Grade 8: Week of January 24 to 28th

Grade 8s will continue to learn about biological, geological, and technological change. Students will piece together continents and examine evidence that these continents have moved apart slowly over time through continental drift. Technological advances we will examine are remote sensing in satellites, both active and passive, and spectral signatures. Students will receive their tests back early this week.

Grade 5: Week of Jan. 17th to 21st

Students will take their nine weeks test on Newton's Laws and simple machines on Thursday and Friday, depending on which class they are in. All of the test will be multiple choice to practice for the End of Grade test. I will hand back the simple machines test on Wednesday for 5A. Our next unit is landforms.

Grade 6: Week of Jan. 17th to 21st

Grade 6 will have a test on the moon and sun on Thursday. We will continue to document the moon's phases this month. Our next topic is our solar system and the planets. Please expect a project sheet next Monday about planets. Students will select a planet to do a project on and more information will follow.

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).