide the poster bristol board. You bring: sharpie markers, ruler, your science lab books, and anything else you think will help create your group poster.

During this class you also have to decide how you are going to ORALLY present your information to the class - who will talk about which sections, etc.

Good luck!


7D - you will be given an extra two weeks to continue working on your ecosystems. HOWEVER, use that time to RECORD YOUR OBSERVATIONS and make adjustments to your ecosystem. IF your ecosystem is NOT UP AND RUNNING... COME AND SEE ME!!!!

Grade 8 Science at a Glance for Nov. 26-30

Science at a Glance for the week of: Nov. 26th to Nov. 30th

Grade 8's:

This is a HUGE week for you. You get TWO classes to create your Culminating Task for our Cell Unit. The 3D Cell Project was a warm up. Now it's time for the big league. You are doing either:

A. Create a 'working' organ or system,
or
B. Creating a Stop-Motion Animated movie about Mitosis.

ALL work is done in class. You will have two full 100 minute blocks to complete this task.
Here are a couple of links to get 'inspired':

and

or here:

Parent-Teacher Interviews!

Wow!!! I have just whizzed through a million parent-student-teacher interviews! Here is some fantastic feedback I got from students and parents:

This week in Science

Students who see me once a week for Science:
- Rather than hope all of my students check this blog every day, I am going to set up a post on FRIDAYS that states: Next Week in Science: 
and in that post I will list all of the class assignments that are due, tests, etc. I hope this helps my once/week Science people.

- Some of you really need to participate more. You only do Science 1/week for 100 minutes. If you don't 'perform' during that 100 minutes, it's not like Language, where you might think, "Oh, I get her tomorrow, I'll just finish it then." Nope! So, the message went home loud and clear: WORK IN CLASS. period.

- Nothing is forever. Not happy with your mark? Change it!!! I have a Make Up Science Class once a week. Come. Get help. Redo a test. Catch up on a note. If you are away and missed Science - definitely come and see me! We are lucky in Grade 7/8 in that you can decide that you want to do better, put in the effort and those D's and F's disappear. It's all about persistence and effort.

Students who have me for Language Arts and Science:
- A few of the parents asked me why they aren't seeing more homework coming home. Especially since I said in September that I would be sending homework home regularly. Here is my response to that:

• 1/3 of the students do it immediately and hand it in promptly.

• 1/3 of the students hand it in after I bug them, call home, have them call home, have them write it again in their agendas, give them extensions, do it with them at recess, their parents finally do it, etc.

• 1/3 never do it. It just doesn't happen. I ask, cajole, bug, request, yell and it's just not happening. I said to one student, "Am I ever going to see your Spelling Homework that you owe me?" Her response,"You still want that?!"

By Thanksgiving I was ready to cry. I spoke to other intermediate teachers and they responses varied: from they don't give it - to - fail them!
If 2/3 of my class is doing less work than me on their homework, I truly don't know what to do. I am open to suggestions.

To the parents that came - thank you. For me, it sends a very loud and clear message: you love your kid and you want them to do well. If you wanted to come but these interviews were not at a good time: Please contact me through your child's agenda or call the school and we can set up an interview time that suits you.
Thanks,
lynn

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 PA Day!!!

Good morning! Or should I say good afternoon? Are you all sleeping in? Well done. Now, if you are bored already, get your parents to sign a note that gives you permission to help me and come and do just that, between the hours of 12:30 and 2. I don't have any interviews at that time and would love some help moving things around, cleaning things up, generally organizing.
Come on. If you're reading this blog chances are you haven't planned much for this aft.
Pls?

Mrs b.

Just some cool thoughts from one of my favourite persons:

1. Follow Your Curiosity “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

2. Perseverance is Priceless “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”

3. Focus on the Present “Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.”

4. The Imagination is Powerful “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions. Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

5. Make Mistakes “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

6. Live in the Moment “I never think of the future – it comes soon enough.”

7. Create Value “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

8. Don’t be repetitive “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

9. Knowledge Comes From Experience “Information is not knowledge. The only source of knowledge is experience.”

10. Learn the Rules and Then Play Better “You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.”

Source: Dumb little man

Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012

Everyone! Tomorrow is a PD day. Please only come if you have an interview with me! And yes, if your parents have booked an interview with me I EXPECT you to accompany them.

Technology in the classroom form signed and brought in.

Report card signed and brought in - pretty please. With sugar on top.

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 12

7/8A: REPORT CARDS. NOW. BRING THEM BACK. I'M READY TO BREATH FIRE...

All classes: if I have given you Technology use forms, please get them signed and put them in the envelope that should be in your room by the blackboard. These forms will allow us to use your own technology for EDUCATIONAL purposes during classes.

Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012

7/8A:
Please bring back Technology form signed ASAP.

The following people owe me:
Report Card Envelopes:  Cole, Eric
Report Card signed by parent: Trent
Both: Justin, Ethan, Kevin, Alexis, Brooklyn

A HUGE thank you to Mr. Jeff Neale and to Lane for fantastic presentations yesterday in Advisory. Jeff was so interesting. Here are some things he was talking about, so if you want to follow up, you can:
- Jackie  Cochran: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_Cochran

- the movie, the Right Stuff: IMDB

- Air Cadets 121 Red Arrows Squadron in Guelph: The Red Arrows

- Soaring Club north of Arthur:  Soar

- The Avro Arrow:  Arrow

And a huge thanks to Lane. A marine biologist!! Very, very cool. Thanks for sharing your passion with us!

MOANday, November 19, 2012

Ugh. Did you ever have one of those days? Well, today was one for me!

For those of you who are curious why we have a poster in our room that states: Be a donkey, not a horse, 
it is because a horse looks for a leader in times of trouble. Horses are wonderful pack animals that will follow their leader anywhere. This can be great if you want train or ride. However, donkeys are different. They think for themselves; they do not look for a leader or exhibit 'crowd/group behaviour'. They assess each situation and decide cautiously what is best for them. And, they are not afraid to stand and fight.
In a bullying situation, think like a donkey, not a horse. Don't follow the leader, go with the crowd or run when you see danger. Take a stand. Defend yourself and others. Have you ever seen a flock of sheep in a field and one donkey grazing around with them? That is because farmers know: if there is danger (coyotes, for instance), a donkey will stand and fight for their pasture, protecting their 'right' to be there. They protect their comrades as well - the sheep!
So, in a bullying situation, be a donkey. Don't be a horse.

Class 8B: Sorry that Science period was not very productive. Our efforts will be rewarded, however, as WE GET TO USE OUR TECHNOLOGY NEXT CLASS!!! Mr. Slater said yes to our request for using stop-motion apps to record our MITOSIS videos. Your job is:

1. to take home the technology form I am going to give to you tomorrow, get it signed and bring it back ASAP.
2. bring your iPod, phone, etc.. next class ONLY if you: a. got your paper signed and, b. chose to do the stop motion video for your final cell task.
3. Check out some FREE Stop Motion Apps. There are tons out there. I use NFB pixSTOP for my iPad. See which app looks easiest to use for our purposes.

Class 7/8A:
- PINK DAY TOMORROW!!! THE MOST PINK WILL WIN A PRIZE!!!
- You need to hand in your missing assignments. Tomorrow. By 9:00 AM. You know who you are!!!
- Let's set up an emergency phone tree tomorrow during first break so we can use it in case, well, of emergencies!! Anyone want to take that on???
-  Language: We will be creating our very own Websites tomorrow.

Friday, Nov. 16, 2012

7/8A: Geek Squad tryouts start on Monday! Bring your laptops in if you have one (and even if you find it doesn't work with our wifi Scott - Ms. Preston can fix it I think!)
Do not forget your Report Card please!

Grade 7 Science Classes: You should have at LEAST 5 entries for your ecosystem journals. AND, the Biome in a box is due on Wednesday!

AND REMEMBER: BE A DONKEY, NOT A HORSE!!!

PLEASE REMEMBER!!! I would like to meet with you and your parents for an interview. Please book your appt. online or call me and I will book you in!

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012

7/8A: Well done on your stories! Some of you are writing novels!! We will share what we have tomorrow and for those of you that need to keep writing... do it! And just make sure to add my name to the people you thank when you publish your first book!

8C Science: We enjoyed the Covenant House Assembly today; however, we need to get those labs in to me. Please hand them in to me ASAP. Thanks.

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012

Grade 7/8A:
Progress notes went home today. It would be wonderful if you and your parents could discuss and write your comments on the bottom portion of the second page and send back. We will have an opportunity to discuss the progress note tomorrow, together.

I have gotten away from checking the agendas this week. Please bring it in tomorrow, signed, with your reading recorded.

I look forward to discussing ME to WE day with you, also. It was an incredible day. Maybe Trent and Cole would like to tell you about it!

Spencer West

M n c kielburger

At WE DAY!

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012

SORRY! I should have posted earlier (it is my anniversary today - please cut me some slack!)

8D Science-
Here is the note we took today in class:

cell cycle note

7B/C - Science tomorrow! Adjust ecosystems as need be; record observations and prepare to be amazed with a food web WITHOUT HUMANS!

7/8A - I am not here technically tomorrow - I am at ME to WE. Please be nice to your supply.
- Pita forms are due tomorrow!

Good night.

Mrs. B.

Monday, Nov. 12, 12

7/8A:
- Pita forms due Wednesday if you want to order a pita for the 21st.
- Life after People Food Web - we will do it as a class! Not individually; however, keep your individual notes.
- ME to WE day on Wednesday
- Bring headphones to French class tomorrow!
- Read 20 mins x 5nights/week

8C Science:
Your Cell Project was due today. If you have not already handed it in to me, please do so.

November is Anti-Bullying Month! And...

Ms. muir would like us to - "select 2 students from your class who would like to do an anti-bully announcement. Email me their names and I will organize dates and announcements."
Anyone interested? Please let me know!

Tuesday, Nov. 6, 12

7/8 A Language:
Reading! You are reading 5x/week I hope, and recording it.

7/8 A Science:
Let's collaborate our Ecosystem Observation Questions! I will start a Google Document and I would like you to add your questions to the list. Then, if you see a question that you prefer, you can ADD it to your list. I say add, because you want to ask the same questions daily - but you can always give more info!

Classes 7C and 7B Science:
Bring ALL of your specimens tomorrow to Science class. We will start our Observation Journals tomorrow.

November Newsletter!!!!!

oops. I forgot. Here we go!!

- Check out the Google Calendar -  I am hoping to have it updated by tomorrow for important dates. Actually, Trent - you get on that!!

Grade 7 Science:
I am hoping that we will spend November journelling about our Ecosystems and reporting on our Biomes in a Box. Starting December, we will begin our experimental unit, "Solutions and Mixtures", focusing on the Scientific Method.

Grade 8 Science:
Our Cell unit is going very well. We will finish the end of November and join the 7's in the experimental unit, "Solutions and Mixtures", focusing on the Scientific Method. I know it's a grade 7 unit, however, my understanding is you had mostly theory regarding this, so we will continue with mostly hands-on learning, and, we really need to focus on the Scientific Method and the process involved. You will be expected to know this going into grade 9.

Grade 7/8 Language:
We will finish our Narrative study of novels and segue into my absolute favourite type of fiction: the short story. Some people hate short stories; some people love them. I happen to love them and so does Ms. Baker. She will be guiding us through a unit on short stories. If you are excited about exploring this genre, you could check out some of my favourite short story authors:

Mavis Gallant (expat Canadian)
Alice Munro (Canadian)
Shirley Jackson (American)
Dave Beynon (local - Fergus author)
and my all time favourite short story author:
Stephen King (universal!)

Some authors need 400 pages to tell a good story. Some need only 8.

Monday, Nov. 5, 12

Class 7/8A Science:
Thank you for a great walk and a super science class! Sometimes I just have to get out there! I could not imagine a job behind a desk.
You are creating WONDERFUL ecosystems. I saw real research happening today. Well done. Remember, bring in your tablets and laptops to help with research. You can always leave them in my closet and we can lock them up.
HOMEWORK: yes, I said homework. Due next Monday. Please draw a detailed food web for Fergus. Include biotic elements only. Please do it on LEGAL-SIZED paper. You can get a piece in our paper cabinet.

8B Science:
Well done on a kind of boring lab about bacteria. The important lesson to take home is that bacteria is SMALL!! I am heating up yoghurt gently right now - I am going to see if it makes a difference. If you are interested in finding out, come first break and we will have a look through the microscope.

Sunday, Nov. 4, 12

To All my Students:
Your Homework this week: go on UGCloud and change your profile picture from a blank face to YOU! First 20 get a present... send me an email when you've done it.

11/2/12 - Electronics Update

I'm crazy about technology. Some would just say I'm crazy. Whatever the case, the intermediate teachers, Vice Principal Muir and Principal Slater met today. We discussed electronics in the classroom. You know I have been letting you bring your 'gadgets' in to my classroom, because you have been using them responsibly; using them for researching your ecosystems, taking pictures, etc. This cannot continue. Only students who have laptops and tablets, with written permission from their parents/guardians, can bring them in. You do not have permission to bring in your iPods, phones, etc. Sigh... I truly understand where Administration is coming from. There are liability issues, etc. In a perfect world, everyone  would have a Chromebook. Please respect Admin's wishes: no phones or iPods, etc. in class.

We'll get there - hopefully someday soon.

Mrs. Bibby Smith

November 2, 2012

To ALL of my students:
One million bonus points if you download the app: Socrative Student before you come to your next class.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Class 8C:
Fantastic work today. You are all becoming such good scientists. You do not have homework, other than your Cell Project - due November 12th - OR SOONER : )

Class 7/8 A Language:
The bell rings at 8:50 a.m. I expect that you are at your seat, WORKING, by 9:00 a.m. Tomorrow, if you are finished your novel study assignment, you can play language games, visit the library for a book exchange (we missed today) or read a book for enjoyment.