September 19th 2007

10-11th Bible-These next couple of weeks we continue to ask the question "Why is truth truth? Who says it is truth? Where is our truth based?" Using Mark Eckel's insights, we are learning a great basis for what we believe. It is a great foundation to defend your faith!

8th Science- NATURE OF MATTER- We have just completed learning about the atomic structure and the history of the atom. We have also briefly looked at the periodic table of elements and its properties. We now move on to the different states of matter. Many fun experiments lie ahead!

Biology- After finishing up about two weeks of 'what is biology' and learning about the scientific method, we are now prepared to learn more about ecosystems. We are looking forward to learning about competition within an ecosystem as well as the biomagnification of toxins (mercury, lead, ddt, etc).

Chemistry-We started off the year reviewing the metric system, how to weigh different substances, how to measure liquids in different containers, and how to do dimensional analysis! We now are building our own stores using grocery ads and today will try to fill in products in the aisles. What does this teach? We will learn about how a grocery store is very similar in its set up to the periodic table of elements. Students will have to put items in their store (and hopefully have room for them)as well as try to find room for new products. This reminds us of how Mendeleev had to leave spaces in the table for elements he thought would one day be discovered. Smart idea!

6th Grade Science- ECOLOGY-We are wrapping up a lot of work we have done on trophic levels and food webs today. We have been concentrating on various ecosystems in Michigan (Jack Pine Forest, Woodlands Forest, Coastal Dunes, Wetlands, and Rivers) and using them to make our ecosystems. We start a basic competition study today as well as looking at predator prey relationships and their importance.

7th grade science-WATER PLANET-We have just finished up learning about how much water people use individually and as a family. We are currently concentrating on what a precious and unique resource that water is. Today and tomorrow the students will be performing water commercials to promote this precious commodity. Each student is responsible for having 4 demos in their commercial to demonstrate some of water's wonderful qualities. After we finish the wonders of water, we will move on to studying our watershed and its many parts.