Parent Reminders - Upcoming Events

Salina Intermediate Literacy, Mathematics,and Technology Night

The Salina Intermediate Literacy, Mathematics,and Technology night is scheduled for May 28th from 4 PM - 6 PM. Parents, students, and community members are invited to attend. All students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to attend the event. We will have math and reading games as well as technology related activities.

Honors Assembly

There will be a 6th and 7th grade honors assembly on Thursday, June 11th from 9 AM to 10 AM. There will also be a 4th and 5th grade honors assembly on Thursday, June 11th from 2 PM to 2:55 PM. The honors assemblies will be held in the auditorium.

Promotion Ceremony for 8th Grade

On Friday, June 12th, Salina Intermediate will host a promotion ceremony for our 8th grade class from 10 AM to 11 AM in the New Gym. Congratulations to our 8th grade graduates!

Last Day of School

The last day of school for 4th and 5th grade students is June 11th with a 2:55 PM dismissal time. The last day of school for our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students is June 12th with an 11:05 AM dismissal time.

Students: Salina Intermediate Cafeteria Seating Chart for 2009 - 2010 School Year

During this past school year, a cafeteria seating chart was implemented in order to reduce the number of disciplinary referrals during lunch. Overall, there was a significant decrease in the number of disciplinary referrals that occurred during lunch. While some of the students did not like having the assigned seating chart, many students were able to accept it because they were still sitting by some of their friends and were able to meet new friends. What, if anything, can be done to improve how the seating chart is implemented for next year? Should we use the same seating chart? Should we assign tables by homeroom or grade? Your comments will help to shape how the seating chart is implemented next year!

Salina Intermediate Teacher Technology Training Camp - Excel Agenda

Excel Graphs Activities:

1. Math: A.RP.06.08 Understand that relationships between quantities can be suggested by graphs and tables. Activity - Conducting a Survey: Students may conduct a survey and create a line graph to illustrate the results of the survey. Some simple survey topics can include:
a. Who is your favorite athlete?
b. What is your favorite type of animal?
c. What is your favorite class?

2. Science: S.IP.06.15 Construct charts and graphs from data and observations. Activity – Comparing height or temperature: Students may construct a bar graph comparing the height of animals, people, or other objects. Additionally, you could create a bar graph of the high or low temperatures during the week.

Making a Graph:

A. Type in the data in vertical columns. The first column should have the object. The second column should have the data.
Sample:
Monday 54
Tuesday 56
Wednesday 58
Thursday 62
Friday 59
Saturday 60
Sunday 63

B. Highlight the data.
C. Click on ChartWizard.
D. Select the type of graph you wish to use.
E. Adding X axis labels: Click on Series.
a. Click on Category X axis labels.
b. Highlight the data that you wish to use as X axis labels.
c. Press Enter on the keyboard.
F. Press Next.
G. Enter in the following information:
a. Chart Title
b. X Axis Values
c. Y Axis Values
H. Press Next.
I. Press Finish.

2009 Salina Intermediate Teacher Techology Training Camp - Assignment 2: Extinction Events Case Study

Case Study: Extinction Events

Imagine that you are a geologist working for the University of Michigan – Dearborn. On a recent fossil dig, you uncovered a new species, which looks similar to a trilobite. Using absolute dating, you discovered that the species was from the Cambrian period.

The new species has several distinct body parts. It has eyes, which are used to see underwater. Also, the new species has antennae, which it probably used to sense motion and heat. The new species also had soft tissue around its body, which made it vulnerable to larger predators. It used gills for breathing underwater and had 12 legs for walking. This new species lived underwater and was uncovered as a cast fossil in a layer of sedimentary rock. The population of this species was found near an area which was known to have high levels of plankton during the Cambrian period. Many of the fossils found are incomplete, with significant body parts missing.

It is uncertain what caused this new species to go extinct; however several theories have already been suggested. A possible first theory suggests that a change in the lake temperature caused the new species to become extinct. Evidence suggests that the temperature of the water increased by approximately 3 degrees Fahrenheit during the end of the Cambrian Period.

Another possible theory is that a meteorite strike caused the extinction of the new species. A 3 inch meteorite was recently uncovered on land near a small crater approximately 5 miles away from where the new species was found.

It is also possible that overhunting by predators may have caused the extinction of the new species. Since several incomplete fossils have been found, it is possible that other trilobites that lived in the lake or a new species overhunted this species. The predator trilobites were found as fossils in sedimentary rock that dated back to 300 years after the last of the new species fossils were found. Also, newer fish species were found in the lake during this time period.

A final possible cause for extinction is that increased competition over food may have caused the extinction of the new species. Many different types of trilobites ate plankton, which was very easy to find in the lake at the time. It is possible that the plankton may have become scarce for a brief time leading to increased competition. The other trilobites that ate the plankton were found as fossils in sedimentary rock that dated back to 300 years after the last of the new species fossils were found.

Your Task:

Comment on the following in a report to your department chair, Mr.Attee:

1. Species description: Briefly describe some of the important features of the new species and how it got its energy (or food).

2. Extinction Theory: Briefly describe how you think the new species became extinct and what evidence you have that supports your position.

2009 Salina Intermediate Teacher Technology Training Camp - Assignment 1: Norovirus Case Study

Case Study: Department of Public Health Virus Scare

Imagine that you work for the Department of Public Health in the city of Frankenmuth (Michigan). Frankenmuth is one of the top five tourist destinations in Michigan and many guests are scheduled to arrive this week. Your city is famous for having some of the best tasting chicken in the world! The city economy depends on having tourists shop in local stores, eat in restaurants, and stay in hotels.

Now …

It is 6:30 AM and you have just discovered that 30 citizens of Frankenmuth have come down with a norovirus and are in the hospital. A norovirus is a type of virus that causes people to become very sick. If there is an outbreak, anyone who comes in contact with someone with the virus may become seriously ill.

Your most important concern is to stop the virus from spreading.

Should you close the businesses and schools?

If you close the local businesses and schools, it may cause people to be alarmed and hurt the community’s tourism business. If you do not close the businesses and schools, people may get the virus and become seriously ill.

What should you tell citizens so that they can stay safe from the virus?

The mayor and chamber of commerce are meeting right now and only have a half an hour before the businesses open and tourists start shopping and visit restaurants. You will have do decide whether or not to close the businesses and schools and what you will need to tell the citizens of Frankenmuth.

Your task:

Using the option to comment, please respond to the following areas :

1. State your position. (Ex: We should/not close the businesses and schools)

2. Using data to support your position, describe why you should or should not close the businesses and schools.

3. Compile a list of important safety facts that citizens should do to stay safe from this norovirus.

Remember, you only have 30 minutes to complete this task!

Helpful technology tools and strategies

As a teacher at Salina Intermediate for the past 10 years, I have worked with our staff on various professional development opportunities. Below is a website that contains various technology integration strategies and helpsheets. Visit Salina Intermediate's website at this link.

Welcome

Welcome to Mr. Attee's blog. This blog will be useful for teachers and administrators to have access to new ideas how to integrate technology into the curriculum. Additional resources will be provided on assessment and evaluation strategies.