Jones' Kaleidoscope

May 11-15, 2009

May 11-15, 2009

• First of all, hats off to Ms. Frisch, Ms. Nasta and all other teachers and parents involved making Camp Half-Blood a huge success!

Back to science...

• Today students did the investigation for air pressure. Thanks to the lab leaders for helping the lab run smoothly and safely. Most students' cans crushed, twisted, hissed, and bent...just the outcome we were looking for with this investigation. Tomorrow we will discuss the possible "why's" of the activity.

• The rest of this week we will focus on applying what we have learned about air to weather patterns.

Homework...

• Due Tuesday (5/12): This is really classwork, but it will be collected tomorrow...the Air Pressure Investigation (handout)
• Due Wednesday (5/13): Skills Tutor - Oceans, Atmosphere

• Due Thursday (5/14): Meteorology vocabulary (today you had class time, a little more will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday). Be sure to copy the terms in class in case you need to complete this assignment at home.

Coming up next week...

Mini-Metric Olympics

EQ writing assessment

Warm-up quiz

GPS Benchmark Exam (Final Exam)

May 4 - May 8

• This week we are previewing and studying the atmosphere.
• We will continue our review for the final GPS (benchmark) test to be given the last two days of school. Remember to use the resources provided on GPS & CRCT Review Tools page of this blog (see right side menu).
• If you are interested in becoming a Super Scientist for Monday's lab activity, discuss the details with your parent and pick up a permission slip in class on Tuesday. The drawing to determine our Lab Leaders will be held during class Wednesday. If you are chosen, you will receive a pass to come in early this Thursday morning @ 8:15 am. We will review safety rules and procedures. Remember, you will be handling hot water, a hot can, and using a hot plate. Be sure to share this information with your parents.
• For Wednesday, you need to complete the Rocks & Minerals and Water Skills Tutor activities if you have not already done so.
• For Friday, you need to complete the Oceans and Weather Skills Tutor activities if you have not already done so.
• This week, our class is collecting clean, empty, soda cans for Monday's lab activity. Please bring in, send in or drop off any donations you can spare. We thank you in advance for your help.
• Lastly, we are in need of facial tissues and antibacterial wipes. We only have three weeks left of school, however, we are completely out of them. Again, any donations you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

April 27 - May 1

• This week we will review and discuss some of the station concepts prior to taking an assessment this Thursday and Friday.
• ALL station work (Green, Orange, Blue) should be submitted now. I am entering the scores on i-Cue today and tomorrow.
• Remember to continue working on your Science Skills Tutor assignments. If you have not yet logged in, the instructions can be found on the GPS & CRCT Review Tools page of this blog (link on right). If you have any trouble logging in, be sure to let me know ASAP as these activities count towards your class average. You should have completed the Pretest and Dynamic Earth by the end of this week [if you have not already done so].

Week of April 20th

4/20 - 4/24:

• This week we will continue rotating through review and preview stations. Topics covered include: Conservation; Earthquakes and volcanoes; Climate and weather; Measurement and scientific method; Rocks and minerals; Earth, moon and sun; and benchmark test review.
• Remember to submit assignments as applicable as you travel through each station.
• Remember to use the Skills Tutor as review for both the CRCT and the GPS Benchmark tests. This is an excellent review tool. See the CRCT and GPS Review page for specific instructions on accessing the program and logging into the system.

Continue with CRCT Prep

Hopefully you enjoyed today's pep rally and learned some useful tips for taking the CRCT.

We will continue with stations. Remember to submit assignments when applicable.

Please visit the GPS & CRCT Prep page for details on logging into SkillsTutor where you can take practice tests.

CRCT Review

This week we will be reviewing for the CRCT by stations and practice assessments

The School Council is seeking input for programs

Parent input is requested for future School Council programs.

Simply go to the link printed below and respond. Your input is valued and appreciated.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TzjcSkeWfnOrxYF_2fo4OqOQ_3d_3d

LMS Outdoor Classroom Workday...YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

Here is a note from the LMS Outdoor Classroom Committee:

Saturday, March 7th is our first work day for the outdoor classrooms. Below is a list of jobs we will complete along with the corresponding tools we will use. If you do not have access to the tools for a particular job, no worries, you can still sign up for that job. However, if you do own any of the tools listed below, it would be a great help if you could bring them along.

If you are interested in helping to create Lovinggood’s Outdoor Classrooms, please e-mail me ( Kathryn.Kilkenny@cobbk12.org) the number of the jobs you would like to participate in and the tools you will bring. Also, feel free to forward this to any family or friends who may want to help. We will start at 9am. Hope to see you then!

Construction Jobs

1.Build Picnic Tables

a.Screwdriver, wrench, socket set, etc…..

2.Construct Benches

a.Circular saw, Drill, tape measure, saw horses, level, hand saw, etc…..

3.Mix Cement/Dig holes for benches

a.Shovel, posthole digger, pick axe, wheelbarrow…….

Trail Jobs

4.Lay out border (lightweight, metal, snaps together)

5.Lay out newspaper (kill grass and prevent weeds)

6.Lay out mulch

a.Wheelbarrow, rake, shovel

** If you have newspaper, please bring as much as you can! Or drop it by my room next week.

THANK YOU,

Outdoor Classroom Committee

Don't forget to...

check out the Additional Resources...and More! page for new information, including a video submitted by Christpoher E.  Thanks for sharing Christopher!

Also...thank you to those who have donated requested supplies. We are all grateful for your donations.

February Articulation Session: "Understanding the Adolescent Brain"

Please review the attached flyer for information regarding the February Articulation session. It promises to be a wonderful presentation. Please plan to attend. Download Feb Articulation Session Flyer