Cool.

Google Science Fair

Wow! This would take a lot of practice!

Get ready for chemistry!

Art is made to disturb, science reassures.Georges Braque

Art is made to disturb, science reassures.Georges Braque

Excellent example of a good interview

Dave Beynon Interview

We will be doing interviews in January. This is a great example.

Interesting Article about Elora

http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4258526-elora-s-secret-benefactor-leaves-rich-legacy/

Coding. The new skill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKcZ551Ex4w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Weekly Update: December 16th to the 19th

General Announcements:

Grade 7 Science: 

EVERYONE: PLEASE HAND BACK YOUR TEST, SIGNED BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN.  If you received a failing mark on your test, you are welcome to correct it completely and hand it back in and I will give you a passing mark. The reason I have not put the corrected test on the website (as I said I would) is because there is one student left to do the test! Please Mr. J come and do your test! ;-)

Grade 8's and Chocolate Sales

• We only have chocolate bars left to sell. 
• If you want more bars, please come and see me at 3:10, either in the art room or my room.
• If you have bars/almonds that you haven't sold, and don't think you are going to sell, please bring them back and let me check off that they have been returned; don't just put them on my desk!
• If you have money, make sure you name is on it and please give it to me or Mrs. Smylie.
• I have emailed the company and asked if we can have an extension on our fundraiser to the first week of January. I will let you know as soon as I know!

Grade 7 and 8 Science Students

We will be starting a new unit in January. Both grades are moving into our Chemistry units: Grade 7's - Solutions and Mixtures; Grade 8's - The Cell. That means we will be wrapping up our units this week. All tests will be handed back, all posters marked and all ecosystems evaluated. You must get all work owing to me in this week by Wednesday, or it will not be evaluated.

We have had a fantastic first few months in Science. Let's keep going!

Class 7/8A Language

Spelling: We have finished our 5 week unit. The words you spelled incorrectly will be your spelling words for this week, and over the holidays. The work I assign for these words will be on the cloud, but if you prefer, we can print it out this week - however you learn best. I need you to know these words before you can move on. Why know how to spell if there is spell check? There are lots of reasons to know how to spell. Spelling correctly helps you learn patterns and predict new words when reading. Spelling correctly gives the reader confidence that you are knowledge about what you are writing about. Spelling correctly increases your vocabulary and you learn new skills with stronger reading strategies. These are all good things in language studies!

Monday, December 16th, Day 2

7/8A Library - don't forget your library books!

7/8A Advisory - we will finish the blue spelling words and play language games!

8D - we will take up the test, do background research about cells and finish up any work that you owe me.

Tuesday, December 17th, Day 3

Second Nutrition Break: Science Make Up Class - please come and see me if you owe any work or have any questions.

7B and 7C Science - Ecosystem Expo. I will ask your teachers if you can come in and see your peers' ecosystems.

Wednesday, December 18th, Day 4

Centre Wellington Choir! We are very fortunate to enjoy some music!

Thursday, December 19th, Day 5

Homework Club with Mrs. Bibby Smith (Always first nutrition break) - if you need any questions answered about Science or any other subject, I would love to help you. You are welcome to come and join me in Homework Club.

7A Science - Show off your Ecosystems! I will ask 7D to join us!

8A Science -  we will take up the test, do background research about cells and finish up any work that you owe me.

DANCE - Intermediate dance and games' room. Remember, whatever you choose, you have to stay there. The games room is an electronic-free, movie free option. I have lots of fun games, but they require to interact with other!

Yeah!!! Thank you Cole for this video!

Thanks, Talon, for this one! It's very touching... or is it?

Weekly Update! For Monday, Dec. 9th to 13th

General Updates:

Grade 8's who are selling chocolates: 

I want to order more chocolates for you to sell; however, I need to have over 1/3 of the money in (preferably half) before the company suggests me to order more! So, you need to bug those students who still have their chocolates unsold (and maybe have decided not to sell) to bring them in and let our amazing chocolate salesmen sell them, or, tell them to bring their money in!

Indoor Shoes:

For the love of Mark - the man who cleans our floors and NEVER complains - please wear your indoor shoes. Come on! It's muddy out! You spend more time at school than you do at home. Would you wear your filthy outdoor shoes on your carpet? NO! So, please do not wear your outdoor shoes inside. Thank you.

Monday, December 8 - Day 2

Grade 7/8A Language 

• Library today! Don't forget your library books!
• You don't have spelling activities this week; however, you do have 100 words to review. Check them out at: Spelling Words - Review  You have done almost all of them before (I may have stuck in one or two extra to make it to 100). Please have your parents, siblings, opa, someone help you learn these. Any you get wrong will be your spelling words for next week. Therefore, if you get perfect - you are free from spelling until January!!!!

8D Science: Introduction to Cells:

• If you would like to get a head start, you can go to my website and watch the cooooooool video called: The Operating System of Life. We are about to embark on my favourite Grade 8 topic: Cells. Biochemistry has to be the most interesting Science topic out there - well to me at least. Check it out.
• BTW, all Cell notes will be posted on the website. Feel free to download, print, share. I will not be hanging them out; they are there...
• Microscope Test For Next Week - nine parts, 9 functions. Check out my website to get the study sheets and learn your parts! I can't have you working on a microscope, if you don't know what the parts are called or what they do!

Tuesday, December 9th - Day 3

7B and 7C Science:

• Your Ecosystems are due. I will collect them this week and we will have our Expo next week!
• You will be taking up the test. I expect you to write in the right answers if you didn't get it correct. Then I would like you to take the test home, discuss it with a parent/guardian and get it signed please. Bring it back the next day, by putting it in the folder by my door.

Wednesday, December 10th - Day 4

7D Science:

• Your Ecosystems are due. I will collect them this week and we will have our Expo next week!
• You will be taking up the test. I expect you to write in the right answers if you didn't get it correct. Then I would like you to take the test home, discuss it with a parent/guardian and get it signed please. Bring it back the next day, by putting it in the folder by my door.

Thursday, December 11th - Day 5

• Homework Club with me this morning during 1st Nutrition Break. Feel free to come if you need help with anything.
• Grade 7A Science
• Your Ecosystems are due. I will collect them this week and we will have our Expo next week!
• You will be taking up the test. I expect you to write in the right answers if you didn't get it correct. Then I would like you to take the test home, discuss it with a parent/guardian and get it signed please. Bring it back the next day, by putting it in the folder by my door.
• Grade 8A Science
• Microscope Test - nine parts, 9 functions. Check out my website to get the study sheets and learn your parts! I can't have you working on a microscope, if you don't know what the parts are called or what they do!

Friday, December 12th - Day 1

Language 7/8A - We will have our huge unit tests this morning - while I am testing each group, the rest of you can play language games or read - your choice!!!

Grade 8C Science

• Microscope Test - nine parts, 9 functions. Check out my website to get the study sheets and learn your parts! I can't have you working on a microscope, if you don't know what the parts are called or what they do!

December Updates!

Oops - a little behind! But better late than never! I will give you my monthly update slightly different this time:

Science 8A and 8B

Welcome to the wonderful world of Cells!!!
Please read the four page note called, The Characteristics of Living Things (on the website) and an Introduction to the Microscope. The note is here:  Characteristics of Living Things and Introduction of the Microscope

You are responsible for the following questions:

• Copy out and learn: The Cell Theory

• Answer Questions:  

• Self Check questions 1, 2, 3, 4

• Math Link: Caluculating Magnification

• Self Check questions: 6, 7, 8

• Know the 9 parts of a microscope by name and function by next class. There will be a test.

Grade 8 Posters!

Okay! I've marked every poster sent to me online (if you did your poster on Glogster and didn't send me the link, could you do so now!?) and I should be finished marking all paper ones by tomorrow. Overall, very well done!!!!

Weekly Update for December 2nd- 6th

General Announcements:

• CHOCOLATES!!!! If you are in grade 8 and you wish to sell chocolates to support your Toronto Trip, then you need to get a permission form in to me. This is not mandatory. It is optional. You may have up to 4 cases at a time. If you open a case, you are responsible to sell what is in that case; however, if you don't open a case and don't think you can sell it, then just bring it back (ASAP) and we will let someone else sell it.

• Grade 8 Science Students: 
• your posters were due last week, at the latest. If it isn't handed in, please come and see me.
• You should be finished your test this week. If you missed Science, please come and see me.

• Grade 7 Science Students:
• - your ecosystem projects are due by this Friday, unless you have been given an extension (via email) to next Monday. Any questions - please feel free to see me during Homework Club (Day 5s) or Make Up Science Class 
• Your Ecosystem Unit test is this week. I have emailed you the study note, it is also on the website and it is on this blog. Any questions, come and see me!!!

Monday, December 2nd, Day 2
7/8A Language - Library book exchange. Also, new spelling words are posted, as well as a new, mandatory activity that I need you to do. Please check the website for details.
8B and 8D Science Test - If the results so far indicate how you will do - don't stress!! Students are doing well!!!

Tuesday, December 3rd, Day 3
7B and 7C Test

Wednesday, December 4th, Day 4
Make Up Science Class - 1st Nutrition Break
7D - Science Test

Thursday, December 5th, Day 5
I am in Homework Club, if you need to speak to me, please come find me there first nutrition break.
7A - Science Test

Friday, December 6th, Day 1

7/8A Language - Let's have our own Pajama Party!!! If you dress up in your pjs, you can read the whole period!!!

7/8A Language: Word Work to help the World!

We work on vocabulary - now we can do it and help others!  The United Nations has created a website called: www.freerice.com. You can pick different categories to learn/play and if you get the answers correct, they will donate rice to help feed the hungry!
I have created a group: Bibby Smith Class. Why not sign up here: http://freerice.com/user/register and join our class. We can make a difference with world hunger and with our vocabulary!

GRADE 7 ECOSYSTEM TEST - COMING UP!

My wonderful Grade 7 students: you are all working so hard on your ecosystem models - well done. I would like them in by next Friday, December 6th please, unless you need an extension to the following Monday. If so, please email me ASAP.

The Ecosystem Test: we will be having a culminating review test of all of the information we have studied thus far. I have prepared a study note:
Ecosystem Study Note

Your Test dates are as follows:
Tuesday, December 3rd - 7B and 7C
Wednesday, December 4th - 7D
Thursday, December 5th - 7A

I am having make up science class on this Friday, during 2nd Nutrition Break - if you have questions, please feel free to come!

Not PJ's, but WESTERN DRESS UP!!!!!

Sorry - I know we were planning on having a PJ day on Friday, but instead, let's have a COUNTRY AND WESTERN DAY!!!!

EVERYONE IN MY CLASS (7/8a)WHO DRESSES IN COUNTRY AND WESTERN GEAR ON FRIDAY GETS TO PICK THEIR ACTIVITY FOR LANGUAGE!!! FOR EXAMPLE: LANGUAGE GAMES, WORD GAMES, READING WHATEVER YOU WANT, ETC.

SO HOSS, WHAT ARE YOU WEARING ON FRIDAY?!?!

AGH!!! I'm sorry I asked you when the scientific method was invented! EEEK!

I'm sorry I asked you to find out when it was invented. Forget about it! Don't worry about it! Here was the answer we discussed when we looked at the scientific method in September, just FYI!!:

" Originally the scientific method was called the experimental method and the method of science. When the word scientific was devised in the 19^th century, the most widespread term applied to the method became the scientific method or scientific process."

from: http://scientificmethod.com/sm5_smhistory.html

7/8A Language...

No homework tonight, folks! I forgot to post it! Isn't it great having a teacher with a bad memory?!

Weekly Update for Monday, November 25th to 29th

Monday, November 25th - Day2

7/8A Library!!! Don't forget your books.

7/8A Advisory - fill in the Climate Survey

12:00 p.m. - Grade 8's go to College Heights High School; Grade 7's have a normal afternoon.

8D - YOU DO NOT HAVE SCIENCE TODAY. YOUR WATER SYSTEMS TEST WILL BE NEXT MONDAY. THE STUDY NOTE IS ON THE CLOUD/WEBSITE/BLOG.

Tuesday, November 26th - Day 3

7B and 7C Science - Last in-class time to work on your ecosystem projects. I WANT THE MAJORITY OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE CLASS PLEASE. I need to see that YOU have done the work.

Wednesday, November 27th - Day 4

8B Science - YOU HAVE A SCIENCE TEST TODAY. THE STUDY NOTE IS ON THE CLOUD/WEBSITE/BLOG.

7D Science - Last in-class time to work on your ecosystem projects. I WANT THE MAJORITY OF WORK TO BE DONE IN THE CLASS PLEASE. I need to see that YOU have done the work.

Thursday, November 28th - Day 5
8A Science - YOU HAVE A SCIENCE TEST TODAY. THE STUDY NOTE IS ON THE CLOUD/WEBSITE/BLOG.

Music Trip!!! Yeah! Make sure to have your permission form and money in!

Friday, November 29th - Day 1

8C Science - YOU HAVE A SCIENCE TEST TODAY. THE STUDY NOTE IS ON THE CLOUD/WEBSITE/BLOG.

Kelly McGonigal: How to make stress your friend (+playlist)

Parent-Teacher- Student Interviews

A huge thank you to all parents who came to the interviews during the last few days. If that time didn't work for you, please just email me (lbibbysmith@ugcloud.ca) and let me know of a time that does. I would love to meet with each and every parent if possible!
On that note, I think possibly a parent picked up one of my tracking sheets (with Spelling Test marks on it). If you find it in your papers, could you please pass it along to your child?

Grade 8 TESTS: When is my test Mrs. Bibby Smith?????

Class 7/8A (grade 8's only): Wednesday, November 27th, Period 1 and 2 (during language)

Class 8B: Wednesday, November 27th, Period 3 and 4 (during your language block with Mr. Lindsay)

Class 8C: Friday, November 28th, Period 3 and 4

Class 8D: Monday, December 2nd, Period 5 and 6

Please review the study notes (see previous post). You will not have class time to study. You will perform the test (except for the last question) on Google Forms. For the last Question, it will be performed separately; you will be able to use any resource you wish (open book/open computer, for instance) and submitted also on line, in a Google Doc. Questions? Please email me or come and see me at Make Up Science Class.

Grade 8 Culminating Water System Test: Review!!!

I said I would try and get it to you before 10 p.m., and here it is!!!

Grade 8 Culminating Water Systems Review

7D Ecosystems

Almost all members of 7D were working very hard in class today. I would like to offer you one more week to work on it in class, so your deadline will be the week after. As a reminder, while you work away at your
projects, please keep checking your SUCCESS CRITERIA to make sure that you are fulfilling your requirements!

Of course... Science Classes 7B and 7C

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain, For promis'd joy! (The best laid schemes of Mice and Menoft go awry,And leave us nothing but grief and pain,For promised joy!)Robert Burns, To a Mouse (Poem, November, 1785)

We were all ready to work yesterday, 7C and 7B, and.... no internet. At all. Across the Board! So, as many of you are unable to work on your projects without the internet, I would like to extend our due day by a week. You will have next Tuesday, Day 3, to work on your Ecosystems in the classroom. I apologize for this; I know so many of you want an earlier deadline!!!!

Please remember, I do not have many supplies. If you would like to email me a wish list, I will do the best I can to help you. However, you need to email me BEFORE the class!!! I am not a genie!!!

Fruit!!!

Thank you very much!

Weekly Update For Monday, November 18th to Friday, November 22

Hello Everyone in my language and science classes! Here's the weekly update plus some general reminders!

• Your musical trip form and money are due this week please! It looks like it is going to be a blast! I'm so glad that we are going on an outing together. After we come back, during the month of December, 7/8A Language class: we are going to look at Fairy Tales, Disney and the Impossible Dream!!! Stay tuned!
• GRADE 7's: THIS WEEK IS THE ONLY WEEK YOU WILL HAVE IN CLASS TIME TO WORK ON YOUR ECOSYSTEM. IT IS DUE NEXT WEEK.
• Interviews with the teacher: the interviews with a teacher don't have to be only for students who are struggling. I like to see ALL of my students' parents! I much prefer if the student (YOU) accompany your parent however; it makes for a much more productive meeting.
• Indoor shoes - please bring them. And then, when you get here, please put them on. The number one response to, "Where are your indoor shoes?" - "My locker."
• Wear winter clothing. It's cold out. It is not cool to be cold.

Monday, November 18th Day 3

- 7B and 7C Science!!!!! Today you will be given the entire science class to work on your ecosystems. Please make sure to have your information and anything you need with you.

- Music Instrument sign out for 7/8A today.

- Please return your report card envelope and signed portion to your homeroom teacher. 

- Begin your spelling assignments 7/8A!

Tuesday, November 19th Day 4

 - 7D Science!!!!! Today you will be given the entire science class to work on your ecosystems. Please make sure to have your information and anything you need with you.

-  Please return your report card envelope and signed portion to your homeroom teacher. 

Wednesday, November 20th Day 5

- 7A Science!!!!! Today you will be given the entire science class to work on your ecosystems. Please make sure to have your information and anything you need with you.

-8A Science - you will be doing a water experiment today. You will also receive all the information you need for the culminating test the following week.

-  Please (last call!!!) return your report card envelope and signed portion to your homeroom teacher. 

Thursday, November 21st  Day 1

-8C Science - you will be doing a water experiment today. You will also receive all the information you need for the culminating test the following week.

- Interview night! Hope you see you then!

- 7/8A Language - Spelling activities due please!

Friday, November 21st  - INTERVIEW DAY!

I am at school, meeting with parents and students. You could be:

• studying for your Water Systems Test (grade 8's)
• working on your Ecosystems Project (grade 7's)

Have a great week. Over and out!

7/8A Language Homework

Please read the Debating Student Info Sheet:
Debates - Student Handout

And be prepared to tell me what it's about tomorrow morning.

7/8A Language Assignment

The 5 W's: Summary for Non Fiction

For Thursday, at the beginning of class: I would like you to complete the writing assignment on, "How The War On Drunk Driving Distracts From The Real Danger." I will give you some class time tomorrow, (Wednesday), to work on it. Typed is preferred but not necessary. It should be approximately one page in length, single spaced. Here's the 5 W's page: 5 W's

7A, 7B, 7C 7D Science Homework

7A, 7B, 7C and 7D Science Homework: be ready for next week to work on your Ecosystem in class!
1. Completely fill out the Abiotic and Biotic Elements Planning page:
My Ecosystem Elements
2. On the back of that page (or on another page), draft out some of the food chains and food webs that exist in your ecosystem.
3. Bring your Ecosystem Elements page and ANY SUPPLIES YOU MIGHT NEED (if it's mine craft, I have computers for you to use, please be ready with passwords, etc.)

Weekly Update: November 11 - 15

7/8A Language:

Reading Strategy: reread tricky words and then keep on reading to use the context (story) to help you understand the meaning of the text.
Writing Strategy: Use the 5 W's to help you summarize non-fiction text.
Spelling: Last week I did not ask for the spelling activities until Friday. This week I would like them on Thursday please. That way we know our words better for our quiz! Want to know what your words are? Here they are! Spelling Words
Book Forms: I would like 6 done by the end of November. If you don't think that will be possible, please tell me.

Grade 8 Science:

This is the last week for class time to work on our scientific posters. We will have the first period of science to finish our posters. The second half will be spent preparing for our science expo the following week!

Grade 7 Science:

This week in Science, we will continue to prepare and research for our culminating project: creating a model ecosystem. You homework last week was to fill in this form (Model Ecosystem Form ).  This week, we will plan out our model ecosystem, looking at terms such as: biotic, abiotic, consumer, producer, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, food webs, food chain, populations and ecosystem. If you have an electronic device, please bring it, to help research your ecosystem!

Elephant Toothpaste Science Experiment

7/8A Spelling Activities

Great Spelling Activities!

Just click on the link above and you will find a great list of different ways to show your  learning of your spelling words. I would like you to do three of the activities. If you have a better/another activity you would like to try, go ahead! Just, show your learning!!

When is it due? Friday.

Classes 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D Culminating Project: Interactions in an Ecosystem

I have handed out an outline for the Model Ecosystem Project.  If you have misplaced yours, here it is:
Model Ecosystem Project

Your homework: Fill in this form!
Model Ecosystem Form

This Form will ask for the following information:
1. Read the success criteria
2. Decide if you are working alone or who your partner is
3. Choose an ecosystem: forest, desert, coral reef, ocean, rocky shore, grassland, mountain, savanna, prairie, pond, etc.)
4. Decide how you will present it: drawing/mural, diorama, real ecosystem (that is self-sustaining - with a parent's permission), mine craft, observations of a real ecosystem - vlog(video blog)

November Newsletter

November News!!

7/8A Language Arts:

This month in English Language Arts, we will continue on perfecting our paragraphs, this time looking at non-fiction and persuasive writing. For Media Literacy

We will focus on the RSA videos - mainly the  video 23 ½ hours. Have you seen it? Check it out:

Doc Evans's 23 1/2 hours

Very cool!

Reading: mostly self-selected texts plus articles I choose for in-class reading. WHY? WHY DON’T YOU DO A NOVEL STUDY MRS. BIBBYSMITH?  Because, what if you hate the novel? I once had a grade 11 teacher drag me through Macbeth.  We read it word for word. She would stop every couple of lines or so and explain in her plain English what it meant. Ugh. By the end of that play I hated it and hated English class. There is nothing wrong with Macbeth (or as McDeath, as we nicknamed it), but it was dissected to death until there wasn’t a wonderful play written by the world’s best playwright, but rather a pile of mush on a plate a dog wouldn’t touch!

I think you should enjoy and choose what you want to read, for the most part. And by grade 7 and 8, books can be swallowed up by paragraph after descriptive paragraph, sometimes whole chapters in one gulp, not cut apart until you can’t see the forest for the trees! Okay, I’ll get off my soap box now. On to:

DEBATES!!!

Yes, we will be entering the severely rule-based world of formal debates for our oral language skills. This should go along nicely with the persuasive writing.

sPeLLiNg:  We really need to work on this. I wish spelling would go away but it won’t. Everyone is at different levels so you will get your own list on Monday and get tested on Friday. There will be many different activities you can choose from to help you learn the spelling rules.

SCIENCE: Grade 7

We will finish working on Ecosystems, with a test and a culminating project. There will be many different options for showing your understanding of an ecosystem. Stay tuned!!

SCIENCE: Grade 8

Our Water Systems Unit is almost complete, as the students finish up their Scientific Posters on the distribution of the World’s water, or researching our Grand River trip. Yes, there will be a test. Not a big one, but we will have a good, old fashioned test.

What motivates you? Do you agree or disagree?

"Humans have an innate drive to do things for their own sake because they matter. This is one of the most robust scientific findings of the twenty-first century, but it has largely gone ignored." - Quicklet on Daniel H. Pink's Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Paula Braun. http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Quicklet-Daniel-Pinks-Drive-The/book-iFFNqXqAF0qnFgp1GmKMyQ/page1.html

See! See how important punctuation is!!!

Remind101 - Texting App information

I have sent home an information sheet for all parents and students who have cell phones and would like to receive updates via TEXTS to their phone.
Here it is again in case it didn't get to the kitchen table:

GRADE 7/8A LANGUAGE: enter the number: 289-812-3837, then text this message: @mrsbibby
GRADE 7 SCIENCE:  enter the number: 289-812-3837, then text this message: @mrsbibbys
GRADE 8 SCIENCE: enter the number: 289-812-3837, then text this message: @mrsbibbysm

Why have this app if I have a blog? This will be used more for reminders, such as, "Wear outdoor gear today for science." and, "remember, posters due tomorrow", etc. It is not mandatory. I will continue to use my blog for day to day stuff. The only problem is, the blog is sent to you (if you have plugged in your email address) once a day. The TEXT APP is almost immediate. I hope that explains why I have both.

8A and 8B Scientific Poster

Now due during our next class together. I will give you both or one of our periods to work on it.
See today's previous post about River Trip Data.

grade 8 Science: River Trip Posters

The most important thing about your poster is that you analyze the data we collected. It won't matter how pretty it looks, or what cool graphics you printed off if you haven't LOOKED at the data and tried to make sense of it.
Here is the link again, to the data:
River Data

Need your success criteria and Summary page? Here is that:
River Trip Poster

Have Questions? Come and see me.

7A Science Homework

Grade 7's: Due on MONDAY:

The Ecological Pyramid question:

QUESTION 1: SEE ABOVE
QUESTION 2: TRY TO MAKE A PYRAMID DIAGRAM TO SCALE AND NAME YOUR SCALE!

7D Science Homework

Due Friday:
The Ecological Pyramid question:

QUESTION 1: SEE ABOVE
QUESTION 2: TRY TO MAKE A PYRAMID DIAGRAM TO SCALE AND NAME YOUR SCALE!

7/8A Language Homework: due tomorrow

Learning Skills: Self Evaluation
Please read the following characteristics for these learning skills:
Responsibility: What it looks like?

• managing own belongings
• commitment to complete tasks
• on-task
• respectful behaviour
• following code of behaviour
• actively listening at community circle
• active participation
• focused attention

Organization: What does it look like?

• time management
• using class time effectively
• using agenda appropriately
• prepared for class - homework done and all materials ready
• timely submissions of forms/assignments

Independent Work: What does it look like?

• following instructions
• use available resources without prompting
• not relying on the teacher - thinking for yourself!

rate your self either N - needs improvement, S-satisfactory, or G-good for the the above Learning Skills. Write it down on the Cloud or paper and give me a detailed EXAMPLE of when you have demonstrated this skill.

7B and 7C Science Homework:

Due for Friday:
Two diagrams: one of an insect and one of a plant, done with our scientific diagram guidelines.
The Ecological Pyramid question:

QUESTION 1: SEE ABOVE
QUESTION 2: TRY TO MAKE A PYRAMID DIAGRAM TO SCALE AND NAME YOUR SCALE!

8D Science! Change for Friday!

8D - please note that you will get Science on Friday. It will be during 2nd block instead of last block, because of the dance. Please come to my room after 1st. Nutrition Break, ready to do your Scientific Poster experiment (water, water everywhere) or research project (Our River Trip). When  in doubt as to what you need to do, look at the grade 8 page on my website: www. bibbysmith.weebly.com

Make your own Microscope

Smartphone microscope

Weekly Update, but first some humour...

Weekly Update: Monday, October 28 to Nov. 1, 2013.

Monday, October 28th   Day 3

Classes 7B and 7C - Our Culminating Ecosystem Project will be assigned today. You will be given a period today to work on it and two more to work in class. Stay tuned!!!

Tuesday, October 29th Day 4

Classes 7D - Our Culminating Ecosystem Project will be assigned today. You will be given a period today to work on it and two more to work in class. Stay tuned!!!

Wednesday, October 30th   Day 5

Class 7A - Our Culminating Ecosystem Project will be assigned today. You will be given a period today to work on it and two more to work in class. Stay tuned!!!

Classes 8A and 8B - A working period for your Scientific Posters  

Thursday, October 31st  Day 1

Classes 8C - A working period for your Scientific Posters  

Friday, November 1st  Day 2

8D - NOT AGAIN! THE FALL INTERMEDIATE DANCE - I will let you know if we can reschedule this week.

My new favourite word

Iteration

Crunchy Concrete - Will come in handy when we learn about our form and function unit

7/8A - you simply R.O.C.K.

You know I love? Getting good reports from other teachers. It makes me proud and I take far more credit than I deserve for you behaviour, since you've known me for about a nano-second, but I can't help it. I feel proud.
Ms. Bilton came to see me at the end of the day today. She told me that one of my students was having some trouble and was doing his best to deal with it quietly by himself. Ms. Bilton said that about 5 students, independently, came to check on this student to see if he was okay. One lovely person went on to say, "We care about you; we are family."
You are wonderful people and I am honoured to work with you. And I say work with you, because so many of you do work HARD every single day. Congratulations on being good people. Parents, who could ever ask for more?

Monday, October 21/13 Classes 7A and 7B Science:

Classes 7A and 7B Science:
You have homework. Here is the note from today:
Organization of Life

The questions are on the note. While question 1 is optional, you are expected to KNOW the information!

Weekly Update: October 21 - 25th

Monday, October 21 Day 3
7B/7C Science - dress for the weather!

Tuesday, October 22 Day 4
7D Science - dress for the weather!

Wednesday, October 23 Day 5 (I am at a conference - you will have a supply teacher)
7/A Science - dress for the weather!

8B Science - Poster working period - bring any supplies you may want to use for your experiment, research, poster, etc.

Thursday, October 24 (I am at a conference - you will have a supply teacher)
8A Language Students - you will use this morning to work on your Poster -  bring any supplies you may want to use for your experiment, research, poster, etc.

8C Science - Poster working period - bring any supplies you may want to use for your experiment, research, poster, etc.

Friday, October 25 HALF DAY ONLY  (I am at a conference - you will have a supply teacher)

7/8A LANGUAGE - library day! Please bring back your library books and bring your barcode.

Grade 8s: Scientific Poster

Grade 8 Science Students: 

You have an IN-CLASS ONLY Scientific Poster assignment. You will have two full double block periods to work on this poster - with one other person or by yourself. I have posted information about this assignment on my website, at:

www.bibbysmith.weebly.com

Here you will find the rubric, what I expect and, just added, our river trip data.

If you have any questions, as always, please come to make up science class.

Have a great weekend.

Useful Scientific Poster Websites

http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign

example for science experiment

Weekly Update for Tuesday, October 15th to Friday, October 18th

Tuesday, October 15th DAY 4
7D Science: Explore the roles further of Producers and Consumers. DRESS FOR THE WEATHER.

Wednesday, October 16th DAY 5
7/8A Science: Grade 7 - see above. 
Grade 8 - using the river study information, create a Scientific Poster about the Grand River Water Shed Area.

8B Science  - using the river study information, create a Scientific Poster about the Grand River Water Shed Area.

Thursday, October 17th DAY 1
8C Science -   using the river study information, create a Scientific Poster about the Grand River Water Shed Area.

Friday, October 18th DAY 2
8D Science -  using the river study information, create a Scientific Poster about the Grand River Water Shed Area.

River Study Results!

RIVER STUDY RESULTS!!

We had a fantastic day for our river study. Classes 8A and 8D did their study in the morning and collected a TON of BMI's - thank you for all of your hard work. Classes 8B and 8C were there in the afternoon, and helped sort the BMI's and began to classify them into their separate species. Before we left the site, we took a rough tally of the BMI's found and entered the numbers into the "Water Quality Calculator". We came up with a 2! I wasn't sure we were right with our numbers and waited for Holly, our amazing Ecosparks Partner, to get back to me with the real BMI numbers. She did and I imputed those numbers in the Water Quality Calculator. LOOK HERE TO SEE HOW WE DID!!!!

http://www.ecospark.ca/changingcurrents/calculator

I'm thrilled for a few reasons:
1. Our river is CLEAN. This is great news. No, there wasn't a stonefly, but still, a 2 rocks.
2. Our rough numbers that we collected resulted in the same number as Holly's number.
3. The group that thought they had a Melaloptera DID! Well done.

We will follow up this river study by displaying our results, learning about the Scientific Poster.

8A and 8B Science Homework

What is BMI stand for? Name a BMI for each level of pollutants: 1 to 7.

Need help? Check this website out...Identifying BMI's

Weekly Update!!! October 7 to 11th

Sorry it's late!
Monday:
8B Science: Get ready for our Stream Study on Thursday! Check out (if you want)
Changing Currents

Tuesday:
Grade 8's off to Career Pathways - 11:30 to 3:30
Intermediate Cross Country Run - all day

Wednesday:
8D Science: Get ready for our Stream Study on Thursday! Check out (if you want)
http://www.ecospark.ca/changingcurrents

Thursday:
River Study!
8A and 8D - 9 - 12 noon
8B and 8C - 12 noon to 3

Also: International  Student Exchange Presentation

Friday:

PA Day!!!! Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Scientific Method! Do you remember these steps?

Just checking!!!

The Scientific Method Steps

All Grade 8 Students! Please click on the link below and explore the website. This will help prepare you for our field trip, next

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013

Changing Currents - Student Area

You will be responsible for sharing 5 interesting facts with a partner next science class!

8C Science

Due for next Science Class:
Please have one person create a document on the Cloud and share it with all of  your group members. Decide which member is responsible for what section of the experiment. Write up the first 5 steps of the Scientific Method for the experiment, "Water, Water Everywhere." This includes:

• Question
• Background Information
• Hypothesis (read the entire page to figure this one out!) - remember, this is a prediction of what your science experiment will show you/teach you at the end!
• Materials
• Proceedure

I will email you a copy of the experiment tomorrow (internet at school down - ugh) to your Cloud accounts.

October Newsletter

Welcome October! 

This past month, we have developed some good routines and expectations. With this grounding, we are ready to work hard!

One change to note: we are to have a grade 8 River trip - the date needs to change. I will give you the new date ASAP!

LANGUAGE: Grade 7/8 A

We are developing some year long projects. Namely, our READ 20 books project! I expect every person in my class to read 20 books at their reading level. They will have lots of time to read in class; however, I think to reach our goal of approximately 2 books a month, at-home reading will have to happen. Parents, I hope you can help us in this goal, by setting aside most nights, reading time. I will ask students to try and discover new genres, but am hoping I do not have to limit their choices. Up to two magazines/comics will be allowed in their 20 book count. When they finish a book, they are asked to fill in the Book Form on the Cloud. Any other questions, please just ask.

Grade 7 Science: 

We will continue to explore Ecosystems. Here are the learning objectives:

1. Producer, Consumer (herbivores/carnivores/omnivores), Decomposers - Students demonstrate an understanding of the roles and interactions of producers, consumers, and decomposers within an ecosystem. Investigate Food Chains/Webs. 

2. Predator-Prey Game – Explore the roles and interactions of producers, consumers, and decomposers. Students demonstrate an understanding of why an ecosystem is limited in the number of living things that it can support.
3. Transfer of Energy – Students demonstrate an understanding of the transfer of energy in a food chain and explain the effects of elimination of any part of the chain. Describe how matter is cycled within the environment and explain how it promotes sustainability.

Grade 8 Science:

We will continue to explore Water Systems. Here are the learning objectives:

1. The various states of water on the earth’s surface, their distribution, circulation, and the conditions under which they exist.

2. Test water samples for a variety of chemical characteristics (e.g., pH, salinity, chlorine)

3. 2 demonstrate an understanding of the watershed as a fundamental geographic unit, and explain how it relates to water management and planning. 

4. Use scientific inquiry/research skills to investigate local water issues. 

5. Use appropriate science and technology vocabulary, including water table, aquifer,
polar ice-cap, and salinity, in oral and written communication.

Weekly Update: Sept. 30 to October 4

Weekly Update!

Well, I have double booked!! I am to be at a conference on Thursday, October 24th and I have booked our Gr. 8 Stream Study that day! Oops! I have contacted Ecospark's Holly Brose, who organizes our trips to the river, and hopefully we can reschedule. I will keep you updated!

7/8A Language Arts: This week, you will make sure you have these three things finished and handed in to me: 

1. Your first writing piece - go through the complete writing process, including teacher conferencing, and submit to me your writing piece.

2. Book form - by now, you should have finished your first independent reading novel/book, and completed the online book form.

3. Tribes List:  By the end of this week, I would like you to submit to me, on a cue card I will give to you, the names of 6 people in the class you feel you could work well with. Our tribes will be formed by the beginning of next week.

Monday, Sept. 30th - Day 5  7/8A and 8B Science:

Everyone's scientific diagrams (2) should be handed in to me.
Grade 7's: you will work on the Wolf Island Food Web.
Thank you to everyone for handing in your Saltwater experiment! We will take up any questions you may have, plus work on honing your skills on the triple beam balance. If time, we will start our research for the River Study.

Tuesday, Oct. 1st - Day 1   8C Science:

Thank you to everyone for handing in your Saltwater experiment! We will take up any questions you may have, plus work on honing your skills on the triple beam balance. If time, we will start our research for the River Study.

Wednesday, Oct. 2nd - Day 2   8D Science (8FI):

Thank you to everyone for handing in your Saltwater experiment! We will take up any questions you may have, plus work on honing your skills on the triple beam balance. If time, we will start our research for the River Study.

Thursday, Oct. 3rd - Day 3 7B and 7C Science:

7B - you missed last week's class because of the Terry Fox Run! We will catch up this week, working on the book, "Wolf Island" and creating a food web.

7C - Make sure you know what your different consumers are!! Such as carnivore, herbivore, etc. Some of you need to finish up your Wolf Island food web. Others will proceed onward, to explore specific ecosystem food chains and webs.

Friday, Oct. 4th - Day 4   7D Science:


Make sure you know what your different consumers are!! Such as carnivore, herbivore, etc. Some of you need to finish up your Wolf Island food web. Others will proceed onward, to explore specific ecosystem food chains and webs.

All grade 8 Science Students: Salt water lab due

If you we're away Monday, please come in for Make Up Science Class tomorrow, Wednesday, first Nutrition Break, to catch up on the lab you missed.

7/8A Language - in class work due Friday

I would like you to work on one, self chosen piece of writing, using the writing process. Here it is again, as a refresher:

Weekly Update: Monday, Sept. 23 - 27

Wow! Sorry for the radio silence - I had the flu last Thursday and Friday and boy oh boy, did it ever

knock me off my socks! I certainly hope that I don't get any of you ill that I had a visit with last Wednesday night. So, I'm back, but moving slowly...


Monday - Classes 7/8A and 8B and 8C Science:

You were asked to make two scientific drawings. Please make sure these are in to me. ASAP!

Tuesday - 8C Science:
Take up our Salt water experiment and use the balance beams to find the mass of certain objects. Plus, a little theory about Water Systems!

Wednesday - 8D Science (8FI):
Same as above, however, I am pretty sure last week we ran out of time, so I will give you 20 extra minutes at the beginning of class to finish the Salt Water Experiment.

Thursday - 7B and 7C science:
Examine ecosystems we know and construct a research design to begin brainstorming about creating out very OWN ecosystems!  Plus - please hand in your scientific diagrams!

Terry Fox Run is also this day - so my guess is, one of the classes will miss Science. Keep tuned in!

Friday - 7D Science:
See 7B and 7C.

7/8A Language:

Homework: please write ONE character trait for Bilbo Baggins, with evidence supplied.

Monday, Sept. 16, 2013

Weekly Update: Monday, September 16th - Friday, September 20th

ALL Grade 7 and 8 Science Classes:
If you are at all familiar with the Cloud, please sign in and create a SCIENCE folder and share it with me. If you aren't sure how to do this, please feel free to come to Make Up Science class and I will gladly show you how!  Also, I have posted a great Youtube Video (BELOW) as an introduction to the Cloud. Feel free to watch it and welcome to the Cloud!

7/8A Homeroom:
WHERE ARE ALL OF YOUR FORMS!!! DON'T MAKE ME CHASE YOU!!!

Monday - Day 5:
7/8A Science- Ecosystems Introduction and the Scientific Method.
8B Science - Water Systems introduction - basic experiment procedure and lab skills.

Tuesday - Day 1:
8C Science - Water Systems: Salt water vs. Fresh Water experiment continued.

Wednesday - Day 2:
8D (which is 8FI) Science - Water Systems: Salt water vs. Fresh Water experiment continued.

OPEN HOUSE! Bring your family and come and enjoy a hot dog and see where your child spends
his/her day!

Thursday - Day 3:
7B and 7C Science - Ecosystems Introduction Continued - be prepared to go outside!

Friday - Day 4:
7D (which is 7FI) Science - Ecosystems Introduction Continued - be prepared to go outside!

UG Cloud Getting started Tutorial #1

Tuesday, Sept. 10/13

7/8A L.A. (Language Arts):
Please finish your NAME with 1 letter containing Nouns, one with Verbs, one - Adverbs and one Adjectives. Please make it legible (so we can read it) and colourful, as I would like to put them up.

8B Science:
Please create a science folder on UGCloud and share it with me if you can. I understand that many of you are not on the Cloud yet; when it happens, please do it.

8C Science:
No homework! We will continue our water experiment next class.

Language 7/8A

Please finish the Personal Information sheet that I gave to you on Friday. Both sides!! Thank you and have a good weekend!

WHO KNEW??? I'm back to JD!

Hello J.D. Hogarth! Holy cow, I'm back for another year! I found out the last week of August that I was able to come back to JD Hogarth and I am thrilled to be at such an amazing school.
This blog will serve much as it did last year - homework and updates. I have added a website this year to hopefully enhance communication and ease of navigating through your time at JD. I am hoping to have a calendar, useful website links, monthly newsletters and course content posted regularly.
Parents, if you wish to contact me, the best way is to call the school and set up a time to meet. While initiating contact through email is fine for setting up times to meet or call, my administration does not support Parent/Teacher email traffic. I believe their worries are justified - so much is missed when discussing important matters via email - and your child's education is important! So, phone: 519-787-0151, and to initiate contact or to set up an interview: lbibbysmith@ugcloud.ca. 

I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I certainly did. My family and I hosted a beautiful young woman, Marina, from Spain for the month of July. This is her third summer with us and she is considered part of our family. We are hoping to go and visit her and her family next summer! We managed to get up to a cottage for a week - and what a week it was! We had a 'dock' day every day - the weather cooperated 'swimmingly'!!!

I attended the Summer Institute Workshop for two days, to learn about many current pedagogical topics. I took an intensive online Math course for the month of July. While I won't be teaching math this year, I feel that the problem-solving approach will definitely enhance our science classes this year. I also attended 4 days of instruction to become a certified "Tribes" Leader. Tribes is a wonderful process to incorporate into any classroom, improving inclusiveness, cooperation and conflict resolution. I finished off my summer at the Learning Fair in Niagara on the Lake - a two day conference on equity and tolerance in education. I feel ready to settle into the classroom again!

I hope this is the best year yet!

Goodbye... until next year?

Dear JD Hogarth Students,
I LOVED being your teacher. I had the most engaging, challenging, 'funnest' (is that a word?) year yet of my teaching career. I will most likely not be back to JD next year, so I wanted to wish all of you a great summer and the very best for next year!
Sincerely,

Mrs. Lynn Bibby Smith

Weekly Update: June 17 to 21

Science Expo is this week!!!
Tuesday, June 18th - Schedule:

11:10  (Period 3)

- grade 7's set up, regular period for the grade 8's

12 NOON (Period 4)

- grade 7's display their experiments - PARENTS WELCOME

- grade 8's are the audience

12:50 (1st part of 2nd NB)

- grade 7's dismantle their science experiments and displays and put them away.

- grade 8's eat their lunch upstairs

1:10 (2nd part of 2nd NB)

- grade 7's eat their lunch upstairs

- grade 8's set up their experiments and displays

1:30 (Period 5)

- grade 8's display their experiments - PARENTS WELCOME

- grade 7's are the audience

2:20 (Period 6)

- grade 8's dismantle their science experiments and displays and put them away.

- Regular period for the grade 7's.