Happy Trails! I'm back in school!

I hope that you have enjoyed your summer. Depending upon when you joined my science class, we have both had either a busy one, two or three school years, and I have honestly enjoyed having you in class.

For the school year 2014-15, I will be on a type of sabbatical in science lecture halls and labs. The summer has been everything from microbiology to national parks and finished off with hiking and rafting through the formation of Oregon. Yup! Geology to the max. SO AWESOME!

Keep learning about the world around you, like me. There is always something to learn, no matter what your age.


I wish you all the best as you enter high school! Remember to ask questions; stay after school for tutoring; connect with others in class for those "life line" moments; and most importantly, remember how your brain is wired. Just don't give up or give in. Once my student, always my student.

"In order to succeed, your desire for success

should be greater than your fear of failure."

Bill Cosby 

We are proud of you! Always do your best.

Mr. Law & Ms. Spellman

June 9, 2014 

Best wishes and I'll see you around town and at the football games. My eyes are forever on you, so do well.

Don't Forget! D-Day

D-Day

Don't forget those who's lives were pivotal in the success of D-Day.

 

Six Machines

While surfing around to find additional information for students, I came across an excellent website. It gives definitions, examples and picture graphics for each of the six machines.

Some of the best examples for simple machines can be viewed on the following YouTube link.

Rube Goldberg Contraptions

Students are currently working on their state work sample during class time. The goal is to use all six simple machines to build a complex machine that will ensure the final energy transfer is one ping pong ball (or wiffle ball) is launched into an object within 30 to 60 seconds.

Requirements:
1. One ping pong ball or wiffle ball is launched into an object.
2. The final energy transfer involves the ping pong or wiffle ball.
3. The contraption must be in constant motion for 30 to 60 seconds. No more or less.
4. The work sample packet must show the original blue print idea on one page and then the following page will show the final product.
5. Students will collect time data for at least five (5) trials and then present it in an appropriate manner for analysis in the final write up at the end of the unit.

Limitations:
1. Teams will consists of no more than six people.
2. Designs may NOT use food or liquids.
3. There are only two class for concurring with teams members about the design.
4. Teams will only have three days to build and test their designs.
5. Students will only have one day within which they may write their reflection analysis.

Review videos for ideas of what to build. Bring your supplies and be ready!!

< 4 Weeks To Go!

All science classes are finishing the second round of state testing. Make sure that you have your ear buds, eat breakfast and are ready to test. Do you best.

We will return to the classroom and begin working on our state work sample "Rube Goldberg Contraption". Soon, I will post the specifications for the designs. In the mean time, watch any of the videos that have been posted to our You Tube Channel or find some on your own. Start logging away ideas.

< 5 Weeks To Go!

Yes, there are 25 days left. What do your grades look like in your classes? Do you need to be staying after school in order to get help or work on missing assignments / tests?

Currently we are two weeks away from OAKS retakes for science. Make sure that you are rested, eat a good breakfast and that you have turned in your parent signature (only if you are required to return the form).

Reverse suspensions are taking effect. Choose wisely so that you don't find yourself missing out on the end of year activities: dance, field day, promotion night, talent show and being with your friends.

Take Home Quiz

Did you lose your take home quiz? Dog ate it? Little brother or sister threw it out the window while Mom was driving? No problem! We've got you covered. Just print out the attached picture of the take home quiz and then go to Mr. Law's webpage to review "Study Jams" videos that we watched in class.

This is due TUESDAY 4/29/14.  No excuses! You have a three day weekend.

Dissection Time!

Wednesday (4/16):

Students will be practicing how to properly make incisions and pin a tangerine.  We will be reviewing lab safety and proper disposal of  items that we will be using Thursday. Please review the following short videos that were created by another science teacher:      Safety     Dissection Tools

Get ready for LOTS of fun Thursday.

State Test Retakes: May 20-22

Soon notes will be sent home for parent signatures allowing students to retake their state test in order to either score better or higher. We are working on putting together an after school study group, as well as included snippets in class for those who are not able to stay after school.

Stay tuned!

Why do I need to eat well or get sleep before state testing?

Why? I am SO glad that you asked!

If you do not get plenty of sleep and rest, it will negatively impact your test scores.

Plan wisely. Eat breakfast, at home or school.

Bring a snack with you.

Give yourself every opportunity to succeed!

Vaporized Cloud

What happens when an explosive vapor cloud is exposed to a spark?

Bad things!!

Let's Do The Count Down!

How many weeks are left of school? WHAT?! 

11

Keep up with your assignments.

Stay after school for tutoring.

Retake tests that you did not do so well on.

We're in this together !!

:)

Crater Lake: The Big Picture

If you get a chance, you need to stop and see this incredible place! It's on my bucket list.

Crater Lake: Day & Night Time

Life Science: Evolution

Students are studying the process of "evolution". We are not discussing it in a manner that would be considered anti-religion,... simply viewing the "evolving" portion that takes places in so many aspects of life and in the creation of things.

We are making comparisons to how cars evolve over time to meet the need of humans, as well as how humans have evolved in order to survive the environment in which they live by analyzing adaptations, competition, variations and overproduction.

I hope that all parents view this as an opportunity to talk and listen to their child, learning what they think. Students have heard me say that it is very important that they talk, think, observe and question the world around them so that they are able to justify and validate their opinions, rather than furthering the opinions of someone else,.. this teacher included.  :)

Spring Conferences & Spring Break

Spring conferences will be on March 19 &20. I will be in my classroom during the following time schedule:

Wednesday  (19)                                Thursday  (20) 

4:30 PM – 7:30 PM  conferences            8:00 AM - 11:00 AM conferences

                                                         12:00 PM -  3:30 PM  conferences
                                                           5:00 PM -  8:00 PM  conferences

Spring break is from Friday, March 21 through Monday, March 31. Students will NOT be in school on Monday (31) due to a furlough day. School will resume on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

         *     *    *    *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *


Conferencia con los padres      Marzo 19 & 20, 2014 
Miércoles   (19)                                   Jueves  (20) 
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM  conferences             8:00 AM - 11:00 AM conferences
                                                          12:00 PM -  3:30 PM  conferences

                                                            5:00 PM -  8:00 PM  conferences

No habrá clases el lunes 31 de Marzo debido a nuestro día sin pago. Los estudiantes regresaran de las vacaciones de primavera el martes 1 de abril.

I hope that you are able to relax and fully recharge.  :)

Super Volcano?

What is a super volcano?

National Geographic has an article about Yellowstone National Park, explaining a fear that geologists have about a volcanic eruption of the largest kind.

What do you think? Could it happen? How could we reduce the destruction from such an eruption?

Here is a recent story from CBS.

Are there any other supervolcanoes? Yes. There is one in Sumatra called Mt Toba.

North High School Website

Take the time to scout about through the website for North High School before you enroll there in the fall. Learn about what activities are available for you. Try new sports/activities and find out what gifts & talents you have that you didn't know you could do. Become familiar with where to find information. You will be referencing this page for YEARS to come!

"Plans are nothing; planning is everything."

Dwight Eisenhower

Start Reviewing For State Testing

We are going to start reviewing various Study Jams, with the hopes that we can be as best prepared as possible for state testing that will beginning on April 2, 2014.

Your future is your own choosing, so choose wisely.

Let's begin....

Tsunami 2004

We have finished watching the video(s) about the tsunami occurred during December 2004. There are many life lessons to be learned from this sad event.

Always be observant of your surroundings. Don't take for granted what you have today, because it can easily be gone tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikq0P7U0x4Q

Scheduling Class for Fall 2014 / Open House

Today students selected their classes for the first year of high school. Classes will not be confirmed until parents sign the forecasting paper. This paper that students filled out is being held at North High School.

North is hosting an open house next Tuesday (2/25) from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Go and meet your teachers for next year. Find out what you will be doing in the classes you selected. This is a great opportunity to ask now what to expect for the school year.

PARENTS: Your signature is required on the blue slip (class forecasting) before your child's selections will be finalized.

You are being to select your future. Choose classes that will open doors of opportunity for you. :)

Spring Break Quake 1993

Oregon is NOT immune to earthquakes. On March 25, 1993, Oregon registered a 5.6 magnitude earthquake (Mercalli intensity scale) that occurred at 5:34 AM. It was given the title "Scotts Mills". Visit this page to read more information about it. It happened as a result of a reverse fault that is referred to  in this article or with pictures and greater detail in this article.

State Testing & Earbuds

On Wednesday (2/5) and (2/12), we will be meeting out in the portables, room 132. Please remember to bring your earbuds with you, since not all of the headsets are in working condition.

During class, you will be:
1. Practicing logging on to the computers to ensure that your U/P are correct.
2. Using the program "Study Jams" to prep you for the upcoming state test that covers three years of testing material from 6th, 7th and to present day.

Visit Mr. Law's page for the various sections to be reviewed. Visit these pages as many times as possible prior to our testing in April so that you are prepared. Do not wait to the last minute to start reviewing. You will only be able to retain so much information if you attempt to cram information in at the last minute.

Interesting Videos

During class, there are both short and long movie clips that we will be watching to help us better understand about plate tectonics and Earth. Feel free to go to the class You Tube channel to either review or get ahead of the other classes.

I am currently working on another project for us. Stay tuned!

Remind 101

If you are interested in receiving a text message or email from Remind 101 , letting you know when to study for a test or to bring your spiral to class, you may sign up at any time. This is a VERY safe program.

• Teachers never see students' phone numbers. Students never see theirs.
• Students and parents join by sending a text message. No computer needed.
• As a safety precaution, only one-way messaging is permitted, allowing teachers to send updates and reminders without having to worry about managing another inbox.
• Great for parent teacher communication: improve parental engagement at the primary school, elementary school, high school or college level.
• Inclusive classroom communication: students and parents who cannot receive text message notifications may opt in to receive their teachers messages via email.

To receive messages via text, text @msspellm to

(971) 239-4382. You can opt-out of messages at anytime by replying, 'unsubscribe @msspellm'.

To receive messages via email, send an email to

msspellm@mail.remind101.com. To unsubscribe, reply with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.

Interested in more information / reviews? Click here.

Three Weeks To Go

Time is flying by! We only have a few weeks to go before the end of the semester. Use this time to catch up on incomplete material or resubmit items for a better grade.

The following is the tutoring / test retaking schedule for the remainder of the month. Make arrangements with your parents so that you may stay after school.

Good luck!

               

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Tutoring (13)	X	Tutoring (15)	Tutoring (16)	Test retakes (17)
No school	X	Tutoring (22)	Tutoring (23)	Test retakes (24)