More Guest Speakers!

This week (December 7-11th) we had TWO more fabulous guest speakers!

The first was Shelly Krishnamurty, a Hindu woman. Her presentation was interactive, and she demonstrated how to put on a Sari (traditional clothing for Hindu Women) on several of the girls in our grade. (See photos) She talked about the importance of parents, teachers, family, and other important values to all Hindus. Shelly also gave us additional information about festivals, food, rituals, prayers, alters and traditions.

The second woman was Helen Thayer an amazing women explorer. Helen came on Friday (December 11th) and talked about her challenging journey alone with her dog to the north pole. She talked about her many encounters with polar bears, thin ice, and frost bitten fingers. Her story of how was inspiring, and quite amazing. Helen's professional photos were gorgeous and she talked passionately about her journey. Helen also mentioned her other two expeditions, staying six months ten feet away from a wild wolf den, and walking across the Gobi Desert. Helen left every girl excited about adventure, and ready to conquer the world. (No pictures of her because of National Geographic Copyright issues.)

Genes, Chromosomes, Proteins and Candy!

Last week we started a new unit in science! Genetics! We started studying the structure and function of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and the twisty double helix shape it creates. We learned about the sugar-phosphate-carbon atom back bone, the hydrogen bonds and the base pairs made from Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine and Guanine. Everyone was quick to cringe at the mere mention of sex cells and why they only have 23 chromosomes. We also learned the how small chromosomes really are, and the two main functions of DNA (reproduction, and making proteins.) Then, to go more in depth on the subject, we participated in a hands on "lab." In partners we made the "ladder" shape of DNA using marshmallows and toothpicks as the hydrogen bonds and base pairs and red licorice vines as the sugar back bone. We then twisted the ladder shape into the typical double helix shape of DNA (See video of Aiyana Metha and Natali Shumlak). Then, continuing the learning we "un-zippered" the DNA strands, separating the base pairs. Then one partner pair got a new "backbone" and joined up with another base pair partner.

This week, we continued our work in genetics and learned about the second function of DNA. Making proteins. A few volunteers had letters taped to their shirts that said "A", "T," "C," "U," and "G," representing the base pair chemicals (Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, Guanine and Uracil. They got their correct partners and used their bodies to create the back bone of DNA. Then we leaned how RNA Polymerase makes RNA (ribonucleic acid) by traveling along the DNA, "unzipping it," making copies of one side of the back bone/base pairs, and then reuniting the original pairs. After demonstrating with the class, we watched a more technical video on how this process (called Transcription and Translation) really works, and in real time.

Upcoming Chapter 6 Pairs' Quiz and Individual Test

Upcoming Chapter 6 Pairs' Quiz and Individual Test

We are wrapping up chapter 6- writing equations from word problems and solving systems of equations using three methods: the equal values method, substitution method and the elimination method.

Our Pairs Quiz will be on Friday, Dec. 11th and the Individual Test will be on Tuesday, Dec. 15th.

Follow Up...

Hello All,

Thank you so much to those of you who came to the Unwind parent-daughter book meeting we had today at lunch. We had a lively discussion on the controversial issues the book brought up, and how the futuristic view of society Neal Shusterman gives, relates to everyday life. I had a wonderful time, and especially enjoyed hearing other classmates and their parent's perspectives of the book. Hopefully this enjoyable discussion will be quickly followed with many others!