WEEK OF 11/9/09 - 11/13/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Children are the world's most valuable resource and the best hope for the future." ~ John F. Kennedy (Who is/was s/he? What do you think s/he meant?...share your thoughts.)

Announcements:

1st Quarter Grades- Congrats to all!!! Your hard work paid off.

MVP: N. Falconer (94)

All-Stars (90 and above): A. Benjamin, B. Ayianna, C. Cole, F. Octavia, J. Sellars, P. Chateau.

Honorable Mentions (80-85): C. Cox, M. Lewis, S. Pierre, N. Thomas, T. Vigilance, S. Aitken, N. Beauvoir, C. Neona, J. Earl, J. Saint Jour, M. Anderson, D. Bros

Wishing you the best for the second quarter.

Quiz (Failing Grade Notification)-If you earned a score lower than a 65, remember to get a signed note from your parent/guardian stating they are aware of your score and that they had a discussion with you about it; otherwise, you will lose 5 points from your current score.

This Week At A Glance:
Weekly Quiz- Quiz from Mr. Gonzalez this Friday on Waves.

Curriculum- We will cover the following topics: compounds, Mixtures, and continue with Mr. Gonzalez's lessons on Waves.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:

WINNER(S) OF LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE: I. Osorio of class 372.

WEEK OF 11/2/09 - 11/6/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is unacceptable." ~ (What do you think is meant by this quote?...share your thoughts.)

Announcements:

1st Quarter Grades-Please make sure to log onto snapgrades to check your current grade. Feel free to see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period if you wish to discuss your grades. FYI Friday October 30th was the end of the first quarter. Second quarter begins on Monday November 2nd, 2009 and ends on January 29th, 2010.

Quiz (Failing Grade Notification)-If you earned a score lower than a 65, remember to get a signed note from your parent/guardian stating they are aware of your score and that they had a discussion with you about it; otherwise, you will lose 5 points from your current score.

This Week At A Glance:
Weekly Quiz- Your quiz this week will be on Wednesday focusing on isotopes and retrieving information from the Periodic Table of Elements.

Curriculum- We will begin talking about compounds and continue with Mr. Gonzalez's lessons on Waves.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:

(X-tra Credit: 20pts towards participation) Submit the names of the 2009 Nobel prize winners and their contributions in the following disciplines: Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine. Write your answer along with your name and class on a FULL sheet of paper and be the first to TURN IT TO ME as you walk-in to class. E-mailed answers will not be accepted. I wish you the best!!!

WEEK OF 10/26/09 - 10/30/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better." ~ Pat Riley (Who is/was s/he? What do you think s/he meant?...share your thoughts.)

Announcements:

1st Quarter Grades-Please make sure to log onto snapgrades to check your current grade. Feel free to see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period if you wish to discuss your grades. FYI Friday October 30th is the end of the first quarter.

Quiz (Failing Grade Notification)-If you earned a score lower than a 65, remember to get a signed note from your parent/guardian stating they are aware of your score and that they had a discussion with you about it; otherwise, you will lose 5 points from your current score. The last date for submitting the note is this Wednesday.

This Week At A Glance:
Weekly Quiz- Your quiz this week will be on Wednesday focusing on chapters 9 & 10.

Curriculum- We will finish talking about the atom and the particles that make it up.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:

(X-tra Credit: 20pts towards participation) Submit the names of the 2009 Nobel prize winners and their contributions in the following disciplines: Chemistry, Physics, Physiology or Medicine. Write your answer along with your name and class on a FULL sheet of paper and be the first to TURN IT TO ME as you walk-in to class. E-mailed answers will not be accepted. I wish you the best!!!

WEEK OF 10/19/09 - 10/23/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"We are what we think." ~ Buddha (What does this mean to you?...share your thoughts.)

This Week At A Glance:
Weekly Quiz- Your quiz this week will be on either Thursday or Friday based primarily on chapters 9 & 10.

Curriculum- We will finish with elements and begin talking about atoms.

Reminders- You have until this Wednesday to submit any missing regular Hw assignments except for #9 and #16. You have until this Friday to submit any missing projects. Your second Classroom Journal check will be done this Friday...check snapgrades to see if your journal is currently in the classroom. In addition, you also have your first notebook check, please make sure your have a proper science section with proper notes. Don't forget to bring your Home Science Journal to class on Wednesday. I will check HSJ Entry #1.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Look for the definition of the word "educo" and compare it with the following words: "education" and "leader". The first person from each class that submits a proper response will earn 5 extra credit points.

WEEK OF 9/14/09 - 9/18/09

Welcome!!!

Once again welcome!!! I hope you had an enjoyable summer. I was very pleased to meet those of you who were present last week as we embark on a new academic voyage. I look forward to being your Science Teacher for the 2009-2010 academic year. I know I will learn a lot from you--your experiences and your knowledge--and I hope you will also learn of me and take advantage of the wisdom I plan to share and impart upon you. We are living in a very interesting and decisive time in our history on this planet and your education will be the tool and vehicle that will help you make the best choices for yourself, your present and future family. You have done well thus far by being on the 7th grade and should be proud of yourself. As you look ahead towards achieving your career goals, know that we--the staff at IS 68--are present and committed to help you along the way. Wishing you a fruitful year.

-Mr. Surpris

Q.O.T.W.:
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." ~ (What does this mean to you?...share your thoughts.)

This Week At A Glance:
Skills/Resources- This week you will learn how to use the Senteo response system for future assessments. You will also be introduced to the classroom website and my blog page.

Science Bulletins from the American Museum of Natural History- This week, we will watch Influenza: Jumping the Species Barrier.

Weekly Quiz- Your first quiz is this Wednesday on classroom rules, routines and expectations.

Curriculum- You will take 2 diagnostic tests; one will be based on the overall content of this year's curriculum and the other one on the first subunit to be taught--"Earth as a System".

PF Assignment(s) Reminder- 2009-2010 Science Goals Essay: (1st draft due Tue; Final draft due Fri); Summer Science Reading Book Report (this assignment is being collected; the final due date is Fri 9/25/09. See July 8, 2009 Posting below for more info).

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Look for the definition of the word "educo" and compare it with the following words: "education" and "leader". The first person from each class that submits a proper response will earn 5 extra credit points.

Summer Assignment for Upcoming 7th Grade Students

As per our class meeting before the end of the 08-09 academic school year, your first assignment is to read a "science chapter based" book (e.g., biography, sci-fi, etc.) and complete the Book Report Form which can be found on the classroom website on the PHOTOS/DOCS DOWNLOAD page.

WEEK OF 5/18/09 - 5/22/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Don't count every hour in the day, make every hour in the day count."~Unknown (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Thank You-Thank you for the parents who volunteered as chaperones at our last trip to the New York Hall of Science. Your presence was greatly appreciated.

Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, ONLY PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

Progress Report & Grades- Your final 3rd grades are posted on the classroom website. Your fourth quarter progress report will be posted over the Memorial weekend.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- due this Friday. For help, I will continue to be available during Advisory, Lunch and after school on the following days: Monday (3-5pm), Wednesday (3-5pm), Friday (2:30-4pm).

Curriculum- I will complete chapter 10 this week.

Quiz- Your quiz will be on Thursday on chapters 9 & 10.
Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
No puzzle this week.

Coming Sooon:
Bildersee Live Aid 2009. To participate, sign up with Ms. Brickey. Check out last year's highlights below.

WEEK OF 3/30/09 - 4/3/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Fear is a disease that eats away at logic and makes man inhuman. "~Marian Anderson (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

3rd Quarter Grades- Your preliminary grades are posted on the classroom website.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- On Monday, we will continue with the process of selecting our project. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will continue teaching chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays. I will complete section 3 of chapter 8 this week and conduct a mini-review for the upcoming midterm.

Midterm Exam- Your midterm will be on Thursday and Friday on chapters 1-8.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
WINNER(S) OF LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE: Chyna M. Lynch of 371.

This Week's Puzzle: No puzzle this week.

WEEK OF 3/23/09 - 3/27/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. "~Marie Curie (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

3rd Quarter Grades- Your preliminary grades are posted on the classroom website.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to select our project. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will continue teaching chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays. I will complete section 2 of chapter 8 this week.

Midterm Exam- Your midterm will be on the week of March 30th. Please start reviewing chapters 1-8.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
WINNER(S) OF LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE: Chyna M. Lynch of 371. Her answer was: Pierre Curie for physics in 1903. He was Marie Curie's husband.

This Week's Puzzle:
What is the speed of light in meters per seconds and in miles per seconds? Who was the first person to measure it accurately? Where did you get your answers from? Write your answer along with your name and class on a sheet of paper and be the first to TURN IT TO ME as you walk-in to class.

WEEK 3/16/09 - 3/20/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it. "~Marian Wright Edelman (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

3rd Quarter Grades- Your preliminary grades are posted on the classroom website.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will select our project. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will continue teaching chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays. I will complete section 2 of chapter 8 this week.

Weekly Quiz- Your Quiz will be on Tuesday this week (Ch. 8, Exit Project lessons).

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
WINNERS OF LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE: Micheca Benjamin & Beverly Opuiyo of 371. The answer was: Marie Curie-1903 in Physics, 1911 in Chemistry

This Week's Puzzle:
Which interesting person shared one of the noble prizes with Marie Curie? Give the person's name, the discipline, the year and what makes this person so interesting. Write your answer along with your name and class on a sheet of paper and be the first to TURN IT TO ME as you walk-in to class.

WEEK OF 3/9/09 -3/13/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Never limit yourself because of others' limited imagination; never limit others because of your own limited imagination. "~Mae Jemison (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

Homework #82- Due to the upcoming NYS Math Exam, I've decided to postpone the due date to Friday March 13, 2009.

3rd Quarter Grades- Your preliminary grades are posted on the classroom website.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will select our project. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will continue teaching chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays. I will complete section 1 of chapter 8 this week.

Weekly Quiz- Your Quiz will be on Friday this week (Ch. 8, Exit Projects).

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
WINNERS OF LAST WEEK'S PUZZLE: Shanae Dixon & Jennifer Delacruz of 371. The answers that were submitted were: Fat Cat and Fatty Catty

This Week's Puzzle: Name the woman who won the most Nobel Laureate prizes. Give the name, the years and the disciplines.
Write your answer along with your name and class on a sheet of paper and be the first to TURN IT TO ME as you walk-in to class.

WEEK OF 3/2/09 - 3/6/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it."~Margaret Fuller (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to prepare for our exit projects by looking at ways to create investigable questions. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will cover chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays. I will begin chapter 8 this week.

Weekly Quiz- No quiz this week.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Hinky Pinky-Riddle that has two rhyming words as the answer (e.g., what do you call sweet stuff that you drop on the beach? Answer: Sandy Candy).

What is a hinky pinky for an over-sized feline?
Write your answer along with your name and class on a sheet of paper and be the first to turn it to me as you walk-in to class.

WEEK OF 2/23/09 -2/27/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots."~Marcus Garvey (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
Report Card Distribution & Parent-Teacher Conference- ThisThursday at 1-3pm and 5:30-8pm.

Progress Report- 2nd quarter progress report will be distributed this week in preparation for the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conference.

Late Assignment Policy- As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to prepare for our exit projects by looking at ways to create investigable questions. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- Mr. Rovelli will cover chapter 7 with class 371 on Mondays, classes 372-374 on Wednesdays.

Weekly Quiz- No quiz this week.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming soon...

WEEK OF 2/9/09 - 2/13/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."~Malcolm X. (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
New Quarter-3rd Quarter started on Monday February 2nd, 2009.

Late Assignment Policy-As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to prepare for our exit projects by looking at ways to create investigable questions. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Weekly Quiz- Your quiz this Wednesday will be on the exit project lessons.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming soon...

WEEK OF 2/2/09 - 2/6/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"A right delayed is a right denied"~Martin Luther King, Jr. (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
New Quarter-3rd Quarter begins today, Monday February 2nd, 2009.

Late Assignment Policy-As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to prepare for our exit projects by looking at ways to create investigable questions. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- This week we will begin chapter 7 (Earthquakes and Volcanoes).

Weekly Quiz- Your quiz this Wednesday will be on Chapter 6, and the exit project lessons. Don't forget to review old quizzes. You can also visit the following websites to prepare: Glencoe Self-Check Quizzes and Ology from AMNH. No quiz this week.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming soon...

WEEK OF 1/26/09 - 1/30/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Yes, we can!!!"~Barack Obama (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
2nd Quarter Grades-Your grades are updated as of 1/24/09 on the classroom website.

Late Assignment Policy-As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

Make-Up Assignments-You may make-up any PF assignments by Thursday January 29th, 2009 for a grade no higher than 80 if done completely including using proper heading. Improper heading assignments will receive an incomplete (inc=55).

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue to prepare for our exit projects by looking at the various types of projects and the process to create investigable questions. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- This week we will look at sections 2 and 3 of chapter 6 (Plate Tectonics).

Weekly Quiz- No quiz this week.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming soon...

Answers to Hw #61

pg 144 #11-17
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. D
14. D
15. C
16. D
17. D

pg 172 #7-14
7. B
8. D
9. C
10. A
11. A
12. B
13. B
14. D

WEEK OF 1/12/09 - 1/16/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right"~Oprah Winfrey (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
2nd Quarter Grades-Your grades will be updated by Friday 1/16/09 on the classroom website.

Late Assignment Policy-As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

Make-Up Assignments-You may make-up any of the following assignments (Hw #52-60) by Tuesday January 20th, 2009 for a grade no higher than 65 if done completely including using proper heading. Improper heading assignments will receive an incomplete (inc=55).

NYS ELA Exam next week Wednesday & Thursday

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will continue our lessons on title, hypothesis, variables (dependent and independent), constants, control group, experimental group and repeated trials. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL daily to class.

Curriculum- This week we will look at sections 2 and 3 of chapter 6 (Plate Tectonics).

Weekly Quiz- Your quiz will be on Friday this week focusing on Chapters 5, 6, and the exit project lessons. Don't forget to review old quizzes. You can also visit the following websites to prepare: Glencoe Self-Check Quizzes and Ology from AMNH.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming soon...

WEEK OF 1/5/09 - 1/9/09

Q.O.T.W.:
"Happy New Year!!!" ~Mr. J. W. Surpris (Who is/was s/he??? What do you think s/he meant???)

Announcements:
2nd Quarter Grades-Your grades have been updated on the classroom website.

Late Assignment Policy-As of January 5th, 2009, I will no longer accept late assignments; in addition, only PF assignments will be allowed to be submitted via e-mail using proper e-mail submission. ALL assignments will be due at the end of class on that particular day...not at the end of the school day.

This Week At A Glance:
Science Exit Project- This week we will learn about hypothesis, variables (dependent and independent), constants, control group, experimental group and repeated trials. Please bring your HOME SCIENCE JOURNAL to class on your double period day for Science.

Curriculum- This week we will conclude chapter 5 (Clues to Earth's Past) and begin chapter 6 (Plate Tectonics).

Weekly Quiz- No quiz this week.

Urban Advantage (UA) Vouchers- Students, who have not received their UA vouchers, will need to come see me during Advisory or at the beginning of 6th period.

Weekly Puzzle Challenge:
Coming Soon...