Happy Holidays

I wish all of you and your families a wonderful holiday break and a safe and Happy New Year! 

Grade 8 Science

The students continued to work on building their device for their Fluid Project.  I have checked in with all groups and let groups know how they are progressing with the building and if they are behind. After the break they will be given a specific due date. There is no additional homework assigned over the break, however, they may wish to continue to work on their Individual Report for their Fluid Project.  It will be due after the break.

Grade 7 Science

The students continued to work on their Lab Report.  They will be given time after the break to complete it.

Grade 6 Science

The students will get their Space Quiz back after the break.  Any student that did not write the quiz should come in and see me after the break to make arrangements to write it during lunch time. 

The students have continued to learn about various space concepts.  Specifically, we discussed solar and lunar eclipses.  They also began to learn about the different phases of the moon and were asked to observe the moon at least twice during the break and record the shape they observe in their space booklet.

Grade 8 Science

The students have continued to work on building their fluid device.  I have told them their goal should be to have all 3 movements completed before the Holiday Break.  There will be a number of interruptions next week, so this timeline is tentative.  Their individual report will be due most likely the week after the break.  Their 4 questions that were due this week were checked.

Grade 7 Science

The students conducted their own experiments and are in the process of learning how to create various observations.  They will be working on the last two steps in writing a lab report which are the conclusion and discussion follow up questions. 

Grade 6 Science

Students have continued to learn about the solar system.  They will be having a short quiz on the planets in the solar system on Monday.  They will need to know the order of the planets from the sun, some space glossary of terms they have learned and some facts from their space booklet on the characteristics of planets.

Grade 8 Science

The students have continued to work on building their device.  Their goal should be to have at least one workable movement by next week.  They have been assigned two more homework questions from their individual report to complete for next week (they could be looking at more than two as they will eventually need to complete all the questions).  They should add these questions to the first rough copy set of questions.  Please sign this homework.  There should be a total of 4 questions complete at this point.

Grade 7 Science

The students had their Lunchbox Project and Report due today.  We did the testing of their Lunchboxes with ice cubes to see how effective they were.  This past week, they learned about writing a Lab Report.  They have been asked to come up with their own problem/experiment they would like to conduct and they will eventually be writing up the results in a proper lab report format as a group.  This will also lead into their next unit on Pure Substances and Mixtures.

Grade 6 Science

Almost all students received their marks for their Electricity Project.  They were asked to get their rubric signed.  They were also asked to get their Space booklet trivia quiz signed too.  They had their space planet assignment due this week.  We started talking more about the characteristics of planets and the order of the planets in the solar system.  The students will eventually have a quiz on the planets and the characteristics we have discussed in class.

Grade 8 Science

The students have begun building their Hydraulic/Pneumatic device.  They were asked to complete any 2 questions from their Individual Report in rough and submit them to me.  8A questions were due today.  8B questions are due on Monday.  The completion of these questions on time is worth 1 mark on their final grade report.

Grade 7 Science

The students have continued to work on their lunchbox/thermos assignment.  It will be due next week.  Due dates were given out in class.  They were assigned two more homework questions from their individual report to complete this week and they were submitted to me.  Their final report will be due at the end of next week.

Grade 6 Science

The students have started a new unit on Space.  They have been studying the planets in our solar system.  They were given out a booklet on Space that we will be working from.  As well, they were given out an assignment that they have started to work on describing the planets and their specific characteristics that will be due next week.

Grade 8 Science

The student proposal for their Fluid project was due this week.  Once their proposal was handed in they began building. Students will be working on building their project and answering questions for the next little while.

Grade 7 Science

The students have continued to work on their lunchbox/thermos project.  Their main frame should be built by now and next week they should be focusing on insulating their box.  They will be assigned next week a few more questions to answer in rough for their final report.

Grade 6 Science

We have finally finished individual presentations of the students Electricity project.  I will post some pictures of the projects.  They will be handing in their class work on ‘Where Electricity Comes From?’ and they were asked to make a Crossword.  They will be handing in both pieces next week.  The students will be completing each other’s Crosswords.

Grade 8 Science

This week the students were given their model hydraulic kits to build.  Most groups finished building.  As groups finish they will be given the rest of the time to go over their own design proposal and submit it to me for approval next week.  Most likely 8A should aim to be done their proposal by Wednesday and 8B should be done by Thursday.  Once groups are done their proposal, we will review our Science building routine and safety instructions and then groups will begin to build their own device.  

Grade 7 Science

Students have continued to build their lunchbox/thermos frame.  Most groups are almost done with the frame and will begin insulating their box next week.  Students were asked to complete for homework two questions from the written report part of the project.  These questions are to be completed in rough and they will be submitted to me next week.  If they don’t complete the questions they will have marks deducted from their final mark on the project.

Grade 6 Science

Students are almost done presenting their Electricity House project to me.  They will have a chance to present their project to the class next week.  They have continued to work on learning about where electricity comes from and were asked to answer questions related to the readings in class.

Grade 8 Science

The students had their Buoyancy test returned to them.  Please sign and return.

This past week, they were given time to research ideas for their building project.  They were asked to read pages 240-247 and answer questions #1-9 on page 250 for background information on fluid systems.  I went over the concepts in a lesson with 8A.  I will go over the concepts with 8B next week. 

Next week, both classes will be given 4 different model hydraulic kits that they will build with step-by-step instructions to give them the background to building their device.  The goal for next week is for the groups to have their final proposal complete by the end of the week or early next week (the outline and criteria for the proposal was given out on the assignment outline).  It is a group mark that is ~ 10% of their final project mark.

Grade 7 Science

After the students returned from their Albion Trip we reviewed the project requirements and methods of heat transfer as well as insulators.  The students resumed building their lunchbox/thermos device.  No due date has been assigned as yet.

Grade 6 Science

The Electricity House project was due this week as well as their individual written report.  The projects look fantastic!  Great job Grade 6s! Each group will be presenting their house and building their circuits with me.  After, they will have an opportunity to show their house to the class.  While groups are presenting their projects to me, the rest of the students are working on learning where electricity comes from.

Grade 8 Science

The students should have had their Density and Viscosity test returned to them.  Please sign and return them.  Next week, they will get their Buoyancy test that they wrote this week returned to them.

This past week, they received their Fluids/Systems in Action term project as well as assigned their groups they will be working in.  There are 3 components to the project: proposal, device/model, and an individual written component.

All the assignment detail, criteria and evaluation were handed out.  Students should know all the expectations.

Grade 7 Science

The students finished their design for their lunchbox/thermos project.  They have begun building their frame from wood and were shown how to use the equipment and building procedures this week.

Grade 6 Science

The students continued to work on their electricity house project.  They were told to review how to build a series and parallel circuit and practice in class.  They were also told, for homework they should be working on the written component to the project found on the back of their assignment handout.  Their entire project is due next week Thursday.

Grade 8 Science

The students have received their mark for their Viscosity and Density test.  They will be allowed to take the test home next week.  This past week we covered Buoyancy concepts.  Some readings and questions were assigned and an in class activity.  We went over the concepts through a lesson and class discussion.  I told the students to expect a small test to assess their understanding of these concepts next week.  8A is ahead in the unit and will have their test early next week and 8B may have their test at the end of the week.  Next week, they will be getting their Fluid/Structures term project.  It will be an in class project that will take several weeks to complete.  I will send out more details next week.

Grade 7 Science

The students should have received their Heat test and were asked to get it signed and returned.  We covered all the ways heat can be transferred this past week with two in class demonstrations and class assignments and assessment.  The students received their group for their Lunchbox/Thermos project.  They worked on their design plan this past week.  They should be gathering recyclable material they can use to insulate their box. They will start building next week and they will be working on this project for the next few weeks ahead.

Grade 6 Science

The students have been working on their Electricity House Project.  They were told they will get all of next week to work on it and a due date will be assigned for the following week.

Grade 8 Science

Students prepared and reviewed for their Viscosity and Density test this past week.  They were also asked to hand in their lab on Density.  8A started looking at buoyancy concepts and were asked to answer a few questions.  We will be wrapping up most of the theory for this unit in the next week or two.  Then we will be getting into a more hands on building hydraulic project.

If any student did not write their test they should come in Monday with their lunch and write it then.

Grade 7 Science

Students will receive their Heat test mark next week as well as their temperature and forensics assignment.  This past week, we started looking at the background concepts they will need in order to start their heat project. Specifically, we are focusing on the different ways in which heat transfers.  We have investigated the process of conduction and looked at various different heat conductors.  Next week, we will be looking at convection and radiation.  

Grade 6 Science

Students received their partners for their electricity project.  They also learned to draw the correct symbols for drawing circuits.  They have begun planning and designing their electricity houses and were asked to make a 'blueprint' of their design for approval before they begin building.  Next week, they will be focusing mainly on constructing and building their electricity houses.

Grade 8 Science

The students tooth paste assignment was handed back.  If for whatever reason, any student did not receive their assignment they will get it back next week. 

8A started their Density lab last week and were asked to finish specific questions related to the lab.  8B received a copy of the lab today to read over and answer the hypotheses.  They will be starting the lab next week.

We continued to review and practice density related questions.  Some extra review practice questions were assigned from the textbook (pg. 234-235, #1-6, 11, 14).

Next week, both classes can expect a test on Fluids (Particle theory, Viscosity, Flow Rate and Density).

Grade 7 Science

Students wrote their first Heat test this past week and should have them returned next week.

They were given out their term project that will involve them planning, designing and constructing a device that will minimize heat transfer or loss.  The project details and rubric/assessment were handed out and gone over.

Next week, they will be looking at the different ways heat is transferred: conduction, convection and radiation.

Grade 6 Science

Students were handed back their Electricity test and were asked to get it signed.  This past week, they continued to study and build two types of circuits: series and parallel circuits.  They were given their term project that will involve them planning, designing and constructing a house that will include several types of circuits.  Both the project details and rubric/assessment were handed out and gone over.  They also began to learn about the correct symbols that are used to draw circuits.

Grade 8 Science

To date the grade 8 students have covered the following topics:

-     Safety Equipment, Rules and Procedures (Test Returned)

-     Fluids – Particle Theory

-     Viscosity and Flow Rate (Toothpaste Assignment – Will be returned next week)

This past week, we started looking at Density and Density Calculations.  The students were given a practice worksheet to complete for homework due on Monday. 

Next week, they will be conducting a lab on Density and they can expect a quiz coming up related to Fluids (Particle Theory, Viscosity and Density).

Grade 7 Science

The grade 7 students have started their first unit on Heat.  To date the students have covered the following material:

-     Safety Equipment, Rules and Procedures (Test Returned)

-     The Particle Theory and 3 States of Matter

-     Parts of a Thermometer

-     Specific Temperatures (ex. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius)

-     Temperature and Forensics Lab Assignment (Handed in for Marking)

-     How a Clinical Thermometer, Thermostat and Thermocouple work

-     Vocabulary List: Particle Theory, Heat, Temperature and Change of State

This past week, they have started looking at the different Changes of State and what each phase is called.  They had in class work to complete and hand in.  They can expect a quiz coming up soon.

Grade 6 Science

The grade 6 students have started their first unit on Electricity.  To date the students have completed the following:

-     Introduction to Electricity, Electrical Charges, Atom and How a Battery Works

-     They have had their first test and will have it returned next week

This past week, the students have been building simple circuits.  They will be having an upcoming assignment given to them where they will need to have a 9volt battery.  They will be learning how to construct different types of circuits.