Mrs. Janet Parkerson » Middle School Science

Middle School Science

My name is Mrs. Janet Parkerson, and I am excited to become a member of the St. Joseph Catholic School (SJSC) family! I hold a Bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University.  My career spans 34 years of teaching middle school Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies, and Science at Rondout School.  Science became my passion my last 14 years of teaching and I hope to instill that passion in my students.
 
My husband Scott and I have been married 30 years.  We have made Libertyville our home for the past 25 years.  My daughter Abby is a graduate of University of Illinois and now lives in St. Petersburg, FL, and my son is working on his degree in Pro Golf Management at Ferris State University.  I am a big Snoopy fan and love the Peanuts.  In my free time I like to read, exercise and needlepoint.
 
I am looking forward to meeting my new students and their families!  
 
 
Snoopy is doing chemistry experiment
 
 
 
 
 

Posts

Week at a Glance September 21-25

6th Grade:
 
      Topic 1 Cycling of Earth's Materials, Experience 1 Rock Cycle and Mineral Formation-Student will be identifying the three types of rocks and how they flow through the rock cycle.  They will be wrapping up this Experience and preparing for an upcoming assessment.
 
7th Grade Science:
 
     Start Topic 1 Cells, Experience 2 Cell Organelles and Function-Students will look at various models that demonstrate the functions of certain organelles within plant and animal cells.  They will identify the importance of each structure in a cell.  They will be introduce to prokayotic and eukaryotic cells.
 
8th Grade Science:
 
     Start Topic 1 Introduction to Matter, Experience 2 Modeling Matter-Students will expand on their knowledge of atoms and simple molecules and how they form complex extended structures.  They will analyze and interpret data to compare the sizes of atoms and molecules using scientific notation.
 

Week at a Glance September 14-18

6th Grade:
 
      Topic 1 Cycling of Earth's Materials, Experience 1 Rock Cycle and Mineral Formation-Students will complete two labs that demonstrate weathering of rocks and the rock cycle. They will read the passage on The Rock Cycle and Mineral Formation and answer questions. They will wrapping up Topic 1, Experience 1.
 
7th Grade Science:
 
      Assessment on Topic 1 Cell, Experience 1 on  9/14/26.
 
     Start Topic 1 Cells, Experience 2 Cell Organelles and Function-Students will learn about the difference between plant and animal cell structure.  They will identify special structurers and their functions in cells.
 
8th Grade Science:
 
     Assessment on Topic 1 Introduction to Matter, Experience 1 Structure of Matter on 9/14/26.
 
     Start Topic 1 Introduction to Matter, Experience 2 Modeling Matter-Students will learn that substances are made from different types of atoms, which combine with one another in various ways.  Atoms from molecules that range in size from two to thousands of atoms.  
 
 
 

Week at a Glance September 8-11

6th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Cycling of Earth's Materials, Experience 1 Rock Cycle and Mineral Formation-Students will explore and take notes on the three types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic).  They will continue their hands on simulation lab on the rock cycle and make connections to the three types of rock.
 
7th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Cells, Experience 1 Living Things and Cells-Students will read and decipher information on living and non-living things using cells as a model.  We will be having a study guide and review day for the upcoming assessment on Cells (9/14/26).
 
8th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Introduction to Matter, Experience 1 Structure of Matter-Students will create models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.  They will read and decipher information on various structures of matter.  We will be having a study guide and review day for the upcoming assessment on Structure of Matter (9/14/26).

Week at a Glance August 31-September 4

6th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Cycling of Earth's Materials, Experience 1 Rock Cycle and Mineral Formation-Students will develop and use models to describe the cycling of Earth's materials through the periods of stability and change in the rock cycle.
 
7th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Cells, Experience 1 Living Things and Cells-Students will conduct an investigation to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence that all living things are made of cells, which are at a scale too small to observe with the unaided eye.
 
8th Grade Science:
 
     Topic 1 Introduction to Matter, Experience 1 Structure of Matter-Students will define atoms, matter, and the three states of matter.  They will develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules. A handout of the periodic table of elements will be given to each student.
 
 
 
     
     
 
     
     

Week at a Glance August 24-28

6-8 Grade Science 
  • Review lab safety procedures 
  • Review Scientific Method and complete a sample lab
  • Become familiar with the five Es of Science (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate)
 

Name
Mrs. Janet Parkerson
Position
Middle School Science Teacher