Buddy Science Experimentation

On Thursday we had the pleasure of meeting our buddies for the first time this year. After a few minutes of introducing ourselves, we got right to work! First grade studies states of matter and all grades study the scientific process, so we put the two ideas to work for us.

Working together, buddy pairs formed a hypothesis and gathered materials to test their theory.

3 freezer Ziploc bags
2 cups of non fat milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups of ice
1/2 cup rock salt

Mix milk, sugar, and vanilla in the quart size bag. Place sealed quart size bag inside gallon size bag and add ice and salt. Seal that bag and place inside another gallon sized bag. Move out to the grassy area and SHAKE! At 2 minute intervals, observe the state of the matter inside the bag. Is it still liquid? After 10 minutes, open the bag and pour contents in to two bowls. Observe the matter. After making careful observations, dispose of contents using a spoon.

The first graders and seventh graders did an excellent job of following the scientific method throughout the experiment. After first grade left us, we wrote up our lab reports, analyzing the results. About 25% of the experiments failed. Students identified amount of ice, amount of salt, and the speed or duration of shaking as variables that could contribute to the failure of the experiment.

Who says science can't be fun?

Harvest Festival Coming Up

Join the CHPCS community on October 18th for a fun filled evening of free family frivolity.

The Harvest Festival is a chance for CHPCS families and friends to get together and celebrate the turning of the season with music, games, and a baking contest. Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, tug o war, and needle in a haystack will keep the young and old entertained for hours. The fun begins at 6:00 p.m. and ends at 7:30 p.m.

Are you a baker? Are you the keeper of Great Granny’s apple pie recipe? Now’s the time to put on your chef hat, dust off your apron, and whip up your favorite apple or pumpkin themed recipe! The baking contest is open to all adult/child pairs. Baking with children is not only fun, but is great math practice and provides one on one time that encourages open communication. All baking entries are due on October 18th no later than 3:30 p.m. for judging. After ribbons are awarded, the baked goods will be sold at the Harvest Festival for $1.00 a piece.

WWI Begins

WWI has begun in 7th grade. This week we are focusing on the precursors to World War I. Students should be able to explain the meaning of militarism, nationalism, imperialism, and alliances.

Today we learned how the land grab in Africa escalated tensions and pushed Europe closer to the brink of war. Ask your student how we modeled the land grab and what all they learned from it. It involves balloons, hula hoops, and lots of running around!

This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7kp3vf1uKA, shows what we've been learning and would be a great review!

Night of the Notables

For your studying pleasure, the following notable characters have been selected by students so far! Many students did not complete their brainstorm page OR forgot to get a parent signature, so those were returned to them and may be resubmitted tomorrow. I'm excited about the characters chosen so far!

Einstein

Shirley Temple

Anne Frank

Alice Paul

Vera Lynn

Joe Dimaggio

Lucille Ball

Lenin

Joe Louis

Coco Chanel

Eva Peron

JR Tolkein

 

New Unit Coming Up!

We're only a few weeks into school but the learning is in full swing! Constitution Week was a huge success. The 7th grade performance on Thursday gave me chills and reading their 8th Amendment papers was enlightening. And then, Thursday's Night of the Notable kick off really turned up the excitement in the classroom.

So what's next? This week we begin our study of the first world war. Over the next 6 weeks we will study the geography of Europe, precursors to the war, important people and events during the war, new technologies, and the impact these new technologies had on the future. Of course these things will all be learned through hands on activities, reading related novels, field trips, and plenty of writing!

While we begin our WWI unit, we will continue to read Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde together. We are reading this classic novel together as a class ever afternoon. Everyone is enjoying the storyline and really broadening their vocabulary. While there are many great Jekyll and Hyde videos out there, please don't watch them quite yet. Very few members of the class know how this ends and I don't want to ruin the suspense!

Every Thursday we spend an hour in the science lab with Mrs. Brunnings. We are learning about the structure of atoms, the periodic table, and Mendeleev's contributions to science. This last Thursday Mrs. Brunnings also introduced the upcoming science fair. More information about the science fair can be found on the science blog at http://chpcsscience.blogspot.com/. The first assignment for the science fair is due on the 10th of October.

On Monday students will find out who their Night of the Notable character will be. We are planning a trip to the Central Library on Thursday to allow everyone to check out books and find periodical articles. We will also visit the computer lab this week to find addresses for their business letters and contacts for their interview. If you have completed your volunteer training and paperwork, and can join us on Thursday, we would LOVE some help at the library.

What We're Studying Summary:
Riggs - Jekyll and Hyde vocabulary
IEW - Position papers, Using dress ups effectively, Choosing appropriate resources
Math - through lesson 8
Grammar - Nouns (common, proper, pronouns)
Science - Atomic Structure, Science Fair
History - WWI
Social /Emotional - Accountability

As you can see, it's busy busy busy in seventh grade! Thank you to everyone who has been in touch this week. Have a great week!

Jog a Thon

2012 Jog A Thon

Monday, Oct. 8
Top class will have a party for their great work!
Top class individual will have a pizza lunch with Principal Denman!

Kindi am-2nd 9-9:30
3rd-5th 10-1030
6th-8th 11-1130
Kindi pm 1245-115

Please return pledge sheets by Thursday 10-4-12.
Please return money, pledge sheets to the school by Thursday 10-18-12.

This is the main school fundraiser this year.

Thank you for motivating and encouraging parent and student participation!

Everyone is welcome to watch, mark laps on student's back stickers, off water, cheer, make noise and take photos!!!

Night of the Notables

Night of the Notables

 

During the Night of the Notables Project each student will be responsible for selecting an “eminent” person from a designated portion of history. They may choose notable, positive figures from the sciences, arts, politics, sports, entertainment, etc during the assigned time period.

This project will include in-depth research and will involve accumulating

material from a variety of sources including our class library and Multnomah County Library. We will be learning to use the Reader’s Guide, biographies, and periodicals. During our trip to the Multnomah County library we will additionally use the computer periodical index and the newspaper index for the Oregonian. We will also be writing letters of inquiry to various sources, which may help in providing information and/or materials for the report and learning center. Finally, students will be working with oral interviewing techniques and will subsequently arrange an interview with someone that can shed some light about the person of eminence, the particular time period or specific ramifications about that person’s contribution.

Our research will culminate with a special night to which all the families are invited! Our Night of the Notables will require all students to dress as their eminent person. Guests are invited to ask our personages yes or no questions in an effort to determine their identity. We will then proceed to the “Museum” for viewing of the learning centers representing our notable people. The children will be guided throughout this process and information will continue to come home. Support and encouragement are important, as this is a hefty project.

 

Each portion of the project is broken down into very small manageable steps. Students that meet each deadline will not feel overwhelmed at any point.

 

Timeline:

Description	Where Completed	Due Date
N.O.N contract due	At home	09/24/12
Notable person brainstorm due	At home	09/24/12
Business letter written	In class	09/25/12
Computer Lab Research Day	In class	09/26/12
Library Field Trip	In class	09/27/12
Resources gathered	At home	10/01/12
Research skills taught/Notecards introduced	In class	Weeks of 10/8 & 10/15
Notecards worked on	At home	Weeks of 10/8 & 10/15
Interview conducted	At home	10/18/12
Timeline First Draft	In Class	10/18/12
Key Word Outline	Modeled in class/Completed at home	10/22/12
Black and White Sketch	In Art Class	Week of 10/22
Timeline Final draft	At home	10/25/12
Costume Brainstorm	At school	10/29/12
Souvenir Workshop	At school	11/06/12
Souvenirs	At home	11/08/12
Rough draft of paper	At home	11/13/12
Peer editing of paper	In class	11/13/12
Final draft of paper	At home	11/15/12
Costume completed	At home	11/15/12
Presentation board completed	At home	11/15/12
Participation in N.O.N presentation	At school (6-8pm)	11/20/12