Dynamic Dialog 10/30/2015

Good Afternoon Dynamic!

Upcoming Events:    November 6, 2015 Term 2 Ends
                                November 2 - 6, FOOD DRIVE

DYNAMIC is to be CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCTIVE AND  CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING!                                     

Important Information:    

We are still needing about 20 more t-shirts ordered before we can submit the order to customink. If you have not yet ordered a t-shirt please click here to order or send money with your student to give to Ms. Coffman.

At least one teacher from Dynamic will be available for help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00.

English –

Students have done an awesome job creating their characters for their realistic fiction piece. We focused on developing our characters by really getting to know them. To achieve this, we participated in "Scene Boot Camp," where we placed our characters in everyday scenarios and figured out how they would react. Some great writing was achieved this week! Ask your student about what he/she is writing about--you'll hear some excellent "stories in progress!"

Next week, we'll focus on plotting our story arcs and taking our characters from 2D to 3D! If you have any picture frames (8X10 preferred), I will take them! I am working on creating a gallery of our writing. It's fun for students to see their work framed and displayed with pride! 

Email: kraushaar.kaitlyn@wgmail.org

Math- 

This week in math we worked being able to recognize the constant of proportionality through graphs and tables. Students were able to find if there was a proportional relationship in the tables and graphs and to explain to me about the movement that was happening. We started working on solving proportions by cross multiplying and identifying the relationships between and across them. We will continue next week with talking about a sense of scale and some more fun proportion activities. 
Algebra is currently working on functions!

mathrm214.blogspot.com

coffman.ashley@wgmail.org 

Science –

Dynamic Science

Thank you to the families who donated pumpkins for the gravity experiment on Thursday!

The learning goals this week have been:

1. I am able to develop and use models to describe the role of gravity.
2. I am able to question and investigate to find answers using inquiry.
3. I am able to clearly communicate using data tables and graphs.

• Cross-Cutting Concepts
• Systems and System models: Defining systems and system models are ways to understand ideas/concepts.
• Cause and Effect: Investigating and explaining causal relationships may predict and explain events.

• This week has been studying the concepts of gravity.
• Measured circumferences and weights of the pumpkins and  calculated the radius, diameter, volume, and density.
• The pumpkins were dropped out of the science classroom window into a kiddie pool filled with potting soil.
• Measured the time to fall, the diameter of the crater, and the depth of the crater.
• How does the mass of the pumpkin affect the time it takes to fall?
• How does the density of the pumpkin affect the depth of the crater?
• How does the diameter of the pumpkin affect the diameter of the crater?

• Vocabulary: Axis, Eclipse, Ellipse, Gravity, Moon Phase, Orbit, Revolution, and Rotation.

Goal 2:  I am able to develop and  use models  to describe the role of gravity.

4	I demonstrate innovation, in depth inference(s), or advanced application(s) with the learning goal.  In addition to level 3 I am able to: critique models to demonstrate understanding of role of gravity in the universe.
3	I am able to be able to: explain motions of specific objects in the universe and solar system in terms of gravity.

Next week the students will analyze and interpret the data from the gravity experiment with pumpkins and write a conclusion!

If you have any questions or concerns please email me!

Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels - daniels.mark@wgmail.org

Social Studies –

We have wrapped up our look at Ancient Egypt this week.  Students will be taking a quick vocabulary test next Tuesday.  We went over the vocabulary words on Thursday.  Students also received a study guide for the upcoming summative Unit Test.  The Unit Test will be 

Dynamic Social Studies Course Website:

www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson Dr. Smith's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/

Dynamic Dialogue 10/23/15

Happy Weekend Dynamic!

Upcoming Events:     Oct. 26^th – 29^th Red Ribbon Week

                                     Oct. 29^th – Pumpkin Drop

                                     Oct. 30^th – No Student Attendance

Please consider donating a pumpkin to Dynamic Science for the Pumpkin Drop experiment investigating gravity and crater formations! Any pumpkins about 80 pounds are smaller are welcome!

The students should bring them in to the room 212 before 1st period on Monday! 

DYNAMIC is to be CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCTIVE AND  CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING!                                     

Important Information:    

The order for t-shirts has been extended again. We have to reach a certain number of shirts ordered to get our low prices. We still need about 20 shirts ordered! If you haven't yet ordered one of our awesome team t-shirts please do so! Click here to order.

At least one teacher from Dynamic will be available for help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00.

English –

This week, we had a lot of fun coming up with ideas for our realistic fiction stories. We learned new strategies for coming up with fiction ideas--unlike me when I was their age, our students now know that good fiction ideas do not come from the clouds! They can be stories that echo our own personal experiences, stories that we wish existed in the world, stories about places that inspire us, or stories that are inspired by current events or issues. Please ask your student about his/her story ideas! There are some really great ones.

As an option for reaching the "expert" level for class participation

We will be picking our page goals back up on Monday. Students had a week break from tracking their reading, but most still read for pleasure, which is awesome! Students will be constructing a reading response on Monday in class. 

Email: kraushaar.kaitlyn@wgmail.org

Math- 

This week in 7th grade math we talked more about proportions. The students learned how to recognize a proportional relationship. I set up a crime scene situation when student comments and statements about the crime and they used their knowledge of ratios and proportions to solve the crime. They did a really good job and were able to figure out the culprit. Next week we will continue our work with ratios and proportions and looking at tables and graphs.
Algebra just finished chapter 3 this week and will be starting chapter 4 next week!

mathrm214.blogspot.com

coffman.ashley@wgmail.org 

Science –

Dynamic Science

The learning goals this week have been:

1. I am able to develop and use models to describe the role of gravity.
2. I am able to question and investigate to find answers using inquiry.
3. I am able to clearly communicate using data tables and graphs.

• Cross-Cutting Concepts
• Systems and System models: Defining systems and system models are ways to understand ideas/concepts.
• Cause and Effect: Investigating and explaining causal relationships may predict and explain events.

• This week has been studying the relationships among our Solar System.
• Read 2 articles: "Scientists Cheer as Space Probe Lands on Comet!” and "Scientists Eager to See Close-ups of Ceres, a Texas-sized dwarf planet,” and answered questions.
• Preparation for a Scientific Inquiry experiment comparing brands of dish soaps.
• Did the Dish Soap experiment in class.
• Class discussion analyzing and interpreting the results of the dish soap lab.

• Vocabulary: Axis, Eclipse, Ellipse, Gravity, Moon Phase, Orbit, Revolution, and Rotation.

Goal 2: I am able to develop and  use models  to describe the role of gravity.

4	I demonstrate innovation, in depth inference(s), or advanced application(s) with the learning goal.  In addition to level 3 I am able to: critique models to demonstrate understanding of role of gravity in the universe.
3	I am able to be able to: explain motions of specific objects in the universe and solar system in terms of gravity.

Goal 3: I am able to develop and  use models  to describe cyclic patterns of lunar phases.

4	I demonstrate innovation, in depth inference(s), or advanced application(s) with the learning goal. In addition to level 3 I am able to: critique models to demonstrate understanding motions that cause lunar phases.
3	I am able to be able to: model motions that cause lunar phases.

Next week the students will do a gravity experiment with pumpkins! The great pumpkin drop will be on Thursday recording:

• Time it takes different pumpkin masses to fall.
• The depth of the crater.
• The diameter of the crater.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me!

Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels - daniels.mark@wgmail.org

Social Studies –

I have really enjoyed looking through the Egypt projects.  I am grading them with your student - which is leading to some great conversations.  Next week students will receive a vocabulary activity with a test to follow on November 3rd.  We will soon be wrapping up Egypt.  At that time students will receive a study guide in preparation for their summative test.

Dynamic Social Studies Course Website:

www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson Dr. Smith's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/

Dynamic Dialogue 10/16/15

Good afternoon Dynamic!

Upcoming Events:     Oct. 23^rd – Picture Retake Day

                                     Oct. 23^rd – All School Party 3:30 – 5:00

DYNAMIC is to be CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCTIVE AND  CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING!                                     

Important Information:    

On Tuesday, October 20, the students and staff at Hixson Middle School are going to see the documentary film called "He Named Me Malala" at Ronnies 20 Cine and IMAX. This field trip experience was funded through a grant from The Malala Fund. The field trip is free to all students, including transportation. The concession stand will be open for students to purchase snacks and all students will be given a 13% discount on their purchases. This is a powerful film about one girl's efforts to make education available for girls in Pakistan. In 2014, Malala won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.

This field trip is free to all students and only requires a signed slip if students are OPTING-OUT of the trip. We understand that permission is given to attend the field trip unless a signed OPT-OUT form (attached here), is turned in. We will be missing our regularly scheduled lunch time but will have lunch on team when we return. Students have the option of bringing their own sack lunch or paying $5.00 for three slices of Jetts Pizza.

Below is a trailer for the film so that you can get a flavor for the upcoming experience.

Please email Mrs. Pettid at pettid.lisa@wgmail.org  if you would like to opt out of the field trip

At least one teacher from Dynamic will be available for help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00.

English –

We finished up generating ideas for our realistic fiction this week. As writers, we know that some of our best ideas come from our own lives, so we focused on writing "short starts" about stories we've experienced. These seeds have the potential to turn into a longer realistic fiction piece.

Next week, we're going to take that first step into realistic fiction writing--fictionalizing personal experiences! 

Email: kraushaar.kaitlyn@wgmail.org

Math- 

mathrm214.blogspot.com

coffman.ashley@wgmail.org 

Science –

Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels - daniels.mark@wgmail.org

Social Studies –

We have continued our work on the Egypt Project.  The project directions, links and rubric are posted in the Unit Resources/The Ancient World/Egypt of my website.  The project is due October 19^th.  Next week we will be wrapping up Egypt.

The Learning Goal for the project is Time, Continuity, and Change.  The expanded learning goals are available on my website.  The student self-check is located on the project page of my website.

Dynamic Social Studies Course Website:

www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson Dr. Smith's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/

Dynamic Dialogue 10/9/15

Happy Friday Dynamic!

Upcoming Events:   Oct. 2^nd – Book Fair

                                   Oct. 13^th – 15^th – Parent Teacher Conferences

                                   Oct. 13^th – Second quarter bus pass due

                                   Oct. 14^th – Early Release Day

                                   Oct. 16^th – No Student Attendance

                                         

DYNAMIC is to be CONTINUOUSLY PRODUCTIVE AND  CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING!                                     

Important Information:    

There are times available Tuesday evening 13 October and Wednesday, 14 October in the afternoon. If you do not find a time, please contact Coach Daniels at daniels.mark@wgmail.org to set up an alternative date and time.

Hixson Middle School Parent Conferences

We are looking forward to learning from you how we can best teach your child!

Mrs. Kraushaar and Ms. Coffman are trying to get tables and chairs for their classroom  through Donors Choose. Sonic is offering partial funding through Limeades for Learning for projects that receive the most votes in their area. You can vote once per day, per device (so use your Dells, Chromebooks and phones!), and no log-in is required. Just a simple click is all that's necessary! Please share if you can!. Click here to vote!!!

Still need to order a Dynamic t-shirt? Click here.

At least one teacher from Dynamic will be available for help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until 4:00.

English –

We started our realistic fiction unit this week! Students worked on generating some ideas for personal narrative topics, which will segue into turning those topics into ideas for a realistic fiction piece. Real events often inspire fiction, and that's the idea we're working with next week as well. Students received a tiny notebook to take home with them--if they wish, they can write down some more ideas for a story that come from their own experiences! 

Students are continuing to gather "seeds" for reading responses from their own independent reading. Four seeds are due on October 19th, and students will have the 19th to work on their first response, which will come from one of their four seeds of thinking. Though we are moving into a writing-specific unit, I will continue asking students to read outside of class toward their page goal and monitor their reading through the responses they write every two weeks. 

Email: kraushaar.kaitlyn@wgmail.org

Math- 

In regular math this week we just started our new unit on ratios and proportions. We talked about things to look for in the grocery store. Ask them about what they learned about the price tags in the grocery store! They should be able to help you out with what a better deal would be! Algebra finished up on proportions and created pages to be put together into a book. The book contains interesting facts about animals and if we were proportional to them. Check out the blog!

mathrm214.blogspot.com

coffman.ashley@wgmail.org 

Dynamic Science -

The learning goals this week have been:

1. I am able to develop and use models to describe the role of gravity.
2. I am able to develop and use models to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases.

• Cross-Cutting Concepts
• Systems and System models: Defining systems and system models are ways to understand ideas/concepts.
• Cause and Effect: Investigating and explaining causal relationships may predict and explain events.

• This week has been studying the relationship between the Moon and Earth.
• Important concepts studied/investigated are 1) Rotation causes day and night, 2) revolution causes a year, 3) a moon day and moon year are identical, 29.5 days which explains why we only see one side of the moon from Earth, 4) Gravity is the attractive force between any objects with mass. Gravity is increased as the mass of an object increases, and gravity increases as the objects get closer.

• Vocabulary: Axis, Eclipse, Ellipse, Gravity, Moon Phase, Orbit, Revolution, and Rotation.

Goal 2: I am able to develop and  use models  to describe the role of gravity.

4	I demonstrate innovation, in depth inference(s), or advanced application(s) with the learning goal.  In addition to level 3 I am able to: critique models to demonstrate understanding of role of gravity in the universe.
3	I am able to be able to: explain motions of specific objects in the universe and solar system in terms of gravity.

Goal 3: I am able to develop and  use models  to describe cyclic patterns of lunar phases.

4	I demonstrate innovation, in depth inference(s), or advanced application(s) with the learning goal. In addition to level 3 I am able to: critique models to demonstrate understanding motions that cause lunar phases.
3	I am able to be able to: model motions that cause lunar phases.

Next week the students will finish Earth/Moon relationships and begin seasons.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me!

Dynamic Systems Science – Coach Daniels - daniels.mark@wgmail.org

Social Studies –

We have begun our work on the Egypt Project.  The project directions, links and rubric are posted in the Unit Resources/The Ancient World/Egypt of my website. 

The Learning Goal for the project is Time, Continuity, and Change.  The expanded learning goals are available on my website.  The student self-check is located on the project page of my website.

Dynamic Social Studies Course Website:

www.hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson/Classes/pettid

Lisa Pettid – pettid.lisa@wgmail.org

314-918-4602

Please visit the following links for more information: Hixson home page -http://hixson.webster.k12.mo.us/pages/Hixson Dr. Smith's blog - http://hixsonprincipal.wordpress.com/