Why Are We Learning This?

Last Week

Pierre reads his short story to the class.

A student holds Fahrenheit 451,
a book on the
Bucket List of Science Fiction

Because of a staff illness, we had to rearrange some plans in Science. While the students were asked to keep up with their Lesson 4 reading, we worked on building inference skills as we read They Are Made Of Meat, a short story by Terry Bisson. As we read, students were asked to write what they knew and, as a result, what they could infer, (ex: we know that the characters collect samples and study them. We can INFER that they are scientists.)

Children experience a "bomb drill" to get context about the
short story, "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury.

We also touched on how authors have used science fiction to investigate how science and technology effects our lives now and in the future. Many science fiction stories investigate themes such as nuclear war, peace, and religion. As an exercise in narrative writing, I asked the students to write their own science fiction story. I was impressed and entertained.

I am editing them for grammar, spelling, and style. (this was a pass/fail grade. They received full points for completing it) 

As a bonus, I gave my students a 'Bucket List" of Science Fiction literature.
What would you add to the list. Feel free to comment. 

Next week

5th through 7th will focus on the WHY's of scientific research in preparation for the UNIT test on Friday. They can use previous tests and flashcards as study guides.

8th Grade will take a test on Tuesday on the history of life on earth. I predict they will do well. From there we will examine classification. They are already familiar with the vocabulary and concepts I expect them to do well.

They have already had access to the cards. I am sharing them with you.

The Best Plane EVER!

Last Week

5th, 6th, and 7th grades studied about how we get scientific

Osamu Imamura places a paper airplane in a
wind tunnel. His plan? To launch this plane
from space!

knowledge. They learned how and why we form new hypothesis and come up with new scientific ideas. As a lab, the students are working on a long-term project of testing airplanes to see which types flies the farthest.
Next week, we will be completing our experiment, looking at our result, and sharing our procedure with other classes to get consensus on our findings. 

This mosquito is trapped in amber. It may
actually have fed on dinosaurs!

8th Grade studies fossils! We talked about how fossils are formed and made our own "fossils" using Play-Doh. This lesson was important in understanding the proof behind the theory of evolution. 
     


    
Next Week

Dyson claims that its vacuum cleaners
are superior. Can we prove it?

5th, 6th, and 7th grades Will be finishing their paper airplane experiment. Can you help them by making air planes at home. What other questions can you think of that involve paper airplanes. We will also be studying and reviewing for our Unit 1 test. You can help by asking them questions about what they learned in this unit. 



8th  grade we will be learning about the geologic time scale and how we measure and record the age of the Earth and the life on it. 

Learn and Do!

         
Next Week

These students are learning about light refraction and reflection
after testing. Remember children learn by experience. Please watch
"5 Dangerous Things For Your Kids to Do"
 in the Parent Resource Center
(right pane of this page)

5th, 6th, and 7th grades will be studying about how scientific ideas are formed. The chapter will be broken into two sections. Your child will be served well if you read with them or, at the least, talk to you about what they have read. If you can't tell you much, then maybe you should have them read to you while you are doing another task (driving, cooking, working in the garden). Most of the poor grades in this class are due to poor reading comprehension. Fixing this is going to be a TEAM EFFORT!

Reading comprehension is a challenge for this generation. Science and History studies are CORE classes that help students with text-to-world connections. 

8th  grade will be studying the evidence of evolution. This is a very tricky subject for the student and the teacher. Our faith gives us one picture of creation while science, at times, gives us another. It takes wisdom to know which story to believe and, more importantly, when the two stories are saying the same thing. What do you know about dinosaurs and fossils? Have a conversation with your child about your experience and thoughts on evolution. All conversation is good conversation. 
Below is a video that might help to get the conversation started. 
          
Flashcards for 5th- &th are below... or just check Engrade. 

5th - 7th grade Flash Cards (Law vs. Theory)

Let's Investigate!

Science Projects!
Science Fair is Coming! I am preparing material and time lines that will help students prepare for the Science Fair. Although the fair won't be until January 15th, there will be some steps to complete before we get there. 

Step 1: Come up with an idea. 

Sit down with your student, and talk about what their interests are. Then see what kind questions can be taken from that. 

Example:
 I and my son love to play Wii Boxing. My son believes that, when his character has been knocked down, that frantically rocking the controller will make him get back up faster. I didn't think so and I could find no instructions or documentation to support that hypothesis. So we tested it. 
*POOF* Science project!

This morning, we wanted if the loud music playing in the car effected his performance on piano tiles. 
*POOF* Science Project!

Yesterday, my son wanted to know how an airplane is made. 
*fizzle* Not a science project. 
There is nothing to test here. Just look it up. Very few testable questions start with "How?" 

Below is a quick video that will help you get started. Remember, you must be patient and you must talk. You are going to have a LOT of lemons before you find a good idea. 
 


         
This Week
5th, 6th, and 7th grades studied the scientific method. We did several

experiments in class that taught us the difference between the independent and dependant variable and how to let out data define our conclusion. This is an idea that we will need to explore more because it is foundational to how we practice science. 


8th  grade studied the Theory of Evolution. They needed to know the difference between natural selection and artificial selection and what factors contribute to natural selection. There are a lot of relationships that we need to explore that we will continue to explore next week. 
            

Next Week (no change)
5th, 6th, and 7th  will learn about the scientific method. This will prepare them for Science Fair greatness! Scroll down for flashcards to help with study. Click Here to play more games using the vocabulary words. 

8th grade students will learn how to make an artificial life form and study it as the learn about evolution and Darwin. This would be a great time to talk them about how you view The Theory of Evolution as a Christian. Click here for vocabulary flashcards.

Scientific Investigation Cards

Evolution Flashcards

Week of 09/08/2014

Class Pets
We have classroom pets! One is a goldfish named Mr. Lecter and they other are a pair of African Dwarf Frogs named Bill and Bob (or Salt and Pepper. We are still trying to decide.) Mr. Lecter looks bored in his plain tank. We would like to decorate. If anyone has aquarium rocks left over, please send them. We won't need many. It is a small tank. Mr. Lecter thanks you!
         
This Week
5th, 6th, and 7th grades learned about science and scientist. They learned that science depends on Empirical Evidence. that means that you have to prove your claims. 

8th  grade learned about the and what things need to survive. Do you know what those things are. Ask your qualities that define life 8th grader to test you. 

Students experiment to test the claim that Mr. Raines is psychic.

The DC2 students observe algae and plankton using microscopes. 

            

Next Week
5th, 6th, and 7th  will learn about the scientific method. This will prepare them for Science Fair greatness! Scroll down for flashcards to help with study. Click Here to play more games using the vocabulary words. 

8th grade students will learn how to make an artificial life form and study it as the learn about Evolution and Darwin. This would be a great time to talk them about how you view The Theory of Evolution as a Christian. Click here for vocabulary flashcards.


Scientific Investigation Cards

Evolution Flashcards

The Week of 09/02/14

This Week

Pretty cool,right?
Apple has been going through
 this cycle for 10 years
 and now they are 
releasing the iPhone 6!

Along with classroom procedures, The students learned about the Iterative Process. This is the process that engineers and inventors go through to invent new things or improve old ones. In summary the iterative process is:



Here are some of the things we have done week one. 

Two students from GC 5 engineer a "flying flashlight"
using the iterative process.

Students get to see plankton under a microscope
projected onto the screen. The plankton and algae are samples
taken from the tank of our classroom fish. 

Next Week

The 5th through 7th grades will begin their exploration of the scientific method. They will learn how science is practiced. They will also begin reading assignments that will help them learn how to draw information from text. They will be reading Unit 1, Chapter 1 of their Introduction to Science and Technology books. They will be tested on their understanding of this material on Saturday. 

The 8th grade will begin their investigation of life. By the end of the week they should be able to explain why something is living. Wednesday, we will walk to the beach to collect samples from Lake Michigan to examine under microscopes. Question: Is fire alive?

Let There Be Light!

 


Here are some pictures of the
2nd and 3rd graders using Play-Doh to make 
squishy circuits. This is a VERY easy way
of introducing children to simple circuit building. 

Students did the same thing using 

2AA batteries and light bulbs.

All of these experiments can  one at
home using very common supplies.
See the video below.  

The Story of the Very Hungry Yeast

This week, the students learned about fermentation. Below is the cartoon I drew to teach Kindergarten through 4th grade sugar becomes ethynol.

Here, these test tubes have fermented sugar in them

Students are looking for bubbles of CO2. 

 

 

Meet Mr. Raines

Hello!
My name is Aurelius Raines II. I will be teaching the X-Men group for the remainder of the summer.
I've been a teacher with the Cambridge School for 10 years. I've taught every grade from Pre-K to 8th and every subject from Spanish to Science. If you want to learn about what I do, feel free to Google/YouTube me (I am the second of three Aurelius'. I am neither the pastor or the 13-year-old rapper/poet. You can keep track at the AWESOME things that we do at my blog cambridgesas.blogspot.com.

I want to really leverage the time I have with your students. With your support, I look forward to making a lot of progress!

Here is a summary of my plan:

ASSESSMENT
This first week has been spent reassessing your child's skill level. I know this has been done already, I just have some extra questions that will give me a better idea of how we are going to move forward. I've spent this week reviewing and creating a general and individual lesson plan for each one of my students.

MATH
One of the areas of need that I have already identified concern fractions, decimals, and logical thinking. In addition to the work that I'll be doing with them in class, the students will get along a lot better if they also do some practicing at home. Khanacademy.org has a wealth of math lessons and practice problems that I can track easily from anywhere. This will give me real-time intelligence on their progress and help me to adjust their individual lesson plan as time goes on. It will also be a tool that you, as a parent, can use as your student goes into the next school year.

READING AND WRITING

I will build students writing and structure skills with daily writing prompts, workshops, and evaluations. We will read a series of short stories and essays to see model of good writing and as a way of build reading comprehension and informational text. Click here to see the writing rubric I will be using. 

I love feed back and thrive on communication with my students and their parents. Please do not be shy about calling, texting, or e-mailing me. Teachers have VERY boring night lives. 

Cell: 773-727-9092

e-mail: araines@cambridgechicago.com

Up, up, and Away!

My students fly paper air planes as learn about the forces involved with flight. Lift vs. Gravity and Thrust vs. Drag.

 As promised, Kindergarten through 2nd Grade learned about flight by making and flying paper air planes. We learn by doing. We identified when the plan had lift, when gravity pulled it down, when our hands provided thrust, and the drag from the air. 

Next week, we are going learn about electricity and how a basic circuit is formed. We will be building small light circuits from scratch. For many of us, electricity might as well be magic. Our knowledge of electricity and circuits don't go far beyond putting batteries in our television remote. In an effort to protect our children from electrocution, they don't even know what a power outlet is or what it does. 

My hope is to help children learn about electricity in a fun and safe way. We be using 3-volts to operate small light bulbs. 

Science at Home 

I'm sure we all have an appliance, electronic device or toy that is broken. Pick one of these devices and sit down with your child at an empty table. Get a screwdriver and take that thing apart. Make sure it is NOT plugged in and the batteries have been removed. You don't have to know what you are doing. Just observe. Look for pieces like:

Motors

 Magnets

LEDs

Well? What do I so with this Stuff??

Go to instructables.com they have LOAD of fun projects for rainy days or anti-bordom ammunition. 

Welcome to Summer Science

My name is Mr. Raines!

I am a science teacher with the Cambridge Summer Camp. I've been with Cambridge for 10 years and look forward to bringing my experience

This summer, I will be lighting a little fire in your student. 

Do not ask your child if Mr. Raines sets
his hand on fire.

I will focus on teaching your student the fundamentals of scientific observation (click on the link to see an earlier article on small children and the scientific method). They will do experiments in Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. 

My newsletter not only includes news about what has happened, and what will happen in my class, but it has tips and tricks for science at home. Remember, I am only your assistant teacher. You are the most important teacher in your student's life!


THIS WEEK

 The Kindergarten- 3rd grade contemplated the nature of AI (artificial intelligence)
The question was asked:
Can Robots Think?
We ran a variety of "maze runner" tests to see if our robots (HexBugs) were able to learn. For some of our groups, the results were inconclusive. Run the test at home. The bugs only inexpensive and fun to play with. 

The 2nd-graders count the seconds until their
HexBug escapes it's "cell".

Kindergarten kids watch the Hex-Bugs "fight" to see
which one is the strongest.

Science At Home

Next week, we will learn about aerodynamics and the physics involved. The easiest way to do that is making a paper airplane!

Can your child fold a paper air plane? Can you make one? No problem!

First, let me explain why this skill is important. 

• It is important for your student to develop the fine-motor-skills involved with paper folding. 
• paper folding demonstrates fundamentals in geometry. 
• this activity will broaden your child's skill-set in a number of unquantifiable ways. 
• Parents of healthy and smart children know that PLAY IS IMPORTANT!

Below, there is a link to website that has PRINTABLE templates for paper planes. It also has step-by-step video instructions on how to fold your plane. 

How to fold an airplane

If you are throwing them in the house... BE CAREFUL. 

Zoom!

The formula for acceleration.

6th and 7th grade have been learning about motion. There are MANY types of opportunities for experimentation. This week, in our study on acceleration, we learned how to calculate acceleration. It's SO easy! 

Students make observations about
mass and acceleration by pushing each other down
the hall. Mr. Raines is next!

Just take the velocity (speed in a direction) at the end of your trip, 
and subtract it from the speed at the beginning of your trip. Then divide that from the time of your trip. 
Now you know your acceleration! 

According to our last test, we've also had to work on interpreting graphs. This is also a good skill to brush up on before testing begins. We did an exercise in class where we had to look at a graph and tell a story based on the data in the graph. 
Here is an example:

The graph to the right shows Zahi's Bike Ride. Zahi got on his bike for the first time this spring. The gears were rusty and stiff and it was very hard to pedal at first. The more he pedaled, the more rust that fell off the bike. After 4 seconds the bike was much easier to pedal and he went faster and faster. Eventually, he was moving at 20 meters per second! Like the Flash!

Here are some web sites that will give your student some practice in graph interpretation.

Data and Graph Practice

Khan Academy Graph intuition



8th Graders are studying the wonderful world of evolution and adaption. This week, we've studied the work of Charles Darwin (Chuck D). We are also using him as a model as we study our own ecosystem at Darwin Pond. In this lab, we are studying a virtual pond. The students get to create their own micro organisms and study how they evolve and adapt. They are recording their observations in a lab journal. Click here to download the free software at home and run tests on your own. 

Read me, Please!

First, I want to openly thank you for your support and flexibility. As I listen to my "teacher friends" complain about the lack of parental involvement at their schools, I can't help but brag about my dedicated and involved parents. As of the writing of this letter, we have secured two of the trips to the museum. Mrs. Ferguson has dontated money to cover one bus trip and The CPC has dontated money for another trip. The museum wants two more additional sessions and have offered us a bus scholarship to cover two of the trips. I am awaiting further confirmation and details. You all have come through in the best way!

Science

6th and 7th are moving from chemistry to physics! Newton, Einstein, forces, motion, simple machines, electronics.... I'm getting dizzy just thinking about it! Please make sure your child is reading the chapters. I've noticed that many of them simply answer the study questions without reading the text. They are not seeking understanding of the text and this shows in their assessment. Some of the errors that I notice on tests are less about cognition and more about work habits. This is an area of concern for all of us who care about the education of these children. Let's hold our geniuses accountable. Read with them. 

8th graders learned about Gregor Mendel's pea experiments. We even did a virtual simulation in class. We will be planting some potatoes in class turn learn about the different ways some organisms reproduce. 

Please make sure your children are watching Cosmos every Sunday at 8pm. It is a science documentary that is well produced. It is educational and entertaining. (click on the word Cosmos in this post to see the last episode).

It Was Fair!

Science

I am writing this entry of the Dali at the awards ceremony of the  Regional Science Fair Awards ceremony. Nikkia Ferguson, Joshua Lambert, and Azia Papillon participated and made Cambridge Proud. 


Nikkia Ferguson received a participation award in Chemistry and was elected to the Science Fair Board as the Student Ambassador.
Azia Papillon placed silver in Electronics. Joshua Lambert placed Gold in Physics and received a Silver Award for his paper.

This has been an educational experience for all involved. I want to thank the students and parents for all of their hard work. The experience we've gained this year will make us a stronger and more effective team next year.

Gregor Mendel, father of
modern genetics

6th and 7th grade will testing on Thermal energy, tomorrow. From there we will be moving from Environmental Science to Forces and Motion. I am still providing tutoring on Thursday, after school.  

8th Grade will test on sexual and asexual reproduction. We will plant some clippings  We will get into the work of Gregor Mendel. He was a clergyman who did experiments on pea plants that are the foundation of everything we know about genetics. If you had the opportunity, would you "design" your perfect child from scratch?


History

There is a four-page (hand-written) rewrite of our persuasive papers due next Friday (03-14-14). We learned about the different categories of paper 

We are preparing for another debate. We have been learning about violent and non-violent revolution. We will be debating the merits of violent uprising over non-violent protest. This subject has been prevalent in the news for the last two years. What do you think about the effectiveness of non-violence resistance on the face of violent oppression.