Hello Everyone,
This week we continued looking at the Aztec world. We explored the structure and make up of Aztec society which is similar to other societies. It seems that humans tend to organize themselves in similar ways no matter the time or place. How is this similar or different than our society?
We looked at how the Aztec family and the clans, expectations for children and for other members in society. We looked at their money system (coco beans), their schooling and their law.

Next week we continue to compare them to what we have studied before and how they may be different.
Soon we will get to Spain, the specific group that will contact them, their world view and why they do the things that they do.

Have a good weekend.

Hello Everyone,

This week we have begun our study of the Aztec people. We are looking at the specific details of their society and as in all things the fundamental aspects that make up and influence their worldview. Aztec culture, located in the valley of Mexico is totally different than the European view we studied during the Renaissance. However while the details may be wildly different there is a similarity in structure as we will see this week coming up. There is similarity that you should see through all of the things that we study. Hopefully you will be able to identify what that is.

Have a great weekend.

Happy New Year!

This is for since we have returned from winter break.  Apologies, we're back to once a week updates on Friday.

In Math We Have:

• Talked about concepts we want to understand more.  Our list includes:
• addition of multi-digit numbers
• working with decimals (especially money)
• rounding numbers (like penny rounding)
• Worked on addition pyramids (so fun)
• Solved some word problems.
• Identified and solved Equations.
• Worked on our weekly challenge booklet.
• Mathletics
• Got a new Math Minute Duo Tang!
• Worked on our Visual Journal.

In Science We Have:

• Explored Simple and Complex Machines.
• Finished planning our Construction project with machines (spoiler alert:  it's math too).
• no plan, no building (this has been emphasized by Mr. Lajeunesse and myself)
• those of you who are ready to build will begin next week
• Discussed the importance of invention and failure.
• Watched Tomorrowland.  There is an assignment that goes with this.  Have you completed it?
• Built structures out of different materials (Lego, straws, Popsicle sticks, chopsticks, skewers, tape......).  Tested them to see if they worked.  Improved them based on our observations. 
• Many of you made boats.  What will you make next week?
• Worked on our Mechanical Systems Booklet.
• Some of us worked on Mechanical Systems Vocabulary.
• Worked on our Visual Journal.

Other Stuff:

• Have you updated Iris recently?  New goal? New understanding? New Strategy? New artifact?
• Keep working on Mathletics!
• Use a TITLE when you add things to your Visual Journal.  Add things often!
• Got our Semester 2 Exploratory Classes.  If there is a concern please talk to me!!

Hello everyone,

I hope that you have enjoyed your time off during the winter break and that you are falling back into the school routine with a minimum of discomfort.
We have again taken up the work of practicing important skills in our daily reading and writing activities.
We have continued our research and critical thinking practices through the chapter questions.
This week we concluded the major study of the Renaissance in Europe.
We have highlighted some of the key contributing factors that have built the western world view such as Humanism, the scientific method and the beginning of the age of exploration.
We will next be moving on the the Aztec people. We will study their culture and their world view and in time see what happens when these two civilizations meet for the first time.

Have a great weekend.