January 30th,  2012

        Welcome to Mr. McDuffie's School Notes Page.  Hopefully this website will keep you informed what is happening in Life Science along with important links to further your child's education in the subject matter being taught.  Just to let you know, my primary objective is to follow my lesson plan and homework schedule as closely as possible,  but it may not adhere exactly to what we may be working on  in class.  Please ask your child if there are any changes. I now have a student teacher from Columbus State University, Ms. Drasher, who will begin teaching in my place very soon.  I will also be monitoring all classes while Ms. Drasher is teaching. 

NOTE TO PARENTS:  Students are now examining Chapter 21, Ecosystems and Biomes on beginning on page 708 of their Science textbook.  Students will be examining the energy flow in ecosystems, food chains and food webs, the cycles of matter, along with the different biomes and Aquatic ecosystems of the world.   

It is also advisable for each student to read the Study Guide on page 742 which gives an overview of the chapter.  If a student understands the key points presented on this page, each student should know the material in the chapter. 

  Chapters 20 and 21 are very important since 55% of the CRCT will cover information being studied in those two chapters.  Please encourage your student to really put forth an effort during the last half of the school year.  Our objective is to prepare your child to exceed the passing scores of all sections of the CRCT. 

HOMEWORK:  Each night students should read a section in the chapter being studied along with learning meanings to the vocabulary words.  I realize that all students should have Math homework to complete and a reading assignment (30 minutes of reading in their A/R Library books) which should take up most of their night.  Students should not expect to spend more than 15 to 20 minutes on science material each night.  Students are encouraged to use flash cards or anything to assist in learning the vocabulary words and meanings to each chapter. 

The below websites may assist your child in learning more about what we are currently studying:

  To Learn More about:                                 Visit                        Web Code  

Build science vocabulary                        PHSchool.com               cqj-0021

Links on food chains and food webs    www.SciLinks.org        scn-0521 

Water cycle activity                                  PHSchool.com                cfp-4024

Continental Drift activity                            PHSchool.com               cfp-1015

Earth's Biomes activity                          PHSchool.com               cep-5024

Links on acquatic ecosystems              www.SciLinks.org         scn-0525 

Please feel free to contact me at the below website or call the school.  If at anytime you would like to have a conference, please call and ask for guidance and they will arrange a time which is convenient for you.   

George C. McDuffie  gmcduffie@mcsdga.net

Life Science Teacher

Richards Middle School  706-569-3697