Science Assignments

Week of November 9th and preview of the week of the 16th

Monday: Students learned about joints and movement during a lab.  Homework is to complete a skeletal system book - this will take a little while

Tuesday (oops - sorry for the delay!) Students dissected chicken wings in class today.  Totally cool.  They all thought it was great.  Homework is to fill in chart and respond to paragraph question on back of lab (last page for period 5 kids)

Wed:  Periods 1,2,4:  Learned about muscles today.  Homework is the reinforcement page about types of muscles.  Period 5 also learned about muscles.  Their reinforcement page should be glued in to their spiral notebooks and completed (boxes with info about muscle types)

Thurs: Spent the period in the computer lab doing independent research on science project topics.  Nothin is due for tomorrow but today was the last day we will spend class time doing research so students who did not get enough info from our 2 research days must conduct more research on their own time.  No homework tonight, study for tomorrow's quiz by looking over notes (know the functions of the skeletal system, the types of bone and muscle tissue, function of muscles, how muscles and bones work together)

On Friday we will take a quiz, write a BCR and turn in the chicken wing lab - phew!  No homework over the weekend except to do independent research toward project.

Week of November 2nd

Monday:  Students went to the media center to begin doing background research for their science experiment/projects.  Mrs Mc Dowell taught the students how to organize their notes and sources using a grid format.  No homework will be checked on Tuesday but students should continue conducting research at home until they have enough information to design an experiment for their topic.

Tuesday: During class today students cleaned out their science notebooks and created portfolios for upcoming parent/student conferences.  Students also organized science project folders and learned how to write a scientific question.  For homework all students must write a question for their science project.  If you are working with a partner, your question should be the same as your partner's.

Wed Nov 4:  Students explored the functions of the human skeletal system at stations today and read about the skeletal system on page 548.  Homework:  Directed reading A for periods 1,2,4.  No homework for period 5.

Thurs Nov 5:  Students will continue to learn about skeletal functions and will observe a dissected bone to identify the tissues found within bone.  Homework will be a worksheet: diagram of a bone and parts of a bone.

Fri Nov 5:  We will observe various types of bone and discuss how their shapes allow them to perform the functions of movement and protection.  Over the weekend students should create flashcards or a foldable study guide with the skeletal system functions and bone make-up.

October 26th - October 30th  Final week of the 1st quarter

This week we will concentrate on preparing for the benchmark tests.  On Monday after the digestive and excretory system quiz, students will work on a benchmark review packet.  Any questions not completed in class should be completed for homework.  No homework will be given for the rest of the week.  Students should study review packets, drills, and class notes to help prepare for the tests.  Thursday night everyone should rest!  We will go to the media center on Friday to begin research on our science projects.  No homework over Halloween weekend.  Have fun and be safe.

Week of October 19th

Mon Oct.19: We continued to learn about the digestive system, particularly the major structures and their functions.  All Periods: Do worksheet "The Digestive System".  Period 4 please finish "sammy sandwich as well.

Tuesday Oct 20:  Students wrote a BCR during class comparing 2 systems in the body.  No homework tonight for periods 1,2 and 5.  Period 4 kids, please bring in your sammy sandwich closure writing tomorrow.

Wed Oct 21:  We will be learning about the excretory system.  Major vocab word will be "excretion"  Students will have a diagramming worksheet to fill in for homework - they must label the diagram and write the function of each structure indicated.  

Thurs Oct 22: We will be learning about the structure that filters blood called the "nephron"  Students will have a homework assignment with questions to answer about excretion. Students will also be given a science project topic sheet. Please talk to your child about choosing a topic to study and perform an experiment with.  Students may work with a partner - they do not have to tell me who their partner is yet. Science Project/Science Fair topics due on Friday

Fri Oct 23: We will identify the 3 major systems that help the body perform excretion.  Please ask your child to tell you all 3.  I will send home a study guide with questions that they should answer to help them study.   Quiz on Monday.  Students were also given a detailed explanation of the science project.  Please read the form "Final Science Project" and sign.  Students must show me the signed form on Monday.  They will be able to keep a copy of this form for future reference.

Week of October 12th

Monday Oct 12:  Periods 1, 2 and 4 Performed an experiment in class today.  Tonight's hw is to complete a second trial for the experiment and answer the observation questions on the lab.  We will graph the data and learn how to draw a conclusion tomorrow.      Period 5 learned about blood flow.  HW is a worksheet called blood flow to the major organs...

Tues Oct 13:  Per 1,2,4 reviewed how to graph data and completed the heart rate lab.  Tomorrow we will take a quiz on the cardiovascular system and experimental skills.  No homework to do, just study.   Period 5: see per 1-4 yesterday.

Wed Oct 14th:  Per 1,2,4 Took a quiz on the circulatory system today.  They do not have homework tonight.  Instead, they should take this opportunity to make up any missing homework assignments or labs they may have missed during absences. Period 5 must finish heart rate lab at home and study for quiz.  They will take quiz tomorrow.

Thursday Oct 14: Periods 1,2,4 Continued to learn about the the digestive system. No homework this weekend! Study the digestive system. Period  5:  Took quiz today on the cardiovascular system.  No homework over the long weekend. Instead, they should take this opportunity to make up any missing homework assignments or labs they may have missed during absences

Week of October 5th (Scroll down for Friday the 9th):

Monday:  most classes took a test today.  The substitute gave each class different homework assignments based on how far each class got in their investigation on the respiratory system.  Labs will be collected accordingly

Tuesday 10/6:  Period 1:  Took quiz today, turned in respiratory lab and began to learn about the cardiovascular system.  Homework is to read page 606 and answer reading check question (copy question please) and copy and answer the following question: What is the main function of the CV system?     Period 2:  Turned in their lab today and started CV system.  Same homework as period 1.        Period 4:  Finish Resp Syst Lab – graded!!! Read page 606 1.Answer reading check question (copy question please) Copy and answer the following question:   What is the main function of the CV system?     Period 5:  Finish lab at home, back side only.  Record data for jogging and running in place in the space for "data table"  Exta credit will be given to students who perform the experiment twice.  Don't forget to fill in the variables and answer the questions about the lab.

Wed:  Sorry computers were not up Wed and Thurs!!!  Wed night's homework was to finish notes on circ system reading, (per 5 did HW from page 606 above)  On Thursday we dissected a heart and saw a pacemaker - cool!  Thursday night's HW was to do a worksheet on Circ system parts (per 5 needed to fill in notes on reading)

Friday Oct 9th: Today we learned about the path of blood through the body.  Periods 1,2 and 4 need to finish the worksheet on blood flow to organs during exercise and create a graph of the data on the front of the worksheet.  Period 5 needs to complete the worsheet called circulatory system function and it's parts.

Week of Tuesday-Friday Sept 29 - Oct 2

Tuesday:  We are learning about body systesm and how their structures support their functions, beginning with the respiratory system.  Tonight's homework directed reading B

Wed:  We learned more about the respiratory system and developed study guides for the power words: system, structure, and function.  Block 1 needs to finish cornell notes at home, block 2 and 4 no hw, block 5 needs to finish the power words guides.

Thursday and Friday:  Mrs Cochran will be on jury duty so we will have a guest teacher.  Students will be focusing on the structures of the repiratory system (pg 621) and on the levels of respiration (pg 622)  On Thursday, directed reading A will be the homework.

Next quiz will be on Monday Oct 5th and will cover diffusion, osmosis, organization of cells in the body and the respiratory system.  Selected ersponse only.  Start studying now - 30 point quiz!

Thurs and Friday Sept 24 and 25:  Over these two days, students performed an experiment involving osmosis while trying to create the prefect french fry.  We also started to learn about the organization of cells, tissues, organs, and systems in living things.  No homework wa assighned by students have an opportunity for extra credit over the three day weekend:

Extra credit:  Complete the two prompts for organizing your learning on the back of Friday's worksheet, "organization of living things".  Use color, sketches and words.  Period 4 only was also given questions about diffusion and osmosis that may be answered for extra points.

Wed. Today we contiued to learn the movement of materials through the cell membrane (pg.90-92 in textbook) Homework= Complete Directed Reading A.

 Tues.9/22:Today in class we did a Bcr on Cellular Respiration,afterwards we saw experiments on diffusion. No homework tonight

Mon 9/21 Answer the 4 thinking questions on yeast lab, fill in the conclusion

Fri 9/18 We could not conduct our experiment today due to supply problems.  Instead, we reinforced learning about cell processes.  On Monday we will have a quiz with about 10 SR questions and one BCR

 Thurs 9/17 (see wed below)  We went in to the computer lab today!  It was great.  The students explored the connection between cellular respiration and photosynthesis.  Students in all classes may log in to explorelearning activities from the internet links page.  Students in period 4 should complete the assessment questions and click on "check answer" Students in period 5 should complete the first page of the worksheet that accompanies the "gizmo" Note: since I am updating the webspage late, students may work on the packet and on-line assessment over the weekend

Wed 9/16:  I was out on Wed at a county meeting for science teachers.  Students learned more about cellular respiration in my absence and had 2 assignments to complete before Thursday: a worksheet with questions about cellular respiration and flashcards with vocab words.  DIfferent classes got to different points during the day but all kids should have turned in the worksheet Thursday.  Students who did not complete the work may turn it in late for a lower grade (sorry for not posting this sooner)

Tuesday Sept 15th:  Periods 1 and 2 learned about variables in scientific experiments today and began to explore the connection between plants (photosynthesis) and animals (cellular respiration).  They wree given ONLINE ACCESS TO THE TEXTBOOK.  For homework, please show the online textbook reference page to your parents and have them initial the top of the paper. Periods 4 and 5 learned about cellular respiration and the reactants involved in the process.  For homework students need to make two flashcards.  On the front of one flashcard, they should write the term "Cellular Respiration" on the back they should write the definition.  On the other, they should write the words "REACTANTS of Cellular Respiration" and on the back they should write the two materials that are the reactants.

Monday Sept 14th:  Today we went over friday's quiz, learned how to meet bcr writing expectations and began to discuss the connection between plants (photosynthesis) and animals (cellular respiration).  Period 1,2 and 4 need to complete the elodea lab for homework.  Our lab did not produce great results - students should draw a conclusion based on their observations when we turned the blue dyed water, yellow and how long it took the dye to turn blue again.  Student can also write a sentance or two about why the elodea plants did not produce more oxygen bubbles.  Period 5 needs to complete the photosynthesis BCR for homework tonight.  I have added a writing sample to this page - please do not copy it.  You may look at it when you are done writing.

We will have a short quiz and a graded BCR on Friday the 22nd.  Students may preview the material by reading pages 92-95 in their text books or by looking up "cellular respiration" in the index.  I will be adding recommended webistes over the next few days so check the internet links page frequently.

Week Three  Sept 8-11

On Friday Sept 4th, students were given a cell model assignment.  Time was provided in class to ask questions and brain storm ideas about how to create the model.  I was not in school on Friday so please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.  Attached to this page is a copy of the instructions passed out in class.  The assignment may be turned in anytime between Wed 9/9 and Fri 9/11 (no other hw was assigned over the weekend and none will be assigned Tues night so students may wish to complete the cell by Wed morning as hw will be assigned Wed night.  However, students may turn the project in on Thurs or Friday without penalty.)

Tues 9/8:  Today we began learning about Photosynthesis.  Students have no new homework but should review the new terms learned today in class.  Students should work on their cell models tonight! 

Students may check the internet links page of this website periodically for supplementary reading and activities about photosynthesis.

Wed 9/9:  Today we discussed the products of photosynthesis.  For HW tonight students must fill in the blanks and do 2 SR questions on the handout entitled "How do Plants Make Food?/ The Cheminal Equation for photosynthesis"  Please read, fill in and sign the science safety contract by tomorrow, too.

Thurs:  We started a photosynthesis experiment today.  Period 1 and 2 should fill out the front of the expt for homework.  Per 4 has no homework :) Period 5 needs to write three hypothesis.  All students must have cell models and paperwork turned in by tomorrow.

"Pop" Quiz on photosynthesis tomorrow.  Study Page 18 especially.

Fri: today we took a quiz - most kids did great!  We also presented our cell models.  They are beautiful.  Period 4 had a special visit from Mr Mirenzi who was very impressed by all of the wonderful work our students did!  No homework over the weekend.

Week Two - Aug 31 - Sept 4

Monday 8/31  Today we set up our science binders.  Everyone's science binder should have an overall  table of contents, 4 sections, a cell unit table of contents, and 7 pages in the unit papers section of your binder.  We also learned about the parts of a cell, called "organelles"  Tonights homework:  Period one please complete your exit ticket and choose 3 out of the 7 terms on the vocab worksheet to define in your own words.  All other periods please write a definition for vocab terms 1-6 in your own words.

To view the neat virtual cell we saw in class today, click on the link below

http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/cells/insideacell/

Tuesday:  We learned about plant cells today and discussed how to draw a scientific diagram (see worksheet "drawing in science" which should be in the reference section of your son/daughtere's science binder.)  Students must produce a diagram of a cell and have until Friday to turn the diagram in.  The diagram will be graded.  No Homework due tomorrow for all classes. 

Wednesday:  Today we compared plant and animal cells and learned how to differentiate between the two.  Period 1 should complete the BCR on plant cells vs. animal cells for homework.  All other classes completed work in class today and have no homework.

Thurs 9/3:  Today we learned about using models in science to represent concepts or items of study.  Students' cell diagrams are due tomorrow.  Quiz tomorrow on cell theory and cell organelles.

Week One - Aug 25 - Aug28

This week we will be learning basic classroom procedures and guidelines.  During this time we will familiarize ourselves with the life sciences text book and begin to learn about cells.

Students will be able to describe the cell theory, describe the structures found in a cell and thier functions, and be able to tell the difference between things that are alive versus matter that is not alive.

Wed 8/26: For homework tonight (all classes) , please talk to your parents about this website and ask them to read the website letter and sign it.  If they have time, please ask them to answer the questions on the back (I will not deduct points if your parents do not have time to do this). Per 4, please have your parents read and sign the "success in science" handout also.  Per 1, please have your parents fill in the school emergency card. I must have these by tomorrow. 

Tuesday 8/25:  Per 1, 2 and 5 were given a worksheet called Success in Science.  Please review and sign this worksheet for homework tonight.  We ran out of time during per 4,  so period 4 kids will get the S in S handout tomorrow.

Students  should bring a 3 ring binder to class tomorrow so that they may begin to organize thier science stuff.  We will be setting up notebooks on Monday so please have the suggested materials before then (3 ring binder which may be shared wiht other classes,  4 or 5 dividers, paper, pen, pencil)

Wed 8/26: Please sign the science website info page tonight.  Fill in the back to help me build a helpful webiste for you this year

Thu 8/27: Today we learned about the cell theory.  Students described the 3 parts of the cell theory.  For homework, complete the page called "what did you learn about cells?"  Period 4 does not have to do this at home as they didn't finish the microscope activity during class.

Fri 8/28:  We learned more about the cell theory today and had a classroom scavenger hunt.  Text books were checked out to all student in period 2, 5  6.  Over the weekend find a safe place for your book at home - it must stay at home the whole school year.  Do not leave it in your locker or bring it back and forth to school.  Alos, please have your notebook set up with dividers labelled according to the science notebook tabe of contents.