Current Happenings
The science classes have entered the final week of content study regarding our geological processes unit. We will study the theory of plate tectonics and what causes them to move, before finishing with analyzing the rock cycle. We are encouraging students to make sure they have completed all tasks up to this point, so they are prepared for the summative assessments.
Multiple Choice Summative Assessment: Friday, February 7th
The first summative assessment students will complete for the geological processes unit will be a multiple choice assessment on all of the readings and activities completed during class. Students already have a document with all of the vocabulary listed for the unit, which they were to complete with each section. Toward the end of this week, students will be given a study guide to help them review the key concepts of the unit and to prepare for the assessment. Students should take some time to complete the study guide prior to the assessment on Friday, February 7th.
Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning Summative Assessment: Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th
Over the course of the unit as students studied various geological processes, they had to consider a real world scenario of where we could bury our nuclear waste. Each activity focused on the challenge of potentially burying waste next to these natural disasters. The second summative assessment will now focus on students answering the question of where they would bury this waste based on everything we have studied. Students will complete a graphic organizer over the next two weeks, which will be used to focus their thoughts and that they can use during the assessment. The assessment itself will be a 10 minute verbal conference with one of their science teachers, where they will share their thinking and evidence. We are hoping that the interactive nature of the meeting will give students an opportunity to show their complexity in how they would answer the question. Students will be randomized this week for a conference time starting the week of Monday, February 10th.
Geological Processes Project: Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th
Students will spend the final part of the unit demonstrating their understanding of science principles by constructing a landslide proof house out of recycled material. The houses will be mounted in a bin full of dirt with a ramp leading to the house for dumping soil down to model a landslide. Houses that do not move off the foundation and become completely submerged will be the winners. We are hoping that students application of ideas will cause them to modify their design to reflect these challenges. Design briefs for the project will be launched on Monday, February 3rd with building starting Monday, February 10th. Students should take the week leading up to the building to think about what recyclables they want to bring in and how they want to design their house.
The science classes have entered the final week of content study regarding our geological processes unit. We will study the theory of plate tectonics and what causes them to move, before finishing with analyzing the rock cycle. We are encouraging students to make sure they have completed all tasks up to this point, so they are prepared for the summative assessments.
Multiple Choice Summative Assessment: Friday, February 7th
The first summative assessment students will complete for the geological processes unit will be a multiple choice assessment on all of the readings and activities completed during class. Students already have a document with all of the vocabulary listed for the unit, which they were to complete with each section. Toward the end of this week, students will be given a study guide to help them review the key concepts of the unit and to prepare for the assessment. Students should take some time to complete the study guide prior to the assessment on Friday, February 7th.
Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning Summative Assessment: Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th
Over the course of the unit as students studied various geological processes, they had to consider a real world scenario of where we could bury our nuclear waste. Each activity focused on the challenge of potentially burying waste next to these natural disasters. The second summative assessment will now focus on students answering the question of where they would bury this waste based on everything we have studied. Students will complete a graphic organizer over the next two weeks, which will be used to focus their thoughts and that they can use during the assessment. The assessment itself will be a 10 minute verbal conference with one of their science teachers, where they will share their thinking and evidence. We are hoping that the interactive nature of the meeting will give students an opportunity to show their complexity in how they would answer the question. Students will be randomized this week for a conference time starting the week of Monday, February 10th.
Geological Processes Project: Monday, February 10th - Friday, February 14th
Students will spend the final part of the unit demonstrating their understanding of science principles by constructing a landslide proof house out of recycled material. The houses will be mounted in a bin full of dirt with a ramp leading to the house for dumping soil down to model a landslide. Houses that do not move off the foundation and become completely submerged will be the winners. We are hoping that students application of ideas will cause them to modify their design to reflect these challenges. Design briefs for the project will be launched on Monday, February 3rd with building starting Monday, February 10th. Students should take the week leading up to the building to think about what recyclables they want to bring in and how they want to design their house.