This Week on the Island 12/12-12/16

Dates to Remember:

• Holiday Break - 12/19 - 01/03
• End of Term 3: 01/13/17. My gradebook will close 01/11.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

This week you will continue to work on your Constellation project. At this point, you are putting final touches, and getting ready to showcase your work. Constellation project presentations will be done during class on December 16. Practice what you will say. Each team is allowed 2 minutes to tell us about their constellation.

6^th Science 

This is getting fun. You will begin the week determining the probability of traits passed on to your superhero babies, and you will have a chance to draw him/her out. Is your baby a superhero or a villain? Back it up with your Punnett work. As we continue, we will talk about incomplete dominance, co-dominance and sex-linked traits. Be ready to show what you know!

7th Science

We will start the week retracing Mendel's work, and using what we learned to figure out just how he determined the dominance of traits. With that knowledge in hand, we will work on the traits your superhero has, and identify his/her villain mate. Be ready to explain the genotypes of your superhero that lead to his/her phenotype. 

7^th  Engineering

This week you will continue your Thermos Challenge. With the evidence you gathered in the Learn section, you will get an opportunity to go through the complete design process to create a working prototype. Who will win the Thermos Challenge?

8^th  Engineering

Your final exploravision submissions are due this Friday. I have re-posted the requirements in the schoolloop assignment. Be extra careful to comply in order to avoid disqualification. Sometime this week, you will be tested on your knowledge of your submission. You should be able to explain all aspects of the work in detail. Be prepared to demonstrate the learning you acquired.  

This Week on the Island 12/05-12/09

Dates to Remember:

• Charity Fair - 12/07 @ 5:00 p.m.
• Holiday Break - 12/19 - 01/03

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Charity Fair Project Website

Classroom News

  5^th Science

This week we start our Constellation project. You have your partner and the constellation you will be working on. Gather the necessary data to create an amazing presentation that helps us understand your constellation. Remember, although Google slides is an option, we want to encourage others to care about constellations. Think outside the "presentation" and choose different format. 

6^th Science 

Now that you have identified the genotypes and phenotypes of your superhero and its mate, what do you do with that data? This week you will be introduced to Punnett, who will help you discover the rules of probability that make each organism unique. Pay attention as you will use this week's work to add an offspring to your superhero family.

7th Science

You created some interesting superhero concepts. It is time to begin learning about the genetics concepts that led to your superhero. We will "Tour the Basics" and make an inventory of traits. We will them talk about a monk who spent his life working with peas. You may be thinking, what does this have to do with anything? All will be revealed in due time.

7^th  Engineering

This week you will start working on your Thermos Challenge. You will learn some basics about heat, and how to protect a hot drink from getting cold. Follow the format you have been taught and come up with a solution to the problem.

8^th  Engineering

The webpages for your exploravision project are due this week. We have reached the final stages of this project are are preparing to submit your work for competition! 

This Week on the Island 11/28-12/02

Dates to Remember:

• Charity Fair - 12/07 @ 5:00 p.m.
• Holiday Break - 12/19 - 01/03

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Charity Fair Project Website

Classroom News

  5^th Science

This week we continue to study the sky and the celestial bodies. We will take a look at how the moon affects the tides, and discover just how solar and lunar eclipses are possible. On Wednesday we will take a brief detour to work on your instructable for the Charity Fair. Remember to bring your pictures, materials list and instructions. Together we will work on formatting them in a sensible way to add them to your Charity Fair Board. Instructable Template

6^th Science 

We are knee deep in our Heredity unit. We will discuss different ways to figure out dominance and develop ways to figure out the probability of passing traits using Punnett squares. On Wednesday we will take a brief detour to work on your instructable for the Charity Fair. Remember to bring your pictures, materials list and instructions. Together we will work on formatting them in a sensible way to add them to your Charity Fair Board. Instructable Template

7th Science

This week is all about your superhero concept. You will work to research and develop your superhero, paying particular attention to the structures that need to change in your superhero that will allow him/her to have superpowers. Do not forget to write down the needed information and add it to its portfolio. On Wednesday we will take a brief detour to work on your instructable for the Charity Fair. Remember to bring your pictures, materials list and instructions. Together we will work on formatting them in a sensible way to add them to your Charity Fair Board. Instructable Template

7^th  Engineering

Our priority this week is your board for the Charity Fair. It is important for you to have available all the different components, ready to be added to your boards.

• Product Name, Members Names, Company Name
• Picture or Drawing of Product
• Information about Charity (short paragraph or bullet points)
• Statistics about Charity 
• Instructable 
• Product Cost & Profit Document

Depending on what you have with you, we may also start on the Thermos Challenge.

8^th  Engineering

Our priority this week is your board for the Charity Fair. It is important for you to have available all the different components, ready to be added to your boards.

• Product Name, Members Names, Company Name
• Picture or Drawing of Product
• Information about Charity (short paragraph or bullet points)
• Statistics about Charity 
• Instructable 
• Product Cost & Profit Document

Depending on what you have with you, you may also continue with your Exploravision project, taking a close look at compiling your work and drafting your web pages.

This Week on the Island - 11/14-11/18

Dates to Remember:

• Thanksgiving Week - No school 11/21-11/25
• Charity Fair - 12/07 @ 5:00 p.m.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

We are now working on the phases of the Moon. Why does it change? What changed position in the night sky? As you continue your quest, be able to tell us the story. Towards the end of the week, we will take a brief detour into the brightness of stars. Take a look at the night sky and tell us what you see.

6^th Science 

You created some interesting superhero concepts. It is time to begin learning about the genetics concepts that led to your superhero. We will "Tour the Basics" and make an inventory of traits. We will them talk about a monk who spent his life working with peas. You may be thinking, what does this have to do with anything? All will be revealed in due time.

7th Science

We are nearing the end of the Human Body project. Human Body redesigns will be presented on Thursday, and we will play the board games on Friday. Can't wait to see what you came up with!

7^th  Engineering

Final tests will be completed on Monday so that you have enough time to compile your work into amazing Ignite presentations. Remember to practice what you will say, and to have all your documents at the ready. Let us know how your device works or why it does not work as intended. Success for this project is measured by your process, not necessarily your final product.

8^th  Engineering

Your prototypes should be about done. It is time to begin compiling all your work and draft your submission to the competition. Do not forget to update your boards and most importantly to follow the rules. Be ready to present your work at any given time.

This Week on the Island 11/07-11/11

Dates to Remember:

• Parent Information Meeting - 11/09 @ 4:00 p.m. in Room 33 - Learn about how to best support all our students at Student Exhibition Night, and get information about our Charity Fair.
• Veterans day - No school on 11/11
• Thanksgiving Week - No school 11/21-11/25
• Charity Fair - 12/07 @ 5:00 p.m.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

You will continue traveling the Solar System as you prepare your planet presentation. Make it fun and interesting and be ready to present your hard work on Wednesday. Remember, all of you have something to share and are accountable for the information. It is time to work together to teach each other. 

6^th Science 

This week is all about your superhero concept. You will work to research and develop your superhero, paying particular attention to the structures that need to change in your superhero that will allow him/her to have superpowers. Do not forget to write down the needed information and add it to its portfolio. Your drawing and biographical information needs to be done by the end of class on Thursday. 

7th Science

This week it is all about developing your Human Body project. Whether you are working with a team to redesign a body system or organ, or you are working individually to create a board game, the work you put in now is crucial to your success.Keep all your documents handy and be ready to explain your choices. All your information will be needed as you prepare to present your work.

7^th  Engineering

You are putting final touches in your prototype and are ready to begin testing. We will talk about the importance of a baseline, and analyze the data we obtain as you test your work. Begin creating a draft of the document you will submit. Do not forget about the importance of keeping everything documented. Molly is in dire need of your invention, and is looking forward to your creations.

8^th  Engineering

By now, you should have begun creating your prototypes. Bring your materials and be ready to discuss your ideas. Do not forget the importance of knowing the science behind your work, and make sure you are documenting (sketching, taking pictures) of what you are doing. Update your boards and be ready to explain your work.

This Week on the Island 10/31-11/04

Dates to Remember:

• End of Term 2 - 11/04 

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

We studied the very small. Now we move on to the immensely big, as we begin our Space Systems unit. We begin the week by talking about "Where in space are we located?". We will practice our math as we talk about the scale of the Universe and begin studying stars. Are all stars the same? How do we classify them when all we can see are are tiny dots? These are some of the questions you will be able to answer by the end of the week.

6^th Science and 7th Science

Yes, it is time for our Writing Across the Curriculum. Both grade levels will take this week to show what they know as they draft an argumentative essay that answers the question, "Is it healthier to be a vegetarian or an omnivore?" 

What side of the issue are you on? Have you considered the environmental and health benefits of both diets? Study up and provide evidence for your position!

7^th  Engineering

Now that we know what is sound and how sound travels, we are ready to begin thinking about how to solve Molly's dilemma. Brainstorm ideas and experiment with different materials and arrangements. Decide on the best one to build your prototype!

8^th  Engineering

You are now working in your teams. As you work through the requirements for a successful submission for Exploravision, make sure you keep our Trello board updated. I am here to help, but the heavy lifting that needs to happen in order to make your project a reality is on you. Follow the due dates you set for yourself, and you will be fine.

This Week on the Island 10/24-10/28

Dates to Remember:

• End of Term 2 - 11/04 

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

Birdbrain readings have started, for all science classes. Remember that Birdbrain is done outside of class and is due on Fridays at 2:30. Birdbrain grades, once posted on schoolloop, are not subject to re-grades.

NOTICE: Looking to answer "Why I Got this grade?" Remember all projects and weekly blogs are graded using ForAllRubrics. To log in use your complete oakgrovesd e-mail and the password given to you as a comment to your grade for your first blog.

  5^th Science

We are at the tail end of our matter unit. We will take a brief test on Monday, and continue working on our Element Baby Books. As the week comes to an end, make sure you have submitted your work to the Edmodo Pink Bin. On Friday you will get a chance to see everyone else's work!
Review Game Zone - Matter

6^th Science

This week will be totally dedicated to your adaptations posters. Remember that this project is about convincing others that your plant and animal species is so important and well adapted to its environment that it deserves to be the flagship species for the biome. Get creative on how you show your information. A bunch of text does not convince anyone to adopt your organisms.

7^th Science

You worked really hard, and have the first 4 blog posts for the Human Body done. This week you will continue on that background research and complete the other four systems assigned. As you are working, keep in mind the ultimate goal of the project - redesign one organ or organ system, and be on the lookout for those opportunities. The information on structure and function you are gathering will determine the success of your redesign!

7^th  Engineering

Following the success of your reverse engineering project, you are faced with a new challenge. You will meet Molly and read about her plight. Determine what needs to be done and prepare to immerse yourself in the background research needed to solve her problem. Who knows, maybe you will be the one that develops a whole new line of gadgets as you explore Sound Amplification.

8^th  Engineering

You are now working in your teams. As you work through the requirements for a successful submission for Exploravision, make sure you keep our Trello board updated. I am here to help, but the heavy lifting that needs to happen in order to make your project a reality is on you. Follow the due dates you set for yourself, and you will be fine.

This Week on the Island 10/17-10/21

Dates to Remember:

• End of Term 2 - 11/04 

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

Birdbrain readings have started, for all science classes. Remember that Birdbrain is done outside of class and is due on Fridays at 2:30. Birdbrain grades, once posted on schoolloop, are not subject to re-grades.

NOTICE: Looking to answer "Why I Got this grade?" Remember all projects and weekly blogs are graded using ForAllRubrics. To log in use your complete oakgrovesd e-mail and the password given to you as a comment to your grade for your first blog.

  5^th Science

This week we will start by reviewing what we have learned by playing a fun Quizziz. We will then continue our exploration of matter by solving the Matter Matters Mystery and finally on to your Element Baby Book. You will use your creativity and everything you have learned to teach others about matter. dedication and attention to detail are some of the skills you will practice this week.

6^th Science

We start out the week creating our own experiments to determine which substances are hypotonic, hypertonic or isotonic. Once we have our results, we will move on to discussing habitats and the adaptations of some creatures that have let them thrive in different environments.

7^th Science

   

This week will be dedicated to understanding different body systems, and thinking critically about ways to improve them. This is your chance to put your thinking hats on, think about your body as a system of parts and apply your knowledge and ideas to something radically new. What great progress can be made if we all work together!

7^th  Engineering

You have now determined what can be improved in your item. It is time to put everything together into one cohesive presentation for your peers. You will need to explain what you did, why you did it and how it actually makes your product so much better. The end of the reverse engineering project is upon us.

8^th  Engineering

This week you will spend the majority of your time coming up with one actionable item. You will finally be placed in teams to develop your solutions. Put your researching skills to the test and figure out what others have done to solve the problem you are working on. What will you do to make life better for everyone?

This Week on the Island 10/10-10/14

Dates to Remember:

• I will be out for a training on Tuesday and Wednesday (10/11-10/12), I expect you to be on your absolute best behaviour, and make our guest teacher feel welcome.
• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 12 @ 5:00 p.m.
• End of Term 2 - 11/04 

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

Birdbrain readings have started, for all science classes. Remember that Birdbrain is done outside of class and is due on Fridays at 2:30. Birdbrain grades, once posted on schoolloop, are not subject to re-grades.

NOTICE: Looking to answer "Why I Got this grade?" Remember all projects and weekly blogs are graded using ForAllRubrics. To log in use your complete oakgrovesd e-mail and the password given to you as a comment to your grade for your first blog.

  5^th Science

We will continue learning about physical and chemical changes. Now that you know how to identify them, you will get a chance to use that knowledge to identify and unknown substance. What particular properties will help you? How can you be sure of your answer? 

6^th Science

Now that we know just how cells get their energy you will use that information to create a funny comic strip to help teach others. On Thursday we will move on to how things get into and out of cells. Why exactly is it that you should not drink distilled water, salt water or things with too much sugar? You will gather irrefutable evidence!

7^th Science

   

With the information you gathered last week you will create a flip-book showing the process of mitosis. Be creative as you "show what you know"! Thursday we will discuss how mitosis is responsible for creating all the different structures you have in your own bodies as we begin our Human Body 2.0 unit.

7^th  Engineering

Your manual is done. You know exactly how your item is put together and how it works. Now it is time to make it better. what will you change? What should be modified? As you move through this last portion of this project, make sure you keep your documentation ready so you can explain your findings.

8^th  Engineering

We are almost ready to start developing our solutions. You will complete your blended images inviting us to care, and post them for everyone to see. You have enough information to explain to others the importance of solving the issue you identified. Let's narrow it down to one actionable action!