For the week of January 22nd - 25th

Hello all!  We are rounding out January with 2 weeks left.  Last week, we had our preliminary round of Invent Idaho and I was blown away with the high level, as well as quality, of the projects.  It was very difficult to decide on top place winners.   All the projects will be re-displayed at our Science Night in February.  Please don't throw your projects away until after that night. 

Our finalists will be competing in Boise on Saturday, January 27th at the JUMP center starting from 3pm - 5pm.  You should go drop by!

Erase Gloves for Teachers

Erase Gloves Model

A truck to help make cleaning fun

A brand new game

A non-toxic, kid safe and fun cleaning kit

A pencil sharpening system that never breaks

Hose that keeps temperature steady

Helps stop forest fires

Here is what to expect this week:

Reading
Last week the students started Literature Circles.  If you aren't familiar with them, students pick a novel and work in small groups.  Each student is assigned a particular job that will aid in digesting each chapter.  They meet as a group to first read a section, work on their job and then have a group discussion.  We will have 12 meetings.  The students have already mapped out on their calendars what needs to be accomplished in each meeting.  Books have been checked out to each student with the knowledge that if they lose or damage the book, it is their job to replace it.  If students come unprepared to class two times, they lose the privilege of meeting with the group and must complete all assignments on their own, along with a 5 page book report.  Each meeting, the student receives 2 grades.  One is for coming prepared to class with all the materials and reading/jobs completed and the other is for participating in the group discussion. 

Math 
We are finishing up section 8 - All about Integers.  There will be a unit test on Thursday, February 1st. 

Science
Upon completing Invent Idaho, we started our Unit on plate tectonics.  I am sure some of you may have heard a catchy lil' tune about Alfred Wegener and why his theory of continental drift was discredited up until the mid-nineteen hundreds.  The class will be spending a fair amount of time discussing how to make a scientific claim and back it up with evidence. 

Alfred Wegener Song by the Amoeba People