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.