Exit Tickets

I use exit tickets as formative assessments.  They are a quick easy way to see if the students understood the lesson.  

I tried to make them fun using popular social media formats (Instagram, Twitter & Facebook & Snapchat).

Students illustrate a concept or answer a question from the lesson.

Students fill in their name, date, draw a photo and write a comment.

Students summarize a topic in a 140 characters or less.

Students draw a picture and write a caption.

Day 59-60 Solubility

Watched a Solubility video

Students took Cornell Notes from their textbook using a template.

We did a dissolving lab using water, vinegar and vegetable oil as solvents and powdered laundry detergent, salt, sugar and chalk as solutes. *Very Messy!!!

For advanced students - we reviewed a solubility curve from the textbook, for all students we reviewed the factors that affect solubility - pressure, temperature, type of solvent.

Exit Slip:

Extra Resource - Khan Academy: Solubility

Next: Days 61-62 paper and pencil assessment on Mixtures and Solutions, Thanksgiving Break then more on Physical and Chemical Changes...

Day 57-58 Solutions

Introduction: Untamed Science - What's the Solution? Update: Unfortunately this video uses flash which no longer works.  If you're lucky you may have the disk from the publisher... if not here is another option: 

Students completed the Solutions Cut and Paste Activity in their Interactive Notebooks.

We listened to a song (For Those About to Dissolve - We Solute You) while students worked.

Students did a lab mixing water and salt and water and pepper and describing the difference between the two. (salt water/solution, pepper and water/heterogeneous mixture)

If students have questions they can watch the Kahn video - Suspensions, Colloids and Solutions.

Next: Solubility...

Plickers

I tried something new in class today - Plickers!
It's like the CPS "clickers" except you don't have to pass out clickers, just paper cards that have a code that students twist to choose multiple choice answers.

It's easy to install and I used it for a formative assessment and had the data in seconds.  The students thought it was fun too.

I used it with my Kindle Fire HD, but most teachers I talk to use their phones. The display is bigger on the Kindle so it reads faster.

Try it - it's new, different and not that much set-up.

Day 55-56 Mixtures

Introduction: Watch Brain Pop Compounds and Mixtures or Study Jams Mixtures and Elements & Compounds

     

Students completed the Mixture Separation Challenge from Educational Innovations.  They have to separate beads from water using different methods. Here is a video of how it works and what the lab tray looks like.  I put the lab sheet in a page protector and students write their answers with a dry erase marker.  I walk around and they explain their answers and "check out" with me.

Students completed Element, Compounds and Mixtures Cut and Paste Activity

We listened to Classification of Matter Song by Mr. Parr as they worked.

Next: Solutions...

Day 51-52 Acids and Bases (53 & 54 testing)

Started by watching Brain Pop Acids and Bases (subscription required) or Study Jams Acids and Bases (Scholastic - free)

 

Completed cut and paste notes

I showed a video clip about a "glowing pickle" by Steve Spangler and a song by Mr. Parr.

We did a lab using different chemicals and litmus paper (red and blue) to test for pH including:

• lemon juice
• orange juice
• window cleaner (make sure it contains ammonia)
• water
• vinegar
• dish soap (use plain - not lemon or scented and name brand - concentrated works best)
• baking soda and water solution
• salt and water solution

We wrapped up by doing a simulation in the computer lab.  There are 12 solutions students can test including drain cleaner, blood and vomit.

Next: Days 53 & 54 paper and pencil assessment on bonding and chemical compounds then mixtures...

Day 49-50 Bonding

We started our topic of bonding with a video - Untamed Science: Elements of Hockey.   *This is my favorite way to introduce the lesson.  If you've never watched Untamed Science - beware.  It's a little loud and goofy but the message is good and students like it. Unfortunately, this link uses flash which no longer works.  I use a disk from our school got when we adopted the Pearson Science textbook

I found this video which gives good information.

We used our textbooks and information from the video to fill in a sematic chart:

For advanced students we finished by completing Lewis dot diagrams.  There is a great foldable from www.middleschoolscience.com Unfortunately this website hasn't been working.  Here is a picture of what it looks like:

For other students I use "bonding with a classmate" from www.sciencespot.net

Next: Acids and Bases...