Hendricks High School Happenings
January 3-January 19, 2018
Science
The sixth graders are learning the magic of metric measurements. After LOTS of practice memorizing their metric prefixes, they then designed cardboard packages suited to hold various objects with various cubic volumes. We are knee deep in math!
The seventh and eighth graders have been learning about food webs in ecosystems, as well as symbiotic relationships between organisms. They created cartoons that illustrate commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism. Check their work out in the pictures below!
The ninth and tenth graders are discovering how animals in the wild are surveyed. We are focusing on the elephant population of Botswana, specifically in Gorongosa National Park. Why is this species important? How do we know they are declining? What can be done to stabilize the population? These are questions we will be answering over the next 2 weeks. You can check out this interactive unit at http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/elephants.
The eleventh and twelfth graders are working through a variety of projects, including chemical calculations, growing lettuce and carrots in a low versus high nitrogen environment (using horse manure and water as our fertilizer,) and preparing for a forensic anthropology project. Check back in 2 weeks to see how students determined the race, age, and gender of a model skeleton.
And oh yeah, we got to video conference in to a classroom in Kansas for a guest speaker who trains and works with search and rescue dogs. We actually got to see a dog in action as it sniffed out real human remains that were hidden around the classroom. Thanks to Ms. Crystal Kerr and Wichita Northwest High School for this opportunity!
Math
Pre-Algebra is working on proportional relationship and writing equations using their knowledge of constants of proportionality.
Geometry Is learning about proportions and ratios. They will be doing a project where they will take photos of themselves with objects and then use indirect measurement to find the heights of those objects.
Pre-Calculus is learning about polynomials. We have learned about the Rational Roots Theorem, Descartes' Rule of Signs, and Quadratic patterns and how to use them to find the roots and solutions of polynomials.
Algebra 1 is learning about number sequences and variable expressions. We will soon be learning about solving one-step and multi-step equations.
English
Grades 9-10 are working on a technical writing unit. This means they are completing writing that is work force based. They have created their own employee and are at this moment working on feasibility reports.
Grades 7-8 are just finishing up a unit on Greek and Latin roots. They have been studying 53 roots. These will help them better understand academic vocabulary later in their education and careers.