Flag Towers!

Today students had a mini lesson on the history of flags. Students then designed an individual flag on a post it note. Next, students working in pairs were given 15 large note cards, a yard of tape, a paper clip, and a pair of scissors. Their challenge was to get their "flag" as high on a tower as they could. All students were able to complete the task, and a few groups were even able to get their flag over the 34 inch mark. Our last step was writing a reflection letter on the students new netbooks. Well done Champions!

Students Building...

Students typing their reflections on their news netbooks

Lego Go Carts!

This Friday students created their own Lego Go Cart. First, students were given their own bag of Lego's with several sets of wheels to build and test their vehicle. Next, we raced our cars on our very own DATA A8 track! After the races, students wrote reflection post cards to a parent about what they did, what they learned and how their car performed. Well done Champions!

Period 1-2

 Period 3-4

 Period 5-6

Lego Figure Tower!

Today we modified the well known "Marshmallow Tower" project by using a Lego figure instead of a marshmallow. The results were outstanding! First, we did a Visual Thinking Strategy of looking at a tower. Next, we went over some key vocabulary for building such as modify and structure. Students then were put into pairs and received their allotment for the activity.... a yard of tape, a rubber band, 30 spaghetti strings, and a Lego figure. Students did an amazing job building. The class high score was 27 inches! Once we were cleaned up, students wrote a reflection letter. Well done Champions!

Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year!

Welcome! This school year is going to the best one yet! Check back here soon to see our first building project!

Sailing The Nile!

Champion students participated in a PBL focused on the benefits of renewable energy. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to harness wind energy to their advantage in trade with their neighbors along the Nile river. After reading, annotating, and writing about the history of sail energy in Ancient Egypt, students constructed their own sail boats using the following set of materials:
one foot of tape, seven straws, and one large note card

From those materials students created, tested, modified, and raced their boats along our "Nile River".
Many students were successful in crossing 'The Nile" and becoming the Queen's and King's of the Nile River!

Getting ready to sail....

And there off..... along "The Nile"...

Our next step was to write a post card to the Mayor of Ventura persuading her to have the city invest more in renewable energy for the benefit of future Venturans in years to come.

Our last step was having students write a reflection of what they learned during the PBL in their on-line portfolio. The reflection included screen clipping pictures of their sail boat and post card.

Way to go champions!

Ancient Egypt Studies: Live It, Be It!

We have begun our Ancient Egypt Studies, and are learning a lot about this impressive civilization!
Focusing on the State Social Studies 6th grade standards at:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/documents/glc6thgradecurriculum.pdf


Just a few of our lessons so far have included comparing and contrasting Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt in a variety of ways.
We have also read multiple versions of the Myth "Osiris and Isis" (and acted it out).

 After reading, acting, and creating, students are ready to write an impressive essay of what they have learned.

Students also tried to make their own pyramid....

We are very proud of the Champions of A8!

Ancient Egyptian Deities!

We studied Ancient Egyptian Religion, then students created their own deity to re-create using a Lego figure. Next, students created a word bubble of what that god/ goddess would say as an attention grabber to a persuasive essay as to which deity is the most interesting and why! Champions students did an amazing job!