Washington Assessment of Student Learning

6th Grade
March proved to be a very busy time for 6^th grade. First, Mr. DeVere’s social studies class has been studying
about ancient Greece and is now beginning their unit on the Roman Empire. In addition to this , they are
participating in a social studies research based WASL project called, “CBA (classroom-based assessment).”
For this research project, the students must investigate case studies on how humans use resources, why we
need the resources that are harvested, and how this can impact the environment. This research question
ties in nicely with Mr. Sweet’s salmon project and the upcoming investigations that the science classes will
be doing with Crystal Creek. Mrs. Clift’s language classes have been studying Greek and Roman mytho algebra -online-help/ radical -equations/log-scale-ti-89.html">logy ,
practicing for the WASL, and writing persuasion papers. In the spring, the language classes will be doing a
literature study with an environmental theme to support the work d one in Mr . DeVere’s and Mr. Sweet’s
classes. Springtime promises to be an exciting time for our students.

We are especially proud of our students and their achievements in the regional math competition
and spelling bee. In both competitions our students competed against kids from Kittitas County and Yakima
area schools. Our 6^th grade teams did very well in the math competition and took 3^rd place in the
“Probability” category. In spelling, Sami Sweigard took first place for the 6^th grade and also took 1^st Place
Overall (for grades 6^th-8^th grade)! Way to go 6^th Graders! We have quite a talented group of kids here at
Walter Strom.

7th Grade
In 7^th grade science, we are studying human body systems . We started with the digestive system
where we looked at mechanical and chemical digestion. The chemistry of carbohydrates - starch
and sugar was demonstrated. Then we studied digestion in the mouth while doing chemical tests
with an enzyme. Our next lab will show the digestive process in the stomach. Crystal Creek is a
larger project that we have been discussing. We have been looking at aerial photos of the area for
change since 1955. The first step was to find the scale of the photo. We have also been studying
scale in math. It is part of our rates, ratios and proportions unit in our new book. We are practicing
converting fractions to decimals and percents and playing a fly swatter game to emphasize it. Ask
a 7^th grader about our class!!

8^th Grade
Congratulations to Walter Strom Math-aletes! The eighth grade team consisting of : Erin Dellinger, Mari
Wagsholm, Ashley Sanders, Heather Kimbrell, Raelene Pray, Sky Stahl, Lucas Witte, and Taylor Dumas took
SECOND place overall against 11 teams in the Mid valley league. The students had to take 20 min tests in
the areas of number sense , geometry, algebra, probability & statistics, potpourri, and mental math.

Teutonic plates have been moving and rumbling away in science as students study and do experiments
about earthquakes, seafloor s preading and continental drift.