February 2, 2026
Monday (first day of 3rd marking period)
Warm-up: Unscramble the Phrase (1), Create the Equation (2)
Review class expectations
arrive to class "On-Time"
Be supportive and positive of peers (and Me)
Clean-up... leave room as it appeared when you arrived
Materials needed: notebook/binder (may be shared with another subject) and a pen/pencil
Challenge #1: How to Shuffle Cards
Tuesday
Warm-up: Connect The Shapes (3), Intro to Sudoku (4-5)
Discuss what STEM is
"cool" engineering... OUR FUTURE!
Amazon Future predictions (link)
Spinning Coin Challenge: Penny vs Quarter
Wednesday
Spinning Coin Challenge: Penny vs Quarter
Science behind card building (link)
Card Stacking: try to build a rectangular shaped box (sides and top)
try building multiple boxes side by side and then atop of one another
Card Stacking: try to build triangle shaped structures (sides only)
try building multiple triangles side by side and then atop of one another
Thursday
Warm-up: Make As Many Words As Possible.. in 2 minutes (6)
Join Google Classroom
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE... build for strength as well as height
Testing will begin tomorrow for (MAJOR) grades!!!
Friday
Shuffle Cards
100: smooth shuffle; 92: chunky shuffle; 85: thumb roll w/ both hands; 80 single thumb roll
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
Choose a strategy to build the tallest structure... Major Grade
tallest structure recieves a 100 plus 10 falcon feathers
3 or more levels is a 100
2 levels is a 88
1 level is a 76
February 9, 2026
Monday
Warm-up: Total 21 (7)
Card Stacking Challenge: (partner)
strength test... single level... Major Grade
3 books is a 100
2 books is a 88
1 book is a 76
0 books but a stable structure is a 70
Tuesday
Warm-up:
Grade 7: Rocket science concepts slideshow
Newton's 3 Laws of Energy
Rocket design and building... Origami Rocket
Find and create two variations of an origami rocket... one by each partner
Redesign one as a "larger" version
decorate rocket
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars
analyze toy car designs and features
axles, wheels, ability to roll straight
Research how to build your car... take notes and illustrate features
Itemize ALL materials you will need based on what is available
Wednesday
Warm-up:
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars (slideshow)
balloon inflation and release... most potential energy?
Balloon Car Project (guide)
materials you will need, organize in bag
design your vehicle.. to be included in your presentation
Thursday
Grade 7: Rocket science concepts slideshow (slide 9-10)
finding angles in the real world using a protractor
Test "best" angle for optimal performance of your rocket when attached to the straw, RESULTS?
begin working on slideshow presentation
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars (rubric)
Plan for holes and cuts to water bottle
assemble vehicle and begin testing for movement; make adjustments as needed
begin working on slideshow presentation
Friday
Warm-up:
Grade 7:Rocket science concepts slideshow
Continue to test rocket designs and make sure content is ready for slideshow... adhere to rubric requirements (rubric)... document all work via Slideshow
presentations will be on Wednesday
Grade 8: Water Bottle Cars
Continue to test car designs and make sure content is ready for slideshow... adhere to rubric requirements (rubric)... document all work via Slideshow
presentations will be on Wednesday