Those of you who were able to make conferences, thank you so much for spending your time with us here at Milwood. This next week there is another half day on Friday for students. Teachers have Professional Development in the afternoon. Also next week on Tuesday is the Skating Party. The bus leaves at 4:30 and returns at 7:00.



This past week, we learned about Biodiversity and what it is. Students are talking about the connections between their core classes which is really good for learning. In class on Wednesday, students were introduced to the Science project for this marking period. They may begin researching and gathering information at any time.



On March 31st we are going on a trip to WMU through the Gear Up Program to see what learning is like at the university. Please be sure that you've filled out a permission slip in order for you child to attend. These were handed out at conferences, and I assume they will be handed out next week to all those who could not attend.



Here's the schedule:

Monday, March 23

Science

We will be finishing up our Lancer notes (foldable) today. Your child should take this home and practice talking to you about biodiversity with this. This will really help them to get a grasp on it.



Tuesday, March 24

Science

There has been a change in plans due to a shortage of time to work on the Biodiversity project. Reproductive Health will begin the day we return from Spring Break so we will be quickly getting through the big ideas for Biodiversity this week. Today, we will be viewing a video on the Zebra Mussel and completing a Cause and Effect Wheel from the video. This is one part of the project that students will need to complete for their project.

Wednesday, March 25

Science

Students will be given an organism card to use with their group. Together they will assist each other to complete their team Cause and Effect Wheel.

Link for Science Connections: http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=29
Thursday, March 26

Science

Students from 1st and 2nd hour will make observations of their Bio-balloons. They will complete their lab reports in class and turn in.

Students will independently work on their own Cause and Effect Wheel for their Invasive Species that they chose in their ELA class on Monday. They will have computers to help find the connections between organisms in their environment. Due Monday.

Friday, March 27th (1/2 day)

Science

Students will complete the same lab as the students did on Thursday last week. They will have very basic instruction on a Bio-Balloon Lab. Students will work together at their table to complete the Lab Report and then follow their procedures to complete their balloons. We will hang them in the hallway windows.

Here we are at Spring Conference week, your child's last conference in Middle School. We are all looking forward to meeting with you and your child to discuss their progress this year. Your child has sent home an invitation and should have called home to verify the time was good for you. Conferences are on Wednesday this week from 5:00PM to 7:30 (teachers leave at 8:00) and on Thursday from 12:00 to 2:30 (teachers leave at 3:00) and then from 5:00 to 7:30 (teachers leave at 8:00). Please call the office if you are unsure of your scheduled time with your child's advisory teacher. If you are interested in seeing other teachers, please make an appointment with the advisory teacher to meet with this other teacher.

We are beginning a new unit on Biodiversity. This week we will be discussing the project for this marking period and discovering what biodiversity is.

Schedule:
Monday, March 16
Science
We will begin an inquiry lesson on "Biodiversity". We will create a list of biodiversity for each class. Then we will read an article on biodiversity and then go back to our list and circle what we found out about it from our article. Then we will do a "Biodiversity Blitz" in class.

Tuesday, March 17
Science
We will begin by working on our Science Binder. We will begin to put our new unit together and then we will be putting our marker in to signify which piece of work to share at conferences. Then we will be finishing yesterday's lesson.
Homework: Write a summary on the article 6th hour.
Write a summary of the 8th paragraph to the end for all other hours.
Must be at least one paragraph long (5 sentences). Due tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 18
Science
Collect summaries from yesterday. We will complete Word Boxes in class today. They will be due on Friday.
Thursday, March 19 (1/2 day)
Science
Lab to be announced.

Friday, March 20
Science
Students will view a PowerPoint presentation on Biodiversity and take Lancer Notes. These notes will become a part of their Science Binder. Students will then complete an Exit Slip.

Hopefully everyone had a good Mid-Winter Break. This is a big week for 8th graders on the 8A team. Everyone's multimedia project is due on Friday to their 5th hour teacher. There will be Homework Hub time for more help on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Also Science Binders are due on Friday. We have worked on the Binders in class several times this marking period so everyone's Binder should take no outside extra time.

On Monday, the high school counselors will be here to help students with choosing their classes for next year. They will be bringing a form home for you to sign and it needs to be quickly returned.

Monday, March 2
Science
We will be watching a video that helps to ensure our understanding about stem cells.
Turn in hard copy of Multimedia science project.

Tuesday, March 3
Science
Today we will be working on the idea of "Quality of Life". Students will brainstorm what they know about it and then we will read an article on it. Then we will go back to the class list and circle what is true about it. Then each class will come up with their own definition of the term.

Wednesday, March 4
Science
We will be going into the lab today for a Scavenger Hunt to help students become more aquainted with the equipment from the lab and lab safety. We will begin in the room with a short video.

Thursday, March 5
Science





Friday, March 6
Science
All Multimedia Projects are due to your 5th hour teacher by 2:20 today!
We will be working on a microscope lab in the classroom today. Students will become aquainted with the use of the microscope.