Our Mask-Making Skills for the Mexican Tradition: Day of the Dead (October 31st - November 2nd)

Sugar Skulls to celebrate the lives of those who once lived.

Great work guys!

How to Multiply and Long Divide Using Decimals - Test Prep

Surface Tension!

What is Surface Tension?!

Water molecules want to cling to each other. At the very surface of the water, there are less molecules to cling to, so the bond between the top water molecules are stronger. 

This creates a film on the top of the water called surface tension. Small objects can float carefully on the surface of this film. 

Check out this video on some super short, easy science experiments involving surface tension:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsksFbFZeeU

Coming up next in Science..... How to make crystals, and experiments involving carbon dioxide and chemical reactions!

Social Studies Opinion Write-Up Rubric

Here is the rubric for your Social Studies personal opinion write-ups based on the United States' Presidential debates 2016:

Social Studies – Current Events Opinion Rubric

Program of Studies Learning Outcomes:	1 Not Meeting	2 Basic	3 Good	4 Excellent
Critical thinking is a process of inquiry, analysis and evaluation resulting in a reasoned judgment.	Critical thinking and reasoned judgement are not present in the responses.	Critical thinking is sometimes shown in the responses, at a basic level.	Critical thinking is clearly shown in the responses most of the time.	Critical thinking is always shown in the responses, at an advanced level.
Creative thinking occurs when students identify unique connections among ideas and suggest insightful approaches to social studies questions and issues.	Creative thinking is not present through unique connections.	Creative thinking is sometimes present through unique connections.	Creative thinking is often present, most of the time.	Creative thinking is always shown at an advanced level.
Historical thinking is a process whereby students are challenged to rethink assumptions about the past and to reimagine both the present and the future.	Historical thinking is not present, connecting the past to the present.	Historical thinking is sometimes present, connecting the past to the present.	Historical thinking is often present, most of the time.	Historical thinking is always shown at an advanced level.
Decision Making and Problem Solving: Students develop the ability to make timely and appropriate decisions by identifying the need for a decision, then weighing the advantages, disadvantages and consequences of various alternatives.	Decision making and problem solving are not present throughout social studies questions and issues.	Decision making and problem solves are sometimes present at a basic level.	Decision making and problem solving are present often, most of the time.	Decision making and problem solving are always shown at an advanced level.

Have you formulated a full opinion and can you back it up?      Yes        No

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You are to answer these questions in full sentences, with as much detail as possible. We are looking for this evidence from the Alberta curricular outcomes to back up your opinions: 

• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Historical thinking
• Decision making and problem solving

QUESTIONS:

1. What points do you agree with in regards to both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the final debate? (Give as many as possible - unless you do not agree at all with one)

2. What points do you disagree with in regards to both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in the final debate? (Give as many as possible - unless you do not disagree at all with one)

3. What questions do you still have for each of the candidates?

4. What questions do you have about the American government and how leaders are put into power?

5. If you were American and you had to vote, who would you vote for? Why? (Give as many reasons and examples for your thinking)

Click here to watch the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye0Xblp_Nb0

Your typed response is due: Thursday, October 27th, 2016.

THE WHY QUESTION:

1. To aid in the generation of an opinion.
2. To compare American and Canadian governments (Grade 6 Social Studies).
3. To learn how to debate, as we will be practicing debates in class. 
4. To stay up to speed on current events and the world's news.
5. To practice writing with evidence that supports your ideas. 

Agenda Week of June 19th-June 23rd

Wednesday

• Decorating team: bring stuff Monday
• Bring a green garbage bag (or 3) tomorrow
• Social Studies exam tomorrow!
• Practice Talent Show acts!!! Monday @ 1pm and Tuesday @ 1pm

EXAMS THIS WEEK:

Monday: LA 9am-10am 

Tuesday: Math 9am-10:15am 

Wednesday: Regular school day

Thursday: Social Studies 9am-10am

Friday: Science 9am-10am

***Afternoons are regularly scheduled classes and are important to attend

What's the Problem?!

We are beginning our story writing unit in Language Arts, and many students are excited to get their ideas out into their next short story. To begin, we have focussed on the 4 different types of problems. This will help students to plan an excellent story, by starting with a stressful problem.

We had a great discussion around these 4 different types of story problems. Students have some excellent ideas and are going to be using these writing skills over the coming weeks! Check out some samples of student work below, as they created their own problems based on different picture prompts. 

Next week, we will be jumping into planning and writing full short stories!

A proton, an electron and a neutron go out for lunch....

They all order a burger and a milkshake. When they are done, the proton asks the waiter, "What do I owe you for my meal?"

"For you proton," he replied "It will be $10.95".

"And how much for me?" Asked the electron.

"Electron, you owe me $5.00."

"How much will I pay you?" Asked the neutron.

"For you, my friend - NO CHARGE!".

Get it?

Protons have a positive charge, electrons have a negative charge, and neutrons are neutral (no charge!)

The kids are becoming more interested in Chemistry as we get into our current unit in Science. One question that a few students  have inquired about is this: what is plasma?

We took a detour from the next lesson to explore this state of matter. Kids learned about protons and electrons being attracted together. When plasma is created, the gas is heated and contains so much energy that the electrons are freed from the protons and are traveling around loosely. We can find plasma in many natural ways (Northern lights, stars, some types of lightning), and many man made products (fluorescent light bulbs, neon signs). 

Plasma is sometimes considered the "4th state of matter"! 

Stay tuned for updates on our science experiments happening next week on MIXTURES. 

Comment below if you would like to ask any questions or make any comments on Science this year! Just select "Name" option, and write in your comment. It will be approved by a teacher and added to our blog!