Wednesday September 30th

Wednesday September 30th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students stuck with the concept of carrying capacity, and they are/were to come up with a storyboard, including a biotic or an abiotic factor that influenced the deer populations' rise and fall from the activity "Oh Deer" on Monday.
Homework: Finish the storyboard, to be due on this coming Monday.


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students continued with the concepts of rounding decimals and place values. After some classroom instruction on less than and greater than and equal to, and ordering from least to greatest, they were given a worksheet to finish in class.
Homework: Review Homework #7 (due Friday).


8th Grade Math: In math the 8th grade students turned in their equivalent ratio worksheets, before introducing the associative and commutative properties of addition and multiplication. Using these properties to simplify variable expressions was touched on before turning the students loose on a worksheet to practice their skills.
Homework: Review Homework #7 (due Friday)

Tuesday September 29th

Tuesday September 29th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students tied together our activity of "oh deer" to a lesson on carrying capacity of populations within an ecosystem. We took our data we collected yesterday and graphed the information in order to find the carrying capacity of that population.
Homework: Students are to finish graphing the data for Wednesday.


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students were introduced to section one of chapter two on decimals and place value. After some classroom instruction, students went outside to play an interactive game where they had to quickly match up playing pieces to a decimal presented to them.
Homework: none


8th Grade Math: In math the 8th grade students were introduced to chapter two and equivalent fractions. After some classroom instruction, students went outside to estimate the number of insects on a section of lawn by measuring a small 10cm by 10cm area and multiplying the data by the total area of the lawn. Part two included using the same 10cm square area and determining the total number of blades of grass on the lawn.
Homework: Finish up the insect calculations and do part two for extra credit for Wednesday.

Friday September 25th

Friday September 25th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students handed in their homework from last week, before we all went outside to play a game called "Oh Deer." It related limiting factors and introduced the terms carrying capacity of populations to the students in a fun way.
Homework: none


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students completed the Chapter One test.
Homework: none


8th Grade Math: In math the 8th grade students completed the Chapter One test.
Homework: none

Friday September 25th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students finished working on their assignment to identify the abiotic and biotic factors that influence the survival of various animals in Southeast Alaska.
Homework: Finish Abiotic/Biotic Factor Animal Display (due Monday)


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students completed the Chapter One practice test using the note cards they put together yesterday.
Homework: Study for Monday's chapter one test


8th Grade Math: In math we went over the homework from the previous couple days and then spent the rest of class preparing flash cards for the Chapter One test on Monday
Homework: Study for Monday's test over chapter one

Thursday September 24th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students finished up their worksheet that related to the How many bears game they participated in yesterday. They took the first twenty minutes of class to finish up their calculations before the class transitioned into a reading about Living things and their environment. We went over key vocabulary together as a class by reading the first few sections as a group, before answering some key questions handed to them on a worksheet.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students completed an activity to construct study flash cards for their test next Monday. After working on the notes the class reviewed long division and three number multiplication problems.
Homework:

• Finish Multiplication and Division Review from class
  
• Review Homework #6 (due Friday)
• Study for Monday's chapter one test
  

8th Grade Math: In math we went over rules for division and multiplication of integers. We then began working on section 1.8 which introduces working on a coordinate plane. Students took notes and then worked on section 1.8 practice during class. Students were informed that we will complete a test of chapter one material on Monday.
Homework:

• Finish section 1.8 practice
  
• Review Homework #6 due Friday
• Start Studying for Monday's test over chapter one
  

Wednesday September 23rd

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students finished up their worksheet that related to the activity How Many Bears that they participated in yesterday. They took the first twenty minutes of class to finish up their calculations before the class transitioned into a reading about living things and their environment. We went over key vocabulary together as a class by reading the first few sections as a group before answering questions at the end of the reading.
Homework: Finish questions 1-5 at the end of Section 1 reading. Remember to use complete sentences when answering questions.


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students completed a worksheet on word problems individually in class. Word problems and developing a strategy for attacking and solving the problems was the key concept we are trying to achieve as a class.
Homework:

• Review Homework #6 (due Friday)

8th Grade Math: Today 8th graders corrected their worksheets on subtracting negative integers as a class before moving on to section 1.7 in the book on multiplying and dividing integers. We did a few problems as a class on the overhead for examples, along with introducing them to the key rules in multiplying and dividing negative integers (multiply or divide with the same sign is always positive; different signs is negative).
Homework:

• Review Homework #6 due Friday
• Section 1.7 practice

Tuesday September 22nd

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students began learning about limiting factors for populations within a community. Then we played a game called "how many bears can live in the forest?" The objective of this activity is to estimate how many bears could live in the forest by using the concept of limiting factors. Step one was a little scavenger hunt where students searched for food and then cached their food for future use. They were handed a worksheet which they worked on in class, and the students will finish up in class tomorrow.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students went over the section 1.5 practice problems from Monday as a class. They were introduced to the concept of mental math, and the proper time to use the concept on their homework problems, and we did some examples together in class. Finally, the class was introduced to the concept of developing a strategy or plan for how to understand and solve word problems.
Homework:

• Review Homework #5 (due Wednesday)

8th Grade Math: Today 8th graders corrected their worksheets on adding integers as a class, before moving on to subtracting negative integers. Examples were done in class, and a worksheet was handed out to finish up for tomorrow.
Homework:

Review Homework #5 due Wednesday
Section 1.6 practice problems #1-18 and evens #20-30 due Wednesday

Monday September 21st

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students looked over and critiqued each others Blueberry Leaf Count Study methods and results. After walking around the classroom to check out the different approaches to answering the question by each group, students began working on a series of reflection questions. These questions are trying to focus students on considering how the procedures used by different groups could contribute to the group arriving at a different final answers to the original study question.
Homework: Finish Leaf Count Procedures/Results Reflection


7th Grade Math: In math 7th grade students reviewed the formulas for finding the area and perimeter of squares and rectangles. Students then learned how to recognize and apply using the distance formula (distance = rate x time).
Homework:

• Section 1.5 Practice (due Tuesday)
• Review Homework #5 (due Wednesday)

8th Grade Math: Today 8th graders worked on section 1.5 which focuses on adding integers. Student took notes and then practiced adding integers using number lines.
Homework: Review Homework #5 due Wednesday

Thursday September 17th

Thursday September 17th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students worked on completing their procedures paper, and Mr. Kovach informed the students of how their final projects are to look. The students need to type up their material list, their procedures and their results on a Microsoft Word document and print them out. Another team member needs to prepare a data chart organizing their field data results in a neat, professional manner. Students will have class on Friday to finish these assignments.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th graders had Quiz #1 handed back and we went over the problems together. Mr. Olsen introduced section 1.6, perimeter and area to the students. They went over the vocabulary and some practice problems together, before handing out a worksheet for students to practice their skills in class.
Homework: Review Homework #4 (due Friday)

8th Grade Math: We started class by grading homework from yesterday as a class. Class then tackled two separate Order of Operations puzzles. One was finished in class, the other is extra credit for the students to finish by Friday.
Homework: Review Homework #4 due Friday; Extra Credit Order of Operations puzzle for Friday

Wednesday September 16th

Wednesday September 16th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students completed their procedures worksheet, and went outside to do some data collection. They then came back inside to measure and weigh their samples and complete their calculations.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th graders handed in their homework, the review #3 and the variable puzzle. Quiz #1 came next. Students spent about 20 minutes completing the quiz, making sure to show all their work! We then completed a second puzzle in class together.
Homework: Review Homework #4 (due Friday); finish up the puzzle handed out today in class if they did not finish in class.

8th Grade Math: We started class by finishing up with order of operations by correcting our homework as a class. We then moved on to comparing integers, section 1.4 in the book. A small lecture introduced the students to integers, and we then moved on to some practice problems.
Homework: Finish section 1.4 practice for Thursday, and Review Homework #4 due Friday

Monday September 14th

Monday September 14th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students were introduced to the concept of Procedures in a scientific study. The what, where and how a study is to be conducted. Students worked within their groups to brainstorm and design the steps they will take to answer the question in front of them. Students will work with their group to answer this question throughout science class this week.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th graders were given the first 15 minutes of class to finish up a order of operations puzzle. If students did not finish, they are to finish at home tonight. We then transitioned into a math baseball activity, where we divided the kids into teams and each team got the opportunity to answer a question in a short amount of time in order to get a base runner. Fun for all.
Homework:

• Study for Mid Chapter Quiz (rescheduled for Wednesday)
  
• Review Homework #3 (adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division review) is due Wednesday

8th Grade Math: We started class with a Problem of the Day on the board. We then did a few more practice problems together as a class, before we handed out a worksheet in which students worked on more practice problems. If they did not finish the problems in class, they are to do them as homework tonight. 1.3 Practice problems # 1-23 odds.
Homework: Review Homework #3 (multiplying with decimals) is due Wednesday

Monday September 14th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students were introduced to the concept of populations and how scientists count populations of various organisms. To help give practice with the methodology used by scientists, students will work with a small group to estimate the biomass of blueberry leaves that fall on the ground every autumn in Southeast Alaska. Students will work with their group to answer this question throughout science class this week.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: In math 7th graders completed a review activity to practice how to solve order of operations problems. Tomorrow there will be a quiz over section 1.1 - 1.4 with a special emphasis placed on order of operations.
Homework:

• Study for Mid Chapter Quiz (scheduled for Tuesday)
  
• Review Homework #3 (adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division review) is due Wednesday

8th Grade Math: In math students finished working on section 1.2 Practice (powers and exponents) in class. After grading the assignment students were introduced to section 1.3 which covers "order of operations". Based upon initial review of the two problems assigned at the end of class, a great deal more time will be spent in tomorrow's class on this topic.
Homework: Review Homework #3 (multiplying with decimals) is due Wednesday

Thursday September 10th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: In science students discussed the role of resource managers in Alaska. The class learned how to identify the cost/benefit analysis that must go into various decisions. We ended class by reading a case study involving wildlife management issues.
Homework: none

7th Grade Math: Today in math students continued to learn how to complete order of operations problems. The class then began working on section 1.4 practice with their table groups.
Homework: Review Homework #2 due tomorrow


8th Grade Math: In math students finished working through the calculations for finding the net pay (take home pay) based upon taxes and withdraws from their gross pay each month. They then began working on calculations to help create a budget for living expenses based upon their net pay.
Homework: Review Homework # 2 is due tomorrow

Wednesday September 9th

Wednesday September 9th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students continued working on their Elements of Design personal webpage project. The project is due at the beginning of class tomorrow, Thursday morning.
Homework: none, unless they have to finish their webpage project.


7th Grade Math: In math students reviewed and corrected the section 1.3 as a class, and we then introduced section 1.4 on Orders of Operations to the class. Students worked on some examples in class in their math notebook.
Homework: Review Homework #2 was handed out at the end of class, and it is due on Friday.


8th Grade Math: Today we continued the discussion about careers and levels of education for various career paths. And continued working on the worksheet handed out yesterday in class. We took the time to be sure all students had a grasp of the content together.
Homework:

Tuesday September 8th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science students continued working on their Elements of Design personal webpage project. Students will have part of tomorrow's class to finish this project. If their work is not completed by this point then they will have to finish the project at home tomorrow night.
Homework: none


7th Grade Math: In math students reviewed exponents and numerical and variable expressions involving exponents. The class then worked through 1.3 Practice worksheet.
Homework: Finish 1.3 Practice (all) if it was not completed during class.


8th Grade Math: Today in 8th grade math students were introduced to the "Life Math" project. We will work through this project throughout the school year. Today we had a class discussion about careers and levels of education for various career paths.
Homework: Work through Life Math Assignment #1 "Show Me the Money" (due tomorrow at the beginning of class)

Friday September 4th

7th & 8th Grade General Science: The class continued their work on their first project in which they will design the layout of a personal web page (completed on paper). The material on the web page will introduce the audience to background information on the student's interests. It will also demonstrate their understanding of how to apply the elements of Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity to the work that they produce in class.

Homework: Continue work on their personal web page project, which is due first thing on Wednesday morning.

7th Grade Math: Students did a team building exercise to begin class, working with blocks and following directions given on paper to produce an end product as a team. The class then reviewed their homework from Thursday, before Mr. Olsen introduced section 1.3 from the text book (Powers and Exponents). Students were also given their home text books. It was explained to the students that they are responsible for the condition of these books when they are to be returned at the end of the school year.

Homework: Students did some problems in class, and have no homework for the extended weekend! Have a safe holiday!

8th Grade Math: Students did a team building exercise to begin class, working with blocks and following directions given on paper and producing an end product as a team. The class then reviewed their homework from Thursday, before Mr. Kovach introduced section 1.2 from the text book, which focuses on Powers and Exponents.

Homework: Students did some problems in class, and have no homework for the extended weekend! Have a safe holiday!

Thursday September 3rd

7th & 8th Grade General Science: In science students had time to finish their Elements of Design practice business cards. The class was then introduced to their first project in which they will design the layout of a personal web page (completed on paper). The material on the web page will introduce the audience to background information on the student's interests. It will also demonstrate their understanding of how to apply the elements of Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Proximity to the work that they produce in class.
Homework:

• Parent Signature on Science Syllabus (due Friday)
  
• Finish Elements of Design practice business cards (due Friday)
  

7th Grade Math: Today in math students finished going over their 7th grade pre-course test with Mr. Olsen. The class then transitioned into the textbook and started working on section 1.2 (Variables and Expressions). They practiced several problems as a class and then began working on the 1.2 Practice worksheet. Most students finished in class
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 2 Math Syllabus (due Friday)
• Complete Review Assignment #1 (due Friday)
• Finish 1.2 Practice
  

8th Grade Math: In 8th grade math students began working in the textbook. The class reviewed what a variable is and different ways that multiplication can be shown in an expression or equation with variables. Students then worked on section 1.1 Practice which focuses on solving variable expressions.
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 3 Math Syllabus (due Friday)
  
• Complete Review Assignment #1 (due Friday)
• Finish 1.1 Practice
  

Wednesday September 2nd

7th & 8th Grade General Science: Today in science student continued learning about the "Elements of Design" that will be a central focus of work we produce this year in class.
Homework: Sign the "Shooting Star House General Science" syllabus and turn in by Friday of this week.

7th Grade Math: In math students finished working on the 7th grade pre-course assessment and then it was graded as a class. Mr. Olsen worked went over test problems with the class and answered questions that students had about the material.
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 2 Math Syllabus (due Friday)
• Complete Review Assignment #1 (due Friday)
  

8th Grade Math: Today in 8th grade math students finished working through the pre-course test. Once the class was finished with the problems we graded them as a class and went over any questions students had relating to the material covered on the test.
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 3 Math Syllabus (due Friday)
  
• Complete Review Assignment #1 (due Friday)
  

Tuesday September 1st

7th & 8th Grade General Science: In science students completed a team building activity to help them get to know their peers. Following the activity the class had a discussion about respect and the importance of students showing respect for one another. We then joined Mr. Watts' class to introduce "Elements of Design" in a short PowerPoint presentation.
Homework: Sign the "Shooting Star House General Science" syllabus and turn in by Friday of this week.

7th Grade Math: Today students started class with a short warm up problem. Students then completed the CORE 2 Pre Course test. This test will help instructors understand each students understanding of 6th grade math material (CORE 1 Mathematics).
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 2 Math Syllabus
• Complete "Letter To Math Teacher" (due Wednesday)
  

8th Grade Math: Today in 8th grade math students were assigned a textbook for use in the classroom. In the coming days a second book will be assigned for students to keep at home. Students then started working on the Pre Algebra book's pre course assessment. We will finish this test tomorrow and grade it as a class.
Homework:

• Have parents sign the CORE 3 Math Syllabus
• Complete "Letter To Math Teacher" (due Wednesday)