Math:
The 7th graders worked on finding the constant of proportionality this week. They can identify the constant of proportionality from verbal descriptions, tables, graphs, and equations. The 8th graders started their geometry unit with angle relationships. They had a lesson of 7 angle relationships formed by parallel lines cut and a transversal line on Monday. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday they used those relationships to find missing angles. The algebra students took their check-in over system of equations and inequalities on Monday, then began reviewing for their midterm.
Humanities:
Short stories were turned in before the break, and students were able to read over reviews, and make editing decisions to tighten and clarify their characters, plot, and theme. The stories were very well-written and entertaining as students really grasped the concepts necessary for good storylines.
The rest of the week was spent reading great short stories and completing plot maps and comparison charts as check-ins on the materials and structure of short stories. We reviewed heavily on the characteristics and identifiers for the climax of stories and practiced identifying them. Humanities students will finish up the quarter by illustrating their short stories for display at our first semester PoP celebration in two weeks.
Theme:
The return from the Thanksgiving break saw Theme students jumping into their last subtopic in Cell Biology by tackling genetics. We started with a trip back to the 19th century when Austrian monk Gregor Mendel began breeding pea pod plants, liking at the various characteristics he called “factors”. These traits he believed came from inside the plants cells. Students investigated DNA strands to see the chromosome pairs that make up and determine various characteristics like eye and hair color to height and shape.
Students completed a lab to create punnet squares, which are used to show the probability of characteristics based on parent chromosomes. We then launched into our final project to create alien babies based on probability characteristics. Students create their first generation of alien babies, and next week, they will pair up to create a new generation, completing drawings and clay models as they do. Full displays will be seen at our PoP celebration in two weeks!
Don’t forget the Epsilons and Delta will be pairing up to journey to the Bob Bullock museum for a tour on prehistoric times on Wednesday, Dec. 10th.
Epsilon PE class this week gave students the opportunity to play “Rock, Paper, Scissors” but with the twist of using their full body to demonstrate the symbol. A lot of physical exertion and fun was had by all!
Humanities students take a “discussion walk” to talk about the ideas and concepts involved in their short stories for the week.
Students use coin flips to determine the probability of characteristics during their alien baby project.
After organizing and sketching their first alien baby, Theme students used the genetic codes to illustrate their first generation. They will pair up next week to create the second out of clay.
