|
September 5th-8th
Unit 1: Science Safety and Creating the Science Notebook This lesson addresses science safety in the classroom as well as setting up the science notebook. Students were taught to learn how to use safety equipment in order to conduct indoor lab and outdoor field investigations safely. |
September 11th-15th
Unit 1: Science Safety and Creating the Science Notebook (Cont'd) We continued this unit with an extended activity where the students find the common science equipment being used in the classroom. The students also learned to observe the handout: Science is a Blast! identifying the unsafe practices shown. Each student was able to find the risks associated with each unsafe behavior shown in the handout. |
September 18th-22nd Unit 2: Classifying Metals, Non-Metals and Metalloids Homecoming Spirit Week We started the week learning about classifying Metals, NonMetals and Metalloids. The students were having meta-craziness due to homecoming spirit week yet we enjoyed the continuous energies showing our Rangers' PRIDE. In this lesson, students will learn about physical properties to compare metals, non-metals, and metalloids. Students will use comparative and descriptive investigations to separate metals, non-metals, and metalloids by their physical properties. Students will learn how the periodic table is used to classify metals, non-metals, and metalloids by their properties. Students will calculate density of a regular, measurable solid and the density of an irregular shaped solid (voIume by displacement). We are looking forward to see the students using the periodic table as their important tools of learning. |
September 25th-29th
Unit 2: Comparing Metals and Non-Metals (Cont'd) This activity is one of my favorite parts where the students need to explore the properties of the metals and non-metals. The properties are determined by luster, conductivity, ductility, malleability, magnetism, and brittle. Later on, the students learned how to identify whether the objects are categorized as metals or non-metals. Lastly, we also experimented with the concept of density using candy bars, snickers and three musketeers to determine which holds the most density. Of course, the students are thrilled to be able to munch on the chocolate candies. |
October 2nd-6th
Unit 2.2- Physical Properties of Minerals In this lesson, students started to learn how to compare minerals using physical properties. We continued to experiment with candy bar density to satisfy our carvings for chocolate :) Students will test physical properties, such as streak, color, hardness, cleavage, and fracture next week. In the previous lesson, students calculated the density of a cube and calculated the density of irregular objects, using volume by displacement. Students will continue the lesson to calculate the density of irregular objects as we continue to explore this week. Happy October! |
October 9th-13th
Unit 2.2- Physical Properties of Minerals In this lesson, the highly spirited students enjoyed doing the Mineral Table Identification where they need to find the information for rock sampling classified under Mohs' Scale of Hardness. The students learned how to test the density for each mineral from Talc to Corundum. The students learned to measure the density based on the formula, D=M/V; Density equivalent to Mass divided by Volume. Thereafter, the students will prepare for their very first Unit 1 and 2 test on the Matter and Physical Properties! Good luck! |
October 23rd-27th
In this lesson, students will learn that an element is a pure substance represented by chemical symbols. They will identify elements that compromise the Earth, living things, oceans, and atmosphere. Students will learn about a common chemical "language" for scientists world-wide. Students will practice these rules as they learn to identify some common elements, including some found in the atmosphere, Earth's crust, oceans, and living things. |
October 16th-20th
The Final week of the 1st Quarter :) It's hard to believe that it is the last week of the 1st quarter. We mostly prepared ourselves reviewing and studying for the Unit Test to be fully utilized with our knowledge. We also reviewed the periodic table coloring the specific elements with their unique physical properties. The students are much looking forward to the special holiday, Halloween which is approaching us soon. |
October 30th-November 2nd
In this lesson, the students were learning how to create circle graphs based on the abundance of the elements. They also learned how to create chemical symbols using unique physical properties. They also identified the elements that compromise the Earth and the oceans. Of course, we all enjoyed the spirit of Halloween in a spooky way. |
November 6th-10th
The students wrapped up with the Unit 3 section by reviewing and study for the test. The students also had an opportunity to explore the mysterious elements that were strangely discovered by the famous scientists. We are ready to hit the new unit study coming up next week. Good luck! November 27th-December 1st
In this unit, the students were experimenting with several different compounds to see how they produce new substances by mixing with different substances. They also noticed a production of a gas, change in temperature, production of a precipitate. The students enjoyed observing the chemical changes. Later on, we will follow through with various chemical reactions next week. |
November 13th-17th We are excited to have a long and nice Thanksgiving break coming up soon. In this unit, students are learning how to differentiate common compounds by name and symbol. Students should see examples of reactions between substances that produce new substances very different from the reactants. They will recognize that the formation of a new substance may be identified using the evidence of a possible chemical change, such as production of a gas, change in temperature, production of a precipitate, or change in color. |
January 3rd-5th
Happy New Year! We are ready to embrace the new year of 2018 and hope that it will come out well for all of us. As of this week, we continue to research on the advantages and disadvantages of using energy resources such as solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal. |
December 4th-8th MINUS the snowy day :)
During this lesson, students research and debate the advantages and disadvantages of using specified energy resources. Students then design a logical plan to manage energy resources in the home, school, or community based on the research they have done. Lastly, we were overjoyed with having a day off from school due to snow weather. |
March 26th-30th
Students continued to engage in a tournament-like which focuses on the golf ball going in the putt hole so we had a week-long activity focusing on the friendly competition. |
March 19th-23rd
Students are investigating motion through a variety of activities in order to identify changes in position and direction and the speed of an object. Students are provided with various fun activities related with force and motion. Students will also graph changes in motion. Specifically in this lesson, students will graph distance vs. time and speed vs. time. |
April 16th-20th
Students finally completed the Unit 7 test and had an opportunity to play Element Bingo game to wrap up the unit. The students are ready to learn about the Solar System. April 23rd-27th
In this unit, students will research the physical properties, locations, and movements of the Sun, planets, Galilean moons, meteors, asteroids, and comets. They will construct a scale model and display the researched characteristics, as well as the advantages and limitations of the model. |
April 2nd-6th
Students recently learned how to graph distance vs time and speed vs time based on the lessons being taught in class. We will wrap up the unit with the test. Good luck! April 9th-13th
Students continued to review distance and speed/time formula using various testing problems and reviewed with teacher's support. April 30th-May 4th
In this unit, students enjoyed creating Google Slides based on the planet they studied. They also helped out with the planet models that will be displayed in the classroom. The students will be sharing their presentations to the audience starting next week. After this, they will take the unit test to wrap up the lesson. |
May 7th-11th
In this unit, the students were prepared for the unit test and helped me with the planet decoration in the classroom. The students were given opportunities to share their information about the planets that they researched. We enjoyed watching the students sharing interesting facts about the unique planets. |
May 21st-25th
Students are currently learning about the short stories of natural disasters such as tsunami, earthquake and blizzard. They had a special surprise by attending Connie Posentrak's classroom to pet many different cute animals and reptiles as part of their rewards. |
May 14th-18th
Students will learn about a model of the structural layers of the Earth including the inner core, outer core, mantle, crust, asthenosphere, and lithosphere. They will also study some of the characteristics of each layer. This information will build a foundation for plate tectonics in the next unit. Advantages and limitations of the model will also be explored. |