PTA Update March 16-20

English:

This week we started The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world and centers around the character of Cia, a sixteen year old who lives in a small colony and who wants desperately to attend the University. However, as she proceeds towards the entrance tests, she discovers not all is what it seems. We will spend both class time and at-home time reading the novel. The students already seem very interested. We will explore the  following essential questions: Do "good" people sometimes do "bad" things; can one person influence a change in society; should citizens always trust their leaders; is hurting someone ever justified; how does one determine what to trust: their instinct or what they've been told. For the purpose of the unit, students have been placed in "colonies"; these are the groupings with whom the students will collaborate on various activities in class. They will also have individual assignments.

In addition, we continue to practice for the upcoming ELA (April 14,15,16) by reviewing in our ELA review booklet and practicing testing, critical reading, and writing strategies.

Family & Consumer Science:

This week students presented their All About Me: Movie Trailers and we started our Cooking Unit. Before getting into the kitchens, students will be refreshing  Kitchen Safety, Cooking Terms, Cooking Tools and Equipment, and Measuring Skills. The students voted on a theme for their upcoming Luncheon and the winning idea was a "Disney" Theme.

Mathematics:

The Philadelphia trip has been RESCHEDULED to THURSDAY MAY 28th.  There is a new permission slip going home on Friday.  Please sign and return on Monday.

Accelerated:  A Cumulative exam was administered on Thursday.  We will continue working on Chapter 12 - Angles and Triangles next week.  There will be a Unit Exam given within the next two weeks.  This exam will cover Chapters 11 and 12.  Have a nice weekend!

Regular:  A Cumulative exam was administered on Thursday.  We will continue working on Chapter 10 - Probability.  There will be a Unit Exam given within the next two weeks.  This exam will cover Chapters 9 and 10.  Have a nice weekend!

Science:

This week we finished the Respiratory System and started the next of the 3 body systems directly involved in making energy which is Circulation.  With this unit,  students will learn about the structure and functions of the heart, the parts of blood, the blood vessels, and blood typing.  Students also completed a Lung Capacity Lab this week.  Any students who were absent must come to extra help to make up the lab.

Social Studies:

We have been reading an excerpt from Little Brother, a story about four teens who experience life in the USA as an enemy combatant. As we wrap up our discussion of our rights under the Bill of Rights and Constitution, next week we now turn to a discussion of the issues and challenges of starting a brand new Government under George Washington. We will examine the early Presidents with a focus on Washington, Adams, and Jeffersons and how the development of Political Parties both help and hinder the new nation.