Monday, October 29, 2018

7th Grade Science Plans for October 29th through November 2nd

Greetings!

Wow, am I glad we didn't have this weather up at Cispus!  When it comes to weather, we were lucky!  Now here is what we will be doing this week:

MONDAY--Students should complete their "Earthquake Resistant Structures" in class today, so NO HOMEWORK.

TUESDAY--Students in groups will make their presentations on their "Earthquake Resistant Structures" and will do a group and self evaluation, so once again, NO HOMEWORK.

WEDNESDAY--We're going to have a little fun by watching an episode of "Mythbusters" (the ultimate in utilizing the Scientific Method), so NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will be introduced to Lesson #3 by adding some vocabulary words to their Science Notebook, so again NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will begin Investigation 3.1, so NO HOMEWORK.

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please contact me.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

6th Grade Science Plans for October 29th through November 2nd

Greetings!

Wow, am I glad we didn't have this weather up at Cispus!  When it comes to weather, we were lucky!  Now here is what we will be doing this week:

MONDAY--Students should complete the "Earth's Heat & Vocabulary Test" in class.  Also, they need to read "Water:  Kind of a Big Deal" and do the worksheet that goes with it.  This is HOMEWORK DUE TUESDAY.

TUESDAY--Students will add some vocabulary words to their Science Notebooks, read an article on the Water Cycle, and add a diagram to their Science Notebooks, so NO HOMEWORK.

WEDNESDAY--We're going to have a little fun by watching an episode of "Mythbusters" (the ultimate in utilizing the Scientific Method), so NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will carry out Day #1 of Investigation 3.2, so again NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will complete Investigation 3.2 for Day #2, so NO HOMEWORK.

I was VERY disappointed in the student's scores on the "Earth's Heat & Vocabulary Test".  Students were to read the article, take notes on it in their Science Notebooks, then were allowed to use those notes on the test.  So here is what I will do:  Students may RETAKE the test, however there are some requirements--

1.)  Students must show me at least THREE PAGES OF NOTES on the article in their Science Notebooks before they can retake the test
2.)  Students must show me the 15 vocabulary words defined in their Science Notebooks prior to retaking the test
3.)  Students must schedule the test retake on their own time--this means BEFORE SCHOOL (I am in my classroom by 7:30 a.m. every morning), AFTER SCHOOL (I will stay until at least 4:00 p.m. each day), or during their lunch
4.)  Test retakes must be COMPLETED BY FRIDAY, November 2nd

I think this is fair, so if you want your student to retake the test, please encourage him/her to make arrangements soon.

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please contact me.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

Tuesday, October 23, 2018

6th Grade Science Plans for October 22th - 26th, 2018

Ah ha!

Did you think I had fallen off of the face of the Earth?  Nope!  (You're not rid of me that easily.)  I was up at Cispus--and the weather was beautiful!  Sorry Seventh Graders!  But now I'm back and here is what we will be doing for the rest of this week:

MONDAY--I will give back the assignments students have turned in and we will complete a new "Assignment Log"; this is HOMEWORK DUE TUESDAY.

TUESDAY--Students will take notes in their Science Notebooks on the article "The Source of Earth's Heat" (this is available online, so students should be able access it at home if they did not complete it in class).  THERE WILL BE A TEST ON THIS ON FRIDAY.  Students MAY USE THESE NOTES ON THE TEST.

WEDNESDAY--Students will be introduced to Chapter/Lesson #3.  There will be some questions answered and vocabulary terms added to their Science Notebooks, so NO HOMEWORK. 

THURSDAY--Students will carry out Investigation 3.1, which is a lab, in class.  NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will TAKE THE TEST ON THEIR "The Source of the Earth's Heat" notes  Their Science Notebooks MAY BE USED.  They will also read the "Water:  Kind of a Big Deal" article and will answer questions on it in their Science Notebooks.  This should be completed in class.  If not, it is  HOMEWORK DUE MONDAY.

No Late Start this week or anything else I can think of at this time.  As always, if you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  The telephone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

7th Grade Science Plans for October 22th-26th, 2018

Ah ha!

Did you think I had fallen off of the face of the Earth?  Nope!  (You're not rid of me that easily.)  I was up at Cispus--and the weather was beautiful!  Sorry Seventh Graders.  But now I'm back and here is what we will be doing for the rest of this week:

MONDAY--We will go over what students did in class last week and I will give back the assignments we did.  I will show a brief earthquake video and students will make a sketch & description of an earthquake resistant building in their Science Notebook, so NO HOMEWORK.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY--Students will work in groups to plan their earthquake resistant buildings.  This will require measuring, discussion, compromise, and engineering.  NO HOMEWORK. 

THURSDAY--Students will build a prototype of their earthquake resistant building and will test it.  They will then make revisions to their plan and construct the final model for testing.  NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will take a written assessment on their earthquake resistant building project.  This will serve as a TEST.  NO HOMEWORK.

No Late Start this week or anything else I can think of at this time.  As always, if you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  The telephone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Outdoor School Day #2

Greetings from Outdoor School!

Sorry this is so late--we have had a busy, busy, busy day!  Weather continues to be beautiful and even warm.  Another full day of classes with no major injuries or problems.  The kids love the food, cabin inspections have been a friendly competition, and our high school counselors get stronger everyday.

Two other small schools have joined us on the Cispus campus, but everyone is getting along nicely; we are all working well together.  We share the dining hall, campfire area, and gym--taking turns using eh facilities. Their students are considerably younger (3rd grade), so there is one parent for every child.  We have received several compliments on how well behaved our students are--they reflect very well on our Tenino community.

Tonight cabin groups will present their skits, so there's some nervousness in the air--it will be fun to see them perform.  We have some very creative dramatic creations on the horizon.

Tomorrow (Friday) will be a bit crazy, so don't look for another update from me--Sorry!  We should be leaving Cispus at about 10:30 a.m., visiting the Mossyrock Dam (we actually will drive across the top of the highest dam in Washington State), then have our lunches at their park before returning home.  Look for us to arrive at the middle school at about 2:30 p.m.  Please have someone there to pick up your student--they will be bone tired and fighting with all of their gear, so that will be a recipe for disaster riding their regular buses home.

See you tomorrow,
Michele Humble  (AKA "Trekker")

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Outdoor School Day #1

Greetings from Outdoor School!

Just wanted to let you know we arrived safely and without incident yesterday, and Cispus is running smoothly.  The weather both yesterday and today has been amazing; clear, sunny, and even on the warm side for this time of year.  It's nice that the students who are on the Layser Cave field study are able to view several peaks that we have never been able to see before!  Have heard a rumor that this wonderful weather is supposed to hold until our return; let's hope so!

We have extremely hardworking high school counselors, and all of the cabin groups seem to be doing well.  Even had every cabin group asleep by 10:00 p.m.--and that NEVER happens on the first night.  Those high school students are doing an amazing job; you will hear all about them when we return.  (Please remember to have someone at the middle school at about 2:30 p.m. to pick up your student and his/her gear.  Riding the bus home after four full days at Cispus is stressful and exhausting--thank you!)

Field studies (classes) are in full swing.  Students are learning how to use a map & compass, identify plants, are visiting the Layser Cave, tie dying their own t-shirts, building fires & shelters, and are engaged in archery.  And of course there are recreations in the evening to be involved it; these included activities out in the field last night, basketball in the gym, a movie, board games, arts & crafts, and writing in their journals.  Busy, busy, busy!

Last night's evening activity was relays in the gym--friendly, noisy, competitions.  I think everyone had fun and no one got hurt.  A highlight was sixth graders receiving the mail that you have sent up; makes for a really special event.  Tonight we have campfire to look forward to--Fun!

No injuries--had a student go home who had a preexisting  condition, but we are hopeful that he will be returning for the rest of his stay.  Had one of our parent volunteers have a medical issue; she needed to leave, but hopefully will make a full recovery .  That means we are down one in the kitchen, but we are making it work.  Otherwise, we are doing fine medically.

Cassie has posted some pictures on Facebook (Thank you, Mrs. Tafoya!), so if you want to scan for your child, you might want to check this out.  I will warn you, we are all moving so fast here, you might only see a blur.  Who knows, you might recognize the clothes?

Please ignore the grades right now.  Even though some students have turned in so late and/or missing assignments, I have not had time to grade them.  Maybe this week-end?

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble (AKA "Trekker")

Monday, October 8, 2018

6th Grade Science Plans for October 8th through 12th, 2018

Greetings!

Hope you had a good weekend!  Now here is what we will be doing this upcoming week:

MONDAY--Students will add Vocabulary to their Science Notebooks and will work on Investigation 1.2 in class and turn the worksheet at the end of the period, so NO HOMEWORK.

TUESDAY--Students will be introduced to Lesson/Chapter #2.  They will add vocabulary words to their Science Notebooks, watch a short video, will read aloud from the textbook, and will go over the instructions for Investigation 2.1, so NO HOMEWORK.

WEDNESDAY--Students will add words to the Vocabulary pages in their Science Notebooks, read an excerpt in their textbooks, and carry out Investigation 2.1, so again, NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will graph data on a worksheet.  This is HOMEWORK DUE FRIDAY.

FRIDAY--Students will graph the data they collected from Investigation 2.1.  This should be completed in class; if not it is HOMEWORK DUE MONDAY.

We are all getting very excited about Outdoor School--only a week away now.  Hopefully you have turned in all forms, paid for Cispus, and are starting to label and pack things up.  Now if only we could control the weather!  Medication is the "biggie", so hopefully you have taken care of any of those forms, too.  Let us know if you if you have any questions or concerns.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

7th Grade Science Plans for October 8-12th, 2018

Greetings!

Hope you had a good weekend!  Now here is what we will be doing this upcoming week:

MONDAY--Students will read a selection from their Science textbook and will answer some questions in their Science Notebooks, so NO HOMEWORK.

TUESDAY--Students will work on Investigation 1.2 in class and write answers in their Science Notebooks, so NO HOMEWORK.

WEDNESDAY--Students will be working on an assessment (test) in class on the first chapter we have covered.  This will be DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, so again, NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will be introduced to Lesson/Chapter #2.  Students will add to their Vocabulary in their Science Notebooks, read an excerpt in their textbooks, and will answer some questions in their Science Notebooks, so once more, NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will read two selections from the textbook and watch a video, so NO HOMEWORK.

Hmm, can't think of anything exciting to tell you about or remind you of, so I'll just say if you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

Monday, October 1, 2018

6th Grade Science Plans for October 1-5, 2018

Greetings!

Ah, autumn in the Pacific Northwest!  Here comes the rain!  At least one day of the weekend was dry.  Now here is what we will be doing this week in Science:

MONDAY--Students will work on "The Measurement Lab", so NO HOMEWORK.

TUESDAY--Last day in class to work on "The Measurement Lab"; it is DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.  NO HOMEWORK.

WEDNESDAY--LATE START DAY--Grade Check and Binder Check.  Form is DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, so NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will begin their "Weather and Climate Systems" unit.  NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will make a concept map, which is DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD.  NO HOMEWORK.

I'm sure you have already made plans for this Wednesday's LATE START DAY, but just in case.............

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble

7th Grade Science Plans for October 1-5, 2018

Greetings!

Ah, autumn in the Pacific Northwest!  Here comes the rain!  At least one day of the weekend was dry.  Now here is what we will be doing this week in Science:

MONDAY--Students will work on their "Variable Comic Strip" assignment.  DUE WEDNESDAY.

TUESDAY--Last day in class for students to work on their "Variable Comic Strip".  DUE WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY--LATE START DAY--Grade Check and Binder Check.  Form is DUE AT THE END OF THE PERIOD, so NO HOMEWORK.

THURSDAY--Students will begin their "Earth's Dynamic Systems" unit.  NO HOMEWORK.

FRIDAY--Students will do Investigation 1.1 in their Science Notebooks.  NO HOMEWORK.

I'm sure you have already made plans for this Wednesday's LATE START DAY, but just in case.............

If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  The phone number in my classroom is (360) 264-3644 and the best email address to reach me at is humblem@tenino.k12.wa.us

Have a wonderful week,
Michele Humble