Tuesday, Day 3

Homework:

Study Link 11.4

We JUST learned the rules for finding the Volume of a Pyramid today. It is a little confusing because there's a new step for the Volume that we haven't yet fielded.

The formula for a pyramid or cone is:

V = ((Area of base) x H)/ 3

The formula for area is dependent on what the shape of the base is! 

Area of a square, rectangle, or parallelogram: length X width X height

Area of a triangle: (base X height)/2

Area of a circle: r^2 X 3.14

MATH NEEDS

On Wednesday we will be conducting displacement activities and in order to complete our 

objects we need a few things from you at home!!

2 liter plastic sodas bottles (preferably clear)

Plastic containers with large mouths- coffee cans, gallons of milk/juice

Unopened cans of soda

Items for displacement- golf balls, baseballs, apples, etc. 

Thank you so much 

for all your help :)

Monday, Day 2

Welcome back! 

My hope is that everyone had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. 

I know I for one am excited to be back!

Homework:

Study Link 11.3

This evening's activity is one of exploration. They should be able to find cylindrical objects around the house to use for the activity- even if it's a can of soup! Today's lesson was a review of finding area of triangles and rectangles, so getting this much more practice with area of circles and 

volume of cylinders will be great!

I introduced the Digestive system today in a GREAT discussion where I was able to apply discussion strategies I have learned through my work with Talk Science! Using these strategies, I ask the students to tell me a little more about what they're saying, to explain their thinking. I rephrase their response to make sure I understand and check with them to make sure I'm on the right track. These strategies focus on giving the responses back to the students; I hope to be able to step away, when the time is right of course, and let each of the kids be the center of the discussion!!

 Everyone did an AWESOME job connecting this system to others in the body. More students to name connected function to organ after just a brief introduction that I was even able to introduce basic scientific names of functions!!

I am very eager to continue this system with the students. 

:)

Friday, Day 1

Have a WONDERFUL and RELAXING April vacation!!

I am crossing my fingers that the sun sticks around so we all can get out 

and get some pink on our cheeks!

:) 

Thursday, Day 6

Homework:

Math Boxes, pg 374

NO STUDY LINK this evening but some of kids have

check lists or tabbed pages that need to be finished they

can always work on!

Tuesday, Day 4

We are coming quickly to the conclusion of our Motion and Design unit!!
Two great resources for studying:
Newton's Laws: Summative Review
Motion and Design Vocabulary

Both are linked on the PortaPortal, but I linked them here to just make life a little easier!
I like how the summative review touches on the vocabulary that goes along with each of the Laws and gives a short animation depicting what happens on objects when the Laws are in action. Vocabulary is always a good idea to review!

There is a great amount of writing for this assessment and these Study Aids will help you prepare!!
There is no math homework for this evening so make sure to get lots of studying in for Thursday!!

Our Space Adventure!!

What a GREAT morning at the Challenger Learning Center!

The students grappled with the challenges of the CLC and exceeded expectation. 

There was much to be learned from such a hands on experience. Allowing our "astronauts" to maintain an environment the supports the lives of the team and seeing how quickly that environment deteriorates if all teams lose their communication, even if just for a moment, gives them a great example 

of the intricacies of good and clear communication. 

Up up and away in the "shuttle"!

Our Life Support team in the space station

Just one of our FABULOUS Communications officers... Hadiee was off making sure everyone
was sending and receiving their communications with their counterparts in Mission Control!

Cassie took her Biologist position by the horns!! 

ALERT! ALERT!

Good to go from our Aeronautical Engineer!

David maneuvering the Robotics division to test filters 

Colby, meanwhile, testing a variety of substances with his division of the Robotics team!

Identifying properties of light

We took our turn "on the ground" at Mission Control

Our engineer at Mission control communicating...

wonderfully with his counterparts in the Space Station!!!

George and Wren handled our Navigation division beautifully around foreign space objects 

Com Team accepted, and organized, their connections with ALL the teams

Monday, Day 3

Homework:

Study Link 11.1

Math boxes if incomplete from class

PICTURES FROM THE CHALLENGER FIELD TRIP SOON TO COME! 

I'm sorry it's taking me some time to upload them, but they will soon be up!

Math Materials

Up next in our Math is the volume of cylinders... along with that comes learning about and experimenting with displacement!!

There are a variety of materials necessary that, if you find they are kicking around the house and don't mind, send them in with your student!!!

- 2 liter soda bottles (clear) -- need 7!
- Large mouthed containers able to hold up to 2 liters of water -- need 7!  Even better if they have handles!!
        -- large coffee cans
        -- gallons of milk

Wednesday, Day 6

Homework:

STUDY GUIDE before the test tomorrow! Using their best judgement on what area 

they need more practice on!

Tuesday, Day 5

Homework:

Study Link 10.9

Pretty quiet day today, despite the rain pounding the windows.

We started reviewing for the assessment; yesterday content proved to be a challenge so 

I organized a nice focused review of that material! I collected some pages for extra practice on the material from this unit. If work is being done at home, please encourage your student to show their work!! It is much easier to see where the problem got confusing when I can see their thoughts!

Thank you so much for your support!! :) 

Academic focus today gave us time to "visit" with Bill Nye and see some more examples 

of the Laws of Motion in action. It is a great episode and shows multiple perspectives on motion!

Bill Nye the Science Guy: Motion

Monday, Day 4

GOOD MORNING!!

Apologies for my updates falling short of expectations, I was feeling under the weather at 

the end of last week; jumping right back to it today. :)

Homework:

Study Link, 10.8

The assessment for this unit is quick upon us- Thursday or Friday. I have not set a date yet because I would like to have a good review organized for the kids! We have covered a large amount of material- pan balances, expressions with variables, diameter and circumference, and finally area of a circle!! For one reason or another, there isn't a review in the ED program so I plan on putting together a nice hands-on review of all the material!

Science today was a BLAST!! We explored the third Law of Motion- Every action has an equal but opposite reaction, and potential energy. Using a string of rubber bands we decided the speed and direction of our vehicles.

David was one of the first to try turning the axle between 30 and 40 times around, so we went out into the community because his prediction of length of travel was greater than space in the room allowed. Turns out an unbalanced force, a chair, wound up affecting the motion of his vehicle! Instantly connecting 2 of the laws.

 We had reflection questions to guide our exploration, but it was great hearing the kids talking about what they were seeing or questions different ways to impact the motion of the vehicle!

Tuesday, Day 6

HAPPY APRIL!!

Despite the winds, I'm so glad just to see the sun!

Homework: 

Study Link 9.5

Finish 'What's my Rule'

Today one class was able to test the next experiment we will be working on! What we found was that the way the information was presented was a little challenging to understand. The graph wasn't representing information we were finding, so it will be modified when we do the true experiment on Thursday!