Homework 5/25-5/29/09

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, 5/25/09: MEMORIAL DAY

WEAR FORMAL CLOTHES ON TUESDAY, 5/26/09 FOR HAWTHORNE HOTEL

Math: Tuesday, 5/26: Hand in Math Graphs at the end of class. Your goal is to finish up Unit Reviews that will be counted on this quarter WHICH ENDS FRIDAY, 5/29/09.

Reading (Tues.): Bring Life Skills to class for Second Block. Make sure you have checkbooks with you.

Writing: Work on revisions of your Science Fiction/Fantasy stories for judging.
Writing (Tues.) Diagramming books will be collected at the end of class.

Science: Hand in Science Books, your write-up for your long term experiment. FIELD TRIP TO TUFTS. Bring a non-messy snack for the van and a non-glass bottle.

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Geography 4B: No homework.
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HS Chemistry Test on Chapters 17-25 on Tuesday, 5/26/09. You have your Long Term Science Lab Experiment Report due on Thursday, 5/21/09.
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Homework for 5/18-5/22/09

Math: 2 nights of Math (1 hr.) during the week. If you are going on Spring Trip, you could work ahead!!

Reading: (Mon.) Bring Life Skills folder with you.

Writing: (Tues.) No homework

Science: Wear old clothes for a lab.

DON'T FORGET $20 FOR THE HAWTHORNE HOTEL ON MONDAY, 5/18/09!!

Field Trip to Tufts: Wed. 5/27/09

Bob Cook, parent of Allie Cook in Group 5G, has invited both Group 5s to visit the Behavioral Science Labs at Tufts on Wednesday, May 27th. We will be able to hear about the research they are doing with animals and actually see how the projects are set up and how data is collected! THIS MEANS THAT THE LONG TERM EXPERIMENT PRESENTATIONS THAT WERE SCHEDULED FOR THIS DATE, WILL BE BUMPED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK.

We will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. and we will be out the whole day, returning in time for pick up. Please bring a non-messy snack and non-glass drink for the van ride to Tufts. We are still waiting word on what time the presentations will be over. If possible, Groups 5 may be able to eat lunch out; I will let you know as I hear about timing. Otherwise we will bring a non-microwavable bag lunch and drink.

$20 for Hawthorne Hotel due on Mon., 5/18/09

The Hawthorne Hotel is opening a dining area and customizing a meal for Group 5G on Tuesday, 5/26/09. Since the chef must order the food before we arrive, I am asking all students to bring $20 on Monday, 5/18/09. This money will be non-refundable, even due to illness, as the hotel would not be able to return the food once ordered. Students will be dressed formally, ties and dress clothes for the boys, dresses, skirts or coordinated pants outfits for the girls. The object is to practice polite conversation and good table manners in a refined setting. Bon appetit!!

Science Test Make-up

Richard and Riale need to make up the last Science Test on Wednesday, May 15th at lunch. Thanks.

Homework 5/11-5/15/09

Math: No Math homework for Monday night.
Reading (Monday): Life skills will be postponed due to testing on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
Writing: Work on any final editing/writing of your Science Fiction/Fantasy stories.
Science: no homework.
Diagramming: 30 minutes of homework.
ART SHOW IS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

Wednesday, May 15 is Eat What You Like Day. Please bring $$ for ordering lunch from Ma Duke's. (We'll pass the menu around on Tuesday.)

Homework 5/4/09-5/8/09

Math: 30 minutes of Math, five nights/week, completing all corrections before new material. ALL WORK MUST BE DONE IN YOUR MATH NOTEBOOK, SHOWING ALL STEPS.

Reading Block (MON.) Life skills: Your professions should be in your Reading/Writing Folder. We will begin setting up a syste to pay bills this week.

Writing: I will hand back your final draft with my suggestions so that you can finish your story. Please hand back on Thursday, 5/14/09 for judging. You must provide a title page with the title of your story and your name which I will keep. Your story should have the title on every page and each page should be numbered so that if a page gets separated, we can identify it.

Science: 5/6/09: No class. Teacher Development Day; 5/13: No class. Art Show;
5/20/09: Spring Trip Wek: Students who do not go will have a combination lab;
5/27/09: Final Science Class - Dissection and make up work. Extra credit #2 due on 5/5/09 only. This will be averaged in with your other grades. POSSIBLE FIELD TRIP TO TUFTS TO BE ANNOUNCED.

Writing (Tuesday) Diagramming: Do 30 minutes in your book.
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Geography 4B: Finish reading Section 2 and 3, Pages 60-69,in your book. Do Section 2 Review Questions 1-3 and Sec. 3 Review Questions 1-2. Test on Chapter 3 on 5/8/09.
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HS Chemistry:HS Chemistry:
We will complete 4 chapters/week in your Chem. 3 book by Tuesday of each week. On 3/24/09- Ch. 1-4; on 3/31/09- Ch. 5-8;on 4/7/09 - Ch. 9-12; on 4/14/09- Ch. 13-16; 4/21/09 - Ch. 17-20; on 4/28/09- Ch. 21-25. Please stay on the schedule so that we can use the information on your Periodic Table. Also, please be sure to have your long term experiment well under way and be recording data. A test on Chapers 1-15 will be given on Thursday, 5/7/09; a test on Chapters 16-25 will be given on Tuesday 5/26/09.
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Homework 4/27/09-5/l/09

Math: 30 minutes of Math, five nights a week, completing all corrections before moving on to new material. If you have a problem, please call Denise between 7:00-8:30 pm.

Writing: Bring a hard copy of your Sci. Fi/Fantasy Story each day to class for peer editing.

Homework

Luncheon at the Hawthorne Hotel for Group 5G

On Tuesday, May 26th, a nattily-attired Group 5G will raise etiquette and manners to a new level while lunching at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. Students will dine on three courses- a salad, an entree,and dessert- in an elegant setting, using appropriate utensils, and while making scintillating conversation with each other. After hearing about our 'civility' project, the Hawthorne Hotel was very accomodating; their dining room is not open during the week and they usually have a charge for setting up a room. They were so impressed with our goal, that they are not only giving us a room free of charge, but they tailored the menu to what the students wanted, and our party will be announced via the announcement board as we enter the Hawthorne! The cost per student is $20 which includes the tax and a gratuity!

The Art of Civility

Group 5G and I have started talking about civility, civilized conduct requiring courtesy or politeness. Some of the areas that we have identified are how to make small talk with new people, how to enter and exit a conversation politely, and how to eat with utensils. Our "final exam" will be to dress up and go out for lunch at a restaurant with fine dining. I am exploring the possibilities currently and I will post the date and place later on.

Homework 4/20/09-4/24/09

Math: Five nights of math M-F, 30 minutes/night, completing all corrections before moving on to new material. If you have a problem, please call Denise between 7-8:30pm. YOU WILL HAVE MATH ON MONDAY, 4/20/09, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT IN SCHOOL.

Writing: Second draft of your Science Fiction/Fantasy story is due on Tuesday morning, 4/21/09. Please have a hard copy that has been highlighted or underlined where you have added revisions or new material. It will be a lunch bunch for anyone not bringing a highlighted copy. If your peer editor has not finished comments during class time, it does not mean that you have no homework! You are the writer and it is your responsibility to be the final editor, so you would continue working on your own paper. Remember, if you do not bring a hard copy to be edited in class, you not only don't have the benefit of another person's perspective, you also do not give the other person a grade for peer editing during class. Please treat everyone the way you would like to be treated.

Wordly Wise: Test on Unit 6 on Tuesday, 4/21/09.

Science: Test on Chapter 1 on Wednesday, 4/22/09. We have already prepped for this test in class, but if you should have additional questions, please see me and I'd be happy to help. Videotaping for your Science Fair Project will be done during class on Wed., 4/29/09. Please have your backboard, your model or demonstration, and your 4 minute presentation ready to go. During Family and Friends Night, that same evening, you should remember your snack to go with your presentation. Please don't bring the snack during class. Thanks. Extra credit for Science due on 5/5/09: please see your syllabus.
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Geography 4B: Read Pages 55-59 and do the Section 1 Review: Questions 1-5.

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HS Chemistry:
We will complete 4 chapters/week in your Chem. 3 book by Tuesday of each week. On 3/24/09- Ch. 1-4; on 3/31/09- Ch. 5-8;on 4/7/09 - Ch. 9-12; on 4/14/09- Ch. 13-16; 4/21/09 - Ch. 17-20; on 4/28/09- Ch. 21-25. Please stay on the schedule so that we can use the information on your Periodic Table. Also, please be sure to have your long term experiment well under way and be recording data. A test on Chapers 1-15 will be given on Thursday, 5/7/09; a test on Chapters 16-25 will be given on Thursday 5/28/09.

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Homework for 4/13/09-4/17/09

Math: 30 min. of Math/5 nights a week, completing all corrections before moving on to new material. If you have a problem, please call Denise between 7-8:30 pm.

Writing (Tues.) for Grps. 5g and 5B: Do 30 minutes of work on your diagramming packet from the page where you left off.

Writing: Work on your Science Fiction/Fantasy draft according to the handout. Bring in a HARD COPY on Monday, Wed., Thursday so your classmates can peer edit. For 4/13/09, you will have this week to have peer editing before your second draft is due. Make sure you have your thumb drive with you each day, your Reading/Writing folder, your action timeline and that you turn in your peer editing sheet each class (one copy goes to your author, one to me).I handed out a plastic sleeve with your Action Timeline which your peer editor will use against your story. Make sure that your editor can tell which events are part of the beginning, the middle and the end of your story. (Highlight in different colors if you've written your action timeline as a narrative.)


Science: Follow your science syllabus. We will go to Group 1 on Wed., 4/8/09 to help put together their Science Fair Projects.

Reading (Tues.): Life Skills.

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Geography 4B: to be announced.
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H.S. Chemistry: We will complete 4 chapters/week in your Chem. 3 book by Tuesday of each week. On 3/24/09- Ch. 1-4; on 3/31/09- Ch. 5-8;on 4/7/09 - Ch. 9-12; on 4/14/09- Ch. 13-16; 4/21/09 - Ch. 17-20; on 4/28/09- Ch. 21-25. Please stay on the schedule so that we can use the information on your Periodic Table.
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Help Pick Music for the Auction Music Basket

Please pick 7 appropriate songs that you could put on a CD with your name written on it for the Music Basket. Your songs must be free of graphic language and violence, and appropriate for Group 4 and up. Also, please consider any gift cards, CDs, music items (iPod Shuffle, ear phones/ear buds, cases, tickets to concerts etc.) that you think should be included. Please bring your song list and ideas to Morning Check In tomorrow (Wed.) morning to present to Martha Humphreys who is coordinating our basket. Thank you.

Thank you to Ron Sweet!

Ron Sweet, Clark School's Business Manager, was kind enough to speak to Group 5G in our Life Skills course regarding payroll taxes!! He put together a W2 form for each student's high and low paying job and even laid off a few students!! It was an eye-opening discussion about taxes,(why we have them, how we can change them), and it prompted great questions and discussion. We want to say a big "Thank you" for a wonderful presentation!

Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds"

During our celebration of National Cheeseball Day on Wednesday,April 15th, Group 5G would like to see "The Birds." Although we have read the play last year, I have not shown this movie because of 10 sec. of film where it shows the farmer who has been killed by the birds. I just didn't want to cause any bad dreams! Group 5G students have assured me (especially those who have seen the film already) that they have seen far scarier things than this, and they really want me to consider showing the film. My response is that I will let parents decide.

If you feel that your child is not able to handle this, please email me at denise@clarkschool.com and let me know. I won't make this information available, rather I will just say generically that I had objections and I will show something else. Thanks a lot.

Homework 4/6/09-4.10/09

Math: 30 minutes/night, 5 nights a week, completing all corrections before moving on to new work. If you have a problem, plese call Denise between 7-8:30 pm.

Reading: On Mondays, we will try to do Life Skills in Reading Block. Plese bring occupations with you. (I will try to reschedule Ron Sweet to meet with us on Monday instead of Tuesday.)

Writing: Bring a HARD COPY of your work (story vignettes count)every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday for peer editing. Your homework is to finish writing your action timeline events as individual stories with the minor actions leading up to the event and the actions that occur after the event. In this way you are breaking your story up into action timeline event stories. Then it is a matter of linking them with transion words and paragraphs and your first draft is written! Make sure that you can relate your action timeline to the story vignettes. BACK UP YOUR STORY ON A THUMB DRIVE, PLEASE!

Writing (Tuesday) for Groups 5B &5G: Do 30 minutes on the diagramming packet, going back to where you left off and then filling in the sentences.

Wordly Wise: Test on Words 1-10 on your Scrabble Word List for Tuesday, 4/7/09; Test on Words 11-20 on your Scrabble Word List for Tuesday, 4/14/09.

Science: Follow your Science Syllabus.

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Geography 4B: Homework to be assigned.

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HS Chemistry: Please do 4 chapters each week in your Chem. 3 book.

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Cheeseball Day Celebration, Wed., April 15, 2009

Group 5G celebrates Cheeseball Day with an hors d'oeuvres party on Wed., 4/15/09 during Reading block. Students have offered the following contributions: Cheeseballs- Allie, Bailey, Denise; Chips & salsa- Harry; Sparkling Cider (2)-Maya;Sparkling Grape Juice (2);Richard - champagne glasses; Seven Layer Dip - Eleanor; Pigs in a Blanket - Nick; Fruit Platter - Mike; Potato skins/mozzarella sticks - Alexandra; Veggies & dip - Will. Scintillating conversation will round out the bill of fare!

Homework 3/30-4/3/09

Math: No Math homework; books collected for grading.

Reading/Writing: Follow your outline which was handed out. First draft due on Monday. Bring a hard copy to class. Each night you will make revisions on the suggestions of your peers and bring a hard copy the next day for more peer editing. BACK UP YOUR WORK ON A FLASH DRIVE!!!

Science: Follow your syllabus. Read the packed on the science experiment and bring a Science in the News article to discuss. Your Science Experiment should be started, and your Science Fair project should be well under way.

Wordly Wise: Test on Unit 5 on Tuesday, 3/28/09. Complete the text and turn in on Tuesday.

Life Skills: We will do Life Skills during Reading block on Monday.
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Geography 4B: No homework

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H.S. Chemistry: We will complete 4 chapters/week in your Chem 3 workbook. On Tuesday 3/24/09 - Chapters 1-4; 3/31/09-Chapters 5,7, 8 (skip Ch. 6); 4/7/09 - Chapters 9-12; 4/14/09 - Ch. 13-16; 4/21/09 - Ch. 17-20; 4/28/09 - Ch. 21-25.
Please begin your Science Experiment!!!
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Homework 3/23-3/27/09

Math: 30 mins. Math/ 5 nights per week, making corrections before moving on to new work. If you have a problem, please call Denise between 7:00-8:30 pm. and if we can't work it out by phone, you can be seen first thing in the morning.

Reading/Writing: Homework every night on your Science Fiction Fantasy Story, finishing the action timeline and beginning to piece together your first draft by elaborating each event of the action timeline. Please bring a hard copy of your story to class each day so that your peers can edit the revisions from the day before. Follow your syllabus for dates and what is due.

Wordly Wise: Test on Unit 4 on Tuesday, 3/24/09. Please check with Denise to see that you have been credited with all work due.

Science: A new syllabus for the rest of the year was handed out on Monday, 3/23/09.
Please be sure that you have a topic for a long term experiment (data collected over a period of 4-6 weeks)for Wed., 3/25/09.
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Group 4B: Geography: To be determined.

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HS Chemistry: First 4 chapters of Chem. 3 for Tuesday, 3/24/09. We will do 4 chapters/week, each week for the remainder of the year.

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Celebration of Additional Crazy Days!

We have a new calendar in Group 5G which lists some additional observances, and Group 5G has decided to participate in the following: Wednesday, March 25, Waffle Day; Friday, April 17, Cheeseball Day; Wednesday,May 13, Leprechaun Day.

For Waffle Day,we will have a waffle breakfast in the morning with students contributing to the menu (more to follow); Cheeseball Day will feature a variety of hors d'oeuvres during Snack time; and for Leprechaun Day, the vote is still out on how we will celebrate it, but you can bet that we will come up with something interesting!!

Homework 3/2/09- 3/6/09

Math: 30 min/night, 5 nigthts/week, completing all corrections before moving on to new material. Call Denise between 7-8:30 pm if you have problems and I will help you over the phone.

Reading/Writing: Work on character development for the Science Fiction/Fantasy story in complete sentences, showing who your character is. Do not make it a bullet list. I want this character to jump off the page at me and grab my interest.

Wordly Wise: The first 4 words from Unit I, II, III, plus the completed Review packet due Tues., 3/3/09. Unit 4 handout for after vacation will be given out.

Science: A mini test of the same material covered on your last test. This is elective; you don't have to take the test if you prefer. This test will not count against you if you do worse, but if you do better, your grade will be averaged with the last test.

Test Prep: Something Wicked This Way Comes will be shown.

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Geography 4B: Last changes on your final story will be made and the stories will be turned in. We will play geography games for the balance of the class.

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HS Chem: Test on Chapters 16-23 on Chem 2 on Thursday, 3/5/09. Please turn in your book during class. Bring Periodic Tables to work on after the test.
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Homework 2/23-2/27/09

It's GROSS WEEK!! Please wear old clothes on Wednesday for Science Class. We will be interpreting the meaning of "Gross" in our various classes. Be prepared for anything!

Math: 30 mins. Math/5 nights per week, doing all corrections first before moving on to new material. If you have a problem, call Denise between 7-8:30 pm; if we are unable to solve over the phone, we will work on it together the first thing in the morning.

Reading: Bring your Science Fiction/Fantasy storyline (beginning, middle, end, conflict and resolution) to class to discuss.

Writing: Continue Sci. Fiction/Fantasy story telling and go over handout.

Science: Wear old clothes for dissection! Bring books to class to turn in for new book.
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Grp. 5B & G: Test Prep: Testing in class.
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Geography Greoup 4B: Please have finished books for class.

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HS Chemistry: Tuesday, 2/24/09 We will work on Periodic Tables in class; bring all materials and your Chem II workbook.
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Science Fiction/Fantasy Stories start 2/23/09

TWO handouts for parents and students will be given out on Wed., 2/18/09, with one copy to be kept at home and one to be signed and returned to the teacher. This handout outlines the process of putting together a 10 to 50 page science fiction or fantasy story, and the timeline for completion of each step of the project. Students will be working in class and at home to revise and refine their drafts with help from peer editing. Teachers have graciously consented to judge blind copies of students' work for our first, second and third place finalists. All students will receive a certificate for particpation. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Denise.

Homework 2/16/09-2/20/09

Monday, 2/16/09, is Presidents' Day and there is no school. Use this time to work on Science Fair, or Science Fiction/Fantasy story. Thursday is CRAZY HAT DAY, so bring your craziest chapeau!

Math: 30 minutes/night, 5 days/week, making all corrections first before moving on to new material. If you have difficulty, please call Denise between 7-8:30 pm for help. If we are unable to resolve by phone, we will meet the first thing the next morning.

Wordly Wise: Unit 2 words test and ompleted packet due on Tuesday, 2/17/09. (Postponed until Thursday, 2/19/09 (due to prep for the Science Test on Wednesday, and History Quiz next week.)

Writing: Do the review page on possessive/nominative pronouns.

Reading: Reading log due on Friday, 2/20/09. Follow my format until Pam assigns something different.

Science: Test on Chapter 4 on Wed. 2/18/09. We will do an additional prep. on Thursday, 2/12/09, AND ON 2/17/09 so please bring your book and folder with you to Reading class.
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Test Prep: 5B&G Final tests for Test Prep. on Tuesday, 2/24/09. Writing will resume after the last class. PREP. FOR SCIENCE/History DURING TEST PREP TIME ON 2/17/09.
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Geography 4B: Work on your story book of the Relationship between the Earth and Sun. For 2/6/09, finish your draft and break the information into smaller sections; by 2/13/09, finish illustrations; by 2/20/09, your book will be completed. We will have it bound to present to Group 1 class.
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H.S. Chemistry: 4 Chapters/week in Chem. 2: Understanding Mixtures are due each Tuesday. By 2/10/09, Chapters 1-16 should be done; by 2/17/09, 1-20 should be done; and by 2/24, 1-23 should be done.We will have a test on Chapter 1-16 on Thursday, 2/19/09. and a test on Chapter 17-23 on Thursday, 3/5/09.
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Reading Logs Due on Fridays!

Pam will be taking over Reading Logs, and she will collect your Reading Logs on Fridays. This Friday, 2/13/09, will be the first date for a Reading Log due for Pam!Please use my Reading Log format until Pam assigns something different. Thanks.

Homework 2/9-2/13/09

Math: Work 30min/night, 5 nights/week, making all corrections first before moving on to new material. If you have a problem, please call Denise at home between 7:00-8:30 pm and if we can't solve it over the phone, we will meet first thing the next morning.

Reading: Reading logs are due each week on the novel of your choice. Pam will be taking over Reading Log and she may give you a different format for the Reading Log, but use mine in the meantime. Twenty-fifty pages per week as we discussed individually in class are required.

Wordly Wise: Test on Tuesday, 2/10/09 on your new vocabulary list. You will be graded on spelling, part of speech and definitions. Please do all work in the packet.

Writing: We will be talking about the timeline for your Science Fiction/Fantasy story on Monday, 2/9/09.

Science: Field Trip to the Museum of Science. We will leave at 8:30.am. and return by 3:00pm pickup. Please see additional blog information regarding lunch and Gift Shop money.

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Groups 5B and 5G Test Prep: We will continue interviewing in class. Please have 6 questions prepared for yourself as the interviewer and the interviewee.

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Geography 4B: Work on your story book of the Relationship between the Earth and Sun. For 2/6/09, finish your draft and break the information into smaller sections; by 2/13/09, finish illustrations; by 2/18/09, your book will be completed. We will have it bound to present to Group 1 class.
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H.S. Chemistry: Please finish 4 chapters by Tuesday of each week. Bring all books, folders, and Periodic Tables to each class. We will be continuing our overlays of the Periodic Table each week.
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Extra Credit Assignments for Quarter 3

We are offering two opportunities for students to do extra credit work during Quarter 3. No other times during the quarter will extra credit work be extended for Reading, Writing, and Science. Extra credit work is optional, so don't feel that you must do it. The two dates that work can be submitted are: Tuesday, 2/17/09 and Tuesday 2/24/09.

On Tuesday, 2/17/09, the topics due are:
Science: Research the minting of coins and find out the specific composition of a penny, nickel, dime, quarter, half dollar. Explain how most of the US coins are made of alloys, making sure to define what an alloy is. Discuss how long US coins are expected to be in circulation and what is done with "old" coins that are taken out of circulation. Include additional historical information about how the composition of coins have changed over the years. Three pages typed, Arial 12 pt., single spaced, block style, 1 inch margins top/bottom/sides.

Writing: Research the medical ethics issue: Should humans be cloned? Please discuss the pros and cons of the issue and support your ideas with examples and quotes from specific sources. Three pages, Arial 12 pt., single spaced, block style, 1 inch margins top/bottom/sides.

On Tuesday, 2/24/09 the topics due are:
Readng: Look up a favorite speech and explain why the words are moving to you. Put the speech in historical context (who made the speech, what were the times like), tell where it was delivered and to whom, and quote specific passags that evoke a feeling in you. Explain whether you feel it would have the same impact today. Three pages typed, Arial 12 pt., single spaced, block style, 1 inch margins top/bottom/sides.

Science: Detecting radiation is the first step in using it safely. Three methods are used to detect radiation: the Geiger counter, a scintillation counter, and a film badge. Research each method and determine which is the best for monitoring exposure to radiation if a scientist wants to study how a plant takes up phosphorous. Write a summary of each type of detector, how it is used, what its benefits are, and your reasons for choosing the detector that you feel is best for this experiment. Three pages typed, Arial 12 pt., single spaced, block style, 1 inch margins top/bottom/sides.

These papers are due on the day they are assigned. Papers will not be accepted on any other date.

Homework, 2/2-2/6/09

It's a short week for classes (Monday through Wednesday). Thusday, 2/5/09 we have Parent Conferences, and Friday, 2/6/09 is Teacher Development Day. This is a great time to get a jump on your compare/contrast essay for "Rear Window" and "Dial M for Murder",your storyline for your Science Fiction/Fantasy story, and your Science Fair Project!

Math: 30 minutes of Math,5 nights/week, making all corrections first before going on to new material. If you have a problem, please call Denise between 7-8:30pm for help. If I can't solve the problem with you over the phone, we will arrange to meet first thing the next morning.

Wordly Wise: "Test" on your made-up and real words! It's a crossword puzzle. Today I will hand out a first "unit" on new words for your Wordly Wise Test next week, 2/10/08.

Reading: Pam will be taking over the Reading Log, but until she does, please use my Reading Log instructions to respond to the book you are reading. Twenty-fifty pages per week as we individually agreed should be covered.

Writing: We will finish "Dial M for Murder" on Monday, and you should begin your compare/contrast essay afterwards. I will give you the due date after we discuss the films. Compare/Contrast essay on Dial M and Rear Window will be due on Monday, 2/9/08: Arial 12 pt., 3 full pages long, single spaced, block style (no indentations), 1" margins top/bottom/sides, single space between paragraphs.

Science:For 2/4/09: Chapter 4: Section 3, Pages 135-150. Questions 1-24 on Pg. 149-150. Be prepared to discuss your Science in the News articles for class. Outline Sections 3 & 4 for Wed. 2/11/09. MUSEUM OF SCIENCE FIELD TRIP FOR 2/11/08. Please bring disposable bag lunch, no glass bottles, and snack for the van ride. Also, please bring money if you want to buy something from the Gift Shop. We will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. and be back by 3:00 pm pick up.
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Groups 5B and 5G Test Prep.: We will interview each other during class. Make up 6 questions to ask as an interviewer and as the person being interviewed.
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Group 4B Geography: Work on the draft of your storybook about the relationship of the Earth to the Sun. By 2/13/09 you should have the draft of your entire book (at least 11 pages), and then break the information into smaller amounts. Drafting the illustrations and page layout would be the next step. The finished book will be done by 2/20/09.
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HS Chemistry: Work on Chemistry 2 Workbook, completing 4 chapters by Tuesday of each week. Also, on 2/2/09, your research experiment topics are due.
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Gross Week: Feb. 23-27, 2009

This week your teachers will treat you to some "gross" explorations in different subjects! Prepare to be amazed(and grossed out)during Math, Reading, Writing, Science, History and Spanish!! You definitely want to wear old clothes for Science that week!

Museum of Science Trip, Wed., 2/11/09

Groups 5B and 5G, plus High School, will be going to the Museum of Science on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. There are some new exhibits, "Myths and Legends" and a Physics exhibit, that we will try to see, in addition to other scheduled events. Please bring a disposable bag lunch with non-glass drink and a non-messy snack to be eaten in the van during the ride. If you wish to purchase any items from the Gift Shop, please bring additional money to do so, but not more than $20. We will leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. and return by 3:00p.m. You may bring iPods for the van, but at your own risk. In other words, if you lose or damage them, the liability is yours.

Groups 5B and G: Extra Credit Work

All extra credit work that is due either Jodi or Denise for any class will be due no later than Friday, 1/30/09, at 8:15 a.m., not lunch time or at the end of the day. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Homework 1/26-1/30/09

Math: Students will work in their Math books for 30 minutes/night, five nights a week, making all corrections first before moving on to new material. Problems and calculations will be kept in students' math folders using the required format. If a student has difficulty, please call Denise between 7-8:30 pm for help. If the problem can't be figured out over the phone, we can meet first thing the next morning.

Wordly Wise: No test this week.

Science: For 1/28/09, Science in the News Presentations: choose an article, read and understand it, and be prepared to present the information in 5 minutes.
For 2/4/09: Chapter 4: Section 3, Pages 135-150. Questions 1-24 on Pg. 149-150.

Reading Log: First 30-50 pages (depending on what you and I spoke about in class) to read and write a reading log on it.

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Geography 4B:In class we will begin writing a children's storybook for a Group 1 student explaining the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. Start thinking about what you would like to say and what your illustration might be. We brainstormed some ideas in class: seasons, rotation/revolution, Sun's & Earth's pull, solstices and equinoxes, solar and lunar eclipses, North/South poles and magnetic forces, Temperature differences throughout the earth, moon. Please remember to use simple sentences and words, and lots of pictures. Write what you want to say first, then divide it into smaller sections and plan your pictures. Thanks.
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High School Chemistry: Chapters 1-8 should be completed for Tuesday, 1/27/09.
We will be doing 4 chapters/week, so next week Chapters 1-12 should be completed.

Homework for 1/20-1/23/09

Math: Work in your book 5 nights/week making all corrections first before moving on to new material. If you run into a problem, you may call Denise between 7-8:30 pm at home. If we are not able to resolve the issue over the phone I will meet with you the following morning first thing. NO MATH HOMEWORK OVER THE LONG WEEKEND.

Wordly Wise: Study the 10 words that every student put together for the test on Tuesday, 1/20/09. (qwerty, aggravate, fraternize, zymurgy, inane, quinquennium, interfere, merchant, zyzzyva, explicit.)

Science: For 1/21/09 read and outline Chapter 4: Sections 1 & 2, pgs. 118.134. Put terms in your dictionary. Questions 1,2,3 on Pg. 125; Questions 1,2 on Page 134.
For 1/28/09, Science in the News Presentations: choose an article, read and understand it, and be prepared to present the information in 5 minutes.
For 2/4/09: Chapter 4: Section 3, Pages 135-150. Questions 1-24 on Pg. 149-150.

Reading/Writing: Please prepare a Reading Log for the end of the book that we read in class; due 1/20/09. (Something Wicked This Way Comes). Choose an age appropriate book for your reading level, (one which you have not read before) to begin 1/22/09. Ask me for suggestions if you have trouble choosing a book.

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Group 4B: Please bring 3 dividers for your geography section in your large binder, or in a separate 1" flexible, three-ring binder. Do questions 1-7, Page 30, for 1/23/09. In class we will begin writing a children's storybook for a Group 1 student explaining the relationship between the Earth and the Sun. Start thinking about what you would like to say and what your illustration might be.
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High School Chemistry: Do the first 4 chapters in your Chemistry Workshop II workbook for Tuesday, 1/20/09. We will try to do 4 chapters/week.
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Life Skills Unit

Group 5G have started a Life Skills Unit where they will explore adulthood!! Each student has picked a professional and a minimum wage job to compare the kinds of choices they will have to make in terms of finding a place to live, transportation, picking roommates, as well as familiarizing themselves with all of the associated issues that go with them. We will be using the Sunday Boston Globe to hunt for apartments/houses, to find vehicles,and to find bargains. Our Business Manager, Ron Sweet will be talking with them about payroll deductions. Students will use checks and their bank accounts to pay bills, and a spread sheet to track expenditures. Students' professional/minimum wage jobs are: Max- Financial Manager/short-order cook; Nick- Real estate agent/construction laborer; Bailey- Lawyer/cashier; Maya - Family Practitioner (MD)/amusement park worker; Eleanor - Occupational Therapist/Janitor; Alexandra - Registered Nurse/house painter; Riale - Pharmacist/painter's helper; Richard - Multimedia artist and animator; lifeguard or ski patrol; Allie - Computer software engineer (Apps.)/gas station attendant; Will- Biochemist/waiter.

Mystery Compare/Contrast Essay

On Monday, January 26th we will watch and discuss "Rear Window" during the morning. On Wednesday, January 28th we will watch and discuss "Dial M for Murder" during the morning. You will be required to take notes in class and to use them in writing a compare/contrast essay for this assignment. The handout on Compare/Contrast Essays will be a resource tool to ensure that you construct a superb essay!! Both films were directed by the same director, Alfred Hitchcock, and both are considered among his best films.

Homework for 1/5/09-1/9/09

Math: 30 minutes of Math, 5 nights a week (Mon-Fri.) making all corrections first before moving on to new material. If you have difficulty, please call Denise between 7:00-8:30 pm for help. If we can't resolve the problem over the phone, I will meet with you first thing the next morning.

Wordly Wise: You will be tested on the "No Excuse" spelling words on Tuesday, 1/13/09.

Test Prep: Your application essay is due, Tuesday 1/13/09

Science: Write up for paper table lab is due on We4. 1/14/09.

Reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes: Pages 242-end with reading log. You can summarize the ending that we read in class.

Writing: Two Free Writes due on Thursday, 1/8/09.

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Group 5 Blue Test Prep: Application essay is due Tues., 1/20/09.
Group 5 Green: Application essay is due on 1/20/09. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

HS Chemistry: Final exam on Ch. 15-28 Thursday, 1/15/09.

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