Week of March 23

TA’s Notes:

8th Grade DC trip money is due April 1st!  The final cost is $285.00.

After school with Ms. Sherman:

The Week in Mr. Merrill’s Room (⅚ Humanities):

This week, students spent a lot of time working on their Narrative Writing pieces. Their writing pieces are very strong, and students have been having fun using their creative skills to write inventive and interesting pieces. We will finish them up next week, as students get feedback from their peers, make edits, and self assess. For the Revolutionary War, students have been working hard on researching their group topics. Next week, they will finish up their google sites dedicated to their topics, and they will walk along their “freedom trail”, using iPads and QR codes to make their sites come alive!

The Week in Ms. O’s Room (⅚ Math & Science):

Math 5:  We continued practice with multidigit multiplication by doing a lot of repetitive practice on the front end of each class period. Many more students are finding success with the standard algorithm for multiplication.  Don’t be afraid to lob one in during a post dinner conversation!  We dug deeply into new strategies for division and are slowly progressing towards the standard algorithm for division.  This week we connected the ratio table to the partial quotient strategy.  If you view the model in the picture below, your child might be able to help you bridge one strategy to another.

Math 6:  Deeper investigations into Variables and Patterns …  As we continue to use tables and graphs to ask questions, find solutions, and compare one set of data to another, students are becoming fully proficient in how to graph a set of data and how to create a set of data from a graph.  We analyzed situations where a graph might be a better representation than a table.  Also we were introduced to data in a journal format and had to try and figure out how to make a set of data from notes.  All of the learning in this unit focuses on a group of students starting a bike tourning business.  This has provided the glue for all of our problem solving.  We also began graphing our water chemistry from the trout aquarium, which allowed to begin telling the story of “what is happening and why”, as well as the results of those chemical changes.  Interesting stuff!

⅚ Science:  This week we were heavy on investigations and on models.  Our week was spent heating and cooling liquids, then solids, then gases.  How could we build a model that explains, on a molecular level, what is happening in a thermometer, with a brass ball that has been heated, and with air when we warm it up?  Below is a snapshot of some early ideas of modeling that allow us to understand the “nano” level of molecular movement.  

Students watched a fun video last week...they loved it.  See link if you have a ½ hour.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm-vkMGqkMQ&safe=active

The Week in Ms. Wesnak’s Room (⅞ Humanities):

This week has been filled story-telling!

Our morning classes have been focused on work for our Memoir Writing Project. Each day students were given in class work time to complete their 5 paragraph memoir. We talked about how using detail is important in a memoir, but that a memoir can become too wordy if you are using too many details that are not truly important to the focus and development of the story. Students practiced using their “writing filter” by coming up with 6 Word Stories. The most famous 6 Word Story was written by Ernest Hemingway. He wrote, “For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn.” We discussed what made this a story, and we tried to create our own 6 Word Stories. This activity challenged students to pick out the details that mattered because they were only allowed to use 6 words. We also did a mini grammar study on the ever-feared semi-colon. Students learned the most common way to use a semi-colon, which is to join together 2 independent clauses. We watched a fun instructional video, practiced as a class, and had some independent practice as well. Students will be asked to use this newly developed writing practice in their memoir. The week ended with a partner peer edit, and the classes sharing out great examples of detailed/5 senses writing.

During the afternoons our classes took our final journey back in time to World War 2. Students performed their World War 2 Point of View projects, and they have been fantastic! Due to these projects we have had a wide variety of “guest speakers” in our classroom. Students took on the roles from World War 2: U.S. soldiers, teacher, mothers, a spy, russian soldiers, german soldiers, families in hiding, presidents, scientists, and pilots. These projects were impressive with the students use of costumes and props. Through thoughtful and creative performances students carefully shared their gained knowledge from our World War 2 studies. We wrapped up the performances on Friday and were even able to begin work on our next unit: The Business Convention! Students are getting really excited for this trimester long project, and I can’t wait to get started!

The Week from Ms. Q’s Room (⅞ Math & Science):

CMP8

This week began with the completion of our Function Junction Unit Test.  We left function notation to reexamine algebraic equalities in a new unit called “Say it With Symbols”. Using the distributive and commutative properties we worked to solve more sophisticated algebraic expressions.  We plan to do only a few investigations in this book to increase our level of solving equations of all types of problems.(quadratic, linear and exponential)  It is also a great review of showing the steps we use for solving multi-step problems.  We will be taking a pause from math as we begin our SBAC testing.

CMP7

Students worked on using symbols(variables)  to represent a variety of numbers in i algebraic equations.  We used drawings and variables to balance equations with  pouches and bags from the country of Montarek.  As a class we are learning a variety of strategies to balance equations and the important practice of showing our steps.    Next week we will be pausing math work  to take the SBAC test.

Science 7th/8th

Creating light stations for Friday’s light experiment lab was the order of business this week.  Each small group pulled a light concept from the “Cylinder of Fate”.  These topics included diffraction, reflection, refraction, electromagnetic spectrum, concave and convex lens, mirrors, 3-D, optical illusions,  and polarized lenses . We will be taking a pause from science as we begin our SBAC testing window.

Week of March 16th - 20th

TA’s Notes:

SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) Testing Schedule:

7th & 8th graders- April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th & 8th

5th & 6th graders- April 30th, May 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th

Please have students get a full night’s sleep prior to testing days, eat a good breakfast and be ready to come to school to try their best!  A sign-up sheet to bring in healthy snacks throughout testing times will be e-mailed out next week. We understand that the 7/8 testing window overlaps with the school Musical, so we will have makeup times for those involved.

WillistonRuns! for Education

Calling all runners, walkers, riders- let’s build some Voyager House spirit and get together for some fun on Saturday, May 16th at the WillistonRuns event!!!  

WillistonRuns! is a 5k run sponsored by FAP to benefit all the kids in Williston schools. You can run it, walk it or ride it but the most exciting option this year is the 5k team event.

Voyager House would like to put together as many 3-person teams as we can to run the 5K race;  we can invent some crazy team names, wear crazy team costumes and have some crazy fun, beating out all the other houses to win the “House with the Most Teams” or the “House with the Fastest Team” title. We want Voyager House to sweep the event!

Last year the event raised over $2,700 to support field trips and classroom enrichment. This year we want to be part of raising even more.  Let’s show our Voyager House team spirit and register some teams!

For more info and for online registration, check out the website here:   http://willistonruns.org/

Paper registration forms are also available at the front office at WCS.

Thanks and let’s get moving!

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WCS Dialogue Night: Wednesday, April 1st 6:00- 7:45pm in WCS Dining Room

Ever wonder what middle schooler kids REALLY think about …feeling a sense of belonging, peer pressure, mean behavior, binge drinking, inhalants, tobacco, teen depression… Here is your chance to find out!  For the pizza part of the evening, 6-6:15PM, please RSVP to Sarah, SAP Counselor, sklionsky@cssu.org or 871-6079, by Monday 3/30

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FAPAC March Meeting Highlights

The FAP Advisory Council held its monthly meeting on March 12th.  Please check the full minutes on the school website in a PDF format by clicking HERE.  Below are a few meeting highlights:

Big Basket Raffle Fundraiser and Fun Night on Saturday, March 28th:  One Week to Go — Thank you for all your donations to the classroom baskets.  Baskets will be collected from classrooms on Friday, March 20th and transformed into the beautiful wrapped baskets that are raffled off on Saturday, March 28th.  Doors for this event open at 6:00 p.m.  This is an Adult-Only Event.  Fun Night, sponsored by Full House, is taking place the same night for children in grades K-4; registration info has been in the School Bell and is in both Main Offices.   There are still some spots available on the sign-up sheet for the Basket Raffle; specifically, we need help selling raffle tickets, bringing in items for our refreshment table, and cleaning up at the end of the evening.  If you can help with any of these things, please go to this   SIGN UP LINK    

Jump Rope for Heart on Friday, March 27th — WSD's annual Jump Rope for Heart will take place at Allen Brook School the morning of Friday, March 27 from 8:45-11:15 am. Participating WCS students will be bused to ABS in the morning and brought back to WCS after the event is over.  Children in grades 1-8 can participate in the event. Signed permission slips should be handed in to a physical education teacher. Registration deadline is Friday, March 20 or when we reach the maximum capacity of 375 students (whichever comes first).

Online Donations to Annual Fund — the online feature for making donations to the Annual Fund will not be available after March 31st.  You can still send checks in through the Main Offices or the House T.A.s.  The online feature will resume for the start of the next school year.

Voyager’s Giant Indoor Sale on Saturday, March 21st — Shop tables full of donated treasures! Household goods, Clothing, Accessories, Sports Equipment, Toys, Art, Electronics, Collectibles & More! Food Concessions too!  On Saturday, March 21st 9am - 2pm at Williston Central School's Cafeteria.   Please donate items to the sale on Friday March 20, 6-8 pm. Clean out your clutter and help students at the same time!  To help out at this event sign up HERE

Special thanks to the Variety Show Committee (Shelley Forrest, Danielle Trasciatti-Holmberg, Susan Willis) for organizing an amazing show on Friday, March 13th.  And kudos to all the individuals who performed in the show!  It was a great evening of entertainment.  Such a talented community we have!!!

Consider attending one of our meetings.  Meetings are the 2nd Thursday of every month at 8:15 am in the WCS Dining Room.  Thanks.

The Week in Mr. Merrill’s Room (⅚ Humanities):

    This week in AM Humanities, students continued their Narrative Writing piece. Students were asked to write a short narrative that takes place during the American Revolution, to strengthen their knowledge of that time period. Students created a plot map of their stories, and created a character that they would like to write about. We began writing our narratives, and will hopefully finish them up next week.

In PM Humanities, students continued learning about the American Revolution. This week, we focused on the Declaration of Independence, it’s meaning, and it’s importance. Students also re-wrote the opening of the declaration in their own words. We also introduced the American Revolution class project, a digital freedom trail! Students will work in small groups to research a relevant topic or person, and will create a website that teaches other students about their topic. We will then use QR codes and iPads to create a digital learning experience for students to explore!

The Week in Ms. Wesnak’s Room (⅞ Humanities):

This week in Humanities has been focused on starting our Personal Narratives/Memoirs and finishing up our World War 2 Point of View projects.

Our morning times together were spent completing a few journals writes to practice our memoir writing skills! Students were encouraged to use their 5 senses to trigger memories and expand their writing. We completed journal writes inspired by smell, taste, sound, and touch. Students took multiple trips down memory lane sharing funny, meaningful, and detailed stories of small moments from their past. By the end of the week all students had completed a timeline of their life, picked an event to write about for their memoir/personal narrative, and began completing their outlines. We reviewed the expectations for the writing piece on Friday, and we also reviewed the due dates. Students were told that this is a writing project, meaning that it has two parts. Part 1 is to complete the memoir, and Part 2 is to complete an iMovie connected to the memoir. The iMovie will be a series of pictures to illustrate the story (photos from the actual event or photos found online to help illustrate the event) with the audio being a read aloud by the author of the memoir itself. All of this work will be shared at our “What is my Story?” showcase that will be happening right before the April Break. It is always such a treat to read these stories, but even more meaningful to hear the students tell them!

Our afternoons have been completely dedicated to the World War 2 Point of View Project. Students have really been taking this project to the next level. The classroom is currently smelling of coffee and tea from students staining their papers to look old! We have piles of costumes from the WCS drama closet that students have found to wear for their presentations. I have been extremely impressed by the dedication, creativity, and care students have been putting into this work. It’s not an easy task to bring together the events of a world war, but students have been using an array of resources from their own research notes taken in February, class handouts provided, Jr. Scholastic articles, and of course the powers of Google. This project is always so amazing to see in its completion because students are able to represent a variety of perspectives to tell the complete story of World War 2.

The Week from Ms. Q’s Room (⅞ Math & Science):

CMP8

Due to the concert schedule, we had an abridged week of math.  This week we looked a little more closely at the relationships parent functions and how changing the parts of the equation allow it to flip, stretch, and slide up and down and side to side.  We played a fun game of function jeopardy and ended the week with the Function Junction Unit Test.

CMP7

This class was also impacted by the concert schedule, so we reviewed some old material before forging on to new investigations.  We looked at the meaning of a solution set between two linear functions and how to write a linear equation from the y-intercept and single coordinate point.   Students finished the week with a  Moving Straight Ahead Partner Quiz.

Science 7th/8th

The beginning of the week brought a summation of our WCS engineering challenge. Students complete their final reflections and handed in their engineering templates.  We got things “rolling” with our new unit by looking at waves. Using springs and rope we explored transverse and longitudinal waves.  Students received vocabulary and readings for this unit and we dabbled in exploring the properties of light.

The Week in Ms. O’s Class

Math 5: Sorry for the delay in the update.  I was in an engineering class all day Friday and Saturday and am just coming up for air!  Students spent their week making secure their skills with the standard algorithm for multiplication and beginning work with conceptual understanding of division.  Moby Max is an expectation for the week (Mon-Sun) so please check in with your child about their 1 hour expectation.

Math 6:  Sorry for the delay in the update.  I was in an engineering class all day Friday and Saturday and am just coming up for air!  Students focused on tables and graphs this week and searched for what we call regularity in math.  What are the relationships between tables and graphs?  What can a table tell us that maybe a graph cannot (at least not directly)?  What are the advantages of a graph over a table?  And the regularity in math would be...what is true about both tables and graphs and their relationships to each other?  We did jumping jacks and situps to collect data and reinforce graphings skills and learned about the coordinate grid.  The book involves a lot of graphing...you’ll hear the uggghhhs at home.  It’s a good thing to practice, I promise!

Science ⅚:  We began our next unit, Properties of Matter, and had some interesting days of investigations with water.  Students watched an engage video in which a man pops a water balloon and captures the pop on a high speed camera and wondered, why does the water hold together?  We then observe water on wax paper, hanging from a dropper and in a glass beaker (with a drop of food dye added) in order to determine, what makes water, water?  By investigating water in these ways we were able to come together, in a scientists’ meeting, to discuss what we know about the nature of water.  I audiotaped one of the two meetings and will make this available for your listening pleasure, as a way for you to see just how bright all of these kiddos are!  To be posted soon...

Voyager 5/6 Engineering Challenge

Week of March 9-13

TA’s Notes:

Reminder for all- Voyager has a student with a peanut allergy, please keep this in mind when sending in snacks and treats to be shared with other students.

Washington DC Note:  Please be sure that you have returned the March Grade Summary Report to Katie Fieldsend by Monday.  This gives Ms. O’Brien a better sense of current grades for all 8th graders.  She will be viewing these Monday and sending emails to families who have either not signed and returned them or are at risk academically.  This coming week...we will be meeting with eighth graders to determine what a la carte items they would like to choose for open block days.  I will present a number of options for these time periods and they will be self selecting their interests.  Smithsonians and Spy Museums and gardens and on an on...If you have a place you love in DC., share it with your child.  We can add it to our growing list!

SBAC Testing - PLEASE READ

- Some houses will be starting to test as of Monday 3/16! This means that students need to start either:

a.) not bringing their personal technology to school

b.) turning it off and putting it in their backpack upon arrival

c.) turning it off and handing it in to their core teacher upon arrival at school.

This is to limit the WiFi use while students are testing. This is an expectation that will be in place for the whole school until the testing is complete, which could be until mid-May.

- Voyager 7/8 Students will begin testing on April 1st (and that’s not an April Fools Joke :) ). Please make sure your child is: eating a healthy breakfast, getting a good amount of sleep, and coming to school prepared with headphones/earbuds for the test. If they do not have headphones/earbuds we will provide!

The Week in Mr. Merrill’s Room (⅚ Humanities):

Hello Voyager parents! I am Ms. Percy, Voyager intern for the year. I will be teaching the 5th and 6th grade students for the next few weeks, as we learn about the American Revolution, and as the students begin writing their own historical narratives. While learning about the American Revolution, students will take an in depth look at the causes for the war, and do extensive research on significant individuals and events from the time period. Students will also be writing their own historical fiction narratives. They will create a character, plot out their story, and write it, being sure to include vocabulary, dialogue, and artwork into their story. I am very much looking forward to the next few weeks working with your students!

The Week in Ms. O’s Room (⅚ Math & Science):

Math 5: We have finally transitioned to the traditional, standard algorithm for multiplication and are making connections between the area model we have been focusing on and this new and improved strategy.  This is still in development, so if you help with homework, consider that for some, this is new!  Many students know this strategy already, so we seem to be in good shape!  So much of what we do in math these days seems like a mystery, but the connections your child makes are amazing and they do result in the most efficient strategies that we all know.  

Moby Max is due by the end of Sunday.  One hour is the minimum!  The “week” is considered Monday morning-Sunday evening!

Math 6:  Students made their way through a very quick decimal operations unit and have finished with an assessment.  This is the last for the trimester, so you will see it on the 2nd marking period.  We worked on Khan Academy as well, to build some additional skills on the computer, but also to sure up our skills with decimal multiplication and division.  Starting next week, students will need to complete assigned lessons on Khan as part of their fluency work in math.  We are letting go of Moby for now, to see if Khan can meet our needs and expose us to grade level skills.  We will begin our first big Algebra unit on Monday and then move on to Data and Statistics to finish the year.  Geometry will continue to find its way into our problem solving work, so expect some additional practice packets in this area.

Science ⅚:  We wrapped up our two week engineering challenge with a schoolwide event on Thursday.  Students competed in one of four categories.  We placed 1st and 2nd in the Rubberband Car challenge and 1st in the Catapult Challenge.  Regardless of placement in the finals, students learned an immense amount about the science behind their engineering designs, and about how to work closely with a group to solve an engineering problem.  My hope is that we can include this work on the 2nd trimester reporting.  Students should have their engineering notebooks at home for the weekend and should be completing their final reflection.  Ski and Ride students will be given a one day extension, as they missed both a working period on Friday in class and likely have left their engineering notebooks at school.  See photos below.

Thanks to Dan Fleming who spent 2 weeks in our classroom, working with students and officiating the challenge.  He is our engineer in residence and has made a big impact on your child’s future as an engineer!

The Week in Ms. Wesnak’s Room (⅞ Humanities):

Kia Ora! I am back from New Zealand and finally adjusted back (I think) to the time difference. I hope everyone had a fantastic February Break!

This week during our morning classes we played a bit of catch-up after doing some independent reading. Students had a lot of questions about New Zealand, so we had a lot of fun talking about the different schools I visited, adventures had, and places visited. Students also enjoyed some New Zealand lollies (candies) that I brought back. Overall the reaction was: YUM! As the week continued on, we started our articles for the student takeover of the Williston Observer. Articles are due on Monday, and will be sent off to (hopefully) get published in an issue of the Observer that will come out in ! As the week came to a close we began our practice with the SBAC test. The majority of the student response to how the practice test went sounded a bit like this: “It was good.”, “It was easy and fine.”, “It was boring but fine.”, “It was tiring.”, “Good.”. We went over some test-taking techniques, reviewed how to use all of the tools, and went over the answers with the matching rubrics. On Friday while the schoolwide Engineering Task was going on the 8th graders worked on their 8th Grade Challenge final presentations, writing piece, and/or research. The 7th graders worked with me, and we began the 8th Grade Challenge process! It may seem early, but many students may want to get started over the summer. To get started we defined what an 8th Grade Challenge Project is, watched an inspiring video, and held an 8th Grade Challenge Think Tank! During this time students brainstormed ideas for topics and projects to match their topic ideas. Many students left the Think Tank with great ideas for their projects, so it was certainly successful!

During our afternoon classes students were given the project expectations for the WWII Point of View/Perspectives Project! The excitement around the project seems to be high, and the students are coming up with some really creative and clever ideas for their presentations. We also spent some of our afternoons in a double block for Science to prep for the Engineering Challenge!

The Week from Ms. Q’s Room (⅞ Math & Science):

CMP8

We are just about done with our Function Junction Unit.  We investigated how to transform a function vertically, horizontally, and also how to flip, widen, and narrow our images.  We looked closely at the standard, factored and vertex form of the quadratic equation and how the equation relates to landmarks in the graph.  We rounded off the week with SBAC training.  The 8th graders were certainly patient as we learned how to login and work within the WCS secure browser.  Next week we will practice the SBAC math performance task.

CMP7

This week students investigated linear patterns in tables, graphs and equations.  We looked at a form of linear equation called a direct variation and we debated the difference between continuous and discrete data and how they are graphed in a Cartesian coordinate plane. Students also investigated solutions sets and reviewed ways that you can formulated an equation from a table and a graph.  We ended the week with SBAC practice on the WCS secure browser.  Students were patient, focused and hard working as we all learned how to take this test.  Next week we will practice the SBAC math performance task.

Science 7th/8th

Our Voyager engineers were feverishly testing, redesigning and retesting their devices for the WCS Engineering Challenge.  Friday’s competition began at 8:15 with the Balloon Cars followed by the Robotic Arm Challenge at 9:45, the Watercraft challenge at 11:15 and we finished the day at 1:15 with the air cannon.  Students struggled and persevered to complete these tasks.  They took data, created tables, graphs, drawings and observations.  Next week we will pull it all together when they complete their final reflection.

Week of March 3rd - 6th

TA’s Notes:

DC Trip:  Today your eighth grader should be coming home with grade summary for this trimester.  Please read the document carefully as it outlines the academic expectations for the trip and your child’s current status according to those standards.  It does require a signature and should be returned to Mrs. Fieldsend when signed.  Thanks for being timely with the return of this document.

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It's preparation time for our Annual Voyager Recycle Sale.

Mark your calendars for March 20th 6-8 pm and March 21st from 9-2.

This is our biggest, most fun event of the year -- it's a giant indoor yard sale!!!!  If you are new to Voyager (parents of 5th graders, or new students) please make an effort to join us, this is a wonderful, community-building event and everyone has a blast. It draws a shopping crowd and has become a Williston tradition.

Plus, it is a great way to clean out and recycle your unwanted items and find new treasures!!!

Please start to gather anything you'd like to unload...household items, old artwork/posters, furniture, rugs, sporting equipment, books, toys, gently used jeans, dresses, jackets (any clothes must be clean, properly folded and ready to 'sell') costume jewelry, tools, working electronics.

We'll be accepting items for the sale in the WCS cafeteria on Friday March 20th from 6-8 pm.

Here's the sign up link.

Voyager Sign Up Sheet

All shifts are two-hours and we need help with Friday night setup and collection and with the sale and concessions/baked goods on Saturday. If you're willing to post on Facebook, hang posters, put an announcement in Front porch forum and help us publicize for donations and shoppers, we would welcome your help.

Thank you!!

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Big Basket Raffle and Silent Auction are now collection donations!

Collecting items until March 20th for the 15th

• Mr. Merrill’s Core- Chocolate Lover (truffles, candy, fudge, hot chocolate, m&m’s, fondue...)

• Ms. O’s Core- Live Right (weights, i-pod arm strap, water bottles, yoga mat, health magazines...)
• Ms. Q’s Core- Safety First (flashlight, jumper cables, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, 1st aid)
• Ms. Wesnak’s Core- By the Campfire (cooler, folding chairs, s’mores items, campfire stories…)

After school with Ms. Sherman:

The after school reading support has concluded. The session of support will most likely be on the topic of writing. The schedule of these supports will not start for a few weeks and I will post the schedule in next week’s Voyager Voice.

The Week in Mr. Merrill’s Room (⅚ Humanities):

Students worked on a few assignments and projects that we didn’t have time to finish during theme week. We were finally able post our reflections of the book Rules on our Kidblog site. After posting their reflections, students commented and started online converstations about the book and their reflections.

We also worked on our Money Plan posters, which will be sent out to the State Treasurer next week. The posters show things students can do to create a plan for their money.

This was also a big week for the Stock Market Game. Teams had to have purchased at least 5 different stocks and spent $50,000 (of the $100,000 they have to invest) by closing time on Friday. Many teams had to put in extra time this week to make the cut.

Students also had a lot of fun viewing their classmates Instructional Survival Videos and voting for the best script, actor, performance, picture etc. for our Voscars Awards.

Finally, we completed a lesson on the French and Indian War in preparation for our next unit on the Road to Revolution. We focused on the conflict for territory in North America between the French and English, and how the Native Americans were caught in between. The eventual winner of the war, England, gained control over North America which set the stage for the Revolution that followed.

The Week in Ms. O’s Room (⅚ Math & Science):

Math 5:  We got back to the task of learning how to use number sense to multiply whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. This instruction has come in the form of problem strings, series of problems that are purposefully ordered to reveal a pattern.  This week, we related problems like 25 x 32, .25 x 32, and ¼ of 32, among other examples.  We have also continued rigorous practice on ratio tables.  This concept factors into 6 and 7th grade proportional reasoning standards so it is good foundational work for the future.

We had a technology presentation by our Tech Integration Specialist, Bonnie Birdsall and we have hopefully reset the button on our commitments to SMART technology use.  Independent Moby Max expectations resume next Monday.  60 minutes per week (Monday-Sunday)

Math 6:  We are closing in on wrapping up our brief decimal operations unit.  Our focus this week has been on multiplication and division of decimals and trying to move everyone to the traditional algorithm for both operations.  Today we will work on Khan Academy to review the recipe for solving these problems and then assess next week.

We had a technology presentation by our Tech Integration Specialist, Bonnie Birdsall and we have hopefully reset the button on our commitments to SMART technology use.  Independent Moby Max expectations resume next Monday with additional in class use of Khan Academy.  60 minutes per week (Monday-Sunday)

Science ⅚:  The Engineering Design Process has begun!  Students have been assigned an engineering group whose job it is to ask, imagine, plan, create and improve a design solution for one of four tasks:  a parachute, a rubberband car, a chairlift system, or a catapult.  Each challenge comes with a certain set of parameters for success.  We spent our week starting the design process and have begun, today, building prototypes that can then be tested early next week.  The Challenge is on Thursday.  I will have more details for you on specific times after this weekend.  However, RETN will be broadcasting the challenge, so you may be able to see it from afar, if your schedule does not allow you to come in for the actual challenge.  

Trout Update:  Appears that we are losing a few, well, maybe a lot of fish, who are not feeding.  So sad!  We do have some very healthy ones, so we are hoping for their continued growth and success in our aquatic system in Voyager.

The Week from Ms. Q’s Room (⅞ Math & Science):

CMP8

This week we introduced SBAC standardized test information.  We explored the tools and format of this test and reviewed a training test as a class.  Students worked with their table partners to discuss strategies for answering questions and we explored how to use the equation response editor and calculator.  We returned to “Function Junction” and reviewed function notation and began exploring vertical translation of different functions.

CMP7

This week we introduced SBAC standardized test information.  We explored the tools and format of this test and reviewed a training test as a class.  Students worked with their table partners to discuss strategies for answering questions and we explored how to use the equation response editor and calculator.  At the end of the week, we continued on our unit “Moving Straight Ahead” with exploring linear and nonlinear models.

Science 7th/8th

We are well on our way with the school wide engineering challenge. Students are making balloon cars, air cannons, robotic arms and watercraft. We began with researching the background science concepts and created lists of vocabulary that we will incorporate into our lab reports. Students collaborated on design ideas, created a detailed drawing and then began building their prototypes. Testing commenced on Friday and next week we will begin the redesign phase with additional data collection.  Our competition is on Friday, March 13th.  Go Voyager!