9/28 metric measurement

In-Class:
First hour students completed the Otis-Lennon test. Hours 2,3,4,6,7 watched the 22 minute video clip Scientific Method and Measurement which covered the history of the metric system and reviewed conversions within the system. Students in fourth hour created "rulers" using their own feet to measure common objects.
Homework:
None

Monday, October 1 - signed grade reports due in class.
Wednesday, October 3 - make up laboratory opportunity with pass to class 7:30am.
Thursday, October 4 - QUIZ - metric system.

9/27 Stanford Test

In-Class:
Students completed the Stanford Test during hours 1,2 and 6,7. Hours 3 and 4 watched the "Top 10 Discoveries in Science."
Homework:
Optional - Continue to practice converting units within the metric system.

Friday, September 28 - OTIS Lennon test during first hour only. All other sections will resume classes as usual.
Midquarter grade reports go home with students.
Wednesday, October 3 - Make up lab opportunity 7:30am. Must get a pass by Tuesday.

9/26 Stanford Testing

In-Class:
Stanford testing during periods 1,2 and 6,7. Period 3 worked on gaining some skills in the area of cooperation. Period 4 completed their points on a meter stick.
Homework:
Optional - practice converting from one unit to the next within the metric system.

Students had a tutorial available to them this morning for the metric system. I invited several students in writing. All are welcome with a pass.

Friday, September 28 - Midquarter grade reports go home with students.

Wednesday, October 3 - Make up Lab opportunity 7:30am. Must get a pass by Tuesday.

9/25 Stanford Testing

In-Class:
Students tested during periods 1,2 and during periods 6,7. All other classes were attended as usual. Students who did not test during periods 3 and 4 began an activity "points on a meter stick" to reinforce the units of measure decimeter, centimeter, and millimeter.
Homework:
Optional - Review metric units of measure either from the "Student Skills Handbook" at the back of the text or from a conversion website.

9/24 metric practice

In-Class:
We reviewed the ladder method of conversion within the metric system. Students used flip cards to identify common sense units of measure. For example...students will be able to identify whether it is more reasonable to use a meter or kilometer to measure a given space or distance...a milliliter or liter to identify the volume of a given object and so on.
Homework:
Optional - make mental estimates about the size of common objects in your home. Use a metric ruler to check your estimates.

All Homework during Stanford testing is optional; it will not be graded. It is a chance to practice skills that will be used throughout the year.

You can play with converting units or measure at www.convert-me.com

9/21 metric length

In-Class:
Students used rulers to measure common objects and converted those measurements from mm to cm to dm.
Homework:
All work should have been turned in to the bin at the end of class.


Thank you to all parents for the great turn out at open house last night!

Next week - Stanford Testing

9/20 metric system

In-Class:
Students worked to convert metric measurements within the metric system. Students should keep the "Metric Mania" handout through the end of the year; we will use it often.
Homework:
Complete the metric worksheet as assigned: "Changing Units of Length" DUE in bin Friday at start of class.

Tonight - OPEN HOUSE - 7:00pm-8:30pm.

9/19 Pretest

In-Class:
Students took the pretest for the Stanford 10. After testing, students enjoyed a softball game between the teachers and the students teams.
Homework:
pp.11 and 15 from Tuesday are due in class tomorrow for periods 1,2,4,6.

Thursday, September 20, 2007 - Open House 7pm-8:30pm

9/18 Inferring & Predicting

In-Class:
We worked together to answer questions on pp.11 and 15 of a packet on the scientific method skills Inferring and Predicting. Students in hours 1,2,4 and 6 need to complete p.11 (1-5) and p.15 (1-6)
Homework:
Study packet "Inferring and Predicting" pp.10-15

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 - Stanford 10 Practice Test.
Friday, Septmeber 28, 2007 - Midquarter Progress Reports go home.

9/17 scientific method

In-Class:
Students viewed and took notes on two video clips: Evidence and Patterns as an introduction to skills used in the scientific method.
Homework:
Review skills handbook at the end of text.

9/14 metric mass

In-Class:
Students discussed metric measurement of mass, length, and volume from pp.176 and177 in their texts. Students massed common objects using the triple beam balance and recorded the mass in grams on a chart that was turned in at the end of class.
Homework:
None

I was not present in class today. Mr. Lale, a retired science teacher, subbed.

9/13 TEST

In-Class:
TEST Safety and Laboratory Equipment.
Homework:
None

Our next unit topic is the scientific method and the metric system.

9/12 Triple Beam Balances

In-Class:
Students took notes on the use of the triple beam balance to mass objects. They practiced reading the beams to arrive at accurate masses for common objects and recorded this information in their notebooks.
2nd hour copied three paragraphs from pp.176 and 177 on Length, Volume, and Mass.
The site students used to practice reading mass is www.ohaus.com/products/education/weblab/TBBins.html


Homework:
Study for Test over safety and lab equipment.
TEST, Thursday, September 13, 2007

9/11 Filtering Lab

In-Class:
Students used 5 pieces of common lab equipment to set up and complete the filtering lab. Students are graded on a scale of 1-5 (5 is a perfect score) for their ability to listen, follow directions, and safely perform the laboratory.
Homework:
Study for TEST over laboratory equipment and safety.

9/10 bunsen burners

In-Class:
Laboratory - Lighting and adjusting the Bunsen Burner. Students studied safety and lab equipment at their tables while waiting their turn to perform the lab.
Homework:
Study for safety and lab equipment test.

9/07 safety and equipment

In-Class:
Activity - The Name Game. Students worked to find, label and identify the use of common laboratory equipment in the room. We also identified improper use of laboratory equipment in diagrams.
Homework:
Study safety and laboratory equipment for test.
Thursday, September 13 - TEST - Laboratory Equipment.

9/06 lab equipment

In-Class:
Students identified and listed the use of several pieces of laboratory equipment.

Dr. Robert Grumbine, a visiting scientist from NOAA (he's also my brother), spoke with students and answered their questions. Several students had excellent questions about becoming a scientist and about physical science. His email address is available in the classroom for students with more questions.
Homework:
Study the Laboratory Equipment handout.
Thursday, September 13 - TEST: Lab safety and lab equipment.

9/05 safety video

In-Class:
Students took notes on the video Starting With Safety.
Homework:
Study the Laboratory Equipment handout. We will be identifying 20 pieces of equipment in the classroom tomorrow.

9/04 Safety Posters

In-Class:
Students received individual text books Cells and Heredity and will bring text to class every day. Students were assigned topics from the Science Safety Rules handout and worked to create a poster that represents that safety topic. No words will be needed on the poster and all posters must be colored.
Homework:
Finish Safety Poster. DUE Wednesday.