An Apple on a Desk

Mrs. Charles pointed to an apple sitting on her desk.  She asked her students to describe any forces acting on the apple.  This is what some of her students said.

Warren: "The only force acting on the apple is air pressure"

Kaitlyn: "There is one force acting on the apple. Gravity is the force that pulls on the apple."

Claire: " There are two forces:  the desk pushes up on the apple and gravity pulls downward on the apple"

Jaikin: " There are many forces acting on the apple; but, it is the holding force in the apple that keeps it on the desk"

Amy: " There are no forces acting on the apple because the desk stops any forces from acting on it"

Which student do you most agree with?  Why?  Explain your thinking.  What rule or reasoning did you use to decide if there were any forces acting on the apple?

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Prompts are based on the book uncovering student ideas in science by Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel

The Cay - Chapter 6

Choose two questions from this list and respond with supporting evidence from the text.

(1) Why did Philip fall off the raft?
(2) Why did Timothy get so angry?
(3) Why did Philip not want to go on the island?
(4) Would you have chosen to stay on the raft or go to the island?  Give the reasons for your choice.

Don't forget to make sticky notes for the different kinds of conflict in the chapter and be prepared to share tomorrow.

Mrs. Mikelman needs some more help!

I was reading Spirit Magazine on my flight from Houston to Dallas.  The magazine is 179 pages long, with 2 covers (front and back) AND a fold out page.  I've just become fascinated with QR codes, so I was counting how many were in the magazine.  I was on page 135 when the plane landed and didn't get to finish the magazine, but I'd counted 17 QR codes so far.  How many QR codes do you think would be in the whole magazine?  

Mrs. Mikelman needs some help!

I'm trying to keep track of how far I walk every day but I forgot to wear my pedometer on my trip last week.  I could use your help to figure this one out.  At the Denver Airport, I landed at gate B11 and walked to gate B43.  Then they changed the gate to B29.  I counted and I take 39 steps to get from one gate to another.  But there's more information you need to figure in.

All the odd gates are on one side and the even gates are the other side.  

Between gate B29 and B31 is a shopping plaza that measures 52 steps.  

Between gate B35 and B37 is a food court that measures 173 steps.

Is there any other information you need to know?

I can't make it right side up!!!

Mary Ann submitted this

Rally Around Texas!!

On Thursday we will be participating in the Red Ribbon Rally in Austin.  Here are some photos from the event last year.  http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/red-ribbon-rally-101410/#134940

While we are there, we will also get to experience a mock legislative session in the Capitol.  So to prepare for the trip, I have a few questions about our government for you to ponder.

• If you were in Congress, what state law would you propose and why?
• What are the similarities and differences between state and federal government?
• What are the similarities and differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
• What is Governor Perry's role in lawmaking?
• What is the Supreme Court's role in lawmaking?

Here are a few fun videos with some hints to my questions.  And if you dig within this legislative website, you may find additional help. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

Sugar Water

Dr. Coolidge stirred a teaspoon of sugar into a glass of warm water.  The sugar completely dissolved in the water.  Which of the following statements are true?

A. The sugar melts.
B. The sugar loses mass.
C. The sugar turns into water molecules.
D. The sugar forms a mixture with the water.
E. The sugar can be separated from the water.
F. The sugar disappears and no longer exists.
G. The sugar molecules are spread among the water molecules.
H. The sugar breaks down into individual atoms that make up sugar.
I .  The sugar chemically combines with the water to form a new substance

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Prompts are based on the book uncovering student ideas in science by Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel

Extra Grammar Practice Games

http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=487&engine=2

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/primary/primary-dolch-parts-of-speech/

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/primary-literature-parts-of-speech/

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/old-yeller-parts-of-speech/

Students, feel free to post some other fun games you find on the internet!