Final Grades Updated

Due to the fact that students can independently weight their final exam, I am not able to enter the scores for the final exams, but I have just finished updating semester grades after the exam has been factored in. If you want to know how you did on the exam itself, you can e-mail me. Otherwise, I do keep them through the Fall, so you can see your exam then if you would like. 

Thanks for such a fun year.  Have a fantastic summer and get out there and experience some science!

End of the Year

Late Work and Extra Credit Deadline is Wednesday 6/6 for 2nd Period and Thursday 6/7 for 5th Period!  Last SPARK Lecture is Mon 6/4 with Ms. Wadkins at 3:30 in the auditorium.  Come hear her talk about Binary Eclipsing Stars!  Fill out half-sheet evaluation, write a summary and your response by the deadline to get Extra Credit.

• Tues/Wed 5/29-5/30:  Cloud/Atmosphere worksheet.  Cloud Lab.  Both due on Thurs/Fri.
• Thurs/Fri 5/31-6/1:  Turn in Astronomical Observations.  Turn in Cloud Lab and Cloud/Atmosphere Worksheet. Notes on the Seasons.  Do Flashlight/Sun Angle Lab.  Notebook Check next Mon/Tues.
• Mon/Tues 6/4-6/5:  Notebook Check.  Finish Sun Angle Lab (data, 2 graphs, answer questions).  Hand-out Semester Review Packet and start working on it.
• Wed/Thurs 6/6-6/7:  Turn in Sun Angle Lab if not already.  Late work/extra credit deadline.  Go over Review Packet/Jeopardy Review.
• Friday 6/8 (short classes):  Final Questions?  Submit weighting for final exam.

Tuesday 6/12:  2nd Period Final from 8:10-10:05
                        5th Period Final from 10:30-12:25

5/14-5/25

Get Those Field Trip Forms Signed for the Core Sample Field Trip on 5/18 (2nd period) and 5/21 (5th period)!  Earth Science Presentations will be 5/22-5/25.  Astronomical Observations (including reflection) are due May 31/June 1.   The weather is fantastic for observations, so make sure that you get out there, observe, and record what you see!

• Mon/Tues 5/14-5/15:  Earthquake Epicenter Activity done in Notebook.  Rock Layers Worksheet, due Wed/Thurs.  Group planning for Earth Science Project.  Get field trip form signed by the next class. 
• Wed/Thurs 5/16-5/17:  Turn in signed Field Trip Form.  Notes on Rock Dating.  Finish up Rock Layers Worksheet and turn in.   Planning for Earth Science Project.  Remember to come prepared for the Field Trip with your bus pass and something warm to wear.
• Fri/Mon 5/18-5/21:  Washington Park MAX Station Core Sample Field Trip.  Make sure that you got your field trip form signed, that you arrive for class on time, and that you bring your bus pass and warm clothing!
• Tues/Wed 5/22-5/23:  Last minute planning for Earth Science Project.  4 Groups will present.  Layers of the Atmosphere.
• Thurs/Frid 5/24-5/25:  Turn in All Parts of Earth Science Project (visual aides, notes, and Annotated Bibliography).  Final 4 Earth Science Groups Present.  Clouds and Cloud Lab.

Check out the Super Full Moon!

A student from 2nd period sent me this link.  Check it out!  It applies to your observation assignment and is just plain interesting.  Have a great week-end!

4/30/12-5/11/12

Remember to keep making observations of the sunrise/sunset and the moon.  The moon is pretty easy to spot in the night sky right now and even somewhat during the day.  Final Due Date for the Astronomical Observations will be May 31st and June 1st, although I encourage you to get it done earlier!!!

Mon/Tues 4/30-5/1:  Finish up notes on the planets and planet worksheet.  Notes on the moon, moon phases, and a technique for determining when the moon is in what phase (Mt. Nose technique).  Do Mt. Nose worksheet for next class.  Introduce Earth Science Project.  Read 25.2-25.4.

Wed/Thurs 5/2-5/3:  Notes on Formation of the solar system and eclipses.  Summarize space science.  Quiz on space topic next class.  (look for review in next day or two).  Read 25.5.

Fri/Mon 5/4-5/7:  Space Science Quiz (open notes for 10 minutes).  Layers of the Earth.  Rock Cycle.  Plate tectonics overview.  Earth Science Groups announced.  Read 22.1, 22.3, 22.4.

Tues/Fri 5/5 and 5/11:  Plate Tectonics.  Earthquakes and Volcanoes.  Read 22.5 and 22.6.

Wed/Thurs 5/9-5/10:  Library Research for your Earth Science Project.  This is the main day for research, so take it very seriously.  ALL students should end the class period with completed notes from 2 resources.  Groups should put together their annotated bibliographies.

Hubble Assignment (done in class 4/20 and 4/23) as Notebook Entry #42

›Go to http://hubblesite.org

›Go to “Hubble Telescope”, then “Hubble Essentials”

›Notes: Why a space telescope? When was it started?  When was it launched?  What was the problem it had?  How did they fix it?  What is Hubble’s future?

›Go to Galleries:  Label and draw pictures of:  5 galaxies, 3 nebulae, 1 exotic

›What does the Hubble “deep field” show? (go to universe in gallery)

›

Welcome to 4th Quarter!

• Mon/Tues 4/16-4/17:  Jeopardy Review for Heat and Wave Test.  Go over Answers to Heat and Wave Review.  Hand-out Astronomical Observations and 4th Quarter Deal.
• Wed/Thurs 4/18-4/19:  Questions before test?  Hand in Matching and Problems from Heat and Wave Review.  Take Heat and Wave Test.
• Fri/Mon:  4/20-4/23:  Notes on Big Bang Theory and Galaxies.   NASA and Hubble Telescope website assignment.  Read 26.5.
• Tues/Wed:  4/24-4/25:  Notes and Video on Stellar Evolution, including black holes.  1st Check off of Astronomical Observations on Thursday/Friday.  I am looking for a minimum of a data table with 1 moon observation and a drawing of your horizon with 1 observation of sunrise or sunset.  Read 26.1-26.4.
• Thurs/Fri 4/26-4/27:  Check off Astronomical Observation.  Quick trip through the solar system. Planet worksheet.  Asteroid impact simulation at the library.  Read 25.1-25.3.

Late Work/Extra Credit Deadline this Monday by 3:30 pm!

Check your grade.  Pendulum Labs and all grades up to them have now been entered.   The only assignment I have not graded is the Critical Reader and the last assignment for the quarter will be the Notebook Check on Monday and Tuesday.  Make sure that you complete your Cornell Notes!

If you have any questions about your grade, you can e-mail me.  If you are missing an assignment, most of them are posted in the Documents section of this website.

End of the Quarter

We are nearing the end of the 3rd Quarter! Make sure that you look up your grades on Edbox and see if you are missing anything. The deadline for Late Work and Extra Credit is Monday 4/9 by 3:30 pm.  Due to the snow day 5th period is almost a day behind and I will do what I can in the next week to gradually get you caught back up!  Remember that a Critical Reader is due this week (Thursday and Friday).  We will do a Notebook Check next week!

• Monday 4/2:  Notes on Heat Transfer, Waves, and Sound.  Wave Problems.  Work time.
• Tuesday/Wednesday 4/3-4/4:  Notes on Sound Properties.  The Doppler Effect and Resonance.  The Human Ear. Video clips.  Finish Wave Worksheet and turn in (5th Period gets an extra day).  Shortened Slinky Lab for 5th Period. 
• Thursday/Friday 4/5-4/6:  Turn in Critical Reader.  Computer Sound Lab.  Turn in Sound Lab Hand-Out in class.  5th Period turn in wave worksheet.  Mirror Lab.   Notebook Check on Monday/Tuesday.
• Monday/Tuesday 4/9-4/10:  Electromagnetic Waves. Properties of Light and the Old Wave versus Particle Controversy. Read 18.1 and 18.2.  Hand out Heat and Wave Review (test on Wed/Thurs 4/18-4/19).  Notebook Check.
• Wednesday/Thursday 4/11-4/12:  Colors! Primary colors for pigments and light beams. Mixing colors. The Human Eye.  Read 18.3 and 18.4. 
• Friday 4/13:  No School.  Teacher Work Day.

March 19-April 2

Mon/Tues 3/19-3/20:  Questions on Heating of Land and Water Lab?  Notes on Specific Heat and Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporization.  Work on Heat Problems and Heating of Land and Water Lab.
Wed/Thurs:  3/21-3/22:  Turn in Heating of Land and Water Lab.  Finish of Heat Problems and turn in.  Notes on Heat Transfer.  Youtube video on Convection Currents.  Begin Waves.  Wave Problems on wave worksheet.
Fri/Mon 3/23-4/2:  Notes on Wave Properties.  Slinky Lab.  Finish wave problems and do wave matching.  Both sides of worksheet due Tues/Wed 4/3-4/4.  Critical Reader due Thurs/Fri 4/5-4/6.

March 5-March 16

No FLEX on Thursday 3/7 or on Wednesday 3/13.  Make sure that you come in to do test corrections, make up labs, or get help when you can!

• Mon/Tues 3/5-3/6:  Color-Mark 2nd Draft of Pendulum Lab.  Energy debate further research, submit disclosure, and prepare group bibliography.
• Wed/Thurs 3/7-3/8:  Energy Debate!  Come in prepared with your hand-written notes from 2 resources (minimum), and your Group Bibliography.  During the debate you will take notes, and at the end of the debate, you will vote on the "winning" group.  Before leaving, turn in your research notes, your debate notes and vote, and your group bibliography.
• Fri/Mon 3/9-3/12:  Heat and Temperature video.  Temperature conversion worksheet. 
• Tues/Wed 3/13-3/14: Turn in Final Draft of Pendulum Lab and Color-Marked Version.   Heating Curves.  Specific heat equations.  Prepare for Heating of Land and Water Lab.
• Thurs/Fri 3/15-3/16:   Heating of Land and Water Lab.

February 22-March 2 (updated on 2/28)

• Wed/Thurs 2/22-2/23:  Turn in Kinetic Energy and Potential Energy Worksheet.  Hand out 14+15 Review and work on it.  Rolling Balls Lab.  Complete and turn in today.
• Fri/Mon 2/24-2/27:  Go over 14+15 Review.  Introduce Pendulum Lab.  Write problem statement, background, hypothesis, variables, diagram, procedure, and data table.  When ready, take data!!
• Tues/Wed 2/28-2/29:  14+15 Test. Take data for Pendulum Lab.  2nd draft of Pendulum Lab due Mon/Tues 3/5-3/6.
• Thurs/Fri 3/1-3/2:  Talk about data processing and conclusion-writing for Pendulum Lab.  Introduce Energy Debate.  Go to library for research.  Next Mon/Tues will be further research and the debate will be on next Wed/Thurs.  Remember that the 2nd draft of your Pendulum Lab is due next Mon/Tues 3/5-3/6.

February 6-February 21

Welcome to the 2nd Semester!  For all of you, that means a fresh start.  If you weren't as successful as you wanted to be 1st semester, this is a chance to do things differently.  Resolve to get all of your assignments in on time.  If you don't understand something, ask for help right away, and come in for FLEX if you need more.  If you are absent, check the website for work and when you come back, make up assignments and notebook entries right away.  Don't wait until the end of the quarter to try to scramble to get caught up because that freqently backfires.

Mon/Tues 2/6-2/7:  Final Exams back, look at them, and then recollect.  Notes on Work and Power.   Do some work and power problems and then do the Stairs Lab.
Wed/Thurs 2/8-2/9:  Finish work and power problems and stairs lab.  Turn in.  Notes on Machines and Mechanical Advantage.  Lever Lab.
Fri/Mon 2/10-2/13:  Turn in Lever Lab.  Pulley Lab done in Notebook.  Efficiency.  Machine Problems. 
Tues/Wed 2/14-2/15:  Machine Project.  Build Machines in class, make a well-labeled diagram with measurements, and calculate the mechanical advantage of your machine.
Thurs/Tues 2/16-2/21:  Kinetic and Potential Energy.
Fri 2/17:  Senior Seminars Today.  You see all 8 classes for a short time. 
Mon 2/20:  President's Day.  No School.

Final Exam and Note Card Guidelines

Finals for this class are on Wednesday 2/1!  2nd Period's Final is from 8:10-10:05 and 5th Period's is from 10:30-12:25. 

What You Need for the Final in This Class:
1)  Pencils
2)  Notebook Paper
3)  A Scientific Calculator (I cannot provide these)
4)  4" x 6" note card hand-written by you (must be turned in at the end of the test)
5)  Something to do quietly when you are done with the test

Other Rules:
1)  You must finish the test in the time allotted, although I do allow students to stay a short time into the break if they have been working steadily.  Students with 504 plans or IEP's can get more time if their plan allows. 
2)  No trips to the restroom before you have turned in the test.  Afterwards, one student at a time may go.
3)  Absolutely no cell phones out.
4)  Remember that any form of cheating, whether you are looking at another person's test or assisting another student, will result in a 0% on the test.    Don't let that happen to you!  It just isn't worth it.

Finally, remember to be well-rested, eat a good breakfast, and try to relax.    If you run into a question that is stressing you out, move on, and come back to it later.  Check your test over before you turn it in to look for careless mistakes or questions you may have forgotten to answer.

Notebook Check, 11+12 Test, and Late Work/Extra Credit Deadline This Week!!

This is a reminder that we will be doing a Notebook Check on Tuesday/Wednesday this week.  We are looking at entries #15-27 (13 entries) and you need to have Cornell Notes for all of them except the 2 that were labs.

On that same day, we will take the 11+12 Test.  The answers to the Review Sheet Are:
1)  36.7 km        2)  72.2 kg       3)  710 N       4)  6.76 s      5)  0.280 m/s^2

The review sheet with problems worked out is due BEFORE the test.

Finally, don't forget that the deadline for any late work and extra credit is this Friday (1/27) by 3:30 pm.  If you have any questions, e-mail me or ask in class. 

January 18-February 2

We are now heading into the last 2 weeks before final exams.  Make sure that you check your grade and look for missing assignments.  The deadline for late work and extra credit is Friday, January 27th by 3:30 pm.   

• Wed/Thurs 1/18-1/19:  1st side of Newton's 2nd Law worksheet should be completed before class.  Notes on Weight, Free-fall, and Newton's 3rd Law.  Finish 2nd side of Newton's 2nd Law worksheet and turn in.  Finish Skateboard Lab, due Fri/Mon 1/20-1/23.
• Fri/Mon 1/20-1/23:  Turn in Skateboard Lab.  Newton's Laws MiniLabs.  Explain how the laws are involved for each station and turn in.  Notebook Check and Ch 11+12 Test next class period.  Remember to complete your Cornell Notes by then.
• Tues/Wed 1/24-1/25:   Review for 11+12 Test.  Notebook Check.  Turn in Notebooks while you take the 11+12 Test.  After test, pick up the Semester Review Packet and start working on it.
• Thurs/Fri 1/26-1/27:   Deadline for late work and extra credit is Friday by 3:30 pm.  Questions on Semester Review Packet?  Jeopardy Review.   Semester Exam Guidelines.
• Mon 1/30:  See all classes for short periods.  Go over calculation for your desired grade.  Final Review Questions.
• Tues 1/31:  Final Exams for Periods 1, 4, and 7.
• Wed 2/1:  Final Exams for Periods 2, 5, and 8.
• Thurs 2/2:  Final Exams for Periods 3 and 6.
• Fri 2/3:  Teacher Work Day.  No School.

January 3-January 17, 2012

Welcome to the New Year!!  I hope that you had a relaxing winter break.  I know that I sure did.   Now it's time to get ready for the end of the First Semester.  Are you ready??

• Tues/Wed 1/3-1/4:  Questions on velocity problems?  Introduce acceleration.  Begin Wheelchair Races group activity.  Velocity Problems due 1/5-1/6 (must show work using 3-step method!!)
• Thurs/Fri 1/5-1/6:  Turn in Velocity Problems.  Finish Wheelchair Races Poster.  Introduce momentum.  Work on Acceleration/Momentum Problems, due 1/9-1/10.
• Mon/Tues 1/9-1/10:  Turn in acceleration and momentum worksheet.   Motion Detector Lab.  Turn in Lab Worksheet when finished.
• Wed/Thurs 1/11-1/12:  Notes on Forces. Write hypotheses for Skateboard Lab.  Take data and crunch the numbers.
• Fri/Tues 1/13-1/17:  Writing the conclusion for Skateboard Lab.  Lab due 1/20-1/21.  Notes on Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws.   Newton's 2nd Law problems.  Problems due 1/18-1/19.  Newton's 3rd Law.

No School on Monday 1/16 due to Martin Luther King Day.

December 5-December 16

Can you believe we are down to the last 2 weeks before winter break??  This is a good time to get caught up with missing work and to plan any extra credit you may want to do over winter break.  Remember that your 2nd Draft of the Reaction Rates Lab is due this Mon/Tues!!  Short Chapter 7 Test is on Thurs/Fri.

• Mon/Tues 12/5-12/6:   Bring in completed 2nd draft of lab.  Exchange labs and "Color-Mark" (a type of peer-editing).  Give the lab back to the other student and discuss strengths and weaknesses.  Final Lab is due next Tues/Wed 12/13-12/14 with the Color-Marked version.  Go over Chapter 7 Review.  Introduce Solubility Vocabulary.  Read 8.1 and 8.2.
• Wed/Thurs 12/7-12/8:  Turn in Chapter 7 Review.  Take Chapter 7 Test.  Dissolving Lab.  Read 8.3.
• Fri/Mon 12/9-12/12:  Solubility Curves.  Forming Crystals.   Turn in Solubility Worksheet.  Acids and Bases Lab.  Read 8.4.
• Tues/Wed 12/13-12/14:  Turn in Final Draft of Reaction Rates Lab and Color-Marked Version.  pH and strength of acids and bases.  Acid and Base Worksheet.  Chapter 8 Review.  Short Chapter 8 Test on Thurs/Fri.
• Thurs/Fri 12/13-12/14:   Turn in Acid and Base Worksheet.  Take Chapter 8 Test.  Start motion.

Have a Relaxing Winter Break!!

Parent-Teacher Conferences Next Week--Parents Please Read!!

Next Monday and Tuesday, November 21st and 22nd, will be a chance to come in and discuss your student's progress.  The sessions will be held 8:30-11:30 am, 1:00-4:00 pm, and 5:30-8:30 pm on both days.  I want to let you know that on Tuesday, November 22nd,  I will not be available until 10:00 am because I will be meeting with the teachers of my own children across town.  I hope that I will still be able to meet with all parents who want to conference.  You are more than welcome to bring your student with you.  It is frequently very helpful to have their voice present at the conference.

I look forward to meeting with many of you next week!

November 14-December 2 (updated on 12/2)

• Mon/Tues 11/14-11/15:  Finish Endo/Exo Lab in Notebook.  Candy Demo.  Notes on Types of Chemical Reactions and Balancing.  Work on Balancing Equations WS.
• Wed/Thurs 11/16-11/17:  Check off Balancing Reactions.  Notes on Predicting Products.  Chemical Reaction Lab (turn in today or next class period).  Predicting Products WS for Extra Credit.
• Fri/Mon 11/18-11/28:  Turn in Chemical Reaction Lab if not already.  Notes on Rates of Chemical Reactions.  Introduce Reaction Rates Inquiry.  Do sample trial and pre-write for your lab to be performed next class period.  Hand out Chapter 7 Review.
• Tues/Wed 11/29-11/30:  Perform Rates of Reaction Inquiry and start processing data.  How to write a good conclusion.  Questions on Chapter 7 Review?  Short Chapter 7 Test on Wed/Thurs of next week.
• Thurs/Fri 12/1-12/2:  Short Chapter 7 Test.   Whoops, test is not until next Wed/Thurs!!   Discuss Inquiry Lab.  Go to Computer Lab to work on Lab Write-up.  1st Draft due on Mon/Tues of next week.  Start Solubility.  Dissolving Lab.