All Shall Be Revealed in Time

After a week of intense instruction and conversation about quantitative reasoning, I’ve come to realize that math is a lot more than just math.  It’s a way of thinking and a way of life.  I know that as I start to encourage more reasoning into our classes next school year, my students will benefit.  Will they be challenged?  Certainly.  Will they be frustrated?  Probably.  Will they become more prepared for high school and the new ways of thinking and collaboration necessary for success in the 21st Century?  YES!

So students, be ready.  See you in September!

http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/

Dear 7th graders,

Please remember that tomorrow morning at breakfast you should start writing down everything you eat.  If you can’t find the calories on the package, you may use the above link to discover the amount of calories.  WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN!  We can check calorie amounts after the fact.

You might be surprised how many calories are in that yummy muffin.

During your time with Mrs. F., you spent time discussing the “Four Agreements.”  Please answer ALL of the questions below completely and thoughtfully. 

1.  Imagine you are explaining these agreements to a friend or family member.  Summarize each of the agreements in your own words.

2.  How could you use the four agreements in your life?  You can write about normal days or days when you experience conflict, or both.

3.  Choose one of the four agreements that meant the most to you personally.  Explain why you chose that agreement.  What did it mean to you?

Please choose two of the questions below and answer them completely using correct spelling and language mechanics.

Mixed Smoke Signals

1.  Do you think selling cigarettes at drug stores and stores that have health clinics should be banned?  WHY OR WHY NOT?

2.  Some stores have stated that they will continue to sell cigarettes.  What do you think motivates these stores to continue to sell them?

Garbage Economics

1.  How can the “pay-as-you-throw” programs help to encourage recycling? Why would that be a good thing?

2.  Would you like your community to begin a PAYT program?  Please support your answer.

After reading the cover stories in our issue of Wall Street Journal, take a few minutes to respond to at least two of the five questions below.  Feel free to respond not only to the questions, but to other student’s responses. 

ARTICLE: “Does It Pay to be Ethical?”

1.  Think about the methods the researchers used for this study.  Do those methods fit with what we learned about scientific methods and bias?  What factors could have influenced the participants’ responses?  Do you think the results truly reflect real consumer behavior?  Why or why not?

2.  Look at home through your pantry, refridgerator and cupboards.  How many products can you find with “buzz words” like “organic,” “green,” “Earth-friendly,” etc.?  What products are they? Do the products actually back up the claims?

ARTICLE: “Getting Paid to Volunteer.”

1.  How do coporate volunteerism experiences help employees build skills?  Would you be interested in taking part in a program like this?  Why or why not?

ARTICLE:  “Investing in the Real World.”

1.  What is social investing?  Why would someone want a socially responsible portfolio instead of one where it would produce the most money?

2.  Do you think that individuals, groups or governments are best equipped to solve economic and social problems?  Support your opinion with three facts.

What a year this has been!  We’ve started blogging, continued our science explorations and made some incredible discoveries, both in and out of the classroom.  I think the most exciting for me was the eel that a couple of the 6th and 7th graders found while fishing.  That was crazy!  I never knew we had freshwater eels in this area, but we do.  I was going to post a picture, but I can’t figure out how to do it.  When I figure it out, I’ll make sure to post it.

Stop back here about once a week for more science tidbits, questions and discussions.  Have a safe and happy summer.  6th and 7th graders, I’ll see you next year!  8th graders, please come back often to visit.  I want to hear about all of your successes!

Congratulations middle school!  This year’s science expo was a huge success, and it was all due to your dedication and enthusiasm.

I’m pleased with how much you were  able to learn about your topics and how creative you were with displaying what you learned.

Many adults commented about how you could speak so easily on your subjects, and that you really KNEW what you were talking about.

I hope you had a great time, and you will get some sleep this weekend.

What did you learn at Science Expo this year?

In class today (4/23), 8th and 6th graders read excerpts from the classroom edition of The Wall Street Journal. Please answer the following questions in complete sentences.  You may read other’s responses and agree or disagree with them in your answer.

1.  Do you have a personal responsibility for the greenhouse gases you release through your activities or is it the government’s responsibility to control them?  Defend your answer.

2.  In the cover story, Gregg Easterbrook says that buying green products is “trendy.”  Do you agree with his statement?  WHY?

3.  The article “Greener Pastures” discusses how the job market is affected by environmental concerns.  Why do you think young people are interested in environmental careers?  What kind of environmental career might YOU be interested in?

 For other information try these links:

www.wsjclassroom.com/related (You can find copies of the articles we read here)

www.epa.gov/climatechange

www.epa.gov/careers

Today, 8th grade, you were part of a water cycle simulation game.  Please answer the following questions (in complete sentences) by Friday, April 10th.

 1.  At what station did you start the water cycle activity?

2.  At what station did you end the water cycle activity?

3.  At what station did you spend the most time?

4.  How did this activity model the water cycle?

5.  What was one additional thing you noticed about the activity?

7th grade, using complete sentences, please answer the questions below.  The questions should be completed by Monday.

1.  In today’s activity, what part(s) did you play?

2.  Choose one of your roles and describe what you said and did during the activity.

3.  What part of the tree do you think is most important, and WHY?