First, A Warm Welcome...
Welcome to eighth grade science at Hadley! You are probably wondering what the new year will bring and what kinds of things we will be learning about. I have an exciting year planned for you with a variety of activities and laboratory experiments designed to help you explore the world around you.
One goal I have for you this year is to know how to approach a question scientifically: to do hands-on science and minds-on processing of your own observations. I would like you to challenge or confirm what you may already think you know about science. Some of my favorite phrases are “prove it” and “how do you know?” Expect to hear these words often this year.
We have an exciting year ahead! We will be investigating the natural world, including a variety of topics related to forces, energy, evolution, global climate change and weather. These topics offer lots of opportunities to test your knowledge and to acquire new insights. You will be doing many experiments, problem solving, designing, reading, writing, researching and presenting. Though much of the time you will work with partners or in small groups, you will each keep your own science journals where you will record your own ideas and document what you learn.
Does this all seem difficult? Relax, everyone can do science! In fact, you already enjoy a wealth of information about science because you have been learning about the world around you both formally in school and informally through your experiences and interests.
Make this the year that you tie together everything you have learned about science. Ask questions. Be prepared to take risks, state your opinions, and be open to changing your ideas based upon evidence. We have a lot we can share and learn from each other!
Best Wishes for a Fantastic Eighth Grade Year,
Mrs. Kane
About Mrs. Kane...
I live in Wheaton with my husband, our two sons (Phillip and Ethan) and our dog Uki. You may be surprised to learn that I am a first generation American! Like some of you, I heard a variety of languages at home when I was growing up. My mother was born in France and my father in Ukraine. They blended traditions from both cultures into our American home. This rich cultural experience helped to shape my world view and my identity. It also encouraged me to travel much of Europe and study abroad in France. These experiences are part of who I am today.
As the daughter of a chemist, I found my love of science at an early age. I graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Microbiology. I worked first as an immunotechnologist in an oncology laboratory. Later, I earned my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago and began teaching science. I have had a variety of work experiences outside of the classroom including educational consultant and producer for a radio show for medical professionals. More recently, I earned an ENL endorsement at National Lewis University. One of the things I love most about teaching is sharing my passion for science with my students.
Welcome to eighth grade science at Hadley! You are probably wondering what the new year will bring and what kinds of things we will be learning about. I have an exciting year planned for you with a variety of activities and laboratory experiments designed to help you explore the world around you.
One goal I have for you this year is to know how to approach a question scientifically: to do hands-on science and minds-on processing of your own observations. I would like you to challenge or confirm what you may already think you know about science. Some of my favorite phrases are “prove it” and “how do you know?” Expect to hear these words often this year.
We have an exciting year ahead! We will be investigating the natural world, including a variety of topics related to forces, energy, evolution, global climate change and weather. These topics offer lots of opportunities to test your knowledge and to acquire new insights. You will be doing many experiments, problem solving, designing, reading, writing, researching and presenting. Though much of the time you will work with partners or in small groups, you will each keep your own science journals where you will record your own ideas and document what you learn.
Does this all seem difficult? Relax, everyone can do science! In fact, you already enjoy a wealth of information about science because you have been learning about the world around you both formally in school and informally through your experiences and interests.
Make this the year that you tie together everything you have learned about science. Ask questions. Be prepared to take risks, state your opinions, and be open to changing your ideas based upon evidence. We have a lot we can share and learn from each other!
Best Wishes for a Fantastic Eighth Grade Year,
Mrs. Kane
About Mrs. Kane...
I live in Wheaton with my husband, our two sons (Phillip and Ethan) and our dog Uki. You may be surprised to learn that I am a first generation American! Like some of you, I heard a variety of languages at home when I was growing up. My mother was born in France and my father in Ukraine. They blended traditions from both cultures into our American home. This rich cultural experience helped to shape my world view and my identity. It also encouraged me to travel much of Europe and study abroad in France. These experiences are part of who I am today.
As the daughter of a chemist, I found my love of science at an early age. I graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Microbiology. I worked first as an immunotechnologist in an oncology laboratory. Later, I earned my M.Ed. in Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago and began teaching science. I have had a variety of work experiences outside of the classroom including educational consultant and producer for a radio show for medical professionals. More recently, I earned an ENL endorsement at National Lewis University. One of the things I love most about teaching is sharing my passion for science with my students.