Tenebrios
In 9th grade lab, each student was provided with a live tenebrio, also known as a mealworm. Mealworms live for approximately one month. In nature, mealworms feed on cereal plants and stored grains. Students put obstacles, food and water near the tenebrio and observed its movements. Students also combined their tenebrios into one petri dish and recorded the movement seen. Because of the size of these worms it was important to use a magnifying glass as they took notes.
Miss Farrell
Cell Lab
What is the difference between a plant cell and an animal cell? Why can animal cells burst when they are put in distilled water and plant cells do not? These differences have to do with the structure of these two types of cells. Not only was each student able to identify this in a lab diagram, but they were given plant cells to observe under the microscope, as well as prepared slides of human blood, muscle and bone.
Miss Farrell
latitude and Longitude
Did you ever think you would need to understand and use latitude and longitude for the operation of your GPS, in your travels? Yes, latitude and longitude can be essential for that use and others. Latitude and longitude is not only needed in reading a map; defining the location of a city and explaining the movement of water – to name a few. Understanding and communicating latitude and longitude is also essential in the use of a GPS. As mentioned in class, latitude and longitude coordinates are needed when traveling to areas that a satellite cannot pick up, such as camp areas. Think of your latest trip or future trip on a plane. How catastrophic it would be for the pilot to have the wrong coordinates for his or her landing. In this lab, the students have specified the coordinates for various cities, several given points on the globe, as well as their own hometown.
Miss Farrell
Soil Lab
Which soil has the greatest permeability: fine sand; coarse sand; or soil? The permeability of three types of soils and the movement of ground water on land has been an investigation for the class. Three types of soils were presented to them: fine sand, coarse sand, and plant soil. They were given the instruction to slowly pour 50 ml of water through on the soil and calculate the time it took for the water to pass through as well as the amount of water collected from each soil type. From this experiment, each student was able to identify which soil had the greatest permeability and which had the least permeability, and was therefore able to explain the movement of ground water that we see from day to day.
Miss Farrell
Boxes of Love
During Fall Spirit Week, November15-19, MS and HS students participated in a canned food drive as part of their class competitions. Students were excited at the opportunity to win points for their class while helping needy families. In all, we collected 130 cans and were able to help feed 30 families for the holidays. We are extremely happy with the results and very proud of our students for focusing on the value of giving.
Let’s Go Shopping
9thgrade- The students are reviewing verbs and nouns in Spanish. They are also learning about purchasing things in Spanish and how much fun it is.
Ms. Purdee
Medical Emergencies
10th grade has been occupied learning about medical emergency and are creating a small play in the classroom demonstrating their acting abilities and new forming language skills.
Ms. Purdee
El Museo del Barrio
11th – grade went on an exciting field trip to El Museo del Barrio- The students learned about some Latino artist and so some interesting exhibits and paintings. The students also had the opportunity to create art themselves. The students had a discussion about the problems worldwide and how it effects their barrio- which means community. The students created imprint plates and made wonderful posters in Spanish. They also discussed what world events they are most concerned with. They all had the opportunity to discuss and express their thoughts and some solutions.
Ms. Purdee
The Beginnings
We took a break from the regular book study and started a video series called The Beginnings. It is an interesting study on creation vs. evolution. In the video we study the effectiveness of looking at the age of the earth and how difficult the theory of evolution is to believe and the earth having a true creator named God is the actual truth.
Mr. Racoma
Microsoft Projects
11th and 12th grade have finished their first independent learning project, completing lessons and a final creative product in one of four Microsoft office programs. Their final products turned out wonderfully. During the second term, they are working on assignments for Mr. Hernandez, our college preparation guidance counselor. They are researching scholarships and making college applications and resumes.
Mr. Boyd