Mr. J’s Learning Lab News
Vol. 2 Issue 4- November 2014
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THEME OF THE MONTH: SPACE TECH
[Robotics (Big Hero 6), space travel (Interstellar & NASA, Hunger Games Hovercrafts)]
This month we begin our fourth monthly theme of “SPACE TECH” featuring the robotics and inventions of Big Hero 6 (such as Baymax), the “Interstellar”space travel from NASA featured in the new movie of the same name, and Hovercraft designs like to ones featured in “Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt.1”. In science we will be doing various hands on examples of these 3 science theories. In arts, we will be creating mathematical and scientific pictures related to robots, stars, and the galaxy. We will be learning three new songs for the Masterpiece Showcase finale. The three songs represent the 3 weeks/areas of our theme- For robotics/Big Hero 6: Fall Out Boy's “Immortals” featuring samples from Styx “Mr. Roboto” and the Beastie Boys “Intergalactic.” For NASA/Interstellar space: “In the Stars” by Icona Pop and from the Hunger Games soundtrack: “Night Sky” by CHVRCHES.
At home, students will be making three-dimensional Dodecahedrons (twelve sided shapes) for this month’s STREAM project. The template & direction sheet are attached.
Here is a calendar for what we will be doing this month in the three learning labs:
week 1- Robotics/Big Hero 6
MONDAY, NOV 3- Arts Lab- Introduce new theme, songs, new math site, dodecahedrons, Introduce/draw Big Hero 6 robot- Baymax
TUESDAY, NOV. 4- Tech Lab- Typing Web, Moby Max, NEW First in Math site!
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5- Sciences Lab- Robotics Lab, Baymax Photo Bomb
THURSDAY, NOV. 6- Tech Lab- Typing Web, Moby Max, NEW First in Math site!
FRIDAY, NOV. 7- Arts Lab- Big Hero 6 day, continue practicing new songs, Big Hero 6 inventions
MOVIE NIGHT at OAKMONT 8- Time TBA
week 2- Interstellar/NASA
MONDAY, NOV. 10- Arts Lab- practice songs, Draw stars and galaxies- barred spiral, etc.
TUESDAY, NOV. 11- NO SCHOOL - VETERAN'S DAY! Honor a hero today!
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12- Sciences Lab- Interstellar space, NASA Apps
THURSDAY, NOV. 13 & FRIDAY NOV. 14- Mr. J, Mrs. Earl , and families @ NASA Overnight Adventure
At school: Two days of Tech Lab- Typing Web, Moby Max, NEW First in Math site (FIM)
week 3- More NASA, Hovercrafts & Hunger Games
MONDAY, NOV. 17- Arts lab- continue songs, finish Stars/Galaxies
TUESDAY, NOV. 18- Tech Lab- Typing Web, Moby Max, FIM
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19- Sciences Lab- Hovercraft technology
THURSDAY, NOV. 20- STREAM Projects DUE Tech Lab- Typing Web, Moby Max, FIM...
HUNGER GAMES Mockingjay OPENING NIGHT at 8p.m. (Tickets on sale NOW)
FRIDAY, NOV. 21- Masterpiece Showcase at 9:00 a.m., Hunger Games MOCKINGJAY Capitol Arena (in back field),
Early release at 11:30
THEN… THANKSGIVING/FALL BREAK (NOV. 22-30TH)
SEE YOU BACK DECEMBER 1ST FOR OUR NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM THEME!
STREAM Projects
Mr. J has been so impressed by the great projects turned in for the first three months of the school year! They have exceeded Mr.J’s high standards, and October’s MINECRAFT creations were the best yet! Attached to this Newsletter you will find a rubric/Step guide to complete this month’s Dodecahedron SPACE TECH Project (DUE THURSDAY, Nov. 20th).
New MATH website! First in Math
Our school has a new Math game website “www.FirstInMath.com” from the creators of the “24” board game. Each student will get a unique username and password and will be able to access the site at school and home. The site has math games, a skill set “gym” and other features. Students must LEVEL UP to unlock bonus games and increase their rankings. Mr. J found the site at the FCTM Math convention in October, and hope it adds a new dimension to our Math curriculum.
Moby Max November Contest
Our first two contests for this school year have been great! We are looking to see students continue to accell on their MobyMax accounts in November. This month’s contest winners will be based on the MOST TIME actively spent on the new Module called READING SKILLS INFORMATIONAL on the MobyMax site. To check your student’s time, login to their account and click the Time/Alerts module button, then use the right arrow button to see the module.
TypingWeb Third Contest
This year, Mr. Y found us a great new site that challenges your typing skills in unique ways. This will be great learning for our new state test, The FSA, and we will be having monthly contests based on various elements from the website.
Our next contest will be MOST WPM (Words Per Minute) for students who have spent at least 45 minutes or more on the site practicing. When you log onto your Typing Web account you can practice your typing skills, play typing games, and then MAKE SURE to challenge yourself to the Typing Test! You can take the test as many times as you wish, and each time it will let you know how many words per minute you can type. You will have until November 20th to see if you are the winner, so keep trying and typing!
Upcoming Events and Important Dates
November 3- Start our Robotics/Space unit (NASA, Big Hero 6, Interstellar, Hunger Games hovercraft)
November 7- BIG HERO 6 Movie Night (Time TBA)
November 13 & 14- NASA Overnight Adventure at Kennedy Space Center
November 20- Hunger Games opening night (Oakmont 8 @ 8pm, Tickets already on sale & going fast!)
November 21- Masterpiece Showcase (9 a.m.), Early Release 11:30
November 22 until November 30- FALL BREAK, No School, Happy Thanksgiving
December 1- Back to school, begin new Night at the Museum theme
December 6- NIGHT at the MUSEUM event at South Florida Museum (more details soon…)
EXPECT A NEW LEARNING LAB NEWSLETTER AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH MONTH
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