JAN. 6TH-24TH FORCE AND MOTION—BALANCED AND UNBALANCED FORCES

Back from a much-needed rest and ready to explore the science of forces and motion (physics)! We will begin our investigations by understanding the two basic types of energy–potential and kinetic. Our labs will involve identifying and describing not only PE/KE but how motion relates to Newton’s three laws. By understanding and applying Newton’s laws we can unlock many mysteries and misunderstandings why things move.

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/joshua-manley-newton-s-3-laws-with-a-bicycle

Check in from time to time for updates and videos concerning lab investigations.

Here are a few ideas concerning the woodpecker toy lab.

What about that conservation of energy lab? You know…dropping a ping pong ball on top of a golf ball!

Astronaut Joe Acaba will teach you what you need to know about potential and kinetic energy!

Nov. 18th-Dec. 18th SPACE—Celestial objects, Gravity, and Exploration

Between now and winter break will be traveling deep into space and examine the many types of objects in our solar system. We will also deepen our understanding of the mysterious force that holds our universe together–gravity. To wrap up our adventures in outer space we’ll be checking out human exploration of the cosmos–past, present, and future!

We’ll begin with our solar system…use the notes and information while you view the following:

Check in from time to time for more updates…this should help you understand the mysterious force of gravity…what it is…sort of.

As we wrap up our study of space…what’s out there and exploring its mysteries…check out the ISS astronauts having a little fun with things from the toy box on the space station!

The SPACE MAJOR UNIT TEST is coming your way on either Friday the 13th or Monday the 16th….STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!!!

OCT. 28TH-NOV. 8TH EARTH’S LAYERS AND ROCKS AND THE ROCK CYCLE

Now that we know about Earth’s tectonic plates and how they move…we are going to peel back the layers and see what’s underneath them and what makes them move. For more information check out what the folks from MIT have to offer on the subject!

After we build our model of the structure of the Earth’s 4 distinct layers we will really be ROCKING!!!
Rocks and the rock cycle that is. We will examine the 3 rock types and the processes that cause them to form. Learning the key words from your notes will help your understanding…so STUDY!!! For more information on the rock cycle take another look at our friends from MIT!

After we complete our examination of igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks we’ll review our Earth science unit for the next major unit test coming up on the week of November 12th.

SEPT. 23rd-OCT. 16th CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHANGES

Goggles and aprons and all of your safe lab practices will be put to use in the coming days. We are going to be working in the lab to identify signs of a chemical change. To prepare yourself for a better understanding of the strange things going on in the lab, place particular emphasis on the 10 signs of a chemical change, physical and chemical properties, and reflect back on the examples you observed in class.

As always study every time you get the chance…the more you review…the more you can do!

Try to pick out as many signs of a chemical change as you can from the following video!

Our first major unit test (CBA #1 Chemistry) is October 16-18. Study guides will be made available October 10th to begin preparation…SO, STUDY-STUDY-STUDY!!!

SEPT. 9TH-20TH WRAPPING UP DENSITY…ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS

We’ll be wrapping up FLOATERS AND SINKERS early the week of the 9th, review density, and have a short quiz. The major focus over the next two weeks will be ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS. This will include an introductory project on the periodic table of the elements. For starters, check this out!

Aug. 26th-Sept. 6th MEASURING MATTER—-CALCULATING DENSITY

We’ll begin the week of the 27th continuing to brush up on measurement using the international systems of units (SI). Our goal is to begin our study of matter by calculating density using the formula…D=M/V (density is equal to mass divided by volume. When our measuring is spot on we’ll tackle our first big lab (“FLOATERS AND SINKERS). The following should help make sense of the idea of density of matter:

We’ll be out on Friday the 30th (a student holiday) and Monday the 2nd of September (Labor Day).

AUG. 18TH-27TH WELCOME BACK MUSTANGS!!! DSIS PROCEDURES AND LAB SAFETY–INTRODUCTION TO MATTER

I hope you all had a great summer break and that you are recharged and ready to get back to work. The first few days of school will be filled with the “how to-dos” and the “dos and don’ts.” We’ll cover everything Mustang style on Wednesday and Thursday and begin lab safety on Friday.

Before we begin our investigations in the lab every student will need a LABORATORY SAFETY AGREEMENT on file in the science lab (no exceptions). This is an MISD policy and is in place to help in creating a safe working and learning environment. Check this out:

Don’t be this guy!

JAN. 28TH-FEB. 14TH FORCE AND MOTION — SPEED, GRAPHING MOTION AND SIMPLE MACHINES

As we push toward the end of our physics unit we’ll be focusing on some of the math components…calculating speed and graphing motion. Keep reviewing notes and handouts to strengthen your understanding.

The last portion of our investigations into force and motion will involve simple machines. The inclined plane is an important part of our everyday life. Ramps, stairs, and other examples help us through our daily activities. Here’s how they work…

JAN. 6TH-24TH FORCE AND MOTION—BALANCED AND UNBALANCED FORCES

Back from a much-needed rest and ready to explore the science of forces and motion (physics)! We will begin our investigations by understanding the two basic types of energy–potential and kinetic. Our labs will involve identifying and describing not only PE/KE but how motion relates to Newton’s three laws. By understanding and applying Newton’s laws we can unlock many mysteries and misunderstandings why things move.

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/joshua-manley-newton-s-3-laws-with-a-bicycle

Check in from time to time for updates and videos concerning lab investigations.

Here are a few ideas concerning the woodpecker toy lab.

What about that conservation of energy lab? You know…dropping a ping pong ball on top of a golf ball!

Nov. 18th-Dec. 18th SPACE—Celestial objects, Gravity, and Exploration

Between now and winter break will be traveling deep into space and examine the many types of objects in our solar system. We will also deepen our understanding of the mysterious force that holds our universe together–gravity. To wrap up our adventures in outer space we’ll be checking out human exploration of the cosmos–past, present, and future!

We’ll begin with our solar system…use the notes and information while you view the following:

Check in from time to time for more updates…this should help you understand the mysterious force of gravity…what it is…sort of.

As we wrap up our study of space…what’s out there and exploring its mysteries…check out the ISS astronauts having a little fun with things from the toy box on the space station!

The SPACE MAJOR UNIT TEST is coming your way on either Friday the 13th or Monday the 16th….STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!!!