Week 3 - And the Journey Continues....

Science
Science looked, felt, and tasted very different this week in science! We went on a journey and did not leave the school! This week in science your children went on a Web Quest. A Web Quest is a collaborative activity that involves exploration of a topic, concept acquisition, and concept application in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. Joseph Abruscato wrote a fabulous book called Teaching Children Science, A Discovery Approach. This was one of the many books I digested this summer on current methods of teaching science and I was fascinated by the way technology can enhance the level of comprehension of a topic through research, working in groups, and peer teaching in the form of their PowerPoint presentations. The problem presented to the students was "Mother Earth needs your help. Please gather information on an energy source and determine where the energy comes from and how it was used. Help us decide what energy sources our good for our environment and can help save her and all the organisms that depend on her!". Your children all worked in groups, read articles from student friendly energy web sites, gathered information, and created a Power Point presentation. Your children gave their presentations in class on Friday and we had discussions at the conclusion of class on what types of energy sources were able to sustain us and keep Mother Earth happy and healthy! Please ask to see the Power Point presentation, your child has saved it on their thumb drive. Be prepared to be amazed!

Thinking ahead......... In two weeks we will be moving into the construction stage of our Green Home Design project. The students will need to start to bring in materials for their construction of their green home. This project is green, which means apply the reduce, reuse, and recycle ideas. Please do not purchase any products for this unit. Your children may start looking around your homes for boxes, extra pieces of building materials (extra wood, ceramic, linoleum), or items in you garage that may be used for construction. Please understand that they are planning ahead (yeah!!) and do not need to bring in the items until the week of September 14th.

Directly below is information on a town activity in Davidson on September 19. This ties in nicely with our unit. If you are able attend I think your children would love it!

Davidson Lands Conservancy Adds Green Festival to Annual RunSeptember 19 Festival & Davidson Garden Club Fall Plant Sale 10am-3pm
The Davidson Lands Conservancy has added a new component to its annual fundraiser, “Run for Green”. “Davidson Green Day”, to be held Sept. 19 on the Village Green, will feature exhibits with a message of sustainability. Visitors will learn about ways to save time, money and natural resources, while focusing on what can be done locally to protect the environment. The festival, to be held from 10AM-3PM, will include live music and opportunities for attendees to volunteer for local projects. Ingersoll-Rand is the sponsor of this first annual event. The Run for Green, now in its fifth year, has added new components as well. The Run will offer competitors a half-marathon course, 5K, and a new 10K race this year. Routes are slightly different from past years, and all races will start and end near the Village Green. Routes will follow the Town of Davidson’s public greenways. The runs are sponsored by Omega Sports, which will offer gift cards as part of prize packages for winners in various age groups. Davidson Garden Club will hold their annual fall plant sale in conjunction with the festival. A variety of locally grown plants including ferns and perennials will be available for sale on the Village Green. Additional event sponsors include Endurance Magazine, River Run and Davidson Screen Printers. Run for Green attracted over 800 participants in 2008. All proceeds benefit the Davidson Lands Conservancy. Volunteers are needed for all aspects of the festival and the races. To volunteer, register as a runner, or to access an exhibitor application for Green Day, go to www.davidsonlands.org <http://www.davidsonlands.org/> . Or, contact the DLC at 704-892-1910. Contact information: Roy Alexander, DLC Executive Director, 704-892-1910 Dave Martin, DLC President, 704-892-3739 Lynn Henderson, Event Director, 704-641-4642Math

Math

This week we continued our study of proportionality by exploring the concept in a variety of contexts. Early in the week we explored how proportionality affects similar figures. To do so, we learned that an essential first step in solving for an unknown side of similar figures is to identify corresponding parts (matching sides and angles). To complicate this task, I gave the students practice problems with similar figures that were rotated. In order to identify corresponding parts, they had to utilize their prior knowledge of geometric rotations and then orient the figures in the same direction. We also learned that the angles of similar figures are congruent.

The next part of the week was about what I like to call “real life” math. In cooperative groups, we explored the following scenarios:
Given the measures of four different juice mixes, determine the following:
· Which mix is the most “orangey”
· Which mix is the least “orangey”
· How many batches are needed for 240 campers (increasing recipe)
· The ratio of concentrate to water in each mix in one cup (decreasing recipe)
Identify and correct errors involving medicine prescriptions given by doctors and pharmacists including processes such as:
· Converting weight in lbs to kg
· Setting up proportions to determine correct amount of Amoxicillin needed based upon the weight of the child
· Determining daily dosages and writing directions for consumption

On Friday, the students took a computation assessment that will help me determine their strengths as well as areas for growth. Computation still tends to be challenging for many students, but with repeated practice, I am seeing improvement! Currently homework is the best place to get this practice. If the calculation component of homework is challenging for your child, I recommend trying the following things to promote his/her success:
· Help them break the assignment into smaller more manageable chunks. When the assignment comes home on Thursdays, take some time to make a plan for the week. If you need help with this, I’m more than happy to help, as is your child’s Advisor.
· Stick to a routine as much as possible. Try to pick a work time when your child is well-rested, nourished, and able to focus. Keep in mind that the typical attention span for this age is around 20-30 minutes, so encourage them to take breaks when they are fatigued.
· If they are stuck, remember that the best thing you can do is ask them questions. Sometimes your questions will help trigger important bits of information that they may be overlooking on their own.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday weekend,
Mrs. Smith & Mrs. V