Welcome to Pine Middle School!
Quarter 1 - Week 1
On the first day of school we started the year with our annual paper tower building competition. Students attempted to make the tallest paper tower they could using only a single sheet of paper. It is a challenging and fun problem solving experience. Check out the photos of some of the best towers built this year.
This weeks activities and assignments are:
- We also spent some time on a scavenger hunt around the room. Looking at our critters! Which is the male Madagascar Hissing Cockroach?
- We set up the science journal which will be used often so the journal will stay in the classroom.
- We read the Bright Light Story and began to look for evidence to support our claim
- Students completed a "Getting to Know You Questionnaire" DUE Friday, 8/31
- Two handouts outlining the policies and procedures we follow in the science classroom. Parents and students please sign these forms and bring them back to school. Due Friday, 8/31
- Click on the files below to get copies of these handouts.
getting_to_know_you_questionnaire.gr7.1213rev.pdf | |
File Size: | 41 kb |
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scienceprocedures.1213.rev.pdf | |
File Size: | 227 kb |
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life_science_course_syllabus.grade_7.1213.pdf | |
File Size: | 132 kb |
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Week 2
Students focused on safety this week to prepare for the safety test which is scheduled for Friday, 9/14
This weeks activities and assignments are:
- Make a map of the location of the safety equipment in the room after drawing a diagram of the room floor plan. DUE Friday, 9/14
- Study the safety rules each night.
- After you sign you contract ask your parent to sign too. DUE Friday, 9/14
- Watch a Safety Rap video that reminds students of the safety rules.
- Completed the Data Collection sheet for our first activity DUE Friday, 9/7
safetycontract.1213.rev.pdf | |
File Size: | 87 kb |
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safetycontract.0910spanish.pdf | |
File Size: | 95 kb |
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data_collection_about_classmates.pdf | |
File Size: | 119 kb |
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Week 3
This week students begin working in pairs to analyze the Data Collected from their classmates.
Safety wraps up with the test on Friday. The safety equipment map and signed Safety Contracts are also due on Friday, 9/14
Safety wraps up with the test on Friday. The safety equipment map and signed Safety Contracts are also due on Friday, 9/14
- In pairs, complete analysis of an assigned question from the data collection survey. Create a visual for a quick presentation to the class. This is a shared grade activity that is completed in class with opportunities to check for understanding with peers and Mrs. K.
- If you need more time to complete this assignment you are welcome to come in at lunch recess to work on your visual.
- Watch the safety video and review for the test
- Play the Research Scientist Game to learn more classmates names.
- SAFETY TEST FRIDAY, SIGNED SAFETY CONTRACT AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT MAP DUE
Week 4
- Students begin their introduction to the equipment and tools used in class by labeling and coloring images of this standard equipment. DUE WED (even class periods) or THURS (odd class periods)
- Roles and Responsibilities in Lab activities were discussed and noted in the journal
- Students will begin using the Metric measurement for length to learn these units.
- Study for the Science Skills quiz next week. The information you need will be in your Science Journal so be sure to keep it up to date each class. Study the science equipment handout & metric measurement handouts
- Focus on Observation vs Inference. What kinds of observations are there? Check out the power points listed below to learn the answer or review!
- Check Infinite Campus to catch missing assignments; ACADEMIC WARNINGS will be posted next week for students who are earning grades below a C.
observation_quantitative_vs_qualitative.ppt | |
File Size: | 1933 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
mystery-footprints-observation_inference-isn.ppt | |
File Size: | 376 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
footprints-notes.pdf | |
File Size: | 273 kb |
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qual-quan-obs-practice..pdf | |
File Size: | 221 kb |
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Week 5
- Practice making observations and inferences to wrap up Friday's observation lesson.
- Make a Body Ruler in class and use it to estimate linear measurements followed by actual measurements.
Week 6
- Read the Oatmeal Bugs story: highlight words you think other students in class may need help understanding and define them using the context clues. Write down one question that comes to mind as your read
- Pre-test for Meet the Creatures
- Begin Meet the Creatures activity - please have your packet in class each day.
- Create a habitat for the creature to live during the time of the experiment
- Record questions you have about the creature in your journal
- Practice qualitative and quantitative observations on a live specimen
- Use safety and lab procedures in a group to collect mass and measurement data on creature
- Complete the diagram identifying the creature body parts and the observation chart
meet_the_creatures_modif.2011.doc | |
File Size: | 48 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Week 7
- Textbooks were issued on Tuesday. Students have a Scavenger Hunt in the textbook to complete DUE on FRIDAY. BOOKS COST $68 IF THEY ARE LOST OR DAMAGED.
- Students made portfolios for their graded work. They are evaluating their performance & identifying strategies for improvement.
- Grades were posted on Wed/Thurs. Students who are missing assignments or who have tests to make up need to come in at lunch recess this week to get caught up.
- Test corrections were completed. Student may gain back 1/2 for each missed question up to 5 points. They also write a reflection on their test preparation strategies and how effective they are.
Week 8
- Creature observation; complete the ongoing observations in your journal including new questions about the creature.
- Complete the diagram identifying creature stages of development; use the text book as a reference
- Introduce Characteristics of Life: Notes and Power Point (below). Review this presentation to remind you of the characteristics we learned.
- Begin Operational Definition of Life worksheet as homework. What questions can you use to determine if something is alive.
- Group Problem Solving Activity - Save Fred! As a team, record your attempts to Save Fred. Then analyze your results and conclude your findings. This is a group, lab grade completed in class.
- Grades posted; graded work returned and filed in the portfolios
- ALL LATE AND MAKE UP WORK MUST BE COMPLETED BY WEDNESDAY 10/24 TO BE INCLUDED IN THE FIRST QUARTER. PLEASE COME IN AT LUNCH RECESS ON MONDAY, TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY
char_of_life.2012.ppt | |
File Size: | 1477 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
Week 9 - FIRST QUARTER ENDS THIS WEEK. PLEASE CHECK INFINITE CAMPUS!
- Complete operational definition of life in class in co-operative groups.
- Notes on Scientific Method and using it to solve problems and answer questions
- Continue observations of the creature; complete pages on the steps of the scientific method
- WED/THURS Test - Characteristics of Life, scientific method, science skills (measurement, triple beam balance, equipment, qualitative and quantitative observations. Students may use their science journal during this test. TEST is POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY 11/2. PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW AND PREPARE USING THIS EXTRA TIME!
- Students will practice identifying parts of the scientific method in example experiments. Then they will prepare for their own mealworm experiment
- Creature packet was added to Week 6 for any students who have lost their packets. We do not have any copies at school. Please print out a new one at home and bring it to school. The finished packet is due 11/9/12
- No School on Friday!