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
(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and field investigations. The student is expected to:
(A) plan and implement comparative and descriptive investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, and using appropriate equipment and technology;
(B) design and implement experimental investigations by making observations, asking well-defined questions, formulating testable hypotheses, and using appropriate equipment and technology;
(C) collect and record data using the International System of Units (SI) and qualitative means such as labeled drawings, writing, and graphic organizers;
(D) construct tables and graphs, using repeated trials and means, to organize data and identify patterns; and
(E) analyze data to formulate reasonable explanations, communicate valid conclusions supported by the data, and predict trends.
(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.
April 9-10, 2012
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 4 grades: (1) daily grade for lab work, (2) daily participation grade for effort and behavior, (3) the presentation will be a test grade for the 6th Six Weeks, and (4) major semester exam grade for presentation of project.
Brainstorm ideas for projects.
April 11-20, 2012
Begin Steps 1-3 of the scientific method. Bring project materials and complete Steps 3 and 4. Use data collected to complete Steps 5 and 6.
April 23-27, 2012
Complete any steps of the lab portion of the semester project not completed last week.
Discuss the steps needed to create a slide show presentation using Google Apps. Create slides for presenting project to the class.
April 24 & 22 STAAR Test
April 30-May 2, 2012
Complete semester project slide presentation. Rehearse presentation. The finished project will be due and presented to the class May 1 & 2.
May 1-2, 2012
Students will give an oral presentation of their project. The grade for the presentation will be a test grade for the six weeks and 25% of the spring semester exam grade.
