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.