Hendricks High School Happenings
September 19-September 30th
English
Everyone has been learning to use google class for assignments and collaborative work.
Grades 11/12 are reading 1984 by George Orwell.
Grades 9/10 are reading Watership Down by Richard Adams
Grades 7/8 are reading Redwall by Brian Jacques
In creative writing, students have created their own characters, and are now working on collaborative story projects in which their characters are taking part in a shared plot.
In video production, students are currently in the editing process for their own versions of a fake product which they made up. They brainstormed scenes and sequences, filmed clips for the project (30 separate clips), and are now editing their own projects to create personalized commercials.
Science
The fifth graders took a nature walk to Lake Hendricks and selected one organism from our local ecosystem to research. We now know more about squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, dragonflies, butterflies, pelicans, crappies, wild buckwheat, rabbits, and willow trees than we ever knew before!
The sixth graders learned how heat and the speed of molecules causes substances to change state. Check out their "Energy Theater" video production below in which they act as water molecules to model the processes of melting, freezing, condensation, and evaporation.
The seventh and eighth graders created a scaled model of our solar system, complete with an asteroid belt! We are now trying to figure out how the mass of each of these objects affects their gravitational pull.
In physical science, we used an online simulation and element puzzles to find patterns in elements on the periodic table. Stay tuned for chemical reactions!
The results are in from our Chemistry class: Lake Hendricks received a "medium" rating of 65 (out of 100 points) for water quality. Ask an eleventh or twelfth grader where we scored "high" and "low," and don't stop asking until you understand the science!
Social Studies
In social studies the 5th graders wrapped up Unit 1 with a test, and we will now explore the different tribes of the Americas. Students will be working on a fun project which compares and contrast the differences between the various tribes. In MN Studies, the 6th graders will each present a Google Slide research presentation on a tribe from MN next week. We also discussed the Ryder Cup coming to MN. In Government we discussed and watched highlights from the first Presidential Debate, attempted to amend the Constitution, as well as acted out balance of power scenarios outlined in the Constitution. In Global studies the students presented a Google Slide on different immigrant groups to MN, and will now explore the physical and political features of N. America. In Human Geography, the students will be researching the different religions of our world. It’s been a fun two weeks, and I’m looking forward to conferences this coming Tuesday.
Mr. Thoresen
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