SCIENCE
This week we began with a laboratory investigation on protist. We observed protist and protist cysts (hard shells protist use to hibernate during times that conditions are too harsh to survive) in samples of hay infusion. Hay infusion is the process of taking hay and placing it in water at room temperature for 7-14 days. The cysts that protist use to protect themselves break apart and the protist can emerge to carry out all life processes. Please ask your child how the cysts ended up in the hay! This was also an amazing opportunity for your child to master their microscope skills. It takes a lot of practice and skill to be able to locate and observe these microorganisms. Your children were able to locate a variety of protist, protist cysts, bacteria, algae and hay pieces. I am so proud of each one of them!
The rest of the week was dedicated to preparing for Student Lead Conferences. We chose two lab investigations for each unit to analyze our strengths and weaknesses. The outline that we are using to prepare for SLC's is in our math/science binder. Please feel free to review this with your child. I am thrilled with the reflections on their work. We will continue to analyze our laboratory investigations, set goals and conference together next week.
This week we began with a laboratory investigation on protist. We observed protist and protist cysts (hard shells protist use to hibernate during times that conditions are too harsh to survive) in samples of hay infusion. Hay infusion is the process of taking hay and placing it in water at room temperature for 7-14 days. The cysts that protist use to protect themselves break apart and the protist can emerge to carry out all life processes. Please ask your child how the cysts ended up in the hay! This was also an amazing opportunity for your child to master their microscope skills. It takes a lot of practice and skill to be able to locate and observe these microorganisms. Your children were able to locate a variety of protist, protist cysts, bacteria, algae and hay pieces. I am so proud of each one of them!
The rest of the week was dedicated to preparing for Student Lead Conferences. We chose two lab investigations for each unit to analyze our strengths and weaknesses. The outline that we are using to prepare for SLC's is in our math/science binder. Please feel free to review this with your child. I am thrilled with the reflections on their work. We will continue to analyze our laboratory investigations, set goals and conference together next week.
MATH
This week we continued with our preparations for the upcoming Student Led Conferences by analyzing and correcting past mistakes, selecting work samples, preparing materials, and meeting with Mrs. V for specific feedback on our progress in math this year. We also began our next unit of study, Data, Statistics, and Graphing, by reviewing key vocabulary terms for Central Measures of Tendency: range, mean, median, and mode. To appeal to all modes of learning (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), we learned a song and dance to assist us with retrieving this information out of our long term memories. (Click here to view excerpts performed by some very brave souls: Section 1, Section 2, Section 3, Section 4 ). We also blended art with this content by using one of my favorite activities for vocabulary development called Concrete Spellings. In Concrete Spellings, students spell words using letters that form shapes to express the words’ meanings. (For examples, see slideshow above). After everyone had attempted their own drawings, we then circulated throughout the room observing each others’ ideas. This sparked a lot of great conversation amongst the kids, thereby adding to the auditory component of this lesson. Now that we’ve set the stage for learning by building some background information, let the data collecting begin!
We want to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Lynn Curley to the 7th grade team! Although we will miss Ms. Veronica immensely, we are very excited about everyone's new roles!
Best wishes to all!
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