May 25th

Today was the last day of school and I wanted everyone to know how much I enjoyed teaching Science at Inman School. I have attached some pictures that I have taken while at Inman. I wish all of the 8th graders the best of luck!

May 7-19

I apologize for the delay in posts. Since May 7th students have been working on their Science Menu Projects. The purpose of this final project is to introduce high school science topics to students while giving them the option to explore subjects of their choosing.

Projects are due on Wednesday, May 19th. I have attached copies of the menu below; to view press control-click on the image and a larger version will open up in another window. If you would like me to email you a copy of the document; please let me know.

May 5th

Today students went outside to observe, draw and describe various species of plants and insects.

May 4th

Representatives from Junior Achievement presented and did career assessment activities with students today from 9:00am - 1:00pm

Homework: Bring in a glass jar

May 3rd

Students took introductory notes about botany and entomology. During the note taking, we discussed various facts about plants and insects and some students asked interesting questions. We concluded class by watching another segment of Planet Earth.

Homework: Bring in a glass jar

April 30th

Students went to Six Flags today.

April 29th

Students watched a short introductory video on forensic science and we had a brief discussion about occupations in the field of forensics. Then I went over some facts about blood and the students completed an in-class assignment about blood type.

Real-time DNA replication

April 27th

Today students took notes about DNA and completed an in-class assignment. We watched two videos and discussed genetic mutations, cellular reproduction, the human genome project, and the social implications of genetic engineering. Since we will be covering a range of topics related to life sciences during this last unit,I decided to begin with an overview if DNA.

April 26th

Students completed the Social Studies segment of the CRCT. During class in the afternoon, we started watching the Discovery Channel dvd collection, Planet Earth. During the last few weeks of school we will watch select segments of this documentary as part of our final unit.

April 23rd

Today students completed the science portion of the CRCT.

April 22nd

Students completed the Math segment of the CRCT.

April 21st

CRCT testing continued today with the English/Language Arts portion of the test. During science class we continued to review for the Science portion of the CRCT.

Homework: Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast. Please arrive to school on time.

April 20th

Today students completed the Reading portion of the CRCT. During the shortened afternoon class periods we reviewed for the science CRCT. The science portion of the CRCT will be on Friday.

Thank you for all of the snacks that have been sent in. Since lunch is two hours later during testing, every donation helps.

Homework: Get a good night sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

April 19th

Today students reviewed for the Science CRCT. We went over some questions, discussed test-taking strategies, and reviewed some older concepts. After the review, I conducted a survey about what the students would like to study during the final four weeks of school.

Following the CRCT we are going to go over some of the subjects students will encounter during high school. To close out the year, I will be doing some introductory lectures on various topics, we will do some labs, and students will work individually and in groups to explore some of the content they will be studying in high school.

The following subjects are included in the high school science Georgia Performance Standards:

ASTRONOMY
BIOLOGY
BOTANY
CHEMISTRY
EARTH SYSTEMS
ECOLOGY
ENTOMOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
FORENSIC SCIENCE
GEOLOGY
HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
METEOROLOGY
MICROBIOLOGY
OCEANOGRAPHY
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
PHYSICS
ZOOLOGY

Of the subjects listed above, the following received the most votes:
Botany
Entomology
Forensic Science (received the most votes in every class)
Human Anatomy & Physiology
Zoology

If you have any expertise or materials that would contribute to the class, that would be greatly appreciated. We will probably spend some time outside doing some observations when we explore botany and entomology so if your child needs sunscreen or bug spray, please send it.

April 16th

Students took a test today on the content covered in Gravity, Electricity, and Magnetism unit.

April 15th

For the opening questions, students completed three Ohm's Law equations and I reviewed some of the concepts. Students turned in their review worksheets, took notes on what to expect on Friday's exam, and they played a review game.

Homework: Study for the quiz.

Announcement: CRCT testing starts next week. If possible, please send in healthy snacks to your student's homeroom teacher. Thank you.

April 14th

Students worked in groups today to create review questions and they worked on a review worksheet.

Homework: Complete the review worksheet; due Friday.

April 13th

Students began class by using their textbooks to answer questions about static electricity, the Law of Conservation of Charge, and conductors/inductors. We watched a video about Ohm's Law (V=IR: Voltage = Current x Resistance) and completed some practice problems using Ohm's equation. Students then took notes on electrical safety (grounding, circuit breakers, fuses, etc...).

Homework: Review notes for Friday's quiz

April 12th

Students presented their Gravity, Electricity, & Magnetism essential question group projects today. While each group presented, the other students took notes.

Homework: Study notes for Friday's quiz.

April 1st

Students built a rocket ship with a fuel mechanism based on the thermodynamics of potato peelings. We circumnavigated the planet then landed with enough time to save the world from an alien attack.

Homework: Come up with a plan to solve the world's energy crisis while fostering world peace. Due Friday.



Announcement: Our classroom is running out of some essential items. A modest donation of any of these would be GREATLY appreciated: paper towels, kleenex, white paper (8.5 x 11), and paper clips. We need these items to build our next interplanetary vehicle.

March 31st

Students began working on their mini-projects/presentations today. Students were divided into groups and each group received one of the following essential questions associated with the gravity, electricity, and magnetism unit:

1. How can a roller coaster move along its track without an engine pushing or pulling on it?
2. How is energy transferred to my home?
3. How do stereo speakers work?
4. How are electric circuits wired?
5. How are wind and ocean currents created?
6. How is lightning different from the electricity that I used at home?

Students conducted their research today and they'll have tomorrow to work. Their presentations will be done on Friday.

March 30th

Today students took notes about series and parallel circuits. We discussed how each one works and the advantages/disadvantages of each. After that, students completed their "Science Article Analysis" questions. The links to each article are listed below.

Homework: Students must submit late work by Friday, April 2nd.

Article Links:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100322/river-current-electricity/
http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-06/dr-magneto
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/6171848/Spacecraft-could-surf-gravitational-tubes-to-make-solar-travel-more-efficient.html
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/03/100319/lost-power-super-solution/

March 29th

Today students read about gravity in their textbooks and answered questions that required analyzing data and explaining how gravitational force operates. After working on the textbook questions, students started analyzing science articles. Each article pertains to one of the topics in our unit (Gravity, Electricity, and Magnetism). The purpose of this activity is to have students practice their analytical skills when examining science articles.

Homework: Students who have missing work need to submit it by Friday, April 2nd.

March 26th

Today we discussed the sun and how the sun's magnetism and gravitational forces affect the Earth. Students also watched a video on Electricity and answered questions pertaining to the video.

Homework: Students have until Friday, April 2 to turn in any missing work

March 25th

Today students viewed another introductory video on magnetism and how it is related to electricity. Following the video, students worked on the unit vocabulary where they had to write each word, define it in their own language, and draw a small picture representing the word.

Electricity, Gravity, and Magnetism Unit Vocabulary
Atoms
Attractive force
Circuits
Conduction
Electric charge
Electric currents
Electric energy
Electric force
Electromagnets
Electrons
Gravitational force
Magnet
Magnetic energy
Magnetic field
Magnetic force
Mechanical energy
Molecules
Parallel circuits
Radiation
Repulsive force
Series circuits
Temperature

March 24th

Students did a lab today titled "Detecting Fake Coins." During the lab, students used magnets to see if they could tell the difference between coins and metal washers (fake coins). Based on their observations, they created a brochure that explained how a device could be used to separate real coins from fake coins.

March 23rd

Students turned in their projects today. I will accept late projects; however, the parts that are turned in late will receive a 10-point per day deduction. Some students performed their songs and showed their movies in class. We concluded class by starting the next unit on Gravity, Electricity, and Magnetism. Students watched an introductory video on magnetism and turned in answers to questions covered in the video.

Homework: Light & Sound Unit review worksheet. (this worksheet will be graded as a quiz)

I've attached one of my student's video project... Enjoy!

March 22nd

I apologize for missing the last few updates; I was out sick with strep throat on Thursday and Friday. While I was out, students continued to work on their light and sound unit projects and they also worked on the review worksheet. The projects are due on Tuesday and students who wish to perform their skit or song or show their movie will be able to do so during class.

We will be starting the new unit on Electricity and Magnetism this Wednesday

Homework: Projects are due TOMORROW! Review worksheets are due on Wednesday.

March 17th

Students took notes and discussed the eye today. We covered the differences between convex & concave and nearsightedness and farsightedness. Students also received their quizzes and they can correct them and return them to me by Friday to receive extra points. Students finished class by working on their unit projects.

Homework: Corrected quiz (Due March 19th), unit projects (Due March 23rd), unit review worksheet (Due March 24th)

March 16th

During class students reviewed the schedule for the next week and a half. They received a review worksheet that will help them prepare for next week's unit exam. Students finished class by working on their unit projects.

Homework: Unit projects (due March 23rd). Light & Sound unit review worksheet (due March 24th).


Happy Brain Awareness Week!

March 15th

Students finished the last day of IBTS testing today.

Homework: Continue to work on the Light & Sound unit projects

March 12th

Today students continued working on the Light & Sound unit projects. So far, they have been using their class time productively.

Announcement: Our classroom is running out of some essential items. A modest donation of any of these would be GREATLY appreciated: paper towels, kleenex, paper (8.5 x 11), and paper clips.

Thanks and have a great weekend!

March 11th

Students completed another section of the IBTS tests in the morning. In the afternoon, the students continued to work on their Light & Sound unit projects. Students also received a revised rubric for the research paper.

Announcement: Students were informed today that grades are due by 4:00pm on Friday. I reminded them to get in any missing work by noon on Friday if they want to get credit.

March 10th

Students didn't have science class today. All the eighth graders, as part of their To Kill a Mockingbird novel study, watched the movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, in the auditorium. Students also completed another part of the ITBS tests.

March 9th

Students did ITBS testing in the morning and started working on their Light & Sound unit projects during the afternoon class time.

Homework: Light & Sound unit projects (due March 23rd)

March 8th

We had a shortened class period today and we reviewed the rules for the Light & Sound Unit projects. Tomorrow students will receive the rubrics for the projects they chose and they'll have class time over the next two weeks to complete their projects.

Homework: None

Announcement: This week's tutorial has been rescheduled. It will be on Wednesday at 3:45pm instead of Thursday.

March 5th

Students took a quiz today.

Announcements:
1. Every Thursday I'll have Science tutorial after school at 3:45pm. Students will be able to receive extra help, assist other students with their studies, and work on their science projects. Students who attend tutorial will receive extra credit.

2. Grades have been updated in Infinite Campus.

Homework: Any missing work needs to be completed and submitted by Monday. Monday will be the last day I will accept quiz corrections.

March 4th

Today we played Jeopardy to review for tomorrow's quiz.

Homework: Study for the quiz

March 3rd

Today we corrected the Eye/Ear worksheet and we discussed the material that would be covered on Friday's quiz. The following topics will be on the quiz:

Vocabulary: Absorption, Amplitude, Refraction, Reflection, Diffraction, Frequency, Pitch, & Sound

Seismic Waves: Faults, Convection, Tectonic plates, how earthquakes happen

Frequency Equations: speed=wavelength * frequency

Eye & Ear: Anatomy of each, how sound travels through the ear

Questions from the last quiz


Homework: Study for the quiz.

March 2nd

I returned the students quizzes today. Students who received a low grade have the opportunity to correct their quiz and turn it in tomorrow for partial credit. We also watched a video on the ear and students completed a worksheet on the Eye and Ear.

Homework: Corrected quizzes and the Eye and Ear worksheet - due Wednesday.

March 1st

Today we watched videos and answered questions about plate tectonics and seismic waves. Students turned in their class notes and the answers to their questions for a grade.

Homework: None

Announcement: I received my new Atlanta Public School email address. Please feel free to contact me at cblack@atlanta.k12.ga.us if you need to communicate with me.


Class Videos

Light Wave Videos

Here are some supplemental videos about light waves that we did not have a chance to watch in class. One video includes an experiment you can try at home.

February 26th

Students took a quiz and we discussed and took notes on light manipulation. After discussing how light is manipulated by reflection, refraction, diffraction and absorption, students related those terms to how sound waves operate. During the final part of class students received an introductory lesson on dj-ing.

At this point of the Light and Sound unit, students have gone over the basic components of what they are required to learn (the GPS standard is listed in a previous post). Moving forward, students will start working on projects that will deepen their understanding of what is required in the standards.

Homework: None

**Today is the last day for students to take home their graded projects**

February 25th

Today students finished the Wavy Motions lab and we conducted a review session for Friday's quiz.

Homework: Study for the quiz.

Announcement: FRIDAY IS THE FINAL DAY FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE HOME THEIR GRADED PROJECTS. ANY PROJECTS THAT REMAIN AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER ON FRIDAY WILL BE RECYCLED!

February 24th

Today we finished discussing the human eye and we started a lab titled "Wavy Motions." During the lab students used slinkies to observe different types of waves and they recorded their observations in their lab books. We will conclude the lab tomorrow.

Homework: Study for Friday's quiz. The quiz will cover the electromagnetic spectrum and mechanical waves. Students should also know the definition of the following terms:
Reflection
Refraction
Transverse
Longitudinal
Medium
Wavelength
Crest / Trough
Compression
Rarefaction
Law of Conservation of Energy


Reminder --> Students have until Friday, February 26th to take home their graded Science projects.

February 23rd

Core 1 & 2 completed the Light & Sound worksheet in class and began taking notes about the human eye. Core 3 & 4 watched introductory videos and took notes about the human eye.

Homework: Students who did not complete the Light and Sound worksheet in class need to finish it as homework. Due Wednesday.

February 22nd

Today we continued learning about mechanical and electromagnetic waves. Students took notes and watched several videos* regarding the different types of waves. Students also took an assessment regarding the energy concepts they learned in previous units. I will review how each class did and begin review sessions as necessary.

Last Friday I announced to the students that I was organizing the room and that they could take home their graded projects. Students have until Friday, February 26th to take home their projects. Any remaining work will be recycled this upcoming weekend.

Homework: None

*the videos are attached in previous posts.

February 19th

In Cores 1 & 2 students finished viewing the introduction to Light & Sound powerpoint. In Cores 3 & 4 students completed an activity worksheet about electromagnetic and mechanical waves.

Homework: Students who did not finish the in-class work need to complete it this weekend. Due Monday.

February 18th

Today I introduced the new unit: Light & Sound. We discussed the GPS associated with the unit (listed below), students wrote down the unit vocabulary (also listed below, and we briefly talked about electromagnetic and mechanical waves. During the last part of class students used their textbooks to locate definitions of the unit vocabulary words.

Homework: None

Unit GPS
S8P4. Students will explore the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation.
a. Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves.
b. Describe how the behavior of light waves is manipulated causing reflection, refraction, diffraction, and absorption.
c. Explain how the human eye sees objects and colors in terms of wavelengths.
d. Describe how the behavior of waves is affected by medium (such as air, water, solids).
e. Relate the properties of sound to everyday experiences.
f. Diagram the parts of the wave and explain how the parts are affected by changes in amplitude and pitch.


Unit Vocabulary
Absorption
Amplitude
Color
Diffraction
Electric energy
Electromagnetic wave
Energy
Frequency
Intensity
Law of Conservation of Energy
Light
Matter
Mechanical energy
Mechanical wave
Medium
Pitch
Reflection
Refraction
Sound
Transformation of Energy
Wave
Wavelength

Mechanical Wave videos

Electromagnetic Wave Videos

Question: What are some of the characteristics of electromagnetic waves?

Standard:
S8P4. Students will explore the wave nature of sound and electromagnetic radiation.
a. Identify the characteristics of electromagnetic and mechanical waves.

February 17th

Today the students took a cumulative exam that covered the content they learned over the first 18 weeks of school. I will use the data from this exam to see what concepts we need to review over the next two months.

Homework: None

Introduction

Hello! My name is Ms. Black and I am the new 8th grade Science long-term substitute teacher at Inman Middle School. I earned my undergraduate degree in History at the University of Washington and I recently graduated from Georgia State University with a Masters in Teaching (specializing in middle school education). I have been living in the Atlanta area for almost 10 years, I have two children, and in my spare time I enjoy working with music.

Each day I will update this blog with a brief summary of what we did in class. Additionally, if there is any homework, it will be posted here as well.

Have a great day!

Ms. Black