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Science Fair Project Updates

Students have completed their science fair research plans and background research papers. Students should now be moving forward with the experimentation phase of their project. Data should be collected as they conduct their experiment.

The next due dates for their science fair projects are as follows:

Monday, November 15th - Abstract
Tuesday, November 16th - Final Project Report
Wednesday, November 17th - Display Board
Thursday, November 18th - Eleanor Kolitz Academy Science Fair and Invention Convention

They will receive additional information concerning the completion of each of the remaining portions of the project.

Science Test

The eighth grade students are completing their unit of study on atomic structure including identification of subatomic particles and electron configurations. Their next test is Wednesday, October 20th.

Science Field Trip

The 6th, 7th and 8th grade science students will be particiating in a robotics lab sponsored by the University of Texas at San Antonio on Thursday, October 28th. They will leave at 8:20 a.m. and will return at 11:30 a.m. in time for lunch. Cost of the field trip is $10 per student.

All students need to return a signed permission slip along with their payment to Mrs. Lloyd by Wednesday, October 20th.

Drivers will be needed to help transport the students to and from UTSA. If you are able to assist with the driving, please check the appropriate box on the permission slip. Thank you!

Notes from the Music Room

During October and November we will be preparing for our annual Thanksgiving Program.
Save the date: November 23, 2010 @2:00.

Science Fair Project Updates

Science fair topics have been selected and students are now working on their science fair research plans and background research papers. During their science class time this Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, students will be given the opportunity to work on their projects in the computer lab. It would be helpful for students to bring their flash drives so they can save the information they complete at school.

The due date for both their research plan and research paper has been changed to Thursday, October 14th.

Students can find many helpful science fair project worksheets and examples at www.sciencebuddies.org. Just click on the "Science Fair Project Guide" on the left side of the screen under "Student Resources".

If students would like additional assistance they are welcome to come to the science lab during lunch or they may stay after school on any Monday, Tuesday or Thursday. If they are coming after school, they would need to bring a note from a parent granting them permission to stay. All students would need to be picked up by 4:15 p.m. from the front of the building.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Egalitarian Kriat Torah

Ms. Miller has been hard at work recording aliyot to help those who are going to read Torah during t'fillot! She has already posted recordings for the next 4 weeks, and they can be found on the "Students" drive in S:/Middle_School/Torah Reading - Egalitarian. Parents, please make sure that your child knows his or her own Hebrew name, parents' Hebrew names, and if your family is Cohen, Levi, or Yisrael.

Oratory Contest Information

Here is the information shared with students at the preliminary meetings about this year's Oratory contest: Oratory Contest

 The Oratory Contest is on Thursday, November 4th at 2:00 P.M.

 Practice sessions will be on Mondays after school and Tuesdays during lunch EVERY WEEK between now and November 3rd.

 You MUST attend AT LEAST FIVE of these sessions TOTAL in order to participate in the Oratory Contest. If something comes up, you need to speak to Miss Planto immediately.

 Next week during the practice sessions, you will have the opportunity to work with Miss Planto on finding an appropriate speech. You may also choose one on your own, but Miss Planto needs to approve it. Please select a speech by NEXT FRIDAY, October 8th.

About Speeches:
Speeches

Theme: Global Citizenship

Sources: In the “MIDDLE SCHOOL” folder on the S: drive, you have access to a folder called “ORATORY.” In this folder, there are links to websites where you can find speeches and other famous writings.
In the Language Arts classroom, Miss Planto has a selection of books from which you may also pick a piece.

Length: Speeches should be 2 – 6 minutes long when delivered. They may be abridged with Miss Planto’s assistance.

Eighth Grade Art

Eighth grade learned about the famous and versatile 20th century American artist, Alexander Calder and then created wire sculptures in the same style. They did a great job!

Science Fair Topic Selection Due Date Extended

The science fair topic selection form due date has been extended for all students until Wednesday, September 22nd. Thank you!

Odyssey Syllabus

For parents' information:

Students received a syllabus outlining their reading and vocabulary assignments for The Odyssey. They have also received a vocabulary list for the first few chapters of the book. Please ask your student to show you this information.

We will continue with regular Wordly Wise and/or Classical Roots quizzes, but there will be words mixed in from the Reading Vocabulary. Students will know ahead of time which words to focus on.

Science - Science Fair Topic Selection

The season for science fair is upon us! Over the next few weeks, the students will be completing various aspects of the science fair process. The first step of the process, topic selection, was discussed today and students will be working on choosing just the right topics to investigate. Look for the "Science Fair Project" paper in the Science Fair section of their binder. It outlines the requirements for choosing a topic along with lists of categories, science fair dates and helpful websites to aid them in their selection process. We will be spending considerable time in the classroom working on this process as well.

Their homework for this week is simply to spend some time looking at the websites or other helpful information and choosing a topic that most interests them. Their topic selection form is due on Monday, September 20th.

The Eleanor Kolitz Academy Science Fair is scheduled for November 18, 2010. Each step of the project will be reviewed during class and due dates will be assigned for specific portions of the project. Due dates for each portion will be posted as they are given.

Some outstanding websites concerning science fair include:
www.sciencebuddies.org
www.all-science-fair-projects.com
www.sciencefairprojects.org
www.education.com/science-fair/middle-school
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/sciencefaircentral
www.arase.org

Thank you!

Eighth Grade Art

It's that time of year again - the art fundraiser! Students are creating colorful collages, and they will be coming home soon for your orders.

Book Reports

Students are expected to select books to read independently, and will complete at least one independent book report each quarter. Information on the requirements for the first quarter book report should be in your child’s Language Arts binder. This quarter, the books are “free choice,” meaning any type of book is acceptable, so long as it is age- and grade-level appropriate. All book reports include a written assignment and a creative component, similar to what was done for Summer Homework.

The due date for first quarter book reports is Monday, October 25^th.

**Stay tuned: Information and reading assignments for The Odyssey will be posted shortly!**

English Language Arts -Welcome!

Welcome to the MS Language Arts blog!

Now that the dust has settled from the start of the year, please check here regularly for information and updates regarding class assignments, policies, and news!

In 5th-8th grade, we have established a daily routine that includes reading, writing and practice in written conventions of language. Standard homework each week includes Wordly Wise/vocabulary practice and reading of both assigned and free-choice books.

Homework assignments are checked as part of a completion grade for each week. Daily classwork and quizzes are valued as "single grades" and tests and projects are valued as "double grades" when averaged. A separate grade is determined for conduct (behavior).

Students have received instructions as to how they should organize and keep the Language Arts section of their binder. A paper regarding this has gone home to be signed and returned by Tuesday, September 14.

Copies of this organizational information, and of the course information given to all MS Language Arts families at "Back to School Night" are available from Miss Planto via e-mail.

Eighth Grade Art

The eighth grade students used the wet-into-wet watercolor technique to paint their Precolumbian-inspired paintings. They restricted their palettes to either hot or cool colors to maximize the visual impact of their art. They rose to the challenge of the next art project: selecting a reproduction of a Picasso portrait that had been cut in half, and drawing in the other half of the face. Each student did a wonderful job!

Notes from the Music Room

We began music today with a song medley which included "Lean on Me" and "Don't Stop Believin'." Following a review of samba dance steps, we started a hand chime composition project where the students were divided into small groups with specific hand chimes. They were also given a set rhythm to follow. They will perform their compositions in class.

Notes from the Music Room

In music this week we continued learning our samba-style dance. We also watched a short video clip about Brazil and its culture. The samba originated in Brazil. We also practiced our hand chime technique.

Science Updated 9/2/10

Test - Wednesday, September 8th - Laboratory Safety, Measurement and Scientific Method

They received outlines earlier this week that outline the key concepts they need to review. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Science

Welcome back to Middle School Science!

The first few days of school have passed and the eighth grade students have almost completed their first unit of study on lab safety rules, measurement and lab tools. The remainder of the nine weeks their focus will be on the following units of study:
*Scientific Method/Science Fair
*Atomic Structure
*The Periodic Table

As in the past, the students are writing their assignments daily in their agenda. Look for my "green" initials in their agenda by their homework. This year they are staying organized by keeping their work in the science section of their general studies binder.Their science section includes tabs for vocabulary/notes, labs/assignmments and science fair.

This will be a great year in Science!

Notes from the Music Room

Welcome to the new year. New to the middle school music curriculum is the addition of a middle school musical revue on April 7, 2011. The revue is a collection of songs woven together with dialogue. All middle school students will learn the songs and choreography. Students will be able to audition for spoken parts and possibly solos. We will probably need a small technical crew as well. The set will be designed and created by Miss Bella and students in art classes. The students will wear costumes instead of uniforms. I will try to keep our rehearsals limited to class/school time. Special parts will probably need after school rehearsals, and possibly a couple of dress rehearsals in the evening. In preparation for the choreography, we will be learning dance steps throughout the year. I am extremely excited about our new performance!

Eighth Grade Art

Eighth grade paid homage to twentieth century artists Paul Klee and Henri Matisse by copying their line drawings. These two artists used distinctly different styles of line to create interesting works of art. We are currently exploring the imagery of PreColumbian America for our next art project.

Technology Homework 8th Gr.

It was great to see our 8th Graders in class today. In our first class we reviewed what makes a good password, and made sure everyone could login to our network and school email.

Homework
All 8th Graders should bring their flash drives to class next Friday (8/27). The flash drive (or usb) will be a tool in many of the classes this year. It's a great way to carry a project to and from school.  I've assigned this as homework because I will be checking to make sure everyone has a flashdrive, it's labled and all know how to use their flash drive.

I look forward to a great year!

Gail Markson

Judaic Studies and Tefillot

Dear Families:

With all of the changes underfoot at the EKA and family responses not always being timely, we really have worked up to the minute on settling schedules and making decisions.

As we work through the schedule for the first week of school, we are seeing things that looked good on paper, not work out in the day-to-day. All of these items are being addressed, but it takes time. The students are still in their classes with the teachers that are going to teach them, but it may be that the times that they take each class may change.

After hearing from the majority of families, I have decided that for Judaic Studies, the students will take a Mishna / Navi class with Rabbi Marrus, a Chumash / Holiday class with Mr. Olitzki, and students requiring an Orthodox teacher for their studies, will take a the Chumash / Holiday class with Rabbi Levi Teldon. Tefillot classes will be tracked into Orthodox and Egalitarian with the choices made during the summer holding.

Please understand with the dual tracks and three grade levels having two classes, the schedule is complicated. We are working diligently to make right anything that appears to be off.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

Judaic Studies-Rabbi Marrus' Class

Dear Parents,

Welcome to another and exciting school year. I am looking forward to another great year of learning and growth for your child.

As in past years, i am posting some links for those students that can benefit from books with English translation. If your child is comfortable with the Hebrew text, do NOT purchase them as they will hinder the Hebrew language development skills.

Please click on links below to purchase.
Navi: Prophets - Melachim
Mishnah: Avot