Metric Conversions

We have been spending a lot of time going over the metric system, different tools of measurement, and how to use those tools. We learned about metric conversions yesterday and today. Students have a practice worksheet on how to convert metric units. The worksheet will be due Tuesday, this allows them to work on it tonight, ask questions tomorrow and go home to finish it. They need to start on it tonight because it is due Tuesday, so they won't have time to finish it on Tuesday.

We set up a chart in our notebooks that looks like this:

They have the 6 main prefixes will use, the abbreviations, and what number they stand for. I teach in like a ladder or staircase. When you go right down the staircase the units get smaller, so you move your decimal to the right. If you go left up the staircase the units get larger, so you move the decimal to the left.

So, you start by right the number given WITH a decimal where it belongs. Then, you look at the chart and decide which direction to move and how many steps. Next, you move the decimal that many spaces in the correct direction. Draw the new decimal, fill in any empty spaces with zeros, and rewrite the correct number with units (a number without a label is complete nonsense).

Class Curriculum

7^th Grade Science Curriculum:

            1^st Semester:

·         Unit 1: Chemistry

o   Structure of Atoms and the Periodic Table

o   Chemical Bonding and Reactions

·         Unit 2: Genetics

o   Cell Growth and Division

o   Gregor Mendel and inheritance

o   Understanding chromosomes and genes

2^nd Semester

·         Unit 3: History of Earth and Life Forms

o   Paleontology

o   Geologic Time

·         Unit 4: Evolution

o   Evolution and changes in populations

o   Natural Selection

o   Extinction and Speciation

·         Throughout the year we will look at different scientists, branches of science and the nature of science.

 8^th Grade Science Curriculum

            1^st Semester

·         Unit 1: Physics

o   Motion

o   Forces

o   Density and Buoyancy

o   Work

o   Energy

o   Power

·         Unit 2: Electricity and Magnetism

o   Electricity

2^nd Semester

·         Unit 2 continued

o   Magnetism and Electricity

·          

·         Unit 4: Waves

o   Wave properties

o   Types of waves

o   Features of waves

·         Unit 5: Electromagnetic Radiation and Light

o   Waves of the electromagnetic spectrum

o   Mirrors

o   Eyes

·         Unit 6: Sound Waves

o   Speed

o   Frequency and pitch

o   Amplitude and loudness

·         Unit 7: Chemistry of Food and Respiration

o   Flow of energy

o   Photosynthesis and respiration

o   Human nutrition and health

·         Throughout the year we will look at different scientists, branches of science and the nature of science.

Welcome

Welcome to another year! This week we are spending our time getting everything ready for our new year. We are getting our Science notebooks put together; these are a really big deal. I use them for everything and we put so much stuff in there, so we set them up a certain way to make sure we have an efficient system.

We will also be going over lab safety rules and symbols. This is REALLY important because I want everyone to be safe during our lab activities. Anyone that breaks any rules will be sent out of lab immediately and receive a zero on the assignment. When safety is at stake, I only have one consequence. I have some great labs planned and I know the students will enjoy them, so I don't anticipate any problems.

Also, I know that it can be harder to get your volunteer hours in when your kids are in middle school and we don't ask for parent help as much. However, if you need hours, feel free to contact me. I'm sure I can find something I need help with. Especially, if you don't mind doing some computer work or organizing in the classroom to help us out.

And because you've asked, here are some pictures :)

I am looking forward to a great year!