December Writing Assignment

Now that Twelfth Night is over, we are diving right in to our next writing assignment. Students are being asked to write a 7 page book that will be bound in to a hard bound book by a professional publisher. 

Subject: 

Students are allowed to choose any subject they desire. Fiction, non fiction, poetry, or essay are all acceptable options. 

Length: The book is 7 written pages and 7 illustrations. Students may not go over, so editing will be crucial. 

Deadlines: 

12/9/14 - Topic chosen

12/9/14 - 12/18/14 - Rough draft written in class. 

Winter Break - Nothing, unless student did not finish rough draft. 

1/5/15 - Final draft in class (the final draft must be hand written onto the provided pages in fine tip sharpie)

1/6/15 - 1/7/15 - Illustrations

1/8/15 - Final draft turned in complete

Physics Midterms

To demonstrate understanding of the physics principles taught so far, students will work in groups of 6 to build a Rube Goldberg Machine. The requirements are listed below. 

Rube Goldberg Machine Requirements

1. Must stay within the boundaries of your area.

2. Must complete the stated goal.

3. Must include 8 transitions.

4. Must demonstrate the following principles:

          Kinetic energy

          Potential energy

          Gravity

          Buoyancy

          Spring force

          Tension

          Frictional Force

          Electrical Force

          Normal Force

          Magnetic Force

          Air Resistance Force

          Applied Force

          Acceleration

          Vectors

5. All principles must be labeled with free body diagrams and words.

6. Once the initial "button" is pushed, engineers may not interact with the machine in any way.

7. Teams may not purchase any materials. All materials must be scavenged.

8. Tape may not be attached to painted walls. 

Students will work in class and present their final machine at 12:30 on Thursday, December 18th. 

FACTS Class Postponed

This time of the year is crazy and a few parents brought to our attention that we have Twelfth Night this week, FACTS next week, and then the Core Knowledge Showcase. That was too crazy, even for me. 

FACTS will be rescheduled for late in January. 

Make Up Class Pictures