93-94 Characteristics of Stars

Watch: Spaced Out Cooking with Stars

Do the Star Light Star Bright Activity (lesson plan and lab sheet)

Prep: print, color and cut out

Students use the information printed on the stars and other physical characteristics to sort the stars.

In our notebooks we filled out the Cornell Notes Outline

91-92 Gravity

To introduce the topic of gravity we watched - Bill Nye Gravity or Brain Pop Gravity

We went outside for a Bowling Ball/Golf Ball demo.  2 students stood on a picnic table and dropped a golf ball and a bowling ball at the same time to "prove" what we read.  We were careful to keep all the variables the same including time released, height, hold etc. 

In our notebooks we took Cornell Notes

As a wrap-up we did a Penny (inertia) activity. 

Make a stack of 5 or 6 pennies. Use another penny to try to knock the bottom penny out, while keeping the rest of the stack intact.

Next: Characteristics of Stars.....

89-90 Galaxies

Our topic is galaxies (spiral, elliptical and irregular)  We also compared the sizes of planets, stars, star systems and galaxies.

We watched Brain Pop Galaxies

In our notebooks we made a Galaxies cut, sort and paste

Took Notes using Frayer Models

Next we'll look at the characteristics of Stars...

87-88 Scale of the Universe

Our Space Unit has Begun!!!!!

Fun Space Introduction - All About That Space Video

We watched Untamed Science 100 Meters to Neptune

In our notebooks we made Frayer Models with the vocabulary.

 

 

 Wrap-up: Powers of 10 (Size) video

*Newer video (no narration)

85-86 Photosynthesis, Respiration and the Carbon Cycle Bingo Quiz

We wrapped up our Energy Transformations Unit (Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration and the Carbon Cycle) using a "Bingo" Quiz.

I like to vary tests and quizzes so students don't get bored.  I designed this quiz so no matter what line students pick they are asked something about each part of the standards.

It's a little time consuming to grade but students love this!  I let them choose a "favorite" square to answer as extra credit.

83-84 Carbon Cycle

We started our topic by watching Study Jams Carbon Cycle (free) or Brain Pop Carbon Cycle (subscription)

 

 

Students completed Cornell Notes in their notebooks.

 

To practice we went outside and did a Carbon Cycle Role-Play with ping pong balls.  (lesson plan link)

 

If the weather did not cooperate we did a Carbon Cycle Game inside. (computer & classroom variation that uses dice).

In the computer lab

We wrapped up by making collages showing abiotic and biotic factors involved in the Carbon Cycle using magazines.

81-82 Cellular Respiration

To introduce the topic we watched Brain Pop Photosynthesis and Respiration

*Here's a free version.

 

There is also a Brain Pop Respiration (subscription) that explains the difference between respiration and the respiratory system. 

Update: Generation Genius: Photosynthesis & Respiration is also good.  *may require a subscription

Students took Cornell Notes and did a Cut, Paste and Sort activity in their notebooks.

 

To practice we observed respiration using yeast.

Procedure

1. Put 1 teaspoon of yeast, 1/2 tsp. of sugar and warm water in a small bottle (we used a small water bottle) and cover quickly with a balloon.
2. Observe

Discussion

• What is the gas produced?  How can we prove it?
• Compare and contrast photosynthesis and respiration.

79-80 Photosynthesis

We watched a Study Jams Photosynthesis (free) or Brain Pop Photosynthesis (subscription) to introduce the topic.

 

We used sun sensitive paper to simulate how plants take in sunlight.

Students completed Cornell notes and "Flap" diagrams in their notebooks.  I got this from Farrah at Think Share Teach.