Sunday, April 26, 2015

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science." ~Albert Einstein


NASA's Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array's 
first picture of the sun taken in high-energy X-rays 
released on Dec. 22, 2014.
"Yet I do seriously and on good grounds affirm it possible to make a flying chariot in which a man may sit and give such a motion unto it as shall convey him through the air. And this perhaps might be made large enough to carry divers men at the same time, together with food for their viaticum and commodities for traffic. It is not the bigness of anything in this kind that can hinder its motion, if the motive faculty be answerable thereunto. We see a great ship swims as well as a small cork, and an eagle flies in the air as well as a little gnat. . . . 'Tis likely enough that there may be means invented of journeying to the Moon; and how happy they shall be that are first successful in this attempt."
— John Wilkins, A Discourse Concerning a New World and Another Planet, 
Book 1, 1640.



ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE WEEK OF
APRIL 27 - MAY 1

SCIENCE


Monday:  Space PPT & Notetaking activity

Tuesday:  Our Solar System PPT & Notetaking activity
15 BONUS POINTS: Watch this Bill Nye video 
and complete the accompanying worksheet 
(Check your drive for "Bill Nye: Outer Space")


Wednesday:  Videos (below) & discussion

Thursday: The Life & Death of Stars PPT & Notetaking activity

Friday: Begin work on Part 1 of the Independent Project (see below) -- Space Newsletter Worksheet


THE SOLAR SYSTEM TO SCALE


A TRAVELER'S GUIDE TO THE PLANETS



PLANNING AHEAD FOR YOUR
INDEPENDENT PROJECT 

PART 1 DIRECTIONS:
Everyone will need to do research on the Sun and planets using THIS website for your information. Complete your "Space Newsletter Worksheet." 
PART 2 DIRECTIONS:  
  • You will take on the persona of an alien by taking a picture of themselves and, using a special effects app such as CamWow or Orange Camera Free, create a character using the many filters and effects available to you 
  • You will give yourself a name and create/name an imaginary planet of origin from outside our galaxy. Projects will be presented from this (fun) alien perspective.
  • You will demonstrate understanding of our solar system and its planets in creating one of the following projects:

Choice #1

Your task, as an alien reporter, is to write a Space Newsletter using information from your Space Newsletter Worksheet and other sources (see below). Feel free to go beyond the expectation!  This is fascinating stuff! 

 It's fun to pick a Newsletter template and redesign it to fit your purpose. Possible Newsletter Templates can be found and customized HERE.  I've shared a couple suggestions with you--check out your Drive.
Check out this  Living in Space Interactive Game, too.

 Choice #2

 Your task is to write a series of postcards [back to your planet] describing the conditions/ attributes of each of the planets in our solar system using the app Explore ePostcard. These will be newsy, creative, and informative--and fun to read!

 Choice #3      

Your task is to create a picture book that is both fun and factual describing our solar system to "the folks back home."
Choice #4     

 Your task is to prepare a presentation to bring back to your planet using Keynote, Prezi, or Slideshark. describing each of the planets and what you would need to do to survive there.

         

         You will use A R Magic Mirror or other program to create a fun “About the Author” section to conclude your project.



Other Resources:

 COSMOS4KID
VOYAGE TO THE PLANETS GUIDEBOOK  Find very cool facts and trivia about all the planets. Collect passports from each, and get a certificate!
 SOLAR SYSTEM FACT SHEET
SPACE FACTS
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOLAR SYSTEM INTERACTIVE

Links to even more Solar System resources (for fun or content support):

Your Age On Other Worlds 





For the Teacher:
Check out  "Space Unit - Study of the Universe" from THIS site. Some great stuff. It's the basis of my unit.

How to Add Narrative and Descriptive Elements to Expository Writing 

 The Size & Distance of the Planets

I love this song/video. . .made for kids of all ages 
just like you & me.




SOCIAL STUDIES



Alas, we shall have to postpone for this week our foray into Ancient Greece & Rome.  SBAC preparations  must take precedence .  Stay tuned; there is much to follow!
F



MATH
Monday: Write Algebraic Expressions (rolled over from last week) & 7.3
Tuesday:  Identify Parts of Expressions In-Class Review/Discussion and Evaluate Algebraic Expressions & Formulas & 7.5
Wednesday:  Q&A (Ask your questions before the test if there's still something that is unclear to you.) Mid-Chapter Review.  
Thursday:  SBAC Practice
Friday: Correct & Repair



LESSON 7.3 -- Write Algebraic Expressions



LESSON 7.5 -- Evaluate Algebraic Expressions & Formulas







You want to know a magic trick for getting good grades? Pay attention, ask questions, and practice. . .
FYI:
Here's some good review information about how to find the surface area of different shapes.  Scroll to the bottom for more Geometry information.

LANGUAGE ARTS/READING
WRITING A. . .
You know that book you read this month?
We'll use THIS format to guide our writing as we 
describe how the main character changed in some way 
over the course of the story. 
It's both a Writing piece and a Reading assignment,
so give it your best effort.
Tuesday:  Review assignment (then see # 3).
 Prewrite for ideas: Divide your paper into three parts. 
  1. Write about the main character (traits) at the beginning of the story with evidence to support it.
  2. Write about events occurring during the story that cause the main character to change in some way (don't forget quotes).
  3. Write about the main character (traits) at the end of the story with evidence to support it.
Wednesday: (see #4)
  1. Write a THESIS STATEMENT. in a single sentence, state the main idea of your essay.  Think about your main character--what did s/he learn throughout the story? 
  2. Begin work on your SUMMARY PARAGRAPH, which will include the theme of your story (what the character learned). See your handout ( copy is provided HERE) for how to set it up if you're unsure.
Thursday:  SBAC practice

 Friday: (See # 5) 
ORGANIZE and OUTLINE IDEAS. Think of the most important details (of each of the three parts in your prewriting chart) to support your theme.  Organize them in chronological order.)
Topic sentence:  _____________________
 Evidence:      1. _____________________
                     2. _____________________
                     3. _____________________




CHAPTER 17
TEST ON FRIDAY




Great unit with PPTs: "Space Unit: The Study of the Universe"
Boy reading   Response to Literature  Expressions image Order of Operations
Math boy image  Magician animated gif
Science intro image Planets border gif  alien in spaceship
Choice 1 astronaut image Choice 2 alien in spaceship image Solar system transparent image
Choice 3 outer space image Choice 4 Space stamp image
Choice 5 Magic mirror image Greek border pattern



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Sunday, April 19, 2015

"Sometimes a break from your routine is the very thing you need."

 
Who needs vacation anyway??

Hello, families--
What a chaotic world we live in! Everybody's crazy-busy--and we're often left feeling like there's just too much going on in our lives to be able to get away. Besides, vacations create some financial concerns for many of us; time off from work and the many costs associated with vacations can make them seem cost prohibitive. OK, OK. . .it's time to look at family vacations differently. 

Taking a break from the day-to-day demands of  our hectic lives can, after all, have untold benefits! 

Here are a few to ponder:
  1. Everybody needs time to play! It's pleasurable, stress-reducing, and essential to our overall health and happiness in life--and you can do it anywhere.
  2. Vitamin D--great for the immune and nervous systems--comes from exposure to sunlight.  Spend a little time outdoors, soak up a few rays, and get your Vitamin D for free!
  3. The family that plays together stays together!  Nothing beats a little quality family time to instill a sense of well-being--essential for thriving in an uncertain world. Hike, ride bikes, go on mini-adventures or longer trips--just do it together.
  4. Batteries need recharging? Vacation time is the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax--no matter where the destination.
  5. Shared experiences create shared memories!  Family vacations provide the perfect venue for creating memorable moments with those closest to you.
  6. Learning experiences abound on vacations. It doesn't matter where you go; there is always something to do, and active engagement = learning!
  7. Vacation time relieves stress--it's a brain break from all the demands of everyday life, making it both physically and mentally rejuvenating.
  8. You've hear the adage, "time is money?"  Well, it's true; there's only so much of it (time, that is. . .), so  how do you want to spend it?
  9. Here's something to remember: "The active ingredient of adventure is the juice of direct experience—full participant immersion in the moment. It's as good as life gets." 
Changing the Subject. . .
Don't forget 
April 22, 2015!

Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22.  This annual observance is intended to raise public awareness about environmental issues, and inspire people to take personal action to address them.  It serves to remind us all of our shared responsibilities as stewards of this beautiful planet. (From "The History of Earth Day" by Larry West) 


Fun things to do. . .
Planet Earth Coffee-Filter Craft Activity
Word Find
Games and Activities Galore! 
More Interactive Games
Online Earth Day Games

A TIMELY TOPIC



I have long been intrigued by the amazing diversity of life in the Galapagos Islands and remember being saddened by the news, on June 24, 2012, that "Lonesome George," the last known giant tortoise from Pinta Island, had died.  I found this great tribute to George and wanted to share it.  Hopefully it will generate some meaningful conversations about the world we share.



 . . .And now, a teachable moment about Lonesome George.





BECAUSE YOU VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND EFFORT--
THANKS, SIXTH GRADE, FOR ALL YOU DO TO
KEEP OUR SCHOOL "SHIPSHAPE!"
IT IS NOTICED--AND APPRECIATED!

. . .to the "Interestting Stuff" section of 
this week's vacation blog.

If it's too rainy to go outside (and yes, this week is looking pretty bleak in the sunshine department) and you're not off galavanting with the fam, there are still creative ways to have fun.

For starters. . . 
(You DO know a book report is coming up next week, right?  Be ready!)

Hey boys--can't find a good book to read? Losing interest?   Never fear; THIS site has some great suggestions just for you! 


Looking for something to get you thinking? 
Check out this video:



A FEW COMPUTER-BASED THINGS TO DO DURING THOSE RAINY MOMENTS

GET OUT SOME PAPER AND BE READY TO AMAZE YOURSELF! 

 #1 - Make a 3-D hand:


#2 - Check out this paper transformer:


#3 - Paper tricks to dazzle your friends:


#4: A great paper airplane to make:


#5 - How to draw an optical illusion:


LOVE IT!
CHECK OUT THESE OPTICAL ILLUSIONS-- 
. . .AND HERE  ARE SOME MORE!


Whoa!  This really works!



Try it online HERE!  Good luck!


So anyway. . . 

You might recall our conversations of the last few weeks.  Well, I stumbled upon a wealth of very timely (and interesting!) information to share with you. It's good information for parents and teachers, too. Want to see more?   HERE you go.
A multimedia series from WNYC





Well, this stuff should entertain you for those off-moments when you need something fun and constructive to do, but do yourself a favor--get outside and play; your bodies will thank you for it!
See you next week, noble Elders.

  Quote   Spring Break   Think outside. . .  Do I really need to tell you. . .  Family on vacation  Lonesome George illust.
Keeping Schools Shipshape Welcome animated gif  Take Time to Take Vacation: Five Facts about the Benefits of Taking a Break 
Red and yellow border divider gif Heart

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