'Tis the season! It is officially fall weather, so here come the holidays. November 3rd marked my second attempt at a half-marathon. Since it was the Women's Half-Marathon, there was a lot of spirit and several familiar faces from Sonoran Sky. Thank you to everyone who offered support to me! *\0/*
There is quite a bit happening around the campus. Our halls are busy with learning activities. Each Wednesday is PILOTS day! If you are interesting in helping, please email me at amsmith@pvschools.net. We can always use the energy and assistance.
Upcoming Schedule:
- PTO sponsored Holiday Boutique on November 21st from 6:30-9:00pm
- Friday, November 22nd is another Sonoran Sky Spirit Day
- Quarter Two ends on Friday, December 20th.
- No School - November 27-29th (Thanksgiving Holiday)
- Friday, December 6th is another Sonoran Sky Spirit Day
Both of my science classes have officially begun the Natural Disasters Project! :-) 95% of this project will be facilitated and completed at school. If you have not heard about the project from your sixth grader, I encourage you to ask them about it. The excitement in my science classes is electric these days!
The purpose of this project is to peak student interest in the Earth and its atmosphere through the study of natural disasters. Since these events are occurring around us quite often these days, it is an easy task to grab their attention. Really, these phenomena from Mother Nature are incredible!
Students will be researching the history and nature of science as well as the idea of science and its place in personal and social perspectives. Each team will deliver a presentation using a powerpoint and three-dimensional model. They will then facilitate a quiz with their homeroom class. The quizzes will not be counted as a grade but used as a tool for reflection. The group presenting will analyze the responses and performance on the class quizzes to determine if they delivered an effective presentation. In addition, each team will utilize their understanding of the inquiry process (scientific method)to conduct a lab/experiment which contains relevant information to the disaster they are studying. They will publish their findings in a formal lab report. Finally, the projects will be on display at the sixth grade semester one awards ceremony in December.
Parents are welcome to contact me at any time to set up a time to visit our classes and see firsthand what we are studying. I am most proud of their interest in this project and investment thus far!
PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you are interested and able to assist students with research, their lab/experiment, or making their three-dimensional model, please contact me at amsmith@pvschools.net.
I am in need of parents who are comfortable helping students to problem solve, work the hot glue gun, paint, follow the procedure of a lab/experiment, supervise small groups of students, etc.
times are as follows: 9:00-10:15am and 1:00-2:15pm
days needed: November 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 26 December 2,3,5,6
*ALL paperwork associated with the project can be found on my science, math and writing page of The S Factor. The name of each paper starts with "NDP". Click here for the paperwork.
Math Matters:
Thank you for your support on the weekly math packets!
We have almost completed our unit on ratios and rates. Our test will be next Tuesday, November 26th. A study guide will be utilized in class and sent home in order for the students to prepare. I am proud of how far the students have come in their understanding of these concepts. I am thoroughly impressed with their ability to reason and justify the answers they compute using ratios, equivalent ratios, unit rates, etc. Our next unit will be fractions, decimals, and percents. This unit will not be nearly as intense. Most of it should be familiar to the students.
Picture/Video for the Month : Beaker and Professor Honeydew
The students asked me to share this video on the website. In honor of our science inspiration, Beaker and Professor Bunsen Honeydew, here is a holiday video to enjoy!
Beaker and Bunsen: Carve-O-Matic Video
