January 28 - February 1

Classes this week tested cookies for sugar content using yeast as an indicator. When we observed the yeast metabolizing the cookies by the production of carbon dioxide gas in the test bags a further investigation of the main ingredients in the cookies (flour and sugar) showed that the yeast was feeding on sugar, not flour. Students also learned how to measure the amount of carbon dioxide produced by using a simple volume tube measuring device.

     (Video clip from You Tube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mxqGF9JZHI )

This week, groups will be performing similar tests on Wednesday using yeast as a sugar indicator on a variety of breakfast cereals as well as learning about testing foods for acid content. On Friday, students may bring in small samples of food from home to test for sugar and/or acidic content.

Also this week, students will be learning to read and interpret the nutrition information labels on food packages and the My Plate graphic that recently replaced the Food Pyramid.

For more information on the Food Plate visit http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

Reminder: The $20 for our March experience at Biz Town in Indianapolis is due this Thursday, January 31.
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This Week's Agenda

Monday, January 28 - Nutrition Labels
* Reading and using food nutrition labels (Please bring in food nutrition labels from home)
* Look for a quiz on Friday over testing foods for fats, sugars, and acids

Tuesday, January 29 - The American Revolution
* Social Studies Day: USA Studies Weekly newspaper #14
* The worksheet distributed with the newspaper will be due Friday, February 1

Wednesday, January 30 - Testing Cereals
* Testing breakfast cereals today for sugar content using yeast as an indicator.
* Demonstration on testing foods for acidic content

Thursday, January 31 - Food Plate
* Using the Food Plate to plan a healthy and cost conscious meal

Friday, February 1  -  Testing Other Foods & Science Quiz
* Testing other foods for nutrient content
* Quiz on testing for fats/sugars, nutrition labels, and My Plate

MLK Day - January 21, 2013

January 22-25

Last week in science students tested a variety of foods for fat content by measuring the size of grease spots two days after placing one  gram of crushed food on brown paper. A big thanks to all the parents who sent in food for this part of our unit. Your generosity helped make this a very successful project! This week science lab groups will be investigating the use of yeast as an test material.

In social studies, we've been studying regional American Colonies from settlement up to the time immediately preceding the Revolution. This week we begin examining the growing tensions that led to our split from England.

All reports are calling for much colder weather this week. Everyone should dress accordingly. While we do try to get outside for our 15 minute recess whenever possible, we do stay inside when the temperature dips below 20^o
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This week's agenda:

Monday, January 21
(1.) No school for Martin Luther King Day. Ask your student to share the short video clip shown in class Friday of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
(2.) Homework: Watch at least some of the Inauguration today.

Tuesday, January 22
(1.) We're starting off this morning with a much needed locker cleaning. Look for some of those missing items to come home Tuesday evening.
 (2.) Social Studies: Begin working on the USA Weekly #13. There will be a homework assignment that will be due on Friday (Jan 25). Also on Friday a map test on the 13 Colonies.
(3.) Science: Using yeast as a test material for a variety of food components. Introduction and procedural demonstration.

Wednesday, January 23
(1.) Science: Groups begin testing animal crackers with yeast. (Food is for testing, not tasting. These animal crackers have been stored in the science lab in a plastic bag since last year...still good for testing, but - YUCK! for tasting....)
(2.) Social Studies: Continue working on USA Weekly assignment and preparing for the map test on Friday.

Thursday, January 24
(1.) Science: Groups will be testing a variety of breakfast cereals today.
(2.) Social Studies: Continue working on USA Weekly assignment and preparing for the map test coming up tomorrow.

Friday, January 25
(1.) Science: FOSS Reader (pages 10-13 with written feedback). Also review and checkup on this week's work in science.
(2.) USA Weekly assignment is due and a map test on the 13 colonies.

January 14-18

We've started work on our new module in science - Food and Nutrition. I'm sure you heard about our model of the digestive system that we created last Friday in class. It was a bit gross at times (the kids' favorite part, of course), but everyone seems to have a better understanding of how our bodies break down food for our bodies to use.

We'll be starting some investigations this week on testing different foods for some of their component nutrients. (fats and sugars this week). Thanks to everyone who's been sending in some food items needed for our testing.

In social studies this week we'll be continuing our study of the Colonial Period immediately prior to the Revolutionary War. A scavenger hunt for answers to questions on this period will be one of our activities.

At the beginning of February, we're starting our class activities leading up to our visit to Biz Town in March. Look for a lot more information coming up soon! Also, don't forget that if you haven't sent in the $20 fee for Biz Town to your homeroom teacher, that's due by January 31.

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This Week's Agenda 

(*** After reviewing plans for the week, Mrs. Ashley and I have made some alterations in scheduling shown in the Newsletter sent out on the MIS website. This is the schedule we're following for the coming week.)


Each class begins with Bell Work that the students pick up as they enter the room and a short viewing of the online CNN Student News for the day.  Homework for each day is to complete any unfinished class work.

Monday, January 14
1. Science: Mapping your tongue
2. Social Studies: Construction of a fact book on the 13 colonies

Tuesday, January 15
1. Science:Testing foods for fat content
2. Social Studies: Continue work on Colonies fact book if time allows

Wednesday, January 16
1. Science: Foss Science Stories pages 10-13 (Sugars)
2. Science: Story question worksheet

Thursday, January 17
1. Science: Reading and interpreting the fat test from Tuesday
2. Social Studies: Finish social studies fact books
3. Social Studies: USA Weekly #11

Friday, January 18
1. Science: Using yeast as an indicator for sugar content
2. Science: Science/math challenge