Last days of 2nd quarter

Hi class
We have come to the end of the 2nd quarter. It seems the only thing left is the final exam. But before you get in the holiday spirit, remember you still have one more project due to me.
You all must get your science fair final papers handed in to me on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. All experiment must be concluded and data collected.

Your assignment during the break is to work on your project boards. Your boards are due on January 7, 2008. Science fair is scheduled for the following week. You have a letter for your parent informing them of this due date. It must be signed and returned to me on Tuesday. I have included the letter in this email.

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5pkggb_1753fv7ng3cn

Have a good week.

Study Guide for Final Exam

Life Science
Final Exam Study Guide
1. List 6 characteristics shared by all living organisms
2. Identify needs of all living organisms
3. Identify common tools used in a science lab
Triple beam balance
Graduated cylinder
Ruler
4. Use lab tools to take measurements in the metric system.
5. Identify and explain safe and unsafe lab behavior.
6. Identify the appropriate units of measurement for various items.
Mass
Volume
Length
7. Convert between units in the metric system.
8. Explain why scientists classify organisms
9. List the levels of classification scientists give to organisms.
10. Relate levels of classification to the relationships between organisms.
11. Classify objects into groups based on taxonomic key.
12. Explain the difference between science and technology
13. Identify skills scientists use to learn about the world.
Observation
Inference
Prediction
Classifying
Making Models
14. Diagram the scientific method.
15. Use the scientific method to answer a scientific question.
16. Develop a hypothesis and design an experiment.
17. Collect, analyze, and communicate data.
Tables and Graphs
18. Cell Theory
What are cells
Leeuwenhoek, Hooke, Schwann, Schleiden, Virchow
What cell theory states:
i. All living things composed of cells
ii. Cells basic units of structure and function in living things
iii. Cell produced from other cells
19. Cell Structures and functions
20. Cell Environment
Osmosis and diffusion
Active Transport
21. Using and understanding microscopes
Parts of a microscope
Handling a microscope

Science Fair Rough Draft

Hi class:
Here is the rubric for your science fair rogh draft. I am giving this to all of you so that you can see how I am grading this project. PLease print out and turn in with your projects. Your papers are due on Tuesday, November 28 in class. It must be typed, and include a title page.


http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5pkggb_1746d739gx

November 20

We finished our lab today

Homework: Work on Science fair draft of final paper.

November 16

Today in class we began our first microscope lab. You all observed the letter "e" under the microscope.

Homework: What 2 cell structures can be found in a plant cell, but NOT in an animal cell. Write your answer on a piece of paper and hand it in quietly at the start of class as you walk in.

November 5

Hi class
Today we began our unit on cells. We discussed the contributions of Hooke, Leewenhoek, Schleiden, Schwann, and Virchow to cell theory.
We next discussed microscopes, and briefly how they work

Here is the PowerPoint: http://www.scribd.com/doc/465388/November51

Homework: Read and Web pages 6-13, and do worksheets

On Wednesday: We will discuss the parts of a microscope
On Friday: Test on cell theory and microscopes

November 1

Hi class,
Sorry we could not finish the water balloon activity because the slingshot broke. We will attempt part 4 on Monday November 5.


For part 4, I am going to ask each team to write an explanation of why they chose an angle and stretch. You will be measuring for this part.

No Homework this weekend.

October 30

Hi All,
Today we got some great results. Today we varied our angles of launch and kept the amount ofstretch in our sling shot constant. Our top distance was 60 meters (6000 cm).

On Thursday, the prize is up for grabs. ICE CREAM........ YUMMY!!!!

So for homework, get your variables plotted, and get ready, the real fun begins. Don't forget to answer the questions as the bottom of your worksheets, below each of the graphs.

October 26

Hi guys and Gals,

Today was day 2 of our Water Balloon activity.

Each of your teams launched 3 balloons using the water balloon launcher. The focus of today was to investigate the relationship between how far you stretched the rubber of the launcher and how far the water balloon traveled. You kept the angle unchanged. We had lots of fun.

We then returned to the classroom to plot our graphs. You are ll learning how to draw best fit lines. Keep these graphs handy for day 4.

No additional homework aside from the projects that are due on October 30. have a great weekend.

October 24

Today we begin our 4 part Water Balloon activity:

As I mentioned in class today, today and the next 3 days are dedicated to our water balloon activity. In this activity, you will be investigating the relationship between an independent and a dependant variable. The purpose of this activity is to familiarize you with:
1) Collecting data
2) Interpreting data
3) Summarizing
4) Making predictions based on data collected.

So bring extra clothes for the next 3 days of class. We will have fun in the name of science.

Only homework: Make sure to get your Bouncing Ball Experiment and Final Drat of your Proposal done by October 30. These must be turned in during class to be considered on time.

October 18 and 23

This week begins the ITBS and CoGat tests

So, rather than move onto cells this week,

Today class time was spent working on:

Bouncing Ball Experiment

Final Draft of your proposal.

Remember: everything must be typed.

October 12

Hi Class,
Today we reviewed the steps involved in doing a scientific inquiry:
1) Ask Question
2) Form Hypothesis
3) Develop Experiment
Variables
Operational Definition
4) Gather and Interpret data
5) Conclusion

We also discussed data tables and graphs.

See your book pages 180-185

Your Homework is a project, due on October 30, IN CLASS

Bouncing Ball Experiment:
The project is to design and carry out an experiment to see if the height from which a ball is dropped affects how high it bounces

Title: Bouncing Ball Experiment
Date: Date it is done
Name:

Question:
Hypothesis:
Experimental Design:
Operational Definition
Data
Conclusion

The project no less than 2 pages. It must be typed.
See me for help is you need it.

October 9

Hi Class,
Today we read aloud pages 180-181 in class. We did three activities to illustrate each of the skills needed as a scientist:
1) Observation
2) Inferring
3) Predicting
4) Classifying
5) Making Models
6) Communicating

There was no homework today. See you on Friday

September 26

Hi Class today we talked about scientific inquiry
Here is the presentatiol:

http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=df5pkggb_230grp64q&fs=true

Homework was to answer the following questions:


1. Define the term scientific inquiry
2. A friend claims that corn plants grown in horse manure grows faster than in soil. Could you investigate this idea through scientific inquiry? Explain you answer.
3. What does it mean that a hypothesis is testable?
4. What is the difference between a dependent variable and an independent variable?
5. Is it important for you to be open minded and skeptical in your daily life? Explain your answer.

September 24

Hi Class
Today we learned about the skills all scientist need

Here is the lecture PowerPoint

http://www.scribd.com/doc/325747/Sept-24


Your homework questions are:

•Science is______________________.
•A ____________ observation involves numbers or amounts
•A model is a _________________.
•What is classification?
•What is the difference between an inference and a prediction.
•Give an example of a time you used the 5 skills of scientific inquiry.

September 19

Today in class we took test on taxonomy.
You each also received a homework log, which we will update each day.

Your homework tonight is to get caught up. If you are caught up, you did a good job so enjoy the weekend.

Parents please ask your student to see their logs, located at the front of their binders.

September 17

Today your taxonomic keys were due.
Each person presented their posters to the class.

On Thursady we will have a test on taxonomy.

Homework: Page 35 #2-4, 6-10, page 37 #1-4, 6. These questions will help you study for test.

September 13

Proposals due today.

We also took retest.

September 11

Today in class we did a little classification activity where we created a taxonomic key for your shoes. Remember, a taxonomic key involves asking a series of yes or no questions to place an item (or organism) into a category with similar objects. This is done until each item has a unique classification.

Homework: Study for retest on Thursday.

September 7

Hi Class,
Here is the PowerPoint from today.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/274447/sept-7

On the last page, you can find the homework, but just in case, here it is:
***2nd page of worksheets on classification
***Science Fair Proposal Due on September 13 ( see link to science fair to the right)
*** Work on classification chart (poster) of your chosen animal. I do have the list in my class in case you forgot.

Have a great weekend.

September 5

Hi Class,
It has been a few days since we all saw each other, due to the long weekend.
Today in class:
Bell Ringer: How do you classify items in your bedroom. For example, when you put your clothing away, what characteristics determines which items of clothing go in your closet, and what items go into which drawers?

In class we discussed:
Science fair proposals: due on 9/13/07

WHY DO SCIENTIST CLASSIFY?
-Makes it easier to study organisms
- Categories provide information on the organism.

Example: An animal
- moves on its own
- eats of things to survive
A Mammal
- warm blooded
-makes milk
A cat
- Retractable claws
- fur
- pointed ears
- good night vision
Carolus Linnaeus
- 1700's scientist who first proposed a naming system for living things
- Binomial Nomenclature
- 2 name naming system
- Genus: Group of similar living organisms
- Species: A sub group of living organisms. Each animal in the species has very similar characteristics. But they differ from other animals that are of the same genus, but different species
- Example: House cat : Felis domesticus
Cougar : Felis concolor

Same genus: Have claws, pointed ears, seee well in the dark
Diffferent Species: House cats smaller, purr, hunt small animals. Cougars large cats, roar, hunt larger animals.

Organisms of the same genus, when mated DO NOT produce offspring capable of having offspring. Organims of the same species can mate and produce offspring capable of reproducing.

Homework:
Page 1 of your worksheets on Why scientists classify.
Also be workingon you science fair proposals.

August 30

Hi Class
Today we had a quiz on unit 1- Introduction to science

After the test you all received 2 sets of worksheets, one on temperature and reading thermometers, the other on classification. If you did not hand these in, they are homework.

Also for homework you are to read pages 16-19 in your textbooks. Prepare a reading web for the reading on page 17, and a second web for the reading on pages 18 and 19.
Once you are done reading, answer questions 1 (a-b) and 2 (a-b) on pager 24.

August 28

Today in class, we reviewed for Thursday's mid unit quiz.
Here is a copy of the review sheet.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df5pkggb_197dz9d6p

After our review, we did a volume lab.

Homework: Study for the quiz

August 24

Hi Class
Today in class:
Bell Ringer: If all swans in Lake Mead, Lake Michigan, Lake Havasu, and Lake Erie are white, are ALL swans white?

We then learned about the scientific process so that you would have an easier time writing your hypothesis this weekend for homework.

Here is the link to te PowerPoint presentation used today:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/260881/Scientific-ObservationXX

Next we did a measuring mass lab, using the triple beam balance.

For homeworkWrite your hypothesis. It must be accompanied by an annotated bibliography for 3 sourcesYou must have 3, and they CANNOT be websites, they must be books, magazines, newspapers,If the book or magazine may be read online, then that is acceptable.This is DUE on Tuesday.

August 22

Hi Class,
Today's Bell Ringer was to convert one metric unit into another. Each class got different quantities to convert.

We then corrected our metric conversions worksheets. Remember if you are having difficulty, you must come see me for help.

The last thing we did was a measuring length lab. All of your calculations are due on Friday.

Homework:

Begin to develop a science fair hypothesis
Measure the length and width of 1 room in your house
Finish lab calculations.

Get help from me if you need it.

August 20

Hi class,
today we discussed the use of the metric system in class.
In science the metric system of meters, liters and grams is used instead of the English (or Standard) system of feet, gallons, and pounds because of the ease. Metric is a base 10 system allowing easy conversions between units.
Here is the link to a powerpoint presentation that can help


Notes:
Base units of length: Meter
Base units of mass: Grams
Base units of volume: Liters

Prefixes:
Milli: Divide by 1000
Centi: Divide by 100
Deci: Divide by 10
Deka: Multiply by 10
Hecto: Multiply by 100
Kilo: Multiply by 1000

1 meter (m) = 10 decimeters (dm)= 100 centimeters (cm)= 1000 millimeters (mm)
1000 meters = 1 kilometer (km)
1 meter = 100 hectometers (hm)
1 meter = 10 dekameter (dam)

You can do the same for units of mass, and volume, by replacing the base units.

Homework: 2 Worksheets on metric conversions

August 13

Hi Class,
Your homework tonight is to research your science fair topic.

Remember, you are doing an experimental design, which means that you are designing a project so that it answers a questions: Examples:

The effects of pH of soil on plant growth (already being done).
OR
Does fingerprint patterns run in families (already being done).

You must have your question and at least 3 sources. You are looking for science fairs projects that have already been done which a similar to yours.
For each of your sources, you must prepare an annotated bibliography.
To do an annotated bibliography, start with the book, magazine, or website and write down the authors name, title of book, publisher, where published, copyright date, and pages info found. Next you will summarize what the experimenter did, and found

Your Science Fair Topic:
"Do dogs react to particular scents"

Example of bibliography.

Brown, Charlie, "Dog's sense of smell", Harper Collins, New York, 2002, 34-39.
In his experiments on dogs sense of smell, Mr. Brown found that dogs salivate when they detected the smell of meat.

2008 August 10, <http://www.snoopy.com/>
In his research, Mr. Schultz tested how his pet Beagle reacted to the smell of ham.

You will hand these in on Monday, so be working on them. If you have questions , come see me on Thursday.

August 9

Hi Class
You started class today with a lab safety quiz. Most of your passed. Those who didn't must come see me for a retake.

Bell Ringer: Name some needs of all living things.

Today in class we learned about the 4 needs of all living things:
1) Food
Autotroph: Makes own food
Heterotroph: Eats other things for food
2) Water
3) Place to live
4) Stable internal conditions
Homostasis

I also introduced you all to the spider web. You must complete a spider web for all reading assignments.

Homework:
1) Read page 12-14
2) Do problem #3 a-c on page 14
3) Think of science fair topics.

Tuesday, August 7

Hi class,

Today's Bell Ringer Activity was:
List 5 living things. Explain what makes these "things" living?

In class you learned about the importance of taking notes. I gave you a handout which detailed the 3 steps to note taking:
1) Review previous days notes prior to coming to class. Do all homework on time
2) Pay attention in class. Look for key words that might hint that what the teacher will say next is important and should be written down. Do not write everything word for word, paraphrase.
3) Review and rewrite notes.

And of course ASK QUESTIONS. Clarify with the teacher if you do not understand something that was discussed in class.

We then began Chapter 1: What are living things. We learned that there are 6 characteristics that all living things share, from amoeba to human beings. These are:

1) All living things have cellular organization:
-Unicellular: Single celled organisms , example: Amoeba
- Multicellular: Many celled organisms, example: Humans
- All multicellular organisms have cells that are specialized, examples: brain cells,
skin cells, muscles cells, bone cells.
2) All living things are made up of the chemicals of life.
-Water, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids(fats), nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
3) All living things use energy
4) All living things respond to the surroundings/environment
- Stimulus (stimuli): A change in an organisms surroundings that causes the organism to
react.
- Response: An action taken by the organism in response to a stimulus
>Remember the pupils of the eyes: Light acts as a stimulus, causing the pupil to
get smaller (constrict).
5) All living things develop and grow
6) All living things reproduce
-Asexually: one parent
- Sexually: Two parents

Your homework tonight:
1) Study for your safety quiz on Thursday
2) Read page 6-9 in your textbooks
3) Do problem #1 (a-c) on page 14.

Welcome

Welcome to 7th grade. I trust you all found this website OK as you are reading this message.
Today in class you all received your syllabus, which we went over in class.
You all also got your textbooks (which you are to cover and keep safe at home) and your safety rules and contracts.
Remember your homework tonight is to have the letter to your parents signed, confirming that they read the syllabus. Also you and your parents must sign the safety contract. We will be having a test on the safety rules next week Thursday.
Finally you must bring your supplies to school on Tuesday. We will be learning about note taking, and we will begin chapter 1.
Have a great weekend.