Day 4

Students were given their Chapter 1 packets today.  We reviewed the last two days' lessons by completing worksheet 1-1 in their groups.  After going over the answers, we began our lesson on the metric system.  After showing them how to convert numbers within the metric system and a simply acronym for memorizing the order of prefixes, students were assigned worksheet 1-4 to be completed before the end of class.  We will go over the answers during Tuesday's class.

News article #1 is due on Tuesday, and the Metric Conversion Quiz will be on Friday, September 5th.

Day 3

The copier was not working yet, so students did not get their new Chapter 1 packets today.  Instead, we used the IWB to identify the 6 steps in the scientific method, distinguish the three types of variables in an experiment and differentiate between the experimental and control groups.  We did this by analyzing several experiment examples on the board.  We ended class by watching a www.brainpop.com video on Scientific Method and taking the quiz using the student responders (though this technology only worked in the afternoon classes).

News article #1 is due on Tuesday, September 2nd, and the next quiz on Metric Conversion will be on Friday, September 5th

Day 2

Students were given access to Moodle today. I reminded students how to access this blog, and stressed that if they are ever absent to check out this blog to see what work they would have missed while out. Students sharpened their observation skills by identifying the differences between two similar-looking photographs at www.spotthedifference.com/. The intent here was to emphasize how important paying attention to even the smallest details is when dealing with scientific discoveries and investigations. Students then differentiated between a theory and a law by looking up both definitions at www.dictionary.com/. Students were then asked to write about the difference between them at a discussion forum on my moodle site, under today's date.

No homework was assigned, though their first news article is due on Tuesday, September 2nd and their first quiz, on Metric Conversions, will be on Friday, September 5th.

Day 1

For the first day of school, students were told of the significance of science news articles. I showed them where to locate these articles at a website called www.sciencedaily.com. I also showed them the proper way to write their summaries. Each student read a practice article on the dangers of high fructose corn syrup in soda. We were able to complete the “what, where and why” sections of the article, and they also found two challenging vocab words.

No homework was assigned, and their first quiz will be on Metric Conversions, and it will be on Friday, September 5th.