Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Homework:
7th Graders: Tonight's homework: write a Reflection (Left side). Describe or research something in genetics that is interesting to you, then write at least 5 sentences about it.  Infectious Disease project deadline extended, now due Friday, Feb. 3.  Every project must include a poster or an essay.

6th Graders: copy into your vocab section in your science notebook the definitions for the words you don't have from these:

  1. Controlled variable (aka control) - A variable in an investigation or experiment that is held constant.
  2. Dependent variable - The observed phenomenon that is being measured; the result that you measure at the end.  Memory trick: "result"
  3. Dissolve - To break down into smaller particles using a solvent. A solute (like sugar) dissolves into a solvent (like water) to form a solution.  
  4. Independent variable - the variable that an experimenter chooses to change or manipulate, or play with. Memory trick: "choice"
  5. Physical change - (yes, you have already seen this definition - rewrite it in your vocab section because its important) Change that does not alter the composition of a material. Ex: change of state; breaking up a piece of material into smaller pieces.
  6. Saturated, saturation - A solution is "saturated" when the solvent has dissolved the maximum possible amount of a solute (in other words, the solution just can't take any more). Saturation means that the solution has become saturated.   
Soluble, insoluble - A substance (a solute) that is able to dissolve in a solvent (solid, liquid or a gas).



Solubility - how well a substance can dissolve in a certain solvent such as water; solubility can be measured, and varies from substance to substance.


Solute/solvent - the solute is a substance that dissolves in the solvent. Ex: sugar in water


Solution- The mixture that results when one substance, the solute, evenly dissolves in a solvent, another substance - usually a liquid such as water.


Variable - Any factor that can change the outcome of an experiment.
 
 A concept map is an example of a graphic organizer that shows relationships among important ideas. 
gas - substance that has no definite shape or volume; gas particles spread far apart.
liquid - substance with definite volume but no definite shape; particles in a liquid spread
far apart enough to flow or pour and take.

particles - the characteristic smaller pieces or parts, such as atoms or molecules, that
all substances are made of. Ex: Water = compound made of identical water molecules;
gold (an element) is made of identical gold atoms.

phase - a homogeneous state of matter - gas, liquid, or solid. During phase change, the
particles do not change, but their arrangement & distance from each other do.

physical change - difference in appearance that doesn't change the make up of the particles
Ex: tear or break material into smaller pieces; during a phase change from solid to liquid
(melting), liquid to gas (boiling, evaporating), solid to gas (sublimation), gas to liquid
(condensing), or liquid to solid (freezing).

physical properties - characteristic of a substance or material. Ex: color, density, flexibility,
hardness. These properties help identify pure substances and don't change if the sample is
large or very small.

quantitative data - measurements, such as volume or mass

qualitative - characteristics people can perceive without making measurements.

solid - substance with definite shape and volume, as particles are closely packed together, and move very little (vibration).

substance - Anything that has mass and takes up space.

vapor - The gas phase of a substance (ex: water vapor, not steam, is gaseous water).

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Homework on the Blog:
6th graders:  finish answering Analysis Questions on p. C-32-33, numbers 1-8.  If you can't find your copy, get it off of the Lab-Aids/SEPUP website linked at the right. Later homework this week will be copying vocab definitions into your pre-printed vocab sections.  The vocab words are printed at the bottom of this blog entry. 

7th Graders: we need to get statistical information for the Infectious Disease that you're studying:

Asthma (not really infectious, but allowed due to interest)
1980-99 CDC Asthma Surveillance Survey:
2003-05 Asthma United States http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/asthma03-05/asthma03-05.htm#asthma_prevalence

2005–2009 Asthma Prevalence: United States http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr032.pdf

HIV / AIDS 
Various years, Diagnoses of HIV Infection and AIDS United States  http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/surveillance/resources/reports/2009report/
2006 - 2009 annual number of new HIV infections was stable overall from 2006 through 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/incidence.htm
1981--2008: AIDS diagnoses, deaths and estimated number of persons with AIDS diagnosis* US http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6021a2.htm


Leprosy
Global prevalence and new cases reported 2006-2010  http://www.who.int/lep/situation/en/
Leukemia

Lung Cancer

Lyme Disease

Malaria

Mumps

Pneumonia

Polio

Rabies

Ringworm

Tapeworm

6th Grade vocab to add copy definitions to vocab section:

  1. Controlled variable - A variable in an investigation or experiment that is held constant.
  2. Dependent variable - The observed phenomenon that is being measured; the result that you measure at the end.- substance that has no definite shape or volume; gas particles spread far apart.
  3. Dissolve - To break down into smaller particles using a solvent. A solute (like sugar) dissolves into a solvent (like water) to form a solution.
  4. gas - - substance that has no definite shape or volume; gas particles spread far apart.
  5. Independent variable - the variable that an experimenter chooses to change or manipulate, or play with.
  6. liquid - substance with definite volume but no definite shape; particles in a liquid spread
    far apart enough to flow or pour and take.
  7. particles - the characteristic smaller pieces or parts, such as atoms or molecules, that all substances are made of. Ex: Water = compound made of identical water molecules; gold (an element) is made of identical gold atoms.
  8. phase - a homogeneous state of matter - gas, liquid, or solid. During phase change, the particles do not change, but their arrangement & distance from each other do.
  9. physical change - difference in appearance that doesn't change the make up of the particles Ex: tear or break material into smaller pieces; during a phase change from solid to liquid (melting), liquid to gas (boiling, evaporating), solid to gas (sublimation), gas to liquid (condensing), or liquid to solid (freezing).
  10. Physical change - (you should already have this definition) Change that does not alter the composition of a material. Ex: change of state; breaking up a piece of material into smaller pieces.
  11. physical properties - characteristic of a substance or material. Ex: color, density, flexibility, hardness. These properties help identify pure substances and don't change if the sample is large or very small.
  12. quantitative data - measurements, such as volume or mass
  13. qualitative - characteristics people can perceive without making measurements.
  14. Saturated, saturation - When the maximum amount of a substance a solute has dissolved in a solvent.
  15. solid - substance with definite shape and volume, as particles are closely packed together, and move very little (vibration).
  16. Soluble, insoluble - A substance a solute that is able to dissolve in a solvent, (liquid or a gas).
  17. Solubility - how well a substance can dissolve in a certain solvent such as water; solubility can be measured and varies from substance to substance.
  18. Solute/solvent - the solute is a substance that dissolves in the solvent. Ex: sugar in water
  19. Solution- The mixture that results when one substance, the solute, dissolves in the solvent, another substance - usually a liquid such as water.
  20. substance - Anything that has mass and takes up space.
  21. vapor - The gas phase of a substance (ex: water vapor, not steam, is gaseous water).
  22. variable - Any factor that can change the outcome of an experiment.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Homework tonight:
7th Grade: Welcome back to the blog after a brief rest around the Midterm exam!


Homework tonight:

7th Graders: Current Event on article about how scientists got yeast cells to clump together, with some discussion of why that was an advantage: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/science/yeast-reveals-how-fast-a-cell-can-form-a-body.html.  Remember, Current Events must contain the following information: 1) Name of Article; 2) Name of Author; 3) Date of article; 4) Source of Article (that is, who published it....give the name of the newspaper, magazine, blog, website, etc.); 5) Write a summary (a short, plain statement focused on the main point of the article and at least 3 supporting details and it MUST BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS). 

Sixth (6th)Graders: 5 STAR note questions.  Be sure to complete (if not already done) and turn in your water pollution STT Questions and AQs.
Period 3 students must also write a brief Reflection to respond to this question: What do you know about the Water Cycle? A Reflection is written on the left sided page; put another way, it's written on the back of today's (or in this case, yesterday's) page. In a Reflection, you think back about what you know or what you found out. In other situations, I would ask you to tell me how you would do things differently, or what you could do better next time, but that doesn't fit this context. "Brief" means at least 3 sentences, here.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Welcome back to the blog after a brief rest around the Midterm exam!                       
Homework tonight:                    
 7th Graders: work on your infectious disease project. Tomorrow I would like to see some progress. Also, check out the article about how scientists got yeast cells to clump together, with some discussion of why that was an advantage: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/17/science/yeast-reveals-how-fast-a-cell-can-form-a-body.html            
 Sixth (6th)Graders: Write a brief Reflection to respond to this question: What do you  know about the Water Cycle?  A Reflection is written on the left sided page; put another way, it's written on the back of today's (or in this case, yesterday's) page. In a  Reflection, you think back about what you know or what you found out.  In other situations, I would ask you to tell me how you would do things differently, or what you could do better next time, but that doesn't fit this context. "Brief" means at least 3 sentences, here.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I.  All classes:
   A. Study for tomorrow's mid-term exam.   
   B. Don't forget to bring with you at least one #2 Pencil!
   C. Extra credit - when you bring your study guide with you so that you can turn it in after the mid-term, write at top of front page the answer to this question:
  • When the test question asks you to "explain" or "give evidence to support your answer", what word(s) will you include in your test answer?"
IIStudy Guide Answers: 7th Grade first, then 6th Grade (it's pretty far down this page - don't give up!):
   A. 7th Graders will also have Magnification homework sheet. Follow the examples and use the rulers at the
     bottom of the page!!

   B. 7th Grade Answers to Science Content Review Sheet: (to be inserted later - by 5 pm tonight)
7th Grade first
Studying People Scientifically

Key Vocabulary
  1. Independent variable - the choice that you make to change one variable.
  2. Dependent variable - the result that you measure at the end, which may be caused by the independent variable.
  3. control  -                                                                                                                                  controlled variables - factors that could change the outcome of the experiment but are kept constant.
    control group a group that receives a placebo, which seems identical to the actual medicine being tested, for comparison purposes; no variables are changed except missing experimental treatment .
  4. Hypothesis A testable prediction; a possible explanation for observations,facts, or events, that may be tested, verified, or answered by further investigation.
  5. Quantitative data - data (objective observations and evidence gathered in an experiment) that includes measurements or other numbers;  
  6. Qualitative data - observations or evidence without numbers.
Analysis Questions
  1. Describe the components of a good experimental design:                                                                   a) is based on a hypothesis; b) has clear and complete procedures;  c) only allows one variable to change;  d) has a control group for comparison;  e) data recorded includes careful accurate measurements and qualitative observations;  f) results are reproducible.  See handout for others.
  2. Describe the steps of the scientific method.  The traditional model includes:
a) Problem or question to be answered; b) hypothesis; c) experimental design, including materials and procedures (the steps you plan to follow). In a well-designed experiment, you should only have one Independent Variable.  d) Data - Collect evidence by making observations as you conduct an experiment.
e) Data Analysis, which can be quantitative (with numbers) or qualitative (without numbers).  f) Draw conclusions and, if necessary, repeat the experiment
3) Compare qualitative vs. quantitative data - both are objective information and observations from an experiment that may help prove or disprove a hypothesis; but one lacks numbers.

UNIT: Body Works

Key Vocabulary
7. Skeletal – provides support and body shape, ability to move, and in some bones, the production of blood cells.
    tendons - tissue that connects muscle to bone.
    joints - where two or more bones meet, which allows movement of structures containing those bones.
    ligaments - tissue that connects bone to bone.
8. Circulatory – function: allows the transport of blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and wastes.
    arteries - carries blood away from the heart -usually oxygenated blood, except for arteries that go to the lungs.
    capillaries - carries blood from arteries to the cells, and then back to veins so it can be returned to the heart.
    veins - carries blood back to the heart -usually de-oxygenated blood.
    heart - two pumps in one organ that moves blood to the lungs and to all cells in the body.
9. Respiratory – exchanges gases - brings oxygen into the body, and helps the body expel carbon dioxide.
     lungs- expand to bring in oxygen from outside the body, and then contract to expel carbon dioxide.
10. Digestive – breaks down and absorbs food to get nutrients and water, then expels wastes.
      mouth - chemical and mechanical digestion
      esophagus -  mechanical digestion
      stomach - mostly chemical digestion
      large intestine - water absorption and some chemical digestion
      small intestine - mostly chemical digestion
11. Function - the job that is done by a part of an organism
12. Chemical and Mechanical digestion - chemical digestion breaks bonds so tthe body's cells can convert nutrients to usable energy; mechanical digestion increases surface area to make chemical digestion faster and more efficient.

Analysis Questions
4. Explain the functions of the skeletal system - provides support and body shape, ability to move, and in some bones, the production of blood cells.
5.  Explain the function and order of the digestive system organs - breaks down and absorbs food to get nutrients and water, then expels wastes.
6. Explain the location and purpose of mechanical and chemical breakdown -  mechanical digestion in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach increases surface area to make chemical digestion faster and more efficient;  chemical digestion in the mouth, stomach, and intestines breaks bonds so the body's cells can convert nutrients to usable energy.

7. Describe the structure and function of the respiratory and circulatory systems and their relationship to each other. The respiratory and circulatory systems work together - the respiratory system brings oxygen from outside of the body so that it can be absorbed by blood through capillaries in the alveoli in the lungs. The blood is then circulated through pulmonary veins back to the heart so that it can be pumped to cells throughout the body.  The oxygen crosses capillary walls into body cells, which give up their carbon dioxide across capillary walls to be carried back to the lungs to be exhaled.
8. List the levels of organization from cell to systems in order. cells make up tissues, tissues make up organs, and organs make up systems.


  UNIT:  Cells [Biology and Disease]
Key Vocabulary

13. Magnification - The extent to which an image of an object is magnified.
14. Cell membrane - the structure of a cell that separates the cell from its external environment.
      cytoplasm - the material that fills much of the inside of cells.
      mitochondria - the organelles that produce most of the energy that cells need.  These organelles produce energy from oxygen and nutrients.
      nucleus - the cell's control room.  Nucleus is a small dark center within many cells which directs the cell's activities (e.g., growth and reproduction) and holds most of the cell's DNA.  [An "organelle"is any of the tiny structures within cells that help cells do their jobs.]
15. Vaccine - A substance that stimulates the body’s immune response in order to prevent or control an infection.
Analysis Questions
9. Describe the major organelles and their functions -cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria (see above for functions)
10. Describe the structure and function of cells - Structure: cytoplasm enclosed by a cell membrane and containing organelles.  Function: cellular respiration and reproduction.
11. Compare plant and animal cells- Both plant and animal cells contain cytoplasm enclosed by a cell membrane.  Both types of cell contain many of the same organelles, including the nucleus and mitochondria. Plant cells, however, also contain chloroplasts and a cell wall, which animal cells lack.
12. What are methods people use in the prevention and the spread of disease (trade-offs)?
  See project sheet.  NOTE: Hand-washing.  Trade off: advantage is that you avoid catching and spreading disease and the pain and medical costs and lost time that go with getting sick, while the disadvantages include time (you should wash your hands long enough to sing the national anthem to yourself), cost of soap and water, and dry skin if you must wash often (like doctors or chefs).   Also, project sheet includes antibiotics and antiviral medicines, vaccines, wearing gloves and masks and other protective gear, getting good rest and nutrition.
13. List some single celled organisms: amoeba, yeast, protist, anthrax bacillus, paramecium.




   C.  6th Grade answers to Science Content Review Sheet
UNIT: Studying Materials Scientifically
Key vocabulary:
1. Mass – the amount of matter in an object.

2. Volume - the amount of space taken up by an object.

3. Density – the amount of matter in a certain volume (how much “stuff” is in a “space”). Formula is D=m/v

4. Displacement –Change in volume (how much the water level moves up) when you put an object into water. (ex: what happens to the water level when you get into a filled bath tub?).

5. Mixtures – Two or more substances that have been physically combined (put in the same place at the same time). These substances don’t bond, so each substance keeps its own chemical properties, and mixtures can be separated physically (e.g., with Droppers, pipettes, funnel, forceps or tweezers, screen, filter, etc).

6. Toxic – Poisonous; a substance that may cause harm to people or other living things.

7. Flammable – a substance that catches on fire when exposed to spark, flame or heat.

8. Corrosive – a substance that reacts with a solid material. Ex: sulfuric and other acids corrode metals like iron.

Analysis questions:
1) How do you measure mass?  
     Use a triple-beam balance or other scale.
2) What methods can be used to separate mixtures?
     Pick apart with tweezers/ forceps; filter using a sieve, metal screen or filter paper in a funnel; remove liquid layers with an eyedropper or through boiling or evaporation; pull apart using a magnet.
3) How do you calculate volume?
     For a rectangular solid, multiply length x width x height (v = L x W x H); for a cylinder, v = r2h.
4) What is the Water displacement method?
     Into a measured volume of water (Vi or initial volume), put an object into water. The water level in the graduated cylinder should go up. From Vf (or final volume), subtract initial (starting) volume. The difference in water level when you put an object into water is equal to the volume of the object.
5) What is the Measurement method?
    Measure length (l), width (w), and height (h) to the nearest 0.1 cm with your metric ruler. Then use the following formula to calculate volume: v = l x w x h
6) How do you calculate density?
    D = M /V where m = mass and v = volume.

UNIT: Chemistry of Materials
Key vocabulary:
[ Properties are characteristics of each substance, and we can use the properties of each substance to distinguish (tell the difference) between substances. Properties may be physical or chemical. ]
9. Physical properties – A characteristic of a substance that can be observed without changing the nature of   
    the substance. These properties don’t change whether the sample is large or small.
10. Chemical properties – A specific result of a test with another chemical.
11. Periodic table – An arrangement of the elements according to their atomic numbers so that elements with
     similar properties are in the same column. Mendeleev’s periodic table shows the similarities and
     differences of the elements.
12. Atom – the smallest particle of an element that can enter into a reaction.
13. Atomic mass – The number used to put elements in order into the Periodic Table, this is the number of 
     neutrons and protons in an atom of an element.
14. Molecule – 2 or more atoms bonded together; smallest particle of a compound with the properties of that compound.
15. Elements – pure substances that cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances; made up of only one type of atom. Ex: O, H, C.
16. Compound - a pure substance made up of 2 or more substances that have been chemically combined. A compound has different properties than the elements from which it is made. Ex: water (H2O); carbon dioxide (CO2).
17. Dilution –when a substance is mixed with water. This does not change the waste chemically, but decreases the concentration of waste per volume of water, so waste can be disposed of.
18. Concentration – how much of a certain material is dissolved in another material; Concentrated means: A HIGH AMOUNT OF SOLUTE PER UNIT OF SOLUTION; UNDILUTED
19. Density – (repeated from 3, above: the amount of matter in a certain volume (how much “stuff” is in a “space”). Formula is D=m/v)

Analysis questions:
7) What are examples of chemical and physical properties?
a. Physical props ex: color, density, flexibility, hardness, state and electrical conductivity.
b. Chemical props – flammability, pH, whether a substance reacts with oxygen or acid or base, or a unique   
    color change in a chemical reaction.
8) What are the similarities and differences between elements and compounds?
     Similarities: both are pure substances. Differences: Compounds have different properties than the elements
     that make them up. Compounds can be chemically separated, and elements can’t. Compounds are made
     up of 1 type of molecule, while elements are made up of 1 type of atom.
9) How do you make a serial dilution?
     Dissolve 1 drop of food coloring into 10 drops of water (10% or 100,000 ppm);
     then take 1 drop of THAT solution into 10 drops of water (1% or 10,000 ppm),
     then dissolve 1 drop of THAT solution into 10 drops of water (.1% or 1,000 ppm),
     and then….. (predict)

UNIT: Water
Key vocabulary:
10) Solution – when one substance is dissolved in another.
11) Solute – one substance that gets dissolved into another.
12) solvent – the substance that does the dissolving.
13) Universal solvent – water is best at dissolving many other materials.
14) Biological contamination – LIVING OR ONCE-LIVING ORGANISMS
15) Chemical contamination – ANY NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS FROM HUMAN ACTIVITY.
Analysis questions:
10) List and classify some examples of biological (B) and chemical contamination (C)?
Viruses_B, copper C, bacteria B, protists B, mercury C, lead C, oil C, feces B, chromium C.

11) Why is water called the universal solvent?
BECAUSE WATER IS SO GOOD AT DISSOLVING OTHER SUBSTANCES, IT WILL BREAK MORE MATERIALS DOWN INTO SMALLER PIECES THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

6th and 7th Graders are working on Review Sheets.


ALL Answers were due today; students will be able to study on Wednesday afternoon, since they'll be out of school for a half day.  Parents - please check to be sure that your students have defined all vocab words and answered all Analysis Questions on the review sheet.

Sixth Graders - Additional information that you must put in your science notebook:
Chemical Contamination includes various chemical substances that get in water supplies from human activities.  These can be harmful, such as fertilizers, gasoline, oil, metals, and acids. They could also be helpful, such as chlorine used to kill bacteria.
Biological contamination includes living things or once-living things and their waste products, such as bacteria, viruses and protists.
Seventh Graders should think about which infectious diseases they'd be most likely be interested in working on for their project, due Jan. 30th

Monday, January 9, 2012

6th and 7th Graders are working on Review Sheets. 

ALL Answers are due tomorrow; students will be able to study on Wednesday afternoon, since they'll be out of school for a half day. 

Seventh Graders should think about which infectious diseases they'd be most likely be interested in working on for their project, due Jan. 30th.

Friday, January 6, 2012

6th graders: Received Study Guides for next  week's midterm and were given class time to work on them.  The completed forms are due Tuesday (if informed Wednesday, you've got plenty of time to move it up).  Now that we've almost wrapped up our 2-week interdisciplinary project on Ancient Egypt, we will get back to our regular classes, and move further into the Water Unit.  Planned for next week: Monday is the Mapping Death lesson, then the Water Pollution lesson which may largely be read as homework. Midterm Review on Wednesday and Mid-term exam on Thursday. The district-generated version is included below (skip the next paragraph) if you lost yours.

7th graders: 7th graders received Cell Bio unit Study Guides yesterday.  This afternoon, most of my 7th graders got a Midterm Study Guide for next week's midterm and were asked to review them, turn 5 of the bullet points into questions and answer those questions by Monday. Planned for next week: Monday we'll hear about the new Interdisciplinary Poster Project and work on A Cell Model.  Homework will include completion of the Review Sheet, WHICH I'VE ADDED AS OF SUNDAY AFTERNOON -SEE BELOW.  Students who did poorly on the last Unit Assessment have been asked to stay for at least one afterschool session to discuss successful test prep practices on Wednesday.  Tuesday we'll work on A Cell So Small, and read "A Closer Look" for homework reading.  Midterm Review on Wednesday and Mid-term exam on Thursday. We'll finish up with Microbes Under View on Friday.

6th Grade: Science Content

 Studying Materials Scientifically
Key vocabulary:
o Mass

o Volume

o Density

o Displacement

o Mixtures

o Toxic

o Flammable

o Corrosive

Analysis questions:

o How do you measure mass?

o What methods can be used to separate mixtures?

o How do you calculate volume?

 Water displacement method

 Measurement method

o How do you calculate density?

 Chemistry of Materials

Key vocabulary:

o Physical properties

o Chemical properties

o Periodic table

o Atom, Molecule

o Elements, Compounds

o Dilution

o Concentration

o Density

o Solution

Analysis questions:

o What are examples of chemical and physical properties?

o What are the similarities and differences between elements and compounds?

o How do you make a serial dilution?

 Water

Key vocabulary:

o Solute, solvent

o Universal solvent

o Biological contamination

o Chemical contamination

Analysis questions:

 List and classify some examples of biological and chemical contamination?

 Why is water called the universal solvent?

7TH GRADE REVIEW SHEET
Science Process - You should be able to:
 Design experiments that test specific science questions
 Know how variables relate to testing a hypothesis
 Demonstrate a knowledge of common lab equipment and measurement units
 Write a reasonable hypothesis based on prior knowledge
 Read and interpret graphs, tables and diagrams
 Analyze data and observations to form reasonable conclusions
 Apply mathematics to solving quantitative problems as applied to science
 Use common science language and vocabulary correctly
 Find logical connections between science concepts and applications in the real world.
 Explain how science understanding changes as we discover new things

Science Content - Stuff you should know

UNIT: Studying People Scientifically
Key Vocabulary:  Define or state what is/are each of the following:
  • Variables
  • Independent Variable
  • Dependent variable,
  • control
  • Hypothesis
  • Quantitative data
  • Qualitative data
Analysis Questions:
Describe the components of a good experimental design

Describe the steps of the scientific method

Compare qualitative vs. quantitative data

UNIT: Body Works

 Key Vocabulary: Define or state what is/are each of the following:
  • Structure, Function (and how they're related)
  • Skeletal system function
    • tendons
    • joints
    • ligaments
  • Circulatory system function
    • arteries
    • capillaries
    • veins
    • heart
  • Respiratory system function
    • lungs
    • alveoli
  • Digestive system function
    • mouth
    • Chemical and Mechanical digestion
    • esophagus
    • stomach
    • large intestine
    • small intestine
Analysis Questions:
  • Explain the functions of the skeletal system
  • Explain the function and order of the digestive system organs
  • Explain the location and purpose of mechanical and chemical breakdown
  • Describe the structure and function of the respiratory and circulatory systems and their relationship to each other.
  • List the levels of organization from cell to systems in order from:
    • largest to smallest and then
    • from smallest to largest:  
UNIT: Cells

 Key Vocabulary: Define or state what is/are each of the following:

  • Magnification
  • Cell membrane
  • cytoplasm
  • mitochondria
  • nucleus
  • Vaccine
Analysis Questions
  • Describe the major organelles and their functions
  • Describe the structure and function of cells
  • Compare plant and animal cells
  • What are methods people use in the prevention and the spread of disease (trade-offs)?
  • List some single celled organisms.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Homework: 7th Graders have a take home quiz on the Germ Theory; 6th Graders have no assigned homework since teachers are not seeing their regular classes this week during our Interdisciplinary Unit. Please review your science notebooks from the beginning of the year for 15 minutes.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Happy New Year!  Welcome back!  My students have no homework tonight except for those who missed time before vacation and must make up work.

We have midterms coming up.  I will start preparing some general study guides, hope to have them tomorrow for beginning homework.  Sixth Graders, your vocab section is ready  - you'll get those next week.