October Description

In October we will be continuing our study of the features of space. We are just finishing the Earth-Moon system and will look at the solar system. The mechanism of the sun’s energy production and the parts of the sun will be studied. Each student will be responsible for researching a planet in the solar system and comparing its features to Earth’s. The rough draft of this research will be due on October 9^th and the oral presentation with a visual aid will be on October 13^th. Each student will be allowed only one note card with up to thirty words. It is the intent of the project that the students learn the features and comparisons and not merely read the material to the class. This project has an oral component for two reasons. First, the students are only researching one planet and will benefit from hearing about the other planets. Secondly, oral presentations are done to help prepare students for ninth grade speech, a required class.

Students will also be studying stars, various types and stages. As part of the Six-Trait writing process, students will be writing a first person story that describes the stages in the life of a star. In addition, students will take this same information and put them in picture book format for younger readers of these stages. In addition, constellations will be studied. These will be due after the Education Minnesota break.

There will be tests this month on October 15^th, October 24^th, and November 3^rd.