Mt Tabor Middle School
Roger Groom
Science Rocks!
Get ready for some amazing Science that will open your eyes to the world around you. In your three years we'll cover all kinds of Science, from Biology, to basic Chemistry and Physics, to Earth/Space Science.
6th Grade Biology Calendar:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
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1 See January calendar. |
2 See January calendar. |
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| 6 Students got back their scores from the biome project. Then, we did a grade hypothesis for the 2nd quarter. The rest of the period was for students to take notes on the biome projects. |
7 Students turned in all their biome paperwork for storage in their portfolios. Then, I took pictures of all the projects for the files, and then we went outside briefly to check out the bread that we've been 'growing' since December. Veeeerrrry interesting, and colorful. |
8 While watching a video on seasonal oceans, students picked the quiz questions they wanted for the quiz on Friday. |
9 We practiced with a few biome quiz questions to prep for tomorrow, and then did some binder clean out in preparation for a new unit. Then, we used to clicker to do a pre-assessment of their knowledge of cells and started a powerpoint about the history of cells. HANDOUT: Cell Introduction and Discovery HOME EDUCATION: Study for quiz tomorrow |
10 QUIZ: Covers biomes - students can use their notes from student projects After some last minute questions, students had the entire period to complete the quiz using their notes. Students also turned in their notes. |
| 13 We had a learning log about cells, and then continued with the PPT intro to cells and students took notes on the outline given last week (Feb 9). Then, we read a small section in the book on the life of prominent Mexican-American woman and her contribution to diabetes research. |
14 We had a learning log about the main developers of the Cell Theory, and took a few more notes on the Cells Introduction outline. As review, students read a few pages from the textbook (pg. 16 - 22). Then, we discussed the parts of a microscope and labeled a diagram. HANDOUT: |
15 We reviewed the Biome quizzes today - that's all we had time for! |
16 After some review of the microscope parts, we dove into the details inside a cell. We watched a PowerPoint and students had a printout of the slides and added notes to them as we went along. HANDOUT: Copies of slides from PowerPoint Link to PowerPoint presentation (note: not all images may come through) |
17 After an introduction on proper technique to use the microscopes, half the students worked on the scopes on the 'e' lab, and the others read pages 23 - 31 in the book, and then played organelle concentration. Next week, we'll switch groups. |
| 20 NO SCHOOL |
21 Today, we switched groups from what we did on Friday. Students also got a set of flashcards of the organelles to study. HANDOUT: Set of flashcards (2 pages) HOME EDUCATION: Study the flashcards - there may be a quiz on Friday. |
22 After a quick review of the Microscope sheet, students turned that in for an effort grade. Then, we discussed the quiz coming up on Friday and collected the papers needed to study. Then, we took a little pre-test on some stuff, and watched a short video as a review. There was a video review sheet we used during the video. HANDOUTS: Preliminary Test, Video Review (both are not linkable) HOME EDUCATION: Study for quiz on Friday! |
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24 Potential Quiz: Cells and Organelles - this date may get moved depending on what's going on in other classes. |
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7th Grade Physical Science Calendar:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 See January calendar. |
2 See January calendar. |
3 |
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| 6 Students did a grade hypothesis for the 2nd quarter. Then, we started in on Activity 8 on measuring volume. |
7 We continued to work on Activity 8 and students performed a lab on measuring volume of a number of different objects.
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8 Students gathered class data and compared their techniques for measuring volume. Then, they discussed the analysis questions and wrote out answers for #3 and 4. Those that didn't finish in class have to finish tonight. HOME EDUCATION: Complete AQ #3 and 4, and put finishing touches on the AQ from Act 6 and 7 due tomorrow. |
9 DUE: Activity 6 and 7, Analysis Question 1 from each. This is a level 3 academic assignment - students should use the AD scoring guide in their notebook appendix to help guide their writing. We started in on Activity 9, measuring density. Students performed a lab to find the density of a variety of objects. |
10 We worked more on density and completed Activity 9. Then, we started Activity 10 on finally figuring out the solids from the mystery mixture. |
| 13 DUE: Act 9 Analysis Question # 3 We started work on Act 10 and will finish tomorrow. |
14 We reviewed Act 10, and fine-tuned some of the responses. Then, we reviewed the study guide for the test on Friday. HANDOUT: Studying Materials Test Study Guide |
15 We reviewed Analysis Question from Act 9 - a very key concept. Then we introduced the next unit on choosing the best cleaner for a hospital. Study/highlight/organize the notebook for Friday's quiz! HANDOUT: Choosing a Cleaner data table HOME EDUCATION: Prepare for quiz on Friday |
16 We did the culminating activity for Unit A - Activity 11. Left over time was used to study for tomorrow's quiz. |
17 Unit A Test. Students can use their notebooks during the quiz. Some students didn't finish, so we'll complete it during class on Tuesday. |
| 20 NO SCHOOL |
21 Students finished up the quiz from last Friday. Then, we looked at the first activity for Unit B on The Chemistry of Materials. |
22 We reviewed the quiz from last Friday, and then started Activity 12. Students got a Learning Target handout to think about what they're doing. |
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8th Grade Earth and Space Calendar:
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 See January calendar. |
2 See January calendar. |
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| 6 Students did grade summary and hypothesis for 2nd quarter. Then, we watched about 20 minutes from the video titled "The Wave that Shook the World" by NOVA about the tsunami that hit Indonesia in 2004. We also watched a short clip of the Japan quake and tsunami from last year. |
7 Collected all EQ Building work to put in portfolios. Absentees/field trip goers need to get that stuff to me. Reviewed tsunami info packet and filled in all the blanks. Absentees will meet with me tomorrow to review that information. Handed out the Tsunami Reflection page and students work on that during class for a bit. HANDOUT: Tsunami Reflection Page HOME EDUCATION: complete reflection page with good effort, study for quiz on Friday. |
8 Students read a recent National Geographic article about tsunamis, and those that finished had to come up with questions about the reading. Students that were on the field trip yesterday got the answers for the Tsunami Info packet. |
9 Students continued reading the article and making questions about the article. Then we talked about a very recent article about the Japan quake and a very interesting seismic phenomenon that preceeded the quake. We did an activity to model how the Juan de Fuca behaves with different temperatures. HOME EDUCATION: |
10 DUE: Tsunami Reflection - level 3 effort assignment. QUIZ: Covers tsunamis After last minute review questions, students had the entire period to complete the quiz. |
| 13 We started on volcanoes with drawing a volcano and groups brainstorming on what they knew. Then, students used the textbook and a handout to focus on where volcanoes occur. HANDOUT: Location, Location Location |
14 Due to the absence of the JMP folks for a field trip, students had some time to continue working on the Volcano locations outline, and then we watched a few minutes on a video about volcanoes. |
15 DUE: Volcano Locations Outline We reviewed the tsunami quiz, read a few of the tsunami poems, and then discussed a new handout showing examples of where you find different types of volcanoes. HANDOUT: |
16 We talked about hot spot volcanism today. Students watched a couple animations, talked through how it works, and then watched a video of my trip over an active vent on Hawaii. HANDOUTS: Animation 1 from PowerPoint slides, The Long Trail of the Hawaiian Hot Spot article Link to IRIS animation HOME EDUCATION: start looking over the Hawaiian hot spot article - an academic assignment is due next Wednesday about it.
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17 After a warm-up question about hot spots and volcano locations, students attempted to access a cool website on volcanoes. However, the computers kept crashing, so we headed back to my room for a bit of bookwork and a couple animations. The Geology Links page has the link to Interactive Volcano Explorer. We'll finish that up on Tuesday. |
| 20 NO SCHOOL |
21 We discussed the assignment due Thursday, and reviewed some questions students had about hot spot volcanoes. Then, in pairs using the brand new laptop cart, students accessed the Discovery Volcano Explorer to complete the packet given last week. HOME EDUCATION: Start the hot spot recycling assignment and ask questions tomorrow! |
22 We reviewed, again, the hot spot recycling assignment due tomorrow. Then, students had the majority of the period to work further on the Volcano Explorer and we reviewed a few questions on the 3rd page about the different types of volcanoes. Students that finished early were to read pgs. 93-102 as review. |
23 DUE: Hot Spot Recycling assignment, level 3 Academic |
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Science Inquiry
Instructions to open Science Inquiry Template:
- Click on the above link to open the document (should be in Microsoft Word).
- Immediately Save As with your name in the title with this format: "Last Name, First Name Inquiry.doc" and save to the desktop.
- Enter the information into the form. Type directly into the boxes - you will notice that the font changes. The boxes will automatically get bigger as you type.
- Click "Save" to save any changes you have made to your Inquiry.
Chemical Interactions
Click above for interactive animations about for 6/7th grade topics on chemistry and matter.
