| Week of June 2:
This week, we're wrapping up our Microworlds unit. The students took
the CAAP Test today, and we'll finish by observing some pond and river
organisms.
Week of May 27:
We are reviewing for the Microworlds CAAP Test this week. Students have
been notified about missing work, and will be given until Thursday to turn it
in. The CAAP Test is planned for Friday, May 30.
Week of May 19:
We have observed three interesting micro-organisms. Ask your child to
tell you about Volvox, Blepharisma, and Vinegar Eels. This week, we'll
continue our exploration of the microscopic world with a look at some pond
water organisms. The CAAP test for this unit will take place toward the end
of next week.
Week of May 12:
This week we'll look at some live specimens through our microscopes!
We'll learn how to best view moving organisms, and we'll make comparisons
between different "critters." The students are learning to improve their
drawings and written descriptions as they spend time observing carefully.
Week of May 5:
We are learning about the microscope's field of view, and how sometimes
an entire object/organism can be seen all at once, while other things can be
only partially viewed. We are also spending time this week working on our
observation skills as the students look at some common substances in their
microscopes and try to identify them. We'll also get creative by trying to
stump our classmates with riddles and pictures of common objects magnified
many times.
Week of April 28:
We are continuing to examine a variety of objects under our
microscopes. The students have seen that some "common" objects look pretty
different through the microscope! This week we'll explore the "Field of
View," and learn how seeing less can actually lead to seeing more!
We took the Drug Awareness District CAAP test this week in health.
Letters were also sent home about the upcoming HIV/AIDS lesson, which will be
taught by our school nurse, Mrs. MaryEllen Sanok in mid-May.
Week of April 21:
This week in our Microworlds unit we are examining different objects to
see if they will magnify like a hand lens, and we will discover the
properties of magnifiers. Then we will move on to Microscopes.
In our health unit, we will have our Personal Safety lesson with Mrs.
Sulecki on Tuesday. Then on Thursday, we will complete our final lesson on
Substance Abuse Awareness. The CAAP test for this unit will be next Tuesday.
Week of April 14:
We started "Microworlds," our final science unit this week. The focus
of this unit is on details. The students will learn to observe things
carefully and write careful descriptions of their observations. I've
encouraged all who have microscopes at home to get parent permission to bring
them in if they wish.
In health, we are discussing peer pressure, and we're learning to deal
with it in ways that are positive and safe.
Week of April 7:
After spending a couple of days reviewing the major concepts taught, we
are taking the Magnets and Motors District CAAP Test on Wednesday. This
major grade will be included on the third marking period report card. Our
final unit for this school year is Called "Microworlds," and we'll start it
next week.
We're continuing our unit on drugs in Health. This week we'll learn
about tobacco and advertising.
Week of March 17:
This week we are looking inside electric motors. After we experimented
with our motors in an electric circuit, the students took theirs apart to
examine the various parts. We will continue to look at how the parts work
together to make the motor run continuously.
In health, we are learning about illegal drugs and their affects on our
bodies.
Week of March 10:
This week the students set up a standard electromagnet and tested it.
Then, each group changed only one aspect of the electromagnet (called a
variable), and determined what affect that had on its strength. We shared
their results with the class. We'll also look at some basic principles
behind how motors work.
In Health, we'll start our examination of substance abuse and awareness
this week.
Week of March 3:
We are continuing to explore the relationship between magnetism and
electricity. This week we are building electromagnets and then testing them
by changing one variable. We will see what affect the change has on the
strength of our electromagnets.
In health, we wrapped up our study of the circulatory system with a
heart dissection and test. Our next unit will focus on substance awareness
and abuse.
Week of February 18:
This week we are working with compasses we have built, and then we'll
begin conducting experiments with electricity. We'll examine a link between
electricity and magnetism. In Health, we'll conclude our study of the
circulatory system by looking at various cardiovascular diseases. We'll walk
through the dissection procedure to prepare for the heart dissection next
Thursday. Thanks to all of our parents who have volunteered to lead
dissection groups. We'll have plenty of parent help!
Week of February 11:
We've reviewed properties of magnets, and we're building our own
compasses this week.
Week of February 4:
We are starting our study of "Magnets and Motors" this week. The first
few lessons will be a review of magnets and magnetic properties. The focus
of this unit is on investigating, hypothesizing and experimenting. In
Health, we are identifying the different parts of the heart, and we are
learning about blood pressure. The heart dissection has been scheduled for
Thursday, February 28 during science class.
Week of January 28:
This week we will take the Simple Machines CAAP Test, after reviewing
the unit on Monday and Tuesday. We will introduce the next unit, "Magnets
and Motors," on Friday. Our health lessons will focus on the heart and
following the path that blood takes as it travels through the heart.
Week of January 21:
We have reached the end of our study of levers and pulleys! This week
(due to the snow day last Friday) the students will demonstrate their
compound machine projects and turn in their reports. We will spend a couple
of days reviewing the "big ideas" from this unit, and then take the district
CAAP test on Wednesday, January 30. In health we are continuing to study the
circulatory system.
Week of January 14:
We will probably wrap up our study of Pulleys this week. Our final
focus will be on the formula for doing work: Force x Distance. We will look
at the trade off of effort for distance. I'm looking forward to the Compound
Machine demonstrations this Friday! Contact me for class times if you'd like
to join us for these.
We're learning about the heart and blood vessels this week in health.
Week of January 7:
We have begun experimenting with Pulleys this week. The students are
working with single and double pulley systems to determine if any advantage
is gained. The students are also working on their Compound Machine
Projects. These are to be done at home and demonstrated here on January 18.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
In health, we are starting a unit on the circulatory system, which will
culminate in a heart dissection in February. More details will be sent home
soon.
Week of December 17:
We are reviewing levers this week. The students diagrammed a variety
of "Real World" levers on the board to demonstrate their knowledge. Ask your
child to explain "FLE-123" to you. We'll continue to review levers before
moving on to Pulleys after break.
We will begin looking at the circulatory system in Health after the
break.
Week of December 10:
The students are doing some final activities with Levers this week. We
are diagraming different lever set-ups and recording the amount of effort
required to lift the load in each. We are experimenting with class one,
class two, and class three levers. Ask your child to explain the differences
between these, which involves the placement of the load, fulcrum, and effort.
In health, we are learning how to deal with "Bullying." We are also
discussing peer pressure and how to appreciate the differences in others.
Week of December 4:
We are continuing to examine "Lever Systems." This week we'll examine
the different classes of levers and learn how to diagram them. Then we'll
apply our knowledge to several real-world lever examples. As we do these
things, the students will learn how different types of levers provide
advantages. In health, we are still exploring friendships and looking at
ways to get along.
Week of November 26:
We are learning about the advantages levers can provide. The students
will learn to identify the three different classes of levers, as well as real-
world examples of each. We are also starting health units this week. Our
first one will examine friendships and getting along.
Week of November 19:
Astronomy CAAP tests were passed back today, so students received their
scores. Since these are district tests, they may not be taken home. We are
continuing to experiment with levers this week.
Week of November 12:
We have completed the Astronomy CAAP test, and we are beginning our new
unit, Levers and Pulleys. This week we are reviewing the six types of simple
machines, and then we will explore levers. This is a largely "hands-on"
unit, so the students are reminded to handle materials carefully and
appropriately.
Week of November 6:
We are wrapping up our Astronomy unit this week. The students have
taken the Chapter 3 test over stars and galaxies, and we're reviewing the
entire unit to prepare for the Astronomy District CAAP test, which will be
given at the end of the week.
Our next unit will be a review of Simple Machines, with a focus
on "Levers and Pulleys."
Week of October 29:
We have concluded our journey through our solar system. The students
shared information from their planet brochures, and completed the chapter
test. This week we are checking out stars. We'll examine the life cycle of
a star, and we'll discuss ways to classify them. We'll also compare our own
star, the sun, to other stars out there.
Week of October 15:
This week we are checking out our planetary neighbors. The students are
creating "travel" brochures to spotlight individual planets. They will share
information about a planet's rotation and revolution, as well as atmosphere,
composition, and location. The brochures will be due on Monday, Oct. 22.
During this time we will also explore our natural satellite, the moon.
Week of Oct. 8:
We are making our way across the solar system. The students learned
about planetary orbits and order as we used toilet paper to see a scaled down
model of our solar system. This week we will read about and research the
individual planets.
Week of Oct. 1:
This week we are wrapping up chapter 1 and moving on to exploring our
Solar System. We will take a look at our location in the universe, and then
we will travel to each of our planetary neighbors. We will even visit Pluto,
despite its new "nonplanet" status! The students will complete planet
research projects as part of this chapter.
Week of Sept. 24:
The constellation project presentations were shared last Friday. The
students did a nice job researching the mythology of their assigned
constellations, and explaining where they can be found in the night sky.
Next, we read about and discussed how you could tell a star from a planet
when you look up at night. Ask your child to explain this to you!
This week, we're learning about telescopes and how they work. We'll
also check out comets and meteors.
Week of Sept. 17:
Last week our focus was on why the stars appear to move in the night sky
and throughout the year. The students constructed "planispheres" to help
them understand this. Using this tool can be a fun activity to do with your
child on a clear night. This week we are spending time learning about some
of the constellations. The students are doing group projects (mainly in
class)to research a particular constellation and prepare a short presentation
for the class on Friday.
We've started our "Astronomy" unit. We'll be exploring a lot of topics,
including stars, constellations, planets, meteors, comets, space travel, and
life in space. This unit is largely research-based, so if you have any
helpful resources, you're welcome to send them in with your child. Please
make sure you label anything. The work will largely be done in class, so you
won't see a lot of science homework with this unit.
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