Parent-teacher conference appointments are full

Our parent teacher conferences for November 4 through November 6 are full. If you have an academic concern for your child that you would like to address, we welcome you to meet with us during our Tuesday morning team planning times during the months of November and December. If you have any questions or would like to make a request for a conference, please feel free to contact Doug Haskins by email or phone, (412) 366-9650.

 Read more...
http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2013/10/ams-grade-8-parent-teacher-conferences.html

Ready, set, solve!

Date change for the test – Thursday, 10/24/13

 

Are you ready to solve?  There is a pre-algebra test on solving equations with variables on Thursday, October 24. Tutoring is available before school and at lunch for students who would like to review problems individually with Mr. Volkwein and Ms. Costantino.  This will be the last major assessment for students in pre-algebra during the first quarter.  

Parent-teacher conferences

8^th grade parent teacher conferences are currently being scheduled. Parents may sign up for a conference time using our registration webpage: http://amsgrade8.blogspot.com/2013/10/ams-grade-8-parent-teacher-conferences.html   To sign up for an appointment, click on a day and time that fits your schedule. Fill out the information on the form and click submit. Within 24 hours you will get a confirmation email with the date, time, and room number.

There are a limited number of conference spots remaining. If you were unable to make an appointment, the 8th grade team can have you in for a conference during our team planning time on Tuesdays during the month of November and December. Conferences for the 8th grade teachers may be scheduled by sending an email to Mr. Doug Haskins or  phone (412) 366-9650.

Events and dates

Friday, October 18

11:00 am

 [Event] Outsiders movie

Tuesday, October 22

 [Reading] AR Due

Wednesday, October 23

 2-Hour Delay - Teacher In-service

Tuesday, October 29

End of the 1st grading period

Thursday, October 31
Halloween

Sunday, November 3

Turn back the clocks! Daylight savings ends. 

November 4 - 6

3:15pm

Parent-teacher conferences

Thursday, November 7

10:00am

 [Event] Electronic Field Trip

Monday, November 11

 No School

Wednesday, November 27

 No School - Teacher In-service ACT 80

November 28 - 29

 No School - Thanksgiving break

The 8^th grade calendar is available on Edline.

Week one LC assignment due Friday

Students in Science 8 have been working to complete their first week of activities for the layered curriculum (LC). The students have been given a menu of options to earn points for the week. Students must complete both assignments and an assessment by Friday, 10/18/13. The students may earn up to 12 points for C1 and 10 points for C2. From the science 8 website:

WEEK ONE 10/10/13 - 10/18/13

C1           Week 1 Assignments: Energy
Choose from these assignments. You can only earn up to 12 points.

C1.1Kinetic Energy Math Problems 5 pts [M]

C1.2Potential Energy Math Problems 5 pts [E]

C1.3Nature of Energy Self-Check 5 pts [E]

C1.4Skate Park Energy Simulation 8 pts [I] online only

C1.5Energy Forms and Changes 8 pts [I] online only

C2           Week 1 Assessment: Energy
Complete an assessment for week one. Weighted 25 pts Complete only one.

C2.1Quiz: Types of Energy 10 pts  [E] online only

C2.2Vodcast: Energy in Motion  10 pts [I]

C2.3The Impossible Dream  10 pts [I] online only

Students must make sure they earn enough points through these activities to receive a satisfactory grade. Videos, notes, and assignments during layered curriculum can be found on www.HaskinsSci8.infowww.HaskinsSci8.info.

Finding the ISS

Last week students in science class were encouraged to track the International Space Station as it appeared in our night sky. This was a great way to think about the role of Newton's Laws, motion, and energy in our space program. Finding the ISS is easy due to the various websites that post the location and viewing dates and times. However, there is a small window in which it can be viewed. In class, we explored the impact of sunlight reflection, the shadow of the Earth, and visibility only during our early evening or early morning.

The ISS can be tracked through several different websites and apps:

NASA Spot the Station - Pittsburgh

Astro Viewer  ISS website

ISS Spotter app available in app stores

#lab110 following the #iss SW near the moon! Just about to be in view from #pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/120WkSFYXd
— Science 8 (@science8haskins) October 9, 2013

1st Nine-week Grading Period to End

The 1st grading period is to end on October 29, 2013.

Color guard clinics to end!

The last color guard clinic of 2013 will be on Tuesday, October 29.  We will continue to offer them in 2014 so stay tuned!