I am Moving

I am in the process of creating a new "Google Sites" version of this webpage.  It is a learning experience, and I'll be experimenting with it throughout the summer.  If you are looking to keep up with me, check out the new space here --

https://sites.google.com/a/nativity-cincinnati.org/msdanielspage/

International Fair -- 2011

The International Fair for this year was wonderful.  The presentations were fun and interesting.  The food was yummy.  We had lots of guests, and it seemed everyone had a good time.  Here are some of the pictures --

Email from Janie about Egypt and Palestine

Today in my email was this message from Janie -- this is the sort of thing that makes a teacher smile.  Thank you, Janie!

Ms. Daniel,
 I saw this on the internet today and thought it was so cool that we just learned a little bit about Palestine during International Fair. I thought you might like to read the article, too.
                       Janie M. :)

Egypt permanently opens Gaza border crossing - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110528/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_gaza_border

Caftans

It is the week before the International Fair, so today, we donned our caftans and took some pictures.  It is fun to see the product of all that hard work.

Sewing Caftans

It takes a small army of volunteers to help students sew their caftans.  Here we are, as on the appointed day, our moms and grandmas appeared with their portable sewing machines to turn the classroom into a caftan "factory."

Reconciliation Goals for 6th Grade -- 2011

Here are the goals that 6th grade students set for our class this year. As we come to the end of the school year, it is good to look back at where we've been and evaluate how we've done. Review these goals that our class chose to work on this year, and then leave your comment about how you see these goals being met (or not) this year.

1. KINDNESS GOAL -- I will not gossip, and I won't listen to those who spread gossip. 
2. CONFLICT RESOLUTION GOAL -- I will stop choosing sides. 
3. HELPFULNESS GOAL -- I will be a better student, a better friend, and more helpful to others. 
4. INCLUSION GOAL -- I will work to eliminate drama, exclusion, and gossip.

Making Caftans

As part of the preparations for the annual International Fair, students make their own caftans to wear for the event.  The caftan pattern can be found here.  The first step is to measure and cut the fabric.  So here are some pictures of students cutting their caftans, pinning them, and getting them ready to sew:

Studying Fractions

It is so crucial to really understand fractions before going on into the more abstract areas of mathematics.  Here students work together to model mixed numbers, using fraction pieces:

Genetics and Probability

Students are learning about genetics, and that means understanding some basic ideas about the mathematics of probability.  Here are photos of a lab activity meant to demonstrate the probabilities involved in hybrid crosses:

Meiosis Modeling

Students modeled the process of meiosis (the formation of gametes) using lengths of ribbon.  Them moved, themselves, through the various stages, on a pleasant sunny day in the old gym.

Understanding Genetics: Human Health and the Genome

Read this discussion of dominant and recessive genes and then answer the questions that follow. Your written work should be neatly done, using good grammar, spelling and punctuation. Understanding Genetics: Human Health and the Genome Questions -- 1. Describe how dominant and recessive alleles work to create the trait for red hair. 2. What is a dominant negative allele? 3. Click on the hyperlink at the bottom of the article for a list of some dominant and recessive alleles. Make a table and list 5 traits that are influenced by dominant/recessive alleles.

Ancient Africa Murals

Students have spent a few days learning about and discussing the ancient African civilizations of Ghana and the Nok cultures that gave rise to the Bantu language.  Working in groups, they created "murals" based on what they learned.  Today, we hung their art work in the school cafeteria.  They are unique, beautiful, full of meaning and symbolism.  Take a look.

Guayquil, Ecuador

As we welcome the delegation from Jefferson School in Guyaquil, Ecuador, I thought it would be fun for students to see a video of the city of Guyaquil. It is a very pretty place...

Phases of Mitosis

Several students were absent last week when we watched the youtube video on the Phases of Mitosis.  I have excused the work, but I encourage you to watch the video as it contains a very good and detailed explanation of Mitosis.  The best way to watch this is to try and duplicate his diagrams/illustrations as he talks...

Hands On Equations

As we move into solving more complex algebraic equations, one of the tools students will use is a product called "Hands on Equations."  If you are curious about how this might work, here's a quick Youtube video of a young student (age 8) solving an equation using the method