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How do you get in touch with Mr. K? E-mail from this home page, call 871-
3555, or come by room 22 before school starts, during your Encore time
(10:30 'til 11:30), or after school. Wednesday Focus time is Mr. K's office
time for all students to see him or come find him in the halls or in our
science room. The door is always open.REMEMBER: if you are sick or are
planning on being gone during the week,
check in for work you can do at home! There are usually weekly packets at
the front office desk, ASK. PLAN AHEAD! If you need more time or
don't understand something, call and ask! Communication is the key!
Monday, May 12: We shall play your Rock and Mineral games today. Each game
must be played by at least 2 students today. Be aware of how well the game
delivers the rules, how educational it is, how fun it is to play, and if
it's too hard or too easy! We'll find our favorites and discuss why they
work so well.
Tuesday, May 13: Time line of flight. Today we will each develop a
timeline that shows the inventions, actions, and ideas that have contributed
to controlled flight. From Chinese rockets, Leonardo Da Vinci's wing plans,
lighter than air craft, the Wright Brothers, Robert Goddard, Sputnik, to the
International Space Station, our timelines will be wonderful to behold!
Timelines are due this Friday! For extra credit, take it home, use the 'net
to find more information and add it to your timeline! Use dates, facts,
pictures, and colors for full credit!
Wednesday, May 14: Half of the class will go to the High School today to
meet the Leadership Committee. The other half will stay in classes. Today
in science we see a video of the Physics of Flight. This will discuss
Bournelli's Effect which include lift, thrust, and drag. The class will
then develop paper airplanes designed to show Bournelli's Effect and fly the
furthest using arm power as thrust.
Thursday, May 15: Half of the class will go to the High School today to
meet the Leadership Committee. The other half will stay in classes. Today
in science we see a video of the Physics of Flight. This will discuss
Bournelli's Effect which include lift, thrust, and drag. The class will
then develop paper airplanes designed to show Bournelli's Effect and fly the
furthest using arm power as thrust.
Friday, May 16:
Bare minimum that is required on your Rocket Timeline are:
1926- Robert Goddard tests first liquid fueled rocket.
1932- Goddard moves to Roswell, New Mexico to test his more powerful
rockets.
1936- Nazi Germany buys Dr. Goddard's rocket plans and takes them back to
Germany.
1941-1945 Werner Von Braun and German scientific teams build the V-2 Rocket.
1957- Soviet Union launches the first satellite, Sputnik.
1960- First man in space. Yuri Gagarin from the Soviet Union.
1961- Alan Shepard is first American in space.
1963-John Glenn orbits the earth.
1965- Soviets complete first "space walk."
1969-USA lands on the moon.
1972- Last time humans visited the moon.
Today we begin designing our own 2-liter bottle rockets.
To understand the physics of rocketry, we will be looking at some early
rocket designs along with some of the best bottle rocket designs.
NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY! BRING IN YOUR 2-LITER BOTTLES TODAY!!
Monday, May 5: Happy Cinco De Mayo! Today we go from the smallest living
things (bacteria) to some of the largest structures in the Universe back to
our little rocky world! Today we review the Rock Cycle and minerals so you
and your lab group can design and build a game based on rock cycle and/or
minerals. A quick video will be presented and we will do a 'Quick Lab' that
introduces you to luster, color, Moh's Hardness scale, streak test, and
other ways that help scientists identify rocks and minerals.
Tuesday, May 6: Class Picture Day! After roll call in the a.m @ 8:30! Be
here! In class, your team begins to design your game.
Wednesday, May 7: Paper and supplies are on the Front Table for your group
to begin making your game!
Thursday, May 8: We will do a review about Bacteria. Use your Study Guide
to help pass the quiz tomorrow! After review, go back to your game!
Friday, May 9: Quiz on Bacteria today! Finish up your Rock Cycle Game
today so we can play it on Monday!
Monday, April 28: Welcome Back from your AWESOME Spring Break! I hope you
all had a wonderful time with your family and friends. Now, back to work!
This week, your Portfolio artifacts (3 of them) from Science Class this year
AND a plan (like a web or list organizer), a rough draft, and a final are
all due this Friday! We will be taking time in class to work on this
project. Today, we plan. Organizers of all kinds will be provided.
Tuesday, April 29: We go to the Media Center today to "rough draft" your
reflection.
Wednesday, April 30: You will be given some time today to work on your rough
draft and organizer. Be prepared to finish it up as a final this Friday!
Thursday, May 1: How's the writing going? We will assess the needs of
every student today to make sure you can be successful with your Portfolio
Science Reflection. Due Friday!
Friday, May 2: We go to the Media Center to write our finals. YOU must
turn in some evidence of planning (a web or list, etc.), a rough draft, and
a final.
Monday,April 14: I'm REALLY SICK! ARRRRGH! However, class goes on! Today
you will be presented with a Bacteria Study Guide and a video about Earth's
first and most abundant life forms...bacteria! Pay attention and fill out
the questionaire as you watch the video. IF you miss this, come in on
Wednesday Study Hall for another showing of "Bacteria." Paper due at the
end of class.
Tuesday, April 15: All about microscopes. I will walk you through the basic
parts of a microscope, a little history, and a worksheet describing the
different parts of a compound microscope. We then get to use them to find
which unknown powders are which! Microscopic worksheet is due at the end of
class. IF you missed class, go to the LINKS site under "Microsope," get a
microscope packet from the Front Office and complete by Wednesday!
Wednesday, April 16: "CSI Steamboat." Today you will use your newly
acquired microscopic skills to examine things like fingerprints, hair
follicles, handwriting samples, hair structure, knife cuts, and different
bacterium found in our mouths and in the snow outside. A Key, drawings and
descriptions are in your Science Journal and are due at the end of class on
Thursday.
MAKE UP DAY FOR EARTHWORM DISSECTION, FRIDAY'S QUIZ ON EARLY ASTRONOMY, AND
BACTERIA FILM!
Thurdsay, April 17: "CSI Steamboat" continues. Key, drawings, and
descriptions are due in your Science Journal at the end of class. Quiz
review on bacteria and microscope parts for tomorrows quiz.
Friday, April 18: QUIZ HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR AFTER SPRING BREAK...OVER
50% OF CLASS IS GONE! Quiz on Bacteria (use your study guide!), and
Microscope parts. Afterwards, we will see a video about how the universe
was formed. Have a great spring break!
Monday, April 7: Today we take a closer look at galaxies. Using video and
images from the Hubble Space Telescope from NASA, we will get a close look
at some of the most beautiful, wonderful, weird, and VERY far away
galaxies. The concept of "light year" will be discussed.
Tuesday, April 8: "Career Day" is today. Girls go the the Grand Hotel to
be presented with activities and speakers from the Yampa Valley
Businesswomens Association. Boys will be rotating through checkbook
activity, balancing a budget, job search, and recommendation letters. Boys
will then see a movie called "Kite Runner" with an emphasis on 'civil
rights.'
Wednesday, April 9: We will go over your "Early Astronomy" study guide to
prepare for the quiz on Friday. Then we will be working through a pre-lab
about Annelids...earth worms. Scalpels and other dissection equipment will
be introduced along with the external anatomy of an earth worm.
IF you wish to study for the quiz, pick up a study guide and a copy of the
reading from the front desk in the classroom or from the Front Office.
Thursday, April 10: Earth Worm dissection! Lab sheet is due at the end of
class.
Friday, April 11: Early Astronomy quiz is due at the end of class. We
will "break down" the earth worm dissection today.
Friday, April 11: "Early Astronomy" quiz
Monday, March 31: Last Thursday was the last day of 3rd Quarter. How did
you do? We'll be looking at grades today, pulling our "artifacts" from our
science portfolio's (for possible inclusion into your 8th Grade Final
Portfolio), and working in lab groups. We will be looking at how
early astronomers looked at the stars and the Earth. A worksheet/study
guide called "Early Astronomy" is handed out today and due tomorrow!
Tuesday, April 1: Complete "Early Astronomy" study guide and turn it IN!
Today we explore some survival skills needed to survive on the Moon! It's
called "Lost on the Moon" and this activity has been developed by NASA.
We'll see if you have the knowledge and skill base to survive after crash-
landing on the Moon! Worksheet is due Wednesday!
Wednesday, April 2: Complete "Lost on the Moon" worksheet and turn it IN.
We will be working on a Book Search today about the Hertzprung-Russell
Diagram. This Diagram shows the relationships of stars and their
brightness. We will also be reviewing Keplar's Laws and eccentricity of
orbits. This will get you ready for an Internet Search tomorrow! Book
Search Worksheet is due at the end of class.
Thursday, April 3: We are going to the Media Center computer lab today to
work with the University of Virginia's website about the H-R Diagram. This
interactive site (s) guide you through a search for answers. Responses in
your Journals and due at the end of class! Journals in the Journal Box!
Friday, April 4: 8th Grade Ski Day! See you on the hill!
Monday, March 24: We will be finishing up with our "Elastic Limits" lab.
This lab is related to earthquakes and how rocks stretch to reach
their "elatic limit." We're going to do the same thing by adding mass to a
rubber band until...it snaps! Then we will observe "elastic deformation"
and "elastic rebound" both factors that play a role in earthquake damage!
Lab sheets, graphs, analysis, and conclusion are all required and due by
Thursday. End of the Quarter is this Thursday!
Tuesday, March 25: CSAP test day. Math 1, writing 1, and Math 2 are
scheduled tests for today.
Wednesday, March 26: CSAP test day. Math 3, writing 2, and reading 1 are
scheduled for today.
Thursday, March 27: CSAP test day. Hope you did your best on the test!
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY! SEE YOU ON MONDAY!
Monday, March 17: GREEN DAY! Well, not really. It's Saint Patrick's Day
today. Instead of making green oobleck or some such, we will be "warming
up" with 20 minute exploration of clouds, cloud formation, water cycle,
water droplet formation, etc. Everyone will illustrate the three main cloud
types and label at least 3 transitional cloud forms (some of the ones in
between). This illustrations is due at the end of class. We will see a
couple of science project presentations today as well.
Tuesday, March 18: What is "Earth Science?" Today we will discover the
branches of earth science. You may be suprised at what you'll find once you
dig deeper into the specialities of science. We will be taking a look at
the work we have done the past 2 to 3 weeks today. All work is to be placed
into your science portfolio for possible use in your presentation at the end
of the year. These papers include: "It's Greek to Me," Layers of the
Atmosphere, Keplar's Laws, Rock Cycle Diagram, Finding Element X, Finding
Epicenter, Comets and Meteors and shows just how much ground our class has
covered in a short time. All these will help in the upcoming science CSAP
test tomorrow. After analysis of these papers, we will see some more Science
Project presentations.
CSAP GROUPS ARE POSTED IN THE 8TH GRADE HALL! BE SURE YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO
TOMORROW MORNING FOR SCIENCE CSAP! COME RESTED, WELL FED (BUT NOT TOO!) AND
CONFIDENT IN YOUR ABILITIES. YOU WILL ROCK THE CSAP!
Wednesday, March 19: 8th Grade Science CSAP test. You have been put into
CSAP groups for these upcoming tests. Check in with our CSAP teacher by
8:20 today. Testing begins shortly thereafter. Try not to be late.
Science is the first test this year.
I think that all of you will do very well on the CSAP's this year! Good
luck and, as wierd as it may sound, have fun with it!
NOTICE: CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE
CSAP TESTING CLASSROOM! A BOX WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO FORGET TO
LEAVE THEM IN THEIR LOCKERS!
Thursday, March 20: Pheww! That part of CSAP is now over. How do you
feel? Was it hard or easy? We will talk about the psychology of testing and
some of the positive (and negative) aspects of State Standards Testing. We
will see a couple of presentations today from the students who participated
in the Science Olympiad last week. Then we finally get to do a lab! This
one is called "Elastic Limits" and it deals with a concept called "elastic
rebound." This is one of the things that make earthquakes so destructive.
Friday, March 21: We will wrap-up "Elastic Limits" today. We will analyze
the data and discuss the implications when applied to earthquakes. A short
film clip about earthquakes will be shown to wrap up the day and week.
I hope you have a GREAT weekend!
Monday, March 10: Today we will take a look at some smaller celestial
bodies of our solar system; comets, asteroids, meteors, and
meteoroids/meteorites. We will read an excerpt called "Falling Stars" and
answer a question sheet for class points. Then we will see the historic
film of some of the United State's moon landing. From Neil Armstrong's long
step from the first lander to film of astronauts using the 'moon rover,'
this film will give you a feeling of what the moon flights were all about.
Worksheet assigned. Copies at front office and on the front desk in class.
We will take some time to discuss requirements for you science packet.
Basically, you must make a clean copy of your written and graphic work and
turn it in. Put it in the scientific method order: start with your
Abstract, then question, hypothesis, procedure, data table and graphs,
results, and conclusion. For EXTRA CREDIT turn in your rough drafts!
Be sure you know your oral presentation date!
Tuesday, March 11: Planets move around the sun in elliptical orbits. These
orbits are not circles. The more "stretched out" a circle is, the
more "eccentric" it is. Today we will work with one of Johanne Keplar's
laws of planetary motion to calculate how eccentric some orbits really are.
A worksheet called "Keplar's Laws" will be handed out and worked on today.
Bring your calculator! We begin oral reports today! ALL science packets
are due today! Copies of "Keplar's Laws" worksheet are at the front desk
and front table.
Wednesday, March 12: Today our "warm up" is called "Element X." You will be
given a chart detailing some physical and chemical abilities and a periodic
table. Your job is to find out what "Element X" really is. Copis
of "Element X" and a periodic table is available at the front office and the
front desk. We will be seeing some oral presentations today. Make sure you
are prepared for your oral report!
Thurday, March 13: Today we will be "warming up" our scientific brains with
an activity called "Finding Epicenter." This lesson will show you how
scientists calculate the spot where earthquakes originate. "Finding
Epicenter" copies are at the front office and front desk. We will see some
more science projects today.
Friday, March 14: Our warm up today is the "Rock Cycle." Rocks have a
recycling method that turns sedimentary to metamorphic to igneous and back
to sedimentary. It just keeps on going and going and going... More oral
reports today after warm up. As usual, copies of "Rock Cycle" are at the
front office and front desk.
EXTRA CREDIT: Turn in your science project rough drafts for extra credit
for this week.
Monday, March 3: Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing time
off this past week. Gotta love that February "Blues Break." Now it's back
to work! This is a "funny" week schedulewise because I will be meeting with
your parents this week during our "Parent/Teacher" conferences. It's called
parent/teacher, bu ALL my students are encouraged to come. It's always good
to hear about how you're doing in school. In class today, we will review
what it takes to write a scientific "abstract." An abstract is a very
precise summary of your scientific experiment. Basically, you will use one
sentence to describe each part of the scientific method you used on your
project. Go to "Science Project" from the home page for instructions and
examples. We will have time tomorrow (Tuesday) to get to the Media Center
to type it up. It's time to choose your presentation time for next week!
We begin presenting our projects in class next Tuesday, March 11,
Tuesday, March 4: We are going to the Media Center today to work on our
Abstracts. This is a good time for you to put the finishing touches on your
project's titles, written requirements, charts, and graphs.
Wednesday, March 5: Today we will go over the oral presentation
requirements of the Science Project. If you analyze the rubric handed out
before Blues Break, you will see that the oral presentation requirement
counts for 25% of your final project grade. You will have time today to
practice your presentation. We will be working with partners today
concentrating on our presentation format. As usual, it follows the
Scientific Method! This is your last day of school this week!
Parnet/Teacher conferences tonight until 8 p.m. I hope to see you! Have a
great weekend!
Monday, February 18: Mr. K is out of the classroom the next couple of
days. I am outside of Kansas City to attend the funeral of my dad. I'll be
back Wednesday morning (if it doesn't snow too much! Here's what is going
on in science class;Today we will be going into the media center compter
lab. Our goal is to get ALL the required writing for our science projects
finished before Blues Break. That means it is time to make corrections to
the papers you have already turned in, add to or modify your procedures,
work on data tables and graphs, and wrap-up our written resultls and
conclusions. To see how to write a conclusion, go "Science Projects" on the
main page. Scroll down until you see the explanation and sample for written
results and conclusion. Use your time wisely and you will be done and ready
to present before you go on break!
Tuesday, February 19: Today we will seeing an award winning video from
National Geographic called "The Ring of Fire." No, it's not about Johnny
Cash. It's about the effects of the gigantic subduction zone the circles
the globe and creates landforms, earthquakes and volcanoes! Pay attention
especially to the minerals that can be found in the mouth of volcanoes.
Minerals like sulfur which is being mined by people who carry the stuff out
on their backs! What does the effects of sulfur do to these miners? Why do
people say California will someday "fall off into the ocean?" You will find
out on this great video!
Wednesday, February 20: Mr. K is back in the class room today. We will be
working in the Media Center today on our Science Project requirements. Our
goal for this week is to finish with "Results." Results focuses on the WHAT
of your project and explains in detail what happened during the time you
tested your project. I will be passing out a sheet that explains the
requirements and it can be found online on the "Science Project" heading
from this home page.
SCIENTIFIC HAPPENING! TONIGHT IS A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE! GET OUTSIDE AROUND
8:00 P.M. TONIGHT TO SEE THE MOON TURN ORANGE/RED DURING THIS FULL LUNAR
ECLIPSE! GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR SITING! WE WILL TALK ABOUT ECLIPSES TOMORROW
IN CLASS!
Thursday, February 21: Back to the media center to work on getting ready to
present our science project findings. IF you are behind, you need to know
that you will be presenting your project to the class beginning Tuesday, Mar
11th. We will work on your ABSTRACT on Monday, Mar.3 and we will have time
to practice our Oral presentations skills on Tuesday, Mar. 4. You may
present by through a power point or on a display board. Those who ordered
display boards will get them today!
Friday, February 22: Work on setting up your presentation boards or
powerpoints. Time to decide how you will present and when. I will be
assigning presentation times today. Science Projects MUST be ready to
present by Tuesday, March 11! Have a great Blues Break!
Monday, February 11: Planets of, and the formation of, the solar system is
the topic today. We will read, talk about, and see a video explaining the
scientific explanation of how the Earth got to be where and what it is.
This will help you understand a little bit more of how the different planets
interact together in this system we call solar! YOUR DATA TABLE IS DUE
TODAY!
MAKE A COPY AND SHOW ME HOW YOU ARE GATHERING DATA!
Tuesday, February 12: Today you will be presented with all kinds of data
regarding each planet in our solar system (including Pluto!). Your task is
to choose one section of data (mass, diameter, inclination of planet,
temperature, etc.), analyze it, then graph it. The graph is due by the end
of class!
Wednesday, February 13: Many scientific words are Greek or Latin in
origin. If you can identify some of these root words, suffixes, or
prefixes, you can work out what the word means. Example: photosynthesis
Photo is Greek meaning "light". Synthesis is another Greek word
meaning "putting together." Therefore photosynthesis is "putting together
with light!" You will be given a work sheet that explains these words and
there meaning. Then you will use your knowledge to answer some questions
about Greek words. "It's Greek to Me" is due Thursday, February 14.
Thursday, February 14: Happy Valentines Day! We finish "It's Greek to Me"
worksheet today.
Friday, February 15: We go into the computer lab today as I will demonstrate
how to use an Excel spreadsheet to make a data table out of. Once you have
a data table on Excel, the computer can make GREAT graphs with the data!
Bring YOUR data from your experiment and we will convert it to graph form!
An Excel generated graph will be due at the end of class.
Monday, February 4: Today we examine sublimation. This is the change of
state from a solid directly to a gas. Playing with CO2 is an exciting way
to see this effect. We will be going over basic pressure zones of the Earth
that make winds and our weather. High and low pressure zones will be
examined.
Tuesday, February 5: Today it's all about the weather! We will be working
with our texts, the internet and our lab partners working on our personal
weather maps. Your map will show different pressure zones, warm and cold
fronts and use symbols to indicate other weather phenomenon.
Wednesday, February 6: We learned about the big weather makers of our
earth. Today we look at how the spin of the earth gives use our continental
and oceanic prevailing winds and ocean currents. Where are hurricanes
born? Which way do tornadoes move in America after touchdown? Why does the
water in the toilet swirl in one direction when you flush it? It can all be
explained by the Cariolis Effect!
Thursday, February 7: We now have fewer planets this year than we had in
the past. Do you remember all the planets from the sun outward? Today we
refresh our memory of our place in space as we explore the scientific
explanation of the formation of the solar system and of the Earth itself!
You will make a small poster showing the position, names, and symbols of the
planets of our solor system.
Friday, February 8: NO SCHOOL FOR YOU! GET YOUR SCIENCE PROJECT DONE!
DATA TABLE IS DUE THIS NEXT MONDAY!
Monday, January 28: It's all about pressure this week. We will be
observing and studying different aspects of pressure. We will start with a
quick video clip from "Absolute Zero," a NOVA presentation that shows how to
make liquid out of different gasses. This also shows two giants of science
with different views of 'procedure' and how they have been viewed by the
scientific community the past 100 years. This is important because YOUR
procedure is due tomorrow! See the SAMPLE I gave out in class and the data
under "Science Project" from the Home Page.
Tuesday, January 29: Have you ever sucked a boiled egg into a bottle using
pressure? EVERY science student needs to observe this experiment at least
once! We will be taling about how pressure zones around the world affect
temperature and cold/hot fronts. YOUR procedure is due today!
Wednesday, January 30: Today we will be going over the CSAP science pratice
test called "Moldy Bread." I will tell you how the State scores these types
of standardized tests as you self-grade your paper. Gas Laws will be
explored today with an emphasis on "Charles' Law." We will also see a bit
of the "Fireworks" video that explains how elements are used to create
firework colors! What a great job to have for all us pyros!
Thursday, January 31: Today we finish the NOVA production of "Absolute
Zero." We know that temperature affects chemical reactions. Today we will
be observing the effects of turning gas into liquid and a solid to a gas
(sublimation).
Friday, February 1: Today we get to explore some properities of a solid
gas. It's CO2 and it is commonly known as "Dry Ice." We will be observing
and experimenting with pressure, sublimation, and other physical and
chemical properties of dry ice. Don't miss this day!
Monday, January 21: Today you will design a procedure that will decompose
water into its component elements. I will give you a materials list and an
illustration of the testing apparatus along with the materials themselves.
After designing a procedure, you and your partner will build and test the
device. This is called "electralysis" and we will be using electricity in
this chemistry lab. Your personal hypothesis is due tomorrow! WE will go
over the requirements again in class. YOU need to get it written and in the
IN box by tomorrow! BE SURE TO CHECK YOU MASTER SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING DUE
DATES! Go to "Science Project" for requirements and due dates!
Tuesday, January 22: Today we are experimenting with copper powder and
flame in lab called "Putting Elements Together." This is synthesis lab that
explores the "Law of Conservation" in a single replacement lab. Your
personal hypothesis is due today!
Wednesday, January 23: Finish up "Putting Elements Together" lab today. We
will be doing a bit of review today about 'rates of reactions' and the
variables that can increase or decrease those rates to get us ready for our
next chemistry test!
Thursday, January 24: Quiz Review. We will be building an in-class study
sheet for your upcoming quiz on rates of reaction and types of reaction.
Friday, January 25: Quiz today. After you are finished, you may work on
missing work (check the grade sheet on the wall) or work on your personal
procedure (due next week!).
NO EXTRA CREDIT OFFERED THIS WEEK.
Monday, January 14: NO SCHOOL FOR YOU! Science Explorers, meet Mr. K at
9:00 today!
Tuesday, January 15: We are going into the computer labs today to do some
data collection for our school goals. Today you will take a survey about
how you feel about school. Your individual data is yours to analyze and I
hope you do. The school will take the raw data and design programs to meet
your needs. Be honest, be fair, and do it right! Afterward, I will show you
how to write a good science project questions and hypothesis. Question is
due this Friday!
Wednesday, January 16: Love that Liver! This is a lab that uses calf liver
to see how hydrogen peroxide reacts to enzymes found in liver. Temperature,
concentration, and surface area are all areas we will be examining in this
challenging but fun lab! Lab sheet is due Friday!
Thursday, January 17: Absolute Zero is a concept we will be examining today
with a NOVA video production. This video offers our students to see that
science is a process and some of the titanic scientific battles that have
occured in the past to give us scientific advancements that we take for
granted today.
Friday, January 18: Liver Lab sheet is due today. Your science project
question is due today! We will take class time today to "break down" part
one of "Absolute Zero" and to finish our Liver Lab sheets.
Monday, January 7: Today we continue working with chemical bonds. We will
start the day with exploring types of reactions (synthesis, decomposition,
single and double-replacement)with warm-up worksheet called "Types of
Reaction." This sheet will be due by Friday. I'll be talking to some of
you about your Science Project today to get ready for our quick research
paragraph (with a Works Cited page!) which is due this Friday. New grades
have been posted! Check and make sure you have the grade you have earned!
Zeroes or blanks? You have until Thursday to get them in!
Tuesday, January 8: You will have some time today to continue work
on "Types of Reactions" and "Chemical Bonding" worksheets. We'll spend a
lot of the time today taking about what you need to do for your 'background
research paragraph' about your chosen topic. A hand out called "Background
Research Paragraph" will be handed out (this can be found on the web site
under "Science Project") today. This tells you EXACTLY what you need to do
to get good grade on this project! Check the grade sheet!
Wednesday, January 9: We will be looking at a problem from the CSAP
test today. This is a state released project that asks students to use
their knowledge of the scientific method with a mold bread experiment. This
is called "Moldy Bread" and is due by Friday as well. This is a
good "filler" for everyone to be working on while I consult with everyone
about their chosen topic. "Chemical Bonding Study Guide" is due today!
RED ONE and RED TWO will spend a little time in the Media Center computer
lab this morning working on your background research paragraph.
Thursday, January 10: RED SEVEN and RED EIGHT will be in the computer lab
today working on their 'Background Research paragraph." Afternoon classes
will be working on setting up an experiment. Which variables must you
control, how many times do we test, how do we collect data are all topics
today.
Friday, January 11: RED ONE and RED TWO are in the computer lab this
morning. Afternoon classes will make sure their missing work is in,
that "Types of Reactions" and "Moldy Bread" are completed and in the IN box.
Thursday, January 3: Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful time during
our Winter Break! A great time for family and playing in the snow! If you
missed class on Friday, December 21, you missed a chemical experiment which
produced some very flavorful ice-cream. Today we will look at how the
sodium in sodium chloride (rock salt) chemically bonds with the hydrogen in
H2O (water) that allows this solution to become very cold (VERY below
freezing)without freezing into a solid. A worksheet/Study Guide
called "Ionic Bonding" will be passed out as we begin to explore how
elements chemically combine. I'll be speaking to each of you this next week
about your science project topic. Your formal question will be due first
and you must be prepared to begin work on your experiment.
Friday, January 4: We will continue to work with ionic binding by working
through the "Ionic Bonding" study guide. We will work on several problems
together, then it's up to you to finish. This Study Guide will be due next
Wednesday.
Monday, December 17: Density, density, who has calculated density? "Penny
Lab" should have shown you how important it is to get good, precise,
measurements and data. Today we reinforce the idea of a materials density
with a worksheet that requires you to think in scale. It's
called "Introduction to Density" and this worksheet is due by
Wednesday. "Penny Lab" should be finished and in your Science Journal by
Wednesday. Have you been thinking about a science experiment you can use
for your "long-term" project? There are at least 5,000 ideas in the room on
the bookshelf and even more on the 'net. You need to pick a topic by this
Friday!
Tuesday, December 18: Rates of reaction is a term used in chemistry. We
will be looking at factors that can slow, or speed up a reaction and talk
about some physical indicators that show that a chemical reaction is taking
place. "Factors Affecting Rates of Reactions" is the accompanying lab sheet
for Tuesday's lab. We will do a quick review for our Density/Periodic Table
quiz tomorrow!
Wednesday, December 19: Density and Periodic Table quiz is today! When
complete, be sure to finish "Factors Affecting Rates of Reactions" sheet.
Get it in the IN box! "Introduction to Density" worksheet is due today as
well.
Thursday, December 20: We'll spend some time today looking at science
experiments that you may be interested in. Continue working with rates of
reaction today with "glow-sticks."
Friday, December 21: "Factors Affection Rates of Reaction" worksheet is due
today! In class, we begin exploring chemical bondings of materials.
Extra Credit: Make a liquid "Density Jar" at home and bring it in by Friday
(with a cap or top firmly on!). Review page 14 for ideas of different
liquids one could use.
Monday, December 10: Calculating density is fairly easy once you determine
mass and volume. We start off today with an excercise dealing with the
density of some common items. Homework this week is about the "human
element" when you make a circle graph AND a bar graph using the elements
that make up the human body. "Stuffium" Periodic Table projects need to be
finished today and are due tomorrow.
Tuesday, December 11: Density of wood will be explored today in this simple
lab called "Will it Float?" Using an aquarium tank and different types and
sizes of wood, metal, plastic, and other items, we will determine density
and predict whether it will float or not. We then add our chosen items to
the tank and compare our data! "Penny Lab" will be introduced today.
Wednesday, December 12: "Penny Lab" is a lab using displacement to discover
when the U.S. government stopped using pure copper to make our pennies.
Students will be given the tools to discover which year was
the "transistional" year and which was the year the U.S. stopped the use of
pure copper pennies.
Thursday, December 13: "Penny Lab" continues.
Friday, December 14: "Penny Lab" concludes. Lab sheet is due complete
today. "Human Element" homework is due today!
EXTRA CREDIT: Bring in pennies from the years 1978 to 1989. 10 pennies = 1
extra credit point. Maximum of 100 pennies will get you 10 points! They
will be used in our Penny Lab!
Monday, December 3: Today we will perform our "Goop Lab" in our lab groups
during class. Remember to use your journal to keep track of your data and
to "write-up" your lab. ALL scientific investigations begin with a question
or problem, then make a hypothetical statement (how or what do you think
will happen), a procedure, an analysis, and a conclusion. We will be
focussing on analysis on this lab. This lab write-up is due by Friday.
Journals ALWAYS stay in the journal box in class. Journal check this week!
Tuesday, December 4: We will finish writing our analysis about our "Goop
lab" today. Begin the worksheet "Introduction to Periodic Table" in class
today. You will have part of class tomorrow to finish this
worksheet. "Introduction to Periodic Table" is due complete by Friday.
Channukah begins at sundown today! Happy Channukah!
MAKE-UP LAB IS THIS WEDNESDAY DURING FOCUS STUDY HALL!
Wednesday, December 5: Work on "Introduction to Periodic Table" today. We
will be working on the graphing component today! I will introduce our next
product assignment which is called "Stuffium." Basically, you will be given
a bag of "stuff" that you need to group by their physical characteristics
and weight. Then you will make 12 little cards (showing what they are made
of, "atomic number" and "atomic mass", chemical symbol, etc) like a real
Periodic Table. You will then arrange them so they are periodic and in
groups according to their physical properties. "Stuffium" tables are due by
Friday!
WEDNESDAY IS MID-TERM! ALL MISSING ASSIGNMENTS NEED TO BE IN BY TUESDAY TO
BE ADDED TO YOUR FINAL MID-TERM GRADE SHEET. BE SURE TO CHECK YOU POSTED
GRADE IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM FOR ACCURACY!
Thursday, December 6: We will see a quick video today about the Periodic
Table and some of the elements that are represented on the table. Continue
to work on "Stuffium" table in class. You may have to take it home tonight
to get it done by tomorrow!
Friday, December 7: Finish "Stuffium" lab. "Stuffium" tables
and "Introduction to Periodic Table" is due today!
EXTRA CREDIT: Extra credit is offered to all students on their Introduction
to Periodic Table worksheet. IF they choose to take it home and make a
computerized graph showing the relationship between atomic number and atomic
mass, they will recieve a boost to their individual score!
Monday, November 26: Did anyone in your family slip into a Turkey coma? Ha
ha, turkey has a chemical call triptophyn in it that really does cause
sleepiness! That's why dad is asleep on the couch during the football
game! Today in class we will be looking at 'alternative' energy sources. A
video called "Saved by the Sun" will be shown and an explanation of a
photovoltaic cell will be discussed. I will give you a guide to oral
presentations today and assigning times that you will be presenting to the
class. We will have time to begin an "abstract" that will help you in your
presentation. Homework this week is preparing for your final Electricity
Test! Study guides, old tests, and journals are great sources for studying
as well as using the LINKS site for electrical concepts. Test is scheduled
for Thursday!
Tuesday, November 27: Presentations start today. We will be hearing about
6 of the posters today. Scoring for presentations is separate from poster
grade! A rubric will be given to you so you will know how to get that A!
After presentations, we will be seening the next part of "Saved by the
Sun." Study for your electrical final! We will do a quick study review in
class today.
Wednesday, November 28: More presentations today. Finishing "Saved by the
Sun" today as well. Afterwards, we will do another test study session to
help prepare for the test tomorrow!
Thursday, November 29: Final Electricity test is today. 50 questions,
mostly multiple choice. When you are finished, I will have a worksheet
called "Solar Calculations" for you to work on for class points. Good luck
on the test!
Friday, November 30: Introduction to chemistry! Today we will be working
with a mixture that involves Elmer's glue and a borax solution. This makes
a really slimy 'goop' that leads us to understanding how chemicals interact
and combine to make new 'things.' We will be looking at and using the
Periodic Table today too! What a great tool!
Monday, November 19: Class time to work on your Electricity Posters. SOME
materials are provided. IF you wish, bring some 'stuff' from home.
Expectations, instructions, and how you will be scored have been passed
out. You get extra if you add 3-D! Try to "get 'er done" by Tuesday but I
wlll not grade them until November 27th.
Tuesday, November 20: Finish working on Electricity Poster! Try to get it
finished today so we can work on your presentation (yes, there is a
presentation!) Projects will be graded November 27th. Have a GREAT
Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 12: We'll be going over our latest quiz today after I pass
out graded assignments. We'll be analyzing your electric bill and calculate
average cost per KWH (it's actually a pretty good deal!) Your "Appliance
Inventory Survey" is due tomorrow. If you haven't done it yet, write down
EVERY electrical appliance YOU use during a typical day, then calculate to
find out how much electrical energy you personally use. You may be suprised!
Tuesday, November 13: We'll be drawing a simple electrical schematic
today. A schematic is a drawing which uses symbols for electrical
components. You need to know how to draw (and actually connect!) a series
AND parallel circuit. Going over your "Circuit Study Guide" today as a
review. We'll see a short video clip that will help you to review the parts
of circuits.
Wednesday, November 14: Your lab group will be working with the small DC
circuit boards today. We will explore how resistors, diodes, photo cells,
and capacitors effect the flow of electricity in a circuit.
Thursday, November 15: Build a circuit! Today your lab group (and you
personally!) will build a ciruit for me. A series and a parallel ciruit
with a switch is what we want to see. You may use holiday lights or 1.5
watt bulbs in sockets. You must include at least 3 bulbs. While you build
a circuit, other members of your group will be "dissecting" an appliance.
Old computers, TV's, calculators, microwaves, and other electrical
appliances which have outlived their effectiveness will be laid open on the
lab tables. We are looking for circuit boards, diodes, transformers,
motors, capacitors, and other electrical components that make our machines
work!
Friday, November 16: We will analyze what we found inside our elecrical
appliances yesterday (and do a bit of clean up!) Today I will 'lay-out'
your "Electrical-Magnetic Poster" for you. Basically, you need to choose an
appropriate elctromagnetic topic to make an informational poster of. A
rubric and instructions will be handed out today and many materials will be
available. This assignment is for those visual/spatial/artistic science
students! Add a 3-D component for extra credit! Examples will be shown
today as well! Your posters will need to be complete and ready to present by
next Tuesday, November 20!
Extra Credit: The Technischke Universitat Darmstadt team took the prize in
the Solar Decathlon a couple of weeks ago. Many students turned up with the
name for extra credit last week, but I would like you to take your time and
really look at some of these unique solar home designs. Go to
http://www.solardecathlon.org/ and follow the links to "photographs." Spend
several moments looking at different designs of past, and the current
winners. Pick your two favorite designs, tell me why they are your
favorites. Answer this, what does it take to win a Solar Decathlon? What
are the categories? Why do they call it a decathlon? E-mail or print it
out and get it in the IN box. Have fun!
Monday, November 5: Today we finish our "Circuit Study Guide" and we build
circuits. First, your lab group will build a workable series circuit. Then
you will add a switch. Next, build a parallal circuit. Then add a switch.
Have you heard of "spectroscopy?" I will show you how scientist can tell
what material is being burned (in a lightbulb or in a star!) by observing
the spectra that is being given off through a simple tube called
a 'spectrascope.' So cool! Circuit Study guide is due after class today!
Homework is assigned today and is due Tuesday, November 13. It's called
the "Appliance Inventory Survey" and it requires you to calculate your
electrical energy use on a typical day. Get started on it right away so you
can do a thorough job!
Tuesday, November 6: We will review Ohm's Law today. Last week I handed
out a device known as the "Ohm's Law Wheel" that helps electricians
calculate Resistance (which is expressed in Ohm's = R), Current (measured in
amperes = I), Volts (measured in volts = V), and Power (measured in watts =
W). As scientist, if we have two variables, we can calculate for the
missing variable which could help us understanding how electricity works.
Ohm's Law Quiz on Wednesday! We will complete working with circuits today.
ELECTION DAY!
Wednesday, November 7: Ohm's Law quiz today! You can use your "Ohm's Law
Cheat Card" or the "Ohm's Law Wheel" to complete this test which will
measure how well you can identify the missing variable, find the appropriate
equation to use, find the product and relate it in proper units.
Parent/Teacher conferences from 4 to 8 today!
Thursday, November 8: NO SCHOOL FOR YOU! Parent/teacher conferences all
day 8 to 8 today.
Friday, November 9: NO SCHOOL FOR YOU!
EXTRA CREDIT: This past weekend a contest was held in Washington, DC that
pitted student designed solar powered homes against each other in a
competition. Go on line and find out which engineering college won the prize
this year. (hint...they are from Germany!) Write down the name of the
college, get your name on it, get it in the IN box by Monday, November 12
for extra!
Monday, October 29: Today we get back to the basics of magnetism.
Your "Magnetic Study Guide" is a great tool to get ready for a short quiz
about magnetism on Tuesday. We'll go over the Study Guide and get you ready
for the quiz tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 30: Magnetic Quiz. A "quick" quiz to start the day off
right! After the quiz, you will get a sheet about circuits. Use the text
(pages 22-27 copies at the front office!) to work through the work sheet.
Demonstration of series and parallell circuits will be shown in class.
Wednesday, October 31: Halloween is "National Treasure" Day for eighth
grade! Your eighth grade team has put together a fun day of trouble-
shooting, critical thinking, and luck as you and your group gather clues
that will lead you to the "National Treasure."
Thursday, November 1: Circuit Lab. You will be making circuits today.
Adding switches and other loads to our circuits should show how an increase
in resistance is coupled with an increase in wattage. Ohm's Law will be
discussed today and a great little tool called the "Ohm's Wheel" will be
introduced (a great way to calculate all kinds of electrical equations!)
Friday, November 2: Shocking, isn't it? Today we will look at some of the
electrical accomplishments of Mr. Edison and Mr. Tesla. These two
scientific giants did NOT get along very well and their personal battle has
had great consequences for our modern world. We 'wrap-up'circuits today.
EXTRA CREDIT: Mr. Tesla was an Italian scientist that is credited with many
inventions. For extra points this week, research a "Tesla Coil" and tell me
how it works. Write it up (or draw and label it!)and get it in the IN box
by Friday for extra credit.
Monday, October 22: Static! It's a word that means "not moving" but when
we are talking about static electricity, WE are moving a lot! You Static
Lab we did last week is going to help you a LOT on your science final test
this Tuesday. IF you wish a reading to study, get a reading packet from the
front desk. The best way to study for this is to look at your labs, the
Static Sheet that was passed out to the class, and your electricity pre-
quiz. All of these items should be in your journal and/or portfolio. We
will "wrap-up" our electromagnetic "Quick Lab" today. Data and conclusion
in your journal, please.
Tuesday, October 23: Static Quiz! When you are done with the quiz, get a
Magnetism Study guide and begin working on that! Study guide will be due on
Wednesday.
Wednesday, October 24: Today we will finish the magnetism study guide then
we will see a movie called the "Magnetic Storm" which depicts the evidences
used by scientists to develop a theory. Pay attention to the five pieces of
evidence presented to support the theory that the magnetic sphere, and the
poles themselves, have switched in the past and should do so again in the
very near future. Use your journal to keep track of the evidence while
watching the movie.
Thursday, October 25: Fisnish "Magnetic Storm" and discuss the evidences
used to support the theory of magnetic field reversal on the planet Earth.
Monday, October 15: Your Concept Map of electrical production from coal is
due today. We will be watching a video of static experiments then actually
doing some of those experiments. Pay attention and use your observation
skills as you will need to know enough about static to pass the quiz!
Tuesday, October 16: Worksheet "What You Need to Know About Electricity" is
a study guide to help you learn what you need to know. We will be
experimenting with the Super Sparker today.
Wednesday, October 17: Ever wonder what's inside a battery? Today we
will 'dissect' a battery (or two!) to see just what is inside it and how it
works. Then, it's back to the room to experiment more with static.
A "Static Lab" sheet will be given out today. YOU need to describe two
experiments and expain how static works in the experiment.
Thursday,October 18: What is an electrolyte? Today we will see that two
metals and an electrolyte can produce electricity. Ever see a clock run on
a lemon or potato? You will know how they work after today!
Friday, October 19: Electromagnets! Today we will be experimenting with
electromagnets and looking at different variables that can make our magnets
stronger and more effecient. Lab sheet due at the end of the hour.
NO EXTRA CREDIT THIS WEEK! I NEED TO GET CAUGHT UP (so do you!)
NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY OCT 8th!
Tuesday, October 9: From coal to electricity? That's right, today we will
examine magnets and their properties and how we use them to produce AC
electricity. We will start a 'concept map' from the coal mine to the home
regarding production and use of AC electricity. Concept map is due Friday.
Wednesday, October 10: FIELD TRIP! 1/2 of the 8th grade goes today, the
other half tomorrow. IF you are not on the field trip, you will be working
at school in other classes. REMEMBER: We will be in the field all day.
Bring a sack lunch, snacks, water, a jacket, hat, and GOOD shoes. We return
to school by 3f:00 p.m. each day. PAY ATTENTION!
Thursday, October 11: FIELD TRIP! 1/2 of the 8th grade goes today, the
other half tomorrow. IF you are not on the field trip, you will be working
at school in other classes. REMEMBER: We will be in the field all day.
Bring a sack lunch, snacks, water, a jacket, hat, and GOOD shoes. We return
to school by 3:00 p.m. each day. PAY ATTENTION!
Friday, October 12: Finish our concept map today and "break-down" our field
trip. DC/AC electricity labs begin today with Static Shockers! Concept Map
due at end of class. CHANGE:CONCEPT MAP IS DUE MONDAY. FOR EXTRA CREDIT,
ADD THE SYSTEMS FOR BAG HOUSE, LIME SLURRY, STEAM CONDENSOR AND/OR OTHER
SYSTEMS OTHER THAN THE BASICS. WHAT ARE THE "BASICS?" MINE, TRANSPORTATION,
STORAGE, CRUSHER, PULVERIZER,BURNER,BOILER,TURBINE,GENERATOR,TRANSFORMER UP,
TRANSFORMER DOWN, TO YOUR HOUSE. MAKE IT COLORFUL, MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL, USE
LABELS TO SHOW THE COVERSIONS OF ENERGY (COAL IS STORED CHEMICAL, TO
KINETIC, TO THERMAL, TO KINETIC, TO DC, TO AC, ETC.) NEED MORE INFO? GO TO
LINKS AND LOOK FOR "ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION" SITES.
Monday, October 1: We will be showing the second part of Part One
of "Understanding Electricity." This video has a Part Two which we shall
see tomorrow. Homework for this week includes a reading entitled "A Brief
History of Electricity" and goes over some of the most important
discoveries/inventions of the past to get us to how we generate and use
electrical power today. There is a time-line and Study Guide that
accompanies the reading. This Study Guide and Time-Line is due by Friday.
Tuesday, October 2: Part Two of "Understanding Electricity" will be shown.
If you missed Part One, it will be shown during the first 20 minutes of
Focus Study Hall on Wednesday. After the video, we will be taking a Pre
Test about electricity. Remember, Pre Tests do not count against or for
your grade but you'll see this test again! Bring your calculators to class
today and tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 3: We have spent a lot of time working with physics and
Newton's Laws of Motion. Today I will give you a quick review of Newton's
Laws and give you time to process these laws of motion. You have a quiz
tomorrow! Bring your calculators!
Thursday, October 4: Newton's Laws Quiz. You may use (and I encourage you
to do so!) your calculators on this quiz. After the quiz, we will be making
a device invented by Ben Franklin called an 'electroscope' that detects
static electricity!
Friday, October 5: We continue working on Franklin's electroscope and we
add some static by turning on the VandeGraff generator. That will make your
hair stand on end!
Extra Credit for this week: Explain to me, using data and details, how, or
why, air friction is reduced on a golf ball by adding little bitty dimples
on the ball. Be clear and precise and get some extra for it. In the box by
Friday!
Monday, September 24: We are going over our first lab called the Pendulum
Lab. Its been graded and now we shall analyze how we performed as a group
and/or as an individual. Procedure is the heart of any experiment. We will
investigate the importance of the procedure in science by writing a step-by-
step "procedure" to help me make a Peanut Butter Sandwich. Be clear, be
precise and be here as Mr. Kindred makes a mess with procedure. Graphing is
also a BIG part of science. Your first Qualitative graph has been graded as
well and we will be going over that assignment too.
Your homework for the week is a worksheet called "Choosing the Right
Graph." Do the worksheet on Monday, then check the newspaper or any
magazine mom and dad and/or family will let you cut up. Find an example of
graphic data being used in a news story. Paste the graph and a short
description of the story to the back of "Choosing the Right Graph" and get
it in the IN box by Friday!
Tuesday, September 25: We will begin the "Marble Lab" today with with you
in your lab groups. This is a formal experimental design lab that MUST be
done in the proper manner in your Science Journal Notebook. Your team will
be given approximately 2.5 meters of foam tube that has been cut in half
forming a half-pipe (ha!). Your team will be given a marble, some tape,
stopwatches, meter sticks and other implements of scientific measurement.
You and your team shall design an experiment using the marble and tube,
write a detailed procedure, collect data, interpret data, graph the data and
write a 3rd person conclusion. Whew! You have three class periods to
accomplish this so don't be wasting time! What are your ideas? Marble Lab
is due Thursday!
Wednesday, September 26: Marble Lab
Thursday, September 27: Marble Lab: Make sure your procedure is done
today. Get the Marble Lab graph in the IN box today!
Friday, September 28: Marble Lab is due! Your "Choosing the Best Graph"
sheet, along with an example from a news source pasted or taped to it, with
a description of the story attached, is due in the IN box by the end of the
hour. We will be seeing a short video about electrical production. Pay
attention because next week we will be making electricity for ourselves!
Extra Credit Due Friday, September 28: We have seen "Power of 10" and we
have discussed light speed. Do some research and find out how fast light
speed is in SI units (metrics) then tell me how long it takes light to
travel to the Earth from:
The Sun.
The nearest star.
The edge of the universe.
E-mail it or hard-copy in the IN box by Friday, please.
Monday, September 17: Today we begin a series of experiments that show
inertia. It's called the "Inertia-Rama" and is due complete by Wednesday.
You have a quiz on Wednesday. Includes Potential/Kinetic energy,friction,
and the motion of a pendulum.
Tuesday, September 18: We will wrap up "Inertia-Rama" today. The lab sheet
is due by tomorrow. We will do a quick review for your quiz tomorrow.
Wednesday, September 19: Quiz today. Your Inertia-Rama lab sheet is due
today as well. Make sure ALL the questions are answered.
Thursday, September 20: Forms of Energy. We will be discussing and
discovering the different forms of energy used to power our world. Focus on
non-rewnewable/renewable energy sources. Work sheet (Resource Matrix) and
reading will be provided.
Friday, September 21: We will have time today to finish work on our Energy
Resource Matrix. This worksheet is due today.
Extra Credit: The Autumnal Equinox is this Saturday, September 22. Tell me
what is an equinox? Use detail so I can understand it. Then try to stand a
raw egg on its small end (there is a myth that this can be accomplished on
the equinox). Let me know how your experiment cam out. E-mail or hard copy
in the IN box by Friday!
Monday, September 10: We will finish our Pendulum Lab today when your group
decides upon a variable to test with your pendulum. The lab sheet is due at
the end of class. We will be 'warming up' with a worksheet
called "Qualitative Graphing" which we will work on as a class and will be
due as homework by Friday. A motion detector is set up in the classroom. We
will use it to demonstrate qualitative and quantitative graphing.
Tuesday, September 11: Now that you have finished your first lab about
potential and kinetic energy, what is motion? What is force? Today we will
working with our textbooks, journals and quick experiments to understand
these concepts.
Wednesday, September 12: Energy Conversions. "Energy cannot be created or
destroyed, it can only change form." Today we will be looking at what this
means. Class work includes a "concept map" of energy conversions. Tonight
is Open House for 8th Grade. Bring Mom and Dad (and the little brothers and
sisters, too) to meet your teachers!
Thursday, September 13: Little Shop of Physics is here! Have fun and pay
attention to over 100 hands-on experiments brought to our school by Colorado
State University. Be sure to be here for this great scientific day!
GREAT JOB, EVERYONE! THE "LITTLE SHOP OF PHYSICS" SAYS WELL DONE! WE ALL
HAD A GREAT DAY.
Friday, September 14: "Qualitative Graphing" worksheet is due! Did you
pay attention to the experiments? Today we will 'break it down' in regards
to energy conversions, which experiments caught your eye, and answering any
questions you may have.
EXTRA CREDIT for this week is; go to this site
http://www.need.org/needpdf/infobook_activities/IntInfo/IntroI.pdf
Read it...print it out, and circle the worlds most used energy source. Put
it in the IN box with your name on it OR....e-mail me the answer to the
question "which energy source is used the most worldwide?" and back it up
with statistics. By Friday, please. This site is also on my LINKS page
(last one on the list) if you can't open it up from here.
Hope you had a GREAT Labor Day weekend with your family and friends!
Here's what is going on the week of Sept 4-Sept 7 in Science Class:
Tuesday, September 4: Your first Homework assignment is due today. Put it
on the designated space by your hour. I'll check them the first part of
class. Your next homework assignment is pretty easy: take Mr. Kindreds'
letter home, have your parents read it and sign it, bring it back by Friday.
One of the advantages of knowing what your preferred learning style
AND preferred Multiple Intelligence is when we form lab groups. Your group
should have some diversity of intelligence in it. Boys and girls working
together to come up with a problem, hypothesis, an experiment to test the
hypothesis, collecting data, interpreting data, and reporting the data is a
BIG part of science. You will have assigned seating today and be assigned
to a lab group. Be sure to have your journal with you on this first RED DAY
back. QUIZ on Friday about M.I.'s, learning styles, and scientific method.
Review in class on Thursday.
Wednesday, September 5: It's all about energy. We will start with
Potential and Kinetic energy and a review of some of the lab tools we will
be using. You should be in a lab group by now and we have gone over the
Scientific Method. Now it's time to design an experiment. This on is
called the "Pendulum Lab" and it gathers qualitative AND quantitave data.
Your lab sheet is due COMPLETE by Friday.
Thursday, September 6: We should have pendulum swinging and data being
collected today AFTER a quick review and study session for your quiz
tomorrow.
Friday, September 7: QUIZ TODAY! After the quiz we will finish up our
Pendulum Lab worksheets and analyze where we are.
EXTRA CREDIT: Look up the "Law of Energy Conservation" online (or in a hard
copy). Write down the definition and get it in the IN box (or e-mail) by
Friday for extra credit.
Monday, August 27: Beginning of School! Welcome back. We will be going
over some classroom procedures our first day. We will be discussing the
sciences (Astronomy, Oceanography, Physics, and Life Science) and some of
the jobs that require a science degree. We will begin with a short lab to
find out about you using a taxonomic scale.
Tuesday, August 28: Your name can say a lot about you. We will start the
day with a quick exercise using your name. Then we will begin researching
Learning Styles and Mutilple Intelligence. What kind of a learner are you?
This will lead to your first homework assignment which is to make a 3-
dimensional name tag. A rubric and explanation will be given to you. Your
name tag is due Tuesday, September 4.
Wednesday, August 29: We will be taking a quick survey today that will help
you identify your preferred learning style and your preferred Intelligence.
Use the LINKS site on this home page to find some GREAT web sites about
Multiple Intelligences. You can get extra credit by going to one of those
sites, taking the survey, printing out the results page (or e-mailing me the
results) and getting it in the IN box by tomorrow.
Thursday, August 30: CHANGE...Today I will be taking you all to the
computer lab so we can get you your password and log on. HOPEFULLY, we will
be able to have some time to check out this website and to take a multiple
intelligence test. Last day of school for this first week. Have a great
Labor Day weekend! See you Tuesday! (Don't forget to bring your 3-D
nametag to school with you on Tuesday.
EXTRA CREDIT: Take a multiple intelligence test from one of the site listed
on the LINKS page. Print out a results page, put your name on it and get it
in the IN box by Thursday. Or even better, e-mail me the results for extra
credit.
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