Science and Writing

Science:
This week in science, the seventh graders, reviewed for a test on cells, the reproductive system and heredity.  They also learned about the respiratory system and the nervous system.  They will be having a test on the information, on Monday and Tuesday, of next week.  The students continue to learn about body systems through the development of a baby.  The baby is viewed periodically in class and the notes are kept in each student's science folder. 

The 5th and 6th graders learned about genes, chromosomes, the cell membrane and the nuclear membrane in a classroom activity as they put together models of chromosome pairs.  Students had many amazing questions during this lesson.  The test for the 5th and 6th graders will be on Wednesday of next week.  I am finding that they need more time to review what they have learned.  We will go over study skills and the study guide in class, on Monday. 


The Fairbanks Museum's class on Wednesday was about the human body and the systems within it.  The class was also based on the state standards, as are all the science units presented at school.

Writing:
5th and 6th Graders are writing procedure pieces.  The students are also working on poetry and the January writing contest.  A gallery walk is being completed at the beginning of class, on Friday.  This is a time to research new vocabulary words in small groups.  Students walk around the room and record advanced vocabulary words on large sheets of paper.  The thesaurus and dictionary are used to find new words or verify words.  The word lists, which are generated, will be posted around the room for students to utilize during writing class.  The base words, and words students should begin to lean away from in writing, are words like: a lot, said, stuff, good, and was (a passive verb to be replaced by strong action verbs).

We are off to a great start to the new year. 


Have a great weekend,
Christine Rapoza