SPIRITUAL CREATION

This week learned about creating our masterpieces in our mind and in our hearts before we actually execute them in reality.  This element of spiritual creation: pondering, figuring, guessing, and planning is the first step in creating anything.

Students were challenged to Begin With the End In Mind ESPECIALLY when it comes to their Science Fair Projects.  Students pondered their science fair projects and then filled out a Science Project Planning sheet with roadblocks over the next 10 weeks such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, vacations, family in town, etc. 

We also had a great discussion on The Phantom Tollbooth.  Everyone really seemed to enjoy this book.  We ran out of discussion time, so everyone is asked to bring a favorite quote from the book to share next week.


HOMEWORK

1.  Write down the actual steps you will take over the next 10 weeks to complete your science fair project.

2.  Next week we will have a presentation by Adam on planes. 

3.  You need to skim and find parts that interest you in the Milky Way book.  Please annotate them and BRING YOUR BOOK TO CLASS.  If you know there's a book discussion that day, it's pretty imperative that you bring the actual book we read.

4.  Continue working on your science fair project.

Also - please consider this a reminder for the following:

1.  Parent Night is January 26th.  Please make sure it is on your calendar.

2.  Parent Night is when students will be awarded their prisms for completing the Inteligro Award.  Please check and see where you are in regards to earning your prism.  We want everyone to receive it.

3.  On January 12th you will have an in-class math exam.  This is made up of questions from your own math study.  You can either bring a post test from your math curriculum OR keep track of problems you've worked on through the course of the semester and use them in your final exam.  The exams must be approved by the class mentors.  Don't forget to work on this.

Please let either Diannalynn or I know if you have any questions or concerns about Pyramid Project.  We certainly enjoy working with your students.

Thanks,
Genevieve

Asking the Right Question

We had a great presentation from Katie Blanchard on light and reflections.  We learned about terms like refraction, light stream, refractive index and much more.  Quite interesting Katie - thanks!

HOMEWORK

• Next week we will have a binder check-up, so make sure to WRITE DOWN your I Wonders, Patterns, and log your math lessons! 

• Kaleigh will present on Nicolaus Copernicus.  We have enjoyed all of the presentations so far.  Please consider your presentation and what visual (pictures, presentation, experiment, etc.) you will use to delight the class.  The more exciting, the better!

• Finish reading and annotating The Phantom Tollbooth.  The discussion will be led by Noah!!

• Don't forget your I Wonders, Patterns, and log book entries WRITTEN DOWN!!!  I've got a great one for this week.

• Also we will be reviewing your Science Fair projects.  It has come to our attention that only ONE student has actually made progress on their science fair project.  That is a sad state of affairs and will make it hard to accomplish this goal in time for the Science Fair itself.  So here's a reality check:

11/10 - Pyramid Project class

11/17 - Pyramid Project class

11/24 - Thanksgiving Day: No Class

12/1, 8,15 - Pyramid Project class

1/5, 12, 19 - Pyramid Project class

1/26 - Parent Night/Science Fair

So projects are due on 1/19, so that leaves students approximately 10 weeks until it is due.  I don't know about you guys, but I can procrastinate 10 weeks like nobody's business!  Parents, please have a mentor meeting (or two) with your Pyramid Project student and help them develop a timeline that will help them be successful with their science fair project.  Please ask Diannalynn or I for any help you might need.  Also, please let us know well in advance of any special set up needs for the January Science Fair.  Thanks!

LAST WEEK IN CLASS:

We learned what it takes to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.  There were some tricky riddles to solve - I stink at it!  We decided however, that asking the right questions is a wonderful skill to employ in working on a science fair project.  We had great input by all and we sure appreciate teaching this class. 

Sincerely,

Genevieve & Diannalynn