homework2006firstqtr

This is a list of all the posted homework assignments during first quarter 2006.

No Homework

There is no homework assigned for Friday October 27, 2006. Today was the last day of the first quarter. Congratulations, if you were running the mile you would have one out of the four laps completed.

Today I collected the Paper Towel Lab. The Paper Towel Lab grade will be the first score for 2nd quarter. It will not be part of your first quarter grade. Today was the last day to turn in any make-up, missing or just plane late work for first quarter. Your grade will be determined by what I have by the end of the day.

Today in class we did the dog challenge and we saw clips from a Mythbusters episode called talking to plants. While students watched they were to pick out what was the control group, the control factors, the independent and dependent variables. They listed what parts of the experiment went into each group. The Mythbusters found that any music or sound seemed to help pea plants grow. The control group of plants that had silence did not grow as well as the heavy metal music, classical music, the nice talking group, and the mean insulted group.

Bust a myth this Friday!

Assigned on: 10/27/2006

Due on: 10/30/2006

Paper Towel Lab

The homework for Thursday October 26, 2006 is to complete the paper towel lab. This lab is due Friday. In addition any late or missing assignments will need to be turned in Friday. Friday is the last day of the first quarter. I passed out missing assignment lists to any student that had something missing.

No assignments were collected today.

Today was our disaster drill day so classes were all 10 minutes shorter. Today in class student lab groups finished absorbency testing. We also reviewed terms such as independent and dependent variable, control group, constant, and variable.

Have a controlled Thursday!

Assigned on: 10/26/2006

Due on: 10/27/2006

Paper Towel Lab

The homework for Wednesday October 25, 2006 is to work on the paper towel lab packet. Students received the price data today so they should be able to complete page six if they are finished with absorbency. If they are not finished with absorbency testing then they could do the class averages for strength on page 4. The entire paper towel lab will be collected on Friday this week.

No papers were collected today in class.

Today's class was a short 41 minutes to allow for a double Red Ribbon Week Assembly 6th period. Students practiced identifying the independent and dependent variables in a SopngeBob Bubble Experiment. The also looked for the controls in the experiment and any flaws or mistakes they could find. After that some groups worked on completing the absorbency test, while other groups that were done worked on the lab packet questions.

Remember to wear comfortable clothes for the Disaster Drill that will be tomorrow. Students will be sitting up on the blacktop for about an hour.

The state standards that we are working on are:

a. Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

b. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

c. Distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test.

We have been studying the language that scientists use to talk about experiments. Below are a few links to help students review what they have been learning in class.

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/spongebob_experimental_des.htm

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/fanexperiment.htm

http://www.studystack.com/flashcard-8475

Have a variable Wednesday!

Assigned on: 10/25/2006

Due on: 10/27/2006

No Homework

There's no new homework for Tuesday October 24, 2006. Students need to have all missing assignments in by Friday October 27, 2006. That is the last day of first quarter. I turn grades in Monday morning before school. Any work turned in after Friday of this week will not be counted on the first quarter grade. The last assignment that will counted for first quarter is the Textbook Scavenger Hunt.

Today I collected the Textbook Scavenger Hunt.

Students continued to work on the paper towel absorbency experiment today. Students will finish up the absorbency test tomorrow in class. I plan to collect the paper towel lab packet this Friday but it will count for a 2nd quarter grade.

The state standards that we are working on are:

a. Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

b. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

c. Distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test.

We have been studying the language that scientists use to talk about experiments. Below are a few links to help students review what they have been learning in class.

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/spongebob_experimental_des.htm

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/fanexperiment.htm

http://www.studystack.com/flashcard-8475

Have a controlled, independent and dependent variable Tuesday!

Assigned on: 10/24/2006

Due on: 10/27/2006

Textbook Scavenger Hunt

The homework for Monday October 23, 2006 is to complete the Textbook Scavenger Hunt worksheet. This was passed out last Friday and will be collected Tuesday. Tuesday is wear red day because of Red Ribbon Week.

Today in class I collected the Red Cross Emergency Video questions.I want to thank all my classes for the outstanding job they did while I was gone on Thursday and Friday last week. All Classes received an excellent and no names were written down. Last Thursday and Friday I was doing some training for the district.

Today in class we continued to test paper towels for absorbency. Students have designed their own experiment to find which paper towel brand absorbs water the best. The state standards that we are working on are:

a. Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

b. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

c. Distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test.

Have an absorbent Monday!

Assigned on: 10/23/2006

Due on: 10/24/2006

Towel Lab Page 2 ques. Page 3 towel graph

The Homework for Wednesday is to do page 3 and 4 on the paper towel lab.

On page three students need to find the average amount held by each towel and answer questions 1-4 at the bottom. Page four asks students to make a bar graph of the strength averages. If your lab group is not done with the wet strength test then do what you can on pages 3-4. I'm not collecting those pages tomorrow anyway. It's just nice to spread the work out over several nights instead of doing all the pages the night before the packet is due.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class most groups finished up strength testing and stated absorbency. If your group is not quite done you will be able to finish next Monday.

I will not be at school on Thursday and Friday. Our district is sending a group of teachers to do some special training. There will be a substitute her for both day. I have gone over my behavior expectation with all my classes and I expect to get excellent reports for each class.

Have an absorbent Wednesday!

Assigned on: 10/18/2006

Due on: 10/26/2006

No Homework

There is no homework for Tuesday October 17, 2006.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class students continued to work on the paper towel lab. Students are testing the towel for wet strength. We went over what controls are in an experiment. We also watched a short news clip on Consumer Reports Magazine and how they test products. The state standards that we are working on are:

a. Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

b. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

c. Distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test.

Have a Bounty Tuesday!

Assigned on: 10/17/2006

Due on: 10/18/2006

No Homework Woo Hoo!

There is no homework for Friday October 13, 2006.

Today in class I collected the UV and Temperature Graphs for September. I also collected the UV and Temperature graph questions and the orange data table. Students also turned in science journals for a quick journal check.

Today in class we did a toothpick animal challenge and then continued to test the frive brands of paper towels. The towels we are testing are Bounty, Brawny Scott, 7th Generation, and Sparkle. Students are testing the towel for wet strength. The state standards that we are working on are:

a. Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.

b. Evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of data.

c. Distinguish between variable and controlled parameters in a test.

Have a Brawny Friday!

Assigned on: 10/13/2006

Due on: 10/17/2006

September UV & Temp Graphs & Questions

The homework for Thursday October 12, 2006 is to complete your UV and temperature graphs for September. The graph questions will also be collected tomorrow. I am also collecting the science journals. This will be a mini-quick check just to see how students are doing.

Period one turned in the Balance practice lab today. Students that were at the field trip also should have turned in their balance labs today. In periods 2,5, and 6 we started the paper towel lab today. In periods 1 and 3 we went over how to do the UV and temperature graphs and we just watched the into video for the paper towel lab.

Have a paper towel Thursday!

Assigned on: 10/12/2006

Due on: 10/13/2006

September UV/Temp.Graphs

Today is Wednesday October 11, 2006. The homework for periods 2, 5, and 6 is to begin working on the temperature and UV graphs for September. The graphs and questions about the graphs will be collected on Friday. Periods 1 and 3 will get instruction on how to do the graphs in class on Thursday. I will be collecting journals in all classes on Friday. Period one needs to complete the Balance Practice Lab tonight. I will collect it on Thursday for that class.

Today I collected the Balance Practice Lab in periods 2-6.

Today in class we finished up the balance lab in periods 3 and 4. In all classes we then compared what I got for the weights of the objects to what students got. We also discussed ways that someone might mess up when using the balance. In periods 2, 5, and 6 I went over how to set up and do the UV and Temperature graphs for September. I will cover this in periods 1 and 3 on Thursday.

Have a graphy Wednesday!

Assigned on: 10/11/2006

Due on: 10/13/2006

Balance Lab

The homework for Tuesday October 10, 2006 is to do any of the balance lab questions on page three that you can. You also might do the reflections on the front of the lab too. We will finish up weighing the objects on Wednesday. Friday I will be collecting the UV and Temperature graphs and questions. I will hand out and explain this assignment on Wednesday. Friday I will also collect journals for a journal check.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class we continued to practice weighing the objects. Students took turns weighing three things at each table. When all tables were finished students rotated to the next table.

Have an "I Like To Weigh It " Tuesday!

Assigned on: 10/10/2006

Due on: 10/11/2006

No Homework 10-9

There is no homework for Monday October 9, 2006. Students need to be keeping up with their science journal pages. There will be a journal check this Friday and all class will turn in science journals.

Today in class students worked on the balance practice lab. Students are weighing three objects at each table for accuracy. They rotate from table to table until they have weighed all 27 items. We will be working on this lab for the next two days.

No papers were collected today.

Have a weighty Monday!

Assigned on: 10/9/2006

Due on: 10/10/2006

No Homework Friday 10-6

There is no homework for Friday October 6, 2006.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class the States of Matter Test students took yesterday was passed back and students had a chance to see their score and what the missed. You can see the test scores on my web site under the online grades. Most students did very well on this test. The test covered the standards below.

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

e. Students know that in solids the atoms are closely locked in position and can only vibrate; in liquids the atoms and molecules are more loosely connected and can collide with and move past one another; and in gases the atoms and molecules are free to move independently, colliding frequently.

The tests were recollected because a few absent students still need to take it.

We also went over how to use the triple-beam and double pan balances. We will continue the balance practice lab on Monday.

Have a balanced Friday!

Assigned on: 10/6/2006

Due on: 10/9/2006

No Homework 10-5-06

There is no homework for Thursday October 5, 2006.

No papers were collected in class today.

Today in class students took a quiz covering the state science standards below.

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Have a quizzy Thursday!

Assigned on: 10/5/2006

Due on: 10/6/2006

Review For Standards Test Thursday

The homework for Wednesday is to review for the standards test covering the states of matter. Students can do this by using their science journals and reading over any page cover states of matter. They also can do this by going to my study guide at the web page below.

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/matterstandard.htm

The test on Thursday will be on the following standards:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Today in class I collected the states of matter review with the chart on page one. This is a yellow worksheet that helped students practice for the test Thursday. We also saw three short Eureka video clips that reviewed solids, liquids, evaporation, and condensation.

Assigned on: 10/4/2006

Due on: 10/5/2006

Solid Liquid Gas Chart Review

The homework for Tuesday October 3, 2006 is to complete the Solid Liquid Gas Cart Review. This two-sided yellow worksheet is you last chance to practice for the States of Matter Standards Test which is this Thursday.

Today in class I collected the Home Balloon Lab.

Today in class students acted out solid, liquid, gas, plasma, sublimation, condensation, evaporation, melting and freezing. Students became the particles/molecules/atoms that make up matter and by their movement they showed what they know. We also continued the Bill Nye State of Matter Video.

Today was an early-out minimum day. All classes were about 40 minutes and school was over at 12:25.

Have a States of Matter Tuesday!

Assigned on: 10/3/2006

Due on: 10/4/2006

Home Balloon Lab

The homework for Monday October 2, 2006 is to complete the Home Balloon Lab. This lab will be collected on Tuesday.

No papers were collected in class today.

Today in class students read about how Velcro was invented. This is another example of a biological based technology. After reading students answered seven questions based on the article they read. We also watched part of the Bill Nye episode on the states of matter. Students got back their lab safety quizzes from last Friday.

The state standards we are working on are below:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

There will be a test on these two standards on Friday of this week. Students can prepare for this test using the web page below.

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/matterstandard.htm

Have a Velcro Monday!

Assigned on: 10/2/2006

Due on: 10/3/2006

Home Balloon Lab

The homework for the weekend is to do the Home Balloon Lab. This lab will be collected on Tuesday.

Today in class students turned in the Lab Safety Quiz

Today students took the lab safety quiz. I also passed out the Home Balloon Lab and explained how to do it. Students will inflate a balloon that I about half way to 6 inches. Tie a string around the middle of the balloon. Place the balloon and string in the freezer at home. After thirty minutes you will observe what has happened to the balloon and string. After one hour you will observe what has happened to the balloon and string.

The state standards we are working on are below:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Have a balloon Friday!

Assigned on: 9/29/2006

Due on: 10/3/2006

No Homework 9-28

There is no homework assigned for Thursday September 28, 2006.

The "States of Matter" directed reading questions 1-16 were collected today.

The Sweet Home Alabama Fulgurites worksheet was also collected.

Today we watched a fulgurite being made, in a scene from a movie. Students then completed a worksheet that had questions about fulgurites and states of matter. The state standards we are working on are below:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

The records for the Matter Sorter Challenge are below.

Period One 1262

Period Two1339

Period Three 1354

Period Five 1394

Period Six1292

Congratulations to all classes for sorting matter correctly.

Have a fulgurite Thursday!

Assigned on: 9/28/2006

Due on: 9/29/2006

States of Matter (Directed Reading Questions)

The homework for Wednesday September 27, 2006 is to read pages 58-62 in your science textbook and answer questions 1-16 on the green worksheet. This assignment is due on Thursday.

The SpongeBob safety review was collected today. The quiz on lab safety will be Friday.

Today in class students continued their investigation of solids, liquids, gasses, and plasmas. Students did the Matter Sorting Challenge at the web site below. In this Tetrus like challenge students direct dropping pictures of different types of matter in the buckets at the bottom of the page.

http://www.spaceweathercenter.org/amazing_plasmas/01/mattersorter.html

The scores for the first three periods are:

Period One 1262

Period Two1339

Period Three 1354

We also watched a few short Squib video clips on states of matter.

The state standards we are working on are below:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Have a plasma Wednesday!

Assigned on: 9/27/2006

Due on: 9/28/2006

SpongeBob Safety Problems

The homework for Tuesday September 26, 2006 is to finish the Scientific Method Safety Rule handout. In this handout the SpongBob characters are making lots of mistakes and students need to identify the safety problems. On the back is a lab another lab safety picture has lots of good and bad things happening. There will be a quiz on lab safety this Friday.

The Dry Ice Lab was collected today.

Today in class students practiced identifying good and bad safety techniques on a picture. We also reviewed the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma) using a Powerpoint presentation. Finally we watched the "Matter In Motion" song.

Have a "Matter In Motion" Tuesay!

Assigned on: 9/26/2006

Due on: 9/27/2006

Dry Ice Lab 9-25-06

The homework for Monday September 25, 2006 is to complete the Dry Ice Lab packet. This lab will be collected on Tuesday.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class we did a observation activity were students had to identify the safety problems in a picture of kids working in a lab.

I the data section of their journal page to day students drew a change of state diagram. This diagram showed how solids, liquids, and gases are different. The diagram solids change to liquids and liquids to gases by adding energy or heat. The diagram showed that gases change back to liquids if heat is removed. It also showed that liquids change back to solids by removing heat or energy.

The state standards we are working on are below:

d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Have a molecular Monday!

Assigned on: 9/25/2006

Due on: 9/26/2006

No Homework 9-22-06

There is no homework this weekend.

The lab safety picture assignment as well as the signed safety contract was collected today.

Today in class we did the dry ice lab. Students are learning about the standard below.

: d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

Students were able to see frozen carbon dioxide gas change directly from a solid to a gas skipping the liquid start. This process is called sublimation. We also saw that CO2 gas is denser than air and sinks.

Have a sublimation Friday!

Assigned on: 9/22/2006

Due on: 9/25/2006

Safety Pictures/Contract 9-21-06

The homework for Thursday September 21, 2006 is to the lab safety picture assignment and to read over the lab safety contract. The contract needs to be signed by a parent and the student.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class we started our study of the states of matter. The standard that we are learning is: d. Students know the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) depend on molecular motion.

To help students understand this state we modeled it with a plastic container with some balls representing the particles in a solid, liquid, gas, and plasma. We also watched a BrainPop video on the states of matter and what makes one state change into another.

Tomorrow we will be doing the dry ice lab. We went over safety for the lab today.

Have a plasma Thursday.

Assigned on: 9/21/2006

Due on: 9/22/2006

Lab Safety Sketches 9-20-06

The homework for Wednesday September 20, 2006 is to continue to work on the lab safety picture assignment. This assignment will be collect on Friday but it takes some time so staring on it tonight would be a good idea. The assignment involves having students draw sketches of people not following certain safety rules. There are four pictures to draw and under each incorrect procedure portrayed in the picture students will write out the correct way to avoid that safety problem. Some examples of excellence from students of previous years can be viewed at the web site below.

http://www.morrisonlabs.com/lab_safety_sketches2005.htm

No papers were collected today.

Today in class we looked at how scientist are trying to make gloves that will allow people to climb up walls like Spiderman. The are mimicking the biology of a gecko's foot. They have created this gecko tape that has microscopic hairs that stick to surfaces. So far the tape is too expensive and stops working after a while. This is another example of animal based technology. We also reviewed lab safety procedures such as wafting and heating test tubes. Finally we watched a follow-up video about the sharkskin swim suit. Amanda Beard helped us lean about three types of drag in the water.

We now have over twenty students that have caught the TP suspects and the elevator prankster. Congratulations to these students for using their observation skills to fight crime.

Have a Spiderman Wednesday.

Assigned on: 9/20/2006

Due on: 9/22/2006

Lab Safety Sketches 9-19-06

The homework for Tuesday September 19, 2006 is to start on the lab safety picture assignment. This assignment will be collect on Friday but it takes some time so staring on it tonight would be a good idea. The assignment involves having students draw sketches of people not following certain safety rules. There are four pictures to draw and under each incorrect procedure portrayed in the picture students will write out the correct way to avoid that safety problem.

No papers were collected today.

I already have three students that have used their observation skills to solve the online simulated TP crime by correctly recreating the composite picture of the suspect. Congratulations to Brooke, Andrew, and Kaitlyn.

Have a lab safe Tuesday!

Assigned on: 9/19/2006

Due on: 9/22/2006

No Homework Monday 9-18-06

There is no homework for Monday September 18, 2006.

No papers were collected today!

Today in class we continued to work on observation skills by doing the movie cards. Students are challenged to find the five differences between the two pictures.

Students also read about the Navy using the boxfish as a model for a submarine. Mercedes Benz is also in the development stages of a car that uses the boxfish as it's model. The boxfish is very maneuverable and agile. It's shape has very little drag going through the water.

For homework last Thursday night students read about the MIT penguin boat the Proteus that mimics the way a penguin swims. It's amazing how well animals and plants in nature are designed to do what they do. These are all examples of "animal based technology."

Have a boxfish Monday!

Assigned on: 9/18/2006

Due on: 9/19/2006

No Homework! 9-15-06

There is no homework for Friday September 15, 2006.

The Models/Proteus questions were collected today. These were questions about the MIT penguin boat that students were to read about last night.

Today in class we worked on sharpening observation skills again. Students started with a brain challenge that had them find things that were deleted, added or moved in a picture. We also studied the energy in different waves using a long spring wave demonstrator. Students continued to improve their observation skills with another hocus focus movie card activity.

From time to time I have used student's pictures on my website showing some of the experiments we do. Today I passed out a students picture release form. If a student and their parent sign the release I will be able to use the student's picture on my website. The green form explains all of this and has examples of the type of pictures I would use. This is entirely voluntary. It would be nice if I had all releases but I understand if students or parent choose not to participate.

Have a picture perfect weekend!

Assigned on: 9/15/2006

Due on: 9/18/2006

Models/Proteus Penguin Boat 9-14

The homework for Thursday September 14, 2006 is to read pages 11-23 and answer the 10 questions on about the Proteus Penguin Boat on the white handout. The questions on the handout have page numbers where the answers can be found in the reading. This Proteus handout will be collected on Friday.

The Penguin Lab packet was collected today.

Today in class we read a short article and answered a few questions about hurricane Katrina. Students also learned how to use the UV meters and we started collecting UV and temperature data today. We also had a discussion about what ultraviolet energy is.

Have a UV safe Thursday.

Assigned on: 9/14/2006

Due on: 9/15/2006

Finish Penguin Packet 9-13-06

The homework for Wednesday September 13, 2006 is to complete the Penguin Lab packet. This Penguin Lab packet will be collected on Thursday 9-14.

No papers were collected in class today.

Today in class students answered nine questions using a set of penguin cards. These were like baseball cards only they had facts about the 17 different species of penguins. Each lab group had a stuffed toy penguin at the lab table. Using the pictures on the cards they tried to figure out what species there stuffed penguin was most like.

Next students learned how to set up and use the solar telescope. We will be studying sunspot activity on the sun this year. Students also learned some basics about sunspots.

It was nice to see such strong parent support at Back-To-School-Night. We had an impressive turnout and I enjoyed meeting many of the parents of my students!

Have a sunspot Wednesday.

Assigned on: 9/13/2006

Due on: 9/14/2006

Page 6 Penguin Lab 9-12-06

No papers were collected today.

Today in class students read a short article about African Penguins and they answer 9 questions about the article. Next we went over the term thermal equilibrium. We watched some short video segments on penguins. Students filled in answer on page 2 of the Penguin Lab packet as they watched the video. We finished up by going over how page six of the Penguin Lab packet works.

We hope to see you at Back-To-School-Night tonight.

Parent Info. Fair &endash;5:30- Gymnasium

PTA Association Meeting &endash;6:00 p.m. &endash; gymnasium

Book Fair&emdash;5:30-8:30 p.m. Library

Classroom Visitation begins at 6:25

Have a Penguin Tuesday.

Assigned on: 9/12/2006

Due on: 9/13/2006

No Homework Monday 9-11-06

There is no homework for Monday September 11, 2006.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class students started their science journals. We do a page for each day of class. Each page will have the day and date, a problem, hypothesis, data, summary and reflection section. For the first two week we will be doing the pages together. After students learn the routine and set-up for the journal they be responsible for doing it on their own.

Today we also went over the results for nail challenge from last Friday. We say a short video clip about penguins and students started the class by answering ten question about penguins. We finished class by watching an four minute interview with some kids that lost a parent in the 911 attack. It was amazing to see that one girl said that she tries to volunteer to help different causes and she also tries to be nicer to people saying that that is something that makes her feel better and that maybe her spirit will spread to others. Last year Goddard had a program where we focused on a virtue each month. This girl that lost her dad really demonstrates the virtue of being noble which the dictionary defines as: Having or showing qualities of high moral character, such as courage, generosity or honor.

Have nobleMonday!

Assigned on: 9/11/2006

Due on: 9/12/2006

Journal

The homework for Friday September 8, 2006 is to have something to keep a science journal in by Monday. I have gone over examples with all my classes.

No papers were collected today.

Today in class we worked on viewing shapes creatively. Next we did the nail challenge. So far all my classes are doing great. Period 3 was able to stack 45 nails, which is the best today. Periods five and six are yet to come. In this activity each student is given a bag with six nails and a block of wood with a nail sticking out of it. Students are being challenged to balance six nails on the head of a nail coming out of a block of wood. Once they get six they team up with a partner to get twelve. Then they keep adding people to their group trying to get as many nails stacked as possible. It can get very exciting and intense. That darn gravity always seems to end all the fun. I was happy to see that most students never gave up and kept trying to do better until the very end.

Have a balanced Friday!

Assigned on: 9/8/2006

Due on: 9/11/2006

Science Journal 9-7-06

The Homework for Thursday September 7, 2006 is to have something to put your science journal pages in by next Monday.

No papers were collected in class today!

Today in class student scientists worked on the penguin lab. In this lab students had to lower the temperature of 200 milliliters of water to ten degrees Celsius. The starting temperature was about 23 degrees Celsius. They were allowed to add ice to lower it but they could not take ice out. If it went below ten degrees Celsius they had to think of some creative ways to raise the temperature. Students recorded the temperature every 30 seconds for 15 minutes. Below are some examples of ways students controlled the water temperature.

Some students took the beaker outside in the sun.

Others used body heat to warm the water.

Some used a magnifying glass in the sun

Some used black paper under the beaker in the sun

Some used to fan from the overhead projector

Some breathed into the water.

Some rubbed there hands together to create heat from friction and then put their hands in the water.

With about five minutes left in the experiment the students were given a new goal of 15 degrees Celsius. When students finished the 15 minute experiment they started to graph their data and answer questions. Students may do all pages except pages 2 (video questions) and the last page six. We will do those pages on Monday. The lab will be collected on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week.

The nail challenge is tomorrow.

Have a penguin Thursday!

Assigned on: 9/7/2006

Due on: 9/12/2006

Journal Wednesday 9-6-06

The homework for Wednesday September 6, 2006 is to find something that you can use as your science journal by next Monday. Students create a journal page for each day of science class. They can keep these pages in a three ring binder, or a spiral, or they could put pages in a report folder. We will start science journals next Monday. I went over example of what students could use in class today.

Today in class I collected the parent signed information form (white) and the Class Rules Analysis worksheet (pink).

Today in class we looked a two pictures of Venus taken six months apart. The pictures we studied were of the surface of Venus taken by the Venus Radar Mapper Magellan. Students had to find what was different in the pictures. We also looked at a trap door spider nest. I also showed students several options for things they could use as their science journals. Finally, we went over safety for the Penguin Lab we will be doing tomorrow. Students also learned what the lab was about. We will have the nail challenge on Friday.

Have a Magellan Wednesday!

Assigned on: 9/6/2006

Due on: 9/11/2006

Tuesday Class Rules Analysis

The homework for Tuesday September 5, 2006 is to complete the Class Rules Analysis Sheet (pink). Students are also sharing the class rules with their parents and getting their parents to fill out the white information sheet. The Class Rules Analysis (pink) and the Parent Information sheet (white) will both be collected on Wednesday.

Today in class I collected the Hocus Focus observation activity paper (yellow).

Today in class we went through the class rules and discussed the weekly extra credit brain challenge. This week's challenge is the salt or pepper machine.

Have a salt of pepper Tuesday!

Assigned on: 9/5/2006

Due on: 9/6/2006

Hocus Focus 9-106

The homework for Friday September 1, 2006 is to complete the (yellow) Hocus Focus activity paper. This will be collected on Tuesday, 9-5-06.

The "What In The World Is It activity was collected in class today.

Students also received a letter to take home and share with their parents. The letter explains how students and parents can access grades on my web site. Using a secure password, students and parents can look at grades on line.

Today in class we finished up the hocus focus activity cards. We are trying to improve our observation skills by studying to similar pictures that have been changed in six ways. Students had one minute to find the differenced on the first ten cards and they had 30 seconds to find the differences on the last four cards. Students also studied two pictures of the night sky taken 20 minutes apart. They tried to identify the speck of light that had moved, which was a comet.

Have a wonderful Labor Day Vacation on Monday!

Assigned on: 9/1/2006

Due on: 9/5/2006

Student Survey 8-29-06

The homework for Tuesday August 29th is and Wednesday August 30th is to complete the student information survey. I will collect all students surveys on Thursday August 31st.

Welcome to Morrison Labs 2006-2007. It is exciting to have so many new scientists to work with this year. Today in class student scientists started an activity called "What in the World Is It." Student scientists are drawing scientific sketches of two objects on each to the nine lab tables. We are focusing on improving observation skills the first few weeks of class. Not only are students looking carefully at the objects so they can draw them, but they are also conducting experiments with the objects too. Students only have six minutes per table to do the drawings and experiment then they are rotating to the next table. In addition, students have a list with the names and uses of all the objects. They are trying to match the names to each of the pictures they draw. Day one was fantastic and we will complete this activity on Wedensday.

Have an observant Tuesday!

Assigned on: 8/29/2006

Due on: 8/31/2006

What In The World Is It?

The homework for Thursday August 31, 2006 is to check over and complete the "What In the Work Is It hand out. This is due on Friday. To earn at least a "C" grade each of the squares must be complete. The square needs a picture, a name and the letter for the name. To earn an A or B the pictures must show good observation and have details about what the object did. Coloring the pictures shows extra detail and students can also include words that describe what they saw.

Today in class I collected the Student Information Survey.

Today in class students started the Hocus Focus activity. The theme for the first few weeks is becoming better observers. Students are sharpening their observation skills by looking at to similar pictures. The pictures have been changed in six ways and they are looking to find the six differences. Students have only one minute to find the six changes.

Have a observant Thursday!

Assigned on: 8/31/2006

Due on: 9/1/2006

Student Survey

The Homework for Wednesday August 30, 2006 is to complete the (blue) student information survey. I will collect that paper tomorrow, Thursday August 30, 2006. No papers were collected in class today.

Today in class students finished rotating around the classroom drawing two objects at each of the nine lab tables. Students are working on observation skills. To get a better grade students should show, details, color, if the object makes a sound they can write the sound out in words. I will collect the "What In The World Is It" assignment on Friday. We will go over what the names of the objects are in class Thursday.

Have a detailed Wednesday.

Assigned on: 8/30/2006

Due on: 8/31/2006