Week of December 11

This week in Science:

8th Grade:  Study for the Final that is on WEDNESDAY!

7th Grade:  We are finishing up Astronomy with Constellations this week

Week of December 4

This week in Science:

8th Grade:  We are wrapping up our Physics Unit with the Balloon Racers!  This is a fun projects and students can work with a partner in their class period.  Information was given on Friday (12/1).  Racer & Blueprint are due on Friday (12/8), Paper is due on 12/11.  Class time is dedicated to this project.

7th Grade:  We are getting closer to finishing our Astronomy unit.  We learned about Asteroids, Comets, and Meteors last week.  This week we will learn about Galaxies and begin Constellations.

Week of 11/27

This week in Science:

7th Grade - We are continuing our Astronomy unit, working on Asteroids this week.

8th Grade - We are coming to the end of our Physics unit, be on the lookout for PROJECTS!!!

Thanksgiving Week

Happy Early Thanksgiving!  This week in Science:

7th Grade - We are finishing up Planets and will begin working on our projects (starting Tuesday).
8th Grade - We are finishing up our Newton's Laws notes, which will lead us to projects.

Week of 11/13

Thank you to our Veterans!  I hope everyone had a great long weekend.  This week in science:

7th Grade:  Continuing learning about the planets.  We will work on our Outer Planets Lab and take notes this week.

8th Grade:  Continuing learning Newton's Laws.  We will work on Newton's 2nd and 3rd Law Labs this week and then work on the notes.  We are heading toward a large project!!!

FYI:  Students turning in late assignments, they will receive no higher grade than a 1 (provided they are complete), and are not eligible for a re-do or corrections.  

Week of 11/6

This week in Science:

NO SCHOOL on Friday!  Thank you to all those who are in the Military or who have served.  Thank you (and your families) for your sacrifice!

Students attending the Field Trip on Thursday:  Please remember to visit my room that morning to drop off/pick up any assignments.  Note that I have a meeting that morning, you will need to check the back table for the information!

7th Grade:  We are continuing with Astronomy.  We are learning about tides and the planets this week!

8th Grade:  Continuing with Physics.  We will be starting a series of Newton's Law Labs!  Fun times with motion!

Week of 10/30

Halloween Week!  Despite the craziness that is Halloween, we will be diligently working each day in class.

8th Grade:  Working on Average Speed lab and then taking notes (and probably some reading too!)

7th Grade:  Working on Eclipses (lab was due last week) taking notes and reading.

Week of 10/23

This week in Science:

8th Grade:  We are working on Physics with Balanced & Unbalanced projects (due Monday), then moving on to Net Force.

7th Grade:  We are working on Astronomy and have Seasons projects due Tuesday, then on to Eclipses! :D

Week of 10/16

Welcome back!  I hope everyone had a wonderful break.  Here's what we are doing this week:

7th Grade:  Seasons Lab and then lecture & notes
8th Grade:  Balanced and Unbalanced lab, lecture, notes and PROJECT! :D

Week of 10/2

Last week before Fall Break!!!! :D :D :D  All Inquiry Tests have been returned to students.  Test corrections are due on 10/5.  When doing test corrections you must:  Have a parent/guardian signature, Re-write the questions on a separate sheet of paper, use the correct Key version (A,B, C) to answer questions 1-28.

8th Grade:  We finished the lab today!  We are working on the explanation of Motion Graphing (Power Points and notes) and will be working on a handout relating to the motion.

7th Grade:  We finished the Phases Lab today!  We are working on the explanation of Lunar Phases (Power Points and notes) and will be working on handouts relating to the phases.

Assignments relating to the Scientific Method will be on this quarter's report card, the main content (Physics & Astronomy) will be on 2nd quarter report.  We will continue with the Inquiry standard throughout the year.

Week of 9/25

This week we are starting grade level content!!!

Eighth grade is starting Physics.  We will start with reading.

7th Grade is starting with Astronomy.  We will start with a mini lecture.

Week of 9/18

This week in Mrs. Hutchings' Science class:

We are reviewing to prepare for our Inquiry Test.  The testing date has not yet been set, however, hopefully this week.  Students typically get a day or two warning of the test along with a study guide, however it depends on how well the reviews go this week.

EDITED:  The test will be on FRIDAY!  We will be reviewing for the test, but no study guide will be given.

Week of 9/11

This week in science we are continuing with measurements.  We will also revisit the metric system and conversions, as well as scientific processes.

Labor Day Week

A bit later than I had hoped, but this is what we are doing this week:

7th:  Finished up the Scientific Method notes, then move onto the Scientific Measurement Lab.
8th:  Work on the Scientific Measurement Lab.

Week of 8/28

Students have completed 2 station labs so far and taken quite a few notes.  This week we will:

• Continue our Scientific Method Notes - we are learning the process and will discuss how science is part of daily life
• Begin measuring like scientists

Edited:  We are continuing our work on the Scientific Method and will begin measuring (hopefully) next week.

Week of 8/21

Quick overview of events in Science:

Monday:  We wrapped up Science Safety with a homework assignment (due 8/24).
Tues - Fri:  We are starting the Scientific Method with a Lab!  Once we complete the lab, we will have power points and activities to complete.

Week of 8/14

This week we will be discussing safety in science class.  We are starting our first lab on Tuesday (7th) or Wednesday (8th).  We have also set up our notebooks and will begin adding information.

First week reflections

As the first week of school ends I'm struck by how fast time flies!  This week we:

• Had an awesome Champion Day where we were able to create a school wide mural.
• Viewed a million memes in Science to learn about procedures. :D 
• Created skits (some classes)
• Took Science PreTest

Next week we can look forward to:

• Setting up our notebook!  This is super important as students will be essentially creating a textbook with all of their information for class.
• Having our first Lab!  SUPER important to return the PINK safety contract signed on both sides!!!  No contract, no lab. :(

Week of August 7

Welcome back to school!  This week we will be focusing on the following:

• Monday:  Champion Day!
• Tuesday - Friday:  Back to school procedures, learning about science and brief intro on what to expect for this year.  Be on the lookout for a SAFETY Contract for students in Mrs. Hutchings class.  This is very important and requires students (and parents) to read and discuss.

Required Materials for class:

• Students need TWO Composition Notebooks for my class!  Spiral notebooks do not last and we are working on creating our own text book.  Most stores carry them for $0.50.  College rule is preferred, but not required!

Be on the lookout for the following paperwork to come home this week:

• Syllabus
• Safety Contract (this is double sided, both sides MUST be signed!)

Mrs. Hutchings

Meet Mrs. Hutchings

The Basics:
My name is Tammy Hutchings.  I live in Tucson with my husband of 19 years and our three children.  I enjoy doing a variety of crafts including quilting, sewing, knitting, reading, and traveling.  This is my first year here at Tucson Country Day School and I am super excited to be here.

Education:
     I graduated from Northern Arizona University in December of 2010 with my Bachelor of Science in Education.  I will graduate with my Master's degree in Educational Leadership in December 2017.

My Life:
   Growing up with an Army mom, meant I moved frequently.  I have lived in seven states and have also lived in Germany.  I met my husband in Alaska and we eventually ended here in Tucson as my parents and five sisters all live here.  When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my children and our dogs.

Welcome TCDS Students!

I am excited to begin the new school year!  I plan on updating this blog weekly so that parents (and students) can preview events happening in classes.  See you on Thursday (8/3) for Open House and/or on Monday (8/7) for the first day of school!

Remember:  You will need your SCIENCE ONLY composition Notebook for Monday!