Monday, September 29, 2014

The Lava Lamp

Classwork:
Apply your knowledge of heat, energy, paricle motion and density to a lava lamp.

  1. Draw it on p.48 in your interactive notebook.
  2. Diagram the motion of the "hot lava" and the "cold lava" with arrows.
  3. Explain how the lava lamp works.  Use the words heat energy, hotter, colder, faster, slower, expand, contract, more, less, and dense in your explanation.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

States of Matter Unit Begins

Friday, September 19
Friday Quiz on Density

Monday, September 22-Wednesday, September 24
The guest teachers enjoyed the students, but not my lesson plans.  The textbooks were used as students reviewed the vocabulary associated with scientific inquiry, and the nature of physical sciences.  The assignments included  workbook pages 12-13, 16-18 and 50-53.  This was much easier to do once students had been given the workbooks! Doh! :/

We set up a new section in our notebooks on p.39, titled Heat, Temperature, and States of Matter.
There were a variety of videos that helped us to develop a better idea of the interaction between matter and energy, and particle motion associated with each phase of matter.
These are all easily accessible on You Tube:

  • Bill Nye the Science Guy on Heat, on Energy, and on States of Matter.
  • Eureka! Episodes 17-21


Thursday and Friday were our review days. We returned papers, organized notebooks and made sure that everyone could draw and describe the properties of each state of matter.  Hopefully, next week will go a little bit smoother!


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Density Labs Day 3: Cubes

Due Today: Comparing Cubes

Class work: Density is a characteristic property of matter.
 We are completing our density lab investigations today.

In the lab today, make sure everyone gets a chance to measure and calculate density.  Be efficient-- one partner can measure mass while the other measures volume of different objects and then trade.  Be helpful! :)

The review questions on the bottom of the lab should be review-- finish for homework if you need more time.  Each box or cube  has a unique density because of its unique atomic structure and composition.  Calculate the density and identify your box! Have fun!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Density Labs Day 2

Due Today: Puzzling Scenarios



Class work: Remember that hot air rises because it is less dense!
 We are continuing our density lab investigations today...reviewing tomorrow.
Let's discuss our Puzzling Scenarios and examine the ideas you have about density.

In the lab today, make sure everyone gets a chance to measure and calculate density.  Be efficient-- one partner can measure mass while the other measures volume of different objects and then trade.  Be helpful! :)


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Density of Lumps

Due Today: Homework on Density/Density worksheet

Class work
Today we are reviewing the idea that density is a characteristic property of matter and a ratio of mass per volume.  Get ready to make some measurements of mass and volume.  These measurements will be used to calculate density of some marbles in the lumps lab in order to predict if they will sink or float in water! 


 Why does salt water sink under fresh water? Pretend the marbles are water molecules that you could see. Where does the salt go? The cups have the same amount of "water" in them, but which one contains more stuff a.k.a. mass?  How does having a greater mass affect the density of equal volumes?

Monday, September 15, 2014

Hypothesis/Density Intro.

Due Today: Organized IA Notebooks
Did you update your Table of Contents? Are all your papers and notes in order by the date? attached?

CLASS WORK:
We are reviewing the format for making scientific hypotheses at the same time we are introducing the concept of density.  
Make a note of how to format your hypothesis on p.30 in your notebook.  

Get ready to practice making a hypothesis aloud as I layer the following liquids into the glass jar:

  • lamp oil
  • olive oil
  • windex
  • rubbing alcohol
  • salt water
  • corn syrup
  • vinegar
  • tap water


If you missed the class demonstration, watch this guy...Steve Spangler.
Why do they layer in that way? 

Make notes on density on p.31 in your notebook
Density is a characteristic property of matter.  Water has a density of 1 g/ml. If a substance has a density less than 1 g/ml, then it floats in water and if it is greater than 1 g/mL, the substance will sink in water.

Friday, September 12, 2014

More Measuring and Less Talking!

Due Today: The measurement labs!  You must finish today!

A measurement quiz was planned today.  
Hopefully, you'll finish everything, correct it all, ask me any questions you may have, get your work into your notebooks, and be prepared for your quiz no later than Monday.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Accuracy in Measurement

Due Today: Both Lab Sheets on Metric Measurements

CLASSWORK:
Today we get our text books!  Cover them. Ususally, you keep them at home.

Skim/Read p.30-33 and take Cornell notes titled, Accuracy in Measurement.  
Include these items:

  • Do the Stadards Warm-up on p. 30.  Define Estimate.
  • When do scientists rely on estimates?
  • Why do we get different measurements for things?
  • Measurements must be both accurate and reproducible.  Define those terms.
  • To help us, we significant figures.  Define and give an example of using significant figures.

When we review our measurement labs, we'll be discussing the viabilty of our results!

Tonight, practice with the Bikini Bottom Gang and help Patrick find out out if he makes the team! 

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Measuring with Metrics

Due TodayPractice with Length, Area, and Volume Sheet (both sides)

CLASSWORK: Yesterday, we discussed the different types of observations we make as scientists, qualitative and quantitative.  Describe each kind of observation on p.24 in your IAN. Explain why scientists need to use both types of observations.  


We are reviewing how to use the triple beam balance.On p.25 in your notebook, we are reading some scales to practice. Number from #1-#6 and record your answers. Show your work and add the units (g), please!




We started reviewing the Metric System and practiced with length in meters, area and volume for liquids and solids.  
Today, we are measuring mass! This is your chance to practice before the quiz on Friday!

Go Metric!

Monday, September 8, 2014

Mystery Box

Introduction to Physical Science
Today we made observations of a mystery box and infered what the internal surfaces contours may be. 
Draw a side view and  top view of what you think it looks like inside the box.  List observations that support your inference. 

Collaborate with other scientists in your community to verify your observations. Conclude. Give an example of real-world situation in which a scientist cannot open up something to "see" if they infered accurately. How did other scientistts help you? 

I'm sorry that I didn't rotate the image!  Just turn your head a little to the right...:)

Friday, September 5, 2014

Safety Quiz

Due Today: Good vs. Poor Science Activity Sheet (both sides)

After the Safety Quiz, we will review the homework and collaborate on the items you discussed.
All responses and papers should be in your notebook as follows:

  • Safety Procedures Study Guide on p.14
  • Safety Rules for the Chemistry Lab on p.15 (Optional Extra credit opportunity: List the safety violations occurring in the What-Not-To-Do lab.)
  • Lab Safety Challenge on p.16


We started a new section on The Nature of Physical Science, so p.17 is a colorful title page.

  • Page 18 is the Table of Contents for this section.
  • Page 19 should have Cornell Notes on the Nature of Science
  • Page 20 has two items. Your reaction to the pseudoscientific headline and the homework you turn in today goes here when I return it to you.
  • Page 21 is the reading you did on the Limits of Science.


Have a great weekend!

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Scientific Theories and Laws

Due Today: Higlighted article, The Limits of Science
Classwork:
Cornell Notes and Discussion on The Nature of Science

Discuss the following questions in  your group. 
Choose a spokesperson to summarize and share the ideas from your group.
1. What is the main goal of science?
2. Why are theories not facts?
3. How are scientific theories similiar and different from scientific laws?

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Safety Talk

Due Today: Supplies for class
Welcome back to science class!

Classwork: 
Complete the Study Guide on Science Safety Rules