Some key words to know for the quiz this Thursday: Mass, Volume, Density, the units for volume and mass, displacement, how to find volume of an irregular shaped object using displacement, the purpose of iodine, how to convert metric system, reading a graduated cylinder, ruler and triple beam balance.

Email Welcome to Parents

Hello All! I hope this finds everyone refreshed from summer break and excited about this school year. I am very excited about science this year as your student will experience hands on labs as much as the curriculum lends itself and demos several times per week. My goal this year is not only to teach science, but to teach my students how to take notes from a lecture and how to outline a chapter in the text book. I know these skills are essential to surviving high school, education after high school as well as careers.

First, I would like to say thank you for your efforts in purchasing goggles. I know it was a struggle to find them and I apologize. We have already put them to use in our first lab.

LABS: We conducted Bean Measurements. In this lab, we applied the metric system conversions, using rulers to measure the length and width of each bean. The students then used a Pan Balance or Triple Beam Balance to weigh their beans. Students then found the volume using graduated cylinders (displacement.)

QUIZZES: We have been taking notes on our Bean Measurement Lab worksheet and in our science notebooks. Students will have a short and simple Quiz on Thursday (9/3). Students are to be studying their notes each night for about 10 minutes. This is to avoid cramming and/or stressing over the quiz. Remember the purpose of the quizzes are to build up to the test.

Progress reports: will be send home weekly until you gain access to Infinite Campus. The first progress report will be “fancy” and thereafter I will write their average into their agendas. EVERY progress report will require a parent signature and count as 3 points towards their average.

1st Progress Reports

Algebra Progress Reports will be sent home on Tuesda. They are due on Wednesday and need to be signed by your parent/guardian.

Contracts & Quiz

Study Hard tonight for the Lab Safety Quiz. Go over your Lab Safety Contract, Lab Equipment Identification Sheet, and the Warning Labels.

Signed Contracts and Syllabi are due tomorrow for the 10 points.

First Few Days

We've had a great first few days. We've done Getting To Know You activities and Making Inferences activities. This year is going to be fun!

Monday is the start of our Lab Safety. Your goggles are due Monday.

It is very important that you take notes and study for the Lab Quiz Wednesday. A signed Lab Safety Contract by you AND your parent/guardian is due on Wednesday.

If you fail the Lab Safety Quiz, you will need to retake it between 7:00am-7:25am on Thursday morning. If you do not have a signed Lab Contract, you will not be able to participate in our 1st formal lab on Thursday.

School Supplies

The following supplies are needed for the 09-10 school year for 8th Grade Algebra & Science:

• 1-Subject Notebook - bring daily for Algebra
• Composition Book - bring daily for Science
• Folder - bring daily
• Safety Goggles - Z87 Certified Plastic with elastic strap (I will put your name on them & keep them in class)
• Pens/Pencils -Algebra MUST be done in pencil!
• Calculator - bring daily for Algebra & Science (I prefer the Texas Instruments TI 30 XSII)
• Other supplies such as glue, scissors, markers, colored pencils and crayons should be kept in your locker

Homeroom (Algebra Class only):

• Paper Towels
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer

I'm looking forward to a great year!