Wednesday, 9/29

Today in Period 3, we did the Density of Solids lab. In Period 5, we finished the Density of Water lab. This lab is one of the most important ones of the year. I will be referring back to this lab as we study earthquakes and volcanoes, ocean currents, etc.

If you have been writing your assignments down, you've probably noticed that for the last 2 days, the assignment has been to bring in your completed science notebook and all required materials (in particular, your ruler, pencil, pen, and calculator) The quiz will be tomorrow!

Tuesday, 9/28

We are working on density right now. One lab is the density of water and the other lab (the one day lab) is the density of solids.

Sunday, 9/26

Friday, we completed our Finding Mass lab. Most are graded now, but they definitely show that many students were busy playing around and not doing what they were supposed to during lab. There will be 3-4 more labs this week followed by the test as early as next week. All students need to buckle down and concentrate on the lab and not socializing.

Wednesday, 9/22

Yesterday, I collected the Time Capsules and they are now safely stored at my house until June! You might make sure your child sent in their time capsules as it is the first test grade of the 2010-11 school year!

We continue to work on our SI System unit and the associated labs.

I look forward to meeting you at open house tomorrow night!

Sunday, 9/19

Today, we finished Lab #7 (or most students did). You might want to check with your child to see if they finished. You might also check to see that they did Lab 5 as well

Students were told in every class that the extra time capsule papers were stacked at the table in the back of the room. The Time Capsules are due on Tuesday (9/21). I know they require a lot of family involvement, but I know your student will enjoy opening this with their children or grandchildren some day. Thanks for all of your help!

Next week, we will continue the labs for the SI System unit.

Wednesday, 9/15/10

Today, students worked on their homework in class. Their homework is Index #6 Metric Conversion. It is due at the beginning of class tomorrow. Students will be working on a lab on Volume of Rectangular Solids. Some students/Lab groups are still having some difficulty working quietly in a group. If you see a "minus 5-10 points" on their lab papers, you will know that your child might be part of one of those groups.

The time capsule is due on Tuesday, 9/21. You might ask to see all of their papers. I have asked daily if students need extra papers. Remember, this is a test grade and will be only one of two this quarter.

Sunday, 9/12

NOTE TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS: On Friday, science classes had a "materials quiz." This quiz was announced all week and we went through our science notebooks together. These quizzes are given periodically to make sure all required materials (pencil, ruler, calculator, science notebooks with all required papers, etc.) are brought every day. We have begun the SI System of Measurement unit and will work on our first lab tomorrow.

The science notebook is particularly important as there isn't a textbook and the science notebook will contain everything your child needs to succeed! The grades will be posted tomorrow for the first time. Students are required to write their grade for science at the bottom of "Science" under Monday, in their assignment notebook. Look for the current grade every Monday (unless there's a holiday!)

Students should also be working on their Time Capsules (due next Tuesday!) I have assigned 4 of the components as homework to help them stay on track.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you at Open House next week!

Thursday, 9/9

Today in class, we made sure that all students had the required papers for the science notebook. It was also announced that there would be a "materials quiz" in which students would have to go to a certain paper in their notebook and pull information from it. There will also be questions about what type of assignment a paper is (ie N for Notes, H/CW for homework or classwork, etc.) Please take the time to check your childs' science notebook. This is VERY important as, again, their science notebook IS their "textbook!" Tomorrow, we will also begin our first lab.

Tuesday, 9/7

Today, we began our SI System unit and students were required to take notes. They were also to have completed the "Likes & Dislikes" paper for their time capsules. Another will be due Thursday so that they don't wait until the last minute to work on the capsule.

Students are to bring all required materials to class. It says this on the chalkboard. There will be a "materials quiz" in the next 3 days.

KEEP WORKING ON THE TIME CAPSULE!

Thursday, 9/2

Today, students got many ideas of items to include in their time capsules. If they haven't already, students will receive all papers for the time capsules. The due date is Tuesday, September 21st. In an effort to break the project up into chunks to keep them from procrastinating, I will be assigning different papers a few times a week. Please help them keep on schedule at home, too.

We will be beginning our first unit, The SI System of Measurement on Tuesday.

Today, we did the Time Capsule powerpoint that contained hints for student time capsules. The time capsule descriptor will be brought home tomorrow. Students are to read it over and come in with questions on Friday. The Time Capsule project will be counted as a test grade and the completed capsule will be due on Tuesday, September 21st.