Ms. LaFontaine

August 13, 2008

I want to welcome all of my students to Hightower Trail Middle School.  I am so excited to begin this year!  We are going to have a great time learning Earth Science.  We have some really fun, hands on activities for you.  I hope you are ready to learn!  I am attaching the Syllabus for the year here in case you lose yours.  The supplies you need are:  Composition book (for vocab words), Science notebook or separate section in binder for science with the following dividers:  Warmups, Notes/classwork, Labs.  Also, colored pencils.  Occaissionally, I will ask for donations for certain labs we will be doing, but that is it for now!!  Looking forward to the year!!

I can't wait to start!

Today we began our unit on Rocks and Minerals with  a MISSION!  We are trying to help some Paleontologists by being Science Seekers! 

Homeowrk:  Bring in your composition book and signed papers!

SyllabusDownload syllabus07-08TT.doc

Wednesday

Well, the year is winding down.  Any more work we do wil be strictly class work.  No more homework!!

Have a great summer! Read a book or a science journall

Monday

Today we went on a Space Mission to find a lost orbiter.  The students really liked this.

Please remember to send in your $1 for your report card envelope.

Tuesday

TEST ON EARTH, MOON, SUN TOMORROW! STUDY!!

If you volunteered to bring the chocolate chip cookies, please have them by Thursday.

We will finish up our alternative energy houses/vehicles tomorrow after the test.

Monday

Today we reviewed the Earth, Moon, Sun system.  Our test scores were terrible so we are retesting on Wednesday.  If you got an A or better, you are exempt.  Here is what we reviewed today.

TEST WEDNESDAY!!

Tides:  causes, what 2 types did we learn about, what phases do they happen on.

Moon phases:  How they look:  (what does a waxing crescent look like?), Why do we have them?  What does waxing/waning mean?

eclipses:  how do the Earth, moon and sun line up for a solar eclipse?  a lunar eclipse?  which phase of the moon do they occur on? Where are the shadows?  What casts them?  Why don't we have them more often?

Why do we only see one side of tjhe moon?

what is rotation?  revolution?

Seasons:  Why do we have them?  What are indirect and direct rays?

what is the umbra?  penumbra?

Tuesday

Today we finished up on Earth, Moon, Sun system.  We will have a test tomorrow.   Study the tides, phases, eclipses, seasons and rotation/revolution.

Homework:  study for test and research paper airplanes. 

Some of you took home a supply strip for our ice cream lab.  Do not forget to bring them by Friday.

Week of April 27

This week we are wrapping up Earth, Moon Sun systems.  We will review on Tuesday and have the test on Wednesday.   We will also do our long awaited Ice Cream Lab on Friday.  I will be sending home specific item requests for the ingredients for each class.

TEST WEDNESDAY!!

Friday

We took the Science CRCT today!!  Hope everyone tried their hardest!  No homework. 

We will be finishing up on the Earth, Moon, Sun Systems on MOnday and Tuesday and will have a short test on Wednesday!!

Study Guide:  you should have copied this down in class but here it is.

Know tides:   causes and types, highs and lows

rotation/revolution

moon phases:  causes and names

where moon comes from

eclipses:  why only so often, solar and lunar, umbra penumbra

seasons

Thursday

I apologize for not being able to update lately.  We are having trouble getting to our blog from school.  We are in the midst of CRCT.  We are reviewing and finishing up on the Earth, Moon, Sun unit. 

Our final Head Huskies for the year are:  Blue:  Stephen Hart, Green: Amanda Dotson, Yellow:  Kate Boyet and Red:  Ryan Whitehead and Max Kemper!!

Thursday

Today we are finishing up our projects.

Study for your final!!Download 0809FinalVocab study guide

Tuesday

This week we are working on our space projects.  These are to be done at school, not at home.  You may print out pictures at home to use only.

VOCAB FINAL APRIL 17TH  STUDY.  DOWNLOAD STUDY GUIDE FROM LAST WEEK.