Week of 5/28/13 - 5/31/13

TOOTHPICK BRIDGES & TOWERS
On Wednesday, students will test the strength of their toothpick bridges and towers. Textbooks will be used to test towers, and bottles of sand will be used to test bridges. Projects should be finished over the weekend using only white Elmer's glue and flat toothpicks. Projects may be dropped off in Mrs. Kenner's room anytime before class on Wednesday. Students are also welcome to work in the classroom during lunch or after school on Tuesday.

DRAW THE LINE - RESPECT THE LINE
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and next Monday's lessons will cover material from the Draw the Line - Respect the Line curriculum. Students will practice the skills needed to resist peer pressure so they are able to stick within their own limits. Students will also learn how to protect themselves from HIV, other STDs, and unplanned pregnancies.

HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK
1. Check grade reports posted online
2. Toothpick projects due Wednesday
3. Great America $ and permission slips due Friday

Week of 5/20/13 - 5/24/13

TOOTHPICK BRIDGES & TOWERS
Students will work in groups to design and build a bridge or tower made out of toothpicks. All supplies and work time will be provided in class during the week. Students will have five class periods to work (Monday-Friday). A contest will be held next Wednesday, May 29 to determine which project can support the most weight.  Bridges will be tested by holding a load of sand, and towers will be stacked with textbooks.

HOMEWORK FOR THE WEEK
1. Retake "Earth in Space" quiz at lunch this week if needed
2. Bring science textbook back to class by this Friday, May 24
3. "Draw the Line" parent letter due this Friday, May 24 for students not participating 
4. Toothpick projects due next Wednesday, May 29

Week of 5/13/13 - 5/17/13

SOLAR SYSTEM
We will spend a few days this week continuing to learn about our solar system. Topics will include planets, stars, galaxies, and measurements in space. Students will also participate in kinesthetic activities outside in order to model the revolution and size of Earth in our solar system. 

HOMEWORK
Monday (5/13): Finish notes on "Our Solar System" - due Wednesday
Tuesday (5/14): Finish flashcards; Finish Monday's notes; Quiz Friday
Wednesday (5/15): Finish notes on "Stars and Galaxies" - due Thursday; Quiz Friday
Thursday (5/16): Study for tomorrow's space quiz
Friday (5/17): TBD

Week of 5/6/13 - 5/10/13

DENSITY & BUOYANCY
This week, we will return to the unit on density and buoyancy so students can have an opportunity to apply their knowledge in several fun labs.  On Monday, students will participate in a lab to determine the densities of three mystery canisters.  They will then learn how to calculate pressure, force, and area using a balloon trap demonstration on Tuesday.  In the labs on Wednesday and Thursday, students will create their own submarines and foil boats to further explore the topics of floating and sinking.  We will conclude the week on Friday with a story and video about Archimedes' Principle. 

HOMEWORK
Monday (5/6): Worksheet pg. 17 & 11
Tuesday (5/7): None
Wednesday (5/8): Finish "Cartesian Diver" lab
Thursday (5/9): Finish "Foil Boat" lab
Friday (5/10): None

Week of 4/29/13 - 5/3/13

AFTER THE CST
Congratulations to all students for finishing their state tests! Thanks to everyone for working hard all year to prepare for the science test! We will now return to a few of the units we studied earlier in the semester and examine these topics in more depth. Over the next few weeks, students will spend time explaining and illustrating Newton's 3 Laws of Motion, demonstrating how density relates to floating and sinking, and modeling the solar system.  

HOMEWORK
Monday (4/29): Take projects home; Finish worksheet pg. 14 & 20
Tuesday (4/30): Newton's Comics due Friday
Wednesday (5/1): Chapter Review WS pg. 27 & 28; Newton's Comics
Thursday (5/2): Finish Tension-Compression Lab Report; Newton's Comics 
Friday (5/3): None

Week of 4/22/13 - 4/26/13

CST REVIEW
We will finish our review for the science CST on Monday. Students are expected to review all class notes and practice problems every day in preparation for the test. Students will take the science CST on Thursday, April 25. We will continue the units on density and the solar system after state testing.  Good luck everyone!

HOMEWORK
Monday (4/22): Human Bingo due today!  Review for CST
Tuesday (4/23): Review for CST
Wednesday (4/24): Review for CST
Thursday (4/25): Science CST today!
Friday (4/26): None

Week of 4/15/13 - 4/19/13

CONGRATULATIONS!
Students in all classes did an excellent job on their forces unit test. Great job everybody! Here are the class averages:

• Astronomers: 87%
• Chemists: 81%
• Engineers: 85%
• Inventors: 84%
• Physicists: 80%

DENSITY & BUOYANCY

This week, students will measure and calculate the densities of 8 blocks. They will then use this data to predict and test if the blocks will sink or float in water. There will be a short quiz on Tuesday that includes the information we learned before break and this Monday. Students may use three note sheets to help them during the quiz. 

CST REVIEW
The science CST will be next week on Thursday, April 25th. We will spend a few days this week and next week reviewing in class and completing practice CST problems. Topics will include atoms, states of matter, the periodic table, chemical reactions, acids & bases, and living chemistry. Students are expected to review all class notes and practice problems every day in preparation for the test. We will continue the density unit the following week.

HOMEWORK
Monday (4/15): Finish lab report; Retake test at lunch; Density quiz tomorrow - study!
Tuesday (4/16): Structure of Matter practice problems; Review today's class notes
Wednesday (4/17): Periodic Table practice problems; Study today's notes & questions; Human Bingo due Monday
Thursday (4/18): Chemical Reactions practice problems; Study today's notes & questions; Human Bingo due Monday
Friday (4/19): Human Bingo due Monday; Study today's notes & questions