Lesson Plan for the week of September 9, 2013

Monday:  Test:  Chemical Symbols - only for students who have not shown mastery over 20 common symbols.
Test:  Lab Safety (MBC)
Review of atomic structure:  (MBC bundle:  Atomic Structure) Students will be assigned an element from the periodic table.  They will learn more about this element using the web site "Build More Atoms" found in the "Atomic Structure" bundle.  Following this activity, students will identify characteristics of protons, neutrons and electrons in the assignment "Name That Subatomic Particle."

Tuesday:  Homework:  Chemical Symbol flash cards (only for students who have not shown mastery of 20 common symbols.)
Introduction to how to use the periodic table to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for one atom of an element.

Students will complete a MBC document to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons for 10 elements from the Periodic Table.

Wednesday:  Video/Report:  Greatest Discoveries in Chemistry with Bill Nye.

Thursday:  Following a discussion of isotopes, students will calculate the average atomic mass for several elements from the periodic table. (This is a PL221 assignment.  No calculators will be allowed.)

Friday:  Students who have completed the first three labs ("Splatter", "Measuring Matter", "Separating Mixtures") will complete the lab  "Exploring Plant Pigment."
(Students who have missing work will complete and turn in those assignments.)

Lesson Plan for the week of Sept. 3, 2013

Monday:  Labor Day - No School 

Tuesday:  
Test over chemical symbols.
Students will view a Power Point presentation over lab safety.  Students will then complete a worksheet using the lab rules to help SpongeBob safely conduct a lab experiment. (This assignment was postponed from last Thursday.)

Wednesday:  
Students who did not pass the chemical symbol test will complete a worksheet over chemical symbols. 
Students will watch a BrainPop episode over mixtures and compounds and complete the 'schoolwork' assignment on MBC.  
Students will finish the SpongeBob worksheet over lab safety they began yesterday.

Thursday:  
Students will read Chapter 1, Lesson 2, pp. 23-25.  Class discussion over parts of an atom.  Students will view a power point presentation and take notes (MBC bundle: Atomic Structure).
Homework:  Students should view "Personal Tutor:  Parts of an Atom" using their online textbooks.  (This is located under the Review section of Resources for Chapter 1, Lesson 2.) Or, students can watch the video found in the MCB bundle:  Atomic Structure.

Friday:  
Due:  Chemical symbol worksheet.
Students must have all past assignments completed before working in labs.  Students are expected to have (at least) the first "Splatter Lab" completed today.  
Lab 3:  Separating a mixture. 

Next Monday:  Test over lab safety.

Lesson Plan for the week of August 26, 2013

Monday:  
Students will be provided information over science book reports.
Test over 20 chemical symbols:  Students will take a test over the symbols for 20 common elements.  Students will take the test every week until they show mastery (make 100%).
Students will then be introduced to the vocabulary for Chapter 1: Matter and Atoms.  Using MBC, Students will define five vocabulary terms for Chapter 1, including parts of speech and a picture that helps define the term.

Tuesday: 
Video/Report:  Chemistry:  The Standard Deviants
Students will begin the "Matter and Atoms" bundle on MBC (found under resources).
Homework:  Worksheet "Chemical Symbols." (For students who did not make 100% on Monday's chemical symbol test.)


Wednesday:  
Due:  Worksheet "Chemical Symbols."  Students will be asked to define matter and, as a class, provide examples. Students will then be asked to find something in the room that is NOT matter.  
Students will continue the "Matter and Atoms" bundle on MBC, and complete and submit the "Lesson 1 Outline" worksheet.


Thursday:  
Due:  Chapter 1 Vocabulary.
Students will view a power point over lab safety.  Afterwards students will help SpongeBob make wise decisions while in the lab by explaining which lab rules he has violated.
Students will complete the "Matter and Atoms" bundle by taking a 10 question quiz.

Friday:  Lab:  Separating Mixtures
The following work must be completed before working in Friday's labs:  Chap. 1 Voc., Chemical Symbols worksheet (if required), Lesson 1 Outline, Matter and Atoms quiz, SpongeBob worksheet.

Lesson Plan for the week of August 19, 2013

Monday:  As a class, we will go over classroom rules.
Scientific method revisited:  After going over last week's assignment "Elephant vs Mouse."
students who did not pass this assignment will be assigned "MythBusters - Penny Drop Myth."
(This is an opportunity to improve last week's score.)
Activity:  Two Flasks.  Students will write descriptions of two flasks and suggest a method for determining if the beakers contain the same substance, without opening the beakers or violating lab safety rules.
Students will explain the difference between a description and an explanation.

Tuesday:  Following a review of metric measurement,  students will complete the MBC bundle "Measurement in Science."  When students have completed all bundle activities, they will complete the worksheet "Metric Review."

Wednesday:  Students will use the internet to find the chemical symbols for 20 common elements.  Students will then complete the MBC bundle and worksheet they began yesterday.  (Students are expected to take the test each week until they score 100%.  The first test will be next Monday).

Thursday:  Test over the introductory chapter. To prepare for the test, students should take the online practice test "Nature of Science" found to the right of this entry.
Students will practice chemical symbols by clicking on the link "Element Flash Card Game."

Friday:  Students will  complete the splatter lab  they began last Friday.  Students who finish this lab will begin the next lab:  "Measuring Matter."
(All work assigned to date must be complete before students may participate in labs.)

Lesson Plan for August 9 - 16, 2013

Friday:  Introduction to 8th grade science:  Students will be assigned an online science textbook.  Students will also be given an informational letter concerning classroom and lab policies and expectations.  This paper needs to be read and signed by parents and returned. These papers are also available on MYB (My Big Campus). Students will then watch the video segment "The Times and Troubles of the Scientific Method."

Monday:  Due:  Parent letter (10 pts.).  Students will be introduced to the vocabulary for the introductory chapter.  Using the directions provided, students will write the definition of each term and identify the part of speech it represents.  Students will then use the internet to find a picture or diagram that helps define each term.
Students will  read pages NOS4-7 in their online science textbook.  Students will then complete the class activity "Where is my Peanut?"

Tuesday:  (due Friday):  Students will choose a scientist from a list provided during class and conduct online research.  Research report should include:

• a photo or drawing of the scientist
• date of birth and death
• educational history
• area of speciality
• major contribution to science
• list of resources

Report should be submitted through MBC.

Wednesday:  Students will use their online text and my website to complete an online scavenger hunt.  Students will then explain how Myth Busters use the scientific method to answer the question "Are elephants really afraid of mice?"

Thursday:  Students will read page NOS8.  Students will then work to determine the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory during an interactive group activity.  Students will complete "Write Now:  Vocabulary for Intro. to Science."

Friday:   Lab:  Splatter vs Height
Due on MBC:  Introduction to Science Vocabulary (25 pts.), Scientist report (25 pts.), "Write Now:  Vocabulary for Intro. to Science." (10 pts.), 

Welcome to 8th Grade Science!

It is time to start a new school year.  I am excited about working with students as they begin using their new computers to make discoveries in science.  This year students will be using the textbook online and completing many assignments through My Big Campus.  During the first day of class students were given a letter concerning classroom policies and expectations, as well as lab rules.  This letter must be signed by a parent and returned before students can participate fully in labs.    If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by voice-mail.  The number is 675-7521, extension 266.  I will return your call as soon as possible.

Sincerely:  Mrs. Cunnyngham

Science Rocks!