Writing Goals in Science

Last week we discussed some goals for this school year and we will be continuing this discussion as a class next week. Below is a picture of a giant sign that was recently put up in the science classroom about specific goals and objectives we will have with writing. As Paseo Hills, writing is to take place in every subject everyday and in 7th grade science, the same applies! I will be adding more to this giant sign in the next few days, but for now, please look at our goals and objectives and start considering how these goals can be implemented in the weeks to come! I'm very proud of my students and love seeing you all succeed!!

Pictures of Scientific Method Foldable

Students! Here are the pictures I promised you to help you with your foldable!

Goal Setting!

Today we discussed and practiced some goal setting. It is important to set goals every year that are specific and measurable (just like how we conduct experiments)! Instead of saying "I want to get good grades", be specific and say "I want to get at least nothing lower than a B". Having specific and clear goals helps students through the reflection process and in evaluating whether or not they are trying hard enough to reach their goals. All students wrote these goals in their Interactive Notebooks and we will be revisiting them on a frequent basis. Students and parents: please discuss the goals the students set today! They will love to share them with you :)

Have a great weekend, everyone! Thank you for a wonderful first week of school. I can tell this is going to be an extraordinary year!

What shall we name these animals?

Next week we will be choosing names for our classroom pets! Right now we have an albino corn snake and a leopard gecko... and more animals may be on their way! Please comment on this post with your first name only and what you would like to suggest for a name for each pet. The winner will receive a special "Mrs. Pallagi Prize"!!!

Here's an exmaple of how to reply to this post:
Sally: Snake- Sliver Gecko- Spot

Ready, set, post!!!!

T.E.A.M.=Together Everyone Achieves More!!

Today we discussed teamwork and "The 6 "C"s of the Bees"... bees and ants are excellent examples of teamwork in motion, so that was our real-world connection as we applied the techniques of these insects to what we do in the classroom. The six "C"s that we learned about today are: Common goal, Commitment, Confidence, Collaboration, Contribution, and Communication. We discussed how each of these are so essential for a positive teamwork experience, then, students were given a difficult challenge that required a HUGE amount of teamwork... some excelled and some had stumbling blocks, BUT, we all experienced the ways that teamwork does and does not work! After our end-of-class reflection, I think students felt that they knew their own strengths and weaknesses in teamwork; it was a very engaging learning experience! Here are some pictures of the students at work with their task... can't tell what they had to do? Ask them! They will LOVE talking about it!!! (I gave them many rules!) :)

Meet the PH Seventh Graders!

The kids change so much throughout the year, that I just had to take a picture of them all within the first few days of school. Last year I made a dvd for the kids of photos that I took throughout the spring semester of them doing projects and participating in PH events. Just within those few months, they changed so much and they were actually quite surprised by it! Here are some of the brightest students in Arizona:

Understanding The Importance Of Team Work (through ants)

This week we will be talking about teamwork/cooperative learning. I believe in students learning to work with each other because TEAM stands for Together We Achieve More! And it's true! Check out this great video:

Meet the Teacher Night was GREAT!!

HUGE thanks to all of the parents and students who came out for Meet the Teacher Night! I absolutely LOVED seeing so many of my old students as well as meeting some new ones! Also, I was very happy to see so many parents involved in this very important event; your questions, comments, and offering of help throughout the year clearly demonstrated how much you all want to participate in the education and growth of your child! As a teacher, it is wonderful to share common goals with parents - we all want to help our kids become successful and happy as they move through middle school, high school, college, and then the professional workforce.

For those who couldn't make it last night, I am very excited to see you on Monday morning! I have a very engaging week planned for us and I think that any worries or concerns you have about starting 7th grade will be eased away as we spend time with each other as a learning community.

For those that didn't make it into my classroom, here are a few pics I'd like to share!