Mrs. Martin's Blog

Famous African American Inventors

Today, we learned about some famous inventors for products we see regularly or are personal favorites.  Michael learned that Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light, Holly learned that George Crum invented the potatoe chip, and Caleb learned that Lonnie Johnson invented the Super Soaker. It was very interesting to discuss what an invention was and how before a product is available at Walmart, someone had to think up the idea and make an example before we can buy it.

Georgia Beef Board

Recently I applied for a grant to purchase different cuts of beef for new class recipes.  We have purchased $60.00 worth of beef and will be starting to learn about beef safety and nurtitional information.  In addition to the money, we were given several teaching tools and brochures to share with our families.  Coming home today is some healthy plate information about beef.  This supplements our unit from a few weeks ago on MyPlate.gov.

Week of 1/30/12

News2You is about the Super Bowl.  We changed the recipe from green cupcakes to a healthier green salad and we compared 4 different salad dressings.

We are starting to discuss George Washington this week and the history of Valentine's Day.

Are all eggs created equal?

Today, we watched the movie My firend, Martin.  We learned about how people were judged by how they looked rather than the person inside.  We then did a science experiment using white and brown eggs.  We all noted the color of the egg shells, what the cracked eggs looked like inside and then how they tasted.  We all agreed that even though the eggs were different colors on the outside, they were the same on the inside and they tasted the same.

Thursday was National Chocolate Cake Day

Week of 1/23/12

We are reading about SIKU, the baby polar bear living in Denmark.  After locating Denmark on the globe and determining that it was a long way from Marietta, we made a baby bear breakfast (french toast).  Everyone practiced whisking the eggs and spreading the butter.  A big favorite for everyone. 

We are continuing to read about Dr. King this week and will also talk about Rosa Parks.

Thursday night is Open House.  Please join us at 6 PM to hear Dr. Wade talk about the updates for the Transition Academy and post secondary options.  We will be done by 7 PM so you can still make the school open house if you have another student and want to visit their teachers.

Week of 1/17/12

This week we will be reading about the Denver Livestock Show.  In addition, we will be starting our unit on Black History with several activities about Dr. Martin Luther King.

Healthy Foods - My Plate

This week, we have read about the new system of identifying healthy foods.  My Plate replaces the old food pyramid.  We have identified and tasted many healthy foods, talked about the different departments in a grocery store and made a poster with the My Plate healthy foods.  In addition, we have been outside twice to walk for fitness.  Everyone is learning about healthy behaviors.

Welcome back to 2nd semester

I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and are looking forward to a great spring semester starting tomorrow.  We will be going on CBI to Costco Tuesday (it was either go tomorrow or give up our CBI day for the month of January).  After our tour, we will be getting a snack, but plan to return to Lassiter around noon and eat lunch in the cafeteria as ususal.  Thank you for checking your student's meal pay account and making sure to send money or update online as needed.

This week we will be reading in News2You about the new Food Plate which replaces the Food Pyramid.  We will be talking about healthy foods and ways to stay fit.  I am looking forward to getting outside when the weather improves to walk.  Please make sure your student has a coat as we will be going out if it is not raining.

On December 14th, I sent home your student's permission form for the ADPE dance at Kennesaw Mountain.  So far I have only received 4 forms back.  If your student does not have a signed permission form by the dance, we will make arrangements for them to be supervised at Lassiter while the class attends the dance. 

Instructional Focus for January 2012

1.  News2You - Topics include The Plate, Denver’s Livestock show, Denmark’s Baby Bear, the Super Bowl

GPS Language Arts - ELA11R1c; DAP recognizing information on a chart; Algebra 21 numberlines

Essential Question - Where is the story of the week located?  Is this city near or far from Marietta, GA?

2.  Literature ELA-10^th grade Dracula

Essential Question – How do the characters in the story differ from how you live?

3.  Social Studies – US History/Black History-Civil Rights 1945-1970

Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King

Essential Question – How did the civil rights movement change the way of life in the US?

4.  Microeconomics – Product market, Resource market and the flow of goods and services

GPS Economics – SSEMI1a (Basic Economics)

Essential Question – How does the farmer get his crops to market?

5.  Food and Nutrition

GPS FCS-FNW 1 & 8

Essential Question – How does good nutrition help us to stay healthy?