S.T.E.M. Class

Since many of you are new to the Peirce Middle Years Programme, I wanted to get you up to speed with the S.T.E.M. class.  The purpose of the class is to challenge students and continue to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.  The class will run from 6th-8th grade and be part of the quarterly wheel classes.

Currently the 6th graders are working on basic building skills.  They are focusing on how structures are built and why tall building are not only magnificent in height, but also really strong.  They have built strong chains out of paper, paper towers, and towers using straws.  They are currently working on creating a tall tower made of drinking straws, paper clips, and tape with the idea that it will hold a tennis ball for 2 minutes.

Egypt Review Guide

I.  Vocabulary terms: hieroglyphics, papyrus, delta, deity, pyramid, tribute, savanna, dynasty, cataract, mummy, pharaoh, embalming, incense

II. Multiple choice: length of Nile, Nubia, know about iron ore, the Great Pyramid

III. Analysis: Analyze a chart and answer the questions that follow-comparing Egypt to Mesopotamia

IV. Short Response: Answer 3 of the following questions.

Describe how Egyptians are like humans today?  What traits do they have as members of organized civilizations?  Please be very specific with your details.

Explain why the pyramids were important to the ancient Egyptians.  Please provide specific details about what led to the creation of the pyramids.  What did they do to the bodies?  What was inside of the tombs?  How did the creation of the pyramids lead to advances in math and science?

Describe and explain the differences between the rule of Ramses II and Hatshepsut.  Provide evidence to support your idea.  Was there anything unusual or strange about the leaders?

Explain why the need for more land led to the growth of the Egypt and eventually led to its decline and disappearance?  What factors would lead civilizations to fail?  How was the rise of Kush partly responsible for this demise?

V. Geography:  Label the following on a map-Nile River, Nile River Valley, Red Sea, Upper Egypt, Kush.  Pick 5 of the 10 and label these-Giza, Memphis, Theebz, Napata, Meroe, Nile Delta, Arabian Peninsula, Great Pyramid, First or Second Cataract.

This Week-December 3-8

Please note Wednesday is a half day of school for students.  They will dismiss at 11:30

Please continue to turn in forms and payment for the Indiana Dunes field trip in January

Science Fair is December 13, 2012.  Please refer to the orange sheet that went home Friday in regards to how the fair will be conducted this year.

Science Fair boards are delivered and students should have them in their possession.

The written projects look fantastic.  You all did some fabulous work and I am proud of your dedication.  Let this carry over to all of your classes.

On Friday, we will have a speaker for Global Studies class in the gym to end the day.  We will discuss questions this week in class.

Humanities

• Collect comparison questions on Egypt: Past and Present
• We will engage in Review Baseball for questions on exam
• Exam will be on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Science

• We will work on Science Fair boards in class on Wednesday, December 5, 2012
• On Thursday and Friday we will start a new lab comparing composition of soil

As always, please post comments if you have questions or need some help.  That is what I am here for, to make sure you are successful. 

Mr. Parsons

Humanities Questions

These questions were due today for homework.  Here they are for your review:

Short Response Questions

1.  How does the current situation in Egypt compare or relate to the Egyptians of the past?  Compare the past events to the current situation in Egypt.

2.   What are some ways in which the Egyptian Republic of today mirrors the ways of the Ancient Egyptians?

Science Fair....take some deep breaths!

Tomorrow the written portion of your project is due.  This should be typed in 12 point font using Times New Roman.  All the sections in the Green Science Fair Packet should be listed.  Please staple the yellow rubric on the back of your paper.

The following things should be listed:
1.  Question/Purpose
2.  Research
3.  Hypothesis
4.  Variables/Materials
5.  Data
6.  Results
7.  Conclusion

Review of Literature and References should also be attached.

The Boards will arrive tomorrow and you will able to work on them over the weekend.

Most of you have done some tremendous work and I am looking forward to seeing the final projects.  Keep working hard and you will be rewarded.  Your work gives a sense of accomplishment and shows the Peirce Community what great students I have!

Mr. Parsons

This Week and Homework

There was no homework over our short Thanksgiving break, although your conclusion for Science Fair is due tomorrow.  Many of you have already turned this and that is great to be working ahead.

What's on for this Week
Science:

• Conclusion due tomorrow for Science Fair
• Work on boards (should arrive this week), review of literature, and references

• We will have 3 labs this week in Earth Science and continue to focus on soil and the garden problem

Humanities:

• Humanities will discuss the past 100 years of Egyptian history
• We will also review for our culminating piece, our exam

I hope you are all well rested and ready to continue to work hard!  We have much to discover for the remaining 3 quarters.

Mr. Parsons

Science Fair Timeline & Class Homework

Science Fair
November 19th--Sections V and VI in the Green Science Fair packet are due on Monday.  This means that you must have done your experiment by Monday so that you have data and can make an analsys.

November 26th--Section VII, the Conclusion is due.  Please make sure to use the rubric to see what you will be graded on.

November 30th--A Final, typed project is due.  If you need to use a computer, please come after school any day of the week except Monday to do so.

December 3rd-5th--You must be ready to present your results to your classmates.  You will be graded using a rubric that is worth 50 points.

BOARDS-Are ordered and paid for and will be available next week.  Please remember, this is the last thing you do and can not start until you actually do the experiment.

Homework
There are 2 assignments due Tuesday.  The first is the Article #3 for the Current Events.  You must read an aritcle about a scientist, researcher, or an invention.  This is worth 15 points.  Due for all 3 Periods

For Periods 1 & 2--you must finish the worksheet on "Evidence and Opinion".  Be prepared to work on the analysis on Tuesday.  You also must have your Review of Literature to me by that date for it be used in the Science Fair

Period 3--Please complete your reference page for Tuesday based on the article(s) you read for your Review of Literature.  We will do a peer review in class, find information that needs to be cited, and complete a reference/bibliography page.