SCIENCE
Did you know that you start the digestion process before you begin eating? Do you know that your small intestines are about 20 feet long and that it takes about 24 hours hours for your food pass from you mouth to your anus? How about the billions of bacteria that live in your large intestines feeding on the food that was not absorbed in the small intestines? Your children do! Please ask them about the amazing digestion system and the fun facts that we were discussing in class this week!
Rubber Bones lab investigation concluded the week in science. We finished our observations and measurements of chicken bones after the calcium was dissolved on Monday and Tuesday in class. The bones that were soaked in vinegar were flexible and the bones in water were not flexible. Please take a moment to ask about this lab investigation, Your children should be able to explain this phenomena. It was a little odorous, ask them why!
We had an opportunity to work on our t-shirts this week on Friday. The students added the stomach, liver, small intestines and large intestines. These body system shirts are developing very nicely! I am excited for them to bring them home and share them with you!
We had an opportunity to work on our t-shirts this week on Friday. The students added the stomach, liver, small intestines and large intestines. These body system shirts are developing very nicely! I am excited for them to bring them home and share them with you!
We had a web investigation this week on the digestive system. We explored two very different but informative web sites. They are http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/systems.html and http://www.neok12.com/Digestive-Systems.htm . If you have an opportunity, please check them out! They are really full of amazing information and a lot of fun too!
MATH
Surface Area and Volume were the names of the game this week in math. Students traveled through the three different stations listed below:
Teacher-Guided Station: Surface Area and Volume of 3-D shapes
In this station, students learned formulas and formatting for solving problems dealing with volume and surface area. We also took this opportunity to sharpen up our calculator skills. Remember that students are allowed to use calculators on their Surface Area/Volume homework this week, however, they must abide by the formatting learned this week during this station. Great examples can be found in the Math Daybooks.
Problem-Solving Station: Packing the Packages
In this station, students worked collaboratively on a wonderful NCTM activity entitled, Packing the Packages. This lesson emphasized the “real-life” application of investigating various designs for packaging soda cans and other items by using geometry to analyze their designs. (To view this activity, see your child's Math/Science binder).
Music/Movement Station: It’s All in the Surface and Pump Up the Volume
In this station, students worked on committing formulas for surface area and volume to memory through the use of song, rhythm, emotion, and movement (Click here to view lyrics). Both of the songs used this week can be purchased from Itunes for $0.99. (Click here to hear a sample and to purchase if interested!) This is a wonderful way to spice up studying! We also explored the nets of common 3-D figures and discovered why the formulas work the way they do.
Next week we will continue to dig a little deeper into these topics and also explore the concept of cross sections. In the meantime, please continue to encourage your child to commit these formulas to memory. A little bit every day is much less stressful (and effective) than cramming the night before! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns! Thanks for all you do!
EOG Study Guide:
A few of you requested a copy of the 7th Grade Study Guide so your child could get a head-start on EOG review over Spring Break. Please click here if you are interested in printing off a copy. Thanks!
MATH
Surface Area and Volume were the names of the game this week in math. Students traveled through the three different stations listed below:
Teacher-Guided Station: Surface Area and Volume of 3-D shapes
In this station, students learned formulas and formatting for solving problems dealing with volume and surface area. We also took this opportunity to sharpen up our calculator skills. Remember that students are allowed to use calculators on their Surface Area/Volume homework this week, however, they must abide by the formatting learned this week during this station. Great examples can be found in the Math Daybooks.
Problem-Solving Station: Packing the Packages
In this station, students worked collaboratively on a wonderful NCTM activity entitled, Packing the Packages. This lesson emphasized the “real-life” application of investigating various designs for packaging soda cans and other items by using geometry to analyze their designs. (To view this activity, see your child's Math/Science binder).
Music/Movement Station: It’s All in the Surface and Pump Up the Volume
In this station, students worked on committing formulas for surface area and volume to memory through the use of song, rhythm, emotion, and movement (Click here to view lyrics). Both of the songs used this week can be purchased from Itunes for $0.99. (Click here to hear a sample and to purchase if interested!) This is a wonderful way to spice up studying! We also explored the nets of common 3-D figures and discovered why the formulas work the way they do.
Next week we will continue to dig a little deeper into these topics and also explore the concept of cross sections. In the meantime, please continue to encourage your child to commit these formulas to memory. A little bit every day is much less stressful (and effective) than cramming the night before! Let me know if you have any questions or concerns! Thanks for all you do!
EOG Study Guide:
A few of you requested a copy of the 7th Grade Study Guide so your child could get a head-start on EOG review over Spring Break. Please click here if you are interested in printing off a copy. Thanks!
