Mrs. DeSimone’s Class Page

Sixth Grade Science

We are wrapping up our human body unit with the Endocrine system where we will learn how the endocrine system plays a role in the overall drive of the human body to survive and reproduce.

To date, we have gained a plethora of knowledge about how our bodies work through various learning opportunities. We recently learned about the integumentary system and the importance of our skin.  It is not only the largest organ in the human body, but it is also our first line of defense against pathogens, as well as a vital player in our body’s ability to maintain homeostasis. Upon the culmination of this system, the students created comic strip style Public Service Announcements about the importance of protecting it during sun exposure.  They did a great job and had fun!

My expectations of the children are high, and they meet and exceed them every time.  I look forward to seeing them flourish in the upcoming months.

  
Sixth Grade students collaborating on their PSA projects

(Click to enlarge)

Eighth Grade Science

We have just completed our studies of the Sun-Earth-Moon system.  Throughout this unit, we learned about the composition of the moon, how it goes through different phases during its cycle, how the moon and Earth’s gravity controls the tides, and lastly about eclipses.

We completed interactive explorations and virtual labs.  We also worked in teams to create tidal diagrams to better understand their cyclic patterns at a specific location on Earth.  Since ancient times, human beings have been fascinated by the moon.  It's been everything from a god, to a compass, and the only cosmic body human beings have ever visited. As a culmination project, the students have been assigned a research paper to explore some of the fascinating, surprising or simply bizarre theories and myths that have been entertained about the moon throughout history.

We will then be moving into our new topic of study on Genetics and Heredity beginning with the discoveries of Gregor Mendel.  We will learn that while we are all members of the human species, we each have unique traits.  We inherit genes from our parents and how traits are outward evidence of this inheritance.

  
Eighth Grade students collaborating on the Eclipse Virtual Lab

Eighth Grade Math

We are currently studying Functions.  We will gain a better understanding of what the domain and range of a function is and whether the domain is continuous or discrete.  We will then use these functions to determine linear patterns, and recognize when a pattern in real life is linear or nonlinear.  Our overall goal is to be able to compare proportional relationships and functions, and to apply the mathematics we know to solve problems arising in everyday life, society, and our future workplaces.