Teacher Emily Ellsmore

Welcome to the middle school. I have been teaching at NCSA since 1997

Dave graduated in 1978 from UC Berkeley with a major in Economics and minor in Geology, and then spent several years working in marketing and marketing support for Burroughs Corp (now Unisys), a mainframe computer manufacturer. He did not particularly enjoy the corporate routine and left in the late 1980s to own and operate a MAACO auto painting franchise. He soon realized he would never be satisfied in business and spent time searching for a career that would be personally satisfying and make a difference in the world.

He took refresher classes in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics while exploring the options of being a teacher, environmental engineer, or park ranger. Teaching felt like the best choice so he enrolled in the Mid Career Math and Science teaching program at Mills College and received a teaching credential in 1991 and Master’s Degree in 1992

He spent several years teaching high school Physics in Oakland and Colfax before making the jump to NCSA in 1998. “Though I took a huge pay cut to go into teaching, it has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I still look forward to coming to work every day. “

7th Grade Supply List| View

8th Grade Supply List | View

Life Science, 7^th grade, covers in great depth: Cells, Heredity, Genes, Evolution, History of Life on Earth, and Classification. We also examine in less depth: Plants and Plant Processes, Animal Behavior Invertebrates, Fishes, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals, Human Body Organization and Structure, Circulation, Respiration, Communication, Control, Reproduction, and Development.

Physical Science, 8^th grade, covers in depth: The Scientific Method, Properties and States of Matter, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Density, Motion, Force, Work, Energy, Atoms, The Periodic Table, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Reactions and Atomic Energy.

All my classes are designed to prepare students for success in high school. Personal responsibility, study skills, and note taking are heavily emphasized. Science classes include labs, hands on activities, science journals, art projects, science in the news, and science fair projects.

In addition to the core academic classes (Science, Math, Language Arts, and History), 8^th graders enjoy 2.5 hours art classes and 6.5 hours of movement, art, or music electives every week.

Some of the highlights of the year include a Student Artistic Showcase twice a year, field trips to artistic or cultural events at UC Davis or San Francisco, a student directed graduation, and an 8-day trip to Death Valley.