SCIENCE
The central nervous system continues to be our focus area in science. We had three rotation stations in science this week to understand some very complicated concepts. We created a model of the brain out of play dough. The Brian Model, station 1, required the students to create the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, medulla, and brain stem out of play dough. The students had to discuss the functions of each part of the brain with their group members when they completed the model. I listened to some wonderful peer teaching! Station 2, Pipe Cleaner Neuron, demonstrated the structure of a neuron by created the dendrites, axon, cell body and myelin sheath out of pipe cleaners and arranging them to show how neurons transmit messages and form new connections. Connecting The Neurons, station 3, turned out to be one of the most informative stations. We connected ten neurons to ten other neurons with ten different colors. This allowed the students to observe how connected nerves are with each other. When one nerve cell dies, thousands of other nerve cells are effected. We were able to discuss behaviors that would kill a nerve cell (brain trauma, drug and alcohol abuse) and show how they would damage the neuron connections that are essential for a healthy brain.
Your children were given a sleep data collection sheet with a dream journal on the reverse side. Next week we are focusing on dreams and sleep. We will be discussing why the body needs to sleep and how essential it is for young adults to have adequate sleep for healthy growth and development.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
On March 31 we had the honor of Xander Picot's father, Dr. Picot, who gave a seminar to our seventh grade class on the human brain. We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful parents at CSD! I am very grateful to Dr. Picot for creating an amazing presentation and donating his time and astounding intellectual resources to our central nervous system unit. This is an amazing opportunity for our children at CSD! I have included a brief description of Dr. Picot below.The central nervous system continues to be our focus area in science. We had three rotation stations in science this week to understand some very complicated concepts. We created a model of the brain out of play dough. The Brian Model, station 1, required the students to create the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, medulla, and brain stem out of play dough. The students had to discuss the functions of each part of the brain with their group members when they completed the model. I listened to some wonderful peer teaching! Station 2, Pipe Cleaner Neuron, demonstrated the structure of a neuron by created the dendrites, axon, cell body and myelin sheath out of pipe cleaners and arranging them to show how neurons transmit messages and form new connections. Connecting The Neurons, station 3, turned out to be one of the most informative stations. We connected ten neurons to ten other neurons with ten different colors. This allowed the students to observe how connected nerves are with each other. When one nerve cell dies, thousands of other nerve cells are effected. We were able to discuss behaviors that would kill a nerve cell (brain trauma, drug and alcohol abuse) and show how they would damage the neuron connections that are essential for a healthy brain.
Your children were given a sleep data collection sheet with a dream journal on the reverse side. Next week we are focusing on dreams and sleep. We will be discussing why the body needs to sleep and how essential it is for young adults to have adequate sleep for healthy growth and development.
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
FRANÇOIS PICOT, MD
François Picot was born in Paris, France, in 1962. He moved with his family to the United States when he was six years old, settling in New York City after a year in Nantucket, Massachusetts. After graduating from Drew University in New Jersey, he attended the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. His one-year medical internship and three-year neurology residency was at the University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, and his two-year neuromuscular fellowship was completed at SUNY/Stony Brook, New York. François practiced neurology in Florida for 4 years before moving to North Carolina, where he has practiced at Northeast Neurology in Concord for the past 10 years. He is currently the Assistant Medical Director of Northeast Neurology. His special interests are general neurology and neuromuscular disorders. François enjoys tennis, golf, swimming, biking, the New York Yankees, and especially spending time with his wife and three sons.
MATH
Check out the newest page to Mrs. V's math website by clicking here! This page is chock full of information about the NC EOG in math as well as other great resources for problem-solving and test-taking. Hope this helps!
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