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.

8/31 Safety Equipment

In-Class:
Students completed an activity to identify the safety equipment in the classroom.
Homework:
Read and review Science Safety Rules handout.

8/30 safety and expectations

In-Class:
Students worked together to review the Code of Conduct. They received a copy of the scheduled topics for the year as well as a list of important dates to remember. We scheduled "appointments" with one another to ensure students have the chance to work with everyone in class at some point during the year.
Homework:
Return signed Code of Conduct and Flinn Safety Contract DUE Friday

Supply List 2007-2008

Students are expected to have the following supplies by Friday, September 7 -

Pencils (#2)
Pens - Black or Blue ink
Spiral Notebook - to be used for science only
Folder - 2 pocket
Metric Ruler
Protractor
Pencil Type Compass
Colored Pencils (12 to fit in folder)
Blank, white paper - 20 sheets or more
1 roll paper towel or tissue - label with name

Supplies in bold are required in class every day.

8/29 Expectations

WELCOME!

Students did an impressive job today by taking responsibility for getting to each classroom.


In-Class:
Students received informational handouts and discussed classroom expectations regarding behavior and grading policies. Students filled in parent contact sheets. Hours 2,3,4,6 and 7 received Flinn Scientific Safety contracts to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned to school. Hour 1 will receive the contracts Thursday.
Homework:
Review, sign and return Flinn Scientific Safety contracts DUE Friday.

Welcome Back

WELCOME BACK!



School begins Tuesday, August 28 from 7:50am - 9:00am. Students will meet in their homerooms for one hour.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone when the full schedule of science classes resumes full time on Wednesday, August 29

Class supply lists can be accessed at http://www.sd194.org/

6/11 School's Out For Summer

Thank you all for a wonderful year of science!



I read the curriculum to several students the last week and they were as impressed with themselves as I was at all they had learned throughout the year. I look forward to some free time over the summer to work on some of my own science projects and recuperate.



Summer is an excellent time to work on those (subliminal science)

car maintenance projects (combustion, chemistry, metrics, force and motion)

improve your cooking skills (chemistry, measurement)

participate in sports (anatomy and physiology, force and motion)

or just relax and stare up at the sky - (astronomy, weather)



Take Care,

Ms. Grumbine

6/07 plants

In-Class:

Students completed a quiz over angiosperms. Any student earning a C or higher received a sticker.



I also awarded "Planner Maintenance" certificates to students who continued to do well with updating their planners through to the end of the year.

Recipients include:

Shamari D.

Brianna J.

Kara P.

Nick S.





Homework:

None

6/06 plants

In-Class:

Students participated in various activities related to plants. Hour 1 reviewed information from yesterday related to Seed Plants, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms and Plant Adaptations. Hours 2,5,7,8 and part of 9th participated in online activities.

Homework:

Enjoy the plantlife in your surroundings!

6/05 plants

In-Class:
Students discussed the difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms. We also discussed plant responses to stimuli.
Homework:
Note the annuals and perennials in your neighborhood.

6/04 plants

In-Class:
Students in hours 1, 7 and 9 completed a diagram of basic plant structureand function. Hours 2, 5 and 8 completed science poems in the style of Jon Scieszka. The poems and their accompanying illustrations are hilarious!
Homework:
Review notes on plants from your science notebook.

6/01 plants

In-Class:
Students organized notes from graphic organizers into their notebooks. All work for the last week will refer to the notes taken in class. Texts were collected. Some students still have outstanding fees from the previous text series. The main office has a list of all fees due; most range from 1 to 5 dollars for binding damage.
Homework:
Enjoy the weekend. Come back on Monday prepared to do science!