Author Archives: Vera

About Vera

My name is Vera Seilhan. I have been teaching 35 years. The last 29 years have been in 6th grade science here at White Oak Middle School. My teaching experience also includes West Rusk CISD, Ganado ISD, and Hallsville ISD. I was born on the Navy base at Corpus Christi, Texas, but I grew up and graduated from high school in Center, Texas. So you see, I went from being a Center Roughrider to a White Oak Roughneck. I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University. I have one daughter and two sons. All my children are grown up and living in Arkansas and Louisiana. My 3 granddaughters live in Arkansas. My interests include gardening, birdwatching, fishing, reading, Bible scripture study. My big love is science especially biology and space science. I enjoy developing activities for the science curriculum.

6th Grade Lesson Plans: Energy Transfer & Transformations

Posted on by
Reply

TEKS Objectives:

9)  Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that the Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it just changes form. The student is expected to:

(A)  investigate methods of thermal energy transfer, including conduction, convection, and radiation;

(B)  verify through investigations that thermal energy moves in a predictable pattern from warmer to cooler until all the substances attain the same temperature such as an ice cube melting; and

(C)  demonstrate energy transformations such as energy in a flashlight battery changes from chemical energy to electrical energy to light energy.

Jan. 2-3, 2012 Discuss types of energy transfer: conduction, convection, and radiation and give examples of each.  Lab activity on conduction of heat.

Jan. 4-5, 2012 Continue to discuss energy transfer and the direction of thermal movement from warmer to cooler areas.  Lab activity on convection.

Jan. 6-9, 2012 Continue to discuss energy transfer including energy transfer through space.  Lab activity on heat radiation.

Jan. 10-11, 2012 Discuss energy transformations from one type to another. Review energy transformations in an electrical power plant.  Lab activity demonstrating energy transformation in common situations.

Jan. 12-18, 2012 Study Sheets and review over energy transfer and transformations.  Study Sheets will be due Jan. 17 and 18.

Jan. 19-20, 2011 Test over energy transfer and transformations.  Review all study sheets carefully.  Extra points will be given to students who get their study sheets signed.

Fall Semester Exams Dec. 14 – 15 – 16

Posted on by
Reply

Exams will be Dec. 14-15-16    Schedule will be announced later.

6th Grade Fall Semester Exam:

Science exam will be over all objectives studied in the fall semester with emphasis on simple machines and graphs.

Review all study sheets carefully.

Extra points will be given to students who get their study sheets signed.


8th Grade Fall Semester Exam:

Exams will be Dec. 14-15-16    Schedule will be announced later.

FALL SEMESTER EXAM:

The fall semester exam will be over the objectives of:

Chapter 22 on the Earth and Moon,

Chapter 18 on tides, and

Chapter 24-on stars, galaxies, and the universe

It will also include some questions from the 2nd Six Weeks on chemical changes, Periodic Table, and laws of motion plus a few questions from the 1st Six Weeks unit on lab safety, science equipment, and the structure of atoms.  Study all notes, vocabulary, and review worksheets. Extra credit will be given for parent’s signatures on exam review.

6th Grade Lesson Plans: Graphing Motion & Simple Machines

Posted on by
Reply

TEKS Objectives:

(8)  Force, motion, and energy. The student knows force and motion are related to potential and kinetic energy. The student is expected to:

(D)  measure and graph changes in motion; and

(E)  investigate how inclined planes and pulleys can be used to change the amount of force to move an object.

Nov. 28-29, 2011

Discuss the type of graph used to graph motion and its parts.  Activity “Using Line Graphs.”

Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2011

Graphing lab-use everyday situations to gather data.  Go to Nature Center to gather data.  Use data to create a line graph.

Dec. 2 and 5, 2011 Discuss inclined planes.  Investigate how inclined planes help do work.

Dec. 6-7, 2011 Discuss types of pulleys.  Investigate the direction of force and the amount of force needed to move an object.

Dec. 8-13, 2011 Study Sheets and review over simple machines and graphs.

Dec. 14-15-16, 2011   SEMESTER EXAMS   Science exam will be over all objectives studied in the fall semester with emphasis on simple machines and graphs.  Review all study sheets carefully.  Extra points will be given to students who get their study sheets signed.

6th Grade Lesson Plans: Force, Motion, & Energy

Posted on by
Reply

TEKS Objectives:

(8)  Force, motion, and energy. The student knows force and motion are related to potential and kinetic energy. The student is expected to:

(A)  compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy;

(B)  identify and describe the changes in position, direction, and speed of an object when acted upon by unbalanced forces;

(C)  calculate average speed using distance and time measurements;

(D)  measure and graph changes in motion; and

(E)  investigate how inclined planes and pulleys can be used to change the amount of force to move an object.

Nov. 4 and 7, 2011   Discuss and give examples of potential and kinetic energy.  Lab activity investigating potential and kinetic energy and when it occurs in every day situations.

Nov. 8-9, 2011   Identify various ways scientists describe and measure motion.  Lab activity practicing measuring motion in several ways.

Nov. 10-11, 2011   Review describing motion by completing a motion chart.  Discuss the measurement and mathematical process of calculating speed.  Lab activity calculating the speed of toy cars.

Nov. 14-17, 2011 Study Sheets and review over force, motion and energy.

Nov. 18 and 21, 2011 Test over force, motion, and energy.  Review all study sheets carefully.  Extra points will be given to students who get their study sheets signed.

8th Grade Lesson Plans: 3rd Six Weeks

Posted on by
Reply

EARTH-MOON SYSTEM & TIDES – CHAPTERS 22 & 18

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

(7)  Earth and space. The student knows the effects resulting from cyclical movements of the Sun, Earth, and

Moon. The student is expected to:

(A)  model and illustrate how the tilted Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night, and revolves

around the Sun causing changes in seasons;

(B)  demonstrate and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle; and

(C)  relate the position of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides.

Nov. 4 – 17, 2011

GUIDELINES:

Each group member is to type in a different color on 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 (Model)

Model how the tilted Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night, and illustrate how Earth revolves around the Sun causing changes in seasons.

Vocabulary:  axis, rotation, revolution, ellipse, seasons, solstice

Due: Dec. 2/5

Group 2 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Demonstrate the Moon’s rotation, revolution, and sequence of events in the lunar cycle (phases of the Moon).

Vocabulary:  rotation, revolution, moon phases, waxing, waning

Due: Dec. 2/5

Group 3 –Presentation (Model)

Model the position of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a solar eclipse and lunar eclipse.

Vocabulary:  eclipse, umbra, solar eclipse, lunar eclipse

Due: Dec. 2/5

Group 4 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Relate the position of the Moon and Sun to their effect on ocean tides.  Include the different kinds of tides.

Vocabulary:  wave, crest, trough, wave height, wave length, breaker, tide, spring tide, neap tide

Due: Dec. 2/5

STARS AND THE UNIVERSE  – CHAPTER 24

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

(8)  Earth and space. The student knows characteristics of the universe. The student is expected to:

(A)  describe components of the universe, including stars, nebulae, and galaxies, and use models such as

the Herztsprung-Russell diagram for classification;

(B)  recognize that the Sun is a medium-sized star near the edge of a disc-shaped galaxy of stars and

that the Sun is many thousands of times closer to Earth than any other star.

Nov. 18 – Dec. 16, 2011

GUIDELINES:

Each group member is to type in a different color on 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 5 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe the cause and features of nebulae.  Include examples of nebulae.

Vocabulary:  nebula, fusion

Due: Dec. 2/5

Group 6 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe the stages in the life cycle of a star.

Vocabulary:  fusion, main sequence star, giant, red giant, white dwarf, super giant, supernova, neutron star, black hole

Due: Dec. 6/7

Group 7 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Describe features of galaxies.  Include the types of galaxies, the Milky Way, the Local Group.

Vocabulary:  galaxy, Milky Way, Local Group

Due: Dec. 6/7

Group 8 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Demonstrate the use the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for classification of stars.

Vocabulary:  Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, absolute magnitude

Due: Dec. 6/7

Group 9 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Show that the Sun is a medium-sized star near the edge of a disc-shaped galaxy of stars.

Vocabulary:  Sun’s size, color, temperature, etc; Milky Way’s shape and size; position of Sun in the Milky Way

Due: Dec. 6/7

Group 10 – Presentation (PowerPoint or other)

Compare the distance of the Sun to the next nearest star.  Give a few other examples.

Vocabulary: star, light-year

Due: Dec. 6/7

FALL SEMESTER EXAM:

The fall semester exam will be over the objectives of:

Chapter 22 on the Earth and Moon,

Chapter 18 on tides, and

Chapter 24-on stars, galaxies, and the universe

It will also include some questions from the 2nd Six Weeks on chemical changes, Periodic Table, and laws of motion plus a few questions from the 1st Six Weeks unit on lab safety, science equipment, and the structure of atoms.  Study all notes, vocabulary, and review worksheets. Extra credit will be given for parent’s signatures on exam review.

6th Grade Lesson Plans: Energy Sources

Posted on by
Reply

TAKS OBJECTIVES

(7)  Matter and energy. The student knows that some of Earth’s energy resources are available on a nearly perpetual basis, while others can be renewed over a relatively short period of time. Some energy resources, once depleted, are essentially nonrenewable. The student is expected to:

(A)  research and debate the advantages and disadvantages of using coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and solar resources; and

(B)  design a logical plan to manage energy resources in the home, school, or community.

October 17-18, 2011

Discuss energy sources and forms of energy.  Label the parts of an electrical power plant.

October 19-26, 2011

Fall Semester Project:  Students will research information on a given energy resource.  Information will be put on foldables that the students will make in class.  Students will debate the advantages and disadvantages of their assigned energy resource.  Projects will be due October 25 & 26.

October 27-November 1, 2011

Study Sheets and review over energy resources.  Study Sheets will be due Oct. 31 & Nov. 1.

November 2-3, 2011

Test over energy resources.  Review all study sheets carefully.  Extra credit points will be given to students who get their packet signed.

8th Grade: Second blog post due Oct. 20/21

Posted on by
Reply

Fall Semester Project: 

Student blogs containing reflections and examples of their 8th grade science work will be the Fall Semester Project.  You can go to a student’s blog online by typing the following web address:  student’s first initiallast name.wonecks.net

FALL SEMESTER PROJECTS DUE: November 30/December 1  Until this date blogs will be graded periodically as a daily grade.  A major project grade will be given on Nov. 30/Dec. 1

8th Grade Lesson Plans: 2nd Six Weeks

Posted on by
Reply

CHEMICAL REACTIONS – CHAPTER 4

 

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

 

(5)  Matter and energy. The student knows that matter is composed of atoms and has chemical and physical properties. The student is expected to:

 

(D)  recognize that chemical formulas are used to identify substances and determine the number of atoms of each element in chemical formulas containing subscripts;

 

(E)  investigate how evidence of chemical reactions indicate that new substances with different properties are formed; and

 

(F)  recognize whether a chemical equation containing coefficients is balanced or not and how that relates to the law of conservation of mass.

Sept. 30 – Oct. 7, 2011

– Chemical symbols, formulas, and subscripts-Chapter 4-Sec. 1 Chemical Formulas and Equations

– The parts of a chemical equation and signs that a chemical reaction is taking place-Chapter 4-Sec. 1 Chemical Formulas and Equations

– The Law of Conservation of Mass and recognizing balanced equations with subscripts and coefficients-Chapter 4-Sec. 1 Chemical Formulas and Equations

NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION – CHAPTER 6

 

 

TEKS OBJECTIVES:

 

(6)  Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that there is a relationship between force, motion, and energy. The student is expected to:

 

(A)  demonstrate and calculate how unbalanced forces change the speed or direction of an object’s motion;

 

(B)  differentiate between speed, velocity, and acceleration;

(C)  investigate and describe applications of Newton’s law of inertia, law of force and acceleration, and law of action-reaction such as in vehicle restraints, sports activities, amusement park rides, Earth’s tectonic activities, and rocket launches.

 

 

Oct. 11 – Nov. 3, 2011

– Balanced and unbalanced forces, speed, direction; Sir Isaac’s 1st Law of Motion on inertia-Chapter 6-Sec.1 Motion and Sec. 2 Newton’s First Law

– Calculating speed, velocity, and acceleration; Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion on forces and acceleration-Chapter 6-Sec. 1 Motion and Sec. 3 Newton’s Second Law

– Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion on force pairs; explain and give examples (give every day examples plus geologic processes and astronomical phenomena) of Newton’s 3 laws of motion- Chapter 6-Sec. 4 Newton’s Third Law

– Project:  Construct moving models of one of Newton’s laws of motion.  Present model to the class with explanation of how the model relates to the law.  Extra credit given for a video made by the student.

October 17 (Maroon Day) and October 20 (White Day)

View and discuss an antibullying video.  Emphasize the Golden Rule.

2nd SIX WEEKS PROJECTS DUE: Oct. 25

SECOND SIX WEEKS TEST:  Nov. 2/3

Six Weeks Test will be over TEKS objectives 5-D, E, F on chemical reactions and the Periodic Table  and TEKS objectives 6-A,B,C on Newton’s Laws of Motion.   Study all notes and review worksheets.  Extra credit will be given if parents sign the test review.

6th Grade Lesson Plans: Properties of Matter

Posted on by
Reply

TAKS OBJECTIVES:

(6)  Matter and energy. The student knows matter has physical properties that can be used for classification. The student is expected to:

(A)  compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids using physical properties such as luster, conductivity, or malleability;

(B)  calculate density to identify an unknown substance; and

(C)  test the physical properties of minerals, including hardness, color, luster, and streak.

September 28-29, 2011

Discuss properties of metals and how they appear on the Periodic Table.  Color code Periodic Table in Science Notebook.

September 30-October 3, 2011

Continue discussing properties of matter including mass, volume and density.  Lab on calculating density and comparing densities of substances.

October 4-5, 2011

Continue discussing properties of matter emphasizing properties of minerals.  Examine minerals of the Earth’s crust to identify their properties.

October 6-12, 2011

Study Sheets and review over properties of matter.

October 11 & 12, 2011

View and discuss an antibullying video.  Emphasize the Golden Rule.

October 13-14, 2011

Test over properties of matter.  Review all study sheets carefully.  Extra points will be given to students who get their study sheets signed.