This Week on the Island 05/01-05/05

Dates to Remember:

• CAASP Science Test (5 and 8 - only) 05/04-05/05
• End of Year Student Exhibition Night 05/24
• End of Term 6 06/02.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News
Birdbrain and Blogs Resume!

  5^th Science

This week we will continue learning how matter and energy is transferred in an ecosystem. We start off the week by exploring energy loss at each step of the energy ladder. Why is there so much energy lost at each rung? We will then continue exploring food chains and prepare to take the CASSP Science test on thursday and friday.

6^th Science 

We have learned that there are many possible answers to the mystery surrounding the fish kill in the Grey Bay. We will finish our Sedimental Journey, and move on to the happenings in Parallel Park. There are more suspects to meet before we make our final determination. Keep your evidence handy, some things may not be what they seem.

7th Science

We continue studying chemical reactions as we determine how energy is "captured" or "released" by molecules. We will have a couple of labs to increase our understanding of how energy moves, and then take on acidity. Be ready to prove your knowledge and provide evidence that a chemical reaction occurs.

7^th  Engineering and 8th Engineering

Urban Village Website
You have begun building. Make sure you have your materials and rationale for each of your choices. Make your best effort to illustrate exactly what needs to be done, and price out your solution. Who knows, perhaps your solution  will actually be built!

This Week on the Island 04/24-04/28

Dates to Remember:

• CAASP Science Test (5 and 8 - only) 05/04-05/05
• End of Year Student Exhibition Night 05/24
• End of Term 6 06/02.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News
Birdbrain and Blogs Resume!

  5^th Science

This week we will study how matter and energy is cycled through living things. You will learn about photosynthesis and begin to talk about food chains and food webs. Just like every cook needs ingredients to make a meal, plants need some ingredients to make their own food. Thise ingredients are readily available, or are they?

6^th Science 

This week we will start our Ecodetectives unit. You will meet Juan Tuno, and learn about his efforts to stop the closure of the water slides. You will uncover the mystery of the water fleas and their role as bioindicators. Be ready to put on your detective hats and join us as we become environmental detectives.

7th Science

This week you will begin your participation in a study on game based learning. You will study how the rate of a reaction can be controlled and how energy is transferred in a chemical reaction. To cement that knowledge, you will be using different playlists and experiments that will illustrate the concepts. Lots of different things to explore.

7^th  Engineering and 8th Engineering

Urban Village Website
This week you will begin the "build" phase of our End of Year project. You have already determined what needs to be done in the space you selected. It is time to share your ideas with the building company that will bring them to life. Listen carefully to what they want in your interviews, and determine what can and cannot be done.

This Week on the Island 04-10/04-14

Dates to Remember:

• Mrs. Garcia's gradebook closes 04/12.
• End of Term 5 04/14.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News
No Birdbrain or Blog this Week!

  5^th Science

You are putting final touches on your severe weather project. Make sure you complete your product and are ready to present to the class. Presentations begin on Thursday!

6^th Science 

You are putting final touches on your climate change project. Make sure you complete your product and are ready to present to the class. Presentations begin on Thursday!

7th Science

This week you will learn how to balance chemical equations. It seems hard, but if you stay focused it will be a breeze. Prepare for some lab-work as you create precipitates and use catalysts to change the rate of the reaction!

7^th  Engineering

This week you will complete your cavern builds. Make sure you have all your work ready so that we can test your products. Will Alabraskans survive?

8^th  Engineering

We will finish hearing about your Genius Hour projects. You did a wonderful job on them, and I hope you are proud of your accomplishments. To celebrate, and because is it poetry month, you will have the opportunity to take a quick breather this week as you compose an original poem in response to the "Science, the Poetry of Reality" project. Time for some creative writing!

This Week on the Island 04/03-04/07

Dates to Remember:

• Mrs. Garcia's gradebook closes 04/12.
• End of Term 5 04/14.

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

You continue with your severe weather project. Whether you decided to work with a team, or are working individually, keep checking the rubric and the requirements. Your goal is to develop an understanding of the different types of severe weather and be able to share your knowledge with the class.

6^th Science 

We have done a lot of work on how greenhouse gases drive climate change. This week you will start on an interesting research project where you put what you have learned to the test. Choose a sector of interest and be ready to dive deeper into the content. How are the effects of climate change reported in the media? Who should you believe? Prepare your product to inform your classmates!

7th Science

Super fun times are ahead of us as you continue your exploration in chemistry. This week will be all about how atoms are rearranged during a chemical reaction. You will start by learning how to count atoms, and then discover the different bonds that can be formed. Are all bonds created equal? What's up with that "magical" 8 we've been hearing about?

7^th  Engineering

This week you will finally get to build your shelter. It will be messy, but with effort and perseverance you will save the people of Alabraska!

8^th  Engineering

It is finally done! Your Genius Hour project is ready to be shared. we will listen to you as you tell us all about your work. Proudly show what you know and help others understand your passion.

This Week on the Island 03/27-03/31

Dates to Remember:

• Cesar Chavez Day 03/31 - No school

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

This week you will start your Severe weather project. Read the assignment carefully and ask questions as you go along. I cannot wait to see what you come up with.

6^th Science 

We continue to work on climate change. This week we will focus on the different ways that humans are adding carbon to the atmosphere. You will explore the effects of climate change in ecosystems and in humans. You will also get an opportunity to think hard about how your own actions are contributing to the problem. What will you do about it?

7th Science

After an in-depth study about the periodic table visiting Castle Mendeleev, we will begin studying chemical reactions. Follow the different paths to understand how a molecule is formed, and how different reactants produce products. Get ready to use that knowledge in a challenging game.

7^th  Engineering

Impending doom is upon us, and only your team of engineers can help us! Discover how your knowledge of earth science can be applied to to avoid a mass extinction. Will you be able to save the people of Alabraska? Identify the problem this week, and determine how big a shelter you will need as you are introduced to the Asteroid Impact project.

8^th  Engineering

This is the last week! Use your time wisely to prepare for your Ted-talks. It is now time to show all that you accomplished!

This Week on the Island 03/20-03/24

Dates to Remember:

• Country Western Day - 03/24
• Cesar Chavez Day 03/31 - No school

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

Now that you know how water is recycled, you will start the week exploring how much water is actually available for use. Is it more or less than you thought it was? By wednesday we will start to make the connections between water and the atmosphere. You will get a chance to prove that air is really there is a fun lab, and finally discuss what does all of that have to do with the weather.

6^th Science 

Once we learn how to read weather maps on Monday, we will begin our discussion on the effects that carbon has on the weather system. You will get an opportunity to become a carbon molecule and decide what role you play in keeping the Earth warm. what can you do to curb carbon emissions, and why is this important? Find out as you graph carbon trends!

7th Science

We continue to study matter, adding isotopes to the mix. You will explore the periodic table in depth, and learn how to use it as a tool for investigations. Everything you ever wanted to know about a particular element is right at your fingertips. Stay focused as there are many concepts to learn and discuss.

7^th  Engineering

Impending doom is upon us, and only your team of engineers can help us! Discover how your knowledge of earth science can be applied to to avoid a mass extinction. Will you be able to save the people of Alabraska? Identify the problem this week, and determine how big a shelter you will need as you are introduced to the Asteroid Impact project.

8^th  Engineering

Need I say more? You have been put in charge of your own learning. It is time to hunker down and develop your idea. Show us what you are capable of doing. You can do it!

This Week on the Island

Dates to Remember:

• Wear Green Spirit day - 03/17
• Cesar Chavez Day 03/31 - No school

Need help with something? Post your questions on Edmodo.

Classroom News

  5^th Science

As we continue the study of Earth Systems, we will talk about another material that is recycled in the earth system. Water! You will play a fun game where you become a molecule of water and experience what it "feels" to travel through the cycle. Take care of your notes as you will need them to create a fun comic strip.

6^th Science 

Now that you know the difference between weather and climate, we will start developing more in-depth ideas about the weather. How do winds develop? How is this related to storms, and where does it all happen? These are some of the questions you will be able to answer by the end of the week!

7th Science

This week we start studying matter and how it reacts. You will build atoms and molecules, and determine the different properties of materials. How does matter change? Is it melting or dissolving?What is up with rust? Chemistry is so much fun!

7^th  Engineering

Your bridges are about to be done. How will they behave during testing this week? Which structure will withstand the most weight? As you prepare for the week, make sure you have all your documents in order.

8^th  Engineering

Need I say more? You have been put in charge of your own learning. It is time to hunker down and develop your idea. Show us what you are capable of doing. You can do it!