What?! Follow instructions? Really?

Yes, really!

Following instructions is very important. Instructions keep us safe and provide necessary information to build or repair.

Today you are going to present me with your procedural steps for "How To Make S'mores". If you have written very clean and highly detailed instructions, then you will be able to participate in today's lab.

Here's a template of what I am looking for:

Title

Objective: (What is the goal that will be accomplished)

Materials: (List quantities, brands, dimensions and the item)


How to assemble:

1. Some of the best instructions are written by sectioning the steps off in groupings.
2. Make sure to number each section.
3. Do not be stingy. Add as many sections as necessary so that your directions are complete and make sense.
4. Add pictures! Pictures can help to clarify what you are trying to express and can cross language barriers.

I'm looking forward to reading your directions.

Solar System

We are now studying the solar system. If you would like to see it in motion, there is a REALLY cool website by Bill Arnett called "Nine Planets". You can speed up the planetary rotations and within minutes what what would take a year or years to occur.

I am working on designing a fun activity for our spirals.

Stay tuned!

Wetlands

Our first trip to the wetlands was a success! We saw two kinds of birds that we do not normally see: Bufflehead and a Coot. There were some Seagulls visiting from the coast.

 

The smallest pond was completely frozen over, the middle pond had no ice at all and the largest pond was partially frozen.

We also found spider webs that were frozen. Yup! Frozen!!

In January, I will gather fresh samples of pond water to examine under microscopes.                                                                                                                                                

Chapter 2 Test: Cell Processes and Energy

Students will be taking a test Tuesday (12/13) regarding Chapter 2: Cell Processes and Energy. It will consist of our lab, hand outs, graphic organizer and reading.

Get plenty of sleep; eat a good breakfast and review your notes.

Good luck! You can do this.

School Delay or Closed?

If you were up early enough this morning,  you saw the ice and frost on the ground. This is the perfect time to review where to be looking, watching or what radio station to be listening to. The district will decide by 5:15 AM as to whether or not to delay or cancel school. Be ready!

Looking: District web-site   

• Click on the yellow highlighted phrase "EMERGENCY MESSAGES".

              News stations 

• KATU ch 2, 
• KOIN ch6 
• KGW ch 8 
• KPTV ch 12

               Radio:

• KBZY 1490 AM
• KPJC 1220 AM
• KEX 1190 AM
• KXL 750 AM
• KYKN 1430 AM
• KKRZ 100.3 FM
• KRSK 105.1 FM
• KOPB 91.5 FM
• KYCH 97.1 FM
• KSND 95.1 FM (Español)
• KMUZ 1230 AM (Español)
• KWBY 940 AM LaPantera (Español)
• KWIP 880 AM (Español)

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.

E-textbook Log Ins

One of the cool aspects regarding the textbook that we use at school is that every student has access to an electronic textbook. There's no more need to check out a book from the library. Every student will have written down their user name and password on the class syllabus that is in their binder.

Students are to use the e-textbook if they are absent and missed any reading. If they wish to review before a test, there are sample chapter questions to help remind you what we learned. There are handouts and other web links for those that want more of a challenge.

~ ~ If you lose you log in or password, simply join this blogging page (become a follower) so that you may post a comment. That comment will ring to my phone and then I will be able to quickly answer you.

Challenges are good!

Graphing The Unknown

Today we graphed the data of three unknowns that were in boxes there were wrapped in red paper. We recorded temperature measurements every ten minutes for a period of fifty minutes. After we graphed the data, it was time to discuss why they thought the items in Box 1, Box 2 and Box 3 responded the way that they did.

In the end, I unwrapped the boxes to reveal..... Hostess Ding Dongs! Box 1 was stored at room temperature for a period of 24 hours prior to class; Box 2 was stored in the refrigerator for a period of 24 hours prior to class; and Box 3 was stored in the freezer for a period of 24 hours prior to use in class.

Needless to say, the kids were able to describe very well why we had a constant temperature with one box and why the other two had such different slopes.

Some students helped me to "properly dispose" the lab supplies. ;)

Vampire Device

No, I am not kidding. There actually is something called a "vampire device". It is those appliances that still use energy even when not turned on. For example, your cell phone charger still uses energy even when your cell phone is not connected to it.

What items around the house can you find that still use energy?

Living Wise Energy Kits

We are starting work on our energy educations kits thanks to the Energy Trust of Oregon. Students will be bringing home the kits valued at $60. We are learning how much energy and money we save by converting to the Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL's), by adjusting the temperature of the fridge/ freezer/ water heater, installing the high efficiency shower head, bathroom/ kitchen aerator for the home. Students will learn how to calculate how much water the home shower uses and ways to reduce that amount.

If you have any questions, please contact me. The kits are yours to keep for free!

Thank you Energy Trust of Oregon. We greatly appreciate your generosity.

No school Thursday and Friday

That's right! No school on Thursday or Friday. Teachers are in putting grades so take this time to rest up and get ready for the next six weeks.

My egg drop survived!

The following names are individuals who's egg drop containers survived the three falls: Syvon Adams, Carlos Ramirez, Aracelli Villa, Judith Espinoza, Abi Mavity, Shane Miller, Katelyn Nunez, Gabe Tartios, Michael Meza, Yaksi Roque,Madison Willhoft, Lucero Santos, Melissa Ortega, Samanta Coria, Angie Manriquez, Aleksandra Gualakova, Adalberto Lopez, Sabrina Sanchez, Margarita Torros, McKenna Fields, Garrett Krieger, and Asher Padilla. Twenty-two survivors! Awesome!!

Keep those ideas floating around. Science Fair is next in January.

Egg Drop Due!!

Yeah!! I know!! Shocker, huh? It is due. Remember that we've been counting down each day. Bring in your project first thing in the morning and place it on any open counter space.

The main event is from 3:00PM until 5:00PM in the commons.

 Get ready to have fun!

First Chapter Test

We are taking our first chapter test Wednesday (October 5) Are your hands sweating? Heart racing? It's OK! You will do fine. Just remember to study your notes that we took in class today. The test will consist of about 15-20 questions.

Get a good night's sleep. Eat a good breakfast. See you Wednesday!

Eight Days!

In eight days the egg drop containers are due. On the ninth day we will be dropping them to test your hypothesis/design.

Remember to ONLY use recyclable material.

I am looking forward to seeing what kind of a scientist you are.

 :)

Egg Drop Contest!

(October 6, 2011 from 3:00PM -5:00PM in the commons)

It's that time of year again!! Let's have some fun creating a container that will survive the fall from about 20 feet.
To watch a video about what we did years ago, click here. Just remember that the rules have changed a little since then.

Items that you MAY use:
Cardboard
Cotton string
Cotton balls
Tin cans (just add stuff to the outside to soften its impact)
Paper of any kind
Wood
Non-liquid food (peanut shells, marshmallows, etc.)
Leaves
Plastics that are #1-7
Soda bottles

** You may use SMALL amounts of tape to close your design**

Items that you may NOT use:
NO glass
NO stryofoam
NO bubble wrap
NO balloons
NO synthetic items that cannot be recycled

Make sure that your container/design is not already sealed up. I have to see you open it and then I will give you the egg to place inside it. THEN you may secure it with a small amount of tape.

Week 2

During week two, students have learned what learning style they have and the careers they might be interested in.
Then we took a math assessment regarding the types of math skills that students will encounter during the various projects and assignments through out the year. The second assessment students took is for the first textbook that we will be using: Cells.

Coasta's level of higher thinking was also reviewed. Students will be encouraged to use the different levels for various assignments, challenging them to use their brain power versus simply copying information out of the book.

Next week students will start to construct their egg drop container for the contest that will be held immediately after school on Thursday October 6, 2011.

Welcome 2011-2012!

Welcome to the new school year. It is off to a great start.

Week 1: Students learned about life at middle school. We practiced fire drill, received lockers, take a learning style quiz and start assembling our spiral (interactive) notebook.

The class syllabus has also been sent home. If your child has lost it, a PDF copy will be available very soon once my webpage is re-installed by the district.

Homework is not always assigned.When your child mentions their spiral notebook, it is something that remains in the classroom so that it is guaranteed to always be there versus forgotten at home.

My Web-Page Is MIA

Due to issues beyond my control, my web-page is missing. Should you need to contact me, please post a comment here. Your comment will be sent to me via e-mail and then I will respond.

I hope to have a new hosting site before the end of summer. If you have a host that you're happy with, suggestions are always greatly appreciated.

End of the year

I hope that you have enjoyed the year as much as I have. We have not only learned how science is around us on a daily basis but we have learned about who we are as well. Students have learned how their brain is wired, so that they may be more successful.

Check out our class You Tube page!

Yes! We now have our own You Tube page where you will find links to various videos that were shown in class. There will be times that as a class we will make our own videos about what we are making or doing so that students understand the projects.

Get ready for fun and learning! Yes, they do go together. :)

Making A Public Announcement

Hi Parents,

Over the next couple weeks, we are creating short videos to help incoming students next year. Your child should have brought home a permission slip to allow them to participate. We are looking at topics:

• How to open your locker.
• How to purchase your lunch with your school ID.
• How to take Cornell notes.

Hopefully this will make attending middle school not quite as daunting.

Check out the cell models!

Wow! Kids turned in incredible models that show just how creative they can be.

I am very proud of them.

Why not try to make one yourself?

Edible Plant or Animal Cell Model

Finally! Yes, finally we are to this point in the year when you will be making your models. In class Monday, students will first choose which type of cell they want to make. Then students will draw a picture with of all the required parts are labeled with both the correct name and what type of candy they will use to model it with.

All models will be due Friday (20). 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 students projects.

Remember the criteria for what your model MUST have.

Trip to the Wetlands

 According to Weather Underground , it is suppose to be partly cloudy on Tuesday. Bring an extra pair of shoes so that you do not get your school shoes all muddy. Hopefully it will dry off the day before.  :)

If when Tuesday rolls around and it is threatening to rain, we might have to cancel and reschedule for another day.

Cross your fingers!

Science Expo at Willamette University

The turn out for the 3rd Annual Science Expo was great! There were six roller coasters from our class. It was easy to entice the visitors to try each one. Children were fascinated by them. Parents and teachers were in awe that sixth grade students made these awesome contraptions. ( I'm not surprised because my students are smart!!)

Create Your Own Video About Science!

1. Either work on your own or with a group of friends from your class or any other class.
2. Choose a science topic or school public announcement ("How to open your locker")  that you would like to make a short two minute video.

3. Using a story board paper, draw a picture for each cell. Then write a script for each cell BEFORE you start making your video. (See below)
4.Use Voice Thread, You Tube, Yodio or some other venue to create your video. The following link will take you to a quick video at Voice Thread. Follow the following steps.
5. Watch your video a couple times to look for errors and then submit the final product.
6. Have fun!!

Write Ups!

Roller coaster write ups are now due. You may either print out your word document, e-mail it to me, or electronically submit it to the class folder using the R: drive at school.

The last work day is April 14 from 3:00PM - 5:00PM in my classroom. You will have access to the library laptops in my room.

Keep going towards the finish line!

Spring Break!

Woohoo! We made it!!

When we get back, it will be time for all teams to demonstrate their incredible designs. I am so proud of what everyone built.

After demonstrations are completed, students will begin the write up phase. This will take about two to three weeks for us to complete. I have work days scheduled for after school on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, just like before. Laptops will be available for students to use. Make sure to bring a thumb or flash drive with you.

Get well rested. We still have three months to go before summer.

Parent Conferences: March 16 & 17

Parent conferences will be held during the following two days. Select a day and time that works best for you. I look forward to seeing the roller coasters!

Wednesday (16) 8:00AM - 2:40 PM         School as usual
                          5:00PM - 7:30PM          Evening conferences
Thursday (17)     8:00AM -  11:30AM      Morning conferences
                         12:00 PM- 3:30PM         Afternoon conferences
                           5:00PM - 8:00PM         Evening conferences   

Battle Bot Competition!

Hi Parents!

This Thursday (10) we are having a robot battle competition between ourselves. There will be two rounds. First we will have six teams that compete against each other. Then we will combine forces to form three teams.

After we held out competition and awarded medals for first, second and third, please come join us for a pizza at JC Pizzeria at 4200 River Rd N in Keizer. Their phone number is (503) 390-0805. Dinner’s on us!

Please email or call if you have any questions.

Time Check! Work Day!

Do you realize that there are fifteen days until your roller coasters are due? Did your jaw just drop? Froze up like a deer in the head lights of a car?!

Don't delay. You need to be finalizing your projects with your team members.There are only FIVE more opportunities after school to work in my room. Remember,  ... Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00PM to 5:00 PM. About thirty-eight students showed up to either work on their roller coaster or construct their robot for our upcoming battle-bot competition on March 10.

Come see me if you are having any difficulties.  :)

Happy President's Day!

Ms.Spellman's students!

You've just been given a three day weekend! What are you going to do? Nooo,... not go to Disneyland! Your roller coaster comes due in 24 ..yes, twenty-four days. Make good use of your weekend and complete your project.

The sooner you complete it, the more time you will have to work out any last minute problems.

LEARN FROM PAST PROJECTS! Don't squander your time.

You can do this. I know you can. Do you?

Website Maintenance Difficulties

My website is temporarily unavailable for me to update. Until I can update it,  I will blog what occurred in class.

Students have entered three, new sections of key terms. We also watched some videos about plate tectonics, subduction, mid-ocean ridge, Pangaea and underwater sea vents. The links to all of the videos plus the list of key terms for #16 - 18 will be posted just as soon as the web page is available.

Some groups are already making good headway regarding their roller coasters. Twice this week, there have been about twenty students either working on their robot or their roller coaster. YES!! I am very proud of you.

Keep up the good work.

Earth's Interior & Plate Tectonics

We are learning about Earth's interior. Today we discussed Alfred Wegener's hypothesis of Pangaea, how the continents at one time were connected like a jigsaw puzzle.

This will be an exciting unit of learning about earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes.

Expect lots of fun while you learn.

Roller Coasters

Since I was out sick last week, we have been getting caught up on the project timeline for our roller coasters.

At this point in time, students should have:

• Had parents sign the project syllabus.
• Formed teams of three students.
• Decided where their will build their project.
• Drawn their blueprint with detailed measurements for their roller coaster.
• Created their materials list.

Students may buy six foot foam pipe insulation tubes from me for $ 0.98. This is an inexpensive way to create the idea track for this project.

Please email me if you have any questions.

Let's have fun learning about physics!!

State Work Sample: Roller Coasters

YES!! One of my favorite units is here. We'll begin work on our roller coaster this week.


Students will choose two friends to partner with for creating a functional roller coaster. The objective is for a marble (or similar object) to move from beginning to end without stopping. The track must consist of TWO hills (not counting the initial starting point) plus one directional turn. For more specific instructions, please visit my web-page for the roller coaster unit.

Get ready to roll!  ;)

No School Monday

The first semester of the school year is over as of Friday. Monday, students do NOT attend classes so that teachers may input grades.

Tuesday when students arrive at school, they will pick up their second semester schedule in the gym BEFORE going to their lockers and first period class.

Take this new semester to implement new study habits and work for even higher grades than you achieved last term. You CAN do it! I have total faith in you.

"Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them." ~ Albert Einstein

 Hatfield Wilderness

Living Wise

Students are to complete the following activities in their student workbook: Activity A - G, with the exception of F.

We are learning how to become wise consumers by reducing energy and water usage as well as reducing monthly bills. As stated in class, it is not required for the water reduction shower head or kitchen aerator to be installed. What is important is that students understand how much water and energy they are using.

I hope that this informative kit is helpful, especially considering these stressful financial times.

After School Movie

As a reward for good behavior when I've had a substitute, students are welcome to come to my room from 3:00PM to 4:30PM to watch "A Series of Unfortunate Events".

It is each student's responsibility to have arranged with parents regarding their transportation home.

Living Wise Energy Unit: Being A Good Steward

We've learned about the various forms of energy, so now let's learn how to use it wisely as consumers. Some day soon, you will be out on your own, being responsible for paying your utility bills. It's important that you understand how to reduce the amount of energy and water that is used on a daily basis, and just how that will effect you bank account.

Today, you will be sent home with a kit for you to keep. YES! You get to keep the whole kit. The box holds a thermometer, shower head, sink aerator, two different CFL light bulbs, water bag to estimate water usage, Telon tape plus a booklet of coupons.

Each night, you will have homework that will be explained in class and performed by you at home.

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.
~ Benjamin Franklin

Semester Grades: Coming Soon!

There are now only TWO... yes TWO weeks left before grades are submitted for the first semester. Remember that it always make a difference to turn in missing work. You'll lose some points for being late, BUT it will help your grade.

If you need to take a test, make test corrections or get your spiral caught up .....NOW IS THE TIME! I'll be after school Tuesday (18) and Thursday (20) until 5PM. It is your responsibility to make arrangements with your parents.

The last day to turn in ANY missing work will be Friday (21).

See you then.

Science Fair

 Science Fair! A huge success!

There were almost 80 students from our class 

that submitted egg drop containers. Fifteen students 

submitted science experiments for judging. 

(From our class)

6th Grade Honorable Mention Ribbon

Aaron Bobbit 

for Measuring Surface Tension

 6th Grade Medal 

Felicity Schroeder for Rubber Bands

We have a great video clip from 

our fair in January 2009 

with Nick as the star of the video.

I am very proud of the work that everyone did!

They're Here!

Lego Robotics will now be selling retractable badge holders after school in my room. Aren't they cool??!!
They are $2.00. The money raised will help to pay for our registration fees for next years competition with FLL (First Lego League).


Our next fund raiser is already in the works. Stay tuned!

Magnetic Field

Perfect timing!

We are just starting our new section about magnetism and it's been reported that the Earth's magnetic north pole is on the move.

• If the pole is moving at a rate of 40 miles per year, then how many feet per day is it creeping towards Russia?
• Is this the fastest rate at which the pole has traveled in one year? 
• What is the slowest? 
• If the rate at which the pole moves varies from fast to slow, what is causing it to vary its speed? 

At what location on the globe do all points point north?

Energy Test

Tomorrow we will be taking a test on energy: what is it; forms; transformation/conservation; energy and fossil fuels. Study your notes. All you will need is a pencil and your classroom spiral.

Be prepared!

Welcome back!

                                 ~Mother Goose and Grimm
The year is off to a whiz- bang start with a fire alarm first thing. What a crazy way to start off the new year! I'm glad to see you.


This is a perfect time to remember the upcoming projects, assignments and events.

• Your Periodic Tables were due before break. 
• Your science fair or egg drop containers are due by Friday. 
• Semester grades go out in four weeks. Get ALL work for EVERY class turned in. It always makes a difference.

If you need help with missing assignments or projects, I am available after school.


After school activities will start January 10, 2011.

Energy!

We are now moving in to a new section about energy. By the end of the week you will be able to explain the six different forms of energy discussed in readings and lab: nuclear, electrical, electromagnetic, thermal, chemical, and mechanical.

How many forms of energy did you use today?

Time to get rolling!

Science Fair projects are due in five days. Yup! Five days. As soon as your tri-fold or egg drop container is complete, bring it in.

If you didn't complete your Periodic Table chart, you have been registered for O.T.I. Expect to receive the notice soon in your first period class.