Monday we finished up our unit “Thinking Like An Engineer” with a CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) writing activity by answering the focus question: How does energy flow in a circuit. Tuesday was the first day of this new unit titled “Matter and its Interactions Part 1”. We kicked off this unit with a lab where we observed what happens to an ice cube melt at room temperature and what it looked like the next day. Of course students concluded that the ice cube melted, but we talked about what actually happens to the particles at a molecule level. Students cannot see the molecules so we addressed common misconceptions. We also talked about how water is still the same molecules (H2O) during all phases: Solid, Liquid, and Water Vapor (gas). Students learned how these particles behave when energy (heat) is being added or taken away. Wednesday was the day we finished up this ice cube lab.
Thursday students were put into reading groups and went over the expectations of what it should look like and sound like when we are in those groups. During reading groups I will be pulling certain groups different days to do small group instruction and give maximum support for students. We will work on the article titled “States of Matter” on Monday of next week and hopefully finish it by Tuesday. Friday was a half day so we did bellwork and assigned classroom jobs. These classroom jobs are implemented to create a sense of community in the classroom and give students the opportunity to have leadership roles within the class.
I am still in the process of grading their unit test from Thinking Like an Engineer. I will get the grades in as soon as I can. Thank you for being patient with me on that!
Things to remember: Next Friday will be their first bellwork quiz for this new unit: Matter and its Interactions. Please make sure your student is participating in bellwork as well as studying at home. I do my best during class to make sure every student is doing bellwork and to keep them motivated. If there are any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to email me or call the school.
Have a good weekend!
