November '09 Science Activities

November 2009

Science is a fun subject for most students. My goal is to enhance the science experience for every child that comes into my classroom. I often stress to the students that I will require a lot of maturity from them while they are in my lab. Although I don't have a real "lab" I do expect them to take the activities that we do very seriously. We will work with chemicals, organisms (live and dead), sharp and sometimes breakable objects.

It is very important that each child follows directions carefully and pays attention to instructions given in the class. Playing in the lab will not be tolerated. I have removed students for that reason and sent them to other classes. Such playing can lead to serious accidents and worse.

The 8th graders are working on Properties of Matter (chemistry). The 7th graders are investigating various aspects of life (organisms and their life processes). The 6th graders are investigating microorganisms and viewing them (vinegar eel, volvox, etc.) through microscopes as well.

This month, in science, the 8th graders have begun to write science reports. They have their second report due on Thursday, November 12th. All of the students have been given a rubric so that they may decide ahead of time what grade they wish to get on the report. If they follow all of the steps they will get a high grade. If they are careless about their work, they will receive an average to low grade.

The 7th graders are now learning how to create scientific names for organisms. They have been given a list of Greek and Latin words that they can use to create names of animals and plants. Please review your child's notebooks to see if they have the examples that were done in class. Also, this past week (the 9th) they had a collage of 15 organisms that was to be turned in.

Please post any questions or concerns you may have. I look forward to continuing to work with you and your child.

Mr. Depeine