February 1-16: Pennies for Patients Drive

February 15: Spring Open House: FRMS 3:20-6:30

March 12-14: Student-let Parent/Teacher Conferences (evenings)

March 15-25: NO SCHOOL! Spring Break!

April 10-12: ELA State Testing

April 17-18: Math State Testing

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Mrs. Meeks

This week we will be discussing the book, Black Ships Before Troy and discussing gods and goddesses. Students will be creating their own god or goddess as well. Also, the Venus habitat project is due for most classes on FRIDAY< FEB 16. Due to the incentive celebration and missed class time, 6th hour students’ projects are not due until the following MONDAY, FEB 19th. See below the information that went home on February 2nd.

Venus Base Model Project

Because technology enables human travel to Venus are still under development, much of the research and early planning is done by using models and simulations. Engineers must brainstorm all of the possible scenarios that could occur at a Venus base and design technologies for Venus pioneers to use in those situations.​

​

For this project, you will build a model of a Venus Base Colony that would allow humans to live on Venus. Please remember that this is a futuristic view of a Colony- Science Fiction or a “Tomorrow Land.” It must include the following four Elements:

1. Food source- Create a food source- What will people in the colony eat? Where will they get their food from? Example: Will your Colony grow their own food, or will they have a machine that will provide dehydrated food (like MRE’s)?

2. Transportation- Will the people in your colony fly? Will they use flying cars, rockets, etc.?

3. Water Source– The rain in Venus is acid- how will you solve this problem in order to have consumable water for your colony?

4. Shelter- What will the homes look like? It SHOULD NOT

look anything like our actual houses on earth.

Task: Create a Venus Base Model​

Step 1: Research Venus’ environment and problems it presents to human life​

Use the articles found in our classroom Literature book, you may also use the web (or library) resources to research the environment on Venus. In order to get an idea on how you will construct each element/expectation/sections. (Check-In on Feb. 5/Students have already completed this sheet in class- it will just need to be checked for points)

Step 2: Research and brainstorm solutions to the environmental problems on Venus and how they will affect your elements/expectations/sections. (Check-In on Feb. 7)

Step 3: Plan and design your base model. ​(Check-in on Feb. 9/ Students will have to bring their sketch and info sheet to class and get Mrs. Meeks’s initials on their paper)

· Create a drawing outlining your base model plan – ​

· what will it look like ​

· what features will it have (think back to steps 1 and 2)​

· what materials will you use to build it

Step 4: Seek out classmates and/or adults for feedback on your design​

· Make changes to address the suggestions and feedback you received – show these changes on your sketch.​

Step 5: Create your base model​ (Final Project is DUE ON FEBRUARY 16TH)

· Using your sketch as a guide, build your Venus base model. You should use “found objects” to build your model. Parents should NOT have to buy anything!

GRADING:

Category

10

8

6

4

2

Points Earned

Project Expectations

The project has all 4 required elements

The project has 3 required elements

The project has 2 of the required elements

The project has 1 of the required elements

All Elements are missing

___/10

Apparent Amount of Effort

Project has no distracting errors and it shows the students has put a lot of effort on the assignment.

The project has few distracting errors and it appears the student put some effort on the assignment.

The project has several distracting errors and it shows student has put in some-what of an effort on the assignment.

The project is disorganized. It seems student has rushed and put no effort on the assignment.

Missing

___/10

Appearance

The project is exceptionally attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness

The project is attractive in terms of design, layout and neatness

The project is some-what attractive, though it may be a bit messy.

The project is distractingly messy or poorly designed.

Missing

___/10

Presentation

The student speaks loudly, clearly, and engages the audience.

The student speaks mostly loud and clear enough and mostly address the audience.

The student is not loud or clear enough and does not look at the audience.

The student does not speak.

Missing

___/10

Essential Question:

1. How do circumstantial factors impact an individual’s chance for success?

Please be sure your students have sticky notes!!

For this unit, students will receive the stories on printed handouts and will be able to highlight passages or take notes in the margin.

Signposts:

Aha Moment: Sudden realization

Again and Again: Repeated words or phrases

Contrast and Contradiction: Acting out of character (not as expected)

Words of the Wiser: Getting advice from someone older and wiser.

Memory Moment: Bringing up a memory from the past.

Tough Questions: Asking questions that do not have an easy answer.

Email: [email protected]

Ms. James Language Arts:

MONDAY: Start Venus Habitat Project: Read Venus stories.

TUESDAY: Continue stories

WEDNESDAY: Research Venus (computers need to be charged)

THURSDAY: Continue researching project

FRIDAY: Sketch habitat design.

Daily: Journal, Calendar, Spell/Vocab

Homework: Assignments not completed during class will be homework and must be completed by the start of the next class unless otherwise stated.

Information:

Students are expected to come to class prepared by bringing sharpened pencils, assigned reading, journals, binders, and charged computer.

Students are responsible for taking any quiz/test or turn in assignments when they are absent. They are to talk to their teachers and set up a date and time.

Students may come in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays before school to get help. The library is also available in the mornings for students wanting to work before school.

Email: [email protected]