Zixth Grade

There’s a new president in the White House! In unrelated news, we’ll learn about plants and read about the Great Wall of China this week. We’ll answer the question: How do plants meet their needs?

Objectives:

• Phonics: Suffixes -ion and -ation
• Comprehension: Summarize; Cause and Effect
• Vocabulary: Synonyms
• Identify and control variables related to seed germination.
• Identify the needs of plants and ways they are met in the environment.
• Distinguish between vascular and nonvascular plants.

• PB 23-35 (selected)
• Lesson 3 worksheet: RS 9-10

• Practice Book 2009.01.12 – Record your scores for the PB pages from last week.

Here are the links to find ideas for your own coat of arms.

• Heraldric Charges – There are literally hundreds of different symbols (or charges) that can appear on coats of arms. The colors that are chosen and even the shape of the shield itself can have significance for the Family, Clan or Sept that was to bear the arms.
• Symbolisms of Heraldry – Explains what the symbols and colors mean on each coat of arm
• About Heraldry and Coats of Arms / Family Crests – Heraldry is a language of emblems (patterns, signs & symbols) which grew out of the military life of the Middle Ages. It probably developed as it did from the need of recognizing Knights and their men in the field of battle.
  Coat of Arms and Surname Origins – Many pictures of coats of arms to choose from
• Spanish Surname Coats of Arms
• Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of Armenia
• The Armenian Flag – Scroll down until you see the coat of arms
• Armenia Religious Flags

[via Mrs. McGarity]

Objectives:
Comprehension: Evaluate; author’s viewpoint
Vocabulary: Multiple-meaning words and Suffixes -ure, -ic, and -al
Grammar: Adjectives
Describe how cells are organized in multicellular organisms.
Describe the functions of organs and organ systems.

Texts:
How do cells work together?
Lost Temple of the Aztecs

Assignments:
PB 3-15
Lesson 2 worksheet (RS 7-8)

Rudyard Kipling published this story around 1902. Complete the graphic organizer by picking out the most important events in the story.

Listen to the story here on the blog by clicking on the blue play button or download it by right clicking on the audio link and selecting “Save Link As…”

“How the Alphabet Was Made” (Audio Download)

“How the Alphabet Was Made” (Text)

Time-Order Graphic Organizer (PDF)

Test time! We’ll take the test for Chapter 4: Energy on Monday. Later this week, we’ll use technology to express our knowledge of energy concepts in creative ways.

Objectives:

• Evaluate relationships of science, technology, and society.
• Review chapter concepts.

Assignments:

• Chapter 4: Energy Assessment
• Potential and Kinetic Energy Poster
• Writing Fluency Recording
• Series and Parallel Circuit Photos
• Law of Conservation of Energy Rap/Poem
• Spring Toy Wave Commercial

We will compete in the Cannonball Fun game. Make sure to aim for the right answers!

Click here for full screen version

We’ve investigated potential, kinetic, wave, and electric energy. This week, we link it all together to answer the question What is a Circuit?

Objectives:

• Build circuits.
• Define a circuit, and distringuish between series and parallel circuits.
• Describe  how an electromagnet works.

Assignments:

• Persuasive Essay: What is the best way to turn a generator?
  • Persuasive Sample Essay (via Time for Kids)
  • Electricity Generation (via Wikipedia)
  • Use Textbook pages 180, 181, 182, 192, 198 for details
• Lesson 5 Worksheet (RS 37-38)

Coming next week:

Unit 4 Assessment

Use the directions on the link below to create a generator strong enough to light up a small bulb.

Ultra-simple Electric generator

Special instructions:

Test out the magnets before wrapping the wire to get them to spin freely and quickly.

Twist the wires of the light together with the red wires so that copper touches copper.

Squeeze the box gently to keep the magnets spinning freely.

Spark by wizetux

What is electricity? How is electricity produced? We’ll be answering these questions and observing how energy powers the devices on which we depend. Because of the short week this week, we’ll be working with electricity next week as well, with some shocking activities.

Objectives:

• Investigate static electricity.
• Define current electricity as a flow of electrons.
• Describe how electricity is produced.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Experimenting with Charges
• Lesson 4 Worksheet (RS 35-36)
• Performance Challenge: Create an electrical generator.

This week we’ll pour our energy into exploring the question How is thermal energy transfered? We’ll turn up the heat on two different types of cups to find the best way to keep a drink warm (or cold).

Objectives:

1. Investigate the transfer of thermal energy through different materials.
2. Define thermal energy and explain conduction, convection, and radiation.
3. Describe how insulation works.

Assignments:

Worksheet – Lesson 3: How is Thermal Energy Transfered?

Investigate: Losing Heat Data Sheet