6th and 7th Grade Research Presentations were a great send-off into spring break! Students should feel accomplished with all of their hard work preparing for this project.
Here’s what went on in classes this week:
Humanities
Grades 6 & 7 finalized their presentations and finished revising their essays this week. Some students moved on to other Humanities work when they felt prepared for research night (Grade 6- Ancient Egypt & Grade 7- A Long Walk to Water).
8th-grade Humanities classes sent off their first round of inquiries to potential experts for their final Expert Project. They also completed their final grammar assessment on complex and compound sentences. This week in US History, 8th-grade students presented on their reform topics. As we head into March break, the class will be moving into the start of the Civil War.
Science
6th-year Earth Science students have recently delved into a fascinating new unit titled Rotations, Orbits, and Seasons. This unit explores fundamental concepts in science and astronomy that are crucial for understanding the world around us. Understanding rotations, orbits, and seasons is essential as it helps students comprehend the reasons behind day and night, the changing seasons, and even the varying lengths of days throughout the year. These concepts lay the groundwork for students to appreciate Earth’s place in the solar system and how it influences life on our planet.
7th-year Physical Science students have recently started the unit on Kinetic Energy. During this unit, students will have the opportunity to apply their understanding by designing and analyzing how kinetic and potential energy are utilized in building a marble roller coaster. Additionally, they have also begun the exciting task of designing their pinewood derby cars. These cars will be tested to see how mass influences the transfer of kinetic energy.
8th-year Life Science students have recently begun the unit, Genes, where they are exploring heredity and the impact of past generations on our present lives. Currently, they are engaged in a fascinating monster genetics lab that delves into alleles, phenotypes, and genotypes to understand how these factors influence the appearance of their unique monsters. To conclude this project, students will creatively depict their monsters artistically.
Math
Pre-Transition students recently completed Chapter 7, Division Properties, which included units on the division of decimals (7.8), division of negative numbers (7.9), and solving division and multiplication equations using fact triangles (7.10). They will be moving on to their next chapter (8) on Ratios and Proportions, which are crucial in real-world applications.
Transition students finished Chapter 8 on Multiplication in Algebra, which involved units on Graphing y = ax + b (8.7), Solving c = ax + b (8.8), and Solving c ax + b (8.9). Their upcoming chapter (9) will focus on Patterns Leading to Long Division.
Algebra students are currently immersed in Chapter 10 on Linear Systems, covering units on solving systems using substitution (10.2), more using substitution (10.3), solving systems using addition (10.4), solving systems using multiplication (10.5), systems and parallel lines (10.6), as well as matrices and matrix multiplication (10.7).
The geometry class has explored triangle congruence theorems and the commonality of specific properties that quadrilaterals share. Students have applied these theorems and properties in their proofs. After the break, the class will explore perimeters and areas of triangles, quadrilaterals, and irregular figures. The end of chapter 8 concludes with exploring the Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles, and the arc length, circumference, and area of a circle.
Have a restful spring break, everyone!