Monday 8/31

Journal:

I design an experiment to see how different liquids affect a tomato plant’s growth. I think that if I “water” the tomato plant with a sugary drink then it will grow faster than if I “water” it with normal water or a salty drink. I get three tomato plants and pot them in the same size of pot with the same soil. I place them all in the same window on the same side of the house and “water” them every day at 5:00pm. One plant is watered with water, one with 7Up, and one with V8 juice. I record the plant’s growth each day for 30 days. In this example, identify the following:

a. hypothesis
b. independent variable

c. dependent variable

d. constants

e. control

f. question

Today I collected your Coin Lab, then we worked on a series of worksheets to review the scientific method and parts of the experiment.

Here is the link to all 3 worksheets:

Scientific Method Practice

HW:  none, just make sure to  bring your papers back with you tomorrow

Friday 8/28

Journal:

I design an experiment where I’m going to have a runner eat 5 different energy bars before running one mile. The first day, the runner gets 8 hours of sleep, wakes up, eats an energy bar, and runs one mile at 7:00am. I time the mile and record my data. Over the next 4 days, we repeat the procedure with 4 different energy bars and time the mile. In this example, identify the following:

1. independent variable
2. dependent variable
3. constants
4. control

Today I collected your paragraph about something you wonder about, then we finished data for the Coin Lab and finished anything left of the graph, analysis, or conclusion. We will hand it in on Monday.

HW: Anything left of Coin Lab

Thursday 8/27

Journal:

1. List the steps in the scientific method as well as you can remember.
2. List the parts of an experiment as well as you can remember.

Today we started a Coin Lab as an introduction to the scientific method and parts of an experiment. Here is the writeup. Today we just made a hypothesis and nearly finished the data table. If you need the materials, find a time to come into class and make it up, otherwise use materials you have at home to get the data.

HW:  Write one paragraph about something you wonder about (after researching an answer). Due tomorrow Fri 8/28.

Wednesday 8/26

Journal:

1. What have you observed lately?

2. What do you wonder about?

I assigned the homework to take the question you wrote for #2 of your bell work and research it (google, encyclopedia, friends/family, etc). Then write one paragraph explaining what you found. This will be due Friday.

We finished the PowerPoint The Art of Observation.

HW:  Write one paragraph explaining the research you found about the thing you "wonder about." Due Friday 8/28

Tuesday 8/25

Journal:

Choose 5 of the observations you made in our observation exercise yesterday and make an inference about each.

Today I collected your disclosure and What is Science? Vocabulary.

Then we started the powerpoint The Art of Observation to learn to differentiate between observations and inferences and quantitative vs qualitative observations.

HW:  none

Monday 8/24

Journal:

What do the inventions/discoveries on the wall (airplane, printing press, internet, smart phone, computer, light bulb) have in common?

I handed out your I can statements for the What is Science? unit and assigned the vocabulary (2nd page) for homework due tomorrow. Just use a dictionary or online reference to find the definition to all 17 words and write them on a separate sheet of paper.

Then we went outside to do an observation exercise. If you missed it, here's what you do:

1. Go outside (preferably somewhere interesting or new).
2. Write down 10-15 meaningful observations as a list
3. Pick one observation and draw it in detail. Be neat and try to make it as close to the actual thing as possible.
4. Share your picture with a friend.

We did this in your science journal and I checked it off at the end of class.

HW:  Disclosure signed is due tomorrow, as well as your What is Science Vocab definitions

Thursday 8/20

Journal:

What is the root of the word “quantitative”? “Qualitative”? What do the words quantitative and qualitative mean?

Today we read an article (here's the link) about fine-tuning your observation skills, then wrote a response to this question in your journal:

1. List and describe 5 practical things you can do to improve your observation and deduction skills.
2. Why is observation important?
3. How does observation differ from deduction?

HW:  Disclosure signed by Tues. 8/25

Wednesday 8/19

Journal:

1. What does it mean to observe?
2. How does observation fit in to the scientific process?

We finished going over our disclosure today, then did a quick activity to discuss important discoveries/inventions (no makeup necessary for that)

HW:  Get disclosure signed by Tues. 8/25

Tuesday August 18th

Journal:

1. Imagine the type of classroom where you learn best. Describe it (noise, appearance, feel).

2. What is science? Write a definition in your own words, in one sentence.

Today we started going over my disclosure document. I also handed out late and hall passes. If you need one, come see me for a hard copy.

HW: Disclosure signed and returned by Tues 8/25

Monday August 17th

Journal:  

1. What is something you love?
2. What is your favorite thing about science?
3. Write down something you learned about Maeser today.
4. What scares you?

Today we did a "get-to-know-you" activity using your answers from the bell work.

No HW.