OCT. 16-27 CELLS-PROKARYOTIC VS. EUKARYOTIC

All living things are made of cells!!!!! That’s how cell theory begins. We’ll investigate the microscopic world of cells with both a lab and a class project. We’ll be looking at cells under the microscope and learning a whole new list of science vocabulary. It will be most important to spend some time every evening with your information and vocabulary so that we can talk cells in the lab. So buckle down and give it about 10-15 minutes a day to better familiarize yourselves with all of this new information.

For more information on cell theory check this out!

OCT. 2ND-6TH CHEMICAL CHANGES AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

We are in the final days of our investigations into chemical and physical changes and properties. There are a variety of lab activities planned for this week. Things you NEED to know: Signs of a chemical change, how to recognize chemical properties, how to recognize physical properties!!!

Next week we’ll wrap up chemistry with reviews of density, elements and compounds, and chemical changes. On or about the 12th of October we’ll take our first major test…The Chemistry CBA. It’s study time RED RAIDERS!!!!! Look back at previous posts and check out the videos, study your notes and information, review past quizzes and classwork, and ask lots of questions.

SEPT. 25TH-29TH RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS OF A CHEMICAL CHANGE

Recognizing the signs of a chemical change and how those signs represent evidence that a new substance has been produced is absolutely necessary for success in our upcoming lab investigations. KNOW the 10 signs of a chemical change and your chemical and physical properties so that your conclusions in your lab write ups are spot on! So STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!

Here are a couple that you’ll be observing this week…think them over.

If you liked the first one…you’ll love this one!

SEPT. 18TH-22ND CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL CHANGES AND PROPERTIES

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and are ready to get back to work! With a better understanding of elements and compounds we are ready to see what happens when those things interact and react. What happens during a chemical change? How do you tell the difference between a chemical change and a physical change? To prepare yourself for a better understanding of the strange things going on in the lab, place a particular emphasis on the 10 SIGNS OF A CHEMICAL CHANGE in your notes. Also, during your nightly study sessions review the physical and chemical properties of matter.

Try to see how many signs of a chemical change you can identify from the video!

SEPT. 11TH-15TH ELEMENTS-THE PERIODIC TABLE-AND COMPOUNDS

This week we will be investigating the periodic table of the elements. More specifically, the 92 naturally occurring elements that make up everything. Our assignment will be to identify the elemental atoms that make up most of our oceans, atmosphere, solid Earth, and living things.

As always spend about 10 to 15 minutes every night working on vocabulary and information so we can communicate better when we discuss the topics important to understanding the periodic table.

This will give you a little background info:

SEPT. 4TH-8TH CHEMISTRY-ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS

Just as soon as we wrap up density, we’ll get our new vocabulary and information. Don’t be frightened by the amount of it…just dig in and STUDY-STUDY-STUDY!!!

The first portion of our chemistry unit will focus on elements and compounds. What an element is and how they combine to make new substances will be the target of several lab investigations over the next few weeks.

For an introduction to the elements check this out (just click on the link…pick an element…and find out all there is to know about it):

http://www.periodicvideos.com/

Also, if you scroll down to the links on the right hand side of the page you can sing along with the element song…if you dare!

Sept. 28th-Sept 1st DENSITY! DENSITY! DENSITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brushing up on measurement has taken a little longer than anticipated. We’ll be wrapping that up early in the week, and for the rest of the week it’s all about DENSITY! This week’s lab (FLOATERS AND SINKERS) will apply the formula (d=m/v) for calculating density. We will determine the identity of substances that sink or float by finding their density.
There’s a strong possibility of a quiz or two this week so STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!

For a little extra…check this out:

AUG. 21ST-25TH LAB SAFETY–THE TWO Qs–Measurement–AND OF COURSE THE ECLISPE

Tuesday we’ll wrap up lab safety with a test. Complete your Lab Safety Awareness rules and reasons and you’ll do just fine.
Qualitative and Quantitative observation will take up the rest of the week. We’ll be observing qualities of materials and taking their measurements using the SI system.

On Monday we’ll work in an opportunity to view the solar eclipse. We’ll be using pinhole projecting devices to protect our eyes. Our maximum coverage will occur shortly after 1:00 in the afternoon. We’ll also provide a replay (or realtime) image from locations where the eclipse is in totality. Pretty exciting astronomical stuff!

For information as to what’s going on…take a look at this:

https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.totaleclipse/total-solar-eclipse-animation/#.WZb8Zj594dV

Aug. 16th-18th WELCOME BACK MUSTANGS!!! DSIS PROCEDURES AND LAB SAFETY

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 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:

https://ed.ted.com/on/DHmTyGj0

Don’t be this guy!!!

We’ve all been hearing about the upcoming solar eclipse on August 21st. We are making plans for viewing and you’ll be getting more information by the end of the week.

Feb. 13th-March 10th The Solar System, Gravity, Space Exploration, and Beyond!!!

With our investigations into the locations of celestial objects in out solar system complete, we will move on into the “glue” that holds it all together–GRAVITY! Next up we’ll look back at the past, examine the present, and gaze into the future of space exploration. Somewhere in between will be the 6th grade trip to Space Center Houston to give the folks at NASA a look at some potential astronauts.

For some extra insight into gravity, give this a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9pOq5sMjbA

Our next unit test on space is March 7th!