Egg-cellent!

What will happen to an egg that is submerged in vinegar for two days? What will happen to that same egg when it is then re-submerged in water for an additional day? What would that same egg look like that is re-submerged in another liquid like colored water, salt water or coffee?

Students are learning about the function of the cell membrane. (We will post pictures of sample projects as we progress.)

Christmas is coming!

Welcome back from the break. Stay focused! There are only three weeks left before we go to break.

This week we will finish reading chapter 2 and perform a week long lab. Next week we will move to the next textbook J about Earth and space.

Fall Conferences

Parent conferences are here already!!

Unlike elementary school, we do not schedule times for individual meetings. Simply choose from any of the four time groupings when teachers are available to meet with you. If none of the times work, please make arrangements with us for another day after Thanksgiving break. For most families, I will only need about five minutes of your time to let you know how your child is doing and to let you know what to expect in the coming six weeks.

Monday  November 21

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM    Staff meetings
11:00 AM- 12:00PM    (Lunch)
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM     Grading
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM       (Dinner)
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM       Conferences

Tuesday  November 22


8:00 AM - 11:00 AM    Conferences
11:00 AM- 12:00PM    (Lunch)
12:00 PM - 3:30 PM     Conferences
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM       (Dinner)
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM       Conferences

Microscopes!

Can you name all of the parts to a basic microscope? If you want to test yourself, there are a number of websites to visit: parts quiz,
how many parts do you know ,
questions about using microscopes,
or if you need an explanation of what each part is.

No School Friday: Veteran's Day

There is no school Friday in honor of Veteran's Day. Remember to thank those that have given much for us.

Thank you. 

Two simple words

that convey so much 

and yet at times 

doesn't seem to communicate 

the depth of eternal gratitude 

for the sacrifices made.

You've sacrificed much for many, 

those that you know 

and those that will never know you.

You have willingly changed your life 

for the benefit of the country 

so that it may continue flourishing, 

as the founding fathers had envisioned.

Know that there isn't a day that goes by 

that I am not constantly reminded, 

when I see the flag, 

when I wake up to decide my own future, 

when I vote and voice my opinion .... 

that I thank God for those 

who have given all and departed this Earth 

and for those who live.

There is no way that we can repay you. 

May God bless you, 

...... thank you.

Kari Spellman
© May 31, 2010

Edible Plant/ Animal Cell Models

In class Monday, students chose which type of cell they want to make. Then students drew a picture that has all the required parts, making sure to label the picture with both the correct name and what type of candy they will use to model it with.

All models will be due Friday November (4). After the models have been graded, students will be responsible for "disposing" of them properly.

If you have any questions, post them here on the blog. For sample ideas, visit past student work.

Remember the criteria for what your model MUST have.

Plants                                                          Animals
cell wall                                              
cell membrane                                              cell Membrane
1- nucleus                                                     1-nucleus
cytoplasm                                                     cytoplasm
1-vacuole                                                      1- vacuole
1- Golgi body                                               1- Golgi body
4- chloroplasts                                              3- lysosomes
1- endoplasmic reticulum                              1-endoplasmic reticulum
3- mitiochondrion                                         3-mitochondrion
10 ribosomes                                              10-ribosomes                                                                                             
Watch a video that was created last year for how to assemble the project. Just don't use whipping cream. It melts VERY quickly. We found that out last year.

Good luck!

Our Class and KOIN-TV Regarding Bullying

Today, we had a guest speaker in our room to discuss the new program regarding bullying. Our speaker was Deputy Herring. He talked about how students may text him if they are being bullied or harassed and how it is anonymous. KOIN 6 News covered one such discussion in our room. Click here to see the aired segment on television Tuesday November 1, 2012. Thank you Deputy Herring.