April 13, 2026
Monday
Marking Period 3
Tuesday
Marking Period 3
Wednesday
Marking Period 3
Thursday
Marking Period 3
Friday (First day of 4th marking period)
Warm-up: Unscramble the Phrase (1)
Review class expectations
arrive to class "On-Time"
Be supportive and positive of peers (and Me)
Clean-up... leave room as it appeared when you arrived
Materials needed: notebook/binder (may be shared with another subject) and a pen/pencil
Join Google Classroom
Go over sample projects from Class Instagram
April 20, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: , Create the Equation (2)
Discuss what STEM is
"cool" engineering... OUR FUTURE!
Tuesday
Warm-up: Spin and Stop a Coin
Shuffle Cards
Science behind card building (link)
Card Stacking: try to build a rectangular shaped box (sides and top)
try building multiple boxes side by side and then atop of one another
Card Stacking: try to build triangle shaped structures (sides only)
try building multiple triangles side by side and then atop of one another
Wednesday
Warm-up: Wordle (3)
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)... create teams randomly (organizer)
Build two layers
Build a single layer that can support a single textbook
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE... build for strength as well as height
Thursday
Shuffle Cards
keep practicing
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
Choose a strategy to build the tallest structure... Major Grade
tallest structure recieves a 100 plus 10 falcon feathers
3 or more levels is a 100
2 levels is a 88
1 level is a 76
Friday
Warm-up: Sudoku (4x4)
Shuffle Cards
100: smooth shuffle; 90: chunky shuffle; 85: thumb roll w/ both hands; 80 single thumb roll
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
strength test... single level... Major Grade
3 books is a 100
2 books is a 88
1 book is a 76
0 books but a stable structure is a 70
April 27, 2026
Monday
Grade 7:
absent...coloring sheet
Grade 8:
absent...coloring sheet
Tuesday (NJSLA: Reading... shortened classes)
Grade 7: Marble Coaster
Introduce project... go over (rubric)
Grade 8: Propelled Cars
Introduce project... go over rubric
Wednesday
Grade 7: Marble Coaster (description)
Instruct how to cut and fold curves for a coaster turn
With a partner continue designing a plan to build a two-person track
submit blueprint/plan for approval
one track will be "wide" and start at a high elevations, the other rack will be "narrow" and start at a lower elevation
the tracks must connect at a "v" intersection
Grade 8: Propelled Cars
Car Project Create teams randomly (organizer)
Research how to build your car... take notes and illustrate features
design your vehicle.. submit blueprint for approval
materials you will need, organize in bag
Thursday (NJSLA: Writing... shortened classes)
Grade 7: Marble Coaster (description)
With a partner continue assembling a two-person track
make sure requirements are being met... how did you incorporate the Bonus Challenges?!?
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Plan for holes and cuts to materials
assemble vehicle and begin testing for movement; does it roll?
Friday
Warm-up: Total 21
Grade 7:Marble Coaster (description)
Coaster should be taking shape today
"v" intersection should be built
one track should be completed with all turns needed
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Car should be able to roll today
car body should be at least 90% completed
Work on propulsion system
May 4, 2026
Monday
Grade 7:Marble Coaster (description)
both tracks should be completed today
try to finish building and test with a marble to see if any adjustments need to be made
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Test your car's propulsion system
Is the car able to go up, across, and down the ramp?
If needed, make adjustments to your car design to improve performance
Tuesday (NJSLA: Math... shortened classes)
Grade 7:Marble Coaster (description)
finalize slideshow and course
Make sure to have a starting mechanism that is not your hand
include pictures of course as well as a video of the marble traveling through tracks
Slideshow must be submitted as per requirements in Google Classroom
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Try to wrap up car designs
test for ability to work
finish up slideshow
Wednesday
Warm-up: Memorize The Pattern
Grade 7:Marble Coaster (description)
Make any last minute adjustments to course and/or slideshow
share projects with the class using the submitted slideshow and physical model
Grade 8: Propelled Cars (rubric)
Finalize car project and slideshows
Share ramp projects with class
explain the design of car using your slideshow and show video proving car "works"
test car on ramp... two attempts
Thursday
Warm-up: Sudoku (4x4)
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
Puzzles: complete the provided puzzle
explain how you knew which pieces fit where
Playground exploration... what is at a playground (examples)
discuss features and components
determine teams for building (2-4 members)
Grade 8: Target Practice (rubric)
Finish presentations
2nd half of class:
Research and Design a target and platform/structure (angry birds) and a launching mechanism
Begin planning your launcher and targets
gather materials, begin assembling
take picture of all peices before assembling
Friday
Warm-up: Make As Many Words As Possible
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
create a shared slideshow
decide on team roles and overall design with a theme
submit blueprint for completed park design (when approved... attach pic in slideshow)
submit individual plans for component designs (when approved... attach pic in slideshow)
include an inspiration photo from internet
Grade 8: Target Practice (rubric)
Continue assembling your launcher and targets
document all work via a slideshow
steps for assembly
video showing how launcher works when firing at targets
May 11, 2026
Monday
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
if not completed, submit blueprints
cut individual base of puzzle
begin building features for individual park components
Grade 8: Target Practice (rubsric)
Finish assembling your launcher and targets
Test to make sure it works
If needed, you will have 10 minutes tomorrow to record demonstration and insert into slideshow
Tuesday (NJSLA: Science Day 1... Grade 8; Blocks 1&2)
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
continue building features for individual park components
add color/theme features to your design
At least one feature MUST be assembled by end of class today
Grade 8: Target Practice (rubric)
Present Projects
all grading done according to rubric
Wednesday (NJSLA: Science Day 2... Grade 8; Blocks 1&2))
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
continue building features for individual park components
both individual features MUST be built/assembled today
take photos for finished product add to slideshow
individual slides should include finished parts
Grade 8: Animation Project
Brainstorm a digital animation using Google Slideshow (rubric and requirements)
with partner plan what story you will be telling... will it be digital or hand drawn?
samples: dancing, super mario, mega man, sonic, sponge bob, powerpuff girls
Begin your animation project
Thursday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
finalize the building features for individual park components
check rubric to make sure all parts are met
make sure slideshow is completed today and submitted in Google Classroom
Grade 8: Animation Project
Continue your animation project... digital or hand-drawn (rubric and requirements)
Friday
Warm-up: Total 21 (13)
Grade 7: Playground Building (requirements)
10 minutes to finalize slideshow presentation... review material
present projects to class
Grade 8: Animation Project
Continue your animation project... digital or hand-drawn (rubric and requirements)