Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Cell Investigation!

Science class this week, Team SIRIUS students have been exploring plant and and animal cell structures. The first part of this unit we used candy to create both an animal and plant cell. Then if we could remember the name of the cell that was representing the cell parts, we could eat it.

The second part of this unit was looking at cells through microscopes. We looked at slides to see if the object had cells or not. Once we looked at the cell we had to draw pictures of the them, or if the object did not have cells then we would draw what we could see in the object. 

,






Thursday, January 22, 2015

Stock Update

In the the two weeks the Sirius students have "owned" stocks the stocks have fluctuated quiet a bit. Netflix has recently sky rocketed. The amount of money gained and lost from our million dollars invested, ranges from 61,000 lost to about 12,000 gained.

Genetics Argument Writing

Mr. Rosenburg and Mrs. Scott speak to the class about organizing their argumentative papers.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Google Finance Project

Over the past few weeks, Mr. Griffith's social studies class has been learning about the stock market, and how and why it fluctuates. Along with hearing the vocabulary: dividend, interest, bond, etc, we have also invested in the market ourselves! Using google finances, the each student has invested in different companies that they think will profit, when given exactly $1,000,000.

Deck the Doors 2

This week we will find out the winners of the Deck the Doors contest! Many doors are now decorated with wonderful pieces of artwork featuring winter activities and teachers hidden in the decoration. A few of the awards are, TA with the best use of teacher, most creative, most beautiful, best overall, etc. Good luck to all and may the best doors win!
              

                 


               



Science Class Eye Dissection


As part of the genetics unit in science class, we dissected sheep eyeballs to learn about how the human eye functions. Sheep eyeballs are about the same as human eyeballs, so by dissecting them, we can explore more about how the human body works.






Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Language Arts and Science Genetics

In Language Arts and Science, Sirius students are working on argumentive writing, particularly on the controversial topic of genetics testing Over the past three weeks, in Language Arts, we have read four interesting articles on the different view points of: pre-implantation diagnostics, preventive action, and genetic testing. Sirius students have had many intelligent debates and have written many summaries about their own ideas and concerns on the topic. Meanwhile in Science, we have learned the ins and outs of genetic research. We have made punnent squares, dissected eyeballs, and made very creative  family trees. Recently we have had seminars coming up with questions and topics to write our argumentative papers on. This week we will write claim statements expressing our own ideas on a question of our choosing about genetics. As we progress through the writing process we will add evidence and counterarguments to our budding essays. 
(Picture Above) These are some of the questions Sirius students brainstormed during our seminars.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Winter Writing Prompt

The 2015 winter writing prompt has been happenning on January 14th and 15th. It is our first all-digital writing prompt. We are commenting, highlighting, responding, and reading the text online. Students will be typing their responses online, but printing them out, so that we have the fairest scoring possible. Many teachers, including Mrs.Magoon, are excited for this transition to all-digital writing prompts! So far there have been very few gliches in this new digital system, and we think it's going to be a success!



Thursday, January 8, 2015

Guest Speaker Matt Calhoun

Tuesday this week, Matt Calhoun, from Edward Jones investment broker, came in to our Social Studies class to teach us about investments, stocks, and what he does. He presented some graphs on how much money someone could have made by investing in various stocks, bonds.

Holiday Travels

Over winter break many things happened, like holidays, The New Year, getting together with family, and traveling! Some places traveled to were London, New York City, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, and The Cape. The most popular reason to travel was to visit family.




Tuesday, January 6, 2015

*STAR* The 3rd Owner

Chloe Schiff is the third person to earn Star, SIRIUS team mascot dog.  She keeps it safe in Mr. Griffith's room along side the former owner, Eleanor Braun. If you want a chance to have Star belong in your T.A room, just contribute to your team, show spirit, and be a SIRIUS student.