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!

This Week on the Island 10/03-10/07

Dates to Remember:

• I will be out for a training on Friday (10/07), 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 have learned that matter is everywhere, even when we cannot see it. It is time to delve deeper into our study of matter. We will discuss the different physical and chemical properties of matter, and understand how to measure mass and volume, and their relationship to density. We will begin to talk about chemical properties, and how to identify when a substance has chemically combined to form a new substance.

6^th Science

We will start the week uncovering the elements that create the macromolecules that all living beings are created from. We will then, quickly move on to just how energy is transformed in the cell, allowing us to move, grow and carry out all of life's processes. 

7^th Science

   

We will continue to explore how things move into and out of cells by having you come up with interesting liquids to experiment with. Once we are done, we will move on to the third idea of cell theory, "All cells come from pre-existing cells". How is it that each cell is a perfect copy of it's predecessor?

7^th  Engineering

You have started creating your manual for your reverse engineering project. As you are taking your device apart, make sure you are sketching all the parts and know where they are located. By the end of the week your parts sketches, bill of materials, exploded view and assembly instructions should be done so you can move on to making things better.

8^th  Engineering

In order to ease the confusion, you have a new webpage for the GlobalGoals/Exploravision project. Make sure you visit it. Monday you will participate in a StunConference to discuss the global goal you are most interested in. With that information, you will work specifically on a blended image that represents your commitment to the goal. 

This Week on the Island 09/26 - 09/30

Dates to Remember:

• I will be out for a training on Thursday (09/29), 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

This week we will continue our study of matter. We will talk about the three most common states of matter, and discuss their characteristics. We will talk about the particles that make up matter and the differences between elements, compounds, molecules and mixtures.

6^th Science

Cell Wars is reaching its final stages. You have published your posters, and are looking to finalize your electoral campaign videos. You will do review of organelles on Thursday and present your videos on Friday. Who will win the election?

7^th Science

   

We will continue to discuss the cell processes that provide energy to cells. Photosynthesis and cell respiration will be covered in depth through a virtual lab that will help both processes come alive. Make sure you know the organelle responsible for each process, and be ready to discuss why animals depend on plants, but plants do not depend on animals. If all goes well, we will move on to how things move into and out of cells. Lots of thinking and organization is going on in class.

7^th  Engineering

You finished your EDL. It is time to put it to the test as we begin our Reverse Engineering unit.  You will decide on an item and study it in depth as you take it apart, describe and sketch all of its parts. Begin drafting your manual detailing how to put your item back together, and develop your Bill of Materials.

8^th  Engineering

You finished your EDL. It is time to put it to the test as we begin our Imagine the Future unit. You will have fun exploring how technology has changed over time and read about some technological advances your children will probably think are boring and outdated. You will have a chance to commit to one technology that you can see yourself improving as you start your road towards the Exploravision competition.

This Week on the Island 09/19-09/23

Dates to Remember:

• I will be out for a training on Wednesday (09/21), I expect you to be on your absolute best behaviour, and make our guest teacher feel welcome.
• End of Term 1 09/23 - Mrs. Garcia's gradebook closes 09/21
• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 12 @ 5:00 p.m.

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 have successfully saved science! The Board of Education was duly impressed with your writings and reasonings and hope to see more excellent work from all of you. We will start out the week exploring some interesting observations as we experiment with M&Ms. We will briefly detour to discuss matter and close out the week with investigating whether colors collide or combine in our experiments.

6^th Science

Cell Wars is in full swing. You are posting some interesting facts about your organelles and I am looking forward to seeing your electoral posters (due Wednesday). Continue working hard to provide evidence that your organelle should win the Cell-Land election. Do you have a catchy slogan for your campaign?

7^th Science

   

We are ready to move on to Cell Processes. We start out by identifying the macromolecules that allow things to happen, and do an interesting analysis of nutritional labels. We then move on to photosynthesis and explore just how the different chemicals combine to make carbohydrates and starches. And here you though we were all done with cells.

7^th  and 8^th  Engineering

This week will be mostly devoted to crafting your own version of the Engineering Design Loop. You will use your own EDL in all activities we do for the rest of the school year, so you may want to be extra precise. 

This Week on the Island 09/12-09/16

Dates to Remember:

• It's Spirit Week - Wear your spirit colors:
• Monday Black and White
• Tuesday: Purple
• Wednesday: Pink and Blue
• Thursday: Neon
• Friday: Tie-dye
• End of Term 1 09/23 - Mrs. Garcia's gradebook closes 09/21
• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 12 @ 5:00 p.m.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

Reminder: To request a regrade for a Non-Zero or Warning assignment, you must send an e-mail to your teacher, with the URL of the document/page you want her to grade. You must sign your e-mail with your name, grade level and class. Remember that, although you only have one assignment, your teacher has to sift through all 170+ assignments and 5 gradebooks to find you. The easier you make it to re-grade, the higher the chance that it will be done promptly.

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 starts as "writing week". You will post your letter to the School Board, explaining why you think science is important. Yse the different activities we did as evidence of how you grow in your thinking when you know science. Your posts are due this Wednesday (09/14) at the end of class. If you are successful, we will move on to our matter unit and have an opportunity to discover some very interesting properties of matter. 

6^th Science

Great work on your scientific method cartoons. We are ready to begin the Cell Wars project. We will start the week with a brief reminder of cells and cell theory. Once we are ready, you will sign up for an organelle and begin crafting an electoral campaign to win the elections for president of Cell-Land. 

7^th Science

   

Your Cell Wars project is almost over. Your videos must be completed by the end of class wednesday. Be ready to present all your work on Thursday, when we will hold elections. The race is close. Who will win? Have you posted all your required smears and answered those who smeared you? Once we have elected a new president for Cell-Land, we will start working on the building blocks of life. 

7^th  and 8^th  Engineering

Great work creating your Engineering Careers hats. Now is the time to delve deep into the engineering design loop. We will begin the Discover the EDL project. You will get a chance to analyze different projects through an engineering lens and provide evidence for what you discover. Be sure to look outside the project to identify the different skills needed to solve a problem. 

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

Dates to Remember:

• No school on September 5th in observance of Labor Day
• Picture day is September 9th
• End of Term 1 09/23 - Mrs. Garcia's gradebook closes 09/21
• AdV Student Exhibition Night - October 12 @ 5:00 p.m.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

Reminder: To request a regrade for a Non-Zero or Warning assignment, you must send an e-mail to your teacher, with the URL of the document/page you want her to grade. You must sign your e-mail with your name, grade level and class. Remember that, although you only have one assignment, your teacher has to sift through all 170+ assignments and 5 gradebooks to find you. The easier you make it to re-grade, the higher the chance that it will be done promptly.

NOTICE: ForAllRubrics and Edmodo are not "playing nice". Because of this, I created separate ForAllRubrics accounts for you. Your username is your complete oakgrovesd e-mail (including the @oakgrovesd.net). Your temporary password is included in the comments for your grade if I have already assessed your work. Do not try to log in using the Edmodo or the Google button, as your accounts are not linked with either of those services.

  5^th Science

We will start out the week talking about the scientific method. Together we will develop an experiment to answer the age old question "Are double stuffed Oreo cookies really double stuffed?", and round out our discussion on the importance of science. With that information in hand you will get started on writing your letters to the Board of Education. Do you have all the information you need to write a convincing letter?

6^th Science

We will start out the week creating posters to showcase your experiments. Make sure you have all the steps we talked about and that your conclusions are supported by your data. Once you have presented your work, you will begin crafting your scientific method cartoon where you showcase your understanding. 

7^th Science

   

Cell Wars continues! By now, your posters must be almost done, and I am looking forward to seeing them up in the classroom. Double-check the rubric for this portion, as well as for the smears. By mid-week I expect that you will begin working on your videos. Look for inspiration on the current political advertisements, and verify your work against the rubric. Be prepared to defend your candidate!

7^th  and 8^th  Engineering

The end of the engineering careers hat project is near. The due date is set for Friday, so make sure that your hat is complete and that you have tested it. If anything falls off look for alternate ways to attach it. Verify your work against the rubric to ensure that you have everything you need. The blog post due on the 11th is of course be a project blog. Check the requirements by visiting the project blog page.