You're off to a great start in science.  Those who did the extra credit had wonderful adventures in science and hands-on museums.  We'll ask you to share some of those updates next week.

It sounds like our Moodle site will be ready soon, so I'll let you know about that transition.  In the meantime, I'll post periodically on this Schoolnotes site.

I understand many of you tried accessing the online edition of the text book.  Several of you succeeded (Great!!) and several had problems ranging from no success whatsoever to gaining access but having extremely slow load-time.  I'm investigating the situation to see if there is any problem with the access code or limits. Sometimes the browser, internet provider, or individual computer settings also influence success. I would also hypothesize that load-time may be slower during peak hours.  Anyway, I'll keep you posted as we try to understand the nature of the problem (and then work to solve it).

Sincerely yours,

Mrs. R

HOMEWORK

9/7/11--No new homework tonight, but I did ask students to spend some time reviewing notes. There is a quiz on Friday 9/9.  This was first announced to students on Tuesday 9/5.  They should already be reviewing their notes.  If they've been listening in class and taking some notes during class, they'll do just fine.  The main areas for questions will be:  safety, the information processing model, and the general definition and tools of science.  This is a quiz, not a test.  It will probably take about 15 minutes.  Their first test will be either Thursday or Friday, September 15 or 16.

8/31/11--Students were given a handout with safety information and procedures.  They must read the full document, try to understand it (or ask questions), sign the safety contract, and return it no later than Tuesday 9/6/11.  Please note that a parent must also sign the contract. In class today they worked on drawings/images to depict or communicate one of the safety issues (hazard, precaution, rule, or action).  These images are due tomorrow 9/1/11.

OPTIONAL SCIENCE EXTRA CREDIT -- SUMMER 2011

Option 1 – Reading and Writing about Real Scientists

A biography is a book someone writes about another person,and an autobiography is a book someone writes about his or her own life.  Read two biographies or autobiographies about scientists or inventors, and then complete a 1-2 page essay that compares and contrasts those two people.  Your essay must include the following:

    * Introductory paragraph introducing the two people you read about, when and where they lived,and why these two people are significant (why are there books about them).

    * Two paragraphs about each person that summarize highlights from their lives, including their scientific work and achievements.

    * Three to five paragraphs that compare and contrast the two people (similarities and differences).

    * One to two paragraphs about how their lives were similar to and different from your own.

    * A closing paragraph that tells what you found most interesting about each person.

    * Bibliography of the two books you read that includes the title, author, publisher, and publishing date of each book.

Students who complete this assignment at a level of quality that is average will receive 25-50 bonus points; if the level of quality is high, you may receive up to 100 bonus points at the start of your 6th grade year. 

Option 2 – Science in the Summer

Summer is the perfect season for Science.  As additional optional extra credit, visit a science museum (such as the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum, Arts and Industries,or Air and Space Museum here in DC, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the New York Hall of Science in New York, or the Exploratorium in San Francisco)and/or conduct some science experiments.  For each one of these activities you undertake, do a one-half to one-page write up explaining what you did, where, what was most interesting to you and why, and what you learned from the experience.  Each of these will be worth up to 20 bonus points,depending on the quality.