Is this an animal cell or a plant cell? How can you tell?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
December Curriculum Update
After Thanksgiving, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades started new units in science class. 6th and 7th have been learning about the tiny units that make up all living things: cells! After we got some perspective about the sizes of things (atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs...), we learned about the many parts of cells (organelles). We'll spend next week making our own Cell Cities!
Each student will make a city that carries out all of the jobs that our cell organelles perform.
8th grade is working on an electricity unit. We've seen the effects of static electricity, and now we're moving on to current electricity. Students are working in pairs to complete their electricity challenges. So far, they've succeeded in lighting a bulb with only a wire and a battery (not as easy as it sounds!); next week each team will explore circuits and invent a device that can tell if a material is a conductor or nonconductor.
After the holiday break, we'll be learning about how materials move in and out of cells. Experiments will involve eggs, potatoes, vinegar, salt water, food coloring, and corn syrup. No, we won't be eating them! We'll also focus on the important processes that happen in our cells (cellular respiration) and in plant cells (photosynthesis).
Each student will make a city that carries out all of the jobs that our cell organelles perform.
8th grade is working on an electricity unit. We've seen the effects of static electricity, and now we're moving on to current electricity. Students are working in pairs to complete their electricity challenges. So far, they've succeeded in lighting a bulb with only a wire and a battery (not as easy as it sounds!); next week each team will explore circuits and invent a device that can tell if a material is a conductor or nonconductor.
After the holiday break, we'll be learning about how materials move in and out of cells. Experiments will involve eggs, potatoes, vinegar, salt water, food coloring, and corn syrup. No, we won't be eating them! We'll also focus on the important processes that happen in our cells (cellular respiration) and in plant cells (photosynthesis).
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Microbe Investigators did an excellent job!
The science room was bustling on Friday as the Microbe Investigators presented their experiments to the public! The 7th and 8th grades hosted two 1st grade classes, the 6th grade, and many parents. The Investigators taught our visitors about microbes and graciously answered questions. One investigative team even brought microbe-produced food to attract visitors to their poster (it worked!).
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
REMINDER!
I just want to remind everyone that on Thursday mornings, I lead a Science Extra Help session before school. Students are welcome from 8:00-8:30 (in the science room). More students tend to come just before a test or project due date, but middle schoolers can join me any Thursday as long as they tell me the day before that they'll be coming.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
6th Grade Recycling Ambassadors
For the past three weeks, the Recycling Ambassadors have been learning about where our waste goes. We visited the Windham Solid Waste Management Recycling Facility to follow the journey of items in our recycling bins. In fact, while we were on a tour of the facility, a truckload of recyclables from Guilford was dumped right in front of us! We got to see what happens in the busy facility and find out where our glass, plastic, paper, and cardboard ends up. And, in case you were wondering, the 6th grade class, Mrs. Davis, and 2 chaperones weigh 2,581 pounds! (We all got on the scale together.)
We've talked about reasons that people recycle as well as what can and cannot be recycled in Guilford. In teams of 3-4, students created, rehearsed, and presented lessons to grades K-5 in our school. Different teams made Powerpoint presentations, posters, skits, and interactive games to play with the younger students. It was very exciting to have teams come back to our science room feeling so excited and proud of how well their presentations went. In fact, teachers have been asking me if we can come back to work with them throughout the year. The Recycling Ambassadors have been working hard. As this unit draws to a close, we'll be moving on to do more hands-on scientific investigations.
We've talked about reasons that people recycle as well as what can and cannot be recycled in Guilford. In teams of 3-4, students created, rehearsed, and presented lessons to grades K-5 in our school. Different teams made Powerpoint presentations, posters, skits, and interactive games to play with the younger students. It was very exciting to have teams come back to our science room feeling so excited and proud of how well their presentations went. In fact, teachers have been asking me if we can come back to work with them throughout the year. The Recycling Ambassadors have been working hard. As this unit draws to a close, we'll be moving on to do more hands-on scientific investigations.
Microbe Investigations
The 7th and 8th grades have been studying microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, yeast, mold...). At this point in our unit, all students are undertaking investigations that they designed. The Microbe Investigators came up with their own experimental questions and made a plan to answer them. These are some of the questions currently being investigated:
- Where are there more microbes-- inside or outside?
- Does temperature affect the growth of microbes?
- Which has more microbes- blue cheese, garlic cheddar, or milk?
- Does the boys' or girls' bathroom have more bacteria?
- Does using hand sanitizer or washing with soap and water eliminate more microbes?
The 8th grade has experienced mini-lessons with three guest teachers: Mr. Wood, Mr. Patno, and Mr. Mizrahi. Other 8th graders have been asking for this opportunity, and in the future we'll be learning from Miss Crowder and Mr. McPhail...and possibly others!
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