January 6 - 10

This Week's Activities and Assignments
Monday, January 6   (Blue)
1. Bell Work (Worksheet: Skeletal System)
2. Investigation 2.3 - Naming joints
    (ball & socket, hinge, gliding, fixed)
3. Find and locate joints on skeleton poster
    and skeleton model
4. No homework

Tuesday, January 7   (Gold)
1. Bell Work  (Journal entry)
2. Investigation 2.4 - Comparing bones
3. Investigate "bones in a bag"
4. Student response sheet
5. Homework: Finish student sheet as needed

Wednesday, January 8   (Blue)
1. D.A.R.E.
2. D.A.R.E. report is due Wed., January 15
3. Homework: DARE report

Thursday, January 9   (Gold)
1. Bell Work  (Worksheet: Muscles)
2. Investigation 3.1 - Making a leg model
    - review jump rope
    - discuss moving bones
    - explain role of muscles, tendons, and bones
    - make leg model
3. Homework: DARE report

Friday, January 10   (Blue)
1. Bell Work   (Geography puzzle)
2. USA Weekly #14 - The Road to Revolution
3. USA Weekly Crossword Puzzle
4. Homework: DARE report

This Week's Learning Goals
Monday - Categorize joints of the skeletal system by similarity of operation
Tuesday - Examine a collection of bones and discuss function as related to structure
Wednesday - Identify the 5 W's of reporting bullying
Thursday - Build an operating model of the leg to demonstrate how muscles,
                     tendons, bones, and ligaments work together to move legs and feet
Friday - Examine causes leading up to the American Revolution

D.A.R.E. Report
The DARE report will be assigned on Wednesday of this week. Students will have one week to complete the assignment with the reports due on Wednesday, January 15.  No reports will be accepted after that date, except due to excused absence from school. Of course, reports may be turned in before the due date. Students may also turn in reports by e-mail by sending the completed report to:
ellars.lab@gmail.com

December 16-20

Activities and Assignments for December 16-20
Monday, December 16   (Gold)
1. Bell Work
2. Investigation 2.1  (Looking at thumb joints)
3. Homework: Bone Test Study Guide

Tuesday, December 17   (Blue)
1. Bell Work
2. Investigation 2.2  (Joint tasks)
3. Homework: Bone Test Study Guide

Wednesday, December 18   (Gold)
1. Bell Work
2. Investigation 2.2b  (Naming joints)
3. Homework: Bone Test Study Guide

Thursday, December 19   (Blue)
1. D.A.R.E.
2. Homework: Bone Test Study Guide

Friday, December 20   (Gold)
1. Bell Work
2. Bone Test
3. Challenge: Cut a hole in an index card big enough to step through.
4. Holiday celebration

Holiday Celebration
On Friday, December 20 we'll be having a short celebration of the winter holidays. Your Gold Team teachers have requested that in lieu of a gift exchange, that students simply drop a little in a Salvation Army bucket instead.

Winter Break
This Friday (Dec. 20) is the last day of school before our Winter Break. We'll be back in school on Monday, January 6. Have a safe and restful two weeks.

Video Recommendations
Baby owl spitting up pellet
National Geographic Documentary on Owls  (53:54)

December 9-13

Acuity
The first social studies Acuity Test was last Friday. Lots of concentration and hard work was evident. Effort was off the chart!

Activities and Assignments for December 9-13
Monday, December 9   (Blue)
1. Bell Work
2. Mr. Bones skeleton model
3. No homework

Tuesday, December 10   (Gold)
1. Bell Work
2. Owl pellet investigation  (Investigate and categorize)
3. No homework

Wednesday, December 11   (Blue)
1. Bell Work
2. D.A.R.E.
3. No homework

Thursday, December 12   (Gold)
1. Bell Work
2. Owl pellets continued   (Reconstruct mouse skeleton)
3. No homework

Friday, December 13   (Blue)
1. Bell Work
2. USA Weekly #12   (with question worksheet)
3. No homework

Recommended Video Clips for Home Viewing
1. Bill Nye on Muscles and Bones
2. Human Body Skeletal System
3. Major Axial Bones
4. Major Appendicular Bones