Thursday December 15

Today the kids finished reading their articles in our Science World magazines which were donated thanks to the NEF.  Each student had to read their article and then they got with other students who read the same article and shared information.  The goal of that activity was to gather as much information as you could so you could then share it with a group of 8 people who all read different articles.  The kids did a great job with this activity!!!

They took a notebook quiz over Elements, Compounds, and Molecules.

Tuesday Dec. 13

Today the kids played their first game of vocabulary bingo.  We took all the current Chemistry vocabulary and made bingo cards and then played.  Great learning tool!

HW: notebook quiz on Thursday over Elements, Compounds,  Mixtures, and Molecules.

Monday December 13

Today the kids worked on a mystery powder lab.  They got to experience chemical and physical changes that took place with 7 different powders.


NO HOMEWORK

Friday December 9

Today kids worked on a poster project they started yesterday during class. They had 13 short articles about What's Cooking, which had information in the articles about the chemistry of food.  They then had to use 8 of the articles to make a poster.  On the poster the kids needed to include the title of the article, explanation on why the article dealt with chemistry, and they needed to color it.  It was due at the end of the hour today.

Wednesday December 7

Just want to make sure that you are aware that many times in class the work that we do changes.  I am changing the calendar again today:).  Flexibility is the key with teaching.

Today was Academic Work day in Science.  The kids had the opportunity to work on missing work, homework, retake tests/quizzes, work on projects, type, and read.  I checked all the kids grades and had a discussion with each about the grades.  Some kids I even checked to see what missing assignments they had in each class. They all are aware of what is missing and what their grades are.  I didn't miss anyone:), unless they were absent!

Next week Wednesday, the kids will be having the same type of day during Math classes.  Kids can work on any subjects work during this time.

If you have questions, please ask.

Tuesday Dec. 6

Today the kids have a bunch of different chemical and physical changes they have to identify and explain why it is either a physical or chemical change.

HW: none!

Monday December 5

Today we took the notebook quiz for Act. 15-17.  We then did an activity to help explain the difference between mixtures, compounds, and elements.

Friday December 2

Thursday and Friday we started working and finishing Act. 17, Modeling Molecules.  The kids started using little plastic gadgets to form molecules and their bonds.  The kids will continue today using and building today.  They will finish the activity and need to be ready to take their notebook quiz on Monday over Act. 15-17.

FYI: next Wednesday kids will be having an Academic day during Science.  I will be checking their grades and putting grades in their planners (if they have a planner) and then be discussing their class information with them.  They will have an opportunity to catch up on any assignments they have and make up or retake any tests they have.  It will be like a study hall for kids.  If they have nothing to do they will have the opportunity to read.

Wednesday November 30

Today the kids are going to finish reading Act. 16 about the history of the periodic table.  They have been working on some comprehension questions during their reading.  They are called Stopping To Think questions.  The kids will then be working on Analysis Questions 1-4.  If we have time we will then start working on Act. 17.

Tuesday Nov. 29

Finished up presentations about the Elements in the Periodic Table.

Started with Act. 16 which discusses the history of the periodic table.

HW: none

Monday November 28

Today we discussed what kids did over break.  We then did presentations about the Periodic Table of Elements.

Tuesday, November 22

Today the kids used the whole hour to work on their Element Reports.  

HW: make the quilt square 3 1/2 inches in height by 3 in wide.  The project is due on Monday when they return from Thanksgiving Break.

Presentations start on Monday.

Monday November 21

Today kids finished working with the Periodic Table of Elements Act. 15.  We sorted element cards according to the families they are in on the Periodic Table.  We then worked on Analysis Questions 1 & 3. Also completed the gist: three things you learned about this activity.

The kids were then given an element number from the Periodic Table in which they are going to research starting tomorrow.  They received a blue rubric with the information they need to gather about the element.
There are three parts to the project:
            1.  Finding information about the element
            2.  Making a Quilt Square that represents their element
            3.  Presenting their element to the class and putting the element square on the bulletin board in the back of the room.


HW: Element Project is due on Monday November 28th!!

Friday November 18

We took a quiz today over Act. 12-14 during the first part of the class. We then discussed the Periodic Table of Elements.  Started Act. 15 on Families of Elements

HW: none:)

Thursday November 17

Kids finished their experiments for Act. 14. They then had to work on completing analysis questions 2,3 and 4. #4 was on a chart given to them and then needed to be glued into their notebooks.

HW: notebook quiz tomorrow over Act. 12-14.  They need to make sure they have analysis questions and vocabulary finished for each activity.

Analysis for Act. 12 are 3 and 4

Analysis for Act. 13 is #5

Analysis for Act. 14 is 2,3,4

Wednesday Nov. 16

Product life cycle drawings were due today.  We then started Act. 14 Chemical and Physical Properties, writing information in their notebooks.  We then started working on the experiments kids need to perform in the activity.

HW: notebook quiz on Friday on Act. 12-14

Tuesday November 15

Kids worked on and many completed their Life Cycle drawings of their containers.  Analysis question #5 and The Gist are due also.  

HW: if drawing isn't finished it is due Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.

Monday November 14

Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! Only 7 more school days and we get 5 more.  Time sure if going by fast this year...

Today kids started Act. 13, Product Life Cycle.  The kids took some notes on how companies manufacture and how consumers use and reuse different types of containers. They will then be drawing a life cycle picture of either a plastic, glass or aluminum container.

HW: Picture is due on Wednesday: colored, labeled, with captions and arrows showing the flow of the cycle.

Wednesday November 9

Today the kids needed to finish their 3 Bar Graphs from the Materials Data Cards about Glass, Aluminum, and Plastic.  Then they were required to finish the Analysis Questions 1-4 from Act. 12.  Then do the Gist within their notebook also.  The graphs will be turned in for a grade. Other two assignments need to be in their notebooks.

HW: finish analysis questions 1-4 and The Gist for Act. 12

ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

Tuesday November 8

Today the kids finished with their sets of cards and their categories.  We used the cards and added information to our chart for Advantages and Disadvantages using Plastic, Aluminum and Glass to make drinking containers.  We started making bar graphs (3) of them in class today.

HW: finish bar graphs

Monday November 7

Today we continued working on Act. 12.  The kids had to take a set of material data cards and organize them into different categories.  They then had to name the categories and write their information into their notebooks.

HW: None

Wednesday Nov 2

Today kids took their first science test.  There was a multiple choice part and an essay part.

HW: NONE:)

Tuesday November 1

Today I handed back the writing assessments.  We went over information on them and would like the kids to save them to use with future writing assessments.

Took a practice quiz today using the clickers. They are a hand held devices that record the kids answers and then tells them their scores when they are finished.  However, the kids have an essay part to their test also which won't be included in their test score until I correct them.

HW: study for test!
Wednesday is the last day to turn in all missing work for each class.

Thursday and Friday

I was at a conference for both days so the kids had a sub those two days.  The sub I usually have is a former science teacher and the kids love her!

Anyway, Thursday the kids had to turn in their writing assessments.  If they didn't, Sherri, was going to try and get them on Friday from the kids.  Now if your child didn't turn them in either day, they will now be staying with me at lunch to get it finished.  It is not an option for them not to finish it and turn it in.

Things to be aware of for next week:

Monday: Study guide due/discuss learning targets that will be tested

Tuesday: Play review game

Wednesday: Test over Unit One: kids have a pink Learning Target sheet and a study guide to help them know what to study.

Thursday: Review the students grades with them and set goals for the next term.

Wednesday Oct. 25

Students were given their first writing assessment for Science today.  I explained the rubric and kids had the opportunity to work on their assessment during class.  The writing assessment is due at by the end of the hour on Thursday. 

HW: Writing Assessment due on Thursday

Tuesday Oct. 25

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  Sorry about that. Lots of things going on.

Today we finished up our unit activities.  The kids will use their information from Act. 11 to write a business letter to the Sunnyvale Hospital.  The letter will be introduced tomorrow and it will be due, final copy, on Thursday by the end of the hour.

HW: Test is Wednesday Nov. 4.  Kids will receive a study guide on Friday and it will be due on Monday the 31st.  Kids can study their learning targets right now to get ready.

Wednesday Oct. 19

Finish the MEAP test today:)

Also finished up on our Healthy Lifestyles, Childhood Obesity stations today.

HW: due to not having school on Friday our notebook quiz will take place on Monday Oct. 24.

Monday Oct. 17

Today we discussed how are week is going to work out.  Another two days of MEAP testing starting with Math tomorrow and then our final day of Writing on Wednesday.

We finished and discusses Act. 9 and started Act. 10 today.  Act. 10 is for the kids to figure out what the two cylinders are made of.  These are the cylinders that were in the unlabeled jar we have been working with in this unit.

Thursday Oct. 13

First hour took the writing MEAP test today during class.

4,5,6 hours continued to work on their Childhood Obesity/Health and Wellness information.

HW: none

Wednesday Oct. 12

Today kids took the second part of the MEAP reading test during 1st hour.

2nd hour: Started reading an article about Plumped Up Portions and how the portion sizes in the world have increased drastically in the last 20 years.  They then have to answer some comprehension questions and do a double line graph from data they collect from the article.

4,5,6: will start their Obesity Stations today.

HW: none

Tuesday Oct. 11

Today we started the MEAP test.  First and Second hour we didn't have Science today. 

4,5,6 hours started talking about Healthy Lifestyles.  We are going to be participating in 7 different activities dealing with Childhood Obesity and what you can do to help prevent obesity.

HW: none

Friday Oct. 7

Today the kids took a notebook quiz over volume and density.  

Started Act. 8 where the kids are measuring the volume of metal cubes,  cylinders and bars.

HW: none

Thursday Oct. 6

Today kids are using the triple beam balances to measure the mass of different objects.  They are then learning how to calculate the objects density. 

HW: Quiz tomorrow over Volume and Density

Wednesday Oct. 5

Today the kids finished measuring objects using graduated cylinders and water displacement cans. We then compared results and discussed reasons why their measurements were different than mine.

Exit slip today dealing with the formulas for measuring cylinders and rectangular solids.

Tuesday Oct. 4

The kids learned about measuring irregular shaped objects today.  Water Displacement is the method they will be using.  They will be measuring 12 different items and having to determine if they use the graduated cylinders or they use the water displacement can.

Monday Oct. 3

Today we finished our Measuring Rectangular Solids and Cylinders.  We compared the students results to their teachers results and notice quite a few differences.  We then discussed why are there so many differences between my measurements and their measurements. Good discussion!

HW: Quiz on Friday over measuring volume of regular solids and irregular solids.

Friday Sept. 30

The end of September is already here!! Wow time flies fast.

Today the kids took their third notebook quiz over Act. 6/7.  I then gave them time to silent read in class.  Did you know that your kids are required to read 40 books this year for their Language Arts class???

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday Sept. 29

Review the formulas for measuring volume of cylinders and rectangular solids.  Kids now are actually measuring them in class. 

HW: study and review notes for notebook quiz

Wednesday Sept. 28

We review Chemical and Physical Properties again today along with our Learning Targets.  

Took notes on volume and the formulas for finding the volumes for cylinders and rectangles.  

Exit slip today seeing if kids can give an example of Chemical and Physical Properties.

Quiz Friday over Act. 6/7

Tuesday Sept. 27

We worked on completing Act. 7 and deciding, with the data taken during class, what the solids were in the unlabeled jar.  

We have been working with Chemical and Physical Properties.  What they are and how they are related to our learning targets.

HW: Know some examples of Chemical and Physical Properties! We have done many experiments with Chemical and Physical Properties!

Monday Sept. 26

Today we discussed our quiz from last Friday. Many low scores due to not completing labs and not following/reading directions.  Grades are updated on Edline.

Today we went over analysis questions for Act. 6, Identifying the Liquids.  Started working on Act. 7 Identifying the Solids.  

New Vocabulary: Conductivity, Reactivity and Density.

HW: prepare for Friday's quiz!

Thursday Sept. 22

This week we have been separating the mixture in the unlabeled jar.  Yesterday was a bit challenging for many trying to separate the two different liquids in the container.  Today kids did a couple of experiments to try and determine what the two liquids actually are.  We will continue to experiment tomorrow.

HW: Notebook Quiz over Act. 3/5

Friday Sept. 16

Kids took their first notebook quiz today at the beginning of the hour.  

We then relooked at their plans they did yesterday to separate the contents of the unlabeled jar.

By Monday they should have their plans ready to go so we can really separate the contents of the jar.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday Sept. 15

Today we had a sub in class.

Started Act. 3 in our notebooks, A Plan to Separate the unlabeled jar.  The kids were shown a jar with unidentified contents and they had to come up with a plan on how they were going to separate the contents using the equipment provided.

HW: Notebook Quiz tomorrow, please bring yours:)

Wednesday Sept. 14

Today we finished working on our Classroom Substances (green chart).  Kids corrected it and then glued it into their notebooks.  They then needed to complete Analysis Questions 2 and 4 using complete sentences and also using part of the question in the answer.

Then the kids wrote down in their notebook, 3 things they learned from Activity 2. I am trying to stress to them to make sure they put information in their about our learning targets.

HW: Notebook Quiz over Act. 1/2 on FRIDAY, September 16.

Tuesday September 13

Today was a fun day in Science!

We started working on Types of Hazards, Act. 2.  We talked about different placads, which are signs for different hazards.  We then started doing some demos showing corrosion and flammability.  These are two concepts on our Learning Targets (standards).

Kids then started working on classifying chemical data cards into classes of hazards.

We will continue and finish up Act. 2 tomorrow during class.

HW: Hazardous Materials at home is due tomorrow.  Don't forget to do the 3 analysis questions on the front.

We have a notebook quiz on Friday over Act. 1 and 2

Monday September 12

Today we did the following:

Finished writing definitions to vocabulary words: evidence, hazardous materials and mixture.
Watched a video about a Hazardous waste team.  They found a suspicious barrel and needed to figure out what and how they were going to take care of it. The kids made a list of all safety precautions the Hazmat Team showed.

Kids then had to work on Analysis Questions 3 and 4.  We talked about starter sentences and discussing how you should always use part of the question in your answer.

We also looked at our learning targets and determined what LT's we learned about in Act. 1.  We discussed Chemical Properties: flammability, corrosive, pH tests.

HW: Hazardous Waste Materials at Home.  Kids need to find 3-5 different products at home and then fill out their gray sheet of paper with the proper information.  Due on Wednesday at the beginning of the hour.

Friday Sept. 9

We made it through the first week! YEAH!!!

We actually started our science program today.  Kids set up their science notebooks and we started the unit, Studying Materials Scientifically.  I also handed out their Unit Standards which will be used for their test at the end of the unit.  They read through them and they then glued them into their notebooks.  We will be referring to these sheets through the unit.


Have a great weekend!

Thursday Sept. 8

The Marshmallow Challenge!

Today kids had the opportunity to work with their groups and design towers out of a marshmallow, 20 sticks of spaghetti, 1 yd of string, 1 yd of masking tape and 18 minutes of time.  Boy what a challenge it was for some groups!!!

Kids then had to write on our whiteboard tables what 3 of their struggles were in their group, what were 3 good things that happened in their group.  Before they left the classroom, they were to write down 3 things they need to improve on to become a better group member on an exit slip.  They gave some great ideas!

Wednesday Sept. 7

Just a reminder:

Thursday Sept. 8 is Parent Open House from 6:30-7:50.  Parents will be following their kids schedules for the open house. 

Today during class we came up with respect rules and regulations for our classroom.  We also talked about the different personalities of members of our classroom and how we need to work together to achieve more!

Tuesday September 6

Today is the first day of school.  We had introductions and kids started filling out a Me, Myself and I sheet which gives me information about them that I can use to get to know them better.  

We also discussed classroom procedures and grading policy!  When your kids come home ask them what they did in school today!

We had a great day and very glad to have them in my class this year.


HW: Me, Myself, and I sheet due on Wednesday Sept. 7