Revised 2-10-10
This week, we will have a review day on Monday for the chapter 5 solutions
test. The chapter 5 test will be presented on Tuesday. Wednesday through
Friday, the class will be working on Genetic punnet square problems,
predicting the outcomes of specific traits for next generations.
Upcoming District Calendar:
Feb. 15 Presidents’ Day
Mar. 5 Teacher planning day – half-day schedule
Mar. 9 P/T conferences: all schools; evening
Mar. 10 P/T conferences: all schools; half-day schedule
Mar. 15-19 Spring recess
Code: "The eagle has landed" 7-20-69
Revised 1-31-2010
This week, we continue our discussion of Ph Value and "Kitchen Chemistry".
The classes also have a district science benchmark on Wednesday. On
Tuesday,
we will begin a discussion of heredity and how traits are determined using a
punnet square. We will have the chapter 5 test on Monday. Students will be
able to use notes. Mid-term progress reports will go home Friday.
Code X-15
Revised 1-29-2010
Ch. 5 test will be delayed until Monday. Students will be able
to use notes.
Revised 1-24-2010
This week, we continue chapter 5 regarding mixtures, ph value, and "Kitchen
Chemistry. We have created fron recipes several homogeneous
mixtures :lemonade, pudding, and this week, we will continue with creating
some mixtures.
Friday will be the overall assessment regarding chapter 5.
Next week, we will start with a discussion on genetics.
Revised 1-10-2010
We continue to work on the periodic table. As individual classes, students
will have until Tuesday to complete. Classes that have no mistakes on the
periodic table will receive extra credit. We will then be starting on
compounds and mixtures. We will be reading a chapter in the Glencoe textbook
onn solutons and mixtures. The next test will be directly based on this
chapter. Sudents will be expected to take notes and vocabulary based on this
chapter. Test will be next Tuesday. Foss and related activities regarding
this chapter.
The students have a major assignment due January 19th. An original song or
poem about the elements or the periodic table is to be typed in 12 font.
This poem or song is to be written with two verses with minimum five lines in
each verse. The information on the elements must be accurate information,
Student are to use the packets given out to them or library sourcees.
Students may use the proper internet sites with parent permission.
The students will have the opportunity for 50 points extra credit, if the
recite the poem or song. Any student wwho creates a music video (parantal
permission is required),students will have until January 29th to turn in for
90 points extra credit.
Revised 1-1-2010
The future has arrived! Happy 2010!
The science fair was a great way to end the 2009 school year. I was very
proud of the entries from the students that participated from all of the
classes. There were many people that viewed the science fair projects on
December 15th.
Third quarter begins this week. Report cards are due to be sent this week, as
well.
This week we continue to study the periodic table with some fun activities.
Students will create a poem or song and be able to perform it. Students will
also be creating a periodic table as a whole class project.
We will be using the Foss kits beginning next week.
Revised 12-13-09
This week, we continue to study the periodic table. This week, the students
will learn that the elements are organized by the numer of protons. They
will learn to determine number of neutrons and electrons, and the number of
energy levels. Given the information about atomic numbers and the number of
oprotons, students will be able to draw a specific kind of atom, and be able
to place it in the proper area of the periodic table.
Students science fairs with the written papers are due Tuesday morning. ANY
MATERIALS THAT WILL ADD TO THE PRESENTATION SHOULD ALSO BE PRESENT. We will
be setting up the science fair on Tuesday, and it will be held in the media
center between 6:00-7:30 P.M. Please try and stop by to view the projects.
Please remember that Friday is a half day, the last day of the semester.
December 18th is the last day of school before the holiday break. We return
on Jan. 4th.
Revised 12-5-09
This week , we will continue with the organization of the periodic table and
learning about what makes the three main states of matter (actually, there is
also plasma), a solid, liquid, or gas. We will create a living model of
those states, so students can visualize the differen states of matter. We
will continue this week, by modeling how the break down of an element , such
as gold, produces the smallest part of the element, known as an atom.
We will be also presenting the Top Ten Items of the Periodic Table, as well.
Students are to have their Science log books, as we will be taking a great
deal of notes this month. Science Starter questions will now include short
videos.
Please remember the science fair is next week, December 15th. Students need
to have all materials by their class start time. We will be setting up that
day, in the library. The science fair will be open from 6:00-7:30 to the
general public for viewing.
Revised 11-29-09
This week, we will be finishing the launching of bottle rockets.
We will begin the next unit on the organization of the priodic table.
On Thursday, students will write a two page paper relating to the bottle
rocket launches as it relates to Netwons Three Laws.
PLEASE VIEW THE HOMEWORK PAGE FOR COMPLTE RUBRIC INFORMATION ON THE SCIENCE
FAIR> DUE DECEMBER 15th.
Revised 11-7-09
This week, teams are constructing bottle rockets (Newton's Laws of Motion #1-
3). Students wuill begin launching on Friday. Students need to turn in
evidence of their materials and procedures list for science fair. Suggestion
is that students finish their science fair between the 1st and the 7th, and
ask for the teacher to view the project before the official turn in date.
Please remember that Wednesday, there is no school for Veteran's Day.
Progress reports will go home Thursday.
Revised 11-1
Students should be well under way with their science fair experiments. I
will be staying after school on Monday for any students who need help.
We will be testing our Junyard Wars boats on Monday. Students will write an
essay regarding the designing , building , and testing of the boats on
Tuesday. We begin our bottle rocket design and construction , this week for
testing next week.
Progress reports are sent every Wednesday.
Revised 10-26
This week, students will compete in "Junkyard Wars". They will work in teams
of theee to design , build, and , test a prototype that must work under its
own power.
Students should well be under way with their science fair. Students should
be completed by December 7th. This way, they can show their science fair
project to the teacher, so the teacher can give feedback for any
modifications.
Revised 10-11-09
This week , we begin discussios on Newton's Laws of Motion. We will finish
with the develop of "stories" regarding position-time graphing. Report cards
are scheduled to go home on Friday.
Any student who needs help for their science fair may ask for help at any
time. There is a special hour for questions answer session regarding science
fair from 3:00-4:00 on Monday.
Revised 10-4
We will be working on worksheets regarding the comparing of the speeds of
different boats. We will also be discussing position-time graphs ( position
will help determine velocity (the speed and direction of objects).
Please remember that this Wednesday is a full day. Progress reports will be
handed out on Wednesday. The end of the first qusrter is Friday. Friday is
a half a day.
On October 5th and 12th, I will be remaining after school for any student
needing help on the science fair.
On October 12, students swill need to show at least three pages of research
done on their science fair topic. (75 points)
REVISED 9-27
This week, we will be graph race results in a distance time graph and then
analyze the results.
Please remember that Wednesday is a half day release at 11:34 a.m.
I am still in the process of reviewing students' question/purpose for the
science fair project. I am writing individual nnotes onn many of the students'
science fair pproposal sheet. Please note that unless I have checked off
a "yes" to their question/purpose, students should not begin the hypothesis
or procedure steps. Some students will have to decide upon a different
question/puurpose, if I do not appprove the science fair questtion.
I plan on an after school science fair session on Monday, October 5th and on
Monday , October 12th for any students who might need help with their science
fair. Please remember that you can always call to ask any questions on the
science fair.
REVISED 9-19
We continue this week with measuring time and distance to determine speeds of
cars on downward slopes and then graphing the results. We will be having a
mid-summative exam after the completion of Investigation 2. We will then
start to compare speeds in Investigation 3.
Students are to have turned in to the teacher a question and purpose for the
science fair (75 points). The science fair is scheduled for December 15th.
Please remember that every Wednesday, an updated progress report is being
sent home.
There is early dismissal at 11:34 a.m. on Wednesday.
Revised 9-13
Students need to return their mid term progress reports, signed by their
patent or guardian that were given to them on Friday. Students will be
receiving a weekly progress beginning Wednesday.
This week, we continue to work on problems regarding distance, speed, and
velocity. By the end of the week, we will be using model cars to determine
average velocity and graphing distance time results.
Students will have homework both Tuesday and Wednesday.
At this point in time, students should have discussed the science fair
packets with parents/guardians. STUDENTS MUST HAVE A COMPLETED QUESTION AND
PURPOSE LISTED SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 18th (40 pts and approved by both
parents and myself). Students received a science fair form that the question
mmust be written on and signed by parent. The Science Fair date is set for
December 15th.
Revised 9-7 Revised 9-8***
This week, we continue to study distance x(f)-x(i), and learn how the
variable of time can help us determine speed and velocity of an object
v=change in distance/ change in time. We are working on several activities
working with solving problems relating to these concepts.
At this point in time, students should have discussed the science fair
packets with parents/guardians. STUDENTS MUST HAVE A COMPLETED QUESTION AND
PURPOSE LISTED SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 18th (40 pts). We are waiting to hear
back on an official date for the science fair; however, it will be in mid
December, before Winter Break.
This week,students may have homework related to the distance and velocity
worksheets. Students should write all homework assignments in the planner.
Please note: I update the homework on Monday for the week; however, students
are responsible for any homework given in class that was added during the
week.
Finally, students will be receiving a progress report for their classes
starting Friday****. Please sign the initial progress report that you will
receive this week and return it.
Revised 8-30
On Thursday and Friday of last week, the classes went over a new version of
the science fair packet. This includes important information on the steps
to completing a successful science fair project. Please note, this is the
official science fair packet that I am asking the students and parents to
read and discuss. A link to these pages will be added to the link page on
this website on Monday. The science fair packet on the class documents page
is not the official packet, but can be used as a resource. The science fair
project will be worth between 350-400 points, and we are looking at a
December date. An official date will be announced by the end of this week.
Students need to bring in a parent signature on Tuesday stating that they
read over the packet with their parent/guardian (30 points).
This week we begin our force and motion unit, beginning with using an "air
trolley" system to learn about position, time, distance, and speed.
Worksheets will be complted in class. If students do not complete, they will
have homework.
Revised 8-23
This week, students are conducting experiments regarding Basil seeds that were
flown on the shuttle and Basil seeds that were not. The other experiment is
regarding the density of hot and cold water. By the end of the week,
students will be going over the science fair packet.
Revised 8-11
Welcome back!
This school year will full of exploration and excitement, as we learn about
how a rocket launches to new worlds, as we create chemical reactions, and as
we organize and build a periodic table. We will compete in "Junkyard Wars",
in which we will build a working model boat that must travel on its own
power. We will also develop experiments to solve many real-life scientific
questions throughout the year, including a science fair project.
This year, technology will play an integral part within the classroom. We are
in the process of working on a classroom blog, in which students will be able
to ask questions and give feedback of science topics and the science fair.
Any postings must go through the teacher first for official posting. There
will also be a site that parents will be able to view of science work related
material for the class. This will be under the control of the teacher. There
will be school time to have students work on blog assignments.
One exciting idea that may happen is a "long distance " classroom visit with
another science classroom on the east coast. This "long distance" visit will
allow students in our class to teach other students about Newton's Laws and
how to build and launch rockets.
We also look forward to having several guest speakers visit throughout the
year.
All science concepts taught in eighth grade are based on the Arizona Science
Standards. Although the time line may change, the scope and sequence of
science concepts will include:
What is Science? Inquiry Process- One month
Force and Motion-Physical Science-(speed, velocity, acceleration,Newton's
Laws) 2.5 months
Chemical Interactions-Physical Science-3 months(periodic Table, Particles-
atoms, elements, molecules, compounds substances, mixtures, ph value,
chemical reactions )
Heredity-Life Science- 1.5 months
Diversity and Adaptation-1.5 months
Within this time line, students will complete objectives regarding History
and
Nature of Science and Science in Personal and Social Perspectives. The two
main curriculum units that we use along with great supplemental material,
include Foss Science Program and the Glencoe Program.
We welcome all parents to visit us at Back to School Night on August 20,
2009, beginning at 6:00.
Sincerely,
Rob Lazarus
(602) 664-7138
rlazarus@msd38.org
http://teacherweb.com/AZ/Madison1/LazarusScienceGrade8/