FCAT EXPLORER -

To all of my students who e-mailed me about the vocabulary assignment that I made on behalf of DCPS- I am sorry, but this seems to be an assignment that can't exist. I don't have access to your screens, but on the teacher screen there are vocabulary assignments. They probably don't exist on your account. Bah humbug on whoever posted the "packet assignment". I apologize if you spent time looking for this winter holiday assignment. However, you should be commended for trying to find it and get a jump on FCAT Explorer.


Since I can't see your screen I think I remember that the ship has sections. Start with the Nature of Science section then go on to Matter if that's another section.
Happy Sailing.

Keeping Up to Date

Assignments due upon return in January.

• Achieve 3000 (A3K) – two articles: Floating Free and Space Café
• Fusion Science book Lesson 3-2 including lesson review.
• Fusion Science book Lesson 3-1.
• Foldable for Comparing and Contrasting the Geocentric and Heliocentric models of the Solar System.
• There are 2 Gizmos about Tides available for students who need to raise the menu grade for the 3^rd and 4^th columns. Each Gizmo is worth up to 25 points. They are due on the first day of class in January.

Holiday Assignment

 Holiday Packet: FCAT Explorer Vocabulary Activities. See DCPS website for log in information.

You may also work ahead in FCAT EXPLORER. Starting in January you will be assigned sections for home learning. The first assignment will be the Nature of Science. Yes, it will be graded and it is your first attempt that will be used to calculate your grade.

 

Directions for foldable

Fold a sheet of white paper in half (hamburger style).

Cut along the fold. Save the other piece of paper for the first class of January.

Fold a 2cm flap at the top of the paper. This will be your glue in flap.

Now fold the sheet of paper in half (hamburger style). Cut along the fold up to the bottom of the flap.

Open the foldable. The flap is on the back side.

Cut out the models from p. 112 of your Fusion book. Glue one on each front section of the foldable.

Cut out questions #17 and #19 from p. 112. Glue each question to the back of the foldable matching the model on the front.

Glue the flap onto your ISN page. You will want to glue the flap in the margin of the page.

Lift the foldable up and on the ISN page make either a Y diagram or a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two different models. Use the following criteria for your diagram. You may add more information to make it a stronger diagram.

Prior observations that laid the foundation for the theory or model.

Arrangement of the solar system.

Developer of the model.

Country where the developer lived.

Dates for the development of the theory (or when developer lived).

Other scientists who accepted the theory.

Countries where these scientists lived.

Scientists who opposed the theories.

Countries where they lived.

If your scores on the tide columns from our Sun-Earth-Moon columns are less than 55 you may earn some more points -

If your scores on the tide columns from our Sun-Earth-Moon columns are less than 55 you may earn some more points by successfully completing one or both of the following GIZMOS:
Ocean Tides and/or Tides. Each is worth 25 points. Yes, that includes the STUDENT EXPLORATION GUIDE (you may either print it or write out the questions and answers) and the ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS.  This work is due on either January 5 or January 6 during your first class of the new year. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

When will science project grades be posted?

I am in the process of tallying your points from your boards, oral presentations, and science project journals. Right now I anticipate these three grades being posted on Monday. Abstracts are next to be read so they will be posted no later than Thursday of next week. Reflections are the last to be posted. Hopefully, they will be posted by Thursday, 12/18.

ALERT!!

Some students have not given me an abstract to read. I will not go to your board and read it. You must provide me with the second abstract as assigned. No abstract = a zero. You have time to get it to me so do it now.

I have not seen quite a few science project data logs/ journals. Where are they? No log = a zero. Get them to me on either Friday, 12/12 or Monday, 12/15.

An article for you to read and think about

The Problem with Gravity: New Mission Would Probe Strange Puzzle



The Problem with Gravity: New Mission Would Probe Strange Puzzle

Directions for TEST CORRECTIONS

Everyone must get the scantron signed by a parent or caregiver (even if you scored a 100%).
Anyone who missed one or more questions must do test corrections. They are due on this schedule:
1A and 2A are due on Monday. 5B, 6B, and 7B are due on Tuesday. 3A is due on Wednesday.

Anyone who CUBEd the test should have # 1 underlined and your original thinking for #4 should
already be on your test question paper.

Directions for Test Corrections
On paper
1. Write the question that had to be answered.
2. Write the correct answer.
3. Provide support from you book or another source. Write out the details. Specify the source. If you use your book cite the unit, lesson, page, and paragraph.
4. Explain why you chose the wrong answer and how you know it is wrong now.
5. Get the scantron signed.
6. Staple everything together.

Science project reminders:

1A and 2A presentations will continue on Monday.  3A presentations have been moved to Wednesday or Friday.
5B, 6B, and 7B will continue on Tuesday.

Rubrics for Science Project Parts

Display Board Rubric

Content of  Display Board	90 points. Each element in the display had a function and clearly served to illustrate some aspect of the experiment.  All items were included, were neatly and correctly labeled, and correctly placed on the display following all guidelines.	80-89 points  Each element in the display had a function and clearly served to illustrate some aspect of the experiment.  Most items were included, were neatly and correctly labeled, and correctly placed on the board.	70-79 points – Each element had a function and clearly served to illustrate some aspect of the experiment.  Some components may be missing, mislabeled, or out of sequence.	65 points –The display seemed incomplete or chaotic with no clear plan.  Many labels were missing, incorrect, or improperly placed on the display.
Appearance of Display Board	5-10 points Neat and readable, with good use of contrasting colors.	4 points Attempt at neat and readable, with fairly good use of contrasting colors	3 points Attempt at neat and readable. No use of contrasting colors.

 

 

Oral Presentation Rubric

Content	90 points  Shows a full understanding of the entire project.	80-89 points Shows a good understanding of the entire project.	70- 79 points Shows a good understanding of only parts of the project.	60-69 points Does not seem to understand the project very well.
Presentation	9-10 points Stands up straight, looks relaxed & confident; establishes eye contact with judges during the presentation.	8 points Stands up straight & establishes eye contact with almost everyone in the audience during the presentation.	7 points Sometimes stands up straight; may lose eye contact with judges from time to time.	6 points Slouches and/or does not look at the judges during the presentation. Reads from the board. Turns back to judges for an extended period.

 

Abstract Rubric

Written Content	90 points The body of the abstract is limited to a maximum of 250 words and fits into the predefined space. The purpose of the research, procedures, data, and conclusions must be included. Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure do not take away from the meaning.	80 points The body of the abstract is limited to a maximum of 250 words and fits into the predefined space. The purpose of the research, procedures, data, and conclusions must be included. Although the science is well presented, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure are poor.	70 points The body of the abstract is limited to a maximum of 250 words and fits into the predefined space. May be missing the purpose of the research, procedures, data, or conclusions.	60 points The body of the abstract exceeds the maximum of 250 words OR it does not fit into the predefined space OR may be missing more than one: purpose of the research, procedures, data, or conclusions OR it is only an attempt at an abstract. .
Form	9-10 points The form is filled out correctly including the TITLE OF THE PROJECT (in caps), the student name (or team leader’s name), and the School, City, and State. The correct form is used.	8 points The form is filled out correctly including the TITLE OF THE PROJECT (in caps), the student name (or team leader’s name), and the School, City, and State. The wrong form is used.	7 points An attempt has been made to complete the form correctly	6 points No attempt to complete the form correctly is evident.

 

Science Project Log/Journal

90 -100 points The ENTIRE experiment log is submitted in rough draft form, has a title written across the top, is legible, and is in the researcher’s own hand. All entries are dated and initialed. Includes early brainstorming, notes, and bibliographic info for proposal.

80 – 89 points  MOST of the experiment log is submitted in rough draft form, has a title written across the top, is legible, and is in the researcher’s own hand. Most entries are dated and initialed.

70-79 points SOME of the experiment log is submitted in rough draft form.  It is legible and is in the researcher’s own hand. Some entries are dated and initialed.

65 points The experiment log is not submitted in rough draft form OR it may illegible OR it is not in the researcher’s own hand. NO entries are dated and initialed.

 

BONUS OPPORTUNITY for Wednesday

You have a new A3K assignment for tomorrow. Do it for bonus points. Two points if your first try is 75% or better. One point if it takes you  a second chance.

JLCP Science Fair is looking for judges

The JLCP Science Fair is on December 17, starting at 3 PM. Student will be selected by the teachers to participate in the fair. If your child is selected, please encourage her or him to participate. Students from our fair advance on to NEFRSEF and/or the Duval County Public Schools fair. To make our fair the richest experience for all of our students we are looking for (recruiting) judges for our school fair. If you are a scientist, engineer, doctor, computer programmer or work (or have a degree or have worked) in a science related or engineering field and would like to volunteer as a judge please send an e-mail to Mrs. Smith. Her e-mail is smithp8@duvalschools.org.

MENU Assignments and science project reminder

Both B day and A day had multiple days to complete their menus in class and out of class. If the menu score is very low or a zero then there is work missing. All menu items turned in on time will be posted for the progress reports. Late menu items may be turned in one day late for a 25% penalty. Anything later than that will have a higher penalty. HOWEVER, this does not apply to students who were absent on Friday, 11/21 which was B day or Monday, 11/24 which was an A day.

Currently, the only late assignments that will be accepted are from the menu.

Don't forget to bring your abstract to class either Tuesday 12/2 (A Day) or Wednesday 12/3 (B Day).

Finishing up SCIENCE PROJECTS

As you know, science projects are due either December 2 for A day or December 3 for B day. On the day your project is due you will turn in one copy of your abstract. On the day that you are scheduled to present, you will bring your SCIENCE PROJECT LOG/JOURNAL, your DISPLAY BOARD, and a practiced presentation.

RESULTS vs. CONCLUSIONS

Results and conclusions are two different sections. For your results you analyze your data. Some descriptive statistics that you should use are the mean, median, mode, and range of your data. Graph your analyzed data. Look for trends. Really look at your data and determine if it is meaningful or not. Do you see more than a 5% difference in your means?  Is it more or less? The greater the differences between your groups, the more meaningful your results are. What do the results indicate? What may have affected your results positively or negatively?

The CONCLUSION is developed from the results. Use the correct terminology: The results support the hypothesis or The results do not support the hypothesis.  Do not for any reason claim that your hypothesis was right or true. Don’t claim your hypothesis was wrong or not correct. It can’t be. It is either supported by results or it is not supported by the results. Remember, you are not PROVING anything. However, you may include how the conclusion may help you go deeper into your question if you continue this experiment. You will find more info at www.nefrsef.org, but be careful of not totally correct wording (they use prove and disproved).

ABSTRACTS should be prepared by referring to www.nefrsef.org. Go to the main page. You will see

Select Abstract Completion Instructions (FSSEF) and follow them for what to include in your abstract.

Use the ABSTRACT Form (FSSEF). It is better to prepare your abstract body in WORD and then copy and paste it into the ABSTRACT form. Once you have completed your abstract form you should print 2 copies. One will be turned in on the day the project is due and one will be placed on your board in the lower left hand corner as you hold it.

To review how a display board is organized please select the student tab. You should see

Look at # 7 and click on backboard. That will take you to the complete page on display boards. Remember, the title and abstract have assigned places.

When you prepare your oral presentation remember that you are talking to your classmates. You will have 5 minutes for both your presentation and to answer any questions your classmates may have. Here are the questions you should include in your presentation.

• What was your problem?
• What was your question?
• What did you do?
• Why did you do it?
• What are your results?
• What is your conclusion?
• How can you use the conclusion to ask a further question?

 

Is there a rubric for all of this? We are working at the 8^th grade level to finalize one for the abstract, the board, the SPL/J and the presentation. They should be published early next week.

Bonus Points in SCIENCE

You can earn a bonus point by completing the A3K weekend science activity. Don't look in your mailbox just go to your science class page. You earn a point for scoring a 75% or better on your first try. If it's not there, tell me in class - don't e-mail because I won't see your e-mail until Monday. I have my fingers crossed.

Menu updates, Achieve 3000, and science project due date.

Remember, your science project is due upon return from Thanksgiving break. That means either Dec. 2 or Dec. 3 depending on what day your class meets. More on this next week.

Columns1& 2 should be completely finished by the end of Tuesday for A day and Wednesday for B day. You should be finished with the center row of column 3 and 4 as you walk into class. We will work with tide tables so that you will finish Column 3 row 1 and row 3 in class and you will begin column 4 row 3. That should be all you need to finish as you walk into class on Thursday or Friday. You will have 20 minutes to finish if you need it. Or you can use those 20 minutes to finish reviewing for a TEST. What will be tested? What is on the menu will be on the test.

Everyone will be doing at least 1 activity on Achieve 3000 or A3K each month. B day is scheduled to meet in the media center to work on Monday. A day met there today and did A3K and worked on their menus. Remember, only activities completed during school hours and with a 75% or better on the FIRST try go towards raising your lexile. That is the goal of this program to strengthen your skills no matter how good they are. This is way better than the program I used when I was your age. You are very lucky.

No Tutoring on November 13

Sorry, I have a personal commitment and can not hold tutoring tomorrow.

Menu Update

Here's the menu that you received in class.

SUN-EARTH-MOON SYSTEM         

Moon Phases	Eclipses	Tides	How the Earth-Moon System affects our lives
Complete a moon phase calendar for November                                   (10 pts)	Read EITHER Around the World or Eclipse Trivia And illustrate one fact from the article you read.                   (10 pts)	Use a tide chart to find the tide heights and times for the 4 main moon phases in November (Full, Last Quarter, New, and First Quarter) at a location either on the St. John’s River or along the East Coast between Charleston, SC and Daytona Beach, FL        (10 pts)	Make a Wordle using all of the vocabulary. May be hand written, but should really be computer generated. Or Make a vocabulary card for 3 different words using one of the vocabulary strategies. Cards must be colorful and neat. (10 pts)
Choose one Unit 4 Lesson 2 Cornell 2 column notes and Lesson Review, or All ACTIVE READING and VISUALIZE IT and the Lesson Review or A graphic organizer and the Lesson Review      (20)	Watch the BrainPop video for ECLIPSES for and choose either  the Activity Sheet or the Quiz   (20 points)	Choose one for Unit 4 lesson 3 Cornell 2 column notes and Lesson Review, or All activities in the lesson except # 13, 14, and 15 and the Lesson Review or A graphic organizer and the Lesson Review (20 pts)	Complete Unit 4 Summary on p. 232       (20 pts)
Choose one Activity: Moon Phase and Foldable or Gizmo: Moon Phases SEG and AQ            (up to 25 pts)	Choose one GIZMO-3D Eclipse both SEG and AQ     Or Make a 2D or 3D model of both a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.          (up to 25 pts)	Calculate the Tidal range for the high tides and low tides that you located on the Tidal Chart. On your calendar identify when Spring and Neap tides will occur.   (up to 25 pts)	Prepare a mini-poster for the location you identified. Include a graph of the High/Low tide data for each of the 4 main moon phases. Identify the tidal range and the type of tide on the graph. Identify the WORST day in November for a Hurricane to hit your location and explain why. (up to 25 pts)

Remember, most of the work will be completed in class (the wordle can't be printed in class). If you use your time wisely you will have enough to not only do this work, but to do some Achieve 3000.


Although some students took the initiative to complete the wordle at home they did not have the complete list of vocabulary words. The wordles that were submitted on Thursday will be considered complete. All others should be based on the following words.

Vocabulary: Moon Phases, Eclipses, and Tides

 

Moon Phases	Eclipses	Tides	Words common to all 3 sections
Revolution Gravity Reflection New Moon Crescent First Quarter Gibbous Full Moon Third Quarter Waxing Waning	Lunar eclipse Solar eclipse	Gravity High Tide Low Tide	Earth Sun Moon

Change in date for Science project journal check- For A DAY only

I won't be able to check science project logs/journals on Thursday. As a result I am changing the due date for A DAY ONLY to next Wednesday, November 12. The B-day check remains scheduled for Friday, November 7. Sorry for the change, but I have to attend a district meeting.


REMEMBER, no tutoring Thursday, 11/6.

Getting more in depth with the Sun-Earth-Moon System and Seasons 3D

Starting Tomorrow and Thursday you will receive a menu for the Sun-Earth-Moon Activities. Each of you will need to make some wise choices and manage your time well. An assessment will follow the menu. Remember, it's not how fast you complete your work, it's how well you learn from doing it.
The menu is being finalized, but it will be posted when completed.

Be sure your Gizmo for Seasons 3D is completed by either tomorrow (B ) or Thursday (A). That includes the assessment questions. The last question (# 8 on the SEG)  asks you to create a year graph..., describe patterns..., and explain the graph.

THERE WILL  BE NO TUTORING ON THURSDAY, 11/6. I HAVE A FAMILY COMMITMENT.

Grades are updated

Grades have been updated.

Wednesday 10/29 - Early Release

Although Wednesday is early release classes will be very busy. There will be
Grading of the CUBE exercise (30 points)
Grading of the pH Analysis Gizmo - both SEG and AQ (25 points).
If it's not finished - get it finished.

Additionally, we start our first unit for the 9 weeks: Earth-Moon-System.

Yes, you need your book and your ISN.

Hanna (was TD9 - Atlantic Ocean) | NASA: a "zombie storm"

Hanna (was TD9 - Atlantic Ocean) | NASA

New Opportunity to "go to space". This counts for a bonus point.

I just sent my name to fly on Orion's flight test, scheduled to launch Dec. 4 - 6, 2014!
Orion is NASA's new spacecraft that will carry humans into deep space.
Get Your Own Boarding Pass On NASA's #JourneyToMars!
Send your name here: go.usa.gov/vcpz


Print your boarding pass and post it in the classroom.

           

If the Sun Were the Size of a Basketball... New Unit - Sun, Earth, Moon System

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DID BENNU:JUST SAW THIS AND THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY IT! ;)

CGA and Tutoring Update

The CGA will be  Monday (A) and Tuesday (B). Continue to review your notes, gizmos, activities, and the book for everything from the first 9 weeks.

NO TUTORING on Thursday, 10/23.

Assignments for Wednesday, October 15 (Bday) Thursday, October 16 (A day), Friday, October 17 (B day) and Monday, October 20 (A day).

Wednesday and Thursday

Students graded fold books on Properties of Matter, States of Matter Graphic Organizer, and Slice and Dice Gizmo. Anyone who was not in class must submit those assignments upon return. The Gizmo assessment questions were picked up electronically today so those will be recorded. If the questions were not completed before the class period, one will need to print out proof of points earned and submit that upon return.  PSAT takers will not be penalized for work submitted on Friday

All classes were assigned Fusion pp. 328-335 all of the material.

A foldable was also begun to compare and contrast Physical and Chemical Changes.  The directions are

Fold a sheet of white paper in half (hamburger). Cut along fold.

Fold a flap 2 cm. long. This will be glued into the ISN.

Cut the large part in half from the free edge only to the fold to make flaps.

The top of the flaps are labelled Physical Changes (Left top) and Chemical Changes (Right top). The definition and a visualization are to be included on each top flap.

Flip the flaps open. These are the inside of the flaps. Label the Left one Signs of Physical Changes and the Right one Signs of Chemical Changes. Use resources to complete the flaps.

Friday and Monday Assignments

The foldable will be put into the ISN on a clean page and under the flaps will be a single large space that is labelled Law of Conservation of Mass. The definition of the Law must be included. Then an example of the Law of Conservation of Mass for Physical Changes and one for the Law of Conservation of Mass for Chemical Changes will be illustrated and explained.

Additionally, the following pages in Fusion are assigned pp. 336-339.

 

Home Learning Assignment for Friday (Bday) and Monday (A day) is to complete the Benchmark Review for Unit 1 pp 65-68 and the Benchmark Review for Unit 6 pp. 391-396 as a take home test to review for the upcoming CGA. Students are to use their resources wisely to complete the reviews. Each answer must be CUBEd.

 

 

 

CUBE

C circle the words you don’t know

U underline the question being asked

B box the important information

E explain why you chose the answer you did. Since this is a take home test you must include supporting details about why you chose the answer you chose (relate it to Gizmos, put in page #s, other support as appropriate).

Assignments for Monday, October 13, 2014 and Tuesday, October 14, 2014 and notes

This is what we did in class along with a lesson on graphing. The rubric tells it all.

Graph the data for the Heating Curve of Water. Use the rubric for directions.  Tape the rubric and data on either the boiling point or freezing point page and tape the graph onto the other page.

Review the assignments for the fold book  - you may refer to my blog. All of the directions are posted on the blog.

_________________________________________________________________________

Some data you might find useful as you finish your fold book.

Plastic eyeball	Mass = 3.6 g	Circumference = 11cm
Pencil	Mass= 6.5g	Diameter = 0.8cm  Length = 20 cm
Block	Mass = 69.5 g	L= 10 cm w= 10cm h= 1cm

 

Be sure that the Graphic Organizer for States of Matter is complete. You may view the video at brainpop.com since it is a free video.

Complete pp. 340 – 349 in your Fusion Book. Skip # 9 and 14.

Due at next class:

Graphic Organizer

Fold book with graph

Gizmo: Slice and Dice SEG and AQ (this is from last week when we worked either in the lab or the media center).

Because so much of this was assigned to be completed during different class periods there will be no late work accepted.

PSAT people on B day. Your mission is to take the test and not worry about if you are missing 5B or 6B or maybe part of 7B. We will go with the flow and your work will be accepted as on time on Friday.

How can you raise your grade?

The end of the grading period is this month and some of you are asking what can you do to raise your grade. The answer is to

• Submit your proposal or proposal revisions ASAP,
• Recover the Checkpoint for Pure substances, solutions, and mixtures.
• Recover the quiz for Atoms and the Periodic Table,
• Resubmit the SEG for Solubility and Temperature if you received a low grade,
• Print out the Assessment questions and the grade for Solubility and Temperature if you didn't do them when they were due,
• Resubmit the Density Gizmo SEG if you did not do well or didn't submit it,
• Print out the Assessment questions and the grade for Density if you didn't do them when they were due,
• Finish anything that wasn't finished for the Assignment check and complete a new analysis,
• Be sure that the Slice and Dice Gizmo and Assessment Questions are finished by the first class of next week (that's why we spent time on the computers so you could do it all in school),
• turn in any of these assignments if you have been absent.

The due date for all of the recovery and resubmitting of  assignments is October 17. It will be graded after all the proposals have been graded.

There will still be assignments until the grading period ends, so come prepared to finish Properties of Matter and to begin Phase Changes during your next class.