St Francis House
April 2013
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We are winding down the year. Of course, with it snowing outside of May 2nd I'm not quite convinced of that!
5th Science – Environments - Students have been studying the effects of environmental factors on plants and animals. We ran tests on darkling beetles and isopods to see what type of environment they preferred. We are now testing water preference on some new seedlings.
6th Science - Diversity of Life – The students have really enjoyed learning about critters at the microscopic level. They are learning to distinguish between single celled organsims and multicelluar organisms.
7th Science - Populations and Ecosystems– Students just finished up learning about the energy pyramid. It is always amazing to them when they realize all the energy that they get from their food originally came from the sun. Next week we begin genetics and will practice punnett squares.
8th Science - Human Brain - We just finished up our dissection of the cow eyeball. That is always a fun day for our students. Once they get past how squishy the eye is they really enjoy looking at all the parts. We are now moving into learning about the brain and how MRI's are used to gather information.
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at factoring polynomials, FOIL and parabolas. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
March 2013
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5th Science – Environments - We are beginning a new FOSS kit and it will be our focus for the rest of this school year. Students will study the interactions of plants and animals in different environments. Students will study the effects of salt and other substances on the growth of plants and animals. Don't worry no animals or plants will be harmed in our study.
6th Science - Diversity of Life – This final kit in 6th grade science studies the in's and out's of basic biology. We spend many weeks at the microscopic level. We learn how to use microscopes as well as understand what it is we are looking at in the microscope.
7th Science - Populations and Ecosystems– From now until the end of the school year we will look at how energy and genetics pass through the Earth's many different ecosystems. The students will also learn the basics of genetics. They will make their first punnet squares to determine generational physical traits and how they pass down.
8th Science - Human Brain - This final middle school science unit for this class will study the amazing function of their brains. Students will dissect a cow's eye and take a look at how Hellen Keller made a life for herself despite her differences.
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at factoring polynomials, FOIL and parabolas. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
February 2013
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5th Science – Variables – This kit has been awesome! I feel that our students have a real deep understanding of variables in science experiments. They know which variables need to be controlled and which ones they need to manipulate. They will have final projects due Monday, March 11th and their final is currently planned for March 6th. Be looking for paperwork from both of these to be coming home shortly.
6th Science & 8th Science - Electronics – We are finishing up this kit with an investigation about transistors.
We will begin reviewing for our final that is planned for March 11th. The 6th graders and 8th graders have done a wonderful job with this kit and will move into new kits for the 3rd trimester.
7th Science - Chemical Interactions – We are now looking at the chemical compounds at an atomic level. We have been getting our first taste of balancing chemical equations. (one of my favorite past times) We will have our final before spring break as well, be looking for a test date of March 11th.
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at solving compound inequalities, factoring trinomials and identifying quadratic equations. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
January 2013
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5th Science – Variables – We have started our new kit! This kit is proving to be very fun. Last week we made pendulums and tested the
variables of length, mass and release position.
We discovered that length is the only variable that had an effect on the
outcome of number of swings. Next week
we will build and test mini lifeboats.
6th Science & 8th Science - Electronics – At this point I
feel like my students could be successful students at DMACC in their
electronics course. We are studying
capacitors, diodes & LED'S. We've
tested and seen for ourselves why LED'S are a better choice for lighting our
homes.
7th Science - Chemical Interactions – We just finished up
learning about kinetic energy in different phases of matter. We spent two weeks
learning about solids, liquids, and gases at the molecular level. Following
break we will explore how to harness some of that kinetic energy by burning Cheetos,
always a class favorite!
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at simplifying
radical expressions, writing equations for parallel lines and solving
inequalities by multiplying and dividing. We are also continually reviewing
previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a
child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before
school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had
been graded.
December 2012
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5th Science – Mixtures and Solutions – We are just about finished with this FOSS kit. The students did an awesome job working with the different chemicals that I provided for them to explore. We will be wrapping up the kit right after Christmas break. The students will prepare for their final in early January and prepare to present their projects to the class. I can’t wait to see all of their projects!
6th Science & 8th Science - Electronics – Ask your child how to calculate voltage drop at the dinner table tonight? It’s a complex mathematical equation that these smart kids mastered! We will start dissecting electronics following Christmas break! The students always enjoy this section; we will identify as many parts as possible from the different circuit boards. Thankfully, we don’t have to know how to put them back together.
7th Science - Chemical Interactions – We just finished up learning about kinetic energy in different phases of matter. We spent two weeks learning about solids, liquids, and gases at the molecular level. Following break we will explore how to harness some of that kinetic energy by burning Cheetos, always a class favorite!
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at simplifying radical expressions, writing equations for parallel lines and solving inequalities by multiplying and dividing. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
REMINDER:
Dowling High School Placement Test
Saturday, January 5, 2013
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Please bring:
Two #2 pencils, no mechanical pencils
A basic calculator
$20 for testing expenses, make checks payable to Dowling Catholic High School, put your 8th grader's
name in the memo line
If you have any questions, please call 515-222-1025.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
November 2012
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5th Science – Mixtures and Solutions - The kids just love this FOSS kit. They are mixing "chemicals' everyday. Exploring ways to dissolve materials, separate materials, and identify mystery powders. I really enjoy how engaged the students are during this kit and how many questions they ask. Keep up the good work!!!
6th Science & 8th Science - Electronics - This year we are switching what grade level the students are completing some FOSS kits. So during the move we will have some grades completing the same kit at the same time. The Electronics kit is so fun! The kit starts out very simple exploring basic parallel and series circuits. By the end the students will be identifying and using resistors and understand the use of a capacitor.
7th Science - Chemical Interactions - Again, love this kit! This kit starts out with students identifying a mystery substance, they do this by looking at the properties of eight substances and then they try to figure out which two substances are mixed. This is kit is so motivating for the students because they know somewhere during the kit they get to "blow things up."
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at adding and subtracting polynomials, determining the equation of a line given two points, and graphing box and whisker plots. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
October 2012
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5th Science – Water Planet– We are finishing our Foss Kit! Our final section was on weather. The students did a great job forecasting the next days weather based on daily weather maps. Our kit final test will begin November 1st, be looking for their review packet to be coming home very soon.
6th Science - Weather and Water - Students are learning about the water cycle. Once students reach middle school they realize the basic water cycle poster doesn't do the real water cycle justice. The students got to pretend to be water molecules and see how a real water molecule might have a very random cycle to follow. Their final is will be coming up shortly. Watch for me to be posting the date soon!
7th Science - Earth History - The unit is coming to a close. The students are now pros at identifying random rocks handed to them. They know the requirements to identify a rock as sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Their final test will begin November 6th, be looking for their review packet coming home soon.
8th Science- Planetary Science – Next week we are making moon phases out of Oreo cookies. I can't wait to post some great pictures from their projects! Then we will be wrapping up this unit. I've really enjoyed teaching the kids about the space race. They were very engaged watching Apollo 13. They asked many great questions about how things worked that long ago with the technology they had at the time. To think we once lived without cell phones and sent men to the moon with a slide ruler. Our Foss Kit final will begin November 9th.
Math - Course 4 - We are currently looking at ratios, rates and proportions. Students can recognize and extend arithmetic sequences. They are starting to use x and y intercepts to graph linear equations. We are also continually reviewing previous concepts as we move ahead through the Saxon math program.
Science Test Policy - Currently my policy is this: If a child fails a test, 69% or lower they are allowed to retake a blank test before school, after school or during study hall the following week after the test had been graded.
ZOO TEAM
Sign up - September (students may still sign up)
Determine feeding groups TBD this week
Meet a professional - October (professional was unavailalbe) trying to work out something for November
Cleaning meeting - November
Christmas Party/Fundraiser - December
