Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Today we discussed how current, voltage and resistance are related.  I showed and discussed the difference between a 9-volt, D, AA & AAA battery in terms of differing voltages.  Students were introduced to Ohm's Law and the formulas therein.  Pages 8-5, 8-6 & 8-7 were assigned in class, and all problems were reviewed on the board before the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Ohm's Law quiz will be on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Last night's thunderstorm was the perfect introduction to today's discussion of static electricity in Section 8-2 notes.  I used two simulations online to show how static electricity works (balloon vs sweater & sweater vs socks).  We then watched a http://www.brainpop.com/ video on static electricity and students took the quiz that followed.  Finally, I used the VanDeGraff generator to demonstrate how static electric charges are generated, stored and discharged, using a human chain.

No homework was assigned, and the Ohm's Law quiz will be Tuesday, May 3rd.

Monday, April 25, 2011

I began class by collecting students' online energy lab report, followed by the summaries of the 30th week of science news articles.  Students were given their Chapter 8 packets on Electricity, and we discussed section 8-1 notes on subatomic particles.  We watched the http://www.brainpop.com/ video on Electricty and students took the quiz that followed.  We ended class by completing worksheet 8-1 which identified the response of different paired subatomic particles when brought together.

No homework was assigned, and the Ohm's Law Quiz will be on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

As we do the day after every test, today students had their Chapter 11 notebooks check for completion.  During that time, students had the option of using the laptops to work on their online energy lab or watch Mythbusters.

News article #30 and the online lab are both due on Monday, and the Chapter 8 test will be on Thursday, May 12th.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Students took their Chapter 11 test on Moodle today.  Any time that remained after their test was used to work on their online energy lab.

The Chapter 11 notebook check is tomorrow, and the online energy lab packet is due on Monday, April 25th.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Students completed their Chapter 11 packet today in class, which means they did pages 11-1 & 11-17.  We reviewed these pages before class ended.  Some students had time leftover in class to work on their online energy lab.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test is tomorrow.

Monday, April 18, 2011

After listening to the summaries of our 29th week of science news articles, students had the remainder of the period to work on their online energy lab.  By the end of the period, most students were somewhere around pages 6, 7 or 8.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Students were given an 11-page lab packet which they will use to complete the online energy lab linked from Moodle.  I asked students to number their pages 1-11 so that it's easier to post and answer questions on the discussion forum for this lab.  Most students were able to get up to page 5 or 6 by the end of the period.  The completed packet is due on Monday, April 25th (the day after Easter).

News article #29 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Today was such a beautiful day that I decided to have our classes outside.  After briefly going over section 11-4 notes on the Law of Conservation of Energy and Einstein's Theory of Relativity (E=mc2), students completed worksheet 11-7, for which they had to observe and record all things they noticed outside that had kinetic and then those that had potential energy.  We then did worksheet 11-5 together, and then students worked on worksheet 11-10 until the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 14th.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

We began class with a review from yesterday by demonstrating the relationship between kinetic and potential energy.  I used a pendulum hanging from the ceiling to complete the activity on page 11-16 as students realized their relationship.  I discussed the differences between internal and external combustion engines (Section 11-3 notes).  We worked on page 11-11 collectively, as I pointed out that velocity has a greater effect on kinetic energy than mass does because you need to square the velocity.  Finally, students worked within their groups to complete worksheet 11-9, and volunteers put the answers to those problems on the board before the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Today we discussed the second part of section 11-2 notes, Kinetic Energy.  I explained how kinetic energy has a direct relationship with the speed or velocity of an object.  I demonstrated how on a roller coaster, as Potential energy decreases, kinetic energy increases, thus making it an inverse relationship. We watched a BrainPop video on Kinetic energy and took the quiz that followed using the student responders.  Students worked on worksheet 11-6 in their groups for 5 minutes before we went over the answers together.  Students were finally assigned page 11-4 to work on within their groups, and volunteers put the solutions to those problems on the board at the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, Apil 20th.

Monday, April 11, 2011

28 down, only 6 more to go.  Today we listened to oral summaries for the 28th week of science news articles.  We also finished worksheets 11-2 & 11-3, which students began on Friday.  We discussed section 11-2 notes on potential energy only, followed by the BrainPop video and quiz on Potential energy.  We ended class by doing the lab on page 11-12.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test is on Wednesday, April 20th.

Friday, April 8, 2011

We began Chapter 11 today.  Students were given their new packets and we discussed section 11-1 notes on the different forms of energy (mechanical, heat, chemical, electromagnetic & nuclear).  We watched a BrainPop video on Forms of Energy and students used the responders to take the quiz that followed.  We then began activity 11-2 & 11-3, and students worked within their groups towards completing this assignment until the bell rang.  We will finish these pages on Monday.

News article # 27 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

As we've done the day after every chapter test, students had their notebooks checked today for 75 points.  We watched a Mythbusters episode about a balloon made out of lead and creating surfable waves from an underwater explosion.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 11 test will be Wednesday, April 20th.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Students took the Chapter 9 test on Moodle today.  Based on overall average, this was the students' highest achievement on a test so far this year.  They had the remainder of the period to work on their chapter packet.

The notebook check will be tomorrow, and the Chapter 11 test will be on Wednesday, April 20th.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Mr. Girardi was in for me today.  Students had all period to complete the rest of their Chapter 9 packets, including the review sheets on pages 9-10 & 9-11.

No homework was assigned and the Chapter 9 test is tomorrow.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Students took the PSSA science exams today.  To accommodate the exams, we only had 25-minute classes.  That was just enough time to allow students to present their 27th week of science news articles and watch a http://www.brainpop.com/ video on waves.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 9 test will be on Wednesday, April 6th.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Today was the first day of the 4th marking period.  We spent today discussing section 9-3 notes on the different wave interactions, including reflection, diffraction, refraction and interference.  I drew the diagram of the law of reflection on the board and bounced a tennis ball off of it to demonstrate how reflection works.  I used a pencil in a glass of water to demonstrate refraction.  For diffraction, we used a giant slinky to demonstrate how waves bend around a barrier (or student), and we also used it to show how interference works.  I also nice little LED strobe toy that demonstrated standing waves- students really seemed to enjoy it.  Students were assigned worksheet 9-9 to do within their groups for 10 minutes, and we went over the answers before the end of the period.  Students were given their final 3rd quarter grades and a new seating chart at the end of class.

News article #27 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 9 test is on Wednesday, April 6th.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Today was the third and final day for the writing PSSA exams.  In science class, we played with Slinky's to complete the lab on pages 9-7 & 9-8, which explored the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 9 test will be on Wednesday, April 6th.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Today was the second day of Writing PSSA exams, so students only had 35 minutes of each class.  During that time, I used a couple different online simulators to review transverse and longitudinal waves.  We discussed section 9-2 notes and I again used the one online simulator to illustrate the amplitude, frequency and wavelength of a wave.  I assigned pages 9-2, 9-3, 9-4 & 9-5 in class, and we had enough time to review page 9-2 before the bell rang.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 9 test will be on Wednesday, April 6th.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Today was the first of three days of PSSA writing exams.  Students met with each of their classes for 30 minutes.  During that time in science class, students were given their new packets for Chapter 9 on Waves.  We discussed section 9-1 notes on the two types of waves and their distinguishing parts.  I used a long slinky-like spring to demonstrate the differences between the two types of waves.  Students then had 10 minutes to complete worksheet 9-1 within their groups, and we reviewed the answers in the last 5 minutes of class.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 9 test will be Wednesday, April 6th.

Monday, March 28, 2011

We began this week (PSSA Writing Exam week) by listening to the oral summaries of the 26th week of science news articles.  Students then had their Simple Machines online lab packet checked for 100 points, during which time they watched the "Viral Videos" episode of Mythbusters.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 9 test will be on Wednesday, April 6th.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Mr. Girardi was in for me today.  Students had the entire classtime to work on the online simple machines lab.  If they are not done by the end of the period, it is there responsibility to have it done and ready to hand in at the beginning of Monday's class.

News article #26 is due on Monday, as is the online lab packet.  The Chapter 9 test will be Wednesday, April 6th.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Students had their Chapter 7 notebooks checked today for 80 points.  During that time they were able to use the laptops to work on completing the online simple machines lab.

The online lab packet is due on Monday, March 28th, as is the next news article (#26).

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

2-hour Delay

Students took their Chapter 7 test on Moodle today.  Upon completion they had some time to work on either their online lab or their Chapter 7 packet.

The Chapter 7 notebook check is tomorrow, and the online lab packet is due on Monday, March 28th.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Students had all period today to complete the remaining pages in their Chapter 7 packet, in particular pages 8, 9, 10, 19 & 20.  We went over the answers to these pages at the end of the period.

The chapter 7 test is tomorrow and the simple machines online lab is due on Monday, March 28th.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Back to normal length school days, students submitted their 25th week of science news articles.  We discussed section 7-5 & 7-6 notes on simple machines and watched  http://www.brainpop.com/ videos on Inclined Planes and Wheel & Axles (we previously watched the videos on pulleys and levers).  Students completed worksheets 15-11, 18, 19 & 20.  They were told to cross out pages 12, 15 & 16, as they are not responsible for the content within those pages this year.

No written homework was assigned, but students were encouraged to study for Wednesday's Chapter 7 test, and reminded that the simple machines online lab packet is due on Monday, March 28th.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Students completed their final PSSA reading exam today.  After a 30-minute study hall, students got to meet with their period 2 class, during which time students turned in their 24th science news article and continued their online investigation of simple machines.

News article #25 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Students took their final PSSA math exam today.  Afterwards, they attended their period 3 class, which for science involved handing in their 24th science news article and continuing their online investigation of simple machines.

News article #25 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

PSSA exams continued today, and students only met with their 5th & 7th period classes.  In both science classes, students turned in their 24th week of news articles and continued to work on their online investigation of Simple Machines.

News article #25 is due next Monday, and the Chapter 7 test is on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

PSSA exams continued today for all 8th graders.  Students only met with their period 6 class following the exam.  In science, students turned in their 24th science news article summary, after which they continued their online investigation of simple machines.

News article #24 is due this week, followed by #25 next Monday.  The Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Due to the beginning of PSSA exams, students did not have any science class today.

News article #24 is due this week, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Students continued their online investigation of simple machines.  By the end of today's class, most students were on or around pages 11 & 12 in the lab packet.

News article #24 is due next week, and the Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Students got back their PSSA practice exam scores and we discussed the open-ended items.  They were also given a PSSA reference guide to help them prepare for the April 4th state exam.  We then continued with our 3rd day of the Simple Machines online lab.  Most students were somewhere between pages 6-9 by the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test is on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Students took a practice PSSA Science exam during today's class.  The exam consisted of 29 multiple choice questions and two open-ended questions.  This practice exam is just that- PRACTICE.  It will not count towards or against a student's grade.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Our guest speaker today was Mrs. Carol Kirol, the school district's dental hygienist.  Her topic today was mouth myths.  Students got to vote true or false on many common misconceptions relating to dental hygiene.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Are you serious?  ANOTHER SNOW DAY...in MARCH????

Today's school cancellation means that our field trip to Penn College for Career Day has ben permanently cancelled with no future make-up date planned.

No homework is assigned, and the Chapter 7 test is Wednesday, March 23rd.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Students continued their online investigation into simple machines.  By the end of class today, most students were discovering levers and completed up to page 5 in their lab packet.

No news articles are due next week because of the Monday field trip to Penn College.  The Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Today students began an online investigation on Simple Machines.  Today students explored the use of a wedge and lever.  They were shown a http://www.brainpop.com/ video on Levers at the beginning of the period, and they were given the lab packet to keep with them.  Most students got to the middle of Page 3 by the end of the period.  About a third of students got as far as page 5 on the Levers part of the lab.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Students took their data from page 10 of the Pulley Lab and put it into an online graphing website called Create-a-Graph.  They had to save their graph into their Science 8 folder of "My Documents" and paste it to the top of their science wiki page.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Most students were able to finish their pulley lab by the end of today's class.  The data collected the past three days will be used to make a graph online tomorrow to be pasted in their wiki.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011.

Monday, February 28, 2011

As with most Monday's, we began the week by listening to summaries of our 23rd week of science news articles.  Upon collection of the articles, students took their lab packets out of the crate and continued their exploration of pulleys in our "Lifting the Load" lab.  Most students were able to complete the single-fixed pulley part of the lab.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test will be Wednesday, March 23rd.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Pulleys were introduced to students today.  We watched a http://www.brainpop.com/ video on pulleys followed by the interactive quiz.  Students were then given their new packet for a hands-on lab using pulley's.  That packet will stay in this room at the end of each period so that they are never lost or forgotten.  Most students got through the end of page 4 before the end of the period.

News article #23 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 7 test will be on Wednesday, March 23rd.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Today we repeated yesterday's lab because there seemed to be a great amount of confusion from the substitute filling in for me.  I demonstrated the proper techniques for the lab procedure and students had 15 minutes to redo it and change any results.  We reviewed the conclusion questions together afterwards.  Student then opened to worksheet 15-9 and we did problem #5 together. (60 Newtons had to be changed to "60 Joules" due to incorrect wording of the problem).  We began problem #6 and worked through parts A & E before the bell rang.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test is in Mid-March.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Since I had in-service training at Rommelt today. Miss Robinholt was my substitute teacher today.  She ran students through the lab on page 15-13 & 15-14.  I forgot to leave a brick on each table, so each group had to use the same brick.  We will review the lab tomorrow.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test is in Mid-March.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

We began class today with the 22nd week of science news articles (since snow cancelled school yesterday).  We discussed section 7-3 & 7-4 notes.  I used shoveling snow as an introduction to using a machine to help you do work.  I had a student sit on a board and lifted the other end of it, demonstrating the effort force and distance, along with the resistance force and distance.  They created work input and output, respectively.  I also introduced Mechanical Advantage & Efficiency, and what they mean in practical terms.  Students were then assigned page 15-8 # 1&2 only.  We reveiwed the answers verbally.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 7 test is more than 3 weeks away.

Monday, February 21, 2011

3rd Snow Day- No School

Week 22 News articles are due tomorrow.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Students got back their Work & Power quiz that was taken yesterday.  We reviewed the solutions to the eight problems together.  As a reward for the students hard work all week and the impressive results of their quiz scores, they were treated to an episode of Mythbusters, Bug Special.

News article #22 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 7 test won't be until sometime in mid-March.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Students took the Work & Power quiz today (8 questions at 5 points each = 40 points possible).

No homework was assigned.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

We had volunteers put the problems from yesterday (Page 15-3 & 15-4) on the board.  Students were assigned pages 15-5 & 15-6 (all word problems) and everyone completed the assignment before the end of class.  The solution to each problem was given.

No homework was assigned, and the Work & Power quiz is tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

We began class by discussing the formulas that would be on this Thursday's quiz.  Students put the solutions to page 15-2 on the board for extra credit.  Students were assigned the remainder of page 15-3 (which should have been only problem # 3 & 6) and all of page 15-4.  A correction needed to be made on problem #9 on page 15-4.  The problem said "4000 Newtons", but should have said "4000 Joules".  We did not have enough time to put the problems on the board.

No homework was assigned, and the Work & Power quiz will be this Thursday, February 17th.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Happy Valentine's Day

We began class by listening to volunteers for the 21st week of science news articles.  We then reassembled in the stairwell by the gym lobby in order to complete the lab activity on worksheet 15-7.  Students were timed on how long it took them to walk and run up the steps, and a comparison was then made on their walking and running power.

No homework was assigned, and the Work & Power quiz will be on Thursday, February 17th.

Friday, February 11, 2011

We began class today by putting the problems from worksheets 15-1 & 15-3 (#1,2,4 & 5) on the whiteboard that students completed yesterday.  We discussed section 7-2 notes which related work, power and time.  After watching the http://www.brainpop.com/science/motionsforcesandtime/power/ video on Power and taking the interactive quiz using student responders, students worked on worksheet 15-2 in their groups.  There was not enough time to review those problems, so we will put those on the board on Monday.

News article #21 is due on Monday, and the Work & Power quiz will be on Thursday, February 17th.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Today began Chapter 7 on simple machines.  Students got their new packets and we discussed section 7-1 notes on Work (W=F*d).  We watched a http://www.brainpop.com/science/motionsforcesandtime/work/zoom.weml  video on Work and took the quiz that followed.  Students were then assigned page 7-1 (#1-6) and page 7-3 (#1,2,4 & 5).  Most students were finished before the end of class, but there was not enough time remaining to review them on the board, so we will do that tomorrow.

No homework was assigned, and the Work & Power Quiz will be next Thursday, February 17th.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Students had their Chapter 6 notebooks checked today for 60 points.  During this time we watched Mythbusters episodes on free-falling objects reaching terminal velocity.

No homework was assigned.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Students took the Chapter 6 test on Moodle today.

The Chapter 6 notebook check will be tomorrow.

Monday, February 7, 2011

We listened to the 20th week of science news article summaries.  I handed back the lab packets from the online Force & Motion lab, and we went over the answers together.  Students were assigned pages 6-11 through 6-13 to be done in class.  Students were also told to cross out page 6-9, as they will not be responsible for that page during Wednesday's notebook check.  We reviewed most of the answers (if not all) by the end of the class.

The only homework is to study for tomorrow's Chapter 6 test.

Friday, February 4, 2011

We discussed section 6-5 notes on Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and the difference between mass & weight.  We watched the http://www.brainpop.com/ video on Gravity, followed by the quiz using student responders.  Students completed worksheets 6-5 & 6-8 within their groups before the bell rang.

News article #20 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 6 test will be Tuesday, February 8th.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

After two straight snow days, Mrs. Jones & I used a "4-square" activity to help students remember Newton's 3 Laws of Motion.  Each group was randomly assigned one of the three laws, and they had to put on a poster the definition, what that means, a real-life connection, and draw a picture of it in action.  Most students really enjoyed this change of pace and refresher.  We also discussed section 6-4 notes on projectiles and terminal velocity.  We compeleted worksheets 6-7 & 6-10 together.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 6 test was pushed back to Tuesday, February 8th.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Day #2- No School

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Snow Day #1- No School

Monday, January 31, 2011

Today I collected the written lab reports from our online investigation of Force & Motion.  We heard oral summaries from the 19th week of science news articles.  I handed back Friday's Force Quiz and reviewed the answers out loud.  We went over section 6-3 notes and related Newton's 3 Laws of Motion to everyday phenomena.  We watched a http://www.brainpop.com/ video on Newton's 3 Laws and took the quiz that followed.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 6 test will be this Friday, weather permitting.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Students took the Force quiz today- 8 problems at 5 points each for a total of 40 points.  Following the quiz, students took an NSTA survey that took only 5-10 minutes, and worked on their online speed lab for the remainder of the period.

News article #19 is due on Monday, and the Chapter 6 test is next Friday, February 4th.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Today was the final tune-up for tomorrow's Force Quiz.  We began by reviewing yesterday's assignment, page 6-3 & 6-4, on the board.  Students were then assigned page 6-6 to complete in their groups.  I gave out the answers before the end of class.

No homework was assigned, but the Force quiz is tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Students worked on much more challenging problems today than yesterday.  They still focused on Newton's 2nd Law of Motion (F=ma), but the degree of difficulty on today's problems was much greater.  Students had all period to complete the eight problems on pages 6-3 & 6-4.  Most students completed this assignment, but we did not have time to put them on the board.

Notes that I put on the board included:

# 4, 6 & 8 need the 4-steps twice, as they are 2-part problems
#7b-1 does NOT need the four steps.

No homework was assigned, and the Force quiz is Friday, January 28th.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I used a PowerPoint to introduce the section 6-2 notes on Friction and Newton's 2nd Law.  I demonstrated the use of air as a lubricant by using a hovercraft.  We watched a BrainPop.com video on Forces and took the quiz using the student responders.  Students were assigned worksheet 6-2 in their groups.  We reviewed the problems on the board before the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Force quiz will be Friday, January 28th.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Today we begin the second half of the school year, and the first day of the third quarter.  Students summarized their 18th week of news articles.  I handed out the new chapter six packets and we discussed Section 6-1 notes on balanced vs unbalanced forces.  I brought two volunteers up front and we played tug of war with their arms to demonstrate what happens when forces are or are not equal and opposite.  We watched the Bill Nye video on balanced forces before the bell rang.

No homework was assigned, and the Force quiz will be this Friday, January 28th.

Friday, January 21, 2011

2-Hour Delay

What a week!  We were off on Monday, and three of the last four days had a 2-hour delay.  Students used today's half-hour classes to complete (as much as they could) their online lab that we've been working on all week.

News article #18 is due on Monday, and the Force quiz will be on Friday, January 28th.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Students finally had their Chapter 5 notebooks checked today for 85 points.  We began Lesson #2 of our online lab that explored the relationship between gravity and speed.  Students accessed the site using Moodle and simulated the downhill trials of an olympic luger.  I demonstrated for them exactly how to create and collect the data from all of the trials, and described on the white board how to solve the three math problems (3, 4 & 6).  Students know that tomorrow will be the last day we will devote in the classroom to completing this online lab.

No homework was assigned, and the Force quiz probably will not be until Friday, January 28th.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

2-hour delay!

This is the third day out of the past five that we have had shortened classes due to the weather.  Students continued to work on the online speed lab.  Their goal was to be done with lesson #1, pages 1-3.  Tomorrow we will begin lesson #2.

Notebook check will be tomorrow, and the Force quiz will be on Thursday, January 27th.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

2-Hour Delay

Mr. Girardi was in for me today due an inservice at Rommelt.  He gave students the opportunity to summarize their 17th week of news articles.  Students then began an online investigation that compared the speed and acceleration of a snowmobile.

The chapter 5 notebook check will be tomorrow, and the Force Quiz will be Wednesday, January 26th.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Students today took the Chapter 5 test on "Motion" using the online Moodle application.  Students did EXTREMELY well on the test, as the overall class average was more than 10 points higher than the previous test.  Mr. Girardi will be in for me on Tuesday.

News article #17 is due on Tuesday, and the Chapter 5 notebook check will be on Wednesday.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Today we completed Chapter 5.  Students worked on the graphing exercise on page 5-8.  We reviewed those answers together before students began the crossword puzzle review sheet on page 5-17.  We also went over those answers before the end of the period.

Students only homework is to study for tomorrow's Chapter 5 test.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

2-Hour Delay

Today, since classes were shortened due to weather, we spent the 30 minutes tying up some loose ends.  Many times we begin a worksheet or activity but never get a chance to completely finish or review our work, so today was dedicated to meet that need.  We reviewed the lab from pages 5-9 & 5-10.  We also reviewed the problems from pages 5-13, 14 & 15.  Any remaining time was used to preview this Friday's test.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 5 test is this Friday, January 14th.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

"Stay Sharp" Assembly 9:20-10:20 (no flex or study hall)

Today we listened to the 16th week of science news article summaries.  We completed this chapter's notes by discussing section 5-4 on Momentum.  I took students in the hallway and demonstrated (using scooters) how changing an objects mass and/or velocity alters its momentum.  Upon returning to the classroom, students were assigned worksheet 5-12 in their groups.  We put the solutions to those problems on the board before the end of the period.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 5 test will be this Friday, January 14th.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Students had Mr. Girardi as their substitute teacher again today.  He assigned worksheets 5-13, 5-14 & 5-15 to be done during class.  Many students did not finish, but they will have more time later this week.

News article # 16 is due tomorrow, and the Chapter 5 test will be this Friday, January 14th.

Friday, January 7, 2010

Students had two graphing assignments today.  First, they had to complete their graph on page 5-11 using their data from yesterday's lab.  They then used that same data and went online to the Create-a-Graph website to save a picture of their graph online.  They then had to upload that graph to the top of their science wiki page.

News article #16 is due on Tuesday, and the Chapter 5 test is on Friday, January 14th.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

LAB TIME!!!!

It's been a while since we did a lab in here, so today's lesson was well received.  Students used the lab guide on page 5-9 and 5-10 to guide them in discovering how gravity effects the acceleration of a marble rolling downhill at differing distances.  The goal by the end of the period was to have all of their times recorded.  They were asked to time each distance multiple times until they had 5 timings that were "consistent", then take their average.  Students also should have had enough time to calculate the speed of the marble for each distance.  We will conclude this lab tomorrow with a graphing activity.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 5 test is one week from tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I used the projector to show students several possible test questions that involved analyzing the slopes of graphs.  We completed page 5-6 together in class.  Students then worked in their cooperative groups to complete the 10 problems on page 5-7.  Students volunteered to put those answers on the board to review.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 5 test is on Friday, January 14th.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

I explained in greater depth and detail today a comparison of slopes using distance/time graphs and speed/time graphs.  I contrasted a straight diagonal line to a flat line to a curved line on both graphs, and I also gave some sample test question relating to the graphs.  Students then worked in their groups to finish pages 5-3 & 5-4.  We reviewed the problems on the board using student volunteers.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 5 test is on Friday, January 14th.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Welcome back!!!

There were no news articles due today, much to the delight of nearly everyone.  We began class by reviewing the Speed Quiz that students took prior to the holiday break.  We then discussed (section 5-2 notes) how the slope of a line on a distance-time graph can be used to determine the relative speed of the object.  We also compared constant vs. average speed on a journey.  Section 5-3 notes introduced acceleration to the class, along with deceleration and centripetal acceleration.  A BrainPop.com video furthered explored acceleration, as did the quiz that followed.  We ended class by students working in groups to complete Activity 5-4.  Students did not have enough time to finish this assignment, but it was NOT to be done for homework.

No homework was assigned, but the Chapter 5 test is on Friday, January 14th.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Students only had flex and period 1 today before meeting in the gym for the winter olympics.  None of the core classes met today.

No news articles are due over break, and the Chapter 5 test won't be until mid-January.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Mr. Girardi was in for me today, as I was in Geisinger for my second round of thyroid surgery.  Each class was only 30 minutes long, as students watched the movie, "The Mighty" (based on the book "Freak, The Mighty", which was read in Mr. Molino's class), at the end of the day in their 7th period class.  During the 30 minutes of class time, Mr. Girardi showed "A Muppet Family Christmas".

No homework was assigned, and the test is not until mid-January.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Our 15th and final news article of the year (well, at least this calendar year) was how we began our final Monday before the holiday break.  Afterwards, students took the Speed Quiz and did REALLY well.

No news articles are due over break.  See you next year.

Friday, December 17, 2010

We reviewed worksheet 5-5 in class by having volunteers put their answers on the board.  Students then worked on a practice quiz on page 5-16.  We put those answers on the board after everyone was done.  If there was time remaining, students ended class by doing #1-4 on page 5-3.

News article #15 is due on Monday, and the Speed quiz is also on Monday.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

As we had a guest speaker in class yesterday, we began by reviewing the formulas for calculating speed, distance and time.  Students completed worksheet 5-2 and we put those 10 problems on the board for extra credit.  Student then began (and some even completed) the graphing exercise on page 5-5.

No homework was assigned, and the Speed Quiz is on Monday, December 20th.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Mr. Girardi was in for me in the morning, but I was here for the afternoon classes.  During all classes, Mrs. Kirol was in to speak with the students about the dangers of smokeless tobacco.

No homework was assigned, and the Speed Quiz will be Monday, December 20th.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Today we discussed the difference between speed and velocity.  I handed out the paper that described the 4-step method to solving word problems, and I demonstrated the sample problem on the board.  We completed worksheet 5-1, and students had enough time to begin worksheet 5-2.  Most students got about half of page 5-2 before the bell rang.  We will complete and go over that tomorrow.

No homework was assigned, and the Speed quiz will be on Monday, December 20th.

Monday, December 13, 2010

News article #14 began each class today.  Students received their new packets for Chapter 5, the first of our many upcoming physics chapters.  We discussed the concept of "frame of reference", and I introduced it using this video from YouTube made by senior high physics students.  I then showed students the relationship between speed, distance and time.  BrainPop had another great video on this topic, so we watched the video and used the student responders to take the quiz that followed.  We ended class by doing Part A, #1 only of worksheet 5-1.

No homework was assigned, and the quiz on calculating speed will be Monday, December 20th.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Students had their Chapter 3 notebooks checked today for 100 points (5 points per page x 20 pages).  We enjoyed a holiday-themed Mythbusters episode during the notebook check.

News article #14 is due on Monday.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Students took the Chapter 3 test today using Moodle.  They used the remaining class time to prepare their notebooks for tomorrow's check.  Also, some students still had to take the periodic table quiz.

The only homework is tomorrow's notebook check.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Today we practiced the periodic table quiz.....AGAIN.  Only a handful of students still need to complete the quiz.  Students completed worksheet 3-20 on electron arrangement, and volunteers drew their diagrams on the board.  Students then worked in their groups and competed against other groups for gold medals to see who could find the correct final answer to worksheet 3-17.  I ended class by giving students a sample of the questions they will encounter on tomorrow's chapter 3 test.

The only homework is to study for tomorrow's test.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

For the fifth straight day, we began each class by practicing the periodic table of elements and allowing students to take the oral quiz.  We reviewed worksheet 3-18, which students worked on in class yesterday.  We discussed section 3-4 notes on electron clouds and energy levels.  I also instructed students to disregard the final notes of the chapter related to the atomic forces.  I used an illustration off of Moodle to show how electrons are arranged around the nucleus of an atom.  Students then worked on completing worksheet 3-19 together in their groups, and I illustrated the correct answers on the board at the end of the period.

The only homework was to continue studying for the Chapter 3 test, which is in two days (Thursday, December 9th).

Monday, December 6, 2010

After listening to the 13th week of science news article summaries, we reviewed worksheet 3-16 together (students actually completed this page on Friday, but we ran out of time before we could go over it).  I then introduced the concept of molecular mass and demonstrated using problem #1 on page 3-18.  Students then had the rest of the period to complete page 3-18 in their groups.  We will review this assignment tomorrow.

No written homework was assigned, but students were encouraged to study for Thursday's Chapter 3 test.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Deja vu'?  Kind of, since we began today's class (AGAIN) by practicing the first 36 elements of the periodic table.  We only discussed one new term today, and that was "ion", or a charged atom that has gained or lost electrons.  The video from BrainPop.com helped to strengthen understanding of this topic, as did the quiz that followed using student responders.  We ended class with students working in their groups to complete worksheet 3-16.

News article #13 is due on Monday and the Chapter 3 test is on Thursday, December 9th.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

We began class today by reciting the first 36 elements of the periodic table and allowing students to take the oral quiz, if desired.  We went over section 3-4 notes on atomic number and mass number, and students worked on Activity 3-14 in their groups.  After going over this page, I discussed what "isotopes" are, and we watched the BrainPop.com video on the same topic.  Students then worked in their groups to complete worksheets 3-15.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 3 test is one week from today.  Parents were sent an email today notifying them of the test.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Today we began class by practicing the first 36 elements of the periodic table in preparation for their oral quiz.  We then discussed protons, neutrons and electrons (from section 3-4 notes) and watched the BrainPop movie on the same topic.  After taking the quiz together as a group, we took a step back to two weeks ago and reviewed worksheet 3-9 on balancing chemical equations.  I gave students concrete examples of the types of questions that would be on the test.  We ended class by practicing and discussing again the first 36 elements.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 3 test is on Thursday, December 9th.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Like any other week, we began today's class with volunteers who wanted to summarize their 12th science news articles out loud.  I handed last week's articles back to students.  For periods 2, 3 & 5, I also handed back the graded rubrics for the Chapter 2 VoiceThread projects.  For all classes, I explained how they were graded, along with common errors and several points of excellence that I noted.  Students were then given their second part of the Chapter 3 packet that contains pages 13-23.  I also introduced to students the criteria for the periodic table quiz, playing for them a VoiceThread recording that demonstrated proper pronunciation of the first 36 elements.  Students have from tomorrow until the Chapter 3 notebook check to take the quiz.  Each student decides when he or she is ready to take the quiz.

No homework was assigned, and the Chapter 3 test is on Thursday, December 9th.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The only class that met today was Period 7. Students had the opportunity for extra credit (as always) by giving an oral summary of their 11th news article. Students then worked in their groups to complete the cross-a-clue review sheet on page 3-11 & 3-12. We went over the answers at the end of the period.  The entire 8th grade then met in the auditorium for a private screening of the movie, "The Karate Kid", a movie about a middle-schooler who overcomes bullying by making an unlikely friend who teaches him kung-fu and self-respect.

News article #12 is due on Tuesday, November 30th, and the chapter 3 test is on Thursday, December 9th.

Monday, November 22, 2010

We only had 30 minutes classes today for periods 1-6.  Students had the opportunity for extra credit (as always) by giving an oral summary of their 11th news article.  Students then worked in their groups to complete the cross-a-clue review sheet on page 3-11 & 3-12.  We went over the answers at the end of the period.

News article #12 is due on Tuesday, November 30th, and the chapter 3 test is on Thursday, December 9th.