To get students excited about 8th grade science, we spent the last week of school studying the basics of physics and Newton's Three Laws. Students put these laws into practice by competing in Junkyard Wars. Given a limited list of supplies, students created race cars, egg parachutes, and weight-bearing structures. On Thursday, May 24th, their contraptions were put to the test as they competed against other students for the title of Junkyard Warrior!

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 04:03 PM | Comments (0)

Here are a few pictures of our end of the year projects. The first set are of students picking through owl pellets...owl puke, not owl poop! Owls do not digest hair and bone so they compress these materials and spit them out at a later time. The skeletal remains allow us to study owl and rodent populations, such as which animals are prey in a given ecosystem, if a particular prey is in danger of becoming extinct, and the carrying capacity of a given habitat.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 03:50 PM | Comments (0)

Complete Workbook 23-2 if you didn't finish it in class.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:57 PM

I am so excited about our trip to Jekyll Island because we are going to have a blast! Don't forget, be in Mabry's front parking lot by 5:30 AM on your day of departure. Do not park on the curb, as this is where the busses will pull up for loading. Remember Ms. Larkin's three most important items NOT TO FORGET: linens (bedding and towels), rain gear, and extra shoes!

Have you hugged and thanked your parents for allowing you to go on this amazing trip?

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 05:47 PM

As posted in class last week, students will be test this Thursday. The test will cover Chapter 22, as well as the first section of Chapter 23. There will be a study session on Thursday morning at 8:15.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 12:42 PM

All Jekyll Island medications should have been turned in by now. This includes prescription or daily meds, as well as over-the-counter or "just in case" drugs such as Tylenol or Pepto-Bismol. If you did not pick up a medication form at our parent meeting, you may fill one out when you drop your student's meds off with the school nurse. The only medicines that may be carried with or stored by the student are those that are immediately necessary in an emergency situation, such as inhalers, EpiPens, and insulin, (parents must still submit a medication form for these items).

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:31 PM

If you did not finish your Chapter Assessment in class, you must finish it for homework over the weekend. Complete # 1-28, skip #16.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:22 PM

All roommate requests forms were due LAST Friday. Please be sure to have them in this week or you will be assigned to a room with an opening.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:44 PM

If you did not do so in class, please be sure to complete all the questions from today's activity, How Many Bears Can Live In A Forest? Students should have also completed Day Two (#1-5) in their Ecosystem In A Bottle Activity.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:43 PM

Please make sure you have completed questions 1-8 on your Ecosystem in a Bottle Lab, as well as your ecosystem poster/illustration. Your poster should be on unruled, computer paper and divided into quarters. Label each quarter as organism, population, community, and ecosystem and give an illustration that depicts the definition of the term. The poster should be colored.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 03:16 PM

Be sure to complete questions 1-8 on your Ecosystem in a Bottle Lab, the 22-1 Vocab & Review Packet, and Workbook 22-1.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 03:10 PM

Many of you have already handed your assignments in to me, but please make sure you have completed and turned in the following assignments by Monday:

1. Monday: Section Review - Page 169
2. Monday: TellTale Molecule Lab Skills - Page 170 (should be in lab journal)
3. Monday: Chapter Assessment #17-22 and #25-28 - Pages 172 and 173
4. Tuesday & Wednesday: Geography Lab Activity (should be in lab journal)
5. Thursday: Chapter Five Study Guide
6. Friday: Section Review - Page 693

As I mentioned on the board today, I will collect, score, and record any missing assignments on Monday, as well as share your test grades with you. We will be moving ahead to Chapters 22-24 and begin our unit on Ecology. I will be teaching your class on Monday and am looking forward to exploring ecosystems, habitats, communities, populations, and organisms with you!

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 06:13 PM

If you didn't finish your assignment in class, be sure to finish your poster on organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystem. The poster should be labeled and colored.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 05:56 PM

Mrs. Carroll's students will be tested on Chapter Five on Friday, February 9th. We will have a study session tomorrow morning at 8:15 for those students who are interested or have questions. Please check in at the Theater before coming to Ms. Larkin's room. Remember, all study guides that are complete and signed by a parent are worth five bonus points on your test.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 04:08 PM

Chapter Five Test will be on Thursday, February 8th. There will be a study session at 8:15 on the day of the test. Students were able to pick up study guides last Friday. When completed and signed by the parent, the study guide is worth five bonus points.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 03:01 PM

Jekyll Island Parent Meeting tonight @ 6:30 in the Theater.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 04:49 PM

We will be testing on Chapter Five towards the end of next week, probably Thursday. There will be an optional study guide available, worth five bonus points when completed and signed by a parent. A study session will be held at 8:15 the morning of the test.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 09:39 AM

Science teachers sent home a check sheet and payment envelope with students. The check sheet indicates what each student is missing. At this time, the second payment of $90.00 is due, but should be turned in by February 14th at the absolute latest. Also, there will be a Jekyll Island parent meeting on Monday, February 5th @ 6:30. At this meeting parents will receive a packing list, itinerary, and emergency contact information, as well as the opportunity to ask questions or turn in any last minute payments or papers. Chaperones will have a brief, but mandatory meeting following the general parent meeting.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 03:34 PM

Our students are getting an authentic look at how genetic scientists are using new technologies to create treatments (and hopefully someday even cures) for diseases such as diabetes, hemophilia, and sickle cell anemia to name a few.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 09:19 PM

Seventh grade Life Science students have been busy studying body systems and anatomy. This podcast shows students highly engaged in learning.

Posted by Ms. Larkin at 09:17 PM