Monday December 12, 2011

Science:  This week will be looking at calculating density of the items the students measured mass and volume of last week.  We will review the concept of direct vs. indirect measurement.  I was sick on Friday, so I haven't seen all the ecosystem projects come in yet.  Please check that your son/daughter has brought theirs in.  Today Ms. MacFarland's class has a local water expert, Mr. Dave Derbowka, coming in during 5th block.  Tomorrow he will visit Mr. Martin's class.

Socials:  We continued our look at the transition from small communities into the first cities, all based around large rivers in what would now be Iraq, Jordan, and other areas of the Middle East.  The students should all be aware of why leaders would have arisen, and why Early Man couldn't simply go back to being Hunter-Gatherers.

Food Bank:  Remember that Wednesday is the last day for our class challenge of collecting food for the local food bank.  This entire challenge is being organized by the students of Green Team.  Way to go girls!  Mr. Martin's class is definitely looking forward to collecting more cans than Ms. Roylance, due to some good natured teasing between the challenges.  Apparently, a side bet has occured that the losing teacher between these two has to get a pie in the face!  Look below to see the poster that appeared around the school on Friday.  Mr. Martin's class did rewrite the "Grinch" song to help get the spirit of Christmas giving back into Ms. Roylance's class.  We even went and sang it to her class in the last block of the day.

PE:  Krystine Lucas will be here on Tuesday and Thursday to teach Hip Hop dance.

English:  Ms. MacFarland and Mr. Martin were unable to get together to co-mark the Cathy Peters Assessment today because Mrs. Baker was absent and Ms. MacFarland was busy in the Learning Resource Clinic.  Our hopes to get the results back to you by Friday are quickly deminishing.