--New Site--

Please visit the new site at: https://sites.google.com/a/is68.org/mrsurpris/

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.