Week of 10/22/12 - 10/26/12

UNIT TEST - Tuesday, October 23
This week we will finish our unit on atoms and the periodic table of elements.  We will review as a class on Monday, and students will need to finish their study guide for homework.  Mrs. Kenner will be available during lunch and after school on Monday for additional review.  The test is on Tuesday, 10/23 and will cover all state standards, objectives, and vocabulary listed on the objective list that students received at the beginning of the unit.  Let's work hard to reach our big goal!

HOMEWORK
Monday (10/22): Finish study guide!  Study for unit test!
Tuesday (10/23): TEST today! (Enrichment = extra credit)
Wednesday (10/24): Atom Model Project (due Wednesday, Nov. 14)
Thursday (10/25): Retake test at lunch
Friday (10/26): Finish Workbook pg. 59-62

ATOM MODEL PROJECT
On Wednesday, students will be assigned the Atom Model Project.  Students will receive a handout in class that includes all information for the project.  Here are a few key details and examples of the project:

• Due: Wednesday, November 14 (before 1st period)
• Part 1 (450 points)
• Work with a partner to create a 3D model of an atom
• Accurately include all protons, neutrons, and electrons
• Use materials from home (cotton balls, beads, foam balls, clay, wire, pipe cleaners, etc.)
• Mrs. Kenner has some supplies students may use
• Create a key to complement the model
• Part 2 (50 points) 
• This part is optional, but is required in order for students to receive an A on the project
• Independently (without their partner), students will research their element and create a PowerPoint/Keynote to turn in with their model
• Mrs. Kenner will be available to help with research and PowerPoint after school as needed

Week of 10/15/12 - 10/19/12

HOMEWORK:
Monday (10/15): Quiz tomorrow!  Periodic Table Poster due Wednesday (10/17)
Tuesday (10/16): Unit Test next Tuesday (10/23); Periodic Table Poster due tomorrow!
Wednesday (10/17): Retake quiz at lunch
Thursday (10/18): Study Guide
Friday (10/19): Study Guide

UNIT TEST
A unit test on atoms and the periodic table is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 23. Students are expected to begin studying on their own by reviewing their notes and classwork. We will review as a class on Thursday, and students will be given a study guide to complete in preparation for the test. Students may use the study guide during the test.

Week of 10/8/12 - 10/12/12

Welcome back from Fall Break!  This week, we will review parts of the atom and begin learning about the Periodic Table of Elements. 

PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS PROJECT
Students will be assigned the Periodic Table of Elements project in class on Friday. The project requires students to create a poster of the periodic table and complete a worksheet about it. Students will have time to work during class on Friday and Monday, but they might need to finish it at home next week. The poster and worksheet are due in class on Wednesday, Oct. 17. 

HOMEWORK
Monday (10/8): Finish/review class work
Tuesday (10/9): Review isotope notes
Wednesday (10/10): Atomic Dimensions & Drawings WS
Thursday (10/11): None
Friday (10/12): Periodic Table poster due Wed. (10/17); Quiz Tues. (10/16)

Week of 9/24/12 - 9/28/12

ATOMS & THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS

This week we are starting a new unit on atoms and the periodic table of elements.  We will begin our week studying the structure of the atom and the arrangement of electrons. Students will also participate in a spectroscopy lab.  We will practice describing and determining atomic number and atomic mass.

HOMEWORK

Monday (9/24): None

Tuesday (9/25): Retake Atom Quiz

Wednesday (9/26): Finish Lesson 11, pg. 13 & 14

Thursday (9/27): None

Friday (9/28): Finish Lesson 12

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to all classes for doing so well on the first unit test!  Here are the class averages for the Scientific Investigation test:

              Class               Big Goal            Average

• Astronomers             85%                 90% 
• Chemists                  85%                 84%
• Engineers                 80%                 87%
• Inventors                  85%                 83%
• Physicists                82%                 81%

Week of 9/17/12 - 9/21/12

UNIT TEST

Don't forget - the first unit test is this Tuesday, September 18!  Foldables are also due on Tuesday and may be used by students during the test.  Please see last week's post for detailed test information. 

HOMEWORK

Monday (9/17): Foldable & Study!

Tuesday (9/18): Unit Test today!

Wednesday (9/19): Check grade reports

Thursday (9/20): None

Friday (9/21): Quiz Monday!

Week of 9/10/12 - 9/14/12

HOMEWORK
Monday (9/10): Finish "Water on Coin" lab report
Tuesday (9/11): "Volume of Irregular Solids" lab report in complete sentences
Wednesday (9/12): Begin studying for unit test (See note below)
Thursday (9/13): Complete foldable for unit test
Friday (9/14): Study and finish foldable! 

UNIT TEST
A unit test is planned for next Tuesday, Sept. 18.  Students should begin reviewing their class work on observations, inferences, hypotheses, experimental design, variables, and all new material from this week! The best way for students to prepare for their first test is to study all class notes, practice vocabulary words, and review homework assignments and Warm Ups.  Students will complete a foldable (study guide) in class on Thursday.  It will be due next Tuesday and may be used during the test. We will practice all measuring and metric skills during several labs this week, including the Metric Olympics on Friday. Please encourage your student to stop in during lunch or after school to review for the test.  I will be available to provide students with additional help and extra practice on test topics.

Skills and knowledge tested next Tuesday, Sept. 18 will include:

• Using the staircase and prefixes to make metric conversions
• Measuring with a ruler in cm and mm
• Reading a graduated cylinder
• Reading a triple beam balance
• Identifying observations (qualitative and quantitative) and inferences
• Writing hypotheses
• Identifying controls, constants, and variables in an experiment
• Understanding mass, volume, temperature, and metric units

Week of 9/4/12 - 9/7/12

It was great meeting parents and families at Back to School Night last Wednesday!  It certainly was a busy week, and I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend!

This week we will be reviewing our skills using the metric system and measuring. Students who have not turned in their signed Safety Contract this week will not be able to participate in the measuring activities next week.  

Parents - be sure to check the Parent Internet Viewer to make sure your student has turned in all required paperwork from the beginning of the year.  Students - if you need an extra copy of any of the handouts, please ask after class!

HOMEWORK
Tuesday (9/4): Signed Safety Contract (if not already turned in today) 
Wednesday (9/5): None     
Thursday (9/6): Graphing HW  
Friday (9/7): Metric Mania Conversion Challenge