Mr. Biggers' Blog

Geoemtry

2010-03-02T17:34:00.002-08:00

Students,

You should be approximately 75% complete with all Level C, B, and A work for Chapter 9. Our chapter 9 quiz will be next Thursday.

Algebra II

2010-03-02T17:34:00.001-08:00

Students,

We will have a test on Conic Sections on Wednesday or Thursday next week.

Chemistry

2010-03-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

Students,

You should be working through your level C work in Chapter 12. Our Chapter 12 quiz will be next Wednesday.

Layered Curriculum For Chemistry and Geometry

2010-03-02T17:23:00.000-08:00

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In an ongoing effort to upgrade curriculum to better meet our students' needs, in Chemistry and Geometry we are using a "layered curriculum" this semester. This approach lets students know ahead of time what's happening and gives students more control over their time and the depth to which they pursue a topic. This added student control requires that students manage their time and resources wisely, and places more responsibility on students to ensure they are completing assignments. In PowerSchool, you will only see one grade per unit, and parents will not have specifics to look at in PowerSchool. To help you keep track of what your student is doing, please ask to see the unit sheet that lists their assignments, and have your student explain the process to you. If you would like more information on the layered curriculum approach, a good resource can be found at: http://www.help4teachers.com/ As always, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Geometry

2010-02-01T20:50:00.000-08:00

We will finish up our unit on Trigonometric functions this week and will have a test next Tuesday. Your lab write up is due Friday.

Algebra II

2010-02-01T20:49:00.000-08:00

We will finish up quadratic functions, as well as direct and inverse variation by the end of the week. You can expect a test next Tuesday.

Chemistry

2010-02-01T20:44:00.000-08:00

Parents:

We have changed how the course is graded. Your child should be bringing home a new grade sheet starting with Chapter 10. Please ask your child about it, and if you have any questions, e-mail me.

Students: All of your level C work for Chapter 10 is due by Friday. The Chapter 10 quiz will be Thursday. We will start Chapter 11 (Stoichiometry) on Thursday.

Geometry

2010-01-11T19:16:00.000-08:00

Monday: Review
Tuesday: Test
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: We will begin our study or trigonometry.

Algebra II

2010-01-11T19:15:00.001-08:00

Monday: Finish section 2.7
Tuesday: HW on section 2.7 is due. Review for the test Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
Friday: Test

Chemistry

2010-01-11T19:13:00.000-08:00

A big week in Chemistry.
Monday: Finish chapter 9
Tuesday: Chapter 9 HW and lab are due. We will work on your research papers.
Wednesday: Review for the Chapter 7, 8, and 9 test.
Thursday: Test
Friday: Begin chapter 10. Also, your research paper is due.

7th and 8th Science

2010-01-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

This is a big week in science. Here is our schedule this week:
Monday: Lecture and discussion on DNA
Tuesday: QUIZ and continued discussion on DNA
Wednesday: Students, please bring in all of your information and material for invent Idaho.
Thursday: Review for Friday's test.
Friday: TEST

Geometry

2009-12-26T08:47:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays. When we return to school on the 4th, we will continue our study of ratio and proportion. Our next test will be during the week of 15 January. Your grades in Powerschool are up to date and include all work that was turned in prior to the break. Enjoy the rest of your break.

Algebra II

2009-12-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays. When we return to school on January 4th, we will continue our study of functions. You can expect to have your next test the week of 15 January. Your grades in Powerschool are up to date and include all work that was turned in prior to the break. Enjoy the rest of your break.

Chemistry

2009-12-26T08:32:00.001-08:00

Happy holidays. When we return on the 4th, we will continue our study of Chemical Reactions and Equations. We will have a quiz on Thursday 7 January, and a lab on Friday 8 January. As a reminder, your next mini-research paper is due Friday 15 January. The next exam will be the week of 18 January. Your grades in Powerschool are up to date and include all work that was turned in prior to the break. Enjoy the rest of your break.

7th and 8th Science

2009-12-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays. When we return to school on the 4th, and continue our study of genetics. We will start with probability as it relates to genetics the first week, and then continue with cell division and inheritance. The section review questions on page 99 will be due on Thursday 7 January. The next test will be the week of 18 January. Parents, your student should have two Genetics handouts; one section on 'Mendel's Work,' and a second on 'Probability and Genetics.' Your grades in Powerschool are up to date and include all work that was turned in prior to the break. Enjoy the rest of your break.

Geometry

2009-11-16T15:32:00.001-08:00

We will finish our study of parallelograms this week. We will have a quiz on Wednesday, and a test the week after Fall Break. There are two homework assignments due this week.

Chemistry

2009-11-16T15:29:00.001-08:00

We will complete our overview or the Periodic Table this week, and begin work on sepcific elements and their characteristics. You will have a quiz Wednesday, and you have three homework assignments due this week.

Algebra II

2009-11-16T15:28:00.000-08:00

We will continue our study this week of the Quadratic Equation. You have two homework assignments this week, and a quiz on Wednesday. Watch out for that second homework assignment that is due on Friday, it is a big one!

7th and 8th Science

2009-11-16T15:26:00.001-08:00

This week we will be learning about covalent bonds. Your reading assignment and associated questions are due on Tuesday and you will have a quiz on Friday. The week after Fall Break, we will finish the Chemistry portion of our curriculum.

Chemistry

2009-11-01T20:43:00.001-08:00

We will review Monday and Tuesday and have our test on Wednesday. Study hard!!

7th and 8th Science

2009-11-01T20:42:00.001-08:00

Our room is full of atoms!!! This week each student will give a two to three minute presentation on their particular atom. All the students did a GREAT job on their project.

Geometry

2009-11-01T20:41:00.001-08:00

We will continue working with triangles this week. We will have a quiz Tuesday.

Algebra II

2009-11-01T20:40:00.001-08:00

We will continue our work this week with Linear Equations and imaginary numbers. We will have a quiz on Wednesday.

Algebra II

2009-10-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

We will be finishing this unit either late this week or early next week, which means we will have a test next week. Make sure you are keeping up with your homework. The entire packet will be due on Monday of next week. We will have a quiz on Wednesday.

7th and 8th Science

2009-10-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

We will continue to discuss mixtures and compounds for most of this week. We will review the atomic structure worksheet in class tomorrow. You will have homework on compounds that will be assigned on Wednesday and will be due on Friday. We will have a quiz on Thursday. Review your notes everyday, and make sure you are keeping up with your journal.

Geometry

2009-10-12T15:15:00.001-07:00

We are now in the middle of Chapter Three. You will have a quiz on Wednesday. The homework on page 76 (1-39 EOO, except skip number 21) is due Wednesday, and page 80 1-13 odd, 14-17 is due on Thursday.

Chemistry

2009-10-12T15:12:00.001-07:00

We are now in the middle of Chapter Three in your text book. Your outline of Chapter 3, or the section reviews of Chapter Three (your choice) are due Wednesday. Your lab write up from last Friday is Due tomorrow. We will finish Chapter Three this week, and begin Chapter Four next week. You can expect to have a quiz on Thursday or Friday.

Chemistry

2009-09-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

We will have a quiz on conversions on Monday, and a test on Wednesday. Your home lab is due on Tuesday. We will also review on Tuesday. Please begin reading chapter two in your text.

Geometry

2009-09-25T14:40:00.000-07:00

We will continue to work on deductive reasoning, and begin our study of proofs next week. Don't forget to ask your parents about proofs over the weekend!!

Algebra II

2009-09-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

We will continue with factoring next week. Homework on page 54 and 66 will be due Wednesday.

7th and 8th Science

2009-09-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

You have a test next Wednesday. We will review Monday and Tuesday. You should complete your home lab over the weekend, and turn it in no later than Tuesday. The emphasis on the test will be measurement, the metric system, the scientific method, and basic atomic structure.

7th/8th Science

2009-09-24T15:15:00.000-07:00

Friday is a big day in science. You have a quiz tomorrow. The lab handout and a homework assignment are also due tomorrow. We reviewed today, but for the quiz tomorrow, you ned to understand/know:

The mass of a proton and neutron
The charge of a proton, neutron, and electron
Ions and isotopes
Atomic mass
Atomic number
The difference between milli, mega, and kilo

You will have a test next Wednesday, and will be doing a home an experiment over the weekend that will be due next Tuesday.

Chemistry and 7th/8th Science

2009-09-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Parents and Students;

The daily science journal counts as 5% of the overall grade. The journal is graded along with the student's notebook at the end of each unit (after the test on that particular unit). I reviewed each student's journal over the weekend, and will provide specific feedback to students this week. The grading rubric and guidance for the journal is pasted below.

Journal (50 points):
1. Journal entries are evident for each day (20 points)
2. Journal entries at a minimum address all three topics each day (10 points for each topic for a total of 30 points)

In your journal, you should answer the following questions each day:
1. What did I learn today?
2. What questions do I have on this topic?
3. If I had to teach this lesson to someone else, what else would I need to know about this topic?
4. Any other comments you have.

Questions 1, 2, and 3 are required each day. Any other concerns (4), comments, or thoughts are also appreciated. Generally, you should write two or three sentences on each of the three topics. A journal entry should be completed each day, and should be dated. If you were absent for class, please write the date in your journal, and simply write “Absent.” This should take no more than 10 minutes each day.

Chemistry

2009-09-18T15:21:00.000-07:00

Next week is a very busy week! You have a lab on Monday. We will then complete chapter one and start chapter two in your book. Expect a quiz on Thursday. Your lab write-up will also be due Thursday. The homework on page 52 will be due on Wednesday, along with a conversions handout that you will receive on Tuesday. Your first test will be on September 29th or 30th.

7th and 8th Science

2009-09-18T15:20:00.000-07:00

This week we will be very busy. On Monday and Tuesday, we will continue learning about matter. We will complete an in class exercise on Wednesday and have a quiz on Thursday. Your next homework assignment will be due on Thursday, and I will assign it on Tuesday. Your first test will be either 29 or 30 September.

Geometry

2009-09-18T15:19:00.000-07:00

Schedule next week: We have completed discussing all the material for chapter one. On Monday I will give you a practice test to work on in class. Your homework is due on Tuesday, and we have a test on Wednesday.

Algebra II

2009-09-18T15:18:00.000-07:00

Next week's schedule: You have a quiz on Monday, and we will continue to work on monomials. On Tuesday I will give you a practice test, and on Thursday you will have your first test.

Chemistry

2009-09-15T09:16:00.000-07:00

You should be done reading Chapter One. The questions from pg 52 are due Wednesday, and you will also have a quiz on Wednesday.

7th/8th Science

2009-09-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Your second homework assignment (assigned in class on Monday) is due on Wednesday. Your third homework assignment will be assigned later in the week, and due next week.

Geometry

2009-09-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Homework from page 15 is due Wednesday, and the homework from page 21 is due Thursday.

Algebra II

2009-09-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Homework on page 4 handout is due Wednesday.
Homework in section 5-1 of your handout, and Pg. 28 is due Friday

A Word About Homework

2009-09-15T09:06:00.001-07:00

Parents and Students,

Each homework assignment along with the due date is posted on the whiteboard in our classroom. I will also post homework assignments on this blog, but it is important to note that the blog may not be as up to date as the board in our classroom. Occassionally, the due date on an assignment will be pushed back (never brought forward to an earlier date). When this occurs, it is updated on the whiteboard first. Therefore it is important that students check the board daily. All homework is assigned a minimum of two days before the due date. This affords students the opportunity to manage their time wisely, and ask questions about an assignment in class before it is due. I am generally available after school for extra help at least three days per week, and other times by appointment.

Geometry

2009-09-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Thus far we have reviewed, but we will soon begin new material. Your homework on page 4 and 10 is due Friday, and the homework on page 7 is due Monday. We will have our first quiz Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

Algebra II

2009-09-10T15:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a great week thus far, and I have enjoyed our time together. Your homework on page 14 is due on Monday, and the homework on page 15 is due on Tuesday. We will continue to reveiw factoring next week.

7th/8th Science and Chemistry

2009-09-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

It has been a wonderful week so far, and I am excited to get the opportunity to get to know each of you. Don't forget that your write up on the scientific method is due on Monday.

All Classes

2009-09-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Please turn your signed syllabus in by Friday. It will count as your first homework grade.

Welcome!!

2009-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome back, or if this is your first year, welcome to Xavier. I will update the blog at least once a week with homework assignments, projects, and other relevant information. During the first week of school, we will review procedures, expectations, and such. The material requirements for each class will vary slightly, but all classes will need pencil/pen, three ring binder, paper, and graph paper. Parents, your child should bring home the class syllabus the first day of school. I am very excited, and look forward to meeting and working with each of you. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me at the school or via e-mail at: tbiggers@xaviercharter.org