Can Science be PHun?

The Carrots are coming! The Carrots are coming!!!

2012-02-02T10:40:00.000-05:00

2/2-2/3- Diffusion p 106-109, worksheet exchange with the environment, time given in class to complete this assignment and any other missing assignments.

2/6-2/7 Carrot Lab/closed toe shoes-Quiz p 106-109(new Gizmo-due 13-14)

2/8-2/9- complete carrot lab. lab sheet complete

2/10-2/13- Cell Energy-Read p 110-113, questions p 113,1-5, draw picture p 112, Worksheet. Time given in class to do assignment.
2/13- with students at Science Fair will have sub

2/14-2/15- Cell Energy Part duo

2/16-2/17- Cellular Respiration

Yeah! Science Fair is over and graded!

2012-01-20T13:34:00.001-05:00

We had 10 projects on our team move on to the School Science Fair. Three of those projects placed and will go on to Districts. The three winners were given their paperwork on Friday and must register by Monday. So proud of all of you!!
The grades for the second nine weeks looked so good. So, I will put the Science Fair as a boost for the third nine weeks. The Gizmo Cell structure will be the third nine weeks, students grading of the projects, and a cell activity worksheet.
Exciting things coming up for the Sixth Grade are Challenger Trip ( early March, students will need a packed lunch and drink) The World Of Nations field trip( Approx.$10.00, lunch,bus and entrance). Then the end of the year to EPCOT!! Please remember students with referrals will not be allowed to attend.

The following assignments will be:

1/23-1/24 Cell organelles Red book ( on line my.hrw.com) Read p 84-91 questions p 91,1-6 and notes.
                    Copy Organelles Chart on page 90   New Gizmo Cell division due by 1/27

1/25-1/26- microscopes      Quiz on page 84-91 with notes
                                Classwork Draw pictures while looking through a microscope
1/27-1/30- Organization of Living Things   p 92-95 Flow Chart notes p 92-95
                                     Questions p 95,1-3

1/13-2/1-Moving Cells   quiz p 92-95 with notes New Gizmo
                               Read p 106-109 questions p 109,1-5 ( red book)
                                  Coming up Carrots do What!!????
2/2-2/3- Diffusion

for those interested in Leadership opportunities with CISV/ informational meetings

2012-01-07T07:59:00.000-05:00

Date

Time

Location

Sat, Jan 7

9:30 to 10:30am

Shepherd of the Woods Church - 7860 Southside Boulevard
Wed, Jan 11

6:30 to 7:30pm

Jacksonville Country Day School - 10063 Baymeadows Road

Thurs, Jan 12

6:30 to 7:30 pm

Sacred Heart Catholic School, 5752 Blanding Boulevard

Sat, Jan 21

9:30 to 10:30am

Hendricks Ave Baptist Church – 4001 Hendricks Ave

RSVP to the CISV Office: 268.7058 or jaxcisv@bellsouth.net or Lisa Taylor at 616 3560 or ltaylorcisv@gmail.com
http://www.cisv.org/ or www. CISVUSA.org

welcome back!

2012-01-05T14:01:00.000-05:00

Thank you for getting all Science Projects in on time! All students turning the project in on time recieved an extra 100!

1/3-1/4-organization
1/5-1/6- notes p 414-417, except 3rd period. Gizmo due 1/12/12

How did I get so far behind!! : )

2011-12-05T15:04:00.000-05:00

Please remember science Fair Projects are due 12/15-12/16
By this time students should have tested their Hypothesis and finishing up the backboard.

11/16-11/17-weathering-video and quiz
11/18-preparation for Sugar lab
11/21/11/22- sugar lab
11/23-11/28- holiday
11/29-11/30- weathering II- read p 225-231 questions p 231,1-8 done in class so students may work on projects
12/1-12/2-Review weathering- quiz p225-231- review pretest
12/5-12/6 test weathering read p 76-81 in Red Book*
12/7-12/8- Introduction to cells video- pretest cells

*red book can be found @ www.my.hrw.com
Students will have password to all books by 12/6
There is also a link from my page.

Homework and Science Fair

2011-11-08T16:28:00.000-05:00

11/8-11/9- I have met with each student about Science Fair. Everyone has had their projects approved, except for a few. I would like to remind students and parents not to use vertebrates as experiment subjects. All information and a step by step plan can be found at http://www.nefrsef.org/ under the student section. There is also a form wizard under rules. I have gone over all of this information several times in class. The students who had me for Team Time have had two weeks on this subject.

11/8-11/9- Homework read p 212-215, questions p 215,1-6
11/10-11/14- video on Changing Florida

new nine weeks and science project

2011-11-01T14:34:00.000-04:00

Students need their new composition books on 10/31.
The students need to have all science project topics turned in by Thursday and paper work completed
If, the project has been approved,Then the student may start on the project.

10/31-11/1- new composition book, do poster or gizmo (coastal winds or clouds) due Nov 8(A) or Nov 9(b)
11/2-11/3- quiz severe weather, review directed reading severe weather
11/4-11/7- test on Chapter 3 and 4

End of the nine weeks and Science Project

2011-10-24T14:58:00.000-04:00

Parents; please remember an update to the Grade Portal can take a few days. This is beyond my control. I usually grade and return papers to my students by the next class they attend. The student usually has the paper back before it shows on the Grade Portal. You should only worry if the grades don't change over a few weeks. No Grade-means the assignment has been entered in the computer but the not graded yet or not averaged into the grade yet. It is how the program is designed.

The schedule this next week.

10/24-25 Sling it Humidity

Directed Reading p 134-141 (guided outline)

Weather Project due 10/25-10-26

10/26-27- Gizmo in Class- Coastal winds

10/28- teacher planning

10/31-11/1- Bring new composition book, turn old book in with all work glued on proper pages.

This week will be devoted to Science Fair. Three classes have had help in Science Fair during Team time.

All papers graded and posted 10/18

2011-10-18T15:53:00.000-04:00

The students seem to be worried about a few due dates.
Weather Project 25-26 October depending on Aor B day
Gizmo- conduction and convection- 19-20/Aor B day
Science Fair- The ideas and paperwork are due before 31 October. The students will be meeting with the teacher before they start the project.
Quiz on Air with water will be 20-21 October.

grade updates

2011-10-16T19:53:00.000-04:00

All papers collect on Wednesday have been collected, graded and posted. I have not be at school since Wednesday. I will return Monday.
Thank you

More on weather

2011-10-11T17:14:00.001-04:00

10/10-10/11- Currents II Read p 120-127, questions p 127,1-9

10/12-10/13- Seasons- video- Gizmo Conduction/convection due 10/19-10/20

Science project information and worksheets

Daily Weather record- from 10/11 or 10/12 to 10/25 or 10/26- Recording daily weather

Sites: weatherbug.com weather.com

What is climate worksheet use p112-119 to complete

10/14-10/17- More water in the air, video, ws Water in the Air p 120-127

10/18-10/19-Sever weather

Quiz on Climate and Water in the air

Video, Read p 134-141 ques p. 141,1-8

Please remember, I only see your child 2-3 days in any week. Grades are ususally update Thursday evening.
Please contact Mrs. Cameron in Guidance for an appointment for a conference.

2011-10-07T16:37:00.000-04:00

9/30-10/3- weather Read p 112-119, questions p 119,1-8

10/4-10/5- still weather current demonstration

10/6-10/7-currents Current experiment/lab

10/8-10/9- currents II complete lab and review p 120-127,1-9 and science fair info and dates

10/10-10/11- new gizmo review and quiz p 112-119 and 120-127

all papers graded and posted to portal, posting should show up by Monday

Please remember some weeks I only see your child 2x and the most 3x a week.

I usually only post grades one day a week. I usually post on Thursday.

I will try to let you know when I update.

moving into weather and climate

2011-09-27T16:03:00.000-04:00

9/26-9/27- Spheres- define Atmosphere,cryosphere,biosphere,hydrosphere, geosphere

9/28-29- Prepare for quiz on conduction,convection, radiation, theory and laws, scientific theory
Climate

9/30-10/3- weather Read p 112-119, questions p 119,1-8

weather and atmosphere

2011-09-16T09:56:00.000-04:00

The next up and coming science lessons!
9/14-9/15 Atmosphere     p 24-25
                Read p 76-81,questions p 81,1-7
                ws DEFINATIONS
9/16-9/19-Atmosphere II         p 26-27
                   Quiz
9/20-9/21-Conduction, Convection and radiation    p 28-29
                  Draw picture of C,C, and R
9/22-9/23- Conduction, Convection and radiation II   p 30-31
                   Read p 82-85,questions p 85,1-6
9/26-9/27 Spheres- Geo, Cyro,Bio,etc             p32-33

I know we need to reteach laws and theories. The students had ttrouble with the scientific version.

2011-09-13T16:24:00.000-04:00

9/12-13- Quiz p 12-19, questions p 56-63,questions p 63,1-11 Hypothesis worksheet

9/14-15- Intro Earth and Weather

All papers turned in today and before have all been graded and gradebook updated. The new grades may not show until tomorrow. The grades have to be downloaded by the county and then reposted.

Catching up

2011-09-09T14:47:00.000-04:00

Hi Parents! It was great meeting all of you last week. It is great to see parents so involved in their children's lives.
I would like to recap some of my postings and alert you of new ones.
9/1-9/2- Graphing
9/6-7-Gizmo- Growing plants
          Read p 12-18 and questions p 19,1-8 restate questions and complete sentences. ( Parents see rubric questions.)
         Class codes for Gizmos at http://www.explorelearning.com/
1A- 7WRVK3LU5W
3A- LQ8FRYFUR5
4B- ES5JAZCUJU
5B- ES3PVUBQNC
6B- ES6GUKUWRY
9/7-9/9 Re-Teach hypothesis IF.......Then
             Re-Teach Conclusion How and Why
9/12-13- Quiz p 12-19
9/14-15- Intro Earth and Weather

remember you science safety contracts and closed toe shoes!!

2011-08-29T17:54:00.000-04:00

So far we have set up our Science note books and gotten several rubrics
Tomorrow is our first experiment. No contract, no closed toe shoes and hair pulled back,no experiment

8/22-8/23-IntroductiontonScience p 6-7
8/24-25-What is a Scientist            p8-9
8/26-8/29 Laws and theories        p 10 -11
8/30-81- Sinkin lincoln                 p 12-15

School starts soon!

2011-08-14T15:16:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!
I am excited for a new school year! How about you?
The things you will need for the the first day in my class are composition book, pen,pencil, and glue stick.
I will be giving out several papers. They will be as follows:

Homework Rubric
Project Rubric
Drawing Ruric
Lab Contracts
Classroom rules
Team rules

See you soon!

EOC' s are over! Field Trip and Final Project

2011-05-24T10:03:00.000-04:00

Hey!
The EOC's for Science are over! Next is the final project. Students have been given a rubric and need 6
feet of pipe insulation. This pipe needs to be cut in half lengthwise. They are to create a Roller Coaster to meet the rubric in class. They may bring anything to help them complete the project.
The Field Trip to EPCOT is filling up. There are 35 more seats left for sale. There is also room for more chaperons. The more Chaperons the smaller the groups. Currently, the groups will be about six students to an adult.
Remember the bus will leave at 7:00 ( 0700). The students should be here by 6:30 (0630). We plan to return at 9:00 pm.(2100). We will have the students call on phones when we get to St. Augustine,to give you a clearer time we will be back.
Thank you.

'

Team Study Guide created by Mrs. Smith

2011-05-16T08:59:00.000-04:00

Study Guide for EOC

As you know, you will be taking the End of Course Exam soon. The test was written based on the benchmarks identified by our curriculum. You have or will be taught lessons in support of all of the benchmarks that may be tested on the EOC. I anticipate that it will be a fairly rigorous test because everything for the year will be tested. In order to help you review at home along with the review that we do in school I have prepared a study guide. The study guide is based on the benchmarks, vocabulary, and topics that you have learned this year. I anticipate that if you can do all of the tasks, know all of the vocabulary, and have worked hard all year you should be prepared to go in and do well on the test. I will provide microprinted copies of the study guide so if you want a full size one, you should print your own at home or at the Jacksonville Public Library. Remember, you are supposed to be able to print up to 5 free pages a day (according to my library). You have access to the HOLT Red book online and you have the Green book at home. We will review during a portion of 2 of your classes next week - you still have to finish your roller coasters.

Copy this link and paste it into the address bar to access the study guide.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lifwuixyEoKG1tJeYqqQPhtSiWRR21KmPlOWZPLc0RY/edit?hl=en

Test coming up

2011-05-11T12:19:00.000-04:00

The students are still working in the Forces book. They have covered Chapter 1 sections 1-3
The end of Coruse Exam will be 23-24 May 2011
The final will be a group project creating a roller coaster. The students have already received the rubric. They will need 6' of pipe insulation cut lengh wise.
The field trip is in three weeks. Money is due May 20. If you have a year pass you will need to only pay the bus and meal ticket.
Thank you

Field trips and current work

2011-04-12T12:31:00.000-04:00

The Field Trip to World Of Nations still has room for Students. We are also looking for more chaperones for this trip. The cost is $10.00. This price includes, bus, meal ticket and admission.

Announcing the Final Plans for the End of the Year trip to EPCOT.
Date: 9 June 2011
Place: EPCOT
Time: Coach Bus from Dana's leaves at 7:00am (0700)
                                               returns 9:00 pm (2100)
Cost: Students and Chaperones $75.00
                Bus-$23.00
                Ticket- $38.00
                 Food- $14.00 ( ticket to use in park)
The Field Trip Form will becoming this week.

3/21-3/22- Muscles Read p 12-15, and questions p 15 all
3/23-3/24- Skin Read p 16-19 and questions p 19 all, picture of skin draw and label
4/4-4/5- Heart p30-35, questions p 31 all, worksheet Heart and draw and label heart p 31

end of the nine weeks.

2011-03-18T07:46:00.000-04:00

The last day for late work Is Friday 18 March. All students have been aware since 10-14 March. The announcement has been made every day since then and is posted on the homework assignment board.
I am still receiving work from January. It is very frustrating to have re post late grades. It is also unfair to those who return their work on time. Please help your child get work in on time.
The work since the test is being counted on next nine weeks. This is so I can complete grading late work.
I am very disappointed in the latest test scores. Many students stated they didn't study because they felt they were confident on the information. The errors on the test were from not reading the entire question or all of the choices.
We have been working on the human body the last few days. This will continue to the end of the nine weeks. Then, we will switch to force and motion.
Thank you for the good work you do with your children.

cells and carrots? What do they have in common?

2011-02-22T15:56:00.000-05:00

2/17-2/18- Diffusion

2/22-2/23- Carrots?

2/23-2/24- Carrots again! Quiz p 104-109- assign gizmo Cell structure and assessment
Worksheets fro m Brainpop

2/25-2/28- Cell Energy- Read p 110-113, ques p 113,1-5 flow chart for notes,

3/1-3/2- Cellular respiration Draw picture p 112 and label quiz with notes,Cell structure Gizmo due assign cell division gizmo

3/3-3/4- Cell division Read p 114-117,ques p 117,1-6, flow chart notes

3/7-3/8-Mitosis- Quiz p 114-117 with notes,draw cell cycle p 116-117

3/9-3/10-review for cell test

3/11-3/14- Test, Next body systems

My mail is still Failse@duvalschools.org

upcoming lessons

2011-02-08T11:07:00.000-05:00

2/7-2/8- Cell Organelles
               Flow Chart p84-91
               P 91 questions, 1-6
              Copy Chart on Organelles p 90 Students given 60min to work on this assignment in class

2/9-2/10-Microscopes- Quiz p 84-91 with notes
                                      Draw pictures from microscopes

2/11-2/14- Organization again- Read p 92-95, Create flow chart questions p 95,1-3

2/15 moving cells quiz p92-95 with notes
Read page 106-109,ques p 109,1-5

Upcoming project a 3-D plant or animal cell

Updating the Blog.

2011-02-01T17:47:00.000-05:00

1/24--1/25- Readp 414-419 Questions p 419,1-4 Create Flow Chart follow example teacher modeled in class. Flow chart will be used on Quiz

1/26-1/27- Read p 400-405,questions p 405,1-5,create flow chart to use on Quiz
1/28-1/31- *Red Book p 76-83,questions p 83,1-7 Flow chart to use on Quiz( work to be done in class)
2/1-2/2- Draw Pictures of cells plant and animal
2/3-2/4 Microscopes and cells

* Red Book- Seventh grade book. Teacher will setup an online connection for students.

Failse@duvalschools.org

Cells-tissues-organs-organ systems-organisms

2011-01-25T16:52:00.001-05:00

We have finished erosion -weathering-deposition.We are moving on to new and exciting cells.
The Students are to read and take notes on p414-419 and do questions p419,1-4
They will be able to use the notes on a quiz.
Period 1 did outstanding on the last test. Periods 4 and 5 did well. The students are given the test to recycle.
Students also need new composition books.

All students have been given progress reports

2011-01-07T08:20:00.000-05:00

All of the students have received Progress reports this week. They may return any "Needs Improvement-1"
for a full grade. Please have students check their backpacks and string bags for any unstamped work. No stamp means, they have done the work but not turned it in to the teacher for a grade.
Thank you for your help in this matter.

Happy New Year! Back to Erosion,deposition and other exciting things!

2011-01-03T16:12:00.001-05:00

1/3-1/5- Review everything on Formative.
1/6-1/7-Test on Formative information - less matching, and multiple choice and more written explanation using FRIESS
1/10-1/11 organization introduction- Read p 414-419 and do questions
1/12-1/13- Cells-tissue-organ tissue-body systems

I hope to have all projects checked by the end of nine weeks. Starting Wednesday students will do project presentations.

Card 2010

2010-12-19T08:49:00.001-05:00

Picture Joy Christmas

Shutterfly has classic, elegant Christmas invitations for your party.

View the entire collection of cards.

Sinusitus and other adventures!

2010-12-13T16:27:00.001-05:00

Parents, thank you for helping your children get their projects in on time.I apologize I have not been able to grade them yet due to illness.
I lost my voice on Tuesday but knew I needed to be here for Projects. I survived Wednesday but had to give in on Thursday and Friday.
According to the sub, the students were great and they were assigned p 232-235 to read and do the questions. The students are to follow the rubric for homework. All questions should be restated and written in complete sentences. We have had this rubric since the beginning of School.
We will be assigning presentation times and I will take a picture of each student and their project.
I will be out again Tuesday due to a Dr's appt. I will be back on Wednesday.

Thank you again

Failse@duvalschools.org

Projects and other homework.

2010-12-08T11:46:00.000-05:00

Projects were due Dec 7/8,2010.
All students know they need backboard, log book and research all according to http://www.nefrsef.org/

We have looked up and taken notes from this web-site. You can look at Student tab to get help.
We have been discussing this project since September.
Thank you to all who turn in great projects on time.
I will take late projects with a grade penality. I have heard many rumours about how I intend grade this Project.
It is a lab grade and NOT 50% or 100% of your grade.Check and listen to the teacher and not each other.

The work this week will be as follows:
12/7-12/8- Check formative and correct answers. This will help you know were the lesson is going.
Also questions page 215,1-6 using rubric
I have posted my email several timesand I will post it again. Failse@duvalschools.org

Update on work and project

2010-11-29T15:06:00.000-05:00

11/23-24- Read p 226-231, do questions p 231,1-8 use rubric for homework
11/29-11/30- grade Chapter 3 and 4 test.review weathering
12/1-12/2- Benchmark testing - Create lab report with Sugar lab information and lab sheet
12/3 and 12/6- benchmark testing- Grade formative test and prepare for weathering chapter

Please remember Science Fair Project due Dec 7,2010

Science Progress reports

2010-11-22T14:39:00.001-05:00

Periods 4B and 5B were sent home with Progress Reports. Period 1A will have theirs tomorrow. Please have your child make up any work during the long week-end. I am very disappointed with some of the reports., especially 5B. I have the work posted on the board,on a poster in the class and on my blog.
I have heard very excuse you can imagine, why grades are low. If your child has a returned paper with my stamp and grade, I will gladly correct my error. This is why papers are graded with a stamp. This way I know I have seen the paper and graded it.
However, I have many papers with no names or pages #, so I can identify the work. These are hard to grade and give credit to the right person. Many times the students have done the work and it is living in their backpack. Please have them check in the backpacks.

My papers do not leave my room, so they can not be lost. I care very much about the students work and I am always concerned about losing any papers. However, like your students are, I am only human and may miss recording a grade.This is why the students are asked to glue all work into their Interactive Science Notebooks on the proper day. If a paper is missing a grade, we can check the notebook.

Thank you for 1A and their wonderful grades!!

Thank you for your help in this situation. We all hope you have a great Thanksgiving holiday.

Forms, Test and Science Project update 11/15

2010-11-15T13:57:00.003-05:00

The Students should be working on forms and projects.We have reviewed the Science Project website many times in class. I have shown the students all of the information they need to know. I have even given this group the forms they need to submit. I am trying to teach your children how to be independent learners. The students know where to find all of the information they need from how to get a topic to where items go on the back board. They should only need your supervision to do the project. We have also gone over the scientific method in class and done several experiments using this method.

The following items are on the agenda in the class for this week and next:

11/17-18-19- Test on Chapter 3 sections 1-3 Chapter 4 section1-2,4
Students have completed quizzes and questions on these chapters
11/22 and 23- Introduction Chapter 7 Weathering and Soil Formation p 226-231,questions p 231,1-8
Students need to wear closed toe shoes for experiment
11/24- have a great holiday!!

DECEMBER benchmark TESTING

TEST, Diary and gizmos

2010-11-03T18:44:00.000-04:00

Students need new composition books for new 9 weeks
The students should be keeping a Weather Diary from 10/26-11/10.
The students should have a paper with the following headings to track the weather in their area.
date-high temp-low temp-current temp-dew pt-wind chill or heat index-humidity-wind direction and speed-rain
There should be a column for each. topic
The science Fair topic was due 10/29 next will be the forms 11/10
10/28-10/29- review p 6-19, 42-55 for test on 11/ 3-11/4 Students have been give question and quizzes for study guides. gizmo given Conduction and convection
11/1-11/2-continue review p 6-19,42-55
11/3-11/4- test p 6-19. 42-55, gizmo Conduction and Convection due
questions p 149,1-30
11/5,11/8- Globel and local winds p 86-91, questions p 91.#1-8 use rubric new Gizmo due 17-18
11/8-11/10- review Chapter 3 - quiz Chapter 3,sections 1-3
11/15-16-review chapter 4 -quiz Chapter 4 sections 1-2,4

progress reports, grades,projects and homework.

2010-10-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

Students need to have their topic for Science Fair in by October 31.
Homework this week: October 15,18- Read p 112-119, questions p 119,1-8
October 19-20-Complete lab III
October 21-22-Read p 134-141, questionsp 141, 1-8
The teacher will be out October 21-22 to attend the Florida Science Teachers convention. Mrs. Hayden will be a present at this convention with Mrs. Smith.

All students have received progess reports. students withe D-F have been counseled as how to improve their grades. Late papers with a penality are due Wednesday, October 20

update

2010-10-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Challenger/MOSH field trip was a great success. Monday and Tuesday were spent with Mr. Meeks, a former Science teacher at Darnell-Cookman and President of the Northeast Florida Region Science and Engineering Fair. He discussed how to find and topic for the Science Project and reviewed the website http://www.nefrsef.org/ . This website has all the information you will need to help your student with the Science Project.
The students also finished their first Labs called "sinkin' Lincoln". I am still waiting for a few Lab reports to come back from students.

HOMEWORK for the last week :
Read p 76-81,questions p 81,1-7
Draw a picture and label the atmospheres
Read p 82-85, questions p 85,

Science Labs and Weathering

2010-09-23T17:10:00.000-04:00

9/21 The assignment for this week are complete lab form.
Questions p 127,1-9
Moving from thinking like a Scientist to weathering

New Assignment and up coming Field Trip

2010-09-02T17:25:00.003-04:00

The new assignment for Science is Read page 50-55 and questions p 55,1-9. The students have the rubric in their ISN.

The county has required Field Trip to the Challenger Center. It is a great Field Trip taking the students to Kirby Smith and MOSH for the Day. The Challenger Center at Kirby Smith is a simulation program. The simulations are being a member of Control Team for the Shuttle and then the simulation of the shuttle. The other half of the day will be spent at MOSH for a Special Science program designed with the Science Curriculum Dept. It is a wonderful day.

The trip will include all sixth grade students who meet the Field Trip qualifications (no referrals). Currently, all sixth graders should be able to attend. A Group of 35+ will go each day over the three day period, from September 29, 30 and October 1. The students will be required to bring a sack lunch and a drink. They will have lunch in the lunch room at the Kirby Smith Shuttle Center.

Keep an eye out for the Field Trip permission slip. We hope to have it to you by next week. We are waiting for final approval. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

Have a great Labor Day!!!

2010-08-27T12:47:00.000-04:00

The students this year will be keeping most of their class information in a notebook called " the Interactive Science Notebook" also reffered as the ISN. The students will all have a compostion book with the information from bellringers,experiment notes, data, assignments, handouts and other important home work and test details will be recorded.
This is to help the students have a good Study Guide to help them on the End of Course Exam given at the end of the year.

The ISN ( Interactive Science Notebook) is set up as follows:

Page 1- Title page Advanced ComprehensiveScience I- Middle of page
              Student Name-- lower right hand corner of page
Page 2- Table of Contents-(PAGE 2-5)
                            8/25-8/26- What is a Scientist? p6-7 Complete trifold Scientist pictures
                           8/27-8/30- Scientist and Rules p 8-9

Upcoming work-   8/31-9/1-Laws and Theories p 10-11 Read p 42-49 questions p 49,1-8

Welcome to Science with Mrs.Hayden

2010-08-27T11:57:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the 2010-2011 School year.
My transition continues at Julia E. Landon in both name and task. Some know me as Ms Fails, Mrs. Fails-Hayden, and finally Mrs. Hayden. Hopefully, this will be the last year of changing my name. I will be Mrs. Hayden.
However, my teaching assignments continue to change. I have moved from World History to Science and this year to Science and Geography. Two subjects I really love to teach.
I am team teaching with my Lead Teacher being Mrs. Long. I will not need a blog for this class. You will find all the Information you need at Mrs. Long's website.

Science will be kepy in the style of a Table of Contents.

EOC, final project and Field Trip sold out

2010-05-24T18:22:00.001-04:00

Blogger and I are still having problems with each other. I can log in at home very well, but not at school.

The students have all be given copies of the PMAS, we took during the year on Science. They can use the PMAs to study for the EOC. The Science EOC is new because the curriculum in Science changed this year. The State and National Standards changed last year.I also went over all of the Chapters in the book we covered this year and had the students recall all of projects, demostrations, and experiments we did for each Chapter this year.

The Roller Coaster Project is the student's final exam. They must build the Roller Coaster at school with their groups. The students have all received a rubric about the grading on the project. The students will also have to do a Lab report on the Average speed of the Roller Coaster.

Needs:

6' 7/8 pipe insulation cut lengthwise ( 12')

a regular size marble

masking tape ( not duct Tape, gorilla glue ,etc)

flexible tape measure

stop watch

There are four people in most groups and the items are divided between the people in the group.

WOW!! The Field Trip sold out fast! Thank you! Today the buses were paid for the trip! EPCOT is a great place rain or shine.

Sorry it took so long!

2010-05-10T15:18:00.001-04:00

I had trouble posting to my blog because one must have a Google account now. Therefore, Google won and I lost! I am very sorry for the inconvience.

The World of Nations trip was so good! Thank you to all of the parents who help. The students really loved it.

We are hoping for a trip to EPCOT but rules in the county have changed. We must get approval from downtown. If, and when we send out the notices there will be 100 spots for students and chaperones at $70.00. This will include Bus, Lunch and EPCOT. What a deal! We will go on June 9, if it is approved by downtown.

We are having a good time with motion, speed, acceleration, and many new terms. We have been working on Chapter 18.There will be a test on Chapter 18 by Friday (B) or Monday(A). The students have been given a pretest to help them with the terms and concepts they need to learn.

Because of long and wonderful presentations by second and third periods during the body system, those two classes got behind on Motion. Each class has spent a week during Team Time catching up. Now second and third are caught up to the others.

Here is the Table of Contents:

4/20-4/21- Motion: A new way

4/22-4/23- Domino Derby ( Lab Report)(Section Review)

4/26-27- Pinewood Derby ( Work sheets on Pinewood Derby ,Bug Race, and questions p 555,1-6)

4/28-29 Ready for the Post test on Chapter 18 section 1( read p 556-559,questions p 559,1-6)

4/30-5/3- Forces ( Gizmo: Fan cars)

5/4-5/5- Balanced and unbalanced Forces( Balloon Ball)

5/6-7- Gravity( demo gravity with pop balls, ping pong balls, finger bowling, magnets, pop rockets) Review questions p 559,1-6 Read p 560-569, questions p 569,1-10

5/10-11- Friction( Pushing books)( chapter Review work sheet, due May 12-13), (Gizmo: Tall Tower due May 18)

5/12-5/13-Review,Review, Review

5/14-17- Chapter 18 test

Prepare for EOC's

I am having trouble with students reading the material. They are going to the questions and not reading or taking notes. This is causing studying for test to be hard. The students have an easy pretest and the post test is more writing and explaining why, than choosing answers. If, you could help me with this problem it would be wonderful. Thank you!

Projects, Field trips and table of contents

2010-04-14T11:47:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a great spring break. The last late papers were due March 26. The nine weeks ended on March 29. No papers were taken after March 26.

I didn't except any work done after the 26 March. Please remember late work is late and not graded as quickly as work turned in on time. Please check your student planning books for when work, projects, and other papers are due. All of this information is posted in two places in the class everyday. Students will find the information on the Table of Contents chart and the agenda at the front of the room as it has been all year.

I have adjusted my late work policy. I will no longer accept late work, except of illness and other sound reasons. I am not helping your child learn to "Put First Things First". I have except papers more then two months late. I am not teaching them to be responsible. The students will need to turn in their work on time next year. Seventh Grade does not except late work. Please help me teach this concept of responsibility.

The projects the students are doing are wonderful! They have put a lot of work and detail into their lessons! I have bragged about these students all over school. They are remarkable. Unfortunately we are becoming behind in our presentations and will have to move a little faster. We must move into the next Chapter on Motion.

I am very excited about Motion and Newton's Laws. They were my favorite when I taught 8th grade Physical Science. We will have a project at the end of the nine weeks. It will be a simple roller coaster. Please remember the word simple. Rubric will come out in May.

The Field Trip coming up is World of Nations. I am sorry we had only a short time to collect money for this trip. The time between the city's invitation and the time the city expects the money is very short. Thank you for helping to make this Field Trip happen. I am still in need of 10 more Chaperones. I can offer you a free ticket but not a meal. Please contact me at Failse@duvalschools.org or at the school number. I would like to have this trip planned ASAP. I am very strict about the safety of the children. I like them and don't want to lose any!!

Please also remember the students all have rubrics for homework and rituals and routines for class behavior. All work is due the next class day. Please remember each class day is really two class days under the old schedule. Thank you for your help in this matter.

The Field Trip to EPCOT will be completed after I receive the contract from the bus company. The planned date is June 9. The cost is looking like $70.00 with meal ticket, bus trip ( on nice bus) and entrance ticket to the park.

Current table of Contents:

4/12-4/15- Complete Body Systems. Each group has a different lesson with work they teach in class.

4/16-4/19- Motion Pre test

4/20-4/21 Motion: a new way*

Mrs. Smith and I have been selected to work on a new style of teaching for these nine weeks. The students will take a pretest and judge what they need to learn to help the students pass the post test. All of us will evaluate the pretest information and using the data gleaned from the test to chart out a learning path.

Preparing for Test and Field trips!!

2010-03-22T16:39:00.001-04:00

The students are working very hard on their projects. I enjoy seeing all of the resources they are using to teach their lessons. We have seen videos on youtube, brain pops, experiments, demonstrations and wonderful creative ideas. They are having a good time and learning along the way.

The end of the nine weeks is coming soon. Please remember all work is due by Friday.

The students will be going to the computer room on Monday and Tuesday of next week to take some district test in science. They need to review cells, classification and human body systems. This test is created by the district on these subjects.

There will be a new gizmo assigned later this week. It will be on Homeostasis. Please remind the children to do the assessment after Gizmo. It is the main part of their grade. I still have students who have not completed the last three assessments assignment in February and January. The students must complete any Gizmo assessments by 5:00 pm on Friday. I will pull the final computer report at that time.

Field Trip!!!

The following Field Trips are coming up!!!

World of Nations- April 29,2010-Metro Park $10.00 will include lunch ticket and drink. The money will be due by March 25. This is the date the City of Jacksonville must have the money.

Black History Field Trip- This trip is planned for April 19. We are still making sure on the details and hope to release more information soon. It will be planned in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha.

EPCOT- We are hoping to plan a Field Trip to EPCOT at the end of the year. We hope to go June 9 or 10. We are hoping to keep the price about $80.00. It will depend on the bus situation.

Criteria for project

2010-03-11T14:37:00.001-05:00

The students have been working on a project since last week on a body system. They have to teach the system they either chose or were assigned. The only exception is the endocrine system waist down and the reproduction system. I will teach these systems in scientific manner with relation to Science not Health.

The students groups must have a Bell ringer, lesson (can use any of the following: power point, videos, brain pops, work sheets) and Assessment (quiz)
The first group 4B and 6B will start teaching Tuesday and 1A,2A and 3A will start on Wednesday

The criteria is as follows:

The Product

* Identifies the organs and the system

*Explains the function of the system

*Identifies the type of cells

*Explains how the cells in the system get nutrients. And how they get rid of waste

*How does this system work with other systems?

*What is the role of the system in maintaining homeostasis in a sixth grade child?

Body Systems and letter

2010-03-09T16:25:00.001-05:00

Hi Everyone!

We are currently surviving the FCAT. All the homework/classwork/test/projects and everything I received by 3/5/2010 was graded and posted on the Oncourse system. I have a few more late papers to add this week. We did clean out a locker or two and found some of our missing work. Students can also get missing worksheets. The worksheets are located near the turn in bin. Late work is not given priority to post. I do check on all questions sent to me via email. I also have many, many nameless papers posted in my room.( the papers are put away during FCAT and will reappear on Thursday).

The students should currently be working on a body system to teach to the other members of their class . Each student has been assigned to a group and are producing a lesson on their system. They may use power points, questions from the Book, poster, games, activities and such to produce their lesson. They must also have an assessment to their lesson. They will be given three days to produce the project.

The students will not be teaching the endocrine system waist down, reproduction system or excretory systems. I will teach these systems in a scientific manner. The students have all received a letter to their parents about these lessons.

The book the students are using can be found at my.hrw.com The book is listed in the top as Human Body Systems and Health.

We would like the following supplies: Tissues and paper

Thank you

test and reviews

2010-03-01T14:54:00.000-05:00

The Table of contents:
2/23-2/24 review for PMA and Gizmo        p32-33
2/25-2/26 PMA, Gizmo and Odyessy         p34-35
3/1-3/2 test Red book Chapter 4                 p 36-37
               Assignment p 422-423,1-22 follow rubric for questions/assignment will help create a study guide

3/3-3/4   Test p 398-419, Introduce Human Body Systems p38-39

I have been double checking for logs and research papers for Science Fair. Please remember all work checked has a stamp and it can take 2-3 days for my updates on the Oncourse to get to you.

How at access the Green and Red books online

2010-02-15T21:24:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day and President's Day Holiday! we are still working on Mitosis and Osmosis and the parts of the cell. We will be having several quizzes this week on these subjects. I have provided the students with copies of the Red Book to use in class. They have also been given almost an hour each class to get the questions assigned done in class. We have gone over the assigned questions and seen several videos about cells, mitosis,and osmosis. The study skill we have been working on is: the more you see material in different ways the easier to remember it.
I have also added all of the students to http://www.my.hrs.com/ to have access to the red and green books online. The students will be getting a personal sign in and password for this site.
Please remember to allow the teacher time to grade papers and post them on line. I know you would like immediate feed back on whether or you child turned in their work. I am grading for the proper way a paper is done and not just turn in. Please ask your child to show the rubric I use when grading their papers. i usually update online grades once a week. When there are only a few assignments, one missing assignment can count a lot. The same with test grades.

Cell Theory and when is that test?

2010-02-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Well, things have been moving right along! We have now done passive transportation with potatoes and carrots. The students have not one but two lab reports due. They have potato #1 and potato #2. They should have the following form:

Question-( What are we finding out about?)

Hypothesis-( Must relate to the question)

Prediction-(What do you think will really happen?)

Experiment-

Materials-( What did we use)

Procedure-(how did we do it)

Conclusion- (conclusion should be at least a paragraph and should have a data table or graph)

The following pages in the Table of Contents:

1/25-1/26- Microscope ( Gizmo- Cells)

1/27-1/28- Doing Plate Drawings

1/29-2/1-Osmosis ( Gizmo Osmosis)

2/2-2/3-Potato (e)s and Carrots --Lab report #1 about potato(e)s

2/4-2/5-Oh No!!! Potato(e)s again! Lab Report #2

2/8-2/9- Diffusion ( Red Book p 106-109 and do questions p 109, 1-5 in class) video Cells

2/10-2/11-Mitosis

The questions and text we are using is from the seventh grade Red Science Text Book. The students have been given copies to use in class and given time in class to use the materials.

The students will in Homeroom tomorrow for a practice for FCAT Writing.

There will also be a screening February 11,2010 for scoliosis. The boys will just need regular clothes for the screening, BUT............. the girls will need halter or bathing suit tops under their regular tops.

Osmosis and leadership: can they go together?

2010-02-01T11:42:00.000-05:00

We have begun the new nine weeks with many hands on projects. We have looked through microscopes, drawn plate drawing s of onion cells and cheek cells. We learned potatoes don't let salt and sugar disappear into the potato(e)s but sugar and salt draw water out of the potato(e)s.
The students have been given another Gizmo. This is two so far this nine weeks. They are cells and Osmosis. The students did very well on their county science test. The next test will be Cell Theory for the county and for me also. I hope to have the test next week so we can move into body systems. There will be a letter coming home about discussing the Reproductive system.

Here is the table of Contents so far for this nine weeks.

1/25-1/26-microscopes p 6-7
1/27-1/28- Doing plate Drawings p 8-9
1/29-2/1-Osmosis (two activity sheets) p 10-11
Gizmo cells due

It's been so long!!

2010-01-20T12:47:00.000-05:00

I apologize for my blog being behind. December flew by and so did January.
The table of contents from December was as follows:
12/8-12/9- Organizing the world p 34-35
12/10-12/11-Clissification- quiz p 36-37
12/14-12/15 Atoms ,molecules and cells p38-39

Please remember Science Fair was Due Jan6, 2010
The field trip for the Challenger went very well.
Thank you to the parents who chaperoned.
The MOSH class was very good. Everyone liked Sparky and the explosion.
Many people also liked Grossology!

The last two weeks have been presentations of Science Fair projects! I was really pleased with the work put into these projects! We were able to send 12 to the school Science Fair. It was very hard to choose only 12. Mrs. Smith and I spent many hours in the hallways looked for the best of 30 possible projects! I hope our team did well at the Fair!

I am glad the grade portal is available to all students and their parents.
I appreciate all of the late work I have received. However, I would like to remind students and parents homework is due the next time the class meets. Many students have been given time in class to complete work. Not all of the students use their time as wisely in class as they should. I would also like to remind students and parents there is a homework rubric. Many students are turning in late work and not following the rubric. This is not fair to students who turn work in on time and follow the rubric.
I am hoping to get the Science Fair grades on the this report card. The reason for the delay would be so I can give the projects the best attention for grading. I do not want to quickley grade the projects and miss some great work.

New Quarter begins with a clean slate.

New Table of Contents

2009-12-08T12:23:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone! I hope you are getting ready for the holidays and the end of the Science Fair. I am! The rubrics has been received and will be published ASAP.
The Table of Contents continues as follows:

12/4-12/7    Organization Read p 414-417, questions p 419,1-4            p32-33
12/8-12/9     Organizing the World Read p 432-437,ques. p 437,1-6     p34-35
                       Create Foldable for quiz

All of the Erosion test have been graded and posted. The schedule will be off because of Benchmark Testing on Wednesday.

Thursday, I will see how far off the schedule was and update the blog. I am hoping for a quiz on Thursday and Friday using foldable on Classification p 432-437

Quiz, Test ,Gizmos, projects,and everything else

2009-11-19T17:08:00.001-05:00

I am glad the new portal to grades is open. It will reduce paper and stress in my life! I hope it makes life for many of you easier. We still have a few discussions in class about how a paper wasn't turned in and after quizzing me is found in the book bag and other various places belonging to the child. There are still some nameless and homeless papers posted on my wall. Please remind your child to always check the wall for "Lost" work.
Please remind your children forms are due and projects should be started. I am still getting what should I do? We have been working on Science Fair since August. Research,topics, how to and websites have been given many times to help the children. Mr. Meeks has been in several times to help children with projects and project ideas. There is still a powerpoint on the Landon Site. We even sponsored a Science Fair night. Yes, I am still being asked,"Can I see how smart my dog is?". I have reminded children not to use humans, animals with back bones, mold,product comparisons and dry ice.
We have done many experiments using the scientific method and the children should be well versed in how to do planning, data collection and conclusions. All scientist can fail and your project is right even if it doesn't turn out as expected.

The following quizzes are coming up:

11/23-11/24 on p 212-215

11/30-12/1 on p 232-235

Unit Test 12/2-12/3 on weathering, deposition, Florida geography,erosion and waves.

Here is the Table of Contents:
11/17-18              BrainPOP                            p22-23
11/19-20              Waves                                 p24-25 (Read p 212-215,ques p 215,1-6
11/23-24              Florida's Geography             p26-27(Read p232-235,ques p235)
11/25-27               Holiday
11/30-12/1           Weathering, Erosion,Deposition and Waves   p28-29
12/2-3                  Test and new section Cells    p30-31

I wish you the best of holidays!

progress reports for period 1-3,Science Fair and email

2009-11-13T18:04:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,
Time for a weekly update.
The class period 1-3 were given progress reports. Classes 4-6 will receive the progress reports on Monday.The students may correct any redo papers and turn them back in for credit. Late work can also be turned in for reduced credit. All classwork/homework are due by the next class period in the box for that class period. Please make sure names are on papers.

The students have been given many instructions on Science Fair. I am still missing topics. Topics were due October 30. Most have been returned though many have not been turned in yet. The final project is due on Dec 7- Jan 5.
What your student should have done by now is:
Turned in topic
completed form wizard and turned in forms.
Completed research plan
and ready to start on project.
Please remember to keep a log for collecting data and take pictures.

I am currently having trouble with the school email. I continue to delete messages and sent messages and still can't get my mail box empty enough to sent out emails. It is frustrating. I write your responses and can't send them out to you. I will comtinue to work on this problem. I delete a lot of messages telling me my mailbox is almost full! Life is funny sometimes.

Table of Contents for the next few days:

11/6-11/9                          weathering                                  p14-15
11/10-11/12                       Weathering II                             p16-17(18-19)
11/13-11/16                        Weathering III                           P 20-21

The student have done three experiments, questions p 231 and several worksheets from Brain pop. They will have a quiz on Monday and Tuesday.

11/17-11/18                       More Weathering                    p22-23
11/19-20                           Landforms in Florida               p24-25

weather/weathering and Science Fair/ classwork rubric

2009-11-05T18:07:00.000-05:00

Hi Parents!
I would like to update the table of contents:
10/27-28-Writing a report                p6-7
10/29-30-Winds                              p 8-9
11/2-3-Are you ready?                     p10-11
11/4-5- Weather or not                     p12-13
11/6-9-Weathering                            p 14-15

Mr. Meeks will be in Friday to answer Science Fair questions
Topic should have been submitted by 10/29-30. The students can go to the Landon website or this website to connect to the forms wizard and fill out their forms and start the project.

Until this school year, I always did a weekly progress report for parents and students. This helped everyone to stay on track and know about missing work or test scores. I didn't do this the first nine weeks because the parent grade portal to Oncourse was to open during the nine weeks. Unfortunately, this did not happen as planned. Therefore, I will resume doing weekly progress reports until the portal is open. This should help everyone communicate better on student work and grades.

Science Fair and Report

2009-10-27T16:30:00.000-04:00

New nine weeks! Time to start anew!
I did have several students turn in work on October 22 abd 23. I will not grade them. I asked for all late work by October 21.
The Topic for Science Fair is due October 29(1-3) or October 30(4-6)
The test given on October 22-23 to help the student's grades last nine week, it will be on the 2nd nine weeks. It was not enough to improve grades. I was very disappointed. The questions had all been used on previous test, reviewed and correct answers give to the students. I thought it would be very easy for them.
The current project due is on Nov. 2 (1-3) and Nov. 3 (4-6). The students have all been given
the rubric and an explation of what to do. The report should included the answers to these questions:

Analyze the data and use the following to write your report.

1. In which container did the temperature increase faster?

2. How did the temperatures change once the light was off?

3. Explain to your readers why beach people have a cool breeze every afternoon in the summer.

4. Explain to your viewers why summers are cooler and winters are warmer when you are near the ocean.

5. Explain to your audience why storms such as hurricanes only form over warm oceans.

6. Explain to your audience why FL experiences storms such as hurricanes.

Product: You need to design and create a model and collect data that will explain to magazine readers

the effect of land and water on air temperature:

Since you are a meteorologist, your results will be written as a lab report that will be published as an article

projects, test, report cards

2009-10-21T07:32:00.000-04:00

Hi Everyone!
The first nine weeks is about to end! didn't it just start!
All students have been given progress reports last Thursaday and Friday in my class. They had until today to get any make up work done.
This week they will have a test on Chapter 3 section 1-3. This will be Thursaday and Friday. They have had many quizzes on this section and should know what to study. Each Section has been explained with hands on experiments,demostrations, instruction, reading and questions. They should be well prepared.
They also have a paper to write about being a meterologist and looking at the weather and how the beach effects us. They will work on this on Thursday and Friday also.

Monday is a student holiday. Grades are due on 23rd of October.
The Science Fair topic is due October 26-30

This week's table of contents are

10/16-10/19- coriolis effect                                      p44-45
10/20-21- Beach Heat                                              p46-47
10/22-23- Wrap Up                                                 p48-49

Students will need a new composition book on October 27

gizmos assessments and quizzes

2009-10-12T16:39:00.001-04:00

I am sorry I was out two days last week. I was out with a virus. The students like to share things with me and I guess this includes a virus! : ) All is well and life is good!!

The Table of Contents and work expected hasn't changed, but we will be reviewing material cover on those days. We will be taking several quizzes this week to assessment the amount of knowledge retained by the students over the last few weeks. The quizzes will be Chapter 3 Section 1, 2 and 3. This is to prepare the students for the test on the Chapter coming up next week.

I am still having trouble with students completing Gizmo assessments. These are required after the students complete the lesson. The assessments are 20% of the class grade. The students have been given a new Gizmo due Friday for 1-3 and Monday for 4-6. The Gizmo is on winds.

The Table of contents for this week is:

10/12-13- Review

10/14-10/15- Humidity Quiz on Chapter 3 section 2 p 82-85

10/16-10/19- humidity con't on Chapter 3 section 3 p 86-91

I would like to remind you about the Science Fair Information Meeting October 13 at 6:00 pm.

Hope to see you there!!

http://www.explorelearning.com/ for Gizmo

http://www.nefrsef.org/ Science Fair

tABLE OF cONTENTS UP DATE

2009-10-05T15:14:00.001-04:00

The informational Science Project meeting will be on Tueday, October 13, 2009 at 6:00 PM

10/2-10/5- Cloud in a bottle- Read p 76-81 question s p 81,1-7 follow rubric
10/6-7- Atmospheric Heating- Read p 82-85, questions p 85,1-6 follow rubric
10/8-9- Global Winds and Local Winds p86-91 questions p 91,1-8 follow rubric

Air Pressure

2009-09-27T15:39:00.001-04:00

We have taken our final test on the Scientific method. The students will have returned test and papers on Monday and Tuesday. You will be recieving an updated progress report on Thursday(B day) or Friday(A day)from my class. The students all had great grades on the school progress report because all of our work had been hands on. Now, the quiz and test results will be included in their grade.

Thank you for all of your help on a successful field trip. The next trip will not be until January. The trip will be to Kirby-Smith /MOSH for a district program on Challenger and Air Pressure. The cost will be free but students maybe excluded because of classroom behavior.

The Table of Contents for this wee is as follows:
9/24-25-Air Pressure                                   p.28-29
9/28-29-Can Crush                                     p.30-31
9/30-10/1-Currents                                     p 32-33
10/2-10/5 Clouds in a Bottle                        p.34-35

Field Trip and Gizmos Activity

2009-09-21T11:56:00.000-04:00

The last day for field trip money is Tuesday. We still have space for chaperones. Please let me know if you would like to sponsor a student who might have problems going on the trip.
Students need to remember to bring a bag lunch and a drink. There will not be any food or drinks available.
The Students have been given a packet to use with the website www.explorelearning.com

The student must register for the correct class. Here are the correct codes for each class.
1A-ES2SBIAWGY
2A-ES3PVUBQNC
3A-ES4NGF3J4G
4B-ES5JAZUCJU
6B-ES7EFXMQ7C

The packet will be due on September 25.
Thank you : )

Mystery tubes, laws and theories

2009-09-16T16:42:00.001-04:00

I hope everyione enjoyed Open House! It was wonderful to see students and thier parents. I enjoy using observations and the scientific methods to see which parents are with which student. I have the Table of Contents updates and Field Trip information. I did attend an informational meeting on the Science Fair. It was great to review rules and to find out great places for the students to gain knowledge about the process.

Table of Contents:

9/10-11- Laws and Theories ( con't)                                                             page 18-19
9/14-15- Mystery Tubes ( ask your student how it went)                                page 20-21
9/16-17- Scientific Method again!                                                                   Page 22-23
                    activity p 55, questions 1-9 restae question in answer and write complete sentences
9/18-21-review Science Method, Laws, Theories, etc for Assessment(Test)      p24-25
9/22-23- Assessment on Scientific method, etc   Introduction of Atmosphere      p26-27

Field Trip information:

The two sixth grade teams will be Field Tripping on Thursday ,September 24. We will be going to MOSH for two events. The Planeterium and a walk through the Human Body. ( Did you know the average person expells Methane gas 18 times a day!~) The students will need a bag lunch and drink because we will eat at Friendship Fountain. The cost of the trip is $10.00. The fist ten Chaperones are free and after those spots are filled it will be $5.00 each. Come and explore the day with us!

Here are some great links for Science FAir and other interesting places:
http://www.nefrsef.org/
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/
http://www.scilinks.org/

New Table of contents and assignments

2009-09-03T15:05:00.003-04:00

Hi everyone!

We have continued sinking Lincoln to work on the Inquirey Method of experiments.We will carry this knowledge into the year for Science Projects large and small. The team time students in my class are working on understanding how to do a Science Project. We have been using th Northeast Florida Region Science and Engineering website. ( www.NEFRSEF.org)
In team time we have discussed topics and Research. I will follow this lesson with all Team Time Classes for the next three weeks.

9/1-2- Constraints and Criteria p 10-11

9/3-4- Scientific Method Read p 12-13
Read p 12-18 in Science Book
Questions p 19, 1-8 write in complete sentences and
the questions in the answer. DO NOT copy the question
Time given in class complete at home if not finished.

9/8-9- Models: Physical , Computer, weather, Math
create word wall cards during class time.

9/10-11- Laws and Theories
Read p 50-54 questions 1-9 p 55

Can you think like a Scientist?

2009-08-26T15:36:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone,
We are working on setting up things for the new school year. The students have all been sent home with Science Safety rules for parents to sign and return.
Here is our schedule so far this week. We have not had any activities to continue at home this week.

Mon/Tues(8/24-25)- Can you think like a Scientist? Draw three pictures of a scientist using prior knowledge and knowledge gained during the class. What do Scientist need?

Wed/Thur(8/26-27)-Sinking Linclon- Inquirey Lab. Students learned how to set up composition book as Interactive Science Notebook.

Fri/Mon(8/28-31)- Complete sinking Linclon and draw conclusions

Welcome to Landon and Team 6A!

2009-08-22T08:14:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone!
I am excited about the first day of school. It will be a great change for me! I am moving from World History to Science! I am excited!! I never can decide if I like Science or History best. Believe it or not they are connected! Can you discover this theory as the year goes along?
I hope you had a great summer! I helped host an interchange group from Brazil. We had lots of fun!
We will start the year learning how to think like a Scientist!

Study Guide for Final 5/27

2009-05-21T16:15:00.002-04:00

Things are busy with the end of the year.
The plans change daily due to exams and other items.
The work in class for Friday is p 433 questions.
The students have all been given study guides for the final on Wednesday.
Monday is a holiday
Exam are each day next week.
Tues-ELA
Wed-World History
Thurs-Science
Fri-Math

There will not be any homework except to study for the exam. There will be class work. I will update you with the new schedule as soon as possible.

World History
Final Exam Study Guide

1. A plain at the mouth of a river where sediment is deposited.

2. Belief in multiple gods.

3. A form of writing used by several groups in the Fertile Crescent

4. A widespread disease.

5. An action taken to isolate the enemy and cut off supplies.

6. an early form of paper made from reeds that grew along the Nile River.

7. A scientist that examines objects to learn about the past.

8. A system of study that uses reason to explain natural events

9. A person especially skilled at making things by hand.

10. A time when there is so little food that many people starve.

11. A payment made to a powerful state or nation from a weaker one.

12. An official count of people living in a place.

13. A series of rulers from the same family.

14. A fortress usually located in the highest point of a city.

15. A structure that carries water over long distances.

16. An economic situation where there is more money, but less value.

17. The scattering of people who have a common background or beliefs.

18. An official pardon given by the church in return for money.

19. Spartan slaves were called this

20. A system in which land was given by kings to lords in return for loyalty.

21. How did people in the Old Stone Age get their food?

22. In the New Stone Age, what did people start to do for the first time?

23. During the period of prehistory, what ability did people develop?

24. In the ancient world, what kind of person would have been most likely to spread new ideas and tools from one civilization to another?

25. How did farming change the way people lived?

26. Having a dependable source of water enabled some farming settlements to develop into what?

27. Why was Hammurabi’s Code significant?

28. What were the Israelites know for that mad them unique among ancient peoples?

29. Why did Phoenicia become a thriving and wealthy nation?

30. Each Mesopotamian city-state had its own ____________

31. Where was Mesopotamia located?

32. Where did writing first develop?

33. What did the Babylonians and Israelites have in common?

34. How did the Nile River affect ancient Egyptian life?

35. The Egyptian pharaohs ruled with absolute power over who?

36. How did religion play an important part in Egyptian life?

37. How did the ancient Egyptians demonstrate their belief in life after death?

38. What was the greatest achievement of the pharaoh Menes?

39. What did ancient Egyptians use to keep track of the kingdom’s growing wealth?

40. Because of Nubia’s location between Egypt and Central Africa, it was what?

41. How does Hinduism differ form the other major religions?

42. When the Aryan and Indian cultures blended, what religion resulted?

43. According to the Hindu belief of reincarnation, what happens to faithful followers of Hinduism?

44. According to Buddha, what was the cure for human suffering?

45. Why is Asoka considered one of India’s greatest leaders?

46. Why are monsoons important to India?

47. Where did the first farming settlements in China develop?

48. What was an important accomplishment of the Chinese during the Han dynasty?

49. How did China’s physical geography influence the growth of its civilization?

50. What did the ancient civilizations of China, Mesopotamia, and Egypt all have in common?

51. What was one of Shi Huangdi’s greatest achievements?

52. What did Confucius believe would happen if people showed loyalty and respect within the family?

53. Who wrote the epics The Iliad and The Odyssey and what were they about?

54. Who was Pericles?

55. In general, who did the Greeks worship?

56. What did men in Athens do when they gathered together in the Agora in the morning?

57. What resulted from the victory by the Athenians over the Persians at Marathon?

58. What did Alexander the Great’s army refuse to do after 11 years of battles?

59. What did many of the cities that Alexander the Great established have in common?

60. Describe the myth that young Romans learned about the founding of their state.

61. Caesar’s death and his adopted son’s victory marked what?

62. Describe how the Roman Republic was governed.

63. Conflicts between plebeians and patricians were a reason that

64. Describe the Jews in Judaea at the time of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem.

65. Who could be a citizen in Rome?

66. Christians were blamed for problems in the Roman Empire including what event in 64 AD?

67. Who was Charlemagne?

68. What is one reason that the Church was so powerful during medieval times?

69. What was one of Constantine’s most important accomplishments?*

70. Why is the Holy Land important?

71. What was a lord’s main duty toward the people who pledged loyalty to him?

72. What was one of the problems that medieval cities faced?

73. What helped trade grow during the Middle Ages?

74. The Renaissance was not a single event , but rather a widespread change of what?

75. Why did Martin Luther write his official challenge to the Church?

76. Where did the Renaissance movement start?
77. During the Renaissance, who did writers look to for ideas and writings?

78. In his famous work Utopia, Sir Thomas More describes and ideal world based on what/

79. Both Martin Luther and John Calvin taught that salvation is achieved through what?

80. How did the Magna Carta, or “Great Charter” effect the king’s power?

New, New schedule

2009-05-14T10:24:00.002-04:00

5/14 p 400-401
5/15 Key terms p 409 questionsd p 413
Study guide and read Chapter 15

5/18- EOC exam 30 mins- Read Chapter 15
5/19 EOC exam 30 min-Key term p 416 Questions p 420
5/20-video classwork p Review p 421-422
5/21-video quiz with book Chapter 14,
5/22 vidoe Chapter 15Read p 430-433 question s p 430

5/25-holiday
5/26-review Test
5/28-Final exam

EOC study guide

2009-05-11T16:24:00.002-04:00

This is the study guide for the end of Course exam to be given May 18-19
Another good source is the Student Workbook the questions from there are good examples of the types of questions on the exam. Also you might like to review Chapter 14 and 15

World History

1. In the Old Stone Age, people got food by hunting and gathering plants.
2. The New Stone Age was when people started farming.
3. In prehistory, people developed the use of fire.
4. The first writing appeared in Mesopotamia..
5. Each city-state in Mesopotamia had its own government.
6. Hammurabi’s Code was unique because it was a written code of laws.
7. Israelites were unique because they worshipped only one god.
8. Babylonians and Israelites both had a code of laws.
9. Civilization grew around the Nile because flooding provided rich, fertile soil.
10. The Pharaohs ruled absolutely over all Egyptians.
11. The Egyptians use religion to explain the unknown.
12. Because of Nubian’s location between Egypt and Africa, it became a great trading center.
13. The first farms in China started alongside rivers.
14. Geographic barriers such as mountains and seas kept China isolated from the rest of the world.
15. Shi Huangi built the Great Wall of China.
16. Timeline question with B.C. and A.D. dates dealing with the first rice crops and other dates such as bronze, etc.
17. The Hindu religion is different because it had more than one founder.
18. When Aryan and Indian cultures met, the Hinduism religion was formed.
19. Confucius thought that if people showed respect towards family, they would also show respect in society.
20. Buddhism taught that you could achieve happiness by giving up your selfish ways.
21. Ancient civilizations in Egypt, China, and India all started by rivers.
22. Asoka was considered a great leader because he was concerned about his people's spiritual and moral life. He built the greatest empire India had ever seen.
23. One of the greatest achievements of Menes was the uniting of Upper and Lower Egypt.
24. Timeline asking what happened first in a BC time frame...oldest to the left.
25. Menes united upper and lower Egypt
26. Iliad and Odyssey written about Troy credited to Homer
27. Pericles ruled Athens during its Golden Age.
28. Greek philosophers used logic to explain natural events
29. Alex the Great's army conquered and spread Greek Ideas
30. Alex the Great named cities after himself
31. Spartans were known to be ...... (forget the term, but unpolished, warrior like)
32. Rome's geography did not include deserts
33. Romans elected leaders to make laws
34. The patricians wrote the laws on the 12 Tables
35. Augustus was best known for ending civil war and 200 years of peace
36. Constantine provided freedom of religion
37. Because of Rome size, it was hard to defend
38. The Roman Empire fell..........
39. Under feudalism, the lord gives land for loyalty
40. Manors provided basic needs and protection
41. The church's role in medieval times included collecting taxes, made laws and courts to enforce them, and threatened excommunication to those who did not obey the church.
42. Crusades brought trade, ideas, wealth and development of cities.
43. The Magna Carta reduced the power of kings.
44. The Renaissance was a widespread in culture.
45. The Renaissance looked back to Greeks and Romans.
46. Martin Luther was upset with the church selling indulgences
47. The Reformation brought about reforms in the Catholic church.
48. John Calvin and Martin Luther both believe that faith earned salvation, not works.

Updates!

2009-05-08T15:43:00.002-04:00

Hi Everyone! The test for today was moved to Monday due to a distract visit. Here is the updated schedule

5/11-5/15
Mon- Test Chapter 10 Key terms p 394 Questions p 399
Tues- Medieval Manor Game Key term p 402 Questions p 408
Wed- video-Key term p 409 Questions p 413
Thurs-Guest teachers 8th grade video- P400-401 Drawing Conclusions
Fri- video Key terms p 413 Questions p 420

EOC test Monday May 18. Please review wb Chapter 14 and 15

Thank you , Progress Reports and new schedule

2009-05-01T17:07:00.002-04:00

Team and I would like to thank all of the parents and family members who helped with The World of Nations Field Trip. The students had a great time. Today, they wrote two paragraphs using the FRIESS system to Explain what they liked about the Field Trip and What they didn't like about the Field Trip. The students shared their paragraphs with the class. It was wonderful! Thank you again.

Mrs. Fails-Hayden would like to use a Homework pass for Progress Reports on Friday May 1,2009. She was not able to complete the Field Trip and get the grades done. The reports will be out this Monday, May 4,2009. The next and last progress Report from the school will be May 12.

We will complete Chapter 9 next week with a test on Friday. We still have Chapters 14 and 15 to complete before the end of the year.
The students have been taught many study skills this year. The students will use these skills to prepare for the next few test.

May 5-8
Mon- Key terms p 292 Questions p 297 1a,b,c 2a,b,c 3a,b,c
Tues- video Key term p 300 Questions p 304 1a,b 2a,b 3a,b
Wednesday- Review Key terms p 305 1-4 Questions p 306 5 a,b,c 6a,b,c 7a,b 8a,b,c 9 a,b 10 a,b
Thursday-Review review
Friday- Test Chapter 9, Key terms p 402 Questions p 408 1 a,b 2a,b 3a,b 4a,b

Field Trip directions

2009-04-29T21:55:00.000-04:00

1. We will meet at the school café at 8:45 to prepare for the trip.
2. Each Chaperone will be given a packet with Group number, bus number, tickets, wristbands, lunch tickets, drink tickets and Name Tags.
3. Each team will be dismissed according to Group number and Bus number. The groups can then board the bus and the chaperone is responsible for the group from this time.
4. Please pass out the wristbands, name tags and tickets to your group at this time. Please hang on to the Lunch and Drink tickets until needed.
a. Name tags, wristbands and tickets are to get into the park
b. Lunch tickets can be used at food booth for the student special (encourage kids to each get food from different booths and try something new)
c. Drink tickets can be used at any drink booth
5. We will go to Metro Park and unload the bus. If you are driving to Metro Park, you will need to get a parking pass from Mrs. Fails Hayden. There are only six passes available. You will need to meet us at the front gate to regroup.
6. After regrouping at the gate, we will enter group by group. Please stay with your group.
7. We will meet again out the same gate we entered the park at 1:00 pm. After each group has checked in with Mrs. Fails Hayden they can go to the bus. Roll will be called. We need to be back at the school at 1:30 p.m.
8. Once we are back at the school, the groups will disband and go to their locker and sixth period class.

Questions for Mondays homework and Tuesday

2009-04-27T16:40:00.002-04:00

Homework questions for Monday and Tuesday

1. Why did the Romans think the teachings of Jesus and his followers were a threat to them? Provide at least 2 examples.
2. What problems led to the fall of the Roman Empire? Provide at least three examples.

Tuesday-
1.How was life different of the wealthy and poor people in Rome? Provide two examples.
2.How was the rule of the weak and corrupt rulers different than the rule of Constantine? Provide at least two examples

Chart for project

civilization/ religion Government Geography Time Period culture language

Mesopotamia

Indus River Valley

Egypt

China

Greece

Rome

progress reports, test,Field Trips,projects

2009-04-17T15:44:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone!
I didn't do my homework. Your students didn't receive a print out. They will have a print out Monday. The 3 week progress reports will be out on April 22. Time is going by fast.
The Chapter 8 test will be Tuesday April 21. There is a Chapter 8 vocabulary Quiz on Monday.
The tickets have arrived for the field trip and groups will be set. If you are a chaperon on this trip to World of Nations you will receive a packet with tickets and instructions on the morning of the Field Trip. You will have your group assignments, tickets for lunch and a drink and bus assignments. Hopefully, no short buses will show up!
The students will receive a project on comparing and contrasting the Ancient Civilizations. It will be a chart and the students will be give a rubric on how to create the chart and fill it in.

Here are the assignments for the next two weeks:
4/20-4/24
Mon- Review Chapter 8,video and vocabulary quiz Chapter 8
Tues- Test Chapter 8-Key terms p 252 questions p 258,#1a,b#2a,b#3a,b#4a,b restate questions and complete sentences.
Wed-Quiz 9-1, Key terms p 259 questions p 265 #1a,b #2a,b#3a,b
Thurs-Intro project-Quiz 9-2-Key Terms p 270 questions p 276 #1a,b#2a,b#3a,b#4a,b
Fri- Review p 277 Key terms 1-4, Questions p 278 #5a,b,c#6a,b,c#7a,b#8a,b,c#9a,b#10a,b

4/27-5/1
Mon- Quiz 9-3 video Christianity
4/28-Voc quiz Chapter 9- Chapter 9 review
4/29- Test Chapter 9, Key terms p 284 questions p 289#1a,b#2a,b#3a,b
4/30- Field Trip to World of Nations 0900-1330 or 9:00am-1:30pm
5/1-Key terms p 292 questions p 297 31a,b,c #2a,b,c

Test Chapter 10 May 7

2009-04-14T11:40:00.003-04:00

Hi Everyone!
I just wanted people to know I would not be at school on Wednesday. I have a sub(mrs. Boers) and great lesson plans. The students should have time to do the Review on p 247-248 in class.
I am moving the Test on Chapter 8 from Friday(4/16/2009) to Tuesday(4/21/2009). This will give me a little more time to review. We will be moving on to the next part of Rome.
I will post the new update for this chapter and the next, on Friday.
Report cards for the third nines weeks go home today.
April 22 will be the first progress report on the fourth nine weeks. The usual Friday print out will be coming home this week. The students only have one week to make up any missed work. They have had three nine weeks to understand how homework is done and when it is due. The fourth nine weeks is to prepare them for seventh grade.

chaperones for World of Nations

2009-04-07T17:27:00.002-04:00

HI Everyone!
The response to World of Nations has been great. Students have been great about turning in their money and field trip slips.
I do have a problem. I have 78 students signed up to go and only two chaperons. I must have at least one chaperon per ten children according to the county. The city prefers 1 to 5 for World of Nations. I need at least ten chaperons. I realize there is a cost of $10.00 for chaperons also. This covers admission,lunch and ticket. You are more than welcome to meet us at Metro Park gate. I will have to cancel the Field trip if I can't get enough chaperons.
Thank you for your help!

plans for the the first two after break

2009-03-27T14:33:00.002-04:00

Yeah!! Spring Break! I have to blog fast they are taking the desk out of my room to clean the floor!
Please remember to bring your money for the field trip on Monday and Tuesday after we return from holiday. I will try to post a copy of the field trip form in case you lost yours!

April 6-10
Mon- Outline p 228-235
Tue-Draw, label and do questions for the map on page 227
Wed- Key terms p 228 Questions p 235,1a,b 2a,b 3 a,b
Thurs- outline p 240-246 quiz 8-1
Fri- Holiday

April 13-*17
Mon- Key terms p 240 questions p 246 1a,b 2a,b 3a,b
Tues- p 238 synthesizing information quiz 8-2
Wed- Key terms p 247 questions p 248 6a,b 7a,b 8a,b 9a,b 10 a,b 11 a,b 12 a,b mapmaster

Thurs- Review ans p 237
Fri- Test Chapter 8

MR. Meeks, Quarter exam,Field Trip and more!!!!

2009-03-13T16:05:00.003-04:00

The third quarter is coming to an end and things are moving fast! Where did the time go! The year is almost over!

We are excited to have Mr. Meeks join our team. The students already like him.
I have work with him for the last 8 years at Darnell-Cookman and enjoyed his support and advice to students, parents and me. He has been busy getting to know the students and working on teaching great lessons.

The quarter exam for World History will be Wednesday. It will cover the class from the beginning to Greece. It will a review test.

There are several field trips planned in the next few months. There will be a Field trip to IMAX for a movie on 3/26. The students will need to pay $8.00 for the bus and movie. The students will also need to bring a bag lunch for the trip. The cafe at the theater will be closed for a private party.
My favorite trip is to World of Nations. we will be going on Thursday, April 30 from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. We love to have all of the parents who would like to chaperon to come along. The charge of $10.00 will cover entrance, lunch( any booth),a drink and transportation. This trip is full of music, culture and fun from 17 countries.

Homework Schedule

3/16-3/20
Mon-Review Chapter 7 section 1, quiz 7-1
Tues- Outline p 206-213, review for exam( St. Patrick's Day please wear green)
Wed-Exam quarter 3, Key terms p 203 p 213,questions #1a,b,c#2a,b,c#3a,b,c
Thurs-outline p 216-222, quiz 7-2
Fri-Key terms p 216 questions p 222,#1a,b,c#2a,b,c ( first day of Spring)

3/23-3/27
Mon- Review Key terms p 223 #1-8,p 224 9a,b,10a,b,c11a,b,c12a,b13a,b,c Mapmaster
Tues-Chapter 7 voc quiz- Review
Wed-Test Chapter 7
Thurs- Field Trip
Fri- Teacher planning, Great day for students!!

The FCAT is comming, The FCAT is coming!!

2009-03-02T13:18:00.002-05:00

The FCAT will be March 10 and 11! : )
The current History up is the following:
March 2-6
Mon- Finish each one teach on, Quiz 6-2 Workbook p 74-80
Tues- Progress Reports- Review p 189 Key terms 1-10 p 190 11a,b,c- 14a,b,c and map master
Wed- vocabulary Test Chapter 6. and review Chapter 6
Thurs- Test Chapter 6 and Outline p 198-203
Fri- Key Terms p 198 Questions p 203 ( Third period work in groups on project)

March 9-13
Mon- Video Greece ( Third period meet in groups for project)
Tues-FCAT- work on create your own Olympics in groups
Wed- FCAT- Create your own Olympics in groups
Thurs- Finish Olympics
Fri- Present Olympics

Up coming event Field Trip to World of Nations. The field trip must be paid in full by Spring Break

what is happening next!

2009-02-13T16:41:00.002-05:00

No! No! No projects!!
I am still grading History Fair Projects. Some of the projects were great and some not. I have had a terrible time deciding on History Fair. There are 7 super exhibits! I am only allowed two slots! I am really proud of these wonderful students.

I did receive information about The World of Nations and plan to go on this Field trip the last weekend in April,first weekend of May. It is a wonderful experience.
The trip should run $10-15 dollars. This price will include food and drink tickets and the bus trip. Great trip to chaperon!

I am still trying to contact the AKA sorority for their Black History trip of Jacksonville. It is wonderful. Jacksonville was one of the most important cities for African Americans and businesses in the US. If anyone has a connect with this group please help me in contacting them.

Several wonderful things are happening in Jacksonville during this month. You can go to Kingsley Plantation to learn about Plantation life in this area. It was task slavery and not morning to night work. The history of the Plantation and Anna Kingsley are very interesting.

Here is the current schedule of assignments:
Feb-16-20
Mon- Holiday!!!!!!
Tues- Chapter 5 test, Outline Chapter 6 section 1 p 168-175
Wed- voc p 167 questions p 175,1a,b2a,b3a,b
Thurs- Each one teach one chapter 6 Section 1 p 168-175, quiz 6-1
Fri- Map p 167,two questions

Feb-2/23-2/27
Mon- video/book p 176-177 questions
Tues-Outline p 180-188
Wed-voc key terms p 180 questions p 188,1.a,b 2a,b 3a,b
Thurs- Each one teach one, quiz 6-2
Fri- Drawing conclusions p 178-179/ make voc cards

Test Chapter 6 3/4
These assignments are can always change.
Thanks!

Changes

2009-02-12T14:25:00.002-05:00

Due to grade recovery the plans for this week have been adjusted.

Thursday- homework p 161 key terms #1-8, please write out
p162,#9a,b,c#10a,b,c#11a,b,c#12a,b,c#13a,b,c restate questions and complete sentences, Map mast er matching only
Fri- Test Vocabulary Chapter 5 and workbook Chapter 5
The Chapter test will be Tuesday

Test on China and History Fair presentations

2009-02-09T16:13:00.002-05:00

We all survived the History Fair!!!
Now it is presentation time. The students are doing very well on their presentations. The projects will be graded as soon as possible. The choices for History Fair will also be made as soon as possible.

* I did send home progress reports for my class last Friday.
* Monday 16 February is President's Day so, "no school"
* the classes are learning each one teach one. The students are preparing a section review before each Quiz.
* The third period class has a group project on a Chinese topic. It is due February 17
* Speaking of February 9, it is a great day for a school wide progress report.
* China Test is February 13, lucky Friday 13th
Here is the updated schedule for the week.

2/9-2/13
Mon-p 154-155 questions, presentations
Tues- each one teach one Chpater 5 section 3 and quiz
Wed- P 142 Generalizations practice and apply,each one teach one Cjapter 5 section 4, quiz 5-4
Thurs- P 161 Key terms #1-8, questions p 162 #9a,b,c#10a,b,c#11a,b,c#12a,b,c#13a,b,c and Map master( do not draw MAP), VOC TEST CHAPTER 5
Fri- Test China. Outline 167-175- Greece
Saturday!! Happy Valentine's Day!!

Mon-Key terms p 167 questions p 175 #1a,b#2a,b#3a,b
Tues-Draw,label and color Map p 167 with questions
Wed- each one teach one Chapter 6 section 1, quiz 6-1

T'was the night before History Fair

2009-02-02T15:44:00.002-05:00

Dear Parents,
* Thank you for all of your help in preparing History Fair. Like some of you, I am a bit nervous. Many,many students today told me today they were finishing tonight!! Then, I have other projects that have been in my room for two weeks.
Good Luck!
* I did send home progress reports for my class last Friday.
* Monday 16 February is President's Day so, "no school"
* the classes are learning each one teach one. The students are preparing a section review before each Quiz.
* The third period class has a group project on a Chinese topic. It is due February 9
* Speaking of February 9, it is a great day for a school wide progress report.
* China Test is February 12
Here is the schedule for the next two weeks.

2/2-2/6
Mon-Outline p 149-153
Tues-HISTORY FAIR Due, Key terms p 149, p 153 ques #1a,b#2a,b#3a,b
Wed- Early out- Review Quiz 5-3
Thurs- Outline p 156-160, presentations
Fri- Key terms p 156, questions p 160 #1a,b#2A,b#3a,b, presentations

2/9-2/13
Mon-Review Sections 4, Quiz 4-4( Third period project due)
Tues-Review p 161,Key Terms p 161,1-8 Questions p 162 #9a,b,c#10a,b,c#11a,b,c#12a,b,c#13a,b,c Map master p 162 Vocabulary test Chapter 5
Wed- Review p 161-162, P 142 Generalizations practice and apply
Thurs- Test China. Outline 167-175- Greece
Fri-Key terms p 167 questions p 175 #1a,b#2a,b#3a,b
Saturday!! Happy Valentine's Day!!

8 steps to a history Fair Project

2009-01-23T11:42:00.003-05:00

We have finished the Chapter on India and are moving to China. This will be a short Chapter, so we may move on the Greece and Rome.
Information nuggets
Chandragupta's son was Bindusara, he was Asoka's father.
President Harrison died in office 46 days after election from the pneumonia.
The Arizona Cards were the St. Louis Cardinals and several other names
Still working on the fig Tree and Christ and the fig tree and Buddha.

* easy steps- or you are just telling me this due Feb 3!!!!!!!
1. Chose a Topic to go with the Theme " The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies"
www.NHD.org
2. Outline the questions you want to answer in the project
3. Research/note cards( primary source- first hand, secondary source-second hand)
4. Decide Project ( Research paper,exhibit,website,play,documentary) www.NHD.org
5. Design the project
6. Put the project together
7.Research paper (1,500- 2,500 words) also see handout "research parer general rules"/Process paper answers the four questions
a.Explain how you chose your topic
b.Explain how you conducted your research
c. Explain how you selected your presentation category and created your project
d.Explain how your project relates to the Theme: The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies
8. Put paper together
a. title page
b. content (1,500-2,500 wds- Research paper or 500 or less words process paper)
c. bibliography ( MLA style) see citation machine.com
d. annotated bibliography ( the same as above with a sentence telling how each source was used.)

*******9. Get a bowl out and fill with Ice cream

After your child brings this project to school on Feb 3, have a personal celebration!! You have survived History Fair and Science Fair

We have really gone over these elements in class and I didn't assign this project last night. I also know the dog/baby brother/ baby sister didn't eat the project and mom/dad didn't refuse to buy: paper, backboard,etc, or refuse to let the child go to the library or go on the Internet. The computer was broken, the printer was out of ink and/or refusing to print and my parents refused to fix,buy or help this situation isn't true. I love sixth graders and all of their excuses. You will survive this project and middle school.

Thank you for helping your child.

****** New Progress reports have gone out from my class. The reports will look different than before. The county has a new grading program. The printouts are from this program.
The reports are divided into sections with an average and the over all average is at the top of the report.

Work and History Fair

2009-01-16T15:31:00.002-05:00

We have covered the Theme, outline and note cards for History Fair. You child should be working on putting the project together. The project is due Feb 3
The next week's work is as follows:

January 19-23
Mon- MLK Day
Tues-Key term p 131, write out questions and answers Questions p 131 8a,b,c,9a,b,c 10,a,b,c11a,b,c12a,b,c Map Master
Wed- review, video,p 112-113 and p124-125
Thurs- Test Chapter 4, outline p 136-141
Fri- Field Trip

January 26-January 30
Mom- Chinese New Year- Draw and color Map p 135 and questions
Tues- Key Term p 136, Questions p 141, 1ab, 2ab 3ab
Wed- outline p 144-148
Thurs- Key term p 144 questions p 148 1ab 2ab 3ab
Fri- Outline p 149-153

Field Trips and Team Plan

2009-01-08T11:47:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone!
We as a team wanted to remind of possible up coming Field Trips. The first is a school district Field trip to the Challenger Center and MOSH. Each school in the county goes but each school only has so many spaces. We will be gong on Jan 15. We will take two groups on this day. The first group will go to the Challenger Center and then MOSH. The other group will do the opposite; MOSH and Challenger Center. The students MUST BRING THEIR OWN LUNCH AND DRINK. There is no other way to buy or get food on the trip. The students will eat at the Challenger Center in their own small lunch room.
We are only allowed 72 slots on the trip. This means not every child will be able to attend. Therefore, we will use our Team Plan to decide who does not go on the trip. Any child who has had a referral, detention or excess Demerits will not be able to attend. Field Trips are privileges for people who follow the Ritual and Routines in the Team Plan. It is very hard on the other students who follow the rules, if this plan is not followed.
The students staying behind will be with a Team teacher. They will go to Gym and their resource or elective class. These students will be allowed on the next Field Trip,if they follow the Rituals and Routes. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
One of the up coming field trips will be World of Nations , the first weekend in May.

Great President's week end trip

2009-01-05T18:29:00.003-05:00

If you need an idea from President's weekend or any other time until April here is a great one!

The King Tut at the Atlanta Civic center
Terra Cotta soldiers at the High Museum in Atlanta
These are two great exhibits.
I went during the winter holidays. We found a combination package with hotel and tickets for a reasonable price. We were able to travel from each place via MARTA rail. The sites are less than 2 miles away from each other.

Back to reality before I finish the china trip!!

2009-01-05T18:20:00.003-05:00

Please remember History Fair is due February 3. There will be an information meeting on Thursday, January 8,2009.
home work week 1/5-1/9
Mon- review Chapter 4 section 1 p 106-111
Tues- review Chapter 4 Section 2 p 114-118, video Hinduism
Wed- review Quarter 2 test- Mesopotamia and Egypt
Thurs Test Quarter 2 Mesopotamia and Egypt
Fri- Review History Fair again

1/12-1/16
Mon- outline p 119-123
Tues- Review,copy vocabulary p 119 questions p 123, 1abc,2abc, video Buddhism
Wed- Outline p 126-130, quiz
Thursday- Review copy vocabulary p 126 and do questions p 130, #1abc,#2 abc
Friday-Planning day

1/19 - President's Day Holiday

December 8 and the city gate. Where are the soliders?

2009-01-03T15:50:00.002-05:00

Morning has come and breakfast in an American Hotel! I still eat Dim Sum but it is nice to see bacon and eggs. The part I miss most; cheese. It is strange the things we miss from the US.
We meet in the lobby again for a trip to........ the city wall? I was ready for the soldiers! But the wall is wonderful and you can see both sides of the city from here. One side of the city has a great park with people practicing Tai Chi, singing in groups and exercising. The other side has buildings being torn down, people selling food from carts and living in tents. You can tour the wall on a golf cart or rent a bike. We decide just to walk. There are lots of small market booths with goods and food. There are several people flying kites. One man lets us take turns holding his kite. It has about 22 small kites flying in a line. I bought a kite and a name stamp from one of the stalls. It is really windy on the wall! Use this link to copy and paste into your browser to see the wall for yourself.

www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/citywall.htm

Off to eat again, we seem to do a lot of this on the tour! Back to the lazy Susan and lots of Chinese food! Wait! Something American! French Fries!! Have you ever eaten French Fries with chopsticks? I wonder if I can eat with a fork again?

Finally, we are on our way to the soldiers. It will be a long bus ride into the county side. Seems like a good time to snuggle in for a nap! We don't have our police escort any more, just the tour director telling all about the site and ............... more stories about being married Chinese style. snore, snore,snore oh! We are finally at the site!
I am so excited! It doesn't seem possible to be here! It looks like arriving at Disney. Lots of buses and a large parking lot. Where are the soldiers? Where are the soldiers? You can't see them from the parking lot or any other area. They are in large pits. There are three pits of soldiers,chariots,archers, horses and so many things. We go in to see the movie about the soldiers; how they were found, made and destroyed and finally discovered.
One of the farmers who found the site is there to sign books but you are not allowed to take his picture. He holds a fan in front of his face to block cameras. I have to buy a set of soldiers. They are amazing! I still can't believe I am here! I can't wait for you to see and touch the set of soldiers. But, how will I get them home?

here again are links for you to copy and paste into your browser to see the soldiers.

www.chinahighlights.com/xian/terracotta-army/
www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/
www.warriortours.com/cityguides/xian/terra_cotta_army/

It takes several hours to see everything and the park is closing as we leave. The day has be beautiful sunny and warm. Napping on the bus on the way home and getting ready for dinner! It will be a buffet at the hotel with both American and Chinese food. The best of both worlds and no lazy Susan, but I still eat with chopsticks. We check out the shops in the hotel for bargains. We are astounded at the prices! A shawl I bought in Amelia for $15.00 is $40.00 in the gift shop! So much for cheaper in China!
Time to go to bed and prepare for the trip to Kunming. Luggage out by 5:30 and leave at 6:30 am for the airport.
We did find out our Tour Guide was on TV in the "Great Race". He was dressed as a Terra Cotta soldier and people in the race had to find him and have their picture taken with him. A celebrity!

Sunday December 7 2008

2009-01-03T15:14:00.002-05:00

The convention was over and sightseeing time begins. The group going to Xi'an was up early and ready to travel. There are only twenty people in our group. This is much smaller than the 180 people we have been traveling with in Guiyang. We are back at the airport to travel north to Xi'an. I am excited because this is the home of the Terra cotta soldiers! I have always dreamed of going to see the soldiers. We have no troubles with seat belts this time and everyone is ready to go. We eat lunch on the plane and land in Xi'an. We are taken to our hotel first before our next excursion. I am so excited it is a Hyatt! The hotel is also decorated for Christmas. I make good use of my time by ordering room service and washing out some clothes. There is a great item on the menu! A cheeseburger!!And french fries!! It is good to eat American again! HMMMMMMM!! I never knew one could be so good!
We meet in the lobby for the trip to the Wild Goose pagoda.
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/bigwildgoose.htm is the link. Paste it into the browser and see it for yourself. It was beautiful weather with clear blue skies and a bit of wind. The park in front of the pagoda is full of people flying kites. Every kind of kite you can imagine. The street people are surrounding us with kites to buy and trying out discount each other. Several people in the group buy kites as souvenirs. The temple courtyard is beautiful with two towers. One tower is a Bell tower to call monks to prayer at the beginning of the day. The other is a Drum Tower to call the monks to prayer at the end of each day. We look at all of the surround buildings. One building is the Temple for the beautiful Golden Buddha. Several of us light incense to Buddha and ask him to bless our loved ones at home. Another building has the Jade Story of Buddha's life, it starts with his mother being told she would have a special baby. It is an angel who tells her this news. The child is born and has a very good life in the palace. The angel said if he saw anything bad in his life, his life would be changed forever and his parents would lose him. Buddha escapes his parents and sees bad things in life. He cuts his hair and lives in the forest for seven years. He becomes enlighten and starts a new life helping people. It is like seeing a stain glass window of the life of Christ, but made of Jade with the story of Buddha. How amazing! It was for people who couldn't read to know the story of Buddha. The same reason we have stain glass windows with the story of Christ. I find a gift shop and buy a book about the Temple. One of my friends discovers pray cards you can buy for various reasons. One card is for students to use. The Students ask the monks to pray for them to have good grades and do well on test. Education is important in China. Everything is done by your test grades; where or not your go to a good middle school(high school) or even have a chance at university.
We have a coffee and sit in the garden. It is so nice to rest. The buildings are so amazing with very detailed paintings. The garden even has caged birds singing to make it relaxing.
Time for dinner and another lazy Susan full of food! This time the restaurant is pink inside. It looks like a Barbie dream restaurant! You boys would hate it! Home to the hotel and sleep! Tomorrow the Terra Cotta soldiers!!

saturday Dec 6

2008-12-14T12:29:00.002-05:00

Saturday, December 6, on the buses again! The nine buses with police escort are on the move again! We are going outside Ashun City to a small village. We will visit the school there. The bus ride is two hours and we stop at a gas station for a rest stop. We see a lot of the countryside and learn about how the farmers live.
When we arrive outside the village we have to leave the buses behind. The road is too small for the buses and the village is not a big as nine buses. The scene is beautiful. We see a small stream with people fishing and lots of ducks. As we walk down the road, we hear music. The whole surrounding area turns out for our welcome. There are drummers, dancers, and people costumed from the local opera lining the road. It is amazing!!! We make our way through the village. It is a very poor village. The houses are very old and chickens are everywhere. The path leads to a very small school. All of the students greet us there in their best clothes. The students do a small performance for us. So, do the local women with a scarf dance, the drummers with a drum dance and the local Chinese Opera. It is amazing!! It brings tears to our eyes. We take a very brief tour of the school. The school is very small with only a few rooms. It is a two story school with rough benches for the students and small desk.
The whole visit ends with the American delegation teaching the Chinese students the “Hokey Pokey”. It is so much fun and magical. Village people watch from over the walls of the school and enjoy the scene.
We walk back to the buses and go to Anshun City for lunch. Again a turn at the lazy susan and lots of new food to try for lunch. I still haven’t adjusted to fish with faces, chickens and ducks with heads and feet on the tables for lunch.
We load the buses and head for Yunfeng Tunpu (Forest Village). It is a fort built in the 14th century by Emperor Zhu Yanzhang. It reminds you a little of St. Augustine. The fort is built of stone and is on a small stream. The fortress is very old and the Han ethnic group lives here. These families have lived here since the 1300’s. The women still wear traditional clothes, there is an old Buddhist temple and fortress still holds ancient arms.
Again to the bus, for a long trip back to Guiyang. The bus drivers are almost like amusement ride drivers. We never know how close we will be to another car, bus or motor bike. It is the ultimate thrill ride!
We will have another dinner with the lazy susan. This is Farwell Dinner of the formal part of trip. We all say good- bye and share experiences of the conference. I have been lucky to make many new friends. Tomorrow we are going many different ways. Some of the delegates will head back to the USA and others to tour to Xi’an or Shang Hi. I will head with the group to Xi’an to see the Terra Cotta soldiers. I am sooooooo excited!!

Pizza and a walk on the streets

2008-12-14T11:49:00.001-05:00

We end the day, Friday December 5 at the Howard Johnson in Guiyang. We are responsible for our own dinner plans. My room is very cold and the heater isn’t working. The view outside is nice but the air is very polluted here. The apartments have water catchers on the roofs and I can see them form my 10th floor window. I decide to join friends for dinner at the hotel. The staff here speaks very little English and makes ordering a challenge. Many people are ordering western food and the cooks are trying to keep up with the demand. One of my friends orders pizza. We are surprised when the pizza is about 3 inches think. The pizza is stuffed with vegetables! Yes, vegetables under the cheese! I tried for dumplings. The waitress said they were out so I ordered noodles. So, I end up with noodles and dumplings!! We had fun!
After dinner we walked the street outside and created a stir. People are stopping and staring at us. We are very different to the citizens here. One short redhead, a short African American, and a tall blond, not the normal Guiyang group of people to see on the street here and we laugh about our stares from people. The people in the south of China are short and the taller people are in the north of China. We return to the hotel to prepare for a great trip tomorrow.

Shang Yi Primary School

2008-12-14T11:22:00.001-05:00

We move on to the next school. It is Shang Yi Primary School. We go there after a lunch at a local restaurant. Since there are 180 people in our delegation anywhere we go is like an invasion. At the restaurant, we learn to be careful turning out lazy Susan and not spilling drinks as the wheel turns. This lunch we only lose three drinks as casualties of dishes on the lazy Susan.
The buses are escorted by the police everywhere and all the traffic is stopped in each intersection as we pass through. We look very impressive as we travel the roads in Guiyang. Our buses divide up into twos as we move to the next school.
Shang Yi Primary School is 2.5 acres big with 2,200 students and 112 teachers. There are as many as 60 students in a class. The school was built in 1058 and redone in 1998. The school color is yellow and the students have on yellow warm up suits as school uniforms. It is not heated, so the students have sweaters on under their jackets.
When we drive up to the school, there are many students out front in colorful dresses and outfits. We are greeted in English. The boy who greets me is in sixth grade and has spoken English for three years. He speaks very well and we have a polite conversation of “hello, how are you?” and then he adds several times he can’t believe I am so tall. He is also tall with glasses and looks like many of my students in the past.
We are lead to a room upstairs to meet the principal and see a power point of the school. The pictures show children like children at home, playing basketball, jump rope and bound ball. Each teacher only teaches one subject. So, the students have several teachers all through grades 1-6.
We are then lead to a large classroom with a class in session. The children are sixth graders studying ethnic culture of Guiyang. The students are studying masks to ward off evil spirits. The teacher is giving examples and showing scary masks. The students are using spoons to create small examples of masks. The spoons are large and look like large soup ladles. The children all greet us in English and smile. But one child speaks out saying “meet you glad” and the class laughs. The teacher continues class with a mike on. We sit on small stools in the back of the room watching the lesson. Some spoons are already painted and line the window sill. The teacher asks us to join the students with their painting. The four students I sit with teach me how to use their paints. We do all of this with out speaking. We are having the best time laughing and painting. While we are painting, the local TV station talks to me about my visit to Guiyang. We are all having a great time. The students decide I show take my spoon with a mask and show it to the teacher. The teacher shows my mask to the rest of the class and says I am doing a good job. We all giggle! The students give me their spoons as gifts after class and I have my picture taken with them. It is so much fun.
After the students are gone, we stay and have a discussion with the teachers. There is one student who doesn’t want to leave. He hangs outside the door until his teachers run him off! He is very cute! After the discussion we leave the schools with children waving everywhere.

First school in Guiyang/experimental school

2008-12-07T00:51:00.000-05:00

Today we are up and out early. After a great breakfast, we climbed on the buses and headed for two schools. The first school was the Experiment Middle School. Middle School here means 9-12 grades. The school I was at accepted the highest scores on testing for high school. In China, you have to past a test to be able to go on to grades 9-12. The school is new and built in 2004. It is a boarding school. It is a public school and most of the students go home for the weekend. They had 10 minutes between classes and no lockers. The school also doesn’t have heating.
When the bus pulls up to the school, the students are waving out the windows to greet us. It was so exciting to see. Once we load off the bus we took a tour of the school. We walked to the sixth floor first to see an exhibit of student projects. It was great to all kinds of science, technology and electrical projects. The students also have game rooms. They have a puzzle room, Mah Jung and Chinese chess room and study room. The school is really nice.
The students can to see us during their break. We were able to talk to a lot of the students. They start learning English in the third grade. The students spoke very well. One student played piano for us. He was amazing! He sounded like a concert pianist. We were astounded.
Next, we went to a History class. The teacher was great. He used music and pictures and a power point. The teacher had a great voice with lots of inflection. The students sit at desk for two with all of their books, reference books, globes and water bottles. They stay in the same desk in the same room all day except for the 10 minute breaks every hour. The student I sat by explained the lesson to me and showed me his books. The students answer some questions in unison and others by raising their hand. The harder questions are answered by raising your hand. The students are supposed to read the entire lesson before they even come in the room.
The lesson ended with eye exercises and the students moved out doors to do a series of exercises. It was amazing 2000 students in unison and no one playing or being asked to follow directions. All of the students here wear red and white warm up suits as school uniforms. They quietly file back to the room. A few if the girls stop to talk to me. They wanted to practice their English. They were so cute! One of the girls wants to be a doctor and none of them minded being at a boarding school.
Following this we went to talk to the teachers. The teachers have standards and use the same methods we use in the US. We found out teachers at the school had to take a test and apply to be at this school. The teachers come from all over China to teach at this school. The teachers were really great! I liked them very much. The teachers work hard, do extra duties, mentor students just like US teachers. They are given more respect. Teacher as a job here is a government job. The teachers here are very proud of their school.
Yeah!! On to lunch!

What an amazing welcome!!

2008-12-05T05:25:00.002-05:00

Wow!! I can't even describe what happen today! I will try to attach some pictures to help you understand.
We had a breakfast buffet at the hotel. It had western and chinese food. You have to cross a small bridge to get to the resturant from the elevator. Under the bridge is about a four foot long salamander. I have never seen a salamander this big!
After breakfast we loaded the 9 buses to get us to Guizhou Normal University. We were all excited about the event. But I didn't know how big this event really was!
As we got off the bus we were told to head towards a street. We could hear music as we came upon the street. There was the beat of chinese drums and an instrument called a lusheng. Students lined the street on both sides in various local traditional dress. There were hundreds of them. The students were all smiling and dancing. It was unbelievable! Yes, I cried! We cut a red ribbon and begin the march to the Concert Hall. Before we could cross the ribbon, we had to drink from a horn as a welcome. We were lead to a red carpet and up the stairs to the Concert Hall. Flowers, students, people, music and so many sights to see, one can't describe it all. Again, it was the "Rock Star" treatment. We were given a welcome package and small tranmitters for translations. Students are still everywhere in their traditional dress. I did enjoy the fact the students had on their regular shoes with most of the costumes. The shoes like converse high tops looked funny sticking out under dresses and pants.
The Sino- US Education Formum had begun. There were many speakers. All speeches were translated on our earphones. I felt like I was at the United Nations. I did enjoy all of the officals had on white socks with their suits. It made me think of my husband,he does the samething. The event was so impressive. The Speakers all talked about how it took 30 years for this event to happen.
We left the Concert Hall for the campus cantine for lunch. Yes, we had to make a bathroom stop. The bathrooms on campus are not western. It was a different experience.
Next, was a discussion with Chinese teachers. We all discussed our subjects, teaching styles and school requirements. It is amazing how much our skills and standards are alike. Their books are not as interesting as our books, they are only black and white with a few pictures. There are no colors or graphs. They are also not as thick as our books.
The day was amazing. We returned to the Concert Hall for a closing Speech. It was an amazing day. I know I keep repeating amazing but it is hard to describe this experience in words. We soon loaded our buses and headed for the Hotel were we change for a Formal Reception. The food was great again and the entertainment super!
But I was glad to retreat to my room and go to sleep!

2008-12-04T13:39:00.006-05:00

Hi Again!
The flight to Guiyang was interesting! There were many large Americans and the seat belts didn't fit for some of us. The airline gave out seat belt extentions and still had two people left. The airline moved them to first class but still no luck. The flight was held up for an hour. I was so glad I didn't need an extention!! The airline finally moved the two ladies to another flight. The People to People delegation is large and there are 180 people in the delegation. The American teachers here are amazing! I feel honorered to be among them.
Landing here was uneventful and we collected our luggage heading for the bus.
Things change once we were in the bus. Beijing was very modern and new. Much of Beijing was torn down and redone for the Olympics. In Guiyang, you see a different China, you see the real China. The city here has a mix of old buildings and new. Its not as clean as Beijing, with smoggy brown air. Guiyang is in the middle of a large mountain range. The air gets caught in the valley and can't move. Buses of people move by us and the students here wear warm ups for their school uniform.
We went to the city square ( people's square) to see the Mao statue. It was huge!! The people in the square were not used to westerners. It was an experience! As soon as we got off the bus they started to follow us around. Crowds of people stopped their Mah-Jong games, card games and chinese chess to follow us. We looked like the Pied Piper and company. They wanted to touch us and say Ne Hou. The faces were great. They were very worn and weathered. The people here are not Han majority but Bui. It was like being a rock star! We finally climbed back on the bus and headed for the Howard Johnson. Everyone on the street waved at us. Even the other city buses waved and waved as we passed by them. We were met at the hotel by Minnie, Micky and Kung Fu Panda.It was amazing!
We loaded the buses back up to go to a Chinese resturant. The resturant had a big neon sign in front welcoming "People to People" delegation. The dinner was very good and the food better than the last resturant. The food dishes are served on a big lazy susan, so you can just turn the lazy susan to get to the dish you would like. We are becoming very good with chop sticks. Nothing really strange on the menu like bugs!
The arrival in Guiyang has been overwhelming, but nothing like what will happen tomorrow!!

CISV information

2008-12-03T18:29:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone!I am forwarding a memo from our CISV president notifying of an upcoming informational meeting on Saturday morning. We are currently recruiting for all sorts of wonderful program opportunities all over the world! Come and learn more about CISV this Saturday morning at 9:30 at the home of Val Chritton. If you do not have a child between the ages of 11 and up (really there is no age limit, as one can be a leader as an adult!) but perhaps know about another nice family who does, you could pass on the information or give them my number or email. (373-6100/alixestam@yahoo.com).Thanks in advance for looking into this wonderful organization that is all about global peacebuilding and friendship making!Alixe StamatogiannakisPlease come learn more about CISV programs:Where: The home of Val and Kirby Chritton 913 Saratoga Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207When: Saturday, December 6, 2008 9:30 to 11 amCISV is an organization whose mission is peace through understanding, cross-cultural exchange and the development of children into peace leaders. Both my children (now 19 and 22 years old) have participated in CISV Villages (one in Brazil and one in Sweden) and CISV Interchanges and served as adult and junior leaders for CISV programs. In fact, Kirby Chritton attended a CISV Village in Guatemala when he was 11."Village" is CISV's flagship program. It is a 4 week camp for 11 year olds. Participants have to be 11 sometime during the period June 1 and August 31 of the summer they participate. CISV Jacksonville sends delegations of four 11 year olds, two boys and two girls, with an adult leader to Villages all over the world. In 2009, we will send delegations to Villages in Dallas, Texas, Newcastle, England, and to our local Faces of Jacksonville Village. The Jacksonville Chapter of CISV is currently recruiting youth ages 11 thru 18 and adults 21 and older for Villages, Summer Camps and Interchanges during the summer and winter of 2009.If you are interested, there is a lot of information on our website (www.jax.cisvusa.org), including recent newsletters and an informational video. There are also national and international websites (www.cisvusa.org and www.cisv.org, respectively).There are only 22 chapters of CISV in the United States and we are lucky enough to have one of them in Jacksonville. The application deadline for next summer's programs is December 31, 2008.Please call (398-5749) or email me (valerie.chritton@hklaw.com) if you have any questions about CISV.This is truly a unique opportunity for your child and your family. Please let Val Chritton know if you know someone who will be able to attend this Saturday.Feel free to use this email to encourage people to attend.In CISV,Tom

Beijing, China and the Great Wall

2008-12-02T09:34:00.004-05:00

Today was very busy! We had a breifing on China in general and Guiyang where the conference will be held. There are 200 hundred American Educators here for the conference. It is amazing!
After the briefing, we were on the bus for lunch at a Friendship Government Shopping area. On the way we saw the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium, the Tennis venue and for my swimmers the Swimming Cube, Phelp's land!!
We moved on to the Great Wall! Wow!!!! What a climb! The staires are very uneven and hard to climb. Just ask Mrs. Sargent-Wells. She has been there! I never knew it would be such a climb. I did survive getting to the top and back down! I had Bambi legs after my climb! It was easier than climbing Ayer's Rock( Ularue) in Australia.
Back on the bus to Dinner and Tian'anmen Square! wow! The Square and Forbidden Palace were amazing.
Dinner was fun it was peking duck with scorpions. Yes, I tried the scorpions. They are very crispy and don't have much flavor! I write in more deteil later. We leave tomorrow for Guiyang. The city is very small and is excited we are coming there. They have all kinds of gifts , dancing, programs and students waiting to see us. This is an area has had very few Weaterners as visitors.

Plane trip to China

2008-12-02T04:53:00.002-05:00

I got to the airport early in case of a problem. I was there too early. I had to wait for the check in desk to open. I got a coffee and waited and waited and waited. Finally, the desk was open and I could check in. I was still very early to wait for the plane. I read a bit of my book and ate a small pizza. The plane check in was very efficient for so many people. The plane is a 747B. I was in the fourth from the last row with two other ladies from "People to People". One was from Mississippi and the other Denver. We worked well together for the whole flight of 14 hours. As you all know, I can't sit for 10 minutes. Can you imagine 14 hours!! We were served a dinner as the flight began. We flew up towards Alaska over to Japan and finally Hong Kong! I did get up and wander around the plane, but my seat was very sore! I did eat conge chicken for breakfast. Conge was very much like water down chicken grits. The flight was uneventful until, the lady from Mississippi threw up, she did well to confine it to her area. However, when the stewardess cleaned up, she spilled it on my seat! Yuck!! So, I continued the trip with many blankets on my seat! We landed in Hong Kong and found our next flight to Beijing. People followed me thinking I knew what I was doing. At least ,I lead them in the right direction.We only had an hour between flights and were soon on our way to Beijing. Another three hour flight!! I did watch many movies on both trips and was very glad to arrive in Beijing. Customs was very easy, bags were collected and we were soon on our way to the Hotel. I couldn't wait to take a shower! I did leave at 12:00am on Nov.30 and landed on December 2! What happened for me to lose a day?