Information Page for Class 8RD
Term 3 - 2001
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to see activities and information for this week.
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to go to Mr Hilhorst's class web site
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Homework: Homework is issued to students each Monday or Tuesday. It is expected that this homework will be completed by the following Monday. The homework is checked in class at 9.30. It is expected that homework is pasted into the homework book. This should be done neatly. Maths problems that require working should be set out in the appropriate fashion so that working is shown. Pages used for writing should be ruled with a red margin. Maths homework is given to students in my maths group. This is due on the Wednesday. It should be pasted into the maths exercise book.
Homework Diaries: These are collected each Monday. Students should show these to parents over the weekend for checking. It would be appreciated if these could be signed.
PE: It is expected that students will change for PE activities. Blue shorts and a white tee-shirt is the standard uniform. Because of the more limited time this term the Monday PE class will not be held every week.
Download homework sheets due 6 August by clicking on the following links.
Homework
Sheet Page 1
Homework Sheet Page 2
Homework Sheet Page 3
The sheets are in pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't have this free program download it from www.adobe.com
Ski Trip to Thredbo: Wednesday, 1 August. Bus will depart the senior site at 6.00 am. Students should be at school by 5.45 am. The bus will return at approximately 7.00 pm. This is an approximate time so please leave approximately 15 minutes either side of this time.
The package includes hire of skis stocks and boots, 2 hour lesson, unrestricted use of lifts and coach travel. Snowboarding is an $11 per person extra which should have already been paid.
It is recommended that students bring with them the following items. Ski gloves, beanie, waterproof parker or ski jacket , waterproof ski pants, change of clothes for bus trip back, snow goggles or sun glasses, warm sock and UV blockout. If you do not have appropriate clothing then the Snow Skiers Warehouse at 72 Oatley Court Belconnen (62531178) has all the necessary equipment for hire.
Food is not included in the price so students should either bring something from home or be prepared to buy food.
Students not participating in this activity will attend school in the normal fashion.
The Maths Competition will be held this Tuesday, 31/7. All year 8 students will be sitting for this 75 minute test. Please remind students that they will need a soft pencil as well as an eraser. This test is a little different from the previous Science and English test in that some marks are deducted for incorrect answers. This is to encourage students not to guess at the answers.
Homework: Homework is due Monday, 30 July. Please encourage students to complete this work. Remind students that presentation is important also.
Maths: Maths homework is due on Friday 3 August for students in my maths group. All students will be starting the Rebound Ace maths booklet this week. They will spend Monday's and Tuesday's maths sessions on this activity. The initial textbook activities will focus upon Chapter 11 - Equations. Here students will develop skills associated with rearranging and writing equations.
Science: We have commenced work on our study of electrostatics and current electricity. So far students have seen demonstrations of the van de Graaff generator. They are currently carrying out experiments with ebonite and perspex rods.
Short Stories: We are currently exploring a short story by Ray Bradbury called All Summer in a Day.
Integrated Unit: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: As mentioned on this site's homepage this unit examines aspects of invention in a social context and asks the question "How have inventions and technology affected social change". . This week we will be examining some elements of product analysis and appraisal. Our computing activities will build upon this by looking at some features of graphic design initially focussing on "text".
Download homework sheets due 13 August by clicking on the following links.
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Homework Sheet Wk3 page 2
Homework Sheet Wk3 page 3
Homework Sheet Wk3 page 4
Homework Answer Sheet
Download maths homework sheets (Mr Dunlop's group) due 10 August by clicking on the following links. You can also download answer sheets to maths homework due last Friday, 3/8 by clicking on the appropriate link. All sheets are in pdf format and require Adobe Acrobat for reading.
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Maths H/W Answer Sheet page 2
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H/W Sheet Due 10/8 page 1
Maths H/W Sheet Due 10/8 page 2
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Answers Exercise 10.1
Maths Answers Exercise 10.4
Maths: Maths homework is due on Friday, 10 August for students in my maths group. All students will be continuing the Rebound Ace maths booklet this week. As usual they will spend Monday's and Tuesday's maths sessions on this activity.
Students are currently examining data in an attempt to decide how a tennis ball will fall through the air. Graphs have been drawn and material produced by a physics simulation program called Interactive Physics has been examined. Students are developing their understanding of such terminology as speed (velocity), acceleration, constant and varying in an effort to explain their observations. We have introduced students to the notion that if upwards is spoken of as the positive direction then downwards must be considered as the negative direction. Conversely if upwards is defined as negative then downwards must be defined as negative.
We are continuing our work on equations and how these can be rearranged. We are working with Chapter 11. Students have looked at three methods to solve simple equations, by inspection, by a technique called backtracking and lastly by using algebra. The maths homework is important as it further consolidates student's understanding of the techniques involved.
Science: Students have completed their experiments with ebonite and Perspex rods. The session this Wednesday will focus upon collecting the information from the experiments so far and developing appropriate conclusions. On Friday we will start some experiments on current electricity.
Short Stories: We have completed about half of the material associated with Ray Bradbury's work, All Summer in a Day. Students have generally been impressed by the economy of words that Bradbury has used. In about 6 pages of text many issues have been explored, in particular that of bullying. The reasons as to why the bullying occurs are explored, however the consequences of this bullying have been largely left to the reader to ponder.
Integrated Unit: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: Our first piece of work on this has been to focus on the word Gadget. Students were asked to create as many words as possible from the letters contained in this word. A time limit of 10 minutes was imposed. A number of students managed to score 25+words. A commendable effort. Students have been asked to draw a picture of a metal paper clip. These will be put on display around the room. Students have also been asked to create a title page for this new section of work.
PE: Last week we commenced tennis activities. Most students participated enthusiastically. We have commenced a number of competitive tennis skill activities. One student managed to hit the tennis ball 260 times consecutively on the tennis practice wall.
Computing: As you have probably heard our file server was stolen last term. It has been difficult to get the new server up and running. Hopefully we should be able to get to the computer labs this week.
We have a number of tasks before us this term. A major focus for all students will be to create a web site that will display all of the digital work that they have done this term and will do in the remaining part of this year. It is envisaged that a CD of this will be created for each students to keep as a permanent record of their digital achievements. It is also envisaged that non-digital work will be included so that a digital portfolio can be created. Students will use FrontPage for this activity. Students will in this way learn skills associated with web page and web site creation.
Sussex KeyPals: Throughout the year we have been writing to students at Sussex Middle School in the US. The students that we have been writing to have now left Mr Thomas' class. Of course a new class of students will be starting in early September. We are now in the process of writing to these students. All students are expected to write a detailed letter of introduction to one of the new students. This initial letter will be hand written. Future communication will be via email.
I have asked students to begin a collection of paper clippings and other items that can be sent to the new students at Sussex. We will also be making a video to send to the US.
Novel Studies: We are expecting to start work on some new novels in a few weeks time. See this page in a week or so for further details.
URGENT "The Matrix" Students will be viewing this film tomorrow, Wednesday, 8/8. As it has a "M" classification we are required to seek parental approval for each student so as they may view the video. Some students unfortunately did not receive a permission slip to take home today, Tuesday.. Could any parent who has not received a permission slip please write a brief note indicating that approval is or is not given for their son or daughter to view this video.
Download homework sheets due 20 August by clicking on the following links. Just a reminder that all the downloadable files that follow are in Abobe .pdf format
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Download maths homework sheets (Mr Dunlop's group) due 17 August by clicking on the following links.
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To download a copy of last week's newsletter click on the links below.
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Maths: Maths homework is due on Friday, 17 August for students in my maths group. All students will be continuing the Rebound Ace maths booklet this week. However, I was absent from school on Monday and students were given some review maths sheets to complete. Work on the maths booklet will continue Tuesday
Most students have now completed the graphical analysis of the motion of the two tennis balls. We have discussed the motion in terms of acceleration. The units associated with acceleration have also been discussed.
Students are about to move to the practical work which requires them to experimentally determine the acceleration due to gravity by dropping the tennis ball a known distance and measuring the time of fall.
In my split maths group we are continuing to refine our skills on equation rearrangement.
Science: We were most fortunate as the electroscopes that were on order arrived early last week. This meant that on Friday students were able to complete some of the basic experiments that are performed using these devices. All students carried out the practical work in a very sensible fashion. We will discuss the results this Wednesday and begin some initial discussion on current electricity. We will commence some prac work on current electricity this Friday.
Summer in a Day. We are currently completing the last few questions based on this piece of short story writing. Students are being asked to write about a half page conclusion to this story. They will need to consider carefully how to blend in seamlessly with Bradbury's particular style. Certainly not an easy task.
Integrated Unit: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: Students are completing their drawing of the paper clip. This is the first GADGET that we have considered. Students will now answer a series of questions about this device.
As part of the students' work on this topic they will be completing a library research project over the next few weeks.
PE: We are continuing with our tennis activities.
Computing: Our server has almost been fully restored. Students now have access to the work from last term. Some of the items will be published on this web page in the near future.
Students have started to use FrontPage to generate their own web site that documents their digital and non digital work over the year. They are also commencing work on creating some animations to demonstrate some of the effects that we saw during our recent science activities with electrostatics.
Sussex KeyPals: Students are continuing to write their letters to Sussex students. Just a reminder that we are collecting press clippings and small items to send to them at the beginning of their school year which commences in September. We will start our video at the end of this week.
Novel Studies: The novels that we will be reading this term are, Rowan of Rin, Tomorrow when the War Began and After the first death. We have 8 of each novel so students may like to make an early choice. Please let me know this choice as soon as possible.
Download homework sheets due 27 August by clicking on the following links.
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To download a copy of the answer to the Math's homework that was due on Friday (17/8) click here
To download a copy of last week's newsletter click on the links below.
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Maths: All students will be continuing the Rebound Ace maths booklet on Monday and Tuesday. this week.
This week will see most students working on the experimental activity of determining the value of the acceleration due to gravity by dropping the tennis and table tennis balls from the balcony. The value of the acceleration calculated will probably vary somewhat from the accepted value of 9.8 m/s/s. This is to be expected. Discussion of some of the reasons for this will be a very important part of the exercise..
In my split maths group our work on equations continues. This weeks homework will be for students to complete the work on equations from their text books. Please note that the following listing is the minimum amount that must be completed. If students are having difficulty then more of each section needs to be completed. Answers are to be checked as the work is done. Full working MUST be shown. Section 11-10 complete 1,2 then 12 to 16 inclusive, Section 11-11, Q1, 2 then 13 to 18, Section 11-12 part 2 and part 3
Science: We started our experimental work on electricity on Friday. Students have reached the stage where they are looking at series vs parallel circuits. They have or are about to set up simple circuits based on these designs. Our work on Wednesday will involve the completion of this practical activity.
Sussex KeyPals: We will be having a major focus this week on completing the letters. Also students will be commencing the video work to send across to the US. Students will be asked to collect newspaper clippings and other small items that would be suitable to send.
Transforming Moments: Students received this assignment based around our work on inventions last week. The work for this will be done largely at school an will require students to create a web page or a PowerPoint presentation. Students will spend at least one lesson in the library researching this topic. Work will also be done during our computing sessions.
Computing: Our server has almost been fully restored. Students now have access to the work that they completed last term. On Monday each student will present their work to the class. Students are also constructing their web sites that will enable them to collect all their digital work and samples of their other work for their digital portfolios. This will be available at the end of the year on CD
Maths Test Notice: There will be a maths test for those students in Mr Dunlop's maths group. It will be held on Friday 31/8. It will include review aspects of algebra and will focus on the recent work on rearranging and manipulating equations. It is very important that students do the necessary study for this test. The following sections from the textbook should be completed and revised.
Section 11-10 complete
1, 2 then 12 to 16 inclusive,
Section 11-11, Q1, 2 then 13
to 18,
Section 11-12 part 2 and part 3.
The review exercises at the end of the Chapter 11, Q's 1 to 5 inclusive should also
be worked through.
Questacon Excursion: A reminder to all students regarding the Questacon excursion. Please ensure that the permission form and money is returned by Wednesday at the latest. To download an information sheet and the permission sheet click on the following links.
Homework Due 3 September: Download homework sheets by clicking here. This link will take you to Mr Hilhorst's 8RH class web site. Check out this site.
Maths Homework Due 31/8: To download a copy of the Math's homework that is due on Friday (31/8) click here. Note that this homework contains some very challenging exercises. Students are expected to have a serious look at the work but to complete ONLY those questions with which they feel comfortable. The main focus for the week is the completion of the relevant sections of Chapter 11
Gold Creek Newsletter: To download a copy of the most recent Gold Creek School newsletter click on the following links.
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Action Bus Changes: To get a copy of the recent changes in ACTION Bus schedules that affect Gold Creek students click on the following links
French Assignment - La Publicité Française: To download a copy of this assignment click on the following links. The Due date for draft scripts is Friday Week 1 of Term 4.
Maths: Rebound Ace is continuing. The booklet will be collected on Tuesday so that the work that students have done so far can be checked.
Science: We are continuing our work on electricity. Last Friday some of the students were able to commence their work which involves placing ammeters and voltmeters in circuits.
Sussex KeyPals: The work on preparing the letters to Sussex Middle School continues. The work on the video has commenced. Students learnt much from their first attempt at making such a video. Further filming will occur throughout the week.
Transforming Moments: Students have embraced this project enthusiastically. Many have already begun using PowerPoint or FrontPage to present their work. Some excellent work has already been completed on creating the timeline using FrontPage.
Computing: Our file server has been fully restored. We are now working on a number of projects. These being the creation of our Transforming Moments presentation, the development of our Digital Portfolio web site and the creation of an animation based on our recent work on electrostatics. Some outstanding work has been done in all areas.
News: The Questacon excursion was very successful. Students were generally very well behaved and were able to complete at least some of the worksheet that was provided. I have marked the work that they did and this will become part of their portfolio. Some photographs of the activity are available here
Photographs of the Thredbo ski excursion are available here.
HOMEWORK CONCERN: I was very concerned on Monday of this week to find that many students had not completed their homework. Can you please remind your son or daughter that the homework is NOT optional. It must be completed and completed in an appropriate fashion
Homework Due 10 September:
Homework Due 17 September: This was originally stated to be due 13/9. Click on the following links to download this homework,
Gold Creek Newsletter: To download a copy of the newsletter dated 29/8 can be downloaded by clicking on the following links.
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Maths: Rebound Ace is continuing. Most students have now almost completed the work on Sinking and Floating. The experimental work has been proceeding well. Students appear to be reasonably enthusiastic about the activity. The section in the booklet called Falling through the air -1 was marked over the weekend. Although many students completed this satisfactorily some students are still considering the completion of such work as an optional activity. Please click here to review some of the expectations.
Students in my maths group completed their test on Friday. Marks have been returned students.
Homework for this week is to complete Exercise 3.6 - Algebra Review. Some further homework will be given on Friday.
Science: We are continuing our work on electricity. Students have been very enthusiastic with regards to the practical work even though many of the concepts are quite novel for them. There will be a SCIENCE TEST held on Friday, 14 September. The topics that will be covered are electrostatics and current electricity. I have indicated to students that revision is essential. They MUST take their books home for revision
Sussex KeyPals: The work on preparing the letters to Sussex Middle School continues. The work on the video is continuing. Students learnt much from their first attempt at making such a video. Further filming will occur throughout the week.
Transforming Moments:. Research is continuing in the library. A great deal of excellent work has been completed already.
Computing: The work on our projects continues. These being the creation of our Transforming Moments presentation, the development of our Digital Portfolio web site and the creation of an animation based on our recent work on electrostatics. This work will be included in the digital portfolio of work that will be provided at the end of the year for each student.
Gold Creek Newsletter: To download a copy of the newsletter dated 5/9 click on the following links.
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Homework: Click on the following link to download homework due 17 September
Maths: Rebound Ace is continuing. Most students have now almost completed the work on Sinking and Floating.
TEST: Rebound Ace This will take place on Monday, 24 September. Note the change here from the original date of 17 September. It will include material from the first section of the booklet on Falling Through the Air as well as the material currently being completed in Sinking and Floating. It is important that students revise the material in the booklet at home in preparation for the test. All the questions that are asked in the booklet should also be completed. All students in Class 8RD will do this maths test.
Maths marks were returned last week for students in my maths group who completed the algebra/equations test. The mean for the group was 45 and the standard deviation 12.6. The total marks available for the test were 65. Students need to keep track of their score in relationship to the class mean. This gives them some guidance as to how they are progressing in relationship to the other students in the class.
Homework for this week is to complete Exercise 3.6 - Algebra Review. The answer sheet for this exercise is located here. We are currently looking at the techniques involved in writing equations from written problems. Some further homework will be indicated to students on Wednesday. This homework for my maths group is Exercise 9.3 and Exercise 9.4. This will be due Friday, 21 September. An answer sheet can be downloaded here (available Wednesday, 19 September)
Science: We are continuing our work on electricity. There will be a SCIENCE TEST held on Friday, 14 September. The topics that will be covered are electrostatics and current electricity. I have indicated to students that revision is essential. They MUST take their books home for revision and ensure that all the questions have been completed for each of the practical activities that we have done.
Following our work on electricity we will complete the term with an examination of the properties and uses of magnets. Both permanent and non-permanent magnets will be examined.
Sussex KeyPals: Most students have now completed their letter to the students in the US. These will be sent via snail mail along with the video the students have made of the school. This video is now at the editing stage. Students have been asked to bring some small item(s) that could be sent across to the US shortly. Postcards, fridge magnets or other Australiana can be collected and brought in.
Transforming Moments:. Research is continuing More excellent work is being completed.
Computing: The work on our projects continues. These being the creation of our Transforming Moments presentation, the development of our Digital Portfolio web site and the creation of an animation based on our recent work on electrostatics or electricity. This work will be included in the digital portfolio of work that will be provided at the end of the year for each student.
On Monday the class viewed some of the work that has been completed by other students.
Case of the Mystery Bone: Students completed this maths project at the end of last term. The marking of these has been a rather length affair. However, this has now been completed. Each students will receive over the next day or so a detailed assessment sheet. The completed booklet will be filed in their paper based portfolio.
Newsletter: Click on the following links to download the newsletter dated 12/9 and the newsletter dated 19/9
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Homework: To download the homework due 24/9 click on the following links
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Science Test: The Science test that was held on 14/9 has been returned to students. I was pleased by the results overall. However, it was noticeable that those students who had generally made a greater commitment in class were able to produce a better test result. The class mean was 31 and the standard deviation was 11. The passing score was 20 out of a maximum possible score of 51.
Rebound Ace Test: This test has been set down for Monday 24/9. We are currently revising the concepts developed in this applied maths unit. Students have been given a revision sheet. It would be expected that the booklet is taken home over the weekend to enable effective revision to occur.
Maths Test: For students in Mr Dunlop's maths group there will be a final maths test on Wednesday (26/9). It will focus on equation writing and problem solving. It will complete the very extensive work that we have done on algebra this term.
Computing: The Transforming Moments assignment is progressing very well. There is some excellent work being produced. Some students still have to convert the written work that they have been doing into digital form. Work at home may need to occur as the final date for this activity is Friday 28/9. The electrostatics animation is largely complete. A few students still need to complete some work in this area, however,. preparation of the digital portfolio web page has been placed on hold whilst the other work in completed.
Novel Studies: We are continuing our examination of some short stories based on science fiction themes. We are currently reading the story by Arthur Porges called The Ruum.
The Holidays: Next week is the final week prior to the holidays. Students will focus on completing work that will be required to be submitted by Friday.