Highlights from this week in PE and Science

In PE this week the girls got their chance to play dodgeball. The game was quite fun and there were no injuries this time! Two balls did go over the fence, however, and since they are borrowed, I felt compelled to go over and get them. Our very unfriendly neighbor tried to sick his very friendly dog on me. It was a little comical, but I will never be climbing that fence again, no matter what goes over!

 In Boys PE, we played one of my favorite games: Metamorphosis! Everybody starts as an egg. An egg challenges an egg to rock paper scissors. The winner becomes a tadpole and the loser stays an egg. A tadpole challenges a tadpole; the winner becomes a dinosaur and the loser becomes an egg. The dinosaur challenged another dinosaur; the winner becomes a super hero and the loser becomes a tadpole. The super hero challenges another super hero and if he wins, he is the ultimate winner, and then becomes and egg again. I have to tell you, it is absolutely hysterical to watch! Check out how funny you look...

In 8th grade today, we played a board game based on everything we have been learning about Grizzly bears. The best part may be that the game pieces are chocolate teddy grahams... I mean the best part is how much we are learning!!

The 6th graders checked out the BioVan today and it was awesome!! The 6th grade class was on their best behavior and the educators from the zoo told me that they were one of the best groups they had every worked with! The students asked great questions, stayed focused, and raised their hands when they had something to say. The 6th grade group got a special treat, too! Because they stayed to help the educators pack up all their plants and posters and skins and antlers and skulls... the students got to see the live animals packed up too. One of the educators took the Desert King Snake out of its cage, put it in a pillow case, tied off the pillow case, put the pillow case in a tupperware with breathing holes, and put the tupperware in a cooler with a bunch of other ventilated tupperwares filled with critters. We learned what a snake looks like when it is about to strike and that a snake won't strike at a wide target. The snake likes the pillowcase because it makes it feel comfortable and secure! Strange...
Good job, 6th graders!

7th Grade: Notes on Meiosis and Weekend HW

Hey you 7th graders!

Tomorrow we are having a quiz on mitosis and then we are going to start studying meiosis. Here are the powerpoint slides for the upcoming lecture: Meiosis Notes

Over the weekend I would like you to complete the workbook section on Meiosis- Lesson Q Sexual Reproduction and Meiosis pages 84-87. When completing the workbook section, I would like you to complete all questions in the margins and complete the journal activity on a separate piece of paper. You do not need to make a foldable for this section.

This is a really great website about the differences between mitosis and meiosis that you can use to help you understand the concepts in the workbook: Mitosis v. Meiosis

Run for the Zoo!! And walk too!

The run for the zoo is coming up! I know a lot of you have participated in this in previous years and I am excited for our school to participate again this year! I am particularly excited to see you all run and have the chance to run with you. The run is on Sunday, May 6th and different runs start at different times. The 1mile fun run/walk and the 3mile (5k) fun run/walk are both only $10 for students. If you would like to challenge yourself and participate in the 5k race, which I think is a great idea, registration is only $12.

Because I really want everyone to participate in this event, I am offering extra credit for registering and running in one of the runs on May 6th. If you register and run, you will receive one free homework or 2 extra points on a test. For every friend or family member that you recruit, you will receive an extra free homework or 2 more points on a test. This could really help your grade, so encourage all your friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters to get out there and run for the zoo!

This event raises money for the Albuquerque BioPark, which includes the zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens. The BioPark hosts many educational programs, such as the BioVan, which you were all able to experience this week. Without fundraisers like this run, educational programs like the BioVan would not be possible. Please support your BioPark!

If you need to print extra registration forms, click on this link: Registration Form

If you would like more information about the run for the zoo, click on this link: Run for the Zoo Website


Registration forms and fees are due to me by Friday, March 30th!

I almost forgot, every single person that registers will receive an awesome t-shirt and free entry to the BioPark for the rest of the day! What a fabulous way to spend a Spring Sunday!