Happy Holidays!

Hello Everyone!

Thank you very much to everyone who has wished me happy holidays and/or brought gifts! Thank you for your thoughtful well wishes and kindness. I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season!

Here are some last notes before we leave for the holiday break, so you know what is coming up when we return:

  • Report cards for term one are going home today. Please do hang on to the envelope, sign it, and return it when we get back from the holiday on Monday, January 8th.
  • Debates will happen in the week following our return on the two topics around technology use (video games and general digital technology). Please continue to research these issues, finding articles on both the positive and negative side of the debate! Make a note of where you are finding information, so you can find it later. When we return, I will ask you to document your research on debate cards, form debate teams, have you sign up for a specific topic, and talk about debate format and speeches.
  • Machine with the most impact! Everyone was to be thinking about what machine has had the greatest impact (positive or negative) on humans and the world. You will be asked to create a 10 slide PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation to talk about the machine, its history, and to prove your case that the item had the most impact. If you do begin your research, please document any websites you use, so you can find them for your formal bibliography when we return.
  • Rube Goldberg! You did a great job building a Rube Goldberg machine in class. I asked everyone to make a final drawing of their machine and to do the engineering design process reflection on how you would improve your machine in the future. If you were absent, please consider building one at home and then documenting the process independently. Or, if you are bored during the break, feel free to build one just for fun!
  • City of Ember! Everyone was finishing up this book in class yesterday. If you haven’t finished, there are a few copies still in the room for your use. If you have one of my books at home, please return it to the classroom. Questions through Chapter 19 should be done, and we will discuss upon our return.
  • Upcoming Unit: Our next unit will be all about migration and the reasons people and animals move. We will begin it shortly after we return and finish up final projects. More info in January!

Happy Holidays to everyone and have a great break!

Ms. D