Quote of the Week

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~ Author Unknown

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Homework for the week of 5/31 -6/3

Monday (6/30) - Memorial Day, school is not in session. It appears that I inadvertently put the wrong date on the extra credit project. Please hand them in on Wednesday (6/1). After hearing from a few frustrated students, it appears that the generator only allows you to put in one or two sentences. Please just enter a short one sentence statement of what the important event for the date you selected might have been. Type, in a bullet-point style any additional information that you would like to include about that date on the time-line and staple it to the time-line itself. Please do not stress yourself over this assign. It was meant to be a way to connect the science you have been learning with the history of the city you live in, and a foresight into the possible future trend of Chicago's changing population.

Tuesday (5/31) - All scientists were shown the differences between dicot and monocot plants. We looked at their seeds, leaves and roots. All students were instructed to find a specimen of a dicot and monocot leaf and seed. Due Wednesday (6/1).

Wednesday (6/1) - All leaf and seed samples have been collected. There is no homework tonight.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Homework for the week of 5/23-27

Monday (5/23) - We are nearing the end of our plant observations and organism discussions. Students should study tonight the next 2-3 expectations on the study guide for Wednesday's test.

Tuesday (5/24) - Review for Wednesday's test. Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

Wednesday (5/25) - Whew! We are glad the test is over. There is no homework tonight.

Thursday (5/26) - Students from all classes have wrapped up their black-worm and pond labs, and are potting their plants. There is no homework.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Homework for the week of 5/15-20

Monday (5/16) - Students in period 1 have been shown how to outline the supplemental reading on "The Bare Necessities of Life" in class today as a study strategy to extract notes and determine important information from information the may have lesser value. For homework period 1 will complete the remainder of the outline. This assignment is due Tuesday (5/18). All other periods (2, 5, 7, 8, and 9) have already outlined and turned in their assignments last week. All periods have taken observations on their planters, as well as, their germination cups and the changes that are taking place in them. We are preparing our notes for the rumblings of a test that is in the air. There is no homework this evening for periods 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9.

Tuesday (5/18) - Students have revisited their germination cups to look for signs of change. We have completed our discussion and notes regarding the science of taxonomy, the necessities that underlie the processes that fuel life. There is no homework.

Wednesday (5/19) - Everyone has received their study guide for the upcoming test next Wednesday, 5/25. We spent the day, going over expectations for the boat trip coming up on the 27th and the study guide. Some classes reviewed and made note-cards. In addition, they were introduced to another strategy for creating easy note-cards for study. Homework for tonight: create note-cards for 2-3 expectations on the study-guide. Place your note-cards around various places and things that you look at frequently. As you go by them, see if you can recite the details without peeking. Look for examples around your home and all the organisms the live there. Find a connection between the science concept and your real world.

Thursday (5/20) - We are wrapping up our observations of the Black-worms with discussions about the things that were observed over the past three weeks and how they relate to the organisms life processes on micro level (cellular) and macro level (the organism and its systems and environment). Homework: students should continue to make their note cards and study 2 to 3 more expectations from the study guide.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Homework for week 5/9 - 13

Monday (5/9) - We are back for more observations after the weekend. For some, organisms have disappeared and some organisms have grown. While we move forward, we have sketched some changes and charted others as we contemplate the causes behind the increase or decrease in the living organisms we are examining and the processes all seem to share in their interconnecting circles of life. There is no homework.

Tuesday (5/10) - Today we had a discussion and note-taking session about the things that we have been seeing with our organisms. Students will be reading the supplement "What Makes a Plant" and answering its corresponding comprehension questions. This assignment is due Wed., 5/11.

Wednesday - Friday (5/11-13) Due to the blog site being unavailable for maintenance, there was no homework posted on the blog on Wednesday (5/11). Students in periods 2, 5, 7, 8, and 9 were shown how to outline the supplemental chapter of reading titled "The Bare Necessities of Life." They were then assigned the rest of the chapter to outline for homework, which was due Thursday (5/12). On Thursday and Friday, we were so busy putting together our planters and beginning on our germination cups, I forgot to update the blog. My apologies, but there was no homework assigned on Thursday or Friday, (5/12-13).

Monday, May 2, 2011

Homework for the week of 5/2 - 6

Monday (5/2) - The ponds have had a chance to sit over the weekend and settle. Students from all six classes have had another opportunity to collect data and make observations on any changes that may or may not have taken place. Some students are reporting seeing "really, tiny clears things moving around in the water." There is no homework tonight.

Tuesday (5/3) - After discussing the observations that we have been making on our various organisms and taking notes, all classes have reading homework. Read the supplemental handout, "The Simple Necessities of Life," and answer the corresponding comprehension questions. Due Wednesday, 5/4.

Wednesday, (5/4) - With homework check and the majority of all classes scoring above 80%, students will be losing bold titles on future reading assignments as they continue to respond to essay questions that include support. We are preparing for a new activity. No homework.

Thursday, (5/5) - We have set up our planters in our light boxes. Our observations will take place over the next few weeks as our worms and ponds disappear to be replaced by looking at cells. There is no homework.

Friday (5/6) - We have finished our observations with the worms. Students that have missed a day or two of observation due to an absence will be able to observe their worms next week. Next week is the last week to observe our ponds. We will continue to observe the progress of our plants. There is no homework.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Homework for the week of 4/25-4/29

Monday (4/25) - There is no homework. Students in all classes are into the second week of observing their fragmented worms and are in the process of beginning a new activity by building ponds.

Tuesday (4/26) - No homework. We have finished building ponds and are taking our initial observations.

Wednesday (4/27) - The last of the ponds have been built. Those students that finished their ponds yesterday observed two water samples and have begun logging their observations. As other students completed their ponds, they moved on to log their observations and to begin their water samples. No homework.

Thursday (4/28) - Students have either put the final touches on their ponds or have finished the observation on their initial water samples. For homework read pages 43-45, "Excuse Me, But Your Ecosystem is in My Habitat." Answer the corresponding comprehension questions. Due Friday, 4/29. Students had the choice of taking home a Macro to Micro book or using the online book. A link to the student access page has been provided on the blog. Due to contractual rights, I cannot include the code number. If you have misplaced the code that was given you in class, please call a classmate to check if he or she might have it.

Friday (4/29) - Whew!! We have finished building the majority of the labs. We have revisited our worms, as well as, our ponds for data collection. There is no homework this weekend.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Homework for the week of 4/18 - 4/22

Monday (4/18) - There is no homework. Students have either finished gathering data about the pulse/heart rate of their worms or now in the process of fragmenting and observing them.

Tuesday (4/19) - Students in all periods have spent the finished cleaving their worms and creating data tables to collect observations for the next three weeks. Some students spent time submitting previously requested missing assignments, before they could continue with their lab work. There is no homework.

Wednesday (4/20) - Students in all classes completed cleaving their worms. They will be observing their worms for the next three weeks. All classes have been introduced to the next activity, which will continue next Monday. Homework for this weekend is to complete the supplemental reading "Characteristics of Living Things" and answer the comprehension questions. Homework is due on Mon., 4/25.

Thursday (4/21) - Institute day, no school. Comprehension for "Characteristics of Living Things" is due Mon., (4/21).

Friday (4/22) - Comprehension questions for "Characteristics of Living Things" is due Mon., 4/25.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Homework for the week of 4/11-15

Monday (4//4) - There is no homework. Students have begun a new lab in class today.

Tuesday (4/12) - Students in periods 1 and 2 had in-class reading ("More Than Just Bait") to prepare for the second part of their exploration on a new specimen. What did not get completed in class will become homework that is due on Wednesday, 4/13. All students must submit the worksheet from the completed reading before moving to the next level, which we will be continuing on Wednesday.

Students in periods 5, 7, 8, and 9 have made observations on their new specimen today. There is no homework.

Wednesday (4/13) There is no homework for periods 1 and 2. They have begun the 2nd part of the Investigating L. Variegatus lab. Students who did not finish the in-class reading in periods 5, 7, 8, and 9 will complete it for homework. It is due in class Thursday, 4/14. All students must submit the worksheet from the completed reading before moving to the next level, which we will be continuing on Thursday.

Thursday (4/14)
There is no homework. All students are continuing their investigation of L. variegatus (Blackworm). This lab should be completed by Friday, 4/15.

Friday (4/15)-
There was no homework on Friday. Are still continuing investigating the pulse/heart rate of L. variegatus.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Homework for the week of 4/4 - 4/8

Monday (4/4) - There is no homework. We are working on part 1 of the microscope lab.

Tuesday (4/5) - There is no homework. We are completing part 1 of the microscope lab and beginning part 2.

Wednesday (4/6) - There was no homework. Some students are moving on to work part 2 of the microscope lab.

Thursday (4/7) - Due Monday, 4/11, Unknown Specimen worksheet.

As students complete microscope lab #1 (black activity) and microscope lab #2 (blue activity), they will obtain the Unknown Specimen worksheet to research the organism they have been observing in class. Students from all classes are working at differing levels with their partners. Some students may be completing lab #1, #2, or have just completed lab #2 at the end of today's class. A few students may have begun the Unknown Specimen worksheet. All students will bring the Unknown Specimen worksheet home over the weekend to complete if it has not been completed in class on Friday. All students must turn in their completed worksheet on Monday, April 11.

Friday (4/8) - Catch up Day. Unknown Specimen worksheet is due on Monday (4/11).

Monday, March 21, 2011

Homework for the week of 3/21-24

Monday, 3/21 - Quiz on compound microscope on Wednesday, 2/23. Study 5-6 microscope parts for the quiz.

Tuesday, 3/22 - Study the remaining 5-6 parts for Wednesday's quiz.

Wednesday, 3/23 - Quiz on compound microscope today.

Thursday. 3/24 - No homework.

Friday, 3/25 - No homework. Have a wonderful Spring Break!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Homework for the week of 3/14-18

Monday, 3/14 - No homework.

Tuesday, 3/15 - No homework.

Wednesday, 3/16
Period 5: Complete the naming of the organisms based on characteristics worked on during today's class. Due Thursday, 3/17.

No homework for periods 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9, which did not meet due to Read-In schedule.

Thursday, 3/17
Period 5:
Read the supplement on Classification and answer the corresponding comprehension questions (due Friday, 3/18).

Periods 7, 8, and 9:
Complete naming of organisms begun in class (due Friday, 3/21).

Friday, 3/18
Periods 1 and 2:
Complete naming of organisms begun in class (due Monday, 3/21). Read supplement on Classification and answer the corresponding comprehension questions (due Monday, 3/21).

Periods 7, 8, and 9:
Leave your organism naming homework in the folder that has been left with your Advisory teacher. Make sure to pick up the supplement on Classification. Read and answer its corresponding comprehension questions (due Monday, 3/21).

All Periods:
Create Your Wild Self is due on Monday, 3/21.
Create Your Wild Self. Due Monday, 3/21.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Homework for the week of 3/7-3/11

Monday, 3/7 - Casmir Pulaski Day, no school. No homework.

Tuesday, 3/8 - The Super scientists are presenting their projects to one another. No homework.

Wednesday, 3/9 - We are presenting the last of their projects to one another. No homework.

Thursday, 3/10 - Books are being distributed in class today. No homework.

Friday, 3/11 - No homework.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Homework for the week of 2/28 - 3/4

Monday (2/28) - Due to ISATs this week there is no homework, except to work on your project. We will also be working on your project on the day that you are scheduled for science.

Tuesday (3/1) - Continue to work on your project. Get a good night's rest and remember to eat a healthy breakfast in the morning.

Wednesday (3/2) - Last day of ISAT testing for 6th grade. Continue to work on your project which is due on Friday, 3/4.

Thursday (3/3) - Work on putting the final touches on your project. You will begin presenting your project Friday, 3/4.

Friday (3/4) - All projects are due today.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Week of Feb. 21-25

Monday (2/21) - President's Day, no school. Those students that did not finish the in-class reading of Forecasting Weather, the comprehension portion is due Tuesday, 2/22.

Tuesday (2/22) - No homework. We will begin working in class on the Catastrophic Events Performance Assessment project this week. All projects will be due Friday, March 4.

Wednesday (2/23) - No homework.

Thursday (2/24) - Project description form due Friday, 2/25.

Friday (2/25) - Begin gathering facts on your selected catastrophic event.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Homework for the week of Feb. 14-18

Monday (2/14) - Bring to class on Tuesday, 2/15, the weather forecast from a newspaper (Sun-Times, Tribune, USA Today). It doesn't matter what date it has on it. Due to the upcoming ISATs the test has been voted out by team 6-1 for a performance based assessment. Stay tune for the latest update.

Tuesday (2/15) -No homework.

Wednesday (2/16) -

Thursday (2/17) -

Friday - (2/18)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Homework for the week of Feb. 7-11

Monday (2/7) - In class reading "Water in the Air," no homework.

Tuesday (2/8) - Working on Cloud formation lab. No homework.

Wednesday (2/9) -Postponed. We are still working on the Water Cycle and Cloud Lab. Reread "Precipitation" supplement and answer comprehension questions. Due Thursday, 2.10.

Thursday (2/10) - The homework that was postponed on Wednesday, 2/9, is now for homework. We have completed both labs. Precipitation is due on Friday, 2/11.

Friday (2/11) - Precipitation is due today. Test Friday, 2/18.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Homework for the week of Jan. 31 - Feb. 4

Monday (1/31) - No homework.

Tuesday (2/1) = In class reading, The Truth About Air (p. 76-77 in the Catastrophic Events book. No homework.

All Catastrophic Events books must be turned in by Friday, February 4, 2011.

Wednesday (2/2) - In class reading. Water in the Air, supplemental material.

No homework.

Thursday (2/3) - No homework. School is dismissed 12:00 P.M. for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Friday (2/4) - No homework.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Homework for the week of Jan. 24 - 28

Monday (1/24) - Institute Day, no school.

Tuesday (1/25) - Completed part 2 of lab. No homework.

Wednesday (1/26) - Will be completing part 3 of lab. Read postponed assignment, Why does Wind Blow and Weather Fronts" on pages 59-63. Answer corresponding comprehension questions. Due Thursday, 1/27. Tonight's homework has been postponed until part 3 of lab is completed.

Thursday (1/28) - No homework.

Friday (1/29) - No homework.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Homework Jan. 18-21

Monday (1/18) - Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, no school.

Tuesday (1/19) - Picture Notes were due today. No homework.

Wednesday (1/20) - Read about Joseph Henry: The Forefather of Weather. Found in the Catastrophic Events book on pages 37-41. Answer corresponding comprehension questions, due Thurs., 1/21.

Thursday (1/21) - Joseph Henry comprehension questions are due today. Read pages 59 -63, Why Do Winds Blow and Weather Fronts. Answer comprehension questions. Due Fri., 1/22.

Friday (1/22) - Why Do Winds Blow, Weather Fronts comprehension questions are due today. No homework for Friday.

Institute Day 1/25 - No school

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Homework for the week of Jan 10 - 14

Monday (1/10) - Heat and Matter is due today. No homework.

Tuesday (1/11) - No homework.

Wednesday (1/12) - Read supplemental packet "What is Heat". Answer corresponding questions. Due Thursday, 1/13.

Thursday (1/13) - No homework.

Friday (1/14) - Conduction, Convection, and Radiation Picture notes. Due Tuesday, 1/18.

Martin Luther King day. No school Monday, 1/17/11.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Homework for the week of Jan. 3 -7

Happy New Year!

Monday, 1/3
- No homework.

Tuesday, 1/4
- Complete the wrap-up analysis for the Evaporation/Condensation Game. The document can be found under Classroom Handouts. Due Wednesday, 1/5.

Wednesday, 1/5
- No homework.

Thursday, 1/6
- No homework.

Friday, 1/7 - Read supplemental material on "Matter and Energy" and answer corresponding questions. Due Monday, 1/10.


Friday, 1/7