Monday, April 28, 2014

Testing Hints and Helps

Tomorrow we start our SAGE end-of-level testing for Science 7.  We have worked hard all year to learn the Science 7 concepts needed for the tests and we have spent two weeks reviewing these concepts.

Tonight and the rest of this week, there is even more YOU can do on your own to help you be successful on the test.

1.  Get plenty of rest.  A good night's sleep will help you stay focused and awake on test days.
2.  Eat a good breakfast.  Your brain needs fuel in order to think.  Don't skip breakfast!
3.  REVIEW!

What should you review?


  • I Can Statements.  These are a review of EVERYTHING we have learned this year. 
  • UTIPS practice tests.  You can review these as many times as you want. 
  • Your textbook and science journal.
  • This blog.  Our class blog has a ton of information from the concepts taught this year.
  • And last, but not least. . .Do you understand the following essential standards?  If not, do some research and review what you don't know/remember.  

7th grade Science Essential Standards
Students will:
  • ·       Understand that everything is made of matter and that matter is made of atoms
    ·       Be able to measure the mass and volume of matter using appropriate instruments
    ·       Identify the three main states of matter and how their particles move
    ·       Relate that Earth has layers because of density
    ·       Understand that matter can layer according to density and size of the particles
    ·       Know that the basic unit of life is the cell
    ·       Identify key differences between asexual and sexual reproduction (# of parents, % DNA the same, etc…)
    ·       Know the difference between acquired and inherited traits and give at least one example for each
    ·       Know that objects and organisms are classified based on structure
    ·       Be able to use a simple classification key to identify an object
Remember to be on time and try not to be absent if at all possible this week.

Good luck!!!


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Newton's Second Law of Motion

Today in class we watched a CRaZy video about a guy who wanted to learn a little more about impact.  In order to do this he had to use Newton's Second Law of Motion.  We also learned that this law has to do with the MASS and DENSITY of objects.

Hey!  We know about mass and density!  :)  Mass is a measure of how much matter is in an object and the density is how much mass a material has in a given volume.  Just in case you forgot, volume is how much space something take up.  See how smart you are???  ;)

Want  to know a little bit more about Newton's Second Law of Motion?  Here is a little video to help you out.

Have fun learning!!!


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Science Court: Particles in Motion

Famous actor J.C. Cramwood has hired an equally famous sculptor to make a beautiful plaque of him.  At the unveiling of the plaque, a horrible accident occurs! Watch and find out what all of this has to do with particles in motion! :)

Don't forget to fill out the video response sheet that goes along with the video.  Good luck and have fun learning!!!


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Volume, Mass, Density REVIEW

Do you remember how to find to volume of a regular shaped solid?  How about an irregular shaped solid?  Can you find the volume of a liquid?  How about finding density or mass of an object?

Let's review! (Use the Review Sheet FOUND HERE to complete the items below).  The practice questions we did in class (pink paper) can be found HERE and HERE.  You will need to do both of them.

1.  Volume of a regular shape:

REMEMBER- L X W X H = Volume of a REGULAR shaped object



  2.  Volume of an irregular shaped object:



REMEMBER!  Use water displacement to find the volume of an irregular shaped object.

3.  Volume of a liquid: 




REMEMBER! You read the bottom of the meniscus to find the volume of a liquid.

 4. Finding Mass




REMEMBER! To find MASS, you use a triple beam balance.
 Mass and Weight are NOT the same thing!

5.  Finding Density 



REMEMBER!  d = m/v

Need extra help???  HERE is a GREAT place to get some information to help you practice finding mass, volume, and density.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Science Court: Living Things

Living or Non-Living? That is the question! How can you decide if something is alive, once living, or non-living? Here is a video to help you remember the characteristics of a living thing.

Don't forget to do the video response sheet! Have fun learning!!!

 

Monday, April 7, 2014

Testing an Athlete's Genes

Inherited or acquired?  You decide!

Check out the CBS News Poll and see what other Americans think.




If the video won't play on your iPad, try CLICKING HERE to link over to CBS. Have fun learning!!!

Friday, April 4, 2014

Eyes of Nye: Genetically Modified Foods

How do you feel about eating food that has been genetically altered?

Watch the video and fill out the VIDEO RESPONSE SHEET.  You will hand in the response sheet for points, so make sure that BOTH sides of the sheet are filled out.  Have fun learning! :)


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Genetic Changes in Dogs and Cows

In this activity, you will read and watch videos about selective breeding of cows and dogs and discuss the pros and cons related to the manipulation of animal species.

Step 1: Read the Introduction about the pros and cons of selective breeding.

Step 2: Read the article- Dogs that Saved the World 

Step 3: Watch the video: Cattle Breeding Traits

Step 4: Answer the following questions about the video (on your worksheet).

  1. How many different breeds of cattle have humans created?
  2. Would the qualities that make good beef cattle help them survive in the wild
  3. Besides milk and meat production, what other traits might humans wish to breed in cattle?
Step 5: Watch the video: Cattle Breeds 
Step 6: Answer the following questions about the video (on your worksheet).

  1. What might indicate that a cattle breed is adapted to cold climates like Scotland?
  2. What do the different breed names refer to?
  3. Why might “adaptability” be a desirable trait in a specific breed?

Step 7:  Watch the following videos:  Dog Sense Delta, Sled Dogs, Moving Sheep

Step 8: Answer the following questions about the videos (on your worksheet).

  1.  How do humans change animals through artificial selection?
  2.  What are dogs natural traits that make them attractive to people?
  3.  What adaptations have sled dogs made to living in the arctic?
  4.  What traits have people artificially selected sheep dogs for?
  5.  What are physical and mental problems dog breeds may have?
Step 9:  Finish with a COMPLETE paragraph that starts with one of the following statements:


  1. It is a good thing that humans have artificially selected animals to serve their purposes.
  2. It is a bad thing that humans have artificially selected animals to serve their purposes.

Support your statement with 3 examples from what you have just seen or read.







Wednesday, April 2, 2014

I Can Statements: End of Year Review

The end of the school year is quickly approaching and before I know it all of my students will be gone and moving on to the middle school.  Kind of crazy to think about!

We have covered five standards in Science 7 this year.  It is a lot of information and we have done many activities throughout the year to try and make sure that the students have learned all they need to, not only to be successful on the test, but to be successful next year in 8th grade science.

Next week we will start reviewing for our new SAGE testing.  Throughout the year students have measured their progress in science by looking at "I Can" statements and deciding whether or not they have learned the information and then providing evidence to show they have learned the information.

Part of the review will be going through the "I Can" statements and seeing what the students remember and deciding from there what we need to review.

A copy of the "I Can" review can be found by CLICKING HERE.  We will work on them in class the next few days and then start our review on Monday.

Good luck!!!  Have fun learning!!!






Peppered Moth Activity

Today in class we reviewed mimicry and camouflage in animals.  Then each student got to color a moth  and try to camouflage it in the classroom.  We had 3 "birds" come in and see how many moths they could find and eat.  The moth survivors were given a prize :)

I was impressed with some of the camouflaging techniques that were used.  It was a great activity and the students were able to see how camouflaging helps animals to survive.

If you were absent and you want to try a Peppered Moth activity at home, CLICK HERE to link over to a lesson you could try.  It's not the same one we did in class, but it looks like it might be kind of fun!

Also, below are some Peppered Moth videos that we watched that were kind of interesting.

Have fun learning!!!