Day 29 & 30 Intro. To Matter Assessment

Students demonstrated their understanding of matter (particle motion, states, change of state) using an alternative assessment.

They could chose to make a collage, comic, children's book, illustrated outline, picture frame or 3-D cube.

They had so much fun at the end of class they asked if all their tests could be like this one.

There is a rubric at the bottom of the directions so it's not too hard to grade.

Next: Properties of Matter....

Day 27 & 28 Matter Changing States

We review heat transfer using popcorn.

• Microwave - radiation
• Stovetop (Jiffy Pop) - conduction
• Hot air popped - convection

Students completed a heat transfer cut and paste in their notebooks:

Then we watched Brain Pop Matter Changing States (free). 

Then we did a lab with dry ice to demonstrate sublimation.

1. First I showed them a piece of dry ice and had them describe it.  Then I put it in warm. soapy water.  When it made bubbles I let them hold them.  I asked them to tell me what was in the bubbles.  There were lots of wrong answers! (smoke, steam etc.)
2. Next I showed them dry ice in a test tube with alcohol and a rubber stopper.  The gas built up and shot the top off the test tube.
3. Last I gave them some dry ice and asked them to predict what would happen if they put it in warm water.  By the end of the lab most students understood the concept.

Some classes had time to do the matter changing states cut and paste:

Next: Introduction to Matter Assessment...

Day 25 & 26 States of Matter

Before our Matter unit started I put up a new word wall.


The words and "posters"are available TPT.

Today students watched Brain Pop States of Matter (free) and completed a cut & paste activity for their notebooks.

While they worked we listened to the States of Matter song by Mr. Parr.

Next: Change of States...

Day 23 & 24 Describing Matter

Students watched a video (Bill Nye Atoms & Molecules:

or Generation Genius: Atoms and Molecules *subscription required)

They created an atom foldable for their notebooks.

While they worked we listened to Atomic Structure and Classifying Matter songs by Mr. Parr.

We wrapped up with Brain Pop Atoms (subscription required).

Next: States of Matter...

Day 21 & 22 History of Atomic Theory

We started out by watching the Brain POP - Atomic Models (subscription required).



Students made a foldable/cut and paste for their notebooks.

I made "Scientist Sticks" so students could see the "real" scientist.  (Images of Democritus, Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr and Chadwick taped them to craft sticks.) 
I walked around the room with them as we discussed the discoveries then clipped them to the board and summed up the information.

It open up a great discussion on how the technology of pictures had changed, and what they wore, hair etc. 

We did a Rutherford simulation using marbles (alpha particles) and a hidden geometric shape (nucleus) hidden under a piece of cardboard (gold foil).  Students had to make a hypothesis about what shape was hidden then identify what each part of the model simulated.  I found an online version that students could watch at home.

Next: Describing Matter...

Day 19 & 20 Theories and Laws

Scientific Theories and Laws

As a warm-up I used the Scientific Method Puzzle from I Heart Teaching Science (free from TPT)

Students watched a 5 minute video from Discovery Education (our school has a subscription) then they read an article about theories and laws (similar online version). 
I asked them to sum up theories and laws in one word each:

• Theories - explain
• Laws - describe

We repeated this over and over (choral responses)

Students created a mini foldable for their notebooks.

We wrapped up by reviewing the 10 Scientific Laws and Theories You Really Should Know from How Stuff Works.  *I added the Atomic theory, Cell theory and Continental Drift theory.

Next up: History of Atomic Theory...

Day 15-18 Nature of Science Assessments

Day 15 & 16 Students completed a paper and pencil test from the textbook. 

Day 17 & 18 students worked on a Scientific Method (Magazine Ad) Alternative Assessment.  They got to choose a product from a magazine and design a project to test/prove its claims. 
Definitely more fun than the paper and pencil test!

Next: Intro. to Chemistry...

Day 14 Scientific Method part 2

Students review the steps of the Scientific Method by completing a cut and paste activity in their notebook:

 

We completed a lab investigation (making paper airplanes) using the steps.

 

Next: Scientific Method Summative Assessment

Day 13 Scientific Method part 1

Students created a layered foldable on the steps of the Scientific Method:

 

 

Students who are participating in Science Fair submit their project proposals for approval.

 

Next: more Scientific Method...

Day 11 & 12 Graphing

Students make a foldable about the types of graph:

and Cornell notes on other graph information (labeling, trends etc.):

We finish with formative assessment/exit slip. (3 data tables from the textbook that students have to decide which graph to use & correctly graph using labels, title, etc.)



Next: Scientific Method...