Just a note from Love and Logic

Video and Computer Games: Often Not so Good for Kids
Weekly Tip from the Love and Logic^® Experts

"My typically nice and responsible kid turns into a monster after he plays his computer games."

If you've noticed this same thing with your kids, you're not alone. Listed below are some thoughts about why this is so common, as well as actions we can take to protect our kids:

Understand that Electronic Games can be Extremely Addictive

Since most of these games operate according to variable schedules of reinforcement (the user cannot entirely predict when something exciting will happen) our kids get hooked into thinking that they have to play "just a little bit longer" each time.

Even educational games present these risks. To grab the attention of the learner, our kids' favorite games are highly entertaining…and stimulating. Is it any wonder that kids who spend too much time glued to these games find everything else boring?

Real life is always a downer when you're hooked on electronic uppers.

The symptoms of withdrawal also indicate the addictive nature of these games: Irritability, extreme moodiness, and attempts to get a "fix" even if it requires manipulating and mistreating those who love you the most.

Set Enforceable Limits

Children under 5 should spend almost no time playing video games, computer games, or watching television. Again, this also applies to educational games and shows. Older children shouldn't spend more that 15-30 minutes per day engaged in these activities. Wise parents set the following limit:

I allow video games, computer games, or TV in our home
only when they are causing no problems.

Wise parents don't hesitate to remove these items from the home when "problems" begin. For more tips, listen to our MP3 download, Taming the Technology Monster in Your Home.

Replace Electronic Screens with Loving Relationships

Kids don't miss their computers and TVs near as much when they have parents who spend plenty of time with them playing catch, riding bikes, sledding, and doing other sorts of good old-fashioned things that build relationships.

Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many families as possible. If this is a benefit, forward it to a friend.

Dr. Charles Fay

science study guide

Light and the Eye Unit Study Guide

Science test on Monday, December 19th

Label all the parts of an eye.

Know these definitions:

- Spectrum: all the colors (ROYGBIV) that come together to make up white light

- Prism: a transparent object that is used to separate white light into the spectrum of colors.

- Refract: to bend

- Reflect: to bounce back

- Transparent: You can see clearly through it and light can pass through it. (A window, eye glass lens, glass, water.)

- Translucent: You can not see clearly through it, you can see shadows of objects. Light can pass through it. (Most colored glass or glass with a design, fluorescent light covers, some shades, gauzy curtains).

- Opaque: You can not see through it. No light can pass through it. (Person, car, tree, wall, desk, chair.)

- Convex: curved outward- Larger view, used in stores to see around corners. Used in microscopes.

- Concave: curved inward- smaller view, objects appear upside down. Used in telescopes.

Know this information:

- Light travels in a straight line.

- Light travels in waves.

- Light is energy.

-We can only see things when light hits an object and bounces off it. The light from the object then travels through our pupils which creates an upside-down image on our retina. The image then travels on the optic nerve to the brain, where it is turned right side up again.

- Dark objects absorb more light than light colored objects. This is why dark clothing is hotter in the summer. It is collecting more energy from the light.

-The best object to reflect something would be a flat mirror. It creates an exact reflection, only backwards.

-Light is bending and slowed down when it is refracted.

-A transparent object, such as water or a lens, is used to refract light.

-When light is blocked by an opaque object, a shadow of the object is formed.

-White light is made up of a spectrum of colors (all the colors of the rainbow).

- A prism or a drop of water can be used to break up white light into a spectrum.

- ROY G BIV- Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

Balaret

We really enjoyed our frigid but beautiful adventure with Balaret.

Hiking in 2 feet of snow.
Cold fingers and toes.
Fields of elk and bison.
Good thing we didn't need a license.
Below zero temperature.
We couldn't help but say "brrrr"
Riding back on the bus
Napping couldn't be helped by us.


We think we're ready... all bundled up!


In Genesee State Park with our fearless Balaret leader, John.


Let's do this thing! You want me to taste what? Yes- a pine needle. It tastes like citrus!!


Animal tracks! Let's follow them up the trail!
When leaving the park, we saw this herd of Bison being fed...

And this herd of elk just laying around.
So cool!

Blogging class

Both classes have now had a chance to write on their blogs. I have about half of those addresses out to parents. I will keep trying this weekend.
Pictures from the first class...

Gallary Night

This coming Wednesday evening the 3rd through 5th grades are hosting a "gallery night" event at the school. Come and enjoy your family meal picnic style with other families at 5:30 and then walk the halls to enjoy all the hard work our students have been doing. In 3rd grade, we are focusing on our science brain projects and the social studies river projects. You can also view our research projects and view your child's personal blog.

The evening continues with the fourth grade presentation of their Amazing Americans. Various characters will be walking the halls attempting to convince you that they were the most amazing American ever. You are welcome to stay for their presentation or head home with your family. We hope you see you Wednesday night!!!!

Ms. Wetzel and Ms. Whalen

Canada test study guide

Guide for Canada Test –

Ms. Whalen's homeroom: Friday November 11, 2011

Ms. Wetzel’s Homeroom: Monday November 14, 2011

Please concentrate on how Canada is alike and different from the United States. You may use this guide to study, as well the guide (Venn diagram) that you have completed in class. The test will be in a Venn diagram format. On your Venn diagram you will be required to summarize at least one historical development and how it has shaped the development of present day Canada and also identify that Canada is divided into provinces and territories. I will bold print these points on this study guide. You will need to write at least 4 facts for each category; it must include some of the bolded facts.

Alike:

Native Americas lived in both first

Totem poles

Tepees

Hunted buffalo

Native people were treated poorly by settlers

Both were colonies of England at one time

Both are no longer Colonies of England

Both speak English

The money is called dollars and cents

TV shows

Food (hamburgers, cornflakes)

Multicultural

USA:

Rebelled against England and fought a war for their independence

Divided into states

Money has presidents and other American symbols

Baseball and football

Large population

President

Warm and cold climates

Eagle, a national symbol

Flag has stars and stripes

Canada:

Divided into provinces and territories

Settled by French people

Many speak French

Gradually and peacefully broke away from England

Money has a loon, beaver and the Queen of England

Mounties

Hockey

Larger in land

Cold climate

Inuits

Igloos

Flag has a maple leaf

Prime Minister

Blogging Class!

YEAH!!!! The student laptops are in the building and, fingers crossed, Ms. Whalen's class will have their first opportunity to get on them for their blogging class Friday!!!

Yes- that does mean that your student has now created a live blog that you can see!!!! I am trying to get those blog addresses out to each family by email- so keep checking. Please understand that there are 50+ families... I will get it to you as soon as I can.

Thank you for your patience.
YEAH!!!


Ms. Whalen

Donor's Choose

We're there!!! Our classroom Ipod is on its way!


Did you know that there was a website out there that supports teachers and helps them find funding for projects? I had two projects funded through Donor's Choose last year and now, thanks to a generous donation from a family this year, I have another project half way funded! Here is a link for you to see... (click the unlined writing or cut and paste from below)

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=656450

Thanks!
Ms. Whalen

Pumpkin Math!!!

A math lesson on estimatation verses actual weights and measures.

Piles of ten seeds, helps us not to lose track.

How many seeds are in a pumpkin? For this little pumpkin- we are talking about over 500!

How much does my pumpkin weigh?

Brain Project Requirements

Nervous System Project

Due November 1st-4th, 2011!!!

Your final assessment for the Nervous System Unit is to make a model of the brain and orally explain your learning.

You may use any materials that you can find around the house. Some ideas for things to use are: dry noodles, beans, clay, play dough, cardboard, Legos, cake, or cookies. Just about anything will work as long as it does not create a mess in the classroom; no ice sculptures or ice cream models.

You may not just draw a picture on paper, but you may glue things to poster board or cardboard, or build the model any other way you would like to. This is your unit ending final grade. I am looking to see what you have learned during this unit and how you are able to communicate that learning to me. Please show me that you care by spending some time and effort on this project and it will reflect in your grade. The majority of your grade will be the oral interview, but your project will be at least 1/3 of it. The entire project will have 30 possible points to earn.

You brain model will need to include:

• Cerebrum
• Cerebellum
• Brain stem/medulla
• Spinal cord

You will need to explain each area of the brain and what its function is to me during our oral interview.

You can turn in this project any time during the week of November 1st to the 4^th, but it must be turned in by the 4^th. If turned in late, you will be docked 5 points for each day it is late.