Geometry
In our geometry course, one of the applied projects we did was constructing bridges out of Popsicle and tooth-picks. We demolished the bridges while using a load cell to measure (in pounds) the amount of tensional force the bridge could withstand. A score was awarded to each team’s bridge by calculating the ratio of the weight of the bridge to the max load before collapse.
Mr. Loewenthal
Science Labs
In our science Lab we covered a lot of different topics. One of the first labs we did in September was to draw the Earth’s interior to scale.
Another lab we did later in May was called “Stepping out the Solar System.” In this lab students had to research one of the planets and report their findings to the class. Each student had to calculate how far from the Sun their planet would lie, using a scale of one meter = one million miles.
Mr. Loewenthal
Future Job
Besides our class time discussions the most memorable time was the assignment given at the end of the year. Each student was to create a presentation via Power Point or Poster Board of their future dream job. They were required to report on the following: Short biography of someone in the field, career entails, requirements, what makes a person valuable, visuals of the place, their opinion, their current preparations, create a personal affirmation, and scriptures for the journey. I was very excited to inspire the students to greatness and very pleased with the results I received. Each student’s project was quite unique and had their personal touch to it. They were very proud to present these projects to their classmates and many of them were already practicing some of the requirements for their future job. I believe that each student will in some capacity be doing something in the field that they researched and will do extremely well. Making things visual makes it more of a reality.
Mrs. Sawyer
Discovery Education
This year has been one filled with creative work from my students. After each country studied, each student prepared a poster board of that country and presented it to their classmates. We viewed various continents using discovery education and were able to actually see what each place currently looked like. The continents we viewed visually were Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. We looked at maps of those continents, as well as Australia and North America. This last week in June, each student painted on large paper where they were from. They included important things about themselves and their families, which they presented to their classmates. This Tuesday we will have a special breakfast, which each student will bring their favorite breakfast meals either from their home country or their favorite meals here. Sharing a meal with their friends is a great way to end the year.
Mrs. Sawyer
Poetry
For writer’s workshop we have been studying different types of poetry and the different things that inspire poets, such as people, objects, places, and nature. During this unit we took a class trip to the Botanical Gardens. Students were able to see firsthand how and why poets get inspired by nature as they experienced it themselves. When we returned to school students wrote a poem about what inspired them the most on our trip (flowers, trees, insects, fish, ponds) in whatever form they liked: haiku, rhyming, free verse, etc.
The connection- at the end of our units of science and writing, students wrote poems about the life cycle of a butterfly.
Miss Laforest
Butterflies
Fourth grade has been making a science and writing connection. In science we have been exploring the life cycle of butterflies. We have observed and studied 20 butterfly larvae (caterpillars) and watched them eat and grow until they went into their chrysalis, where most of their metamorphosis takes place. Finally, the beautiful butterflies emerged and we released them outside to find new habitats.
Miss Laforest
Crystals, Minerals, and Rocks
The 8th grade Science Classes completed two projects. The first was from a unit study on Crystals, Minerals, and Rocks. Each student found a particular rock, mineral or crystal to research. The research included fun facts and how the mineral, crystal or rock is used in our everyday lives. They also created a booklet with this information including pictures and a bibliography.
Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis
The second project was from a unit study on Earthquakes, Volcanoes, and Tsunamis. Each student created a PowerPoint presentation. They displayed vital information, location, graphics, and statistics of the volcano, earthquake or tsunami of choice. They also included the effect and cost factor caused by the volcano, earthquake or tsunami.
Mrs. Christian
Genetics and Heredity
The 7th grade Science Class worked on a Unit study entitled Genetics/Heredity. As a culminating project each student created three Punnet Square diagrams. This project was to display their understanding of dominate and recessive genotypes.
Mrs. Christian
To See the Forest from the Trees
These last few months in United States History and Government and Global History and Geography I tried to prepare for the Regents exams which took place in early June. Part of this preparation was to help the students see the forest from the trees.
What this means is that often students of history get bogged down in so many facts and details that they panic and think that there’s no way that they can remember so much information for the Regents exam. But the point is that the student is not supposed to remember so much information, he or she is supposed to see how certain general ideas and concepts can tie together facts.
For example, in U.S. History the term Cold War covers the Korean War, Vietnam War, Arms Reductions Treaties and other historical events. By putting these within the Cold War framework, students have an easier time putting historical information in context. In the case of Global History and Geography, the term Economic Interdependence covers the European Union and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
So with all of this in mind, study guides and review sessions for the Regents exams in Social Studies for 10th and 11th grades emphasized students being able to put historical facts and information into broad topics and categories. Hopefully the end result will be more positive results on the Regents exams for as great a number of students as possible.
Mr. Drake
Gender Roles
We have been researching gender roles in society over the past month. Each senior chose one of the following topics to make a visual presentation about: changes in gender roles over the last 100 years, gender biases, or individuals who have made a significant impact on society’s gender roles. They created posters, Power Points, etc. using the information they discovered. I was very impressed with the variety of presentation knowledge and how thought provoking their information was for the rest of the class.
Miss Stahler