Mr. G's Class News 12/17-12/21

Pictured to the right is a linked image from Bear Mountain.  I will be in Big Bear from the 26th until the 2nd during the winter break.  If you want to say you've snowboarded with the one and only, Mr. G - snowboarder extraordinaire, this would be your chance.

Many of you knew from the shoutbox that I was sick this weekend and at this point (Sunday evening), I think it would be best if I stayed home on Monday.  Though I'm starting to feel better, I wouldn't want me to ruin anyone's holiday.  

This week in Algebra: On Thursday we will be taking our district's Benchmark Test.  Tuesday and Wednesday will be used to explore how inequlaities fit with linear equations.  Friday will be dedicated to learning and practicing solving the Rubik's Cube and continuing exploring the stock market.

This week in Science: On Tuesday, we will be finishing up our microscope lab.  I hope you have been enjoying using the microscopes as much as I have.  Did you get a chance to see the yeast cells?  Blood cells?  Paramecium?  Amoeba?  Bacteria? On Thursday, we will have a short math test (open notes, open book) and your packet will be due.

Homework This Week:

• Math POW: Diet Logic Puzzle - Click here to work on it online!
• Monday Math HW: finish WS and GS both in your math journal
• Tuesday - Math HW: pg. 419 5-33 ODD
• Wednesday - Math HW: pg. 419 4-32 EVEN - BENCHMARK Test Tomorrow
• Thursday - Math HW: NONE!!!
• Friday - Math HW: no homework, extra credit opportunities available online

 
Also DUE This Week:

• Quiz repair must be completed by Friday.  In order to receive credit, you must 1. attach a paper to the original quiz, 2. Show the entire solution neatly, and 3. Write two sentences for each problem stating what you did wrong.
• Science Packet is due Thursday.  Be sure it is in order and complete!!!  This packet is worth lots of points so be sure to follow through.

 
Parents:

After School in Room 305: all students are invited to stay after school each day (except Thursdays) to work on math homework and school projects.  This is a great opportunity for students to work in a peer group for homework and to have me available for help.  I usually stay after school until at least 4:30pm.  6to6 students must first check-in with 6to6 and get a pass.  Exceptional behavior is expected during after hours and students must understand that after school is also my time to grade work and plan lessons.

Computer Acces: Students are welcome to use our laptops before and after school as well as during Advisory class and during Lunch.

Comic Life Software: Though students are not required to have Comic Life at home, many students will want to have this program on their home computer.  The program is available for Mac and PC and costs $25-$30.  You can also download a FREE 30-Day trial.  Click HERE to go to the Comic Life Download Page .

Inspiration Software: Students are not required to have Inspiration at home.  They will use the program several times while at Correia.  Some students may want to have this program at home.  The program is available for about $70 (download) on a Mac or PC.  You can also download a FREE 30-Day Trial.  Click HERE to go to the Inspiration product page .

Scratch Software: Scratch is my latest interest.  It is a scripting program that teaches more than just basic programming.  The software is developed by MIT's Media Lab.  The software is FREE and runs on a Mac or PC.  Students may also register an account but need to ask for Parent permission to do this.  I approve of students having an account on MIT's Scratch website since it is heavily moderated and has a great support community.  With an account, students can download other projects to learn new ways to script animations and games.  They can also upload their own Scratch projects and share them with others (our class, the world!).  Click HERE to go to the Scratch homepage .

SMARTBoard Software: If you would like to download our SMARTBoard Software for your computer please first ask your parents!  You do not need to have a SMARTBoard to use the software and it is available for use on a Mac or a PC.  We discussed in class some amazing ways we can utilize our new SMARTBoard and the software.  If you are ever absent, you can email me and I can send you the notebook file containing the entire lesson used in class.  Or let's say you are having difficulty with a math problem, you could create a notebook file at home outlining the problem.  Then you bring the file to class and we can use the SMARTBoard to explore the problem.  Possibilities are endless!  Click HERE to go to SMART Technologies' Download Page .