Friction In Our Classroom

Today in class we reinforced our knowledge about friction and gravity by doing an online activity at the following site:Friction Activity  There is  a worksheet below that students need to complete as they go through the activity and answer questions that go along with it.  We also watched a video about NASCAR and how friction plays a role in the sport.

Scooter Interactive: Friction

Video:  NASCAR: Friction

From the video, answer the following questions:

1.  Name at least 5 ways friction plays a role.

2.  What is Mu?

3.  What is the formula for Mu?

Vocabulary Work Day

Today was a work day in class.  We worked on the Friction and Gravity worksheets (see yesterday's blog) and the vocabulary for the whole chapter.  The Friction and Gravity worksheet is due tomorrow, the vocabulary is due on Friday.  

Chapter 2 Physics Vocabulary

Chapter 2: Forces

Tug o' War

Balanced vs Unbalanced Forces 

Today we began learning about forces; unbalanced and balanced forces.  A perfect example of this is the game of Tug o' War.  When both sides are evenly matched and pulling equally, the forces are balanced.  When both sides are not evenly matched and/or one side is pulling more than the other, the forces are unbalanced and that team usually is the winner.  We read Chapter 2, Section 1 today and then watched the Bill Nye movie (see below) and then students were given a worksheet to complete as well.  To complete, just subtract the smaller number from the larger and determine directionality (by the larger number's arrow) and that's it.

Net Forces Worksheet

Bill Nye Forces

Distance vs Time Graphing

Today, we focused on graphing others "stories" or descriptions and reinforced those concepts.  There were a couple of worksheets passed out in class as well.  The Journey to the Bus Stop paper needs to be done for Monday's class.  The other worksheet is due as well on Monday.  It is a review of what we have learned.

Distance vs Time Graph Review
 Journey to the Bus Stop

Quiz and More

Today, as promised we took a quiz over Chapter 1, Lesson 1.  After the quiz, students were to read lesson 2 and complete all the questions throughout their reading.  We will go over those on Wednesday after our Veteran's Day holiday tomorrow.

2nd Quarter! A New Book, A New Topic!

A new quarter, a new book, a new topic....Forces and Motion!  AKA: Physics.  I'm excited to start this new topic, it's hands on and explains a lot of what happens day in and day out even in a middle schoolers life!  So, here we go!  Today, students got their new book and began out the quarter by doing a textbook scavenger hunt.  Scavenger Hunts are due tomorrow!  If you need a copy, it is below.

Forces and Motion Scavenger Hunt

Metric Review

Today was all review of the metric system.   It was conversion from one unit to another as well as understanding the values of the prefixes.  The worksheet also applied the use of the metric system into different situations.  There will be a TEST over this as well as other concepts either Tuesday or Wednesday next week.  Stay tuned.

Metric Homework/Review Sheet

Calculating Volume Using Displacement

We watched the above video and then applied what we learned to a lab in which students were to calculate the volume of various irregular shaped objects using a graduated cylinder.  The objects included: 5 marbles, 10 pennies, 2 crayons, 4 dice.  Once complete, they were to answer questions based on the lab.  There was homework assigned and it is located below for those that may need it.

Volume of Irregular Objects Lab

Voume of Irregular Shaped Objects Worksheet

Volume of Cylinders Review

Volume of a cylinder is pi x radius squared x height.  Just reviewed that in class and had it for homework if students didn't finish.  We also had a conclusion to write for homework.  Students will be scoring each others to gain a better understanding of what is expected of them.  A scoring rubric was posted on the blog the other day.  

Reminder: Conclusion Quiz FRIDAY!

Volume Cylinder
Conclusion Data

Experimental Variables/Conclusion Writing

We reviewed how to write a conclusion.  There is a format that the students will need to use each time.  We will be having a quiz on conclusion writing next week!  Students will be expected to take/retake the quiz until they receive an A on it!  Mastery of the concept is a necessity.  For class today, we wrote a conclusion together and then I gave them a paper on How to Write a Conclusion. Homework was assigned on conclusion writing.  A copy of it is below.  We also worked on experimental variables.  If not completed in class, it is homework as well.  

Conclusion Writing: Tomatoes
Experimental Variables Worksheet

Hypothesis Review

Today in class we corrected our homework from yesterday and then reviewed the proper format for writing a hypothesis.  The proper format is: If the manipulated variable increases/decreases then the responding variable increases/decreases/stays the same because (logical reason).

Students will also need to write investigative questions in the proper format.  The proper format is:
How does the manipulated variable affect the responding variable?

Lastly, we watched the Scientific Method Video

Homework is below:

Hypothesis Practice

Variables: A Review

Today in class, we began by correcting their textbook Scavenger Hunt assignment, then we revisted what variables are.  In addition, we learned different terms that mean the same thing.  The three variables that students will be responsible for are manipulated, responding and controlled variables.  The two terms that they also learned and need to be able to interchange are independent variable=manipulated variable as well as dependent variable=responding variable.  
I love to show videos by the science teacher, Mr. Edmonds on YouTube.  I think that he does a great job helping use music to remember concepts.  Students were also assigned homework!  It is due tomorrow!

Identifying Variables Practice

Textbook Scavenger Hunt

We finished our group work and got our science textbooks today.  Homework was also assigned based on using the textbook.  It is a scavenger hunt trying to help the kids familiarize themselves with the textbook.  This book may look somewhat familiar, it was used in 6th grade.  We will review only some of the book but all of chapter 4.  If you need the assignment, a link to it is below.  

Textbook Scavenger Hunt