SPRING CONFERENCES
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR SPRING CONFERENCES IN THE CORRECT ⅚ OR ⅞ GRADE LEVEL TABLE. IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE FORM OR ARE NOT INVITED TO WIKI, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND WE WILL SCHEDULE YOU IN! SEE LINK BELOW.
Mr. Merrill’s ⅚ Humanities Wrap Up
This week we explored the differences between the North and the South before the Civil War. We used primary sources and readings to diagram these differences, as well as the advantages. We also continued to learn about slavery and the Underground Railroad. We read a true short story about a boy who worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Students learned about various events that also contributed to disunion. Group activities and a play performance provided different perspectives on the division within the country.
Ms. Q's Corner
CMP8
Students in CMP8 have completed Frogs, Fleas and Painted Cubes. We are extending our study of quadratic equations to include different forms such as standard, factored, and vertex form. Students are investigating ways to interpret graphs, tables, and equations to be able to move seamlessly from form to form. Next week we will have visitors from the Discrete Math class to work with our students to help us review and prepare for our unit test.
CMP7
Students completed the Comparing and Scaling Unit assessment and we "moved" on to our new unit on linear relationships called "Moving Straight Ahead." These investigations delve more deeply into linear equations and how they are represented on tables, graphs and equations. We had the opportunity to record our walking rate and extrapolate that over time to compare each of our walking rates with each other. We have some speedy walkers in our group.
Science 7th/8th
We began our week with reflecting on the inner workings of the cell and how viruses can invade and utilize the energy of the cell to replicate itself, destroy the host cell, and move on to more destruction. We shifted our attention to the comparison between mitosis and meiosis and how these cellular processes are similar and different. Making connections between assexual and sexual reproduction was emphasized and students had a fast and cursory review of sexual reproduction in humans. The overarching question - What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of reproduction in terms of species survival? Genetics and heredity vocabulary and reading rounded out the week along with a NOVA video called, "Cracking the Code" which investigates and documents the quest to crack the genetic code.
The Week in Ms. O’s
Math 5: MORE DIVISION. I’m sure you are done hearing about it, but your kiddos are getting pretty good at it. We didn’t do much else this week, other than continuing fluency work for those students still struggling with it (We really need to continue pushing the facts), while others did some early algebra practice and worked on graphing which is an underdeveloped skill. Please encourage FASTT math and Kahn Academy for work in these areas.
Math 6: We all know the rule for dividing fractions, but how do you explain it conceptually? Well, the answer is you don’t try; it will be a miserable failure! I spent the week working with students on a conjecture proposed by students on how to divide fractions using the common denominator strategy. When you have 9/12 divide 1/4 rename fractions with the same denominator...9/12 divide 3/12 then divide numerators for a new numerator and divide denominators for a new denominator...your answer is 3/1, or 3. We arrived at the number model following some interesting work building visual models and writing number sentences that matched these situations. We attempted to discuss the algorithm we all know for division by considering problems like 9 divide 3 and ⅓ of 9. Students can see the algorithm with unit fractions the best and so I chose to show them this method as an intro to the old fashioned way! During the play weeks Mr. Merrill will be teaching 6th grade math. I will be planning this work with him to stay on track.
Science ⅚- We began our week finishing some open inquiry explorations from our UP CLOSE circus. Students moved from station to station exploring water droplets, glass prisms, plastic and glass lenses, clear marbles and florist beads, as well as objects through glass beakers, test tubes and plastic specimen vials. Oh the discoveries that we made. Many students noticed images flipping upside down and backwards, text and other objects becoming larger as a result of a piece of glass, plastic, or water, the compounded quality of multiple lenses, etc. Upon further investigation, we discussed the refractive quality of these materials (glass, water, plastic) and the ultimate effect on what we see. It was cool! And extra large! These findings led to a discussion of how scientists and engineers use the principles of light and the properties of materials like glass to see objects that are smaller that what we can see with our eyes. We identified the parts of a microscope and how they work. And then Thursday, we participated in a 2 hour workshop using our eyes, hand lenses, and microscopes to view brine shrimp, fabrics, insects, salts, flowers, pond water, sand, and currency. UVM hosted this program for us in our own classroom and it was spectacular. Thanks to Lucy Jones, Kelly Desantos, and Nancy Gagne for volunteering in our classroom for the workshop.
There’s been a murder! We did some fingerprint analysis today using eye loupes/jewelry loupes and found our murder suspect! Ask you kiddo about who done it!
The Week in Ms.Wesnak’s Room
7/8 Humanities: Our morning time together consisted of the 7th Graders working very hard on their historical fiction play projects, which are coming along great! They shared with their class the decade/event they are focusing on, along with their character maps or collages, and sketches of their setting. The 7th grade is creating plays around events spanning from the Titanic to Woodstock to the 1st Moon Landing. While the 7th Grade had time to work on their plays, the 8th Grade took some time for their 8th Grade Challenge projects. Their focus over the past few days has been their Mid-Year Presentation. The vehicle we decided to use to present their work so far was iMovie’s Movie Trailer Project! These turned out so well, and the students really worked diligently on these. With the help of Ms.Birdsall, we were able to put together some really great, reflective, fun, and informative movie trailers. We are going to be linking these to either The Voyager Voice or the 7/8 Humanities website, so that all families can see what our 8th Graders are working on for their 8th Grade Challenge. We’re thinking about linking 2-3 videos at a time, and having them rotate weekly. Our afternoon time together was spent learning all about the various events and people that were a part of The Cold War. The students did a great job with their presentations, and really brought them to life through videos and activities such as: simulations, brainstorms, speech writing challenges, and many others! It’s been a fun and busy week!
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