Biology Starts in January

Students will be taking home the journal from this semester and in the spring, they will need their second journal to begin biology. Many have already stored a second journal at school, but please check to make sure you have a new journal on January 7 when we return to school.

SAS Density Lab and Upcoming Benchmark

Our classes are currently studying the psychical property of matter known as DENSITY. We are learning to calculate the density of an unknown substance by finding the volume and mass of that object and using the mathematical formula d = m/v

We have done many classroom experiments calculating both mass and volume, and today we are going to use a digital lab to find the density of several unknown objects.

1. You must use Google CHROME (the green, red and yellow icon on the bottom navigation bar) to access this website and begin. http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/#/search?subjectid=3
2. Look at the menu on the LEFT SIDE. Check or click on PROPERTIES OF MATTER. 
3. Go to the 4th link. It says VLAB: DENSITY
4. Go underneath the picture and LOG IN using the below user name (cut and paste if needed):

user: sciencerockz 

password: sciencerocks 

It will pull up a new window. If needed, click on the image and tell it to run the Java plug in. 

5. The first set of data will be done using the TEST block. Follow the green sheet from here to complete the data table using this site.



BENCHMARK over CHEMISTRY will be on December 18
This covers the journal from page 75 (or close) to current work.

Web Quest and Links

What is an Element?
http://education.jlab.org/qa/atoms_and_elements.html

Difference between compounds and elements
http://education.jlab.org/qa/compound.html


Periodic Table and Elements
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/1/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/4/

Chemical Symbols
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/3/

Hydrogen Facts
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/fuels/oil_refining_fuelsrev8.shtml
http://www.energy4me.org/energy-facts/energy-sources/hydrogen/

Metals
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/5/

Nonmetals
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/6/

Metals vs. Nonmetals
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/chemical_material_behaviour/atoms_elements/revision/7/

After you complete your packet, go to this link:
http://www.sd273.com/lschoener/PSWeb/pdtblwebquest.htm

Use this link to research your favorite element.

Chemistry - update

We have started a new unit of study in Chemisty- the study of matter and changes in matter.

So far we have covered the difference between elements and compounds and how to read the element boxes on the periodic table. 

 

We are beginning the study of the physical properties of matter, including mass, volume and density as our main focus. We will need to calculate density using tools and the formula d = m / v, so please work with your student to become proficient in this calculation.

ONLINE TUTORIAL

Earth Science Unit - playdough and more

We are in the middle of our earth science unit (pictures to come soon) and one of the things we did was use homemade playdough to model earth's layers. The kids wanted the recipe I used, so I am attaching it for use with adult supervision.

Here are some pictures of the labs and activities that we completed during the Earth Science unit. Our Earth Science TEST is on October 25. It will include earth layers, tectonic plates movement, and rocks and minerals.

We used mapping to prove the movement of the tectonic plates include create of earth's features (including ocean basins, mountains, and trenches).

Hot chocolate convection currents - we used heat to create convection currents to move the crust of the hot chocolate.

We also used heat with corn syrup to "move" the tectonic plates (lithospheric plates include oceanic and continental crust)

We used handmade playdough to create 3-D models of the earth layers.

Some classes created 3-D models of earth.

another 3-D model

Space and Safety Units Concluded

Welcome to 2013-2014. This blog will be updated randomly---basically, when I have time. All our vocabulary is posted in the top tabs and our expectations as well, so you can see what is coming or what is expected during each unit.

Our classroom is a hands-on environment when at all possible. We don't do a lot of teacher lecture and when we do, the kids "talk" to me and answer questions while we do it.  Science is a mix of all the subjects, so we include a lot of reading and math because most students need extra practice in that as well.

For the first day of school, we learned how each student learns by doing a multiple intelligences survey so that I knew how to help my students learn. Please ask your student his or her learning styles---they each have more than one.

In general, most of the students preferred art and music and verbal learning---which is great because I do too. We draw a lot of doodles in our journal, listen to music almost every day, and I like to talk---so do they. hehe

To keep track of everything, students are required to keep a composition journal with their notes and activities. They must write neatly and generate a table of contents and match my journal with page numbers and all that we do.

For the first 3.5 weeks of school, we covered Space and reviewed Safety. The journal looks a bit like this: 

SAFETY UNIT

SPACE

each section begins with the expectations that students will be required to know throughout the unit

each section has details on the tabs shown at right. Students had to know the physical properties, movement and location of each of these celestial (space) bodies.

we concluded our study with a timeline on space exploration.

Our next unit is the Layers of the Earth. Our students are making 2-D and 3-D models of earth layers and they will soon be simulating the movement and shaping of the Earth as well.

Welcome!

Welcome to Lufkin Middle School and sixth grade science. 

I am looking forward to a year filled with new skills and watching you grow your love of science and curiosity about life. 

Some of your science supplies will include:

• 2 composition books for journaling (100 pgs. NOT the 70 pg.)
• 1 package markers
• 1 package Crayola Twistable crayons OR map pencil 
• $3 lab fee

Throughout the year, we will need these "wish list" items, but they are not necessary:

• Clear tape
• Tissues or Kleenex
• Germ-ex (any brand)

Parents, middle school is a big step in student accountability. I will focus on helping your student grow many skills along with his or her science skills and I ask that you remember that your student should be the first person to talk to about due dates or project requirements. I will be here to help them build that accountability and responsibility, and I ask that you do the same.

This will be a great year filled with fun experiments and new skills. I look forward to sharing it with all my students.

Mrs. Croll