Weekly Newsletter 3.7.14

This week in Math, some students have been looking closely at how to solve multi-step problems using all four types of equations. Some students are working on mental math strategies to help them quickly solve problems. Next week, we will work on rounding numbers in a multi-step problem.

In Science, the students have explored the changing states of matter. Today, they learned to differentiate between condensation and evaporation. To make it meaningful, the students did a melting experiment with chocolate chips. First, we watched a video from Scholastic on the changing states of matter. We incorporated a movement activity where the kids represented water molecules transitioning through different states of matter acted as molecules and would move slow(solid), a little faster(liquid), and run(gas. The students made their own picture cards for evaporation and condensation. After students correctly demonstrate an understanding of the movement of molecules, I have them respond with the correct vocabulary word defining each transition. Our next thing was to complete our melting matter experiment.

First, students observe their baggie of chocolate chips. They used a graphic organizer to draw the chips and circled to describe their state of matter. Then, the students "applied heat" by squeezing gently or lightly breathing on their bag for two minutes-Next, they drew what their chocolate looked like and circled to show the state of matter.Then, we put the chocolate baggies in the freezer for five minutes. After the five minutes were up, we opened the bags to see that the chocolate had in fact returned to a solid shape--this time, the shape of the bag. Afterwards, we discussed what they learned about temperature and its effect on the states of matter.

In Reading, We have been looking closely at the challenges of reading nonfiction (expository text). The students are beginning to understand that nonfiction must be read slowly and carefully. We have determined that it is okay to stop many times, reread, ask questions and activate schema as we read and that this process is very much like running a marathon. The students are reading Balto and we completed Bonya, Bonya which tied into KIS World Read Aloud Day.

This week we celebrated Fat Tuesday and learned the History of Mardi Gras. The students watched a video and loved seeing the floats, costumes, kids, candy, and parade. The students made their own mask and did not want to take it off! Another tradition for Mardi Gras is donuts and the most popular are Polish Paczki, pronounced “Punch-Key”. For hundreds of years in Poland, the countrymen have been celebrating the arrival of Mardi Gras by making these delicious jelly filled donuts from the finest ingredients available, including as much lard and fat as they can put in a doughnut. We were lucky enough to have Mrs. Fade bring in Paczki's and we loved them. Thank you!!!

My colleague, and KIS Geauga ACHIEVE general education Social Studies's teacher Mrs. Robertson, has a very special announcement regarding an important grant. Please support Kenston Intermediate School.

Our school is competing for a Follett grant with a grand prize of $60,000. Follett is an educational company that provides printed and electronic materials to students from pre-K through college. Their company is looking to reward schools that use 21st century skills, such as collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking. The grant is comprised of two main parts: a written response to questions (70%) and a video showing the 21st century skills in practice (30%). In order to earn the grant, we need to get as many votes as possible during the voting window (March 7, 2014 through April 4, 2014). Each person may vote only once per day! Please vote daily to ensure our students can benefit from this exciting opportunity. To Vote: 1. Visit the link below: Note: Please use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome as your search engine. http://www.follettchallenge.com/video.cfm?id=53#.Uxnda_ldUXt 2. Click “vote with email” or “vote with Facebook.” 3. Type your email into the box and click “submit your vote.” 4. You will receive a confirmation 5 digit pin via the email address provided from Follett. It takes less than a minute to receive it. Copy and paste that into the form and click “confirm your vote.”