Housekeeping from Ms. Russ and the House
Voyager ART project
We have several students who are motivated to create a sculpture or painting outside Voyager House to represent our new image and motto. We would love an artistic volunteer. If anyone is good with sculpture, tile, etc. (we haven’t decided what it will be made of), we would love your volunteerism and help! Any takers?
NECAP Schedule an Reminders:
Ms. Q's Corner
Math 7
We began the week with NECAP test taking strategies and how to discern the best response when given similar answers. A number of students exhibited their constructed responses on several math problems and explained their thinking. We then compared their responses to the NECAP release tasks so we could develop a sense of how answers were scored. The big take away, read the question carefully, show your process with words and pictures, and highlight your answers clearly.
We finished the week by looking at the stories that graphs tell. We began discerning the difference between linear and nonlinear models and practiced solving one step and two step algebraic expressions.
Math 8
We began the week with NECAP review and test- taking strategies. We reviewed multiple ways to find the slope of a line and looked at a set of data points,a table, a graph, and created equations. Students are also working through math skill sheets as each week progresses.
Science 7th/8th
This week we revisited our yeast experiments. We investigated the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration by creating experimental conditions where we limited the amount of oxygen that the yeast had available to them. We compared and contrasted photosynthesis and respiration and discussed how energy flows through an ecosystem. We concluded the week with the introduction of our first project. Students are working within table groups to create a model that shows the flow of matter or energy through an ecosystem. Some topics include; Carbon cycle, food chains and symbiosis. For information on this project you may refer to Jupiter Grades to download the project specifications and rubric.
The Week in Ms.Wesnak’s Room:
7/8 Social Studies and Language Arts:
The election and the race to the White House has taken the front seat for all 7th and 8th grade Voyagers! We had a fantastic close to our work around our state’s government and the current candidates running for state offices, with the Candidate Forum today! A lot of students and staff were dressed in their business best to attend the forum, or be one of the lucky students to actually ask questions to the candidates that were here today. Students were a buzz with chatter around the forum, who they’d vote for, and the issues that were brought up today. Talk to your child about the forum, who they’d vote for and why. With our work around state government closing up today, we are moving forward with building our knowledge around the Presidential Race. We’ve been talking a lot about the electoral college, swing states and why they matter, and what it means to be President. Students were asked to watch the first Presidential Debate this week and that fueled a lively conversation about the candidates, who they are, and what they believe. We’ve been sharing fun facts about past Presidents, the White House, and what we know about the current presidential candidates. Students have a lot of great questions and knowledge to share around these topics, which has made our classroom lively, loud, and active!!
News from Ms. O
⅚ Math students should continue to log onto FASTT Math and FRACTION Nation to build fluency skills in whole numbers and fractions. Most students should be logging on to FASTT math. Please ask your child to log on and show you how a lesson works!
5th Grade Math
Students have been working on constructing ideas about multiplication and division and the relationship between them. Also, students are diving into new ideas like properties of numbers and factors of numbers. This first unit is really a survey of all math; the lessons move through many strands of math to get kids warmed up and ready to dive in deeply (Unit 2). Expect that students may not be experts by the time the next lesson comes along. We will revisit these concepts in each of the 7 remaining units.
6th Grade Math
As we continue to answer the question, “What are the properties of a number that make that number unique and how can we use this understanding to solve problems,” students are finding that very few things in math are a coincidence. When students can look at two numbers and see that one is a factor of the other, they might then be able to solve the ferris wheel problem in Investigation 3 (have your child show you!) or answer the question, why is it so rare for 13 and 17 year cicadas to emerge at the same time? We have been having a lot of aha moments in class by really paying attention to a number’s primeness or compositeness (are these words?).
You will also notice that I have been very clear (and yes a little strict) around constructed responses in math. Mathematicians communicate too and they must do so with clarity and organization. I hope that this message on mathematical reflections was a good first reminder (and last) that when you write in math, you do so in a way that others can understand. Please ask your child to see Investigation 1 math reflections, so they can share the LEAF checklist with you. I know the responses will be better next time.
⅚ Science
As we build our understanding of properties of matter, we find ourselves deep in math. We are working our way through some investigations with mass and volume. Ask your kiddo about the football metaphor which likely involves Pam, Skylar, Brianna, Allie, and Keenan. With this comparison, we worked to deepen our definition for mass (it’s more than just weight - gravity). We are learning how to use a triple beam balance and will be working with volume next week after NECAP testing. Creeping towards full understanding of density as a property of all matter...!
In addition, we are solidifying a date for a walk to the Allen Brook to begin our watershed project, a yearlong field study with the Town Planner, the Friends of the Winooski River, and the Winooski River Conservation District. I will be looking for some parents to walk and talk with us. Proposed dates are the 24th and 25th, from 1:10-2:45 (depending on your child’s long block day). I will finalize the plans during NECAP week. Think about joining us...
Update from Mr. Merrill
⅚ Social Studies and Language Arts
This week students prepared for our Candidate Forum. Candidate Posters were completed and put on display in the auditorium and dining room to create a wonderful campaign season atmosphere. Many posters were signed by the candidates today, or even “borrowed” by the candidates for their campaigns! Students also completed a constructed response on the qualities and characteristics of our elected officials. The forum was covered by WCAX, the Burlington Free Press, RETN, the Williston Observer, and many others. The students watched some of the forum today in KIVA as it was streamed live on the school website. Please check out the School Bell next week or see RETN for a chance to watch the forum and discuss the candidates and issues with your student.
- Don’t forget to make your planner and portfolio payment to Kim Russ. Returning students $7.00 AND new students $12.00. Thanks!
- Thanks to Doug Schmidt and Grace Hemmelgarn, we have a new t-shirt design! An order form should have come home today. It likely has some good info on it - ask your kiddo to drag it out of his/her backpack!
Voyager ART project
We have several students who are motivated to create a sculpture or painting outside Voyager House to represent our new image and motto. We would love an artistic volunteer. If anyone is good with sculpture, tile, etc. (we haven’t decided what it will be made of), we would love your volunteerism and help! Any takers?
NECAP Schedule an Reminders:
Food Donations
- ⅚ Families: Juices, Cups and Fruits
- ⅞: Cheese and Crackers
Testing starts on Monday. Please be sure your kiddo is well-rested and has eaten by the time they come to school each day. Don’t be shy about packing an extra apple!
Please make sure that your child does not miss any testing times. The schedule is below.
9:00-10:30
|
Reading 1
|
Reading 3
|
Math 2
|
5th/8th Writing
|
5th/8th Writing
|
1:10-2:50
|
Reading 2
|
Math 1
|
Math 3
|
Regular Classes
|
Regular Classes
|
Ms. Q's Corner
Math 7
We began the week with NECAP test taking strategies and how to discern the best response when given similar answers. A number of students exhibited their constructed responses on several math problems and explained their thinking. We then compared their responses to the NECAP release tasks so we could develop a sense of how answers were scored. The big take away, read the question carefully, show your process with words and pictures, and highlight your answers clearly.
We finished the week by looking at the stories that graphs tell. We began discerning the difference between linear and nonlinear models and practiced solving one step and two step algebraic expressions.
Math 8
We began the week with NECAP review and test- taking strategies. We reviewed multiple ways to find the slope of a line and looked at a set of data points,a table, a graph, and created equations. Students are also working through math skill sheets as each week progresses.
Science 7th/8th
This week we revisited our yeast experiments. We investigated the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration by creating experimental conditions where we limited the amount of oxygen that the yeast had available to them. We compared and contrasted photosynthesis and respiration and discussed how energy flows through an ecosystem. We concluded the week with the introduction of our first project. Students are working within table groups to create a model that shows the flow of matter or energy through an ecosystem. Some topics include; Carbon cycle, food chains and symbiosis. For information on this project you may refer to Jupiter Grades to download the project specifications and rubric.
The Week in Ms.Wesnak’s Room:
7/8 Social Studies and Language Arts:
The election and the race to the White House has taken the front seat for all 7th and 8th grade Voyagers! We had a fantastic close to our work around our state’s government and the current candidates running for state offices, with the Candidate Forum today! A lot of students and staff were dressed in their business best to attend the forum, or be one of the lucky students to actually ask questions to the candidates that were here today. Students were a buzz with chatter around the forum, who they’d vote for, and the issues that were brought up today. Talk to your child about the forum, who they’d vote for and why. With our work around state government closing up today, we are moving forward with building our knowledge around the Presidential Race. We’ve been talking a lot about the electoral college, swing states and why they matter, and what it means to be President. Students were asked to watch the first Presidential Debate this week and that fueled a lively conversation about the candidates, who they are, and what they believe. We’ve been sharing fun facts about past Presidents, the White House, and what we know about the current presidential candidates. Students have a lot of great questions and knowledge to share around these topics, which has made our classroom lively, loud, and active!!
News from Ms. O
⅚ Math students should continue to log onto FASTT Math and FRACTION Nation to build fluency skills in whole numbers and fractions. Most students should be logging on to FASTT math. Please ask your child to log on and show you how a lesson works!
5th Grade Math
Students have been working on constructing ideas about multiplication and division and the relationship between them. Also, students are diving into new ideas like properties of numbers and factors of numbers. This first unit is really a survey of all math; the lessons move through many strands of math to get kids warmed up and ready to dive in deeply (Unit 2). Expect that students may not be experts by the time the next lesson comes along. We will revisit these concepts in each of the 7 remaining units.
6th Grade Math
As we continue to answer the question, “What are the properties of a number that make that number unique and how can we use this understanding to solve problems,” students are finding that very few things in math are a coincidence. When students can look at two numbers and see that one is a factor of the other, they might then be able to solve the ferris wheel problem in Investigation 3 (have your child show you!) or answer the question, why is it so rare for 13 and 17 year cicadas to emerge at the same time? We have been having a lot of aha moments in class by really paying attention to a number’s primeness or compositeness (are these words?).
You will also notice that I have been very clear (and yes a little strict) around constructed responses in math. Mathematicians communicate too and they must do so with clarity and organization. I hope that this message on mathematical reflections was a good first reminder (and last) that when you write in math, you do so in a way that others can understand. Please ask your child to see Investigation 1 math reflections, so they can share the LEAF checklist with you. I know the responses will be better next time.
⅚ Science
As we build our understanding of properties of matter, we find ourselves deep in math. We are working our way through some investigations with mass and volume. Ask your kiddo about the football metaphor which likely involves Pam, Skylar, Brianna, Allie, and Keenan. With this comparison, we worked to deepen our definition for mass (it’s more than just weight - gravity). We are learning how to use a triple beam balance and will be working with volume next week after NECAP testing. Creeping towards full understanding of density as a property of all matter...!
In addition, we are solidifying a date for a walk to the Allen Brook to begin our watershed project, a yearlong field study with the Town Planner, the Friends of the Winooski River, and the Winooski River Conservation District. I will be looking for some parents to walk and talk with us. Proposed dates are the 24th and 25th, from 1:10-2:45 (depending on your child’s long block day). I will finalize the plans during NECAP week. Think about joining us...
Update from Mr. Merrill
⅚ Social Studies and Language Arts
This week students prepared for our Candidate Forum. Candidate Posters were completed and put on display in the auditorium and dining room to create a wonderful campaign season atmosphere. Many posters were signed by the candidates today, or even “borrowed” by the candidates for their campaigns! Students also completed a constructed response on the qualities and characteristics of our elected officials. The forum was covered by WCAX, the Burlington Free Press, RETN, the Williston Observer, and many others. The students watched some of the forum today in KIVA as it was streamed live on the school website. Please check out the School Bell next week or see RETN for a chance to watch the forum and discuss the candidates and issues with your student.
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