8th grade

Starting the Solar System unit. Today the 8th graders used 6 lbs of playdoh to make relative sizes of the planets.
I enjoy this lab as they use their audial direction following skills - not easy!
Plus, they are usually surprised at how big or small the planets are in comparison to each other.
It's different when they make a demo versus seeing one already done.
Much more ownership involved and deeper connections are made.

5th grade

Continuing to learn about leaves, the students set up a lab to see the effect of salt water vs. freshwater on leaves.
In this, they explore the importance of water in the process of photosynthesis and how leaves have parts such as an epidermis and veins.

4th grade

Learning about the unique properties of water. Cohesion and surface tension - using pennies and drops of water.
How many drops of water will fit on a penny?
4th grade predicted and tested four trials and then took an average...

ANSWERS to Trivia Questions

I realize after scrolling through the Science Blog, I failed to put the ANSWERS to the Tricia Questions!
I apologize and hope you can take the time to match up the answers to the questions.
It was very fun and very competitive with schools even getting the scavenger items from EBay!
I highly recommend STM throwing our hat into the ring next year. The students enjoyed the research and comparing answers.

5th Grade

Chlorophyll extraction
As the 5th grade learns about photosynthesis and where it takes place in the leaves, we delve into more discovery learning by extracting the chlorophyll that captures light energy and is changed into chemical energy.

8th Grade

Testing factors that affect the rate of solubility.
Science inquiry based lab. They do it all- I just provide the materials.
From hypothesis to conclusion- 100% critical thinking and problem solving.
Almost out of the chemistry in physical science. Need to tackle acids, bases and salts. Then we head towards space!
Well astronomy that is....
:)

5th grade

As we study photosynthesis and respiration, I like taking the students out to sketch and focus on the wide variety of leaves right near our own "backyard". Sketching encourages focusing and there is a lot of ownership involved.
It is not an easy skill, but one we develop and work on in science.