Haack's Highlights

March 16 - 20, 2009

Hi, Everyone!

We're working on models of the planets in class this week.  Lots of fun, but lots of attention to detail.

The Simpson Shuffle Run/Walk and Health Fair will be held on Friday, March 27, 4:30 - 6:30 PM.  Registration forms for the run/walk can be found at the front office and on the Simpson web site www.cobbk12.org/~simpson.  Proceeds will support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life which raises funds to fight cancer.  Please join us!  Together we can make a difference.

Report cards will go home on Thursday this week.

Have fun!

Carla Haack

February 9 - 13

Happy Almost Valentine's Day!

This week we're talking about air in science.  In measuring our classroom we found some very interesting variations in volume.

Please remember Simpson's 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle on Friday, February 20, at 6:30.  Tickets are on sale Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in the Atrium before school.

One week from today is a Student Holiday.  Enjoy!

Thanks,

Carla Haack

February 2 - 6, 2009

Hi,

This week is off to a really slow start for me.  I've been out two days with a stomach flu.  To catch you up:

Never-Ending Book is due tomorrow.

Quiz is Friday.  It covers water distribution, water cycle, landforms, and groundwater.  We're covering landforms and groundwater today and tomorrow in class.   

The material starts with page 18 in the student notebook.  Two words have been added to the vocabulary on page 20.  They are:

1.  Transpiration - process by which plants release water vapor through their leaves.

2.  Collection - precipitation collects in ponds, lakes, streams, etc.

Mark your calendar for February 20th at 6:30.  You are invited to our 3rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle Auction.  Simpson teachers will be serving dinner, and there will be lots of grea auction items available.  Thanks for supporting the simpson Eagles Education Foundation.

January 20, 2009

Hi, Everyone!

Today is Inauguration Day, and we have activities planned for all day long.  Each class is focusing on their own topic as it relates to the inauguration.  For example, in Mrs. Rose's science class we will be looking at the weather on inauguration days as far back as FDR in 1937.

The entire school will, of course, be watching the swearing in and the speech following on television in the classroom.  Our 3rd period class will bring our lunches back to the classroom so we can see everything.

Looking at the rest of the week, please be aware that we will be having a science test over the ocean floor, currents, and waves on Thursday.  A study guide will go home Tuesday, due Wednesday in class.  We will have just a little while to work on it in class today.

December 8 - 12

Hi,

This week we're working on a research assignment.  It is due Monday, 12/15.  We have three full class days.  Wednesdy and Thursday are designated as research days, Thursday and Friday are designated to create the poster, and all 3 days are designated to work on the anchor activity when the computers are not available for individual work.

We have laptops in the classroom Wednesday and Thursday.  Another option is to work on the research at home.  Each student will choose a geological landform and research it for the poster.

The Anchor Activity (everybody does the same thing) is to create a layered book about erosion.  Instructions are in the textbook on page 340 and in the classroom.

The poster is to be small. It can be construction paper or computer/copier paper.

**************************************************************************************

Grading Rubric:

5 points - definition of the chosen landform

15 points - explanation of how the landform formed using appropriate vocabulary and including information about weathring/erosion/deposition

10 points - information about where this landform is found

10 points - interesting facts about this landform

10 points - illustration of the landform

Total: 50 points

CHECK MRS. ROSE'S AND MRS. MILLER'S BLOGS

December 1 - 5

Welcome back from our wonderfully long Thanksgiving Holiday.

We have three weeks and a lot to do in that short time.

First of all, there will be a science quiz on weathering and soil on this Thursday.  That's December 4.  Today we had a great review with Mrs. Rose to refresh our minds .

Remember that mechanical and chemical weathering are not the same thing.  Weathering and erosion are different, too.  Weathering is wearing away and erosion is moving that which has worn down.

Enjoy the Season!

November 17 - 21

We have just this one week before Thanksgiving.  It's hard to remember that we have a whole week for Thanksgiving.

This week in science Mrs. Rose's class will continue with weathering of rocks.

Students have the opportunity to make corrections on the Rock and Mineral Test given last week to raise their grades.

I just got back from the launch of The Endeavour.  I've been telling students that my friend, the pilot Colonel Eric Boe decided in second grade to become an astronaut and has focused on that goal his entire life.  It would be fantastic if some of our students could be so motivated.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Week.

November 10 - 14

Hi,

Monday was the due date for the Choice Board Projects.  See last week's blog for more details.  Some people still have not completed their work.

Progress reports go home next week. A "0" on this project can really hurt an average.

Study guide questions are due Wednesday for Thursday's big test on Rocks and Minerals.

The Endeavor takes off Friday night for the space station with my friend, Eric Boe, Colonel, USAF, as the pilot.  Eric has invited my husband and me to attend the launch with all the accompanying activities.  We are thrilled to be able to attend.

In the meantime, and back at the ranch, my substitute (veteran special ed teacher) will be working with Mrs. Rose to prepare the students for the test.  I have left her a study guide, and have left instructions about administration of the test.  I am confident we have all bases covered.

I'm out Wednesday through Friday, and will be back in the classroom bright and early Monday morning.

Carla Haack

November 3 - 7

Hi,

This week contains that special Tuesday, Election Day.  Students won't be in school that day; teachers will be in meetings.

This week we'll be working on a project that is due on Monday, November 10.  There is an "Anchor Activity", worth 20 points, which everyone will complete.  Then there is a choice board from which students select an activity they would like to do to earn the other 80 points.

Activities include compare/contrast charts; dollar value of rocks and minerals; different pathways a rock can take through the rock cycle; mining and using rocks and minerals; career opportunities in geology; a brochure on mineral identification;a comic strip about the rock cycle; an acrostic, haiku, and limerick about rocks and minerals; and writing a story diary, biography about a rock's trip through the rock cycle.

I'm looking forward to seeing these projects Monday.

October 27 - 31

Hi, Everybody!

This is Red Ribbon Week at Simpson.  There's actually a schedule for it!

Monday: wear red

Tuesday: wear crazy socks

Wednesday: wear a hat

Thursday: sports day

Friday: character day

This week we're having a quiz on metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rock.  I e-mailed about the two pages that will be great for review: Graphic organizer - rocks and Rock-solid organization.  Get your student to explain it all to you, and they'll be better prepared for the quiz!

We'll be making cookies in class to eat while we're writing about the life cycle of a rock.  Sounds good to me!

Have a safe week.

Carla Haack