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.