9th Grade: Week of February 23-27

Howdy,

This week, we will begin a new unit: Unit 3: Cells. We will begin with Chapter 7: Cell Structure and Function. The homework and DUE dates are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 24: Isaac Newton, the famous physicist, once said "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants". In a full paragraph, research what Newton meant by this statement. Who were the "giants" whose shoulders Newton stood on?

Friday, Feb. 27: This homework relates to our Mystery Class work. Ancient cultures of course had (what appeared to them) reasonable explanations for the causes of the seasons. In a short paragraph conduct research on this subject: how did they explain the seasons? Some cultures include Chinese, Incan, Mayan, Roman, Greek, Eskimo.

Have a great week,

-Mr. Pfiester

7th-8th Grade: Week of February 23-27

Hello,
We will be working on our "Designing and Electrically Wiring Your Dream House" on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will be a review of the five sections on electricity for our test on the following Monday (March 2). Friday we will continue with the Mystery Class and going outside to start an ongoing study of shadows as related to the movement of the sun across the sky. So the homework and DUE dates are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 24: Along with an adult member of your family, find out the following:

1. Is the circuits in your home protected by fuses or circuit breakers?
2. Opening up your fuse box or circuit breaker box, how many circuits do you see?
3. Explain the purpose of fuses or circuit breakers in your home.

Friday, Feb. 27: Ancient cultures of course had (what appeared to them) reasonable explanations for the causes of the seasons. In a short paragraph conduct research on this subject: how did they explain the seasons? Some cultures include Chinese, Incan, Mayan, Roman, Greek, Eskimo.

Have a great week,

-Mr. Pfiester

7th and 8th Grade: Week of February 16-20

Hello,
We will be continuing our electricity and magnetism unit. On Friday will continue with the Mystery Class activity with the graphing of two more data points. At that point you should be able to figure out whether your mystery class is in the northern or southern hemisphere. So, the homework and DUE dates (in complete sentences) for this week are as follows:

Wednesday, Feb. 18: A few weeks ago, you were assigned research the volts and amps in lightning. This week I want you to research the following about electric eels:

1. The number of volts and amps in electric eels. Is the electricity enough to just injure, or even kill, a human?
   
2. In what countries are they found?
3. Is the electricity produced mostly as a defense (to not be eaten) or predation (electrocute prey animals to eat)?
   

Friday, Feb. 20: Most people misunderstand the cause of the seasons. Your homework is to ask five people over the age of 10 this question "what is the cause of the seasons?" The submitted homework should list the person's age and their response (in complete sentences).

Have a great week,
-Mr. Pfiester

9th Grade: Week of February 16-20

Hello,
We will be finishing up Chapter 20 (Protists) this week. Tuesday will be our practice test in preparation for Wednesday's chapter test. Thursday we will discuss what unit we should study next (I want to get your input). On Friday will continue with the Mystery Class activity with the graphing of two points. At that point you should be able to figure out whether your mystery class is in the northern or southern hemisphere. So, the homework and DUE dates for this week are as follows:

Tuesday, Feb. 17: Study for Chapter 20 Test.
Friday, Feb. 20: Most people misunderstand the cause of the seasons. Your homework is to ask five people over the age of 10 this question "what is the cause of the seasons?" The submitted homework should list the person's age and their response (in complete sentences).

9th Grade: Week of February 9-13

Hello,
This will be an unusual week as you know. Monday we will have our field trip to the Sushi Tokyo Restaurant from approximately 11 am to 11:45 am. Bring a small lunch with you in case you don't find anything appetizing. Tuesday we will watch a fascinating video titled Longitude, based on the book of the same title. This is related to our Mystery Class activity. Wednesday is of course the school-wide ski trip to Magic Mountain. Thursday and Friday is reserved for teacher inservice days. The following Monday (February 16) is the Presidents Day holiday. There is no homework for this week.

Have a great week,

Mr. Pfiester

7th-8th Grade: Week of February 9-13

Hello,
This will be an unusual week as you know. Monday and Tuesday we will watch a fascinating video titled Longitude, based on the book of the same title. This is related to our Mystery Class activity. Wednesday is of course the school-wide ski trip to Magic Mountain. Thursday and Friday is reserved for teacher inservice days. The following Monday (February 16) is the Presidents Day holiday. The only homework for the week is due as follows:

Tuesday, February 10: In a 5+ sentence paragraph answer the following questions:

1. One important aspect of modern society is everybody working from the exact same time. Why is that? All the teachers here at Xavier have radio controlled clocks that have the exact time. What if Mr. Loosli had no clock at all? What if Mr. Krause had a clock 20 minutes different than everybody else? Getting a little philosophical, what is time?

Have a great week,

-Mr. Pfiester