Welcome Back to School!

I am so excited for the 2018-2019 school year. School starts this year August 6th. We have so many great learning experiences already planned, including an archaeology dig on the playground and our overnight excursion to Journeys Outdoor School. Here is a quick rundown of school supplies for this year. It would be great to have them come in on the first day of class. -box of Kleenex -bottle of glue -1 box of colored markers -3-ring binder (one and half inch) -8 tabs for the binder -red correcting pens -thin Sharpie -regular Sharpie -a few pencils -USB storage device for the computer -package of lined paper (unopened please) -70-100 page notebook -$15 for class magazine, science lab book, other misc. supplies purchased by teacher -one GREAT attitude and a sense of humor (most important item on the list)

Filming Movies

After learning about the gold rush of 1849, students wrote movie scripts for a historical fiction (or documentary) about the gold rush. Today, students begin filming their stop-motion movies.

Olympian David Wise Visits

Jessie Beck had an assembly with THE David Wise today. At the end, students were able to give him each a high five and even touch his gold medal!

Gold Panning and the Science of Gold!

As we learn about the California gold rush to gain information in creating stop-motion movie about it, we learned a little of the science behind how a gold pan actually works. Students were able to dry pan for gold using Cocoa Puffs (dirt) and gold colored mints (gold). Also, we have a tub of water and sand with heavy BBs where students will take turns throughout the week actually using a real pan.

Living Museum

The school was transported back in time on Wednesday, as students morphed into American history characters from the past. For the past 5 weeks, students have researched multiple sources, wrote a report with a bibliography page and cited all their sources, and memorized their 2-3 minute biography. Wednesday students spread themselves apart outside and came to life when their on button was pushed. The museum was packed with parents and many classes who came to learn about these great people who had a part in shaping America history.

Reaction Rockets

We saw Newton's law of "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction" while launching our reaction rockets Tuesday. Students compiled data on how high each rocket flew after being dropped from different distances. Next, students will find averages, plot on a coordinate grid, and analyze results....looking for patterns.

Nevada Historical Society and Planetarium

Thursday we had a great day on our field experience. We started at the Nevada Historical Society Museum at UNR. Our class was split into two groups, which each had a specialist lead the tour. We learned so much, and reinforced so much about our learning in school. Next, we watched an educational film about the Maya people and the astronomy they used. This connected to earlier learning this year as well. Finally, the director of the Fleishmann Planetarium came out and personally gave us a talk about astronomy and what could be seen in our night sky (although it rained Thursday night). The rain stayed away and we were able to eat a picnic lunch out on the grass, taking turns seeing the amazing sun dial there that is accurate to the minute (although it was 2 minutes off).