Grade and Assignment Update

Students,
I re-read all lab reports that have been revised and resubmitted. If your score changed then your grade changed. If you don't see a change in your grade that means your revisions did not raise your score.

You will not receive points for late "enrollment" in GIZMO. HOWEVER, you have 2 new technology assignments that outweigh the enrollment. So, it is very important that you do them and do them well. The Student Exploration Guide (SEG) and the Assessment Questions (AQ) are both due on or before Friday, October 1. I do not expect any late AQ scores. I get those electronically and will pick them up at 7:31 AM. If you haven't turned in your SEG by Friday then give it to my sub on your way to first period on Friday. See you in school.

Directions for using GIZMOS for SCIENCE

Each time you are assigned a GIZMO you will
1. Print out a copy of the Student Exploration Guide unless one is provided.
2. COMPLETE the Student Exploration Guide as you work the GIZMO. Be certain to read the directions carefully and to follow them. Write your answers on the guide.
3. AFTER completing the guide do the Assessment Questions.
4. Check your answers. Your grade will be recorded electronically.

You never know where you might find an idea

NASA - Robots on the Roof

NASA - Robots on the Roof


or try the topics wizard at www.sciencebuddies.com

Selecting a topic for your science project

We will be working on this in class with the 3 ideas/topics you have written down. If they aren't working for you then you may want to try the TOPIC SELECTION WIZARD at
http://sciencebuddies.com/science-fair-projects/project_question.shtml

Remember, you may NOT start your project yet. There's much to do before you test.

Today in History

You may want to bring this up in World History one day...

Today in Science History
On September 12 in 1940, the famous cave paintings of Lascaux are discovered by five school boys. Located near Montignac, France, the Grotte de Lascaux contains one of the most outstanding displays of prehistoric art known. Many animals, represented in a variety of styles, date back to 15,000 B.C.

—from The Illustrated Almanac of Science, Technology, and Invention

The Science Project Presentation from 09/07/2010

This is some very basic information for parents/caregivers. Everything your child needs to know about science projects will be taught in school.




More info will be published as it is taught.

SIGNING UP FOR GIZMOS

If you haven't signed up for Gizmos please do so as soon as possible. Just follow the directions. Be sure to use the correct class code.

Directions for Enrolling in Gizmos

Go to www.explorelearning.com

Click on the button “Enroll in a Class”

Enter the CLASS CODE FOR YOUR PERIOD
1A = GSWR6XHC72
2A = HUZKCKGTVA
3A = YH2QP3LXZH
4B = ZYZGUMBGTD
5B = 9DQKNQJRXV

You may have to create an account. You only need 1 account so if you have one from Math class just proceed on. If you do have to create an account, you must use your school log-in as your user name and your school password as your password. Use your real name or you will never get credit for your work. You don't have any assignments yet. I will teach you how I expect you to do the lessons and then you will get an assignment. You will earn 5 points in activities if you sign up or have already signed up. Ifyou use the wrong class code I will delete you. I will also delete any phony registrations.

LAB REPORT

Remember, we did the investigation first so you should have that data. Then we did the experiment where your group chose one variable to change. That is your independent variable.

The following are expected on the lab report for Drops on a Penny.

Remember to write each part on paper, cut it out, and then glue or tape it to the construction paper you received in class.  If you are in periods 1, 2, or 3 your report was due on Thursday. Periods 4 and 5, yours is due on Tuesday. These dates are due to our testing schedule.

Question: Can we get more drops of water on a penny if we _________________________________________________?



Hypothesis: If we ____________________________________(independent variable)

Then we will get more drops of water on the penny (dependent variable)

Variables:

Independent_______________________

Dependent ______________________

Held Constant ___________________________________________



Data: Make a data table for the Control Group Mean amd the Experimental Group Mean.

Graph the means on a graph. The title is A Comparison of Means for Drops on a Penny.

The groups names are on the x -axis and the number of drops are on the y-axis.

Results: Discuss

• What you did

• Your data

• What the data indicates. Explain everything you say – Use FRIES. Make connections between the variables and the data. (I want FRIES with that).

Conclusion:

F The data (did or did not) support the hypothesis.

R__________________________________________________________________

I__________________________________________________________________

E__________________________________________________________________

S________________________________________________________________



Rubric

A The report is complete and accurate. The results and conclusion demonstrate a deep, clear understanding of scientific thinking. Makes connections between independent variable and dependent variable.

B The report is complete and accurate. The results and conclusion demonstrate an understanding of scientific thinking. Makes connections between independent variable and dependent variable.

C The report is complete and accurate. The results and conclusion demonstrate an attempt at scientific thinking. Makes connections between independent variable and dependent variable.

D The report is incomplete or not accurate. No evidence of scientific thinking is demonstrated. OR the report is complete but not accurate. No evidence of scientific thinking is demonstrated.

F The report does not meet the criteria for a D although it was submitted. (55%).

@ = a placeholder when no project has been submitted (50%).

The 2010-2011 School Year is off to a great start

This is the first official posting for my new students and their parents or cargivers. Welcome to JLCP and to the 6th grade team. We are going to have some fun this year in science, but you will also learn some new info, you will stretch your brain at times, and you will have the opportunity for some real scientific thinking. Many of you students have realized the importance of rule 14 of the safety contract. If you can't remember what it is or you want to explain what it means to the folks at home just turn to p. 5 of your ISN where you put your copy of the signed safety contract.

Safety is important in science class. By practicing safe science you will find yourself doing science rather than just observing from the sideline. Speaking of doing science, did the data support your hypothesis about how to get more water on the penny? We will talk about how scientists use data to support or reject a hypothesis rather than saying they were right. We just don't say - "I was right" or "I was wrong" because we can learn from an experience where the data doesn't support the hypothesis. More on this in class. We will not be doing a lab Thursday, Friday, Tuesday, or Wednesday so I won't be checking shoes on those days. I'll let you know and I will try to make sure to announce it on this blog.

Don't forget that Tuesday is OPEN HOUSE and I will present a short program about science projects for your parents between 5:15 and 5:45. I will explain - VERY QUICKLY- the adult sponsor role for science projects. You and I will spend class time so that you will learn how to do a project from identifying an area of interest to defining your variables. Both Mrs. Hayden and I will lead out students through the process of a science project. Actually, we started the introduction to the process when you found out that scientists build questions from observations.

I will see all of you in class on either A or B day. TTFN.

Hurricane Season 2010: Tropical Depression 9 (Atlantic Ocean)

Hurricane Season 2010: Tropical Depression 9 (Atlantic Ocean)