The document provides updates on various subjects being covered in an ExMo class including:
- In science, units on energy/physics, ecology, geology, biology, and rocketry. Students will also work on a Physics Olympics project.
- In social studies, units on Europe, Africa, North America, and Central/South America are outlined.
- In language arts, students will work on STAAR test prep, reading various texts, and a podcast project.
- In math, classes cover geometry, measurements, fractions, and preparing for the STAAR tests. Placement tests are also discussed for advancing to seventh grade classes.
2. Science
Energy/Physics Unit
– Potential vs. kinetic energy
– Transformation of energy
– Calculating speed with games
• Bike Race and Hill Climb
– Simple Machines
– Newton’s Laws of Motion
– Energy Sources/ Energy City Project
• Design a city that runs on alternate energy sources
3. Science
Project: Physics Olympics
– 5 day project
– Design an event for the Physics Olympics
– Creativity, collaboration, and athleticism
– Newton’s Laws of Motion
– Balanced and unbalanced forces
– Speed= distance/time
– Create a graph showing motion
4. Science
Ecology and Geology
– Ecosystems – abiotic and biotic factors
– Earth’s structure and plate tectonics
– Rocks and the rock cycle
Biology
– Classification – Domains and Kingdoms
– Microscopes
– Earthworm Dissection – organization of cells
Rocketry
- Build and launch model rockets
5. Social Studies
• Current unit – Europe
– Western – test grades on Skyward
• We learned about European cultures,
created postcards, heard classical music,
and read Grimm Bros. fairytales!
– Eastern –overview covering Central
Europe and Russia
– Quiz - Wed. March 27th
6. Social Studies
• Sub-Saharan Africa
– Analyze the people, cultures, history, and
environment of regions of Africa.
– Learn about the legacy of colonialism and
the impact on Africa.
– Stay up-to-date with current events through
news articles, clips, and discussion.
7. Social Studies
• North America – Canada
– Group projects – government
structure, environmental issues,
wildlife preservation, indigenous
cultures & colonial cultures
8. Social Studies
• Central & South America
– Indigenous cultures, Spanish Colonialism,
Independent Mexico
– Culture: art, music, religion
– Current Events: economy, drug cartel,
immigration, NAFTA
– Geography: rainforests, desert
9. Language Arts
STAAR tutorials
• In class, questions targeting trouble
areas in STAAR format
• Going over questions from benchmark
10. Language Arts
Reading:
• TAG = historical fiction & Shakespeare
– Text-to-text connections
• Standard = short stories
• Everyone = poetry
14. Math – 1st/2nd
• We just started a unit on Geometry
– Identifying geometric attributes
– Angles
– Polygons
– Transformations
Next Test: April 2nd
15. Math – 1st/2nd
Next:
• Measurements of Geometric
Shapes/Solids
– Perimeter of polygons
– Areas of Shapes
– 3D figures/nets
16. Math – 1st/2nd
After the STAAR test…
• Multiplying and dividing fractions
• Adding and subtracting positive and
negative integers
• Multiplying and dividing positive and
negative integers
17. Math – 4th/5th
• Continuing the Stock Market Game
– Will end on 4/12
– Binder due on 4/19
• We are finishing up Geometry
– Test on Friday!
• Next:
– Formulas and Volume
• Metric/Customary conversions
• Perimeters of polygons
• Circumference, areas of squares, circles,
and more!
18. TAG Math News – 4th/5th
After the STAAR test…
• Surface area of 3D shapes
• Pythagorean Theorem
20. 7th Grade Placement Test
• May 21-22 (Taken in class)
• The kids do not need to study for
the test. It will test their ability on
concepts they have not learned yet
and how well they can pick up on
them.
21. 7th Grade Placement Test
• Students in regular math this year:
– Placement will determine whether they
will go into regular 7th grade math or
Pre-Algebra (7th and 8th combined).
• Students in TAG math this year:
– Placement will determine whether they
go into regular 7th grade TAG math
(doing 8th grade concepts) or Algebra I.
22. 90… 90… 90…
– Overall grade this year - 90%
– This year’s STAAR score* –
90%
– Placement test – 90%
23. Further questions?
• If you have further questions about
the placement test, please fill out an
index card with your question and
email address. I will be happy to
send you an email!
