Mrs. Seilhan’s Blog

Study Sheets are questions to review students over the objectives and content covered in each unit.  Test questions will come from these Study Sheets.  Students who do well on the Study Sheets usually also do well on the tests.  Extra credit points will be given to students who get their Study Sheets signed.  For tests review all Study Sheets carefully.

November 4-5, 2010

Test over energy sources.

October 27-28, 2010

Fall Semester research project due.

October 14-15, 2010

Test over properties of matter.

September 27-28

Test over elements and compounds.

September 7-8, 2010

Test over science lab safety and equipment.

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

(1)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student, for at least 40% of instructional time, conducts laboratory and field investigations following safety procedures and environmentally appropriate and ethical practices. The student is expected to:

(A)  demonstrate safe practices during laboratory and field investigations as outlined in the Texas Safety Standards; and

(B)  practice appropriate use and conservation of resources, including disposal, reuse, or recycling of materials.

(4)  Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student knows how to use a variety of tools and safety equipment to conduct science inquiry. The student is expected to:

(A)  use appropriate tools to collect, record, and analyze information, including journals/notebooks, beakers, Petri dishes, meter sticks, graduated cylinders, hot plates, test tubes, triple beam balances, microscopes, thermometers, calculators, computers, timing devices, and other equipment as needed to teach the curriculum; and

(B)  use preventative safety equipment, including chemical splash goggles, aprons, and gloves, and be prepared to use emergency safety equipment, including an eye/face wash, a fire blanket, and a fire extinguisher.

August 23-27, 2010

Rules and procedures, social contract, preparation and organization of science notebooks.  Here is your chance to be creative!  Each student will need to have their science notebook (composition book) with them in class each day and also review it each evening.

August 30-September 3, 2010

Discussion of lab safety, tour of science lab, and quiz.  Examples of science equipment, what each measures, and activity page.

September 7-8

Test over lab safety and science equipment.  Review lab safety quiz and equipment worksheet.

 

Exams will be May 27-28-June 1.    Schedule will be announced later.

6th Grade Spring Semester Exam:

Review for semester exam including Chapter 11 on Space Technology as well as questions overs all chapters covered in the spring semester:   cells, heredity, animal and plant responses, interactions of living things, and the solar system. 

Review the information on the Study Sheets to prepare for the test.  Packets signed by a parent will earn 3 extra credit points on the test grade.  For online review materials, refer the the section on PowerPoint slide presentations.

Exams will be May 27-28-June 1.    Schedule will be announced later.

8th Grade Spring Semester Exam:

            SPRING SEMESTER EXAMS:  May 27-28-June 1.   

            The semester exam will be over the objectives of  the frog dissection and space.

             The semester exam will also include questions from the semester project on conducting investigations and a few questions on ecosystems and the rock cycle.                                                                           

Study all notes, vocabulary, and review worksheets.

 

 

TEKS Objectives:

6.13B
Describe types of equipment and transportation needed for space travel. 

6.2 (E) Construct maps using tools including computers to organize, examine and evaluate information.

6.3 (C) Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations.  

6.3 (D) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment.

6.3 (E) Connect Grade 6 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists.

 May 13 & 14, 2010

Discuss rockets and their uses.  Review the history of the early space program including how it was organized and what it accomplished.  Lab activity on the basic principles of rocket flight.

May 17 & 18, 2010

Discuss equipment used in space exploration including satellites, telescopes, and space probes.  Virtual lab activity on choosing the most efficient vehicle to launch various satellites.

May 19 & 20, 2010

Discuss the purpose and accomplishments of the space shuttle and space probes.  List future plans for space exploration.  Computer research activity on current space missions.

 May 21 & 24, 2010

Complete Study Sheets.  These are review questions over Space Technology, Chapter 11.  Students are to use their class notes and textbook to complete the review; due May 24 & 25 if not completed in class.

May 25 & 26, 2010

Review for semester exam including Chapter 11 on Space Technology as well as questions overs all chapters covered in the spring semester:   cells, heredity, animal and plant responses, interactions of living things, and the solar system.  Please look back at previous posts for review materials on these chapters.

Correct Study Sheets and make packet of science papers.  Assignment:  Study for semester exam (review study packets); get packet signed for 3 extra credit points on test grade.

May 27 – June 1, 2010

Spring Semester Exams including Chapter 11, Space Technology, plus chapters on cells, heredity, animal and plant responses, interactions of living things, and the solar system.  Please look back at previous posts for review materials on these chapters.

Main site:   http://www.ofsd.k12.wi.us/science/frogdiss.htm

 

Alternative site: http://dj003.k12.sd.us/science%20labs/dissection/frog%20dissection.htm

Review the information on the Study Sheets to prepare for the test.  Packets signed by a parent will earn 3 extra credit points on the test grade.

 TEKS Objectives:

6.5 A
Identify and describe a system that results from the combination of two or more systems such as the solar system.

6.5 B
Describe how the properties of a system are different from the properties of its parts.

6.13 A
Identify characteristics of objects in our solar system including Sun, planets, meteorites, comets, asteroids, and moons, and stars.

6.1 (A) Demonstrate safe practices during laboratory investigations.
6.1 (B) Make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.

6.2 (A) Plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology.
6.2 (C) Analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence.

6.3 (C) Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations.
6.3 (D) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society and the environment.                                                                     6.3 (E) Connect Grade 6 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientists.

April 22 & 23, 2010

Discuss the properties of systems in the Solar System: star, planet, dwarf planet, moon, asteroid, comet, meteor, meteorite, AU.  Lab activity on the measurement unit AU (astronomical unit).

April 26, 2010

Discuss properties of systems within the Solar System and beyond:  light-year, galaxy, rotation, revolution, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse.  Lab activity on estimating a planet’s diameter.

April 27 & 28, 2010

TAKS Test

April 29 & 30, 2010

Discuss properties of systems within the Solar System and beyond:  light-year, galaxy, rotation, revolution, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse.Lab activity on period of revolution.

May 3 & 4, 2010

List characteristics of the inner planets, the asteroid belt, and the outer planets.  Lab activity on sunspots.

May 5 & 6, 2010

Complete Study Sheets.  These are review questions over the Solar System and beyond, Chapter 12.  Students are to use their class notes and textbook to complete the review; due May 6 & 7 if not completed in class.

May 7 & 10, 2010

Review for test over Chapter 12 on the Solar System.  Correct Study Sheets and make packet of science papers.  Assignment:  Study for test (review study packet); get packet signed for 3 extra credit points on test grade.

May 11 & 12, 2010

Test over Chapter 12, the Solar System and Beyond.

Week of April 12-16

TAKS Review

Prepare and organize group tasks for 6th Six Weeks. 

PowerPoint Presentations on Ch. 22, Sec. 2 – The Moon.  Continue adding to student journals. 

Week of April 19-23

TAKS Review – Science Camp

 

Week of April 26-30

TAKS Review – Moon phases

PowerPoint Presentations on Ch. 24, Sec. 3 – Stars.

Continue organizing student journals.  

TAKS Test!!!!!

Week of May 3-7

PowerPoint Presentation on Ch. 4, Sec. 4 - Galaxies.  Continue organizing student journals.

Review  unit on space.

TEST OVER SPACE:  Monday,  May 10 

 The test over space will be over the objectives of:

Chapter 22-Section 2: The Moon—Earth’s Satellite,

Chapter 24-Section 3: Evolution of Stars,

Chapter 24-Section 4: Galaxies and the Universe

Study all notes, vocabulary, and review worksheets.

8^th GRADE OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES

THE UNIVERSE – CHAPTERS 22 & 24

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

8.12 A

Analyze and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle.

8.13 A

Describe characteristics of the universe such as small solar system bodies, stars and galaxies.

8.13 B

Explain the use of light years to describe distances in the universe.

8.13 C

Research and describe historical scientific theories of the origin of the universe.

8.1 (A) Demonstrate safe practices during field and laboratory investigations.

8.2 (A) Plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and selecting and using equipment and technology.

8.2 (B) Collect data by observing and measuring.

8.2 (C) Organize, analyze, evaluate, make inferences, and predict trends from direct and indirect evidence.

8.2 (D) Communicate valid conclusions.

8.2 (E) Construct maps using tools including computers to organize, examine and evaluate data.

8.3 (A) Analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information.

8.3 (C) Represent the natural world using models and identify their limitations.

8.3 (D) Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society.

8.3 (E) Connect Grade 8 science concepts with the history of science and contributions of scientist.

8.4 (A) Use science tools.

8.4 (B) Extrapolate from collected information to make predictions.

8.5 (A) Identify a design problem and propose a solution.

8.5 (B) Design and test a model to solve the problem.

8.5 (C) Evaluate the model and make recommendations for improving the model.

 VOCABULARY:

Ch. 22, Section 2

rotation of Moon

revolution of Moon

reflection of Sun

moon phase

new moon

waxing

full moon

waning

solar eclipse

lunar eclipse

maria

Moon’s interior

Ch. 24, Section 3

E = mc²

fusion

nebula

giant

white dwarf

supergiant

supernova

neutron star

black hole

Ch. 24, Section 4

galaxy (3 types)

Milky Way

Local group

red shift

steady state theory

oscillating model

big bang theory

Hubble Space Telescope

light-year (707)

GUIDELINES:

Each group member is to type in a different color (even slides).  Include a key.

Give credit to all images and information other than the textbook.

The class will be divided into small groups and given an assignment along with objectives and guidelines as follows:

Group 1 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe rotation and revolution of the Moon.

Describe the Moon’s phases.

Due April 16

 

Group 2 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Explain the difference between a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.

Describe the Moon’s interior.

 

 

Group 3 – Investigation over an objective of Chapter 22 or 24.

Due April 16

 

Group 4 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

How are stars classified?

Discuss how stars generate energy.

Due April 22

 

Group 5 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe the stages in the life cycle of a star.  Give examples of each stage.

Due April 22

 

Group 6 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe the types of galaxies, the Milky Way, local group, and red shift.

 

 

Group 7 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other) over

Describe light-year, Doppler shift, and scientists’ theories (3) of the origin of the universe.

What is the importance of the Hubble Space Telescope?

 

 

Group 8 – Worksheet review of the universe:  Chapter 22-Section 2: The Moon—Earth’s Satellite,

Chapter 24-Section 3: Evolution of Stars,

Chapter 24-Section 4: Galaxies and the Universe.

Due April 26

TEST OVER SPACE:  Monday, May 10

 The test over the space unit will be over the objectives of:

Chapter 22-Section 2: The Moon—Earth’s Satellite,

Chapter 24-Section 3: Evolution of Stars,

Chapter 24-Section 4: Galaxies and the Universe

Weeks.     Study all notes, vocabulary, and review worksheets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEKS Objectives:

6.1 (A) Demonstrate safe practices during laboratory investigations.
6.1 (B) Make wise choices in the use and conservation of resources and the disposal or recycling of materials.
6.2 (A) Plan and implement investigative procedures including asking questions, formulating testable hypothesis, and selelcing and using equipment and technology.

6.2 (B) Collect data by observing and measuring.
6.2 (C) Analyze and interpret information to construct reasonable explanations from direct and indirect evidence.

6.2 (D) Communicace valid conclusions.
6.2 (E) Construct graphs, tables, maps, and charts using tools including computers to organize, examine and evaluate information.

6.3 (A) Analyze, review, and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weaknesses using scientific evidence and information.

6.4 (A) Collect, analyze, and record information using tools.

6.4 (B) Identify patterns in collected information using percent, average, range, and frequency.

March 31 & April 1, 2010

Introduce  semester project.  Read handout of guidelines to be followed and also signed by parents.  Discuss the steps of the scientific method and look at examples of student work.  See right margin of blog page for a slide presentation of the steps of the scientific method.

On their project students will earn 3 grades: (1) daily grade for lab work, (2) daily participation grade for effort and behavior, (3) major semester exam grade for presentation of project.

April 5 & 6, 2010

Brainstorm ideas for projects.  Begin Step 1 of semester project.

April 7 & 8, 2010

Continue work on semester project Steps 1-4.

April 9 & 12, 2010

Complete work on the lab portion of the  semester project Steps 4-6.

April 13 - 15, 2010

Begin work on a display of the project.  Plan and rehearse presentation to class.  The finished project will be due April 16 and 17.

April 16 – 21, 2010

Students will give an oral presentation of their project.  This will include a visual display (display board, computer slides, video, etc.).  The grade for the presentation will be 25% of the spring semester exam grade.

Review the information on the Study Sheets to prepare for the test.  Packets signed by a parent will earn 3 extra credit points on the test grade.

Review 2 Study Sheets.  Most of the questions will be over Interactions of Organisms, Chapter 15.  Some questions will be over Responses, Chapters 15 & 16.  A few questions will be over the Fourth Six Weeks units on cells and heredity, Chapters 13 and 14.