Mrs. Quinn's Science Class

What We Did Today 1/3/11

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:26:00 +0000

8th Grade

Started exploring mass, weight, volume and density. Students learned the formula for finding density. They will be having a quiz on these subjects on Wednesday. The quiz will be fill-in-the-blank. This is a good study guide:

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. This differs from weight because weight takes gravity into account. This means that your weight will change depending on the gravity of where you are but your mass will remain constant. We measure mass with a balance.
We can also measure volume. Volume is a measure of space taken up by matter. Volume can be measured with a formula (length x width x height) or in a graduated cylinder. You can also use water to indirectly measure volume. This is done by adding the object into water and calculating the displacement of the water.
These calculations can help us find the density of an object. Density is the mass of a known volume of a substance. Specifically, the formula for density is mass divided by volume. The density of water is 1 g/cm3. An object that is more dense will sink in water. An object that is less dense will float in water.

7th Grade

We started exploring force. Force is a push or pull on an object. It is measured in Newtons with a Spring scale. Spring scales show the measurements in pounds or Newtons. We use Newtons in science since the measurement of weight depends on the gravity and Newtons remain more constant. Students were given Spring scales and taught how to use them properly.

Students are to have a completed Venn diagram of mass and weight with them by tomorrow. They had a few minutes to work on it in class but if it is not complete, it is homework. You can find some great information here, here, and here.

Benchmarks are GRADED!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 19:40:00 +0000

And the results are up in Powerschool! They are really disappointing in most cases - students are not taking these seriously enough! Also - progress reports are printing this afternoon so you should be receiving them shortly.

Please make an appointment to see your child's teachers if the grades are not where they should be.

Review for 8th Grade Benchmark

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 13:59:00 +0000

I tried to link each fact to more information in case you didn't understand - STUDY HARD! This test is difficult!

The best method to correlating rock layers is through index fossils.
If we find fossils from oceanic animals in a desert area, we can assume that the area was once covered with water.
Fossils of tropical animals have been found in Antartica because Antartica used to be closer to the equator (think Pangea).
Mammals increased in number and humans developed in the Cenozoic Era.
Since tectonic plates are always moving around, the shape, location and placement of Earth's continents change over time (see Pangea link).
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of the plates - they displace and break rocks at the fault lines and the Earthquake is the shaking that radiates out fromt he breaking of the rock.
The lithosphere is composed of the Earth's upper mantle and crust.
The liquid layer of the Earth is the outer core - the inner core is pressed so tightly together that it is more like a solid.
The crust of the Earth is broken into plates - these plates are constantly moving.

Plate boundaries (more information here)

Divergent boundaries -- where new crust is generated as the plates pull away from each other.
Convergent boundaries -- where crust is destroyed as one plate dives under another.
Transform boundaries -- where crust is neither produced nor destroyed as the plates slide horizontally past each other.
Plate boundary zones -- broad belts in which boundaries are not well defined and the effects of plate interaction are unclear.

Convection currents are the circular motion in a liquid caused by heating and cooling.

Pangea
Seafloor spreading - great animation here too!
Cooling rates influence the texture if the igneous rock:

Quick cooling = fine grains
Slow cooling = coarse grains

Granite formation
Sandstone formation
Gneiss formation
Basalt formation
Conglomerate rock
Earth's spinning core creates Earth's magnetic field.

8th Grade - Earth Layers Foldable

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:42:00 +0000

The 8th Grade did a project today on the layers of the Earth. They followed directions to color, cut and paste the layers appropriately. The worksheet, directions and follow up questions can be found here.

Homework: The foldable and questions must be completed when they come into class on Monday.

8th Grade - Rock Cycle

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:02:00 +0000

The 8th graders are studying the rock cycle which will play a large part in their benchmark on December 15th. They took written notes on the cycle today and completed a diagram - so they now have written and pictorial notes on it.

Here is a summary of the rock cycle.

Further information can be found in the following sites:
Interactive Rock Cycles
Rock Types and Cycles
Rock Cycle Animations
Brain Pop Rock Cycles (must sign up for a free trial to see this)

8th Grade Work Today

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:40:00 +0000

The 8th graders had a trip today (some of them) and missed their classwork. For those who did, you'll find the worksheet here. It is due tomorrow - no excuses. When you go on a trip you are still responsible for the work you miss.

BENCHMARK DATES!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:09:00 +0000

The first benchmark of the second marking period will be given on December 15th for both 7th and 8th graders.

All students will be given a packet of information, worksheets and lab activities that we will be working on in preparation later this week. I will start a study guide for the test this week as well.

Stay tuned!!

NASA International Youth Art Competition: Art, Video, Short Story, Music Submissions

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:46:00 +0000

This is a national contest sponsored by NASA. All 7th graders are requred to enter because it will be a class grade for us as well. 8th graders are welcome to enter if they'd like - I will submit their entries to them if they give them to me by Monday.

DUE DATE: Monday, November 29th.

The flyer for the contest with abbreviated guidelines can be found here. Here's a link to the details, directions, etc. You must be sure to include some information about Humans in Space.

8th Grade Time Scale

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 14:37:00 +0000

In 8th Grade today, we adjusted this lesson to fit our needs.

1. Students read and answered the Geological Time Scale Questionaire.
2. Students began the activity. This sheet was used as a reference for the activity.

HR 302 should have started and have made significant progress in the activity since today was their lab day. HR 300 should have finished the questionnaire and will begin the activity during their lab period on Monday.

8th Grade Essays

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:57:00 +0000

ALL 8TH GRADERS HAVE 5 PARAGRAPH ESSAYS DUE TOMORROW!!

8th GRADE PERSUASIVE ESSAY Due Friday Nov 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Decide what you believe about the uranium mining debate in the Grand Canyon. Write a persuasive essay with facts to back up your beliefs. 5 paragraphs.

Background about Uranium Mining

Uranium Mining: World Nuclear Association (I keep getting an error message on this site so I'm not sure if it's our school network or their site not working correctly)

Uranium Exploration Near the Grand Canyon

Report: Grand Canyon Threatened by Approval of Uranium Mining Activities

More articles from Google search

8th GRADE EXTRA CREDIT:

Include information from these articles (which were not given in class):

Health Dangers of Uranium Mining

Uranium Mining Legislation (current events article released Nov 17, 2010)

7th Grade: What we did today

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:45:00 +0000

Seventh grade is studying moon rocks. Today we decided to take a look at the current news on moon rocks to bring our knowledge up to date.

We read the following articles:

Lunar discovery: Two new moon rock types
Water Found in Apollo Moon Rocks

Inside these articles are links and videos to provide more information so I strongly encourage every 7th grader to view these articles online as well.

7TH GRADE EXTRA CREDIT:
Every year I have students who believe strongly in the conspiracy theory that we never went to the Moon. Here is a great article from NASA outlining their evidence that we did go to the Moon. Write a 3 paragraph persuasive paper describing this evidence. Write as if you are trying to convince someone that we went to the Moon. DUE FRIDAY. Will count as a 100 test grade.

8th Grade Multiple Choice Study Guide for MONDAY'S BENCHMARK

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Brachiopods and coral fossils are ocean creatures.
Fossils show evidence about the history of rocks and climate of an area.
The principle of uniformitarianism is the principle that the answers to the past can be found in the present, meaning that everything is uniform in how it works. Such as a volcano erupting today would be the same as it would have been a billion years ago. Or rain would fall the same was today as it would in the time of the dinosaurs.
Fossils most often form in sedimentary rock.
The Earth is 4.5 billion years old.
Uplifting forces can raise or elevate layers of the Earth.
Earth’s features are constantly being built up AND worn down.
The Grand Canyon is a result of erosion due mainly to water.
Steep cliffs that remain were probably more resistant to erosion than surrounding rocks.
Sandstone layers were likely formed from wind blown sand.
The principle of superposition states that in a sequence of undisturbed sedimentary layers or lava flows, the oldest layers are at the bottom.
Geologists study rocks.
Rock layers were formed from layers of sediments that are deposited and transformed into rock over millions of years.
Weathering breaks down rocks.
Erosion transports rock pieces.
Gravity produces avalanches and landslides.
Physical weathering – caused by natural forces such as water freezing and thawing inside rocks
Mechanical weathering – same as physical weathering
Chemical weathering – happens when chemical reactions dissolve minerals.
Variation of steepness in hill slopes is probably due to the softness and hardness of rock layers.
Soil is formed over time – rock weathers, plants add organic materials and rain spreads minerals through the layers.
Soil is a mixture of weathered rock, water, decayed organic matter, oxygen and mineral fragments.
The top layer of soil contains the most organic matter.

7th Grade Open Ended Notes for FRIDAY'S BENCHMARK

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Earth’s gravity pull is directly dependent upon the masses of the two objects only (the distance between the objects and the center of the Earth remains the same)

If the two objects have the same size but one has more mass than the other, then the more massive one is pulled more strongly by Earth’s gravity.

One object can have MORE mass than another – but they can both have the SAME volume.

The gravity of the Sun keeps planets in their orbits. The Earth orbits the Sun because of the pull of the Sun’s gravity.

The lighter object orbits the heavier one, and the Sun is the heaviest object in the Solar System.

Earth and other planets orbit the Sun because the Sun is much bigger than the Earth and the other planets.

Earth and other planets orbit the Sun because they are less massive than the Sun.

8th Grade Open Ended Notes for FRIDAY's BENCHMARK

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:19:00 +0000

History is divided into 3 or 4 major segments of time or eras.

On any timeline, each “era” is labeled and the time is given for each.

Every timeline shows a sequence of major events for each era.

Every timeline uses a scale (example: 1 mm = 1 million years or 10cm = 1 year)

Every timeline has a beginning and an end.

The geological time scale covers billions of years – other timelines are much shorter.

The geological time scale shows more complex and extensive history - including extinctions and major events.

The geological time scale shows human history as well – so most time scales can be considered part of the geological time scale.

Millions of years of Earth’s history are exposed in the Grand Canyon.

Rock layers and their relationships are easily seen.

Earth processes can be seen and inferred (weathering, erosion, deposition)

Landforms provide evidence for differential erosion.

Rock types can be observed.

8th Grade Open Ended Notes for Benchmark #1

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:45:00 +0000

The roots of grass can help preserve soil by keeping it in place - slowing the rate of erosion.
Soil can be eroded by rain, run off (gravity) or wind.
Soil that is not covered by grass or other plants has a higher rate of erosion, which will cause it to lose more minerals and make growing plants harder.
Soil that is eroding quickly can become unstable - causing small or severe problems such as inability to grow plants or landslides.

Rock cycle:
Rocks are weathered (broken down), eroded (transported) and the pieces are deposited in other areas.
The deposition causes rocks to form in other areas.
Erosion caused by water created the Grand Canyon.

7th Grade Open Ended Review for Benchmark 1

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 19:36:00 +0000

The Earth’s orbit is close to circular (only slightly oval or elliptical) so that the Earth is no significantly farther away from or closer to the Sun at any time during its orbit.

It is the tilt of the Earth on its axis that causes seasons.

Because the USA is facing away from the Sun in December, the Sun’s position in the sky is lower.

When the Sun in the sky is lower, the angle of incidence of sunlight is smaller spreading out the energy in a given area (more spread = less energy given to each spot).

Also the long nights and short days prevent us from warming up.

The higher the Sun is in the sky, the shorter the length of the shadows. The lower the Sun is in the sky, the longer the shadow.

The Sun’s angle changes because the Earth is tilted on its axis. As the Earth revolves around the Sun the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun in summer and away from the Sun in winter.

When the Northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (in summer), the angle of the Sun is greater – causing shorter shadows.

When the Northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun (in Winter), the angle of the Sun is lower – causing longer shadows.

These websites will give you additional info if you get confused:
INTERACTIVE_WEBSITE: https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://www.livephysics.com/simulations/astronomy/sun-shadow-changes-with-seasons.html

EXPLANATION: http://www.seaford.k12.de.us/es/vgray/planetary%20systems/Activity%2010%20Shadows%20and%20Seasons%20SG.doc

ACTIVITY: https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://www.exploratorium.edu/ancientobs/chaco/HTML/TG-shadows.html

ACTIVITY & WORKSHEETS: https://owa.elizabeth.k12.nj.us/owa/redir.aspx?C=5af2621548fe4701af09db741cab3bf3&URL=http://webs.wichita.edu/lapo/seasons.pdf

8th Grade HR 300 11/8

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:22:00 +0000

Homeroom 300 had to answer the following questions today:

1. What are minerals?
2. What does a molecule consist of?
3. What is a crystal?
4. What happnes to molecules as they change from liquid to solid states?
5. What is a crystal?
6. What is the natural shape of quartz crystal?
7. How many possible crystal arrangements are there?
8. What 3 things can change these shapes?
9. What conditions need to be present to form a prize crystal?
10. Explain how the rate of evaporation can effect the shape/size of a crystal.
11. Explain how the rate of cooling can effect the shape/size of a crystal.
12. Do Think question #1 on pg 90
13. What is salol? How is it usefl to the study of crystals?
14. Do Think question #2 on pg 90

Review for 7th Grade Benchmark #1: Open Ended questions

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:33:00 +0000

The Earth's orbit is close to circular; therefore the Earth is not significantly closer to or farther from the Sun at any time.
The tilt of the Earth causes us to have seasons.
Because the US is facing away from the Sun in December, the Sun's position in the sky is lower.
When the Sun in the sky is lower (winter), the angle of incidence of sunglight is smaller - spreading out the energy over a larger area. Also, long days and short nights prevent the Earth from warming up in the winter.
The higher the Sun in the sky, the shorter the length of the shadow. The lower the Sun in the sky, the longer the length of the shadow.
The Sun's angle changes because the Earth is tilted on its axis. As the Earth revolves around the Sun the northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun in the summer, and in the winter is tilted away from the Sun.
When the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun (summer), the angle of the Sun is greater.
When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun (winter), the angle of the Sun is smaller.

Good news and Bad news

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:18:00 +0000

(This message is for 7th and 8th graders - and their parents)

The good news?
The Science department has decided to allow the retaking of benchmarks! This means that those of you who did poorly on the first benchmark will have another opportunity to take it!

This chance will come on WEDNESDAY!!! (with the exception of HR 302 who were not notified of this in class yet - they have a lab on Friday and can take it then). I can only give you one day for this, so you may chose to retake the open ended, multiple choice or both sections during your one period.

The bad news?
The next benchmark will be taken on Friday and Monday - yes - starting this week! The open ended questions will be taken on Friday so I can start grading them - the multiple choice on Monday. All grades have to be in the system by Tuesday November 16th and I will need some time to grade the 2 open ended questions for each of my 100+ students.

This means that tomorrow we will be reviewing for the 2nd Benchmark tests. I will post the study guides for the first benchmarks up later today - and the study guides for the 2nd test will be posted by tomorrow.

So to reiterate:

Tonight's homework: study for retake of first benchmark

Tuesday in class: study guide for 2nd benchmark

Tuesday homework: study for retake of 1st benchmark and start studying for 2nd benchmark

Wednesday in class: retake 1st benchmark

Wednesday homework: study for 2nd benchmark

Friday in class: Open ended questions for benchmark #2

Friday homework: study for multiple choice questions for benchmark #2

Monday in class: multiple choice questions for benchmark #2

THESE 2 TESTS WILL BE 30% OF YOUR MARKING PERIOD GRADES!!!! FOR MOST OF YOU, THIS WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSING AND FAILING!!!!

Picture Day is November 10th!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:09:00 +0000

Wednesday!

Choose your background: gray, purple strokes, night life, cobalt, freedom, autumn leaves

Here are the prices:

add name to all wallets: $5
add retouching: $6.50

Package A:
$23
1 - 5x7
2 - 3x5
4 - 2x3
9 - 1 1/2 x 2 1/2
1 - class picture

Package B:
$28
2 - 5x7
2 - 3x5
8 - 2x3
8 - 1 1/2 x 2 1/2
1 - class picture

Package C:
$37
2 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - 3x5
12 - 2x3
1 - class picture

Package D:
$46
3 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
4 - 3x5
16 - 2x3
1 - portrait CD
1 - class picture

Package E:
$32
1 - 8x10
2 - 5x7
2 - 3x5
8 - 2x3
1 - class picture

Package F:
$18
2 - 3x5
2 - 2x3
8 - 1 1/2 x 2 1/2
1 - class picture

What we worked on today

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:07:00 +0000

7th Grade

Today we did a reading on Lunar Probes.

The summary of the reading was:

NASA had 3 lunar probe missions that were sent prior to the Apollo landing to discover more about the moon. In order to ensure a safe landing and return of our astronauts, we needed more information.

Ranger - first set of lunar probes

took close-up pictures of the Moon
there were 9 (1961-1965)
only 7, 8 and 9 performed well
they were designed to crash into the Moon

Surveyor - second set of lunar probes

designed to land softly on the Moon to find out more information about its surface
there were 7 (1966-1968)
5 were successful missions
they used rockets to slow their landing down

Lunar Orbiter - third set of lunar probes

orbited around the Moon to find a landing spot and photographed most of the Moon (100% of near side, 95% of far side)
there were 5 (1966-1967)

For more information on Lunar Probes (including some of the pictures they sent back), click here.

7th Grade Extra Credit: Use the site above to find out the answers to the following questions:
What was the name of the Lunar Mission from 2010?
Who sent it to the Moon?
What is its purpose?

Click under this post where it says "--- Comments". Leave a comment with your answers. Be sure to include your name. Must post by 12pm on Friday November 3rd for it to count. I will not publish answers until after that time so that you cannot copy answers.

8th Grade

In HR 302 we are still working on our Earth History timelines. By class Monday, all students should have theirs measured out and colored. We will add events to the periods and eras on Monday.

If you are looking for more info or a project to do over the break, click here.

HR 300 has temporarily lost their labs. We have had several incidences of poor behavior including reports from other teachers about their behavior in the hall, a food fight in yesterday's lunch period and Mrs. Jennings having to accompany them down to my room today because of the screaming in the staircase. This, coupled with the complete disregard for directions or basic behavior rules on the timeline lab, have resulted in this loss. I do apologize to the few students who are well behaved - but I know that they will learn no matter the extenuating circumstances and they are also fed up with the behavior of their classmates.

As a result, HR 300 answered the following questions in class today, which must be completed at home if they are not done:

What is a fossil?
What is the principle of uniformitarianism?
What is paleontology?
Explain index fossils (how they are formed, etc...1 paragraph).
What is the law of fossil succession?
How are index fossils helpful to geologists?
Explain natural radioactive decay.
How does natural radioactive decay help geologists?
Explain how carbon is helpful to geologists.
What is the half life of carbon?
Compare and contrast our current beliefs about rock formation and the beliefs that were held in the early 18th century. Why do you think they are different?

Here are some helpful links to answer the questions:

Index fossils

Law of Fossil Succession

Carbon-14 dating

Not an easy read, but here's info on radioactive decay. If you find a better link, please post it in the comments, I cannot find an easy read.

8th Grade Extra Credit - open to both classes:

Here is an excellent activity to reinforce these principles. Extra credit to anyone who produces proof that they completed it. Proof can include: written work or a note from a parent/grandparent/guardian. Due by Monday November 8th in class.

To all students: We are scheduled to take another benchmark on Tuesday. I have not received confrimation on that yet, but will let you know when I do. Please be studying just in case!

Summary of today's work & Homework 11/1

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:12:00 +0000

8th Grade

We are still working on timelines in 8th grade. This week we will be creating a timeline of the Earth's History. We did a simple math problem today that introduced the students to using a scale for creating a timeline. We will be using a 1mm = 1 million years scale for our Earth History Timeline. Students were asked to complete pg 41 in their Lab Notebooks during class today. Whatever was not completed is assigned as homework. The ENTIRE table must be complete when they come in tomorrow.

To do this, we will use simple math. If 1 million years is 1mm on our scale, we just have to place our age (years) into millions of years. For example, the Quaternary Period is 1,600,000 after the Earth was formed. Turn this into a decimal for millions of years - 1.6 million years. The distance on our timeline is 1.6mm. To find out how many centimeters this is, divide by 10. 1.6mm divided by 10 = .16cm.

HINT: Each row's answer will be bigger than the previous row. If your answer gets smaller, you've made a mistake with your decimal point.

Here is a great timeline of events in Earth's History for the curious.

Don't forget to check Powerschool for your benchmark scores!

7th Grade

We were scheduled to watch a video (National Geographic's For All Mankind [VHS]) about our voyage to the Moon in 1969. HR 305 had dificulty settling down after their Halloween weekend and after repeated warnings, the video was turned off for them. They were unable to stop commenting and talking long enough to get anything out of the movie. Instead, they will be writing an essay about how their behavior should be. These essays will be turned into Contracts - which they will be required to sign and uphold a code of behavior. This was not their only incidence of excessive talking, this has been progressing for the past few weeks. I have been repeatedly warning them that it is unacceptable and hopefully this will be all we need to do. Essays were begun in class and should be completed for HW tonight. Also - many students did not get their benchmarks signed this weekend and must do so tonight.

Happy Saturday!

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 17:49:00 +0000

Congrats to Adrian who is the only 8th grader to get the extra credit that was offered up yesterday! You need to check everyday!

7TH GRADE EXTRA CREDIT:

We're going to play a game of tag with this one! Read this article here. If you are the first to comment, tell me what you find the most interesting fact in the article. Then, ask one question that can be answered by reading the article. If you leave the 2nd comment, you must answer the question above you and ask a new question for the person below you! For every comment to follow, answer the question above you and ask a new question for the person below you. Make sure to leave your first name and homeroom with your post so that I can give you credit.

You must post by 12am tomorrow night (Halloween) - I am giving you a little bit extra time since tomorrow is Halloween. Have fun!

Benchmark #1

noreply@blogger.com (Amy) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:00:00 +0000

At the beginning of this week, our Science students took their first benchmark. Unfortunately, I don't think some of them took it seriously and were amazed to discover that they should have studied the notes that I gave them. Many have admitted to me that they did not bother to study.

I will post the grades up here by Student ID Numbers if no one has an issue with that. I asked the students and they don't know each others ID's so that should keep it anonymous except for the student and/or parent with that number. If you have a problem with that, please let me know in the comments section - I won't publish it so that no one will know who had the issue, but I don't want to embarrass anyone either. Scores should be private.

All of the 8th Grade Scores are posted in Power School right now - so please check for the information there while I give it time to find out how people feel about posting them here.