Room 42 Rocks

Affirmative Action

2008-10-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Should race be considered in college admissions? The debate has raged on since 1961, at least. Most recently, a 2003 landmark Supreme Court case ruled 5-4 that race can be used as a factor in admissions decisions. However, the Court also ruled that colleges cannot assign race to specific point or quota systems.

Vote for or against Affirmative Action

Blog Posts

2008-10-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

You are expected to create at least one blog post everyday, as well as comment on three blogs. Post your own original thoughts and ideas. about the world and your life. Your blog needs to be school appropriate including pictures and graphics (Remember the grandma rule, make your grandma proud not embarrassed!!).

First Day

2008-09-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I'm Ms Chambers and I'll be your teacher for 10 weeks, 13 weeks or a semester.

Let me know what you would like to learn about in class. Before we can use the computer everyone needs to turn in their AUP policy.

Make sure that you understand the proper use of the computers at school.

Reset Passwords

2008-06-13T09:08:00.000-07:00

Reset your email password before you leave for summer vacation. You have to be at a LAUSD campus to reset you password.

Click on the link: Student Password Reset

Last Day

2008-06-12T21:29:00.001-07:00

Last day to finish your work. Make sure you take all your work off the computer and off the back wall.

Final Weeks

2008-06-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Make sure you have everything you need on your jump drive and wikispace. I will be deleting all work on the computers by Friday, June 13th.

I will deleting the class blog links on my blog. If you want the blog website addresses of your friend's make sure you add them to your Google Reader or you own blog links.

Turn in your final work assignments.

Book Binding

2008-06-04T09:10:00.000-07:00

If you want your work to be bound in a spiral book (like my samples); it'll cost $6. You need to have your assignments completed and money by Friday, June 13th.

Items that should be included in your book:

Title Page - Your Name, 2007-2008, Ms. Chambers Computer Class
Table of Contents
Wanted Poster
Autobiography Outline
Autobiography
All About Me
Quiz About Me
Restaurant Menu
Skittle Report
Road Rally Map
Road Rally Place to Visit
Road Rally Itinerary
Road Rally Mileage
Road Rally Scrapbook
Road Rally Newsletter
6th Grade Overview/Thoughts
Anything else you would like to include.

Good Luck

Almost the end....

2008-06-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

It is almost summer time but we need to keep working.

Last assignements:

PowerPoint about your Road Rally
Road Rally Newsletter

Once the assignments are completed you can have your bound (put in a book, like our sample books).

Miles Per Gallon

2008-05-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

Excel

Skills: create a table, 2 graphs, 2 pictures, use formulas to multiply and divide

Objective:

1) How many gallons of gas does each car use every day of the trip?

2) How much does the gas cost for each car every day of the trip?

Step:

1) Choose an exotic and normal car.

2) Find the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) on the highway for each car.

3) Create a table with: days, miles, gallons for each car, price of gas, cost of gas for each car as columns. Write the days in the first column. (see sample below)

4) Complete the table. (see step 2 for miles; gallons = miles/mpg; cost of gas = price of gas * gallons) Use formulas to find the number of gallons and the cost of gas, don’t just write the answer.

5) Create a graph that compares how many gallons each car u ses, every day of the trip.

6) Create a graph that compares how much gas cost for each car, every day of the trip.

7) Include Pictures of both cars.

Days	Miles	Gallons Car 1	Gallons Car 2	Price of Gas	Cost of Gas Car 1	Cost of Gas Car 2
1	(see step 2)	gallons = miles/mpg			cost of gas = price of gas*gallons
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Itinerary

2008-05-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

You should be creating an itinerary of your daily activities. Be sure to include the places you'll visit in your writings. You can think of the project as a journal of your daily activities.

Places to Visit

2008-05-07T07:35:00.000-07:00

National Parks

1. Name, City, State

2. Name, City, State

3. Name, City, State

4. Name, City, State

Major Mountain Ranges

1. Name, State

2. Name, State

Museums

1. Name, City, State

2. Name, City, State

3. Name, City, State

4. Name, City, State

5. Name, City, State

Amusement Park

1. Name, City, State

You can start your itinerary. What is an itinerary? (click here) Create an itinerary for each day of travel. Make sure you include all the places you are going to visit in your itinerary.

State Capitols

2008-05-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Do you know your state capitols? Take the quiz and find out. Post your score in the comments.

State Capitol Quiz

State Capitol Matching Game

Travel Details

2008-05-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

You should have your google map completed (route marked), making sure that you pass through at least 15 states and 8 state capitols (they don't need to be one of your days to count).

We will be finding out more details about each city that you will be visiting and verifying that each location is less than 550 miles apart!!

You need to find the following details about each location in a document:

Miles
Travel Time
Total Miles
Population
Elevation
Temperature

Sample Outline

Starting Point: Los Angeles, CA (any West Coast City)

Day 1: Las Vegas, NV (each day will have a different city)

Miles:
Travel Time:
Total Miles:
Population:
Elevation:
Temperature:

Day 2-9 the same details as Day 1.

Day 9: Washington D.C. (everyone will have the same Day 9)

Hints:

Use google maps to find the miles (from the day before to the end point) & travel time.
Use google keyword search to find population, elevation and temperature.
Total miles refers to how many mile you have traveled the whole trip to that point (hint: add up all the miles you've traveled so far).

Google Maps

2008-04-30T14:45:00.000-07:00

Your Google map should be completed today!! Nine days - less than 550 miles apart!! (Sample Map)

Create a document that lists the 15 states and 8 state capitols you visited. (You can change your map if you didn't visit enough state capitols or states.)

15 states:

8 State Capitols:

Starting Point: (west coast city)
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 3:
Day 4:
Day 5:
Day 6:
Day 7:
Day 8:
Day 9: Washington D.C.

Goodbye Brooke

2008-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

A Virtual Road Rally

2008-04-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

Students choose a specific starting point on the West coast of the United States and travel to Washington D.C. in 9 days.

Road Rally Parameters:

550 miles per day is the maximum number of miles you can go.
Students are required to visit:
15 states
8 state capitols
4 national parks
2 major mountain ranges
5 museums
1 amusement park
9 days to get to Washington DC

Travel Details

Mileage
Total mileage
Travel Time
Population
Elevation
Temperature
States Visited

Assignments:

1. Places to Visit and Map with route marked (MS Word)

Travel Details (Mileage, Travel Time, Population, Elevation, etc)

3. Outline of Places to Visit (States, Capitols, National Parks, etc.)

4. Itinerary for the Trip (Day 1 – Day 9)

5. Mileage (Excel)

6. Scrapbook of the Trip (PowerPoint)

7. Newsletter (MS Word)

Step 1

Decide what city and state you are going to stay in for the nine days.
Create a map, using google maps, mark the eight cities you will spend the night and draw a line connecting the cities. ( Create a route map.) (sample map)

Start Here: Google Maps - log in with your LAUSD/Blogger account

Road Rally Instructions

Vote for Brooke!!

2008-04-29T16:41:00.001-07:00

Brooke will be singing two Niel Diamond songs, hopefully she does a good job.

Freshman P.E. Reqirements

2008-04-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Can you pass??

Boys:

24-45 sit-ups
14-30 push-ups
9 1/2 minute run or under

Girls:

18-32 sit-ups
7-15 push-ups
11 minute mile run or under

Use your P.E. class time wisely!! These maybe the requirements for you when enter High School. If you can't pass these your freshman year you may end up taking PE for four years instead of only two.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/state&id=6104460

Converting Audacity into a Mp3 File

2008-04-23T09:20:00.001-07:00

Follow the directions:

Use this file and download it http://www.gaclrecords.org.uk/lame_enc.dll
Once it is downloaded copy it
Open my computer, go to C, into program files, and into the Audacity folder
Paste the file just inside the audacity folder
Open audacity, go to edit, and go to the bottom and click preferences
Select the tab that says file format
At the bottom click "Find Library" in the mp3 section
At the top there is a drop down called "Look in" and select My computer
Click C disk, go in program files, in the Audacity folder, and then select lame_enc.dll
Then go in file and click export as Mp3 then choose where to save it and click save
Then another menu will come up and write the name of the file and artist.

2008-04-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

Don't forget your money for lunches (Thursday & Friday) and souvenirs
Bring a warm jacket & camera
Pack light - you will be carrying your items for a long time!!

Mavis and Make up

2008-04-15T08:12:00.000-07:00

Make sure your wikispaces is completed and that you have a script for your podcast. We should have your first podcasts posted by Friday.

Vote for Brooke White

2008-04-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

Survival

2008-04-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

You survived Open House and the conversations afterwards. Several of you should be very proud of your work and progress that you have made. Others had to make promises to your parents that you will improve your grades and get your work completed. Make sure you keep those promises and get all your work done.

Finish up your wikispaces and write your script for the podcast. Periods 1 & 3 already started recording their podcasts and need to focus on publishing them on my podcast wikispace.

Open House & Grades

2008-04-09T14:52:00.001-07:00

Grades have already been submitted. I recommend that you continue to work on your late assignments to bring up your grade for the next report card.

Create a posting on your blog for your parents. Be sure to talk about how you are doing in your classes and what you'll be doing to bring up your grades. Let your parents know what they can do to help you earn better grades and create a better work ethic.

Open House - Prep

2008-04-09T08:03:00.000-07:00

Make sure you have your work ready for open house.

Items to show your parents:

Work on the back wall
Room Animal
Your Quiz About Me
Wikispaces
Podcast

Mavis and Make Up

2008-04-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

Work on past due assignments or Mavis Beacon, no podcasting today. I'll be turning in grades at the end of today.

Creating a Podcast

2008-04-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

Create a script
Download Audacity
Check out a headset (student ID card)
Record Podcast
Use Lame Mp3 to convert the sound file to an Mp3
Upload file to Podomatic
Post the Podcast on my podcast wiki page
Create another one

Podcasts

2008-04-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

Listen to the following podcasts and apply what you hear to your own podcast. Make your podcast interesting and entertaining. Make sure that you include important elements of your biome.

Audacity

2008-04-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Audacity offers more options for recording and editing your podcasts. It is a free open source program that you can download at school or home for free. If you use audacity you need to use another program called lame mp3 to convert the files to a mp3 file, which will upload to podomatic.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Download Audacity

Grades

2008-04-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

I handed out grade reports for all students with a "D" or a "F". Most of you that are not passing did not complete your wikispace project. I recommend that you complete it as soon as possible. I'm turning in 10 week grades next week.

Podcasting

2008-04-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

We will be creating podcastings about a biome. Choose a biome and create a script for the podcast. Think of the podcast as radio broadcast. You can choose who you want to be (an animal, vegetation, a safari leader, news reporter, etc). Create a program that is at least 3 minutes long.

Once you create a script:

Sign up for a Podomatic account: https://www.podomatic.com/path/signup
Check out a headset or microphone to record your podcast. (Turn in your student ID Card to check out equipment.)
Record podcast
Post the podcast in the correct biome.

A podcast is a collection of digital media files which are distributed over the Internet, often using syndication feeds, for playback on portable media players and personal computers. The term podcast, like "broadcast", can refer either to the series of content itself or to the method by which it is syndicated; the latter is also termed podcasting. The host or author of a podcast is often called a podcaster.

Last Day to turn in Wikispace biome work.

2008-04-01T07:35:00.000-07:00

Last day to finish turning in your wikispace assignments.

We will be starting podcasting on Wednesday. You will need to write your script for your podcast (or radio broadcast). Pick a biome, describe what you see and hear in the biome. You can pretend your animal, plant, a safari visitor or a news reporter.

You will need a completed script and your I.D. card to check out a headset with a microphone to record your podcast.

Vote Brooke White

2008-04-01T07:33:00.000-07:00

Grading for Wikispaces

2008-03-31T12:18:00.000-07:00

I will be grading you on wikispaces today!! You will need to send me an email for each biome, the subject line should be the name of the biome. You will need to copy and paste all four categories for that biome in the email. I should receive a total of five emails from each student (one for each biome). You can substitute the rainforest or the marine ecosystem for one of the five biomes listed below.

Tundra
Desert
Chaparral
Grasslands - Prairie
Grasslands - Savanna

Starting on Wednesday we will be recording podcasts for each biome. You will need your ID Card to check out equipment and you will need to have a written script.

Wikispaces and Grades

2008-03-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Make sure that you complete the postings in each of the Biomes. On Monday, I'll start grading on the five biomes that I've assigned tables. Each biome will be worth 40 points (10 points for each category). To get credit for the posting it needs to be 5 sentences long with a picture. Pick one animal, vegetation, part of the geography or aspect of the climate to write about. Talk about the categories in specifics not generalities.

Table 2 = Tundra
Table 3 = Desert
Table 4 = Chaparral
Table 5 = Grasslands - Prairie
Table 6 = Grasslands - Savanna

Good luck

Wikispaces and Grading

2008-03-27T08:14:00.000-07:00

You are required to leave postings on my wikispace in each biome and each category. I will start grading you on Monday. Make sure that you use your class time wisely and complete all postings. Work with the people at your table and post a comment in each category for the biome your table is assigned for that day. Please email me if you have any questions.

Table 2 = Desert
Table 3 = Chaparral
Table 4 = Grasslands - Prairie
Table 5 = Grasslands - Savanna
Table 6 = Tundra

Wikispaces

2008-03-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Make sure you verify your email address from wikispaces. (Check your email and click on the link from wikispaces.)

Table 2 = Chaparral
Table 3 = Grasslands - Prairie
Table 4 = Grasslands - Savanna
Table 5 = Tundra
Table 6 = Desert

Each person needs to pick a category and post comments under that category. Each posting needs to have at least 5 good sentences and a picture or video.

* Animals
* Geography
* Vegetation
* Climate

http://room42.wikispaces.com/

We will be viewing the tour videos for wikispaces.

http://www.wikispaces.com/site/tour#introduction

Go Brooke!!

2008-03-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Wikispaces

2008-03-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

Today you will joining wikispaces and posting your ideas on my wikispace about the biomes. Check your email and follow the link to my wikispace.

Table 2 = Grasslands - Prairie
Table 3 = Grasslands - Savanna
Table 4 = Tundra
Table 5 = Desert
Table 6 = Chaparral

Each person needs to pick a category and post comments under that category. Each posting needs to have at least 5 good sentences and a picture or video.

Animals
Geography
Vegetation
Climate

http://room42.wikispaces.com/

Chaparral

2008-03-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

Describe the geography, animals, vegetation, and climate of the chaparral.

Women's History Month

2008-03-23T22:32:00.000-07:00

Who are some important women from history?

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenshistory1.html

Spring Break

2008-03-17T01:34:00.000-07:00

I hope that everyone is enjoying their Spring Break. Leave comments and tell everyone what you are doing.

Tundra

2008-03-12T18:24:00.000-07:00

Describe the geography, animals, vegetation, and climate of the tundra.

Prairie - Grasslands

2008-03-11T20:19:00.000-07:00

The grasslands are divided into two categories, called savanna and prairie depending on their locations, either north or south of the equator. The savanna and prairie have very different vegetation, animals, and climate. Today we will be talking about the prairie grasslands that are located north of the equator. Describe the geography, climate, vegetation, and animals of the prairie.

Virtual Field Trip:
Lewis and Clark Then and Now: Plants and the Expedition II--The Grasslands Prairie

Contents of the Broadcast:

Opening to 3:46—Introduction, welcome, orientation to today's topic, and introduction of our guest Malinda Slagle, Restoration Ecologist with the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Prairie Restoration Project.
3:46 to 12:50—The first topic explored answers the question “What is a prairie?” Subjects include types and locations of grasslands around the world, differences between tall, medium, and short grass prairies, and rainfall impacts on the prairie. Images include slides of grassland locations and video of tall, medium, and short grass prairie. Student questions and comments on these topics are weaved throughout the segment.
12:50 to 19:42—Next, we investigate the prairie more by looking at plants of the prairie. Images of numerous plants are provided including big blue stem, blue grama grass, Indian grass, fleabane daisies, goldenrod, white indigo, lead plant, and sunflower. Student questions and comments are included.
19:42 to 23:42—In our next segment we look at animals of the prairie both now and during the time of the expedition. Numerous images are included. Examples include the badger, bald eagle, bobcat, bison, red wolf, gray wolf, coyote, deer, prairie chicken, pronghorn antelope, prairie dog, and pheasant. Student questions and comments are also included.
23:42 to 28:07—Next, we take a look at the prairie underground. Images include a cross section of the prairie showing plant growth above the ground and root length below the ground. Topics include the impact of rainfall, the importance of the root system to the plant, and why one finds so few trees on the prairie. Student questions and comments are included.
28:07 to 43:25—Now it’s on to how the prairie maintains itself. We look at the impact of insects and pollination, the wind, predators, and other animals on maintaining the life of the prairie. Student questions and comments are included as is video of bisons on the prairie, insects pollinating prairie plants, and wind sweeping across the South Dakota prairie.
43:25 to 52:18—Malinda shares the importance of fire to maintaining the prairie, both naturally and in controlled burns. Video footage is included of a controlled burn on the Missouri Botanical Garden’s restored prairie. Student comments and questions are included as well.
38:38 to End—In our final segment, we discuss why the prairie ecosystem matters. What are its impacts on nature, humans, and biodiversity. Student comments and questions are included. We end with thanks and goodbye

Savanna - Grasslands

2008-03-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

The grasslands are divided into two categories, called savanna and prairie depending on their locations, either north or south of the equator. The savanna and prairie have very different vegetation, animals, and climate. Today we will be talking about the savanna grasslands that are located south of the equator. Describe the geography, climate, vegetation, and animals of the savanna.

Vote for Brooke White!!!

2008-03-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

Watch Brooke White tonight and vote!!!

Desert

2008-03-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

Describe the geography, animals, vegetation, and climate of the desert.

Rainforest

2008-03-07T07:56:00.001-08:00

Describe the geography, animals, vegetation, and climate of the rainforest.

Marine Ecosystem

2008-03-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

What are the different zones of the marine ecosystem? What animals and vegetation exist in each zone? What is the climate like in each zone?

Biomes

2008-03-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

The Earth has many different environments, varying in climate, vegetation, animals, and geography. Each of these habitats has distinct life forms living in it, forming complex communities of interdependent organisms. A complex community of plants and animals in a region and a climate is called a biome.

Choose a biome you know. Describe the biome's climate, vegetation, animals, and geography.

Election Results

2008-03-05T07:30:00.000-08:00

The Republicans have a candidate: John McCain. John McCain has earned enough electoral votes to secure the republican nomination.

1,191 Needed (Explainer)
1. McCain 1,224
2. Romney 253 (Out)
3. Huckabee 261
4. Paul 14

The Democrats are still figuring out who will be their candidate. Hillary Clinton won Texas, Rhode Island and Ohio. Barrack Obama won Vermont.

2,025 Needed (Explainer)
1. Obama 1,477
2. Clinton 1,391
3. Edwards 26 (Out)
Republicans Total

What do you recommend the democrats do to determine a candidate quickly?

American Idol

2008-03-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Vote for Brooke White tonight!!!

Election

2008-03-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

Vermont, Rhode Island, Texas and Ohio are voting for the presidential primary election. Today is a big day for the Democratic Primary contest between Obama and Clinton. Who do you think will earn the most electoral votes?

Geography

2008-03-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

Geography is the study of the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and people.

Describe the geography (landforms) of the five different climate areas.

Vegetation

2008-02-29T15:08:00.000-08:00

Vegetation is a general term for the plant life of a region; it refers to the ground cover provided by plants, and is, by far, the most abundant biotic element of the biosphere. The term vegetation does not, by itself, imply anything regarding species composition, life forms, structure, spatial extent or any other specific botanical or geographic characteristics. It is broader than the term flora which refers exclusively to species composition.

Perhaps the closest synonym is plant community, but vegetation can, and often does, refer to a wider range of spatial scales. Primeval redwood forests, coastal mangrove stands, sphagnum bogs, desert soil crusts, roadside weed patches, wheat fields, cultivated gardens and lawns; are all encompassed by the term vegetation.

http://www.brainpop.com/science/cellularlifeandgenetics/plantgrowth/

Describe what type of vegetation would exist in each of the five climate zones.

Climate

2008-02-28T14:21:00.000-08:00

Climate and weather do not mean the same thing. Everyone knows about what weather. It's what is going on in the atmosphere at a particular place and time. Weather is measured in terms of wind speed, temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, cloudiness, and precipitation. In most places, weather changes from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season. The word climate refers to the average pattern of weather in a region.

Climate is the average weather in a location over a long period of time. A place that doesn't get much rain over many years would have a dry climate. A place where it stays cold for most of the year would have a cold climate.

Weather is the day to day forecast and climate is the average over a long term. For example, Southern California has a warm dry climate even though it might rain today.

What is your ideal climate? What weather conditions could be present in that climate (for example, clouds, snow, high winds, etc)?

Where in the world does that climate exist?

http://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/climatetypes/

American Idol

2008-02-27T21:15:00.001-08:00

Brooke White Rocks!!

Animals

2008-02-26T15:49:00.000-08:00

Pick an animal.
Describe the type of habitat this animal would need to live.

What type of climate?

What types of vegetation?

What type of geography?

How does this animal affect the food chain?

What would happen if this animal no longer existed?

Skittles Report - Analysis

2008-02-25T09:54:00.000-08:00

Did your results surprise you? Was your hypothesis correct? Do your results apply to other bags of candy, such as M&Ms? How do your results from your skittles experiment apply to other bags of candies? If we used bigger bags of skittles will your results be different?

Printing Requirements:

Heading - top right hand corner
Title
Three Sub Titles - Hypothesis, Data, Analysis
Table
Graph/Chart
No longer than two pages
Email or USB Drive, Print, Hang Up!!

Skittles Report - Results

2008-02-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

Do you expect to get the same results as your classmates? Do you expect that every bag of Skittles will be the same flavors? Do you expect that every bag of Skittles to have the same number of skittles? Do you expect that every bag of Skittles to have the same number of each flavor?

American Idol - Top 24 Results

2008-02-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

Brooke White made it!!

Watch her next Wednesday!!

Skittles Report - Scientific Method - Hypothesis

2008-02-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

What are your favorite types of Skittles? What is your favorite candy? What do you think we will discover from this experiment?

Lunar Eclipse

2008-02-21T08:18:00.000-08:00

Did you see the lunar eclipse? I saw it at 6:52pm, when I was getting home, I was going to take a picture but I forgot. When I saw the eclipse it looked similar to the picture above. It was amazing to watch and realize that our planet is constantly moving.

Top 12 Girls

2008-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

Vote for Brooke White!!
1-866-43657-06
Text 5706

Elections Update

2008-02-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday, Hawaii, Wisconsin and Washington voted in the democratic primary. Senator Barrack Obama won all three states. Hillary Clinton replaced her campaign manager recently. If you were Hillary Clinton's new campaign manager what would you recommend she does to win the democratic nomination?

John McCain won the Republican Primaries in Washington and Wisconsin. If you were Mike Huckabee's campaign manager what you would recommend he should do?

Delegate Count:

Democrats Total

2,025 Needed (Explainer)

1.	Obama	1,319
2.	Clinton	1,245
3.	Edwards	26 (Out)

Republicans Total

1,191 Needed (Explainer)

1.	McCain	942
2.	Romney	253 (Out)
3.	Huckabee	245
4.	Paul	14

Weekend Round Up!!

2008-02-19T07:15:00.000-08:00

This last weekend I celebrated my nephew's first birthday in Utah. My niece Emily came and we had a lot of fun playing in the snow. I went cross country skiing with a college roommate, Lori.

What did you do this last weekend?

Presidents Day

2008-02-15T06:44:00.000-08:00

Presidents Day (or Presidents' Day), is the common name for the federal holiday officially designated as Washington's Birthday. It is celebrated on the third Monday of February.

In the late 1980s, with a push from advertisers the term Presidents Day began its public appearance. The theme has expanded the focus of the holiday to honor another President born in February, Abraham Lincoln, and often other Presidents of the United States.

Although Lincoln's birthday, February 12, was never a federal holiday, approximately a dozen state governments have officially renamed their Washington's Birthday observances as "Presidents Day", "Washington and Lincoln Day", or other such designations.

It is also interesting to note that "Presidents Day" is not always an all-inclusive term. In Massachusetts, while the state officially celebrates "Washington's Birthday," state law also prescribes that the governor issue an annual Presidents Day proclamation honoring the presidents that have come from Massachusetts: John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Calvin Coolidge, and John F. Kennedy. (Coolidge, the only one born outside of Massachusetts, spent his entire political career before the vice presidency there.)

Alabama uniquely observes the day as "Washington and Jefferson Day," even though Jefferson's birthday was in April.

In Connecticut, while Presidents Day is a federal holiday, Abraham Lincoln's birthday is still a state holiday, falling on February 12 regardless of the day of the week.

In Washington's home state of Virginia the holiday is legally known as "George Washington Day."

What president's do you think we should honor and why? What can you do this weekend to honor our presidents?

Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T06:46:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated on February 14. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, or offering candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day.

The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards. The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.What nice things are you doing for your family today?

You can make a valentine for your family and I'll print it out for you!!

Black History Month

2008-02-13T07:12:00.000-08:00

Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February, while in the UK it is held in the month of October.

Watch an overview of important people in black history. http://www.biography.com/blackhistory/

Pick a person to learn more about and post interesting facts and new things you learned about the person. (Many other people have contributed in a significant way to Black History but I can't list everyone.)

American Idol

2008-02-12T08:05:00.000-08:00

My Favorite American Idol Contestant:

Don't forget to vote!!
Brooke Ray "White"

Election - Predicitons

2008-02-08T19:11:00.001-08:00

This weekend several states had Democrat and Republican contests.

Saturday, February 9

Kansas Republican Caucuses - Huckabee
Louisiana Primary - Obama & Huckabee
Nebraska Democratic Caucuses - Obama
Washington Caucuses - Obama & McCain

Sunday, February 10

Maine Democratic Caucuses - Obama

Delegate Count:

Democrats Total

2,025 Needed (Explainer)

1.	Clinton	1,063
2.	Obama	962
3.	Edwards	26 (Out)

Republicans Total

1,191 Needed (Explainer)

1.	McCain	714
2.	Romney	286 (Out)
3.	Huckabee	217
4.	Paul	16

Who do you think will be the Republican and Democrat candidate? Who do you think will be the Vice Presidents for each party?

Super Tuesday - Reflections

2008-02-08T07:27:00.000-08:00

Take the following presidential matchin g quiz.

Were you surprised by the results?
Did you match with a different candidate than you thought you would?
Would you vote for the candidate that matched your ideas?

Questions for reflection:

What new things did you learn about the candidates?
What results surprised you the most?
What do you think will happen to the candidates?
What issues are important to you?
What issues are important to your family?

The last contest is Tuesday, June 3rd, a lot can happen in the next couple of months. Who do you think will be the final candidates for the Democrats and Republicans?

Presidential Changes

2008-02-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of talk about change. People think that change will happen if one person gets elected instead of another.

What needs to change?
How will the change happen?
What will the new president do to create that change?
What will the change look like (evidence of the change)?
What will stop the change from happening?
What topics are the most important to you?
What topics are the most important to your family?

Be specific!! Don't talk about generalities. All comments should be at least 5 sentences.

Super Tuesday - Results

2008-02-05T16:38:00.001-08:00

Did your class votes reflect the results from Super Tuesday? Which states voted the same as your class? Which states were different? Would you voted differently today than you did yesterday?

They are still counting the votes in Missouri to determine who won the democrat contest.

The democrat candidate needs to earn 2,025 delegates to win the nomination.

Clinton - 760
California
New York
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Arizona
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Arkansas

Obama - 693
Illinois
Idaho
Colorado
Minnesota
Connecticut
Utah
North Dakota
Kansas
Delaware
Missouri
Georgia
Alabama

The republican candidate needs to earn 1,195 delegates to win the nomination.

McCain - 615
California
New York
Illinois
Arizona
Connecticut
Delaware
Oklahoma
New Jersey
Missouri

Huckabee - 199
West Virginia
Alabama
Tennessee
Georgia
Arkansas

Romney - 281
Colorado
Utah
Minnesota
North Dakota
Montana
Massachusetts

Super Tuesday - Presidential Primary

2008-02-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

In the United States, Super Tuesday commonly refers to the Tuesday in early February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party's presidential candidates are officially nominated. More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other single day of the primary calendar, and accordingly, candidates seeking the presidency traditionally must do well on this day to secure their party's nomination.

California is one of the states that participate in Super Tuesday and will hold the presidential primaries this Tuesday, February 5th.

If you were 18 years old, who would you vote for and why??

DemocratsObama / Clinton

RepublicansRomney / McCain

Super Tuesday Results: http://www.knbc.com/politics/interactive.html

Science Fair

2008-01-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

You did a great job on your science fair projects.

What would you recommend doing next year to make it better for the new sixth graders?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2008-01-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States holiday marking the birth date of the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of King's birthday, January 15.

My 6 year old niece, Emily, learned about Martin Luther King Jr. and that he was one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement. To honor him she asked her parents if she could make a birthday cake for his birthday. She decided to make star cupcakes instead because Martin Luther King is a star.

What did you do to honor the life of Martin Luther King Jr? What would you like to do next year?

Restaurants

2008-01-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

We are creating our excel restaurant receipts in Excel. We are learning how to compute sub-total, tax, tip and total. It is important to make sure that you have enough money to pay the bill when you go out to dinner.

One of my favorite pizza restaurants is The Pie, located near the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. They have great pizza sauce but you better really like the pizza toppings you order because they put A LOT of them on the pizza. Their giant pizza has a 23 inch diameter, which is almost 2 feet wide, a lot of pizza for a lot of people!!

What is your favorite restaurant? What type of restaurant would you like to open?

Happy New Year and Welcome Back

2008-01-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone enjoyed their 3 weeks off and did something fun. I went mountain biking several times and I enjoyed being with my friends and family. What did you do?

Microsoft Excel

2007-12-04T10:06:00.000-08:00

Microsoft Excel (full name Microsoft Office Excel) is a spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language called VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). It is overwhelmingly the dominant spreadsheet application available for these platforms and has been so since version 5 in 1993, and is bundled as part of Microsoft Office. Excel is one of the most popular microcomputer applications to date.

Students have access to a similar program called Spreadsheets in Google Documents. Students can sign in to their LAUSD email accounts and go to Google Documents to access the program and complete any Excel projects that might be necessary.

Excel Tutorials can be found here: http://its.leesummit.k12.mo.us/excel.htm

If you need help, leave a comment and another student can help you.
P.S. Be sure to check back and see the answer.

Natural Disaster Day Pictures

2007-11-09T08:38:00.000-08:00

A volcano erupted in Indonesia on Java Island. (click to see the video)
November 8, 2007

Natural Disaster Day

2007-11-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

We will be having our first sixth grade magnet Natural Disaster T-shirt Day on Friday November 9th. All students are encouraged to wear their newly designed shirts with their Personal Narrative about surviving a natural disaster instead of their regular uniform shirt.

Report Cards

2007-11-01T18:19:00.000-07:00

You shouldn't be surprised by your grades. The grade on your report card will be the same that is posted on the website according to the October 31, 2007 update. If you think your grade is wrong you should talk to me as soon as possible.

We will print start printing the All About Me PowerPoint's on Friday November 2nd.

What does your name mean?

2007-10-31T08:08:00.000-07:00

My name comes from the Hebrew language and means princess; just like my Halloween Costume.

What does your name mean?

Birthday Events

2007-10-24T08:31:00.001-07:00

March 16th is an important day for me!! Many other events occurred on the same day I was born.

I discovered that James Madison, “Father of the Constitution,” was born the same day as me in 1751.

The Beatle's smash album Can't Buy Me Love is released on this day in 1964.

In 1945, during World War II, the west Pacific volcanic island of Iwo Jima is declared secured by the U.S. military after months of fiercely fighting its Japanese defenders.

What happened on your birthday? Please post in the comment sections. (Use your LAUSD email account to register or post anonymously.)

http://historychannel.com/today

All About Me

2007-10-23T12:36:00.001-07:00

Grades were given today for Autobiographies, Notebook and Agenda checks. We are starting a new project tomorrow using Microsoft PowerPoint.

We will be creating presentations that are about themselves. They must be six slides only. Each slide must have the requirements listed on the assignment sheet (click the link below).

All About Me Assignment Sheet

Autobiography is Due on Friday

2007-10-17T08:03:00.001-07:00

Today you will receive instruction on how to do the hyper links and your Autobiography should be printed and hung up in the classroom by this Friday, October 19, 2007. Make sure that your paper meets all the minimum requirements!!

Assignment Sheet: Autobiography

Requirements:

Correct Heading
Correct Title
Double Spacing
Font = 12 point, Title ONLY = 14 point
Two Computer Drawn Pictures Inserted
Two Internet Pictures Inserted
Pictures Formatted Correctly
Two Internet Links
Seven Paragraphs (follow the Autobiography Outline)

Due: Friday, October 19, 2007 (printed and hung up in the classroom)

Grades Updated

2007-10-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

The grades posted today will be on the first progress report. Your child should bring home the progress report on Monday, October 15th. You should sign the yellow copy and return it to your child's homeroom teacher.

Grade Reports

2007-10-04T10:59:00.000-07:00

Grade Reports were sent home today for all students with a "F" or a "D". You can check your student's grade by click here: Student Grades.

I will be submitting grades on Friday, October 5, 2007. All "D's" and "F's" will be marked on the progress reports. All "A's", "B's" & "C's" will receive a slash.

Points Earned

2007-10-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

Points were earned today for Autobiography Outlines, Notebook and Agenda checks. Grades have been updated online today. On Thursday all students with a "D" or "F" will be given printed reports to take home for signatures.

Tomorrow we will start typing our Autobiography. We will be following our outlines and create seven paragraphs out of the seven topics from the outline.

Assignment Sheet: Autobiography

Requirements:

Correct Heading
Correct Title
Double Spacing
Font = 12 point, Title ONLY = 14 point
Two Computer Drawn Pictures Inserted
Two Internet Pictures Inserted
Pictures Formatted Correctly
Two Internet Links
Seven Paragraphs (follow the Autobiography Outline)

All Autobiographies should be typed by Friday, October 5th. We will work on adding the pictures and the links next week.

Grades Online

2007-09-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

Grades are posted online and will be updated every Friday. The grades at the beginning of the year are really important; if a student misses one assignment it affects the grade A LOT!!

The Autobiography Outlines are due on Friday., September 28, 2007.

Link to Assignment Sheet: Autobiography Outline

Requirements:

One Page
All details answered
Heading in the right corner
Title in the Center
Due Friday September 28, 2007

Wanted Poster Due

2007-09-20T08:41:00.001-07:00

Wanted Posters should be completed and printed by Friday. Students will present their wanted poster to their class starting on Monday.

Final class schedule changes should be completed by this Friday Sept 21, grades will be posted the following Friday, September 28th. Grades will be accessible from my frost web page and will be updated every Friday. Frost Website

http://www.frostmiddleschool.org

First Assignment

2007-09-10T11:03:00.000-07:00

The first assignment was due today; the keyboard drawing. If you did not finish it on time make sure that you turn it in as soon as possible.

We started organizing our 3 subject notebooks starting with the Table of Contents. The first section is for notes and the second subject will be used for daily journal entries.

Notes that we recorded today:

Journal Requirements:

Copy the question
Write the date
Answer the question with complete sentences, when possible.

Wanted Poster Requirements:

First and Last Name
Draw a picture of yourself on the computer
Description: at least 3 things
Caution: at least 2 things
Reward: something good you have to offer
Worth: determine a value
One page only!!

Wanted Poster Assignment Sheet

First Day

2007-09-05T12:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Robert Frost Middle School, Math, Science Technology Magnet. We will start the school year by studying the keyboard and discovering where are the keys are located. On Monday we will start working on our Wanted Poster (my students are only wanted for good things).

Final Grades

2007-06-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Final grades are posted. If you have a question or concern about your grade, please talk to me by Tuesday morning.

Have a great summer!!

Class Update

2007-06-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

Grades were updated last Friday. The only grade added will be your wikispaces presentation for Environmental Debates or Natural Disaster.

The year is almost over!!

Grades

2007-06-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

Grades were updated on Friday June 1, 2007. We only have days left; make sure you get your work turned in!!

We will be presenting the Natural Disaster/Environmental Debates Wikispaces this week. Make sure that your information is posted and that you are ready to present.

6th Grade Year and Grades

2007-05-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

The 6th Grade Year needs to be a five paragraph essay written in a newsletter format. It needs to be formatted with 3 columns and justify alignment. It is due Friday, May 25, 2007, for all classes (you will have all classes that day).

Title Page Requirements:

Computer Class
Your Name
2006-2007
Ms. Chambers

The table of contents is a list of all your assignments that will be included in the book (hint: 9 assignments).

Grades will be updated on Friday after school!!

Change of Plans

2007-05-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

We are putting the Wikispaces Natural Disaster and Environmental Debates on hold. We will be working on writing about our 6th Grade Experience, creating a title page and a table of contents for our books. If you do not want your work bound into a book you do not need to do the table of contents or title page. Everyone must complete the 6th Grade Experience assignment.

You will upload your work onto your personal wikispace. Once you upload the work onto the wikispace, you can download it from home or anyplace.

Wikispaces - Natural Disaster or Environmental Debates

2007-05-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Starting Monday, May 21, 2007 you will be graded on your wikispaces. To receive full credit you'll need to make at least 4 different postings for your topic (natural disasters - one posting in each category).

You will be presenting your wikispaces contribution to the class. You'll evaluate what was easy/difficult using online collaboration and communication to complete a group project.