Even though the calendar says that fall starts on September 22, we all know that summer is really over when school starts! So I hope your summer was great, and the next school year will be even better! :)
Welcome to Science 7 with Mrs. Hopple. This is the beginning of my 18th year at Athens Middle School. I taught at some other schools in the area for 12 years, so this begins my 30th year of teaching young people in Athens County. I'm excited for what this new year will hold.
A little about me: I was born and raised in central Ohio, in a small town called Fredericktown, home of the Fighting Freddies. I came to Athens to attend Ohio University, joined the OU Marching 110, met the man I would marry, graduated from the College of Education at Ohio University, and decided to settle here in this beautiful area of southeast Ohio. Our daughter graduated from Ohio University a few years ago.
This year, we welcome an addition to our classroom, Mr. Birchfield. Mr. Birchfield is studying to be a teacher, and we are able to see him regularly throughout the year; a few days a week during the first semester of the year, and then every day for the second semester. Perhaps Mr. Birchfield will write a post soon so that you can know a little about him.
I think it is important that students "do" science as much as possible. I want students to understand that the process of science is very important, so I do assign a number of investigations. I want the students to practice how to do science, and I want students to be curious and creative. I get some of the best products from my students!
The first investigation was assigned on the first day of school: Find out something about the "Fortune Fish" that you were given on the first day of school. Make sure that you follow the instruction sheet that you were given. We will share our results in class on August 27.
I am looking forward to a wonderful school year! I am honored to be able to teach a new group of students.
Until next time...
Mrs. Hopple
