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...