Zixth Grade

As we finish our seed germination lab this week, we’ll compare results to find out what seeds need to germinate and which resources seeds can do without. We’ll also read about the ancient cultures of Mali, Ghana, and Songhay

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.

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

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.

Hermosa wave by watch4u

We’re making waves in Science as we continue to investigate energy. What are waves? How can slinky show us how energy travels? We’ll find out this week.

Objectives:

• Describe the behavior of waves.
• Identify the properties of two different kinds of waves.
• Recognize how waves carry energy.
• Main idea and details – Look for details about different kinds of waves.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Making Waves
• Lesson 2 Worksheet (RS 31-32)

Look at the picture below and then anwer the following question with your group.

Bed Jump by jamesjyu

Using the following image, create a presentation like we might see on a morning TV news show. Make sure to explain the on-the-ground weather of at least three locations around the map, based on the symbols you notice in the map. Presentations should include an explanation of the on-the-ground conditions (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.).

Did someone say test? Yes, we said we would take the Unit 6 test on Thursday, and then Red Ribbon Week hit. We had to bump the test to this Tuesday. Make sure to use the three lesson worksheets, the text book, and the review game to study.

Later this week, we will begin our unit on Physical Science as we explore the question What are some forms of energy?

Objectives:

• Describe how energy changes from one form to another.
• Define potential and kinetic energy.
• State the law of conservation of energy.

Assignments:

• Investigate: Changing Energy Lab Report
  
• RS 29-30

Congratulations to Mrs. Scott and her husband on the birth of their new baby!

This week we review our unit on Earth’s weather and prepare for the unit assessment. Along with the paper assessment, we will express our knowledge of weather concepts through an online video game and a movie-making project.

Objectives:

• Express knowledge of Earth’s weather patterns.
• Demonstrate how to use a sling psychrometer to measure relative humidity
• Use a digital camera to capture video. Use a computer to arrange the captured clips into a presentation.

Assignments:

• Relative Humidity Documentary (Tuesday)
• Chapter 6 Assessment (Thursday)

Thanks for all your thoughts and well-wishes as Mrs. Zehring and I welcomed home our new son, Nathan. Both mother and baby are very healthy and happy to be home. Special thanks to our guest teacher Mrs. Hardy and our Arizona Youth Partnership instructor Mr. Short.