Grade 8: Week of January 2nd to 6th

We will begin the year with the world of chemistry, a fascinating and new subject for students. I will break up Chapter 8 into two sections so it will be easier for students to understand. Students will learn some basics of chemistry such as: the atom, subatomic particles of the atom (nucleus, protons, neutrons, electrons), molecules, compounds, chemical formulas, covalent and ionic bonds, mixtures, physical and chemical changes, solvent, solute, unsaturated, and supersaturated. To understand concepts better, students will fill in a chart with fill in the blank definitions, pictures, and examples of each concept. We will also do a lab to show physical and chemical changes, and a Venn diagram to show their differences. We will do a lab with sweet tea to show unsaturated sweet tea (not so sweet), saturated sweet tea (fairly sweet), and then heated tea with sugar added (supersaturated - very sweet and delicious!). Students will learn that as molecules spread apart, tea can hold a lot of sugar!

Students will receive homework, but it is subject to change depending on how much students have learned in class, and how much they have understood. Tentative homework schedule for the week:

Monday: show parents the Geology test taken before Christmas break

Tuesday: Pg. 213 questions all

Wednesday: finish molecule and compound examples in the chart

Thursday: pg. 227 some questions (depending on the concepts we cover in class)

Grade 5: Week of January 2nd to 6th

We are investigating Newton's Third and final law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. We will learn about balanced and unbalanced force, and action and reaction. We will examine many examples of these in real life and have students model their own. Students will examine balanced and unbalanced force through a balloon lab. Finally, students will receive a review sheet this Thursday and will have a test next week on Tuesday January 10th.

Homework for the week:

Monday: Competitive Edge pgs. 247-248 #1-6 (this might be Tuesday night's homework depending how much students understand this concept)

Tuesday: Action and Reaction sheet

Wednesday: Competitive Edge pgs. 251-252 #1-2; one example of each: balanced force, unbalanced force; action and reaction

Thursday: Finish part of the review sheet (to be announced, depending on what students understand in class)

Grade 7: Week of January 2nd to 6th

We are starting a new unit on genetics and heredity. Our first question involves a real rabbit family. "How did two baby rabbits, Patches and Chub Chubs, end up with black and white patches from their parents?" This will lead to a discussion of chromosomes, genes, DNA, and the human genome. We will later investigate the mother and father's allelles in a Punnett square to determine how the baby rabbits' characteristics came to be. Students will learn about the Human Genome project which investigated and sequenced all human DNA. Then we will learn about the smallest building block of genetics - DNA - and its base pairs adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. We will also make a model of DNA with many base pair sequences.

Our semester and grade 7 Science course ends Jan. 13th so we are moving quickly to cover as much about genetics as we can.

Homework for the week of January 2^nd to 6^th

Monday Jan. 2^nd

*Write all homework in your Science notebook. See pgs. 475-476, glossary, and handout.

1. Start your study guide. Do definitions of The human genome project, heredity, genetics, geneticists, chromosomes, genome, genes, and DNA. Also do a picture of chromosomes, and DNA. Put a title “Genetics Study Guide” and leave spaces between all your definitions. Leave another page for other definitions.
   

2. What did scientists study in the Human Genome Project?

3. List the parts of the human genome from largest to smallest.

4. How many chromosomes does each human cell have?
   

5. How many chromosomes come from the mother? From the father?

6. What could happen if we had an extra chromosome or if we did not have enough chromosomes in our cells?

Tuesday Jan. 3^rd

DNA questions (sheet)

Wednesday Jan. 4^th

Finish study guide definitions in your notebook: traits, alleles, dominant, recessive, Gregor Mendel, Punnett Square, phenotype, genotype (See words on pg. 495, look on pgs. 476-483 and glossary)

Thursday Jan. 5^th

Pg. 481 questions all

Grade 5: Week of December 12th to 16th

On Monday students will receive Newton's Second Law Review sheet. Tuesday and Wednesday we will review through various activities, the review sheet, and games. On Thursday students will take Newton's Second Law test. It is important students study for this test before Wednesday night since students will likely take other tests before Christmas break.

Homework:

Monday night: finish the review sheet
Tuesday night: study for Newton' s Laws test
Wednesday night: study for Newton's Laws test

I wish all students and their families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Grade 7: Week of December 12th to 16th

Students will receive the review sheet of the Central Nervous System on Monday to have plenty of time to prepare for their test on Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday will be review days. Please note that students need to study before Wednesday night since there will probably be a number of tests on Thursday because of Christmas break.

Homework:

Monday night: finish the review sheet
Tuesday night: study for the Central Nervous System test
Wednesday night: study for the Central Nervous system test

I wish all students and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Grade 8: Week of December 12th to 16th

On Monday we will continue to learn about and review remote sensing and I will give out the first page of the review sheet Monday so students can get started studying. Tuesday and Wednesday will be review days and Thursday we will have a test. On Friday we will watch a Science video about geology and ancient past. *It is important students start studying Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night so they are prepared for the test Thursday. The test will not be postponed until Friday since many students will not be here and will not be postponed until after Christmas break. Students will probably have more than one test on Thursday because of Christmas break and will need to prepare before Wednesday night so as not to be overwhelmed. Students will be reminded of this in class as well.

Homework:

Monday night: finish the first page of the review sheet, study for Chapter 14 test
Tuesday night: finish the rest of the review sheet, study for Chapter 14 test
Wednesday night: study for Chapter 14 test

I wish all students and their families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Progress Reports

Students will receive progress reports Wednesday December 7th. Please return all progress reports signed by Friday December 9th, and do not hesitate to contact me further with any questions or concerns.

Grade 5: Week of December 5th to 9th

We are still waiting for some students to write Newton's First Law test, so students should be receiving their test back about mid week. Students really internalized Newton's Laws and applied them to real life contexts, so most students did well on the test.

This week we are learning about Newton's Second Law, often referred to as the Law of Acceleration. We will explore how adding more force makes objects move faster and further, and how adding mass slows down objects, and prevents them from going as far. Through a toy car experiment, students will learn that if we add two times the force, objects will move two times as fast. However, if we increase the mass two times, the car will move half as fast (inverse relationship). We are calling all toy cars to participate in the experiment and we will move them with the force of rubber bands! We will also graph the results and record our conclusions. This is in preparation for Newton's Second Law test that students will take next Thursday, December 15th.

Homework:

Monday night: pg. 228-229 questions #2-8 in the Competitive Edge

Tuesday night: Worksheet (fill in the blanks) if not finished in class)

Thursday night: pg. 230 #10-12 in the Competitive Edge

Grade 7: Week of December 5th to 9th

Students had great fun and learned a lot from our hands-on game on Friday, and I think they have cemented their learning on nerves and their parts. Students also received their Circulatory System test on Friday.

This week we are continuing to learn about the central nervous system and all of its functions. We will learn about the specific parts of the brain and their functions, left and right hemispheres of the brain and their role in learning, and brain injuries.

Homework:

Monday night: finish worksheet on the brain

Tuesday night: first three pages of the Central Nervous System booklet

Wednesday night: pg. 411 questions

Thursday night: Finish the rest of the Central Nervous System booklet

Grade 8: Week of December 5th to 9th

We are continuing to learn about evolution, focusing on geologic, climatic, and technological aspects. We will learn about ice cores on Monday and how ash and various gas isotopes are trapped to reveal evidence about recent and ancient climates. On Tuesday we will examine evidence of Continental Drift: that plates are in constant motion churned by convection currents in magma underneath the lithosphere. Students will do a student inquiry to fit together continents with matching evidence. Thursday and Friday we will discuss and go through various activities on remote sensing. Remote sensing uses electromagnetic radiation both actively and passively. We will first learn about the electromagnetic spectrum, its various wavelengths, spectral signatures of various objects (including absorption, transmission, reflection of wavelengths), and its applications in society (radar, satellites, weather forecasting, GPS, cell phones, etc). *Please keep in mind that we will have a chapter test next Thursday December 15th. Students will need to review daily, especially remote sensing, so as not to cram for Science the night before. We will probably have more than one test on this day because of Christmas break.

Homework:

Monday night: questions about ice cores

Tuesday night: mapping/webbing of Continental Drift and its Geologic Evidence (pg. 419-426)

Wednesday night: questions pg. 427 all

Thursday night: study guide definitions second column pg. 443 (mid-Atlantic ridge to deforestation) and pg. 438 all

Grade 5: Week of November 28th to December 2nd

It is hard to believe we are already in the Christmas season! From now until Christmas break we will learn about Newton's First and Second Laws. This week we will finish learning Newton's first law: the Law of Inertia. The Law of Inertia states that: An object at rest will stay at rest until a force moves it and a moving object will continue moving in a straight line until friction slows or stops it. Students will receive a review sheet Wednesday and we will have Newton's First Law Test on Friday.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: Newton's First Law sheet - fill in the blanks

Tuesday night: homework only if students do not finish the bubble map about Newton's Laws or Galileo's ramp sheet

Wednesday night: finish the review sheet and study for Friday's test

Thursday night: study for Friday's test on Newton's First Law of Inertia

Grade 7: Week of November 28th to December 2nd

It is difficult to believe we are now in the Christmas season! From now until the Christmas break we will be finishing up the circulatory system and learning about the central nervous system/the brain and its corresponding parts.

Students will receive a review sheet on Monday and we will test on Wednesday, unless I think students need more study time, and then they will then test on Thursday. However, students should be studying Monday and Tuesday night for Wednesday. On Thursday we will learn about the neuron (a nerve cell) and its parts. We will model how a neuron functions by relaying a message through "the hand game". Our fingers will be the dendrites, our arms the axons, and our hand the cell body. Each student will be a neuron and pass the message to the brain. On Friday we will begin our central nervous system booklet which shows all parts of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: finish the review sheet and study for Wednesday's test

Tuesday night: study for Wednesday's test

Homework may be given out Thursday night: TBA

Grade 8: Week of November 28th to December 2nd

It is hard to believe we are now getting into the Christmas season! From now until Christmas break, we will be studying geological, climate, biological, and technological evolution. Evolution in Science is defined simply as change. This week we will discuss what makes a species adapt to its environment, extinction of species who cannot adapt, index fossils, and Darwin's theory of natural selection. Students will also get a chance to make their own fossil on Wednesday. We will also examine how climate has changed over time and how this indirect evidence is recorded in ice cores as gas isotopes, dust, and so on.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: bring in "fossil"

Tuesday: finish mapping activity (if not already finished), bring in "fossil" for Wed. activity

Wednesday: pg. 416 questions - all Review and Reflect

Thursday: Answer questions about adaptation scenarios on sheet; tentative homework: pg. 443 definitions from evolution to Pangaea

Grade 5: November 21st and 22nd

Students will receive Nine Weeks re-tests on Monday (if they took them). Congratulations to the many students received the maximum retest grade of 77%!

This week students will finish their assignment about force, friction, inertia, and velocity. The assignment should have a picture and sentence of each of these words. This is due Tuesday. Students will work on questions related to Newton's First Law on Tuesday and if we have time, we will play Simon Says to act out force, friction, mass, gravity, speed, and velocity.

I wish you and your family a safe and restful Thanksgiving!

Grade 7: November 21st and 22nd

Students will receive back the quiz they wrote on Monday. We will explore the causes and effects of heart attack and stroke. Then students will develop a short play showing how to prevent heart attack and stroke, and consequences of not doing so.

I wish you and your family a safe and restful Thanksgiving!

Grade 8: November 21st and 22nd

Students did an excellent job on their geologic sections and timelines. They are on display in my room and the hallway. On Monday we will review for our geology test Tuesday. Geology comprises 25% of the End of Grade test so we have been taking our time to learn necessary concepts and work more in depth.

I wish you and your family a safe and restful Thanksgiving!

Grade 5: November 14th to 18th

Grade 5s will continue to learn about Newton's 1st Law: the Law of Inertia. Students will receive their Weather Nine Weeks Test on Monday and we will go over commonly missed questions. Students will test how aerodynamic their paper airplanes are in a competition and we will use the example of airplanes to lead into inertia. We will prepare a concept map on inertia and examine as many aspects of it as possible. By playing Simon Says with Newton's Laws vocabulary words, we will review inertia concepts. Finally, students will create a display to show a sentence and picture of each: inertia, force, friction, and velocity.

Homework for the week:

Monday: Competitive Edge pgs. 220-221 #13 to 18

Tuesday: Bring in pictures to show inertia, force, friction, and velocity for Thursday

Wednesday: pg. 228-229 #1-8 (I might modify the amount of questions depending on the understanding of students)

Thursday: Sentences and pictures of inertia, velocity, friction, force for good copy paper

Friday: students should have enough time to finish their Inertia assignment in class, but if they are not finished Friday in class, they will need to finish it at home over the weekend

Grade 7; Week of November 14th to 18th

Grade 7 is continuing to learn about the circulatory system and the heart. On Monday we will review the path that the blood takes through the heart and body. Then we will read about the parts of the circulatory system and define them. On Tuesday we will go over the parts of the blood and their functions. Students will create an assignment to show the definitions, functions, and pictures of the parts of the blood. Finally, we will test our heart rate and determine what our heart rate tells us about our health.

Homework for the week:

Monday: review vocabulary words we wrote down in our study guide

Tuesday: Pg. 379 all

Wednesday: Assignment on parts of the blood - functions and pictures of plasma, platelets, red blood cells, and white blood cells

Thursday: review parts of the circulatory system and parts of the blood for small quiz Friday

Grade 8: Week of November 14th to 18th

We are continuing to study geology and students will finish their geologic section, with students interpreting other's geologic sections on Monday. We will correlate geologic time of fossils and their development. To help interpret fossils and their different timelines, students will develop their own geologic timeline with a partner. Students will label animals in each era, and measure each era accurately to scale with one millimeter equaling one thousand years. We will also explore theories of the extinction of dinosaurs. On Friday students will have an opportunity to make their own fossils with plaster of Paris. They may bring in anything that makes an imprint.

Homework:

Monday night: geologic section (if not finished)

Tuesday night: pg. 400 Review #1-5

Wednesday night: pg. 400 Reflect #1-4, bring in materials to make fossil on Friday

Thursday night: study guide - all words on pg. 403, finish geology timeline (if not finished)

Grade 5: Week of November 7th to 11th

We are beginning a new unit and will study Sir Isaac Newton's Laws for the second quarter. We will first examine Newton's First Law of Inertia: an object at rest remains at rest until a force acts upon it, and an object will continue in motion until friction/an opposing force acts upon it. Our first topic of discussion is gravity and students will test different objects to see which has more gravitational pull and which will reach the ground first if dropped from the same height. This will lead to a discussion of air resistance, mass, and what determines gravitational pull. Next lesson, we will push a box over various surfaces with the same amount of force to determine which surface has the most friction. Finally, students will design paper airplanes with lift, thrust, and aerodynamic principles in mind. The most aerodynamic plane will win the competition.

While we are studying Newton's Laws, I will give students a bit of time to study their Competitive Edge on Monday and Tuesday. The Weather Nine Weeks Test will be on Wednesday.

Homework for the week is the following:

Monday night:
1. Study for the Weather Nine Weeks test using multiple choice questions in Competitive Edge.
2. Pg. 218 #1 and pg. 220 #9 Competitive Edge textbook

Tuesday night: Study for the Weather Nine Weeks Test

Wednesday night: pg. 218 #2-8, 19, 20 in the Competitive Edge

Thursday night: none; there is no school on Friday

Grade 7: Week of November 7th to 11th

Grade 7s will work on their non-smoking poster on Monday. The good copy is due on Tuesday and will be displayed in the room and hallway. Students may print out pictures for the poster, or may elect to do it all on computer and print it at home. Students will also get back their Respiratory system test on Monday and we will go over common corrections. If students receive 70% and below, they must get the test signed by their parents.

On Tuesday, students will begin learning about an essential system: the circulatory system and its main organ, the heart. During the week students will see animations of the heart pumping blood, label the heart's parts, and trace one student's body and the flow of blood from the heart to the cells and back again. Finally, we will discuss parts of the blood and their functions. Students will be especially interested in seeing a white blood cell attack and devour a virus!

Homework will continued to be posted through out the week. Students do not come to school Friday.

Grade 8: Week of November 7th to 11th

We will continue to compare absolute and relative dating of rocks with a Venn Diagram and student inquiries. During our study of relative dating, students will learn about the Laws of Superposition, Uniformitarianism, Horizonality, Cross-cutting relationships, and unconformities in rocks. We will examine the Grand Canyon, Stawamus Chief, and faults for these laws. So that students understand the different rocks in geologic sections and are able to make their own geologic section, we must review concepts from previous grades such as weathering and erosion, and the rock cycle. I will post grade 8 homework as the week progresses. There is no school on Friday.

Grade 5: Week of October 28th to November 4th

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we will be testing our weather instruments. All students who make weather instruments for bonus credit will get to test the instruments themselves! On Monday we will create our own weather map, using symbols of fronts, clouds, air pressure, and precipitation. We will also begin an analysis of another weather map and students may complete it for homework. On Tuesday we will begin our Wind and weather instrument review sheet to prepare for the test. Students will have some time to complete this in class. At the same time that we are reviewing our last unit in weather, we will review and mark questions pertaining to the Weather Nine Weeks Test. This test will review all we have learned in weather, and will be presented in a multiple choice format so students will get accustomed to the format of the End of Grade Test. Most questions for the Weather Nine Weeks Test will be taken from Competitive Edge questions on pages 148-151, and students will receive an answer key once they have completed these questions for homework. Students will take the Wind and Weather Instruments test on Thursday and will take the Nine Weeks Test next week.

Homework this week:

Monday night: Weather map sheet (if students did not finish it in class), Competitive Edge pgs. 146-147 #1-22 (preparation for the Nine Weeks test)

Tuesday night: Review sheet (if not finished in class), study for the Wind and Weather Instruments Test, Competitive Edge pgs. 148-149 all questions

Wednesday night: study for the Wind and Weather Instruments test on Thursday

Thursday night: Study for the Weather Nine Weeks Test using pgs. 148-151 questions in the Competitive Edge and the answer key

Grade 7: Week of October 28th to November 4th

We will test students' lung capacity on Monday and discuss the results. Females and males generally have different lung capacity, as do athletes from the rest of the general population. Students will begin their review sheet on the respiratory system and continue working on it Tuesday. We will examine the causes and effects of smoking long term and students will begin a poster to dissuade other students from smoking. The posters will be displayed in the hallway for all to see. On Friday students will write the Respiratory System test.

Homework for this week:

Monday night: Part A of the Review sheet (vocabulary). Study parts of the respiratory system and their meanings.

Tuesday night: Finish all of the Review sheet. Study the review sheet.

Wednesday night: Finish draft of the poster to dissuade others from smoking. This is to be done in pencil and does not need to be colored. Bring coloring materials: colored pencils or markers. All posters must have a slogan, at least two effects, and one or more visuals. Marks are given for creativity, adhering to assignment expectations, and neatness. Students may print out visuals or draw them, and may design the final copy on the computer.

Thursday night: Study for the Respiratory system test. Finish the Non-smoking poster and color neatly (or design on the computer).

Grade 8: Week of October 31st to November 4th

We will continue to watch Blue Gold: Water Wars and conduct a Paideia discussion on causes of fresh water depletion, effects, and solutions. On Tuesday we will begin our unit on Geology, or the study of how rocks have changed over time. Students will receive Power Point notes detailing the history of Geology, relative dating of rocks, radioactive/radiometric/absolute dating of rocks, and geologic time. This week we will focus on radiometric dating of rocks and how certain isotopes decay in half-lives. Students will perform an activity involving one million dollars to illustrate the concept of half life. They may only spend half of their money per day until it is gone and then we will calculate how many days it will take. There are still a couple of students who have not taken the Hydrology test. After this, I will hand back everyone's graded test.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: Write down at least three causes, effects, and solution of fresh water depletion based on the video Blue Gold: Water Wars (see video sheet for help).

Tuesday night: no homework

Wednesday night: reread power point handout again, pg. 403 study guide definitions: first column

Thursday night: Pg. 380 questions - all of Review and Reflect

Report Cards and Award Assembly

Report cards go out on October 28th. The Awards assembly will be held in the gym from 9:00-10:00 for grades 6 through 10, and 10:00 to 10:30 for grades 3 to 5. Hope to see you there!

Grade 5: Week of October 24th to 28th

Students will ponder the question: What makes one area colder or hotter than another? This will lead to a discussion of climate and what causes micro-climates such as rainshadows, and land and sea breezes. Students will learn about convection cells and how this causes wind. We will examine what causes a convection cell by adding hot water with food coloring to cold water, and then discuss how cold air sinks while warm air rises. Finally we will make our own weather instruments and our own weather maps. We will use thermometers, anemometers, barometers, and rain gauge to measure weather on a daily basis. Students will receive a bonus grade for making any of their own weather instruments and may use them to test the weather with us! We will have a test on all of these concepts next week.

Homework for the week:

Tuesday night: Competitive Edge pgs. 143-145 #1, 2, 4, 8, 12

Wednesday night: Competitive Edge pg 111 #1-4

Thursday night: Competitive Edge pg 138 #1-4

Grade 7: Week of October 24th to 28th

We are finished learning about the digestive system and will begin learning about the respiratory system, which involves breathing and cellular respiration. Students will learn about the functions of the respiratory system, its parts, and how to protect this system by not smoking.

Our tentative homework schedule is:

Tuesday night: Answer questions from the "Respiration Basics" sheet. Study.

Wednesday or Thursday night (depending on how much we cover in class): pg. 386 questions from the textbook (all)

Grade 8: Week of October 24th to 28th

Grade 8s will receive a Chapter 17 hydrology review sheet on Tuesday which they need to complete by Wednesday. Wednesday night students will need to study for Thursday's test. On Friday we will watch a movie called Blue Gold: Water Wars. This documentary and informational video examines current water issues such as water shortages and global pollution. It also examines the questions of public versus private ownership of water and how we provide clean inexpensive water for all.

Week of October 24th to 27th: Grade 5 and 7

Friday is a teacher work day and we cannot have a test this day. Both grade 5 and grade 7 will receive a test on Thursday instead. Grade 5s will receive a review sheet on Tuesday and Grade 7 will receive on Monday to help them study for the test. Grade 5s and 7s should expect homework every night this week, especially finishing and reviewing their review sheet for the test on Thursday.

Grade 5: Week of October 17th to 21st

Grade 5s will continue learning about fronts and air masses and explore them through different learning styles. They will act out fronts, draw them, and read about them. This is the last week we will do our climate record. We will have our air mass and fronts test on Friday.

Homework for the week:

*Some students still need to do their corrections from the Cloud and Precipitation test

Monday night: Pg. 135 #6, 13, 15

Tuesday night: Air mass and front sheet

Wednesday night: first two pages of the review sheet, study for the air mass/fronts test

Thursday night: study for the air mass/fronts test

Friday: air mass and fronts test

Grade 7: Week of October 17th to 21st

Last week we discussed unhealthy additives in food and students examined labels for additives. On Friday they began creating a healthy menu for two days based on the food pyramid. We will share those menus Monday and students will vote on the healthiest, most tasty option. On Tuesday we will learn about food related diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and heart attacks. Students will receive a review sheet on Wednesday and a test on Friday.

Grade 8: Week of October 17th to 21st

Last week's inquiry into water health was very successful! Students examined four different types of water and decided which one was the healthiest based on health indicator evidence. We watched two videos on China: one on Linfen, one of the dirtiest cities in the world, and water pollution. We used this case study to apply our indicators of water health.

This week we are examining human impact on both freshwater and oceans. We will look at case studies such as the diminished supply of cod in Canada, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the bio-accumulation of mercury and dioxins in our bodies up the food chain. We will model the waste treatment process of flocculation, filtration, and disinfection. Students will receive a review sheet Thursday or Friday to prepare for a test Tuesday October 25th.

Neuse Charter School Book Fair

Our famous book fair begins Wednesday October 12th to the 19th. Come on out and check out the books! Teachers have made various wish lists if you would like to contribute. These books are used in the classroom as resources and silent reading books for children.

Grade 5: Week of October 10-14th

On Monday we studied for our Cloud and Precipitation test. Our test on Tuesday will be a mixture of fill in the blanks and identifying clouds. It is important to know the shape and altitude of clouds, and to know the different temperatures of each type of precipitation. We will begin a new chapter on weather Wednesday which is air masses and fronts. Students will continue to be meteorologists this week and next, and will examine clouds, cloud cover, precipitation, temperature, air pressure, and humidity.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: study for the clouds and precipitation test
Wednesday night: Answer questions on page 133 in the Competitive Edge
Thursday night: Answer questions on page 135 in the Competitive Edge

Grade 7: Week of October 10th to 14th

Students enjoyed coloring the digestive system today and will compare the mechanical and chemical parts of the digestive system on Tuesday. On Wednesday we will discuss healthy and harmful foods and ways to protect our digestive system so it continues to last a long time. We will examine labels for healthy and unhealthy ingredients and then prepare a healthy menu for three days. The class will examine these menus and vote on the healthiest and most delicious menus! Students will receive a review sheet and test on the digestive system next week.

Homework for the week:

Monday night: complete the coloring and functions of the digestive system
Tuesday and Wednesday night: bring in food labels
Thursday night: finish food menus if necessary

Grade 8: Week of October 10th to 14th

Round up that pond water! We are testing pond water compared to regular water that has been treated to see which water is healthier. Students will receive bonus marks for bringing in natural freshwater. We will use this water to examine various indicators such as turbidity, nitrates and phosphates, temperature, biological species present and so on. Currently we are completing a chart of indicators to determine water's health and will do a lab to test all kinds of water we receive. According to the Water Department in Washington, NC, sedimentation or turbidity is the larger problem affecting North Carolina fresh waters.

Homework for this week is as follows:

Monday night: Pg. 530 all Review and Reflect questions
Tuesday night: Begin study guide - definitions on pg. 553 (all)
Wednesday night: Finish water health indicator lab if not already finished; continue with study guide
Thursday night: Finish web (if not already done), pg. 537 questions (all); finish study guide
Friday: study guide due

A few students have not finished paragraphs or the previous study guide from Chapter 16. Students need to turn this in by Wednesday October 19th so I can put in grades for report cards.

Science Olympiad: out Friday

Parents,

I will be out Friday since I am attending a Science Olympiad coaching workshop Friday and Saturday at NC State University.

Grade 5: Week of October 3-7th

Students will become meteorologists this month and will examine all facets of weather through www.weather.com. We will have two lead student meteorologists tell us the weather each day, and we will eventually make a weather map building on the information we have learned. This activity allows students to apply what they have learned authentically.

Students will study clouds and precipitation and receive a review sheet on Friday. I am tentatively scheduling a test for Tuesday of next week. We might create "hail in a test tube" depending on our freezer situation. Students may expect homework almost every day this week.

Grade 7: Week of October 3-7th

Students are studying the smallest functioning part of the human body: the cell. We will have a quiz on cell parts and their functions on Tuesday. Expect a review sheet on Monday.

The digestive system is the first fascinating system that we will explore, from the mouth to the large intestine. We will examine the different parts of the digestive system and their functions. Then we will explore mechanical and chemical digestion.

Grade 8: Week of October 3-7th

Students have put a lot of time and effort into their ocean models and paragraphs. I have learned many interesting facts about ocean animals from students' presentations but I'm not sure I would like to meet a filler shark or electric eel....

Students will receive an ocean review sheet Monday or Tuesday to study for their ocean test depending on how long presentations take. The test on oceans will be on Thursday. Our next unit of the hydrosphere focuses on indicators of clean water. We will examine: turbidity, nitrates, phosphates, thermal pollution, and dissolved oxygen levels in the water.

Grade 5 air pressure test

Parents,

The air pressure test is moved to Thursday to give students enough time to study and review. All students should have a review sheet to help them study.

Informational meeting on China this Tuesday 3:30

Our EF tour representative, Kimberly, will be here Tuesday 3:30 in the media center to answer any questions about China. She is our resident expert in North Carolina. Please come out if you are interested in traveling to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian during spring break April 6th to 16th!

Grade 5: Week of September 26 -30th

We have been studying air pressure as one condition of weather. Students from two classes have already been given the review sheet to complete for Tuesday. The other class will receive the review sheet on Tuesday. Students have two days to study their review sheet, which will be similar to the test. Classes who receive their review sheet on Monday will have their test on Wednesday and those that receive it on Tuesday will have a test on Thursday. We will play various vocabulary games such as "Go Fish", and test ourselves to prepare. Clouds - their shapes, altitudes, and precipitation - are our next venture.

Please note progress reports were handed out today. I am counting this as an assignment grade. If it is turned in on Tuesday or Wednesday signed students receive a 5/5. Every day it is late after, a point is taken off. Please write a note if you accidentally misplace the progress report or would like to keep it for more time.

Grade 7: Week of September 26th to 30th

Students have put forth an excellent effort on their choice project. Students are continuing to present their posters, power points, dioramas, and essays. When finished the project, we will learn about something completely different: cells and tissues. This will begin a large unit on the digestive system, respiratory system, and central nervous system. We will explore the human body, its functions, how to keep it healthy, and the miracles it performs every day.

Please note progress reports were handed out today. I am counting this as an assignment grade. If it is turned in on Tuesday or Wednesday signed students receive a 5/5. Every day it is late, a point is taken off. Please write a note if you accidentally misplaced the progress report or would like to keep it for more time.

Grade 8: Week of September 26th to 30th

Many students are enjoying Skills USA and are learning a lot! Other grade 8s who are not at Skills USA are working on their ocean models and animal paragraphs. These are due Thursday as we will we begin presentations on this day.

Please note progress reports were handed out today. I am counting this as an assignment grade. If it is turned in on Tuesday or Wednesday signed students receive a 5/5. Every day it is late after, a point is taken off. Please write a note if you accidentally misplaced the progress report or would like to keep it for more time. Skills USA will receive their progress reports when they return and have until Friday to turn it in.

Progress Reports and SACS

Progress reports go out on Friday September 23rd. Please return them signed by Tuesday.

Tests and assignments can usually be found in your child's Science folder, but I will be keeping some at the beginning, middle, and end of year for a process called SACS. Neuse Charter school is undergoing this process to show we are continuously improving and for accreditation. It requires that we document many things, including children's work. You may see these tests and assignments in your child's student conference binder during student conference time.

Grade 5: Week of September 19th to 23rd

Our theme for this week is air pressure and the atmosphere. We will do two experiments to test if air really does have weight. We will learn about the layer of the atmosphere we live in: the troposphere, examine a barometer, and play a game "Go Fish" to review concepts of air pressure. Expect a test on air pressure next week.

Grade 7: Week of September 19th to 23rd

Students have required more time to study for the test and complete their project, so project deadlines are extended. We will work on the essay Monday and Tuesday and it is due on Wednesday. Students will have a bit of time to work on their choice project Wednesday, but not much since we will be peer editing our essays. The choice project is due on Thursday so students may present on Thursday and Friday. Students will need to work on most of their choice project at home. Students have been given time in class for all other parts of this project. Thank you for your support parents! Students have been learning a lot about severe weather.

Grade 8: Week of September 19th to 23rd

Grade 8s will study the ocean, its dissolved gases, levels, marine life, and upwelling. In addition to this study, students will do a project on the ocean. This project will involve creating a 3D model in groups and preparing one paragraph each on an animal in the intertidal zone, neritic zone, bathyl zone, and abyssal zone. Students will receive a project sheet detailing assignments, deadlines, and marks on Monday. Please sign and return the bottom portion of the project sheet by Wednesday.

Students will need model materials and some research on their animals by Thursday September 22nd. We will continue to work with the model materials and research until Thursday September 29th. At this time students will need to present their paragraphs on marine animals and their 3D models.

Last informational meeting about the trip to China

For those still interested in going to China, we have an informational meeting on Tuesday September 27th at 3:30. Our EF Tour representative for North Carolina will be at Neuse Charter School to answer your questions.

My new email

Dear parents,

My old Neuse Charter email:  crennie@neusecharterschool.org is not processing emails anymore.  My new work email is crennie72@gmail.com.  Please feel free to email me anytime.  Thank you!

Grade 5: Week of September 12-16th

Grade 5s will receive a review sheet on Tuesday to study for their Water Cycle test on Thursday.  Students will test each other and we will discuss test taking strategies.  Humidity will not be on the Water Cycle test - I will save this concept for the next test.  Then we will move on to air pressure.  Students will examine the concept of pressure as weight added from above.  To model air pressure, we will use books.  We will add successive layers of books on top of a student to examine how weight adds pressure, and then connect this to "layers" of air and high and low air pressure.

Grade 7: Week of September 12-16th

Grade 7s will take their Severe Weather test on Wednesday this week and have already received a review sheet which will help them study. 

We have had to extend some project deadlines.  The project letter needs to be signed by parents by Monday.  Please let me know if you have questions! Students will take notes on their severe weather project this Tuesday and Thursday.  Notes and bibliography are due this Friday.  We will begin the essay and choice project Friday and will continuing writing next Monday and Tuesday.  Presentations will begin Wednesday the 21st and Thursday the 22nd.  The essay and choice project are due Wednesday the 21st.

Grade 8: Week of September 12-16th

Grade 8s will have their first test on the Hydrosphere Wednesday.  They received their review sheet which contains real questions from a previous End of Grade test.  Most tests will have some multiple choice questions from a previously released EOG so students can get practice answering these type of questions.

Students enjoyed the "Properties of Water" lab. Our latest adventure was calculating the density of various objects.  The student helpers of the month measured water in a beaker and calculated the amount of displaced water when we put in the object.  They weighed the object on the scale and then divided the object's mass by its volume to get the density.  We compared the different density of the objects tested.  Students could see by this hands on activity that the cotton ball actually was less dense than the metal bolt and piece of wood.

This week we will begin studying the ocean, its parts, its dissolved gases and minerals, and marine life found there.

Trip to China extended!

Dear parents,

I talked to EF tours and I am happy to announce that they have extended enrollment to China to September 8th at the same price.  If you would like more information about the trip's itinerary, pricing, or enrollment, you may visit:  www.eftours.com/1122186,  If you wish to enroll online you may click on either the student or parent tab and at the bottom of webpage you will notice an enrollment box.  Type in the tour number: 1122186 and you will be guided through a series of steps.  You may also enroll by phone at 1-800-665-5364, or by faxing the enrollment package to 1-800-318-3732.  If you do not have this enrollment form or brochure, I will give you an extra one.  You may email questions to crennie72@gmail.com.  Thank you for your interest in China!

Grade 5: Week of September 6 - 9

We have been learning about weather, specifically about the sun's angle of insolation, the different zones of the earth (tropical, temperate, polar), and the water cycle.  Students also learned about hurricanes: its causes, effects, and safety.   We especially discussed Hurricane Irene and students shared their experiences.  Finally, we did an experiment last Friday to show how water evaporates and condenses to make a cloud on the top of a pie pan.

This week students will examine the water cycle more deeply by acting it out, comparing the different parts, and examining examples of the water cycle in the real world.  Students will learn about humidity and complete a concept map.  On Friday students will receive a review sheet to prepare for their test next week.  Students will receive homework in Science either every night or every second night.  However, students will not receive homework September 8th due to many sports games.

If you would like your child to have his or her own Competitive Edge textbook, please send in $15.00 ASAP (as mentioned in the introductory letter).  I will order these textbooks this week.  If your child does not purchase a textbook it is possible s/he will be sharing with another student and will not get to write in it.

Grade 7: Week of September 6 - 9

We have been learning about severe weather:  its causes, effects, and safety.  Some topics we have explored are tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, flooding, and blizzards.  We especially discussed Hurricane Irene and students shared what they had experienced and heard on the news.  Students will receive a review sheet to prepare them for the Severe Weather test this Thursday.  Since we have many sports events September 8th, students will not receive homework that night or a test on Friday.  If I feel students are not ready for a test on Thursday I will delay the test until next Tuesday.

Students will begin a project Friday on Severe weather.  They will have a choice of tornadoes, thunderstorms, hurricanes, flooding or blizzards.  You can expect a project letter to go home with students this week detailing all of the project requirements.  Please return the bottom portion signed and keep the letter for yourself.  You may also see the project letter on this blog. 

Grade 8: Week of September 6-9

We have learned about the parts of the hydrosphere, groundwater, the effects of overusing aquifers, and water as the universal solvent.  This week we will continue to examine properties of water through labs.  Last week students tried to dissolve many substances in water such as crackers, chips, sugar, and even Oreo cookies to examine water as a universal solvent.  This week we will examine water's high specific heat compared to other materials, density of water and other objects, buoyancy of objects in water, and adhesion of water to other substances such as celery.  Upon examining the properties of water, students will draw conclusions in a lab exercise.  We will have a quiz on the properties of water Thursday and a review sheet to prepare for our Hydrosphere test next week.

Please note that students will most likely have homework every night of the week except Friday from now until the end of the year.  I do not give homework on the weekend unless it is signing a form.  However, I will not give homework on September 8th because of many sports games.

Introductory letter grade 8

 NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL SCIENCE GRADE 8

                                                                                        

Welcome to eighth grade Science!  It is my pleasure to teach your child.  This year will be a year of discovery and exploration.  We will cover various themes over the semester:  The hydrosphere, geology, chemistry, microbiology, and cells.  Grade 8 is a tested year so your child will take the End of Grade test in Science.  Students will explore scientific concepts in a variety of ways:  by reading and questioning, assignments, multimedia, experiments, models, games, simulations, and other hands on activities.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Many students have already brought in supplies.  The school supply list may also be found on Neuse Charter school’s website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  For Science, students will need two spiral notebooks, a hand held pencil sharpener, a Science folder, and a $5.00 Science fee.  The Science fee will be collected by Grades 5-10 and will be used to buy Science equipment and experiment materials.  Other materials to be replenished through the year are loose leaf paper, pencils, erasers, and pens (red/blue/black).  Wish list items for the Science are:  markers and colored pencils for the class, a class pencil sharpener, Lysol wipes, expo board spray, and Kleenex.

GRADING

Every effort will be made to ensure your child is learning, engaged, and thinking critically.  The vast majority of children do very well in Science and enjoy it very much.  However, if your child is falling below grade level – below 77% or C – then I will contact you and we will discuss ways to improve your child’s grade. 

GRADING

          I have very high expectations for your child and believe every child can learn.  My grading system is as follows:

50% tests

30% assignments and labs

10% participation

10% homework

TESTS:  Students will be allowed to rewrite one test per quarter if s/he receives 70% or below.  I will re-teach any concepts that are repeatedly missed on tests.  Concepts on tests are directly related to what your child will be tested on the EOG.

ASSIGNMENTS/LABS:  Many assignments will be done in class, but some, such as projects will also need to be worked on at home.  If assignments are turned in late they will receive a maximum late mark of 70% (a D grade).

PARTICIPATION:  Your child’s enthusiasm, participation in discussions, and discipline will determine his/her participation grade.

HOMEWORK:  Homework will be marked as complete or incomplete and 0.5 to 1% will be taken off each time it is not completed.  This includes if it was completed but students forgot to bring it to class.  If there is an extenuating circumstance, please write a note for your child and I will give him/her an extra day to complete the homework without penalty. Parents will receive an email or phone call if homework is not completed consistently.

Every effort will be made to ensure your child is learning, engaged, and thinking critically.  The vast majority of children do very well in Science and enjoy it very much.  However, if your child is falling below grade level – below 77% or C – then I will contact you and we will discuss ways to improve your child’s grade. 

CONTACTS AND SCIENCE INFORMATION

Weekly information on themes we are covering and when tests and assignments are due may be found on the Neuse Charter School website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  Click on the “More…” tab and then the “Teachers Blogs” link.  If you have any questions or concerns you may email me at crennie72@gmail.com  or call the school at 919-938-1077. 

I look forward to exploring Science with your child this year!

Sincerely,

Christine Rennie

Introductory letter grade 7

 NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL SCIENCE GRADE 7

                                                                                                                    

Welcome to seventh grade Science!  It is my pleasure to teach your child.  This year will be a year of discovery and exploration.  We will cover various themes over the semester:  Severe weather, the human body and its systems, and genetics.  Grade 7 is not a tested year so your child will NOT take the End of Grade test in Science.  Students will explore scientific concepts in a variety of ways:  by reading and questioning, assignments, multimedia, experiments, models, games, simulations, and other hands on activities.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Many students have already brought in supplies.  The school supply list may also be found on Neuse Charter school’s website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  For Science, students will need two spiral notebooks, a hand held pencil sharpener, a Science folder, and a $5.00 Science fee.  The Science fee will be collected by Grades 5-10 and will be used to buy Science equipment and experiment materials.  Other materials to be replenished through the year are loose leaf paper, pencils, erasers, and pens (red/blue/black).  Wish list items for the Science are:  markers and colored pencils for the class, a class pencil sharpener, Lysol wipes, expo board spray, and Kleenex.

GRADING

Every effort will be made to ensure your child is learning, engaged, and thinking critically.  The vast majority of children do very well in Science and enjoy it very much.  However, if your child is falling below grade level – below 77% or C – then I will contact you and we will discuss ways to improve your child’s grade. 

CONTACTS AND SCIENCE INFORMATION

Weekly information on themes we are covering and when tests and assignments are due may be found on the Neuse Charter School website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  Click on the “More…” tab and then the “Teachers Blogs” link.  If you have any questions or concerns you may email Christine Rennie at crennie72@gmail.com , May Tsai at maytsai701@yahoo.com or call the school at 919-938-1077. 

We look forward to exploring Science with your child this year!

Sincerely,

Christine Rennie and May Tsai

Grade 5 Introductory Letter

NEUSE CHARTER SCHOOL SCIENCE GRADE 5

                                                                                        

Welcome to fifth grade Science!  It is my pleasure to teach your child.  This year will be a year of discovery and exploration.  We will cover four themes over the year:  Weather, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Landforms, and Ecosystems.  In May your child will take the End of Grade test in Science.  Students will explore scientific concepts in a variety of ways:  by reading and questioning, assignments, multimedia, experiments, models, games, simulations, and other hands on activities.

TEXTBOOKS

This year your child will receive their textbook Competitive Edge.  This will be a shared textbook.  However, if your child wishes to have his/her own textbook in which s/he can write, you may purchase one for a mere $15.00.  I highly recommend this option as your child can also take this textbook home to study for chapter tests and use the Practice questions to study for the EOG.  You may pay by cash or make the check out to Neuse Charter School.  Please have all money in by September 2^nd so the school may order your book.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Many students have already brought in supplies.  This school supply list may also be found on Neuse Charter school’s website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  For Science students will need two spiral notebooks, a hand held pencil sharpener, and a Science folder, and a $5.00 Science fee.  This Science fee will be collected by Grades 5-10 and will be directly used to buy Science equipment and experiment materials.  Other materials to be replenished through the year are loose leaf paper, pencils, erasers, and pens (red/blue/black).  Wish list items for the Science class are:  markers and colored pencils for the class, a pencil sharpener, Lysol wipes, expo board spray, and Kleenex.

GRADING

          I have very high expectations for your child and believe every child can learn.  My grading system is as follows:

40% tests

40% assignments and labs

10% participation

10% homework

TESTS:  Students will be allowed to rewrite one test per quarter if s/he received below 70% or D.  I will reteach any concepts that are repeatedly missed on tests.  Please look for tests and other assignments in the Friday folder.  Concepts on tests are directly related to what your child will be tested on the EOG.

ASSIGNMENTS/LABS:  Many assignments will be done in class, but some, such as projects will also need to be worked on at home.  If assignments are turned in late they will receive a maximum late mark of 70%.

PARTICIPATION:  Your child’s enthusiasm, participation in discussions, and discipline will determine his/her participation grade.

HOMEWORK:  Homework will be marked as complete or incomplete and 0.5 to 1% will be taken off each time it is not completed.  This includes if it was completed but students forgot to bring it to class.  If there is an extenuating circumstance, please write a note for your child and I will give him/her an extra day to complete the homework without penalty. Parents will receive an email or phone call if homework is not completed consistently.

Every effort will be made to ensure your child is learning, engaged, and thinking critically.  The vast majority of children do very well in Science and enjoy it very much.  However, if your child is falling below grade level – below 77% or C – then I will contact you and we will discuss ways to improve your child’s grade. 

CONTACTS AND SCIENCE INFORMATION

Weekly information on themes we are covering and when tests and assignments are due may be found on the Neuse Charter School website:  www.neusecharterschool.org.  Click on the Teachers Blog tab.  If you have any questions or concerns you may email me at crennie72@gmail.com or call the school at 919-938-1077. 

I look forward to exploring Science with your child this year!

Sincerely,

 Christine Rennie

Awards Assembly and Student Led Conferences

Dear parents,

You are cordially invited to the Awards Ceremony for middle school which will take place Friday June 3rd at 8:00 am at the Basketball Courts behind the gym. 7B class is also invited to student led conferences Thursday June 2nd from 2:45 to 3:15.

C. Rennie

Field Day items and SACs binders for 7B

We are very near the end of the year and Field day is fast approaching! Field day will occur on June 3rd and we will need assistance with donations. Each class is responsible for bringing lunch for Field day. Please bring the following lunch donations for 7B to Ms. Rennie’s room before June 3rd:

60 hotdogs
60 hotdog buns
40 individual bags of chips
1 package of freezer pops
1 can of powdered Gatorade
4 gallons of water

Last year’s volunteers worked really hard at saving items to be re-used at Field day this year. Below are the items that need to be replaced. Parents may donate an item from this list at the front office, or make a monetary donation toward Field day. We are in need of:

4- beach balls
100 -clothespins, clothesline, clothes
5 -beach chairs
5- towels
2- 5 gal bucket
10- cones
1 small bag baking potatoes
3- foot balls
5- tables
4- hockey sticks
5- small pools
10- buckets
5 bags of charcoal

On another note, Neuse Charter School is undergoing an accreditation process called SACs. Under this process we must document students work and we are in need of many 3 inch binders with plastic covers. The plastic cover on the front is needed for us to slip in a title page. Dr. Harris is requesting that each parent donate one 3 inch binder with plastic cover per child. Thank you very much for your generosity and support!

Award Assemblies and EOGs

Dear parents,

The results from the EOGs will come back Monday May 23rd. If your child scores a Level 3 or higher, teachers will not phone you. However, if your child scores a Level 1 or 2 (below grade level), we will phone you Monday afternoon and let you know about remediation and retests.

The award assembly for this year for Grades 5-9 is June 2nd.

Grade 5: Weeks of May 23rd to June 3rd

Biome Project Outline

Grade 5 will complete a project on a specific biome. This project will mostly be done in class and is a mini-project. Notes, research, the food web, and writing of the research paper wilI be done in class. I will provide books on biomes, but if students do not finish your research or other assignments in class, they will have them for homework.

Due dates are the following and might change depending on our schedule:

May 25th Notes due (15 marks)
Minimum 5 notes on each: Climate, Special Characteristics, Animals and Plants (types and adaptations), and Pollution in the Biome

May 26th Food web of the biome due (10 marks)

May 27th Research paper due (10 marks)
Research paper is based on notes we took. *Students may not plagiarize.

May 31st to June 1st Presentations (10 marks)

Please sign student's biome project sheets when they arrive home.

Grade 6 and 7: Weeks of May 23rd to June 3rd

ENVIRONMENT PROJECT

We will complete a project on pathogens, or disease causing microbes. There will be seven elements to this project:

1. Notes: due May 26th (10 marks)
2. Research: one print out, magazine, or book due May 24th (5 marks)
3. Bibliography: due May 26th (5 marks)
4. Written research paper: May 27th (20 marks)
5. A power point (regular power point, or Prexis) or poster on Glogster: May 27th (10 marks)
6. Presentations: May 31st and June 1st (10 marks)
7. Participation: 10 marks

There will be time in Science class and Technology class to complete work, but students will need to bring in one piece of research to Science class. Any work that is not completed in class must be completed at home. Students will present in partner groups, may do the power point or poster together, and may help each other as needed. However, notes, research paper, bibliography, and research must be done individually and each student will receive an individual mark for his/her efforts.

The research project will consist of the following paragraphs:

1. Introduction: introductory statement, define the environmental problem, and what you will discuss in your essay.

2. Causes: what caused the environmental problem; or why people have chosen to use this type of energy over other renewable sources.

3. Effects: what effects does this problem have on humans, the atmosphere, animals, plants, etc.

4. Solutions: describe various solutions, practicality, costs, and challenges to their implementation.

5. Case study: choose a place in the world that has experienced this problem on a more severe level. You may use the teacher’s suggestion or choose your own.

Suggested case studies:
• Nuclear energy: Chernobyl or Japanese power plants 2011 earthquake
• E waste: Guiyu, China
• Overpopulation: one child policy, China or India or Indonesia
• Air pollution (fossil fuels): coal burning plants in North Carolina or Linfen, China
• Water pollution and shortages: aquifer Mexico City, cholera, or bilharzias
• Climate change: rainforest, landfills or prominent scientists for/against climate change
• Deforestation and endangered species: Amazon rainforest or highlight an endangered species
• Toxic waste: Love Canal, NY or Bhopal, India
• Oil spill: Exxon Valdez spill or Gulf of Mexico
• Garbage: garbage and recycling in North Carolina
6. Conclusion: summarize your conclusions and give the reader your most important points.

Grade 8: Weeks of May 23rd to June 3rd

PATHOGENS PROJECT

We will complete a project on pathogens, or disease causing microbes. There will be seven elements to this project:

1. Notes: due May 26th (10 marks)
2. Research: one print out, magazine, or book due May 24th (5 marks)
3. Bibliography: due May 26th (5 marks)
4. Written research paper: May 27th (20 marks)
5. A power point (regular power point, or Prexis) or poster on Glogster: May 27th (10 marks)
6. Presentations: May 31st and June 1st (10 marks)
7. Participation: 10 marks

There will be time in Science class and Technology class to complete work, but students will need to bring in one piece of research to Science class. Any work that is not completed in class must be completed at home. Students will present in partner groups, may do the power point or poster together, and may help each other as needed. However, notes, research paper, bibliography, and research must be done individually and each student will receive an individual mark for his/her efforts. Parents must approve of your research topic.

The research project will consist of the following paragraphs:

1. Introduction: introductory statement, define your pathogen, tell which type of microbe it is (virus, bacteria, protist, fungi), and what you will discuss in your essay.

2. Special characteristics: Describe the pathogen and its special characteristics (physical characteristics, most common victims, most common area it is found, any epidemics, etc.)

3. Spread of the pathogen (host to host by ingestion/inhalation/touch, spread by vectors, spread by environmental sources, who is most susceptible) and favorable conditions for the disease (warm climate, unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, contamination, etc)

4. Symptoms and treatment of infection

5. Prevention: antimicrobial solutions, washing hands, not drinking unsanitary water, government regulation, etc.

Grade 5: Week of May 9th to 13th

We are rapidly preparing for our EOG in Science. Grade 5s will take their EOGs on Friday May 20th. We will have a fair amount of homework this week, including quizzes, but I will not be giving homework next week, the week of EOGs. Also time will be given in class to complete review sheets and students will test themselves in partners.

Homework is as follows:

Monday night:
1. Bring back the progress report signed.
2. Finish review sheet on Ecosystems and study for the Ecosystems test.
3. Finish Column 5 vocabulary sentences.

Tuesday night:
1. Study for the Ecosystems test on Wednesday and Ecosystems EOG Quiz Thursday (this content is related).
2. Finish Column 6 vocabulary sentences.

Wednesday night:
1. Study for the Ecosystems EOG quiz Thursday (students have a review sheet they completed in class on Tuesday.

Thursday night:
1. Study the vocabulary definitions and sentences Column 5 and 6 for the final vocabulary test on Friday.

Grade 6: Week of May 9th to 13th

We are finishing up our unit on natural selection and adaptations. Grade 6 will receive a review sheet on Tuesday and will take their test on Thursday, unless they need more time to review. Then I will postpone it to Friday. We will watch a very interesting video on the Galapagos Islands which shows diversity and adaptation at its finest. We will observe the Galapagos Islands as Charles Darwin observed them and examine how he came to his conclusions and formed the theory of natural selection.

Homework is as follows:

Monday night: return the progress report signed

Tuesday night: finish the review sheet and study for the Adaptations test

Wednesday night: study for the Adaptations test

Thursday night: no homework unless we postpone the test to Friday

Grade 7: Week of May 9th to 13th

Since I did not see grade 7 at all for four days, I needed this Monday to understand what grade 7 had learned and completed, and what they had not. Both classes will take a test this Friday and receive a review sheet on Wednesday. Our test will cover composition of the atmosphere, layers of the atmosphere, CFCs (causes, effects, solutions), destruction of the ozone layer (causes, effects, solutions), and ozone in the form of volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxide.

We are missing three blue Science books. Please check your house to see if you might have one in your house.

Students homework is the following:

Monday night: return the progress report signed.

Tuesday night: to be determined

Wednesday night: finish the review sheet; study for the test on Friday

Thursday night: study for the test on Friday

Grade 8: Week of May 9th to 13th

We are rapidly preparing for EOGs and finishing our microbe book. Grade 8s will have a fair amount of homework and studying this week but I will not assign homework next week because of EOGs. The Grade 8 Science EOG is on Thursday May 19th. Students have finished answers questions on microbes and are now putting these questions in paragraph form and printing or drawing pictures for each page. Please see the Microbes booklet worksheets which gives instructions on how to complete the book.

Homework for the week is as follows:

Monday night:
1. Complete lessons 31 to 34 and the EOG Review in the EOG book (Chemistry section)
2. Study for the quiz on geology (see EOG book) on Tuesday
3. Bring back progress report signed for a homework grade

Tuesday night:
1. Complete pages 1-4 of the Microbe book or more including drawings or print out of pictures
2. Complete the review sheet on Microbes and study for the Microbes test Thursday

Wednesday night:
1. Complete pages 5-9 of the Microbe book including pictures
2. Study for the Microbes test on Thursday

Thursday night:
1. Complete pages 9-12 of the Microbe book including pictures
2. Study for the EOG Chemistry Quiz on Friday(see Chemistry section of the EOG book)

Friday: Microbe book is due. We will take the EOG Chemistry Quiz and then begin a full length practice quiz in partners. Next Monday we will finish a real EOG test that Department of Public Instruction released.

Extend 2 testing and Progress Reports

We will have students Extend 2 EOG testing this week in the media center. This means we will have a different schedule than usual this week and I will only be teaching grade 5, 6a, and 8a. I will give all other work to supervising teachers for other classes.

Progress Reports will be given out May 6th. Please bring them back signed by Tuesday May 10th. Thank you!

Grade 5: Week of May 2nd to 6th

We will be reviewing for our EOG and learning about food webs and food chains this week. Students received a review sheet on Newton's Laws Monday and will take a quiz on it Wednesday. Students will receive a review sheet on Ecosystems on Wednesday (or possibly Thursday and will take their test next Tuesday. It is the last chapter test they will take. Students will also be writing sentences to prepare themselves for a Vocabulary Quiz on Column 3 and 4 words. Most students did very well on their last Vocabulary test!

Students will have the following homework:

Tuesday night: write sentences on Column 3 and study for Newton's Laws Quiz
Wednesday night: write sentences on Column 4 and finish part or all of the review sheet (review sheet might be given for homework Wednesday or Thursday)
Thursday night: study for the Column 3 and 4 Vocabulary Test, study for the Ecosystem test
next Monday night: study for the Ecosystem test on Tuesday May 10th

Grade 6: Week of May 2nd to 6th

Due to extend 2 EOG testing in the media center, I will only see 6a, but will give work to the supervising teachers of 6b. We will compare and contrast plants' physical and physiological adaptations and examine the causes of extinction. Finally, we will watch a video about one of the most famous case studies of adaptation: the Galapagos Islands. We will have a test next week.

Grade 7: Week of May 2nd to 6th

Due to Extend 2 EOG testing in the media center, I will not get to see Grade 7s this week, but have given work to supervising teachers. Students will be learning about two types of ozone and comparing and contrasting them. They will learn how ozone, volatile organic compounds, nitrous oxide, and other particles pollute our air. Then they will be presented with a case study about one of the dirtiest cities in the world: Linfen, China. We will have a test on the Atmosphere next week.

Grade 8: Week of May 2nd to 6th

Since we are having Extend 2 testing in the media center, I will only see 8a this week, but I have given work to other elective teachers and 8b will be expected to do the same work as 8a.

I have marked all of the EOG tests that were written before spring break and I will be communicating with you if your child received an estimated 1 or 2 (below grade level). I will also have tutoring this Thursday, next Monday and next Thursday. We will go over the most common errors during the 8a class.

All of Grade 8 will be working on their Microbes book this week, filling in information from their textbook and EOG book first. The goal for this week is to have all of the information filled in for every microbe by Friday. Our second job will come next week when we write the paragraphs and include a microbe for each page.

Homework this week is as follows:

1. Finish filling in information and answering the questions on the "Microbe Book" sheets by Friday May 6th.
2. On Tuesday night: Finish Lesson 25, 26, 27 in the EOG book
3. On Wednesday night: Finish Lesson 28, 29, 30 in the EOG book
4. On Thursday night: Finish Lesson 31, 32, 33 in the EOG book

News for April: EOG proctors and tornadoes

I welcome back students from the spring break and am so glad to see students safe and sound after the tornadoes we received in North Carolina. Hopefully you and your family did not sustain much damage on your property. My brother and sister came to visit this spring break and I was showing them around downtown Raleigh on Saturday. We then drove down S. Saunders Street on our way to Wrightsville Beach. Unbeknownst to us, a tornado would touch down there forty minutes later! Various students told me about their experiences and how they helped the people of Micro whether it was by clearing away trash or feeding them. I commend these young people and their works of service!

On another note, we are in need of many proctors for the EOGs which will occur on May 17th, 18th, and 19th. We are in need of about forty proctors at this moment in order to test students in three days. Otherwise, we will have EOGs for three weeks like last year! If you are available any morning during these days, please let Lisa Freitas know in the office. We would greatly appreciate it!

Grade 5: Week of April 26th to 29th

When students came back they were anxious to examine what had grown in the garden. Currently cucumbers, watermelon, radishes, and certain flowers are sprouting. We will continue to monitor the garden and keep you posted.

This week students will study parts of the ecosystem: producers, consumers, and decomposers. Then we will examine how they connect to each other in food chains and food webs. Students will receive a test next week on ecosystems.

At the same time we are reviewing for the Science EOG. EOGs occur May 17th, 18th, and 19th. There are two ways we are reviewing. First, each day we read two lessons and answer multiple choice questions from Newton's Laws. Second, students have been giving a definition sheet with the important vocabulary from the year. On Tuesday night students will create sentences using the words from column 1. On Wednesday night, students create sentences from column 2. We will then have a vocabulary quiz on Friday. We will continue writing sentences and having a vocabulary quiz next week and the week after as well.

Grade 6: Week of April 26th to 29th

Students were very curious to see what had grown in the garden when they came back. Radishes, watermelon, cucumber, and sunflower seeds are currently sprouting, as well as certain flowers.

We are beginning our unit on adaptation and the Theory of Natural Selection. Students were introduced to the pepper moth and how it adapted over time to coal pollutants during the Industrial Revolution. We will look at other examples from Galapagos Island, and examine how Darwin formulated his Theory of Natural Selection. Students will have an opportunity to explore various animal and plant adaptations. There will be no test this week.

Grade 7: Week of April 26th to 29th

We are beginning our study of the atmosphere - its composition, its formation over time, and ways humans and other natural forces are polluting it. Students will do short experiments and present them to the class to show characteristics of air. We will also watch videos to show a theory of how the atmosphere was created, and watch a video about the "dirtiest" city in the world: Linfen, China. There will be no test this week.

Grade 8: Week of April 26th to 29th

We are beginning a new unit and will study the amazing world of microbiology! We will study the five different types of microbes and their characteristics, and then delve into their benefits and disadvantages. Students will have Hydrology homework every night from their EOG book, and will receive a Geology quiz on Thursday.

Grade 5: Week of April 11th to 15th

Students had a wonderful time planting their seeds. It will be a very full garden if everything grows!

Grade 5s will have a review sheet to study and will take a Weather review quiz on Wednesday (5b) or Thursday (5a). Earth Day festival will also be held April 15th. Our future compost barrels will be modeled there. After Earth Day we will use them for rain barrels for the garden and then use the barrels for composting at the new school campus. If you would like to volunteer for Earth Day, or participate with the class, please let us know.

Grade 8: Week of April 11th to 15th

Grade 8s will have a Chemicals test on Tuesday and a Geology Quiz on Friday. The Geology quiz will be based on the questions in the EOG book. Please expect your child to have EOG homework every night in this book.

*Progress reports for Grade 8 go out on Wednesday. I would appreciate if these came back signed before spring break. Students bringing back progress reports is also counted as a homework grade. Thank you!