We are getting ready for our first test! Below is the study guide in case you need it. Good luck!

Name __________________________________ Hr. ______

Study Guide for First Test

Vocabulary: Write a short definition for each.

Purpose/Problem

Hypothesis

Experiment

Analysis

Conclusion

gram

meter

liter

Be able to identify the steps of the Scientific Method:

Testing the hypothesis, includes variables and materials is –

An educated guess as to what will occur -

Looking at data and observations then comparing and contrasting results, calculating % and averages, etc. –

Can be a written or oral report, where information is shared with others -

When you decide if your hypothesis was correct or not –

The reason for the investigation -

2 safety rules for each area:

eye protection:

heating safety:

electric safety:

chemical safety:

sharp objects:

animal:

hand:

clothing:


plant:

Grams, centimeters and liters.

How many mL are there?

This week we practiced with the equipment we will be using during labs this year. The hardest part was remembering to use labels! So far we've learned to be safe in the lab, how to use the equipment, and next week we will be looking at the Scientific Method. 

Make sure it starts where the ruler starts!

One more gram....

Also next week, we will have our first test of the year. Friday is the day that we will "show what we know" about the topics we've covered so far this year. So wish us luck. Mrs. Poulseen will send out a remind101 message on Thursday so we don't forget to study.

A new Science room is being constructed.

View of my classroom from the door.

View from the back corner.

We've began  new school year and I'm making my first post of the school year. 

As you can see, progress is being made on the building. The new science room is taking shape and other instructional rooms have been updated. Some hiccups occurred and have been settled. Hopefully, we learned from them so the move of the Science rooms will go smoothly next summer.

My classroom is slightly different from last year. I've staggered the tables and have one fewer table group. I have the same number of students but found I wasn't using the one group of tables very often. So I split them and put them at opposite sides of the room.

We've already done our first Gizmos of the year - Triple Beam Balance and Density Laboratory. The students can access these from any computer. So have them show you one.

Speaking of access, I'm trying something new this year, remind101. It is a text messaging system that allows me to send students a text without needing to know their phone numbers. I'll be sending out the first one on Sunday to remind them of pictures on Monday.

We learned about Safety this last week and will be moving on to the metric system on Monday. So look for examples of the metric system in your daily life.

New Technology

I'm going to use some new technology this year. I'll be starting with Remind101. It is a free and safe way for teachers to send text reminders to students and parents. It doesn't require either party to know the other party's phone number. I'll be showing students how to register during the first week of school. So parents be sure and ask your students how to get the same reminders they do. Remind101 is a free service for parents and students, but standard messaging rates apply.

Here is a YouTube video about Remind101

Enjoy your the last of your summer break!

End of Summer

 I'm sad to summer come to an end, but so excited to see what is in store for us this year. As you can see below, big things are happening at PHMS! Teachers will be starting on Aug. 23 to ensure that you have the best learning experience possible. I'll be in my classroom Aug. 29 and 30, so stop by and say "Hi!"

All pictures were taken from the PHMS Facebook page. Be sure and visit it.

Feb. 8, 2013

It's been a busy week. We've been studying heredity and genetics.

I always enjoy working with Punnett squares and the student responses to how they work. I always learn about their families when doing this unit. I was at an ESSDACK workshop on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) on Wednesday. While I was learning about what is coming to our State's Science Standards, the students were learning about phenotypes, genotypes, and how nice simulated mice are.

  

Before the class period was over they had "bred" over 600 mice and collected data on fur color without having to clean a single cage. 

Eighth grade girls are  have been invited to a CSI day at K-State on March 23. It looks like a fun day. Girls can contact me for a copy of the brochure or visit the website by clicking here.

 

We have Parent/Teacher Conferences coming up on Feb. 18 & 19. The 8th Grade parents will have the results of the EXPLORE Test share with them and their student.

Have an enjoyable Valentine's Day next week.

Jan. 29, 2013 - Happy Kansas Day!

Today is the date that Kansas became a state in 1861. To "celebrate" in science class today we are looking at some items from the past. We begin class with some snippets of video from the PBS series "Frontier House." We are using the episode 5 which talks about the children. I show sections that talk about the chores they have, how hard they work, and how tough decisions have to be made (Does the non-layiing chicken become a dinner?) Then we looked at items from the "Pioneer Foodways" and the "1900 School Days" kits from the Kauffman Museum. I've added some pictures to let you see what I shared. 

School items - hanky, marbles, button, and harmonica for student's
entertainment. The bell to start school and a lunch pail.

Inkwell, pen, penmanship samples, textbooks and a slate.

Lye soap, canning jars, tin plate and cup, bone handled knife and fork,
and coffee grinder.

Potato masher, rolling pin, iron pail and wooden spoon; butter churn,
mold and  ladle.

Cabbage slicer, wooden bowl, bucket tap, hog scraper, meat grinder and
apple peeler.

Great Grandpa Phillip's horse hair coat and lab robe (cira. 1913),
Great Grandma Martin's handmade flour sack quilt (cira. 1930),
Christina's "rag rabbit."