Thanksgiving Party...

Here's a reminder to make sure you bring your dish to school tomorrow for our Thanksgiving party. All dishes can be placed in the kitchen on the back table by the stove reserved for the jr. high and high school. We'll begin our party at second hour with our dinner starting at 10:50. Looking forward to all the fun and festivities...complete with our log cabin photo booth!! We have some great props for pictures! Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!

Country Dish Details...

This is just a reminder that your dish for your country is due on Wednesday, November 25th. If you are going to be out of town on Wednesday, you must bring it Tuesday, November 24th, so that it can be set out with our meal on that Wednesday. ALSO: Do not forget that you must label your dish with a sign that gives the name of the dish and the country of origin. If you do not bring your dish you will receive a 0% for this portion of your International Country Project. If the sign is missing from your dish grading will begin at a 91%. This is a TEST GRADE! Make sure to follow all guidelines according to the syllabus handed out on this project. I'm certainly looking forward to a delicious Thanksgiving party!!

Country Project Board Workday...

Since we are ahead in our World Geography studies on North America, I am making a workday on Monday, November 23rd, for your Country Board Projects. I am excited to see how they are progressing and look forward to seeing the finished products! Come ready to work during class on Monday!

Can You Find...

Our Thanksgiving break is almost here and I am certainly looking forward to our party on Wednesday, November 25th, and then filling up on turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving! But before we go, we have one week full of quizzes and tests to take and get out of the way. Time for a new bonus! Can you find the picture above? Hope so! It will mean bonus points on your next quiz! Ready? Set! Go!

UPDATE: 8th Grade Math...

Friday we spent some much needed time reviewing over concepts of basic algebraic operations in our 8th Grade Pre-Algebra class. Because of this we did not make it to the scheduled lesson for that day. Therefore the assignment that was scheduled for Friday, November 13th, has been moved to Monday, November 16th. Please check the updated Weekly Assignments under the 8th Grade Pre-Algebra heading to get the correct assignment schedule.

A Christmas Care-Package...

Mrs. Smith’s 7th-12th grade classes are putting together a Christmas care package to send over to Alex Stojadinovic, son of Martha Cook, who is stationed in Afghanistan. For the next three weeks we will be collecting items from the following list to include in the box:

• Hand Sanitizer
• Good n Plenty
• Chapstick
• Trail Mix
• Boxes of Sugar Candy (Like Sour Patch Kids)
• Jerky
• Individual Powdered drink mixes (to add to bottled water)

All donations will be accepted through Monday, December 14th. Thank you so much for your part in being a blessing to Alex while he’s stationed overseas.

Physics Assignments Posted...

Be sure to check out the Weekly Assignments link under PHYSICS to get Chapter 8's assignments. This chapter will lead us into the Thanksgiving Holiday with our test scheduled for Tuesday, November 24th. On Wednesday, November 25th, we will not have class due to our Thanksgiving Party! Let me know if you have any questions!!

Can You Find...

In honor of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11th, our bonus picture this week will be the above American flag hidden somewhere on this blog. Correctly identifying where it's located in the blog will ensure you get five extra bonus points on one of your quizzes this week! Wait...to see if anyone from the 11th and 12th grade or 9th and 10th is reading this post and can find where the picture is I will give the five points on your Physics test on Thursday and five points on the US History test on Friday.

Hello? Are you there? Hope so! Now go find that flag and earn yourself five extra bonus points!

Updated Math Schedule...

The assignments for 7th and 8th Grade Math have been updated due to the fact we will not be having class on Wednesday, November 11th. The Veterans Day Parade, museum, and picnic will be an awesome field trip! We will resume with the updated assignments on Thursday. There has also been a change from the homework assigned for Wednesday, November 25th. Again we will not be having class due to our Thanksgiving Meal of dishes from the colonial period and around the world. I am SO excited to taste all these delicious creations!! Please correct your assignment pads with the new schedule!

World Geography Workday...

On Tuesday, November 10th, students will be given a worksheet to fill out and then the remainder of the time may be spent working on their Country Project Boards. Please work quietly as Mrs. Allison will be your substitute teacher. The quiz scheduled for Wednesday, November 11th, over the political and physical map of Australia will go on as scheduled.

Change in US History Quiz...

Due to the illness of one of my children I will not be at school Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday, the US History class will be completing a worksheet during class that will be a review over chapter 8.  The answer key will be provided so that answers may be checked. This is a good study guide for both the quizzes and test this week. The quiz over p. 153-162 that was scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th, will be moved to Wednesday, November 11th. All other homework assignments will remain the same for the rest of the week.

Answers for Our Physic Contradiction....

While studying Kepler's three laws of planetary motion we encountered what appeared to be a contradiction in our physics book. After some in-depth studying into Kepler's constant what I discovered was that Equation 7.14 on the bottom of p. 153 of our text is the equation to which the statement "This equation is good only for planets, comets, asteroids, etc., orbiting the sun. It cannot be used for any planetary satellite or moon." is referring to. This statement does NOT refer to the ratio of the square of the orbital period (T) to the cube of the semi-major axis (R), found in Equation 7.13 on p. 153. Equation 7.14 is referring to finding the orbital period of a planet that is orbiting the sun. By using the time it takes for the earth to orbit the sun as well as the astronomical units (ua) [the mean distance from the earth to the sun], one can solve for the orbital period of any other planet orbiting the sun. This is a derivative of Kepler's constant given in Equation 7.13. Kepler's constant in Equation 7.13 can be applied to all heavenly bodies contained in the same system.

Each orbital system in the universe has it's own K, or Kepler's constant. Jupiter and it's moons, for example, have a different K than say, the Earth and her moon. That also means that all three of Kepler's laws apply to moons, asteroids, comets, satellites, etc. and are related proportionally to a planet, moon, asteroid, comet, or satellite that is contained in that same system. If a satellite is orbiting the earth it will orbit faster when closer to the earth, following Kepler's second law.

Now to the practice problem we worked on the board Friday during class time. We new the semi-major axis and orbital period of Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, and also the semi-major axis of Io, another of Jupiter's moons. We were then asked to calculate Io's orbital period. Simply place the ratio of Io's semi-major axis and it's period (WATCH THE EXPONENTS!!) equal to the ratio of Europa's semi-major axis and it's orbital period (Again, WATCH THE EXPONENTS!!). Solve for the unknown of the proportion using cross-multiplication and then division.

This video below will give a practice problem using the example of the moon and a satellite orbiting around the earth (both in the same system). 

This means that both the true and false questions that seemed to contradict the statement in the book and this problem involving the moons of Jupiter WILL BE INCLUDED in Wednesday's test. If you have any questions, be ready to ask them Thursday morning before I hand out the tests.

Change in World Geography Schedule...

This is a reminder that there will be a quiz tomorrow, Friday, November 6th, in the 11th and 12th World Geography class over p. 166-174. I originally did not have this on the schedule but have since added it in since I showed the assignments on Monday in class. Thank you for all your hard work!!

Can You Find...

The Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice coffee bag has been up for a while now and it's time for a brand new bonus for this next week. Many of you asked me what I was going to use that box of pinecones in my classroom for. The idea of throwing them at each other didn't quite go over very well...JUST JOKING!! In fact I had the idea of making turkey's out of them with leaves as the tail feathers.  So here's what we will be making the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, courtesy of Susan B. Anderson...

Now you're job is to find just where these little turkeys are hidden on this blog. Check everywhere! On your mark! Get set! Go!

Donated Pumpkins...

NO PUMPKIN NEEDED FOR MONDAY!!

I had seven medium pumpkins donated to our World History and Geography class after the Fall Festival last night. If you do not have a pumpkin yet, no need to worry. I have one for you already. If you bought yours already, then by all means bring it in tomorrow, November 2nd. Can't wait to see what you've come up with to paint your new pumpkin!!

Bring a Pumpkin...

So sad to say that the pumpkins we painted as atlas' are beginning to rot in our classroom. These were going to be used as centerpieces for our Thanksgiving dinner on November 25, 2015, which means we will have to go to plan "B." After some discussion the class decided to paint new pumpkins according to the country they've chosen for their Project Boards. So on Monday, November 2nd, each student is to bring a medium (or several small) pumpkins to class to begin our painting process all over again. This time we will wash the pumpkins in Clorox bleach and water then seal them with some ModPodge sealant BEFORE we start painting. Again students are allowed to use any tools in my classroom or they can supply their own. Hopefully we will preserve these pumpkins so that they will last a few more weeks until Thanksgiving!!

European Pizza Box Projects...

Here we are checking off the completion of yet another project. Way to go, 11th and 12th grade World Geography class, for a fantastic job on your European Pizza Box Projects! Once again you took a basic idea and each ran with it in many different directions. I love the difference in creativity...

And some used the colors of the country's flag...

Each one included different things that were important to that country: historical sites, religion, productions, etc...

Great job, Class!! As I am watching your Country Project Boards come together I cannot wait to see the finished products!!

Building Our Cabin...

The 9th and 10th US History class is hard at work "building" our log cabin from the hundreds of toilet paper and paper towel rolls that many of you brought to school. Thank you so much for your contribution! Here's one wall taking shape...

Thankfully there is no mud and water to mix for the chinking between the "logs", just some good ol' packing tape is doing the trick.

Even though we've had to scale it down some due to the weight of the "logs", I am certainly excited to see how the other three walls will come together to form our cabin. It will be the perfect photo booth backdrop at our Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday, November 25th!

Trying New Things...

I had meant to post several pictures about current projects we're working on and wonderful things we've been doing these last few weeks. But due to sickness in my family I am currently in catch-up mode. Thank you for your patience as I work through all the pictures I've taken these last few weeks but have yet to post. Stay tuned for more posts!

This first "catch-up" post sends a shout-out to Clint for bringing the Ukranian dish, Borscht, in for us to try.

The kitchen truly smelled like pot roast when we walked in but were surprised to find that this dish has no meat in it whatsoever. Instead it is comprised of things like potatoes, beets, cabbage, kidney beans, carrots and onions. I was just as surprised as everyone else that with a dollop of sour cream this bowl was actually a tasty treat. Everyone was required to try at least there bites, no matter how hard it was to get those veggies down. Almost everyone cleaned their bowls and then several of the staff came in and enjoyed a few bowls themselves.

Thanks again, Clint, for providing this treat for our class to try.

We are currently studying the continent of Africa so if there are any other brave students who want to try an African recipe, be my guest!!

Change in Physics Assignment...

Due to the low scores on the last Physics test I will be re-teaching chapter 5 beginning Tuesday, October 20th, through Thursday, October 22nd. The test re-take will be on Friday, October 23rd. Also, I have extended the workday for the scientific essay through Monday, October 19th. This essay will be due first thing in class on Tuesday, October 20th. All of these date changes have been posted under Weekly Assignments under the PHYSICS tab to the right.

US History Reading Project...

The 9th and 10th US History class will be working on a book report during the week of Fall Revival. Class time will be relegated to work on The Historical Board Project on a chosen American history event. This is the main project that will lead us in through November and into December. Not wanting my students to have wasted time during Study Hall a book report book will be assigned and a small poster board project about the book will be due on Monday, October 19th. Go to the project details under US History for more information!

BONUS: Can you find...

Definitely time for a new "Can You Find..." image. This week be on the lookout for the little bag of Dunkin Donuts Pumpkin Spice coffee! Why you may ask? This is the teacher's favorite coffee to brew at home. Of course, bringing a bag in wouldn't hurt the bonus either....

Just letting you know! Now, a hunting you should go...

Yum! Yum! Greek Food...

I have to say that our trip to Taziki's proved to be very, very delicious! The beef tenderloin gyro with basmati rice was outstanding...
                                     
...and of course the little triangle of baklava was the cherry on top of a great field trip.  There's nothing like studying countries around the world and trying out their dishes. This certainly makes me look forward to our Thanksgiving dinner on November 25th when each student is required to bring a dish from their chosen country. Yum! Yum!

REMINDER for 10/5...

Just a reminder to the 11th and 12th that Physics will be first hour Monday, October 5, 2015, instead of World Geography. This is due to the fact we will be going to Taziki's for lunch at 11:00 am. Looking forward to it!!

Projects on Display...

As a reminder all projects will be on display after the pm church service, Monday, October 12th. We will set everything up during the day so that parents and church members alike can see the fantastic job that everyone has done on these assigned projects. Like these landforms dioramas, which were the first projects the 11th and 12th Geography class completed.

This one is Cynthia's....

 Then Clint's...

 ...and Christiana's.

Each one were unique and creative in their own way. Now it's time to share them with the parents!

Field Trip...

We're discovering all of Europe right now in World Geography and what better way to experience some European culture is to go do some food tasting. So Monday, October 5th, we will taking a lunch field trip to Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe located right by Madison Hospital. Please return permissions slips to Mrs. Smith by Friday, October 2nd, in preparation for our outing. To know what you'd like to order before you get there the link HERE is the pdf of the menus I handed out in class. I'm certainly looking forward to trying some Greek food.

Pumpkin Atlas...

Who would have thought you can take a pumpkin and paint it like a globe.Well, that is exactly what we are doing in 11th and 12th World Geography! Today we started this exciting new project, all in preparation for decorations for our Thanksgiving around the world dinner, November 25th! Can't wait to see what they will look like! The possibilities are endless!

Thirteen Colonies Bulletin Board...

Last Friday, the 9th and 10th US History class finished their second project of this semester: a bulletin board on the thirteen colonies.  When I first handed out the syllabus for this project I had given them an idea of what I was expecting but gave creative license for their design. As always they took it above and beyond. Introducing the original Thirteen Colonies divided into the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies...

For each colony the students were to divide them up amongst themselves and create a travel brochure, identifying them....

 ...and including some fun facts and photos .

Way to go class! With the exception of a few things here and there you really did hit it out of the park!

BONUS: Can You Find...

It's definitely time for another bonus. In the spirit of the fall season (and my favorite pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks) be on the lookout for the fall/coffee picture above in one of my posts this week. When you do, look for it as a bonus on one of your quizzes! Happy hunting!

Happy First Day of Fall

A Sure Way to Get a 0%...

Below is an excerpt of answers from a student's test (certainly not one from MBA). I'm sure none of my students would ever attempt answers like these...

Q-1: In which battle did Napoleon die?
A: His last battle

Q-2: Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?
A: At the bottom of the page

Q-3: River Ravi flows in which state?
A: liquid

Q-4: What is the main reason for divorce?
A: Marriage

Q-5: What is the main reason for failure?
A: Exams

Q-6: What can you never eat for breakfast?
A: Lunch & Dinner

Q-7: What looks like half an apple?
A: The other half

Q-8: If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what will it become?
A: Wet

Q-9: How can a man go eight days without sleeping?
A: He sleeps at night

Q-10: How can you lift an elephant with one hand?
A: You will never find an elephant that has one hand.

Q-11: If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in the other hand, what would you have?
A: Very large hands

Q-12: If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it?
A: No time at all, the wall is already built

Q-13: How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?
A: Any way you want. Concrete floors are very hard to crack.

A Taste of India...

We may not be able to travel to the countries we are studying in World Geography but we can at least try a little taste from them.  Like this wonderful curry dish that Mrs. Snider so generously made for our class to sample...

The smell itself was delicious and after everyone was able to fill their bowl not once, but twice...

...we settled in to savor every bite. Smiles, Anyone?

*sigh* World Geography is AWESOME! So who's up to bring the next dish to sample?

Change in Physics Assignment...

Physics quiz Monday over section B!

For Friday night's homework in Physics (September 18, 2015) please complete the following chapter review questions from p. 69-70 of the textbook:

• 20
• 21
• 22
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26
• 28

I know that this looks like ALOT of problems but several of them are choosing the best answering from the graph and do not require any of the three equations of motion. We will be working some of those in class. This will count as a grade so do your best!

Questions? Be sure and ask!!

Physics Homework Problem...

Just in case you wanted to check and make sure you wrote the Physics problem down correctly from class today, I though that I would go ahead and post it again here:

You are in Paris, 50. m on an Eiffel Tower support leg observation deck. If you throw a euro downward at a velocity of -1.0 m/s, how long would it take the coin to hit the ground?

So being that this problem originates in Paris, I just had to share one of my favorite photos of the Eiffel Tower in the fall. 

I look forward to seeing how you apply the equations for motion!

BONUS: Can You find the image...

This week be on the lookout for a globe of national flags (pictured above) hidden somewhere on my blog. And no, this post is not the answer. Can you find where it's at? Keep up to date on what's going on here on my blog and you just may earn yourself an easy five point bonus on the next quiz!

No School...

Enjoy your day off of school and come back refreshed and ready to go! Happy Labor Day!

Travel Brochure Projects...

As promised here are a few links for those student's who are creating travel brochures for both World Geography and US History.

For Brochure Folding:

• 2-panel, 3-panel, and 4-panel folding instructions
• Tri-fold brochure

For Ideas for Information Included in Your Brochure:

• Thirteen Colonies Brochure Example
• Thirteen Colonies Brochure Information Example
• Information Example for Asian Country and Thirteen Colonies Brochure

I hope these will be the starting point for creating your brochure, whether it's for World Geography and your Asian country or US History and the thirteen colonies. Happy creating!

The Explorer and His Ship Project...

Our last project in US History dealing with an explorer and his ship turned out fabulously!! Let's just say that each student set the bar high for any other project we do this year. Take at look at these:

There was a Lego ship complete with fighting sailors, ready to set sail with Marco Polo as he heads for the Far East...

Here we are heading off into the sunset...

 Hernando Cortes was just out reach of these hostile natives....

 Amerigo Vespucci and De Soto were fit to head off around the world....

So proud of each of these students! Their creativity surpassed my expectations. I love thinking out side the box! Way to go, 9th and 10th!!