This Week on the Island 02/27-03/03

Dates to Remember:

• End of Term is 03/03. My gradebook closes 03/01.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

We continue the study of Earth Systems, by looking inside the Earth. You will learn about the different plates and how they move using the WISE platform. You will explore how different plates interact to create volcanoes, mountains and earthquakes. Be on the lookout for interesting ideas as you work extra hard to complete all the assignments.

6^th Science 

After a brief re-cap of what you learned about heat, you will move on to how to limit the transfer of thermal energy. You will be presented with a design challenge. Work with all the information you gathered before as you explain your choices.

7th Science

This week you will work to identify the relationships between organisms in different contexts. Once you are comfortable with this idea, you will receive a challenge. You will have a choice of project to complete, showcasing your knowledge of how organisms interact with each other. 

7^th  Engineering

Monday you will have a final work hour to complete your filming of the Hero's Journey video. You will then move on to an interesting design challenge on bridges. How will you ensure that your work is stable and keeps its shape?

8^th  Engineering

Verify that your project has been approved by looking for the corresponding Level 1 badge. Start by developing a plan and make sure to keep us informed of your progress.

This Week on the Island - 02/13-02/17

Dates to Remember:

• February Break is 02/20-02/24. Enjoy your time off.
• End of Term is 03/03. My gradebook closes 03/01.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

We begin the study of Earth Systems, by looking inside the Earth. You will learn about the different plates and how they move using the WISE platform. Keep up with the workload, as there are many cool things to explore. By the end of the week you will have a clear understanding of why there are earthquakes in California, and what is all this "hoopla" about faults.

6^th Science 

This week is all about understanding the relationship between heat, temperature and matter. You will move through several activities developed in the Wizer.me platform, aimed at deepening your understanding of how matter behaves when energy is added. What does this have to do with popcorn? You will have to wait and see.

7th Science

This week is all about tracking how matter and energy flow through ecosystems. You already know a lot about it, in a different context. It is time to connect two pieces of information and create that mind map that will allow you to think deeper about concepts. Let your ideas cycle through, and put your thinking to good use.  

7^th  Engineering

We have partnered up with the 5th grade to create Hero's Journey videos. You will be meeting with your partners and decide on the different shots you need to fully explain their story. Be prepared with your script and shot list, so that you can pay homage to your partner's journey.

8^th  Engineering

As a class, you decided to tackle the Genius Hour project. This week, you will need to convince us that your idea is worthy of your time and effort. Read the IGNITE presentation instructions carefully (found both in Schoolloop and Edmodo), as the requirements have changed a tiny bit. Prepare to IGNITE us with your passion for your topic, and everything will be well. Remember to document your research using the CITE-IT rubric you created. These will be checked often!

This Week on the Island 02/06-02/10

Dates to Remember:

• Student Exhibition Night is on 02/08. Students should report to their 6th period class by 5:20.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

You have been working on how to solve some problems that arise when working collaboratively. Use what you learned during the CreaTV class to develop your videos. Don't forget your shot list and make sure your voices are heard. Work collaboratively to succeed in this mini-project.

6^th Science 

This is the final stretch. You are finalizing your character portfolios, and making them pop. Remember to make a decision about what you are presenting at SEN, and create your script/note cards to help you remember what you plan to say. Tell us what you know, not what you did!

7th Science

This is the final stretch. You are finalizing your character portfolios, and making them pop. Remember to make a decision about what you are presenting at SEN, and create your script/note cards to help you remember what you plan to say. Tell us what you know, not what you did! 

7^th  Engineering

This is the final stretch. You are finalizing your eco-houses, and making them pop. Remember to make a decision about what you are presenting at SEN, and create your script/note cards to help you remember what you plan to say. Tell us what you know, not what you did!

8^th  Engineering

This is the final stretch. You are finalizing your disaster-proof houses, and making them pop. Remember to make a decision about what you are presenting at SEN, and create your script/note cards to help you remember what you plan to say. Tell us what you know, not what you did!

This Week on the Island 01/09-01/13

Dates to Remember:

• 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

We start the week by concluding our conversation about sphere interactions. We will then talk about how each biome is unique and determine what organisms need to survive regardless of the biome they inhabit. You will be introduced to the "We Survived" project, and begin research that will inform your decisions. Will you be able to survive the Biome?

6^th Science 

This week will be all about drafting the origins story for your superhero. As you research information about GMOs and mutations, you will immerse yourselves in the story of your character. Although this is a creative writing piece, do not forget that you must demonstrate knowledge of genetics. Weave your knowledge into your story and make it unique!

7th Science

You will begin the week drawing out the epigenetic effects of your superhero's lifestyle choices. As you are doing this, think about your own choices. Remember that the choices you make today could have beneficial effects much further down your life. Once we complete that, we will move on to understanding how your genetic make-up can be modified as you draft your superhero origins story. 

7^th  Engineering

Now that you have some information on different "greening" aspects, it is time to start making some decisions about the house you will build. You will get a chance to draw out your floor plans and begin your builds. Do not forget to keep scale measurements exact. Do you have what it takes to create the greenest build?

8^th  Engineering

Now that you have some information on the natural disaster that is prompting your build, it is time to start making some decisions about the house you will build. You will get a chance to draw out your floor plans and begin your builds. Be on the lookout for opportunities to redesign your plans as you confront Mother Nature's wrath.

This Week on the Islands 01/03-01/06

Dates to Remember:

• 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 we start our Biomes unit. We will learn about the earth's spheres and how we interact with them. We will get ready to talk about how organisms survive in different biomes, and what makes each biome unique.

6^th Science 

We have talked about how traits get passed on, but what about the effects the environment has on different traits, What can a person do to increase/decrease their chances of presenting a genetically based disease? What happens to your offspring if you do not take care of yourself? These are some of the questions you will be ready to answer as we continue our Heredity unit.

7th Science

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. 

7^th  Engineering

This week we begin our Eco-House unit. You will talk about climate change and how engineers are working to make sustainable dwellings for all of us. You will do some research on the solutions already available and make some choices, preparing yourself to become green engineers. How easy is it to build eco-friendly dwellings?

8^th  Engineering

This week we begin by exploring different natural disasters, and how they affect the construction of dwellings. You will do some research to see what types of housing and materials are available, and how engineers have used ancient construction techniques to develop housing that can survive specific natural disasters. Can you outwit Mother Nature?

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!