Tuesday

6th grade: Students planned an alternative energy model in class today. They will need to bring the supplies assigned in class. I did check planners, as usual, and all should have their assignments written down. We watched videos on different types of energy and how it is used. We also discussed how useful different energy sources are.

7th grade: We are beginning a review for the test on Thursday. This test will cover Bacteria, Virus, Protist and Fungi. Students need to be here tomorrow for the review.

Monday

6th grade: We began learning about alternative energy sources today. We will continue this tomorrow. All but 6th hour discussed the experiment yesterday and why it would need to be redone.

7th grade: We worked on a fungus experiment today. We filled bottles with warm water and yeast and then one other ingredient to see what would happen. We also used magnifying classes to look at mold.

Thursday

So sorry I missed yesterday's update. I got home and my Internet isn't working again. But, for today:

6th grade: We learned about pressure, that heat increases pressure and cold reduces pressure. We put a balloon, first in cold water and then in hot water so students could feel the increase in pressure. We talked about the state of matter changing due to heat and cold. We saw, using a beaker, warm water, an ice cube and a digital thermometer, that hot water rises and cold water falls. We discussed why when you put hot water on a metal jar lid that it comes off quickly. We also discussed that ice cubes, even though colder don't contract because of the crystalline formation of water molecules.

7th grade: We learned about fungi today. Students drew a mushroom so they could see the different parts. Then we watched a ppp on fungi. We then observed what it would be like seeing a fungi spore explode by filling a balloon with cotton and then popping it. That was fun.

Tuesday

6th grade: We learned about Kinetic and Potential energy. Then we discussed three methods of heat energy transfer: Radiation, Conduction and Convection. Students are to have biomes, periodic table and anti-drug posters in by Thursday. read E 54-58

7th: We spent the day drawing and learning about protists. This is covered on pages 226-235.

Monday

A scoliosis permission page has gone home with all students. It is for parent's permission to test their child for scoliosis, a problem with the backbone, tomorrow. Students will not be tested without a signed parent permission slip.

6th grade: Students who took their tests were given the tests to take home and fix. To fix a test students must write a complete sentence as an answer. If they just list 1. C I will not grade it. The point of correcting tests is to allow students to learn what they missed. By writing a complete sentence students better learn the material. They also learn how to change questions to facts. This must be on a separate piece of paper that is stapled to the test. These rules have been explained again to the students. Those who did not take the test will be taking it Wednesday during TALL. Please make sure you study E-1/E49 - make sure that you turn in E48-E49 1-15 if you were absent.

7th grade: Today we started learning about Protists. We learned about protozoans which are animal like protists.

Thursday

6th graders: We spent the day finishing our biomes, periodic tables and the anti-drug poster. From now on it is homework that is due January 26th.

7th graders: We finished our drug unit by watching a very interesting movie on the affect of drugs on your brain, on your life and on your family. We sincerely hope that our students will make good decisions concerning these things.

Wednesday

6th grade: Today we took a test covering E1-E49

7th grade: Students worked on the anti-bad stuff commercial art work. We discussed how there can be road-blocks in getting to our goals and drugs and alcohol can really slow you down from where you want to be.

Monday 6th grade homework tonight - test on Wednesday

6th grade: We started our review for the test on Wednesday Students do have homework unless they finished it in class. Read E 1-45 and do 1-15 in complete sentences on E48-49

7th grade: Students turned in their homework and we discussed how advertisements try to trick you. We watched some old cigarette commercials and discussed the music, and the mood that was set. Then we watched a funny old beer commercial, through the man's eyes as he got more and more drunk. We listened to the kids on the tapes whose lives we have been following the last few days.

Thursday

6th grade: We finished our study on avoiding drug and alcohol. Students ended the day making posters and preparing for the test next week. The test will cover pages E1-E45

7th grade: Today students practiced ways to say no to alcohol, then we listened to a tape hearing how other kids do that. We still have four more classes to finish this program, I think we may combine a few.

Wednesday

6th grade: We watched a movie on the effects of smoking. Students discussed why it is so hard to quit and how smoking can affect others. Students were to find out how much a pack of cigarettes costs. We will review pages E4 - E45 on Monday and test on it on Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how the review goes.

7th grade: We watched a movie on how smoking cigarettes affects people. Students took notes and wrote down questions which we discussed at the end of the movie.

Tuesday

6th grade: Today we did the last Slick Tracy book. The homework tonight is page 7 and 10. It needs to be done with adults. As mid-term reports go out on Thursday, please make sure that these are completed, and any late ones are turned in so students can at least get 60% on the late ones.

7th grade: There is no homework in 7th grade. Students discussed today the different circumstances that might entice a student to use alcohol.

Monday

We covered more information on alcohol abuse today. Students were to turn in their homework at the start of class. There is homework today in both classes.

6th grade: We talked about different types of pressure to get students to make wrong choices. Students acted out a short skit on how to make good choices. The students are to do pages 7 and 10 of their workbook at home.

7th grade: Students discussed their interviews with their parents. Then they were assigned to write a half page (if double spaced a whole page) on alternatives to drinking. This can include things they would say, activities they could participate in and things they could drink that are safe.

Thursday - homework 6th and 7th grade

6th grade: Today we discussed how advertisements can trick us into thinking alcohol consumption will make you beautiful, stronger, etc. Homework is for the students to watch tv commercials and programs and identify the alcohol use and how it is being made to look beautiful and good.

7th grade: Students reviewed the facts about alcohol abuse. Their homework is to interview an adult about the adult's ideas on how to avoid alcohol abuse.

Wednesday + homework for parents and students

My classes are doing Project Northland for the next 6-8 days. Basically it is a program designed for students to help them practice avoiding alcohol abuse. The 6th grade has booklets for four days that the students will be taking home. Parent participation is a big part of this. Please make sure that parents take the time to review these with the students. In the past we did these once a week, but we are trying, this year, to do it everyday in hopes that the parents will be able to participate more fully. The 7th graders will have a few assignments to do with their families too. But not as many as the 6th graders.

6th Grade: Slick Tracy Comic Book: parents and students fill out a short quiz and write each other a letter.

7th Grade: Students will review the "All Important Facts" for their homework.