Grade 5 took a deep dive into chlorophyll and photosynthesis. The class gathered various leaves from our campus and extracted the chlorophyll by pressing the leaves onto coffee filters. Then they performed some liquid chromatography over two days to discover what colors of chlorophyll were in the leaves they collected. Various shades of green, yellow, red, purples, and orange were discovered in green leaves!
The 7th Grade began their study of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They compared plant cells to animal cells and learned about cell organelles, their structure, function, and location. They will use the microscope to compare and contrast plant and animal cells before Thanksgiving break. One of the really fun activities they performed was making cell cake models. Each student was responsible for bringing in something tasty that resembles their assigned organelle (special thanks to Taylor and Ryan for making the cakes...er, cells!). We had a great time decorating the cake while reinforcing our knowledge about each organelle in the cells. But I think the students will all agree that the best part was eating their cell creations at the end of class!
Grade 8 investigated changing states of matter using several computer simulations in class. They learned that water melts and freezes at the same temperature...how could that be? They know! They used a phase change graph to model the different states of matter and how energy changes with each phase. Our eldest class also investigated the proportional relationships of two gas laws: Boyle's Law and Charles' Law. With calculators at the ready, they developed an understanding of how temperature, pressure, and volume have an effect on the behavior of gasses.
