My Science Homework

Day 139: Reverse Cross Section

Mr. G — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:16:26 +0000

As a way to confirm understanding of all of the relative aging concepts covered over the last several days of class, students today worked to complete a reverse cross section of rock layers. Instead of using a diagram to determine the order of events that occurred through time, students were given a list of ordered events by which they were to construct a diagram showing the result of such events. This reverse cross section is due next week.

Homework: Complete the reverse cross section - due on Tuesday, 04/08/08

Day 124: Today - The Leap Day

Mr. G — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:08:31 +0000

Class began with the conclusion of the Rock Cycle graphic organizer guided notes. This only took the first 15 minutes of class or so. We then discussed the significance of today’s date; February 29th: The leap day.

Since we had just closed the unit on Astronomy, and considering that the calendar’s “year” is dictated by the length of time it takes the Earth to travel around the sun, the discussion of how we end up with this extra day every four years was appropriate for this week.

Students worked solo or in pairs to complete three discussion questions related to an online article about the leap day. These written responses were due at the end of the hour.

Homework: None.

Day 107: The Sun

Mr. G — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:32:43 +0000

After completing the planet flashcards in class yesterday, students were introduced to the structure of our own sun. After a breif discussion of the sun’s formation (as discussed during yesterday’s video clip), we then discussed the internal layers of the sun: the core, radiative zone, convective zone, photosphere, chromosphere, and corona. Tomorrow we will discuss the sun’s surface features.

Students will complete a small model of the sun, incorporating each of the 6 layers along with the 3 surface features. This model will be due on Tuesday, 02/12/08. For a complete overview of the project, see the Sun Model handout.

The upcoming Astronomy Test is scheduled for Monday, 02/11/08. We will review for the test in class on Friday and there will also be an after-school study session on Friday from 3:15-4:00. For a complete synopsis of the test contents, check out the Astronomy Test Study Guide to review. Note: The “Gas Laws” portion will not be tested. Also, short answer question #13 will not be a part of the exam.

Homework: Complete your Planet Flashcards - due tomorrow at the start of class.

Day 32: Introduction to Chemistry

Mr. G — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:51:18 +0000

What do students already know about chemistry? What do they want to know? Those were our guiding questions to open class when students completed the first two columns of a Chemistry K-W-L. They were to include at least 5 things in the first two columns - the “K” for what they already Know about Chemistry, and the “W” for what they Want to know. Bring this back tomorrow so we can discuss it as a group.

The second half of class was spent reading a handout on the basics of chemistry - Introduction to Chemistry Reading Handout. Students then spent time organizing this information in a Chemistry Graphic Organizer. Remember to include at least 3 pieces of information with brief descriptions in each of the four outside boxes. Also, paraphrase information as much as possible by using your own words. This page is due at the start of class tomorrow.

Homework: Complete both the KWL and the Graphic Organizer before class tomorrow. Students were also reminded yet again that the lab reports from last week were due on Friday. Since they are worth a test grade, it is crucial that they all get turned in - even if they are 1 or 2 days late. Points are lost when they are late, but that is better than a zero! All reports are due by tomorrow (2 days late).

Day 31: Lab Reports

Mr. G — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:38:29 +0000

Today was the final day of the experimental design project and lab reports were due in class today. With homecoming coming to a close, the day was very busy, but a lot got done.

All lab reports for all hours (regardless of whether or not class met today) are due today. Remember - even for 6th and 7th hours - the reports should be turned in before you take off for the homecoming parade!

Day 30: Writing a Lab Report - Day 2

Mr. G — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 02:39:51 +0000

Today we continued typing our formal lab reports to document the details of the loop plane experiment we conducted over the last few days. Students were reminded to format the report as shown in the third handout (How to Write a Lab Report). Students had the full hour today to type the report, save it to their server space, and/or email it to themselves so they can continue to make progress at home.

There were a surprisingly large number of students who seemed uninterested in making progress on this report today but everyone was reminded that it is a significant grade - 50 points - and is due tomorrow. Late work will be deducted 25% if turned in on Monday, 50% if turned in on Tuesday. No credit will be given for any lab reports turned in later than Tuesday.

Homework: The completed typed lab report is due by the end of the day on Friday (tomorrow!).

Day 29: Writing a Lab Report - Day 1

Mr. G — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:43:11 +0000

All lab groups should have data recorded from the loop plane experiment. By today, each individual should have a graph completed demonstrating a relationship between two variables in their experiment, be it speed and distance, distance and time, speed and trials, etc…

Today was the first of three days we will spend working with the computers to write our formal lab report. To review the guidelines, see the handout that was given in class today titled Writing a Lab Report. It has a complete template showing you precisely what goes in each section, including the hypothesis, procedure, data, analysis, and conclusion. Please remember to use an easily-readable font size and style.

Homework: Final lab reports are due by the end of the day on Friday for 50 points. Feel free to work on them from home but be sure to email it to yourself or bring it in on a flash drive so you can continue progress on it in class tomorrow.

Day 28: Experimental Design - Day 3

Mr. G — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:16:06 +0000

Students started today by brainstorming how they could represent their experimental data in graphical form. Students were encouraged to come up with the graph that would best describe their data - be it a bar graph, line graph, or pie chart. We then discussed which would best suit the different possible experiment scenarios they were working on. Students then spent the bulk of today’s class period wrapping up the data collection and then analyzing the data by calculating averages and graphing the final results.

Homework: Complete the graph of your data - bring it to class tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be the first day we have the mobile computer lab in the classroom. This means students will begin typing their lab reports in class tomorrow. Everyone should have their graphs (data analysis) complete when they come to class tomorrow so that they can spend as much time as possible working on the computer to type the final report. Final lab reports are due in class on Friday.

Day 27: Experimental Design - Day 2

Mr. G — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:39:48 +0000

Continuing with the theme from Friday, students worked today to complete their experimental design proposals. These proposals included a problem statement, hypothesis, description of the variables involved, and a detailed procedure they planned to follow. Upon completion, the experimental design was approved and students then moved on to Step Two: Conducting the Experiment. After constructing their new and improved plane, students began recording data from at least three separate trials of each plane. Students were encouraged to record as much data as possible.

This week-long unit on experimental design is largely self-guided. Students will be given a brief introduction as to what should be completed each day. By the end of the week, each student will be typing a formal lab report outlining their entire procedure, results, data analysis, conclusions, etc… This final lab report will be due at the end of the week for 50 points.

Day 26: Experimental Design - Day 1

Mr. G — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:39:42 +0000

Today was the first of six days spent designing an experiment. Taking into account all we’ve done thus far through the year, students will work in groups of three to design, conduct, and properly document an experiment centered around a small paper loop plane.

Our starting point for today was to construct the “standard” loop plane, fly several test-runs, and document a problem, hypothesis, and potential experimental design. On Monday, we will continue by beginning construction of the new, improved plane documented in each groups’ procedure page. Take a look at the Experimental Design Proposal handout from today for more information. Have a great weekend!

PS: The Science in the News write-up from Monday was due today but only about 60% of the students turned it in! If you were one of them - pat yourself on the back. If not, remember you have until Tuesday to get it in for partial credit.