We are finishing up small bodies in the solar system, which will take us the rest of the week.
Work in progress: I have pushed back the due date of the project. It will be due Tuesday after break. The vocabulary will be due at the same time. I have also passed out a study guide for the test for next Thursday. We will go over them Wednesday prior to the test.
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Mrs. NeSmith WHO ARE WE? The Griffin Foundation is a non-profit organization formed for the sole purpose of raising funds beyond those currently provided by the Cobb County School District to fund elements of education such as technology enhancements, supplemental enriched curriculum, student services, additional faculty and capital improvements. WHAT HAVE WE FUNDED THE PAST 4 YEARS? • Awarded over $30,000 in Teacher Grants, providing additional resources and tools in the classrooms, including this past year: iPads & Kindles, Media Cart & books in Learning Commons, tuners and metronomes for Band & Orchestra • Repainting/refurbishing of the theater; printers for all computer labs • Headphones for all computers; picnic tables in the Memorial Garden • Created an annual Legacy Award for two students who have achieved personal growth through perseverance WHAT DO WE PLAN TO FUND? • Outdoor Learning: a GMS Nature Trail, and refurbishing of Outdoor Classroom • Annual Teacher/Classroom Grant program
• Capital Campaign: Give 2 Griffin (Fall) • Haunted House (October) • Student Lock – In (Winter) HOW CAN YOU HELP OR GET INVOLVED? • Donate to the campaign • Volunteer to help with any of our events
If you would like to make a contribution to the Griffin Foundation, please click the yellow DONATE (Pay Pal) button on our GMS homepage: www.cobbk12.org/griffin/ We have been working on collecting research for their solar system travel brochure. However, most students did not use their time wisely on Friday. So, today we discussed TIME MANAGEMENT. We looked at the upcoming requirements for the class and I encouraged all students to record the information in their agenda. We also discussed the importance of making sure they have all the necessary information for completing all assignments (ie. Did they loose a copy of the vocabulary and, if they did, where would they find the words). I am trying to foster self-sufficiency and resourcefulness in the students. It is a skill they they will need for the rest of their lives. Please ask your student about their agenda. See if they can tell you what they have due and when.
Upcoming assignments: Research: All solar system research should be complete by tomorrow at the beginning of class so they can begin their assignment. Project: Project class time will be tomorrow and Wednesday. If it is not complete, it will need to be completed at home and is DUE FRIDAY! Vocabulary: ALL vocabulary will be due September 5th. I am postponing the date because the Unit test has been pushed back. I would like students to have IAN to study. Remember, the fist set of vocabulary is definition only. They second set is definition AND a picture. Astronomy Unit Test: The test will be next week on Wednesday or Thursday depending on how students progress the rest of the week. Anticipate a study guide to come home this Thursday. We have started our next unit, our Solar System!1 We began yesterday with a in-school field trip to StarLab, a mobile planetarium We learned about how the planets relate to each other as well as the phases of the moon. It was an amazing way to begin the unit. Today we started the research we will need for an upcoming project. Students are going to create a travel guide for us to explore the planets of our solar system. They seem really excited, who wouldn't be astronomy is cool!
Coming up: All students should have the second set of vocabulary in IAN. Again, please use the online text book for definitions. This set of vocabulary has a lot to do with location. Therefore, I would like students to write the definition and draw a picture. All vocabulary will be due September 1st. We will be working on the research for our project for the next few days. Students will have about 2 1/2 days in class to work. Some students used their time better than others. (This is a good time for students to learn about time management.) They may work on the front side of the graphic organizer at home. However, I would like them to save the back side for school so I can keep a close eye on their data. (The website is on the resource page). We had the most amazing day viewing the eclipse. Even 97% was awesome to see!
Solar System: We are beginning our next section of astronomy this week. Students will be completing a web quest to learn about the planets. They will then use the information to create a travel guide. The kids are so creative and I'm excited to what they come up with. The solar eclipse will hit GA about 2 Monday afternoon. We are hoping for clear skies to view the show. If your student would like, they can bring a towel or something similar to sit on outside. Temperatures will be warm so they may also want to bring a water bottle. Please note, I have received a message from administration that we will not be needing parent volunteers. I am so excited to share this experience with your child.
We have a test tomorrow over: Big Bang Theory, heliocentric / geocentric, Earth's position in the Milky Way, inertia, and gravity. Students completed a study guide and we went over the answers in class. The 6th grade science team tried a unique model today that worked great. After we went over the study guide, students had the opportunity to choose the topic they were the least familiar with. They then transitioned to the teacher that was specializing in that topic and studied it further. I think students felt a lot more comfortable with the information after leaving class today. I have all confidence the will do fantastic tomorrow!
Today students had their first real lab. They did a great job! We will be focusing on time management and staying on task for a while. They collected data today and will finish the analysis and conclusion by Monday.
TEST: We have a test coming up on Friday so please have your students complete the study guide by tomorrow. They will also be well served by working on some vocabulary. ECLIPSE: We have some great activities planned for Monday. Safety and having an encouraging learning environment during this amazing event is our first priority. If you would like to volunteer to lend a helping I would greatly appreciate it. Please email me if you are interested. However, I will not have eclipse glasses for you. You will need to supply your own glasses. Homework:
Today we learned about early astronomical historic models. If your student didn't finish the handout in class, They will need to finish it as homework. Eclipse: I have sent home a permission slip to see the eclipse with the school next Monday. PLEASE, you must return it by FRIDAY! We plan on having a great time viewing it together. Test Friday: We have a test coming up on Friday about the origin of the universe, our place in the Milky Way, helio / geocentric, gravity, and inertia. There will be a study guide coming home tomorrow. Please have it completed by Thursday. We will be going over it in class and answering any missing questions. Check out: 'Science Units' and click on 'Unit 1' for astronomy resources. There are some great videos! GREAT NEWS:
I have some fantastic news! The wonderful people at Legends of Learning have had a few additional spots open up for the trip to see the eclipse in South Carolina. If you have an essay that you didn't turn in, please do so by Monday afternoon to the Learning Commons! Additional winners will be announced Tuesday. In Class today: Students made some beautiful models of the Milky Way Galaxy today. They will be coming home soon so be sure to take a look at them. Coming up: Open House will be next week, August 15th, from 7 - 8. You will begin in the cafeteria and visit your students classes from there. I will post more information as it becomes available to me. |
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