Ms. Ashbaugh's Classroom

At St. Pius X Classical Academy, students explore several fields of science: life, earth, chemistry, and physical. The spiritual connections explored in each field of science offers a “minds-on” experience for students in each stage of classical education.

Young scientists’ minds are created with an unlimited capacity to think, learn, and explore!
Learning is an active process, and at St. Pius X we shift the emphasis away from teacher directed lessons and focus on inquiry-based lessons that allow for deeper understanding of science content.

Students take the initiative and become active
learners by using the Scientific Method and a variety of process skills such as
posing questions, observing, predicting, inferring, developing a hypothesis,
researching, recording, interpreting data, and drawing conclusions.

Laying the mathematical foundation is essential for the abstract thinking required in advanced math classes. Higher-level thinking skills is dependent on the knowledge of basic mathematical operations taught in the elementary grades.

Middle school moves from mathematical operations to understanding the relationship of numbers. Students master the concepts of mathematical thinking and transition into
more abstract concepts. At this time, students begin to apply their
higher-order critical thinking skills.

Hands-on activities that involve the application of mathematical skills help students to connect math to their everyday lives. It is important to emphasize that higher-order critical thinking skills require the mastery of basic mathematic skills taught in the lower grades. This prepares students for algebra and other advanced math classes.

Your interactive notebook will increase your understanding of science and math by:

• improving your ability to organize your ideas and information to provide a study reference for each lesson, as well as a resource to consult for review prior to quizzes, tests, and exams
• demonstrating to your teacher and parent(s) your developing organizational skills, understanding of science and math concepts, and ability to express thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways
• deepening skills acquired in prior years by application to current grade
• becoming an active participant in your own learning
• engaging you in learning new concepts
• becoming creative, independent thinkers and writers
• encouraging pride in your work.

• Notebook: Please do not tear out any pages and bring your notebook to class each day.
• Handouts and other material must be GLUED OR TAPED into place.
• All notebooks will be organized in the same manner. Follow the setup given by your teacher.
• All pages are to be dated at the top of the page.
• Pages should be numbered consecutively in the upper outside corner; do not skip pages.
• Each page will be titled and dated.
• A table of contents will be kept in the front of the notebook.
• Staying current on all entries is vital to your success. If you are absent, you are
  responsible for getting the information you missed.