9.30 Maths

8th Grade
Today we explored Translation Symmetry in Problem 1.4. The following practice is assigned:
All: 1ACE 28-30 (Labsheet)
-plus-
R2: 1ACE 50-53 (Labsheet)
-or-
R3: 1ACE 55, 57 (Labsheet)

7th Grade
Today we looked more at distance vs. time relationships in graphs and tables in Problem 1.4. The following practice is assigned:
All: 1ACE 6-8

9/29 Science

Science projects representing a 'growth mindset' using multiple intelligences are due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

9.29 Maths

7th and 8th Grade

All students are expected to turn in their final draft of the "Where Do I Fit In?" Learner Profile Data Analysis Report at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

9.28 Humanities Homework

If you did not complete your station work, please finish the following.

ODD ONE OUT

1. Use the glossary and index to define these words.

2. Decide which word does not fit with the rest. Choose the odd one out and explain why.

3. Circle the word that you believe is a trait of government.

· Declaration of Independence

· Natural Rights

· John Locke

· Bill of Rights

2nd group of words...

· representative democracy

· republic

· direct democracy

· constituents

This week in science

Greetings Parents/Guardians/Students,

This week in Apollo Science, students will be working on their science projects on Monday and Tuesday.  On Wednesday, we will present the projects in class, offer peer review and start grading the projects.  Towards the end of this week, we will introduce the scientific method/inquiry and how scientists conduct the work of science.   

9.28 Maths

7th and 8th Grade

All classes have been working hard on their Learner Profile Math Reports. Students are expected to arrive in class on Tuesday with their representation (graph) completed. On Tuesday we will put the report together with and introduction and conclusion.

Apollo Learner Celebration Night

Dear Parents/Guardians,
By now you should have received an invitation from your student about attending the Celebration of Apollo Learners this Thursday, October 1, from 6:00 to 8:00. This event is a chance for your to student to let you know what they have learned about themselves over the past month. Each student will have a 1/2 hour block to discuss their learning with you. Please return the sign-up slip tomorrow. If you are unable to attend, students can discuss their learning with another adult who is vested in their learning, i.e. grandparents, aunts, uncles, or family friends or we can set up another time to meet.

Please be sure to return the RSVP form, or to email Mr. Smith with your time preference. The following time slots are available:

6:00 to 6:30

6:30 to 7:00

7:00 to 7:30

7:30 to 8:00

If you have any questions, please call your student's advisory teacher on Team Apollo.

9/25/09 Science

Parents and students can find an overview of the project expectations and scoring rubric in the science folder on the links for students page.  Scroll down just below the image of the brain and click on "project overview and requirements" and "project rubric" for these items. Student projects are due on Wednesday September 30th.  I'm already encouraged from the creativity that I've seen!

9/24/09 Science

Representing a growth mindset project due Wednesday September 30th. All students should be working on representing the science behind learning and a 'growth mindset' using their multiple intelligence indicators.

9/23/09 Science

Students should come to class tomorrow with a couple of ideas for their project in science. The project will be due on Wednesday 9/30. Students are to represent a 'growth mindset' and the science behind it through their multiple intelligence indicators.

9.23 Maths

Both grades practiced the skills from our recent investigations. No practice is assigned as homework.

Humanities Practice/ Homework

1. Study for Quiz on Super 6 and Basic 5 paragraph essay

2. From the back of your chart answer:

What did the Maya, Aztec, and Inca governments do to improve quality of life?
(quality of life= what you need to live and the comfort you live in)

Is structure necessary to ensure access to resources?
(resources = jobs, money, food, education, protection.....)

9.22 Maths

8th Grade

We continued our exploration of the relationship between reflection and rotation symmetry in Problem 1.3. Students are assigned the following practice:

1ACE # 20-25 (there is a labsheet for this assignment)

7th Grade

We continued our examination of how graphs show changes in variables in Problem 1.3. Students are assigned the following practice:

Readiness Level 2 (for those still learning): 1ACE #4

- or -

Readiness Level 3 (for those feeling confident): 1ACE #5

9/21/09 Science

1)  Corrections on the 14 levels of organization circles (due Friday 9/25)

2)  This week in Apollo Science, students will learn about the nerve cell, the neuron.  We will analyze the structures of the neuron and what these parts do for the cell.  Next, we will learn how neurons form neural networks and apply this to our understanding of the 'growth mindset.'  Also this week, students will begin work on their culminating assessment for this unit.   Students will use their multiple intelligence inventory to display knowledge of the 'growth mindset' and how the brain changes structure at the cellular level.

9.21 Field Trip Permission

The permission forms for the Ropes Course field trip this Friday are due Tuesday September 22. Please be sure to complete and return all three pages.

9.21 Maths

8th Grade

Today in class, students explored the relationship between reflection and rotation symmetry in Problem 1.3. There is not practice assigned, but students are expected to have completed the table from question C.1.

7th Grade

Today in class, students looked more at graphing data. Students should have completed question A from Problem 1.3. The following practice is assigned: 1ACE #27.

9.18 Field Trip Permission Forms

The permission forms for the Ropes Course Field Trip on Friday September 25 were sent home with students earlier this week. Please be sure to return all signed pages by Tuesday the 22nd. If you have any questions about this trip, please contact any Apollo teacher.

9.18 Maths

8th Grade
Over the past 2 days, students have explored rotation symmetry in Problem 1.2. The following practice assignments are due on Monday:

1ACE #10, 17
and
R2 - If you are still learning this stuff: #12-14
or
R3 - If you totally get it: #15-16

7th Grade
Students have reviewed data tables and graphs in Problems 1.1 and 1.2. No practice has been assigned, but students are expected to have completed the graph of their Jumping Jacks data.

9/17/09 Science

1) Comparative Brain Observation Guide due tomorrow Friday 9/18
2) Quiz corrections due tomorrow Friday 9/18
3) Write a reflection about today's brain observation in your science journal.

9/17/09 Humanities

Tonight is an opportunity to use the feedback from your classmates, and the rubric guidelines, to type a draft of your essay. Please REMEMBER TO USE YOUR SUPER 6 NOTES while writing. You will also have about 45 minutes in class to type on Friday. If you are a bit slow with typing you may want to get a head start tonight.

Humanities 9/16

Attention writers of the essay..
finish rough draft 6 minimum pargraphs.

Need help on the "me" paragraph? look in the humanities folder.

9.16 Maths

8th Grade
Today in class we learned about reflective symmetry.
Practice due tomorrow:
All: 1ACE #2-9 (use the Labsheet)
Challenge: #1, 31-33.

7th Grade
Today in class we explored how our jumping jack rates changed over time.
No practice was assigned today.

ALL
Your Learner Profile is due to be complete by Thursday.

9/16/09 Science

1) Students should wear scrap clothing to class tomorrow for our brain observations!

2) Quiz corrections are due Friday 9/18/09

9/15/09 Science

Students are to complete the 14 levels of organization circles by the beginning of class tomorrow (Weds, 9/16)

9.15 Learner Profile (Maths)

Students have each created a Learner Profile wiki page about themselves, where they are writing about their Myers-Briggs profile and their Multiple Intelligences.

The deadline for completing the Learner Profile is Thursday September 17.

Students - please speak with Mr. Caswell if you have any questions or concerns about this assignment.

9/14/09 Science

1) Students will have a quiz tomorrow (Tuesday, 9/15) going over lab safety, fire drill procedures and our work on genetics thus far.

2) This week in Apollo Science, students will learn about the human life expectancy and factors that have contributed towards expanding it. We will also learn about the 14 levels of organization within/throughout organisms and, towards the middle of this week, we will investigate the structure and function of the human brain. We will study neuroanatomy through the lens that we can actually change the structure of our brains, a concept known as neuroplasticity. I plan on having pig/cow brain specimens on Thursday (9/17) for students to make comparative observations. Students that are hesitant for whatever reason will not be forced to participate in the brain observations. They should see me as soon as possible for an alternative activity. Likewise, any parent that is concerned about their son or daughter handling these specimens should also contact me. Observing specimens is a memorable and exciting part of science and all students are encouraged to work within their comfort level.

9/10/09 Science

Students should expect a quiz early next week covering fire safety, lock down procedures, lab safety and our work on genetics.  The quiz will be 5 questions in true/false, fill in or written response format.  Any questions, see Mr. D.

9.8 Maths

Today in class we explored our Myers-Briggs personality types. To catch up on anything you missed, or to explore more about Myers Briggs types, visit our wiki page.

http://miltonapollo.pbworks.com/Myers-Briggs+Type+Indicators

9.8 Civil War Field Trip

Parents – your student was sent home today with an information page and permission form for a field trip to a Civil War reenactment in Shelburne on Friday September 11. This is an important team outing and we hope very much that every student can attend. Please be sure to return the signed permission form by Thursday September 10.

9.8 Team Wiki

Apollo Parents – Team Apollo is building an online workspace where students will collaborate with each other and share their learning. This is a private online space, accessible only to our students, and monitored diligently by Team Apollo teachers. Ask your child to give you a tour of our team wiki.

Apollo Students – Show your parents what you have created so far on our team wiki. You are the expert! Give them the grand tour.

http://miltonapollo.pbworks.com/

9/4/09 Science

Students are to read and sign the lab safety contract. Please return the signed contract to Mr. D by Tuesday, September 8th.

9/2/09 Team Policies and Norms

WELCOME TEAM APOLLO 2009-2010! There are several forms that have been mailed or sent home with students that need to be returned ASAP. Please review the "Apollo team norms" packet and read each class outline. Parents should complete the contact information sheet on pages 3 and 4 of the packet, and parents AND students should sign the last page in the packet. Each student should return all forms to his or her advisory teacher by Friday September 4, 2009.