Tucana Team Blog

2/24 Science

2012-02-24T14:38:00.002-08:00

7th grade- Students just completed a quiz in science. When we return from break, the quizzes will be graded and returned to them. Students are encouraged to make corrections on it if they scored a "W" or an "I." If anybody has any questions, students/parents can meet with me or email at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

8th grade- students began a group and individual ecosystem project. Students are not required to meet with their group over break but may choose to do so if it will help them with their project. Students may also need to purchase materials for the group component. If this presents a challenge, please email me and we can make materials available to them. Students can click this link to find information about the various ecosystems they are required to report out on.

Student-led conferences

2012-02-24T14:26:00.000-08:00

Team Tucana will not hold conferences on Tuesday, March 6th. Instead, we've scheduled tentative dates of Thursday, March 15th & Wednesday, March 21st. We will send something home with your son or daughter when we return from break.

February 24th, Tucana math

2012-02-24T07:02:00.003-08:00

7th grade: organize notebooks and prepare for return after break by having :
pages 64&65 with labsheets 4.1A&4.1B, page 71 all, page 69#3&4, page 72#30 and
page 70#8-25 (page 70should be done with NO calculator and all work shown)
in "Current Work"
8th grade: organize notebooks and prepare for return after break by having :
pages: 6,8,11#1&2, 16#14-16, page 10A 1&2, B1-5 done and in "Current Work"
Students were encouraged to have assessment corrections done and submitted
some chose to keep them and continue working

Thursday February 23rd, Tucana math

2012-02-23T07:44:00.002-08:00

We are getting ready for break and students should be organizing their notebooks so they can find work when we return.
7th grade:new task page 70#8-25 no calculator and show all work
These tasks should be complete and in the "Current Work" section of math notebooks:
page 64&65 with labsheet 4.2A&4.2B, page 71 all, page 69#3&4, page 72#30
8th grade: new task: page 10 A1&2,B1-5
Test corrections should be in as soon as possible all questions with 1's should be corrected
These tasks should be complete and in the "Current Work" section of math notebooks:
pages 6,8, 11#1&2, 16#14-16

Wednesday, February 22nd, Tucana math

2012-02-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 64&65 with 2 labsheets should be complete,
new task: page 69 #3&4, page 72 #30
8th grade: page 11+ #3-5

Tuesdat, February 21st, Tucana math

2012-02-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 64 &65
8th grade: vocabulary on page 7 & distributive property, page 8 all

2.21 Humanities

2012-02-20T18:08:00.001-08:00

Study for Friday's test!

Please use the Study Guide given to you in class listing important vocabulary and other main ideas from the government unit.

Monday, February 20th, Tucana math

2012-02-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 71 all, collected handourts: Skill: Adding adn Subtracting Rational Numbers & Additional Practice Investigation 3
8th grade: page 6 all, page 11#1&2, page 16#14-16

Spaghetti Dinner on 2-23

2012-02-19T05:42:00.001-08:00

Dear Families,

This is to remind you that the Spaghetti Dinner will be February 23rd from 5:00 - 7:00 followed by the Phantom Tollbooth at 7:00. The cost of the dinner is by donation and the Phantom Tollbooth is $5.00. You do not need to go to both.

In order to make this dinner successful, WE NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT and encouraging people to attend. The more people we can get to come the better. Because everything is donated, all of the money raised goes directly to Boston. I have attached the flyer to this email to help spread the word.

We are looking for the following items to be donated.

Salad Dressing
Salad Ingredients
Drink Mix
Baked goods for dessert
Bread
Table Clothes (these will be returned)

If you make a donation and/or your child helps out at the dinner this will count towards one of their 3 fundraisers.

Thanks,
Joe

2/16 Science

2012-02-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

7th grade-we are doing a lab called "Osmosis in an Egg." Students are expected to complete the problem, plan, hypothesis, procedure and data table section of their lab report.

8th grade-should complete a learning log around today's reading on Mono Lake.

Thursday February 16th, Tucana math

2012-02-16T06:50:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 69 #1&2 show the steps and do the work down the page to stay organized and show the use of P E MD AS
8th grade: no new tasks, challenge problems are available
Students are doing sincere work on the assessment for "Looking for Pythagorus"

2012-02-15T07:12:00.000-08:00

7th grade: Students should complete page 63 A-D omit C & A3
work should be shown and they should work down the page to keep notation clear and organized
8th grade: Assessment on Looking for Pythagorus,
In class we looked at the Triangular Inequality (Notes were given)
Page 40 #16&17, page 57#24&25 to used the Pythagorean Theorem to determine if they were right triangles and observe the Triangular Inequality.

2012-02-14T07:39:00.001-08:00

7th grade: vocabulary: rational numbers, order of operations,
Notes Page 60-62 (Transparency 4.1B) Order of Operations
page 63 A-D (do C last)
Corrections from Investigation 1 are past due
8th grade: The assessment will be Thursday, February 16th,
Collected today: Wheel of Theodorus/labsheet 4.1 and page 53+ #1,3,4,7,9
extra review problem page 58+ #27 - 37,
handouts used for review :Investigation 1#11-14, Investigation 3#24-36,
Skill: Exponents & Square roots

2/13 Science

2012-02-13T14:39:00.001-08:00

7th grade students- should write a conclusion paragraph based on the "Photosynthesis & Cellular Respiration Lab" we did in science class over the last few days.

8th grade students- should make corrections on their "Osmosis in an Egg Lab" and complete a learning log around the idea of carrying capacity from today's reading.

Monday, February 13th, Tucana math

2012-02-13T07:33:00.000-08:00

7th grade: two handouts should be done with work shown:
*Skill: Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers
*Additional Practice Investigation 3
8th grade: the assessment will not be Tuesday but it will be one day this week
handout: Additional Practice Investigation 3 was assigned and should assist with preparation for the assessment

Bottle Drive

2012-02-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

I'd like to thank everyone that participated in the bottle drive on Saturday! When I have the figures of how much we raised, I will let you know.

Bottle Drive Part 2

2012-02-09T15:39:00.000-08:00

We need drivers and volunteers! If you can help, please call or email Mr. DeCicco at 893-3230 X622 or rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

Bottle Drive

2012-02-09T15:35:00.000-08:00

When:

Saturday, February 11^th from 10:30am-3:30pm

The Cause:

100% Proceeds will help finance 8^th grade trip to Boston

How can I donate?

· Students will go door-to-door in Milton on Saturday, 2/11 asking you to donate cans.

· You can arrange a special pick up of bottles/cans by calling Mr. DeCicco at 893-3230 ext 622 or emailing rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

· Bring cans/bottles to Rene’s Deli and tell them it’s for the 8^th grade trip to Boston from now until May 2012.

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

February 9th, Tucana math

2012-02-09T09:32:00.000-08:00

7th grade: Do Skill:Adding and Subtracting Rational Numbers (show work)
collected Skill: Adding Integers
8th grade: 4.3 & 4.4 for those who have all corrections done
Corrections on Inv 2 & 3 if not done

February 7th, Tucana math

2012-02-07T07:05:00.001-08:00

7th grade: page 45 B & page 50 #1 collected at the end of class,
Combining Signed Numbers notes with enhancement for multiplication and division,
vocabulary: algorithm, rational numbers, commutative property

8th grade: page 50 and 51 (4.3) 30-60-90 triangles
collecting page 53+ #1,3,4,7,&9 and The Wheel of Theodorus tomorrow
We will be havng an assessment on Looking for Pythagorus either the end of this week or the beginning of next

2.7 Humanities

2012-02-07T03:14:00.001-08:00

Read "Experimenting with a Nation" and answer questions due tomorrow.

2.11 Bottle Drive Fundraiser

2012-02-07T03:13:00.000-08:00

I want to thank everyone who participated in the calendar raffle. We sold 702 tickets, raising over $7,020! This was by far the most successful fundraiser we have ever done.

Bottle Drive
On February 11th, we will be going around town to collect bottles. If you are interested in helping drive or if you would like to have your bottles picked up please contact Rob DeCicco at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org or 893-3230 ext. 622 or Joe Smith at jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-3230 ext. 217. You can also drop your bottles off at Rene’s starting on February 4th and tell them that you would like to donate the bottle refund to the 8th Grade Boston trip.

Thank you,
Joe Smith

February 6th, Tucana math

2012-02-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 45A, page 50#1
Combining Signed Numbers Notes enhanced
Quiz corrections are an assignment if they earned less than 60 points
8th grade: vocabulary: similar, corrresponding sides, corresponding angles, reflection
page 51 A-C, Quiz corrections are an assignment if they earned less than 60 points

2/6 Science

2012-02-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

7th grade- should either write a summary paragraph based on what we read today or answer one of the two focus questions for homework.

8th grade- should complete the "Oh Deer" assignment we started in class today.

2/3 Cairns Field Trip

2012-02-01T12:53:00.001-08:00

As of now, there are a lot of students who have not handed back the Cairns Field Trip permission slips and money. Please bring in both the forms and money tomorrow!!!

2/1 Science

2012-02-01T12:52:00.000-08:00

8th Grade- should write an objective statement for and graph the results from the "Milkweed-Bug Hatching Investigation" This assignment will be checked at the beginning of class tomorrow.

February 1st, Tucana math

2012-02-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

7th grade:page 18#31, page 20 #48, Quiz tomorrow (Thursday)
8th grade: page 53# 1,3,4,7,9

January 31, 2012, Tucana math

2012-02-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 38#34 Mug's rules for QI, QII, QIII, QIV and support lists
page 39#38 - 40
8th grade: page 47 Quiz tomorrow (Wednesday)

1/30 Science

2012-01-30T13:45:00.000-08:00

8th grade- should write a conclusion paragraph on the "Photosynthesis/Cellular Respiration Lab" for tonight's homework. This assignment will be checked at the beginning of tomorrow's class. Students who received back a copy of the "Osmosis in an Egg Lab" should consider making corrections on it.

7th grade-those students who I haven't met with yet to grade their cell projects should schedule an appointment with me within the next couple of days. I'm available to meet during lunch, recess, reads & needs, and after school. Students who received their cell project grades back today should consider making corrections on it.

Monday January 30th, Tucana math

2012-01-30T07:47:00.000-08:00

7th grade: p31#1, page 27 A1 number lines, A3 two number sentences for each of the
number lines, A5
8th grade: p34 A-D, p41#19-23 with support

January 25th, Tucana math

2012-01-25T12:34:00.000-08:00

7th grade: no new tasks
8th grade: corrections on check-up
This assignment will be used as a study point assignment.

1/25 Science

2012-01-25T10:19:00.000-08:00

7th grade model cell project has been pushed back to Friday (1/27)

8th grade "Osmosis in an Egg" lab due Thursday (1/26)

1/24 Science

2012-01-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

7th grade-As of now, cell project is due this Thursday (1/26)

8th grade-Spent most of today's class writing up the "Osmosis in an Egg" Lab. If they have not finished it, students should complete it for homework. This assignment will be collected tomorrow.

January 25, Tucana math

2012-01-24T07:01:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 17#20-29 with number lines. vocabulary: absolute value on the "Combining Signed Numbers" handout
8th grade: page 38#1-7 show support, page 31 should be done first (at least the 1st 4 drawings with areas and side lengths labeled.

1/23 Science

2012-01-23T10:24:00.000-08:00

7th grade students began their model plant/animal cell project in class today. They may need to get some materials for it. Students should be reasonable. Simple household materials are just as effective as store-bought materials. Any questions or concerns, please email me at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org. As of now, the project is due this Thursday, January 26th.

8th grade students should complete a learning log around diffusion/osmosis/active transport.

Student of the Semester Celebration

2012-01-21T11:31:00.000-08:00

Dear Students & Parents/Guardians,

The student of the semester celebration ceremony is rescheduled for Tuesday, January 24th. It will be held in the library from 6:30-8:00pm. We hope you will be able to make it. Someone (teacher or student) should let you know about this date/time by Monday. Congratulations to all of the students who have been selected!

January 20th, Tucana math

2012-01-20T09:32:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 16&17 #9-19, number lines drawn and measured with a ruler need to demonstate the responsed to 9&10, corrections were collected
8th grade: page 29#49 + 50 also handout Lenghts of Lines should be done and supported.

1.20 BOSTON UPDATE

2012-01-20T07:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Families,

I wanted to give you a quick update our fundraising efforts.

Amount raised to date $13,125.00
Amount needed to be raised $14,858.00

Considering we are half way through the year this good, but we need to continue the strong effort.

February Calendar Raffle

We have raised $2940 on the raffle. Making it our most successful fundraiser to date. It would be great if we could reach $5000 and make one last great push this weekend. The last day to hand in raffle tickets is Friday, January 27th. Tickets brought in after this date will be put into the raffle but it count towards any of the student incentives such as the Pump House tickets, the pizza party, or the advisory ice cream party.

Bottle Drive

On February 11th, we will be going around town to collect bottles. If you are interested in helping drive or if you would like to have your bottles picked up please contact Rob DeCicco at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org or 893-3230 ext. 622 or Joe Smith at jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-3230 ext. 217. You can also drop your bottles off at Rene’s starting on February 4th and tell them that you would like to donate the bottle refund to the 8th Grade Boston trip.

Spaghetti Dinner/Phantom Tollbooth

On February 22nd, we will be having a spaghetti dinner in conjunction with the showing of the middle school play, the Phantom Tollbooth. We will be looking for food donations. If you can help, please contact Joe Smith, at jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org or 893-3230 ext. 217.

Once again thank you for all of your support. Please do not forget that the second installment is due tomorrow January 20th.

Thanks,
Joe Smith

January 19th, Tucana math

2012-01-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 9 A-D1&E, corrections on a separate piece of paper and stapled to Comparing and Scaling assessment
8th grade: Page 29#47&48, #51 - 53

1/18 Science

2012-01-18T14:23:00.001-08:00

7th grade students-should complete their drawing of a plant and animal cell. This assignment will be collected at the beginning of class tomorrow.

January 18, Tucana math

2012-01-18T07:09:00.000-08:00

7th grade: vocabulary: (highlighted words on page 5&6) defined in Vocabulary section of notebook, page 9 A-D
8th grade: Assessment tomorrow, review from pages 23, 24 25, & 26

January 17th, Tucana math

2012-01-17T07:31:00.000-08:00

7th grade: Find "Combining Signed Numbers" in your notes and make sure the 8 questions on the back have number lines and correct solutions. There is also a handout, "Skill: Integers" and the vocabulary word: integer
8th grade: page 22 B&C and hand out requesting lengths of segments

1.13 Humanities

2012-01-13T16:41:00.001-08:00

Complete assigned reading for Chains and/or Forge book groups. See you Tuesday!

1/12 Science

2012-01-12T13:22:00.000-08:00

7B- had a hard time focusing in class today. They should write a reflection that answers the following questions in their science journal: 1) What does a productive science class look and sound like? 2) What is my role in our current classroom environment? 3) How may I better participate and contribute to a positive learning environment?

We will review our class norms and discuss our reflections tomorrow.

8th Grade-did a great job with the model plant and animal cells! If we haven't conferenced for a grade yet, please schedule a time when we could meet.

January 12, Tucana math

2012-01-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 58&59 should be complete
Comparing and Scaling assessment tomorrow
8th grade: page 26#39-41, #42 use slopes to demonstrate right angles

8th Grade BOSTON Update

2012-01-11T18:04:00.001-08:00

January 9, 2012

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This is a reminder that the second installment of $25 for the Boston trip is due on January 20th.

I also wanted to give you a quick update on our fundraising efforts. As of today, we have raised over $12,000. However we still have a little over $15,000 to go, so we need to continue the good effort in raising the funds to ensure that we are able to go on this trip. We are currently selling the tickets for the Calendar Raffle. We will also be doing a bottle drive after the weekend of the Super Bowl and a Spaghetti Dinner, which the date is still to be determined. Please remember that each student does need to participate in at least three fundraisers or sell 20 calendar raffle tickets.

There has also been a change to the itinerary for the Boston trip. Blue Man Group was sold out and therefore we will be going to see Sheer Madness instead, which is a comedy whodunit, where the audience is part of the show.

As a reminder, the date for the field trip is from May 23-25, 2012. You can pay the remainder of your balance at any time. The third installment of $25 will be due February 24th and the final installment will be due April 6th. A full refund will be offered until April 1st. No student will be denied going on this trip because of financial concerns. If you need a scholarship, please let us know.

Below is the tentative itinerary for Boston:

May 23 7:00 a.m. Leave Milton Middle School
11:00 a.m. Arrive at Emerson College
1:00 p.m. Go to Museum of Science
5:00 p.m. Pizza at Emerson College
8:00 p.m. Sheer Madness

May 24 Small group exploration of Boston: Students will break into groups of 8-10 and visit different museums, such as the Mass Museum of Art, Franklin Zoo, Fenway Park, etc., based on their interests. Do you have any info about dinner that night – will this be on the students?
May 25 9:00 a.m. Leave Emerson College, walk Freedom Trail, eat lunch at Faneuil Hall
1:00 p.m. Boat cruise of Boston Harbor
3:00 p.m. Leave Boston
7:00 p.m. Arrive back in Milton
If you have any questions, please contact your student's team's Boston representative:

Aquila – Tom Keblin ext. 646 tkeblin@mtsd-vt.org
Cassiopeia – Joe Smith ext. 217 jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org
Pyxis – Jana Fabri. ext. 658 jfabri@mtsd-vt.org
Tucana- Amira Bakr ext. 678 abakr@mtsd-vt.org

Thank you,
Joe Smith

1.11 Humanities

2012-01-11T07:36:00.001-08:00

Read for book groups.

January 11th, Tucana math

2012-01-11T06:54:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 53 A&B
Comparing and Scaling Assessment coming by the end of the week
8th grade: page24#7-34, page 25 #36-38.
collected page16# 31-34, page 19 5by5 dot paper with 8squares -
areas and sidelengths labeled (no irrational numbers as decimals)

January 10th, Tucana math

2012-01-10T06:54:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 58 & 59 #21-23
These are more complex problems with proportion and missing pieces which help review for the upcoming assessment on Comparing and Scaling. It may be as early as this Thursday.
Collected page 50 & 51
8th grade: page 23 # 4-6 is to be added to the dot paper we worked on in class. Tomorrow I will be collecting: pages 16#31-34, page 19 with 5by5 dot paper and 8 possible squares with areas and side lengths labeled, Notes with the radical and lists of n, n squared, and
the square root of squared.

1/9 Science

2012-01-09T16:05:00.001-08:00

8th Grade- Model Plant/Animal Cells due tomorrow, 1/10.

January 9th, Tucana math

2012-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

7th grade: proportions and unit rates are needed and should be provided
page 55#1&2, page 57#15-17
8th grade: Vocabulary: reciprocal, parallel and perpendicular
page 16 #31 graph the parallel and perpendicular lines using different colors
slopes of parallel lines are the same
slopes of perpendicular lines are negative reciprocals

January 6, Tucana math

2012-01-06T06:54:00.000-08:00

7th grade: no new tasks
page 50&51 should done with proportion and solutions
(solutions can use Adrianna's method with the idenity or the crossproduct)
8th grade: vocabulary: irrational number, perfect square,
radical and hypotenuse (these are in notes)
Page 19 on 5by5 dot paper - 8 squares with the areas and
side lengths as whole numbers or radicals

January 5th, Tucana math

2012-01-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

7th grade: vocabulary: crossproduct
Pages 50&51 A-D work with proportions
8th grade: Notes - lists of: n (1-25), n squared, the square root of n squared
introduced to the radical
Page 19 A - 2.1 Looking for Squares
find 8 squares that fit in the 5 by 5 dots, areas of them and the side lengths

1/5 Science

2012-01-04T19:06:00.000-08:00

8th grade students are constructing model plant and animal cells in science class. Click on the link and scroll down to #9 to see the project overview.

7th grade students should complete a learning log about what they learned in science class today. Focus question: What is the 10% rule and how does it relate to energy cycles in an ecosystem?

1.4 Humanities

2012-01-04T18:11:00.000-08:00

Students should share permission slip with families regarding the film, The Patriot, to be viewed on Friday. Students who are not given permission should return the permission slip indicating such and will be given an alternate assignment to also consider the impact of war on civilians.

January 4th, Tucana math

2012-01-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

7th grade:collecing page 45 #27 - 31 unit rates done two ways
start page 50 A&B
8th grade:
page 13&14 #15-25 with Labsheet 1ACE, page 16#31-34

1/3 Science

2012-01-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

7th grade-should write down a minimum of one paragraph in their science journals. How did they use energy today? What sort of activities did they do?

8th grade-should finish the microscope packet reading. Students should annotate the reading using the annotations learned from humanities class.

Tucana math, January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T06:53:00.000-08:00

7th grade: unit rates are the focus: page 38 A&B, page 45#27-31
8th grade: area of different shapes We are using different strategies that need to be expressed:
breaking the shape into pieces with 90 degree angles, making a shape with a 90 degree angle that includes the space you want to find the area of, and/or using formulas for rectangle and/or triangles appropriately with the 90 degree angles expressed.
Labsheet 1.3 Page 11 A-C

1.3 Fundraiser Announcement

2012-01-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Families,

On January 7th, we will be doing a Christmas Tree Pick-up. Donations will be accepted for the 8th Grade Boston trip. If you are interested in having your tree picked up, please contact Joe Smith at jsmith3@mtsd-vt.org.

Families, if you could please spread this information in you neighborhoods it will be greatly appreciated. Also we will be looking for a few parents with pick-up trucks to help out.

Thank you for your continued support and I hope you have a Happy New Year!

12/22 Science

2011-12-22T15:15:00.001-08:00

Happy holiday to all of our students and families! Enjoy the break and see you in the new year!

Today is the shortest day of the year. Click here: Winter Solstice Animation to see why.

12/20 Science

2011-12-20T14:05:00.000-08:00

8th grade students received back a quiz today called "Midsummative 5." I am encouraging parents/guardians to have a conversation with their student about it and for all students to share their quiz with their parents/guardians. Students are strongly encouraged to construct knowledge and make corrections on it. If you have any questions, please call or email.

12/19 Science

2011-12-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

Both 7th & 8th grade should fill out a learning log tonight. 7th grade should fill out a learning log around the "Green Contract" and the "Secret of Life on Earth." 8th grade should fill out a learning log about the "Is it Made of Cells" card sort and/or the characteristics of living things. This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

December 19th, Tucana math

2011-12-19T06:56:00.000-08:00

7th: finish page 36 and 37
8th: We started Looking for Pythagorus visiting the fictional city of Euclid. Page9&10 blend coordinates, directions, and the planning of a city park in different geometric shapes.

December 16th, Tucana math

2011-12-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

7th graders: Page 36 A-C, Page 33+ A-F should be complete from yesterday.
2.1 page 19, 2.3 pages 22&23, pages 24&25 #1-3 were returned and should be in their current work sections. We are working with rates and unit rates - these definitions should be in their vocabulary sections.
8th graders: No new tasks. 3.1 Relating Length and Width page 48, 3.3 Average Cost page 52. &
Page 53 #1&3 were checked and the assessment for Thinking with Mathematical Models was completed today.

December 15th, Tucana math

2011-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

7th: new task page 34 A-F, collected:2.1 page 18, 2.3 page 22 & 23, page 53#1-3
8th: Checked: 3.1 Relating Length and Width p48, 3.3 Average Cost p52, page 53 #1&3
Thinking with Mathematical Models Assessment

December 14th, Tucana math

2011-12-14T06:53:00.000-08:00

7th: new task page26 #7&8, Be sure 2.1 pages 18&19 and 2.3 pages 22 & 23 and
pages 24&25 #1-3 are well done
They will be checked.
8th: There is an assessment on the booklet Thinking with Mathematical Models
To review for the test page 36 & 37 are good practice, there are check-ups not used that can be used for practice also
The following are being checked: 3.1 page 48, 3.3 page 53, page 53#1&3

December 13th, Tucana math

2011-12-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

7th grade: Investigation 2.3 Scaling Ratios, page 22&23 A-C
8th grade: vocabulary: inverse variation y=k/x,
page 52 Investigation 3.3 Average Cost (inverse variation is the pattern) A-D
There is a test on Thinking with Mathematical Models Thursday.

12/12 Science

2011-12-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

7th grade- students should write up their "Flaming Food" lab tonight for homework. 7B just has to add the data table to their lab. 7A has to add the procedure section and the data table. This assignment is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

December 12th, Tucana math

2011-12-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Challenge problem: Clocks with Hands is available, 5 Bales of Hay collected
7th grade: finish page 19 , do page #24&25 #1-3
8th grade: We are aiming to have the Thinkinig with Mathematical Models local assessment Thursday.
new tasks: 3.1 Investigation with a fixed area - Inverse variation page 48 A-D and
page 53#1-3

12/9 Science

2011-12-09T13:46:00.000-08:00

7th grade students received a quiz back today. Ask them about it. There are 2 grades on the quiz because it assessed 2 standards. Students who scored a 2 or 1 on it are encouraged to make corrections on it. Students who scored a 3 should see me about opportunities to exceed the standard. Have a happy weekend!

December 9, Tucana math

2011-12-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

7th grade: vocabulary was added to ratio: part-to-part and part-to-whole
We started Investigation 2.1 on page 19 and completed through D with a table to match.
8th grade: Page 38#25-32 was the new task assigned.

On Monday we will discuss assessment.

December 8th, Tucana math

2011-12-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

7th: page 10#1&2, page 13#11-16
8th: Investigation 2.3 page 32 A&B

12/7 Science

2011-12-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Both 7th & 8th grade should complete a learning log tonight for homework.

7th grade- should write a learning log about the 14 levels of organization
8th grade- should write a learning log around today's reading "where does food come from?"

December 7th, Tucana math

2011-12-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

grade 7: We started Comparing and Scaling today. Page 6, Investigation 1.1 A-E C& E requires strong numerical support. The other questions are more opinion.
grade 8: Page 38 #20 - 24

December 6th, Tucana math

2011-12-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

There are no new tasks for today.
7th grade had a summative assessment for Stretching and Shrinking.
8th grade submitted Labsheet 2ACE, page 40#35 & 36, page 28 & 29,
page 34 #4 & 5, page 44 & 45 all. In class we are working on Inverstigation 2.2

December 5, Tucana math

2011-12-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

Challenge Problem is available on the blog. Clicking on Math will take you to the student wiki, they can sign in and print it from there or see me for a copy.
7th grade: There is a summative assessment for Stretching and Shrinking tomorrow
8th: Tomorrow collecting: Page 28&29 A-F, page 40#35 & 36, page 34 #4&5, page 44 & 45 all
We started Investigation 2.3 page 30&31 and there is vocabulary (inequality) which needs to be added to that section.

December 2nd, Tucana math

2011-12-02T11:39:00.000-08:00

7th grade: no new tasks
8th grade: page 34#4&5
Next Tuesday, December 6th I will be collecting: page 28&29, page 34 #4&5, page 40#35&36,
(page 44&45 They will have some class time on Monday for work.)

Humanities, December 2

2011-12-02T06:53:00.000-08:00

Please work on Journal Entry # 2 over the weekend.
In class Monday, you should be reading and writing for Journal #3. Come to class with Journals 1 and 2 complete. Exceed the journal using a fourth entry that answers the question, How would America be different if the French had won the war.

12/1 Science

2011-12-01T14:23:00.000-08:00

7th grade should fill out a learning log regarding the "Mono Lake" card sort and the food web that we constructed in class today. This assignment is due at the beginning of class tomorrow

Reminder-Students are strongly encouraged to make corrections on any science tests/quizzes

Humanities, December 1, 2011

2011-12-01T07:38:00.000-08:00

Write role-play journal entry number 1, using a minimum of 5 facts from the French and Indian War reading packet. Complete 3 journal entries by the end of Monday's class. To exceed the standard, write a fourth journal entry that explains, in detail, how America would be different if the French had won the war.

December 1st, Tucana math

2011-12-01T06:58:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 83+ A,B,D were done in class. Pages 85#5, 88 & 89#27 - 32 were assigned.
8th grade: pages 28 & 29 were reviewed, A-D were done in class in detail, E and F need to be completed with details specified.

Tucana math, November 30th

2011-11-30T13:16:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 83 A (we will continue tomorrow with B,D)
8th grade: We started page 28&29 A-F, doing A&B well would be a good goal.

Tucana math, November 29th

2011-11-29T11:55:00.000-08:00

7th grade: new task- page 85#6-17,page 86#18-22
8th grade: new task Labsheet 2ACE Exercise 3, page 40#35&36

Monday, Nov 28th, Tucana math

2011-11-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

7th grade: page 66#1, page 64 & 65 A-D, page 68#5-11 were collected today

We started the last investigation in Stretching & Shrinking. Problem solving using the characteristics of similarity is the focus on page 79 A-D.

8th grade: Quiz corrections and page 12#1, page 11 and page 16#5-11 were returned. We reviewed page 25&26 with mathematical models, best fit lines, and making equations for linear patterns. A new task Page 33 #1-3 was assigned.

11/28 Science

2011-11-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

7th and 8th grade students received back a quiz in science today. They should get it signed by a parent/guardian and return it back to class for tomorrow. As always, students are encouraged to make corrections on their quiz. Students can meet with me during reads/needs if they have any questions.

11/28 Humanities

2011-11-28T15:21:00.001-08:00

Final copy of scary story narrative due Wednesday, 11/30

11/17 Science

2011-11-17T14:03:00.000-08:00

Students set up 2 miniecosystems in science today. They set up an aquarium and a terrarium. Ask them about what populations of organisms they included in their miniecosystems.

All students should make corrections on their "Fox and Rabbits" test and think about taking the retest. Parents/guardians can support their learner by encouraging them to do this!

Thursday, November 17th, Tucana math

2011-11-17T09:27:00.000-08:00

Grade 7: Students had a check-up today so they will be able to do corrections tomorrow.
The following tasks should be done and in their "Current Work" sections:
page 66 # 1, page 64 & 65 ABCD, page 68 #5-11. There will be no new tasks assigned Friday.
Grade 8: Check-ups were returned today, corrections can be done to earn credit.
The following tasks should be completed and in their "Current Work" section:
page 19#23 - 26, 27 - 29, page 20 #31 & page 21 # 33 a,b, d, page 25&26 A&B.
No new tasks will be assigned on Friday.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

11.16 Humanities

2011-11-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

Turn the answers from your questions on your colony into advertising statements. Remember you want to make your colony sound appealing to attract new settlers.

November 15th, Tucana math

2011-11-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

7th grade: Supporting a decision about similarity page 66#1
Check-up on Thursday
8th grade: page 19#23- 26, 27 - 29
Check-up tomorrow on tables and interpretation of graphs

Announcements 11/15

2011-11-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Families,

On Friday, your student should have brought home a Celebrity Home catalog. This catalog has many good ideas for holiday gift giving including candles, wrapping paper, and cookie mix. Students should bring this catalog around to neighbors and family members. This can be shared online by sending the link http://www.celebratinghome.com/fundraiserSearch.aspx and entering "miltonmiddleschool" in the fundraiser code field. Orders placed online will be sent directly to the customer's home. If your student did not receive a catalog, please have your student talk to your advisory to get one.

Also, Thusday night, November 17th, we are having our harvest dinner.

Carrot and Ginger Soup
Mixed Greens Salad
Beef and Venison Stew
Vegetarian Chili
Fresh-Baked Breads
Apple Cider
Delicious Desserts

Table Service Provided by MMS Students

Raffles during the meal including Smuggs Bash Badge, Mary Kay Cosmetic Basket, and Tickets to Grease. Raffle tickest will be $1.00 each. If you cannot make it to the dinner but would like to purchase raffle tickets, please contact me.

November 11, 2011, Tucana math

2011-11-11T01:04:00.000-08:00

Remember our veterans.

Both grades will have an Additional Practice worksheet as the main activity for today. On Monday the 8th grade has been asked to have page12 #1, Page 16 & 17 #7-10, and page 11 A & B ready to submit.

11.9 Humanities

2011-11-09T17:49:00.001-08:00

Columbian Exchange -- 2 visuals with questions and probable passage (fill-in the blank)

11/9 Science

2011-11-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

Students have the opportunity to make corrections on their "Fox and Rabbit" test. The corrections are step (1) and will unlock the retest, step (2.) The retest will only focus in on the parts they need to improve upon. All students are encouraged to make corrections and take the retest. Please encourage your son or daughter to meet with me to do this. If you have any questions, email me at rdecicco@mtsd-vt.org

Student-led conferences

2011-11-08T17:23:00.000-08:00

We will hold student-led conferences on November 15th, 21st & 22nd. Students received a "Student Conference Letter" in advisory. On the bottom of the letter, there is a form requesting a date and time for the conference. Parents/Guardians should fill out the form and return it with their student as soon as possible. Click the link on the wiki that says "Student Conference Letter" for a copy of the letter.

11/8 Science

2011-11-08T17:15:00.000-08:00

All Tucana students should get their "Fox and Rabbits" test signed by a parent or guardian. Students were given ample time to write up the science portfolio reflection sheet that accompanies the "Fox and Rabbits" test. If they are not finished, they should complete the reflection write-up for homework.

November 8th, Tucana math

2011-11-08T13:21:00.000-08:00

Reflections on a check-up should be done on the provided form for tomorrow so they can be included in their portfolios.

Both 7&8 grade students need to prepare their binders for the upcoming student-led conferences.
They should include:
Notes: Percents on a Numberline, Combining Signed Numbers, Proportions, Perimeter and Area, Number Properties, Distributive Property fluency, online book information, Math Process Standards
Vocabulary: The words for both grades from the beginning of the year are on the blog under archives. The highlighted words from the booklets for each grade shoul be entered as we use them.
Current Work: Printed report from October31st that lists assignments

11/7 Science

2011-11-07T13:54:00.000-08:00

8th grade students should get their "Fox and Rabbits" test signed by a parent or guardian. I will check to see if they are signed at the beginning of tomorrow's class.

11.4 Humanities

2011-11-05T15:39:00.001-07:00

Finish explorer's chart for the Age of Exploration - Due Monday

Nov 4th, Tucan a math

2011-11-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

Both grades should organize their notebooks in preparation for the student-led conferences. Notes, Current Work (they did receive lists of assignments), and Vocabulary are sections
8th grade added page 18#12-17 a review of standards from Moving Straight Ahead.