FCAT EXPLORER UPDATE

Everyone should be enrolled in the correct class now. I have assigned 3 not 2 lessons. Earth and Space will be good to review prior to the CGA in January. You will be assigned to complete more sections of FCAT so don't delay- but take your time and do well!!

GRADES!!!! Important Info

First let me wish everyone a happy and safe holiday break. School may be out, but learning continues. By Friday I will have all classes set up in FCAT EXPLORER- I'm working as fast as I can.
Your assignment for FCAT EXPLORER is to

• Do the Review Lessons: Particulate Nature of Matter and  How Science Works and
• Complete the Physical and Chemical Section.

Your first response scores on the 8th grade standards will be used to calculate your supplemented/alternative CGA 1 grade so that you my "recover" that grade. This will go into assessments so it is very important that you do your best the first time. If at first you don't succeed, try again because partial credit is better than no credit. Everyone should know their FCAT EXPLORER log-in and password from Language Arts class. If you don't then maybe you can refer to Mr. Geary's blog. He posted some directions. The log in in your last name with your first initial and your password is 16 followed by the first four letters of your last name followed by your birth month and birth day. So, for Sally Sue Salamander who was born on December 25 her log in is SALAMANDERS and her password is 16SALA1225. You may not need to use all caps.
The FCAT EXPLORER assignments are due on Jan 8 for B day and Jan 9 for A day.

I have graded almost all of the science projects, but I have a few more to do. I will post these grades after I have graded all of them . Please be patient and work on FCAT EXPLORER which will have a greater impact on your grade than your science project.

If you did not attend class on Tuesday or Wednesday or if you still have not finished the assignments and submitted them (see blog post) then you will have a chance on the first day of class in 2014 to submit your 8 activities including the foldable for historical models. Check out Mr. Geary's blog there may be some directions on it for the foldable.

Getting ready for CGA 2: It's time to start reviewing. Try more of the focus lessons at FCAT EXPLORER, watch the videos posted to this blog, and re-read your text and notes. Remember, the test will include all 6th and 7th benchmarks along with the benchmarks that we have used this year since day 1. You may want to work ahead on FCAT EXPLORER to better prepare for the CGA. The better you do, the better your grade, the less remediation you will need.

(67) Universe - How the solar system was made- Watch this if you missed it on Friday or Monday

Activity check before winter break

My  group was excused from jury duty so I am back at school today - Monday. That means today was a great day and it will be followed by 2 more.

Tomorrow (B day) and Wednesday (A day) we will finish any science projects for anyone who was absent on the day that they were scheduled to present.

The following should be completed, checked, and logged into the gradebook before you begin your winter break:
Models of solar system for distances

• BR - solar system model (drawing)
• Closing - Comparison of two models

Historical Models of Solar System

• BR - p. 105, questions 1& 2
• Closing p. 112 # 20.
• Foldable using p. 112 and including a venn diagram to compare and contrast the historical models including who developed the theory, who supported it, when it was developed, and where it was developed along with other data you would like to include.

 Formation of the Solar System

• BR How did our planets form?
• Closing summarize notes from video: Formation of the Solar System
• Fusion pp. 129, #1-9

That is a total of 8 activities so be prepared when you walk into class on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I am very busy trying to finish grading all science projects before vacation. I will post them when I am finished.

B day students and anyone who was absent last Friday on A DAY

B day students,
I won't be able to show you this clip on the two models of the solar system. If you can watch it before class on Friday, it will be very helpful for you.
Here's the link. I hope it works.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/education/space/galileo-sun-centered-system.html

Rubrics for Science Project and Changes in dates

This should be the link to the rubrics. If it doesn't work, tell me in class. Thanks.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1kJPZ_sUMJnajdzY3NYNUhUeUE/edit?usp=sharing

Remember, we only have two days for each class to present all projects due to my call to jury duty. Please prepare yourself to present and to answer any important questions. You will have 5 minutes only for each group and the head judge so you want to explain your project succinctly, explain your data analysis and results, and explain your conclusion.

Do NOT say if you were right or wrong. Let us know if the data supported or failed to support the hypothesis.  It's not significant if there's not at least a 5-10% difference in means.

New Assignments and SCIENCE PROJECT UPDATE

Quiz Recycle available for Phases of the Moon during the next class period for anyone who earned less than a 70%.

New Assignments
A day received their tests back today. B Day will receive them back on Thursday. ALL students are required to do Test Corrections if they missed any questions and all students must have the test paper itself signed by a parent/caregiver. Follow the directions for Test Corrections. This activity is worth 10 points. It is due during the next scheduled class period.

TEST CORRECTIONS

1.   REWRITE each incorrect problem or question as correct. (Yes, all of the question or problem.)

2.   CITE the source of the correct response or how you derived the correct response.

3.   ELIMINATE all of the incorrect answers by stating why each is incorrect.

4.   DEVISE a strategy to avoid the particular error in the future.  

All corrections must be complete, correct, and legible. Staple the corrections to the quiz to submit.   

____________________
SCIENCE PROJECT UPDATE
Presentations begin on Monday, 12/9 for B Day students. Sign up will be in class tomorrow. Students may sign up for one of three days: 12/9, 12/11, or 12/17.
Presentations begin on Tuesday, 12/10 for A Day students. Students signed up today for one of three days: 12/10, 12/12, or 12/16.
On the day of your presentation you must bring
>your backboard,
>science project journal, and
>a copy of your abstract.
You access the SSEF form through nefrsef.org. Use the student tab to go to ABSTRACT.
You should prepare a short 3 minute talk for your peer judges and the head judge. There will be time for a question or two, so be prepared.
Anyone who has not made prior arrangements to ask for an extension of the due date and does not present will be considered a late presentation and the project will be graded accordingly.

At this time, if you have not submitted a proposal it is up to you and your parents to choose an appropriate project since they are your sponsors. You are still responsible for doing a legal project so make sure you follow all of the rules and fill out all of the paperwork.  If your parents sign the forms and give you permission to begin, you may. HOWEVER- any projects that do not comply with the rules will be graded as a ZERO and you will have to recycle the entire project for no higher than a grade of C.

A note to parents

Parents,
Please be advised that today at 12 PM all grades were due in for Progress Reports. I have done my best trying to read all of the proposals, even those that are coming in for the third or fourth time. At this time I have read all proposals that were turned in as of Tuesday, 11/26. If your child has not turned in a proposal you should see that on the grade portal or on the Progress Report that will come out the week we return from our Thanksgiving holiday. I will read any proposals that come in for the first time or those that needed so much work that they could not be given permission to begin experimentation. I will not read any more submissions just to raise a grade. If your child has not had a proposal approved by this time, I suggest they do a GIZMO simulation and collect hundreds of data points. Be certain that your child is doing an experiment and  not just a demonstration. There are guidelines in their science books and at www.nefrsef.org.

Science Project Presentations begin on December 9 and December 10 for the classes I have that day. Presentations end on December 16 and 17. I will grant extensions for extenuating circumstances or if a request for more time for experimentation is made by the parent. Any science project that is not presented either on time or at the end of the extension will receive a grade of ZERO until the presentation is made. At that time a deduction of 10% per class period will be made from the grade. I will explain all this next week in class along with reviewing how to do a backboard and an Abstract.

Students will have until FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6 to turn in any late or missing work listed on the progress report and currently on the grade portal or gaggle. If you can't access the grade portal remember that your child has access to gaggle and their graded are available on gaggle. After Friday, I will take no more late or missing work from the beginning of the quarter up to TODAY, 11/26. Some assignments have special substitutions and this information can be found in earlier posts. You, the parent or caregiver must write a note letting me know that you know these assignments are late or were never turned in. It doesn't matter what day I have your child in class Friday is the deadline.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Missing Assignments and Recycling "The Relationship of the Sun and Earth During a Year"

Looking over the gradebook I see quite a few grades of ZERO for various assignments. FIRST, let me say TYVM to everyone who turns in their work on time and well done. You are doing your fair share of helping yourself be successful. I will continue to provide learning experiences to prepare you for a) problem solving in the future, b) helping you develop a solid science foundation to serve you well in high school, and c) getting ready for future CGAs and FCAT.

Those of you with grades of ZERO (or very low grades in some cases) in one or more locations. This is very important. Here's how to clear them up BEFORE Progress Reports. I've broken them down by assignment.

• Summer and Winter GIZMO: do it and turn the SEG and a printed copy of the score for your Assessment Questions ALONG with the note from your parents that explains that they know you are turning in the Gizmo late and including your reason for it being late. They must hand sign the note and I must be able to read their signature- No initials or "doctor" signatures please even if they are a doctor. Due no later than 11/14.
• Mini Poster : Relationship of the Sun and Earth over a year (seasons, solstices, and equinoxes): To recycle this grade you must complete the entire SEG for the GIZMO: Seasons in 3D. You do not have to do the AQ. Due no later than 11/14. Don't forget the note from your parent- see above.
• A zero for submitting a science project proposal. Submit it and the required note about why it's late and that your parents understand that it is late.

I am currently grading proposals. They do take a while for each one. I will enter and turn on that grade when I have graded all of them, but it will be before progress reports. Unfortunately for those of you that did not do the assignment correctly, completely, or at all, I will not have time to regrade the proposals before progress reports.

Any work assigned prior to 11/15 will be on the progress reports including the appetizers, main dish, and side dish of our menu. Dessert will be added later.

Mini-posters of Seasons, Science project proposals and LATE WORK

After I post this I will be grading and posting mini-poster grades along with GIZMO grades from Summer and Winter. 
I plan to grade proposals this weekend. Your grades should be posted by next week.
THANK YOU to all of you who turned in quality proposals. They take a while to grade (more work for me) but that is really a good thing. UNFORTUNATELY, some students did not do so well. You will receive commentary and a chance to Revise and Resubmit without a penalty as long as it was on time to begin with.

LATE WORK has become a terrible problem that eats away at valuable teacher/student time and teacher/prep for students time. As a result, I no longer will be as lenient as I have been in the past. Following a meeting of the 8th grade teachers where we discussed this concern, I am instituting the policy that " If you choose to turn in an assignment late your parent must write a note to me explaining why you are turning the assignment late and that they are aware of your late submission. Granted, it happens to the best students once in a very blue moon so a one time penalty will have minimal impact on a child's grade. However, habitual  late work will have an impact on a student's grade. By submitting a note which I will keep on file, parents are helping hold their child accountable for his or her work. Reminders and deadlines are posted on the blog and on the classroom board, so no one should ever have to say " I didn't know".

Late proposals are expected to be submitted on Tuesday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 13. These will have a penalty assessed for lateness, but they must be accompanied by a note from the parent. Please do not e-mail these notes. I want a handwritten record from parents about their own student's late assignments.

MENU Selections

Remeber that you will have one more day to work on your menu in class. You can work on it at home also. Appetizers, Main Dish, and Side Dish are due: A Day 11/14 and Bday - 11/15. Dessert will be announced for the next week.

A 5-E Menu Plan!!!    Moon Phases and Eclipses                 

                        Make the Best Choices to Suit your ‘Tastes’

Appetizers (Explore) Labs and Such— Hands on and Virtual Inquiry	Main Dish (Explain) Reading Strategies— Use Unit 4 Lesson 2 Holt Fusion	Side Dish (Evaluate) Demonstrate your Mastery of the Learning Target	Dessert (Extend) Stretch your Thinking---Get that ‘A’
- Choose 1 from Eclipses Gizmo “eclipses” OR -Modeling Eclipses Lab with data in a foldable Choose 1 from moon phases -Modeling Moon Phases Lab with data in a foldable Or -GIZMO; Moon Phases You May work with a partner—Appetizers are meant to be shared J Choose 2  Possible points (15 each or 30 together)	-Cornell Two-Column Note Strategy -Concept Map or another graphic organizer from R 10-12 -Guided Reading—Active reading questions in Holt Fusion followed by Lesson Review Questions All Main Dishes include the Following vocabulary Words: satellite, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse, umbra and penumbra This is all for you. Choose 1 Possible Points (15)	Write a Quiz with Answer Key Using Webb’s Depth of Knowledge -Write a poem or song demonstrating your full understanding of moon phases and eclipses using all vocab from lesson and a performance -Create a 3-D manipulative of the EARTH-MOON-SUN SYSTEM that could be used to re-teach this lesson to others and make a video or power point or Keynote presentation -Create a Jeopardy Game using either an online template  or a physical template (may be with a partner but must include a report about what each person did) Choose 1 Possible Points  (40)	-Research the 1991 Solar eclipse in Hawaii  or another eclipse and write a newspaper article recapping the event as if you were there. -Create a Solar Eclipse Flip Book Using the directions provided. -Research How to Safely View a Solar Eclipse and create a “how To” Poster  or Keynote or PowerPoint -Create a Moon observation Journal for the Next two weeks. May be physical or electronic. No Meal is complete without a fun dessert… YUM!!! Enjoy this at home when you don’t finish in class. Choose 1 (15)

Period 8B -- OOPS!!!

My apologies.

I received your mail and forgot to pass it out to you. I have it, so is there somewhere I can send it 1A to find you. Otherwise, pick it up on Wednesday.
The mail was:

• COLLEGE TRIP INFO - Jan 28-3, limited to 50 students, approximate cost $450.00. Mr. C. Johnson is the contact person for more questions. johnsonc7@duvalschools.org. Payment dates were not announced.

• JLCP PTSA and ALL PRO DADS: KICKIN' IT WITH DAD!!! Kickball with Dad on Saturday, November 16 from 10AM - 12PM (noon). RSVP by Wednesday. 

• Barnes & Noble Bookfair: Friday, 11/15/2013. St. Johns Town Center. 

New Assignment

Prepare for your October 31 (B) or November 1 (A) class by completing the GIZMO: Summer and Winter. Student Exploration Guides (SEG) will be available in class. Do the Assessment Questions (AQ) also. Everything is due as you walk into class. No late assignments accepted without a parent note the day of class explaining why you did not do your assignment. Excused absences of course will be treated as an absence.

Learn about the Moon

Check Out Cosmic Journeys: Birth of the Moon on Hulu.
( http://www.hulu.com/watch/335222 )

NASA | "Come Fly With Landsat" director's cut

New videos for you to learn with

I've added some new videos. They can help you review some concepts. Let me know what you think.

Chemistry Music Video 6: Heating Curve (+playlist)

Atomic Bonding Song

I'm Atoms (Scientific Cover of Jason Mraz's I'm Yours) (+playlist)

Sodium - Periodic Table of Videos

The Mass Vs Weight Song - Mr. Edmonds -ROCK to an Oldie

What is the shape of a molecule? - George Zaidan and Charles Morton

TEST REVIEW TEST pre-corrections- a reverse style of assessment

All students must prepare their pre-corrections for the Test Review Test by using SRE to prepare notes for the test. Here's how:
Complete the Unit 1 and Unit 6 Benchmark Reviews ( a total of 30 questions) by (all on paper and not in your ISN)
1. make a STATEMENT by restating the questions and writing the correct answer to each question,
2. Write the Reason that this is the correct answer - why you think it's a correct statement - make connections and synthesize information, and
3. Provide the EVIDENCE to support your reason. Use quotation marks for the part you quote or copy directly. Cite the source. You should start with the Fusion book and then branch out as needed. Your sources may include gizmos, videos, or others. It is due the beginning of class of they day you take the test (A day = Monday, October 21 and B day is Oct 22. If you don't bring your notes or worse yet you don't do them you will still have to take the test. If you were not in school you should still be prepared because This is being posted on Friday and you will have days to complete the task. There is no time for post test corrections so it is in your best interest to have all 30 questions completed the day of class. Don't allow yourself to make errors. Dig for the correct/best answers.  This test will go on the 1st grading period report card. Everyone has the chance at earning a great grade.

GRADE BOOK is closing on WEDNESDAY. I will not accept any late or missing work after Wednesday, October 23 since the grades must be prepared for report cards and the later I wait, the longer it takes for the program to accept grades. Anyone who has less than a grade of C should definitely work to raise their grade. If you already have an A then you are doing well. Any zero may be made up. Do it this weekend.

B day assignments for 10/14 and A DAY 10/15

Monday, B-DAY and Tuesday A-day
Welcome to the Computer Lab
If you have not completed the GIZMO ELEMENT BUILDER Gizmo and the  assessment questions, do them now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Complete the GIZMO pH Analysis including the assessment questions.

Watch the video and take notes
Acids and Bases
http://player.discoveryeducation.com/views/hhView.cfm?guidAssetId=7b344c6b-0c93-4666-af58-7d118eb43d35

Watch this video and take notes (If you are not taking the PSAT then there may be time to watch it on Wednesday. If you are taking the PSAT you definitely need to find time to watch this video before class on Friday.
Mixtures
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/compounds_mixtures/activity/

Bill Nye the Science Guy- Atoms (Part 2)

Just how small is an atom? - Jonathan Bergmann

Bill Nye the Science Guy Atoms 1 Check this out.

Finally - Here's the Home Learning Assignment for OOBLECK

This is an extension of our phases of matter work. OOBLECK is special and can best be explored at home with your family. Perhaps you will even take a few pictures of your family's encounter with this non-Newtonian fluid.

B day should try to have it finished by Friday or Tuesday (since it just got posted today.

A day should have it finished by Monday.

You may present your findings via the analysis questions and answers in your ISN or you may make a very short electronic presentation that you can send via e-mail to smithp8@duvalschools.org or bring it on your thumb drive (flash drive, stick whatever you call it). If a family chooses for the child not to participate, then please write me a note and let me know why. I understand that there may be allergens to be considered.

 

 

Home Learning: Phases of Matter- OOBLECK

1.     Combine 120 ml of water to 180 – 240g of cornstarch in a large container.  ( Water can be measured in ml, and 1 ml = 1g for water.

2.     Mix water and cornstarch together using a spoon or your hands. It can be messy.

3.     Place the mixture on paper plate. This will allow you to move the oobleck around as you invert the plate.  Play with it. Does it run? Splat it with a spoon. What happens?

Analysis

1.     How is the oobleck like a solid?

2.     How is the oobleck like a liquid?

 

Plasma: The 4th State of Matter

Space Station Research Exposing the Salty Truth of Supercritical Water Transitions | NASA

Space Station Research Exposing the Salty Truth of Supercritical Water Transitions | NASA

Science Project Update - 2 assignments

Original assignment

In your Science Project Journal

List 10 TOPICS and find an  ARTICLE FOR EACH

 

Assigned on 9/26  and 9/27

Choose a TOPIC

In your Science Project Journal you will write an entry that states the topic you are choosing and how you came to choose it. Relate what you read and how you made your decision. ASAP
Submit this for review and grading as soon as it is ready. Try to have it in by October 4.

Once you have submitted your entry you will

Develop a K-W-L chart for your topic

K: what do you know about your topic right now

Find five articles from REPUTABLE, SCIENTIFIC based sources (something.gov: something .edu; or if it is something.org make sure it is not a blog or just anyone’s website). Videos from science sources, Science based television shows are also acceptable.

W: What have you learned – add notes

L: What do you want to learn or find out?   This is where your question develops.

Write and submit your proposal by October 15.

Proposals include Forms 1, 1A, Research Plan, 1B, and 3 (everyone). Special forms are needed for special projects. Refer to ISEF rule book before asking if you can do a special project.  http://www.societyforscience.org/document.doc?id=396

Forms can be accessed either at NEFRSEF or ISEF

 http://nefrsef.org/

  http://www.societyforscience.org/isef/document

 

Current Assignments

• Compare your Heating Curve of Water graph to the video when you finish the graph.  Do you see where the phase changes occur?
• Access the video at
• http://www.kentchemistry.com/links/Matter/HeatingCurve.htm 
• Complete GIZMO according to the directions you received in class. All classes need to complete part C and the Assessment Questions.

Current Assignment

All A day and B day classes have been assigned the GIZMO: Saturation and Temperature. This will be graded so the SEG and AQ must be completed on time. B day due date is Tuesday, 09/24. A day due date is Wednesday, 09/25. I have passed out micro-printed SEGs. If you want to reprint, you are welcome to do that. I use micro-printing to save paper and toner. I don't like to waste school resources.
More lab activities on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wear the correct shoes and be prepared to pull back long hair. If you are not in compliance with the safety contract, you will miss out on the opportunity.  Remember, it is more fun to do science than to watch science being done.

Do You want to be on TV?

OPEN CASTING CALL FOR DCPS-TV PROGRAMS

 

Duval County Public Schools Television (DCPS-TV) is looking for on-air hosts for the new and improved “REAL School” television show. This “News-Style” show will be produced once a month and will broadcast on WJCT, Comcast, and on our YouTube channel.

This audition is open to all Duval County Public School middle or high school students. We seek four (4) high school on-air hosts and three (3) middle school on-air hosts to be a part of our team. We typically record once a month from  3:30-5p.m. after school for the high school hosts, and once a month after school for each middle school student (we can be flexible on dates/times).

We’re looking for students with personality, eagerness to learn and the ability to work with our deadlines. Requirements for these openings are that you remain in good academic and behavioral standing for the entire school year. Reliable transportation to the district building is required for all high school hosts.   DCPS-TV will travel to the middle schools for each segment.

Good luck to all of you!

When:

Monday, September 30th

5 – 7p.m.

 

Where:

Duval County School Board Building Cline Auditorium

1701 Prudential Drive

Jacksonville, FL 32207

 

Matt Biegun, Supervisor of Video Communications

biegunm@duvalschools.org         904.390.2126

 

DATA from the CGA baseline

B day students received their baseline data from the CGA. Parents, please take some time to review the results. A day students will receive the data on Thursday. A log sheet should accompany the data folder. Parents, please sign that you reviewed the data and send back the log sheet and the folder. The folders will be kept in class for students to use as a reference.

Did you know you can reach this blog and any teacher's blog through the grade portal? It's very convenient. Feel free to explore the portal.

Did you see Google's home page on 9/18. It commemorates Foucald and his pendulum. I met my largest pendulum in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Where did you meet yours?

duval county public schools - students' 411 - code of conduct - code of appearance

Please review the code of appearance.

duval county public schools - students' 411 - code of conduct - code of appearance

Grades will be updated Monday and Tuesday

FLORIDA STATE PARKS CELEBRATE LITERACY WITH FREE ENTRY SEPTEMBER 8

FLORIDA STATE PARKS CELEBRATE LITERACY WITH FREE ENTRY SEPTEMBER 8

How Science Works

Welcome to 2013-2014 Blogging

This is the first post of the 2013-2014 school year. I have not been able to post from school. I will look into that. ...

Hello everyone.  The year has gotten off to a fairly fast start. We are finishing up Unit 1 and hopefully all students will be taking the CGA pretest soon (we may start on Thursday and Friday possibly). If you are out of school on one of those days you will just take a make up. Don't worry about it. The test is two sessions of 70 minutes each so we will be very busy testing for two A and two B days.

This weekend you should have worked on your brainstorming for your science project. You listed ten topics or activities that you are interested in. Looked for connections in Fusion and Sciencesaurus (in school) and tried to find an article about the topic in a science journal, magazine, or website (like NASA not science buddies).

Yes, many of you had to do the GIZMO part C over. When you as a scientist have prior knowledge you should use it. That's what happened. Many of you didn't make the connection from A to C.

Monday/Tuesday we will go over the GIZMO and we will talk about the data you had to analyze. That's right, the mean, median, mode, and range are all talking points before you submit your final conclusion. There will be a quick song to help you with some of the data analysis. It should be fun. Bring your Fusion book to class and your ISN. Remember, you should have all your supplies including pencil, pen, tape, glue stick, ruler, color pencils and sharpener, and ISN every day. I bought some back-up glue sticks and some color pencils this weekend. I will be glad to accept donations of supplies like tape, glue sticks, sticky notes, color pencils, etc. for the table boxes. I will have some wishes posted for open house.

If you haven't watched the video about "How Science Works" or if you want to see it again then check out the posting. It's a good one to share with your parents, because when they were in school they probably learned about THE scientific method which is linear. Not like today's pinball type flow chart.

Read the entire website and watch the videos: Salinity

Here's the link so you can read the entire web page about Salinity.

http://science1.nasa.gov/earth-science/oceanography/physical-ocean/salinity/

You may want to watch the graphics in action so that you can learn more.

Final Assessment for Advanced Comprehensive Science 3

                            S.T.E.A.M. into the FINAL

The final exam for Advanced Comprehensive Science 3 for 2012-2013 will be one choice from three options*.  Each option requires that you have some special materials that you will need to provide.

OPTION ONE

Working individually you will

o select a flight mission from the missions and enter it on the Individual Progress Report which will be updated after each work period,

o Research rockets used by NASA and other entities to deliver payloads,

o design a high-power paper rocket that will achieve the mission include detailed drawings for each part of the rocket,

o construct the rocket,

o predict the rocket’s performance and chance of mission success,

o fly the rocket, and

o File a post-flight mission report and the updated Individual Progress Report.

Materials that the student must provide: white glue in a bottle and at least one 2L (two Liter) empty soda bottle and duct tape. If the bottle breaks or smashes the number of launches will be limited.



Option Two

Working with a group of no more than three people you will

o select a flight mission from the missions and enter it on the Responsibility Report,

o identify the major job for which each person is responsible

o File the responsibility report and update it at the end of each work period.

o Research rockets used by NASA and other entities to deliver payloads,

o design a high-power paper rocket that will achieve the mission

o include detailed drawings for each part of the rocket,

o construct the rocket,

o predict the rocket’s performance and chance of mission success,

o fly the rocket,

o and file a post-flight mission report, and

o File a success evaluation on your performance from your entire group along with the updated Responsibility Report.

Materials that the student must provide: white glue in a bottle, duct tape, and at least one 2L (two Liter) empty soda bottle. If the bottle breaks or smashes the number of launches will be limited.



Option Three

Working individually you will

• build a Foam Rocket according to the approved directions to compare the launch angle to the range or distance the foam rocket travels,

• identify the independent variable for the tests,

• identify the dependent variable for the tests,

• identify the constants for the tests,

• Review Newton’s three laws of motion.

o Develop a positive and a null hypothesis based on Newton’s Laws of Motion.

Working on a team of three you will

Assist each other to launch each person’s rocket at the required angles for a total of at least three launches for each angle.

Record the distance for each angle.

Individually you will

Find the mean distance for each angle,

Prepare an analysis of the data including a comparison of the difference in distances between angles.

Use the analysis of the data to accept or reject the null hypothesis. If you reject the null hypothesis you must explain why and then you must explain why you are accepting the positive hypothesis using data and analysis to support your conclusion.

Materials that the student must provide: foam, duct tape, and an inexpensive meter stick or dowel for the launcher.


________________________________

Resources for S.T.E.A.M. into the FINAL

Background Information: How Rockets Work

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153415main_Rockets_How_Rockets_Work.pdf

___________________________________________________________

How to make a High Power Paper Rocket

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/295786main_Rockets_Adv_High_Power_Paper.pdf

If you are participating in a MAXIMUM HEIGHT mission you will need to make a launch altitude tracker to track your height. Follow these directions http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/153402main_Rockets_Launch_Altitude_Tracker.pdf

Alternatives to this altitude tracker may be discussed with the teacher

____________________________________________________________________

How to make a Foam Rocket

Watch this video to see an alternative to the printed directions

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/education/videos/playVideo.cfm?videoID=29

Here are directions to make a Foam Rocket and the launcher

http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/295787main_Rockets_Foam_Rocket.pdf


Notes

• An alternative assessment will be made available for any student who qualifies through extenuating circumstances.

Are you looking for a new challenge? Check out this contest

This sounds exciting for anyone from age 13-25. Especially, for those of you who enjoy futurism.

http://isef.tomorrow-projects.com/enter-competition/

Barns Are Painted Red Because of the Physics of Dying Stars | Smart News

Barns Are Painted Red Because of the Physics of Dying Stars | Smart News


Don't forget to keep reviewing and using your THIEVES skill to steal all of the information you can from the book. EOC for B day is on Friday. EOC for A day is on Monday.

EOC REVIEW CONTINUES

The EOC is this month. To help get ready you took  Benchmark Practice Test #1 (well, almost all of you did). The corrections for the test are due at the beginning of the class period next week. If you were absent you will take the test next week when I see you.
Here's how to do the corrections.

TEST CORRECTIONS FOR BENCHMARK PRACTICE 1 ARE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CLASS PERIOD.

 

 

• Identify the Big Idea and benchmarks for each item you missed. Write it out.

Write out the question and include all graphics.  

Write the correct answer (more than just the letter of the answer)

Provide details and support for the correct answer.

Add page numbers where you found support.

Have your parents sign the corrections.

 

 

 

I'm assigning some reading on Chem4kids.com for class. You will get the details in class on Friday or Monday. Then I will post the complete assignment.

Aloha

END OF COURSE EXAM (EOC)

Start reviewing everything that has been studied this year. Remember that the standards are in your textbook. Review them and be prepared to work on them during class as we begin Chemistry part 2.

EOC for B Day is 5/17.
EOC for A Day is 5/20.
Remember it counts as 20% of your grade.

Genetics

Try one of these weblabs out to review genetics


http://biologica.concord.org/webtest1/web_labs.htm

Pass the peas please

A good review for genetics

http://youtu.be/Mehz7tCxjSE

Why Earth Science

Watch this video to see how important the work of geoscientists is.

http://youtu.be/jxbIJH4fTYo

Upcoming Dates for Science Testing

Both sessions of Science FCAT 2.0 are scheduled for  THURSDAY, April 18.  This is a cumulative exam over benchmarks from sixth through 8th grade.

The Science EOC is scheduled for your class period on either May 8 or May 9.  This exam is over all of the benchmarks and learning targets for the entire 8th grade curriculum.  You may begin reviewing by reviewing your textbook and notes.

I will continue adding resources for your review.  Have you taken the tour of the cryosphere yet?

Where does our drinking water come from - Watch and find out

The Gradebook is under revision

I am currently in the process of adding grades to the gradebook. I am allowing students to make up or complete the following in order to maximize their success. Periods 5, 6, & 7 worked on assignments/assessments today. Periods 2 & 4 will work on them tomorrow. The following are high priority assignments/assessments to be completed.  All of these were listed on the blog with due dates.

On Pearson
LSA 5 BASELINE (no it's not optional, it was assigned)
LSA 5 POST TEST
LSA 6 Baseline (very important so that the printout of the score will indicate areas of strength and weakness with respect to benchmarks) - the Post test is next week.

FCAT EXPLORER
All of the middle school sections should be complete. There are 256 questions. Yes, I did pull the results at a little after 0001 today since the due date was 04/01 @ 2359 or 11:59pm.  I will recalculate anyone's grade on Thursday if there has been a change in score or accuracy.

GIZMOS www.explorelearning.com
Cell Structures SEG and AQ
Cell Energy Cycle SEG and AQ or online lab 7-1(thinkcentral)

Take a tour of the Cryosphere

A Tour of the Cryosphere 2009 5:12




http://youtu.be/PjAXoETeVIc

Resources for Sphere Interactions

Dynamic Earth 4:27

http://youtu.be/ujBi9Ba8hqs

Published on Jun 19, 2012

Watch as this NASA animation shows the sun blasting out a giant explosion of magnetic energy called a coronal mass ejection and the Earth being shielded from this by its powerful magnetic field. The sun also continuously showers the Earth with light and radiation energy. Much of this solar energy is deflected by the Earth's atmosphere or reflected back into space by clouds, ice and snow. What gets through becomes the energy that drives the Earth system, powering a remarkable planetary engine -- the climate.



The unevenness of this solar heating, the cycles of day and night, and our seasons are part of what cause wind currents to circulate around the word. These winds drive surface ocean currents and in this animation you can view these currents flowing off the coast of Florida.

Earth’s Water Cycle 5:53

http://youtu.be/oaDkph9yQBs

Published on Aug 3, 2012

Water is the fundamental ingredient for life on Earth. Looking at our Earth from space, with its vast and deep ocean, it appears as though there is an abundance of water for our use. However, only a small portion of Earth's water is accessible for our needs. How much fresh water exists and where it is stored affects us all. This animation uses Earth science data from a variety of sensors on NASA Earth observing satellites as well as cartoons to describe Earth's water cycle and the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth.



Sensors on a suite of NASA satellites observe and measure water on land, in the ocean and in the atmosphere. These measurements are important to understanding the availability and distribution of Earth's water -- vital to life and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on a growing world population.

Water Cycle Rap 2:47

http://youtu.be/i3NeMVBcXXU

Hurricanes 8:00

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=152570681





The Ocean: Driving Force for Weather and Climate

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=149694351



Plant Productivity in a Warming World 3:34

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/videogallery/index.html?media_id=17518665

Carbon cycle

A great video review for GEOSPHERE

This video is a great review/overview of the layers of the earth, the geosphere, fossils, where fossil fuels come from, how the geosphere protects our earth from the sun, how Earth has changed over time, and the Law of Conservation of Mass.  It's an investment in time, but it's quite good.  Yes, I know no one really can get to Earth's core, but through some very good CGI you'll get a new view of inside Earth.

As you view, watch for all the references to carbon. Jot a few down. We'll be discussing these topics as we wind up our FCAT review next month.

 http://youtu.be/FWkIhPJeVQk

FCAT VOCABULARY: Fluency List for Voyager

These words are the vocabulary of FCAT Voyager. Are you familiar with all of them?
Fluency List for Science Voyager


acceleration

adaptation

allele

amp

analysis

aphelion

apparent magnitude

astronomical unit (AU)

atmosphere

atom

atomic theory

balanced forces

bias

biodiversity

biosphere

boiling point

bone density

capillary

carbon cycle

cell

cell membrane

cell theory

cell wall

cellular respiration

chemical change

chlorophyll

chloroplasts

chromosome

chromosomes

circulatory system

claim

classification

climate

combustion

commensalism

compost

conclusion

conduction

conductivity

conservation of energy

conservation of mass

control group

convection

convergent boundary

corona

cryosphere

data

decomposition

density

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

dependent variable

desertification

digestive system

divergent boundary

domain

ecosystems electromagnetic

electromagnetic force

electromagnetic spectrum

electromagnetic waves

electrons

elements

empirical evidence

energy transfer

erosion

evaporation

evolution

excretory system

experimental control

experimental design

experimental group

extinction

fault

fibrous

force

fossil fuel

frequency

friction force

galaxy

genes

genetic variation

genotype

genus

geocentric model

geosphere

glacial abrasion

glacial plucking

gravity

heat

heat transfer

heliocentric model

heredity

Hertz

hierarchy

homeostasis

hormones

hurricane

hydrosphere

hypothesis

Ideal Mechanical Advantage (IMA)

immune system

independent variable

index fossils

infer

inference

innovation

interpret

ions

jet stream

kinetic energy

kingdom

latitude law

law of gravity

light wave

limiting factor

Linnaean system

logical reasoning

luminosity

lunar eclipse

maintenance

mass

melting

melting point

microscopic

mitochondria

model

molecule

momentum

mutation

mutualism

natural selection

neap tides

nebula

nervous system

net force

neutrons

nutrient

observation

orbit

orbital speed

organ

organ system

organelles

organism

oxidation

paleontologist

parasitism

particle

peer review

perihelion

peripheral nervous system

phase change

phenomenon

phenotype

photoreceptors

photosynthesis

physical change

plate tectonic theory

potential energy

predation

prediction

protons

Punnett square

radiation

radiocarbon dating

reflection

refraction

Assignments and the first Test of the 4th quarter

First and foremost, please start the habit of getting a good night's sleep as we enter testing season.  You will take your Science FCAT in April and your Science EOC in May.  Sleeping well and eating a good breakfast are two easy test prep strategies to employ to help you be at your best.  If I don't see you on Friday have a great Spring Break but remember, you do have assignments.  The following are all the assignments that I will expect you to complete and that I will include into the current grading period grade. Don't slack off at the end, because your grade will drop if you get a zero on an activity or an assessment.

• If you haven't finished LSA 5 Baseline you must do it ASAP. It is way overdue. I have already pulled the report and I will be recording a grade of ZERO for anyone who has not taken the test.
•  LSA 5 Post test should be finished by Friday, March 22. That's tomorrow. I will pull that report  tomorrow. Don't forget to do your metacognitive process thinking and record your thoughts. Id I don't see your grade you will receive a grade of ZERO until I have time to pull the report after spring break.
• LSA 6 Baseline should be finished by 04/02 so I can print your results for your class period. I will print those results on Tuesday, 040/02. Write down your thinking so we can have a meaningful conversation.
• FCAT Explorer is due on Monday, 04/01 and I'm not joking about the date or the need to be finished. This will be an assessment grade for you on your next report card.
• Both Gizmos are due: Cell Structures and Cell Energy Cycle. If I don't have them from you on Friday, 3/22 they will be recorded as a grade of ZERO.  Don't forget to do the AQs.  You may have completed the on-line lab 7-1 instead of a Gizmo. If so, I do need to see it on Friday.
• The mind map of your trip through the Carbon Cycle game is due on Friday also. Make sure that I get it or I will record a ZERO. Remember, a Zero is not kind to your grade. It brings it down and there will be no more time to recycle anything after break.

LSA 6 Post will be given in class on Thursday, 04/04 for Bday and Monday, 04/08 for A day. Be prepared.

The district packet for SPRING BREAK is all about FCAT.  Nothing wrong with being as well prepared as you can be.  Review the FCAT vocabulary, the glossary, and any benchmarks that are giving you problems.  Most of you have a print out of your last FCAT report. Use that to help you prepare. It's the 3rd column that you look at first. The larger the number in the column on the right, the more work you need to put in for preparation. Second period will receive their print outs tomorrow.