Year End Announcements

As we approach the end of the year, it is important for students to consider that we should finish the year well.  I have given my regular science students the past two days to work on test corrections and retakes.  While no more time will be given in class for this purpose, students are still able to work on these items at home and turn them in for credit.  In order to protect my sanity, I have assigned some due dates that students should consider:

May 24 – All make up work due for Newton’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws and Gravity

May 30 – textbooks need to be returned

June 1 – All other make up work is due (energy, work and power, and electricity)

June 1 – electromagnetism test 92325

June 6 – 7 – Final Exam and electromagnetism make ups due

June 7 – Last day of school for students

As we near the end of the year, I would like to pass on my gratitude to all of my students and their parents for making this a very enjoyable year.  I have really enjoyed working with my students this year and getting to know them better.  It is my hope that I was able to teach them something about life and/or science along the way and also hope that they enjoyed their experience.

As many of my students and parents are aware, I have recently received my Administrator’s license and have been looking to extend my career beyond the walls of my classroom.  I am happy to report that I will be taking over as Assistant Principal at ROCORI Middle School.  I am grateful for the past nine years spent as a teacher in this building and have met some wonderful students and parents.  Keep up the good work!

“If you stop learning, you will become irrelevant”

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Introduction to Magnetism

Learning Target:
92325 – describe how an electric current produces a magnetic force.

DO NOW:
Take out a piece of paper and put your name on it.

Homework:
Read chapter 21.1

Today in Class:
Students will begin the study of electromagnetism today.  This is our LAST unit of the year.  The test for this unit will occur on or after May 30th.  We’ll work our way in slowly for this unit and will begin by watching the Magnetism episode of Bill Nye – a student favorite.

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Electric Motor Test

Learning Target:
92325 – explain how an electric current produces a magnetic force and how this interaction is used in motors

DO NOW:
Pick up the Electric Motor Lab / find a partner of the opposite gender

Homework:
Read chapter 21.2

Today in Class:
After watching the Bill Nye video yesterday, we’re going to test how much we learned and can discover about electric motors.  Students will be given one example of an electric motor; they will then be asked to diagram it and explain how it works.  All of the motors used in class came from small home appliances and they are all remarkably similar.  I encourage you to dismantle some of your “garbage” once in a while so you and your students can investigate how it works!

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Intro to Magnetism

Learning Target:
92325 – describe how an electric current produces a magnetic force.

DO NOW:
Take out a piece of paper and put your name on it.

Homework:
Read chapter 21.1

Today in Class:
Students will begin the study of electromagnetism today.  This is our LAST unit of the year.  The test for this unit will occur on or after May 30th.  We’ll work our way in slowly for this unit and will begin by watching the Magnetism episode of Bill Nye – a student favorite.

2011-2012 Learning Targets

Grade Improvement Workshop

Learning Targets:
Variable

DO NOW:
Get out your test correction materials

Homework:
Continue the work we’ve started today with test corrections.

Today in Class:
As a favor to the students, I have provided the class time today for the purposes of quite work time so that students can have time to improve their grades through test corrections or re-takes.  Yesterday I met with each student to review their grade and identify possible areas for improvement.  Students are to bring their necessary materials to class so that work can be done on those identified areas.

We’ll be starting Electromagnetism tomorrow or Thursday.

2011-2012 Learning Targets