Week 2: About In Class with Dr. Prince

Greetings Everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful first week of school! For the second week of school we are going to really kick things into high gear. I hope you're ready to get busy! First, let me go over some general things with you.

Website:
This is our main classroom website. I update it every Sunday so that you can plan ahead. In many cases, it's more of an interactive blog.  What do I mean? Well, I like to include links to different things as they relate to the class so that you can click on them.

Rotating Announcements:
Each week you will see a slideshow that shares important and exciting information.  Who knows you might even see your name pop up on one of the slides this year! Alice Keeler shared this great idea some time ago.

Classroom Reveal 2015-2016

Here are a few pictures from my current classroom setup.  

Supply Caddy - Located at each table with all the necessary tools for each day

Grade Wall - Students can check their progress weekly  

Table Names - Great for stations, getting attention of specific group 

Back of Class - Perspective from the front of the classroom 

Side of Class - Perspective from the classroom door.

Agenda:

This is probably one of the most important parts of my website. Check back daily to see updates, links, due dates, and all things related to physical science. It's possible that every class can be on the same page and cases where everyone is doing something different.  Always make sure you follow the information for your class period.

Well that's it for this week. See you in the classroom on Monday!

Week 1: Welcome Back to School Students!

It's finally here: The first official day of the 2015-2016 school year. I hope you're excited as I am to embark on a new journey.  Welcome to my website as this is your guide for the remainder of the school year. Bookmark this page and make every effort to check it out at least one time a week. I highly recommend Sundays as that's when it is updated for the upcoming week.  We will use our classroom website regularly during class so get ready!

Here are a few things that you should know for this week.

Week-At-A-Glance

'15 - '16 Syllabus

First Day of Notes

Now that we have gone over all the county and school rules, it's time to address my expectations for this school year.  Technology and doing experiments are such and integral part of this class.  This means that in order for you to participate in both, I will need the permission forms returned and on file.  

Friday we took a few notes on the technologies we use in this class.  Hopefully, you had a chance over the weekend to check out the various technologies while at home.

Have a great weekend.  I look forward to our very first week together.  Come prepared to learn by checking out the following resources (only a suggestion):


Introduction to Physical Science:

1. Scope of Physical Science 

2. The Scientific Process

3. Safety in Science

4. Communication in Science

5. Physical Science Careers

Introduction to Matter:

1. What is Matter?


While I do not expect you to take notes, I do expect you to PREVIEW this material in preparation for classroom discussions next week.  

How to Preview Text:
1. Look at headings, subheadings, and key terms.
2. Make sense of visuals (images, graphs, etc.).
3. Review the questions at the end of text.
4. Mentally summarize what you think the information is about (the big picture).

Welcome Back to School!

Dear Parents and Students,

My name is Dr. Prince and I would like to officially welcome you to another school year.  If you are reading this it means you have successfully located my website.  Now bookmark it or add it to your favorites so that you don't have to remember the long URL (web address).  Please take time to navigate through my website so that you can become familiar with what it has to offer.  If you look at the top of the screen, you will notice several tabs starting with "About" and ending with "Technology." I will briefly go over each page now.

About - Who is Dr. Prince? Check this page out so that you can get to know me.

Blog - This is the first page you will see every time you log into my site.  Each week I will update this page with information relating to what we will focus on in class.  I will include pictures, videos, and other resources.  It is my advice that you check this page weekly to gather the necessary information to mentally prepare for class each day.

Homeroom - Who are my top readers? This page is devoted to my homeroom and all the activities we do during the first 30 minutes of the day.

NBI - Needs-Based Instruction is a 45 minute class period devoted to auxiliary units to support learning throughout the year.  In my class, I cover math, science, and language arts (and perhaps the occasional social studies topic may come up).  Work in this class may count as a grade throughout the year so take it seriously.

Standards - By the end of the school year, students are to be knowledgeable about five main content areas in science.  Students and parents can always refer to the standards to see what our focus of learning is for each unit.

Agenda - Beyond the blog, this is the second most important page on my website.  The calendar at the top gives you the month-at-a-glance.  Below that is the week-at-a-glance.  Please know that while I update this weekly, it can change within the week to meet students' needs.  However, if a student is absent this is the next best way to keep up with the class (outside of liking my Facebook page, subscribing to my Youtube page, and following my Twitter page).

How-To's - Many times I am asked how to access grades, the text book, and other online resources.  I will post information on this page showing you what to do.  

Technology - This is my favorite page as it provides a number of great websites I have tried or have been recommended by colleagues all over the world for student use.  If you know of a site that I am missing on my page and you think it should be there, please let me know.  

The right side bar contains many links to resources and ways to contact me.  At the bottom of the page is an e-version of the student manual. If you ever lose your manual (which I hope you don't) you can always print a new copy for school.

Okay, so did you bookmark or add this page to your favorites yet? Well what are you waiting for? While you are busy doing that I am going to prepare for Day 2.

Preplanning: July 25 - 31

Day 1 - Welcome Back: Unpacking

Well, summer is over for us teachers and it's time to get ready for our new students, curriculum, and another fantastic eighth grade year.  This year I have moved to a new classroom along the 400 hallway.  This year will be the first time that all eighth graders will be on the same hallway. My piles of boxes are completely gone and thanks to two wonderful former students (Morgan and Rachel) our students manuals are all setup and ready to go!

Day 2 - Preparations

Well now that the first day is behind me it's time to start working out the logistics of the classroom.  I am looking forward to the very first contact I make with my new families as I invite my homeroom to Open House. I have been busy brainstorming what I will do for Open House and hope to have my ideas solidified soon. I managed to get a few Open House phone calls in today, but will finish my list over the weekend or on Monday. Things are definitely coming together and I am making great progress. 

Day 3 - Making Progress

Today I have to put my Open House materials together.  The excitement is clearly evident on the hall as everyone is making final preparations for the big event! 

Day 4 - Open House Today

Okay, I am making some progress. These boxes are definitely not going to move themselves.  I will set the tables up for Open House tonight with the items we need to gather from families.  

Day 5 - Almost Done!

Open House was a success yet again!  Now the best news of the day: I met ALL of my homeroom parents and students! It was an absolute pleasure to meet everyone this evening. I look forward to working with you throughout the year. So many new and familiar families this year.  I am absolutely excited about my plans with this new group. See everyone on Thursday!