Math
The 7th graders are almost done! They had lessons over how to measure variability with the interquartile range and mean absolute deviation. They also had a lesson over comparing dot plots by finding the mean, median, IQR, and MAD.
On Thursday they took time to organize their math binders in preparation for POP. The 8th grade class took their check-in on Monday then began their final unit, transformations. We went over 4 basic transformations, translation, reflection, rotation,and dilation, on Tuesday.
Then on Wednesday and Thursday they practiced translations on a coordinated plane. The Algebra students had their check-in on Monday and Tuesday, then began studying for their cumulative final exam.
Humanities
We have come to the end of our journey to Saturn as we finished Arthur C. Clark’s sci-fi adventure 2001: A Space Odyssey. As the story reached its dramatic conclusion, students explored astronaut Dave Bowman’s mysterious journey through the star portal created by the monolith.
Class discussions focused on the novel’s imaginative descriptions of space travel, artificial intelligence, and humanity’s evolution, ending with Bowman’s transformation into the “Star Child.” Students examined how the author used symbolism and vivid imagery to create one of science fiction’s most memorable endings while also discussing the many unanswered questions the novel leaves for readers to interpret.
Students also started making collaborative 3D modeling projects centered on the mysterious monolith as it appeared throughout the novel. Student groups created models representing the monolith during three major moments in the story: its discovery in prehistoric times among early humans, its excavation on the Moon, and its appearance in deep space near Saturn.
Each group carefully gathered descriptive passages and quotations from the novel to accompany their models, helping them focus on how the author described the monolith’s appearance, size, atmosphere, and impact on the characters around it.
Theme
It was a field trip week for Epsilon students, but the field trip came to us! The students had an exciting visit from a mobile planetarium that transformed our gym into a journey through space! During the presentation, students explored the night sky, identified constellations, and learned fascinating facts about the planets in our solar system.
The immersive experience helped students better understand how scientists observe objects in space and sparked many thoughtful questions about astronomy and the universe.
Following the planetarium visit, students began a new unit focused on sound waves, light waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum. Through class discussions and interactive demonstrations, students investigated how waves transfer energy and how different types of waves are used in everyday life. Students explored the differences between mechanical waves, such as sound, and electromagnetic waves, such as visible light, radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays.
As part of the unit, students created colorful advertising-style posters designed to promote and explain the characteristics of different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. These projects encouraged students to combine scientific understanding with creativity by highlighting wave properties, uses in technology and medicine, and important safety information.
The posters are being designed to look like internet ads or billboards, making the activity both engaging and informative.
We are SOOO close to the end of the school year, and the excitement was in the air as students shoot baskets led by Ms. Amanda. Engagement in academics is still holding strong, and the Epsilon students have check-in evaluations for Theme and Humanities this coming week. Also, several projects are reaching their conclusion that same week. Make sure you make plans to visit on May 20th for PoP celebration activities!
Epsilon students take in the sights of the mobile planetarium. The visit was part of our study of Astronomy and represented their “field trip” for the quarter.
The mobile planetarium show included views of the night sky and a tour of the Solar System.
There were plenty of good vibrations during the Epsilon SoundWave lab. Students hummed and sound sources to watch the reactions to the sound waves moving through the displays.
Epsilon students work with Sound Waves in labs and create posters to finish out the Theme topic for the year.
Humanities students finished reading and discussing 2001: A Space Odyssey, using their interpretations of the book’s famed Monolith as subjects for 3D models.
