Schedule Change

One Schedule Change: Elementary Boys Have One Game Added: The Gladiators will play the Soccer Freaks at 8:05.

Tournament RESCHEDULED!

The holiday soccer tournament has been rescheduled for next Monday, December 29. There might be a few minor changes to the overall day schedule. Changes will be posted by tomorrow. If there are any problems, please feel free to ask!

Tournament Postponed

The Tournament has been postponed due to the weather. The rescheduled date will be announced as soon as possible.

Thursday Class

Today we wrapped up Rainforest Researchers. The students did a good job overall. It looks like the winning class is Mr. Malefy'ts 2nd hour. There is no homework currently assigned!

Monday and Tuesday Class

We are still in the middle of the Rainforest Researchers simulation. We are hoping to wrap this up by Thursday of this week. There is no homework currently assigned!

Friday Class

Today we continued working on the computer simulation "Rainforest Researchers". The students seem to be making good choices so far!
There is no homework currently assigned.
Have a fantastic weekend!

Wednesday and Thursday Class

Sorry about missing yesterday's blog entry. We are starting a computer simulation called rainforest researchers. This is a competition in which classes will be going against each other.
There is currently no homework assigned!

Tuesday Class

Today we are preparing for the start of our rainforest researchers computer simulation that we begin tomorrow. We prepared by watching a video on the rainforest and how native communities live and use the rainforest.

Monday Class

Today in class we filled out our peer and individual evaluation forms that were part of the stations. We also wrapped up last week by handing in everything that was needed. There is currently no homework!

Friday Class

Today we are finishing the ecology wrap up stations. Students handed in their writing from earlier in the week. Have a safe and awesome weekend!

Thursday Class

Today in science class we continued the station work that we began yesterday. For complete details, look at yesterday's blog entry!

Wednesday Class

We started a new section of stations today. The theme around the stations is ecology wrap up. A description of the stations will be as follows: (Each class did two stations today.)

Station 1 (Mr. Wandel): Hydropoly Game. Grade: Passport Only
Station 2 (Mr. Wandel): Affirmation Station. Grade: Passport Only
Station 3 (Mr. Wandel): Review Sheet Station. Grade: Will be used for your quiz at station 4 plus passport grade.
Station 4 (Mr. Malefyt): Ecology Review Quiz. This station is not in your packet. Use your review sheets to help. Grade: quiz handed in and graded.
Station 5 (Mr. Malefyt): Food Web (YELLOW PAGE). Grade: Handed in plus passport grade.
Station 6 (Mr. Malefyt): Graphing Exercise (Green Sheet). Grade: Handed in plus passport grade.

Some of these documents can be found on our Great Lakes Ecology Page.

Test Information

Today students received their Great Lakes Ecology Tests that they took. While many students did fairly well on the test, we want to provide an opportunity to get some points back for those that wanted to do better.
Students can get points back by doing the following:
1. Get a copy of the test online or from their teacher. A copy can be found on our Great Lakes page.
2. Students can earn 1/2 point back for each multiple choice question that they got wrong.
3. Students need to write a sentence explaining why they picked the answer that they did for each wrong question. This should be done on a separate piece of paper.

This needs to be done by Christmas Break.

Tuesday Class

Today in science class we did a variety of activities on how to affirm others. Affirmations of people's character is something that the 7th grade is really working on. We also introduced the next set of stations that we start tomorrow. Along with the station introductions, we explained some new procedures that we will follow. For example, the use of station passports...ask your son or daughter to explain!

Monday Class

Today we completed the reading activity that was not finished last Monday. In the end, what is due this FRIDAY is all of part C and part D. The activity can be found by clicking here.

Tuesday Class

Today in class we had a discussion about food poisoning. With the Thanksgiving break upon us it was a good time to discuss bacteria and bring it to life by bringing in the topic of food poisoning. There is currently no homework due!
Have a great Thanksgiving Break!

Monday Class

Today in class we finished the reading exercise on Lake Erie.
There is currently no homework due.

Friday Class

Students took their Great Lakes Ecology Test today.

Thursday Class

Today in class we finished part "A" of our Lake Erie reading activity. The students read about the pollution problems that faced Lake Erie. Therefore, to bring the scenario to life, we wanted to make a connection to the pollution problems that Lake Macatawa faces here in Holland, MI. We watched a short video put on by the Macatawa Watershed Project. We then had time (about 10 minutes) to study and ask questions for tomorrows Great Lakes Ecology test.

Wednesday Class

Today in science class we did two things:
1. We did a larger CPS quiz covering many of the topics that will be on Friday's test.
2. We started a science reading activity about Lake Erie and that lakes troubled past. This activity will be spread out over a number of days. The activity sheet can be found on our Great Lakes Ecology Page.

Tuesday Class

Today we did two things:
1. We did our class presentations from learning station #4. Presentations were about issues with the beach zone in regards to Sand Dune ecology. The presentations were AWESOME!
2. We handed out a review sheet for our upcoming Great Lakes Ecology Test. The test will be this Friday. A review sheet is available on our Great Lakes Ecology page. Information from the last test is fair game as well. A copy of the basic ecology test can be found on our basic ecology page.

See yesterday's blog entry for information about the current homework that is due Wednesday!

Monday Class

Today in Science class we finished this group of learning centers. The second half of class was time for students to finish any unfinished stations or prepare with their groups a presentation that was needed for station number 4. Presentations will be done in class tomorrow.

The homework that is assigned from these learning centers is:
1. Dune Dilemma Summary Sheet from Station #1
2. Beach/Foredune/Interdunal Pond/Back Dune Data Sheets from stations #2 and #3.

*These are due THIS WEDNESDAY!

Friday Class

Today was a continuation of the last 2 days. Once again, students completed 2 stations in this set of 6 stations on Sand Dunes.

There is currently no homework assigned.

Thursday Class

Today we were able to accomplish two stations from this set of learning stations. See yesterday's blog entry for details on our Sand Dune Ecology learning stations!

There is currently no homework assigned!

Wednesday Class

We introduced a new set of stations today. The topic is Sane Dune Ecology. A detailed description of the stations and appropriate resources are available on our Great Lake Ecology resource page. You can also get to that page by clicking here. There are 6 stations in which students only completed one station today.

There is currently no homework assigned!

Sand Dune Power Point

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tmalefyt

Tuesday Class

Today in class we watched a movie on current issues that face the Florida Everglades. You might ask why would we study an issue in the everglades when we are in the middle of a Great Lakes ecology unit? Well, we are entering a phase in our class in which are doing more studying on how humans effect on our environment and the wildlife that exists. South Florida has some extremely visible examples on what human development can do to existing wildlife.

Currently there is no homework assigned!

Science Olympiad rosters will be announced within this week!

Monday Class

Today in class we accomplished two things.
1. We had a class wide wrap up discussion on classifying fish found in the Great Lakes region.
2. We had a wrap up session from last Friday's social contract development.

There is no homework currently assigned!

Friday Class

Today was a very important class period. The students developed their social contracts for the remainder of the year. These contracts demonstrate how students want to treat each other, their teachers, and how they want teachers to treat them. It was a VERY PRODUCTIVE DAY!

Tuesday and Wednesday Class

Sorry about the lack of a post yesterday.
Yesterday was a class period spent on classroom management. We are introducing students to a new way of thinking. Many of these principles are being implemented throughout our middle school.

Today we are finishing some of yesterday's activities. We will be finishing today with students doing a classification exercise called "the face of a fish".

We have told the students that the Dragon Lab will be due tomorrow.

Monday Class

Today in science class we finished our diversity of dragon's classification exercise. This will be due on Wednesday of THIS week. This lab is not available online...sorry!

Friday Class

The good news of the day is that there is NO Homework currently issued. Today in class we did 3 three things:
1. CPS Quiz
2. Talked about classifying and started a Dragon classification lab. This is also NOT available online. Extra copies are available if they get lost. This lab will also be done on Monday.
3. Science Olympiad sign-ups were done. The tryout process will be a accomplished by using a formula to take any teacher bias out of the equation. The formula is 25% science grade, 25% total CPS score, 25% Science Olympiad entry test score, and 25% background behavior check in other classes. Look for the entry quiz to happen sometime during the upcoming week.

Have a great and safe weekend!

Thursday Class

The topic for today was Identifying Vertebrates Using Classification Keys. The handouts for today are NOT available online...sorry. The activity helps students learn how to use classification keys and even make one of their own.
There is NO Homework currently assigned!!!
Tomorrow we will talk more about Science Olympiad!

Invasive Species Power Point

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tmalefyt

Wednesday Class

Today we did our final wrap up of invasive species. We did a power point presentation on some of the more famous invasive species. This presentation led to some pretty cool discussions in the classroom! The last 15 minutes of class was spent watching a science Olympiad introduction video. We will have sign ups starting this Friday. Watch for more details to come!

Remember, tomorrow the 3 items from our invasive species learning stations are due!

Tuesday Class

Due to the fact that our schedule has been pretty inconsistent the last 2 weeks, we have not had time to do any CPS quick-starts. Therefore, we felt that it would be a good idea to watch a short video on food webs to review some important concepts. After the video was played, we went over what is due on Thursday. For a complete listing of items due, look at yesterday's blog entry. Students were then given time in class to work on their items.

Monday Class

Hopefully everyone had a enjoyable 4 day weekend. We welcome everyone back today with our last day of invasive species learning stations. By now the students are all wondering what will be handed in.
The following things will be due this Thursday, October 30.
1. Rough Draft of Invasive Specie Newspaper Article.
2. Final Draft of Invasive Specie News Article (Typed or written in pen.)
3. Graph from water snake/goby station.

Students will receive time during tomorrows class to help in their completion of the required items.

Wednesday Class

Today in Science Class we are continuing the learning centers on invasive species. For more information on this session of learning centers, look at the posting from last Friday, October 17. A due date for materials not accomplished in the time given in class will be announced next week Tuesday. Therefore, enjoy the long weekend and there is no homework!!!!
As we grade the science projects we will be handing them back. Look for your graded project in the next week or so!!!!!!

Tuesday Class

No science class was held today...MEAP Testing!

There currently is no homework due!

Monday Class

The first thing that we did today was collect the science collections that were due for today. We then proceeded to go into our learning center work that we started on Friday. Each student finished two stations today.

Friday Class

Today we started our invasive species learning centers. There are a total of 8 learning centers. Stations 1-4 are in Mr. Wandels room and stations 5-8 are in Mr. Malefyt's room.

***Much of what we have here is not available online. Many of our resources come from the Ohio Sea Grant College Program which is only hard copies. We are trying to make them into PDF files.

Station 1: Great Lakes Shipping – What Gets Shipped?
Station 2: Before and After Posters
Station 3: Research Station for Newspaper Article
Station 4: Newspaper Article creation
Station 5: Lake Erie Water Snake Graphing Station
Station 6: Great Lakes Shipping- Economics of Shipping
Station 7: Lake Erie Water Snake Graphing Station
Station 8: Invasive Species Matching Exercise with political cartoon

Thursday Class

There is no science class today due to MEAP testing.

Wednesday Class

Today in science class we played a predator/prey game called "Survival." This was a pretty cool activity in which students role played certain animals. The game took place outside.

Tuesday Class

Due to the Mathematics MEAP test being administered today, science class was shortened to about 30 minutes. All the classes met in the afternoon. Students watched a video on competition and predator/prey relationships.

Monday Class

Today in Science Class we went outside to a "nature area" behind our stadium. The activity that we did was a ecology scavenger hunt. Students observed things from the following...
1. Plant-Animal Interactions
2. Adaptations
3. Plant Structures
4. Habitats

On a separate note, the tests are in the process of being graded. Look for the results soon!

Thursday Class

Today in class the following things were done:
1. Each student had a one on one conference with their science teacher explaining their symbiosis tic tac toe project.
2. A practice worksheet was distributed for studying for tomorrows test. Sorry, this sheet is not available online.
3. Students were given time to ask questions and study for tomorrow's test.

Energy Pyramid Power Point

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tmalefyt

Wednesday Class

Today in Science:
1. 15 question CPS quiz that covered all the concepts covered in our ecology unit up to this point.
2. Class discussion with power point on the energy pyramid.
3. View some short video's from our ecology page on symbiosis.
4. A time for personal review or finishing of the Tic Tac Toe activity that is due tomorrow.

Remember: Test on Friday

Tuesday Class

Today in class we finished the last station in this round of learning centers. After that part of class was completed, we handed out the review sheet for the test this Friday. We spent some time talking about the test and the review sheet. Students had 15 minutes at the end to either spend time with their review sheets or work on their Tic Tac Toe symbiosis activity from the learning centers.
The Tic Tac Toe activity is due this THURSDAY!

Ecology Test

There will be an ecology test this week Friday. A review sheet will be handed out tomorrow in class. That same review sheet along with other online study resources can be found on our ecology page in the resource section or by clicking here.

Monday Class

Today in science class we continued with the round of learning centers that we did last week Wednesday and Thursday. Each student completed two stations of work today.

Friday Class

Mr. Wandels Team is gone for the day on their field trip. Mr. Malefyt's classes are taking a break from the ecology learning stations. We watched a documentary on Chimpanzee conservation and how humans have a detrimental impact on their survival.

Thursday Class

Today we continued the stations that were started yesterday. Each student participated at two stations today. Tomorrow we will take a step away from the learning stations as Mr. Wandel's team is headed to Bear Lake.

Wednesday Class

Today we started a new grouping of learning stations. Once again there are 6 stations. However, this time 3 of them are working on the same thing...Symbiosis Tic Tac Toe. Resources for this activity are available on our ecology page. Today, each class only had one station.
Station 1: Reading Activity
Station 2: Symbiosis Tic Tac Toe
Station 3: Video on Wolf Reintroduction
Station 4: Symbiosis Tic Tac Toe
Station 5: Wolf Simulation Activity
Station 6: Symbiosis Tic Tac Toe

Food Web Power Point

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by tmalefyt

Tuesday Class

Today in science class we wrap up the last three days into a final discussion. We did a larger CPS quick start to gauge student learning. We finished the power point station as a class with a teacher lead discussion. We talked about predator prey relationships. Students also had some time to finish any loose ends on their part. Tomorrow a number of items will be handed in:
1. Owl Pellet Reconstruction
2. Food Web Diagram
3. Predator/Prey Graph
4. Owl Pellet Questions

Friday Class

Same as yesterday with the exception that today is day 2 of the 3 day setup. We also spent some time talking about our science collections. The due date is fast approaching! October 20!!!!

Thursday Class

Both science classes were mixed together for the first day of a three day set of stations. Each day students will participate in 2 stations. Currently there is no homework due with the exception of the science collection.
Station #1: Finish Owl Pellet
Station #2: Hoo eats Hoo food web activity Part 1. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #3: Predator/Prey graphing activity. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #4: Owl Pellet analysis and questions. (This IS available on the ecology page.)
Station #5: Hoo eats Hoo food web activity part 2. (This is not available online...sorry)
Station #6: Power Point on Food Webs with notes. (This IS available on the ecology page!)

Wednesday Class

Very Simply, today was the day for students to finish their owl pellet reconstruction. Tomorrow we will decide when this project will be handed in for a grade.

Tuesday Class

The theme of today's science class was Skeleton Reconstruction. After students handed in their bottle biology data sheets we proceeded to explain how to go about reconstructing a skeleton. By the end of the class period, most students had organized the bones they were going to use and were set to start their displays.
There currently is no homework with the exception of their science collections. Remember, there is a science collection page on our resource section!

Monday Class

Today a variety of things were accomplished.
1. Students were graded on their bottle eco-columns. After they were graded, each group cleaned their projects.
2. Students began the reconstruction of their owl pellets.
3. Students observed for the last time their eco-columns. Tomorrow the data sheets with questions will be handed in.

Thursday Class

Class today began with bottle biology observations for 5 minutes. Then both classes met together to discuss the quality of work that we hand in. Various examples were presented using a document camera. Hopefully this discussion helps establish some guidelines and expectations. Students then made an inventory of bones they found in their pellet so we can submit our results to a national database on owl research.

Tomorrow Mr. Malefyt's team will be headed to Bear Lake for the day!

Wednesday Class

Today Mr. Wandels class had a CPS quiz to start. Both classes watched a short podcast from the Dirtiest Jobs television series when they documented the work of a owl pellet collector. Today's class consisted mostly of owl pellet dissection. Most groups finished today and even identified the skulls of the animals they found using classification keys. Each class also spent 5 minutes making observations of their bottle eco-columns.

Tuesday Class

Today Mr. Malefyt's class started with a CPS quiz. Mr. Wandel's class will do theirs tomorrow. Both classes handed in their inventory worksheets for their bottle biology. Owl pellets were started today. We started the project with a lecture on owls and owl pellets. After some lab procedures the students started to dissect their pellets.

Monday Class

Today a number of things were accomplished.
1. We finished the introduction to ecology power point. We looked at symbiosis and food webs.
2. We handed out a "Pondering Change" observation sheet for Bottle Biology. This will be used throughout the week to observe change.
3. Students finished their projects by completing their inventory sheets as well as the question portion on their pondering change sheet handed out in class today.

Tomorrow we begin our owl pellet study!

Friday Class

Today will be our last day of putting together our eco-columns. If any group still needs to supply their system with more "stuff" they can do so in the first 5 minutes of class next Monday. Students should also be mostly done with their inventory packet that they received yesterday. Have a super weekend!

Gold Fish Lab Sheet

Here is the Lab sheet from Mr. Wandel's Goldfish Lab.
Click Here for it.

Thursday Class

Today we had two things on the agenda:
1. CPS Quick Start: We completed our first cps quick start of the year. These are quick "tests" that average around 5 questions. Questions cover topics that the students had from 6th grade and 7th grade up to the point of the test. We usually do around 2 per week. The scores combined make up 10% of the final grade. To administer the test, each student receives an electronic remote that submits their answers to our computers.
2. We continued working on our bottle biology. Today we handed out the inventory packet that needs to be completed as things are put in the eco-column. It looks like tomorrow will be the last day that construction will take place.

Collection Due Date

The Science Collection will be due on:
Monday, October 20, 2008

Wed. Class

Today, two things were done in class.
1. We covered another section of the power point presentation introducing ecology. Today we covered section IV (Food Web Terms). The power point can be viewed by clicking here or by linking to it on our ecology page.
2. We started our bottle biology building today. Most structures will be built by tomorrow's class. Therefore, students should bring their non-living components tomorrow.

*Don't forget that Friday the lab packet from earlier this week is due.
Goldfish Lab Report
1. Goldfish Drawing (With 4 Labels)
2. Goldfish Observation Lab (1-5)
3. Goldfish Behavior Lab Sheet
4. Goldfish Behavior Graph

Tuesday Class

Today we accomplished two things.
1. We started the introductory ecology power point presentation with notes. Both of these are on the ecology help page. The power point can be viewed by clicking here. Today, we only viewed the first three points on the note sheet.
2. We started bottle biology. Students formed groups and started brainstorming what their ecocolumn's will look like. Each group needs (4) 2 litter bottles for class tomorrow. No living things should be brought in until at least Thursday.

Monday Class

Today, we finished working on the stations for our 7th grade science introduction. After the last station, both classes met together to discuss ways to improve your performance in a lab setting. We also discussed what is due this Friday (information on the previous posting). Finally, we talked about graphing and what their graphs should look like. Tomorrow we begin our ecology unit.

Grades on Powerschool!!!

Grades will start coming up on Powerschool soon. If you do not have a login for your child, please stop by the office and get one. This will really help you guide your son or daughter to success. Also....The Goldfish Lab Report is Due Friday!!!!

Goldfish Lab Report
1. Goldfish Drawing (With 4 Labels)
2. Goldfish Observation Lab (1-5)
3. Goldfish Behavior Lab Sheet
4. Goldfish Behavior Graph

2-Liter Bottles Wanted!!!

We are looking for 2 Liter bottles for our bottle biology collection. Each student needs three. Please don't buy pop just to get the bottles. But....If you have extras, we would appreciate the donation. Check back next week for pictures of your son or daughter engaged in the learning process!

Friday Class

Today we continued working on our introductory stations that we started yesterday. View yesterday's blog entry to read about the 6 stations. This introduction will conclude on Monday. Remember, the homework that is due on Monday is the web page printout.

Thursday Class

Today we divided into groups to go through 6 different stations. Each group made it through 2 stations today. The only homework that is assigned is the web page printout which is due on Monday. The following is a list of stations that were used today.
1. Gold Fish Observation Lab
2. Gold Fish Drawing and label station
3. Science Collection Introduction
4. Gold Fish Scientific Process Lab
5. Graphing and Lab Reporting Station
6. "Getting to Know You"

Mr. Wandel's First iMovie Ever!!!

The video quality isn't the best. This was the only way I could get it to load.

Mr. Wandel's Video

Hey Guys! It was great to see you today. I'm trying to upload my video so you can re-watch it but it is taking FOREVER!!!!! Can't wait to see you tomorrow for a cool lab on goldfish behavior that will help us recall the steps scientists take in experimentation....(Scientific Method). Music for tomorrow.....Classic Rock...See you in the hall!

Coach Wandel

1st Day of School

It was a successful first day of school today. Each of the students received the first homework of the year. If you are reading this...then I am sure the homework will be complete.
The following link is for the power point presentation that was done today on our year in preview!
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/tmalefyt-85562-year-preview-education-ppt-powerpoint/

Meet Mr. Malefyt

Welcome! Attached is a short video about myself. I look forward to getting to know each student from both 7th grade teams.