News 10/26-10/30

Dates to Remember:

• Costume Dress-up day is October 30th. Costume contest during lunch.
• AdV Parent Information Meeting - November 18 @ 4:00 p.m. 

All students are invited to participate in homework center. If you need my help specifically for to schedule a quiz re-take, you must make an appointment with me via e-mail.

Classroom News

Cumulative XP:

Cumulative Gold:

3404 5th grade

850 6th grade

1904 7th grade

BirdBrain Readings have started. Remember you can re-take a reading as many times as needed until the due date (Fridays at 2:30).

5^th Science

Interdependence of organisms: As we take on Avery Une's cause to save the rainforest from Mr. Cuttatree's plans to build the Uppity Resort we will continue to explore photosynthesis. We will then begin our journey of discovery, understanding the role of different organisms in an ecosystem by visiting the California coast and talking about the Humboldt squid. What role does he play? Why is he important? These are some of the questions you will be able to answer by the end of the week.

6^th Science

Severe Weather. We have begun our journey to uncover "The Safest Place in America". This week you will discover what causes wildfires, hurricanes and tornados. You will examine these severe storms in terms of the landscape necessary for them to occur, and be able to determine why some states in America are prone to these occurrences, while others are not. Be ready with your thinking caps on and collect your evidence!

^7th Science

Cells'RUs - We know that cells come from other cells. But how? More importantly what can we do when the process goes wrong? This week we will answer those question as we investigate three potential treatments for cancer! Which one will you choose? What evidence do you have that your chosen treatment is in fact the "best"? Be ready to "engage in argument from evidence" as we explore how cells divide.


^8th Engineering

This week you will continue to work on your entries for  Exploravision,  Lexus Eco Challenge, or DuPont challenge. Use your planning sheets to develop winning entries. Check your competition website often. You do not want to be disqualified on a technicality.

News 10/19-10/23

Image source: http://goo.gl/BTdEDa 

Dates to Remember:

• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 21 @ 5:00 p.m. All students are expected to attend.

All students are invited to participate in homework center. If you need my help specifically for to schedule a quiz re-take, you must make an appointment with me via e-mail.

Classroom News

Cumulative XP:

Cumulative Gold:

3129 5th grade

600 6th grade

1309 7th grade

BirdBrain Readings have started. Remember you can re-take a reading as many times as needed until the due date (Fridays at 2:30).

5^th Science

Best Body System in a Supporting Role: It is time to practice your presentations. Are you ready to be interviewed? Is your "compelling argument ready?" You will present your Body systems project to the class and may choose to present it Student Exhibition Night. Since you are finishing your project, this week you have a PROJECT Blog on Body Systems. On Thursday we begin our Interdependence of Organisms Unit, by tackling Photosynthesis.

6^th Science

Plate Tectonics. Your models are almost ready. You are ready to IGNITE us. You will participate in the Plate tectonics convention on Tuesday and Wednesday as you explain your landform. You may choose to present it at SEN as well. Since you are finishing your project, this week you have a PROJECT Blog on Plate Tectonics. On Thursday we begin our Weather Unit by identifying the causes of wind.

^7th Science

Cells'RUs - This week you will spend your time developing your CellsRUs attractions. Don't forget that along with the model, you also need to have a document that explains how materials get into and out of your attraction (osmosis, diffusion, active transport?), as well as how it gets energy (Photosynthesis and cell respiration).

^8th Engineering

You will start the week by putting final touches and practicing your Ignite presentations for SEN. Although you may choose to present something else, your IGNITES should be clear enough to tell the story of your competition work. Once you get approval for your project from the community (during SEN), you will continue to develop your work. If your Ignite is not approved, you will need to reconsider your entry in order to continue your participation.  Links to each competition:  Exploravision,  Lexus Eco Challenge,  DuPont challenge. 

News 10/12-10/16

Image: http://goo.gl/wggUSo 

Dates to Remember:

• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 21 @ 5:00 p.m.

All students are invited to participate in homework center. If you need my help specifically for to schedule a quiz re-take, you must make an appointment with me via e-mail.

Classroom News

Cumulative XP:

Cumulative Gold:

1760 5th grade

300 6th grade

954 7th grade

BirdBrain Readings have started. Remember you can re-take a reading as many times as needed until the due date (Fridays at 2:30).

5^th Science

Best Body System in a Supporting Role: You have received your assignments. This week you will work on the interview sheet (due 10/23) and create a labeled diagram of your body system (due 10/15). Be as thorough as you can so that your live interview is a success.  

6^th Science

Plate Tectonics. You have decided on the focus of your project. This week you will work on understanding your landform, as you begin to develop your model and IGNITE presentation. Don't forget to bring your building materials!

^7th Science

Cells'RUs - Now that we know how plant cells capture the sun's energy, and how all cells use said energy, we move on to how cells move materials in and out. We will have fun with "naked eggs", and develop our understanding of diffusion, osmosis and active transport. Don't forget to bring a solution to test on Wednesday as we discover "in and out of cells".

^8th Engineering

You will continue developing your entries for  Exploravision,  Lexus Eco Challenge,  DuPont challenge. Keep your Project Plan updated, and prepare a paper IGNITE presentation to share during student exhibition night. Convince us that your project is "da bomb".

News 10/5-10/9

Dates to Remember:

• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 21 @ 5:00 p.m.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo. This week I am not available after school.

Note: I will not be in the classroom with you on Tuesday (although I will still be at Herman). I have planned things for you to do with your guest teacher, and remember that I always expect you to be respectful, responsible and safe.

Classroom News

Cumulative XP:

Cumulative Gold:

160 5th grade

245 6th grade

599 7th grade

BirdBrain Readings have started. Remember you can re-take a reading as many times as needed until the due date (Fridays at 2:30).

5^th Science

We continue our exploration of Human Body systems, and learn about the Musculoskeletal, Excretory and Nervous systems. You will work together to figure out which systems work together, and begin your project "Best Body System in a Supporting Role"

6^th Science

Plate Tectonics. Now that we have figured out the relationship between earthquakes and strike-slip faults in California, and how hot spots continue to build islands in Hawaii, we move on to Japan. In Japan, we will examine how subduction zones cause strato volcanos. The end of the week will see us visiting Mt. Everest in Nepal, where we will discuss its unique features. We sure do get around don't we?

^7th Science

Cells'RUs - We continue exploring the relationship between photosynthesis and cell respiration using the WISE activities. These should be done by the end of the week. Think about how you will incorporate the information you gathered into your CellsRUs model. Which structures will you use to best represent this energy transformation?

^8th Engineering

You have made a decision. Fifteen of you chose Exploravision, twelve chose the Lexus Eco Challenge, and one decided to tackle the DuPont challenge. Know that two of the Lexus people will need to revisit their decision, as the groups for that competition cannot be smaller than 5.
To begin with the right frame of mind, we will have examine a "Century of Plastics" and "Engineering the Impossible" before you move on to your specific competitions and your Project Plan.