What Did We Learn Dissecting Worms?????

You might wonder about the educational benefit of an earthworm dissection, but check out these comments from the 8th graders when asked to write down what they learned by doing their own dissection:

"Today was fun and exciting because it's my first time to dissect anything!  I was amazed about how each worm was a little different but the insides were the same.  There were all the parts in my worm from the diagram, and they were easy to find.  I loved it.  Next time we will do frogs!"

"I found out that the insides are all there like the pictures show and the intestine really holds a lot of dirt."

"Today I learned a lot and it was fun.  I learned how to dissect byt I also learned a lot about worms.  The male and female pores were hard to find, but it was cool once I found it.  It was fun finding the gizzard."

"I learned that a worm is much more complex than it looks and it does have dirt in its intestines.  And I also learned that I shouldn't be trusted with any kind of surgery because I had too much fun."

I learned that worms are very cool.  They are very complex and cool.  They have a lot of little stuff.  I found the nerve cord."

"I learned today that God took the time to make even the worm.  I also learned, and saw, that a worm has a digestive system full of dirt.  A worm also has 5 hearts and is very complex."

"I learned that worms are a lot more complex than I ever realized.  If God took the time to make something like a worm so intricately, he must really love me!  I will appreciate worms more after this experience."

Review and Practice Test Answers Posted for Algebra

See Algebra Page or Renweb for Chapter 11 Review and Practice Test Answers

Science Fair Display and Results

Students should be collecting data from their science fair experiment.  Everyone in 6th - 8th needs to show me some data by this Friday!
The display boards are in at Zion.  Send $3 cash in a marked envelope or a check made out to Zion Activity Fund to take yours home and start making your amazing display.
Handouts will go home Monday with the particulars of the display --- and can be seen by clicking the link below.  Have fun!
Science Fair Results, Display, Conclusion, and Oral Report Handout

Embrace a Hero - Service Project for National Lutheran Schools Week

The 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes have "embraced" 4 soldiers who are currently serving in Iraq. They are members of the Alpha Battery, 5-82 Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood. Over the course of the next year, we will be sending cards and care packages to them in the hopes of brightening their spirits and reminding them that people back home are thinking about them and praying for them. We will begin collecting care package items now and working on cards and letters next week as our service project for National Lutheran Schools week.

 If each family just picks up one or two inexpensive items from the list, we can send each of our soldiers a generous care package.  Feel free to write a note or letter as a family as well.

 The names of our soldiers are:

PFC Merkel
SPC Miller
SGT Morris
PFC Meyers

 Possible Care Package Items:

The Best Items To Include In Military Care Packages:
Deodorant
Shower to Shower body powder
Jelly beans
Disposable camera
Rice Krispie treats
Altoids or mints
Beef jerky
Snack mixes
Sunflower seeds
Chewing gum
Nuts
Long-distance phone cards
Little Debbie's snacks
Ziploc bags (for keeping things airtight, watertight, and fresher)
Coffee
Gatorade
Jaw breakers
Poker game
Playing cards
Dice
Music CDs
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Inflatable pillow
Cookies or muffins in individual packages (Big bags often fill with dust if not eaten right away.)
Dominoes
Canned food items
Footbag/hacky-sac
Spices (crushed red pepper), salt, pepper
Smoked oysters and sardines
Squeeze butter
Pringles chips
Individually-wrapped licorice
Microwave popcorn
DVD movies
Ramen noodles
Macaroni & cheese
Disposable shower towels
Olives, pickles, peppers (Be sure to add lots and lots of bubble wrap around these items.)
Cereal bars/granola bars
Microwave pasta that doesn't need refrigeration
Bed pillows (these were a hit with my nephew!)
Hot cocoa mix
Soup mix
M&M's (plain or peanut)
Newspapers
Magazines (these don't have to be brand new)
Koozies to keep water bottles and cans cool
AA batteries
D size batteries
Air fresheners (...like stick-ups, F'breeze. My personal favorite is Citrus Magic in the pure linen scent.)
Canned air to blow dust out of electronics
Stress relief squeeze balls
Sewing kit
Baby wipes
Board games
Shoe laces for gym shoes and boots
Brown t-shirts
Boot socks
Underwear
Hand warmers
Inflatable seat cushions
Razors
Juice boxes and drink pouches
Ink pens
Notepads of paper
Word Puzzle books
Air activated heat wraps for sore muscles
Foot massager
Icy hot patches
Microwaveable plates, bowls, paper plates
Foot powder
Vitamins
Paperback books
Gift baskets filled with lots of useful items and packaged as a present
Video games (Nintendo Wii, Playstation, Xbox)

Websites with more information
http://www.operationmilitarypride.org/packages.html
http://www.equipped.com/deployed_military_suggestions.htm
http://www.thesoldiersfamily.com/Care_Package_Ideas.html#Common_Items

Science Fair Display Boards are Here!

The display boards for your science fair projects are in at the school.  Bring $3 either cash in an envelope with your name on it - or a check made out to Zion Activity Fund...and you can take it home and start working on your fabulous display!!!!

Algebra post

answers to algebra practice worksheets on Algebra page and Renweb