This Week

MATH:

    This week we've been working on the idea of representing an unknown with a variable "x" and sharing a piece of something (dividing fractions).  We've also been working on combining like terms.  Students did a quick checkup quiz with me that I graded to give them a sense of where they are at with the skill but does not reflect on their grade for math.  There will be a test on Chapter 6 next Tuesday 3/15/16. 

Here's a good link with a video of what kids have been working on in class:
http://textbooks.cpm.org/video/algebra/algebra_tiles_like_terms_1.mp4

SCIENCE:

     Last week we wrapped up our microscope unit by looking at our final living microscopic organisms: flagellates, paramecia and chara (a plant with identifiable cells).  This week we've been focusing on cells and cell theory.  Students are focusing on Eukaryotic cells and specifically plant and animal cells and the organelles within those cells.  

    Students received the Cell Analogy  project handout and have spent the last 3 days reading about and recording notes on cells and the organelles in plant and animal cells.  Friday 3/11 students will be officially assigned the project and will begin working on their cell projects.  The project will  tentatively be due Friday 3/18 with 4 days of in-class time to work on their projects (I'm working with Shelly to make sure kids stay organized and focused and not overwhelmed with projects due in both classes).  Students can choose to do a project in which 100% of  the materials are provided by me and complete all of it in class or they can choose to work in/out of class with food or other materials. 

Here is all the notes for the cell organelles students should have in their lab books:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwVQm4IfX8UWOW0yeDlubXEtNHM/view?usp=sharing

Here's a link to the project handout which we'll discuss in detail Friday 3/11:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwVQm4IfX8UWRm9UcnJxTTdPRlk


READING:

   The kids really got into the Greek Mythology unit this year with valuable literary lessons and perhaps even more valuable teamwork lessons abounding :)  I thought all the groups did a great job and I was particularly impressed with the way groups worked through their differences with group members and made the best of their situations.  We read 10 Greek Myths and hidden within the competitions were literacy skills like diagramming a plot, identifying themes, synonyms and antonyms and many more.  The unit ends with final projects by kids and this year the puppet show was very popular and there were some awesome puppets and hilarious puppets.  Stay tuned for some pics of that!