Grade 7: Week of Jan. 17th to 21st

This week we will learn about the brain and all of its parts and functions. We will compare and contrast the central and the peripheral nervous system, and examine which parts of the brain are responsible for each function. Students will get to see a sheep's brain next week and we will dissect it to examine its parts. There is no test this week.

Grade 8: Week of Jan. 17th to 21st

We are continuing to learn about geologic, biological, and technological evolution. This week we will learn about how species adapt to survive or become extinct, and how continents are moving. We will explore evidence that continents are moving. The test on Geology is on Thursday.

Message to all grades: January 3-7

Welcome back! I hope all students and families had a wonderful Christmas break visiting with family and friends. Thank you very much for the cards and gifts - your generosity is really heartfelt. I wish you the best for the coming New year!

Most policies for the New Year will stay the same, but I am changing one policy. I will no longer be calling or emailing parents about test grades below 70%. Your child will bring you the test to sign instead (if it below 70%). If it is not back the next day signed, your child will call you from school and inform you. Every student still has the opportunity to retake one test below 70% each quarter for a maximum mark of 70%. If your child scores less than 70% on a test, s/he may stay after school or 7:30-7:45 to correct the test and study with me. Your child will have two to three days to study for the retest from the date of receiving it. If your child is scoring below grade level on tests or assignments consistently then I will call to discuss this with you. You may call or email me at any time if you have a concern, comment, or question. Thank you very much for your support.

Grade 5: Week of January 3-7

We are continuing to learn about simple machines, tools that make work easier without electricity or gasoline. We have learned about six different types of simple machines so far: levers, inclined plane, screws, wheel and axle, wedge, and pulleys. Students will have many activities to review simple machines, and will either take their Simple Machines test on Friday or next Tuesday, depending on level of readiness.

Next week students will make their own simple machine in groups. I have some material, but extra material to make simple machines is appreciated. Some useful materials to bring to school are blocks or triangles of wood, wood/plastic/metal bars, string, rope, wheels, objects to lift, etc. Please note: students are not permitted to bring sharp objects to school such as knives (for wedges).

Grade 6: Week of January 3-7

This is the unit many students have been waiting for: Space! We will first explore our own solar system: the moon, sun, and planets. Then we will expand our view to the galaxies and universe at large.

Currently we are learning about the moon and its lunar phases. Your child will be recording the moon's phase every night for the next 29 days. We will model lunar and solar eclipses, discuss tides and the moon's gravitational pull. This week we will just touch on the sun, but discuss it in greater depth next week: its parts, solar mass ejections, and its effect on Earth.

Please expect a planet project letter to come home next week (more information to come). In addition, we have the Planetarium visiting Neuse Charter School in March with exhibits and fun simulations!

Grade 7: Week of January 3-7

Our new unit is the respiratory system, or the system whereby oxygen is used as energy in the body and then breathed out as carbon dioxide through the lungs. We are first learning about parts of the respiratory system and its functions. Students will explore vocal cords through the use of rubber bands to show vibration, and their own lung capacity. Students will learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver in case of choking, and further examine the dangers of smoking. Due to inclement weather, we were not able to dissect the heart but will do so Friday - an interesting and informative activity for those who are not squeamish!

Grade 8: Week of January 3rd-7th

We begin our new unit on geologic, biological, and technical change, which comprises 20-25% of questions on the end of grade test. We will examine how scientists determine the age of rocks through radioactive dating and relative dating to give us our geologic time scale. Students will correlate fossils with different eras and learn about the laws of geology: the law of Horizontality, the Law of Superposition, and the Law of Cross Cutting Relationships. Students will apply these laws and study examples of the Grand Canyon and the Stawamus Chief in British Columbia, Canada. Then we will make our own geologic model and other groups will need to decipher the geological processes that occurred there to change the landscape over time.