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Science (Period 1,2,4)

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Q2W5 (Nov 13-17) and Q2W6 (November 20-24)

Students did a wonderful job last week on the CFA, hats off to them and you.
This week we will continue on our STEM unit, testing our penny boats using the engineering design process and possibly moving into chemical and physical reactions. Interims go home Tuesday. As you are aware that quarter 2 has reached a halfway point and will end before we know it.  It is my goal to help all my students be successful in class and grow continuously.  Power-school is updated regularly and I encourage you to check it often.
 
Here is a look ahead (please remember these are subject to change):
Monday (11/13): Density boats and density practice sheet
Tuesday (11/14): Density lab (graded to replace previous lab grade)
Wednesday (11/15): Density critical thinking (referring back to sheet from Monday and previous week)
Thursday (11/16): Naiku Daily Practice and Review
Friday (11/17): Homework due and Orbit (Solar System TC)
 
Monday (11/20): Go over mid-term CFA and properties of matter assessment
Tuesday (11/21): Introduction to physical/chemical reactions with slime lab
 
Homework: Copy Orbits TC 3 x

Q2W4 (Nov 6-10)

Thank you to everyone for sending in supplies to complete the labs last week. This week we are starting a STEM unit that will incorporate all content areas.  Our focus of study will center of the Lewis and Clarke Expedition.  In science, we will focus on the technology that they used, such as the canoe, and on future transportation technologies.  We will incorporate studies on density, the engineering design process, and electromagnetism.  This is our first STEM unit that we have attempted, and it will be a learning process.  I hope it is fun and educational for the students.  They do have homework on Naiku this week.  It is due Wednesday morning.  Our Mid-Term test is on Thursday.
 
Weekly Activities
Monday - Review Lab on Density Columns and work on density
Tuesday - Review density, research Lewis & Clarke canoe
Wednesday - Naikiu HW due, review HW, and begin penny boat lab
Thursday - Mid-Term (CFA on PowerTest---it is graded)
Friday - States of Matter Unit quiz, then work on Penny Boats
 
Standards

0807.9.7 Apply an equation to determine the density of an object based on its mass and volume.

-->Measure or calculate the mass, volume, and temperature of a given substance.

Learning Objectives

  1. Use a triple-beam balance to measure the mass of an object; and use a graduated cylinder or ruler to measure the volume.  Then, apply the density formula to determine its density.
  2. Apply the formulas for calculating density, mass, and volume for given word problems.
  3. Construct a density column, and determine whether substances will sink or float in water or when compared to other substances.
  4. Construct a aluminum boat capable of holding more than 50 pennies but fewer than 100 pennies using the density formula in their design.

Q2W3 (October 30-November 3)

Happy Halloween Week! This week is full of labs as we complete our unit on properties of matter by studying density. Since we have so many labs, we will need help with a few items for the lab.  Here is a look at the week:
Monday: Density formula and problems
Tuesday: Phase Change TC from memory and lab with Density Cubes
Wednesday: States of Matter lab (we need enough of the following of each students, so please let me know what you can send in: milk, heavy whipping cream, sugar, rock salt, 10 oz cups, spoons, quart ziplock bags, sandwich ziplock bags)
Thursday: Density column lab (need corn syrup and vegetable oil, not a ton of either) and boats
Friday: Unit quiz over states of matter and density, complete boats
 
Standards covered this week:
0807.9.7 Apply an equation to determine the density of an object based on its mass and volume.
-->Measure or calculate the mass, volume, and temperature of a given substance.                                                               
 
Learning Objectives:
1. Use a triple-beam balance to measure the mass of an object; and use a graduated cylinder or ruler to measure the volume.  Then, apply the density formula to determine its density.
2.  Apply the formulas for calculating density, mass, and volume for given word problems.
3.  Construct a density column, and determine whether substances will sink or float in water or when compared to other substances.
 
This is also red ribbon week:
Monday-“Team Up Against Drugs!” Wear your favorite team shirt or jersey.
Tuesday- “We’re all in this together! United we stand against drugs! ” Dress as a twin with
a classmate.
Wednesday-“Be a Superhero against drugs!” Dress as your favorite superhero.
Thursday-“Put a Cap on Drugs!” Wear your favorite hat or crazy hat.
Friday-“Don’t let your future be damaged by drugs!” Fake an Injury Day
 

Video before #5

Under the explain it with molecules (before #5) watch me....twice.
molecular model animation Heating and Cooling a Liquid
 
The little balls represent the particles of a liquid, in this case water molecules.
For now, you will use circles or spheres to represent atoms and
molecules, but eventually they will use a more detailed model. For now, you should focus on the motion of the molecules, how they interact, and their distance from one another.

Q2W2 (October 23-27)

Report cards will go home tomorrow with students, 8th grade does not do the signature cards like other grade levels, so make sure to ask your sweet to see the report card.  This week we began our study of the properties of matter, beginning with the states of matter. This week we begin our study of the states of matter. This will provide another opportunity to go to the lab and explore the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. The lab activities are discovery activities, meaning that students will perform the labs prior to being given any notes. Then, we will create a set of class notes based on what students have learned from the lab.
 
Here is a look at the week:
Monday: Begin solids and liquids with student self investigation and demonstration.
Tuesday: Acids v Bases unit quiz and continue with liquids moving into gases
Wednesday: Go over quiz and create completed TC on states of matter
Thursday: Critical Thinking questions over States of Matter
Friday: States of Matter TC from memory
Homework varies by class this week..
 
Standards Addressed:
0807.9.1 Recognize that all matter consists of atoms.
0807.9.6 Compare the particle arrangement and type of particle motion associated with different states of matter.        
 
Learning Targets:
1. Identify examples and non-examples of matter using a simple litmus test.
2. Describe the particle arrangement, particle motion, and shape of solids, liquids, and gases (plasma as extension); and draw an illustration of each.
 
Here are some resources for extra reinforcement and where some of the weeks activities will come from:        

chem4kids.com – general site, lots of information

inquiryinaction.com – numerous activities for properties of matter

middleschoolchemistry.com – chapters 1 & 3 contain lessons about states of matter and density 

Q2W1 (Oct 16-20)

Welcome back---I hope you each had a wonderful fall break--it seems it was much needed.  This quarter is science gets fun, we begin some of our chemistry unit studies.  We will begin with acids/bases, move into states of matter, and on to physical/chemical changes.
Here is a look at the week (please remember as always that plans are tentative and are subject to change):
Monday: Safe Sleuth Mystery to begin acids and bases
Tuesday: Close read "Differences between acids and bases" and create TC
Wednesday: Lab over acids and bases (we will need a little of each of the following: gatorade, orange juice, milk, lemon juice, pure water, windex, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and lemon scent ammonia)
Thursday: Safe Sleuth locker mystery and Acids/Bases from memory
Friday: Quiz over Acids and Bases
 
Standards Addressed:
0807.9.12 Identify the basic properties of acids and bases.                               --> Determine whether a substance is an acid or a base by its reaction to an indicator.
 
Learning Outcomes:
1.List the basic properties of both acids and bases.
2.Determine whether a substance is an acid or base by its reaction to an indicator.
3.Perform a neutralization experiment to determine what happens, and write a word equation for the reaction.
 
Homework:
Monday: copy gravity TC 3x (due Tuesday)
Tuesday: copy solar system TC 3x (due Wednesday)
Thursday: study for your quiz

Q1W8-Q1W9 (Sept 25-29) (October 2-6)

Wow, can you believe that the first quarter of 8th grade is almost over...how in the stars did it pass so quickly.  Please remember that plans are subject to change. Here is a look at the week.   Project is due this Thursday. (Rubric is posted on my website. This may be a diorama, poster (on poster board or copy paper), or if students prefer an essay, they should see me for a topic.
Q1W8
Monday: Discussion and notes on Biomes
Tuesday: Review on Classification, Adaptations, and Biodiversity
Wednesday: Classification Unit Assessment and begin Penguins of Madagascar
Thursday: Begin fossils
Friday: Fossils
**Cumulative Assessment is planned for either Tuesday (10/3) or Wednesday (10/4) of next week. Review HW on Naiku will be assigned this week at some point and due next Tuesday (10/3)**
Q1W9
Monday: Finalize fossil record
Tuesday: Review for Cumulative Assessment
Wednesday: Cumulative Assessment
Thursday: Go over assessment
Friday: Finalize Quarter
 
Standards Addressed:
0807.5.5 Compare fossils found in sedimentary rock to determine their relative age.
0807.5.2 Analyze structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations to predict which populations are likely to survive in a particular environment.
0807.5.3 Analyze data on levels of variation within a population to make predictions about survival under particular environmental conditions.
-->Explain why variation within a population can enhance the chances for group survival.
0807.5.4 Identify several reasons for the importance of maintaining the earth's biodiversity.
--> Identify the major factors responsible for reducing the amount of global biodiversity.
 
Learning Outcomes:
1. Students Describe and give examples illustrating the difference between relative and absolute age.
2. Determine the relative age of fossils found in sedimentary rock layers.
3. Associate physical and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals that enhance their survival for each of Earth's major biomes.
4.Make inferences about the habitat of an organism from information about structural, behavioral, and physiological adaptations.
5. Explain why maintaining biodiversity is important, and identify major factors responsible for reducing biodiversity.
6. Describe the three types of biodiversity: ecosystem, species, and genetic.  Describe how each contributes to species survival.