Hello All! I hope you had a wonderful relaxing break! You should have received progress reports in the mail, if not they should be coming back to the school and we will be notified.

Science took an interesting turn in December and we are scrambling to be sure that because of the new state standards and benchmarks, that your child is going to be ready for high school. Originally, we were going to begin teaching Reproductive Health when we returned in January, but now that will be in February. We are going to begin working on "cells". Thank you for being so flexible.

I will be out for three days this week, attending a conference. Mr. Burtis will be here for me so he knows most of the routines and things should go smoothly. I will be here on Monday and back on Friday.

Let's have a great start to the new year!

Monday, January 8th

Science

Students will be going into the lab to work on using microscopes. Hopefully we will have some fresh pond water to look at, but at the moment, that is not looking promising. We will also briefly learn about the first microscope and looking at cells.


Creation Station

Students will be looking at their own name. The lesson is "What is in a Name?" We will be creating art from our name and reading a book on a creative person by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia.

Tuesday, January 9

Science

Students will be working on a graphic aid to help them understand what they know about cells, what they want to know about them and later, focusing on what they have learned about them.
This is a BKWLQ chart. There will also be articles on cells given to the class to help them to obtain background information on cells.

Wednesday, January 10

Science

Students will be creating Word Boxes on the vocabulary for this lesson on cells. They will be given the entire hour to work on these. If they do not complete them in class, they should complete them at home tonight to turn in tomorrow. It is so important for students to get down these words so that understanding the rest of the lesson is easier. We will be playing a vocabulary game with these words on Monday and there will be a vocabulary quiz on Tuesday, January 16th.

Creation Station

Students will work on lap tops to continue with Monday's lesson on "What's in a name?". They will be researching famous people whose name has been used for something. This assignment is due at the end of the hour.


Thursday, January 11

Science

Students will review their BKWLQ diagram and then read from a trade book, National Geographic: Looking at Cells. They will be taking notes in their journal as a PowerPoint on cells is used to teach about the different parts of a cell. Students will work together at their table to draw their own cell as the lesson progresses.


Friday, January 12

Science

We will continue with yesterday's lesson on cells, continue the reading, note taking and finish drawing the cell. Remember that the vocabulary quiz is on Tuesday!

Creation Station

Students will have time in class to finish any work from their file that is not complete so they should also bring other work to do if they are done with their work from in here. A book to read is a great idea!