Science

Parents,
     We started the book reports and speeches on Wed.  We will continue with these on Monday for those who haven't had an opportunity to finish. JNJ students are doing book reports on a sea creature and NJ students are giving a speech on a sea creature.  Students were made aware of this assignment a few weeks ago, but several students have been out of town, so please don't fret over this.  We want it to be a fun project.
     We have finished the book!!!!  We had a trivia game this week.  Students were divided into 2 teams.  The winners had a choice between shadowing a teacher for a class period or having a party. 2nd and 5th-6th grades chose to have a party.  The winners will be serving treats and the losing team is bringing the treats.  Students bringing treats brought home a notecard with what to bring.  We don't want this to be a problem for any family, please let us know if you are not bringing treats and we will plan accordingly.
3rd and 4th grade winning team chose to shadow a teacher for a class period.
    We will watch Finding Nemo in the morning on the last day of school.  It's amazing how many jokes make sense after studying sea creatures this year!
    Enjoy your weekend!

   

Good Afternoon!

I have had a bit of confusion about what we will be working on and when we will be working on it.  Everyone with an NJ has been assigned an end of semester report over a chosen aquatic animal.  The students were given the option of having a partner or doing it on their own.  This report needs to be 2 minutes long and must equally include both partners. Props are welcome! All of these reports must include a reference page and an extra copy for me to follow along.  Everyone whom has a JNJ will be doing a book presentation.  The JNJ's will need to bring a book about the particular type of aquatic creature that they have chosen.  They must have read the book.  They will tell about that creature and use the book as a reference, but will not read the book aloud.  The students will definately need to work on these assignments at home! The rest of the semester is mapped out as follows:
                  
                    April     22- desalination experiment (we are waiting for sun)/NJ final Review,                                                 Discussion.
                                  24- Trivia Game
                                  29- Trivia Game Completion
                   
                    May        1- Book Presentations and Report presentations begin
                                   6- Book Presentations Conclude
                                   8- Game

5 & 6 topics and partners

     Ben - Dolphins
     Riley  & Levi  - Aquatic Worms
     Jaxen  & Selah  - Sea Turtles
     Micah & Olivia - Sea Stars & Bristle Stars
     Carson & Brooke - Whales
      Evan & Abbey - Manatees

3 & 4 Grade topics and partners

Speeches:     
      Connor B & Austin - Norwals
      Beau - Killer Whales
      Jackson - Blue Shark
      Connor L - Dolphins
      Bradyn - Loggerhead & Hawksbill Turtle                                                                                     
    
Book Presentations:

     Joey - Dolphins
     Lilly - Great White Shark
     Noah - Octopus
     Isaac - Killer Whales
     Eli - Sting Rays
     Joshua - Blue Whales
     Luke - Tiger Shark
     Jack - Sea Turtles

2nd Grade Book Presentations

     Sophie - Star Fish
     Jacob - Sea Horses
     Lucy - Sea Turtles
     Colter - Octopus
     Kayla - Rays
     Bayleigh - Dolphins
     Garrett - Sponges
     Allie - Whales
     Elizabeth - Fish
     Tori -
     Braden - Sharks

Zoology 2

Parents I'm sure you have noticed your child hasn't had science homework in quite a while.  I decided to have them finish their journals in class because we are so far ahead!  So it has been my challenge to keep them all at the same pace.  I'd like to give you an idea of what will be in our near future.  We will finish lesson 13 book work hopefully today and do the experiment on Monday.  I will need someone to bring plastic water bottles.  I am in need of 4, so if you have one around the house it would be helpful if you sent it to MOEC on Monday.   On Wed. we will then be working on the final exam, Together, So don't do this at home.  The following week we will seperate into two teams and play a jeopardy game. Monday the 29th we will begin our Semester Assignment.  All students that have a JNJ are being ask to bring a book about aquatics.  They will be giving a narration of the book, using it as a prop.  So they will need to have read the book.  If it is a really thick book they should pick a topic out of it that they particularly enjoyed and speak about that.  They are not going to be reading word for word this will be more of a discussion led by that student.  The students with an NJ have already been divided into partners and will need to work with their partner over the next few weeks to put together a speech about a chosen topic.  They need to have equal parts in the speech and props or visuals are preferred!  The are suppose to be picking topics today.  This is how we will be ending our year.

Thanks,
Melissa

3/25/2013

Today we discussed sponges and sea squirts.  I enjoyed the spring break stories!  Parents as a side note When we read Creation Confirmation each lesson I have noticed that some of our students have a very harsh opinion of those that believe in evolution.  Even though we know this is wrong I think it is important that we teach our children that it is in human nature to want to find an explaination for everything.  This is the need of the evolutionist.  At this point I always remind the students that it is through God and the gift of the Holy Spirit that we are able to know that God is our Intelligent Designer.  I suggest that we pray for these people to hear and know God. I don't feel that by sharing disgust or intolerance of any opinion we are being good Christians.  I suggest to our students that they pray for those that don't understand Creationism.  I share this with you so you are aware of my approach in teaching your children.  I am always open to conversations with you if you are concerned with what I am presenting.

5 &6 Review Questions 1-5 and Copywork.

3 & 4 Rd. Making New Sponges - Creation Confirmation.
NJ Review Questions 1-5 and Copywork
JNJ Copywork

2nd Rd. Sea Squirts - Creation Confirmation and do Copywork.

Thanks,
Melissa

March 11, 2013

Today we completed our Scientific Speculation Sheets.  We will be doing the experiment on Wed.  This is the pattern that we have fallen into because a lot of the students in 2nd and 3rd grade struggle with writing lots of information at once.  Therefore, if we complete through the Hypothesis and I read the experiment to them they can ponder it.  I DID NOT READ TO THE CLASSES HOW THE EXPERIMENT SHOULD TURN OUT SO THEY COULD THINK AND CHOOSE THEIR OWN HYPOTHESIS.  PLEASE DO NOT READ THE OUTCOME AT HOME YET.  We also began Lesson 13.  -- There is no homework for Wednesday--  Also, The 3rd and 4th grade class has had different struggles than the other classes.  I did check notebooks today for them and will be bringing a small treat for those whom had work completed.  If the activities weren't completed in 3rd and 4th today then I gave them time to do them.  See you all on Wednesday!

Great Barrier Reef

Brooke's drawing of the Barrier Reef!

March 4.  Another great Day!

5&6 - Finish Review Questions and do Crossword Puzzle 14-20 across.

3 & 4 - JNJ Do Cniarian ID on pg 187 & 189
          - NJ Finish Review Questions and do Crossword Puzzle 14-20 Across

2nd - Rd Adding Anemones - Stony Corals and take notes.

Good Afternoon.  Today in Science we learned all about Jellyfish.  Assignemnt is as follows.  Everyone should do copywork if it has not been completed.

5 &; 6 Review Questions 1-6 and Crossword Puzzle 4-13 Across.

3 & 4 Read Creation Confirmation and Floating Boxes. Take Notes.
     NJ's Review Questions 1-6 and Crossword Puzzle 4-13 Across.
     JNJ's Finish coloring pages

2nd Read Creation Confirmation and Floating Boxes.  Take Notes.  Finish coloring pages.


If Mighty Oaks should be cancelled on Wednesday I think we are far enough ahead that we will just pick up where we left off when we return.

Enjoy the Snow!!!

Well, The second grade class put together the experiment today so we should have a brittle fish by Monday!

5 & 6 - Do copywork.

2nd, 3rd and 4th should Read Nematocysts, and Creation Confirmation and Take Notes.  Also do copywork.

I'll see you all on Monday.  Enjoy the snow!

Today we read about Sea Cucumbers and The Legend of the Sand Dollar.  We also had a good start on minibooks.  All assignments are as follows.

All JNJ's need to Finish Coloring and do Matching

All NJ's need to finish Review Questions, Do Copywork and Write the Legend of the Sand Dollar.

On Monday we will finish minibooks and do experiment!

Yesterday we learned about Crinoids, Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars!  We had some good discussions! All the NJ's need to do the crossword for homework and the JNJ's need to do copywork.  Also I did not assign coloring but if the JNJ's would like to do the color work that would be helpful!  See you all Wednesday!

Today we did some reading and discussion.  The 2nd grade did the eyedropper scientific speculation sheet. 

5 & 6 grade do Review Questions 1-10. 

3 & 4 Read Brittle Stars and take notes. 

     JNJ's Do Copywork
     NJ's Do Review Questions 1-10

2nd Read Brittle Stars and take notes also do copywork.

See you all on Monday!

Well, No hatched Triops yet.  I'll give it until tomorrow or so.  Today we did some review.  Most NJ's did not do their Sperm Whale/Squid assignment so we went over this in class and did some reading. 

5 & 6 - Finish review questions and Do Crossword.  Do pg 143 if not done yet. 

3 & 4 - all Rd Chitons
NJ's finish review questions and do crossword and pg 143 if not yet done.
JNJ's finish coloring and Label the cephaopods

2nd - finish coloring and Label the Cephalopods

See you all on Monday!

Yesterday we began growing our triops.  We put them into a 2 liter bottle and hopefully they will be ok.  We will begin sending them home with students on Wednsday.  They came with a detailed direction sheet which I will copy and forward home with families.  Thanks for all of you that are willing to take them home.  I will be contacting you soon with a requested date. 

I am going to need a final count soon and the money for the Sea Life Trip.  I need to have the money no later than Monday February 4.  I will be emailing a spread sheet this afternoon with families that have rsvp'd and totals due.

All the students have been so great about writing their assignments down but if you have any questions about their handwriting it is listed below.

4, 5 & 6 - Do Sperm Whale VS Giant Squid Battle.  I explained that I would like them to use information that they have learned about both of these Sea Creatures.  They both have strengths and weeknesses.  I hope that they will all be a bit different.

N J's should do copywork.

2nd grade needs to read Reproduction - Try This and do the Try This.

grades 3 -6 completed the Try This on pg. 168.  I think they all found their blindspot.  When they did they were all amazed that they could not see something that was right in front of their eyes!

See you all on Wednesday!

1/21/13

My plans changed today due to a few challenges that presented.  We worked on mini books today and began our Scientific Speculation sheet for Lesson 9.  For homework everyone needs to read Cephalopods and do an activity on the coarse website.  For those of you whom have recently joined us there is a coarse website organized by the writer of this book.  It includes lots of information about the topics we discuss from the book and is organized by Lesson #.  It is a wonderful asset and very helpful to reinforce what we have learned.  I told the students to work on either Lesson 9 or 10.  You will find the web address on pg Viii of your textbook as well as the password.  Next Monday we will be placing our Triops (brine shrimp) into water.  They are expected to hatch and present within 24 hours and live for up to 3 months.  I will be needing volunteers from families that are willing to take the tank home over weekends so please be thinking about this.  Please have students bring a plastic bottle to class on Wednesday.

Today in Science we read and discussed.  Homework for 4, 5&6 is to finish review questions and crossword puzzle.  3 & 2nd (jnj's) need to Rd Nudibranchs and do crossword.  Enjoy your weekend!

Yesterday in Science we discussed Wednesdays reading assignment and continued reading with discussion.
3,4,5&6 have the assignment to Draw pictures of Bivalves and Gastropods in their journals.  Also NJ's need to do Review Questions 1-11 and begin crossword questions 4-16 ACROSS.

2nd needs to Rd Whelks and draw pictures of Bivalves and Gastropods in JNJ's.

See you all Wednesday!

Today in Science we had a really great start to Lesson 9, Mollusks.  I was able to keep all classes at the same point so the homework is the same for all!  Everyone should read Clams and Clinging Creatures and do copywork.  Talk to your kids about what they learned today.  Every class retained quite a bit and understood concepts when they left. I look forward to seeing everyone on Monday!  Enjoy your weekend!

Yesterday in Science 12/3/12 we did some reading and completed the Lobster matching in our Journals.  The majority of the students finished this but you may want to double check that your student has completed it.  5 & 6 as well as 3 & 4 completed all of the reading but 2nd didn't get finished.  They will need to rd. Leg Features, Hind Features and Lobsters.  I am attempting to finish Lesson 8 before our break so we can begin with fresh minds after our break so our reading may be a bit heavy on Wednesday and Monday.  See you all tomorrow.

Yesterday in Science we performed the experiment dealing with electricity and talked about one way that sharks find their way to their prey (using electricity in the water).  We were off to a rough start with the 5 & 6 grade (the instructions that came inside of the experiment kit were a bit unclear). Thanks to Ben and Riley we figured it out!

5 & 6 read crustaceans and do copy work.

3 & 4 do copy work.

2nd do copy work.