Earth Science
Have you ever wondered why the Earth looks the way it does? How do mountains and lakes develop and change? This year long course will focus on the ways and whys our Earth looks and behaves the way it does. We’ll study rock types and their formation, plate tectonics, earthquakes, and volcanoes, as well as weather systems. This class is open to all interested and is strongly recommended for 8th grade students.
The following MN State Science Standards will be covered in class:
Earth Structure and Processes
• Plate tectonics
• Earth’s changing surface
• Rock sequences & Earth history
Interdependence within the Earth System
• Sources & transfer of energy
• Weather and climate
• Materials cycles
Human Interactions with Earth Systems
• Interaction with the environment
Life Science
This course is designed to answer some of the fundamental questions in the life sciences such as: what is a living organism and how does it function within its environment? Students will learn how organisms interact with each other through predator/prey and symbiotic (mutualistic, commensalistic and parasitic) relationships. We will use an inquiry-based approach to discover and learn the key concepts that define the kingdoms of life.
Topics
Cells and their organization
Cellular Functions and Processes
Living vs. Non-living
Instructor: Julie Greene
Subject Area: Science
Classification of Life
Plants
Animals
In our study of these organisms and their survival, we will cover the following standards:
IV. Life Science Strand
A. Cells—The student will comprehend that all living things are composed of cells and the life processes in a cell are based on molecular interactions.
B. Diversity of Organisms—The student will classify, compare and contrast the diversity of organisms on Earth and their modes of attaining the requirements for life.
F. Flow of Matter and Energy—The student will describe and explain the cycling of
matter and flow of energy through an ecosystem’s living and non-living components.
The Nature of Science and Engineering
Instructor: Julie Greene
Subject Area: Science
In this class we will explore different science topics on an independent study type basis. Students will be given credit for each unit they complete. There will be investigations, experiments and research components in this course. We will focus on how science fields overlap in the process of observation, problem solving, experimentation and discovery. Once completed, each unit will be included in a portfolio. Students can incorporate different media including power point, photography and video.
Unit Topics
Problem solving
Scientific Method
Forensics
Microscope Investigations
Biology
Chemistry
Physical Science
Current Events
Genetics
Earth Science
MN State Standards
The Nature of Science and Engineering—Students will be able to:
-Understand that scientists conduct investigations for a wide variety of reasons: to discover new
aspects of the natural world, to explain recently observed phenomena, to test the conclusions of
prior investigations or to test the predictions of current theories.
-Scientific inquiry is a set of interrelated processes used to pose questions about the natural world and
investigate phenomena. There are multiple sequences that may be used for the process of
inquiry. It requires identification of assumptions, use of critical and logical thinking, and consideration of alternative explanations based on scientifically acceptable evidence.
-Formulate testable hypotheses and demonstrate the logical connections between the scientific concepts guiding a hypothesis and the design of an experiment.
-Design and conduct scientific investigations using various approaches such as field studies, observational studies and experimental procedures.
Animals & Adaptations
Instructor: Julie Greene
Subject Area: Science
Animals and Adaptations is a coursed designed to further develop student understanding of the animal world. Study will focus on animal survival techniques, environmental interactions and physical and behavioral adaptations. There will be two main student projects during the trimester. The first will be an individual research project on an animal family and the second will focus on an individual animal species.
Topics
Animals and survival
-Differentiate between innate and learned responses of animals
-Understand the basics of animal systems and how they help an individual survive and function
Animal interactions
-Identify examples of mutualism, commensalism and parasitism
-Analyze effects of change from one species in an ecosystem
Animal adaptations
-Explain the coevolution of species and how it affects survival in an ecosystem
Student Projects
Each student will research animal families to determine how responses are learned or inherited and how the animal depends on other species within the ecosystem for survival.
Standards
The student will describe how the environment and interactions between organisms can affect the number of species and the diversity of species in an ecosystem.
The student will classify, compare and contrast the diversity of organisms on Earth and their modes of accommodating the requirements for life.
Ojibwe History
Instructor: Ona Kingbird
Subject Area: Social Studies
Ona Kingbird is a Twin Cities Ojibwa elder who has taught for 36 years in Minnesota public schools and prisons. As a Red Lake tribal member and bearer of the pipe given by her father, a medicine man, she preserved the culture of her students throughout the state of Minnesota.
Ona teaches Ojibwe history, language and culture all tied up in a course based on learning history through the understanding of land, language and personal experience.
Arts & Crafts
Instructors: Ona Kingbird, Shannon Hartwig & Penny Scheffler
Subject Area: Art
We will learn how to make dream catchers and head dresses. You may learn how to make moccasins and bone chokers. It is uncertain if we will be able to offer beading. We will also learn some about cultural, and spiritual meanings of some Native American art. We hope that you have fun, and enjoy your creativity. You can also earn credit for the following:
The amount of credit you can earn in this class will be determined by your attendance and the number of art projects that you complete:
80% attendance for full credit;
successful completion of art projects.
Grading:
2 art projects completed per week (exception beading);
respect for other students and instructors;
cleaning up after yourself.
Online Math
Instructors: Cam Stottler
Subject Area: Math
Students are able to complete online course work under the guidance of Math Instructor Cam Stotler. Students are able to study a diverse offering of mathematics and work towards "catching up" on the basics or challenging your mathematic abilities with AP coursework.
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