Lesson 1 - Monday, Feb 17 (40-minute periods)
Today in science: Using the video notes we recorded in our science notebooks during one of last week’s lessons, we created our Scientific Model of the large intestine. We also spent time discussing how–and why–a physical model of the large intestine might look both similar to and different from our physical model of the small intestine.
Homework: —
Lessons 2 - Tuesday, Feb 18
Today in science: Using a new Institute of Human Anatomy video, we were able to make a few final additions to our Scientific Model. For example, we added two functions for the tongue and added more specific names for the first and second sphincters in the stomach. We also saw and discussed an interesting structural feature of the interior walls of the stomach where 5(!!!) different types of stomach cells work together to create stomach acid, protective mucus, and chemical enzymes. We then took a first step towards creating a new set of notes to capture a ‘Big Idea’ about the human digestive system: Types of Digestion (mechanical vs. chemical). Students can see this new set of notes in the Grade 6 Notes Portal, which we will return to in Lesson 3.
Homework: —
Lessons 3 - Wed, Feb 19 (D) & Thu, Feb 20 (E)
Today in science: Dr. M took today to introduce students to some changes made to the Spring Semester grading system by helping students better understand two (related) recent grades issued for Chapters 1 & 2 of the Power Cell Packet. By using the new posters recently put up in the classroom, and the specific example of students’ complete of a “key question” in Chapter 2, students learned about “first attempts,” “feedback,” “revision scales,” and Dr. M’s new special Revision Box.
Homework: —
Lessons 4 - Friday, Feb 21
Today in science: Getting back to work of completing our final Human Digestive System model, students continued our discussion-based notes to capture a ‘Big Idea’ about the human digestive system: Types of Digestion (mechanical vs. chemical). To these notes we began adding a second Big Idea: Food Transformations. Students can see this set of notes in the Grade 6 Notes Portal. We will return to–and complete–these Big Idea notes in Lesson 1 of Week 05.
Homework: —
Announcements...
The DRIVING QUESTION of our current unit is: What happens to the food we eat?
D period homework collection days: Wednesday & Friday.
E period homework collection days: Tuesday & Thursday.
This week marks the fourth full week of the new Spring Semester.